Chapter 170 Some "Wishful Thinking"
Shang Ruyi was still puzzled.
She had already explained to him how she met Chu Yang, who was then known as "Yang Suiyi," including how they went to the outskirts of the city to take shelter from the rain. Why did he still ask?
As for whether he himself entered the palace, and whether Chu Yang had ever visited the Shen family—
Is it that important?
Moreover, his almost interrogative attitude made Shang Ruyi feel uncomfortable. No matter what, the two of them were not in a subordinate relationship. Why should she answer his questions? She was no one to him.
Thinking of this, her heart suddenly trembled.
Yuwen Ye questioned himself like this because he wondered, what was he to him?
Although it was made clear from the beginning that their relationship was just a transaction, a cold and emotionless transaction, after last night, she felt for some reason that their relationship seemed to be closer than when they returned from Yanmen County.
In fact, to some extent, we became closer.
So, is Yuwen Ye's questioning at this moment because—
She vaguely sensed another "wishful thinking," but before it could even take shape in her mind, she heard Tushe'er rush in from outside and stand at the door, urgently saying, "Second Young Master, Miss, someone from the palace has arrived!"
"...!"
"...!"
The two, who had just been lost in their own strange thoughts, were startled. Shang Ruyi seemed to wake up from a dream and blushed involuntarily at her own "presumptuousness".
She immediately straightened her expression and said to Yuwen Ye, "Someone from the palace has come; we should go out!"
Yuwen Ye didn't speak, but a hint of anger rose on his face.
He turned and glared at him before saying, "Who is it?"
Tusheer said, "It is a palace eunuch who has come to deliver the Emperor's decree!"
Upon hearing this, the two of them dared not delay any longer and hurriedly got up, pushed open the door, and went out.
Upon arriving at the main hall, they indeed saw a eunuch standing there, while Aunt Hui and Yuwen Cheng, along with the guests outside, were already kneeling in front of the hall, not daring to utter a sound.
Shang Ruyi carefully examined him and realized that he was different from the one who had come to Yuwen’s residence to investigate them before, and the one who had questioned her on behalf of the emperor during the last imperial tour. This man was fair-skinned and plump, about fifty years old, with gray hair and no wrinkles on his face. He looked extremely wealthy and kind. Behind him were several eunuchs, and even in the courtyard outside the mourning hall, there were four imperial guards who accompanied him, indicating that they held high positions.
Upon seeing the couple enter the hall, the eunuch politely stepped forward and bowed to them.
"Please accept my condolences, both of you."
Yuwen Ye hurriedly returned the greeting, and then saw the eunuch walk to the center of the hall, stand up straight, and announce loudly, "The imperial edict has arrived!"
Yuwen Ye hurriedly led Shang Ruyi to kneel down and receive the imperial decree.
The eunuch took out an imperial edict, unfolded it, and said loudly: "By imperial decree to the Secretariat and the Chancellery, Yuwen Ye, son of the Duke of Sheng, who was fearless in the face of danger and whose bravery surpassed that of the three armies, served the emperor in the battle of Yanmen County and was loyal to the emperor. He is hereby specially appointed as the Grand General of the State. This is the imperial decree."
A chorus of exclamations of amazement immediately filled the lobby.
Shang Ruyi, kneeling to the side, was also deeply shaken.
It should be noted that although Yuwen Ye was very famous, it was mainly because of his status as the second son of the Duke's mansion. In fact, he did not hold a high official position in the court. He was just a subordinate general in the army of the Duke of Sheng. Unexpectedly, after the battle of Yanmen County, the emperor directly promoted him to the second-rank Assistant General of the State, which had never happened before!
This is a bit too much!
She carefully turned her head to look at Yuwen Ye, only to see that he showed no joy or delight, but instead looked solemn. He first kowtowed to thank the emperor for his grace, then accepted the imperial edict with both hands, and slowly stood up.
After getting up, he even reached out to help her up.
