Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1085 - 780: The Figure Behind the Scripture Pavilion

The next morning.Just past 5 AM, the palace and the area outside were already bustling with activity. Palace attendants were busy coming and going, and this silent liveliness awakened the entire Chang An City prematurely.

Shang Ruyi also rose early, dressed up neatly, and arrived at the palace gates by 7 AM to see the Emperor off.

Although this journey was rather hurried, the preparations were still thorough and the ceremonial entourage was impeccable. After accepting the kneeling bows of all the officials, Yu Wenquan boarded the golden carriage. But before the carriage moved, he lifted the curtain and waved at Prince Qin and Princess Qin standing by the palace gate, who immediately stepped forward.

Yu Wenquan looked at Shang Ruyi and said, "When you go to Dayan Temple, don’t linger too long. Worship is a matter of the heart, not mere formality."

Shang Ruyi lowered her head, her eyes flickering slightly.

She understood that even if Yu Wenquan was in a good mood for some reason and agreed to let her go to Dayan Temple to worship, which essentially allowed her to meet with Empress Dowager Jiang, the Emperor’s heart was still dominated by suspicion, especially towards forces like Empress Dowager Jiang and the deposed emperor. So, at the last moment, he gave instructions, and Shang Ruyi did not dare to disobey.

She immediately responded respectfully, "I understand, Father."

Yu Wenquan nodded, then turned to glance at Yu Wenye and said, "After you accompany Ruyi back, come over at once."

Saying this, a slight smile appeared on his face, "I thought you only had your wife in your heart, and not this old father."

As they spoke, the Crown Prince, who was accompanying the Emperor on the tour, also happened to be boarding the carriage beside them. It seemed he heard this remark, for his boarding action paused slightly, but he did not linger long and quickly boarded the carriage, drawing down the curtain.

Yu Wenye looked up at Yu Wenquan, but before he could respond, Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "Father-in-law, you speak too seriously. How could Prince Qin dare? It was I who wanted him to accompany me, and after much consideration, he made this decision. Please forgive my willfulness, Father."

Yu Wenquan laughed heartily and said, "Why would I blame you?"

Saying this, he glanced once more at Yu Wenye and said, "You two are deeply in love, and I am pleased to see that, but—in the face of important matters, you can’t be too caught up in personal affections."

Both replied in unison, "We understand, Father."

Only then did Yu Wenquan wave them off, and the two took a step back as Eunuch Yu ordered the procession to set off, leaving the Imperial Palace in grand style.

However, as the carriages departed, there was a corner of the curtain lifted slightly on a carriage belonging to Duke Wushan. Inside, a pair of sharp and beautiful eyes watched Shang Ruyi’s figure with a glint of coldness in them.

Watching the flags and ceremonial entourage gradually disappear at the end of the long street, and the voices from the kneeling commoners along the Vermilion Bird Avenue, consumed by clouds and the wind, Yu Wenye then slowly stood up and supported Shang Ruyi’s slightly fleshier arm, saying, "Let’s set off as well."

Shang Ruyi nodded.

Upon that, he waved, and the other carriage came over. Prince Qin and Princess Qin boarded in succession, exited the palace gates, and headed toward Dayan Temple.

Due to Shang Ruyi’s condition, the carriage traveled very slowly. What would have been a half-hour journey took over an hour today. When their carriage stopped outside Dayan Temple, Master Xinzeng and the others from the temple were already waiting at the gate. By this time, the sun had already risen high in the sky, and the scorching sun seemed eager to unleash its pent-up warmth and brightness. The monks, dressed in thick robes, were all drenched in sweat, unable to wipe it away.

Upon seeing the carriage carrying Prince Qin and the Princess, everyone’s faces brightened as if the Bright Buddha Mother had arrived.

Master Xinzeng looked even older than at the last Dharma assembly, his waist and back almost unable to straighten. Only his ever-smiling eyes, filled with shrewdness and cunning, remained unchanged. Eagerly, he stepped forward to greet them, "Greetings to Prince Qin, greetings to Princess Qin."

Yu Wenye did not immediately acknowledge him after getting off the carriage. Instead, he turned to assist Shang Ruyi in alighting, standing firm before glancing at the group of monks who were now bowing to them, and the prayer flags fluttering from the mountain gate sides. He frowned, "Didn’t I say not to make it too elaborate? Why is it still so grand?"

Master Xinzeng chuckled, "How dare this humble monk neglect the prince and princess, who are worth a thousand gold?"

Yu Wenye shook his head.

Fortunately, because of the Emperor’s tour today, most of the citizens were crowded along the Vermilion Bird Avenue, leaving few spectators on this side. Yu Wenye really did not want any accidents to happen due to the crowd. Thus, he said, "Alright, let’s go."

Shang Ruyi smiled at Master Xinzeng, "Sorry for the trouble."

Xinzeng hurriedly replied, "The princess overstates it. Please."

Saying this, the group entered through the mountain gate.

This place was just as it was during the Dharma assembly more than a year ago, only without the previous crowd of monks and commoners, much quieter now. Upon entering the temple, Shang Ruyi immediately saw the Great Hero Hall ahead.

That was where she had met Empress Dowager Jiang last time.

As if sensing her gaze, Master Xinzeng, while leading them in, chuckled, "There is no one in the great hall today."

Shang Ruyi glanced at him and smiled.

Of course, she understood that Empress Dowager Jiang had secluded herself in Yanchun Palace to distance herself from the world. Even if she received the message to meet her today, she could hardly show up openly at the Great Hero Hall. Xinzeng would certainly arrange a more suitable place. She withdrew her gaze and continued forward.

Meanwhile, as all the monks in the temple gathered at the mountain gate, accompanying Prince Qin and Princess Qin inside, a little monk who was running late scrambled out of his meditation room. As he hurriedly made his way to greet the distinguished guests, he caught a glimpse of a brown figure flitting behind the Scripture Pavilion.

It seemed to be a few monks in sea-green robes carrying firewood.

He scratched his head, murmuring, "Strange, didn’t the master remind us repeatedly not to go near the Scripture Pavilion today? Why is someone still going there?"

Just as he was puzzled, a young monk hurried over, noting Jianzhen’s wide-eyed and bewildered state, couldn’t resist giving his bald head a gentle knock. "Jianzhen, why are you dawdling here? Be careful, or the master will spank you when the distinguished guests arrive."

The little monk Jianzhen dared not tarry any longer and hastily followed along.

Just after he left, those figures who had been sneaking around behind the Scripture Pavilion emerged. The bundles of firewood they had carried on their shoulders were gone. Swiftly, they moved into the dense grove behind the temple and vanished.