Chapter 186: Chapter 183: In the Human World, No Emotional Barrier Cannot Be Overcome
Shang Ruyi did not know why he suddenly started questioning this—
Speaking of it, how to fight a battle was also his concern. Caring for him, even if not from the standpoint of a wife, was from the standpoint of a family member. Why then was he turning the question to how she viewed him?
Just as she was entangled in her thoughts, Yu Wenye’s gaze became more focused than before and gradually closed in on her: "Speak."
"I—"
"Knock, knock, knock."
Just as Shang Ruyi was about to speak, a light yet abrupt knocking sound suddenly interjected between them. Shang Ruyi was startled, as if she had found an escape route, and hurriedly moved back a little, avoiding his gaze, and turned her head to say, "Who is it?"
Yu Wenye frowned.
A timid voice came from outside the door: "Young Master, Young Madam, it’s the servant."
It was Chang Wan’s voice.
Hearing it was her, Shang Ruyi guessed roughly what it was about and said, "Come in."
Yu Wenye’s brows furrowed even tighter.
The door was pushed open, and Chang Wan walked in. She had been confined for several days before, although not mistreated, she had endured some hardships and was quite haggard. These past two days, she had regained some of her delicate charm, and now wearing a lotus-colored jacket, she appeared even more fair and lovely.
She walked over, respectfully saluted the two of them, and then said, "Just now, Aunt Hui’s people said to let the servant come to attend to the Young Master and Young Madam in the room, so the servant came specifically to thank the Young Master and Young Madam."
After speaking, she knelt and kowtowed.
Shang Ruyi calmly said, "You were confined for a few days before and suffered grievances. In the future, just do your work well. I’ve been married to this house for only a few months, and I’m not familiar with many things. The people around me are also new, except for you—you have served my mother for so long and know better how to serve the Young Master."
Chang Wan cautiously glanced at Yu Wenye, then quickly lowered her head.
"Yes."
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Chang Wan stood up, saluted the two of them again, and then exited the room.
When the door was closed and her footsteps slowly faded away, Shang Ruyi turned back, only to find that Yu Wenye’s expression suddenly changed again, turning less pleasant. Especially when he looked at her, his gaze no longer held the previous intensity, but instead conveyed a familiar sternness.
Shang Ruyi was taken aback: "What?"
"..."
Yu Wenye watched her for a moment, then suddenly said, "Do you know—"
Halfway through, he stopped himself, looked at Shang Ruyi for a while, then let out a heavy sigh, as if disdainful to continue speaking with her, got up, and returned to his bed to sleep.
Shang Ruyi sat at a distance, not coming to her senses for a long while.
She just felt that Yu Wenye was becoming more and more capricious. Although he previously concealed his emotions well, he was not as hard to grasp as now. For the moment, she didn’t know what to say, and after thinking about it, she guessed there might still be a tough battle ahead for him to fight, inevitably making him feel discontent, so she didn’t argue further, and quietly went back to her bed to sleep.
For a moment, the room turned quiet.
But just as Shang Ruyi was groggily falling into slumber, it seemed she heard someone in the room let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Sigh—"
|
The next morning, Yu Wenye had already left when she woke up.
Shang Ruyi didn’t rise particularly late, but seeing the empty bed opposite and looking at herself, she somehow felt a bit empty inside. She said nothing while washing up, and not until breakfast was brought from the kitchen did she sit down to eat, casually asking, "When did the Young Master leave?"
Tushere was about to speak, but Chang Wan quickly chimed in: "The Young Master woke just after the fifth watch, didn’t eat at home, and left before dawn."
Shang Ruyi asked, "Where did he go?"
"This, the servant didn’t dare to ask."
"Oh, that’s fine."
Shang Ruyi nodded, not blaming her, while Chang Wan softly added, "It’s just, the servant noticed that the Young Master’s expression didn’t seem good, and his eyes were red."
"Is that so?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, thought for a while, and nodded, "I know."
After eating breakfast, it was not early, Shang Ruyi went to chat with Jinyun for a while, and on her way back, she felt that Tushere by her side seemed to have something to say but hesitated, so she couldn’t help but smile and looked back at her: "You’ve been holding it in all the way, if you have something to say, just say it."
Tushere immediately said, "Miss, that—"
But before finishing, seeing something ahead, she quickly swallowed her words. Shang Ruyi turned to look, it was Chang Wan hurrying over, saying, "Young Madam, Miss Lei is here to visit."
"Lei Yu?"
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi showed a bit of joy: "Quickly invite her—"
She thought for a moment and said, "Bring her to my room."
Chang Wan responded and turned to leave. Shang Ruyi quickly instructed Tushere to tell the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks, then hurried back to her room. Just as she sat down, Chang Wan led Lei Yu in.
Shang Ruyi quickly got up, and after the two met, Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "What made you think of coming today?"
