Chapter 740 The woman's indulgence, or perhaps...

Although Yuwen Ye's words that night were full of threats, scaring Shang Ruyi into being on edge the next day, he did not come to cause her any trouble.

After all, a major battle had ended, and he and the Crown Prince were the commanders of two separate armies. There were too many follow-up matters to deal with after returning to the capital. In addition, he also had to appease the people on his side after Yuwen Qian was appointed Crown Prince. So for several days in a row, he would go out before dawn and return at night, often in the middle of the night.

By then, Shang Ruyi had already fallen asleep.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Yuwen Ye couldn't bear to wake her. He gently pulled her into his arms, kissed her flower-scented hair, and then fell asleep.

Half a month passed just like that.

That day, Shang Ruyi was surprised to see Yuwen Ye walking in from outside, covered in sweat from sword practice, after waking up. Seeing the steam rising from his body in the morning light, she felt a surge of joy at that familiar feeling and couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going out today?"

Yuwen Ye shook his head: "The matter concerning the Ministry of War has been resolved."

He washed his face and then looked at Shang Ruyi and said, "You're doing well. I'm busy every day, but you're sleeping soundly."

Shang Ruyi couldn't help but blush a little.

To be honest, she wasn't a lazy person, but lately she'd been a bit of a sleepyhead, going to bed early at night and waking up late in the morning. Plus, Yuwen Ye would always tell Tushe'er and the others not to disturb her when he left early each morning, so sometimes she'd sleep until the sun was high in the sky.

It really does look rather inappropriate.

Although she usually has a sharp tongue, she was in the wrong this time, so she could only say softly, "Okay, I won't oversleep anymore."

Seeing her like this, Yuwen Ye laughed and said, "Alright, spring drowsiness and autumn fatigue are common. Forcing yourself to stay awake won't be good for your health. Just go out for a walk after you've had some sleep, so your body doesn't become stiff."

"Okay."

The two chatted as they washed up. Once they were ready, the Imperial Kitchen delivered breakfast. Because Yuwen Ye had given prior instructions, the breakfast they delivered was nearly half the normal portion, enough for two people without being wasteful, yet it tasted very good. It was rare for the two of them to have such a leisurely time to sit facing each other and eat, and with the weather outside also quite nice, they were in high spirits and ate quite a bit.

While they were eating, Yuwen Ye said, "I asked my father for permission yesterday, and today I'll take you out for a stroll."

"real?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's eyes lit up.

In the two weeks since she returned, although it has been much more comfortable and leisurely than when she was on the expedition, she was getting tired of staying in Qianqiu Palace every day, just looking at the scenery of the inner court and seeing the same few people. She wanted to go out of the palace for a walk, but it wasn't really appropriate for her to go out alone. Unexpectedly, Yuwen Ye made it happen for her without even mentioning it. She couldn't help but laugh and say, "That's great! I've wanted to go out for a walk for a long time."

After saying that, he asked, "So where are we going?"

Yuwen Ye said, "I made an appointment with Fuming to meet at Shenjuan Pavilion first. I've noticed that he's been getting distracted a lot lately, which is unusual for him, so I wanted to have a chat with him."

Upon hearing Shen Wuzheng's unusual behavior, Shang Ruyi immediately asked worriedly, "What's wrong with him?"

Yuwen Ye said, "I guess it's Yu Mingyue's words that have been making him uneasy these days. Although I'm not afraid of that person, I still want to know what your brother got from her."

Shang Ruyi nodded repeatedly: "Me too."

"And also,"

At this point, Yuwen Ye frowned slightly and said, "That guy Pei Xingyuan still hasn't returned from his leave today."

"ah?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi was startled again.

Chu Ruoyan had already found out some information: Pei Xingyuan was not sick, but injured. She didn't know who injured him, only that the injury should not be serious. He could still see people who came to visit him and chat and laugh. But she didn't expect that he hadn't returned from his leave after resting for so long.

Something seems amiss; I should go check on him.

