Chapter 180 The Emperor's Heart at Nine Levels, It's Really True
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
After a long silence, she slowly asked, "Are you sure?"
Yuwen Ye said, "The Ministry of War has already sent an advance force of two thousand men to fight the initial battle. We had a clash with them and suffered heavy losses. Some acquaintances recognized that the leader of the opposing army was Xiao Yuansui."
"..."
"It seems he took your words to heart—"
"What did you say?"
"All land under heaven belongs to the king, and he indeed found a place that was not the king's land to make a comeback."
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked at him with a bitter face, speechless for a moment.
At the time, I did intend to offer some advice, but it was mostly to comfort someone who had reached the end of his rope. I never imagined that Xiao Yuansui was just a dragon stranded in shallow waters, and that he would make a comeback so quickly, and that he would soon be going up against Yuwen Ye.
Looking back now, I feel like I shot myself in the foot with those words.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became, and he couldn't help but mutter, "I still wanted to make a good connection..."
Yuwen Ye said, "Your intention to build good relationships is not wrong, but in this chaotic world, many things are out of order, and good deeds may not necessarily be rewarded."
"..."
"From now on, try to avoid facing other things—"
He paused for a moment, then let out a deep breath.
Shang Ruyi understood what he meant: "I understand."
But she was still worried about the troops, and asked again, "But the court only gave you 20,000 troops, how are you going to fight this war?"
Yuwen Ye glanced at her, his gaze seemingly softening, but then turning cold again. He even let out a sneer as he spoke, saying, "The court's plan this time is very shrewd."
"abacus?"
Shang Ruyi frowned: "What do you mean?"
Yuwen Ye said, "20,000 troops certainly have no chance of winning, but this is my first battle after being promoted to Grand General. If I fail to win, I will lose face, and I'm afraid I won't be able to hold onto my position as Grand General of the State."
"What is the imperial court planning? Doesn't the imperial court want you to win?"
"No, that's not it. Of course the court wants me to win, and I must win."
"Those soldiers—"
"Therefore, I must deploy more troops."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi paused for a moment, then thought about it again and immediately understood.
She said in a hoarse voice, "Does the imperial court want to force you to ask your father for troops?"
"Um."
"..."
This time, Shang Ruyi's breathing also became somewhat unsteady.
It should be noted that several founding heroes who, like the late Emperor Chu Yin, came from the Dingchuan military town, such as the Duke of Sheng, all fought their way to establish this empire through their own bloody battles. Each of them had their own private army, which was brave and skilled in battle, even more valiant and fearless than the imperial army.
However, they belonged only to the Duke of Sheng.
This is precisely why the current emperor is suspicious of some founding heroes, especially princes and nobles who hold considerable military power. It is not only because their achievements are so great that they threaten the emperor, but also because their strength is extraordinary and they may pose a threat to the court at any time.
This time, the imperial court ordered Yuwen Ye to lead only 20,000 troops to seize Xingluo Granary. He was allowed to win, but not lose. In other words, he was forced to use his own troops to fight. If he won the battle, the imperial court would take back Xingluo Granary. If he lost, it would weaken the Duke of Sheng's military strength.
The half-bowl of soup that Shang Ruyi was holding had been cold for a long time since she had taken a sip. As she slowly put the bowl down, she noticed that her fingers were also icy cold.
For some reason, an incomparably handsome face appeared before her eyes.
Yang Suiyi —
No, it should be Chu Yang.
From the first moment she saw him, he seemed like a celestial being who had fallen to earth. Although he was aloof and unruly, and sometimes even a bit irritable and eccentric, Shang Ruyi always felt that he was not a difficult person to understand.
But at this moment, when she recalled that handsome face and those long, narrow phoenix eyes that were always smiling affectionately, she felt a chill.
The Son of Heaven is the Son of Heaven.
The Emperor's Heart has nine layers; that's absolutely true.
The emperor could rely on him in the most critical times, and promoted him to Grand General when his mother passed away, bringing great prestige to the Duke's mansion. But at the same time, he would also plot against him in the most unnoticed places...
He even schemed against the entire Duke's mansion.
Shang Ruyi's hand, which was resting on the table, trembled slightly, then slowly closed into a fist.
Looking at her solemn expression, and recalling the emperor sitting high on the dragon throne in the court today, and the words that had been lingering in his ears these past few days, Yuwen Ye felt a tightness in his chest for some reason, and suddenly lost his appetite, putting down his bowl and chopsticks.
He casually picked up a handkerchief and wiped his mouth, saying, "I don't want to know how you met him or what your relationship is."
"I--"
"I just want to tell you that sometimes, don't treat a complicated person with a simplistic mindset."
"..."
"The emperor, the Son of Heaven, is not someone you should provoke."
"..."
Shang Ruyi remained silent for a long time, seemingly realizing she couldn't refute his words. Although his words sounded rather harsh, she still lowered her eyelids and said softly, "I know."
