Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 799 - 605: One Night, Warming

The moment the words "Chengqian Hall" were heard, the entire Imperial Palace seemed to quiet down.

The few little eunuchs seemed to sense something as well, they all stopped and carefully looked at the Prince Qin before them. However, his cold and stern face held no extra expression and after a moment of silence, he waved his hand at them.

Shang Ruyi also smiled and said, "You may go."

They quickly bowed and then carried that heavy plaque towards the Princess Courtyard.

Not long after, a busy commotion arose from that direction. Someone shouted to hold the ladder, and others called out to be careful. Meanwhile, there were some palace maids who exclaimed in startled whispers, turning the originally somewhat silent dusk into a bustling noise.

After a while, the commotion finally calmed down.

Although she did not see it, Shang Ruyi knew the plaque must have been replaced.

She stood at the palace gate for a while, the setting sun stretching her shadow very, very long, almost reaching Yu Wenye standing under the eaves. But neither of the two people on either end of the shadow spoke a word, until the last ray of sunlight struggled into the ground, plunging the earth into sudden darkness.

People began to light lamps all around the palace gate.

The flickering lights shone, finally bringing Shang Ruyi back to her senses. She turned and slowly walked back to Qianqiu Palace, where she saw Yu Wenye still standing under the eaves. The dim light cast a large shadow across his face, only those cold stern eyes remained bright as ever.

And equally sharp as ever.

Although he remained silent, Shang Ruyi knew he was certainly contemplating those two words "Chengqian."

Chengqian...

Chengqian!

To inherit the imperial enterprise, to preside over heaven and earth!

Even though Yu Wenquan could not appoint Yu Wenqian as Crown Prince, those two words had already made his intentions crystal clear.

In fact, neither of them were surprised. Yu Wenye pulling Yu Wenqian from the Crown Prince position was an offense not only to Yu Wenqian but also to his father Yu Wenquan. As Emperor, and although not yet enthroned, he already grasped the power dynamics for a long time as a regent turned Emperor. More acute, suspicious, and wary, his son pulling such a move was surely not something he would be happy about.

And indeed, this father and son’s dispute transformed into invisible smoke of gunpowder had started long before.

After all, a mountain cannot contain two tigers.

So, although these two words came unexpectedly, it was not surprising, nor would it affect what they both needed to do in the palace. Shang Ruyi was still concerned about how Yu Wenquan would commend those responsible for handling the plague in the palace the next day, uncertain of who might be included, and caution was required for tomorrow.

She was just about to say something to Yu Wenye when suddenly, the sound of a zither played.

Both instinctively raised their heads, looking towards the direction of the music — it was none other than the recently renamed Jinyu Garden.

Upon careful listening, the zither sound was flowing, weeping, and lamenting, playing precisely the small Hu Jia tune.

The sound of the zither was like the sound of a heart. The weeping and lamentation seemed more like the tears of the heart of the person playing it, yet her fate had led her to this point. The past glory and perfection were all destroyed, even the "Princess" title could not be preserved. Although she got her wish, staying beside the man she loved, the void in her heart was perhaps something that could never be filled.

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but sigh lightly in her heart.

And almost at the same time, Yu Wenye also sighed deeply.

Both raised their heads to look at each other, Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "Do you want to go and accompany her?"

"..."

Yu Wenye looked at her motionlessly.

Although his face showed no change in expression, the flickering lights inside the hall projected heavy shadows on his face. Even the slightest, almost undetectable quiver could be clearly discerned, and Shang Ruyi immediately noticed his brows furrowing.

Yet his expression indeed showed no trace of change.

Such an illusory perception left Shang Ruyi momentarily unsure whether he was calm or displeased, but the words had already been spoken. After thinking for a bit, she continued, "I think, having the ’Princess Courtyard’ plaque taken back, she must feel very sad and needs you to accompany her."

"..."

Yu Wenye still remained motionless, continuing to stare at her.

After quite a while, he finally slowly said, "Indeed, today is our first day in the palace, I certainly should go and accompany her."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s breath suddenly paused.

Only then did she come to her senses, right, today was the first day for them — Prince Qin and Princess Qin, entering the palace.

On the first day in the palace, if Prince Qin went to be beside the concubine, then in the eyes of the other serving palace attendants, would she, Princess Qin...

Just this thought alone, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt somewhat hesitant.

Between hesitations, she already softly said, "You, you can accompany her and then come back — I’ll be waiting for you."

