Chapter 172 People's Hearts Cannot Be Forced

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, stopped and turned around, only to see him standing at the gate with a gloomy face, looking like he was about to cause trouble for someone.

But why did they come to me?

Moreover, when he walked step by step in front of her, he didn't say a word, but just lowered his head and stared at her, his hot breath hitting Shang Ruyi's face, the burning sensation even making her think he was still sick.

Shang Ruyi asked, "What's wrong?"

"..."

Yuwen Ye just stared at her without saying a word.

It's like... indescribable.

Shang Ruyi really didn't understand what he wanted to say to her, but since he couldn't say it, she had something to say to him. So she looked into his eyes and said, "By the way, I just heard Yu—hey?"

Before she could finish speaking, Yuwen Ye turned and walked inside.

Shang Ruyi was stunned for a moment. Looking at his back, she wondered why he seemed a little angry.

What exactly happened?

Moreover, there were quite a few servants who had followed them. When they saw that the second young master was ignoring the young mistress, they all showed some contempt, disdain, or even a look of amusement on their faces. They didn't say much and dispersed, leaving only Shang Ruyi standing at the door.

Just as she was feeling a little embarrassed, Jinyun walked over from the side.

She glanced at Yuwen Ye's retreating figure, then whispered to Shang Ruyi, "Young Madam... I'm afraid the Second Young Master hasn't been in a good mood these days. Please bear with him."

"..."

She glanced at her, and Shang Ruyi, who had been somewhat angry, suppressed her anger at this moment.

Yes, his mother passed away, and he couldn't even see her one last time. Such regret and pain would inevitably change a person's temperament, even making them moody. Shang Ruyi sighed and said, "I know, I don't care."

Jin Yun said, "Thank you for your hard work, young mistress."

Shang Ruyi waved her hand, signaling her to go about her business, and said she would go downstairs to talk later.

Just as she was about to turn back, she suddenly saw a tea server carrying a food box walk out of the side door. Upon seeing this, Shang Ruyi stopped and looked around. Just then, she saw Mu Xian leading two of his men into the room and immediately called out to him.

"Mu Xian".

Upon seeing that it was her, Mu Xian's expression remained calm, but the two people behind him immediately showed disdain, yet they still followed Mu Xian over and bowed to her.

"What are your orders, young mistress?"

Shang Ruyi said, "I want your subordinate to go out and do something—"

Before she could finish speaking, her two subordinates said indifferently, "We have things to do down here, so we'll be leaving now."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Shang Ruyi was taken aback. She looked at Mu Xian again and saw that he also had an embarrassed look on his face. He said with a wry smile, "Young Madam, there have been too many things going on at the manor lately, and I don't have enough people."

"..."

Shang Ruyi also understood that since the incident in Yanmen County, Mu Xian had been polite to her, but his men, who had witnessed the scene, were all cold and sarcastic towards her, and hardly treated her as the young mistress anymore.

You can't force people's hearts.

Shang Ruyi sighed and said, "It's alright, you can go now."

Mu glanced at her, then turned and left.

Just as Shang Ruyi stood forlornly at the door, silent for a long time, and was about to turn back to the mourning hall, footsteps sounded outside the door behind her, and a familiar voice called to her—

"Miss!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi hurriedly turned around and saw Gao Feng leading several people in from outside.

Shang Ruyi hurriedly went to greet them: "Why are you here?"

Gao Feng, still holding the brocade box in his hands, said, "Since the Duchess has passed away, we have thought about it and decided that we must go to pay our respects no matter what. Although the master and mistress have been convicted and exiled to Lingnan, if not a single person from the young mistress's family comes, it will be difficult for her to live in her husband's family in the future."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi felt a lump in her throat.

She had given up hope that the Shen family could do anything for her, since a married woman should be on her own from now on. But she never expected that even though her uncle and aunt were no longer home, Gao Feng and Uncle Chen would still think of her and come to her door at this time, which was indeed a great help to her.

It turns out that even after all these days, there are still people who love and care about me.

Her eyes were burning hot, and she looked at Gao Feng with red eyes, saying, "Thank you so much."

Upon hearing this, Gao Feng panicked: "Miss, you're exaggerating!"

Just then, Tushe'er also came over with her people. Upon seeing Gao Feng, she was so happy that she rushed over. Shang Ruyi immediately told her to take her family inside to pay their respects, and the mourning hall became lively again.

However, they did not stay for long. After paying their respects and talking for a while, they said goodbye and left.

Shang Ruyi personally escorted them to the door.

It seemed that it was a rare occasion for them to see people from their home, and they talked with them for quite a while before returning.

Another busy day has passed.

