Chapter 171 You stop right there!
Shang Ruyi was unaware of the scorching gazes that seemed to burn right through her. She led Eunuch Yu and the others to a side hall for tea, talking as they went, but her mind kept wandering.
I wonder what those two people in the backyard are talking about right now...
What should we say? We can't exactly talk about mundane things like cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, can we?
She felt a little bored. Why should she care about what others were saying? After all, it was she who arranged for them to go to the backyard, and it was she who brought Eunuch Yu and the others to the side hall so as not to disturb the two of them. And wasn't all of this the price she had agreed upon with Yuwen Ye beforehand?
Since it's an exchange, the money and goods are settled, so there's no need to overthink it!
"Young Madam...?"
Suddenly, the voice of Eunuch Yu rang in her ears, and Shang Ruyi snapped out of her daze, hurriedly raising her head: "Ah? What is it, Eunuch?"
The eunuch Yu sat opposite her, looking at her for a long while, and then said, "Young Madam, please accept my condolences."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback. She hadn't shown any sadness just now, so why would he suddenly say such a thing to her?
So he quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Father-in-law, please forgive me. I was a little distracted just now."
Eunuch Yu smiled and said, "Young Madam is so young to be in charge of such a large place and so many people in the mansion. It is inevitable that she will be tired. I hope that Young Madam will take good care of her health."
"Thank you for your concern, Father-in-law."
"No, no."
The two were not familiar with each other and could only exchange polite words. However, Shang Ruyi had a vague feeling that this Eunuch Yu was different from the other eunuchs she had met before. Moreover, judging from what he said to Yuwen Ye after delivering the imperial decree, he seemed to have a more friendly attitude towards the Duke's mansion.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi cautiously asked, "Father-in-law, if I may be so bold as to ask, why did His Majesty bestow a title upon my husband at this time?"
The eunuch smiled and said, "The second young master has rendered outstanding service in protecting the emperor this time. If we don't bestow titles upon him, who should we bestow titles upon?"
"..."
This was clearly just a perfunctory remark.
Shang Ruyi didn't press the matter further, so she smiled and modestly declined.
However, the eunuch Yu looked at her with his shrewd little eyes for a while, and then smiled and said, "The Duke recommends the virtuous and avoids relatives. The second young master has superb martial arts skills, but he has been buried and not given important positions. If His Majesty does not confer a title on him, how will he have the opportunity to make meritorious contributions?"
"...?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback.
An opportunity to make a name for oneself... Was Eunuch Yu just being polite, or did Chu Yang already have such a plan?
If such an arrangement exists, then the only opportunity at present seems to be—
She suddenly felt a chill run through her body, but she maintained a humble yet slightly smug expression, accompanying Eunuch Yu as he drank tea and ate snacks, though her thoughts couldn't help but wander.
She was eager to share her guesses with Yuwen Ye about when these people would leave.
As soon as the thought popped into her head, she immediately laughed at herself for being delusional. Not to mention that she had no say in the comings and goings of Eunuch Yu and the others, as for the princess in the backyard, Yuwen Ye probably hoped that she could stay by his side for a long time, so how could he possibly want her to leave quickly?
To be honest, this princess has had a tough time. Although she is in the palace, she always thinks about this person outside the palace and tries every means to overcome all difficulties to see him. Perhaps only such tender feelings can soothe Yuwen Ye's pain at this moment.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself.
Compared to that, my pathetic "unrequited love" wasn't so bad after all.
And right now, the people who are truly working hard are—
Shang Ruyi glanced at Eunuch Yu again and said with a smile, "Eunuch, I have another question I would like to ask you."
Eunuch Yu said, "Young Madam, please ask."
Shang Ruyi said cautiously, "Back in Yanmen County, His Majesty promised me that he would release my uncle and bring him back to Luoyang. I wonder if that has happened now—"
"oh,"
Eunuch Yu nodded and said, "I know about this matter. After His Majesty returned to the palace, he immediately issued an edict to Lingnan to pardon Lord Shen. The edict should still be on its way, but it should arrive in Lingnan soon. Please rest assured, young mistress."
