Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 742 - 573: Don’t

Although they didn’t exchange a single word, there was a tacit understanding that needed no words, flowing through their gaze. In Su Qinglan’s eyes, which were originally gentle, a touch of tenderness like spring water now floated up.

Seeing this scene, Shang Ruyi’s heart involuntarily sank.

She instinctively halted her steps, then slowly turned around to look at Pei Xingyuan standing behind her.

Evidently, Pei Xingyuan also froze, staring wide-eyed at that unfamiliar figure. After a pause, he blinked and softly asked, "Who is that person?"

"...Jiang Xian."

"Jiang Xian? I don’t know him. Where is he from?"

"Son of Jiang Yu."

"Jiang Yu, and who might that be?"

"That’s—"

Shang Ruyi was about to explain, but before she could say anything, she heard Pei Xingyuan chuckling and murmuring, "Hey, what’s it got to do with me? I’m asking about this!"

After saying this, he asked nothing more, just quietly watching ahead. The concern on his face gradually faded, leaving only the usual teasing smile, as if he were an outsider watching the bustling world without getting involved.

After a while, he suddenly asked, "By the way, where’s Feng Chen?"

"Huh?"

Shang Ruyi was startled, not knowing why he suddenly shifted the topic to Yu Wenye. They had been talking about Su Qinglan all along. Before she could react, she heard Pei Xingyuan complaining, "In the past, when I was being criticized, he didn’t come to help, but now that it’s a day for praise, why isn’t he here?"

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but chuckle again at his words, then said, "He went to the palace."

"The palace, did something happen?"

"I heard that a letter came from Princess Qiancheng of the Eastern Turks. It seems there are some new developments with the Western Turks. The Grand Chancellor summoned him to the palace to discuss it."

"I see."

Only then did Pei Xingyuan nod, but then his brows slowly furrowed again, "Turks..."

Upon mentioning the Turks, the little relaxed mood they had was involuntarily tightened. Pei Xingyuan thought for a while and said solemnly, "I heard that Ashina Shali suffered a great loss at Feng Chen’s hands when they were in Yanmen before. If the Western Turks really have intentions, they might be coming this way."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s brows also knitted together.

How could she not know? When Yanmen was besieged, Ashina Shali nearly captured the heads of the Da Ye Dynasty, from the Emperor to the ministers, all at once. Fortunately, Yu Wenye arrived in time and shot one of Ashina Shali’s eyes, repelling a million troops, saving Chu Yang, herself, and everyone else!

But this blood debt, of course, was marked on his head.

Ashina Shali was vengeful and sinister and would not easily let him go.

Shang Ruyi glanced around again and said solemnly, "Unfortunately, the plague in the city has not been fully resolved, and before us—hopefully, the Turks are not planning to wage war against us immediately."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan’s expression also turned rare and grave. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

But after a brief silence, he smiled and said, "Don’t be afraid. No matter how big the issue, we still have a few of us here. Even if you don’t trust me, isn’t there still your brother and Feng Chen?"

Shang Ruyi laughed, "I trust Mr. Pei too."

"You’ve got an eye for talent!"

Pei Xingyuan immediately praised, "I knew, although you are a woman, your insights and abilities are compered with men. Otherwise, how would you have chosen Feng Chen as your husband?"

He was joking, but his words happened to strike a soft spot in Shang Ruyi’s heart.

She couldn’t help but be taken aback.

But just as she was somewhat lost, she felt something heavy handed over to her. Shang Ruyi immediately snapped back to her senses and involuntarily reached out to take it. Looking down, she found it was Pei Xingyuan handing her a package of medicine.

She immediately said, "This is—"

Looking up, she saw Pei Xingyuan turning to leave, still smiling, "I’m going to find out what’s happening with the Turks, so I’m off."

"Ah?"

Shang Ruyi was again taken aback, instinctively saying, "Aren’t you going to see Mr. Su?"

"..."

Hearing this, Pei Xingyuan’s steps halted, and he turned back, glancing ahead.

On the other side, Su Qinglan seemed completely unaware of what was going on here, only bowing her head to continue treating an elderly person with gentle and focused eyes. Only during a pause did she look back, but it was toward Jiang Xian, who was simmering medicine in the stable.

Pei Xingyuan’s face showed a faint smile, and he immediately said, "She is fine here; I’ll tend to my own affairs."

After that, he turned and left.

For a moment, Shang Ruyi still couldn’t quite come back to her senses, just holding the package while watching him stride out of Changle Square. It was only after he had walked far that he waved slightly, his back to her.

The gesture was both dashing and seemed to carry a hint of subtle desolation.

Before she could savor it, it was gone.

As she watched his silhouette disappear ahead, there was still an indescribable feeling in Shang Ruyi’s heart, as if the wind had blown away the surrounding warmth, leaving a thin layer of coldness in her chest. After a long silence, she slowly turned around.

