Chapter 1262 Know Yourself and Your Enemy
Inside the Crown Prince's residence and the Qi Prince's residence, people's hearts were divided, while the Qin Prince's residence was also almost in complete chaos.
Shen Tu Tai and the others had previously disagreed with Yuwen Ye's retreat to Luoyang, but at least at that time Yuwen Ye was still discussing things with them, and everyone wanted to find a proper solution. However, they did not expect that this time, the emperor would directly issue an edict to cut off their retreat.
They must go to Luoyang!
This result thoroughly enraged some people. As dusk fell and twilight descended, the atmosphere in the council chamber grew increasingly somber.
A loud bang echoed through the hall as someone slammed their hand on the table, followed by Shen Tu Tai's furious voice: "You son of a bitch!"
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this.
In fact, no one was surprised.
Shi Yuxin, who was sitting opposite him, looked up at him and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Brother Shentu, keep your voice down."
Shen Tu Tai was already furious, looking like a raging tiger. Hearing her advice, he frowned but did not refute her. Shang Ruyi, sitting in the main hall, calmly said, "Don't worry, everyone. There are strict rules in my manor."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt relieved, but their hearts also skipped a beat.
Princess Qin's words were not meant to tell Shen Tu Tai not to say such treasonous things, nor were they to agree with Shi Yuxin and tell him to keep his voice down. They were simply to tell him that no one in this mansion would dare to spread rumors.
In other words, everyone can speak freely, including what Shen Tu Tai just said.
All eyes immediately turned to the Prince of Qin beside her, but Yuwen Ye did not refute the statement, nor did he respond; he simply sat there silently without uttering a word.
Shen Tu Tai asked, "Your Highness, what exactly are your plans?"
Yuwen Ye looked up at him and said, "We only have ten days to prepare."
Shen Tu Tai was somewhat annoyed: "Are you really going to leave?"
The boy sitting next to him gently tugged at his sleeve, while Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "General Shentu, please don't be in a hurry. These ten days are indeed the time His Majesty has given us, but whether we prepare to go to Luoyang or do something else is still up to us to decide."
After she finished speaking, she also glanced at Yuwen Ye.
Hearing Yuwen Yuan's arrangements from the carriage, she knew that this had thoroughly broken Yuwen Ye's heart. He would no longer obediently listen to her, which was why he immediately summoned everyone to his residence to discuss countermeasures. However, beyond reason, he still had a concern: given his current status and position, if he really did something, he might leave a lasting stain on his reputation in history.
This is a heavier stone weighing on his heart now than filial piety or brotherly love.
If they really make a move, if blood really stains Chang'an...
He can't possibly escape being infamous for all eternity!
However, those around him couldn't understand his subtle thoughts, especially the several soldiers who were already red-eyed with anxiety. After some discussion, Shen Tu Tai finally spoke up: "Your Highness, this time the Emperor is clearly trying to suppress you. If you retreat to Luoyang without taking Shangdang and Puban, you'll just be waiting to be beaten in the future. Rather than waiting until then, we should take advantage of the initiative now and strike first!"
Finally, Yuwen Ye spoke, but said calmly, "Whether to strike first or later depends on the situation, but I have a habit before I make a move."
Shen Wuzheng, who was standing to the side, said, "Your Highness is used to knowing yourself and your enemy."
Yuwen Ye nodded and said, "Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle."
Shen Tu Tai frowned even more: "But the emperor's decree has already been issued, it's crystal clear, what else do you want to know?"
Shan Tong'er gently tugged at his sleeve again, while Shi Yuxin, sitting opposite him, seemed to have thought of something and said, "The Emperor's decree is indeed clear, but besides the Emperor, this matter concerns the Crown Prince and Prince Qi... We cannot be unaware of their plans."
Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan's eyes lit up: "Yes, Xiao Yuansui has already arrived at the Crown Prince's residence."
It was only at this moment that Shen Tu Tai and the others came to their senses from their rage and remembered their previous discussion about Xiao Yuan Sui.
Shen Tu Tai immediately took a deep breath, calmed down a bit, and sat back down in his seat.
Yuwen Ye said, "Given the actions of the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and the Prince of Qi, they may not believe that I would just obediently go to Luoyang. I suspect they will make some arrangements."
Shen Tu Tai said, "But how can we know what they want to do?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps sounded outside. Everyone looked up and saw a servant hurrying in from outside, walking directly to Yuwen Ye's side and whispering a few words in his ear.
Yuwen Ye's eyes flickered.
The servant spoke in a low voice, and even though Shang Ruyi was sitting right next to him, she could only vaguely hear words like "at the side door" and "injured," as if someone was coming to see him. Upon hearing this, Yuwen Ye immediately stood up and said to Shang Ruyi, "I'll go out and take a look first."
The person Yuwen Ye would meet at this crucial moment must be an important figure, or rather, something important must be happening.
So Shang Ruyi said, "Go ahead."
Yuwen Ye immediately led the servant out quickly.
As soon as he left, the remaining people frowned, wondering why he had left at this time. Shang Ruyi looked at the expressions of the people and then at the gloomy sky outside, and said, "It's getting late. I'll have someone prepare dinner. Let's all eat in the palace later."
Everyone readily agreed.
They often ate and drank at the Prince of Qin's residence. Sometimes, when they discussed matters late into the night, they would simply sleep there. The Princess Consort always made sure to take good care of them, so they didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
So Shang Ruyi took Tu She'er down to the kitchen and personally instructed them to prepare food for more than a dozen people, especially more meat and desserts. The kitchen staff immediately got to work. Shang Ruyi then walked back, and just as she reached the entrance of the council hall, she saw Yuwen Ye walking back from a small path leading to the side gate.
As dusk deepened, his face seemed even more somber than the twilight itself, his cold, stern eyes revealing an indescribable gravity.
More importantly, Shang Ruyi noticed that he was tightly clutching something in his hand, which looked like a jade pendant. Upon closer inspection, the jade pendant seemed somewhat familiar.
Shang Ruyi said, "Oh, this isn't my third brother's—"
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