Chapter 252: Chapter 238: He doesn’t care about Yu Wenye’s case?
Tushere was stunned, "Where did the two carriages come from?"
She quickly turned her head to look at Shang Ruyi, only to see Shang Ruyi frowning slightly, with a complex expression on her face, murmuring, "How come they both came at the same time."
Tushere whispered, "Miss?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, immediately stood up, tidied her clothes a little, and then said, "Quick, accompany me outside."
Tushere hurriedly nodded and accompanied her out. Just as they reached the main entrance, they saw two luxurious carriages indeed stopped outside. It seemed they came from two directions and stopped at the entrance simultaneously, almost colliding.
At this moment, the people sitting in the carriages also stepped out, gathering together and exchanging polite greetings, each with a little eunuch holding an umbrella for them.
"Eunuch Yu, long time no see."
"Eunuch Lu, what a coincidence to meet like this?"
"Well, I am here under the Empress’s orders to summon Young Madam Yu Wen into the palace for a talk."
"What a coincidence indeed."
"What do you mean?"
"I am also here to invite the Young Madam."
...
Their conversation showed a touch of intimacy, yet couldn’t dispel the bone-chilling cold brought by the rain and snow.
As soon as Shang Ruyi stepped out the door, she shivered from the cold.
At a glance, she recognized one of the eunuchs as the one who twice before came under Empress Jiang’s orders to take her to the palace, and standing opposite him was the plump, amicable eunuch, Eunuch Yu, who previously came to the Yuwen Family to deliver the edict of appointing Yu Wenye as the Assistant General!
One was an eunuch by the Empress’s side, the other by the Emperor’s side, meaning——
At this time, both also noticed Shang Ruyi and turned simultaneously towards her, "Greetings to Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly stepped forward to salute, saying, "The two Lord Eunuchs gracing my humble abode with your presence, I apologize for not meeting you at a distance. This——"
She glanced at the carriages behind them.
However, Eunuch Yu smiled and waved his hand, "It’s of no concern, Young Madam need not worry. However, I have brought an edict this time to invite Young Madam into the palace, so please do not delay and accompany me quickly."
His words entirely dismissed the presence of Eunuch Lu.
In fact, as an eunuch close to the Emperor, even if he didn’t mention the word "Emperor," everyone here knew he came under Imperial orders, although Eunuch Lu came under the Empress’s orders, he indeed had to step back a little.
As expected, Eunuch Lu’s smile froze, yet he dared not speak again.
Shang Ruyi forced a smile, "Now, I must go?"
Eunuch Yu, with a smiling face, said, "As wise as Young Madam is, how could you not understand the impossibility of defying destiny?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi paused, realizing she could not resist, she could only smile, nod, and then turned to Eunuch Lu, whose expression had gradually become grim, saying, "My Lord, I must trouble you to convey my apologies to the Empress, as I am unable to divide myself, I cannot enter the palace to see her today."
Eunuch Lu forced a smile and nodded, "Yes."
Shang Ruyi glanced at him once more, then added, "But—I still very much want to see the Empress."
Eunuch Lu looked at her, his gaze flickering, while Shang Ruyi had already given a salute, turned to instruct Tushere and the others to return to the residence and close the door, forbidding them to go out, she then got into the carriage with Eunuch Yu. Soon, the carriage at Eunuch Lu’s side yielded, allowing the other carriage to drive away.
On the way, Shang Ruyi’s heart shook even more than the carriage.
Despite Eunuch Yu’s polite and amiable demeanor, he remained silent throughout, leading Shang Ruyi into the palace. After a long journey, the scenery around gradually became familiar, and Shang Ruyi realized he was taking her to that Warm Dock, where Chu Yang had first met her in the palace.
Sure enough, they soon arrived at the entrance of that palace building.
The scenery was exactly the same as last time, the doors wide open, sheer drapes fluttering, a faint fragrance wafted in the air, and the pleasant sound of warm springs flowing beneath the palace, even amid the falling snow and piercing cold, it felt like stepping into the gates of the Heavenly Palace.
Eunuch Yu said, "Please enter, Young Madam."
After speaking, he bowed and turned to leave.
Shang Ruyi glanced at his departing figure, then looked down to find another pair of exquisite silk shoes placed on the palace steps, identical to the previous ones.
This time, without anyone instructing her, she obediently removed her shoes and slipped into the silk shoes.
A perfect fit.
Yet for some reason, Shang Ruyi’s heart felt even heavier. She took a deep breath, lifted her head, and slowly walked into the fragrant, spring-like warmth of the palace.
Just as she rounded the large screen, she felt her feet sink.
She stepped onto the Map Carpet, once again on the territory of the Western Regions. As she slowly followed the path forward, she could see the center of the entire Central Plains, the entire Daye Dynasty—the Eastern Capital.
Chu Yang, dressed in a set of snow-white garments with his long hair hanging down, was lounging there.
Looking at his leisurely appearance, it seemed that the place where he sat was not only the center of the Central Plains nor solely the center of the Daye Dynasty, but seemed to represent the center of the entire world.
Therefore, he gazed down at his realm with such assured confidence, even when he heard Shang Ruyi’s deliberate footsteps, knowing another person was in the hall, he did not raise his head, only saying, "You’ve arrived."
"..."
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment but did not speak.
Instead of speaking, she kept walking forward, step by step along the Western Region’s lands under her feet toward the Central Plains, passing Longxi, then Daxing City, crossing Huayin, passing Shangyang, and finally arriving before Chu Yang.
Chu Yang seemed somewhat surprised, raising his head to look at her.
But immediately, an expression of joy appeared in his slender phoenix eyes, as if Shang Ruyi’s steps—which were enough to incite the wrath of the courtiers and lead to the annihilation of nine familial connections—had instead stepped into his heart.
He smiled and said, "Good."
Shang Ruyi did not ask him what her steps "good" inquired of, only softly asked, "Your Majesty, what are you looking at?"
Chu Yang replied, "Do you remember what I told you last time you came here?"
Shang Ruyi didn’t even need to recall, her heart sank, and she softly said, "Your Majesty declared to further campaign in Liaodong."
Chu Yang nodded, "Indeed, now that Xingluo Granary is reclaimed, the supply issue is solved, I can march on Liaodong again! This time, I’m determined to seize Liaodong City!"
"...!"
Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled slightly.
She had thought Chu Yang’s summons today must be to discuss the Ministry of Justice and Yu Wenye’s case, but he hadn’t mentioned it at all.
Could it be he wasn’t concerned with Yu Wenye’s case at all?