Is Chapter 1197 this time?
"Bring the wine!"
At his command, the servants and maids who were already prepared immediately filed in from outside, carrying jars of freshly opened wine, the aroma of which filled the air.
Although everyone was still a little uneasy, seeing how carefree he was, they stopped insisting. Since Mu Xian and Cheng Qiao had already arrived, they simply let them stay. Everyone found their own seats and began to drink heartily.
For a time, glasses clinked and laughter filled the air.
This commotion lasted until midnight.
In the end, almost everyone was drunk, especially Shen Tu Tai, who was so drunk that he couldn't even walk. It was only after Shen Wuzheng called four or five big men to help carry him away that he was able to leave. The others were also unsteady on their feet and were helped away by their servants.
The only one who could still remain conscious was Shen Wuzheng.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Shang Ruyi. Since learning that Yuwen Cheng had taken Xiao Yuansui away, she had been somewhat shocked and surprised, but she hadn't said a word. At this moment, she was just helping the slightly unsteady Yuwen Ye towards the backyard. Feeling Shen Wuzheng's gaze, she looked back, but didn't say anything, only nodded slightly.
So everyone dispersed.
One by one, the lights in the Duke's mansion were extinguished, and soon the entire mansion quietly blended into the already pitch-black night, so quiet that it was as if the previous liveliness was just an illusion.
Shang Ruyi helped Yuwen Ye back to their room. As soon as they entered, Wo Xue immediately served them a hangover soup.
She gestured for Yuwen Ye to sit down, then personally brought the soup to his lips: "Your Highness, please have a sip."
"call……"
Yuwen Ye's breath reeked of alcohol, but when he looked up again, his cold eyes were clear and sharp, and a faint smile played on his lips: "You really think I'm drunk?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback, then smiled and handed the soup bowl to Wo Xue, saying with a smile, "So you were just teasing me."
Although he didn't need a hangover soup, the smell of alcohol on him was still quite overpowering. Shang Ruyi asked Wo Xue to fetch another basin of cold water for him to wash his face. Yuwen Ye went over and washed himself, then returned to the bedside and sat down, saying, "I'm not trying to comfort you, I just don't want to spoil the fun for everyone. Shen Tu Tai and your brother have been fighting this battle for a whole year, and we've all been through a lot for half a year. Everyone has worked very hard, and we can't let Yan Jie's actions ruin everyone's peace tonight. If I don't drink, how can they?"
Shang Ruyi sighed softly.
Wo Xue took out the basin and cloth, then closed the door, leaving only the two of them in the room. After undressing, they went to bed.
It was already very late at night, and we had all had a little to drink, so our heads felt heavy and we were very tired.
But neither of them could fall asleep.
Even though there was no wind, the single candle in the room flickered and swayed, its dim light creating a sense of impending doom. Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and finally turned to face Yuwen Ye, only to see his bright eyes fixed on the dark ceiling, as if lost in thought.
She whispered, "What should we do?"
Yuwen Ye turned to look at her: "Hmm?"
Shang Ruyi said, "King Qi took Xiao Yuansui away to deal with you."
Yuwen Ye snorted coldly: "Of course."
Shang Ruyi asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"
Yuwen Ye remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "It depends on how they plan to use Xiao Yuansui."
How do I use it?
These three words surprised Shang Ruyi, who looked at him with a puzzled expression: "How else can it be used?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Xiao Yuansui is the most important official in the battle of Luoyang besides Liang Shide. Capturing him and presenting him to Father Emperor would be a great achievement in this battle. Yan Jie had attacked Luoyang several times before but failed. Bringing him back was to save face for himself. If Father Emperor kills Xiao Yuansui with one blow, then that face will be given to him."
Shang Ruyi's expression changed: "They want to kill Xiao Yuansui?"
Yuwen Ye glanced at her unhappily, then snorted before saying, "But this is the worst possible solution for everyone."
Shang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief, thought for a moment, and said, "Let him live and use him for our own purposes; that's the best course of action."
Yuwen Ye nodded: "Everyone knows Xiao Yuansui's abilities. In just a few short years, he has taken over Wanggang Village and Luoyang City, making a great success of the situation. Although he has many shortcomings, he also has strengths that others do not have. Father Emperor understands his value even more. Therefore, keeping him is more beneficial than harmful."
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "But if we keep it, who will use it?"
Yuwen Ye chuckled again and said, "Yes, the problem lies in who gets to use him. Judging from the current situation, Father will definitely give him to the Crown Prince."
Shang Ruyi nodded. It was not for any other reason than that the power between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin was clearly unequal. Yuwen Ye had seized control of half of the court's military and political power based on his military achievements in several major battles. Moreover, among his civil officials, there were veterans like Shen Shiyan and Pei Xu, as well as rising stars like Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan. Among his military generals, there were fierce generals like Shen Tu Tai and Shan Tong'er who followed him, as well as Dai Junliang who guarded the northwest, Yan Buhuai who guarded Xingluo Granary, and Lei Guo who guarded Taiyuan in the north. Luoyang was also now within his sphere of influence.
It can be said that Yuwen Ye's trusted forces covered almost everything from the court to the border.
In contrast, although Yuwen Qian had the title of crown prince and many officials in the court were attached to him, his strength was far inferior, and this situation made it easy for trouble to arise.
Yuwen Ye added, "However, even if Father Emperor wants to give him to the Crown Prince, he'll have to get past me first. I'm the one who arrested this man, and you even helped with the process. I've written all of this down in my report. If he really insists on giving Xiao Yuansui to the Crown Prince despite our efforts..."
Shang Ruyi's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She propped herself up and looked at Yuwen Ye. In the dim light, his gaze shone like a drawn sword.
What would you do?
"..."
Yuwen Ye didn't speak, but glanced at her, then slowly lowered his eyelids, concealing his sharp gaze.
There are some things that don't need to be said between the two of them. After all, she understands Yuwen Ye's thoughts best, and she has also told him about some things she had learned from Yu Mingyue's memories. The two of them are silently moving towards that path.
But, is it now?
Is it this time?
Yuwen Ye remained silent for a while, not answering the question, but said again: "Of course, what I said is still a prediction of Father Emperor and Crown Prince's plans. There is one more thing that none of us can predict."
Shang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief, but felt inexplicably lost, and asked only, "What is it?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Xiao Yuansui's plan."
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