Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1081 - 776: So This Person Has Feelings Too

The two people stopped simultaneously.Shang Ruyi paused for a moment and immediately said, "Is it what I’m thinking of?"

As soon as she spoke, a smile appeared on Yu Wenye’s face, and he said, "If you don’t say it, how would I know if what you’re thinking is the same as what I’m thinking?"

"..."

Even so, at this point, some things don’t need to be said.

Just by looking at each other’s expressions and eyes, they knew they were thinking of the same thing, and their guesses were probably quite accurate.

Realizing this, a joyful smile appeared on Shang Ruyi’s face, but then she showed a puzzled expression and said, "Even if it’s like this, it’s not surprising that Father Emperor is delighted, but why did he suddenly allow me to go to Dayan Temple to pay respects to Buddha? Moreover, he granted us permission to visit Ruoyan?"

His joy seemed to be directly related to Empress Dowager Jiang and Princess Xinyue.

But these two people, one has already retired from the world, and the other has been grounded for half a year, having long lost contact with the outside world, so it shouldn’t have anything to do with them.

Yu Wenye obviously couldn’t figure out this problem either. He remained silent for a long time and then looked at the outside sky, finally sighing softly and said, "Forget it, it’s already late, you should sleep early. Your body can’t stay up late. Just thinking about it won’t yield any answers."

Shang Ruyi also nodded.

Today’s matter indeed seemed strange, not to mention why such a report from Tongguan would contain such a, or rather, half a map, and moreover, Yu Wenquan’s joy was all directed at Empress Dowager Jiang and Chu Ruoyan. More bizarrely, the report was so important, yet he didn’t clearly explain it to his two sons; he didn’t explain it clearly but gave them some hints—

Just thinking about it like this, Shang Ruyi immediately felt like her mind was in a fog.

Seeing her frowning expression, Yu Wenye chuckled softly and said gently, "Alright, hurry up and sleep."

"Mm."

Hearing his words, Shang Ruyi obediently bathed and got into bed. Even though her mind was still tangled with various thoughts, she tightly closed her eyes, trying her best to fall asleep early. After all, with Yu Wenquan’s decree, she could go to Dayan Temple to pay respects to Buddha in a few days. These two days, indeed, she should rest and rejuvenate.

But unexpectedly, it started raining the next day.

This rain continued for several days. Not to mention going to Dayan Temple to pay respects to Buddha, Shang Ruyi didn’t even step out of Qianqiu Palace.

The summer in Central Pass rarely sees rain, especially such continuous downpour for several days, which is very rare. Shang Ruyi even faintly felt that this unusual weather seemed to be foreboding something.

But she couldn’t articulate it.

Although she couldn’t go out, the news that she could go to Dayan Temple to pay respects to Buddha had already been conveyed to Chu Ruoyan. The Jinyu Garden suddenly became lively. Even with the gray rain curtain shrouding the entire Imperial Palace, drenching everything around in a somber stillness, Shang Ruyi could sense a kind of joy and vitality emanating from there.

And every morning, a freshly made steamed taro cake would be delivered.

On this day, it was already the third day.

Shang Ruyi could only send someone to relay the message, saying that heavy rain poured from the sky, and the Emperor was worried about her health, urging her to wait until the rain stopped and roads dried before setting off. So, she couldn’t go to Dayan Temple for now. Yet, Panqing, who delivered things, cheerfully said, "Our lady said it’s okay even if the Wangfei doesn’t come over. This—Wangfei, please try it if it’s not disliked. If not to your taste, it’s fine for giving as a present. The lady made it meticulously, so Wangfei, please rest assured. I watched over it all the way, the box cleanly washed, without any filthy stuff."

"Alright, I’ll accept it then,"

Shang Ruyi glanced back at Tushere, who immediately stepped forward to take the clean and shiny food box from Panqing’s hands. Shang Ruyi then continued, "Please tell your lady that if I go to pay respects to Buddha, I will definitely convey her wishes on her behalf, nothing more."

Panqing said, "I understand, Your Highness."

After speaking, she saluted Shang Ruyi and turned to leave.

After she left with an umbrella, Tushere sighed helplessly nearby, "Sent again; if you don’t go to Dayan Temple soon, the steamed taro cakes here will pile up like a mountain, Your Highness."

Shang Ruyi smiled, looked back at her, and said: "Haven’t I told you all to eat them?"

Tushere pouted, "I’ve eaten for several days and am sick of it."

Chang Wan, next to her, also smiled with pursed lips, "I’ve eaten quite a lot, and so has Wo Xue, but we can’t stand eating it every day."

Shang Ruyi shook her head helplessly. She understood Chu Ruoyan’s joy, but indeed, given the improper weather these days, her body felt heavy. She absolutely couldn’t go to Dayan Temple to pay respects to Buddha in such a downpour. If she got jolted even a little, her body wouldn’t be able to take it.

Thinking of this, she looked outside once again.

