Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1151 - 834: Suppression

Yu Wenye’s expression darkened slightly when this was mentioned.But he did not hide anything, and said in a low voice: "Fan Cheng’en stays in Chang An and is promoted to Assistant Minister of Rites. Additionally, Mu Xian and Cheng Qiao, who participated in the battle, both received no rewards."

"No rewards?"

These four words made Shang Ruyi furrow her brow.

These people all followed Yu Wenye into battle, quelling Jiang Chong’en’s rebellion and were key contributors to the protection of the throne. But aside from Fan Cheng’en gaining the position of Assistant Minister of Rites, none of the others received any rewards. In fact, Fan Cheng’en’s previous position was Songzhou Governor, and at such a critical time, he defected to the Dasheng Dynasty, which would hugely aid their future advance to capture Luoyang. Logically, even if not granted a dukedom, he should at least continue as Governor, which seemed to be the initial plan.

Now this conferral, and the decision not to reward others, clearly reflects Yu Wenquan’s attitude.

He is displeased with this Dragon Gate Crossing campaign.

There is also suspicion.

Even though regretting now is futile, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but recall the words Empress Dowager Jiang whispered to her at Dayan Temple, advising her that Yu Wenye had been provoked and, once angered, people tend to act irrationally. Although Yu Wenye is a great general, he is still only human.

Her persuasion clearly had no effect, allowing events to unfold to this point.

Shang Ruyi clenched her teeth and, after a long silence, barely managed to calm her breathing and heartbeat, raising her head to look at Yu Wenye, and said in a low voice, "This is not a good signal."

"..."

"Father Emperor is clearly punishing you."

He shouldn’t doubt Yu Wenye’s loyalty, but he sees Yu Wenye’s schemes through the deaths and injuries of two Commandery Princes. With the great endeavor yet to be completed and a major battle imminent, Yu Wenye injured two crucial ministers and generals, touching the Emperor’s tender spot from the court’s perspective.

Besides, Dong Bizheng’s relationship with him is much deeper than the typical bond between sovereign and subject.

Yu Wenye, hearing this, remained silent, but the gloom in his eyes showed he thought the same.

Shang Ruyi added, "Moreover, not allowing Fan Cheng’en to return to Song State is greatly disadvantageous for you in the east."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said, "There’s more to it."

Shang Ruyi widened her eyes at him: "What else?"

Yu Wenye said, "He had Xue Daotong send out a force, taking the Holy Decree to Xingluo Granary."

"Xingluo Granary?"

These three words brought Shang Ruyi’s heart to her throat, her eyes revealing not only shock but deep concern: "Is Father Emperor planning to replace Yan Buuai?"

Yu Wenye shook his head and said, "Not replace, but ’assist.’ Because Shen Tu Tai captured the Song and Xu States, it will certainly affect Luoyang. Even if Liang Shide doesn’t immediately raise an army to retake these places, there will be corresponding actions, and I was worried earlier that he might target Xingluo Granary. After all, if we advance eastward, food supply is also an issue, and being able to take military rations directly from Xingluo Granary greatly facilitates operations."

And this facilitation, thanks to Yan Buuai guarding Xingluo Granary, was exclusive to him.

But now, with Yu Wenquan sending additional forces, this facilitation is no longer exclusive to him.

"Father Emperor’s actions are preparing for the upcoming eastern front operations, and—" At this point, Shang Ruyi paused to take a deep breath, her gaze intense as she looked at Yu Wenye: "He seems not to be planning to let you go."

More than that, Yu Wenquan’s actions directly suppress King Qin’s power!

Moreover, every step the Emperor takes is gentle, hardly showing any trace of punishment or suppression, leaving Yu Wenye unable to express grievances even if he wanted to, but anyone with discernment can clearly see the Emperor’s inclination.

In a daze, Shang Ruyi seemed to return to the past, after the battle at Xingluo Granary when Yu Wenye killed a Military Supervisor Kou Junliang, he was imprisoned for questioning in the Ministry of Justice, which prompted Yu Wenquan to step forward, almost severing one of his arms to weaken his own power, safeguarding his son’s past. At that time, it was Chu Yang who sat on the Dragon Chair.

Yu Wenquan’s actions were almost identical.

This is the majesty of imperial power!

And Yu Wenye remained silent for a long time, only giving a deep "Hmm."

Even though there was no wind at all, Shang Ruyi inexplicably felt a bone-chilling cold that made her shiver slightly.

She hadn’t imagined that during her time in Chengqian Hall, so much had happened outside, with Yu Wenye bearing such great pressure without saying a word to her, enduring her provocations and reproaches each day with a smile, without revealing any hint to her.

Noticing her shiver, Yu Wenye raised his head to look at the two open windows of the inner hall, frowning slightly, then he stood up to close them.

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the hall became tense and even oppressive.

Watching him walk back to sit beside her, Shang Ruyi looked up at him, her eyes softening as she said softly, "If Father Emperor really doesn’t let you attack Luoyang, what should we do?"

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said, "Wait and see."

"Wait and see what?"

"See who Father Emperor sends."

"It doesn’t matter who he sends!"

Yu Wenye had long said that his future could only be built on military achievements. If Yu Wenquan were to suppress him militarily, he would completely lose the qualification to contend with Yu Wenqian, and now with the death of Duke Shenwu, this pair of brothers had reached the point of no return. If Yu Wenye truly cannot advance anymore—

Shang Ruyi couldn’t even imagine how things would be if Yu Wenqian inherited the throne.

Could it be that even though she was forewarned by Yu Mingyue and didn’t marry Yu Wenqian, she would end up with almost the same fate?

Thinking of this, a surge of anger rose from her heart, and she said through clenched teeth, "I’m not speaking wildly, but today’s Luoyang is not the Luoyang of the past. Liang Shide once captured Eastern Capital with only tens of thousands of soldiers, but now, with Xiao Yuansui, they will guard Luoyang like an impregnable fortress. Besides you, I don’t believe anyone else can seize Eastern Capital from these two!"

Confronted with such "wild talk," Yu Wenye seemed surprised, slightly widening his eyes at the more hot-tempered Shang Ruyi, for a long while, he pursed his lips.

Initially somewhat annoyed, but seeing the hint of a smile on Yu Wenye’s face, Shang Ruyi’s brow furrowed even more tightly.

"What are you planning exactly?"

"..."

Yu Wenye watched her for a while and slowly said, "Preparation leads to success, lack of preparation leads to failure."