Chapter 158 I thought you were the same kind of person as me.
For the next two days, Shang Ruyi did not leave the courtyard.
It wasn't that she didn't want to go out, but in the past two days, the number of people passing by her small courtyard had suddenly increased, and these people's eyes were filled with contempt and disdain. They would often give her a disdainful look and then walk away with a smirk.
Shang Ruyi quickly understood what was going on.
Previously, when the Turkic army of 100,000 was pressing on the border, and life and death were at stake, even the most important matters had to be put aside. But now that the crisis has been resolved, and everyone has some free time, some unsavory rumors have gradually begun to circulate.
On this day, Tushe'er even overheard people whispering under the corner of the courtyard wall—
"Have you heard? His Majesty specially ordered that delicious food and useful items be sent here every day. Even the concubines in the harem do not receive such treatment."
"What can we do? They're capable."
"I've heard that the Second Young Master Yuwen is so angry that he hasn't even taken his medicine these past two days."
"The Second Young Master is such a person, I thought he would definitely marry a celestial beauty, who would have thought he would marry such a thing—"
Before they could finish speaking, a bucket of cold water was poured down from above, and the people who were speaking immediately screamed and ran away cursing.
Shang Ruyi stood under the eaves, her pale face expressionless. She watched as Tu She'er stormed back with a washbasin, and angrily said, "Hmph, if you keep gossiping, I'll throw the chamber pot at them next time!"
"..."
Seeing her defiant expression, Shang Ruyi smiled faintly.
Tushe'er said worriedly, "Miss, these rumors are so nasty, what will happen if they continue to spread?"
Shang Ruyi said calmly, "I can't control what others say."
"..."
"Do you think I'm going to pull out their tongues?"
Tushe'er sighed helplessly.
However, her words seemed to come true. On the third day, fewer people passed by outside. Even those who had no choice but to come in to serve dared not do anything improper, and did not even dare to look at Shang Ruyi. Tu She'er was very puzzled. When she went out to inquire, she found out that His Majesty the Emperor had ordered the tongues of several palace maids and eunuchs who were spreading rumors to be pulled out.
Everyone was in grave danger, and the rumors immediately stopped.
Although the result was satisfactory, Tushe'er was still quite frightened and cautiously told Shang Ruyi, "I heard that those people... didn't even make it through last night, they all died..."
Shang Ruyi looked solemn but couldn't say a word.
As evening approached, it got dark earlier in the north than in the central plains. After dinner, Tu She'er lit the candlesticks throughout the room. Looking back, she saw Shang Ruyi sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. So she asked, "Miss, would you like some hot tea?"
Shang Ruyi looked up at her and said, "No need, you can go and rest."
Tushe'er said, "It's still so early, Miss, don't you want me to keep you company?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head: "You may leave."
"..."
Tushe'er suddenly seemed to sense something. She looked at her, then at the gloomy sky outside, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Then, this servant will take her leave first. Miss... if you need anything, just call this servant."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
This girl, although she is sometimes impulsive and a bit silly, sometimes seems to be too clever for her own good.
After she left, the courtyard became even quieter.
There was not a sound of human voices inside or outside, only the wind howling over the courtyard wall, as if even the bright moon in the sky was about to be swept away by the wind.
Gradually, Shang Ruyi heard a very light footstep in the wind.
She immediately got up, and just as she reached the door, it was pushed open.
The first thing that greeted her was a familiar, desolate, and cold fragrance. Because of the cold wind, the fragrance became faint, but it still gave people a bone-chilling feeling. Shang Ruyi subconsciously shrank back. When she looked up again, she met a pair of slender, smiling phoenix eyes.
It is Chu Yang.
He wore a snow-white fox fur coat, the thick, fluffy down rubbing against his fair cheeks, which made him look even more noble and magnificent.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, this humble woman greets you."
Chu Yang's brows furrowed immediately: "Hmm?"
Hearing his voice, Shang Ruyi came back to her senses, thought for a moment, and said softly, "Ruyi greets Your Majesty."
A soft laugh sounded from above.
Chu Yang walked into the room beside her, and there was a rustling sound behind him. Then, he seemed to sit down on a couch on one side of the room and said, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shang Ruyi then got up, but did not close the door. When she turned around, she found that Chu Yang had already taken off his heavy fox fur coat and put it aside.
However, if the door wasn't closed, the cold wind would rush in and immediately turn his fingertips red.
He said, "Close the door."
"..."
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, but said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I cannot close this door."
Chu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly: "Why can't it be turned off?"
Shang Ruyi said, "If the door is not closed, there will be a cold draft; if the door is closed, there will be cold words."
"..."
A cold glint flashed in Chu Yang's eyes. After a long while, he said with a half-smile, "You are quite a cautious person."
"In a place where one might be suspicious, gossip can be a real danger."
Are you blaming me?
"Ruyi dares not, and besides, on that day, Ruyi was seriously injured and unconscious. If it weren't for His Majesty's protection, Ruyi would probably have already died."
"..."
"However, as long as one is alive, one cannot ignore rumors."
Upon hearing this, for some reason, a hint of coldness appeared in Chu Yang's eyes. After a long while, he said indifferently, "I thought you were the same kind of person as me."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi was startled. She couldn't help but look up at Chu Yang: "Your Majesty, are you someone who is not afraid of rumors?"
Chu Yang sneered, "If I were someone who fears rumors, then there would be many things I shouldn't do."
Shang Ruyi immediately understood that he was referring to the major events he had undertaken since ascending the throne, such as attacking Liaoxi, building the Eastern Capital, and even constructing the Grand Canal. Each of these events was controversial and criticized by the people, yet he still carried them out resolutely.
After pondering for a long time, Shang Ruyi said with a somber tone, "Your Majesty's resolute character is beyond the reach of ordinary people."
"..."
"But Ruyi is just a young woman confined to her quarters. All she can think about is her own little world and the family she cares about. She cannot reach His Majesty's far-sightedness."
Hearing her obviously distant words, Chu Yang frowned even more.
After a long silence, he sighed softly and said, "Never mind."
"..."
"You have rendered meritorious service in resisting the Turkic army and protecting the emperor this time."
"……ah?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback, and subconsciously said, "I... I didn't."
Chu Yang immediately frowned and looked at her. Shang Ruyi seemed to come back to her senses and quickly lowered her head. Chu Yang looked at her for a while before continuing, "I've thought about it, and I think you should be rewarded."
"..."
"Shang Ruyi, what reward do you desire?"
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