Fight For Love

Hearing Wei Yun's words, Shen Wushuang felt a twinge of irritation.

The Northern Di had now fully adopted a defensive stance, with Tuso and Sucha locked in a stalemate. If Great Chu did not take the initiative to attack, nothing major would happen. Wei Yun called Wei Qiu and Qin Shiyue in, briefed them on the military preparations for the coming months, and then said plainly, "During my absence, there will likely be a ceasefire, so nothing major should occur. I’ll leave a double in the general’s residence—help cover for him. Use this time to rest and recuperate properly. Make sure to prepare everything that needs to be ready. Before I bring the person back, if you can reach me, contact me. If not, seek out Lord Chu."

Wei Qiu and Qin Shiyue nodded without asking further questions. After clarifying a few minor details, they left.

Once they were gone, Shen Wushuang brought in a pile of small bamboo tubes and placed them in front of Wei Yun. "Take these—they contain all the commonly needed medicines."

Wei Yun nodded. Wei Xia went out to prepare his travel documents, while Shen Wushuang picked up a jug of wine and invited him, "Care to chat outside?"

Wei Yun agreed and followed Shen Wushuang out, sitting together on the long corridor.

The northern sky was clear and vast, cloudless, with a bright moon hanging high—luminous and pure. Over the years, Wei Yun had grown quickly, now unmistakably a young man. Sitting beside Shen Wushuang, he towered over him by half a head.

"Honestly, capturing someone shouldn’t require you to go personally," Shen Wushuang remarked casually.

Wei Yun poured himself a drink and replied calmly, "This matter is too important. I can’t rest easy leaving it to others."

"He’s heading to Hua Jing. You’ll probably have to return there."

Wei Yun remained silent. Shen Wushuang grinned and teased, "Tell me, you’re not just using this as an excuse to go back, are you?"

Wei Yun shot him a cool glance but said nothing.

Shen Wushuang shrugged, thinking Wei Yun had become increasingly dull. When he was younger, he used to talk more, but as he grew older, his words grew fewer—now he spoke only when absolutely necessary.

Growing up was like building a house around one’s heart, shutting everyone else out. Once the house was complete, the world outside became distant, emotions dulled, and everything turned coldly rational.

Shen Wushuang couldn’t say whether this was good or bad—he had walked the same path himself. So he said, "It’s been three years since you last returned. You should visit your mother."

"Mm," Wei Yun finally acknowledged. Shen Wushuang lifted a hand, gesturing toward the pillar inside the room. "And you’ve missed that person for three years too. Seeing her again wouldn’t hurt."

Wei Yun fell silent. After a long pause, he finally murmured, "I’ll see her in secret."

Shen Wushuang laughed. "What’s with the secrecy? If you want to see her, just see her. What law are you breaking?"

Wei Yun glanced at him. "The law in my heart."

Shen Wushuang was momentarily speechless. Wei Yun poured him more wine. "Wushuang, I’m not like you."

His voice was steady. "I can’t be as carefree as you. If I were with her, countless eyes would be watching. Back then, Gu Chusheng said I was too young. I stubbornly insisted I’d hold on, but deep down, I was afraid."

"Later, my second sister-in-law laid everything out clearly. And I realized—she was right.""If you love someone, you must pave all the paths for her. You can't recklessly drag her down an especially difficult road just because you like her. Even if she doesn't care," Wei Yun raised the wine cup to his lips, gazing at the bright moon, "I would still feel heartbroken."

"So what do you plan to do?" Shen Wushuang asked irritably, for Wei Yun's words struck a chord in his own heart.

Shen Wushuang pointed at the scarred pillar in the room: "Do you plan to cover that pillar with carvings and spend your whole life like this?!"

"I've given myself five years. If by the time I come of age, I still love her as I do now—"

Wei Yun spoke calmly. Shen Wushuang found it strange and turned to look at the man bathed in moonlight, watching as he finished his wine and gently set the cup on the ground, as if stating the most ordinary matter, yet with an inexplicable solemnity in his tone: "I will return to marry her."

Chu Yu knelt beside The Eldest Princess, watching as the imperial physicians withdrew one after another.

