Chu Yu was already awake at this moment. She called Wei Yun in and hid behind the screen, baring her arm as Changyue wrapped the wound layer after layer to prevent the blood from seeping through.
Wei Yun stood in the main hall outside the screen. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Chu Yu asked, "I heard Gu Chusheng came. What did he say to you just now?"
Hearing the pain in her voice, Wei Yun roughly guessed what she was doing. He lowered his gaze, clenched his fists, and relayed Gu Chusheng's words truthfully. After listening, Chu Yu realized that Zhao Yue was going all out to target the Wang Family this time.
She had only intended to create discord between the Wang Family and Zhao Yue but hadn't expected things to escalate to this point. Zhao Yue would undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation. After a moment of contemplation, she dressed, rose, and stepped out from behind the screen, saying calmly, "I understand. You should rest first. I’ll head to the palace now."
"Madam Wei," Wei Yun followed her, eyeing her pale complexion. "Since Gu Chusheng has already seen me, I should go to the palace as well, in case Your Majesty inquires."
Chu Yu thought for a moment and nodded, taking Wei Yun with her to the palace.
Upon arriving, Zhao Yue was reviewing documents on the table. Chu Yu and Wei Yun entered, paying their respects respectfully before Zhao Yue looked up.
He appeared exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept for a long time. Seeing Chu Yu and Wei Yun kneeling on the ground, Zhao Yue spoke gently, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The two stood as instructed, and Zhao Yue gestured for them to be seated. Then, glancing at Wei Yun, he asked Chu Yu with a smile, "And who is this gentleman?"
"This is Gongsun Lan, the Wine Bearer from the Marquis’s army," Chu Yu introduced. Zhao Yue frowned. "A Wine Bearer from the army should be at the frontlines. What brings him to Hua Jing?"
"Your servant was ordered by the Marquis to present several confidential matters to Your Majesty," Wei Yun replied respectfully.
Zhao Yue nodded indifferently. "Then stay behind to speak privately later. Today, I invited Madam Wei here to ask about something."
With that, Zhao Yue’s expression turned sorrowful. "Have you heard about what happened in the palace last night, Madam Wei?"
"I’ve heard some," Chu Yu said calmly. "But the specifics remain unclear."
"To speak of it, it is my misfortune and lack of virtue," Zhao Yue sighed. "Wang Guifei, out of jealousy, caused Consort Mei to miscarry. I had only intended to reprimand her, but she set fire to the Sunset Glow Palace herself and couldn’t be saved. Minister Wang, driven mad by grief over his daughter’s death, took advantage of my handling of Wang Guifei’s matter to slaughter nearly a hundred physicians and palace servants in the Phoenix Perch Palace..."
At this point, Zhao Yue’s face twisted with anger. "How could a dignified minister and head of the Wang Family act so outrageously?! The imperial palace is no place for such rampages. Even if I overlook that, does he not have an ounce of compassion for others?!"
"Your Majesty speaks rightly," Chu Yu chimed in with indignation. "How could Wang He act this way? Your Majesty, has Minister Wang been imprisoned yet?"
Zhao Yue glanced at Chu Yu, noting her seemingly genuine expression. He shook his head. "Last night, someone helped Wang He escape."
Then, his gaze settled on Chu Yu as he tapped the small table. "Oddly enough, last night I sent someone to invite Madam Wei to accompany the Eldest Princess, but you happened to be unwell. May I ask what ailed you? Should I summon the imperial physician for a check-up?"Zhao Yue was smiling, yet his gaze was filled with scrutiny. Chu Yu picked up her teacup, pondering how to respond.
Zhao Yue’s questioning clearly indicated he knew she hadn’t been in the residence. If she lied now, he wouldn’t let her off easily. His methods were ruthless and decisive—he had executed the Wang Family without hesitation, something that had taken both her and the Eldest Princess by surprise.
It was difficult to predict the thoughts of someone without principles.
Chu Yu took a sip of tea and set the cup down. Zhao Yue’s smile remained scrutinizing, but before she could speak, Wei Yun suddenly interjected, “This matter… Your subject must beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Zhao Yue looked up at Wei Yun, frowning slightly. Wei Yun stepped forward and prostrated himself on the ground. “The Lady of the House was not in the residence last night.”
“Oh?” Zhao Yue chuckled lightly. “Could it be she went to fetch you?”
“Your Majesty is wise.”
“Gongsun Lan,” Zhao Yue said, holding his teacup and gently blowing on the leaves. “Do you take me for a fool? What status do you hold that the Lady of the House would rush out overnight to welcome you? Were you being pursued or in distress? If pursued, then by whom?”
