Chapter 1170 - 850: He Also Needs Some Wine
Heavy footsteps, breathing rapid.
Guided by the scorching hand, seemingly unable to restrain its own strength, yet trembling in the struggle for reason, they walked for an unknowable time until a glimmer of light emerged from the chaotic darkness ahead.
They were returning to the front hall.
Though not yet close, the bustling noise surged urgently toward them, like air needed by the just-asphyxiated, Shang Ruyi drew a deep breath, finally regaining her senses.
As if returning from the Demon Realm and Hell back to the human world.
It was then she clearly felt her hand being gripped ever tighter, almost to the trembling of her finger bones, biting her lower lip in pain, she turned to look beside her, and Yu Wenye’s gloomy face was finally illuminated by the faint light ahead.
Those eyes, still dark, even carrying a hint of violence.
"Feng Chen..."
Shang Ruyi trembled as she spoke, seeing his gaze unwavering, she thought for a moment and directly faced him, whispering, "I wasn’t deliberately coming over just now."
"..."
"I didn’t expect to meet him here either."
"..."
"I saw that She’er and Yuanyuan hadn’t returned yet, worried that the girl ran off somewhere, so I went there to find her. Unexpectedly—"
Even though she couldn’t feel the pain of her finger bones nearly being crushed, she knew Yu Wenye was angry. Previously, her encounter with Yu Wenqian at the Thousand-step Corridor had provoked his wrath, and he had clearly warned her that the seemingly elegant Crown Prince, their Imperial Brother, was not as he appeared nor as imagined.
Although she listened and believed, she seemed always to harbor a bias.
This bias led her to always guard against the Crown Prince, against their Imperial Brother, not Yu Wenqian. But earlier, Shang Ruyi dared not imagine what might have happened if Yu Wenye hadn’t arrived in time.
Even though she hadn’t sought it out, she had stumbled upon it.
His anger was thus justified.
So she spoke these words at once, both to explain and to soothe his anger. But halfway through, Yu Wenye suddenly let go of her hand, yet pulled her waist tightly into his embrace.
"—!"
Shang Ruyi, caught off guard, almost collided into his arms, her heartbeat sinking again.
Then, above her head, she heard his voice, somewhat hoarse and even trembling, "You, being alright, is good."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi was momentarily stunned.
Of course, she was alright.
They had conversed just now, and Yu Wenye led her by the hand here, able to feel her skin and body temperature, everything clearly showed she was fine. Yet, in this moment, his words seemed to convey a relief.
Such emotion was rare for Yu Wenye.
Shang Ruyi raised her head from his embrace, somewhat bewildered, and still with lingering fear, softly said, "I’m fine."
Upon hearing this "assurance," Yu Wenye’s breathing seemed to smooth out a bit.
His iron grip on her loosened somewhat, looking down at Shang Ruyi again and said, "Someone knocked over something in the side hall earlier, almost scared Yuanyuan to tears, so Tushere took him to the other side, returning only after a while. I guessed you lost your way with her, and seeing you gone for quite some time, worried — came to find you."
Thus, he came to the lakeside.
All this wasn’t surprising, what was unexpected was his anger this time wasn’t directed at her.
Shang Ruyi understood well that Yu Wenye was not a man of mild temper. Beneath the graceful demeanor of a Gatekeeper’s Son, who was both literate and militarily skilled, lay a true nature prone to whimsy and anger, especially when dealing with those he disliked; it was why she explained urgently earlier. Yet, unexpectedly, he was angry now, not at her.
Instead, he spoke with a hint of caution, as if—
As if fearing she had been harmed.
Recalling his words by the lake about "water peril," Shang Ruyi seemed to sense something, took a deep breath, clearly assuring again, "I’m fine."
This time, under the lights ahead, she clearly saw some shadows clearing in Yu Wenye’s eyes.
Just a little.
But they had no time for more words, as they were interrupted by a growing noise nearby. Though tonight’s banquet for the Crown Prince included nearly all officials, the two Princes remained most conspicuous, and Yu Wenye’s brief absence quickly noticed, with some began asking after King Qin and Princess Qin.
Yu Wenye took a deep breath and said, "Let’s go back first. Whatever needs saying can be said once back at the palace."
Shang Ruyi gently nodded.
Thinking back now, the earlier incident wasn’t really that terrifying. Even if Yu Wenqian truly forced her into the lake, she wasn’t a landlubber; the worst would be a messy climb ashore. Moreover, this evening’s banquet at the Crown Prince Mansion with people everywhere meant even speaking required hushed tones; had they been a bit louder, they might have attracted help.
Only, Yu Wenqian was so unfamiliar to her, it disoriented.
Further unsettling Yu Wenye.
Shang Ruyi vaguely surmised it had something to do with the "water peril" he spoke of, something unsuitable to discuss amid the Crown Prince’s banquet at the Crown Prince Mansion.
They walked toward the lights and the clamor, just as some drunken souls from the banquet sought them out, especially Pei Xingyuan, who in his merry drinking, holding a cup, approached Yu Wenye in delight, "Prince Qin has returned!"
The surrounding generals stepped forward, laughing, "Your Highness cannot escape this drink."
"Indeed, we’ve eagerly awaited this occasion."
"Didn’t our Highness used to have a remarkable capacity? Why refuse a drink with us tonight?"
Shang Ruyi worried about his mood, yet saw him curve his lips into a faint smile, "I just don’t want to drink too much tonight; after all, it’s my Imperial Brother’s day of joy. You all should take it easy as well."
With such words, he conceded.
And seeing his demeanor, it seemed he needed some wine at this moment.
Upon hearing Prince Qin agree, the crowd laughingly ushered him back to his seat, with Pei Xingyuan even turning back to Shang Ruyi, smiling, "Princess, may we borrow His Highness!"
Shang Ruyi only smiled gently, nodding slightly.
Looking back toward the path, night deepened, its ink-like darkness veiling all that occurred and didn’t occur, yet some lurking sentiments grew in the dark, increasingly robust.