Nearly the entire Imperial Medical Bureau had come to examine her, and each had given The Eldest Princess the same confirmation—she was indeed pregnant.

This became an inescapable reality for The Eldest Princess. She dismissed everyone, leaving only Chu Yu in the room with her.

As soon as the door closed, silence filled the chamber. The Eldest Princess turned her gaze to Chu Yu.

Her hands trembled slightly. Chu Yu met her eyes steadily: "Your Highness, this is your child."

"And his."

The Eldest Princess gritted her teeth: "He forced my brother to death, imprisoned me here, slaughtered seventy thousand of Great Chu's soldiers, sent my daughter away in marriage—"

Tears welled in The Eldest Princess's eyes: "And now he wants me to bear his child?! Never!"

With that, she shoved Chu Yu aside and staggered to her feet, as if searching for something, muttering repeatedly: "I can't keep this child, I can't, I..."

Chu Yu hurried after her, grabbing hold of The Eldest Princess. When she realized Chu Yu wouldn't let her find what she sought, she raised her hands to strike her own belly. Chu Yu seized her wrists and cried out sharply: "Your Highness!"

The Eldest Princess slowly turned her head, staring blankly at Chu Yu. Tears filled her eyes, and Chu Yu had never seen her look so vulnerable. She seemed like a young girl who had lost all her armor and sword, utterly lost.

"I can't have his child," she rasped. "Do you understand? Huh?"

"I understand," Chu Yu clasped her hands firmly. "I understand."

"He is my enemy, a criminal of Great Chu. One day I will kill him with my own hands, send him to the underworld to atone to everyone—do you hear me?!"

"I know."

"I've already humiliated myself by submitting to him—my pride, my dignity, my honor, my family, my love, I've lost them all, given them all to him! What more does he want?!"

The Eldest Princess's voice rose sharply. Trembling, she pressed her hands to her belly, her expression frantic: "I feel like he's a seed of poison, trying to take root inside me. But no... I can yield in everything else, but I will never bear his child... I will never let his bastard grow in my womb. I will kill him, and if I have his child..."

Her face pale, The Eldest Princess whispered: "Would that force me to kill my own child someday too?"Killing one lover was enough.

In her lifetime, she lost her mother in the chaos of the palace as a child, her father after her brother seized the throne, her husband in her youth, and her brother in middle age.

She always told others that she wanted to live beautifully, to never let others laugh at her.

But from a minister's daughter to the Eldest Princess, and then from the Eldest Princess to Consort Mei, who relied on the emperor's favor—her life had long been a joke to others.

This child seemed to be breaking her, like the final straw weighing her down. She had no strength left, staring blankly outside the palace. She desperately tried to stand but couldn't; she fought to hold back her tears, yet could only watch as her vision blurred.

Chu Yu sensed her struggle and gently supported her, saying calmly, "Your Highness, the path of life is one we choose ourselves."

The Eldest Princess paused slightly, slowly raising her head to look at Chu Yu, whose expression was steady. "Everyone's path is difficult. We all face hardships—losing loved ones, betrayal, schemes, reaching dead ends. Everyone has such moments, but what matters is the choice we make."

"Some choose to cut the ropes dragging them into the swamp, while others let themselves be pulled under. Your Highness," Chu Yu's grip on her hand was as firm as if a thousand pounds rested upon it, unwavering. This gave the Eldest Princess a sense of security, and she gradually calmed down, meeting Chu Yu's gaze as she continued, "If you cut those ropes and walk out, you'll be fine."

"The road of life is still long, isn't it?"

Hearing this, the Eldest Princess finally steadied her emotions. She looked at Chu Yu quietly for a long time before finally saying, "You're right."

With Chu Yu's support, she stood up and slowly returned to her bed, speaking calmly, "I must walk out of this."

Chu Yu remained silent, standing by her side. After a long silence, the Eldest Princess finally spoke again, "Find a way to let Wang Guifei know that I usually enjoy the scent of Ten-Day Fragrance."

Chu Yu was momentarily stunned.