Wei Yun replied calmly, “In terms of status, it is indeed unnecessary for the Lady of the House to receive me. However, this trip was made with another purpose.”
“Not to see me?” Zhao Yue sneered. “What other business could you have?”
“There is another matter.”
Wei Yun pressed his forehead to the ground. “Your subject and the Lady of the House are deeply attached to one another. I rushed back from the front lines under the Marquis’s orders—first to deliver a message, and second to ease the pain of longing.”
Zhao Yue froze as Wei Yun continued, “For this reason, the Lady of the House came out of the city last night to welcome me. Though our feelings are restrained by propriety, speaking of this would harm her reputation. Thus, we claimed she was ill. Now that Your Majesty has inquired, as a woman, it is improper for her to speak of such matters. From last night until today, she has been with me.”
Zhao Yue frowned, then began questioning Wei Yun in detail. “When did you and the Lady of the House meet?”
“Three years ago. At the time, I was but a commoner in Hua Jing, admiring her grace from afar. Over these three years, I often returned to the Wei residence during festivals in the Marquis’s stead to deliver gifts, and thus our paths crossed. Later, we exchanged Fish Letters, and I pursued her. Recently, she finally returned my affections. Unable to bear the longing, I sought permission to return to the capital.”
Zhao Yue listened, still unconvinced. He pressed Wei Yun further about Chu Yu—her life, preferences, the Wei family’s festival arrangements—everything he knew, one by one. Wei Yun answered fluently.
At first, Chu Yu listened with trepidation. After all, she and this Gongsun Lan were practically strangers with no prior interactions. But as she heard him recount details about her with such familiarity, she couldn’t help but feel astonished.
Though Gongsun Lan claimed Wei Yun often spoke of her, such intimate knowledge was unusual. There were many things even Wei Yun shouldn’t have known.
Suppressing her surprise, she kept her head lowered to conceal her expression. As Zhao Yue’s questioning slowed, his tone softened.
This was indeed how someone in love behaved.
Gongsun Lan’s feelings were laid bare, unmistakable. Zhao Yue, who had loved someone himself, recognized the sincerity in them. There was no pretense in Gongsun Lan’s affection for Chu Yu.After some thought, Zhao Yue turned to Chu Yu. Wei Yun had already explained the details earlier, and now Chu Yu was filling in the gaps seamlessly, leaving no room for suspicion. After listening to both of them, Zhao Yue remained silent for a long while before slowly smiling. "So it was all a misunderstanding. The two of you are a perfect match, deeply in love—there’s nothing wrong with that. I congratulate you both."
As he spoke, Zhao Yue raised a cup of wine in their honor. Then he turned to Chu Yu and said, "Consort Mei has just lost her child and is deeply depressed. Go and see her. I’d like to speak with Gongsun Mr. for a moment longer."
Chu Yu inwardly sighed in relief. She bowed and withdrew. Once she had left the room, Zhao Yue turned to Wei Yun and said calmly, "If you wish to speak with me, you should at least remove your mask first."
"My face was once burned in a fire, and I fear startling Your Majesty," Wei Yun replied evenly. Zhao Yue chuckled lightly but didn’t press further.
He knew all too well about the fire that had been set to ambush Gongsun Lan back then. Glancing at Wei Yun, he didn’t delve deeper and instead toyed with his wine cup absentmindedly. "What message does the Marquis have for me?"
"The Marquis wishes to ask Your Majesty: now that the complete annihilation of the Northern Di is within reach, at such a critical moment, does Your Majesty truly intend to negotiate peace?"
"What if I do? What if I don’t?" Zhao Yue narrowed his eyes. "Has your Marquis grown bold enough to interfere with imperial decrees?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The Wei family is but a sharp blade in Your Majesty’s hand—how could we ever betray our master?" Wei Yun’s expression remained composed as he met Zhao Yue’s gaze. "But has Your Majesty considered the consequences if peace is negotiated now? How many future troubles will arise?"
Zhao Yue frowned. Wei Yun continued, "The Northern Di have sent three messengers to Hua Jing in succession. All were intercepted by the Marquis, and upon capture, they immediately took their own lives, leaving no information behind. Yet their persistence in reaching Hua Jing suggests there must be collaborators within the capital. Your Majesty," Wei Yun’s eyes were filled with concern, "the Marquis simply wishes to know: is this peace negotiation truly Your Majesty’s own idea, or is it influenced by certain officials in Hua Jing? If it’s the latter, there’s no guarantee that some of those officials aren’t spies for the Northern Di. If that’s the case, the Northern Di may have ulterior motives."
Zhao Yue said nothing, but inwardly, his mind was in turmoil.
He knew exactly what he had done. If the Northern Di were desperately sending covert agents to Hua Jing now, perhaps… they were coming for him.
