Chapter 1182 - 860: Never Provoke Him
Watching Shen Wuzheng’s figure disappear, Yu Wenye finally returned inside the hall. He saw Shang Ruyi sitting motionless in her original place, her brows slightly furrowed, and her expression heavy, evidently still mired in the anxiety from moments ago.
Yu Wenye walked over and sat opposite her.
"Still not at ease?"
Upon hearing his words, Shang Ruyi looked up at him, not speaking immediately. Her gaze became more entangled before she sulkily spoke, "How could I possibly be at ease?"
"..."
"The last time at Changchun Palace, they wanted to act against my brother, and now again—"
"..."
"They are determined to put him to death. And leading the troops into battle, many things are beyond control; I really fear my brother will fall victim to their schemes."
"Schemes,"
Yu Wenye repeated these words, looking at her with a slight smile, "Do you think that in this court, how many can out-scheme your brother?"
These words, though spoken with ridicule, unexpectedly calmed Shang Ruyi’s heart a bit — indeed, Shen Wuzheng’s mind is meticulous, and whether in big or small matters almost nothing escapes his eyes and plans. Reaching this point, he’s like an unfathomable ocean, while both Yu Wencheng and Shang Shoufei are unworthy to contend with him.
Yu Wenye continued, "Moreover, there’s also Shen Tu Tai."
"..."
"I will write to him shortly, advising him to be vigilant of any tricks from the enemy during this deployment. Together, they are as effective as me alone; what more do you need to worry about?"
This finally put Shang Ruyi at ease.
Thinking over it, she playfully gave Yu Wenye a glance, "You’re just praising yourself, aren’t you?"
Yu Wenye also smiled slightly.
At that moment, Chang Wan approached carrying a robe; Yu Wenye had taken off his outer garment and tossed it to her as soon as he returned and had been conversing for so long only in a thin robe. He did not feel it when he was sweating earlier, but now he felt a bit chilly and cool. Yu Wenye took the robe and put it on.
Shang Ruyi turned to glance at the outer garment Chang Wan took away, which was covered in dust and mud.
She asked, "What were you doing at the military camp early in the morning?"
"Of course, training the troops."
"But isn’t it so that Father didn’t allow you to deploy troops this time?"
"Not letting me deploy doesn’t mean I shouldn’t train. I’ve always said that everything I achieve depends on military merit, and my soldiers are everything to me. Besides, do you really think this time Yan Jie and your ’brother’ alone can seize the Eastern Capital?"
"..."
To this, Shang Ruyi had no words.
Even though she dared not say directly that Yu Wenquan’s decree this time harbored thoughts of forgoing eastward advance, nor could she claim his investiture was ’confused,’ Yu Wencheng and Shang Shoufei... Even confronting Wang Shaoqiu alone, they might not have a chance of victory.
Moreover, in Luoyang, there are Liang Shide and Xiao Yuansui!
Yu Wenye continued, "Preparedness leads to success, unpreparedness to failure. If the day comes when I am unable to withstand it, it will be self-destructive."
His remark seemed assured that taking Luoyang required his involvement.
Thinking back to the conversation with Shen Wuzheng about the giant forces of the Western Capital and Eastern Capital devouring each other without harming their own strength or being consumed by surrounding factions — achieving this with minimal sacrifice — could Yu Wenye really do it?
Seeing the flicker in Shang Ruyi’s eyes, Yu Wenye’s face showed displeasure, "Why, you don’t believe me?"
Shang Ruyi quickly replied, "No, I don’t."
Yu Wenye narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at her with disbelief and more displeasure. Though Shang Ruyi often clashed with him after pregnancy and childbirth, she knew well not to challenge this type of man, especially Yu Wenye, in two areas: one, on the bed; two, on the battlefield.
So she immediately ’softened’ and said seriously, "I just feel that you’ve been training too much recently, even more than before."
Hearing this, Yu Wenye let out a faint snort.
Then he said, "Do you want to know why?"
"Yes, I do."
"Alright, after the army sets out, and when the weather improves, I’ll take you to see."
"Great!"
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes lit up. Speaking of which, she was adventurous in the past, frequently traveling while being Young Madam Yu Wen, feeling free despite the exhaustion. It’s much more pleasant than being cooped up in the confined world of Qianqiu Palace daily. Furthermore, after giving birth to Yuanyuan, she was constantly harassed by the little one, who only knew how to cry and nurse, making it incredibly hard to move.
Yu Wenye taking her to the military camp, even if not far, at least outside the city, was enough to make her happy.
Watching her jubilant expression, Yu Wenye just shook his head with a smile, "You."
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day for the army to set out.
The day was October 10, selected by Yu Wenquan for the army’s departure, intending for ’perfection.’
Although Shang Ruyi was consoled by her husband and brother in turn, she still harbored some worries in her heart, so on the day the army left the city, she accompanied Yu Wenye to the city gate to send them off, standing on the city tower gazing far at the departing troops vanishing at the end of the road, she finally sighed lightly.
Soon after, a warm large hand rested on her shoulder.
Actually, Yu Wenye stood behind her all along, since the day Shen Wuzheng entered the palace, it rained for two consecutive days; today was finally clear, but as the saying goes, ’one cold spell after the autumn rain,’ the wind already carried a chill that felt bone-deep. Yu Wenye stood behind her blocking the cold wind completely, and only when he moved did a breeze sweep across Shang Ruyi’s cheek.
Having stood on the city tower for so long, her hand holding the parapet was already cold through.
Yu Wenye hadn’t persuaded her until now, he softly said, "Enough, they’ve gone far beyond sight, it’s time to return."
Shang Ruyi then turned back to glance at him.
Meeting those calm and steady eyes, her mood slightly eased, but the next moment, her gaze shifted past his shoulder to see two familiar figures standing not far from Yu Wenye.
One tall and handsome, dressed in a raven blue patterned robe; the other bright and striking, in a scarlet gold silk brocade robe adorned with a hundred ’xi’ patterns, not unexpectedly opulent, yet eye-catching to the extent that Shang Ruyi’s gaze dimmed.
Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue.
Which is the Crown Prince of the Dasheng Dynasty, and the Crown Princess Consort.
As King Qi set out, as the elder brother and sister-in-law, naturally they were here to bid farewell too. But just now, all of Shang Ruyi’s thoughts were solely on Shen Wuzheng, leaving no chance to meet them.
And now—
As soon as she looked over, she was met with a gaze as if carved from icy stone, a set of half-transparent eyes staring coldly back.