Chapter 887 Yuwen Qian's Complete Victory
As soon as she stepped out of the palace, a gust of biting wind hit her face, carrying with it fragments of jade powder that instantly swept away any warmth she had brought from the Liangyi Palace. Shang Ruyi immediately shivered.
But colder than the wind were Yu Mingyue's eyes beside her.
Even without meeting her eyes, Shang Ruyi could feel that cold, piercing gaze, as if it could pierce through her body.
Fortunately, she wasn't looking at herself.
Shang Ruyi tightened her clothes, then turned her head and met Yuwen Qian's smiling eyes. Although the wind and snow were raging around them, he still smiled and looked serene, still exuding that gentle and welcoming aura and attitude. He said to Shang Ruyi, "Sister-in-law, do you need us to escort you back to Qianqiu Palace?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head and smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Qianqiu Palace is not far, so there's no need to see me off. But Your Majesty and Your Majesty, please take care on your journey."
After she finished speaking, she nodded to the people around her.
Yan Shaoxuan and the others immediately bowed to Princess Qin. Although Yu Mingyue's expression was gloomy, she was still very polite. Shang Ruyi turned around and, with the help of Tu She'er, who had been waiting outside for a long time and was now holding an umbrella, slowly left.
Behind them, the wind howled and the snow swirled.
Back at Qianqiu Palace, it was as quiet as ever. Although Eunuch Yu had delivered the Emperor's decree before she returned, with the snowstorm raging outside, no one would leave Qianqiu Palace at this time.
As soon as he saw her come in, Yuwen Ye immediately smiled and said, "You're back."
Shang Ruyi took off her fur coat, which was already covered in snow, and tossed it to Chang Wan. She walked over and sat down, warming her hands on the stove. She felt the stiffness and coldness in her fingertips gradually fade. She turned her head and looked around: "Where's Yuanzi?"
"Imperial Physician Lin just came to see him. He's fine now, and the wet nurse has taken him down to sleep."
Are you alright?
"How could nothing be wrong? I was sleeping soundly when I was woken up and cried for most of the day."
Hearing this, the mother sighed with heartache, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious. Yuwen Ye asked, "How were you when you went over there?"
Shang Ruyi immediately told him everything she had heard in the Liangyi Hall. In particular, when she mentioned Yuwen Qian's words at the end, which were only hinted at but almost touched on their "death points," Yuwen Ye's calm face suddenly turned gloomy.
He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "It seems I underestimated my elder brother."
Shang Ruyi nodded silently.
They realized that Yuwen Qian's every move was revenge for the battle at Longmen Ferry. He had indeed taken every step, from injuring people to seizing power. But by taking every step, he was almost about to achieve his complete victory!
It should be noted that Yuwen Ye's rise to power was due to his military achievements, which were not only earned through his own efforts but also through the contributions of his capable generals. In addition to his own troops, he also benefited from the surrendered soldiers from Longxi and the troops led by Shen Tu Tai after the Battle of Fufeng.
Now, with just one sentence from Yuwen Qian, Yuwen Yuan has turned his suspicions toward Wanggangzhai, and also Shentu Tai.
If any action is taken against Shen Tu Tai, Yuwen Ye's influence in the army will be significantly diminished.
In the court, besides his two close friends Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan, he also had the support of a group of veteran officials. But now, Shen Wuzheng has been sent to Luoyang, Pei Xingyuan has fallen from power, and the Pei family is in danger. Although Shen Shiyan has not been implicated, the strength of the Prince of Qin's side has been greatly reduced.
Thinking of all this, even with her hands still warmed by the stove, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine.
She truly hadn't expected Yuwen Qian to be so resourceful.
With just Liang Youying and Jiang Yan, they were brought to this state!
Shang Ruyi added, "However, I feel that Father Emperor deliberately sent me over to hear these words, and then sent me back to tell you."
Yuwen Ye calmly replied, "Of course."
"Why?"
"Because all the information he's getting right now comes from the Crown Prince, he also wants to see my reaction."
"Let's see your reaction?"
Shang Ruyi frowned: "Would Father really suspect that the assassins at Tangquan Palace are related to you and us?"
Yuwen Ye shook his head: "He'll suspect everyone if the matter isn't investigated."
"So, what's your reaction?"
"..."
Yuwen Ye didn't answer immediately, but turned to look at her: "What did you do just now?"
Shang Ruyi said, "I—I only argued with Lou Yingxiong for a few minutes and asked them to investigate clearly, but after the Crown Prince arrived, I didn't say anything more. There are some things I can't say without discussing them with you."
Yuwen Ye nodded: "That's right."
Shang Ruyi looked at him: "You—"
Yuwen Ye said, "What you've said is enough. I don't need to react any further."
Shang Ruyi's eyes widened: "But if you don't do anything, what about Shen Tu Tai? The Crown Prince's words just now were meant to make Father suspect Shen Tu Tai by questioning the people of Wanggang Village. Once Father really makes up his mind to replace the general—"
Yuwen Ye shook his head: "Father will not easily change generals. The war in Luoyang has not yet started. Changing generals on the front lines is a major taboo."
Shang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief.
"but--"
Upon hearing that word, her breath caught in her throat again, and she looked at Yuwen Ye nervously: "But, what?"
Seeing her nervous expression, Yuwen Ye remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let's talk about it later."
Shang Ruyi frowned, about to press for more information, but Yuwen Ye seemed to have thought of something else and changed the subject, saying, "However, we're not doing nothing. At the very least, we need to protect Physician Su and that Jiang Yu."
Upon hearing this, Tushe'er, who was standing to the side, glanced at them.
Shang Ruyi was taken aback. She hadn't expected Yuwen Ye to bring up Su Qinglan. Although her argument had mostly been in defense of this imperial physician who was indeed very close to her, Yuwen Ye's mention of her was still unexpected.
So he asked, "Why?"
Yuwen Ye looked at her: "Because of you, and Yuanzi."
"What's the meaning?"
"Doctor Su has been taking care of you and Yuanzi. If it weren't for her, they probably would have succeeded in getting that hawthorn cake."
Upon hearing that matter, Shang Ruyi's face immediately darkened. After thinking about it again, she understood somewhat. Although Yuwen Yuan had sent Lin Shi'an to examine Yuanzi today, the Imperial Physician could not always come to Qianqiu Palace to serve Princess Qin and the young prince, nor could she always go to Liangyi Palace to ask the emperor for someone. Without Su Qinglan, the Imperial Medical Bureau would inevitably have to send other imperial physicians to fill the vacancy.
She looked up at Yuwen Ye: "You mean, they might be trying to take advantage of the imperial physicians they sent—"
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