Chapter 194 - 191: Ripple Step, Dust on Luo Socks

Chapter 194: Chapter 191: Ripple Step, Dust on Luo Socks

Present Emperor, Chu Yang!

As soon as she saw that unparalleled handsome face, all the doubts and speculations along the way were confirmed at this moment, and in this instant, Shang Ruyi couldn’t afford to think about why he was doing this, she could only immediately kneel down.

"This humble wife, pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor!"

The grand palace suddenly fell silent.

But this silence was not the kind of absolute silence, the sound of flowing water beneath the floor continued to reverberate, instead contrasting with a suffocating sense of oppression at this moment.

Only then did Shang Ruyi feel the astonishing heat within this palace.

As soon as she knelt down, a wave of heat rose from her feet, enveloping her entirely, causing her to break out in a sweat.

The greater sense of oppression came from the figure before her.

Shang Ruyi looked at the elegant figure slowly walking towards her; dressed in a light gauze robe that floated gracefully, compared to her still wearing heavy garments, it was as if he existed in another climate, or even another world. On his feet, he still wore those exquisitely white silk shoes, stepping silently on the soft, thick map, truly resembling an immortal gliding over water beneath the moon, creating only ripples without a sound.

Eventually, he stopped in front of her.

Shang Ruyi buried her face even lower.

Then she heard a deep voice resonate from above, "Why can’t you remember my words?"

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was startled, realizing she had once again used the wrong form of address.

She bit her lower lip, whispered, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, Ruyi... Ruyi did not expect to meet Your Majesty here, in panic—forgot Your Majesty’s decree."

"..."

The person in front of her remained silent, yet Shang Ruyi could distinctly feel his gaze, seemingly gentle, but at this moment, even a feather landing on her would be enough to crush her fragile nerves.

After a long time, Chu Yang sighed deeply.

Said, "I knew, I should have let ’Yang Suyi’ meet you."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart sank again.

The meaning was clear.

After his emperor identity was exposed, seeing him again not only meant no longer being able to speak freely, but also required being cautious in all actions. Yet when he was still "Yang Suyi," she even dared to rebuke him.

Shang Ruyi bitterly smiled—

Such matters, probably only he would reminisce.

Once anyone knows about his emperor identity, who would dare to miss the charming gentleman named "Yang Suyi"? Not daring even to think, let alone discuss topics concerning ’Yang Suyi’.

Sensing her caution, Chu Yang remained silent for a while, finally sighed deeply, said, "You may rise."

Only then did Shang Ruyi feel relieved, thanked him, and slowly stood up.

Yet even after standing up, she dared not raise her head, cautiously kept her head down, appearing as if gazing at her nose, her nose at her heart. Chu Yang stood in front of her watching her for a while, suddenly smiled bitterly and said, "Indeed, without Yang Suyi, not in Yanmen County, you wouldn’t even want to glance at me."

"..."

These words, how did they sound like a complaint?

Shang Ruyi assumed she must have heard wrong, could only comply with his intentions, cautiously glanced up at him.

Actually, he was still himself.

Even without the name Yang Suyi, he would still act as he wished, even in this majestic Eastern Capital City, within Ziwei Palace.

Shang Ruyi cautiously said, "Your Majesty."

"Hm?"

"Why did Your Majesty have someone bring Ruyi here? Ruyi should have left the palace."

Upon hearing this question, Chu Yang’s brow faintly furrowed, a trace of displeasure arose in his eyes: "Indeed, you do not wish to see me."

Shang Ruyi never imagined the emperor would say such words, whether a complaint or grievance, enough to terrify all ministers to their core. She raised her head intending to explain, but he suddenly smiled and said, "However, I just want to see you."

"..."

"As long as I want to see you, I can always manage to do so."

"..."

"Isn’t that the case now?"

Somehow, despite his eccentric behavior, as the emperor acting recklessly, yet saying these words, his face bore a childlike pride and confidence.

Shang Ruyi for a moment couldn’t discern what he was truly thinking.

She could only go along with his words, softly said, "Your Majesty, what instructions do you have by summoning Ruyi?"

Upon hearing these words, more of a smile graced Chu Yang’s face, he said, "I have a decision, I wish to tell you—you are the first to know."

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, "What is it?"

Chu Yang looked into her eyes, word by word said, "I want to campaign against Liaodong again!"

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi felt her heart skip a beat.

Chu Yang, yet another campaign against Liaodong?

Back during the siege of Yanmen, in such a critical moment, she risked her own beheading and even implicating her entire family to advise the Emperor to halt the campaign against Liaodong to boost the army’s morale. Chu Yang had promised everyone in front of them all, when the Turkic soldiers were nearly at the city gates, not to invade Liaodong again, which consequently lifted the siege of Yanmen.

