Chapter 183: Chapter 180: Emperor’s Heart 9 Layers, Truly Correct
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
After a moment of silence, she slowly said, "Are you sure?"
Yu Wenye said, "The Ministry of War has already sent a vanguard of two thousand soldiers over to fight a preliminary battle. They had a skirmish and suffered significant losses. Someone recognized that the opposing leader is indeed Xiao Yuansui."
"..."
"It seems that he has indeed taken your words to heart—"
"What words?"
"No land under the heavens is not the king’s land. He indeed found a place beyond the king’s domain to make a comeback."
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked at him with a bitter expression, unable to speak for a moment.
Back then, she indeed had the intention to give some advice, but it was mostly to comfort someone at the end of his rope. Yet, she never thought that Xiao Yuansui was merely a dragon stranded in the shallows and would make a comeback so quickly, and moreover, would soon clash with Yu Wenye.
Looking back now, her words seemed ironically like shooting herself in the foot.
The more she thought about it, the more regretful she became and couldn’t help but murmur, "I just wanted to form some good karma..."
Yu Wenye said, "Your intention to form good karma wasn’t wrong; it’s just that in these chaotic times, many things lack order, and doing good doesn’t necessarily yield good returns."
"..."
"In the future, be careful about—"
He paused here, letting out a deep breath.
Shang Ruyi understood his meaning: "I know."
But she was still worried about the military matter and asked, "But the court only allocated you twenty thousand soldiers, how can this battle be fought?"
Yu Wenye glanced at her, his gaze seemed a bit gentle, but soon turned stern again. He even let out a cold laugh as he began to speak, "The court’s calculations this time are very precise."
"Calculations?"
Shang Ruyi furrowed her brow: "What do you mean?"
Yu Wenye said, "Twenty thousand soldiers indeed hold no chance of victory, but this is my first battle since being promoted to Great General. If I can’t win it, it would be a great dishonor, and I might not be able to keep this position as Assistant General."
"So what is the court scheming? Doesn’t the court want you to win?"
"It’s not that, the court certainly wants me to win, I have to win."
"But the soldiers—"
"Therefore, I must allocate more troops."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi was stunned for a moment, then upon reflection, quickly understood.
She said hoarsely, "The court wants to, wants to force you to ask your father for troops?"
"Yes."
"..."
This time, Shang Ruyi’s breath was also somewhat unstable.
It’s known that the founding heroes who hail from Dingchuan Military Town, like Duke Sheng, with the late Emperor Chu Yin, all established this territory through bloody battles. Each of them has their own household soldiers, who are valiant and far braver and fearless than the court’s troops.
However, they belong only to Duke Sheng.
This is precisely why the current Emperor is suspicious of some founding heroes, especially those Dukes holding significant military power. It’s not only because their merits overshadow the sovereign, but also because of their extraordinary strength, which constantly poses a threat to the court.
This time, the court only allowed Yu Wenye to take twenty thousand soldiers to seize the Xingluo Granary, allowing victory but not defeat, essentially forcing him to deploy his household soldiers. In this way, if the battle is won, the court regains Xingluo Granary, and if lost, Duke Sheng’s forces are weakened.
Shang Ruyi had been holding that half-bowl of soup for a long time, without taking a sip, and it was long cold by now. At this moment, she slowly set down the bowl, realizing her fingers were already cold.
For some reason, a strikingly handsome face appeared before her eyes.
Yang Suyi—
No, it should be Chu Yang.
From the first time she saw him, he was like an immortal fallen to earth. Although he was aloof and unruly, sometimes even irritable and strange, Shang Ruyi always felt he was not a difficult person to understand.
However, recalling that handsome face now, those phoenix eyes that always smiled tenderly, she felt a chill.
The Emperor is indeed the Emperor.
The Emperor’s Heart is truly inscrutable.
The Emperor can rely on him in the most dangerous times, promoting him to Great General upon his mother’s death, bringing great honor to the Duke Mansion, yet also strategize against him in the least detectable places...
Even, through him, scheming against the entire Duke Mansion.
The hand Shang Ruyi had placed on the table trembled slightly, slowly contracting into a fist.
Seeing her grave expression, recalling the image of the sovereign sitting high on the Dragon Chair in the court today, thinking of the words that had been ringing in his ears for days, Yu Wenye couldn’t help but feel stifled in his chest and also lost his appetite, laying down his bowl and chopsticks.
He nonchalantly picked up a handkerchief to wipe his lips, saying, "I don’t wish to know how you met him or what kind of relationship you have."
"I—"
"I just want to tell you, sometimes, don’t use too simple a mindset to deal with a complex person."
"..."
"The Emperor, the Son of Heaven, is not someone you should—provoke."
"..."
Shang Ruyi remained silent for a long time, seemingly unable to refute his words. Although his words sounded quite piercing, she still lowered her eyes and said softly, "I know."
