Chapter 604 Chengqian Palace
Upon seeing her, Shang Ruyi's breath caught in her throat.
Although she had already told herself to accept everything, and in fact, she had to accept everything, Shang Ruyi was still somewhat stunned when she actually saw that beautiful face, which, although smiling, revealed a deep-seated sorrow in its gentle smile.
This former New Moon Princess, a favored daughter of heaven, has now been abandoned by fate, and in the end, she stands on the same side as her.
Looking back on her past jealousy and anger, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt an endless sense of absurdity.
In that instant, all her emotions vanished.
In that brief moment of emotional emptiness, they had already reached Chu Ruoyan. Her bright face was beaming with smiles, all of which were directed at Yuwen Ye: "Second Brother—"
After saying that, she was taken aback.
After thinking for a moment, he bowed deeply and said, "Your Highness."
No one knew how bittersweet it was for her to utter that "Your Highness." Even the servants behind them, including Aunt Hui, couldn't help but sigh softly. Yuwen Ye's expression was somewhat unnatural, but his gaze gradually softened as he asked her, "Why did you get up?"
Chu Ruoyan raised her head and said with a smile, "I heard that Second Brother has finally entered the palace, so I've come to pick you up."
"..."
"After all, I want to see my second brother as soon as possible."
Yuwen Ye paused for a moment before saying, "There's no rush to meet; your health is more important."
It was only at this moment that Shang Ruyi could see clearly that Chu Ruoyan's clothes were not only gorgeous, but she had also specially worn a straight-necked dress today. However, because her neck was slender and snow-white, although half of it was covered by the straight neck, a small part of her white neck was still exposed, and a deep red mark could be faintly seen on it.
This must be what she was like before—
Doing something so resolute wouldn't leave many external injuries, but such marks are unavoidable and can't be faked. That is to say, Chu Ruoyan at that time had already resolved to die and truly had no will to live.
Shang Ruyi felt a sudden pang of fear.
Just as she was breathing heavily, those bright, clear eyes turned to her. After a sharp glint flashed in them, Chu Ruoyan smiled and said, "Sister."
Shang Ruyi almost instinctively wanted to call her Princess, but fortunately, she reacted quickly and stopped before she could say it. Chu Ruoyan obviously noticed her clumsiness at this moment, and smiled slightly, saying, "Sister can call me Ruoyan."
"...Ruoyan".
Chu Ruoyan's smile deepened.
Shang Ruyi felt a surge of emotion – this wasn't the first time Chu Ruoyan had called her "sister." At first, she felt very uncomfortable with it, but this princess, born of noble birth, genuinely treated her with kindness. Later, after they arrived in Daxing City, Princess Xinyue experienced the torment of her country's destruction and the loss of her family, which made her temperament sharp and harsh. When she called her "sister" again, the word "sister" sounded eccentric.
Now, hearing that "sister" again feels different than before.
There was no longer the simple sweetness and intimacy of the past, nor the sharpness and eccentricity of the future; only a sense of peace and satisfaction at the fulfillment of a long-cherished wish, like a light feather, carried by the wind, drifting involuntarily in the sky for who knows how long, before finally landing steadily.
Yuwen Ye looked at them quietly, and then said, "Let's go. We can talk about it over there."
After saying that, he walked forward.
Shang Ruyi naturally followed, and Chu Ruoyan turned around and followed behind him. Aunt Hui and the others followed quietly behind.
As they passed through several palace gates, the scenery before them was both familiar and unfamiliar.
Just as Shang Ruyi was somewhat dazed, realizing that she would spend the rest of her life in this magnificent and solemn Nine Heavens and Three Palaces, a fragrant breeze wafted by her side, and Chu Ruoyan walked up to her and said softly, "Sister."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi's mood unconsciously became tense again.
Of course she knew that she would face many complicated people and things after entering the palace. Shen Wuzheng had told her this long ago. But what she didn't expect was that the first person and the first thing she would face would be Chu Ruoyan.
But she still forced a smile and pursed her lips: "What is it?"
Chu Ruoyan looked at her. Her bright and beautiful eyes, brimming with autumn water, no longer held the scheming and sinister intent she had shown when they met in Yichun Palace, nor the sharpness and anger she had displayed during their confrontation in Taiji Palace. Instead, they were filled with a calmness almost like still water.