Lei Yu glanced at her coldly, "Don’t want me to come?"
"Why would I?"
Shang Ruyi smiled, "I’m quite happy you’ve come."
She used to stay behind closed doors, hardly having any friends. After marrying into the Yuwen Family, she became acquainted with some of Yu Wenye’s friends, but a certain upheaval led Pei Xingyuan and the others to be exiled, leaving Lei Yu as the sole companion. Their relationship had grown during their time in Yanmen County, so during her idle moments, she indeed hoped for more visits from friends.
Seeing her eager expression, Lei Yu chuckled, "I noticed you didn’t look well during Aunt Hui’s funeral, so I came to see you today. Your complexion looks much better now."
Shang Ruyi replied, "Thank you for thinking of me."
At that moment, Tushere arrived with a stove and refreshments. As they brewed tea and enjoyed snacks, after some small talk, Shang Ruyi said, "It’s a pity my second brother went out today. If he were home, it would be more lively with the three of us."
Lei Yu glanced at her again.
In fact, she used to visit Yu Wenye often, harboring certain feelings. Even after his marriage, it was hard to change those thoughts, but after experiencing life-and-death situations with Shang Ruyi in the Northern Border, those desires seemed to have faded a lot.
In this world, it seems there’s no emotional hurdle one can’t overcome.
Lei Yu replied casually, "I knew he wasn’t at home."
"Ah?"
Shang Ruyi paused, somewhat unable to react, as Lei Yu glared at her, "I knew he had to go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue today, which is why I came!"
Seeing her speaking so righteously, Shang Ruyi suddenly understood.
Lei Yu, this woman, is indeed worthy of being from a military family.
To love, she loves openly; to sever ties, she does so decisively.
Not only did Shang Ruyi admire her, but she also began to appreciate her, so she handed over a well-prepared bowl of tea to her. Lei Yu sniffed arrogantly and accepted it.
Though they exchanged few words, all emotions were conveyed in that simple act of offering and receiving.
They exchanged smiles, each taking a sip of tea. Shang Ruyi was still pondering over Lei Yu’s casual remark, and she asked, "By the way, you mentioned earlier that he has to go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue today; what for?"
Lei Yu looked at her, "You don’t know? Aren’t you quite familiar with military affairs? Wasn’t your father a General of Cavalry?"
Shang Ruyi smiled wryly, "Father indeed spoke a lot about military matters during his lifetime, and I inadvertently remembered them. But after I was born, he never led troops again, so I don’t know about these things."
"I see,"
Lei Yu nodded, then deliberately teased her, "Hmph, not knowing even this, how can you be the wife of an Assistant General?"
Shang Ruyi merely smiled back at her.
Lei Yu said, "Listen carefully, I’ll teach you."
Shang Ruyi bowed slightly towards her, "Yes."
Both laughed, and while Lei Yu laughed, she sincerely explained, "Before a general sets out on a campaign, they must go to the Ministry of War to muster troops. If they have enough authority, they can even choose soldiers."
"Choose soldiers?"
"Yes, although they’re all court troops, there’s a mix of good and bad. Diligent soldiers and robust warhorses are far more useful than lazy, scrawny troops."
Shang Ruyi nodded, "That’s true."
Lei Yu said, "Feng Chen has never led the court’s troops before, but he’s fought many battles under Uncle’s command. The Ministry of War staff can’t fool him. And then, there’s going to the Ministry of Revenue to requisition supplies."
Shang Ruyi said, "Troops march only after supplies are prepared."
Lei Yu said, "Exactly. Fortunately, the Xingluo Granary isn’t far, so he doesn’t need to worry too much about supplies."
Shang Ruyi smiled wryly, "Actually, that’s the most worrying part."
"..."
Lei Yu paused, thinking over her words, realizing she was right, and couldn’t help but say, "Really don’t know what the court was thinking; even allowing such an important granary to fall."
Talking about this, they exchanged a look but remained silent.
Their moods, however, inevitably sank.
Although they were both noblewomen, seemingly removed from the cares of the world, one was concerned with plans, the other with the big picture. They couldn’t be oblivious to the chaos of the current state; moreover, after experiencing the turbulence during the northern patrol, they understood that the peaceful moment with the tea and incense burning was but a fleeting tranquility.
Who knows when it will be shattered.
Furthermore, now, the flames of rebellion have already spread beyond other areas, reaching Xingluo Granary—a mere hundred miles from Eastern Capital Luoyang.
This is the closest the rebel army has gotten to Luoyang!
Both were silent for a long time before Lei Yu spoke in a deep voice, "You know, Feng Chen’s battle is of great significance to the court."
Shang Ruyi looked at her.
Lei Yu said, "If he can reclaim Xingluo Granary, the court might continue to sustain itself in the Eastern Capital."
"..."
"Otherwise—"
Shang Ruyi’s heart sank, her voice low and hoarse, "Otherwise, what?"