Chapter 170: Chapter 169: Do Not Listen to Improper Things
Speaking of which, it’s been several months since I married into the Yuwen Family, and I don’t know if it’s because they don’t want to embarrass me or for some other reason, but virtually no one in the Yuwen Family, from top to bottom, has mentioned him. If it weren’t for Aunt Hui telling me those words the day before my wedding, I would almost doubt whether Yu Wenqian ever existed.
I didn’t expect that at this moment, I would finally hear them mention Yu Wenqian again.
Even if he is not Guan Yunmu’s biological son, he is still the legitimate mother’s son, and not returning for Madam Guan’s funeral is something that cannot be accepted.
Indeed, Yu Wenye was silent for a while before speaking heavily: "I know you have difficulties, but our dynasty is governed by filial piety. As a son, not appearing at his mother’s funeral, I fear he will be criticized in the future."
"..."
"Aunt Hui, I am thinking for elder brother’s sake. I hope you can send more people over and notify elder brother no matter what."
Aunt Hui sighed deeply from across the room and said, "Naturally, I will certainly send additional personnel."
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Aunt Hui."
"Second young master, don’t mention it. There are still matters outside; I must attend to them now."
"You go first, I’ll be there shortly."
The two spoke amicably, and then the sound of footsteps grew distant; Aunt Hui had left.
Immediately, footsteps sounded again at the door, drawing closer and closer. Shang Ruyi felt a panic in her heart, and instinctively ran towards the bedside, but as soon as she turned around, the door behind her squeaked open.
Instantly, a familiar scent swept up from behind her like it was engulfing her completely.
Shang Ruyi’s footsteps froze on the spot.
Then she heard Yu Wenye’s cold voice from behind: "What are you hiding from?"
"..."
Even though there was nowhere to hide, and she clearly felt there was no reason why they couldn’t meet, for unknown reasons, hearing his voice made Shang Ruyi’s face flush red. She didn’t even dare to turn back, keeping her head lowered and standing still, not moving forward.
The person behind her entered the room, closed the door with his hand, and then walked step by step to stand in front of her.
Shang Ruyi kept her head down and said softly, "I... I am not hiding..."
"Oh?"
The person in front of her lowered his head, his breath brushing against her forehead, not as burning as last night’s but returning to the usual warm and gentle; Shang Ruyi subconsciously looked up and immediately met a pair of bright eyes. Although the voice had been clearly cold when he began speaking, at this moment, his eyes seemed to melt the usual chill, conveying a hint of elusive softness.
Just one gaze made Shang Ruyi’s back tingle, and she quickly lowered her head again.
Yu Wenye looked down at her, his mouth seemed to almost twitch upward but held still, pressing his lips into a firm line: "Not hiding, then what were you just doing?"
Shang Ruyi bowed her head, mind a whirlwind: "Don’t listen to improper things."
"..."
"I just accidentally overheard."
Yu Wenye instinctively furrowed his brow slightly: "Then, do you want to listen?"
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
It might sound a bit selfish, but for her and his marriage, for her to continue being the Young Madam in the Yuwen Family, it was best if Yu Wenqian never appeared, and never was mentioned in her presence...
Yu Wenye’s gaze flickered; he was silent for a while before saying: "You don’t want to listen, then pretend you haven’t heard. This matter doesn’t concern you."
Shang Ruyi gently nodded.
After saying these words, when the two faced each other again, an inexplicable awkwardness rose, especially for Shang Ruyi who looked down and clearly saw the messy bedding on the bed behind him, which seemed to show traces of their embrace from the previous night’s sleep.
Her face suddenly felt warm, and instantly her body felt weak and wobbly.
Yu Wenye reached out and held her arm: "What’s wrong?"
When Shang Ruyi looked up again, her cheeks were slightly red, her voice soft: "I... I seem to be a bit hungry."
"..."
Having been busy these days, she hadn’t eaten well at all. Yesterday, she accompanied Yu Wenye back to rest because he fainted, and after such a long time, she was already starving.
Yu Wenye’s gaze immediately turned cold again.
The hand gripping her arm tightened a bit more, seemingly expressing a hint of displeasure, pulling her to sit beside a low table in the room, then going out to give orders. Before long, steaming hot soup, rice, and small dishes were brought in.
He sat across from her: "Eat quickly!"
Shang Ruyi picked up the bowl, thinking for a moment before looking at him: "What about you?"
Yu Wenye exhaled heavily: "I will eat too."
After speaking, he picked up the bowl and chopsticks as well, finally allowing Shang Ruyi to relax. The two said no more, and the sound of chopsticks softly echoed in the room. A few sips of hot soup and rice drove away hunger and weakness, making Shang Ruyi feel more energized.
She looked up at Yu Wenye and said softly, "Are you still feverish?"
"Already fine."
"That’s good."
"..."
Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, his gaze flickering as he looked at her: "Thank you for taking care of me last night."
For some reason, although his voice was calm, hearing the words "taking care" made Shang Ruyi recall herself urgently pressing down on him last night, using her body to cover him. Her face immediately turned red again.
She bit her lower lip and said softly, "It was nothing."
After speaking, she stood to leave.
Yu Wenye, however, grabbed her arm again and pressed her back into the seat: "Wait, I still have something to ask you."
Shang Ruyi lowered her head, just hoping to hide her burning cheeks from his view, and said: "What is it?"
"..."
Yu Wenye stared at her for a long time before saying: "How exactly do you know the Emperor?"
"...?!"
Shang Ruyi was stunned, looking at him in disbelief.
Hadn’t he already asked about this in the backyard of the government office in Yanmen County? She had answered, and afterward, their conversation grew increasingly tense, nearly ending in an argument, leaving on bad terms.
For over a month after that, they traveled back to Luoyang together, and he hadn’t asked again.
Shang Ruyi thought this matter was over, but unexpectedly, he asked again?
So she said softly, "Haven’t you already asked?"
Yu Wenye’s expression gradually darkened, but his eyes remained fixed, as if he wouldn’t let go of any of her expressions and emotions, speaking in a deep voice: "Previously, I asked when you knew each other; now I want to ask—why did you know each other?"
"..."
"As far as I know, you haven’t been to the palace, and the Emperor hasn’t been to the Shen Family."
"..."
"Why did you two meet, and why did he—"
At this point, he seemed somewhat indignant, and the latter words were swallowed back forcefully, his gaze blazing as he stared at Shang Ruyi: "Answer me!"