Chapter 1273 Xiao Yuansui has rebelled!
Looking at her bloodshot eyes, which she had clearly stayed up countless nights in, Yuwen Yuan said softly, "You've been taking care of Yuan Gan all these days, you must be very tired. How could I blame you?"
Shang Ruyi lowered her head.
Yuwen Yuan glanced into the distance again, making sure he could no longer see the departing figures of the Prince of Qin's men, before saying softly, "Alright, you've seen them off, it's time for you to go back to your residence. It's been raining for so long, and the sun is very strong today, don't get sunburned."
He had barely finished speaking when another, somewhat sharp, voice rang out behind him—
"Yes, Second Sister-in-law, your health is very important right now. My little nephew is waiting for you to come back and take care of him."
The sound sent a shiver down Shang Ruyi's spine. She turned around and saw Yuwen Cheng, Yuwen Qian, and Yu Mingyue walking over together. Yuwen Qian was as upright and dignified as ever, but he was swaying and had a playful expression on his face. He didn't seem to be there to see her off, but rather as if he was there to enjoy the scenery.
Shang Ruyi said, "It's rare that Third Brother still remembers Yuangan's illness. He's really thoughtful."
Yuwen Cheng laughed and said, "How could I not be thoughtful? After all, if my little nephew hadn't been sick, my second sister-in-law would be over there today, not here."
He raised his hand, pointed to the distance, and then pointed to his feet.
Shang Ruyi said calmly, "Don't worry, once Yuangan recovers, I won't dare to stay a moment longer and will naturally go to your second brother's side."
Yuwen Cheng said, "That's good."
Shang Ruyi gave him a cold look, then nodded politely to Yuwen Qian and Yu Mingyue, saying, "Thank you, Crown Prince and Crown Princess, for coming to see my husband off."
Yuwen Qian said calmly, "We are brothers, it's only right."
By this time, the sun had risen higher, and on the city tower where there was no shade, everyone felt the intense heat of the sunlight. Yuwen Yuan then said, "Let's all go back."
Everyone accepted the order. Shang Ruyi took one last look into the distance, making sure she could no longer see Yuwen Ye and the others' backs—meaning that no one around her would know which direction they were going next. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and follow Yuwen Yuan and the others down the city wall.
As they approached the golden carriage, besides the accompanying eunuch Yu and a group of eunuchs, Zhang Yuping was also waiting there. Upon seeing them descend from the city wall, she immediately came forward and took Yuwen Yuan's arm, saying, "Your Majesty."
The Crown Prince and others all bowed to her.
She nodded and smiled at everyone, but when her gaze swept over Shang Ruyi, a cold glint appeared in her shrewd eyes. Shang Ruyi, of course, was aware of her attitude and didn't care. After giving a polite greeting, she prepared to walk to her carriage to return home.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, Zhang Yuping suddenly said to Yuwen Yuan, "Your Majesty, haven't you been worried about the young prince's health and been unable to sleep all night? Why don't you take this opportunity to visit the young prince at the Prince of Qin's residence?"
"...!"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's steps froze.
She immediately turned her head and saw that Zhang Yuping was smiling sweetly at Yuwen Yuan while glancing at her out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze was sharp and contained malice. She thought for a moment and then said, "This is not necessary."
Zhang Yuping laughed and said, "What's wrong, Princess Qin? Even the Emperor, as the grandfather, can't visit his own grandson?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Of course that's not what I meant. It's just that I believe the Imperial Medical Bureau has already informed Father about Yuan Gan's illness, and he shouldn't see anyone right now."
Zhang Yuping immediately replied, "Is His Majesty some kind of ordinary person?"
"..."
"If you ask me, if the Emperor were to visit the young prince, I'm afraid that with the Emperor's protection, the young prince's illness might be cured immediately."
Shang Ruyi's expression darkened slightly.
She couldn't very well refute this statement, although everyone knew that a person's illness couldn't be cured simply by seeing the emperor. If that were the case, why would there be an Imperial Medical Bureau in the palace? Anyone who fell ill could be cured simply by seeing the emperor. However, if she refuted Zhang Yuping's words, it would be to challenge the emperor's authority, and she feared it would incur his displeasure.
More importantly, she realized that Yuwen Yuan wanted to go.
Because from beginning to end, while Zhang Yuping was speaking, his gaze was fixed intently on his face, as if he was watching his reaction.
So he smiled and said, "Of course, but—Father Emperor just saw off Feng Chen, and now he's going to the Prince of Qin's residence. I'm afraid he'll be too tired."
Zhang Yuping immediately replied, "Your Majesty is so valiant, how could you be tired from such a short journey?"
After saying that, she deliberately turned to Yuwen Yuan and said, "Didn't Your Majesty stay up all night last night because you were worried about the young prince's illness?"
At this moment, Yuwen Yuan finally spoke, nodding slightly, and said, "I do miss Yuan Gan. He moved out of the palace, and I haven't seen him since, except for the last time on the third prince's birthday. I miss him very much."
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but clench her fists, her palms covered in cold sweat.