So Shang Ruyi said, "Then let's eat quickly, and then we'll head out early."

Yuwen Ye smiled and nodded.

Although both of them made the most of their time, the King and Queen of Qin could not simply leave the palace. By the time they had settled everything and boarded the waiting carriage at the palace gate, it was already past 9:00 AM.

The streets gradually filled up with people. It seemed like the last time I rode in a carriage on Zhuque Avenue was when the plague was over and Chang Le Fang was reopened. I never thought that several months would pass in the blink of an eye. Compared to before when everyone was on edge and the streets were deserted, Chang'an City was now bustling with carriages and people. Tu She'er, who was walking outside the carriage, had not seen such a lively scene in a long time. Her eyes were shining. But now she had to consider the dignity of the Prince of Qin and the Princess of Qin and could no longer look around as recklessly as before.

Shang Ruyi lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at her trying her best to restrain herself, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

Yuwen Ye, who had been resting with his eyes closed, turned to look at her upon hearing the laughter: "What's wrong?"

Shang Ruyi laughed and said, "I'm laughing at my son. He's finally starting to look a bit more mature."

Yuwen Ye smiled and said, "It was not easy for her to get the chance to come out with you today, so she wouldn't dare to be presumptuous. Otherwise, she wouldn't have such an opportunity next time."

Shang Ruyi said, "It's because Wo Xue went out with us before, so we didn't compete with her. Chang Wan—it's all thanks to Chang Wan for always giving in to her."

Yuwen Ye smiled.

After laughing, his expression darkened slightly, and he said, "My mother bought her because she valued her gentle yet strong nature. Besides, she has been by my mother's side for so many years, and she has tamed her bit of thorns."

"..."

"And your girl, although she looks fierce, is actually kind-hearted despite her sharp tongue. Their personalities complement each other, and it's good for them to be by your side."

"..."

"With Wo Xue added to the mix, the people around you are pretty good."

Shang Ruyi knew that he was always very good at judging people. These three girls each had their own strengths and weaknesses, and each of them was useful to her. They were indeed very good.

At this moment, we arrived at Shenjuan Pavilion.

Shang Ruyi had been to this place when he was a child. It was the largest restaurant in Chang'an City, and the owner was very arrogant. The food and drinks in the restaurant were extremely expensive, which made most people unable to afford them. However, he made an exception for literati and scholars. In particular, those who could leave their calligraphy and paintings in the restaurant and receive the owner's praise could even have their wine bills waived for several months. As a result, literati and scholars flocked to the restaurant, and poetry competitions and singing competitions were often held here.

Therefore, although it wasn't exactly a bustling place, it was still the most desirable restaurant in Chang'an.

At this moment, Yuwen Ye left Tu She'er and the others downstairs and went inside with Shang Ruyi. Because of his lavish spending and the presence of someone like Shen Wuzheng waiting, the waiter, even though he didn't recognize the Prince and Princess of Qin, still eagerly led them upstairs. Sure enough, they saw Shen Wuzheng sitting in a seat by the window. In front of him was a cup of tea and some fruits offered by the shopkeeper, but he didn't touch them. He was staring blankly at the budding willow branches and the peach trees with pink buds in the distance, but his eyes did not reflect the colorful spring scenery.

Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi walked over, and Shang Ruyi said softly, "Brother."

Upon hearing her voice, Shen Wuzheng immediately snapped out of his daze, a smile appearing on his face. He hurriedly invited them to sit down and asked the waiter to come and take their order. However, Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi had just finished eating and didn't have much of an appetite, so they only ordered two cups of tea and some fresh fruit before stopping.

After Shang Ruyi sat down, she asked, "What are you thinking about, brother? You seem so lost in thought."

Shen Wuzheng's eyes dimmed slightly, but he did not hide anything: "I was thinking about what Yu Mingyue said to me."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi and Yuwen Ye exchanged a glance.

