Chapter 599 Establishing a Government and a Military Command is the Prerequisite
"for example--"
Shang Ruyi suddenly held her breath, her eyes shimmering as the ripples on the water beneath her feet reflected the light. After a long while, she murmured, "Taiyuan."
"...!"
Shen Wuzheng's eyes flashed.
From childhood to adulthood, the way he looked at his younger sister, even in the most difficult times, was always gentle and doting. At this moment, his gaze was naturally gentle as well, but when he heard those two words, he felt a slight shock of surprise.
After a long pause, he murmured and repeated, "Taiyuan...?"
It was only then that Shang Ruyi came to her senses and realized that she had unconsciously uttered those two words. She hurriedly tried to explain, but in her haste, she didn't know how to begin.
After all, there are too many things that even she herself hasn't figured out yet.
And so, a brief silence fell between the two of them. The wind had died down and the water was still, but their eyes, locked in a silent gaze, continued to sparkle.
After an unknown amount of time, Shang Ruyi finally spoke, but with some hesitation: "Brother..."
Shen Wuzheng looked at her and said, "Ruyi, do you... do you know that something bad is going to happen in Taiyuan?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head.
She understood that Shen Wuzheng's slight pause was probably because he was thinking about Yu Mingyue's precognitive abilities. Even now, though they had brought her out from behind the scenes, they still hadn't figured out her background or the source of her precognitive abilities. However, Shang Ruyi believed that Yuwen Ye, Shen Wuzheng, and even the carefree Pei Xingyuan probably all sensed to some extent that there was an ambiguous relationship between her and Yu Mingyue.
However, they all tacitly refrained from asking any questions.
Even if they did ask, Shang Ruyi wouldn't know how to answer, just like her silence at this moment.
Shen Wuzheng looked at her for a while and said, "Then why do you think that Taiyuan... is your chance to make a name for yourself?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said softly, "I just feel that Princess Qiancheng has been through a lot. Since she wrote a letter, the Turks must have made a move. And Taiyuan is indeed the easiest place to break through this barrier at the moment."
Shen Wuzheng said, "But you should also remember what we planned before."
"..."
“Yuwen Qian and Yu Mingyue, they did so many things before, all for the position of Crown Prince, but today they were tricked by Yuwen Ye. They will definitely not let it go, and they will certainly not give you this opportunity to make a contribution.”
"..."
"Moreover, this achievement—"
He stopped there, not saying anything more, a dangerous glint flashing in his gentle yet aloof eyes, and Shang Ruyi understood it completely in that instant.
After all, given Yu Mingyue's knowledge, abilities, and methods, if she were to take their lives again, it would be far more dangerous than the giant rock in the valley or the plague in Fufeng, and they would know nothing about the future.
Even if you want to claim this credit, you may not have the life to do so.
Shang Ruyi was silent for a while, then said softly, "But if we don't achieve great military merit, we will have to stay in the palace and be controlled by others forever."
Regardless, military merit was a crucial means for Yuwen Ye to break through the encirclement.
"..."
Shen Wuzheng didn't respond immediately. He just thought quietly for a long time before looking up at her and saying softly, "You can't worry about this right now."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at him with some surprise.
Compared to her worries about this matter, Shen Wuzheng was a far-sighted person. He had already started doing many things before they even thought of them, such as the treasure map of Zuo Gong's suspected tomb in Wanggang Village. Why is he showing such a negligent attitude towards something that is clearly very likely to happen today?
Although it was unexpected, Shang Ruyi really didn't want to think too much about things that might be unsolvable at this time. After all, she came back to enjoy the warmth of her family and the gentleness of her brother, to give her enough strength to continue to overcome obstacles.
So he smiled and said, "Mm."
After saying that, she turned her head to look at the crescent moon in the sky and then at its reflection in the water. Then she picked up a small pebble from the side of her feet and threw it at the crescent moon reflected in the pond. With a splash, the stone broke the sky in the water, and the shimmering light and shadows swayed incessantly. Ripples of laughter appeared in her eyes as well.
Shang Ruyi immediately smiled.
Hearing her happy laughter, a smile also appeared on Shen Wuzheng's face. He shook his head and said softly, "You."
