Chapter 1169 - 849: He Wants Her Dead!
"Yu Wenqian!"
"Imperial Brother!"
Almost simultaneously with Shang Ruyi’s anxious voice, another low and stern voice, seemingly carrying a hidden anger, came from behind Yu Wenqian. His steps faltered and finally halted.
Shang Ruyi also stopped less than half a step away from the lakeside.
Looking over Yu Wenqian’s shoulder, she saw a familiar tall figure slowly emerging from the night, as dark as ink, instantly bringing her an immeasurable sense of safety and assurance.
It was Yu Wenye!
Unbeknownst to her, when he arrived, his very first words halted Yu Wenqian’s pressing steps, allowing Shang Ruyi to finally catch her breath. She reached out to support herself against a nearby willow tree trunk.
After Yu Wenqian stopped, he did not immediately turn around. Instead, he lingered in silence for a moment, suddenly curled his lips, then turned his face to gaze at Yu Wenye, whose expression under the night was even more solemn.
He said, "Feng Chen, what brings you here?"
Yu Wenye looked at him coolly and said, "I was just drinking in the front hall and realized Ru Yi was missing. Knowing how spacious this mansion is, I feared she might have lost her way, so I came to find her. I didn’t expect she would trouble you, Imperial Brother."
Saying this, he extended his hand to Shang Ruyi: "Come over."
Hearing his familiar, calm tone made Shang Ruyi sigh in relief. She immediately wanted to move to Yu Wenye’s side, assuming that with his presence, whatever Yu Wenqian intended to do, he would step aside. Surprisingly, Yu Wenqian remained motionless, still blocking her only path forward.
Moreover, if he were to take another step forward—
Shang Ruyi’s face grew even more tense. She bit her lower lip, looking at Yu Wenqian, who had turned his face aside. It was unclear if his translucent eyes were focused on her or on Yu Wenye behind her, but they shone intensely, seemingly intending to pierce through body and soul.
He remarked, "You are overly cautious, dear brother. Though this Crown Prince Mansion is vast, it wouldn’t devour your wife."
Seeing him remain still, Shang Ruyi couldn’t move, and Yu Wenye slowly took a step, then another.
He said, "The heart of man is unpredictable, and fire and water are merciless."
"..."
"Before heading to Longmen Crossing, Ru Yi nearly suffered a fiery demise at Dayan Temple. I cannot allow her to face misfortune by water here."
"...!"
Yu Wenqian seemed to have been punched in the chest upon hearing these words. His entire body shook, and his expression drastically changed as he finally turned to look at Yu Wenye.
Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
Of course, she understood what Yu Wenye meant by those words. "Nearly suffered a fiery demise" referred to her recent close call at the Scripture Pavilion in Dayan Temple, where someone attempted to burn her alive. "Face misfortune by water" naturally referred to her current predicament; if Yu Wenqian took another step, she would be forced into the lake.
However, the phrase should normally have been "again face misfortune by water," right?
Why did Yu Wenye say "also face misfortune by water"?
It seemed as if the one facing misfortune wasn’t just her, but others as well.
Yet, there was no time now to ponder the exact significance of those words. Observing Yu Wenqian’s turn, it created an opportunity. She swiftly slipped out from behind him, like a nimble cat, striding quickly back to Yu Wenye’s side.
A cool breeze brushed past Yu Wenqian’s ear.
He furrowed his brow slightly, watching Shang Ruyi step to Yu Wenye’s side, and further saw Yu Wenye raise a hand to envelop her. Their forms quickly merged into one against the heavy night.
It was as if they had stood together from the very beginning.
He finally straightened his posture, watched them for a moment, and in that brief instant, his expression gradually calmed, making Shang Ruyi comprehend that earlier at the lake, Yu Wenqian’s expression reflected in the shimmering water was nearly wild in its beauty!
It seemed he truly intended to force her into the lake!
He wanted her dead!
But now, his face showed no trace of savagery, distortion, or murderous intent, only a faint bewilderment, as if not understanding what had just transpired, or perhaps lost in deep thought about old memories. After a while, as he looked up again at Yu Wenye, his expression returned to its usual calm indifference.
His eyes flickered and shifted from Yu Wenye’s face to his hand.
"What is that?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi glanced down and noticed a small bundle in Yu Wenye’s hand as he embraced her. At the question, he swung the bundle towards Yu Wenqian, who caught it effortlessly.
Upon opening, he found a somewhat familiar garment inside.
His eyes widened slightly. Looking back at Yu Wenye, the latter said calmly, "This garment was lent from Imperial Brother last time. Today, it returns to its rightful owner."
Shang Ruyi now recalled that during her childbirth, there were no bedding and cushions at Chengqian Hall, causing both men to remove their garments to cover her. After the birth, Yu Wenye’s garment was naturally disposed of, but Yu Wenqian’s couldn’t be easily discarded. Hence, it was cleaned and stored, and brought back today.
Yu Wenqian gazed at the garment for a while, his expression revealing no emotion or sentiment.
He then looked at Yu Wenye: "How thoughtful of you to remember."
Yu Wenye replied, "Of course, I remember."
"..."
"Today marks Imperial Brother’s grand wedding, a beginning and an end. What should be severed ends here."
"..."
"Just hope Imperial Brother sees the person before him clearly."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenqian smiled faintly, saying, "Rest assured, dear brother, I’ve always been clear and not just about the person before me,"
At this, he took another step forward, creating an intangible pressure that came crashing once more. If not for Yu Wenye by her side, Shang Ruyi would have almost suffocated again.
Fortunately, with Yu Wenye’s presence, he remained still as if nothing happened.
Yu Wenqian said, "Also the road ahead."
"That’s good."
Yu Wenye replied calmly, "This road, I shall travel it with you!"
After saying this, he gave a slight bow to Yu Wenqian, took Shang Ruyi’s hand, and turned to leave.
Just as they turned, after taking only a few steps, there was a sudden "plop" from behind, as if something fell into the water, sinking silently.
Then, heavy footsteps headed in the opposite direction, gradually fading away.