Chapter 512 Empress Dowager
"Feng Chen..."
Although she felt deeply grateful for her uncle's actions, a tender emotion still lingered between her lips as she murmured those two words.
Seeing her like this, Shen Shiyan seemed to finally feel relieved, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart.
In fact, even if Shang Ruyi were to marry into the Yuwen family, and even if Yuwen Ye were such a young, handsome, and spirited man, his mindset about marrying off his daughter meant he couldn't rest easy. Moreover, before that, Shang Ruyi had barely even met Yuwen Ye, and she had experienced a broken engagement and remarriage. Shen Shiyan was always worried that even if her marriage went smoothly, it would be difficult for her to be happy.
But hearing Yuwen Ye's words in Dayan Temple, and seeing the tenderness in Shang Ruyi's eyes at this moment, one can see the beauty in her eyes.
He finally felt relieved.
This young couple, perhaps forced together by an arranged marriage, were fortunate, just right, she longed for him, and he cherished her.
There is nothing more fortunate in the world than this.
Shen Shiyan then said, "Uncle is very pleased that Yuwen Ye treats you this way."
"uncle……"
“But my uncle is also worried. Becoming a prince consort and receiving official titles and ranks may not mean much to the Yuwen family, but—what about the greater temptations?”
An even greater temptation...
A look of deep concentration flashed across Shang Ruyi's eyes.
Although Shen Shiyan still had reservations and didn't reveal the deeper meaning behind his words, Shang Ruyi understood perfectly well; in fact, her conversation with Yuwen Ye the previous night had already reached this point.
Becoming a prince consort and receiving official titles and honors were nothing special to Yuwen Ye. After all, as the second son of the Duke's mansion, he enjoyed no fewer privileges than a prince consort. He was a skilled warrior, and his military achievements were no less impressive than the promised promotions and honors from the royal family. Otherwise, they wouldn't have risked the Duke of Sheng's life, which was nearly taken by Chu Yang, to reject Princess Xinyue's marriage proposal.
But now, what lies before him is an even greater, no, an immense temptation!
Once Shen Shiyan utters the word "inferior," and the matter succeeds, Yuwen Yuan will ascend to the pinnacle of power. Whoever facilitates this will be a significant factor in determining Yuwen Yuan's status as his successor.
This is why Princess Crescent Moon has not made any statement until now.
It was also last night that Yuwen Ye told her—that he couldn't give up one thing, and the other was the "unattainable" part of what he couldn't obtain. Clearly, Yuwen Yuan hadn't promised Yuwen Ye the status of future heir. After all, he had a special fondness for his eldest son, who had just returned to the Yuwen family, and Yuwen Qian had indeed made great contributions to his capture of Daxing City, making it difficult for him to choose.
Speaking of which...
Last night, Shang Ruyi only had time to ask Yuwen Ye if he was angry because of her choice, but she forgot to think about whether Yuwen Yuan would have agreed to her request in the tea room yesterday. Even if he couldn't give it up, would he have been willing to give it up because of what he had already gained?
Even though she knew that feelings couldn't withstand tests, and that feelings shouldn't be tested, Shang Ruyi still couldn't help but want to know what his choice would be when she thought about that possibility.
At that moment, her heart was in turmoil.
Just then, Shen Shiyan's gentle, low voice rang in my ears—
"As one wishes……"
Shang Ruyi snapped back to reality, hurriedly looked up at her uncle, feeling somewhat guilty for letting her mind wander at such a time, and quickly said, "Uncle."
Shen Shiyan said gently, "Don't think about testing anything. The result of a test doesn't count as a result."
The results of a test are not considered results?
Shang Ruyi looked at Shen Shiyan in surprise. He smiled faintly, and although the light was dim, his tired, bloodshot eyes shone with a clear light. He said, "Before I married your aunt, there was actually another military officer who also proposed to her. Your aunt originally had her eye on that person."
"ah?"
"However, before he could even present the betrothal gifts, he unfortunately died in battle."
"..."
"Later, your aunt married me."
"..."
“Over the years, we have lived a relatively peaceful life, but sometimes I can’t help but think about that person, and wonder if your aunt would be happier if he had married her, and whether I am just a second choice for her.”
Shang Ruyi opened her eyes wide and was about to speak subconsciously, but before she could say anything, Shen Shiyan smiled and said, "But I never ask."
"……Why?"
"Because such a result is false."
"..."
“That person is dead, your aunt has married me, we are doing well, all of this is true.”
"..."
Why should I ignore the reality before me and seek an impossible outcome?
"..."
"Ruyi, what's right now is the most important thing."
Is the present moment the most important?
Shang Ruyi suddenly seemed to understand something, her mind clearing. But before she could think about it further, Shen Shiyan raised his head again, straining to look over the fence at the only skylight. The light was changing, and they didn't have much time left.
