xymnovel Chapter 1123 - 811: Whoever Speaks First Has the Advantage
Chapter 1123 - 811: Whoever Speaks First Has the Advantage
As they just walked out of the Dong Mansion, Shen Wuzheng immediately turned to Shang Ruyi: "Are you alright?"Seeing his somewhat tense appearance, Shang Ruyi’s initially furrowed brow immediately relaxed, and she released her hand that had been protecting her stomach, hurriedly smiling to reassure him: "Brother, don’t worry, I was just pretending earlier."
"..."
Seeing her smiling appearance, and then looking at her stomach, Shen Wuzheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Pei Xingyuan, standing beside them, sneered: "I could tell it was fake, you actually believed it, Brother Fu Ming, you’re too slow."
Despite his teasing, Shen Wuzheng didn’t mind. He just looked at Shang Ruyi again, confirmed that she wasn’t hiding anything amiss, and truly was not in any trouble. Only then did he fully relax. And seeing Shen Wuzheng’s rare "slowness," Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile. She understood well that Shen Wuzheng was an extremely perceptive person; her little trick should have been seen through instantly. Yet perhaps because it was her, his concern clouded his judgment, making him unable to rest assured even if he could see through it.
So she softly reassured him again: "Brother, don’t worry, if something was truly amiss, Feng Chen wouldn’t have let me leave so easily."
Shen Wuzheng raised his head and glanced at Yu Wenye. Indeed, Yu Wenye had an air of complete control, yet even so, he did not relax his grip on Shang Ruyi’s hand in the slightest; looking again at Shang Ruyi, Shen Wuzheng gently sighed in his heart and finally felt at ease, saying softly: "It’s alright, that’s good."
Pei Xingyuan stood nearby laughing, but after the laughter, his expression gradually turned serious, and he sighed, saying: "I thought the matter of Duke Shenwu was troublesome enough, but unexpectedly, Prince Qi suddenly returned."
At this, everyone’s spirits sank.
Pei Xingyuan had grown up with Yu Wenye, naturally familiar with the affairs of the Yuwen Family, and Shang Ruyi had witnessed it over the years. Although Shen Wuzheng was not too aware of the Yuwen Family’s past affairs, given his keen perception, he naturally had long realized that the relationship between Yu Wenye and Yu Wencheng, these two brothers born of the same mother, was not harmonious—rather, it was quite hostile.
Now with Yu Wencheng returning, it will undoubtedly bring further complications to an already complex situation.
Shang Ruyi looked at Yu Wenye: "Is his injury really—"
Before she could finish speaking, they heard urgent footsteps not far ahead. Looking up, they saw Mu Xian, whose face revealed a mix of concern and urgency, holding a letter. He walked quickly towards them, saluted the group, then presented the letter with both hands, saying: "Prince Qin, Yan Buuai sent this letter urgently."
Everyone paused in surprise; they had been worrying about this matter, yet Yan Buuai’s letter had surprisingly arrived.
It seems Yu Wencheng’s attempt to enter Xingluo Granary failed, and he immediately turned back to Chang An City. Yan Buuai must have been worried something would happen, so he promptly sent this letter to report the situation, arriving almost at the same time.
Yu Wenye immediately took the letter, opened it, and quickly scanned through, his brow furrowing.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly asked: "What’s going on?"
Yu Wenye said solemnly: "The third brother’s injury is indeed caused by him."
"It really is him!?"
"After Shen Tu Tai took down Song and Xu States, Liang Shide had sent someone several times to try entering Xingluo Granary but was repeatedly blocked. Yan Buuai worried they might concentrate their forces to attack Warehouse City, so he dispatched patrols day and night, prepared for immediate response. During this time, someone actually attempted to storm the city and enter Xingluo Granary. Naturally, he immediately ordered arrows to be fired as a warning, but unexpectedly—"
"Storm the city?"
Upon hearing these words, Shang Ruyi’s eyes sharpened: "Prince Qi said he just wanted— to enter."
Yu Wenye sneered. In truth, the letter from Yan Buuai was unnecessary; based on what they had just heard from Yu Wencheng, they could gauge what part of the letter to believe and what part not to. While Yan Buuai was daring, he would not dare to act against Prince Qi without cause, so it was evident that Yu Wencheng used deceit in his words. If he asserted that he merely wanted to go up the mountain and blamed Yan Buuai for acting first, Yan Buuai would then be incriminated!
Yu Wenye continued: "Yan Buuai sensed something amiss and, after Prince Qi’s forceful but failed attack, didn’t entangle further, leaving immediately. Yan Buuai feared he would return to Chang An to exploit the situation, so he quickly sent me the letter."
Yu Wencheng’s return couldn’t possibly be solely to mourn Dong Bizheng; his relationship with Duke Shenwu isn’t that deep either.
Moreover, given his vindictive nature, he won’t suffer his wounds in vain.
Shen Wuzheng, frowning, thought for a moment, then immediately said: "Given Prince Qi’s impulsive character, he likely learned of the Duke’s issue and came to trouble you soon after returning to Chang An, even before complaining to Your Majesty."