Yu Wenye watched her not refute at all, hesitated to speak, struggled for a while, and then said, "As long as you know."
After speaking, he stood up.
Shang Ruyi looked up at him and asked, "Where are you going?"
Yu Wenye replied, "Father instructed me to rest for a while after coming back, then go to the study to find him."
Shang Ruyi quickly said, "Oh, then you should go quickly."
He unexpectedly stayed to dine with her, thinking that the Duke might also be impatiently waiting in the study. So Shang Ruyi immediately got up to see him to the door. Yu Wenye felt she was being overly formal, looked back at her with displeasure, looked at the room, and then said, "Have someone clean up. Also—you, prepare my travel gear these days."
Shang Ruyi was stunned, "Me?"
Although she had been married here for quite a few months and had packed gear before, it seemed like this was Yu Wenye’s first expedition, and it was the first time he asked her to prepare his gear.
Seeing her hesitant expression, Yu Wenye’s face darkened, "If you’re unwilling, forget it."
After speaking, he walked away without looking back.
He left in a rush, a breeze stirred by his clothes swept over Shang Ruyi’s face, leaving her a bit bewildered. After a while, she spoke softly to the distant figure, "I didn’t say I was unwilling..."
She returned to her room, and soon, the kitchen staff came to clean up the dishes. Once they left, she began to busy herself alone in the room, sorting out some of Yu Wenye’s clothes—Xingluo Granary was not far from Luoyang, and the weather wouldn’t be too different, but in times of war, bumps and scrapes were unavoidable. Naturally, thick and durable coats were required, along with two more pairs of leather boots.
After finishing this, it was already evening.
Just as Shang Ruyi placed the last bundle aside, someone from the study came to summon her, Yu Wenquan wanted her to come over, saying there was something to discuss.
Shang Ruyi was puzzled—weren’t they father and son discussing the dispatch to Xingluo Granary, what was there to discuss with her?
But she still got up and went over immediately.
However, just as she reached the study door, she heard Yu Wenquan’s loud scolding inside, "You just refuse to listen to me, don’t you!"
This frightened Shang Ruyi, causing her to halt abruptly, unsure whether to proceed or retreat. But after steadying her nerves, she decided to move forward, only to be stopped at the door by Mu Xian with a complex expression, "Young Madam."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"..."
Mu Xian hesitated for a moment, then pulled her aside and whispered, "Today, when the Duke and the Young Master were leaving the court, I seemed to see General Wang pull the Duke aside for a few words."
Shang Ruyi widened her eyes, "What did he say?"
Mu Xian said, "I was standing far away, so I couldn’t hear clearly, but the Duke’s expression didn’t look good."
"..."
"Young Madam, you—be careful."
Shang Ruyi frowned and nodded resolutely.
That Wang Shaoji, truly hasn’t changed, even after suffering several setbacks with me, he still wants to cause trouble. What he said in front of Yu Wenquan was probably not good!
Could it be that he talked about the matter that happened in Yanmen City?
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi’s mind grew a bit confused, and at this time, the study already echoed Yu Wenquan’s voice, "Has Ru Yi arrived?"
Shang Ruyi cleared her throat and quickly said, "Yes, Father."
"Come in then."
"Yes."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping into the study.
Upon entering, as usual, Yu Wenquan sat behind the desk. Clearly having just been angry, his expression wasn’t good. One elbow was propped on the table supporting his forehead, with several deep furrows of suspended needle lines etched between his brows. Yu Wenye, on the other hand, knelt at his subordinate position, likewise with a grim expression. When Shang Ruyi entered, he did not raise his head.
Shang Ruyi spoke softly, "Father, is there something you wanted to tell Ru Yi?"
"..."
Yu Wenquan didn’t answer her. His hand remained supporting his forehead, preventing Shang Ruyi from seeing his expression.
She only faintly sensed that the atmosphere around Duke Sheng was different today.
Born in Dingchuan Military Town, experienced in a hundred battles, he usually exuded a strong sense of intimidation. Yet in front of Shang Ruyi, he showed the loving side of a father-in-law who pampered his daughter-in-law, always smiling, even siding with her when speaking to Yu Wenye. This made Shang Ruyi unconsciously overlook his latent intimidating aura.
But at this moment, the kind of imposing aura coming from him, became so overwhelming that breathing felt difficult.
Shang Ruyi held her breath, almost not daring to move.
After a while, Yu Wenquan said, "Ru Yi, I heard that Your Majesty has already ordered a pardon for Mr. Shen, and they will soon return to the Eastern Capital, correct?"
Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
She hurriedly straightened up and replied, "Yes."
Yu Wenquan slowly lowered his hand, raised his head to look at her, and at this moment, his dark face seemed to have a faint shadow, his gaze heavy enough to make one’s heart tremble.
He said, "Why is he the only one being pardoned?"