Chapter 577 A Vast World, A Tiny Love
Shang Ruyi paused for a moment, looked at him, and said softly, "But I think—you are not someone who gives up so easily."
"..."
Yuwen Ye's hand paused.
After a moment of silence, he put down the comb, his large but steady hand gently stroking the long, black, shiny hair that was as smooth as silk, and then calmly said, "It's time to rest."
She felt her long hair slide through his hands like water and then fall heavily down. The feeling of that fall made Shang Ruyi more awake.
She said softly, "Oh."
So the two of them didn't say anything more and went to bed early to rest.
The night passed quietly like that.
Whether it was because she was worried about Pei Xingyuan or because she was troubled by some unsettling thoughts, Shang Ruyi woke up a little later than usual the next morning, but it was only just dawn. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Yuwen Ye wiping away sweat, holding his sword in his back hand as he pushed open the door and walked in from the outside. He had obviously gotten up early to practice his sword and had just finished.
This was his usual habit; if war was imminent, he would practice swordsmanship for even longer.
He wiped his sweat as he walked into the room. When he looked up, he saw Shang Ruyi sitting on the edge of the bed. Her soft, long hair was like a black silk draped over her body, making her skin appear even whiter than snow and her eyes sparkling like stars. Because she had just woken up, her eyes were still hazy and languid.
Yuwen Ye's breathing became slightly heavier.
These days—due to the plague and other matters—both of them are burdened with heavy responsibilities, and even when they share a bed, they have long been without tenderness. Sometimes, when the night is deep and the person beside him is sound asleep, he would gently kiss the corner of her lips, seeking a moment of peace and sweetness, but that was all he could do.
Today, it seems we're nearing our limit.
But he remained expressionless, simply lowered his head, placed the longsword aside, and said, "You're awake."
"Um."
Shang Ruyi immediately got out of bed. Tu She'er and the others brought hot water, towels, and salt to help the two of them wash up. After they were dressed, they sat down to eat together.
Breakfast today was the same as usual: congee and a few side dishes.
As soon as Yuwen Ye sat down, he saw Wo Xue hurriedly walk in from outside, bow to them, and say, "Second Young Master, Young Madam."
Yuwen Ye asked, "What is it?"
"Young Master Pei has arrived."
"..."
Before Yuwen Ye could say anything, Shang Ruyi's eyes widened: "What?"
Wo Xue said with a wry smile, "Young Master Pei has arrived, and he has also brought Young Master Shen with him."
"..."
The two were stunned for a moment, then exchanged a glance, seemingly understanding what was happening. Yuwen Ye shook his head and said helplessly, "Please come in."
"yes."
Upon hearing this, Wo Xue hurriedly turned around and walked out.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi also came to her senses, chuckled softly, and a moment later, she heard footsteps approaching. Before the person even entered the room, that familiar, lively voice had already filled the room—
"Hey, we've come to the right place."
Looking up, he saw Pei Xingyuan, dressed in a flowing moon-white robe, impeccably dressed and dashing. Only the bloodshot eyes showed that he hadn't slept well the night before. He was still holding onto Shen Wuzheng's sleeve with one hand, pulling him in.
Shen Wuzheng looked helpless. His sleeves were being pulled so hard they were about to rip off his shoulders, but he couldn't break free. He shook his head as he watched Pei Xingyuan swagger in.
Upon seeing him, Shang Ruyi immediately stood up: "Brother, Young Master Pei."
Pei Xingyuan said with a smile, "Fengchen, Ruyi, I'm sorry to bother you."
After saying that, he sat down by himself, and even dragged Shen Wuzheng to sit next to him, then asked with a grin, "What kind of porridge are we having today?"
Shang Ruyi remembered that he had also come early in the morning last time, saying that he was punishing himself, but he picked up a bowl of porridge and started slurping it up, more at ease than the hosts. So she just smiled and said, "There is only plain porridge. I'm afraid Young Master Pei will not be used to it. She'er, go and ask the kitchen to get two side dishes."
Tushe'er smiled and agreed, then turned and ran out.
Pei Xingyuan laughed and said, "Ruyi is still the best; she knows how to feel the heat."
Shen Wuzheng, standing to the side, said with a stern face, "Can't you act like a young master from a noble family?"
Pei Xingyuan chuckled and said, "A true scholar is naturally unconventional. I'm not one to concern myself with trivial matters."
Shen Wuzheng shook his head.
Born into a prestigious family and a student of the great Confucian scholar Li Tong, he naturally paid great attention to the distinction between host and guest, and understood the principle of distinguishing between insiders and outsiders. Previously, when Pei Xingyuan tried to pull him over early in the morning, he refused and only came after Pei Xingyuan arrived. However, he came along today, which clearly meant that he was dragged over by Pei Xingyuan.
Normally, Yuwen Ye would have ridiculed Pei Xingyuan, but since Shen Wuzheng had come along today, he couldn't say anything. He simply asked, "What are you trying to do by dragging Brother Fuming here so early in the morning?"
Pei Xingyuan stared at him with wide eyes: "Of course we're discussing important matters."
