Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

The carriage stopped as they spoke.

The Crown Prince Mansion was originally not far from the Imperial Palace, and given the special circumstances tonight, Yu Wenquan had allowed Xuanwu Gate to close three quarters past the hour at 9 PM, permitting them to return to the palace via the Xuanwu Gate. When the carriage came to a halt, the two of them got off the carriage holding the child.

It was pitch dark all around.

Shang Ruyi had an unspeakable feeling about this palace gate from the very start. At this moment, it was so dark that one couldn’t see their hand before their face, and only faint firelight flickered from within the distant palace gate, which failed to illuminate the surroundings. The wide passage leading directly to the gate was flanked by dense pines and cypresses. Although they were planted in an orderly manner, in such a night, it felt as if they were two thick and tall walls, obscuring everything in front.

The wind blew, the pine needles swayed, making rustling noises, as if countless shadows were hidden within.

Shang Ruyi suddenly found herself unable to breathe.

Seemingly sensing her tense nerves being abruptly plucked, Yu Wenye held her shoulder and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi did not speak immediately, her eyes still fixed on the forest ahead, until she saw clearly that there were no hidden figures among the swaying pine branches, then she breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Wenye seemed to have noticed something too. He looked at the pines, then at her, and said gently, "It’s alright."

"..."

"Let’s hurry back to the palace, the gate will be closed if we’re any later."

"Hmm."

Regaining her composure, Shang Ruyi did not further pursue the questions he hadn’t answered earlier and followed Yu Wenye forward. Tushere and the others quickly caught up, carrying lanterns and holding Yuanyuan, striding swiftly under the cover of night, they finally returned to Qianqiu Palace.

By this time, it was almost midnight.

Shang Ruyi instructed Tushere to bring Yuanyuan to the wet nurse, and let Chang Wan take off her hairpins and accessories. When Wo Xue brought in hot water and other items, Yu Wenye also changed into a comfortable sleepwear and said, "You all may leave now; tidy up these things tomorrow."

Chang Wan and Wo Xue acknowledged and withdrew from the inner hall.

It was only at this moment that the entire Qianqiu Palace became completely quiet. Both of them, having returned from the bustling Crown Prince Mansion, seemed to have found a moment of peace only now.

Yu Wenye stood up, walked to the copper basin, and was about to wash his face, but suddenly stopped.

Shang Ruyi was combing her hair in front of the dressing mirror. Through the mirror, she saw his daze in front of the copper basin and couldn’t help but turn her head. Besides Yu Wenye, there was a candlestick. The candlelight shone on the warm water in the basin, the shimmering water reflecting on Yu Wenye’s face, his eyes, making him seem both peaceful and turbulent as if his mind was wandering off somewhere, sometime.

Shang Ruyi stood up and walked to his side, "What are you thinking about?"

"..."

Yu Wenye’s reflection in the water quivered slightly, and after looking at her through the rippling water, he said, "I’m thinking about my Imperial Brother."

Yu Wenqian...

Shang Ruyi immediately thought of the question she asked earlier that Yu Wenye had yet to answer. She asked, "Are you thinking about the past?"

"..."

Yu Wenye paused again and gave a low "Hmm."

Then, he leaned forward, scooping up a handful of water to splash on his face. The water, which was still slightly hot when brought in, had become lukewarm now, steaming his body as the effects of the liquor gradually rose, not only making his face redder but causing the corners of his eyes to redden too.

It was as if it was only now that he was truly intoxicated.

Shang Ruyi didn’t say more, just handed him a towel to let him dry himself, while she also quickly washed up. Finally, the two of them got into bed before the fourth watch.

Aside from some nights when Yu Wenye’s indulgence kept Shang Ruyi awake all night, they usually didn’t stay up late. Moreover, they had spent the entire afternoon dealing with officials at the Crown Prince Mansion, and then there was the confrontation by the lakeside at night, leaving both of them extremely tired. Yet, once in bed, the fatigue seemed to be dispelled by something, and their bright eyes met in the darkness, clearly seeing the bewilderment and desolation in each other’s eyes.

Shang Ruyi finally spoke, "You—"

At the same moment she opened her mouth, Yu Wenye also began to speak, his voice unexpectedly hoarse, as if the fatigue was indeed showing its power over him, and in a raspy tone, he said, "Do you remember I once said that I fell ill during my childhood."

Shang Ruyi’s eyes flickered again in the darkness.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten.

In fact, just a few days ago, when Yu Wenye used the excuse of her frail health to prevent her from attending Duke Shenwu’s funeral, she had retorted, saying that he too was human and had been ill, so why look down on her.

At that time, Yu Wenye’s expression was very peculiar.

He told her—I did fall ill that once, but it wasn’t because of weakness.

Remembering those words, Shang Ruyi almost immediately asked, "Then what was it because of?"

And Yu Wenye, seeming to recall that they had indeed brought up this matter a few days ago, naturally understood the sudden question linked back to what he had previously said. With a deep breath, though still not answering directly, he continued, "Then do you remember what happened after I got sick?"

Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her brow.

When Yu Wenye spoke to her about these things, they were on their way back to Chang An from Jiangdu, and it was shortly after they narrowly escaped death from the boulder rolled down onto their carriage in the valley. More than a year had passed since that incident.

However, her memory wasn’t poor, and upon thinking, she softly said, "I remember you said that when you were very young, you fell seriously ill, and the medicines were ineffective, nearly— Afterward, your parents went to Dayan Temple to pray for you, and then you recovered."

"Hmm."

"And then..."

Yu Wenye’s deep, resonant voice in her memory grew increasingly clear in her ear. Shang Ruyi suddenly shivered, as though another gust of cold wind had crept into the bedding. Yet the quilt was evidently tightly wrapped, and Yu Wenye held her close, continuously transmitting his warmth against her skin, preventing any cold wind from penetrating.

It was more like a chill born from her own heart.

She also recalled Yu Wenye’s words, seemingly spoken unintentionally to her, each word more subdued, deeper, and trembling with intensity: "Then, you didn’t see him at home; only upon asking did you know he had gone to Dayan Temple to listen to the Zen Master’s sermon and refused to return."

"..."

"Later he often stayed in the temple, and eventually, he left home to wander and began his spiritual journey."

Yu Wenye gently nodded, "Hmm."

Shang Ruyi lifted her head from his embrace, looking into his eyes, which seemed to reveal a certain bleakness amidst their sternness, and said in a deep tone, "He pursued spiritual practice, and your illness—?"