Mountain and River Pillow - 2

Chu Yu’s sudden show of affection so alarmed Chu Jian Chang that his first reaction was to think that the kneeling had addled her mind.

Afterall, Chu Yu had grown up practicing martial arts with him, unlike the average family’s young lady, and never been one for shedding tears and playing coy.

She fancied Gu Chu Sheng and gave him all her best. The Gu family, in their attempt to palliate, had been convicted of co-conspiracy in the Prince of Qin’s coup. Those around them couldn’t get away fast enough. And yet here she was, a soon-to-be married woman sending letters and money to Gu Chu Sheng, even clamoring to run away with him to the border.

The nerve of this child.

Fortunately, her personal maid had informed Chu Jian Chang, who had stopped her just as she had been about to escape, preventing her from a colossal mistake.

Recalling this, Chu Jian Chang’s face hardened, and in a cold tone he asked, “Have you finished thinking this through? If not, then continue kneeling.”

“I have.”

Chu Yu knew what ‘this’ was.

Jogging her memory, she was certain to be 15 years old right now.

On her 15^th birthday in September, she had been decreed by the Emperor to marry Wei Jun, heir to the Marquis of Zhen Guo. The marriage was set, along with the three letters and six etiquettes, and the wedding date drawing nearer and nearer. Right around this time, the Prince of Qin, who had been rebelling for half a year, was finally captured and imprisoned. Gu Chu Sheng’s father, who had been indebted to the Prince, tried to put in a few good words on behalf of His Highness’ family, arousing fury from the Son of Heaven. Gu Chu Sheng’s father was thus beheaded, and the young man himself, who had just stepped foot inside the Imperial Court, got implicated and demoted to the border, from an academic scholar to a ninth-ranked county magistrate.

She became anxious upon learning about this, and it just so happened that Chu Jin came to her crying, not wanting to accompany Gu Chu Sheng to the border to suffer. Hence, the two sisters schemed to have Chu Yu elope with Gu Chu Sheng first. Once she was gone, the Chu family would have no choice but to let Chu Jin step forward and marry into the Marquis of Zhen Guo’s household.

Chu Jin, while a legitimate daughter, was not the eldest. Unlike Chu Yu, who was skilled at swordsmanship, she followed Xie Yun into the art of prose and poetry. With her dazzling beauty, she was the top candidate for the wife position, whom most of Hua Jing’s sons dreamed about. Marrying off Chu Jin, given the Wei – Chu relationship, would probably not incur any outcry from the former.

The girls ironed out the plan, then ordered a servant to inform Gu Chu Sheng beforehand, telling him to wait outside the city’s gate that day. Yet when the time came, she was unexpectedly caught climbing the wall by Chu Jian Chang.

After being busted, she had knelt all night, and it had been Chu Jin who had persuaded Xie Yun to take her back to her room, then secretly let her go, so that she had been able to catch up with Gu Chu Sheng who had already left.

But this time, Chu Yu would never run away again, so she resolutely announced to Chu Jian Chang, “I won’t run away, I’ll dutifully await my wedding to the heir of Wei!”

Chu Jian Chang gave Chu Yu a dubious look, not comprehending her sudden change, wondering if she was trying to deceive him.

However, his daughter had always been straightforward, and her family would be the last people she would ever lie to. After some ponderance, gazing at Chu Yu’s bright eyes and ashy complexion, Chu Jian Chang’s heart ached, so he waved his hand and said, “Forget it, you go rest. In two days, you’ll be married, so stop having these silly thoughts. Gu Chu Sheng is already gone, so you’d best let go of your fancies.”

“Yes,” Chu Yu nodded. Chu Jin drifted over to help her up. Trembling lightly, Chu Yu subconsciously wanted to pull away, but she restrained herself and made no move.

Seeing Chu Yu’s bowed head, Chu Jian Chang thought she was saddened. He sighed, patted her on the shoulder and said, “The heir of Wei is much finer than Gu Chu Sheng, you’ll see. Feelings come with time. Stop resisting this, your father would not do you harm.”

“I know.”

Chu Yu nodded, sincere this time.

The heir of Wei, Wei Jun, and the entire Wei family were all strong, sturdy men who fought to defend this country. How could Gu Chu Sheng, who always plotted and schemed to get his way, possibly compare?

She did wish to build a relationship with Wei Jun, but probably wouldn’t get the chance.

