Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1025 - 746: I Contributed Too

That sense of chaos and unease constantly haunted Shang Ruyi until she returned to Qianqiu Palace. Tushere had already spread the news far and wide, causing not only Chang Wan and Wo Xue to happily come congratulate them, but also several rough palace maids and eunuchs came to bow and offer their congratulations. Soon, others from the palace came to offer their felicitations, and the unease in Shang Ruyi’s heart was quickly forgotten.After this wave of congratulators had left, Yu Wenquan’s gifts followed.

The items were personally delivered by Eunuch Yu, including silk, satin, jewelry, jade, and precious medicinal herbs, filling several large chests placed under the eaves of Qianqiu Palace, lighting up the main hall inside.

Such grand gifts made Shang Ruyi inevitably recall the scene when Yu Wenquan went to the Shen Family to propose.

Seeing this situation, Yu Wenye also did not hesitate and rewarded Eunuch Yu and his accompanying little eunuchs. Though he appeared composed, he couldn’t conceal his delight, nor did he wish to, with a hint of spring exuberance in his demeanor. After accepting the reward and exchanging some congratulatory words, Eunuch Yu and the others departed.

By this time, the sun had already set.

The entire world was bathed in a reddish hue, reflecting off the treasure-filled chests that shone like clouds. Shang Ruyi just stared at them in a daze.

Yu Wenye seemed to notice that she had been unusually quiet the whole way back; his expression now was excessively solemn as he approached her and lowered his head, asking, "Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

Shang Ruyi was startled, raising her head to meet his gentle and affectionate gaze.

Instantly, any last trace of unease was completely dispelled, like sunshine scattering insignificant shadows, and she shook her head, unable to suppress a smile: "The gifts from Father are too much."

Yu Wenye chuckled, "Why say such silly things? Who would complain about receiving too much reward?"

Shang Ruyi blinked: "So, they’re all mine?"

Yu Wenye raised an eyebrow, amused by her rare "greedy" appearance, thought for a moment, then said, "If you decide to give me half, I won’t refuse." After speaking, he deliberately lowered his head, whispering in her ear, "After all, I did contribute to this child."

Shang Ruyi blushed and gave him a playful slap.

After joking around, Shang Ruyi called Tushere to open the small house in the northeast corner of the backyard of Qianqiu Palace, where they specifically stored things, to move these items inside. But when Tushere checked, she found it had gathered some dust from not being used often, so she took two little eunuchs to clean it.

This took nearly half an hour.

Yu Wenye said, "It seems I should’ve asked Father for two more palace maids to assist."

Shang Ruyi immediately shook her head: "The storeroom is usually left unclean because they are lazy, leading to today’s rush; it’s not necessary on a daily basis. Besides—"

She didn’t finish, but Yu Wenye understood.

If people were to be arranged, naturally Aunt Hui would have to handle it as Chief Lady, but Shang Ruyi was now pregnant, necessitating extra caution compared to before. It’s better to let Tushere and them work a bit harder than bring inexperienced faces into Qianqiu Palace during such times.

Ultimately, Shang Ruyi still didn’t trust Aunt Hui.

Previously, after Madam Guan’s passing, Aunt Hui dared to frame Chang Wan in order to remove Madam Guan’s people, showing that she is no ordinary schemer. Now with her pregnancy well-known throughout the palace, not just her, but perhaps others might start plotting too; hence, the less commotion in Qianqiu Palace, the better.

After cleaning the storeroom and moving the items inside, Shang Ruyi specially went to check the inventory once more; by the time she returned, night was falling.

Though supposed to be resting, she was busier than ever.

Yet this busyness was joyful, and Shang Ruyi found she wasn’t tired at all. Until night fell, after bathing and changing, lying on the bed, she took a long deep breath.

The person beside her immediately reached over to hold her: "Tired?"

Looking up, she met Yu Wenye’s gentle gaze.

Used to his tenderness these days, Shang Ruyi had almost "forgotten the pain after the wound healed," forgetting how stern Yu Wenye was in the past. Or perhaps, this is his true nature, while the past sternness was merely a mask for everyone else outside her.

Thinking this way, her heart softened, nestling into Yu Wenye’s arms, allowing his strong and firm arms to hold her just right. Skin close together, breaths intertwining, as if they were one.

She then softly shook her head: "Not tired."

Yu Wenye smiled gently, saying, "In the future, whether tired or not, you should rest more."

Shang Ruyi looked up at him: "Didn’t you complain I got up late in the morning?"

Yu Wenye laughed, "Alright, sleep as long as you want. I’ve told them, starting tomorrow morning, no one is allowed to disturb you, wake up whenever you like."

Shang Ruyi chuckled, but shook her head: "But that’s not right."

"Why?"

"I’ve heard people say, if a pregnant woman stays inactive every day, the baby might grow too big, making it difficult to birth."

"Really?"

Yu Wenye hadn’t known this, hearing it for the first time today. He was silent for a while; one hand warmed in the blanket, then brought to his mouth to blow warm air, ensuring his fingertips were warm before reaching Shang Ruyi’s still-flat belly—it had been three months, yet her figure hadn’t changed much. He hadn’t recognized it, and even living together, hadn’t noticed his Princess had indeed gained a bit more weight compared to before.

Thankfully, no major incident occurred during the journey back from Taiyuan despite its exhaustion.

So he whispered, "But your belly is too small."

Shang Ruyi laughed, "How big could it be after three months? I’ve heard, you only start showing after four or five months."

"Still so long, I wish the baby could be born immediately."

"Wishful thinking. Even though it’s been three months, there are still at least six to seven months to go, nowhere near as easy as you think."

"Oh..."

Yu Wenye’s warm palm gently rested on her belly, warming and tingling slightly, making Shang Ruyi giggle uncontrollably. Sensing her ticklishness, Yu Wenye pulled his hand to her waist, whispering, "Alright, I’ll stay with you, one day at a time, until the baby arrives."

"..."

Shang Ruyi paused, unable to escape the thought that current circumstances might not allow him to stay by her side like that; never mind anything else, there’s still the battle in Luoyang.

However, even if he can’t do it, it’s nice that he thinks about it.

So she didn’t refute him, simply smiling and nodding, while Yu Wenye’s gaze was remarkably resolute, pressing against Shang Ruyi’s forehead, murmuring, as though speaking to her, but also to himself.

"This time, I cannot again..."