Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Mountain of Corpses and Sea of Blood
Shang Ruyi stood in the middle of the empty courtyard, watching as Chu Yang’s silhouette disappeared at the doorway. Even the faint, serene, cold scent lingering on her nose was swept away by the night breeze, leaving her dazed for a long time.
What did he mean by that?
Shang Ruyi felt her thoughts more chaotic than ever, buzzing in her mind larger than the tremors when the Turkic soldiers attacked the city during the day, until Tushere walked in from outside, approached her, and asked how she was doing, only then did she barely come to her senses.
"Why, are you here?"
Tushere softly said, "This humble servant was worried about Miss."
Shang Ruyi understood immediately and laughed, "Are you really worried I might have something with the Emperor?"
Tushere hastily shook her head, "Of course this humble servant trusts Miss’s character. But...words are fearsome, the actions of His Majesty the Emperor leave this humble servant somewhat uneasy."
"..."
Shang Ruyi chuckled and then extended her hand to her, "I’m feeling a bit cold, help me back to my room."
Tushere immediately assisted her back into the room and seated her, sensing her fingertips were cold. She promptly poured hot tea for her and asked, "So, Miss, do you really know His Majesty?"
Shang Ruyi took a sip of tea and said, "Not only do I know him, you know him too."
"Me?"
Tushere was even more surprised, "How is that possible, I’ve never—"
"Back then, when he stopped our carriage, didn’t you almost curse at him?"
"Ah!?"
Tushere’s eyes almost fell out of their sockets, full of horror she said, "Ah? That, that—was His Majesty the Emperor?!"
Shang Ruyi nodded.
Tushere immediately broke out in a cold sweat and said, "No wonder, no wonder when those Imperial Physicians were treating Miss’s wounds and accidentally hurt you while His Majesty angrily berated them for incompetence, I found the voice so familiar, it turns out it was that person."
Shang Ruyi laughed, "It seems your eyes aren’t very sharp either."
"Who could have thought it!"
Tushere muttered softly, "I heard His Majesty is over thirty, his daughter, Princess Xinyue, is only two or three years younger than Miss, who would have expected him to be so young, looking almost like the Young Lord."
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile bitterly—indeed, Chu Yang’s face was so deceiving, if not for that, she wouldn’t have only guessed his identity until a few days ago.
Tushere spoke again, worried, "Miss..."
"What’s wrong?"
"In front of everyone, the Emperor took you back to the government office. If Young Lord finds out about this, what should we do?"
"..."
"Would he misunderstand you, Miss?"
She might have been better off not mentioning Yu Wenye, as Shang Ruyi’s heart instantly chilled at the mention.
That’s right, Yu Wenye.
Just a few days ago, she had eagerly awaited Yu Wenye’s arrival in Yanmen County, at least, at least in her darkest moments, she hoped for some comfort, yet unexpectedly, the Turkic people attacked, she was already severely injured, and Yu Wenye was nowhere to be found.
More laughable was, he was accompanying Princess Xinyue in the rear, while she was entangled with Princess Xinyue’s father here.
In this world, is there anything more ridiculous than this?!
Shang Ruyi laughed bitterly, her smile full of exhaustion, "Alright, all I can say is, even if we need to dwell on this matter, we should at least wait until we survive this crisis."
"Then—"
"You may leave, I need to rest."
Tushere reluctantly, could only help her lie down and then exited the room.
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However, this night, offered them no sufficient peace for rest.
In the dead of night, when almost everyone had entered dreams, the Turkic people launched another large-scale siege.
Shang Ruyi was awakened by the roaring blasts outside, by the time she understood what was happening outside, even the beams seemed about to collapse. Tushere rushed to her room to protect her; though the courtyard was empty, amidst the noise, they could still hear many footsteps. It seemed people were guarding outside the courtyard.
This battle lasted until dawn.
Outside, the clamor gradually subsided, the tense feeling eased, and Shang Ruyi understood they had once again defended Yanmen County.
Yet this time, the successful defense of the city was notably more challenging than before.
And much more brutal.
Tushere went out briefly and returned to inform Shang Ruyi that wounded soldiers were scattered everywhere in the city, military doctors and government physicians were insufficient, only able to hear the severely wounded soldiers moaning in agony without treatment, many civilians had gone to help at the North City Gate.
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi quickly dressed and headed outside with Tushere.
As soon as she reached the courtyard gate, she was stopped by two fully armed Imperial Guard soldiers.
"Young Madam, where are you going?"
Shang Ruyi was startled, but seeing their polite demeanor, she replied courteously, "I heard there are many wounded soldiers in the city without medical care, I want to help."
The two exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise in their eyes.
One of them said, "But, outside it’s dangerous—"
Shang Ruyi replied, "Isn’t the battle over? There should be no immediate danger, besides—"
Her eyes gleamed as she looked at them, "His Majesty should only have instructed you to protect me, not to confine me, right?"
The two were left speechless.
Indeed, the Emperor had sent this team of Imperial Guards to safeguard the courtyard where Young Madam Yu Wen stayed, not allowing anyone to disturb her, but he hadn’t prohibited her from going outside.
The two deliberated and said, "Then, we will send someone to accompany Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi replied, "Thank you."
So, she left the government office with Tushere and several Imperial Guards.
Once outside, they realized what a purgatory it had become—a scene of bloodshed hidden behind tall walls and houses was now fully exposed to Shang Ruyi.
On the streets, countless people were coming and going.
These people were not wandering aimlessly but were dragging bodies from the city gate, in the distance, the bodies of fallen soldiers were piled high, more wails and cries filled the sky.
But before her, most were the living in agony.
Wounded soldiers retreating from the front line filled the streets and alleys, some even lay incapacitated at the roadside without care, the blood trails grew heavier, the stench of blood nearly suffocating, city physicians and military doctors, joined by assisting civilians, worked all over yet couldn’t keep up.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly told Tushere, "Let’s go help."
"Alright!"
Tushere went ahead without hesitation, immediately obtaining some medicine, helping to treat and bandage the wounds of injured soldiers as they moved towards the North City Gate. The further they went, the heavier the soldiers’ wounds, the thicker the smell of blood.
Finally, they reached the city gate.
As soon as they got close, Shang Ruyi was stunned by the scene before her.