She had heard Yuwen Ye say early in the morning that Shen Wuzheng had been frequently distracted while working lately, seemingly because of Yu Mingyue's words, and now it seemed that was indeed the case. Moreover, even while drinking tea, he would drift off into thought; she wondered how long and how deeply he had been pondering these past few days.

Shang Ruyi couldn't help but ask, "Brother, why did you go to see Yu Mingyue that night? What did she say to you?"

Shen Wuzheng remained silent for a long time before saying in a deep voice, "What she said that day made me feel very uncomfortable. I went to find her to ask her clearly, to ask if everyone in her 'hometown' does not heed the teachings of the sages, and whether they take pride in evil deeds instead of practicing benevolence."

As he spoke, his expression became serious.

Shang Ruyi suddenly realized that this was the reason why Yuwen Ye had reacted somewhat excessively that day.

For someone like Shen Wuzheng, the appearance of a bad person, or the immorality of one or a group of people, is not a big deal. But Yu Mingyue comes from a different place. Hundreds of years later, although they cannot live to see that time, it symbolizes a goal, making them feel as if they can see the end of their life's relentless struggle.

However, Yu Mingyue's words and actions made him begin to doubt everything about the future.

It's as if someone were to tell them right now that the Great Sheng Dynasty founded by Yuwen Yuan would be a sinful dynasty that would leave a disgraceful mark on history, they would feel uncomfortable and even unable to accept it.

At this point, a hint of anger rose in Shen Wuzheng's eyes. He said, "If she really is a person from hundreds of years later, if the world at that time was really as she said—murderers and arsonists wear golden belts, those who repair bridges and roads have no corpses, and she even said that righteousness is poisonous... then my heart is really very sad."

As he spoke the last few words, he even unconsciously began to grit his teeth.

It is clear how much Yu Mingyue's words affected him.

Shen Wuzheng held the teacup in his hand, his fingers tightening so much that his knuckles turned white. He said, “I never deny that people have good and evil, because good and evil are both human nature. However, good and evil are not fixed. Good can degenerate into evil, and evil can be cultivated into good. As human beings, as the leaders of all creatures, we must know how to cultivate ourselves and how to eliminate evil and preserve good.”

"As for what she said, such as 'murderers and arsonists live in luxury, while those who repair bridges and roads are left without a trace,' this is the helplessness of the world, but it is also the evil that wise people should set an example for, or even use as a shield, to resist. But she actually took this as a law and standard, and instead insulted those who have good intentions in their hearts."

"If such thoughts are allowed to prevail, then it is not only her tragedy, but also the tragedy of the world in which she exists."

Hearing his words, Shang Ruyi fell silent.

It was Yuwen Ye, who had been silent all along, who spoke again. His brows furrowed slightly, and for the first time, there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He asked, "Then, what kind of world is the one she lives in?"

Mentioning this, Shen Wuzheng's expression softened slightly.

He said coldly, "This Yu Mingyue is eloquent when she talks nonsense, but when you ask her to explain something clearly, she becomes incoherent and doesn't even seem to know what kind of world she lives in."

"Then she—"

"However, there is one thing she explained clearly in just one sentence."

"Oh? What is it?"

Shen Wuzheng looked up at Yuwen Ye and said, "She said that her country hasn't fought a war in decades."

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Ye's eyes lit up.

Not only Yuwen Ye, but Shang Ruyi also couldn't help but gasp, asking in surprise, "No war for decades?"

It should be noted that since they were children, even after Emperor Wen unified the country, it was not a peaceful world. There were rebels and bandits from time to time. Or, due to natural disasters and man-made calamities, the people could not afford to eat and would gather together for breakfast. The so-called "peace and tranquility throughout the world" was a congratulatory phrase often used by ministers when they came to court, but it was rarely achieved in practice, even throughout the history of dynasties.

Moreover, there has been no war for decades.

Is the world where Yu Mingyue lives a fairyland?

Even Shang Ruyi couldn't help but murmur, "This, this is too good."

"..."

"If it's such a good place, why would she say something like 'no corpses were found when bridges and roads were repaired'? Such things are hard to say even in chaotic times."

