Chapter 502: A Single Word Reflected – Submission

Although Shang Ruyi was extremely anxious, and although Yichun Palace and Liangyi Palace were not far apart, with Yuwen Ye's comfort, she did not lose her mind to go directly to the emperor to plead for her uncle.

After all, nothing is clear yet.

They questioned Princess Xinyue, and even the little eunuch who came to deliver the message, but no one knew what had happened in the Liangyi Hall, let alone what Shen Shiyan had said that angered His Majesty the Emperor, leading to his imprisonment and execution.

The young eunuch only said, "The Duke of Sheng and several other officials are pleading for Lord Shen."

"..."

"Now, we don't know what the outcome will be."

Shang Ruyi's face turned pale, and she bit her lower lip, unable to speak. Seeing her terrified expression, Yuwen Ye remained silent for a moment before helping her to her feet. He then said to Chu Ruoyan, "Your Highness, since this has happened, we shall take our leave."

Chu Ruoyan slowly stood up and said with a smile, "Then, I won't keep Second Brother and Sister Ruyi any longer."

As she spoke, her starry eyes darted over to the bewildered Shang Ruyi.

"Sister Ruyi,"

Hearing her gentle voice, Shang Ruyi could only look up and see Chu Ruoyan looking at her with concern and smiling, saying, "We met hastily today and didn't get to enjoy ourselves. Let's get together again in a couple of days."

"..."

At this moment, Shang Ruyi was preoccupied with her uncle's life and death, and instinctively bowed her head and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

After saying that, he followed Yuwen Ye out of Yichun Palace.

When she arrived, although she knew this trip would be anything but simple, she was still able to appreciate the scenery around her. But when she left, Shang Ruyi was somewhat lost and disoriented, like a puppet on strings, following behind Yuwen Ye. Although the weather was no longer hot after autumn, it was still a sunny day. The sunlight should have been warm, but she broke out in a cold sweat.

how so?

How did it suddenly turn out like this?

Previously, the emperor was terrified by the Grand Astrologer's words, "When a comet appears, disaster will follow," and summoned these old ministers who had served Emperor Wen to the palace to seek a solution. Why has it suddenly become a matter of life and death for Shen Shiyan?

What exactly did he say that he shouldn't have said to anger the emperor?

Just as Shang Ruyi was feeling uneasy, the hand that was holding hers tightened its grip slightly.

Her heart sank as she felt the pinch, and she subconsciously looked up to meet those deep, steady eyes. Yuwen Ye looked down at her and said calmly, "Don't worry too much."

"..."

“Your uncle is not a man who speaks recklessly.”

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's heart stirred slightly. Yuwen Ye continued, "Today, His Majesty summoned these old ministers to the palace to seek a way to resolve the omen of 'when a comet appears, disaster strikes.' Uncle Shen must know the solution that Emperor Wen sought back then, which is why he angered His Majesty."

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, and said softly, "But didn't you say last night that you hadn't found it back then?"

"Then we must have guessed wrong."

As Yuwen Ye walked forward, he frowned slightly and pondered, saying, "We believe that we did not find a way to resolve this back then because Emperor Wen passed away three days after the comet appeared. Therefore, we believe that Emperor Wen also did not find a way to resolve this. But in fact, there is another possibility."

"...!"

A sudden thought flashed through Shang Ruyi's mind, and she gasped in shock.

He said in a deep voice, "He found it, but he doesn't want to use it!"

Yuwen Ye nodded silently.

He said, "Judging from the fact that Shen Shibo was thrown into prison today and almost lost his life, I'm afraid he found a way to resolve this back then. However, that method was not an ordinary one, especially one that the emperor could not accept."

"..."

"Therefore, Emperor Wen of that time was unwilling to accept it, and His Majesty the present was furious upon hearing it."

That makes some sense.

But Shang Ruyi was even more puzzled: "Then, what exactly is this method?"

Yuwen Ye didn't speak, but gently shook his head. Of course, he didn't know either. However, when he looked at Shang Ruyi, a deep and thoughtful light flashed in his eyes.

A short while later, they exited Hanguang Gate.

Just as the two were about to board the carriage, Yuwen Ye suddenly asked, "Shall we go back to the Shen family?"

Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment.

Today, Yuwen Ye had used this excuse to "trick" her into accompanying him to court. Of course, she now understood that his real purpose was to deal with Princess Xinyue's summons. But now that her uncle had gotten into trouble, should she still go back to the Shen family?

Shang Ruyi frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No, thank you."

"Um?"

Yuwen Ye looked at her with some surprise: "Why?"

He thought that after this incident, Shang Ruyi would be eager to return to the Shen family.

Shang Ruyi said, "Right now, we haven't figured out exactly why my uncle offended the emperor and was imprisoned. Even if we go back, it will only make my aunt more worried, and we won't be able to do anything. It's better to find out the truth first before we can think of a solution."

"..."

"As for my aunt—with my brother by her side, I believe he can comfort her."

