Chapter 254: Chapter 240: Why Compete with Me for People?
This furious roar echoed back and forth in the vast palace hall, causing all the bones in Shang Ruyi’s body to begin trembling.
At this moment, a gentle voice chimed in—
"What does Your Majesty want Ru Yi to say?"
The tense atmosphere in the Warm Dock seemed to be swept away in an instant. Subsequently, the underground warm spring began to gush again, the sound of the bubbling water echoed in the ears, and even a warm breeze blew from behind, directly into Shang Ruyi’s heart.
She hurriedly turned around, only to see an elegant and dignified figure slowly stepping out from behind the screen.
It was Empress Jiang!
The moment Shang Ruyi saw her, it was as if a drowning person had caught sight of a life-saving straw; in truth, the words she said to Eunuch Lu earlier were in hopes that Empress Jiang would come—on one hand, at this time, Empress Jiang summoned her to the palace, presumably wanting to find a way to rescue Yu Wenye together, and indeed, she wanted the Empress’s aid; on the other hand, she somewhat sensed that this meeting with Chu Yang would be more difficult than the previous ones.
Unexpectedly, Empress Jiang actually came.
Shang Ruyi let out a long breath, but immediately, a hint of doubt arose in her heart—
How did the Empress get here so quickly?
However, there was no time to think it over, as her light sigh had already reached the ears of those around her, and Chu Yang’s expression instantly darkened.
He looked up at his Central Palace Empress and said with a half-smile, "Why has the Empress come again?"
At this time, Empress Jiang had already walked to the edge of the carpet and stood there once more, respectfully saying, "I heard that the Emperor summoned Ru Yi into the palace. It happens that I also have something to say to her, so I came here uninvited."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Chu Yang waved his sleeve, turned around, walked to the broad bed, sat down, still appearing leisurely like an Immortal, lazily smiling, "The Empress is still too careful."
"..."
"Why not learn from last time, when I sent her away and you intercepted her halfway? Why bother coming here to snatch her from me?"
"These words of the Emperor, I am apprehensive."
"..."
"It’s just that Ru Yi is the wife of the Assistant General, snatching her back and forth is a bit—"
The latter part of her sentence was left unsaid, both because it was inappropriate and because she was interrupted, for just then, Eunuch Yu hastily walked in from outside, standing outside the screen and reporting, "Your Majesty, the Right屯卫将军, Wang Shaoji, and the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhai Ying, request an audience."
"Oh?"
Chu Yang lifted his head, looked at the plump figure’s shadow cast on the screen, and slightly raised an eyebrow.
Obviously, he was somewhat surprised.
Meanwhile, Shang Ruyi, having calmed down from her earlier panic, upon hearing this sentence, turned to look at Empress Jiang again, suddenly understood why she had arrived so quickly.
Instantly, her heart began to race once more.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
In his surprise, Chu Yang seemed to notice something, looked at the Empress standing in front, then at Shang Ruyi still kneeling on the ground, a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips, then he said, "They’ve come at just the right time."
After saying this, he waved his hand, "Let them in."
Eunuch Yu immediately turned back to carry out the order.
Chu Yang then said, "This time I have asked Wang Shaoji to assist the Ministry of Justice in trying this case. Since they have come together, they must have some explanations. Since the Empress is also here, why not sit and listen together?"
Empress Jiang replied, "Then I shall defer to your request."
Chu Yang said, "You may rise as well."
Shang Ruyi steadied herself, using her cold and somewhat stiff hands to lift her body, barely managing to stand up. She dared not remain standing on the carpet, quickly moving to Empress Jiang’s side. They exchanged a glance but did not say much more.
Soon, there came the sound of footsteps from outside.
Two shadows could be vaguely seen on the tall screen, one tall and one short, one strong and one weak, precisely Wang Shaoji and Zhai Ying. The two of them approached, bowing deeply to those inside the screen, "Your humble servants pay respects to the Emperor, long live the Emperor."
Chu Yang still reclined languidly on the bed, and slowly said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Once the two stood up, Chu Yang asked, "What brings you two into the palace this time?"
Upon hearing this, Zhai Ying immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we have followed Your Majesty’s orders to try the case concerning Yu Wenye’s three defeats, retreating with his troops and killing the supervisor. Now, there has been some progress, and the statement is here."
Chu Yang said, "Bring it here."