Chapter 193 No one else is left to listen to his heart.
The gloom that had been weighing on her heart for so long now grew even heavier, turning into an inescapable black fog that completely enveloped Shang Ruyi. She stood there blankly, unable to utter a single word, feeling only a chill all over her body, as if her blood was about to freeze.
Chu Yang harbored murderous intent towards Yuwen Ye!
This fact was finally revealed to them by his own words.
But in fact, she wasn't completely unaware. After all, when they met in Taiyuan, Chu Yang had told her that he was going to make an enemy of Yuwen Ye for the sake of a woman. At the time, all she could guess was that it was a romantic affair. After learning his identity, she understood that the man who had caused his beloved daughter so much pain and suffering was naturally not to be tolerated by the emperor.
But looking back now, even the greatest personal feelings cannot compare to matters of state.
Chu Yang's suspicion of the Duke of Sheng had a long history—and it wasn't just the Duke of Sheng; all the high-ranking officials in the court who held military power, whose achievements overshadowed the emperor's authority, and who constantly threatened the emperor's power were objects of his suspicion, with Yuwen Yuan being the most prominent one.
However, dealing with a duke who holds a high position and commands a large army is indeed not easy.
It would be too easy to target his son.
Although she could understand all of this, Shang Ruyi couldn't understand why he had to tell her all this—why did he have to break through this barrier right in front of her?
Shang Ruyi felt a chill run through her body. After a long while, she said through gritted teeth, "Your Majesty, why are you telling me this?"
Chu Yang looked at her, and a smile seemed to reappear on his face.
He said, "Because I trust you."
Shang Ruyi said, "But Ruyi is Yuwen Ye's wife."
Chu Yang said, "I still believe in you."
As he spoke, he walked towards her again, but this time, he no longer exuded that overwhelming, almost suffocating sense of oppression. Instead, he wore a gentle smile and gazed at her tenderly. When he stood before her and looked down at her pale face, there was even a hint of pity in his eyes: "You are different from them."
"..."
Shang Ruyi didn't even dare to ask anymore—who were they referring to?
It's different, but how is it different?
At this moment, she couldn't help but wonder if Chu Yang knew what he knew, if he knew what she had been plotting all along, would he still be able to say these words?
Who can he trust?
Just as she was in a state of utter confusion, Chu Yang chuckled softly at her and said, "What, are you frightened by my words?"
This time, they seemed even closer than before, and it wasn't until they were this close that Shang Ruyi suddenly smelled the aloof, cold fragrance emanating from him, which seemed to become an ethereal presence in the warm and inviting palace.
Her thoughts became increasingly ethereal.
She felt as if she wasn't afraid of him, yet at the same time, she felt incredibly afraid.
Just as she was wondering how to respond, a gentle, smiling voice suddenly came from behind the huge screen: "My esteemed guest was 'snatched' here by the Emperor, how could she not be afraid?"
The voice was originally gentle and pleasant, but it suddenly rang out in the quiet palace, in the tense atmosphere, which still startled the two people in the palace. Shang Ruyi hurriedly turned around and saw a dignified figure slowly walking in from behind the screen. It was Empress Jiang, who had just met her in the East Palace!
Upon seeing her, Shang Ruyi didn't know whether she was nervous or relieved, but she immediately knelt down and bowed: "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress!"
Chu Yang frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
He said lazily, "Why has the Empress come?"
Jiang Xinyue slowly entered the palace, but stopped just before stepping onto the huge map carpet, stopping right in front of Shang Ruyi. She then bowed to Chu Yang and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I summoned Ruyi to the palace to accompany you. I just had someone escort her out of the palace, but who knew that the person seeing her off was confused and brought her to His Majesty's warm pavilion instead. I was worried that she might startle His Majesty, so I came here to apologize to His Majesty and also to personally escort her out of the palace."
Chu Yang walked calmly to the edge of the enormous bed, sat down with a flick of his sleeve, and said, "The Empress is too cautious."
"..."
"Even if Shang Ruyi was sent to Nuanwu, this is not some dangerous place. She was just sent out of the palace after a short talk. Why is it worth the Empress coming to find her personally?"
"..."
Is it that important?
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Shang Ruyi is the young mistress of the Duke's mansion. Since I summoned her to the palace, I naturally have to ensure her safe departure. Of course, it is her good fortune that Your Majesty thinks highly of her and speaks to her."
"..."
"However, if His Majesty has finished speaking, let her leave the palace. It's snowing outside, and if she delays leaving the palace any longer, she might freeze."
Chu Yang no longer looked at them.
After a brief silence, he waved his hand and said, "Let's go."
Empress Jiang immediately bowed and said, "Yes."
After saying that, she lowered her head and said softly to Shang Ruyi, who was kneeling at her feet, "Ruyi, come with me."
At this moment, even Shang Ruyi, who was kneeling on the ground, breathed a long sigh of relief. The emperor and empress seemed to be discussing not her own fate, but her destiny. However, she couldn't get a word in edgewise. By the time she was finally allowed to speak, it was already time for them to take her away.
In the eyes of the Tian family, the coming and going, or even life and death of others, are probably insignificant.
Shang Ruyi replied, "Yes."
After saying this, she stood up, bowed to Chu Yang, and then followed Empress Jiang away.
As soon as we stepped out of the palace, we saw that it had started snowing outside. The snowflakes were falling in a flurry, and for a moment they dazzled our eyes.
Stepping out of the warm palace, the chill that enveloped her sent a shiver down her spine.
"You must have been terrified."
Empress Jiang's gentle, smiling voice came from beside her again. Shang Ruyi lowered her head carefully and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Empress Jiang said, "It is because my people have failed in their duties. From now on—"
She seemed to want to say something like, "This won't happen again," but before she could speak, she seemed to realize that she couldn't guarantee anything. She could only sigh softly at the snow-covered landscape before her and say, "Let's go."
After saying that, he stepped down the stairs.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly followed her downstairs.
However, as she was leaving, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but look back one last time.
It seemed that the moment I left, all the gates around the palace closed, blocking out all wind and rain, as if someone had suddenly shut themselves off.
There was no one left to confide in, and no one left to listen to his heart.
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