Ten-Day Fragrance was a unique scent produced from dried flowers native to the southeast, its fragrance lasting for ten days, hence its name. It had calming properties, but few knew that it closely resembled another southeastern flower called 'Zi Si.' While Zi Si had blood-activating and beauty-enhancing effects for women, it was strictly forbidden during pregnancy. Wearing a Zi Si sachet for even a day could cause a miscarriage. Thus, women in the southeast, even if fond of Ten-Day Fragrance, rarely used it during pregnancy to avoid confusion with Zi Si.

Wang Guifei had spent her childhood in the southeast with her maternal family. While Ten-Day Fragrance might be unfamiliar to others, it was anything but to her.

In that instant, Chu Yu understood the Eldest Princess's intent.

She opened her mouth but found no words.

The child was the Eldest Princess's, the life was hers. Chu Yu could advise her to keep the child, but what then?

She couldn't live the Eldest Princess's life for her, nor could she raise the child in her stead. This child, once born, would inevitably be caught between Zhao Yue and the Eldest Princess. Their relationship was already a deadlock—how innocent would this child be, born into such a fate?Yet she too had once carried a child. Though that child was now a distant memory and had broken her heart, she could still recall the desperate urge to protect that life when she had been pregnant.

Thus, she lowered her eyes and said softly, "Has Your Highness made your decision?"

The Eldest Princess remained silent, gripping the armrests. After a long pause, she spoke hoarsely, word by word: "I've thought it through clearly. There's no need to drag innocents into the matters between him and me."

Chu Yu nodded and stepped forward to tuck the blanket around the princess. Just then, an announcement came from outside. Before the eunuch's voice had even faded, Zhao Yue's anxious words rang out: "I heard you summoned the entire Imperial Hospital. They told me you're with child—"

His words cut off abruptly as he caught sight of Chu Yu. Visibly flustered, he stopped in his tracks and cleared his throat. "Madam Wei."

"Your Majesty."

Chu Yu turned and bowed respectfully.

Zhao Yue's gaze shifted to the princess, who understood his meaning and waved at Chu Yu. "You may withdraw first."

Chu Yu bowed again before exiting. Once in the corridor, she whispered to Wanyue, "Spread word of the princess's pregnancy to our spies in the palace. Ensure everyone learns of it quickly."

Wanyue acknowledged the order. Chu Yu then headed to the imperial gardens with Changyue, pausing by the waterside pavilion to give Wanyue time to deliver the message.

Soon after, Wanyue returned in haste and murmured, "It's done."

Chu Yu nodded and led the way back to Wei Manor.

There, she sent for Jiang Chun and prepared luxurious items like Ten-Day Fragrance and golden hairpins. She had Changyue paint her nails red, shaping them to resemble the princess's.

Midway through these preparations, a maid announced, "Madam, the Song Family has sent gifts."

Chu Yu watched Changyue coloring her nails by candlelight and replied calmly, "Tell them I've retired for the night and am not receiving visitors."

Not long after, another maid came to report, "Madam, the Wang Family requests an audience."

"Denied."

The maid withdrew to relay the refusal to the Wang servants. Changyue asked curiously, "Madam, why are they all seeking you out tonight?"

Chu Yu smiled faintly. "With new masters soon entering the rear palace, how could they not panic?"

As she spoke, Wanyue entered with cosmetics and sachets. Glancing at the items, Chu Yu continued slowly, "The imperial harem currently lacks heirs. Once the princess gives birth, with our Wei family supporting her, her enthronement as empress will be imminent. Whether the Wang and Song families come to probe for information or to sway allegiances, tonight was inevitable."

"Aren't you worried about offending them by refusing so bluntly?" Wanyue knelt behind Chu Yu, combing her hair.

Chu Yu examined her reddened nails in the candlelight. "With the princess's pregnancy now public, this is a critical moment. Whether I receive them signals my stance. To the Wang and Song families, my refusal demonstrates continued loyalty to the princess. Meeting them would be the true anomaly."

She finished painting her nails and raised her hand to inspect them in the glow. "As for giving offense—from the day I allied with the princess, I'd already crossed that line. Why fret over it now?"