Thinking of the Wei family’s ultimate fate, Chu Yu felt a bit sorrowful.

Watching a dejected Chu Yu, Chu Jian Chang waved his hand and let Xie Yun and Chu Jin assist her to her quarters.

The whole way back, Xie Yun carefully tried to dissuade her, mainly telling her to let go of her affections towards Gu Chu Sheng. As a parent, she always hoped her daughter would lead a happy life. Chu Yu didn’t speak, just quietly listened.

Although her mother would do some absurd things later on and favor Chu Jin, she still earnestly cared for her.

It’s just that even though both the palm and the back of the hand were made of one’s own flesh, one side was still thicker than the other.

She remained silent, as Chu Jin helped her to the bedroom. Once the servants were finished with her evening grooming, she laid down on the bed, ready to sleep.

After a commotion-filled day, she had to recover her energy, then map out her future.

She had always thought her path had been to follow Gu Chu Sheng. Now, face to face with new possibilities, she was so overwhelmed.

After closing her eyes for a moment, she heard Chu Jin’s voice.

Chu Jin waltzed in carrying a bowl of medicine, ordered the servants to step out, and came before Chu Yu. She put the bowl down, settled by the bed, gently crooned, “Sister.”

Chu Yu slowly opened her eyes and took in Chu Jin’s worried look, “Sister, are you alright?”

Chu Yu’s heart fluttered, and she couldn’t help but think, perhaps a fifteen-year-old Chu Jin still harbored some warmth towards her sister.

Receiving no reply, Chu Jin scooted closer and whispered, “Sister, Brother Gu sends you a message, saying he is waiting for you.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Yu perked up her head, fixing Chu Jin a disbelieving gaze.

Gu Chu Sheng was waiting for her?

Impossible.

At this moment, Gu Chu Sheng didn’t care for her at all. After receiving the letter, he had even left Hua Jing half a day ahead of schedule. How could he be waiting for her?

Was there a mistake?

She stared at Chu Jin, and it took her little time to realize.

There was no way Gu Chu Sheng would say such a thing. Chu Jin wanted her to leave quickly, in order to free up the position of the wife of Zhen Guo Marquis’ heir for herself. So, she concocted that message to get Chu Yu’s hope up.

She hadn’t said this in the previous life because that Chu Yu hadn’t needed to be given hope before she left without looking back.

But in this life, she made it clear to Chu Jian Chang that she would marry into the Wei family.

Chu Yu wanted to laugh. Her sister, as expected, always put her own interests first.

However, she held back her smile, straightened her face, frowned and said, “Don’t ever tell me such things again.”

“Sister?” Chu Jin was a little surprised, and a ghost of panic flashed in her eyes. Chu Yu calmly spoke, “I’ve thought this through, this marriage of mine and the Marquis family’s is bestowed by the Emperor. If I run away, while the Wei might not object for our sake, and His Majesty not say anything, but it will still be disobedience to the throne, and the Wei family will surely begrudge us.”

The subsequent fall of the Chu family hadn’t entirely been unrelated to this incident.

Although the Wei family had been killed in battle not long after, they had left behind a Killer God, Wei Yun.

At fourteen, he already rampaged the battlefield, and by sixteen, he went and wiped out the Northern Invaders to avenge his father and brothers.

The Imperial Court would later fall under the dominion of the scholar Gu and the soldier Wei. The latter, being a man who gave as good as he got, returned the favor to all those who had done right by him and spared no soul who had wronged him.

The Chu family had deceptively exchanged their daughters and married Chu Jin off to Wei Jun, who had then proceeded to abandon the family in time of crisis, leaving but not before having a nasty altercation with the Elder Lady of Wei, making her fall seriously ill. Wei Yun had made note of each of these offenses, and, after achieving success, took it all out on Chu Jian Chang.

Had it not been for Gu Chu Sheng looking after the Chu family, how could Chu Jian Chang possibly have retired in peace?

Thinking of Wei Yun’s contrivance, Chu Yu couldn’t help but feel a little frightened. She pressed her right hand with her left hand, raised her eyes at Chu Jin, and said gravely, “Sister, we cannot forsake our family for our own happiness.”

Chu Jin was thrown off by her words for what felt like half a day. She tried to plaster on a smile, “You are right, sister. A Jin just thought that, exchanging your life’s happiness for the wellbeing of family, it hurts my heart. If I can suffer in your stead, A Jin is willing.”