Yuwen Ye couldn't help but frown and said, "In such a good world, she still has such thoughts. It's not that the world is bad, but that her heart is crooked."

After saying that, he turned to Shang Ruyi and said, "I'll make sure you listen to her."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi knew that he was blaming her again for hearing Yu Mingyue's words "one life, one love, one partner" that night, and immediately muttered, "That sentence... although it is a bit narrow-minded, what woman does not hope that her husband will be devoted to her?"

She then glanced at him deliberately, saying, "Don't men also hope that their wives will be devoted to them?"

The two of them were locked in a heated argument, and Shen Wuzheng watched with a faint smile, but a hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes.

But after a while, he seemed to remember something and said, "But speaking of which, there was something else that I understood very clearly in her incoherent words."

The two immediately looked at him: "What is it?"

Shen Wuzheng said, "In her time, women could all study, and they could not only become officials, but also go out to work. Women could participate in most of the various industries. This was quite rare."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately recalled what Yu Mingyue had said that night—"President."

Although she was drunk and her speech was somewhat incoherent, what she said at that time was definitely not a lie; she just couldn't express it clearly. Shen Wuzheng's mention of it today means that in her time, women were capable of undertakings, but not just things like carrying manure, chopping wood, farming, and weaving.

Yuwen Ye was somewhat surprised: "Women can also study? Just like men?"

Shen Wuzheng nodded.

"Can they also take the imperial examinations?"

"It should be possible. But what she said was 'going ashore.' Although I don't understand why these two words are related to the imperial examination, she talked about it for a long time, so it should mean that she took the imperial examination and passed it."

This made the two of them even more surprised.

It's important to know that, starting from Emperor Wen's reign, Empress Du, as a woman, spoke out against the injustices faced by women throughout the land. After becoming empress, she not only established the Imperial Academy and accepted female students, but also appointed female officials in the court. However, the number of female students in the Imperial Academy was still significantly less than that of male students, and female officials were promoted based on their character and background; women were still not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.

Unexpectedly, back in Yu Mingyue's time, women were already able to take the imperial examinations.

Shang Ruyi murmured, "No wonder she said that a woman doesn't necessarily have to get married. If there are other things to do, marriage is indeed not the only option."

She recalled discussing with Yuwen Ye before that the saying "A man's infatuation can be explained, but a woman's infatuation cannot" ultimately means that women's horizons and the world they can explore are too small, so many people can only indulge in love. But if they have a vast world where they can achieve great things, who cares whether the man they love comes today or tomorrow?

Who cares whether he stays at my place or at his concubine's place today?

Thinking about it, Shang Ruyi glanced at Yuwen Ye.

Seemingly sensing the unusual meaning in her gaze, Yuwen Ye immediately asked, "What are you looking at?"

"No, it's nothing."

Shang Ruyi lowered her head guiltily—she hadn't forgotten how petty this man was. She had only advised him to go to Chu Ruoyan's place for a few more days, and he had already tormented her to the point of being unrecognizable. If he knew what she was thinking right now, wouldn't he tear her apart when he got home tonight?

Although Yuwen Ye sensed something of Shang Ruyi's hidden thoughts, he didn't have time to think about it at the moment, as what Yu Mingyue had said was indeed too shocking to him. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained silent for a long while before saying, "Hundreds of years later, women actually have such great power."

Shen Wuzheng laughed and said, "Having studied and gained wisdom, one is naturally no less capable than a man."

Yuwen Ye said, "But where do so many academies come from? You know, Emperor Wen's dynasty spent so much money to establish academies among the people and also opened the National Academy, but it could only teach one in ten million people."

"..."

"Besides, can those common people afford tuition, book fees, and transportation?"

Shen Wuzheng said, "I also asked her, but she said that the imperial court is rich and the people can afford to pay."

Shang Ruyi's eyes widened: "Are the people over there so wealthy?"