"..."
"We haven't finished talking about what happened yesterday."
When yesterday was mentioned, the group exchanged glances and instinctively shut their mouths, afraid that a single wrong word might upset Pei Xingyuan. But he seemed completely unaffected. In particular, after Chang Wan added two more sets of bowls and chopsticks and served him some porridge, he immediately picked it up and took a big gulp.
Although the other three people accompanied him yesterday, they didn't drink much; he was the only one who drank the most. People with hangovers often have headaches and little appetites the next day, and only this kind of thin porridge is the most comforting and warming. Pei Xingyuan sighed comfortably and said, "Your cook is really good. This porridge is so thin and thick; it's much better than my cook's."
Yuwen Ye smiled with a complicated expression.
Shang Ruyi, standing to the side, was also a little cautious, only looking at him without saying a word. On the other side, Chang Wan served another bowl of porridge to Shen Wuzheng, but he refused to accept it. It was only after Shang Ruyi personally took the bowl and handed it to him that Shen Wuzheng reluctantly accepted it.
But no one said anything.
Pei Xingyuan took another sip of porridge, swallowed it, and then asked, "What exactly are the Western Turks planning to do with their troops?"
"..."
For a moment, the people around the low table fell silent.
Shang Ruyi watched him with particular caution—it was because she mentioned the Western Turks that he learned about Lei Yu's marriage yesterday, which made him so upset. She didn't expect him to come to her door again so early this morning, bringing up the same old story again.
Has he forgotten about that?
Seeing him intently looking at Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng, his gaze was conflicted and somewhat solemn. It seemed that he had truly forgotten the heartbreak that had caused him so much pain yesterday, which he could not express. His heart and mind were filled only with the major event that the Western Turks might send troops.
Gradually, Shang Ruyi seemed to understand something.
A man's infatuation can be explained; a woman's infatuation cannot.
In fact, there is not necessarily a distinction between men and women. For example, between Pei Xingyuan and Lei Yu, Lei Yu is the more carefree one. Although she has feelings for Yuwen Ye, it does not affect her friendship with Shang Ruyi. Even when she sees Shang Ruyi being abandoned and facing the crisis of Yanmen County alone, she knows that the responsibility lies with Yuwen Ye and does not blindly protect her.
Now, after failing to quell the rebellion with his father, he sought refuge with Liang Shide and then married another woman.
Who can say about her—that a woman's infatuation is beyond words?
With a vast world in one's heart and before one's eyes, who would be unable to extricate themselves from petty romantic love?
Thinking this, and looking at Pei Xingyuan, who looked haggard but was seriously worried about important matters, Shang Ruyi felt a mix of sorrow and relief. The two emotions intertwined, and she sighed deeply.
At the same time, two soft sighs rang in my ears.
Looking up, they saw Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng, and they both sighed softly. The voices were not loud to begin with, but because they were combined, they both paused for a moment.
Pei Xingyuan was also taken aback.
But he immediately laughed and said, "Are you worried about me? No need to worry. Instead of worrying about me, why don't we worry together and see what kind of tricks that Ashina Shali is up to?"
Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately burst into laughter.
Shen Wuzheng simply shook his head and said nothing, taking a sip of porridge. Yuwen Ye, on the other hand, said, "I thought about this matter for a long time last night."
Shang Ruyi looked up at him.
Pei Xingyuan immediately asked, "How is it?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Although there are other small rebel forces in the Central Plains, given Ashina Shali's personality, if he is going to send troops, it won't be a small-scale operation. Besides, I think he has been trying to get back at me for that arrow in Yanmen County all these days."
"..."
"Moreover, the marriage alliance with the Eastern Capital forces further proves this point."
The other two subconsciously frowned and almost simultaneously held their breath as they looked at Pei Xingyuan. Pei Xingyuan's eyes dimmed slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. After thinking for a moment, he said, "So, he will send troops to Daxing?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Not necessarily."
"...?"
Hearing this, Shen Wuzheng's eyes lit up. He looked up at him and said in a deep voice, "You mean—Taiyuan?"
"...!?"
Upon hearing those two words, both Shang Ruyi and Pei Xingyuan gasped.
Especially Shang Ruyi, her mind went blank for a moment, as if something had exploded in her head, leaving her completely dazed.
Taiyuan...
Taiyuan again!?
For some reason, when she heard that Yuwen Yuan had ordered Yuwen Cheng to guard Taiyuan, she felt a little uneasy. However, that unease stemmed from her distrust of Yuwen Cheng and her knowledge of Taiyuan's importance. But now, upon hearing Yuwen Ye say that the Western Turks might attack Taiyuan, her unease deepened and intensified.
It seemed as if some crisis had materialized, weighing heavily on her heart.
This feeling was like when she first saw Yu Mingyue. Even though she couldn't see her, a deep-seated fear would creep in, as if it were trying to pull her soul out of her body.
That was her soul's instinctive reaction to Yu Mingyue, whom she had once harmed.
But what's the reason for the concern about Taiyuan?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com