"True enough."Changyue nodded, looking at the golden hairpins with some confusion. "Then what does Madam plan to do with these things?"

This time, Chu Yu didn't explain. She simply smiled and said, "I have my own uses for them."

The next day, Chu Yu donned a dark blue gown with an outer layer of silver gauze embroidered with golden threads. After careful selection, she chose one of the more inconspicuous hairpins from the previous night and tucked it into her hair. Then, fastening a sachet of Ten-Day Fragrance, she mounted her horse and headed for the palace.

Shortly after entering the palace, as she made her way toward Phoenix Perch Palace, she saw a woman being carried past the gardens in a sedan chair. Chu Yu halted her steps, clasped her hands in front of her, and bowed her head slightly, waiting for the woman to pass. Unexpectedly, the woman directed the bearers to bring the sedan chair to Chu Yu's side and stopped beside her. "Madam Wei," she said.

"Greetings to Her Highness the Noble Consort."

Chu Yu curtsied respectfully, and Wang Guifei nodded in acknowledgment.

Today, Wang Guifei wore a moon-white silk dress, looking quite dignified. The Wang Family had long hoped for her to ascend to the position of empress and had groomed her accordingly. Among the three noble consorts in the palace, The Eldest Princess had a tarnished reputation, Yao was arrogant and domineering, and Song was young and spoiled. If not for Zhao Yue's lingering affection for The Eldest Princess, the Wang Clan would indeed be the most likely candidate for the throne—

Of course, that was only if The Eldest Princess did not bear a son.

Wang Guifei's appearance here was no mystery to Chu Yu or anyone present. Wang Guifei gave Chu Yu a thorough once-over and chuckled lightly. "I recall the last time I saw you was at the spring banquet. Back then, you were dressed plainly. Now, you've started to adorn yourself."

Chu Yu remained composed. "I am but a simple woman who enjoys beauty. With the mourning period now over, I picked out some ornaments I liked. I thought the change was subtle," she said with a light laugh, raising a hand to touch the golden hairpin in her hair, feigning slight embarrassment. "But I didn’t expect Your Highness to notice such fine details."

Wang Guifei sighed softly. "You're only nineteen. Life is long, and this is the prime of your youth."

Chu Yu understood the implication—that she was still young and would eventually leave the Wei family to remarry, so she ought to plan for herself.

The Wei family might ally with The Eldest Princess, but that was the Wei family's affair, not necessarily Chu Yu's.

Seeing Chu Yu's silence, Wang Guifei assumed she had grasped the message and patted her shoulder. "We share a connection. If you ever face difficulties, you may come to me."

Leaning back slightly in her sedan chair, Wang Guifei allowed a hint of pride to show. "The Wang Clan is a first-rank noble family, a renowned lineage of centuries. There are many things others cannot achieve, but the Wang Family might. With your qualities, Madam Wei, even as a remarried woman, our clan could do much for you. If you find kinship with us, even the position of a principal wife in the Wang main line might not be out of reach."

Hearing this, Chu Yu pressed her lips together and smiled faintly.

Noticing her expression, Wang Guifei frowned slightly. Chu Yu lifted her head, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and said calmly, "I appreciate Your Highness's concern, but I am reluctant to part with my title of Madam. I think I shall decline."

The Wang Clan may be a noble family of centuries, but was the Wei family not a house of four generations and three dukes?If we speak of family status, the Wang Clan and the Wei Clan are on equal footing. But in terms of reputation, the Wei Clan is the backbone of the nation, admired by all. Now, Chu Yu holds a first-rank imperial title in Wei Manor. What more could she gain by going to the Wang Clan besides acquiring another man?

Wang Guifei detected the mockery in these words but suppressed her anger, advising, "Madam Wei, how bitter it is for a woman to live alone her entire life—you’ll only understand later. Listen to this concubine’s advice—don’t refuse to admit defeat until all is lost."

"Your Highness speaks wisely," Chu Yu sighed, placing a hand over her chest. "But alas, this concubine cares too much about this imperial title. There’s no need for Your Highness to trouble yourself over it."

Just then, a palace maid emerged from around the corner. Everyone recognized her as Caiyun, who served The Eldest Princess.

