Chapter 282: Chapter 263: Lei Family Father and Daughter, Rebelled?!
By the time Tushere and Chang Wan hurried in to serve, the two people in the room had already completely separated. Shang Ruyi still leaned against the headboard, while Yu Wenye sat beside the low table in the center of the room, drinking most of the cold water as if nothing had happened.
However, Shang Ruyi’s cheeks, tormented by the low-grade fever, were now unnaturally red.
The two exchanged glances, both feeling a bit embarrassed.
Earlier today, when Xue Daotong left, he not only took away the third young master but also took some "extra" staff from the mansion. Thus, there aren’t many servants left in the Yuwen Mansion; otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible that the second young master entered the mansion without anyone knowing.
But, luckily they didn’t know.
If they ran into that scene like Wo Xue did, that would be disastrous!
The two hurriedly went forward to busy themselves. Chang Wan immediately replaced Yu Wenye’s drink with a cup of hot tea, while Tushere went over to serve Shang Ruyi some candied fruits she brought to cleanse the palate—although by now her mouth was probably no longer bitter—then softly asked, "Miss, are you still uncomfortable?"
Shang Ruyi was too embarrassed to even look at them.
After holding back for half a day, she softly said, "Go, bring the lunch over, serve him first."
"Oh, okay, sure."
So, the two hurriedly went to the kitchen, and shortly, delivered a steaming hot meal, though simple and typical in choices but appetizing. Yu Wenye saw there was only one set of dishes, then raised his head and asked, "You’re not eating?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head, "I’ve taken medicine, not much of an appetite. I’ll talk about it later."
Yu Wenye turned to Tushere and Chang Wan, "No need for you to serve either, just leave."
The two immediately left the room.
Thus, the room was left with just the two of them again, Yu Wenye sat at the low table in the center of the room, eating with chopsticks, while Shang Ruyi leaned against the bed, quietly watching him.
After watching for a while, she softly said, "Today, it was Uncle Xue who came back to take the third brother away. I thought it would be just us two, so didn’t need so many people, that’s why I let him take away some of them."
Yu Wenye nodded, "Did he say anything when he took the third brother away?"
"I explained the matter about him clearly, he didn’t say anything."
"Then, did he say anything else?"
"He mentioned, father wants us to find time to go visit mother at Ban Yan Temple."
"..."
Yu Wenye’s expression dimmed slightly.
Indeed, since setting up Guan Yunmu’s shrine at Ban Yan Temple during the New Year, there had been constant upheavals. Now that things have finally settled down, it would certainly be appropriate to pay her a visit.
Thus he said, "In a couple of days, when you’re feeling better, accompany me there."
Shang Ruyi nodded, "Mm."
She thought for a moment and then softly asked, "Today’s court session dragged on for so long, was it because of something urgent?"
Yu Wenye looked up at her.
Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled; she hadn’t forgotten that before, they were getting along just fine, but due to something, a rift suddenly arose between them. Even now, though they reluctantly reconciled, the thorn between them—or rather, the person—is still there, not only in their hearts but also at the court sessions Yu Wenye attended.
Yet this time, Yu Wenye did not dwell on this matter but instead lowered his head to take a sip of soup, then said, "Guess."
"Guess?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a while and quickly spoke, "Is the court planning another expedition to Liaodong?"
Yu Wenye said, "How did you know?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Yesterday... I saw it at Tinghe Building. Since the warships are almost ready, the next step is surely preparing for warfare."
Yu Wenye nodded, "Exactly, everyone is thinking the same."
"Hm?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback. His words seemed to imply a difference between reality and expectation, so she asked, "Is there something else?"
Yu Wenye looked at her for a while and then slowly said, "Lei Yi rebelled."
"Lei... Yi?"
This name was somewhat unfamiliar to Shang Ruyi, and she didn’t react immediately, but after thinking a bit, she inhaled sharply and looked up at him incredulously, "General Lei? Rebelled?!"
Yu Wenye nodded.
Shang Ruyi sat on the bed, momentarily stunned.
Left Imperial Guard General, Lei Yi...
Lei Yu’s father!
Just over a month ago, when Lei Yu last visited her, before leaving she informed her that she was going to follow her father to Hebei for pacification. There hadn’t been any news since, and Shang Ruyi didn’t know the progress of their mission, yet didn’t expect such news to be the ending!
Lei Yi rebelled?!
Then what about Lei Yu? Did she follow her father, and what will happen to them in the future—?
Shang Ruyi was both shocked and disbelieving; after being dazed for a while, she anxiously got out of bed. However, her legs were weak and she almost stumbled to the ground. Yu Wenye quickly dashed forward to support her, frowning, "What are you doing?"
