Chapter 187 Entering the Palace
His expression changed so drastically that Shang Ruyi couldn't even convince herself it was just her imagination. As soon as Tushe'er left the room, she immediately asked, "What's wrong?"
"..."
But Yuwen Ye remained silent, not even glancing at her. He picked up the cup, drank it all in one gulp, turned around, and lay down in front of the bed.
Shang Ruyi was somewhat bewildered again.
What's wrong with him? He was in a bad mood when he came back today. He had just calmed down a bit, but when a cup of tea was brought to him, he didn't say a word. How come it seems like he upset him again?
Shang Ruyi felt that this person's temper was becoming increasingly difficult to understand, but when she thought that he was about to go to war, she didn't want to argue with him.
He sighed, drank his tea, and went to sleep.
The next day, she woke up even earlier than Yuwen Ye, thus avoiding the trouble of sharing a bed with him for the maids to see. However, for some reason, Yuwen Ye's mood did not improve after a whole night. From washing up to getting dressed, he didn't say a single word to her.
They escorted Yuwen Yuan to the main gate.
Because during the last campaign against Liaodong, Yuwen Yuan only supervised the transport of grain in Liaoxi and did not bring many of his own troops, so this time when he returned to Taiyuan, he traveled light, with only a few carriages and a group of people escorting him. Of course, he also took some servants from his home with him, including Aunt Hui.
Yuwen Yuan stood at the gate and gave Yuwen Ye some more detailed instructions before turning to get into the carriage.
Before boarding the carriage, he thought for a moment, then turned back to Shang Ruyi and said, "Ruyi, you must be careful in everything you do while you stay in Luoyang, especially—"
As he spoke, he glanced westward and then said, "We must not be careless."
The Yuwen family's residence in Luoyang was located in the most bustling and prosperous East Market, and not far to the west was the Ziwei Palace, which was the imperial palace built by Chu Yang in the eastern capital.
Shang Ruyi immediately understood and said softly, "Father, please rest assured."
Yuwen Yuan added, "You are still young. If you are unsure about important matters, consult with your elders."
"yes."
It seemed that he was most worried about and concerned about this daughter-in-law. After giving his final instructions, he sighed, turned around, and got into the carriage. Soon, the group left the Yuwen residence and slowly disappeared into the morning light.
As soon as Yuwen Yuan's men disappeared, Yuwen Cheng, who had been standing sullenly to the side, immediately jumped up: "Oh, Father's gone!"
Yuwen Ye immediately frowned and turned to look at him: "Father is gone, but I'm still here. Don't think you can slack off. Hurry back and eat breakfast, then go to school!"
"Second brother, Dad has finally left, please let me play for one day."
"No, go now!"
Yuwen Cheng probably knew that he was incorruptible, so he could only mutter as he was led back by several maids and servants. Yuwen Ye watched his back disappear into the mansion before turning around.
Turning around, I met a pair of gentle and calm eyes beside me.
Shang Ruyi asked, "Do you still have errands to run today?"
Yuwen Ye gave a stiff "hmm".
At this moment, Mu Xian and the others had already brought their horses over. Yuwen Ye walked down the steps, mounted his horse, and left the Yuwen residence with his men. Shang Ruyi stood at the gate, watching his figure disappear at the end of the long street. When she turned back, she saw only an empty gate and an even quieter courtyard behind her, and she was stunned.
In fact, Yuwen Yuan's departure had no impact on her life. Although Yuwen Yuan was a Duke, his family was not very strict. After Shang Ruyi married into the family, she was exempted from the morning and evening greetings. She lived a much freer life than most wives in powerful families. So now that Yuwen Yuan had left, she felt a sense of being too free and at a loss.
However, things will inevitably turn into their opposites when they reach an extreme.
Just as she was staying at home, somewhat bored, the gatekeeper suddenly came to report—someone from the palace has arrived!
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi was so frightened that she immediately jumped up.
Tushe'er, who was beside her, was also startled and stammered, "Miss, why are there people from the palace again? The Duke is not here, and the son-in-law is out too, what should we do?"
Although it was somewhat sudden, Shang Ruyi composed herself and hurriedly said, "Let's go out first and talk to them when we see them."
So he immediately straightened his clothes and hurried to the hall.
Upon entering, she saw a tall, thin, and relatively young eunuch standing inside with his hands in his pockets. Shang Ruyi walked over and hurriedly said, "Eunuch."
Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, the eunuch greeted her with a beaming smile: "Madam, I am very pleased."
Shang Ruyi was slightly taken aback, but then she remembered that Guan Yunmu had passed away, and to outsiders, she could already be called "Madam Yuwen".
She composed herself, quickly returned the greeting, and invited him to sit down and have some tea. The eunuch declined with a smile, saying, "I've come with a message from Her Majesty the Empress, so let's not delay any longer. Madam, Her Majesty the Empress has been very fond of you since her meeting with you in Yanmen County. She wishes to invite you to the palace for a chat. Would you be willing?"