Shang Ruyi was overjoyed.
"This, this is wonderful."
As she spoke, she repeatedly thanked Eunuch Yu, saying, "Thank you, Eunuch Yu."
The eunuch looked at her with a smile and said with emotion, "It is a blessing for Lord Shen to have a junior like the young mistress who is so devoted to him."
Shang Ruyi felt both joy and relief, and said with emotion, "Ruyi was raised by my uncle and aunt since childhood. They are the most important people in my world—"
Just as they were talking, footsteps sounded outside the side hall door, and just as Shang Ruyi finished speaking, the footsteps abruptly stopped at the door.
When Shang Ruyi turned around, she was surprised to see Yuwen Ye!
He stood at the small doorway of the side hall, his tall figure immediately blocking out the dim light outside, giving the impression of a sky filled with dark clouds.
Even when Shang Ruyi met his eyes, she felt that his gaze was full of gloom.
Especially when looking at oneself.
She was taken aback—what was going on?
He subconsciously looked behind him and saw that Princess Xinyue, dressed as a eunuch, had also come in. Her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just cried, but her emotions had now calmed down.
Why did it end so quickly for them?
Shang Ruyi was convinced that their gathering in the backyard would take at least another cup of tea's time.
It's good that it happened so quickly, so as not to give anything away. After all, so many officials came to pay their respects. If it were discovered, not to mention anything else, it would tarnish the princess's reputation, and they would all be in trouble.
As expected, Yuwen Ye walked in with a gloomy expression and said to Eunuch Yu very politely, "Eunuch, it's getting late. I'm afraid there are still many important matters in the palace that await your return. I won't keep you any longer."
Eunuch Yu quickly stood up and said with a smile, "General, you're too kind."
After saying this, he walked to Princess Xinyue's side, whispered a few words, and then took his leave.
Shang Ruyi naturally got up and followed them out to see the guests off. When they reached the gate, Aunt Hui came up and gave Eunuch Yu a box, saying that she had prepared some pastries for them to eat on their way. But judging from the heavy look on the little eunuch's face when he took it, it was clear that it contained more than just pastries. Eunuch Yu understood and accepted it with a smile.
Just as they were exchanging pleasantries, a sweet and soft voice rang in Shang Ruyi's ears—
Thank you.
Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head and met a pair of clear eyes that were still a little red.
She is Princess New Moon.
She stood to the side, her turban and robe unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, her bright and charming face was so pleasing to the eye that even a woman like herself couldn't help but find it captivating, and one couldn't help but stare at her.
This was, in fact, the first time the two of them had faced each other directly.
Although Shang Ruyi's emotions were complicated, she was still quite polite to her, with a hint of respect in her politeness, and said softly, "Your Highness is too kind."
Faced with her polite yet distant demeanor, Chu Ruoyan hesitated for a moment before saying, "I didn't want him to be too sad, so I came to visit him and comfort him. We haven't done anything improper, so I hope you won't..."
The princess, born of noble birth, seemed unsure how to express herself further.
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, and for a moment, she felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.
Indeed, only mutual affection can lead to such a journey without regret. Their pure and open relationship made my previous wild thoughts seem utterly shameful.
Moreover, she hadn't expected that the princess, who was clearly of high status, would speak to her so politely and cautiously, as if she were afraid of offending her.
Shang Ruyi smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness is too kind."
At this moment, Eunuch Yu and the others finished their pleasantries and walked out. Chu Ruoyan took one last reluctant look at Yuwen Ye before following them.
Shang Ruyi stood at the door, watching their carriage disappear at the end of the long street.
He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to walk inside.
But after taking only one step, he heard Yuwen Ye's cold voice behind him: "Stop right there!"
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