So, Shen Shiyan smiled and said, "Sharing weal and woe means your current relationship with the Yuwen family, and even more so with Yuwen Ye. Your uncle can't do much for the world or for you. But no matter what happens in the future, whether or not the great things are accomplished, this is a bargaining chip for both of you."
Weights...
Regardless of whether Shang Ruyi knew the future, for most officials in the court, the Yuwen family's replacement of the Daye Dynasty was almost only a matter of time. Therefore, whoever raised the crucial point of "abdication" was of paramount importance. Shen Shiyan had been instrumental in Yuwen Yuan's and his dynasty's survival!
If he survives, he will be a founding hero of Yuwen Yuan.
If he were to die, this great achievement would be inherited by his relatives, most directly by Shang Ruyi. As Yuwen Ye's wife, Yuwen Yuan had no choice but to consider this issue.
This is the biggest bargaining chip Shen Shiyan has given the couple!
Shang Ruyi immediately came to her senses and looked at him: "Uncle!"
"If we are truly fortunate, this great undertaking may be accomplished,"
Shen Shiyan's eyes reddened even more. Despite his exhaustion, there was a fervent excitement he had never felt in his life. He stared intently at Shang Ruyi and said, "Ruyi, you must understand your place!"
Upon hearing Shen Shiyan's words, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt goosebumps all over her body.
It was only at this moment that she faced this fact for the first time.
Yuwen Yuan is destined to reach the pinnacle of power; those were the two words she involuntarily uttered when she first met him at the Shen family.
Emperor Gaozu!
As for Yuwen Qian... no matter what he goes through, if his outcome is as he predicted, and as the second son, Yuwen Ye has accumulated a great deal of military merit, along with the leverage given by Shen Shiyan, then he is very likely to become the most important heir.
In other words, the very foundation of the nation!
And I, too, will—
At that moment, a ray of sunlight streaming through the narrow skylight overhead suddenly became incredibly dazzling, almost blinding Shang Ruyi. In that instant of confusion, she seemed to see a handsome man, as beautiful as an immortal, looking at her with a casual smile, saying, word by word, "I truly never imagined that there could be a woman like the young mistress in this world. So young, yet possessing such majesty and bearing, enough to be a mother to the world."
Is this really possible?
Could that person's joking remark actually come true?
Shang Ruyi felt her blood rushing through her body and her mind buzzing. The shock was so overwhelming that she was momentarily stunned. All she had was the humble thought of protecting her family in the impending chaos.
Could it really lead her to that outcome?
"If this great undertaking can be accomplished,"
Shen Shiyan's gentle voice sounded like a spell, once again ringing in her ears. Shang Ruyi looked up at his loving eyes, and Shen Shiyan smiled at her: "Ruyi, you need to understand even more what you should do."
Shang Ruyi swallowed hard, and said in a hoarse voice, "Uncle, I—"
Just then, a sound rang out in the silent passageway.
Both of them subconsciously held their breath. Shang Ruyi turned around and saw several dazed figures at the gate. After a while, Yuwen Ye and the jailer came over. The jailer said, "The time has come, young mistress, please go back."
At this moment, Shang Ruyi didn't even have time to look into Yuwen Ye's cold eyes, and hurriedly turned around: "Uncle!"
Shen Shiyan smiled and nodded at her. He had said everything he needed to say. Even if his time was truly coming to an end, he had enough conviction to face death calmly. His calm eyes were filled with determination. He waved to her again and said, "Let's go."
"..."
Shang Ruyi was speechless, her hand still gripping the fence tightly, the wooden splinters even digging into her palm because of her excessive force.
Behind me, a familiar, warm breath enveloped me.
Yuwen Ye walked to her side: "Let's go."
As he spoke, he reached out and took her hand, nodded to Shen Shiyan, and then turned to leave.
Shen Shiyan, his hands gripping the wooden fence, only then felt the pain and numbness in his injured leg. Just as he was about to slowly sit down, Shang Ruyi, who had only taken two steps, clenched her fist tightly. The burning pain in her palm jolted her back to reality. She stopped and turned to Shen Shiyan, saying, "Uncle, Aunt said that once you return safely this time, she wants to divorce you."
"ah?!"
Shen Shiyan, who had been calm and composed, was struck dumb upon hearing these words, and his eyes became flustered.
Before he could say anything, Shang Ruyi continued, "I will definitely get my uncle out safely. These next two days, think carefully about how to go back and appease your aunt; she's serious."
"..."
"Uncle, we're going back now."
After saying that, he turned and left.
In the otherwise silent and cold prison, a burning, restless emotion revitalized the atmosphere that had been as stagnant as still water.
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