In the evening, the number of guests arrived even more than during the day, and even more than the previous two days. Shang Ruyi understood that it was probably because of the "General Who Assists the State". Many people who were originally busy with business at home came to visit. They did not dare to offer congratulations, but after paying their respects, they all lingered around Yuwen Ye.

After entertaining all the guests, Shang Ruyi returned to the mourning hall with stiff legs.

As soon as I stepped through the gate, I suddenly felt dizzy.

She stumbled and nearly fell, but just then, a hand grabbed her arm from behind and helped her regain her balance.

Shang Ruyi broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly turned around, only to meet a pair of cold, stern eyes. Instantly, the cold sweat on her body inexplicably retreated.

It is Yuwen Ye.

He was probably exhausted from a long day, and having just recovered from an illness, his face was still pale, and there was a dark shadow under his eyes, which made his gaze appear even more gloomy. Looking at him, one would have the illusion that a dark cloud was looming over him.

Shang Ruyi stammered, "What—are you doing?"

"..."

Yuwen Ye glanced at her only once, then released his grip heavily and turned to say, "Tushe'er!"

Tushe'er immediately came up: "Young Master."

"Take her back to rest."

“...Oh, yes.”

Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "I don't need it, there's more over there—"

Before she could finish speaking, Yuwen Ye glared at her again, almost through gritted teeth. Shang Ruyi was so frightened that she swallowed back what she was about to say. After thinking for a moment, she could only nod and say, "Then, I'll go back and lie down for a while, and then I'll get up."

Yuwen Ye seemed too lazy to talk to her and turned to leave.

Tu She'er was also good at reading people's expressions. She clearly sensed that the atmosphere between the two was not right. It took her a while to dare to come closer and help Shang Ruyi walk towards the backyard. As they walked, she asked, "Miss, what's wrong with the young master?"

"What? What happened?"

"He's so fierce. He was quite friendly when he was talking to those officials from the Ministry of Rites, but he turned into a menacing monster when he was talking to you."

"..."

After thinking for a while, Shang Ruyi said with a wry smile, "His mother has passed away."

"..."

"Who can be in a good mood when a loved one passes away? But he was in that position, and had just been appointed as a general. People said they came to offer condolences, but they were actually coming to congratulate him. He could only put on a pleasant face, but deep down he was still sad."

Tusheer couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Just because I'm upset doesn't mean I should take it out on you!"

Shang Ruyi remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a bitter laugh.

She thought that after yesterday's events, the two of them would be closer. Unexpectedly, Princess Xinyue's appearance was like a demon-revealing mirror, exposing all her evil thoughts and bringing her back to her original state. In Yuwen Ye's eyes, she was nothing at all, and she no longer needed to have any wild thoughts.

The two returned to the room, where Tushe'er made up the bed for her, helped her wash up, and then laid her down. She placed hot tea and snacks on a small table beside her and said, "I still need to go outside to keep watch. If you feel hungry when you wake up, Miss, eat some of these first, and then tell me to go to the kitchen."

Shang Ruyi lay on the bed, smiling and waving her hand: "Go do your work."

Tushe'er then left and closed the door behind him.

Once she left, the room naturally became quiet.

Although Shang Ruyi was exhausted, she was probably too tired. As soon as she lay down, she lost her sleepiness and just opened her eyes wide. First, she looked at the curtains above her head, and then she turned her head to look at the quiet and empty room. Without one person, it was indeed very empty.

To be honest, I haven't slept in my room for several days, except for last night—

last night……

Thinking of last night, her face suddenly flushed again, especially when she remembered that Yuwen Ye had been lying right where she was, and how she had pounced on him and pinned him down to prevent him from getting up...

What were I thinking at the time?

Yuwen Ye probably didn't have the strength to push her away; if it were any other time, she would have already turned against him.

Thinking of this, she felt both ashamed and humiliated. She couldn't help but pull the blanket over her face. Her regret came and went, almost suffocating her like a tidal wave.

Finally, overwhelmed by these overwhelming emotions, she slowly closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

However, as she slept, that overwhelming feeling seemed to surge up again, enveloping her completely. Shang Ruyi subconsciously stretched her limbs, but couldn't move. She took a deep breath, but even breathing was difficult.

She immediately began to struggle anxiously.

The more she struggled, the more she realized she couldn't move. Not only could she not move, but it felt like something was pressing down on her, controlling her body and even her breathing.

Shang Ruyi finally managed to open her eyes while suffocating, but as soon as she opened them, she froze in fear.

There was someone on top of her!

His massive frame enveloped her like a mountain, and her hands were held captive at her sides, giving him an air of complete subservience and utter ruthlessness.

What took her even more breath away was that, just as she was about to cry out in surprise, the person slowly opened his eyes.

Yes, Yuwen Ye?!