Yu Wenye nodded.
Shen Wuzheng said: "Therefore, this timing can be used!"
"..."
"And quickly!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye looked up at him again, only to see Shen Wuzheng glance at the well-lit Duke Mansion not far behind, saying: "Prince Qi must have already told the Crown Prince the real situation, and the Crown Prince—though affected by Duke’s death—I’ve observed his temperament, and he’s not someone who indulges only in sorrow."
"..."
"If my guess isn’t wrong, the Crown Prince will either have Prince Qi accompany him or lead Prince Qi back to the palace immediately to report this matter to Your Majesty."
"..."
"Your Highness should hurry back to the palace; at this point, whoever speaks first will have the advantage."
Yu Wenye heard this, immediately turned his head to glance back, and indeed heard some commotion inside Dong Mansion, as if someone was coming out to shout commands to prepare carriages and horses.
Yu Wenye immediately said, "Get in the carriage, return to the palace at once."
Saying this, they quickly walked back to the front of the carriage. Yu Wenye first helped Shang Ruyi onto the carriage. Just as he was also about to get on the carriage, Shang Ruyi reached out to stop him and said, "At this time, riding a horse would be faster. Go on by yourself first."
Yu Wenye was stunned for a moment: "Then you—"
Shang Ruyi said, "With my large belly, if the carriage moves too quickly and bumps around, it could make me unwell."
"..."
"So, you ride back to the palace and explain the matter to Father first."
Shen Wuzheng, standing nearby, also nodded slightly upon hearing this: "Ruyi is right. Your Highness should return to the palace first. Speaking up now is sure to be useful, preserving the Xingluo Granary is paramount."
This time, Yu Wenye reacted quickly. He immediately turned around and took the reins of a horse from a guard who followed him, swiftly mounted the horse, and instructed Mu Xian: "You all stay and escort the Princess back to the palace. If anything goes wrong—"
Mu Xian immediately replied, "I understand, my lord."
Yu Wenye nodded, glanced at Shang Ruyi once more, then turned the horse around and departed like an arrow released from a bow.
Soon, his silhouette disappeared into the night.
Shang Ruyi sat inside the carriage, awkwardly moving to the side, watching as the silhouette of Yu Wenye was completely swallowed by the pitch-black night at the end of the long street before letting out a deep breath. She then turned to Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan and said, "Brother, Lord Pei, you should return first. If there’s any news from this side, I will have Feng Chen send word to you immediately."
Pei Xingyuan simply said, "Then be careful on your journey, Princess."
Shang Ruyi nodded, and Pei Xingyuan turned back to his carriage.
Shen Wuzheng did not leave immediately but stood beside Shang Ruyi’s carriage, watching as Shang Ruyi waved goodbye before lowering the curtain, preparing to leave. His eyes still showed a hint of worry, and even the crease in his brow deepened slightly.
He suddenly said, "Ruyi."
"Hm?"
Hearing his voice, Shang Ruyi hurriedly lifted the curtain again, meeting Shen Wuzheng’s profound gaze, and softly said, "Brother, what do you want to say?"
Shen Wuzheng looked into her clear, bright eyes, which shone with a unique radiance even in this dim night, inspiring an intrinsic warmth and closeness that made one forget worldly concerns. In many instances, he wished to help his little sister steer clear from danger and darkness, but the reality proved that he couldn’t take her away, and she was never afraid of danger or darkness.
Shen Wuzheng took a deep breath and then said, "In the future, do your best to stay away from the Crown Prince."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback.
These words—sounded rather strange.
Although Shen Wuzheng was meticulous in his care for her, such advice to stay away from the Crown Prince felt somewhat odd, as if implying she had poor conduct. What’s more, she knew better than anyone that Yu Wenqian was against them. Even to this day, Yu Wenye hadn’t made clear to her whether Yu Wenqian was a "good person" or what he meant by the "Heart Demon," but from the start, Shang Ruyi never considered Yu Wenqian to be on her side.
She certainly wouldn’t approach him. Throughout the years, she had never erred in this regard.
Why would Shen Wuzheng warn her with such words?
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but frown slightly and softly said, "Brother, why do you tell me this? I have nothing to do with the Crown Prince."
Shen Wuzheng immediately shook his head: "I’m not speaking about your character."
As he spoke, he glanced back. At this moment, the noise within Dong Mansion seemed to have calmed down somewhat, but shadows were moving within, indicating someone was preparing to head to the palace.
He said, "I don’t know what kind of person the Crown Prince was in the past, but now—"
"Now?"
Upon hearing these words, Shang Ruyi recalled Yu Wenqian in mourning apparel earlier in the mourning hall, and her heart suddenly tensed: "Do you think the Crown Prince is different from before?"
Shen Wuzheng thought for a moment and said, "While we’ve dealt with him in the past, we’ve never confronted him directly. We haven’t truly experienced the Crown Prince’s thoughts and methods, which means we never really understood him."
"..."
"He knows us well, but we know nothing about him."