Chapter 1213 - 889: Unsure Whom to Choose (2)
If it were any other request, even if it involved gold and silver jewelry, Yu Wenquan would agree without hesitation while holding his little grandchild. But upon hearing that Shang Ruyi wanted to leave the palace to visit the Shen Family and meet with Shen Shiyan and his wife, he hesitated for a moment.
This time around at the Hot Spring Palace case, although only the Pei Family members were involved, the reports from the officials stated clearly that when the assassins appeared, Pei Xu and Shen Shiyan were together.
These two individuals are not only his loyal officials but also old friends who have supported each other in times of hardship; they are confidants. Thus, even though Pei Xingyuan was involved with rebels from Wanggang Village and was captured and imprisoned, he did not act against Pei Xu, only placing him under house arrest. Still, suspicion, once it takes root, is very difficult to control.
Yu Wenquan gradually gathered his smile: "You want to visit your uncle?"
Shang Ruyi accompanied with a smile: "New Year is approaching, and I wish to go back and see him. If Father Emperor isn’t reassured, then I won’t go."
Yu Wenquan looked at her for a while, the little Yuanyuan in his arms grasping his large fingers with both hands, emitting soft noises, which made one’s heart tender. But he took a deep breath and still said, "It’s almost New Year; don’t go out of the palace to wander. The weather is so cold, what if you catch a cold again?"
"Yes."
"Wait until after the New Year, then go visit your uncle."
"Yes."
Shang Ruyi bowed her head, her breath somewhat subtly tense — it seems even after lifting the confinement at Qianqiu Palace, he does not fully trust them.
Perhaps feeling his own disposition was a bit harsh, Yu Wenquan said while playing with the child, "By the way, it’s New Year’s Eve in a few days, I plan to have a family feast at Bai Fu Hall, make it lively."
"That’s wonderful,"
Shang Ruyi quickly piled a smile on her face, but after thinking for a moment, she said with concern, "New Year’s Eve is only a few days away; I’m unsure whom Father Emperor will appoint the task to, it might be a bit taxing."
Yu Wenquan smiled at her: "Would Ruyi be willing to take on the hardship this time?"
Shang Ruyi stood up, nervously saying: "Father Emperor overestimates me, it’s not right for me to decline, but — Ruyi is clumsy, if it were just a feast at Qianqiu Palace, my clumsiness would only embarrass myself. But for the New Year’s Eve family feast, if I make a mistake, I cannot afford to be responsible."
"..."
"Furthermore, Imperial Brother has already married."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan smiled faintly, saying: "What clumsiness, among my daughters-in-law, you are the most intelligent. But — well, Yuanyuan is still so small, it’s not good to let you be distracted."
Shang Ruyi finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down.
Yu Wenquan sighed again, saying: "But beside the Crown Prince, there is a Crown Princess Consort and a concubine, I’m also in difficulty, not knowing whom to choose."
Shang Ruyi sat upright cautiously.
In fact, from the moment he spoke, Shang Ruyi knew Yu Wenquan would not let her handle the night feast. The earlier words were merely a test for her; not to mention she had to care for Yuanyuan and would find it hard to be distracted, just saying that the Crown Prince has already married, such matters should rightfully be managed by the Crown Princess Consort, the eldest son and daughter-in-law of the family.
However —
Looking at the extraordinarily profound eyes of Yu Wenquan, Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then said with a smile: "The Crown Princess Consort is from a noble family, and is shrewd and capable, it’s most suitable to entrust this task to her."
Yu Wenye looked at her: "You think, it should be entrusted to the Crown Princess Consort?"
Shang Ruyi smiled: "For such matters, I believe it naturally should be entrusted to the elder sister-in-law. But —"
"But what?"
"But, I’ve heard the eye injury of Duke Wushan has recurred lately, the Crown Princess Consort, as his daughter, must certainly be worried. If she must also organize the New Year’s Eve feast, I fear it’ll be tiring for her to manage both ends."
"..."
"Fortunately, Lady Lou Liangdi is a meticulous person and can assist her somewhat."
Yu Wenquan looked at her for a moment, then said, "I understand, I will consider this matter further."
Afterwards, he played with his grandson for a while, and seeing Yuanyuan starting to nod off, Shang Ruyi took the child and left Liangyi Hall to rest.
Just as she walked out of the gate, a dignified figure came to meet her head-on, the splendid fox fur shining under the sunlight, highlighting the striking face even more.
It was Crown Prince Yu Wenqian.
Two familiar figures were accompanying him, they were none other than Crown Princess Consort Yu Mingyue and the Crown Prince Consort Lou Chanyue; it seemed they were entering the palace to pay respects to the Emperor.
However, for the Crown Prince to bring the Crown Princess Consort into the palace to pay respects was usual; bringing Lou Liangdi seemed a bit redundant, but considering the achievements and utilization of the Lou Family father and daughter recently, it appeared the Emperor gave their family quite a few privileges.
The three of them evidently didn’t expect to run into her. Yu Mingyue and Lou Chanyue froze for a moment, but Shang Ruyi gracefully walked forward: "Imperial Brother."
Yu Wenqian smiled and said, "Sister-in-law also came to Liangyi Hall, is there something the matter?"
"No major issue, Father Emperor wanted to see Yuanyuan, so I brought the child over."
"That’s good, Father Emperor hasn’t been in a good mood lately; Yuanyuan should accompany him to cheer him up."
"I wonder why Imperial Brother came into the palace—"
"The New Year is approaching, Father Emperor wants to host a family feast in the palace, inviting us over to discuss."
"So that’s how it is,"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi raised her head and smiled at Yu Mingyue, who stood by his side with a nonchalant expression: "Then afraid the Crown Princess Consort will be troubled, I need to care for Yuanyuan, and cannot help much."
Yu Mingyue said calmly, "It’s not really a trouble."
Shang Ruyi then turned to smile at Lou Chanyue: "Lady Lou Liangdi is also here."
Lou Chanyue replied, "It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Princess Qin."
Everyone was amiably polite, the cold air filled with an apparent proximity and warmth. After completing formalities, Shang Ruyi said, "The wind is picking up, I’ll take the child and leave first. Let’s gather again on New Year’s Eve."
After speaking, the group exchanged courtesies and walked past one another.