Chapter 126 Feeling Like a Thorn in My Back
Shang Ruyi looked up and saw an older eunuch. Although he was the one who spoke, he was clearly speaking on behalf of the emperor. So she quickly replied, "Your subject, Shang Ruyi."
Where is Yuwen Ye?
Sure enough, I got the answer.
For some reason, despite the presence of so many people, the emperor immediately questioned Yuwen Ye upon arrival, as if he were the one being specifically observed. Shang Ruyi lowered her head and said softly, "My husband... he still has some matters to attend to, he'll be there soon."
The eunuch then asked, "His Majesty has arrived. Is he going to make everyone wait for him alone?"
"..."
At this moment, Shang Ruyi felt both angry and frustrated.
If it weren't for the emperor and eunuchs in front of her, she would have loved to tell them clearly, word by word, that the one who left Yuwen Ye behind was His Majesty the Emperor's daughter, the golden-branched and jade-leafed Princess Xinyue. Instead of asking her, she should ask them!
But how could I possibly say those words?
Even if she could disregard her own pride, these words would hurt the princess, or rather, the royal family's pride. If she truly angered the emperor, she might fall under his blade before the world descended into chaos.
And there were her uncle and aunt, and her brother, who were already suffering...
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi could only bite her lower lip and say in a deep voice, "Yes, it was your fault for not advising me properly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The rustling sounds from inside the carriage seemed to come from someone leaning against the window, whispering something to the eunuch.
Then the eunuch's shrill voice continued, "Then we'll wait for Young Master Yuwen. If he doesn't arrive by the appointed time, don't blame the Emperor for punishing him for deceiving the Emperor."
Shang Ruyi lowered her head, her forehead almost touching the ground: "Yes."
And so, the entire North Gate fell silent.
At this point, everyone had figured out a bit of the situation. The emperor had asked Yuwen Ye first as soon as he arrived, as if he was deliberately making things difficult for him. But if he was clearly making things difficult for him, why didn't he send someone to find him or punish him directly? Instead, he was keeping an eye on his wife.
All eyes were now on the young mistress of the Yuwen family.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi understood more than anyone else, at any time, what it meant to feel like she was being pricked by thorns. It wasn't just the strange looks from the people around her, but also the gaze from the golden carriage parked in front of her, which seemed to be staring at her through a thin veil. Every thorn was like a needle, making her suffer immensely.
Time passed little by little.
Shang Ruyi felt as if all the blood in her body was slowly being drained away during this long wait.
Why hasn't Yuwen Ye arrived yet?
Even though she knew she had already made the exchange, she couldn't help feeling resentful. She wanted nothing more than to grab him and ask him, "What important thing do you have to say at this time? What important thing do you have to do at this time?"
Finally, it was time to depart.
The eunuch said coldly, "Has Yuwen Ye not arrived yet?"
Shang Ruyi panicked immediately and quickly knelt up straight: "Your Excellency, Eunuch,"
As she spoke, she looked at the golden carriage behind the eunuch. Through the layers of gauze curtains, she could vaguely see the figures inside. Shang Ruyi boldly said, "Your Majesty, my husband must have something important to attend to. I hope Your Majesty can grant me some more time."
Lei Yu, who was beside her, also said, "Yes, Your Majesty, please wait a little longer."
Although it was just a sentence, Shang Ruyi still looked at her gratefully—at this moment, she was more isolated and helpless than ever before, and even her only "husband" was not by her side. It was Lei Yu who was willing to say a word for her.
Just as the two were pleading, a person suddenly ran up from the street.
Upon closer inspection, it was none other than the little eunuch sent by Princess Xinyue to invite Yuwen Ye away.
He hunched over and carefully ran to the golden carriage, whispering a few words to the eunuch. The eunuch frowned, glared at the young eunuch, and then turned back to the carriage shaft, whispering a few words inside.
Shang Ruyi was kneeling closest and faintly heard words like "princess" and "Yuwen Ye".
Her heart was pounding even harder than before.
The entire north gate fell silent once again. No one dared to speak, and everyone even breathed cautiously. The only sound was the whistling of the wind blowing through the gate.
After an unknown amount of time, a long, helpless sigh echoed from inside the golden carriage.
"well--"
Upon hearing this voice, Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
Why does this voice sound so familiar?
She subconsciously looked up, wanting to peek into the golden carriage, but the layers of gauze curtains still obscured the person inside, leaving only a blurry outline. If she looked any further, the eunuch would turn around and glare at her, so she could only lower her head immediately.
The person inside the car spoke a few more words in a low voice, as if giving instructions.
A moment later, the eunuch walked over, glanced around as if to make sure everyone else was present, and said, "Prepare to depart!"
"...?!"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback, and hurriedly raised her head: "Your Excellency, what about my husband—"
The eunuch gave her a cold glance before saying, "Young Master Yuwen will set off later."
Shang Ruyi immediately frowned.
She suddenly remembered that she had heard people say that there were many people on this tour of the northern frontier. In order to avoid traffic jams and accidents on the road, they were split into two groups. If Yuwen Ye was with the princess and the second group set off, wouldn't he be separated from them?
Thinking about it, Shang Ruyi felt a tightness in her chest again. She subconsciously reached out and grabbed her clothes, taking a deep breath.
Then he said in a deep voice, "Yes."
The eunuch gave her another cold look before turning to the group behind him and shouting, "Let's go!"
At this command, everyone at the North Gate sprang into action. Some got into carriages, others mounted horses. Lei Yu seemed to want to say something to her, but it was too late. He could only immediately mount his horse and lead his men into the procession.
Shang Ruyi immediately boarded the carriage, and soon their entourage followed behind the imperial carriage, slowly making their way out of the city with the main force.
Just as they were passing through the city gate, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but lift the curtain and look back.
Behind them was a long line that stretched as far as the eye could see, a dense crowd, but the faces of those numb people were all blurred, and she couldn't find a single face that could put her at ease.
At this moment, Tushe'er, who was standing beside the carriage, looked at her with a worried expression and whispered, "Miss, we—"
"..."
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, and after a long while, gave a bitter smile.
"We have to walk the road ahead on our own."
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