Chapter 1229 - 905: Shrewdness
This fact itself was somewhat piercing, and the fact that it came from Shang Ruyi’s mouth made the invisible knife stabbing the heart exude a few degrees of chill.
Just at this moment, a gust of wind blew across the frozen water surface, carrying a bone-chilling cold, instantly whitening Yu Mingyue’s complexion, while Shang Ruyi seemed to shiver from the cold, immediately closed her mouth tight, and said, "The wind’s picking up, Doctor Su advised me not to catch cold, excuse me."
After saying this, she nodded and turned to leave.
Yu Mingyue wouldn’t naturally call out to keep her; besides, she was still a bit disoriented, just standing in the corridor, her eyes fixedly watching Shang Ruyi’s departing figure, but her gaze was vacant and hollow, as if seeing nothing.
At this moment, her heart was in turmoil.
Yu Wenquan was going to personally interrogate Pei Xingyuan?
This event was somewhat unexpected, but thinking thoroughly, it was reasonable. After all, Jiang Xian and Liang Youying had fled, leaving only three "accomplices" captured. Now one was too old and feeble thus not convenient to punish casually, another was released due to merit, leaving only the last one who might have directly contacted the assassin, naturally needing careful interrogation.
The issue lies in why even Princess Qin knows, but Yu Wenqian didn’t tell me.
Is he guarding against me?
Just because I once conspired with Yu Dingxing to obstruct the further investigation of this case, so he grew suspicious of me, considering that Pei Xingyuan was also caught by Lou Yingxiong; if anything were gleaned from him, Lou Yingxiong would share the credit.
Hence, does he hide from me that the Emperor is going to personally interrogate Pei Xingyuan fearing I might obstruct?
Does he think I would harm Pei Xingyuan?
He actually distrusts me that much!
A surge of shame and anger filled her heart, Yu Mingyue hadn’t expected that after trusting Yu Wenqian wholeheartedly, relying on him, even sharing all of her potentially life-threatening origins, essentially putting her life in his hands in this world ruled by barbarians.
Yet he, he doubts me!
Just because I conspired with Yu Dingxing against Lou Chan Yue, he doubts me, over a mere Crown Prince Consort, he doubts me, the Crown Princess Consort?
Unfulfillment, regret, anger, all kinds of emotions suddenly surged like a spring of shattered ice, almost engulfing her, Yu Mingyue suffocated, standing in the Thousand-step Corridor, letting the cold wind that blew over the ice surface continuously brush her cheeks, penetrate her garment, almost carrying away the last trace of warmth in her body.
At this moment, her maid Bingbing who had been following from afar saw that Princess Qin had already walked far, but the Crown Princess Consort was still standing alone in the corridor dazedly, worried that she might catch cold from the wind, cautiously approached her, "Crown Princess Consort, shall we go back?"
"Hmm?"
Yu Mingyue suddenly came back to her senses.
At this moment, a thought suddenly popped into her head — what is Shang Ruyi doing?
Maybe Yu Wenqian did suspect me, or perhaps, he didn’t have time to tell me, yes, that’s it, after all, I am his legal wife, the main wife, there is a world of difference from that little concubine, he said that with me he shares affection and adversity; surely he would not estrange from me for the sake of a mere concubine, so he must not have had time to.
But Shang Ruyi told me this, why?
Thinking this way, the earlier desolation in her heart dissipated by half, replaced instead by a cold sweat. She hadn’t forgotten that the one with whom she had "deep enmity," even once fought life and death, and now even more irreconcilable, was King Qin and Princess Qin.
Shang Ruyi specially telling me this is definitely not offhand, nor is it for my sake.
Could she intend to sow discord between me and Yu Wenqian?
Thinking about this, Yu Mingyue coldly sneered — no matter how foolish I become, I wouldn’t fall into such a trap. Earlier let her have what she wanted since it was necessary; let her ride the spring breeze to rescue a trivial Su Qinglan, but now the contest between myself and Lou Chan Yue is settled, naturally there’s no need to meddle in this case, nor give her the chance to scheme against me.
Seeing her suddenly smile despite earlier having a cold face, Bingbing was momentarily stunned and cautiously asked, "Crown Princess Consort, is there anything wrong?"
Yu Mingyue coldly glanced at her, "What could possibly be wrong with me?"
"Ah? Yes, yes."
"Let’s go."
"Yes."
Bingbing immediately bowed her head, following the suddenly cheerful Crown Princess Consort down the Thousand-step Corridor, out of the Inner Court, but when they reached the palace gates, they found the Crown Prince had already been standing there waiting.
Uncertain how long he had waited.
At the sight of him, a complex expression flashed across Yu Mingyue’s face, but she still immediately approached, "Your Highness has come out so early?"
Yu Wenqian looked at her approaching, his expression cold, "What were you doing?"
"I, I went to the Inner Court to view some scenery."
"You went to the Inner Court to view scenery?"
Even though they had opened residences and left the Imperial Palace, as Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort, they still had the privilege to freely enter and stay at the palace. But Yu Mingyue, seemingly talented yet poorly educated, able to spout insightful maxims but her actions were always scheming, capable of poetic elegance without the grace of life’s care, and in no condition would she visit the Inner Court for leisure strolls.
Considering whom she left Liangyi Hall with just now, Yu Wenqian somewhat understood.
He asked, "Princess Qin was with you, what did you talk about?"
Such a seemingly suspicious remark made Yu Mingyue bristle, "Your Highness, do you suspect I would conspire with her against you?"
Yu Wenqian slightly furrowed his brows, "I didn’t say that."
"..."
"But she, too clever — too cunning."
"..."
"I don’t want Su Qinglan’s matter to replay once more."
The body hadn’t settled its prickly stance when those unuttered "clever" words made Yu Mingyue’s heart prickle again; she looked at Yu Wenqian, "Does the Crown Prince think Princess Qin is clever?"
Yu Wenqian’s gaze slightly focused, "I didn’t say that."
Yu Mingyue stared deeply at him for a long time before saying, "Your Highness, no matter how clever she is, she is still scheming against you. Even if I overlook by chance, it’s all for our future. Regardless of what she says, I will not be deceived by her scheme."
Yu Wenqian looked down at her, "Then what did she say?"
Yu Mingyue shook her head, "Nothing, nothing at all."
"..."
Yu Wenqian watched her for a while, finally sighed softly, then said, "If there’s nothing, it’s fine. Let’s go back and talk."
Yu Mingyue nodded, and followed him onto the carriage together, soon leaving the Imperial Palace towards the Crown Prince Mansion.