As soon as she walked closer, Su Qinglan looked up and saw her.

She immediately stood up and came forward, "Young Madam."

Shang Ruyi also nodded, "Mr. Su."

Just as they reached a spot to speak, a fragrance of medicine wafted over with the wind. Turning her head, she saw Jiang Xian coming over with a bowl of freshly brewed medicine. Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, he had a peculiar expression on his handsome face, but he still approached and nodded in acknowledgment to Shang Ruyi.

Though not completely respectful, he was still courteous.

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "These past two days must have been hard on both of you. I didn’t expect Mr. Jiang to still be here helping."

Jiang Xian replied calmly, "Where duty calls."

"..."

Shang Ruyi did not speak immediately, just glanced at him again.

This young man was indeed handsome, and even rarer was his calm and reserved demeanor. There was a kind of stability in his speech and actions not found in others, and he spoke with clarity and wisdom. Regardless of his family background, he was an outstanding talent.

Shang Ruyi sighed silently in her heart but said nothing, only smiled.

It was Su Qinglan who, although silent, immediately smelled the strong medicinal aroma from the bundle in Shang Ruyi’s hand and asked, "Young Madam, this is——"

Shang Ruyi was about to speak when a sound of heavy, hurried footsteps came from behind. Turning back, she saw one of the Medical Directors from the Imperial Medical Bureau rushing in with a joyful expression, "Mr. Su, quickly, take the patients outside to receive their medicine! The medicine outside is now free!"

Su Qinglan was shocked, "What?"

The Medical Director came over, saw Shang Ruyi, and immediately stopped, smiling, "So the Young Madam is here too."

Shang Ruyi nodded, "Yes."

Su Qinglan looked at them in surprise and asked, "What’s going on?"

Shang Ruyi glanced at the bundle in her hand, gave a faint smile, and said, "I also came to tell you about this. Previously, Mr. Pei sold those medicines as part of a deliberate arrangement to investigate an incident, but it wasn’t truly driven by greed, disregarding the lives of the people; now that the matter has been clarified, he has returned all the money from the medicines sold earlier. From today on, all decoctions dispensed are free of charge."

"Really?!"

Su Qinglan was both shocked and thrilled, "Does the Young Madam mean that people here can go out and get the medicine?"

"Yes."

Shang Ruyi calmly nodded, then handed the bundle to her, softly saying, "If any patients here are elderly and have trouble walking, making it inconvenient for them to queue outside, Mr. Su can prepare the medicine here for them as before. These medicines will be delivered just like before."

"..."

Su Qinglan looked at the bundle and was momentarily stunned.

After a long silence, she finally seemed to understand something, reaching out to take it and murmuring, "So, so it was..."

Jiang Xian, standing nearby, looked at her and said softly, "What’s the matter?"

Though it was just one sentence, the concern in his words and the intimacy that couldn’t be hidden at the corners of his eyes and eyebrows made Shang Ruyi completely understand. Su Qinglan lifted her head to look at him, remained silent for a moment, then lightly smiled and shook her head, "Nothing."

After speaking, she looked at Shang Ruyi, "Then, Mr. Pei——"

Shang Ruyi said, "He has gone to handle his affairs."

"..."

"He has many tasks, and perhaps, won’t have the opportunity to return."

"...Oh."

Su Qinglan nodded, her face still a calm smile, thought for a moment, and then said, "Then, please, Young Madam, convey our gratitude from the patients here to Mr. Pei."

Shang Ruyi said, "Alright."

Upon saying this, Su Qinglan smiled again, but this time, her smile was deeper and more joyful than before. Turning to the surrounding patients, she loudly said, "Everyone, the decoctions outside are now free. Those of you who can still walk, go out and get the decoctions, but remember not to take more than you need, and be careful not to trip. The elderly and those who can’t walk needn’t worry. I will prepare the medicine for you here, as before, and we will make sure to cure you!"

The patients, having heard their conversation, had eyes lit up and cheered with joy and surprise. Some even got up, continuously kowtowing to the heavens, thanking the heavens for their favor.

Shang Ruyi glanced at them, smiled, and prepared to turn and leave.

At this moment, however, Jiang Xian suddenly said, "Yu Wen, Young Madam."

"Hmm?"

Shang Ruyi, unsure why he suddenly called out to her, stopped her steps and looked back at him, "Mr. Jiang, is there something else?"

Jiang Xian glanced at her, thought for a moment, and softly said, "I heard that the other day, Yanzuo Square released hundreds of cured patients, and now the decoctions at Changle Square are free of charge. Does this mean the epidemic is nearly eradicated?"

Shang Ruyi carefully smiled, "If nothing unexpected happens, this is what everyone hopes for."

Jiang Xian said, "Then, you——"

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was puzzled, looking at him, "We? What about us?"