Chapter 164: Chapter 163: I do not listen to the wind and rain, the wind and rain disturb themselves
Xiao Yuansui!
Upon hearing that name, Yu Wenye’s breath halted for a moment.
He immediately recalled those eyes that still shone brightly in the night; though it was only a brief encounter, even after so long, the impression those eyes left on him remained deep.
Of course, what left an impression was not just those eyes.
Yu Wenye looked down at Shang Ruyi and said gravely, "You still remember him..."
Shang Ruyi replied, "A person like him is hard to forget."
"..."
"I’ve always thought that this man is extraordinary, his talent surpasses others, emerging like an awl that shows its edge through a bag. But since we parted ways, there’s been no news from him, which is unlike his style—if he went to join the Wanggang Army and used this place as his foundation for resurgence, then the months of silence would make sense."
"..."
"Moreover, you said that the sudden ambitious actions of the Wanggang Army are unlike Wang Quyi’s methods, but rather resemble his actions."
Yu Wenye suddenly snorted coldly.
Shang Ruyi was startled, not understanding why he suddenly got angry. After thinking for a moment, she softly said, "And also, last time you mentioned that seizing the Xingluo Granary would allow one to command a region, Xiao Yuansui was hiding under my carriage. I suspect he might have acted upon your words in taking this step."
"..."
Yu Wenye’s expression somehow softened a little, turned to her, and said, "You even remember my words?"
"...?"
Why is he concerned about such trivial matters?
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "This isn’t just idle talk."
Hearing this, Yu Wenye fell silent again. Those deep eyes looked at Shang Ruyi for a long moment before he said, "Previously, I thought you just wanted to be a good daughter-in-law of the Duke Mansion. Now, it seems you are concerned about more than the Duke Mansion’s affairs."
"..."
"Shang Ruyi, why are you so concerned about the fate of the world?"
Shang Ruyi was silent for a while and said, "I do not listen to the wind and rain, yet the wind and rain disturb me."
"The wind and rain disturb you?"
Yu Wenye repeated the phrase and asked, "Do you mean, the wind and rain of worldly affairs will affect you?"
Shang Ruyi countered, "Does second brother believe that the wind and rain of worldly affairs will not affect you?"
This question seemed to strike a chord inside Yu Wenye, and his expression suddenly turned serious. After looking at Shang Ruyi for a while, he suddenly smiled and said, "Since you have such thoughts, have you ever considered who is at the very center of this storm?"
"...!"
Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
His meaning was—
Seeing the drastic change in Shang Ruyi’s expression, Yu Wenye’s gaze immediately became stern. He sneered and said, "You both are connected like gentlemen, so in saying these and considering these matters, have you thought about what kind of future he would face in such a storm?"
Shang Ruyi’s heart grew heavier with his question, leaving her speechless and somewhat panicked.
Seeing her like this, Yu Wenye’s face turned even colder. He stood up and left the carriage, startling Shang Ruyi, who instinctively asked, "Second brother, where are you going?"
The followers outside hurriedly stepped up, and Yu Wenye instructed, "Bring me a horse."
Shang Ruyi quickly said, "Second brother, your injury—"
Before she could finish, Yu Wenye had already taken the reins from a follower, deftly mounted the horse, looking completely at ease and unaffected, indicating his chest wound had healed.
No wonder he didn’t want to sit with me anymore; the past month of endurance must have reached its limit.
Seeing the carriage that suddenly felt spacious and somewhat empty with just one person less, Shang Ruyi sat blankly for a moment, then sighed with some disappointment.
Outside, the emperor’s decree had already been delivered, urging the convoy to proceed immediately and return to Luoyang before the day’s end.
Thus, the convoy set off again.
This time, the pace was much faster than before. The carriages and horses moved at full speed, causing the noblewomen inside to suffer greatly, dizzy from the jostling, until they finally entered Luoyang City before sunset.
Upon entering the city gate, everyone dismounted from horses and carriages.
As soon as Shang Ruyi stood still and looked up, she saw colorful flags fluttering, and drums and music playing inside the gate; it was the civil and military officials in the city coming together to welcome the emperor’s return.
Shang Ruyi knelt on the ground along with Yu Wenye and others, cautiously looking up ahead.
Upon seeing the emperor’s chariot entering the city gate without much pause, it just stopped shortly at the gate. He seemed to exchange a few words and scold the ministers kneeling by the gate, who kowtowed continuously in fright, while the golden carriage continued on.
However, as the chariot drove away, a delicate hand lifted the curtain and looked towards them from the window.
That glance was full of reluctant farewell.
Shang Ruyi instinctively lowered her head.
Once the emperor’s chariot moved far away, an eunuch rushed over and said to those kneeling at the gate, "Your Majesty has returned to the palace, you all can head back early."
Only then did everyone thank the grace and rise.
The group went back on their carriages and horses, but as they prepared to leave, a familiar figure on horseback passed by Shang Ruyi’s carriage, causing her eyes to light up: "Miss Lei."
During the hurried journey these days, they hadn’t had a chance to speak.
Lei Yu still sat alertly and confidently on the horseback, exuding an aura of heroism. She leaned down to look at Shang Ruyi through the window, a wisp of a smile at the corner of her eyes: "Barely saved your life, take a good rest when you go back."
Shang Ruyi laughed, "Thank you."
After saying this, Lei Yu straightened up, rode past Yu Wenye, her gaze lingering with a hint of anger, said nothing, just turned her horse and led her people down the road home.
Watching her silhouette fade away, Yu Wenye seemed to sense something, turned back to glance at Shang Ruyi.
Shang Ruyi avoided eye contact.
Yu Wenye didn’t say anything. He just raised his hand, "Let’s go home."
Thus, the group of horses proceeded down the long street towards Yuwen Mansion. The journey back took another whole hour, and it was only when the sun had set that they finally returned to the Duke Mansion.
As the carriage approached that familiar street, the sight at the Duke Mansion’s gate was surprising—the place was crowded with people. It was strange, they returned ahead of schedule, so the family servants shouldn’t have known to come out and welcome them. Nonetheless, the heavy mood from the journey finally eased a bit. Shang Ruyi lifted the curtain and looked at the familiar sights outside, a slight smile involuntarily spreading across her face.
The carriage moved forward slowly.
The next moment, the smile froze on her face.