Chapter 1241 - 917: "Sisterhood Rivalry
"He trusts no one."
After uttering these words, Yu Wenye’s solemn gaze flashed with a touch of desolation.
The Left Guard, formerly known as the Left Imperial Guard, was once under Lei Yi’s command. After pledging allegiance to Liang Shide, Yu Wenquan reformed this contingent in Chang An, renaming it the Left Guard, with no Great General appointed, only a Deputy General overseeing it and taking orders directly from him. This troop was sent into the city to track down those attempting to kill Pei Xingyuan, clearly illustrating that in this matter, he trusts neither the Crown Prince nor King Qin.
The distrust of King Qin has been present since the incident with Pei Xingyuan.
But this time, even the Crown Prince has been excluded, indicating that today’s events have made him start to doubt the Crown Prince, or more precisely, those around the Crown Prince.
The two walked further, passing through the Hundred Blessings Gate, and seeing that no one was around, Shang Ruyi finally spoke, "Today’s events, were they truly orchestrated by the Yu Family father and daughter?"
"..."
Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said, "I can’t tell."
He had just carefully observed the Crown Prince and Lou Yingxiong—of course, given these individuals’ cunning and experienced past, it wouldn’t be possible to detect any flaws on their faces. But the appearance of this troop today indeed muddied the waters. Now, not just him, but even some from the Crown Prince’s side might also find it hard to see the situation clearly.
Regardless, this is not necessarily a bad thing.
And the matter of punishing the Pei Family, as raised by Lou Yingxiong, was temporarily suppressed by Yu Wenquan. Previously, Yu Wenye was most concerned about the Pei Family’s safety. Now it seems that Yu Wenquan does not intend to implicate the Pei Family due to Pei Xingyuan’s "escape," which barely preserves them.
As for what’s to come—
Shang Ruyi asked, "Do you think the Left Guard can capture those who attempted to kill Pei Xingyuan?"
Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, did not respond to her question, but instead slowly said, "Today’s group acted skillfully. Though unsuccessful, it is clear the mastermind possesses quite some skill in deploying forces, certainly not an ordinary person."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
Yu Wenye did not say a word; rather, a cold wind blew in again from behind the Hundred Blessings Gate, slicing across their cheeks like a knife. He reached a hand over, tightly clasping Shang Ruyi’s hand, saying as they walked forward, "The year has passed, and from now on, Chang An—I’m afraid the entire realm will no longer be peaceful."
Shang Ruyi’s heart stirred.
While they whispered as they headed towards Qianqiu Palace, Yu Wenqian had already boarded a carriage and soon returned to the Crown Prince Mansion. After alighting, he walked directly into his study without saying a word.
Upon opening the door, he saw Yu Mingyue sitting inside, her expression a mix of alarm and anticipation, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Your Highness, you’re back."
Yu Wenqian entered, closed the door behind him.
Yu Mingyue had been waiting here for quite some time, having come specifically to see Yu Wenqian that morning. Since their marriage, they had been sleeping in separate rooms, and no one could enter Yu Wenqian’s chamber at will. She could only meet him in the study. But after delivering a bowl of bird’s nest soup and exchanging a few words, news arrived that Pei Xingyuan was ambushed and someone rescued him.
She was momentarily paralyzed with dread, nearly dropping the bowls and dishes to shatter them.
The way Yu Wenqian looked at her then was as harsh as it is now, cold as a blade.
Afterward, he immediately left for the palace but had coldly ordered her to remain in the study, not to go anywhere or contact the Yu Family before departing, leaving Yu Mingyue alone to wait in apprehension and fear for her "sentence."
Facing that indifferent gaze once more, Yu Mingyue’s heart was chaotic, and she urgently asked, "Your Highness, who kidnapped Pei Xingyuan?"
"..."
"What did the Emperor say? Whom does he suspect?"
"..."
"Was it King Qin? Or Wanggang Village people?"
Yu Wenqian calmly walked to his seat and sat down, saying lightly, "Don’t you know?"
This sentence, colder and sharper than his stare, pierced Yu Mingyue’s chest, causing her a shiver. She immediately added, "Does Your Highness suspect me?"
Yu Wenqian said lightly, "No need for me to repeat what you have done before."
Yu Mingyue quickly walked to him, "I admit to what I did before—it was because Lou Liangdi flaunted in front of me. But all I did was have my father investigate Jiang Xian outside the city, nothing more. But today, today these people directly confronted the court officials, that’s rebellion against the court, opposing the Emperor, something I dare not!"
She grew increasingly anxious, grabbing Yu Wenqian’s hand, "Your Highness, you must believe me!"
"..."
Yu Wenqian lowered his head, observing her fingers turned pale from gripping tightly.
He lifted his gaze to those eyes, red from worry.
That face still stunning, he generally felt indifferent towards female beauty; attractiveness in his view is just a shell, far less moving than an insightful conversation. Even so, he could discern between good and bad, and precisely because he couldn’t bear to see such beauty fall into decay, he had once intervened, rescuing her from the villagers’ hands.
Later, she told him about his "future," things that shocked him, he couldn’t believe, yet also found fascinating.
He believed her, thereby changing his life.
Now, step by step, he indeed acquired much, but had not anticipated also losing.
His path offered no retreat, yet he began to doubt, doubt whether his choice was the right one—
Thinking this, he gently withdrew his hand from Yu Mingyue’s, leaving behind deep red marks due to her tight grip. Looking into those nervous eyes, Yu Wenqian remarked lightly, "You once told me you were different from those women who only know how to compete over jealousy—such ’female competition’."
Yu Mingyue was bewildered, yet instinctively nodded.
Yu Wenqian continued, "But if you claim so yet cannot bear seeing other women living well, doing things indistinguishable from so-called ’female competition,’ it merely shows you’re one of them."
"..."
"You are, in fact, less honest than them."
Yu Mingyue’s eyes widened, "I—"
Before she could argue, in fact, speaking that solitary word had rendered her voice hoarse, Yu Wenqian stated, "Whether I trust you or not matters little now. The Emperor instructed Duke Wushan to immediately leave the city, pursuing Jiang Xian and Liang Youying who kidnapped Pei Xingyuan."
He added coldly, "You understand what this implies."
Yu Mingyue slumped.
"The Emperor, is he suspecting us too?"