Chapter 1163 - 843: Double Blessings
Shen Wuzheng’s expression was heavy with a flicker of uncertainty, and he said, "I am just a bit worried about the matter of sending troops to the Eastern Capital this time."
"Oh."
"And also, the Crown Prince has recently been shutting himself away from visitors, single-mindedly preparing for his wedding, leaving us virtually ignorant of the Crown Prince Mansion and the people inside. Today, attending the feast, Your Highness should also be cautious and observe the people and events in the Crown Prince Mansion."
His words clearly had an implied meaning, and Yu Wenye thought for a moment, saying, "I understand what you mean."
At this moment, a group of little eunuchs hurriedly ran over from inside the palace gates, seemingly preparing for the Emperor’s departure from the palace. They could not afford further delay, and Yu Wenye waved his hand, saying, "Let’s go first."
After saying this, he was about to get into the carriage when Shen Wuzheng spoke softly again, "There’s one more thing—"
Yu Wenye turned to look at him, "Hmm?"
Shen Wuzheng was silent for a moment, then said gravely, "No matter what, I hope Ruyi—, Princess, remains safe and unharmed."
Yu Wenye’s breath sank slightly, he watched for a while and slowly said, "Of course. She is my wife, the mother of my son, Princess Qin of the Dasheng Dynasty. I will certainly protect her!"
Shen Wuzheng nodded, "Good."
Having said this, he did not say more, and the two of them boarded their respective carriages. Shortly thereafter, several carriages left the palace gates and headed towards the Crown Prince Mansion.
Yu Wenqian’s Crown Prince Mansion was situated not far from the Imperial Palace, naturally for the convenience of handling palace matters, so the carriage stopped after traveling less than half an hour. Although the banquet was held in the evening, the Crown Prince’s wedding caused the court officials not to dare slack off, attracting a continuous stream of guests and full of friends from early morning onward. Before the carriage had stopped completely, Shang Ruyi heard the hubbub outside, lifted the curtain for a look, and found the entrance of the Crown Prince Mansion crowded with carriages, packed as tight as a drum.
However, regardless of the crowd, upon seeing Prince Qin’s chariot, the people here automatically parted.
Yu Wenye stepped off the carriage first, then turned to help Shang Ruyi down.
The originally noisy entrance of the Crown Prince Mansion suddenly fell silent, and surrounding officials who had come to offer congratulations either stepped back or cautiously bowed. This tense quiet also permeated through the mansion walls.
Inside, it seemed to quiet down as well.
Soon, they saw a group of people stepping out from within, leading the way was a tall, handsome figure in elegant red attire!
Yu Wenqian, dressed in red, stepped in front of them.
Shang Ruyi suddenly froze, as if doubting her own eyes, staring in astonishment at the familiar yet at this moment incredibly unfamiliar Yu Wenqian.
From the first meeting with the masked Yu Wenqian in Yanyue City, wearing a snow-white monk robe, the impression this Crown Prince left her was always like an elegant white cloud, as though worldly filth could not touch his garments. Even Yu Wenye repeatedly reminded her that a person’s appearance, speech, and even personality displayed did not represent their true nature, Shang Ruyi knew her own flaw of judging by appearance, yet she still retained that serene impression in her heart.
But now, this impression was completely shattered.
Yu Wenqian in red smiled faintly, that smile shallow yet giving the illusion of sunny warmth, those semi-transparent pupils reflected a deep gaze from the intense red attire, like flames, though compared to his usual serenity, he remained elegant, well-mannered, and unparalleled in beauty – except once, he was as pure as clouds, and now he was adorned with radiant grace.
Only the color of the clothes was different, yet it seemed everything had changed.
He approached and smiled at Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi, "Second brother, sister-in-law, you are here."
Yu Wenye’s steps hesitated for a moment.
The unexpected unfamiliar scene seemed to surprise him, making his steps involuntarily heavier, but he did not hesitate long and respectfully approached, bowing to Yu Wenqian: "Imperial Brother, congratulations."
Shang Ruyi also said, "Congratulations to the Crown Prince."
Yu Wenqian smiled with eyes curved, making it difficult to discern where his gaze lay, or perhaps it just skimmed over the pair of them, "Thank you."
After saying this, his smiling, wave-like gaze finally fell upon the baby being cradled by Tushere, who was crying and struggling, then he laughed, "To say whom I most wish to see today, second brother and sister-in-law are secondary, it is this little nephew I most look forward to."
His words changed the expressions of those nearby.
Some were heavy, some fierce, some hesitant, some contemptuous.
Though it was the Imperial Grandson’s first appearance before the crowd, rumors about him had spread throughout the court and Changa An City since his birth. For him, the Crown Prince "yielded" his Chengqian Hall; for him, His Majesty the Emperor even personally went to Chengqian Hall to watch over him. Though he has yet to be named, people heard that at his full month celebration, the Emperor even planned to hold a lavish banquet, only to be stopped by Princess Qin’s repeated decline.
Even so, the rewards Yu Wenquan gave daily to Princess Qin and the Young Master continued without end, exceeding thousands of gold, greater than what those soldiers fighting at the front had received.
Evidently, Yu Wenquan valued this Imperial Grandson greatly.
Therefore, even though the meeting of the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson was not a grand occasion, it inexplicably sparked a minor tension in the cool air.
However, upon hearing these words, Yu Wenye’s gaze inexplicably darkened, as if recalling the night Yu Wenqian held the newborn child. Yet he smiled faintly and said, "I previously mentioned to my brother that after the child’s birth, I would bring him here to celebrate my imperial brother’s housewarming, yet did not expect my imperial brother would have double joy, so this child of mine is fortunate to partake in the imperial uncle’s joy."
Having said this, he beckoned, and the servant Tushere quickly approached carrying the child, bowing to the Crown Prince.
Yu Wenqian stepped forward and looked down at the swaddled infant.
The child had been soundly asleep despite the bumpy carriage ride and bustling outside noise, seemingly undisturbed by the chaos. Yet as he gazed upon the infant, the noise reflected by Yu Wenqian’s intense red attire also calmed at that moment.
Yu Wenye continued looking at the sleeping child, and suddenly, a smile appeared on his lips.
Just then, the little face within the swaddle seemed to react to something, furrowing slightly, and burst out crying with a "wah."