Chapter 264: Chapter 247: How to extinguish the widespread fire?
Chapter 247
Yu Wenye lowered his head to look at her, and a glimmer seemed to flash in his eyes.
He slightly parted his lips, just about to say something when Chang Wan’s voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Second Young Master, Young Madam, the Duke requests your presence."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her eyebrows, while Yu Wenye had already turned his head, his expression changing from a momentary daze to calm and solemn as he replied to the door: "Understood."
Chang Wan outside the door left.
When he turned back again, Yu Wenye had already returned to his usual self and said, "Let’s go."
Shang Ruyi’s heart suddenly felt a bit empty.
But, after all, it was a summons from Yu Wenquan, and especially after experiencing such significant events today, they ought to clear some things up, and more importantly, discuss future matters. So, she tried to suppress the gloom in her heart and stood up, saying, "Okay."
The two dressed and went out the door.
They still headed to Yu Wenquan’s study. By this time, it was already late, but his study was brightly lit. Once inside, they saw Yu Wenquan supporting his forehead with one hand, sitting by the desk. Although many candlesticks were lit on both sides of the study, and even a candle was placed on his desk, the depths of Yu Wenquan’s eyes seemed like an abyss into which no light could penetrate.
The two immediately stepped forward to salute him: "Father."
Yu Wenquan looked up at them, and a trace of relief flashed on his otherwise cloudy face, especially when he looked at Shang Ruyi; a slight smile even appeared at the corners of his eyes.
He nodded and said, "You’ve come, sit down."
The couple apologized and sat down.
Yu Wenquan glanced at his second son, then at his daughter-in-law, before speaking to Yu Wenye: "How have you been during your time at the Ministry of Justice?"
Yu Wenye immediately responded, "Father, don’t worry, I’ve just missed a few nights of sleep."
Shang Ruyi immediately frowned.
She, of course, knew that the people at the Ministry of Justice wouldn’t dare torture Yu Wenye, but she also clearly understood that under Wang Shaoji’s guidance, they wouldn’t let Yu Wenye off easily. His so-called missed a few nights of sleep, now that she thought about it, was likely their way of wearing him down.
Depriving someone of sleep not only tortures them but also causes severe exhaustion, leading to confused thoughts and incoherent speech, making it easy to extract flaws during interrogation. If testimony is inconsistent, or they fall into a carefully designed interrogation trap, it could lead to ruin.
But Yu Wenye walked out safely.
One can imagine how strong his willpower is!
She looked again at the person beside her, especially noticing his bloodshot eyes, and any previous doubts and disappointment vanished entirely at this moment, leaving only full-hearted concern.
Yu Wenquan sighed and simply said, "Then, I’ll keep it brief."
Yu Wenye said, "Father, please speak freely."
Yu Wenquan said, "Tomorrow, I will set off back to Taiyuan. This time, surviving was a stroke of luck thanks to our ancestors’ protection. After I leave, you and your wife, staying in the Eastern Capital, must be cautious in your words and deeds; never act as recklessly as at Xingluo Granary."
"Yes."
Speaking of this, Shang Ruyi felt a bit guilty; Yu Wenquan’s last sentence seemed directed at her.
After all, the most crucial charge Wang Shaoji and the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice had against Yu Wenye was Jiang Kesong and his men attacking the court’s forces. Fortunately, they hadn’t left traces; if those caught onto the evidence, it would not only convict Yu Wenye but also implicate her and drag Yu Wenquan and the entire Yuwen Family down with them.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi immediately said, "Father, Ruyi acknowledges her mistake."
"...?"
Yu Wenquan was taken aback.
After a while, he suddenly laughed and said, "You think, Father is blaming you?"
Shang Ruyi looked at him, "Isn’t it?"
Yu Wenquan laughed heartily and said, "Silly child, you’re too cautious. The men Father left for you are for your use; whether you use them well or not, Father has your back."
"..."
"I just didn’t expect that your performance this time would be so outstanding."
Shang Ruyi softly said, "Father doesn’t blame me for recklessly using Jiang Kesong and his men?"
Yu Wenquan laughed, "Is that called reckless use?"
While laughing, with a bit of playfulness, he pointed at Yu Wenye and said, "Your ability to dispatch is no worse than his."
Shang Ruyi blushed again and even felt a bit uneasy casting a glance at Yu Wenye, only to meet his gaze, which seemed somewhat cold, but there was an uncontrollable curve upwards at the corners of his mouth.
Shang Ruyi relaxed and then whispered, "Father exaggerated."
Yu Wenquan laughed, "I used to envy the Lei Family for having someone like Lei Yu, not only considerate but also able to go to the battlefield, far surpassing sons. Now with you, there’s no regret."
Mentioning Lei Yu made Shang Ruyi’s heart stir once more.
