Chapter 1158 - 840: Don’t Regret It
Yu Wenye paused for a moment and said, "His injuries really are—"
He had naturally guessed long ago that Yu Wencheng’s injuries were not serious, but covering them up for so long must have a purpose. Now it seems that from the moment he was injured—no, from when he unauthorized went to Xingluo Granary, provoking Yan Buuai to act—he had already made full preparations, all for the opportunity to attack Luoyang.
Shang Ruyi said, "They are pressing step by step."
"Hmm."
"Then what have you been doing lately?"
Since Yuanyuan was born and they moved back to Qianqiu Palace, Yu Wenye had stayed by her side for several days. When she regained her mobility, he resumed his past routine; he woke up early to practice martial arts, and after breakfast, he went out of the palace for affairs. Sometimes he came back early, and they would have dinner together. Other times, he returned late at night, and Shang Ruyi, while in a sleepy haze, would feel a warm, damp breath next to her as he lay down after bathing, wrapping his arms around her, and they would drift into sleep.
Now it seems that with the Crown Prince’s wedding approaching, Yu Wencheng is also striving for the opportunity to deploy troops to Luoyang.
What exactly is he doing?
Mentioning this, Yu Wenye’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as he looked at her. "You want to know?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Of course!"
This time, Yu Wenye truly chuckled softly. After laughing, he said, "But right now, I can’t tell you yet." As he spoke, he reached out and wiped her forehead. Returning to Qianqiu Palace brought some peace to Shang Ruyi’s heart, but the sweat on her forehead had not completely dried, indicating her recent tension at the Thousand-step Corridor. Yu Wenye said, "You’re still in your postpartum month; don’t overthink things. Focus on your recovery."
His words were naturally out of concern for her health, but Shang Ruyi heard another layer of meaning: "So, you’re really not planning to fight for the chance to attack Luoyang?"
Yu Wenye replied calmly, "Everything inside and out has been arranged. Do you think my pursuit would make a difference?"
"But—"
"But rest assured."
Without waiting for Shang Ruyi to say anything more, he picked up his teacup, took a sip from the dwindling tea, and said, "Some things, if taken from me, must be returned."
Shang Ruyi looked at him in silence for a long time before she gently nodded.
In a blink, it was early October.
Shang Ruyi finally completed her postpartum month.
Actually, even during her postpartum period, she felt her body recovering well. She had a strong foundation and didn’t suffer much during childbirth. Plus, with Yu Wenye’s careful care and Yu Wenquan’s orders, valuable supplements and herbs were delivered nonstop to Qianqiu Palace. In fact, she felt even stronger than before giving birth, although such nourishment had made her waistline thicker than before.
This day, she finally bathed thoroughly and tried on the clothes she would wear to the banquet at the Crown Prince Mansion the next day.
The clothes were made well, but when Shang Ruyi looked at herself in the copper mirror, she couldn’t help but frown.
She remembered visiting Jinyu Garden a few days ago to inform Chu Ruoyan to not wander around for the time being, lest she draw the Emperor’s displeasure. Chu Ruoyan agreed, but she was changing clothes at that moment, and that slender waist and graceful figure were etched into Shang Ruyi’s mind ever since.
The more she thought, the more her brows knitted into a knot.
Just then, a tall figure flashed in the mirror; it was Yu Wenye. Having just finished bathing, he was also dressed in comfortable attire, walking into the inner palace.
He looked up and met those clear, bright eyes in the copper mirror.
His cheeks were probably slightly red due to the steam from the bath or perhaps a bit of anger. The blush made his eyes look even more sparkling. Yu Wenye took a deep breath but pretended to act casually. He walked over, sat at the desk behind her, and was about to pour himself some tea when he noticed a cup already there. It was cold, so he drank from it.
After drinking, he asked, "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? Then why do you look so upset?"
"I—"
Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip and finally turned to look at Yu Wenye’s indifferent expression, saying softly, "Have I gotten much fatter than before?"
"Cough, cough."
For some reason, her question seemed to catch him by surprise, making him cough several times, almost spilling the tea. Yu Wenye exhaled deeply, placed the cup back on the table, turned to look at her and replied with a faint smile, "Is that so."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi grew slightly anxious. "I really am fatter, right?"
While speaking, she touched her cheeks and neck. Childbirth had affected her body in ways beyond those excruciating pains, weakness, and inconveniences—there were physical changes too. Shang Ruyi didn’t believe she should be any specific way, but she disliked what she saw in the mirror, which already had her in a fit.
Turning the thought over, she inwardly repeated: This is just terrible.
While she was feeling down, she suddenly saw a shadow flash in the copper mirror. Before she could react, she felt a pair of intensely warm, almost scorching, hands embrace her, lifting her into the air.
"Ah!"
Unexpectedly exclaiming, Shang Ruyi looked up and met Yu Wenye’s smiling eyes. In her surprise, she foolishly asked, "What are you doing?"
While holding her, Yu Wenye turned around and said, "Didn’t you say you’ve gained weight?"
"Hmm."
"Let me see if you’ve really gained weight."
After turning around, he didn’t stop but walked with big strides towards the bed. The jostling made Shang Ruyi feel his heavy breathing, and his chest heaving with each heated breath, his eyes still smiling, yet filled with more intense emotions.
She suddenly understood.
In a flash, her cheeks turned crimson.
In just a few steps, Yu Wenye had reached the bed, still holding her without immediately placing her down. Instead, he weighed her in his arms with a smile and said, "You have gained a little."
Shang Ruyi was so embarrassed she buried her face, not daring to look at him, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Then why don’t you put me down?"
Yu Wenye pressed his lips together, leaned to her ear, and whispered, "You’re the one who wanted me to put you down."
"..."
"Don’t regret it."
With that, he placed her down—the soft jade he was reluctant to part with. Once she was on the soft bed, he followed right after, leaning down. Only a soft, delicate moan was heard as darkness enveloped the night.