Chapter 258: Chapter 242: Do You Still Choose Him?
Later, Eunuch Lu still escorted Shang Ruyi out of the palace.
Along the way, the wheels made a monotone sound, lulling one to sleep. Shang Ruyi, wrapped in a deep fatigue, found herself drowsy—after all, she had been through a tumultuous day, especially facing the "interrogation" by the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice and Wang Shaoji in front of the Emperor. For someone who hadn’t stepped out in days, it was indeed overwhelming.
However, more importantly, her mood was more relaxed than every other time she left the palace.
Because she knew that this time, no one would intercept her halfway.
Yet, just as she was about to drift off, the carriage suddenly stopped.
The jolt nearly made Shang Ruyi fall, and she hurriedly grasped the window frame, looking outside. She couldn’t see anything, but could hear a few uneasy neighs from the horses pulling the carriage ahead.
Shang Ruyi immediately asked, "What happened?"
The coachman outside hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "Young Madam, it seems someone is blocking the road."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi frowned.
She quickly drew back the curtain to look outside. Under the dim sky, their carriage had reached an intersection, needing only to turn to enter the alley leading back to Yuwen Mansion. However, opposite them on the long street was a carriage parked, blocking half of the intersection.
Moreover, upon closer inspection, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.
Having frequently returned to the palace these days, she was accustomed to the carriages there. The carriage parked ahead was clearly one from the palace, and as she watched, a plump figure walked toward them.
To her surprise, it was Eunuch Yu!
Shang Ruyi immediately widened her eyes, only to see Eunuch Yu walk to the window, politely saying, "Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then quickly regained her composure and forced a smile, "Why is Eunuch here?"
Eunuch Yu smiled and said, "Young Madam, please."
Saying that, he gestured for her to head over to the other carriage.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi seemed to understand something. She didn’t dare hesitate; she quickly got off the carriage and walked over through the cold rain and snow.
As she approached, a large, jade-like hand lifted the curtain.
Then, a figure resembling an immortal descended from the carriage.
Holding an oiled-paper umbrella, dressed in a snow-white fox fur, he emitted a gentle, silvery glow in the dim light. His slender phoenix eyes, with a slight smile, appeared soft as water, gracing her presence.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
"Your Majesty!"
The man standing tall as jade, calm even amidst the wind and snow, was precisely Chu Yang, whom she had just met in the palace!
How, how could he be here?
At this moment, Shang Ruyi couldn’t even laugh at her premature relief that no one would intercept her this time leaving the palace. She was about to bow deeply when she heard Chu Yang say, "It’s Yang Suyi."
"..."
Shang Ruyi’s legs, bent halfway, stopped immediately.
It’s Yang Suyi.
So, once again intercepting her, there was no need for her to bow.
Yet, Shang Ruyi’s heart was still pounding fiercely. She forced herself to straighten up and whispered, "Why is Your Majesty here?"
Chu Yang didn’t answer, just quietly watched her. After a while, he reached out a hand; Shang Ruyi looked down to see a jade box in his hand.
She looked at him in confusion, "This is—"
Chu Yang said, "Scar Removing Cream."
Eunuch Yu, standing by, earnestly added, "It’s the palace’s spiritual medicine for scars."
After saying that, he smiled and walked away. Shang Ruyi paused in shock, then instinctively checked her shoulder, instantly understanding.
She had suffered an arrow wound; though the pain could heal, scars were inevitable. However, preserving one’s life in such circumstances was fortunate enough; there was no time to worry about scars or appearance. But unexpectedly, just mentioning it in the palace, he intercepted her and brought her scar-removing medicine.
Shang Ruyi felt a warmth surge in her heart, yet seemed afraid to let it linger.
She accepted the jade box with both hands, softly saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chu Yang replied, "Use it promptly. The later, the lesser the effect."
"...Alright."
After saying this word, Shang Ruyi dared not speak further.
The person before her spoke no more, simply watching her quietly. After a while, he suddenly smiled and said, "This time, for Yu Wenye, you really risked your life."
That laughter, seeming like a cold chuckle, also carried a hint of mockery.
But when Shang Ruyi looked up at him, she saw an inexplicable, perhaps mistaken hint of sorrow in those slender phoenix eyes.
Shang Ruyi quickly lowered her head again, softly saying, "In the midst of war, one can only fight desperately."
Chu Yang watched her for a while longer, then coldly laughed again, saying, "Yet you, left your peaceful enjoyment, running into the midst of war and slaughter."
Pausing here, he looked at Shang Ruyi again.
The gaze, amidst the gentle rain appeared a bit confused, further revealing a sense of lostness under the dim sky. After a long pause, he said, "You care deeply for him."
"..."
"You really care for him so much?"
Shang Ruyi’s breath suddenly froze.
This question echoed like Chu Yang’s angry roar at her in the Warm Dock, albeit without an answer’s continuation. Yet this time, he was much kinder—that kindness seeming to indicate he already knew the answer before speaking.
And when she looked up at him again, she suddenly felt a sense of dizziness.
This scene...felt familiar.
Fine rain enveloping her, a chill seeped into her body, as Chu Yang stood smiling before her, holding an umbrella.
Reflecting further, she recalled their first meeting seemingly resembled this situation.
Back then, she harbored secret feelings for Yu Wenye, only to discover his relationship with Princess Xinyue on that day, causing confusion and pain, wandering alone in the rain, utterly haggard.
It was he, holding an umbrella, who first appeared before her.
Her emotions for Yu Wenye, never confided in anyone, all admiration, melancholy, pain, struggle, anticipation, and joy, swallowed silently alone; yet only he, only he witnessed her emotional turmoil.
Even accompanying her amid the misty rain, calming her heart.
Today, his words suddenly conjured all past emotional scars before her again.
As if reminding her, those feelings, have you forgotten them?
As if asking her—
After experiencing all that, do you still choose him?
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