"right,"

Shen Wuzheng said, "That night I asked her many questions, and the strangest one was this. People from hundreds of years later seem to be very wealthy, so wealthy that even I, as the son of an official, can hardly imagine it. So that night I talked to that drunkard for a long time, just to find out why their court and people were so wealthy."

Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi asked at the same time, "Why?"

Shen Wuzheng said, "I asked her about all aspects of her life, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation, and in the end, I came to the conclusion that there were two reasons. The first is that in their world, many things didn't need to be done by people."

"No one needs to do it?"

Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi spoke almost simultaneously, their expressions of surprise mirroring each other. Although they were both worldly and not easily surprised, every word Shen Wuzheng had heard from Yu Mingyue was unexpected, leaving them no choice but to be astonished.

Shang Ruyi said, "If we don't need people to do it, then what will?"

Shen Wuzheng said, "She gestured for half a day but still couldn't explain it clearly, but in general, it meant that some of the hard, tiring, and heavy work wouldn't need to be done by anyone, but those other tasks could be done easily. For example—"

A thought suddenly flashed through Shang Ruyi's mind, and she subconsciously said, "Something like carrying manure or chopping firewood?"

Yuwen Ye glared at her.

Shang Ruyi finally came to her senses. After all, the three of them were in a restaurant, with tea, snacks, and fruit laid out in front of them. Those words were truly unappetizing. Fortunately, no one around them heard. Shen Wuzheng didn't hold it against her and just smiled, saying, "That's what she said. But it's not all. It seems that even large-scale projects like building houses, digging irrigation ditches, repairing bridges, and paving roads don't require many people. They can easily lift huge timbers and stones several dozen feet high without using any manpower."

Shang Ruyi couldn't help but murmur, "It really is a place like a fairyland."

At this moment, she felt incredibly envious, and she also understood why she had never understood what Yu Mingyue had said that night—because what Yu Mingyue hadn't said was something she herself dared not even think about.

Compared to her envy, Yuwen Ye beside her fell silent, but his eyes grew even deeper, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Shang Ruyi then asked, "Brother, what is the second reason?"

Shen Wuzheng smiled and looked at her, saying, "Let me ask you first, do you know how many kilograms of grain a farmer can produce per mu (unit of land area) in a year?"

This question surprised Shang Ruyi.

She wasn't exactly someone who never lifted a finger, especially after marrying into the Yuwen family. She was willing to learn more about people's lives, but she knew very little about grain production and couldn't just make things up.

Yuwen Ye, who was standing to the side, said, "If the weather is favorable, the grain yield of farmers in Guanzhong will be relatively high, reaching nearly 300 catties."

"..."

"I've heard that the elevations are even higher in Sichuan and the south."

"..."

"But the situation is worse in the north, and there are more battles there than in the south, making it difficult to collect taxes."

Shen Wuzheng nodded slightly. He knew that this would not be difficult for Yuwen Ye. After all, as a soldier who fought in various places, he sometimes even needed to procure food supplies in the local area where the battle was fought, so he had to be familiar with the grain production of various places.

After answering, Yuwen Ye asked, "You asked this because—"

Shen Wuzheng said, "I heard from Yu Mingyue that in their area, the grain yield per mu is over a thousand jin."

"What!?"

This caused not only Shang Ruyi to widen her eyes, but even Yuwen Ye couldn't help but let out a low gasp of astonishment. He seemed unable to believe his ears, but looking at Shen Wuzheng's expression, which was also so solemn, it was clear that there was no exaggeration or boasting.

Moreover, even if Yu Mingyue is exaggerating, given his personality, he would definitely discern the truth from falsehood in their conversation before relaying it to them.

In other words—

The "fairyland" they had just mentioned was no longer enough to express their envy of the world Yu Mingyue lived in. Yuwen Ye even caught his breath, and after a long silence, he said in a deep voice, "Do they... have divine assistance?"

Shen Wuzheng said, "I heard her mention that there really is a Master Yuan, who is known as the Sage of Rice."

"..."

"Those grains of rice are what he gave to the people of the world."