Chapter 188: Chapter 185: Go to Shanxi, or Stay in the Eastern Capital?
Shang Ruyi hurriedly turned around, only to see a towering figure standing at the doorway, like a great mountain, completely blocking the already almost disappearing sunset behind him.
A pair of cold eyes, due to the backlight, seemed even brighter.
However, the light in those eyes was like a sharp sword, looking at whoever would pierce through their body. That kind of strong oppressive feeling—no wonder Tushere screamed in fright.
At this moment, she also came to her senses and quickly took a step back: "Brother-in-law."
It was Yu Wenye?!
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but be taken aback—when did he return, and how long had he been standing outside?
Did he hear everything they just said?
At this thought, Shang Ruyi shivered instinctively, but then immediately felt something was odd about herself. Even if he heard what they said, it was no big deal, all these matters were out in the open. She didn’t believe he was unaware, and her arrangements were legitimate, so there was no need for her to feel guilty.
Thinking this, she calmed down.
Tushere hurriedly said: "Please forgive me, brother-in-law, this servant was rude just now."
"..."
Yu Wenye looked at her silently. It was unclear whether he had an unsuccessful day outside, but he exuded a strong air of menace, even more terrifying than when he fought enemies on the battlefield.
Tushere didn’t even dare to move.
After a long while, he finally said in a low voice: "Leave."
Tushere let out a breath, gave her young miss a glance, and hurriedly left.
After she left, Yu Wenye finally shut the door with a backhanded motion, walked in step by step, and as he approached, the ferocious air around him gradually filled the entire room, making it so oppressive that Shang Ruyi found it hard to breathe.
But, what on earth was wrong?
Shang Ruyi thought it certainly had nothing to do with what she’d just said; it seemed like he had an unsuccessful day outside.
Thinking about this, she stepped forward cautiously and asked, "Did you have an unsuccessful day handling affairs outside today?"
"..."
Yu Wenye didn’t speak, just looked at her.
That gaze, not just cold, was as if he wanted to devour people.
When the tension in the room was tight like a bowstring about to snap, there was a rapid clapping of footsteps from outside, followed by Yu Wencheng running to the door shouting, "Second brother, weren’t you going to pick up your second sister-in-law? Why are you taking so long?"
"..."
"Second brother? Father is waiting for us over there."
Shang Ruyi was stunned, then looked at Yu Wenye again, only to see he took a deep breath. The murderous aura around him slowly dissipated, and he looked at Shang Ruyi expressionlessly: "We’ll go over right away."
"Okay."
A response came from outside, and Yu Wencheng ran off again.
The room remained quiet, but the atmosphere was entirely different than before. Just as Shang Ruyi was about to say something, Yu Wenye abruptly said, "Father wants to talk to you, come with me" and turned to open the door and leave.
Shang Ruyi steadied her mind, still unclear about the oppressive atmosphere earlier, but quickly straightened her clothes and followed him out.
When they arrived at the warm room, the family had already taken their seats.
Yu Wenquan sat at the head, and upon seeing Shang Ruyi enter, immediately waved to her: "Ruyi is here, come sit down."
Shang Ruyi gave a salute and sat down beside Yu Wenye.
But as soon as she settled, Yu Wenye expressionlessly shifted a bit to the side.
Shang Ruyi looked at him, was unsure what to say for a moment, luckily Yu Wenquan had already spoken: "I know the Lei family girl came to see you today, and you’ve been busy most of the day, it must have been tiring. But there’s an urgent matter tonight, so I had to call you all to discuss it."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said: "Father, what urgent matter is it?"
Yu Wenquan sighed and said, "Tomorrow, Father has to go to Taiyuan."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart sank.
To say, in fact, when she got married, it was to Taiyuan Mansion, because Yu Wenquan was appointed as Shanxi Comfort Envoy and was stationed in Taiyuan by the court; later, because the court intended to wage war on Liaodong, he was sent to Liaoxi to supervise the transport of provisions, and his other children were called back to Luoyang, thus they moved back to the Eastern Capital.
Now, with the Liaodong war at a standstill, Yu Wenquan naturally had to resume his previous post.
However—
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but glance at Yu Wenye.
Yu Wenquan already continued, "Since His Majesty is no longer attacking Liaodong, I naturally need to return to Shanxi. But definitely, the situation is different from when we left."
Saying this, he looked at his two sons in front of him, "Cheng’er has already started schooling, he’s not the wild child he used to be; and Ye’er... you are now the court’s Assistant General, surely you are no longer the miscellaneous soldier who follows Father everywhere."
Neither son spoke, but it was clear Yu Wencheng was a bit dissatisfied, pouting.
Yu Wenquan said, "So today, I’ve gathered you to ask about your plans going forward. Cheng’er, you speak first."
Yu Wencheng looked at him, then at his elder brother and sister-in-law sitting opposite, his eyes rolling, and said, "I’ve just started school here, if I follow Father back to Shanxi, I’ll fall behind in my studies. I won’t go, I want to stay in Luoyang."
Yu Wenquan just nodded but didn’t speak upon hearing this.
He then looked at Yu Wenye, but this time, he didn’t ask Yu Wenye directly but said, "You’re going to lead troops on an expedition the day after tomorrow, Father naturally has no control over you."
Yu Wenye said solemnly, "What does Father want to instruct his son?"
Yu Wenquan glared at him, then gave a light snort and said, "If you don’t want my troops, so be it. If you believe you can take down Xingluo Granary with the court’s twenty thousand troops, go ahead."
Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
So, Yu Wenye had really made up his mind not to ask Yu Wenquan for troops. But in doing so, could he really win this battle?
Recalling the things Lei Yu said during the day—if this battle couldn’t reclaim Xingluo Granary, whether the court could continue in the Eastern Capital might even be uncertain; if he were defeated, how could the court excusably not hold him accountable?
Wasn’t Yu Wenye clearly putting himself, and even the entire Yuwen Family, on the edge of a knife?
Just when she was feeling uneasy, Yu Wenquan called out to her: "Ruyi."
"Yes."
Shang Ruyi immediately mustered all her spirits: "What does Father want to instruct?"
Looking at her, Yu Wenquan’s gaze remained loving but seemed to carry some other emotions. He gently asked, "Would you be willing to go with Father to Shanxi, or stay in the Eastern Capital?"