Chapter 752 Ash Falling from the Sky?
In the blink of an eye, it got dark.
When Yuwen Ye returned to the brightly lit Qianqiu Palace, there was still a hint of doubt in his eyes. When he saw Shang Ruyi sitting on the couch reading a book, but no one was serving her, he heard some voices coming from the row of rooms behind the main hall. So he went over and asked, "What happened today?"
As he spoke, he took off his heavy outer garment. Shang Ruyi got up to take it from him, but he pushed her hand away, threw the garment on the rack, and then turned back to pull Shang Ruyi's still warm hand back to sit on the bed. He looked around and, making sure that Tu She'er, who was always by her side, was not there, he vaguely sensed something and said, "When I came back just now, I heard a commotion at Jin Yu Yuan, and it's happening here too."
"..."
"What exactly happened?"
Shang Ruyi knew she couldn't hide it from him, and besides, this was something she needed to discuss with him, so she said softly, "I've told you, but you absolutely mustn't tell Father Emperor."
Yuwen Ye frowned upon hearing this.
He nodded nonetheless, and Shang Ruyi then told him everything that had happened that day. Yuwen Ye's brows furrowed more and more as he listened, and when he heard Shang Ruyi say that both sides should investigate their own people, his brows furrowed into a knot.
He immediately said, "You—"
Before he could finish speaking, Shang Ruyi said, "Don't worry, I haven't eaten a single bite."
"..."
"Not only did I not eat it, but I also discovered it early enough that I didn't even touch it."
Hearing this guarantee, Yuwen Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief, but anger rose on his face. He came from a military background and had an inherent domineering aura. When he got angry, he exuded a murderous aura that seemed to be clearly visible, making Shang Ruyi's breathing somewhat suppressed.
Yuwen Ye himself seemed to realize this, frowning and trying to relax his breathing, then asked Shang Ruyi, "Have you found anything?"
Shang Ruyi sighed and said, "It's not that I'm being biased, but that thing only passed through Chang Wan's hands once it was delivered, and I even watched it arrive before it was in front of me. What could possibly be found out?"
"..."
Yuwen Ye remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "It's not her fault either."
Shang Ruyi blinked.
Although she believed in Chu Ruoyan in her heart, there were some things that could not be clearly explained by mere description. Outsiders would need some time to think about them, but Yuwen Ye made a judgment so hastily.
So he asked, "You trust her that much?"
Yuwen Ye turned to look at her, about to say something, when Tushe'er and Changwan had already returned to the main hall. As soon as they saw Yuwen Ye return, they immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.
Yuwen Ye asked, "How is it?"
Chang Wan said, "Your Highness, we have searched all the people and houses in the backyard, but we have not found a single speck of Five Elements Grass ash."
This result was hardly unexpected. Shang Ruyi calmly said, "I understand."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Everyone knows it's not a problem on their side; it can only be a problem with where that thing came from. But Yuwen Ye just said it couldn't have been Chu Ruoyan who did it, so—
At this moment, although Yuwen Ye's brows were still slightly furrowed, his expression had calmed down considerably. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Let's have dinner first. If there's still no news from over there after dinner, I'll go and check it out myself."
Upon hearing this, Tusheer and Changwan immediately went down to prepare the dishes.
Shang Ruyi hesitated and said, "You want to go? You'd better not get involved in this matter."
Yuwen Ye looked at her: "Hmm?"
Shang Ruyi said, "This matter is just—a matter in the backyard."
The implication is that men shouldn't interfere.
Yuwen Ye frowned and said, "If it were just a conflict between the two of you, I wouldn't care. But this matter clearly indicates that someone is trying to harm you. I can't ignore it."
As he spoke, his hands clenched tightly, his knuckles cracking.
Shang Ruyi knew that Yuwen Ye must be angry that someone dared to harm her like this, but he was only suppressing his anger for the time being because he hadn't found out the truth yet. But she hesitated for a moment and still said softly, "But I told Madam Chu to give her one night to investigate and give me the results tomorrow."
Yuwen Ye shook his head and said, "You're too lenient. Why wait until tomorrow for something like this?"
"..."
"Although her Golden Jade Garden has many people, it's not a big place. Whether it's good or bad, we should be able to give an explanation before midnight."
Shang Ruyi blinked.
Just now, Yuwen Ye directly stated that it wasn't Chu Ruoyan's problem, which sounded like he was very assertively protecting her. But now, his words seem to confirm that it's their problem, and he won't even give her one night's notice. Is he protecting Chu Ruoyan, or is he doubting her?
Although she had some doubts, this was not a trivial matter that needed to be resolved at this time, so Shang Ruyi did not ask any further questions. Soon after, the Imperial Kitchen staff brought in dinner, and the two sat down to eat.
Although she was tired and a little hungry after a long day, Shang Ruyi was preoccupied and didn't eat much.
