Chapter 1237 Public Opinion
Two days later, the civil and military officials, who in Yu Mingyue’s eyes could almost be called an all-star lineup, once again gathered at the Prince of Qin’s mansion.
This time, with no one else present, their speech and behavior could have been more relaxed, but unexpectedly, they were very quiet. The hall was full of people, and even the shorter Shan Tong'er did not compete for seats, but sat behind Shen Tu Tai Hou. With so many people gathered together, it was so quiet that there was not a sound.
The backyard is actually more lively.
The scene was rather lively, but it was really just Shang Ruyi and Chu Ruoyan chatting together. In the courtyard outside, Tu She'er and the wet nurse were chasing Xiao Yuangan all over the yard to chase butterflies, while Pan Qing was standing under the eaves with a plate of pastries made by Chu Ruoyan, waiting for Xiao Yuangan to come and eat when he got tired and hungry.
Shang Ruyi said, "It's good that you're here. Keep me company and talk to me."
Chu Ruoyan smiled and said, "Isn't Yuan Gan also speaking?"
Shang Ruyi frowned: "He keeps babbling on and on all day, it's giving me a headache, and he just keeps going on and on, louder than a crow."
Chu Ruoyan smiled: "This is the perfect age for children to learn to speak. Back then, Fei'er—"
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, she quickly shut her mouth.
Shang Ruyi didn't seem to mind, she just smiled and said, "Anyway, it's rare to have some peace and quiet."
Chu Ruoyan smiled and nodded, took a sip of tea, and then said, "When I brought Panqing here just now, I passed by the front yard and saw a lot of people coming to the main hall. General Shentu and the others are here, but they didn't make a sound. This is not like them usually."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's heart sank slightly.
She sighed and said, "Today, the King of Qin summoned them all to discuss the trip to Luoyang."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruoyan's expression changed. Of course, she already knew the news. Shang Ruyi told her first after finding out, after all, she was also a member of the Qin Prince's Mansion. If Yuwen Ye were to leave, the first person he would take away would be Shang Ruyi, the second would be Yuan Gan, and the third would be her.
Seeing that she had fallen silent, Shang Ruyi asked, "What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruoyan looked up at her and said with a wry smile, "How can I decide? If Your Highness and my sister are both going, how can I not go?"
"Do you want to go?"
"..."
This time, Chu Ruoyan didn't answer immediately. After a moment of silence, she asked in return, "Can we go?"
Hearing her ask that, Shang Ruyi's eyes lit up: "You think it's impossible?"
Chu Ruoyan pondered for a moment, then said, "I don't understand big matters, nor do I understand military affairs, but I only know one thing—once the arrow is released, there's no turning back."
"..."
"Moreover, this is not like his usual style."
Shang Ruyi nodded slightly.
She believed that under normal circumstances, even if Yuwen Yuan used ruthless methods to suppress them, Yuwen Ye would never be squeezed out of Chang'an by the emperor. Instead, he would stay here, take root, and grow into a thriving family until he covered the entire imperial city.
But what Yuwen Ye said that night was indeed his true feeling.
Therefore, it is said that the human heart is as vast as the sea.
She sighed softly and said, "Let's see if they can come to a conclusion today, no matter what."
Just as the two people in the backyard were talking, the silence in the main hall was finally shattered by a deafening voice like thunder. Shen Tu Tai frowned deeply, making his face look more like a tiger's head that exuded a powerful aura. When he spoke, Shan Tong'er behind him trembled slightly: "Your Highness, if you don't surrender on the battlefield, how can you surrender all the time!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Ye frowned: "Which word of mine said 'surrender'?"
Shen Tu Tai said, "Which word Your Highness uttered wasn't a surrender?"
His words, though reasonable upon reflection, were too harsh to say aloud. Despite being startled, Shan Tong'er immediately reached out and hugged his strong arm, whispering, "Seventh Brother, don't be in such a hurry."
Shen Tu Tai instinctively tried to shake him off, but a calm and pleasant voice said from the side, "Brother Shen Tu is right."
Upon hearing this voice of agreement, Shen Tu Tai fell silent.
The speaker was none other than Shi Yuxin, who was sitting on the other side. Because she was a surrendered general, Yuwen Yuan initially did not give her a position in the army, but instead made her a female clerk. Later, it was Shang Ruyi who transferred her to his own command, making her a Lieutenant General in the Right Feathered Forest Guard. In order to familiarize herself with her duties and the soldiers under her command, she had been staying at the army camp almost every day. She only came for a short while on the day the Prince of Qin opened his residence. When she came again today, she looked very tired, with large dark circles under her eyes, but her spirits were high.
Upon hearing her speak, the people in the hall who had been itching to talk fell silent.
Yuwen Ye gave her a deep look and said, "Where is the logic in this?"
Shi Yu thought to himself, "The reason lies in Your Highness's actions today."
"What?"
"Your Highness, after the great victory at Hulao Pass and the great triumph at Luoyang, did Your Highness discuss the celebrations with us? Did you discuss them with Brother Shentu, Shantong'er, and Brother Muxian?"
Yuwen Ye's gaze swept over the group of people, but he remained silent.
Shi Yu thought to himself, "But, if Your Highness had been defeated at Hulao Pass and failed to capture Luoyang, and had to retreat or even surrender, wouldn't you have discussed it with your subordinates?"
"..."
"So, what is this action today if not surrender?"
Shen Tu Tai slammed his fist on the table: "Well said!"
Pei Xingyuan chuckled, stroking his chin as he said, "Wonderful, wonderful! I only knew Miss Shi was a heroine, but I didn't know you were also a renowned debater. Your words hit the nail on the head, truly brilliant!"
Liang Youying nodded in praise, and sighed, "Sister Shi is indeed insightful, while I am but a humble nobody."
Upon hearing her say that, Pei Xingyuan hurriedly said, "Who said that? How can you be a commoner..."
Shen Wuzheng gently shook his head.
Although they seemed to be joking around, their words clearly indicated their agreement with Shi Yuxin and Shen Tu Tai. Yuwen Ye frowned and glanced around, as if trying to gauge the opinions of others. Shi Yutao, sitting next to Shi Yuxin, immediately said, "Sister is right."
Yuwen Ye shifted his gaze, thought for a moment, and then looked at Shan Tong'er, who was sitting behind Shen Tu Tai and almost completely hidden by his tall figure.
He asked, "Good boy, what do you think?"
Shan Tong'er then peeked out from behind Shen Tu Tai, blinked her big round eyes, and said, "Sister Ruyi, no, Your Highness, if Your Highness doesn't go to Luoyang, then I won't go either."
Yuwen Ye frowned: "She told you she wasn't going?"
Shan Tong shook his head: "No."
"Then how do you know she's not going?"
"Because if the princess agrees to go, then you, Prince Qin, will not consult with us at all."
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