She suddenly laughed and said, "Sister, don't be nervous."
"..."
"Mother—my mother, on the night she saved me, she also threatened to kill herself."
"……What?!"
Shang Ruyi's eyes widened suddenly, but fortunately, from the moment she stepped into Xuanwu Gate, she had subconsciously kept her emotions in check, so even though she was extremely shocked at this moment, she did not lose her voice, but her low, hoarse voice was still filled with panic: "The Empress Dowager—"
A touch of melancholy rippled across Chu Ruoyan's eyes, which were filled with autumn waters. She said bitterly:
"She said, if I want to live, to live well, and to stay by my second brother's side, I must, I must accept my fate, I must get along well with you, and I can't have any other thoughts."
"..."
"Otherwise, I will get nothing, and I won't even be able to keep her and my younger brother."
"..."
So, I accepted my fate.
"..."
"So, from now on, I will call you my sister, as long as it allows me to stay—"
As she spoke, she raised her eyes and gazed at Yuwen Ye's tall figure not far ahead. Her admiration and love were evident in her eyes, as if it had always been so. Then she said, "I have no other wish than to stay by his side."
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked at her without saying a word.
Although she had felt jealous of Princess Xinyue in the past when she didn't understand Yuwen Ye's thoughts, now, from an ordinary person's perspective, she had already won a great victory. However, she still felt a little envious of her.
She envied someone who could devote themselves so wholeheartedly to love and hate.
But she seemed afraid.
Even though she received Yuwen Ye's promise at Dayan Temple and knew his feelings for her, now that she's in this position, she can no longer abandon everything to enjoy love.
Perhaps this is the price of "gaining".
After saying those words, Chu Ruoyan was waiting for her response, but when she saw a strange emotion in Shang Ruyi's eyes, she couldn't help but frown: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi then came to her senses.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful face that had always amazed her, she smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry."
"..."
“You’ve already stayed by his side, and no one can stop you, not even me.”
Chu Ruoyan didn't immediately respond to the words that should have reassured her. Instead, she quietly looked at Shang Ruyi for a while before slowly turning her head to continue looking ahead. When Shang Ruyi couldn't see or hear her, a bitter look appeared in her eyes, and she murmured, "Only you..."
As they spoke, they had already passed through Anren Gate.
Directly in front was a vast area that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see, and a magnificent palace stood before them—the Qianqiu Palace, the residence that Yuwen Yuan had bestowed upon the Prince of Qin and his consort.
The Princess's Courtyard is a palace garden located right next to the west side of the Thousand Autumns Palace.
This is the former residence of Princess Crescent Moon.
Logically speaking, after the change of dynasties, Princess Chu Ruoyan's identity should have disappeared. Now she is just a concubine of the Prince of Qin, and therefore should not be able to stay in the Princess's Courtyard. However, because of Chu Chengfei's abdication and Empress Dowager Jiang's decisive decision in the Taiji Hall, Yuwen Yuan preserved the last dignity of the Chu Dynasty. Therefore, Chu Ruoyan can still stay in the Princess's Courtyard in the palace. However, this place will probably have to be renamed.
However, Shang Ruyi's attention was still on their Qianqiu Palace.
As we slowly approached and climbed the steps, we saw that the main hall was spacious and bright, facing south, warm in winter and cool in summer. The palace was surrounded by many pine trees, which, because they were well-trimmed, not only did not block the sunlight, but also made the palace look stable and reserved, with a faint sense of majesty surrounding the hall.
This aura suited Yuwen Ye's temperament quite well.
Moreover, the furniture inside had already been arranged. Although it was palace furnishings, it was not overly luxurious. Firstly, Yuwen Yuan was preparing to ascend the throne and it was not appropriate to be too ostentatious; secondly, it was also due to Yuwen Ye's usual preferences. The entire Qianqiu Palace was decorated to their liking.
Although she had been feeling uneasy about moving into the palace, Shang Ruyi still smiled with satisfaction at this moment.
At this moment, the servants behind them carried in the exquisite boxes that had been packed up from the Duke's mansion.