Just as they finished eating, Tushe'er came in from outside, carrying a tray with a stew pot on it, the lid tightly closed. Even before opening the lid, one could feel the steaming heat and sweet aroma emanating from the stew pot.
Shang Ruyi said, "This is—"
Tushe'er glanced at Yuwen Ye and said, "It was His Highness who ordered the Imperial Kitchen to make the sweet soup."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi knew that he was worried that she wouldn't be able to eat much during the meal and would be hungry again in the evening, so he specially asked the Imperial Kitchen to prepare these sweet soups. So she smiled and looked at him, while Yuwen Ye had a stern face and said indifferently, "I was afraid that you would be hungry in the evening and bother me. Besides, haven't you been liking sweet and sour things lately?"
Shang Ruyi smiled so much her eyes crinkled: "Mm."
Yuwen Ye shook his head, while Shang Ruyi lifted the lid and immediately smelled a sweet aroma. She couldn't help but think of the hawthorn cakes that Chu Ruoyan had brought her during the day, and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Yuwen Ye asked, "What's wrong?"
Shang Ruyi took the spoon offered by Tushe'er, took a sip, and found the sweet soup to be smooth and not overly sweet, making it very refreshing. Thinking of the bright red hawthorn cake, she imagined it would be even more delicious with its sweet and sour flavor. She then said softly, "Actually, the hawthorn cake that Madam Chu sent today looked quite nice, it's just a pity..."
Yuwen Ye paused for a moment, then said, "This is the first time she's cooked for someone."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi fell silent. In fact, from Pan Qing's words today, she had somewhat understood Chu Ruoyan's thoughts. Just like what Chu Ruoyan had said to her when they first entered the palace, she had accepted her fate and intended to get along well with her. Therefore, she wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to her.
For a princess who was once born into wealth and privilege to do this is truly remarkable.
Unfortunately—
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but sigh, "It's such a pity that all her feelings were wasted."
Yuwen Ye remained silent for a moment, but didn't say much, only saying, "Drink some while it's hot, I'll go check on Jinyuyuan."
After saying that, he got up and went to wash his hands. Upon seeing this, Changwan immediately brought him hot water and a towel.
Shang Ruyi didn't have much of an appetite during the meal, but the sweet soup was sweet and soothing, and tasted even better. She drank several sips and felt refreshed and comfortable. Then, remembering something, she turned to Tu She'er and asked, "By the way, why did you get this?"
Normally, the food prepared by the Imperial Kitchen would be delivered by palace servants, and Tu She'er and the others would simply receive and arrange it in Qianqiu Palace. But just now, she went there herself.
Tushe'er immediately said, "I don't trust anyone else, I'd better go and get it myself."
Clearly, after today's events, she had become more vigilant.
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh: "There's no need to be so careful."
Tushe'er disagreed, saying in a low voice, "It can't be done carelessly. If it weren't for Lord Su being there today, and the Princess Consort had actually eaten that stuff, what would have happened?"
As she spoke, she leaned closer to Shang Ruyi and whispered, "When I passed by Jinyu Garden just now, I saw several people running around aimlessly, as if they were looking for something."
"oh?"
"I wonder what they'll find, and how we'll explain it to the princess tomorrow."
Shang Ruyi frowned slightly, as if deep in thought.
As Tushe'er spoke, she sighed again and said, "Anyway, I don't trust outsiders now. Things in the palace are very strange."
"..."
"I have no idea where that grass ash from today came from."
As she spoke, she became increasingly puzzled and worried, muttering, "I even told Changwan and Woxue that it was fine, it wasn't dust falling from the sky. Besides, even if it were dust falling from the sky, there's a lid, isn't there? How did it end up on the hawthorn cake?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's hand holding the spoon sank, and the spoon hit the rim of the bowl, making a "clink" sound.
Yuwen Ye washed his hands and returned, just as he was about to go out, when he heard this. He immediately stopped and turned to look at Tu She'er, then at Shang Ruyi.
Their eyes met, and a spark seemed to fly between them.
The next moment, Shang Ruyi suddenly said, "She'er, go and get that box again."
"ah?"
Tushe'er was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted and turned to take it. Just as she took a step, Yuwen Ye said again, "Be careful when you take it, don't bump it."
Tushe'er became increasingly puzzled, wondering what the two of them had thought of, but still hurried downstairs.
Yuwen Ye did not leave. Instead, he walked back to the table and sat down. When the two looked at each other, their eyes became sharp and serious.
A short while later, the box was returned.
Hearing Yuwen Ye's words, Tu She'er handled the item very carefully, putting it down without making a sound. When the item was in front of them, the two fell silent for a moment. Shang Ruyi then asked, "Shall you do it, or shall I?"
Yuwen Ye took a deep breath: "I'll do it."
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