Immediately, she noticed that after Yu Wenquan finished speaking, his expression seemed to change subtly.
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then quickly said, "Miss Lei accompanied her father to Henan to quell the rebellion. There should be news soon."
Yu Wenquan glanced at her but said nothing.
That strange feeling deepened.
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but ask, "Father, do you think their mission to quell the rebellion might not go smoothly?"
Yu Wenquan pondered for a while and said, "Ruyi, do you know whom they are fighting in Henan this time?"
Shang Ruyi immediately replied, "Liang Shide."
"Correct,"
Yu Wenquan said, "This person was originally the subordinate of Qiu Zhongwen, the General of Henan Road. They had personal grievances, and later he killed his superior, led his troops to defect, and now has taken control in the areas of Shanggu and Zhuozhou with over a hundred thousand followers, making him a formidable force among the rebel armies."
"..."
"Moreover, this person is neither incompetent nor foolish. I’ve heard that he prioritizes agriculture and sericulture and is lenient with the people. Now, many common folk are gathering on his territory, and there is also—"
At this point, he paused, not saying further.
But even without him continuing, just hearing the earlier words made Shang Ruyi feel increasingly anxious.
Yu Wenquan’s judgment of the situation was certainly more precise and mature than that of the younger generation. If even he evaluated Liang Shide this way, is there any hope for General Lei’s mission to quell the rebellion?
At this time, Yu Wenquan seemed to realize he had gone too far, so he waved his hand and said, "Enough, let’s return to our own matters."
"..."
"In short, after I leave, you must be extra cautious in everything you say and do in the Eastern Capital, and also—"
He said this with eyes glinting more brightly than before, uttering each word clearly: "Listen closely to the news I send back from Taiyuan."
"...!"
For some reason, Shang Ruyi’s heart suddenly stirred.
What Yu Wenquan said earlier seemed like an ordinary exhortation of a father to his son and daughter-in-law before departure. Yet, with this sentence, she vaguely sensed that there was deeper significance in his words.
Though curious at heart, she dared not ask rashly, only gazing intently at Yu Wenquan with a serious expression.
Yu Wenquan, looking at the bean-like lamp flame on the table, seemed to have a flicker in his abyss-like eyes. After a pause, he slowly said, "I lead troops at Taiyuan to resist the Turkic forces, not knowing how long I can hold out. But with millions of rebel troops all over the country, the court still hopes to live peacefully in such circumstances—hardly plausible."
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but say, "But, Father, isn’t the court actively quelling the rebellion?"
Yu Wenquan glanced at her.
He did not answer immediately. Instead, he smiled faintly, then suddenly reached out, pinching the wick of the candle before him with his rough thumb and forefinger. There was a sizzle, and the candlelight extinguished at his fingertips.
For a moment, the light dimmed, and in that brief shadow, Yu Wenquan’s deep and resonant voice said, "It’s easy to extinguish one lamp—how to put out the flames scattered everywhere?"
"...!"
Shang Ruyi’s heart jolted abruptly.
Although the candlelight extinguished before her, casting a large shadow over the desk, Yu Wenquan’s eyes seemed brighter. He looked up at his son and daughter-in-law, asking, "Do you understand my meaning?"
Shang Ruyi’s heart raced even more.
All along, she had clearly understood why she backed out of her engagement, yet willingly married into the Yuwen Family. Although she now shared mutual affection with Yu Wenye, her initial purpose was indeed her father-in-law.
If the world was chaotic as a deluge, he was the only towering figure in this turbulent era.
At that moment, his words seemed to foretell their future path and even their fate...
All this time, she subconsciously probed Yu Wenye’s attitude towards the court but dared not question Yu Wenquan. First, because he was the elder, she dared not reveal her thoughts before such a person; second, because she vaguely understood the path Yu Wenquan might tread in the future.
And now, Yu Wenquan had revealed his stance. She didn’t know whether he had been prepared for this or if it was after being weakened by the Emperor that he developed such thoughts—surely, he wasn’t one to be entirely unaware or indifferent, preparing nothing for the situation.
But regardless, the direction of the Yuwen Family was under his control.
All their fates were also guided by him.
Shang Ruyi understood that she had begun to walk the path she had long recognized for herself. Yet, she didn’t know why her heart grew more uneasy.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond or even how to face it. She could only try to calm her intense heartbeat and slowly lower her head.
Her silence instead puzzled Yu Wenye beside her. He glanced at her.
However, he didn’t say much, only looking once before calmly raising his head to Yu Wenquan and saying, "Father, rest assured, Ruyi and I, we fully understand."
Only then did Yu Wenquan nod.
In the dim and obscure light, his eyes gleamed brightly, saying in a deep voice, "Some things, you must also prepare for early."