Seeing that she didn't refute him at all, Yuwen Ye hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "It's good that you know."
After saying that, he stood up.
Shang Ruyi looked up at him: "Where are you going?"
Yuwen Ye said, "My father told me to come back and rest for a while, then I'll go to his study to find him."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "Oh, then you should go quickly."
He actually stayed and had a meal with her, so the Duke must be getting impatient waiting in the study. Shang Ruyi immediately got up to see him to the door. Yuwen Ye felt she was being a little too formal, so he turned back to look at her with a displeased expression, then glanced around the room and said, "Have someone come and pack my things. Also—you can help me prepare my luggage these next couple of days."
Shang Ruyi was taken aback: "Me?"
Although she had been married for several months and had packed her things before, it seemed that this was Yuwen Ye's first time going on a military campaign, and she was the one who had to prepare his luggage.
Seeing her hesitation, Yuwen Ye's face darkened: "If you don't want to, then forget it."
After saying that, he left without looking back.
He walked quickly, and a gust of wind from his flowing robes hit Shang Ruyi's face. Startled by the cold wind, Shang Ruyi was momentarily disoriented. After a long pause, she whispered to his receding figure, "I didn't say I didn't want to..."
She returned to her room, and soon the kitchen staff came to clear away the dishes. Once they left, she began to busy herself in the room, clearing out some of Yuwen Ye's clothes. Xingluocang was not far from Luoyang, and the weather wouldn't be too different. However, in the event of a battle, there would inevitably be bumps and knocks, so it was natural to prepare some thick and durable coats, as well as two extra pairs of leather boots.
By the time we finished all that, it was already evening.
Just as Shang Ruyi finished packing the last bundle and put it aside, someone came from the study to deliver a message: Yuwen Yuan wanted her to come over as well, saying he had something to discuss with her.
Shang Ruyi was puzzled—if the father and son weren't discussing sending troops to Xingluocang, what were they discussing with her?
But she still got up and went over immediately.
However, just as he reached the door of the study, he heard Yuwen Yuan shouting loudly from inside: "You just won't listen to me!"
This startled Shang Ruyi, who immediately stopped, unsure whether to go forward or backward. But after calming herself down, she continued walking forward. Just as she reached the door, Mu Xian, who was guarding the door, called out to her with a complicated expression: "Young Madam."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"..."
Mu hesitated for a moment, then pulled her aside and whispered, "Today, when I was waiting for the Duke and the young master to leave court at the palace gate, I think I saw General Wang pull the Duke aside and say a few words to him."
Shang Ruyi's eyes widened: "What did he say?"
Mu Xian said, "I was standing far away and didn't hear clearly, but the Duke's expression didn't seem very good."
"..."
"Young Madam, please be careful."
Shang Ruyi frowned, gritted her teeth, and nodded.
This Wang Shaoji is truly incorrigible. He suffered several injustices at my hands before, yet he still comes looking for trouble. I'm afraid what he said to Yuwen Yuan wasn't anything nice!
Could he be referring to the incident that occurred in Yanmen City?
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi's mind became somewhat flustered. Just then, Yuwen Yuan's voice came from the study: "Has Ruyi arrived?"
Shang Ruyi cleared her throat and quickly replied, "Yes, Father."
"Come in."
"yes."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the study.
Upon entering, as usual, Yuwen Yuan sat behind his desk, clearly having just been angry, his complexion was not good, one elbow was propped on the table supporting his forehead, and the deep lines between his brows were so pronounced they could not be erased; Yuwen Ye knelt to his left, his expression equally solemn, and he did not even look up when Shang Ruyi walked in.
Shang Ruyi said softly, "Father, is there anything you want to tell Ruyi?"
"..."
Yuwen Yuan did not answer her, but instead rested his forehead on one hand, so Shang Ruyi could not see his expression at all.
I could only vaguely sense that the Duke of Sheng's aura was different from usual.
Born in Dingchuan Military Town, he was a veteran of countless battles and was usually a very imposing person. However, in front of Shang Ruyi, he acted like a loving father-in-law, always smiling and always siding with his daughter-in-law when speaking to Yuwen Ye. This made Shang Ruyi unconsciously overlook his inherent menacing aura.
But at this moment, the imposing aura emanating from him was so overwhelming that it was hard to breathe.
Shang Ruyi held her breath, almost afraid to move.
After a long pause, Yuwen Yuan said in a deep voice, "Ruyi, I heard that His Majesty has ordered the pardon of Lord Shen, and they will be able to return to Luoyang soon, is that right?"
Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
She quickly stood up straight and replied, "Yes."
Yuwen Yuan slowly lowered his hand, looked up at her, and his dark face seemed to be shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere. His gaze was so deep that it made one's heart skip a beat.
He said, "What, he was the only one pardoned?"
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