Shang Ruyi grabbed his arm and urgently asked, "Did they really rebel? Why did they rebel?"
"..."
Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, sighed, helped her sit by the low table, and slowly said, "As for why exactly they rebelled, there is no definite news yet, but I can tell you this kind of thing is not uncommon. Previously, several routes of generals sent by the court to the South to suppress rebellion were likely sixteen or seventeen out of ten, even if they did not rebel openly, secretly, they were already not under the court’s control."
"..."
"Even when I went to Xingluo Granary this time, I almost became ’leading troops to escape’."
Shang Ruyi was speechless, only feeling a chill all over her body, shivering.
Seeing her face gradually turning pale, Yu Wenye frowned, sat beside her, and pulled her into his arms.
In fact, hearing this news at the court meeting, even though he had anticipated some things, he was still shocked, and when he returned, he was somewhat relieved; luckily, Shang Ruyi might have already left Eastern Capital City, and did not have to know this bad news so quickly.
Unexpectedly, she stayed behind, and this news came as a bolt from the blue, leaving her completely stunned.
Seeing her looking troubled, Yu Wenye was silent for a while, then lowered his head, and said softly, "In times like these, everyone considers their own interests."
Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled again, she looked up at him.
At this moment, she suddenly recalled that before Lei Yu left, he told her he would follow his father to Hebei to suppress rebellion, and left a final statement— In such chaotic times, a bit of troops in hand is what we rely on for survival.
She thought for a while and spoke softly, "You mean to say, they are going to Hebei to suppress rebellion, and might encounter the same situation as you did at Xingluo Granary?"
When Yu Wenye attacked Xingluo Granary, the military rations were withheld, the court was distrustful, and there was even a supervisor causing interference.
If it wasn’t for him, with an ordinary general, he might have already failed there.
Yu Wenye sighed deeply and said, "Even if it’s not exactly the same, it’s not much different. These years, the court has been repairing the Great Wall, building Eastern Capital, connecting the Canal, and three expeditions to Liaodong. With other large and small battles each year, there are also more than a dozen. What do you think these are piled up with? Not only money and food but also lives."
"..."
"While suppressing rebellion on one hand and expediting to Liaodong on the other, with so many projects, how can the limited population suffice?"
"..."
"Now, the court is already stretched thin, so they can only dig from the hands of various dukes and generals."
"..."
Shang Ruyi did not speak, but understood internally.
This time, Yu Wenye was put in the Ministry of Justice for questioning, and the final result was Duke Sheng personally intervening, using weakening his own power as a price to secure his son’s safety.
She suddenly thought of the night before Yu Wenquan left Eastern Capital, calling them both to the study to discuss, and mentioning the matter of the Lei Family father and daughter in Hebei, his expression was strange.
Thinking about it now, perhaps Yu Wenquan had predicted this outcome earlier than all of them.
She asked again, "Then, are General Lei and his people now setting up their own faction, or—"
Yu Wenye said, "I heard they have sought refuge with Liang Shide."
"Liang Shide? The leader of the rebels they went to suppress?"
"Yes."
"Does this Liang Shide have such great capability?"
Yu Wenye glanced at her, "Liang Shide’s influence in Hebei cannot be underestimated, but indeed, on his own, he couldn’t force the Lei Family father and daughter to rebel against the court, let alone seek refuge with him. From the messages returned from Hebei, he might have allied with two other forces."
"Which two?"
"Wanggang Army, and the Turkic."
"Wanggang Army?!"
Shang Ruyi suddenly frowned; the Turkic has been restlessly moving in the North these past years. Besides surrounding Yanmen during the Emperor’s northern patrol this time, actually in the north, several factions of rebels have been silently supported by them, causing the court no small trouble.
But Wanggang Army? Didn’t Xiao Yuansui just suffer a defeat at Xingluo Granary?
Upon hearing her question, Yu Wenye calmly said, "I also thought Xiao Yuansui retreated too quickly before, although at that time, he indeed couldn’t make a move at Xingluo Granary, but later when counting the food supply, I found out besides the thirty-plus carts he transported back to Wanggang Village, a large quantity of grain was missing from Warehouse City."
"That was—"
"Now it seems, that batch of grain must have been used by him to establish good relations with Liang Shide."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath, it seems they underestimated Xiao Yuansui, despite losing the granary after capturing Xingluo Granary, he didn’t just regard the granary as a granary, but truly as a strategic resource.
Yu Wenye said, "Now, Wanggang Army, Liang Shide, and the Turkic, they are forming a front in Hebei."
"..."
"The court has completely lost Hebei Road."
Shang Ruyi silently thought for a while, suddenly spoke, "What will the court do next?"
Yu Wenye looked down at her, "What do you think the court will do?"