No one expected that he would bring up the old matter now.

Moreover, he actually summoned her to the palace specifically to tell her first?!

What is he doing—Does he have a deep-seated obsession, or is he trying to make some kind of statement to her?

Shang Ruyi’s mind was in turmoil, but she immediately dismissed the second ridiculous thought—he is the Emperor, whatever statement he makes is for himself, for his own empire. In such major matters, someone as insignificant as her, merely a court lady, is of no consequence.

But—invade Liaodong again?

Shang Ruyi opened her mouth, as if to say something, but at this moment her throat clammed up, unable to utter a single word.

She could only furrow her brows in worry and look at the man in front of her. Not only was he excited, but a kind of joy was spreading from his heart as he walked a few steps to a position, pointing at the map beneath him, "This time, we will start from here, first dispatch the troops, and destroy the Great Wall that Mou Zifeng built in Liaoxi."

"..."

"Then, send forces to enter Liaodong from here. As long as we capture Liaodong City, I will have Mou Zifeng personally escorted to the Eastern Capital!"

"..."

"I will let him know who his master is, how his city should be built, and who to guard against!"

As he spoke, he was already in a state of triumph, even seeming somewhat giddy. When he looked at Shang Ruyi again, his eyes were slightly red, and he said, "This time, the reason Ashina Shali made a move against me in the Northern Border is due to intelligence from him. Once Mou Zifeng is dealt with, I will send troops northward!"

"..."

"Ashina Shali, with his wolfish ambition, has long coveted my Da Ye Dynasty. Such a person, I will not forgive!"

"..."

"Once we conquer the Western Turks and the Eastern Turks submit, then the road to the Western Regions will be open. By that time, when all the lands submit and tributary states come to pay homage, the culture and prestige of the Da Ye Dynasty will spread overseas. That would be a true golden age!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes even bloodshot with joy.

After saying these words, he looked up at Shang Ruyi again, his breath, heavy and audible even from a distance, seemed to brush against her face, causing Shang Ruyi to unconsciously take a step back.

But Chu Yang, immediately took a step forward: "Tell me, is it not good?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi couldn’t answer.

She couldn’t say whether it was good or not, because at this moment, whether it was good or not didn’t matter.

She only felt that what she was facing seemed to be a madman.

However, this madman saw farther than anyone else, moved more urgently, and even the "good" in this madman’s words was truly the most beautiful picture, one that everyone yearned for but no one else had the ability to paint, except for him, only he could.

But who can entrust a madman to paint a truly beautiful picture?

As soon as she thought this, a wave of fear arose spontaneously.

And when she regained her senses, Chu Yang, who did not get an answer, suddenly strode toward her. Although he was not as burly as a military general, his tall stature and that kind of frenetic and compelling aura still startled Shang Ruyi, making her subconsciously take another step back.

This retreat caused the oversized silk shoe on her foot to slip off and fall.

"Ah!"

Shang Ruyi cried out softly, her body staggered, nearly falling, but fortunately, she only wobbled a little before stabilizing herself.

However, when she looked up again, Chu Yang was already standing in front of her.

Terrified, Shang Ruyi urgently took another step back: "Your Majesty, forgive my rudeness!"

"..."

Chu Yang did not speak, but he looked at her deeply.

It seemed that, in an instant, the fervent blood-red in his eyes gradually faded as he looked downwards. The toes clad in white silk socks immediately retracted into her skirt.

But the oversized silk shoe remained outside.

A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, and he surprisingly squatted down slowly, reaching out to pick up that silk shoe, taking a look, and then extending his hand to grasp the snow-white delicate foot that Shang Ruyi was desperately trying to hide within her skirt.

This grasp nearly made Shang Ruyi jump in fright.

Yet the delicate foot was already caught in his palm through a layer of fabric, leaving her unable to move, and she could only tremble as she said, "Your Majesty, you mustn’t!"

But Chu Yang seemed not to hear at all.

He just gently pinched her foot with his palm, and after glancing at the silk shoe in his other hand, said with a smile, "Too big."

"..."

"Seems, I miscalculated."

At this moment, Shang Ruyi’s breath hitched.

Anyone seeing this scene probably wouldn’t believe their eyes.

And she, she only hoped that this was all an illusion.

Because—after saying that, Chu Yang lowered his head and carefully placed the silk shoe at her foot, gently slipping it on her foot through her clothing.

Then, he smiled faintly, and said, "Ripple Step, raising dust in silk stockings."