Chapter 159: Chapter 158 I thought, you were the same kind of person as me
In the next two days, Shang Ruyi didn’t leave this courtyard.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out, but rather over the past two days, the number of people passing by her small courtyard increased suddenly, and their eyes were filled with scorn and disdain. They would often glance at her, then laugh and walk away.
Shang Ruyi quickly understood what was happening.
Previously, with the Turkic army pressing close with a force of a hundred thousand, in those life-and-death moments, even the biggest matters had to be set aside. But now that the crisis had been resolved and people were idle, certain unsavory rumors started to spread.
One day, Tushere even overheard someone "whispering" just outside the corner of the courtyard walls—
"Did you hear? His Majesty the Emperor specially instructed, sending tasty dishes and fine things here daily. Even the empresses in the harem don’t receive such treatment."
"What can be done? The person has capability."
"I heard, Second Young Master Yu Wen is so angry that he hasn’t even taken his medicine for the past two days."
"What kind of person is the Second Young Master, expecting to marry a fairy back home, but he ended up with—"
Before finishing the sentence, a basin of cold water fell from above, and the people speaking immediately screamed and ran away, cursing.
Standing under the eaves with a pale face devoid of expression, Shang Ruyi merely watched as Tushere stormed back with the wash basin, angrily saying: "Hmph, if they gossip recklessly again, I’ll splash them with a chamber pot next time!"
"..."
Seeing her defiant look, Shang Ruyi smiled faintly.
Tushere worriedly said: "Miss, these rumors are so unpleasant. If they continue to spread, what are we to do?"
Shang Ruyi said plainly: "I can’t control others’ gossip."
"..."
"It’s not like I can pull out their tongues."
Tushere sighed helplessly.
Yet, her words seemed to come true, for on the third day, the number of people passing by suddenly decreased. Even the ones forced to come in to serve dared not act improperly or even dared to look at Shang Ruyi. Tushere was puzzled and went out to inquire, only to find that His Majesty the Emperor had issued an order to have a few gossiping palace maids’ and eunuchs’ tongues removed.
The rumors stopped abruptly, and everyone felt on edge.
Although the result was satisfactory, Tushere was still quite scared and cautiously informed Shang Ruyi: "I heard those people... didn’t even make it through last night, and died..."
Shang Ruyi’s expression was grim, yet she was speechless.
By evening, Shuo Bei’s darkness fell earlier than in the Central Plains. After dinner, Tushere lit the candle stands throughout the room and, upon turning back, saw Shang Ruyi sitting by the bed, dazed. She asked: "Miss, would you like some hot tea?"
Shang Ruyi looked up at her and said: "No need, you can go rest."
Tushere said: "It’s still early, doesn’t Miss want me to accompany you?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head: "You can go."
"..."
Tushere suddenly seemed to sense something. She looked at her, then at the dim sky outside, thought for a while, and said: "In that case, this servant shall take her leave. Miss... if there’s anything, just call for me."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
This girl, though often impulsive and somewhat foolish, sometimes seemed overly perceptive.
Once she left, the courtyard became even more silent.
Inside and out, there wasn’t a sound to be heard, only the wind whistling past the courtyard wall, as if even the bright moon in the sky was about to be swept away by the wind.
Gradually, Shang Ruyi heard some very light footsteps from the wind.
She immediately got up, and as she reached the door, it was pushed open.
The first thing that greeted her was an all too familiar pale fragrance, intensely cold, made more ethereal by the chill of the wind, giving an impression that pierced to the bone. Shang Ruyi instinctively shivered, lifted her gaze, and met a pair of long, smiling phoenix-like eyes.
It was Chu Yang.
He was dressed in a snow-white fox fur coat, with its heavy, plush fur brushing against his fair cheeks, enhancing his noble and magnificent aura.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly bowed: "Your concubine pays respects to Your Majesty."
Chu Yang’s eyebrows immediately furrowed: "Hm?"
Upon hearing his voice, Shang Ruyi returned to her senses, thought for a moment, and softly said: "Ruyi pays respects to Your Majesty."
A light laugh sounded above her head.
Chu Yang walked past her into the room, followed by the rustling sounds of attendants. Then, he seemed to sit on the couch at the side of the room and said: "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shang Ruyi then rose, but didn’t close the door. Turning around, she saw Chu Yang had already taken off the heavy fox fur coat, placing it aside.
However, leaving the door open allowed cold wind to rush in, instantly reddening his fingertips.
He said: "Close the door."
"..."
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment but said: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This door, Ruyi cannot close."
Chu Yang raised his eyebrows slightly: "Why can it not be closed?"
Shang Ruyi replied: "Leaving the door open brings cold wind; closing it brings cold words."
"..."
The light flickered coldly in Chu Yang’s eyes; after a while, he said, half laughing: "You are quite prudent."
"In a melon patch and under a plum tree, words are frightening."
"Are you blaming me?"
"Ruyi does not dare. Besides, that day, heavily injured and unconscious, had it not been for Your Majesty’s protection, Ruyi might have already entered the Yellow Springs."
"..."
"But, as long as one lives, one cannot ignore rumors."
Upon hearing this, for some reason, Chu Yang’s gaze revealed a trace of coldness. After a moment, he said faintly: "I thought you were like me."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled, and she couldn’t help but look at Chu Yang: "Your Majesty is someone who does not fear rumors?"
Chu Yang sneered: "If I were frightened by rumors, then many things would have been left undone."
Shang Ruyi immediately understood. He was talking about his actions since ascending the throne, attacking Liaoxi, building the Eastern Capital, even constructing the Canal—all significant actions, each a storm, criticized by the people, but he steadfastly carried them out.
Shang Ruyi contemplated for a long time, and then said somberly: "Your Majesty’s resolve is something extraordinary people cannot reach."
"..."
"But Ruyi is but a woman of the inner chambers, her thoughts may only extend to her own little world and the family she cares about, unable to reach Your Majesty’s expansive vision."
Hearing her words, clearly setting a distance, Chu Yang’s tightly knitted brows furrowed further.
After a long silence, he sighed lightly and said: "Forget it."
"..."
"This time in resisting the Turkic army and protecting the throne, you have rendered a service."
"...Huh?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback and instinctively said: "I did not."
Chu Yang immediately frowned and looked at her, Shang Ruyi seemed to regain her senses, quickly lowering her head. Chu Yang looked at her for a while, then continued: "I think it’s fitting to reward you."
"..."
"Shang Ruyi, what reward do you wish for?"