"Greetings to Wang Guifei."

Caiyun bowed respectfully to Wang Guifei before turning to Chu Yu. "Madam Wei, Consort Mei has grown impatient waiting for you and sent this servant to fetch you."

Chu Yu glanced at Wang Guifei and smiled. "My apologies, Your Highness. Shall this concubine take my leave now?"

Wang Guifei nodded coldly, and Chu Yu turned away, following Caiyun toward Phoenix Perch Palace.

The moment Chu Yu disappeared from sight, Wang Guifei’s maid hissed, "Your Highness, did you see her attitude? Who does she think she is?"

A chill flashed in Wang Guifei’s eyes as she replied slowly, "Has this month’s batch of scented ointments been distributed in the palace yet?"

"Not yet."

Though The Eldest Princess was ostensibly in charge of palace affairs, Wang Guifei was the one truly managing things.

Wang Guifei nodded. "This month, don’t distribute the same scent to everyone. Present all available fragrances to the three imperial consorts and let them choose for themselves."

The maid was puzzled, but Wang Guifei offered no explanation. Her mind lingered on the scent of Ten-Day Fragrance that clung to Chu Yu.

It was clear that Chu Yu, to curry favor with The Eldest Princess, was mimicking her in every detail. Though her attire remained mostly dignified, she now wore golden hairpins and painted her nails with henna—all habits learned from The Eldest Princess. The Ten-Day Fragrance… was likely also her preference.

If she sent the scented ointments over, The Eldest Princess would naturally choose the one she favored. Since everything was palace property, any mishap couldn’t be blamed on her.

Wang Guifei smiled faintly and walked away.

In the following days, Chu Yu maintained her usual routine, regularly visiting the palace to pay respects to The Eldest Princess. Under the guise of playing chess, she mapped out escape routes within the palace.

Their scheme was designed to provoke Wang Guifei into complaining to her father, thereby stirring conflict between the Wang Clan and Zhao Yue. If Zhao Yue simply killed her and then framed someone else, covered it up, or even found a substitute, all their efforts would be in vain.

They had to ensure Wang Guifei survived. Extracting someone from the palace wasn’t easy—preparations had to be made early.

"She let me choose my own scented ointment. I picked Ten-Day Fragrance."

The Eldest Princess spoke calmly. "Tonight, I’ll use it. Have Changyue and Wanyue take someone disguised as you back to Wei Manor today, but you stay behind and hide in my palace."

Chu Yu nodded, placing a piece on the chessboard. "How far do you think Zhao Yue will go for you?""The Wang Family is his maternal clan. The position he holds now was achieved solely through careful balancing and maneuvering. He wouldn't offend the Wang Family too severely for my sake."

The Eldest Princess said calmly, "At most, she'll be confined and demoted in rank. So we need to add fuel to the fire and make it burn brighter."

Chu Yu listened quietly. The Eldest Princess looked up at her and said, "While she's confined, I'll send people disguised as Zhao Yue's men to assassinate her. You take the opportunity to rescue her and make her believe Zhao Yue intended to secretly eliminate her."

Chu Yu's hand, holding a chess piece, paused. After a long moment, she lowered her eyes and softly replied, "Mm."

On this path, no one has ever been truly clean.

After finishing the game of chess, Chu Yu entered the inner chamber, changed clothes with a covert guard, and had Changyue and Wanyue escort the disguised guard back to the residence pretending it was her. Meanwhile, she dressed as a palace maid, donned a human skin mask, and hid in the Eldest Princess's inner chamber.

By dinnertime, the Eldest Princess sat alone before her mirror. Chu Yu stood behind her, watching their reflections. After a long silence, the princess spoke slowly, "A long time ago, I actually thought about bearing his child."

"But back then, he was still too young. I was five years his senior and already had a daughter. He was in the prime of his youth—the Qin Prince Heir. Even in his reduced circumstances by my side, I knew many young girls adored him."

The Eldest Princess let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Sometimes I thought, why not forget about love and just take him to bed? Having his body would be enough. But I was terrified..."

"Of what, Your Highness?"

