Chapter 575 Marriage Alliance
Pushing open the door and entering the room, Shang Ruyi immediately saw three men sitting around the table. Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng sat on either side, while Pei Xingyuan sat directly opposite the door. None of the three had any expression, but there was a silent, oppressive atmosphere in the room, making it hard to breathe.
When she pushed the door open and came in, Yuwen Ye simply nodded slightly, while Shen Wuzheng said softly, "Ruyi, you're back."
"Yes, brother, Feng Chen."
Shang Ruyi nodded, closed the door behind her, and went over to sit down.
It was only then that she realized something was wrong with Pei Xingyuan.
Although one could tell from the atmosphere in the room that Yuwen Ye must have brought back some bad news from the palace, which was why he had called the two of them to his home to discuss it, the atmosphere was never as oppressive as it was when they were scheming about the medicinal herbs they had and the yet-to-be-seen Yu Mingyue. Moreover, Pei Xingyuan was usually the type to smile and tell you to squat down if the sky were to fall.
But today, he sat there silently, his expression complex, a mixture of joy and anger. His usually smiling eyes were lowered, his gaze blank, as if a thousand emotions had just washed over him, leaving only a weary, somewhat broken shell.
Shang Ruyi asked instinctively, "What's wrong?"
"..."
No one answered her.
Shang Ruyi seemed to know she shouldn't ask, but she couldn't help herself and turned to look at Yuwen Ye again—
Today, Yuwen Yuan summoned him to the palace to discuss the matter after news from the Turks arrived. Why was the atmosphere like this when he came out and discussed the matter with these two people?
What extraordinary event has happened?
Just as she was about to ask, but hesitated to do so, she suddenly heard a soft laugh from inside the room.
"Hey, what's so hard to say?"
The one speaking was Pei Xingyuan.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly looked up at him, her gaze involuntarily becoming cautious. Even Shen Wuzheng, standing beside her, frowned slightly and whispered, "Xingyuan..."
Pei Xingyuan smiled, then said to Shang Ruyi, "You should also know this. The letter from Princess Qiancheng tells the Grand Chancellor that the Western Turks have suddenly begun to mobilize their troops, and it seems they are about to launch an attack on someone."
"……oh."
Shang Ruyi responded, her doubts deepening.
Isn't this the conclusion that can be deduced simply from hearing the news of Princess Qiancheng's letter? After all, given Ashina Shali's vengeful nature, it's impossible for him not to seek revenge for the arrow that Yuwen Ye shot him back then.
Why would it be worthwhile to specifically seek them out for discussion?
What is it about them that warrants such emotions?
After thinking for a moment, Shang Ruyi could only cautiously ask, "So, Ashina Shali is going to send troops against us, is that right?"
Pei Xingyuan laughed and said, "Of course."
"..."
"Currently, the strongest force in the Central Plains—besides Wang Shao and his brothers, who are still on their way and have not yet returned, and their hundreds of thousands of troops—is us."
"..."
"We can't possibly take action against Dongdu, can we?"
"..."
Mentioning Dongdu, Shang Ruyi's breathing unconsciously quickened.
In the Eastern Capital, Liang Shide...
The Western Turks would certainly not attack Luoyang, because Liang Shide had united the Wanggangzhai and Western Turk forces, especially receiving a large amount of horse aid from the Western Turks, which allowed him to occupy the entire Hebei province, and then march south to occupy Luoyang.
This was also because his strength had greatly increased, even attracting the attention of General Lei Yi and his daughter, the Left Imperial Guards General sent by the court to quell the rebellion—
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a tingling sensation in her back.
She subconsciously held her breath and looked up at Pei Xingyuan, only to see his eyelids droop once again. At this moment, Yuwen Ye spoke up in a deep voice, saying, "Princess Qiancheng's letter mentioned something else."
"What's up?"
"The Western Turks and Liang Shide have already formed a marriage alliance, so at least for now, the Western Turks will definitely not take action against the Eastern Capital."
"A marriage alliance...?"
Shang Ruyi's breathing quickened, and she whispered, "Who is it? With whom?"
Yuwen Ye's brows furrowed slightly, and for the first time, a look of hesitation and helplessness appeared on his usually cold and stern face. Even Shen Wuzheng, who was standing next to him, sighed silently.
Then, a laughing voice was heard saying, "It's Lei Yu."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi's breath caught in her throat.
She looked up, somewhat incredulous, but perhaps she already understood. It was only at this moment that the huge stone hanging over her heart finally fell and struck her with a sharp pain. She took a deep breath, wanting to say something, but felt her throat tighten. She took another deep breath, but when she tried to speak, her eyes were so hot that she couldn't see the person in front of her.
She could only sense that Pei Xingyuan was still smiling, but that smile seemed to hurt even more than the sharp pain in her heart.
He repeated, "It's Lei Yu."
"..."
“A few days ago, she married Ashina Yiasu, the little prince of the Western Turks.”
