Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Are you playing hard-to-get with me?
Everyone was shocked and quickly turned their heads.
In the distance on the main road, they saw a procession slowly approaching. Two columns of cavalry led the way, exuding an imposing aura, with a wide sedan chair that almost occupied half of the street.
It was the Emperor’s Imperial Carriage!
Everyone hurried to the sides of the road, knelt down, and bowed. Yet, Shang Ruyi frowned deeply at this sight—Yanmen City was already at a critical juncture, but the Emperor seemed completely oblivious to the crisis, concerned only with his own grandiosity. Who among the soldiers would still be willing to give their all under such circumstances?
Soon, the Imperial Carriage reached them.
Lowering her head, Shang Ruyi first heard the sound of hooves passing by, followed by a group of palace maids and eunuchs. When they had passed, a gigantic sedan chair slowly came into her view.
Then it stopped in front of her.
The massive sedan chair landed with a dull thud. Instinctively, Shang Ruyi’s heart sank, and suddenly the entire long street fell into complete silence. Everyone held their breath, even the wind dared not blow at this moment.
An eunuch came forward, lifted the curtain, and helped the person inside down.
Immediately, a pair of exquisite shoes appeared before Shang Ruyi’s eyes.
With a base of silk satin and gold stitching, adorned with brilliant pearls and smooth jade stones, these shoes were luxuriously splendid, worthy of celestial beings, a sight all too familiar to Shang Ruyi.
Yet at this moment, those shoes once again stepped into the mud, even stained with some blood, then walked step by step in front of her.
Then, an arrogant and lazy voice sounded above her—
"Rise."
Indeed, it was Chu Yang’s voice!
And this command was directed at her.
Chu Yang’s voice was neither loud nor soft, audible only to those immediately before him. Yet, in Shang Ruyi’s heart, she silently lamented—even though those around, even the soldiers and commoners farther along the street couldn’t hear, they weren’t blind. On such a long street, where so many were kneeling, the Emperor had told only her to rise. What did this mean?!
Sure enough, some of those kneeling next to Shang Ruyi cast looks of various expressions at her, especially Mu Xian and his group of brothers, along with soldiers who recognized Shang Ruyi, all showing disdain in their eyes.
Those gazes made Shang Ruyi feel as if a thorn was in her back.
She bit her lower lip, remaining kneeling, motionless.
Immediately, among all the gazes piercing her like thorns, there was one so sharp that it almost seemed to stab through her body, as Chu Yang coldly said, "Why, I have yet to accuse you, and you dare put on airs with me?"
The phrase "put on airs," coming from the Emperor’s mouth, amounted to the crime of deceiving the monarch!
Tushere’s face had already turned pale with fright.
While Shang Ruyi was also somewhat anxious, she steadied herself and softly said, "Your Majesty, I heard the battle at the North City Gate was fierce, so I brought my maid to treat the wounded soldiers, failing to report to Your Majesty in time. I beg Your Majesty to pardon my negligence."
"..."
Her words indeed carried an air of dignity.
Chu Yang’s eyes showed more amusement as he looked down at her and said, "Is that all?"
A drop of cold sweat had already formed on Shang Ruyi’s forehead, slowly trickling down. After much deliberation, she softly added, "Your Majesty, with your magnanimity, you grant everyone permission to rise, yet they do not. How dare I rise before them? This is not putting on airs."
Chu Yang sneered, "I say one word, and you have ten ready for me."
"..."
Cold sweat was now running down Shang Ruyi’s back.
She truly hadn’t anticipated the Emperor’s sudden arrival at the North City Gate. After all, this place might at any moment suffer a surprise attack from the Turkic people; it was the most dangerous location. But since the Emperor had come, blending in with the crowd might reduce their suspicion and salvage some of her reputation. Unexpectedly, the Emperor’s action and his words only further implied a close relationship between them.
If this continued, she really wouldn’t be able to show her face again!
Thinking of this, she bit her lip and simply said, "I, I really have some words to say to His Majesty."
"Oh?"
Chu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.
Having heard that Shang Ruyi had left the government office without reporting, he was somewhat displeased by the defiance, prompting him to come "seize" her. He hadn’t expected, however, that she seemed intent on turning the tables.
Thus, he smiled coolly and said, "What do you wish to say to me?"
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath, looked up to meet his lazy and arrogant eyes, and softly said, "I beg Your Majesty, please end the campaign against Liaodong!"
"...!"
Upon hearing this, a sudden cold wind blew in through the damaged hole in the city wall, gusting with a strong scent of blood and a heavy murderous intent, sweeping over the long street.
In an instant, everyone shivered.
And Shang Ruyi felt an invisible killing aura enveloping her from above, almost suffocating her.
It was Chu Yang!
It was the aura emanating from him!
Even without raising her head, she could feel Chu Yang’s fierce gaze almost piercing through her body.
All around, the Emperor’s eunuchs, the Imperial Guard leading the way, Wang Shaoji following Chu Yang, along with those kneeling soldiers and commoners, all were dumbfounded upon hearing this, incredulously looking at the frail woman.
How dare she?
And Shang Ruyi’s heart was trembling at this moment.
She had spoken after careful consideration, yet the moment she uttered those words, regret set in.
Everyone knew that the Emperor’s taboo was the "campaign against Liaodong." Previously, veterans like Pei Xu had been repeatedly punished for advising the Emperor to stop the campaign. Now, she dared to make her plea at the frontline where the situation was dire!
Was this not courting death?!
Above her, Chu Yang’s voice resonated once more, through gritted teeth imbued with malignancy: "Shang, Ruyi!"
Shang Ruyi froze.
As she slightly lifted her head, she saw Chu Yang’s face turning livid as he sternly declared, "Shang Ruyi, for spreading malicious rumors and sowing discord among the troops, seize her!"
"Yes!"
The Imperial Guards behind him immediately obeyed, stepping forward to seize Shang Ruyi.
At this, everyone around became alarmed, especially Mu Xian and his companions, who immediately knelt and moved forward, continuously pleading, "Your Majesty, have mercy, spare the Young Madam!"
Chu Yang coldly replied, "Anyone who dares to plead shall share her punishment!"
In an instant, the pleas were abruptly silenced.
Shang Ruyi was forcibly restrained and taken away. As they passed by Chu Yang, she bit her lip and still said, "Your Majesty, if the campaign against Liaodong is not halted, the siege of Yanmen County cannot be broken!"
Chu Yang ignored her, only barking angrily, "Take her away!"
As Shang Ruyi was being dragged away, suddenly, behind them, from the damaged hole in the city gate, a sharp cry echoed.
A cold flash, cutting through the wind, came directly at them.