Entering into the Wei family was to suffer?

Who didn’t know that the Wei family was burning as bright as the midday sun, having gained the Emperor’s favor? Since the foundation of this country, the Wei family had been fiercely loyal and self-sacrificing. For generations, they had held high positions and received proper upbringing, each progeny a talented and virtuous individual. The Wei heir might not be the most outstanding of the bunch, but he would definitely not let Chu Jin suffer.

If you think about it, this marriage was a boon to the Chu family.

To convince her, Chu Jin really could say anything.

Considering the Wei’s subsequent sacrifices, hearing Chu Jin’s words made Chu Yu little uncomfortable. Displeased, she solemnly chided, “The entire Wei family are loyalists who have shed blood and laid down lives for this country, by fortune I get to marry the Wei heir. I was blind before, but now I am clear, so don’t repeat such things. If I hear it again, don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Chu Jin was confounded by her words. At the sight of Chu Yu’s righteous expression, she had half a mind to mention how her sister had still been planning the elopement with her last night.

Nonetheless, she understood deep down her sister’s strength and, despite her simple mind, resolve. If she kept harping on about this, one swat from her sister would be more than she could bear.

With a strained smile, Chu Jin praised, “How wonderful that my sister has been able to come to peace with this. I bet you’re already tired. I shall leave the medicine here and retire myself.”

Chu Yu nodded, closed her eyes, and didn’t speak any more.

Chu Jin excused herself respectfully, her face turned stony by the time she reached the courtyard.

She clenched her fists.

Now that Chu Yu refused to elope, must she really marry Gu Chu Sheng?!

No, she most definitely could not marry Gu Chu Sheng.

She couldn’t become the heir’s lady; nevertheless, there was no way she would follow Gu Chu Sheng to the border. Even if he regained his position from a lowly ninth-rank county magistrate, her most youthful years would have already been wasted in the cold winds of the North.

Chu Jin secretly calculated in her mind.

At that moment, Gu Chu Sheng was in a carriage at the city’s gate, silently reading the latest announcement newspaper.

He had caught a cold, and was softly coughing away as he read.

His father was dead, he himself implicated and demoted. A once proud and privileged young man suddenly came crashing down, those around him had all assumed he would struggle, and none expected he could maintain such an extraordinarily cool, calm and collected demeanor.

He seemed to be quietly waiting for someone, unhurried.

The officers and soldiers nearby urged impatiently, “Young Master Gu, it’s time to go.”

Gu Chu Sheng lifted his eyes towards the city gate, then sent his servant a look.

The servant hastily stepped forward, handed the officers and soldiers a tael of silver and offered an apologetic smile, “Sir, please wait a while longer, it will be quick.”

“Until sunset at the latest,” they frowned. “We can’t delay any further.”

At this, Gu Chu Sheng’s brows furrowed.

Sunset…

He recalled, in his previous life, Chu Yu would have caught up by then. He… should be able to wait.

At the mention of that name, he shut his eyes in grief.

Outsiders surmised that he was unafraid in the face of his family’s tragedies, but nothing could have been further from the truth.

Back when he had been just a youth, amidst all those tribulations, he had indeed panicked and surrendered himself. A girl had then come riding on a horse, raised his carriage’s curtain with her sword and exclaimed, “Fear not, I’m here to accompany you off.” That sentence gave him all of his courage.

As a young man, not understanding his own confused heart, he thought he hated her being covered in sweat and dirt, hated her lack of self-restrain, hated her chatting and laughing with the barrack sergeants.

She chased, he ran. He always assumed the girl in his heart must be someone pure and flawless like Chu Jin.

Until Chu Yu had died in front of him.

Reflecting back to that moment, Gu Chu Sheng felt as if his heart was being squeezed. He closed his eyes, slowly calming each painful breath.

Chu Yu’s end had marked the beginning of his love for her.

Only after death did he realize how hard life was without anyone to ride a horse in the rain to accompany you. It turned out that his hatred from yesteryears was actually jealousy, fear of an unknown feeling, and an effort to counteract his boyish shyness.

The more time passed since her death, the deeper and more persistent his feelings for her became.

His reprieve came the moment he died under Wei Yun’s sword.

When he had woken up to find himself seventeen years old again, he had been ecstatic.

Thank the gods.

He opened his eyes, brows slightly lifted.

He got to see Chu Yu alive again.

This time…

He would be a faithful companion to her.