Yuwen Ye was surprised that she could remain so calm at this moment.

However, it's not surprising.

After all, back in Fufeng County, when life and death were at stake, she was able to calm herself down and devise a plan to deal with Xue Xian. It seems that the more desperate the situation, the calmer she becomes.

Thinking of this, Yuwen Ye's gaze softened.

He said in a low voice, "After Father returns and we find out everything, I'll go back to the Shen family with you tomorrow."

"..."

"real."

The last two words, which would normally sound somewhat laughable, made Shang Ruyi unable to laugh at all. She simply nodded bitterly and let him help her into the carriage.

Soon, they returned to the Yuwen residence.

The household had not yet received the news, and everyone was going about their business as usual. However, Tu She'er noticed that Shang Ruyi had looked gloomy all the way home and was restless after returning home. She couldn't help but secretly ask her about it. Shang Ruyi then told her about Shen Shiyan's imprisonment without hiding anything.

Tushe'er was immediately terrified, his face turning deathly pale and his whole body trembling: "How, how could this be? How could Master—"

She looked at Shang Ruyi with some panic: "Will Master be alright?"

Shang Ruyi shook her head: "I don't know."

"..."

"But I won't let anything happen to my uncle!"

As she spoke, she subconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, and the cold sweat on her palms soon soaked through the fabric, but the chilling sensation only deepened her obsession.

She clearly understood why she had chosen Yuwen Ye in the first place.

It was all to protect her family—although this choice now seems like a "miracle" from God, bringing her the greatest happiness of her life, she has never forgotten that the most important people to her in this world are not only her husband, with whom she spends every day, but also her uncle and aunt who have cared for her since childhood, and her cousin Wuzheng.

No matter what happens now or in the future, they are people she can never give up!

Just then, Changwan walked in and said, "Young Madam, the Duke has returned to the manor."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately got up and went out.

She knew that after what happened today, Yuwen Yuan wouldn't have an easy time back home; he'd definitely be in his study trying to come up with a solution. Sure enough, as soon as she reached the study door, she saw Yuwen Ye frowning and talking to her. The two of them went inside, and Shang Ruyi hurriedly went to the door and whispered, "Father—"

Just as Yuwen Yuan was about to sit down, he turned around and saw that it was her, and sighed.

"Ruyi, come in."

"Thank you, Father."

Shang Ruyi hurriedly went inside.

The atmosphere in the study was somewhat strange at this moment, seemingly more than just anxious and gloomy; Yuwen Ye, sitting to the side, even had a rather odd expression. After Yuwen Yuan sat down, he looked at her again and said, "You already know about your uncle's matter."

"Yes, Princess Crescent Moon told me."

"Oh...the Princess?"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's expression became even more complicated, and he turned to look at Yuwen Ye.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi no longer had time to ponder Yuwen Yuan's attitude earlier in the day. She stepped forward and asked urgently, "Father, my uncle—"

"Don't worry,"

Yuwen Yuan let out a heavy sigh, then said, "His Majesty was indeed very angry. He wanted to drag your uncle out and behead him. I, along with Ji Hong and Pei Xu, pleaded for him for half a day, and finally managed to save his life temporarily."

"..."

"But now, the person has still been thrown into prison. How to deal with him will probably depend on His Majesty's decision."

Before Shang Ruyi could even catch her breath, she hurriedly asked, "Father, what exactly did Uncle say that angered His Majesty?"

Yuwen Yuan's gaze deepened.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Today, His Majesty summoned us to the palace to discuss how to avert the impending disaster caused by the appearance of a comet. In fact, many people have said that Emperor Wen's passing was a fulfillment of the celestial prophecy from that year, but no one knows that Emperor Wen had actually found a way to avert it."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi opened her eyes wide and then turned to look at Yuwen Ye.

As expected, his earlier guess was correct.

so--

Shang Ruyi said softly, "The Emperor Wen has been found, but he did not follow the orders?"

"good."

"Did my uncle anger His Majesty because he spoke out?"

"yes."

"Then how did your uncle know?"

Yuwen Yuan sighed and said, "I only learned today that he was on good terms with Yan Ru, the Grand Astrologer back then. Yan Ru was indeed ordered to find a solution for Emperor Wen, but Emperor Wen was furious and imprisoned Yan Ru. After Emperor Wen passed away, Yan Ru also—"

"..."

"However, your uncle went into prison and saw Yan Ru for the last time, and heard his last words."

Shang Ruyi held her breath and asked in a hoarse voice, "What is it?"

This time, Yuwen Yuan remained silent for a long time, so long that even breathing became an ordeal. Finally, he slowly raised his head to look at Shang Ruyi and said, word by word, "A comet has appeared in the southeast, foreshadowing the calamity of the common people and concealing the great change of the country. If we want to find a way to resolve this, we must follow the will of the people, and then we can know the will of Heaven."

The more he spoke, the heavier Shang Ruyi's heart pounded.

Finally, Yuwen Yuan said in a deep voice, "Remember this in one word—humility."