The rain outside continued to drizzle down endlessly, enveloping the entire Chang An in a heavy silver-gray rain curtain. Although the fresh air had swept away the recent heat, allowing for comfort, Shang Ruyi strangely felt a sense of oppression, almost as if she couldn’t catch her breath.

Perhaps it’s because, until now, they had yet to figure out who exactly sent that map.

Moreover, just the day after the Mid-Autumn banquet, Yu Wenquan suddenly announced that he was going to tour Tongguan.

This was his first time leaving the Capital City of Chang An for a tour since ascending the throne, which indeed was no small matter. More importantly, the destination was not some secluded villa but outside Tongguan. Although Yu Wenquan claimed it was because Fan Cheng’en’s voluntary surrender greatly pleased him, and he wanted to personally head to Longmen Ferry to welcome this former friend, now a loyal minister of the Dasheng Dynasty, Shang Ruyi suspected the main reason for this tour was related to that incomplete map.

Yu Wenye suspected the same.

Thus, he had hardly been in Qianqiu Palace these past few days. His goal was to uncover the contents of that secret report and find out who was behind the map. Unfortunately, there were still no leads as of now.

Shang Ruyi watched the gray curtains of rain outside and couldn’t help but mutter to herself, "Surely, it can’t stay like this forever."

As if in response to her words, after she had lunch and napped for a while, in her dreams the sound of rain seemed to lessen, and when she awoke, the rain that had lasted for days had actually stopped.

Shang Ruyi got up from her couch, looked outside, and smiled, "When did it clear up?"

Tushere brought a hot wet towel to assist her with washing up and also smiled, "As soon as the rain stopped, the clouds scattered. I wanted to come in and tell the Princess, but Chang Wan stopped me, fearing it would disturb you."

Chang Wan, beside her, smiled and said, "It’s rare for the Princess to take a nap."

With the good weather, Shang Ruyi’s mood also brightened. After freshening up, she voluntarily suggested going for a walk. Tushere, knowing that she had been feeling stifled these past few days, accompanied her out of Qianqiu Palace. Before long, they reached the Thousand-step Corridor.

By this time, the clouds had cleared, and the rain had ceased, presenting a clear and bright day.

Shang Ruyi walked forward, taking deep breaths repeatedly. The newly cleared weather was not only bright and clear, but the air was exceptionally fresh with a hint of the chill from the rain, making it very comfortable. Tushere, holding her, constantly advised, "Princess, walk slower, your feet are still swollen."

Shang Ruyi said, "It’s just from not walking these past few rainy days."

Tushere laughed, "The Princess isn’t usually this active, being cooped up a few days really makes a difference."

"Blabbermouth!"

"Hehe."

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked forward. As they proceeded, the surrounding scenery grew familiar; Shang Ruyi immediately remembered that not far ahead was the Liubu Pavilion where she had previously met Yu Wenqian. Just as she thought this, she looked up and saw two familiar figures sitting in the pavilion ahead. One of them was Yu Wenqian.

The other was none other than Duke Shenwu, Dong Bizheng, who had left when she first arrived last time!

Who would’ve thought they would meet again!

It seemed they were discussing something once more, taking a breather now that the weather had cleared.

Shang Ruyi instinctively paused her steps, but before she could walk away, she heard Dong Bizheng’s deep and resonant voice. Although they were some distance away, as an old commandery prince with a military background, his voice was as powerful as Yu Wenquan’s, and even from afar Shang Ruyi could hear clearly—

"I’ve prepared both the people and the things. Since Your Majesty has decreed the departure tomorrow, I must accompany."

"Uncle,"

Yu Wenqian’s tone carried a hint of helplessness as he sighed, "You’re getting older, it’s not good to endure the hardships of travel. Besides, you recently caught a cold and just started feeling better..."

"I’m old, but not so old that I can’t move."

"..."

"Anyway, what’s a little cold to me? Back in the day, when your father and I fought alongside His Majesty, what injuries and illnesses didn’t we suffer."

"Uncle..."

"You and your father both think I’m too old, but let me tell you, if I were to attack the Song and Xu States this time, we wouldn’t need so much roundabout planning, it would have been conquered long ago!"

Listening to him, already with a tinge of vexation, Yu Wenqian said no more and after a moment of silence, finally said, "Since that’s the case, I won’t stop you anymore. But you must take care of your health, and you absolutely cannot act on your own during this journey."

Standing by, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but be stunned by what she heard.

From the moment she first met Yu Wenqian, even if she didn’t know it was him at the time, just from those bright eyes, the pure white monk attire, and that unworldly demeanor, she felt he was not an ordinary person. But just now, those few words, though helpless, were very different from the usual Yu Wenqian.

This helplessness surprisingly brought him a bit more of the earthly essence, as if that pure cloud had finally been touched by the smoke of the mortal world.

Shang Ruyi was somewhat surprised.

So this person, too, has feelings of the human world.