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
She then remembered that a few days ago Yuwen Yuan had mentioned that when he finished the morning court and was about to leave the palace, the Empress had sent someone to tell him that she wanted him to come into the palace to talk to her. She didn't expect that the imperial decree would come so soon.
Moreover, who would dare to refuse the Empress's summons?
Although Shang Ruyi felt a little uneasy, she immediately smiled and said, "It is my honor to have gained Your Majesty's favor. However, I haven't had time to do my makeup yet—"
The eunuch smiled and said, "Madam is so elegant and graceful; even her everyday clothes are very appropriate."
"..."
It seems there's no way to avoid it now, and there's no time to prepare anything for her anymore.
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and then smiled, "Then, please lead the way, Father-in-law."
The eunuch immediately raised his hand: "Please, Madam."
So, Shang Ruyi took Tushe'er and the eunuch and went out together. They found that there was already a beautifully decorated carriage waiting outside. Judging from its design, it was indeed a palace carriage. So she took Tushe'er and got into the carriage. Soon, the eunuch also got on the horse next to him, and they left the Yuwen residence together with the carriage.
Heading west, after passing several streets, the surroundings gradually became quieter and quieter.
Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a tall palace gate.
However, this is not the main gate of Ziwei Palace, but the Xuanren Gate on the east side. The eunuch said with a smile, "Madam, once you enter the palace gate, you can no longer take the carriage. You will have to work hard. Also, the servants can only follow you this far."
Shang Ruyi quickly replied, "That's the rule."
After saying that, he turned back and gave Tushe'er two instructions, telling her to stay there and wait, and then followed the eunuch into the building.
Upon entering the palace gate, they found themselves surrounded by towering palace walls, offering limited views. Yet, the path beneath their feet seemed even longer and more expansive than the main streets of the surrounding market. They walked onward, passing through a spacious square and then through another gate.
Before them appeared a magnificent palace.
The palace was several meters high from the bottom, with no side halls or side halls around it. It was heavily guarded, with guards every three steps and sentries every five steps. Countless eunuchs were running back and forth with their heads down.
The eunuch said, "This is the Left Treasury Palace."
Shang Ruyi nodded cautiously, but did not respond to her words.
She had vaguely heard that the Left Treasury Palace was the treasury of the Daye Dynasty, and was naturally much more important than other palaces. As for such a sensitive place, she didn't ask any questions or even glance at it. She just kept her head down and followed the eunuch forward.
After passing Zuozang Palace, the road ahead seemed even longer.
The eunuch smiled and said, "Madam, please be a little more patient. We'll go around to Anning Gate now. Once we pass through Anning Gate, we'll reach the East Palace."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Yes."
This stretch of road was longer than the previous one. The towering palace walls on both sides resembled two rows of tall and valiant guards, expressionless, their cold gazes fixed on them. The more Shang Ruyi walked, the lighter her steps became, but she could not conceal the echoes of her footsteps within the palace walls, which only made people more uneasy.
Finally, a palace gate appeared ahead, which was Anning Gate.
Just as the eunuch was about to lead her through the palace gate, Shang Ruyi suddenly looked up and saw what appeared to be an even larger and more imposing palace gate several hundred paces ahead. She couldn't help but ask, "Eunuch, what's that over there—"
The eunuch also glanced at it and laughed, "That's Xuanwu Gate."
"Xuanwu... Gate?"
"yes,"
As the eunuch led her inside, he said with a smile, “Madam, I wonder if you have ever been to Daxing City? This Ziwei Palace was built by His Majesty based on the Daxing Palace in Xijing Daxing City. All the palaces and gates are the same as those in the Xijing Imperial Palace—except that the Xuanwu Gate of Daxing Palace is much larger and more imposing than this one. You will know when you have the opportunity to visit Xijing.”
Shang Ruyi's mind was a bit of a mess. After a long while, she finally responded in a low voice, "Yes."
Seeing her somewhat dazed expression, the eunuch assumed she was shocked by what she saw upon entering the palace, so he said nothing more and led her forward. Before long, they arrived outside the Empress's palace.
The palace is very spacious, and although it is not towering or tall, it exudes a sense of tranquility.
Several doors and windows were tightly closed, except for the middle door, which was slightly ajar, as if it had been waiting for her arrival. The eunuch led Shang Ruyi over, reported inside, and immediately two young and beautiful palace maids came out and politely led Shang Ruyi inside.
As soon as she entered, a warm fragrance wafted over, and the gentle warmth immediately soothed Shang Ruyi.
Looking up, the palace before me was exquisite and spacious. A huge screen divided the palace into inner and outer rooms. The screen was made of solid wood, so the inside could not be seen. However, in general, the palace was for the inner quarters and the outer quarters for guests, so guests could not enter the inner room at will. In the outer room of the palace, there were several couches, as well as various incense burners, braziers and exquisite lamps, which were obviously used by the empress to receive her subjects.
And sitting upright at the top, dressed in brocade robes and with a dignified appearance, was none other than Empress Jiang!
Shang Ruyi hurriedly stepped forward and kowtowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress!"
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