But she couldn't refuse, so she said, "Since that's the case, then your subject... will respectfully comply."
Zhang Yuping immediately laughed, her eyes flashing with an even colder light, almost turning into sharp needles that pierced Shang Ruyi, and said, "Since that's the case, I also wish to accompany Your Majesty to visit the young prince."
Yuwen Yuan said, "Alright."
After saying that, he turned back to look at the Crown Prince, the Prince of Qi, and the others: "You—"
Yuwen Qian and Yuwen Cheng exchanged a glance. Yuwen Qian calmly said, "Logically, we should go and see our nephew, but he has smallpox now, and if we go, there will be too many people, which would not be good."
Yuwen Cheng also said, "Yes, besides, with Second Brother gone, there are still many things to take care of at the government office, so I really can't leave."
Shang Ruyi glanced at him.
Yuwen Yuan was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Very well, you can all go do your things."
After saying that, he turned to Shang Ruyi and said, "Let's go, I'll go see my little Yuanzi."
"yes."
Shang Ruyi stopped trying to stop them, simply accepted the order and boarded her own carriage. After the emperor also boarded his golden carriage, the group left Mingde Gate and went their separate ways.
Although the sun didn't reach her inside the carriage, its heat still penetrated the thick walls, making the entire compartment unbearably hot, like being in an oven. Beads of sweat trickled down her face, and Wo Xue quickly took out a handkerchief to gently wipe them away, then whispered, "Your Highness, we—"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her and said in a deep voice, "It's nothing."
Wo Xue nodded without saying anything more. The two of them continued to sit upright in the carriage, listening to the monotonous clattering of the wheels over the ruts. After some time, the entire carriage swayed and then came to a stop.
Wo Xue immediately jumped down, then turned around and reached out to help Shang Ruyi down.
On the golden carriage ahead, Yuwen Yuan, supported by Eunuch Yu and others, stepped down step by step. Once he stood still, he looked up and saw the Qin Prince's mansion with its gates tightly shut, quiet and deserted, without a single person in sight. However, for some reason, although there was no wind at the moment, he could feel a constant breeze blowing through the mansion through the courtyard walls; he could see the shadows of the trees swaying and the air thick with heat.
There seemed to be a subtle sense of restlessness throughout the entire palace.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly stepped forward and said, "They didn't know Father was coming, please forgive them."
Yuwen Yuan smiled faintly and said, "I only decided to come and see Xiao Yuanzi today on a whim. What crime is there in that?"
Zhang Yuping, who was behind him, immediately followed up with a smile and said, "Yes, Princess Qin, you don't need to worry about it too much."
After saying that, she gently covered her mouth and smiled, "Besides, it's best if no one is guarding it."
Shang Ruyi glanced at her but didn't respond. When she saw Yuwen Yuan walking towards the gate, she quickly stepped forward to block his way and said softly, "Father, let me go in first and tell them to come out and greet you."
Yuwen Yuan glanced at her, his brows furrowing slightly, almost imperceptibly.
He said, "I said, there's no need for such trouble."
After saying that, he continued walking forward, while Eunuch Yu hurriedly led his men to knock on the gate and shouted inside, "People of the Prince of Qin's residence, come out quickly! The Emperor has arrived!"
Wo Xue's face turned pale. She bit her lower lip, but could only endure it.
A moment later, a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps sounded from inside. Then someone removed the door bolt, and the door creaked open from the inside. Tu She'er's delicate face appeared through the crack in the door. Upon seeing Eunuch Yu and Yuwen Yuan and the others behind him, she was so frightened that she took a step back and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty... This servant greets Your Majesty!"
Yuwen Yuan frowned slightly as he glanced at her, then said, "What's wrong with you servants? I told you to serve properly in the manor, what are you serving?"
Tushe'er lowered her head, not daring to breathe: "This servant deserves to die."
Yuwen Yuan gave a signal with his eyes, and the soldiers behind him immediately stepped forward and pushed open the door. He was about to walk inside.
Just as he was about to step into the gate of the Prince of Qin's mansion, a series of rapid and loud hoofbeats suddenly rang out on the long street behind him, breaking the silence of the street and rushing in. Even his accompanying guards were startled and immediately turned around to assume a defensive posture.
Shang Ruyi also turned her head and saw a group of people galloping over. As soon as they approached the Prince of Qin's mansion, they were stopped by the Imperial Guards.
"What are you doing!?"
Those people shouted at him, and the man scrambled off his horse, still catching his breath, and shouted at Yuwen Yuan, who was about to step into the gate, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something has happened!"
"Um?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan immediately withdrew his foot and turned to walk over. Shang Ruyi and the others hurriedly followed. Under the scorching sun, cold and hot sweat dripped down their faces.
Yuwen Yuan walked up to the man and took a closer look; the man was a soldier guarding the city gate.
So he asked, "What happened?"
The soldier looked terrified and shouted, "News has come from outside the city: Xiao Yuansui—the Right Thousand Bull Guard—has rebelled!"
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