Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Yu Mingyue evidently didn’t expect him to say that, and was momentarily stunned, while Yu Wenqian’s expression slightly darkened but he still nodded.

"Yes."

Shang Ruyi laughed and said, "If the Crown Prince can go, then I’ll be a bit more relieved. Lord Pei and Lord Ji still have sons to look after them, but my cousin went on a campaign with the army some days ago, leaving my uncle without anyone by his side."

Though her words referred to Uncle Shen Shiyan, the deeper meaning actually pointed to Yu Wenquan.

After all, Yu Wenquan hadn’t been to the newly renovated Hot Spring Palace, and now had to take a group of old officials with him. Others had family beside them; even Ji Hong had a little son. But Yu Wenquan had no one, wasn’t he at a disadvantage in front of his ministers as a father?

At this moment, Yu Mingyue’s brow was tightly knitted.

Yet, they couldn’t find words to refuse, just as Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi couldn’t stop Yu Wenquan from going to Hot Spring Palace to recuperate, suggesting someone should accompany the Emperor and the important ministers, fulfilling filial duty as his son.

Yu Wenquan quietly watched them, saying nothing.

Yu Wenqian didn’t remain silent for long, but smiled after a moment and said, "Second brother and sister-in-law are truly considerate. I was just thinking of letting father rest, forgetting that without anyone to care for him, this rest might be more taxing than staying in the palace."

Shang Ruyi also smiled and said, "Originally, King Qin and I should have gone, but Yuanyuan is still young, I truly can’t spare myself here, and King Qin—"

Saying this, she glanced at Yu Wenye with a smile, though she didn’t finish, Yu Wenquan’s order for Yu Wenye to return to the palace every night to accompany his wife and children still echoed, naturally ruling out any other possibilities, hence her half sentence directly blocked the road to have Yu Wenye accompany them to Hot Spring Palace.

Ministers were going to Hot Spring Palace, and the Crown Prince too.

Then remaining in the Imperial City, the option for a Regent was left to only one person.

No one anticipated that Shang Ruyi, smiling serenely, speaking in a gentle tone, seemed to discuss trivial family matters, as if merely about everyday mundane concerns of a common woman in everyday alleys, yet her words were astoundingly calculated, blocking any options for the other side with minimal words, leaving only the path they least wished to see.

Yu Mingyue also heard the implications in her words, at this time her eyes were reddened, glaring at Shang Ruyi ready to speak, but before she could, her body suddenly felt heavy; it was Yu Wenqian beside her pressing her hand.

Yu Wenqian laughed and said, "Then let me and Ming Yue accompany father and the ministers to Hot Spring Palace."

Saying this, he turned to Yu Wenquan, "May father grant permission?"

Yu Wenquan continuously watched them quietly, the tiger eyes that had seen the human world showed no fluctuations, just slightly sighed in opening, "Both of you have grown, some matters needn’t be arranged by me, you arrange them for me."

Both hurriedly said, "Father, forgive us."

Yu Wenquan faintly smiled and said, "What forgiveness, you both show paternal love, if King Qi were here, he’d probably only have eyes for food and drink, neglecting us old folks."

Saying this he raised his hand, "In three days, Crown Prince accompanies me to Hot Spring Palace; King Qin acts as Regent, manages state affairs, any military or national matters must be promptly reported to me without error."

Both immediately said, "Yes!"

This meal finally concluded in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

Though the atmosphere was calm, even towards the end, father and sons were jovial, seemingly not an Emperor and Princes, nor two brothers who had fought fiercely for power, but instead, a harmonious and lovingly united family—yet deep in scheming, calculating every word.

After lunch, Yu Wenquan had to nap, so the four rose to leave.

After exiting Liangyi Hall, Yu Wenye turned to Yu Wenqian and respectfully said, "This time, I’ll trouble Imperial Brother."

"Serving father as a minister, how can it be trouble?"

Yu Wenqian’s face still bore no trace of irritation, calm almost identical to his past self, even slowly tidying his sleeve, then said, "It’s second brother, acting as Regent, not an easy task, should anything happen—"

At this point, he slightly smiled.

At the side, Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped, Yu Wenye thoughtfully said, "I will be careful."

Yu Wenqian said, "That’s good."

After speaking, the two brothers parted amidst the howling cold wind, each leaving separately.

Until quite distanced, no longer seeing Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue’s backs, Shang Ruyi exhaled deeply, turning to Yu Wenye beside her, and saw his solemn expression, seeming lost in thought as well.

Shang Ruyi said, "We—"

"No worries,"

Yu Wenye seemed aware, upon seeing Yu Wenqian earlier showing no signs of failure, his words hinting at obvious satisfaction, causing Shang Ruyi slight unease, fearing their contest over the Regent power instead fell into their trap.

Yu Wenye said, "Regardless, we cannot go to Hot Spring Palace."

"—"

"And somehow, I can’t allow him to easily gain Regent power."

Shang Ruyi, hearing this, lightly nodded.

Indeed, these two points were almost blocking them, not only did getting Regent power bring Crown Prince closer to the throne, but Yu Wencheng as General of Henan Road commanded forces, if Yu Wenqian were Regent now, it would form a power vacuum, Yu Wenquan and Yu Wenye couldn’t intervene, should they plot something these few days, too easy!

Shang Ruyi said, "However, though we guard here, how about at Hot Spring Palace?"

With Yu Wenqian accompanying Yu Wenquan to Hot Spring Palace, should anything happen there, even knowing would take half a day.

Yu Wenye said, "This isn’t difficult, as King Qin and Regent by command, I can communicate with them anytime. There’s just one thing unclear to me."

"What?"

"Why did the Crown Prince insist father take the old ministers along this time."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi also frowned.

She believed in Yu Wenquan’s feelings for the old ministers, granting the Hot Spring Palace journey out of compassion for them, yet the matter was raised by the Crown Prince, making them cautious.

She murmured, "Could he not only aim for my brother, but also for my uncle—?"