But when he looked again at the moonlight shimmering in the pool and gradually gathering into shape, his expression slowly became serious, as if some undercurrents of thought were silently brewing within him.
The night passed quietly, yet with undercurrents surging beneath.
Although I felt my mind was in turmoil and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to sleep, once I lay down on the bed, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow, and when I opened my eyes again, it was already dawn.
Shang Ruyi blushed slightly. Although this trip back home wasn't a proper visit to her parents' home, sleeping in so late was indeed inappropriate. Moreover, she was no longer the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Sheng, but the daughter-in-law of the Emperor and the Princess of Qin. So she hurriedly got up. Fortunately, Madam Yu had already arranged for someone to wait outside. As soon as she got out of bed, several maids rushed in to serve her.
Soon after, the family finished washing up and sat down together for breakfast.
Because she had been drinking last night, breakfast was rather light, but it included several dishes that Shang Ruyi liked, and even a plate of carefully prepared cold lamb. It was obvious that Yu Shi had gotten up before dawn to prepare it, which explained why her eyes were bloodshot as soon as she sat down.
Despite her exhaustion, she smiled and said to Shang Ruyi, "Eat quickly."
Shang Ruyi felt a mix of joy and sorrow, but she still managed a smile. She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and immediately nodded, "Delicious!"
Ms. Yu smiled so much that her eyes narrowed.
Although she was happy, she ate breakfast absentmindedly, spilling porridge on herself and making a clattering sound with her chopsticks against the rim of the bowl. Even Shen Shiyan frowned and said, "What are you doing? If you want to eat, then eat properly."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Ms. Yu did not speak immediately, but instead pouted with a wronged expression.
Then she looked up at Shang Ruyi and said softly, "I don't even know if we'll ever have another time to sit down and eat together as a family."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi felt a pang of sadness.
Shen Shiyan and Shen Wuzheng exchanged a glance. Shen Wuzheng looked at his distressed mother and sighed softly. Shen Shiyan found her words inappropriate and wanted to reprimand her, but he couldn't say anything harsh to his wife. He could only sigh and say, "What are you saying?"
"..."
"Ruyi is already married, and now she's even the Princess Consort of Qin—how can she come back all the time?"
"..."
"Are you saying this to hurt yourself, or to hurt Ruyi?"
Hearing him say that, Madam Yu immediately stopped her grief, looked up at Shang Ruyi who also looked somewhat gloomy, and forced a smile, saying, "Ruyi, don't be sad, your aunt was just—just saying it casually."
"..."
Shang Ruyi didn't show any sadness. She simply put down her chopsticks, got up, walked to her side, squatted down, and hugged her.
She wasn't exactly aloof, but because she was so sensible, even though she was pampered by her uncle and aunt and spoiled by her brother, she rarely acted spoiled or willful. But today, she broke through etiquette and self-restraint, showing the most clear and intimate side of herself. Not only was Madam Yu stunned, but Shen Shiyan was also stunned, and even Shen Wuzheng's eyes widened slightly.
Shang Ruyi rested her face on Madam Yu's shoulder and whispered, "Aunt, I'm not sad."
"..."
“I am so happy that my aunt has never changed herself or treated me differently because of my marriage or promotion. My aunt has always been so good to me.”
"..."
"And me—no matter which family I come from or which family I marry into, the people I miss the most are my uncle and aunt and my cousin. You are my closest relatives."
"..."
"I will try to find a way to come back and visit my uncle, aunt, and brother more often."
Hearing her say that, Madam Yu immediately beamed with joy, but Shen Shiyan, who was standing to the side, shook his head and said, "Ruyi, you must not make decisions on your own. The Princess Consort of Qin and the young mistress of the Duke's mansion may seem to be only two days apart, but the rules and responsibilities are worlds apart."
"..."
Don't tire yourself out.
Shang Ruyi understood perfectly that the weariness he was talking about was not the weariness of labor, but the weariness of being implicated.
As the Princess Consort of Qin, her behavior was indeed quite different from that of the young mistress of the Duke's mansion, which was something Shen Wuzheng had repeatedly reminded her of yesterday.
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Ruyi understands."
However, it is also true that she is reluctant to leave the Shen family, so establishing her own residence and military headquarters is a prerequisite.
