Chapter 600 Conferment

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi was taken aback, while the Shen couple exchanged a glance and immediately smiled with relief.

Only Shen Wuzheng's eyes were slightly lowered.

But no one said anything immediately. After regaining her senses, Shang Ruyi felt her cheeks flush slightly, but she also felt even more confused. Yesterday in the side hall, Yuwen Ye's attitude towards her was clearly somewhat inexplicably cold. This time, in addition to visiting her uncle and aunt and taking this opportunity to reunite, she also wanted to temporarily separate so that the two of them could calm down and get through that ambiguous and seemingly hostile feeling.

Unexpectedly, Yuwen Ye sent someone to pick him up early in the morning.

It's as if... they can't be separated from each other for even a moment.

Thinking this through, she looked up at the smiling Madam Yu, her cheeks flushing even more. She quickly stood up and said, "Uncle, Aunt, Brother, I'll head back now."

"good,"

Mrs. Yu nodded in satisfaction. The young couple's relationship was so good; it was reassuring for them. Mrs. Yu smiled and said, "We'll see you off."

Shang Ruyi quickly replied, "No need."

As an elder, it was inappropriate to send off a younger generation in this way, but Madam Yu refused to listen and insisted on doing so.

As the two sides were struggling, suddenly, another servant rushed in from outside, looking flustered and even more anxious than the first one, panting as he said, "Master, Madam, Young Master..."

Shen Shiyan frowned slightly: "What is it now?"

The servant said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, the imperial edict has arrived."

"What!?"

Upon hearing the words "imperial edict," everyone in the room paused for a moment. However, since it was something that was already expected, it didn't surprise them too much. Shen Shiyan immediately came to his senses and hurriedly called out, "Quickly, go out and receive the edict."

Madam Yu nodded repeatedly, helping Shen Shiyan straighten his clothes as she walked out.

Shang Ruyi followed her out.

Only Shen Wuzheng had the calmest expression, but when he saw everyone rushing out to greet them, his brow furrowed slightly, as if he had keenly sensed something.

However, he didn't say much and just followed the others out.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, a familiar figure led a group of guards in. The guards were arranged in two rows, neatly lined up on both sides of the courtyard. The eunuch slowly walked forward, and Shang Ruyi looked up and immediately widened her eyes in astonishment.

"Eunuch Yu!?"

The person in front of her, dressed in official robes and holding an imperial edict, was none other than Yu Mingli, whom she had known for a long time. He had served by Chu Yang's side and, after the Jiangdu Palace Coup, had finally returned to Chang'an and remained by Empress Dowager Jiang's side ever since!

He actually came to deliver an imperial edict again?

Now, although Yuwen Yuan has not yet officially ascended the throne, he has already begun to issue imperial edicts in vermilion ink, and the imperial decrees are naturally all his. In other words, Eunuch Yu is now employed in the palace and is serving the emperor again!

So he is—

After a moment of shock, Shang Ruyi finally came to her senses and saw Eunuch Yu walk forward. When he saw that she was also in the Shen family, a look of surprise appeared on his plump face. But he didn't say anything at the moment. He just raised his head, held the bright yellow scroll in both hands, and said loudly, "Shen Shiyan and Shen Wuzheng, receive the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing these words, everyone was startled once again.

I originally thought the emperor's decree was for Shen Shiyan. After all, Shen Shiyan was a major contributor to Yuwen Ye's ascension to the throne. In addition to the imperial honors, there should be some other rewards. So when I heard that the imperial decree had arrived, although I was a little surprised, I was not unexpected.

However, the imperial edict was still issued to Shen Wuzheng?

Although surprised, everyone dared not be negligent and hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial edict. The eunuch Yu slowly unfolded the edict and loudly proclaimed: "Imperial edict to the Secretariat and the Chancellery: Shen Shiyan, the Gentleman of Rites, is learned and virtuous, with a broad mind and elegant demeanor, and deeply understands my heart. He is hereby appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. His son, Shen Wuzheng, is learned and erudite, with broad mind and the ability to act as a general. He is a wise and capable minister who can bring order to chaos and save the country. He is hereby appointed as the Military Advisor of the Weibei Road Army. This is the imperial decree."

...

For a moment, the entire Shen family fell silent.

Eunuch Yu did not urge them, as if he had known all along that this imperial edict would cause them to act this way. After closing the scroll, he silently looked at the few people kneeling on the ground, heads bowed and ears submissive, unable to utter a single word.

It wasn't surprising that Shen Shiyan was suddenly promoted from a minor official to the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After all, he was a major contributor to Yuwen Yuan's ascension to the throne, and it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to be granted the rank of Duke or Marquis. The reason he wasn't officially granted such a title was probably to avoid giving others cause for criticism. But based on their understanding of Yuwen Yuan, they all knew that Shen Shiyan would receive a substantial reward in the future.

The strange thing is Shen Wuzheng.

Without any prior warning, and without even having formally met Shen Wuzheng, Yuwen Yuan suddenly added a title to Shen Wuzheng after the imperial edict that conferred titles upon his father. The words used in that title were clearly full of praise, yet for some reason, they made people feel uneasy.

Moreover—the military advisor of the Weibei Road Military Records Office?