Chu Yu stepped forward and began combing the princess's hair. The princess answered hoarsely, "I was afraid he'd fall in love with me."

Closing her eyes slowly, the princess continued, "A Yu, these young men often can't distinguish between lust and love."

"Before I fell for Zhao Yue, I once had a male concubine. He was very young—I was his first woman." A bitter smile touched her lips. "I thought him pure. Did I love him? Not particularly. But when he professed his love, his sincerity did move me somewhat."

"Then one day... he ran off with another woman."

"When the guards brought him back, I asked him—if he loved me, why run away with another?"

"Had he changed his heart?"

"No." The princess shook her head and opened her eyes with mocking amusement. "He told me it was his mistake—he hadn't understood the difference between desire and emotion. As his first woman, he'd mistaken physical longing for love. Only after meeting that woman did he realize they weren't the same."

"A man can easily desire a woman. But as he grows, as he meets more people, he'll discover—ah, desire and love are truly worlds apart. Yet when they pursue you out of lust, their sincerity can fool even themselves. And it's not just men... women are the same. Do you know when I knew beyond doubt that I loved Zhao Yue?"

The princess's gaze grew distant. "When I held him tight and heard him ask tenderly, 'Does it hurt?' When he clung to me desperately, carrying me like a child to ecstasy's peak—in those moments, a terrifying thought would seize me: I love this person so deeply I'd abandon everything for him."

"So until he clearly expressed his love, I never touched him."

Her expression gradually calmed. "If I want love, I want it pure. Otherwise, I'd rather go my whole life getting nothing at all."

With that, the princess picked up a scented ointment from the table.

Her hands trembled as she opened the lid. Under Chu Yu's watchful eyes, she began applying it—first to her face, then her neck, her hands, before finally circling it over her abdomen in slow, deliberate motions.The scent of Zi Si, almost indistinguishable from the Ten-Day Fragrance, permeated the air. The Eldest Princess had finished applying it, but she lacked even the strength to close the lid, letting the box fall to the ground.

Chu Yu stepped forward, picked up the ointment, tightened the lid, and placed it on the table.

Then she helped The Eldest Princess into bed and stood by her side.

About two hours later, The Eldest Princess began to feel abdominal pain. Chu Yu rushed out, shouting loudly for the imperial physicians to come quickly.

The physicians arrived with Zhao Yue, and Chu Yu blended into the crowd, standing outside the door.

By the time Zhao Yue arrived, The Eldest Princess's pain had intensified. She clenched her teeth, her face deathly pale, as blood trickled from beneath her. Zhao Yue held her in his arms, his entire body trembling.

He kissed her forehead and whispered, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."

Their fingers intertwined, and The Eldest Princess gripped his hand tightly in her pain, but he didn't let go, holding her firmly.

The physicians repeatedly questioned The Eldest Princess about what she had used, finally identifying the ointment. After a consultation with the entire Imperial Medical Bureau, a physician from the southeastern region recognized that the flowers in the ointment were likely Zi Si.

The physicians quickly prescribed medicine, and after a harrowing night, The Eldest Princess fainted from the pain before the bleeding finally stopped. Zhao Yue stood in the room, looking at the kneeling physicians, his voice hoarse as he asked, "The Crown Prince... is lost?"

Even before the child was born, Zhao Yue referred to it as "The Crown Prince," revealing his high hopes for this child.

The physicians trembled in fear, none daring to answer. Zhao Yue suddenly raised his voice: "Speak!"

"Your Majesty," the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau finally spoke, sighing. "Zi Si is highly toxic. Your Majesty, please accept our condolences."

"Why would such a thing be here..." Zhao Yue's voice shook. "Consort Mei is pregnant—how could such a thing be in the palace? Who brought it here?"

Zhao Yue clutched the ointment, roaring, "How did this get here? Don't you useless servants know that Zi Si must never be near a pregnant woman?!"

"Your Majesty..." Caiyun timidly spoke up. "But when this ointment was delivered, it was clearly labeled as Ten-Day Fragrance..."

Zhao Yue froze for a moment before realization struck him. His limbs turned cold as he stared at the ointment. Familiar with such vile schemes, he instantly understood the whole story.

