Chapter 171: Chapter 170 Some "Self-Indulgent" Thoughts
Shang Ruyi was still perplexed.
She had already explained how she met Chu Yang, who was then known as "Yang Suyi," including their meeting at the outskirts of the city to take shelter from the rain. Why was he still asking about it?
And whether she entered the palace, or if Chu Yang visited the Shen Family—
Was it that important?
Moreover, his questioning attitude made Shang Ruyi somewhat uncomfortable. No matter what, they were not in a subordinate relationship, so why did she have to answer just because he asked? She wasn’t his anything.
Thinking this, her heart suddenly trembled.
Was Yu Wenye questioning her like this because she was someone to him?
Even though it was clear from the beginning that their relationship was merely a transaction, cold and emotionless, for some reason, after last night, she felt that their relationship seemed somewhat closer than when they returned from Yanmen County.
Even, to some extent, they were more intimate.
So, could Yu Wenye’s questioning at this moment be because of—
She vaguely sensed yet another fanciful thought forming, but before it could even take shape, she heard Tushere hurriedly approaching from outside, standing at the doorway anxiously saying, "Second Young Master, Miss, someone from the palace has arrived!"
"...!"
"...!"
Both of them, immersed in their unusual thoughts, were jolted, and Shang Ruyi, as if waking from a dream, blushed uncontrollably for her earlier fanciful thinking.
She immediately straightened her expression and said to Yu Wenye, "Someone from the palace has arrived, we should go out!"
Yu Wenye did not speak, but a hint of anger slowly rose on his face.
He turned back with a glare and then said, "Who is it?"
Tushere replied, "It’s a Lord Eunuch from the palace, here to deliver the Emperor’s Holy Decree!"
Hearing this, the two dared not delay further, hastily rose, and pushed the door open to go out.
Arriving at the main hall, they indeed saw a eunuch standing there, while Aunt Hui and Yu Wencheng, along with the guests from outside, were already kneeling in the hall, not daring to make a sound.
Shang Ruyi carefully identified, realizing it was different from those who previously came to investigate them at Yuwen Mansion, and different from the one who questioned her on behalf of the Emperor during the last inspection. This eunuch was plump, about fifty years old, with graying hair, a face without a single wrinkle, radiating prosperity and kindness. Behind him followed several little eunuchs, and even in the courtyard outside the mourning hall, four accompanying imperial guards stood, indicating a high position.
As the couple entered the hall, the eunuch politely stepped forward with clasped hands to salute them.
"May you two accept my condolences."
Yu Wenye hurriedly returned the salute, then watched as the eunuch walked to the center of the hall, straightened up, and announced loudly, "The Holy Decree is here!"
Yu Wenye quickly knelt with Shang Ruyi to receive the decree.
The eunuch took out a Holy Decree, opened it, and read aloud, "Hereby, the decree of the Central Secretariat states, Yu Wenye, son of Duke Sheng, faced danger unflinchingly and with bravery surpassed the three armies, demonstrating loyalty during the Yanmen County battle to protect the imperial carriage. Thus, he is specially conferred the title of Assistant General, Standard Second Rank. Accept it, henceforth."
Immediately, sounds of amazement filled the hall.
Kneeling beside, Shang Ruyi’s heart was also intensely shaken.
To know, though Yu Wenye was quite renowned, it was primarily due to his status as the second son of the Duke Mansion. In reality, he held no high official post in the court, merely a Vice General in the Duke Sheng’s army. Unexpectedly, after the Yanmen County battle, the Emperor directly promoted him to the Standard Second Rank as Assistant General, something unprecedented before!
This is quite a leap!
She cautiously turned her face to glance at Yu Wenye, seeing him without any expression of joy, his expression rather grave, first expressed gratitude for the Emperor’s grace, then took the Holy Decree with both hands, slowly standing up.
Once up, he even reached out to support her.