If a title is to be conferred, there are many official positions in the court that would be suitable for Shen Wuzheng. Why is this particular position chosen?

Everyone remained silent until Shen Wuzheng finally raised his head.

His expression remained unchanged, and even his pupils did not tremble with fear. He simply said softly to Shen Shiyan, who was still somewhat dazed, "Father, receive the decree."

Upon hearing his voice, Shen Shiyan seemed to snap out of his daze and hurriedly said, "Long live the Emperor!"

After speaking, he raised his hands to receive the imperial edict.

Eunuch Yu handed over the imperial edict, then raised his hand in a salute and said with a smile, "Lord Shen, congratulations to you and your son."

With Shen Wuzheng's help, Shen Shiyan slowly stood up. Although he was still a little dazed and couldn't quite come to his senses, he still politely said, "You've worked hard, Father-in-law. Please sit down and have some tea."

Eunuch Yu smiled and shook his head, saying, "I'm too busy to go back to the palace to report back. We'll save this tea for another time."

His words were tactful; although he declined Shen Shiyan's advances, the phrase "to leave it for later" left room for maneuver. Shen Shiyan understood that Yuwen Yuan's coronation ceremony was the day after tomorrow, and he must have many things to do. Since Eunuch Yu was left by his side, he was obviously a confidant, and the tasks would naturally be entrusted to him.

He didn't insist on keeping him, but only glanced back at Madam Yu. Madam Yu immediately took out a thick stack of things and handed them over. Shen Shiyan took the opportunity to support Eunuch Yu's hand: "I'll see you off, Eunuch Yu."

"I dare not trouble you."

Eunuch Yu was clearly not encountering this situation for the first time. He subtly accepted the gift, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and politely declined Shen Shiyan's offer to see him off again. Seeing this, Shen Shiyan did not insist. However, when he turned his head again, he saw Shang Ruyi, who had been standing to the side lost in thought, step forward and say with a smile, "Eunuch Yu, I also need to return to the Duke's Mansion. Let me see you off for the rest of the way."

Eunuch Yu glanced at her and said with a smile, "This servant has been impolite. Thank you for your trouble, Princess Qin."

After saying that, he walked out.

Shang Ruyi bid farewell to the Shen couple, especially Shen Wuzheng, in a soft voice. Shen Wuzheng remained unmoved, only nodding at her, his cold eyes deepening in expression.

Shang Ruyi and Eunuch Yu walked out together.

The Shen residence wasn't very large, and the distance from the entrance wasn't far, but both of them slowed down their pace without prior arrangement. With Eunuch Yu subtly giving them a signal, and the guards following at a distance, the two of them naturally had a chance to talk.

But Shang Ruyi remained silent for several steps before softly saying, "Congratulations, Eunuch Yu."

Eunuch Yu didn't seem surprised that she would say something so "out of the blue." A smile spread across his plump face as he said, "Princess Qin, congratulations!"

His ability to remain calm and composed while fully comprehending all emotions impressed Shang Ruyi.

She recalled how, during the Jiangdu Palace Coup, Yuwen Ye single-handedly stormed into the Jiangdu Palace to save her. Even in such a critical and chaotic moment, he did not forget to send someone to the inner palace to rescue Eunuch Yu, and secretly brought him back to Chang'an. Later, at the Dayan Temple Dharma Assembly, when the ministers were making things difficult for her, he asked her to step forward and extricate her from the predicament at the last moment.

At that time, Shang Ruyi guessed that Eunuch Yu might be one of Yuwen Ye's men.

Only now did she fully understand this matter—

Eunuch Yu is one of Yuwen Yuan's men!

Thinking about it this way, in addition to her amazement, she also felt a deeper shock. You see, Eunuch Yu was the closest eunuch to Chu Yang. In fact, before the Jiangdu Palace Incident, when she was not at Jiangdu Palace, Eunuch Yu was the one who accompanied Chu Yang and was closest to him.

He was the emperor's confidant, almost the most trusted person besides Empress Dowager Jiang, Chu Ruoyan, and Chu Chengfei.

This person was actually sent by Yuwen Yuan to Chu Yang's side.

It is evident that while these younger generations were still cautiously discussing his "important matters" and "great undertakings," Yuwen Yuan had already figured everything out, begun to take action, and even placed his own people in the most crucial positions.

When Eunuch Yu returned to Chang'an, he did not immediately reveal his identity and go to serve Yuwen Yuan. Instead, he went to serve Empress Dowager Jiang. One reason might be that he still had some feelings for his former master. The other reason should also be Yuwen Yuan's control and resettlement of the most important remaining members of the Chu Dynasty royal family.

It was precisely because of Eunuch Yu that Empress Dowager Jiang was able to arrange Yanchun Palace as an escape route so quickly, making Chu Chengfei's abdication more logical and safer after his abdication.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi sighed inwardly.

Yu Gonggong was most adept at reading people's expressions and seemed to know the sigh in the heart of the newly appointed Princess Qin. He just smiled and said, "What the Princess wants to say to us is probably more than just congratulations."

"There's one more thing I'd like to ask you, Father-in-law."

"Oh? May I ask, Your Highness?"

Shang Ruyi looked up and asked solemnly, "Your Majesty—Father, why did you suddenly bestow a title upon my elder brother?"