Seeing this, a glint of light flashed in the eunuch's narrow eyes, but it immediately dimmed again. He said to Yuwen Ye, "General, let's not talk about 'joy' here. First, I hope you will take care of yourself. Second, I hope you will live up to the Emperor's expectations and eliminate the rebels for the court, making great contributions."
Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat again—
To quell the rebellion for the imperial court?
When congratulating someone on their promotion, people usually say polite and respectful things, or even flattering words about their success. But when he said the words "sweep away the rebels," it was as if there were already some rebels waiting for Yuwen Ye to sweep them away.
Yuwen Ye remained as calm and composed as ever, and said politely, "Thank you, Eunuch Yu. It's freezing cold, so please come to the side hall for some tea to warm up."
The eunuch Yu smiled and said, "This trip wasn't in vain. Firstly, I delivered the imperial edict for the Emperor, and secondly—"
As he spoke, his eyes flickered as he glanced sideways at what was behind him.
Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi then noticed that among the eunuchs following behind him, one of them stepped forward, gently raised his head, and looked at Yuwen Ye with a pair of bright, affectionate eyes.
Shang Ruyi's eyes widened suddenly—
That was Princess New Moon!
She actually came!
Just like the one I saw at Tinghe Tower before, she was wearing a eunuch's robe and turban. Although it was simple, it couldn't hide her stunning beauty. Especially since she must have cried on the way here, her eyes were red and slightly swollen, making them look even more watery and pitiful.
She whispered, "Second Brother."
"you--"
Upon seeing her, Yuwen Ye's breathing became noticeably erratic, probably because he hadn't expected her to come. But the next moment, he regained his composure and said softly, "You're being too ridiculous."
Chu Ruoyan said softly, "I was worried about my second brother, so I came to see you."
Yuwen Ye let out a deep breath, stepped forward, his tall frame blocking the petite princess from view, and said in a deep voice, "I'm fine. You shouldn't have run around like that. What if you encountered danger?"
Chu Ruoyan looked at him and said, "I'm not afraid."
...
The two of them stood facing each other, seemingly forgetting everything around them for a moment.
Standing beside the two men, though not far away, Shang Ruyi felt as if she were separated by an invisible barrier, and her hands and feet turned icy cold.
At this moment, as she looked at them, she strangely thought about what had just happened—when Yuwen Ye questioned her in their bedroom, she had once again had some "unrealistic" thoughts. How ridiculous was that?
Looking up again at the two people who were completely out of sight of a third person, Shang Ruyi smiled.
It's really quite ridiculous.
At this moment, she was fully awake. The people kneeling outside had not yet gotten up, nor did they dare to look up and look straight ahead. If they saw that Princess Xinyue had disguised herself and followed Eunuch Yu here, things would be difficult to handle.
In a moment of quick thinking, she stepped forward and said, "Second Brother, you, you should go to the backyard first; Eunuch Yu, please come with me, there is hot tea in the side hall."
Hearing this, others might be able to understand, but Yuwen Ye suddenly turned around and looked at her.
No, that gaze wasn't looking, it was more like staring.
It's as sharp as a knife.
Shang Ruyi was taken aback by his gaze, but after thinking about it, she felt that her arrangement was correct—to let him take the princess to the backyard to avoid being seen by others, and since there were no people in the backyard at the moment, it was perfect for them to meet; while she took Eunuch Yu to the side hall so as not to disturb them, wasn't this exactly what they wanted?
So she looked back at him, her eyes wide, as if silently asking him—is there anything wrong with this arrangement?
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Just as the two were staring at each other, one sharp and the other clear, it was as if a knife was cutting cotton, and neither could gain the upper hand for a moment, when a cheerful voice rang out: "Then I'll have to trouble you, young mistress."
It is Grandpa Yu.
Shang Ruyi smiled and politely led him and several eunuchs to a side hall. Yuwen Ye stood in the main hall, silent for a long time, before finally letting out a heavy sigh.
Let's go.
He led Princess Xinyue to the backyard, but as he was leaving, he suddenly turned back and glared at Shang Ruyi with a fierce look.
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