Seeing this, a glint of sharpness flickered in the eunuch’s squinting eyes but quickly faded as he addressed Yu Wenye, saying, "General, here is not the place for ’joy,’ I wish the great General to mourn, to take care, and lastly, not disappoint the Emperor’s regard, to clear the rebellion for the court, accomplishing great deeds."
Shang Ruyi’s heart thumped again—
To clear the rebellion for the court?
Typically, to celebrate someone’s promotion, one might utter words of diligence, reverence, or even reaching great heights, but the phrase "clear the rebellion" suggests as if there already exists rebellion awaiting Yu Wenye to clean.
Yet Yu Wenye remained, as usual, composed and steady, politely responding, "Thank you, Eunuch Yu, for braving the cold. Please, come to the side hall for a warm cup of tea."
Eunuch Yu smiled and said, "This trip is not in vain, for I came to deliver the Holy Decree on behalf of the Emperor, and secondly—"
He spoke whilst his eyes flickered towards those behind him.
Only then did Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi notice that among the little eunuchs following him, one stepped forward, gently lifting their head, a pair of glistening eyes, looking tenderly at Yu Wenye.
Shang Ruyi’s eyes instantly widened—
That, turned out to be Princess Xinyue!
She had come after all!
Just like when seen previously at the Tinghe Building, she wore a eunuch’s attire despite its simplicity, it couldn’t hide her enchanting beauty, especially her eyes, slightly red and swollen from crying on the way here, making them appear even more pitifully alluring.
She softly said, "Second Brother."
"You—"
Upon seeing her, Yu Wenye’s breathing evidently became chaotic, perhaps not expecting her arrival, but the next moment, he regained composure, softly saying, "You’ve been too reckless."
Chu Ruoyan softly said, "I was worried about Brother, so I came to see you."
Yu Wenye let out a deep breath, stepped forward, his tall figure now blocking the petite princess from being seen by others outside, gravely saying, "I’m fine. You shouldn’t be running around. What if you encounter danger?"
Chu Ruoyan gazed at him, "I’m not afraid."
...
The two stood face to face, seemingly forgetting everything around them for a moment.
And standing beside them, not far, yet seemingly separated by an invisible barrier, Shang Ruyi only felt a chill in her hands and feet.
At this moment, watching them, she oddly thought back to earlier—in their chamber when Yu Wenye questioned her, she found herself again having some fanciful thoughts. How ridiculous was that?
Looking up to their eyes meeting, excluding a third presence, Shang Ruyi smiled slightly.
Indeed, how truly ridiculous.
Now, she completely woke up from it, realizing those kneeling outside had not yet risen and dared not look up. If they saw Princess Xinyue disguised and arriving with Eunuch Yu, things might get difficult to handle.
Quick-witted, she took a step forward and said, "Second Brother, you, you should go to the back courtyard first; Eunuch Yu, please follow me, there’s hot tea in the side hall."
Upon hearing this, the others complied, yet Yu Wenye suddenly turned to look at her.
No, that gaze wasn’t just looking, it seemed like a glare.
Sharp as a knife.
Shang Ruyi was taken aback by his look, thought it over, and felt her arrangement was correct—having him escort the princess to the back courtyard, preventing them from being seen. Besides, the back courtyard was vacant at the moment, perfect for their meeting; she then could accompany Eunuch Yu to the side hall, not disturbing them, fitting their wishes perfectly, no?
Thus, she also looked back at him, eyes wide open, seemingly asking him silently—what was incorrect about this arrangement?
The atmosphere, momentarily stagnated.
At this point, as the two exchanged gazes, one sharp, one clear, yet like a knife slicing into cotton, unable to determine a winner for the moment, a cheerful voice was heard, "Then the trouble is on the Young Madam."
It was Eunuch Yu.
Shang Ruyi smiled slightly, courteously leading him and the few little eunuchs towards the side hall while Yu Wenye stood in the main hall, silently for a while, before heavily letting out a breath.
"Let’s go."
He led Princess Xinyue towards the back courtyard, but as they left, he suddenly turned back, glaring almost fiercely at Shang Ruyi.