"Bring everyone who handled this ointment before me."

His voice was icy. Soon, the palace maids responsible for distributing the ointment were brought forward. Zhao Yue knelt on the raised seat, playing with the ointment box, his gaze calm as he looked at the trembling figures kneeling below. "This was my first child. Do you know how long I've waited for it?"

He lifted his head, his eyes settling on those kneeling, his voice tinged with amusement. "Twelve years."

Twelve years ago, he first realized he had fallen in love with his little aunt.

For twelve years since, his greatest wish in life had been to marry her and have a child with her.

But it was destroyed.

Zhao Yue stood up, his tone eerily calm. "I'll give you one chance. Speak the truth, or I'll send you to a place where I guarantee you'll wish for death."

The people present began to sob, urging one another to confess. Yet, after a long silence, no one stepped forward. Zhao Yue waved his hand, ordering them to be taken away. But just then, a palace maid screamed, "It was Wang Guifei! Wang Guifei!"Zhao Yue raised his head as the maidservant crawled forward, weeping. "Your Highness, I don't know what happened, but in the past, the distribution of scented ointments was always done uniformly according to the established inventory rules. This month, Wang Guifei suddenly ordered a change in the procedure, requiring everyone to select their own... There were no anomalies in this year's distribution except for this one incident. It must have been her!"

A flicker of emotion passed through Zhao Yue's eyes.

Wang Guifei...

His hand trembled slightly as he clutched the ointment box. Then he stood up and gestured to his attendants, commanding, "Take her away for interrogation. Whoever provides useful information can then die."

Everyone was stunned, and those listening nearby found it even more bizarre. Normally, during interrogations, providing information would spare one's life—who had ever heard of seeking death in exchange for information? Unless...

Unless the method was too cruel.

Chu Yu, listening from outside, looked up at the moon, her heart trembling slightly.

She thought to herself that both she and The Eldest Princess had severely underestimated Zhao Yue's ruthlessness.

After these words were spoken, movement finally came from the inner chamber.

Zhao Yue hurriedly rose and went to The Eldest Princess's side. Kneeling by the bed, he grasped her hand and asked hoarsely, "It's alright now. Are you still in pain?"

The Eldest Princess gazed calmly at the canopy above the bed.

Slowly, she raised her hand and placed it on her abdomen, then turned to look at Zhao Yue. In a raspy voice, she asked, "What about him?"

Zhao Yue froze, but The Eldest Princess said nothing more.

Her face was utterly expressionless, as still as death. A shiver ran through Zhao Yue's heart—this was the same look she had worn the year Mei Hanxue died.

Panicked, he tightened his grip on her hand and spoke hurriedly, "Don't grieve. We can have other children, we—"

"So he died for nothing, is that it?"

The Eldest Princess stared at him, a slow smile forming as tears welled in her eyes. "A-Yue, why can't I keep anyone?"

"Why... is it so hard for us?"

"Look at us," she continued, her laughter growing louder. "You, a puppet emperor, and me, a disgraced consort living in shadows. Our son is dead, and all we can do is hold hands and pretend nothing happened, swallowing our humiliation."

"Stop..." Zhao Yue trembled, struggling to maintain his composure.

The Eldest Princess looked at him, tears brimming. "Zhao Yue," she mocked, "even a butcher's rage can kill. You, an emperor—what can you do?"

Zhao Yue pressed his lips together and remained silent.

"You know," she withdrew her hand from his and gently placed it on his cheek, speaking softly, "I already knew."

"From the moment the pain started, I foresaw the outcome. I knew it would only end with the deaths of a few maids and guards—the real culprit would go unpunished, or at most, receive a slap on the wrist. I know it's difficult for you."

Her voice grew hoarser. "I know your position is precarious. That's why I don't blame you. But I'm afraid... I'm so afraid..."

Finally, she could no longer hold back and burst into sobs. Zhao Yue pulled her into his embrace, listening as she cried herself hoarse.

He had never seen The Eldest Princess like this before.

In his heart, she had always maintained her pride, never allowing anyone to see her vulnerability. This was the first time she had let go of all pretense in his arms, repeating to him over and over—

I'm afraid.