Aunt Hui stepped forward, bowed to the three of them, and said, "Your Highness, Princess, and Madam, this servant will take her leave now."
Yuwen Ye looked up and asked, "Is Aunt Hui going to serve Father Emperor? Is Father Emperor currently in Taiji Palace?"
Aunt Hui also looked up at him and smiled, "Of course, this servant is also going to serve His Majesty."
"...?"
Yuwen Ye's expression hardened, while Aunt Hui bowed again, turned around, and left with her entourage.
Shang Ruyi, standing to the side, frowned slightly and stepped forward, watching her figure disappear at the palace gate ahead. But clearly, that direction was not towards the Taiji Palace where the emperor resided, but rather towards a place further east of the princess's residence.
What place is over there?
Just as they were both hesitating, Chu Ruoyan whispered, "Second brother, sister, don't you know yet? The Prince of Han has also entered the palace."
"What?"
Yuwen Ye frowned, and Shang Ruyi immediately turned to look at her: "The Prince of Han is going to the palace? Shouldn't he be establishing his own residence and military headquarters?"
Chu Ruoyan said, "I heard from people around me that because the Prince of Han could not find a suitable residence to establish his own government, His Majesty granted him Chengqing Palace as a temporary residence."
Chengqing Hall is located further east of the Princess's Courtyard. During the period when the plague was rampant, the inner palace was closed, and morning court sessions were not held, Yuwen Yuan worked here as the Grand Chancellor.
Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a glance, both with a hint of worry in their eyes, but neither said anything explicitly. After all, Yuwen Yuan had only announced the rewards for his two sons yesterday, and the privilege of allowing the Prince of Han to establish his own government was added to that document on short notice, so Yuwen Qian naturally hadn't prepared in advance.
It wouldn't be impossible to change the Duke's mansion into the Prince of Han's mansion. After all, as the Duke's heir, it would be only natural for Yuwen Qian to inherit that mansion. However, if he moves in without any renovations, it would not seem like a privilege to establish his own residence and prefecture, but rather a sign of neglect.
This arrangement is indeed the most appropriate.
In other words, the residence of the King of Han and the residence of the King of Qin were separated only by the Baifu Hall, which the emperor used to entertain guests. Although they were not as close as when they lived together in the Duke's Mansion, they did not seem far apart now.
No wonder Aunt Hui answered them that way just now.
However, for some reason, this seemingly perfect arrangement made them feel uneasy, though they couldn't pinpoint what it was. But they didn't have time to think about anything else, as it was already past noon and they still had a lot to pack.
So, Shang Ruyi immediately led Tusheer and the others to start packing their luggage.
After a busy half-day, the Thousand Autumns Palace was finally clean and tidy. At dusk, golden sunlight shone on the smooth floor, and an inexplicable magnificent atmosphere enveloped them, making them feel refreshed and relaxed.
Just then, they saw someone carrying something past outside the palace walls.
Shang Ruyi immediately asked, "What are you carrying?"
The group of people immediately stopped. They were a few young eunuchs. Upon seeing her, they quickly stepped forward to bow and said with a smile, "Your Highness, we are here to exchange the plaque in the Princess's courtyard."
"oh?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi raised her head slightly and indeed saw that they were carrying a huge plaque.
The inscription above reads three large characters: Jin Yu Yuan.
Gold, Jade, Garden?
Shang Ruyi silently repeated it twice in her heart, but immediately understood. It meant "a princess of noble birth." Although Chu Ruoyan was no longer a princess of noble birth, Yuwen Yuan still used these three words to promise her a life of wealth, honor, and peace.
This can be considered a small price he paid for peacefully succeeding the Chu dynasty.
Shang Ruyi smiled and nodded, saying only, "These characters are written very well, you should go and change them."
The eunuchs wiped their sweat, and one of them said with a forced smile, "These few characters are just passable. It's His Highness Prince Han's palace with the truly excellent calligraphy, written by His Majesty himself."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback and immediately asked, "Isn't the Prince of Han's residence the Chengqing Hall? Does it also need a new plaque?"
The young eunuch nodded: "Yes."
Yuwen Ye, who had been silent all along, suddenly stepped forward and asked, "What has been changed?"
The young eunuch said softly, "Chengqian Palace."
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