But these matters must never come to light. As long as the Northern Di existed, these secrets would remain a constant threat to him. If the Northern Di weren’t eradicated, if Sucha and Su Can weren’t killed, he would live in perpetual fear.
Though "Gongsun Lan" had framed it as a concern about spies among the officials, Zhao Yue couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.
Outwardly, however, he remained composed and nodded. "I understand the Marquis’s meaning. Allow me to consider it."
With that, Wei Yun said, "The message has been delivered. If there’s nothing else, this humble official will take his leave."
Zhao Yue nodded. Wei Yun bowed and rose to leave, but just as he turned, Zhao Yue called out to him.
"Gu Chusheng once told me that if Madam Wei is ever willing, I should issue an imperial decree of marriage for him."
Wei Yun halted mid-step and slowly turned back. The chilling aura around him made Zhao Yue’s mood lift instantly.
"Gongsun Mr.," Zhao Yue said gently, "you’ll have to work harder."
"No need for Your Majesty’s concern," Wei Yun replied coolly. "But I’m afraid that imperial decree of marriage will never be issued.""The madam likes him?" Wei Yun curled his lips, his eyes turning cold. "He's daydreaming!"
On the other side, Chu Yu was accompanying The Eldest Princess in conversation.
Still weak, the princess listened calmly as Chu Yu recounted everything that had happened the previous night. Her expression remained unchanged, though she seemed somewhat exhausted.
The sound of a maid announcing from outside signaled that Gongsun Lan and Zhao Yue had finished their discussion. Chu Yu gently tucked in the princess's blanket and said softly, "Your Highness, everything is fine. Please rest well and don't overthink."
The Eldest Princess nodded wearily. Chu Yu stood up and left.
As she walked down the corridor, the sun was setting behind the western hills, dusk approaching. Crimson clouds floated over the distant mountain peaks. Wei Yun, wearing a mask and dressed in a moonlit-colored robe, stood silently at the end of the corridor, waiting for her.
He seemed taller than the Wei Yun of years past, his broad, elegant robes making him stand tall like a slender bamboo. Hearing her footsteps, he turned his head. Upon seeing her, his eyes lit up with a smile.
Chu Yu pressed her lips together in a smile and walked forward, falling into step beside Wei Yun as they chatted idly.
"Is this your first time returning to Hua Jing in three years, Mr. Gongsun?"
"I've actually come back a few times," Wei Yun chuckled lightly. Though in truth, he had only ever lingered outside the estate, stealing glances before leaving.
Chu Yu nodded. Willow branches swayed gently in the breeze beside them. Wei Yun reached out to brush them aside as Chu Yu remarked, "Mr. Gongsun seems to know me quite well."
Wei Yun paused in his steps. He turned to look down at the girl beside him, who was gazing at him with a faint smile.
Her eyes held a trace of wariness. "Might I ask why Mr. Gongsun knows so much about me? Surely the marquis didn't tell you all these things?"
Wei Yun didn't answer. He still held the willow branch, watching Chu Yu's alert yet bright eyes. Behind his mask, he suddenly felt an inexplicable surge of courage, remembering Gu Chusheng's request for the imperial decree of marriage.
"What if everything I said was true?" he abruptly asked.
Chu Yu looked momentarily bewildered. Wei Yun gazed at her and smiled softly. "What if I said I like you—and meant it?"
Chu Yu's mind went blank with a "boom." Seeing her stunned expression, Wei Yun burst into laughter, the gloom and unease he had felt upon hearing about her and Gu Chusheng that morning dissipating like clouds parting to reveal the sun, filling his heart with warmth. He released the willow branch, turned away, clasped his hands behind his back, and leisurely strolled forward, still chuckling.
Only then did Chu Yu snap out of her daze. She hurried after him, protesting, "Mr. Gongsun, don't jest—I'm being serious..."
Wei Yun ignored her, still laughing, until she anxiously added, "Mr. Gongsun, you're making me uneasy."
"Then be uneasy," Wei Yun replied, amusement lacing his voice. "I like you, and my heart is unsettled too. If you can still sleep soundly, I'd be disappointed."
Chu Yu was momentarily speechless at his reasoning. When they reached the carriage, Wei Yun turned back. "Madam, aren't you getting in?"
Chu Yu steadied herself and climbed in. Just as Wei Yun was about to follow, the whip she always kept hidden in her sleeve pressed against his chest.
"Mr. Gongsun, unless you explain yourself clearly, I can't trust you," Chu Yu said coldly. "Please ride a horse instead."
Hearing this, Wei Yun froze for a moment—then laughed."Alright," he stepped back, "I'll ride." As he spoke, warmth filled his eyes. "I'll escort the First Madam home."
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