Chapter 397 In front of you, I will always just be Chu Ruoyan
Princess Crescent Moon?!
Upon seeing that familiar, stunningly beautiful face, Shang Ruyi felt a chill run down her spine.
When did she arrive? And when did she reach the Buddhist hall?
What did she see, and what did she hear?
These questions came at once, making Shang Ruyi a little flustered. What made her even more helpless was that the princess's face was not shocked or surprised, but a kind of cold indifference. Even though the sun was shining brightly outside and the earth was scorching hot, she stood there like an ice sculpture without warmth.
Even the sunlight, or even the blazing flames, could not melt the icy chill in her heart at this moment.
Shang Ruyi's heart sank.
At this moment, Yuwen Ye had also come to his senses. He calmly turned around to face Princess Xinyue and said in a composed manner, "Your Highness—"
At that moment, Princess Crescent Moon suddenly smiled at him.
Just moments ago, her face was expressionless and cold, like an ice sculpture. But with that smile, she suddenly became lively and vibrant. Not only was she full of life, but even the ice and snow around her seemed to melt away in an instant, and spring blossoms appeared. Everything was different.
Shang Ruyi was a little stunned, but before she could react, she saw Princess Xinyue step forward and say to Yuwen Ye, "Second Brother, you're finally back."
Yuwen Ye looked at her silently and nodded, "Mm."
Princess Xinyue smiled and said, "I came to escort the Empress Dowager back to the palace. I just heard that you and Sister Ruyi have returned, so I let the Empress Dowager and the others go first, and I came in to see you."
As she spoke, she tilted her head, her light and lively gaze passing over Yuwen Ye's arm and looking at Shang Ruyi, who was still standing in the shadows of the Buddhist hall, seemingly still somewhat dazed. She smiled and said, "Sister."
"...!"
These two words made Shang Ruyi's heart tighten again.
Her breathing was erratic, and her heartbeat was even heavier than when she was facing Yuwen Ye, but she still took a deep breath, smiled, stepped forward, and bowed to her: "Greetings, Your Highness."
"elder sister,"
Princess Crescent Moon immediately reached out to support her, and said with a smile, "There's no need for such formalities between us."
"..."
“After we parted ways at that village, I’ve been worried about you ever since, fearing that something might have happened to you. I’ve tried to find out more about you, but I haven’t heard anything.”
"..."
"Now that I see you and my second brother have returned safely, I can finally relax."
"..."
She was still as charming and beautiful as ever, and her voice was irresistibly sweet. But for some reason, Shang Ruyi could not be completely at peace when facing her in the past, and now, beneath the calm surface, her heart was in turmoil.
How can Princess Crescent Moon be so calm?
Regardless of what she just saw and heard, how much of an impact would it have on a woman who loves Yuwen Ye to the bone? Even if her feelings were not reciprocated back then, seeing the two of them meet at Tinghe Tower would have caused her unbearable pain. Why is she now calm as if nothing has happened?
More importantly—
Chu Yang.
Her father, the Emperor of the Daye Dynasty, died, and he died in Jiangdu Palace, right in front of her.
Wang Shaoji even proclaimed to the world that he had murdered the emperor!
Even if Eunuch Yu returned to the Daxing Palace ahead of time and told them the whole truth; even if she had just met Empress Dowager Jiang and told her the conclusion of the matter, did she really have no resentment at all, and could she still be the same as before when facing me?
Shang Ruyi asked herself, and she knew she couldn't do it either.
Even though she hadn't actually done anything, she still felt somewhat intimidated in front of Princess Crescent Moon, yet she couldn't say much. She could only force a smile and whisper, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I—"
She was so confused that she didn't even know what to say.
Princess Crescent Moon immediately smiled and said, "Sister, is there anything you want to tell me?"
Just then, Yuwen Ye said, "She has nothing to say to you, but I do."
Princess Crescent Moon turned to look at him, her bright almond-shaped eyes wide open, filled with light as she gazed at Yuwen Ye.
Yuwen Ye glanced down at Shang Ruyi and said, "Go and rest first. I have something to say to His Highness. I'll come back to you when I'm done."
"..."
Shang Ruyi glanced at him, nodded slightly, and then prepared to return to the Buddhist temple along the same path she had come from.
But for some reason, as she turned her back to them and left, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a chill, as if a sharp, knife-like gaze was staring at her from behind, almost piercing her body.
She subconsciously turned her head, only to meet Princess Xinyue's smiling, crescent-shaped eyes.
She said, "Sister, you must still come to the palace to see me often, just like before."
"..."
Shang Ruyi's heart was pounding—had it just been her imagination?
