Chapter 72 is about being a hostage?
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, feeling a little guilty for some reason, and said, "That was you—that was given to me by my mother."
"..."
"Mother said she forgot to give me a gift before, so she gave it to me today."
Yuwen Ye raised an eyebrow slightly, looked at the box, and then at her.
Shang Ruyi understood that since he didn't consider her a true wife, he naturally felt it was inappropriate for his mother to give him such a valuable gift. After thinking for a moment, Shang Ruyi decided to explain things to him, so she said to Tushe'er and Woxue in the room, "You two go down first."
"No need."
Yuwen Ye interrupted her, ignoring her somewhat surprised expression, and instructed the two maids, "You two stay here and immediately pack my and the young mistress's belongings."
Shang Ruyi was startled: "Why?"
Yuwen Ye sat down at the low table in the center of the room and beckoned to her. Shang Ruyi quickly went over and sat down as well. Yuwen Ye then said, "We need to prepare to set off for Luoyang."
"Was it arranged by Father?"
“No, it’s the Emperor’s decree.” Yuwen Ye’s face was grim as he said, “This time, in the campaign against Liaodong, not only are many princes and nobles going on the expedition, but their families are also required to return to Luoyang.”
"..."
Shang Ruyi's expression also darkened. After a long while, she whispered, "Yes, as a hostage?"
Yuwen Ye glanced at her and nodded silently.
Both of them were feeling very down.
After the emperor's several campaigns against Liaodong, there was widespread discontent within the country. He was certainly worried that those in the court who opposed the campaign against Gou Li might take action while the army was on its way. Therefore, he summoned the families of these people to Luoyang in advance so that if anything went wrong, he could immediately control the situation.
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then asked, "What about the family members—"
Yuwen Ye said, "Father and Mother are going to Liaoxi, and Yan Jie and I are going to Luoyang. Naturally, all the family members will go with us."
Yan Jie was the courtesy name of Yuwen Cheng.
Even the young Yuwen Cheng was summoned back to Luoyang; it seems the emperor truly distrusts the Sheng family.
Just as Shang Ruyi was about to say something, she saw Yuwen Ye staring intently at the box.
He clearly knew what Guan Yunmu meant by giving him the gift after the meeting. He probably felt a little uncomfortable that his nominal wife had gained Guan Yunmu's approval.
Shang Ruyi felt uneasy. She opened and closed her lips once before finally saying, "Just now, I also tried to persuade Mother."
Yuwen Ye glanced at her.
Meeting his gaze, Shang Ruyi lowered her head guiltily and said softly, "However, Mother still insists on going to Liaoxi with Father."
"..."
Yuwen Ye remained silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a soft laugh. The laugh seemed to carry a hint of mockery, as if he could see right through her.
He said, "Then you can keep it."
"..."
Shang Ruyi's face flushed red instantly.
She understood that Yuwen Ye's staring at the box of jewelry was a silent message to her that he didn't want his mother to truly accept her as his daughter-in-law. If she had any self-awareness, she should have returned the jewelry, or at least given it back to him.
However, Shang Ruyi changed the subject, indicating that she didn't mean it that way.
That's why he came up with such a nonsensical remark.
But after saying that, he seemed to feel that the atmosphere was too cold. He looked up and saw that Tusheer and the others were focused on packing their things and did not notice what the two of them were saying.
So he softened his tone and said gently, "You should also prepare well, we'll be leaving in a few days."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com