"..."
“Liang Shide and the Western Turks already had dealings, and now with this marriage alliance, the alliance is even more solid. Therefore, this time, it is we who need to be wary of the Western Turks…”
He seemed very serious and solemn as he spoke these words, yet there was a hint of woodenness in his voice. For a moment, Shang Ruyi didn't know whether the shock of the news was greater or the inexplicable bitterness that welled up in her heart was deeper. She could only quietly watch Pei Xingyuan until his voice grew softer and softer, as if his breath was weakening.
Yuwen Ye said softly, "Xingyuan..."
He could be sharp-tongued, leaving even someone like Yu Mingyue speechless in his presence, but at times, it seemed impossible for a man to utter his words.
After hesitating for a while, his voice also lowered.
Meanwhile, Shen Wuzheng remained silent, simply watching Pei Xingyuan without uttering a word.
She glanced at them, then at Pei Xingyuan, and said nothing. But when she heard familiar footsteps outside the door, she got up and went out. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Tu She'er carrying tea and snacks. Upon seeing her, she immediately smiled and said, "Miss, you're back. The young master, the young master, and Young Master Pei have all returned together. This servant—"
Shang Ruyi glanced down at the tea and snacks in her hand and said softly, "Go and change them."
"Huh? Change what?"
"Bring some more wine. And have the kitchen prepare some side dishes."
"...?"
Tushe'er was stunned, but seeing Shang Ruyi's serious expression, although she didn't understand why, she immediately said, "This servant understands, this servant will go right away."
After saying that, he turned and walked away.
Soon after, the food and drinks were served.
Yuwen Ye almost never drinks during the day, but this time he made an exception and accompanied him. Even Shen Wuzheng, who never drinks, drank a few cups. After his eyes and nose turned slightly red, he stopped drinking when he saw Pei Xingyuan drinking cup after cup. He just quietly served him food and poured him wine.
The drinking session lasted until the afternoon.
Shen Wuzheng, still drunk and babbling incoherently while pulling Yuwen Ye along, got into the carriage. Yuwen Ye stood below the carriage and asked softly, "Are you really not staying? I've had a guest room prepared."
Shen Wuzheng glanced down and said calmly, "I'll take him home."
After saying that, he glanced at Shang Ruyi again and said softly, "Little sister, get some rest."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
The carriage quickly drove away from the Duke's mansion. Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi stood at the gate, watching the carriage disappear at the end of the long street. When they turned back, the sun was beginning to set, and the golden sunlight made the two, who had drunk quite a bit of wine, feel slightly dizzy. Yuwen Ye sighed and said, "Let's go back."
"Um."
So the two went back to their room.
Because they both smelled of alcohol, they took turns taking a bath. When Yuwen Ye returned to the room in casual clothes, he saw Shang Ruyi sitting in front of the dressing table with her hair still wet. Although she was in front of the mirror, she had forgotten to comb her hair and was just looking down at the wooden comb in her hand, seemingly lost in thought.
Yuwen Ye walked over and snatched the wooden comb from her hand.
"well?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback for a moment before she came to her senses. She looked up and met Yuwen Ye's eyes, which seemed to be slightly misty from being brought out of the bathroom and now showed a gentle look. She immediately smiled and said, "You startled me."
Yuwen Ye looked down at her: "What are you thinking about, so lost in thought?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi didn't speak, but lowered her head again. Water droplets dripping from her hair soaked her clothes. Yuwen Ye sighed and said, "This will give you a headache."
As he spoke, he helped her sit up straight by supporting her shoulders, and then gently combed her long hair.
Come to think of it, he wasn't without tenderness. More often than not, he was much gentler to himself than others knew or saw. But at this moment, Shang Ruyi suddenly realized that the tenderness between them wasn't something to be taken for granted.
Fate is like a mighty river, full of treacherous rapids and turbulent currents. No one knows what a person, like a drifting duckweed, will encounter in the next moment, and life will be completely different.
Feeling his large hand gently stroking her long hair, Shang Ruyi felt a deeper pang of sorrow in her heart.
She finally couldn't help but ask, "Actually, you all knew?"
"..."
Yuwen Ye's hands didn't stop, but because they were so close, Shang Ruyi could clearly feel that his breathing paused for a moment.
But it was only for a moment; the next instant, he calmly hummed in agreement.
She didn't say it aloud, but Yuwen Ye seemed to truly know what she was asking—
Pei Xingyuan, regarding Lei Yu...
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment: "My brother knows too?"
Yuwen Ye said, "He has been away from home for too long and doesn't have much contact with us, nor is he familiar with Lei Yu. But—your brother is a smart man. Even if he doesn't see things with his own eyes, he can probably tell from just a few words."
"That--"
Yuwen Ye sighed softly and said, "Among our group, the only one who doesn't know is probably Xingyuan himself."
He then gave a bitter laugh.
"Now he knows."
"..."
"But it was too late."
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