Tears filled Zhao Yue's eyes as he held her, his hands trembling slightly. When she finally cried herself to exhaustion, he laid her down gently.His body trembled, his steps unsteady as he took a sword from the wall and strode out.

No sooner had he stepped beyond the gates than he ordered the imperial guards to seal off the entire Phoenix Perch Palace. Leaving behind the command, "Clear out Phoenix Perch Palace," he hurried toward Sunset Glow Palace, where Wang Guifei resided.

Zhang Hui, the eunuch who had served him for years, sensed something amiss with Zhao Yue and anxiously asked, "Your Majesty, what are you planning to do...?"

Zhao Yue remained silent.

Gathering his courage, Zhang Hui grabbed Zhao Yue’s sleeve and cried out, "Your Majesty!" Zhao Yue halted and turned to look at him. Zhang Hui’s voice trembled as if on the verge of tears. "The Wang Family is your maternal clan..."

Zhao Yue stared at Zhang Hui.

This was the man who had followed him since childhood, someone he had always respected. He addressed him with the name from his days of wandering: "Uncle Zhang."

Zhang Hui’s eyes reddened. Zhao Yue forced a bitter smile. "This was my first child. I was so happy. I thought that once this child was born, she and I could finally live peacefully."

Zhang Hui’s voice was hoarse. "You will have others in the future."

"I am his father, and her husband. Now, my child is dead, and my wife lies in the palace, saying she is afraid..."

Zhao Yue’s voice shook before rising sharply. "When in her life has she ever said she was afraid?!"

"I know what you want to say. Yes, the Wang Family is my maternal clan, but Wang Zhi must die. Uncle Zhang, don’t worry—her death won’t be known. I will arrange everything."

Zhao Yue gradually regained his composure, his face filled with murderous intent. "No one will stop me."

Hidden in the shadows, Chu Yu frowned at Zhao Yue’s words and hurried ahead toward Sunset Glow Palace.

Her mind was in turmoil.

Neither she nor The Eldest Princess had expected Zhao Yue to go this far.

No matter what, Wang Guifei had to survive. If she truly died, with Zhao Yue’s capabilities, he might indeed cover it all up.

Chu Yu swiftly infiltrated Sunset Glow Palace, slipping directly into Wang Guifei’s chamber. Before the woman could make a sound, Chu Yu sealed her acupoints, hoisted her over her shoulder, and fled.

Just then, Zhao Yue arrived with his sword. Chu Yu and Wang Guifei hid among the treetops, listening as Zhao Yue roared at the palace attendants, "Where is she?!"

Wang Guifei’s eyes flickered with shock and uncertainty. Unable to find her, Zhao Yue ordered a widespread search before setting Sunset Glow Palace ablaze.

"He truly is determined to kill you," Chu Yu murmured with a sigh. "Your Highness, if you don’t leave the palace tonight, death is your only fate."

With that, seeing no one around, she swiftly carried Wang Guifei to a prepared hiding spot, stuffing her into a slop bucket. Taking a token, she disguised herself as a servant and helped carry the bucket onto a waiting carriage.

By the time the carriage reached the palace gates, chaos had erupted within. Zhao Yue had ordered the gates sealed. Watching the guards argue, Chu Yu wasted no time—urging the horse forward, she charged straight for the gates, catching everyone off guard as she broke through.

Soldiers gave chase, but Chu Yu, carrying Wang Guifei, leaped onto the rooftops. The pursuers were mere foot soldiers, and within a few bounds, they lost sight of her.

Holding Wang Guifei, Chu Yu’s heart pounded wildly.

She had been terrified doing all this. And in that fear, a figure flashed through her mind.

She couldn’t help but smile faintly.Habit is truly a terrifying thing. In this lifetime, no one had ever given her a sense of peace—until she met that one person. From then on, whenever she felt afraid, she would think of him.

Wei Yun.

That name seemed to carry boundless strength. With a faint smile, she actually calmed down just like that.

At the same time, Wei Yun had also prepared everything. Wearing a mask, he set off straight toward Hua Jing.