She then met Yuwen Ye's gentle yet calm gaze. His calm and composed demeanor gave her some strength and put her mind at ease. Shang Ruyi took a breath and smiled as she nodded to Princess Xinyue: "Yes."
After saying that, he left.
Yuwen Ye and Princess Xinyue were left outside the Buddhist hall. The two watched Shang Ruyi's figure disappear into the distance before Yuwen Ye turned around. As he looked down, he met Princess Xinyue's smiling, affectionate gaze. It seemed that she had been watching him like this for a long time, unchanged over the years, even now.
Yuwen Ye thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness."
"Second Brother,"
Princess Crescent interrupted him, smiling coquettishly, "Please don't call me that, okay?"
"..."
"I still want to hear you call me Xinyue, or Ruoyan."
Yuwen Ye looked at her with a solemn expression: "But you are now the eldest princess."
Princess Crescent Moon's expression darkened.
But the next moment, she smiled again and looked at Yuwen Ye, her gaze gentle yet filled with unwavering affection, and said softly, "But you know that no matter if I am a princess or an eldest princess, no matter who I am, in front of you, I will always just be Chu Ruoyan."
As she spoke, she smiled gently and said, "I know what you wanted to tell me when you stayed behind, but Yu Mingli already told me everything when he came back."
"..."
"My mother just told me that too."
"..."
"Second brother, I don't really care about anything else. As long as you come back safely, that's the most important thing to me."
She stared at Yuwen Ye with wide eyes, her gaze revealing not only her unwavering seriousness and devotion to him, but also a deep affection that time could not diminish.
She said, "Really."
|
Even after leaving the Buddhist hall, Shang Ruyi's steps were still not light.
She walked slowly down the corridor, her steps heavy as if filled with lead, the sound of her footsteps echoing back and forth, making it impossible for her to calm her mind.
Princess Crescent Moon, Chu Ruoyan.
This woman, so beautiful that one couldn't help but feel pity for her, though born into a noble family and pampered by countless favors, was never arrogant or domineering. On the contrary, when facing her—this "rival in love" who clearly made her cry and feel lost—she only showed gentleness and kindness. Shang Ruyi could understand to some extent that it was because her feelings for Yuwen Ye were too deep, and also because of the gentle comfort of Empress Dowager Jiang, which kept her heart pure, without hatred, and even less understanding of hatred.
But what about now?
After all that she's been through, is her mind still as pure and innocent as before?
If that's really the case, then having experienced Chu Yang's death and all these emotional entanglements, how should I face her?
Shang Ruyi felt utterly confused.
Just then, the sound of Buddhist chanting suddenly came from ahead.
The voice was deep and resonant, yet it carried an indescribable tranquility, like a gentle breeze that instantly swept away the worries and dust in people's hearts. Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a stirring in her heart and subconsciously raised her head.
But then they saw that the lecture hall not far ahead had its doors and windows already open, indicating that many people had already left. At that moment, several elderly monks in robes, who appeared to be highly accomplished, slowly emerged from inside. They were probably the last to leave. As they walked, they spoke in hushed tones. Some looked solemn, as if troubled by worldly cares, while others had clear, bright eyes, as if enlightened and their minds were at peace.
Sure enough, the three chimes we just heard marked the end of the inner altar ceremony.
That--
Shang Ruyi's heart stirred, and she subconsciously stopped and looked at the gate of the lecture hall.
One old monk after another emerged from inside, but none of them were the expected figures. To be honest, she had never seen the eldest son of the Yuwen family before and did not know what he looked like, but these elderly cultivators in front of her were clearly not what he should be like.
Thinking about this, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but wonder what he should be like.
The legendary Yuwen Qian was erudite and incomparably handsome. In addition, he was a cultivator, so compared to his cold and resolute younger brother, he should have had more of the refined and otherworldly air of a hermit.
Shang Ruyi stood at the end of the corridor, carefully watching the person who came out of the lecture hall.
But none of them could be described as deserving of those four words.
She couldn't help but wonder if Yuwen Qian had already left after those three chimes.
But where will he go after he leaves?
Although she knew she shouldn't—or rather, wasn't suited to—meet him, at this moment, Shang Ruyi felt a strange curiosity about this young master Yuwen. She reached out and supported herself against the red pillar beside her, counting the monks who came out of the lecture hall one by one.
The lecture hall was almost empty.
Shang Ruyi felt a mix of inexplicable disappointment and relief. After all, if Yuwen Qian really came out, she didn't know how she would face him. But she also knew in her heart that no matter what, the two of them had to meet, and she had to face him.
Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt even more conflicted deep down, a somewhat familiar figure walked out of the lecture hall.
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