Upon hearing her words, Yu Wenye did not immediately respond, but lowered his head, his long eyelashes covering his dark eyes, leaving his gaze completely unseen. Even the expression that could be clearly outlined by shadows was not visible at all. After a while, he dusted off his clothes and then said, "I indeed should go and accompany her."

"..."

"However, moving these things in today has already exhausted me, and I won’t be going back after I leave."

"..."

"You should rest well tonight."

Having said that, he lifted his foot and walked away.

"Wait!"

Seeing Yu Wenye was about to walk out of the palace gate, Shang Ruyi hurriedly spoke up, but Yu Wenye seemed not to hear and continued walking forward. Shang Ruyi became anxious immediately, hurriedly stepping down the stairs, her steps were somewhat disorderly, managing to catch up with him with great difficulty.

She said, "Wait for a moment!"

Only then did Yu Wenye stop, but he still didn’t look at her. His gaze coldly stared ahead, at the night sky which was almost entirely enveloped in darkness, and he said, "What’s the matter?"

Shang Ruyi took a couple of breaths, looking at him once more, though hesitant, she still said, "You, don’t go."

"..."

Yu Wenye looked down at her. Though his back faced Qianqiu Palace, the light behind wasn’t enough to illuminate his face, but Shang Ruyi could clearly see a flicker of light in his eyes, a light that couldn’t be hidden even by the deepest gloom.

He said, "What did you say?"

Another gust of night wind blew, carrying some chill. Yet Shang Ruyi felt her cheeks and ears growing warm, she lowered her head, softly saying, "Aren’t you tired?"

"..."

"Since you’re tired, then—don’t keep running back and forth."

"..."

"Go accompany her tomorrow night instead."

"..."

Yu Wenye remained silent, still looking down, quietly watching her. Though Shang Ruyi didn’t raise her head to meet his gaze, she could almost feel his stare burning hot then cold. The emotions it conveyed were confusing, maybe even Yu Wenye himself couldn’t distinguish anger from calm.

After a long time, she felt the tall figure before her slowly turn around to face her.

He said, "That’s what you said."

Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip, gently nodding.

Though in her heart, she knew how she should interact with Chu Ruoyan, understood Chu Ruoyan’s awkward situation and lonely feelings, at that moment, only Yu Wenye could slightly comfort her heart. However, her own heart—

She couldn’t be generous and forgiving to the point of disregarding herself.

Moreover, she faintly felt that Yu Wenye had always been somewhat displeased with her "generous forgiveness", but there seemed to be deeper anger, the cause of which she hadn’t figured out, and Yu Wenye didn’t intend to tell her either.

No matter what, today was their first day entering the palace.

King Qin should stay by Princess Qin’s side.

Seeing her nodding, Yu Wenye’s icy gaze thawed slightly, though the coldness hadn’t completely faded, he turned indifferently and walked into Qianqiu Palace.

By this time, Tushere and the others had already made the bed, and lit the incense burner.

Neither of them spoke further, they washed up briefly and went to bed—after all, tomorrow is the banquet of Yu Wenquan, the first major event for the two princes just entering the palace, its significance is undoubtedly extraordinary.

They needed to gather some energy to cope.

Yet, despite being so busy today and overwhelmed with thoughts, truly exhausted, after getting into bed, they found it somewhat hard to fall asleep. Shang Ruyi, with her eyes closed, could still hear the distinct and rhythmic breathing of the person beside her—even though the bed was more than twice as wide as the one at home, making them leave a large gap almost the width of a person between them, Shang Ruyi could still hear clearly.

Evidently, Yu Wenye also couldn’t sleep.

The melancholic sound of the small hujia tune played intermittently for a while, then finally stopped.

However, what followed was the sound of pitter-patter rain.

It started raining.

It was already early October, the season of autumn rains and chilling winds. Shang Ruyi was covered with a thin quilt, but she always feared the cold. Soon, her limbs turned cold from the damp chill in the air, curling up under the blanket, which provided no comfort.

The sound of rain urged sleep, yet the cold made her restless.

Until, in a daze, she felt a familiar warm breath approaching, first touching her lightly, then seemingly embracing her—though the movement was somewhat stiff, not only stiff but seemed to be at an impasse over something, in the end, she heard a sigh of surrender beside her ear, and then that warmth enveloped her whole, like a sudden gentle breeze from a harsh winter, or like being immersed in the warmth of spring.

Suddenly, Shang Ruyi softened completely, she sighed comfortably, burying herself deeper into that warmth.

One night, spring returned.