Only by having the power to control oneself can one reunite with loved ones and better protect them.
The prerequisite for establishing a dental clinic is—
After exchanging a few more intimate words with Madam Yu, Shang Ruyi returned to her seat. As she looked up, she met Shen Wuzheng's clear eyes, and at that moment, a glint of light seemed to flash across his eyes.
Neither of them said anything, and the family simply finished their breakfast in a harmonious atmosphere.
Then, they sat around drinking tea.
The aroma of tea wafted through the air, and as the wisps of steam rising from the cups gradually dissipated, Shang Ruyi took the teacup from Shen Wuzheng and took a small sip. The slightly bitter tea entered her throat, initially with a slight astringency, but after swallowing, a sweet taste immediately spread throughout her mouth, seemingly seeping into her heart in an instant.
Shang Ruyi sighed inwardly with satisfaction.
If a busy day and a bumpy road ahead begin like this, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
However, after she finished savoring the taste and opened her eyes again, she saw Shen Shiyan glance at her again. In fact, he had been giving her that look since last night, and even at breakfast just now, but he seemed to be holding something back and didn't say anything.
But now, the time has come.
Shang Ruyi then smiled and asked, "What does Uncle want to tell me?"
Shen Shiyan was slightly taken aback. When he looked up at her again, his expression was even more complicated. After thinking for a while, he said softly, "Ruyi, the merchant—"
The moment those two words are mentioned, the sweetness on the tip of my tongue immediately turns back into bitterness.
Even the spring of joy in her heart seemed to dry up instantly at this moment, and Shang Ruyi's smile involuntarily froze for a moment.
Before she could say anything, Madam Yu said angrily, "Why bring up that family?"
Shen Shiyan frowned and looked at her, then said in a deep voice, "That family is still a merchant family after all. No matter where Ruyi goes, even if she enters the palace and becomes the Princess Consort of Qin, she is still Shang Ruyi."
"..."
"My brother-in-law and my little sister are still her parents after all!"
Hearing this, Madam Yu was angry but speechless.
In fact, she knew she had nothing to say.
Although society has changed and many women now have the right to choose their own marriage partners, even before Emperor Wen, most dynasties ruled the country based on filial piety. Shang Ruyi could have all sorts of excuses for being expelled from the Shang family, but not returning home to pay respects to her parents for more than ten years was simply considered unfilial.
Moreover, lineage and social standing are still among the most important aspects of one's identity. Her "filial impiety" will not only damage her parents' reputation but also implicate the Shen couple who raised her, making them the target of public criticism.
Another point is her current identity.
Now she is the Princess Consort of Qin. Before Yuwen Yuan took concubines in his harem and before Prince Yuwen Qian of Han got married, she was almost the most outstanding woman in this newly established Great Sheng Dynasty, and all eyes were on her.
If people knew this, and then publicized it widely—
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly shivered.
Looking at Shen Shiyan, whose brows were furrowed with deep worry, Shang Ruyi understood why he had been looking at her with that kind of gaze since last night. He must have already thought of this, and just wanted her to have an easy day and happily reunite with her family. But after the reunion, once she left the Shen family, she would be the Princess Consort of Qin, and she could not make a single wrong move.
As her uncle, he couldn't just stand by and watch her make a mistake.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi said softly, "Uncle, Ruyi understands what you mean."
"..."
"I will handle this matter properly."
Shen Shiyan then nodded.
Shen Wuzheng, who had been standing to the side, remained silent until he heard her last words, at which point he only sighed softly.
The group sat and chatted for a while longer, and then, looking at the sky, realized it was getting late.
Although they were reluctant to part, they knew that Shang Ruyi should go home.
After all, the new emperor had ordered them to move into the palace by today at the latest. If they returned later, their entry into the palace would be even later, which might lead to another mistake. So Shen Shiyan said to Shen Wuzheng, "Go and have someone prepare a carriage to send Ruyi back to the Duke's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Yu's eyes immediately turned red.
Shang Ruyi hurried over to comfort her, and Shen Wuzheng was about to turn around and go out to make arrangements, but just as he was about to leave, he saw a servant come in and report: "Master, Madam."
Shen Shiyan asked, "What is it?"
The servant said, "The Duke's carriage has been waiting outside for quite some time."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com