Chapter 161: Chapter 160: Idle Talk May Get Your Tongue Cut Out
Yesterday, she casually remarked, "Can’t possibly just cut out their tongues." Unexpectedly, just as Chu Yang turned around, he indeed had their tongues cut out.
Thinking of that dreadful scene, she suddenly felt a chill in her heart.
Then thinking of the words she said to him yesterday, if Chu Yang were to really hold it against her, wouldn’t she be even worse off than those people?
The thought sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Tushere was still saying, "Earlier, he stopped our carriage and I spoke to him like that. Just thinking about it now makes me scared."
"..."
"In the future, even if someone else does the same, I wouldn’t dare to curse him again."
Seeing her like this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but let out a wry smile and said, "It’s good you know to watch your words and deeds."
Before long, they had packed up their things, and outside, the troops began to gather. Shang Ruyi immediately took Tushere and left the courtyard, heading towards the main gate.
Along the way, naturally, they saw many accompanying officials and palace maids and eunuchs. However, when these people saw her, their expressions were strange, especially the palace maids and eunuchs, all lowering their heads and avoiding eye contact, as if terrified of provoking her.
Apparently, they were frightened by the fate of those who gossiped.
Though Shang Ruyi felt a bit of pity, the matter had already happened, and she was rather at ease, at least she wouldn’t be gossiped into pieces by others, which was a good thing.
Outside the gates of the government office, there were already people lined up waiting.
This time, half of the entourage had died or been injured during the ambush on the grasslands. Fortunately, the reinforcements arrived later, so there were still a significant number of people. Wang Shaoji organized his imperial guard in front and behind, and when he passed by Shang Ruyi, he suddenly let out a cold laugh and moved closer to say, "Young Madam, you were truly lucky this time, weren’t you?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at him, calmly saying, "I haven’t yet thanked General Wang for saving my life that day."
Wang Shaoji smiled lewdly and said, "Do you think just anyone can make this general take action?"
"..."
"Young Madam, you’re—not simple at all."
Shang Ruyi’s throat slightly choked.
But she didn’t respond to this and instead glanced around, saying, "I’ve heard that His Majesty has fewer palace maids and eunuchs to serve him. Perhaps General Wang will have to be more mindful."
These words were clearly a reminder for him that more gossip could cost someone their tongue.
Wang Shaoji’s face also darkened, but he didn’t retort her. Instead, he looked behind her, a slight frivolous smile appearing on his face, and loudly said, "Young Master Yu Wen, you finally arrived."
Shang Ruyi’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
These days, she had been hiding in that small courtyard. Rather than saying she was avoiding the rumors, it was more accurate to say she was avoiding him.
Their relationship had come to this point. Although they were still husband and wife, there wasn’t much more feelings between them than between enemies. Recalling her own one-sided affection and everything that had happened recently only made her feel more embarrassed.
She didn’t even know now what expression she should use to face him.
Just as she was caught in this internal conflict, unsure whether to turn around, that familiar presence slowly approached, like an invisible shield, enveloping her back.
"Wang Shaoji, what are you saying to my wife?"
"What am I saying? Probably saying, Lady, you’ve made quite a name for yourself in Yanmen County this time, truly a—hero among women!"
Shang Ruyi, angered by the term "made a name for herself," turned around, glaring at him, just about to retort, when she felt a warm hand gently caress her shoulder, bringing an immediate sense of reassurance.
Yu Wenye had already come to her side and said in a deep voice, "If General Wang could lead soldiers into battle, then there would be no need for women to go to the battlefield to make a name for themselves."
"...!"
Wang Shaoji’s face immediately changed.
This time against the Turkic, apart from escorting the Emperor back to Yanmen County, he had almost no military achievements. In the end, Shang Ruyi had risked her life to advise, boosting troop morale, and Yu Wenye had arrived in time to shoot and wound Ashina Shali, forcing back the Turkic army of a hundred thousand.
In front of these two, his achievements were already as insignificant as dust.
Faced with concrete achievements, any more words were unnecessary. Wang Shaoji’s face turned ashen, and he turned away with a cold grunt.
Shang Ruyi finally let out a breath.
But the next moment, she tensed up again, especially feeling that Yu Wenye had turned to face her.
The two of them locked eyes on the bustling street, and for some reason, there was a sense of desolation.
Shang Ruyi had nothing to say, yet couldn’t help wanting to say something, while Yu Wenye silently watched her for a long while, seeming as if he had something to say. But just as he was about to speak, a carriage from the entourage stopped in front of them.
It was the same carriage she had taken previously. Fortunately, when leaving Yanmen, she had left the carriage in the city, so now she could use it to return.
Yu Wenye exhaled a long breath and said, "Get on."
"Alright."
So, Shang Ruyi turned and prepared to board the carriage, but felt a warm hand supporting her, turning back to see Yu Wenye holding her hand.
The warmth spread through her heart.
Yet, just as she was climbing into the carriage, she suddenly felt his hand tremble slightly.
Shang Ruyi instinctively glanced back.
But Yu Wenye was looking up, his eyes intensely fixed on the front of the procession. Her heart also stirred, and she followed his gaze—at the very front of the procession was His Majesty the Emperor’s vehicle. At this moment, Princess Xinyue had refused to ride her own carriage and had run to the Emperor’s side, clutching his arm and speaking softly.
That pretty face, like a delicate flower, was full of an endearing childish charm.
She was cherished by her family, by life, untouched and sweet.
Chu Yang’s handsome face revealed a gentle smile that Shang Ruyi had never seen before, almost benevolent, as if the aura of an immortal had finally been touched by the earthly world. He smiled and nodded, motioning for the princess to ride with him.
Yu Wenye...was he watching them?
No, he was watching her, wasn’t he?
Shang Ruyi faintly smiled, just about to turn away when her gaze was caught by another figure.
Standing beside the Emperor, dignified and beautiful, with a serene smile watching them, was Empress Jiang.
Compared to the somewhat damaged spirits and bodies of everyone else on this journey, she seemed unchanged. No matter the world’s calamities, they could not mar her elegance and peace. Seeing her, Shang Ruyi even felt that the wind wasn’t so cold anymore.
She sighed softly.
Yu Wenye seemed to snap out of his thoughts, retracting his gaze: "What is it?"
Shang Ruyi gently shook her head, turned back to the carriage.
As soon as she was seated, Yu Wenye also entered the carriage, sitting beside her.
The carriage wasn’t large, just enough for the two of them to sit side by side. Immediately, Shang Ruyi felt his aura directly penetrating through her clothes, warming her. Instantly, her breath was also held tight.