Seeing her rare compliance and docility after surviving a disaster, Yu Wenye’s originally hardened heart softened, and he gently pulled her into his embrace, speaking in a deep voice, "I know what I should do, don’t rush me."

"Oh."

Following this, Shang Ruyi truly refrained from rushing him as he mentioned, since regarding military affairs, including how to catch up with the imperial entourage, Yu Wenye was surely more adept than her. Thus, neither of them brought up the topic again, nor did they have the leisure to curse Yu Mingyue. They rested for a while before each went to bathe and change clothes.

Before dinner, Yu Wenye was still uneasy and summoned Su Qinglan, who had returned home, back to Qianqiu Palace to examine Shang Ruyi again. Hearing that Princess Qin had almost encountered danger at Dayan Temple, Su Qinglan turned pale with fright. Fortunately, after feeling the pulse, it was indeed unaffected, and the fetus was quite stable.

Su Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief, as if pardoned, and said with a smile, "All thanks to Your Highness’s protection."

Only then did Yu Wenye completely relax.

He nodded, seldom showing a gentle smile, and said to Su Qinglan, "You’ve worked hard."

Su Qinglan hurriedly said, "It’s the duty of a humble servant, not daring to speak of hardship."

Just at this moment, Mu Xian sought an audience outside the palace. Shang Ruyi knew he was preparing for Yu Wenye’s departure to pursue the imperial entourage and was likely here to report, so she let Yu Wenye go out to attend to his affairs while Su Qinglan packed her medicine box, ready to leave.

Looking at her delicate face, Shang Ruyi suddenly recalled the scene she saw a few days ago at the Divine Tired Pavilion, and made idle conversation, smiling, "Mr. Su, how old are you this year?"

Upon hearing the question, Su Qinglan hurriedly stepped forward to respond, "This humble servant is twenty-two this year."

Shang Ruyi laughed, "I remember Mr. Su should be older than me, but not by much."

Su Qinglan said, "The horse’s teeth merely grow longer, but without benefit."

Shang Ruyi shook her head and laughed, "Ordinary women at twenty are mostly like me, holding one or two children, staying at home teaching them, and serving their husbands. Who can be like Mr. Su, already serving as the Imperial Doctor, it’s rare, I’m quite envious of you."

If others said this, Su Qinglan would only think the person was mocking her. But these days, having interacted with Princess Qin, it was clear she was a very sincere person, and there was no mockery in her words. Yet even if she was so sincere, Su Qinglan couldn’t respond to this, only bowed her head awkwardly. Shang Ruyi noticed her embarrassment and realized her words possibly went a bit far, so she smiled lightly and moved on, asking, "But Mr. Su, don’t you plan on settling your lifelong matters?"

"Ah?"

Su Qinglan was taken aback again, how did the question turn to this?

Shang Ruyi smiled, picked up the cup on the table, drank a sip of tea to moisten her throat before continuing, "I’ve seen Mr. Jiang, he’s quite nice."

Su Qinglan’s face flushed instantly.

She tried to hide this matter from those around, but Shang Ruyi had been together with her and Jiang Xian caring for the patients in Changle Square during the plague outbreak, and with Princess Qin’s keen eye, it was hard to hide some things from her insight.

Su Qinglan blushed, speaking softly, "Princess, please don’t tease this humble servant."

Shang Ruyi laughed, "Why, don’t you have such plans?"

"..."

"You’re twenty-two, not young anymore."

Su Qinglan hesitated for another moment before whispering, "These matters, we haven’t considered them yet. Besides, he’s lately gone out for business."

Shang Ruyi chuckled, though Su Qinglan said she hasn’t considered it, judging by her words, it seems she’s indeed intent on staying with Jiang Xian.

Of course, Shang Ruyi wouldn’t dictate others’ marital affairs, but sharing in their joy is a must, seeing lovers become a couple is truly a wonderful thing, especially since Su Qinglan is of good character, intelligent and gentle. In Shang Ruyi’s view, she is a rare good woman, marrying a fitting partner and living harmoniously is something she delights to see.

So she smiled, "If you do settle it, you must tell me, I’ll come to congratulate you."

Su Qinglan hastily said, "How dare one disturb Princess Qin."

Shang Ruyi smiled and waved her hand, then asked, "By the way, what business does he do, and where does he go for business?"

Su Qinglan replied, "He’s a horse trader, usually travels towards Henan."

"Is the road there easy to travel?"

"There aren’t many obstacles, though Liang Shide’s rebel army occupies Luoyang, they haven’t stopped commerce with Central Pass. Many merchants can freely go back and forth, just are checked more strictly."

"Oh..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi nodded, then asked, "What about his cousin, Liang Youying?"

Mentioning this, Su Qinglan’s eyes brightened, she looked up at Shang Ruyi, who also had a smile at the corner of her mouth, saying, "I heard she’s been close to Lord Pei lately, is it true?"

Su Qinglan hurriedly nodded, "Yes."

Shang Ruyi said, "Then—"

Before finishing, Yu Wenye walked in from the outer hall.

Seeing Su Qinglan still there, he couldn’t help but frown slightly, as the sky was not early and Shang Ruyi, having been busy all day, hadn’t had dinner yet. Delaying further wouldn’t be good for her health. Observing his expression, Su Qinglan also very sensibly said immediately, "Princess Qin’s health is well, this humble servant shall take her leave."

Yu Wenye waved his hand, "You may go."

"Yes."

After saying this, Su Qinglan carried her medicine box and left. Yu Wenye turned back to look at Shang Ruyi, saying, "What were you talking with her about just now? It seems I heard you even urged her to get married. Is that something you should be urging?"

Shang Ruyi smiled, "Is there anything wrong with caring about a subordinate’s marital affairs?"

Yu Wenye glared at her with feigned anger, "You should be attending to our child first!"

"...Oh."

"Alright, the Food Bureau has already delivered the dinner. Let’s eat first."

As he spoke, he walked over to help Shang Ruyi up, and the two of them dined together. Today had indeed been exhausting, and by now, Shang Ruyi was starving, ending up eating two whole bowls. It was only Yu Wenye’s concern that made her stop. After the meal, the two rested for a while before going to bed.

After a whole day of chaos, they were already overwhelmed with fatigue. Not long after lying down, Shang Ruyi was enveloped by a deep sense of drowsiness.

However, just as she was about to fall asleep, the words from Empress Dowager Jiang at Dayan Temple during the day suddenly echoed in her ears—

"He seems to have been provoked."

"When people get provoked, they often lose their reason, or act without scruples."

"Though Feng Chen is quite capable, in this regard, he is still just a person."

Especially her last sentence—if you can dissuade him, do so again—made Shang Ruyi shiver internally. The clear reasoning that had almost dissipated in the coziness of sleep managed to find a tiny anchor back in her mind. She half-closed her eyes and whispered, "Your Highness..."

"Hmm?"

Yu Wenye immediately responded, clearly still awake, with a voice full of clarity.

After answering her, he added, "Why haven’t you slept yet?"

Shang Ruyi squinted her eyes and chuckled softly, saying, "You’re not asleep yet either, are you?"

"Don’t mind me, quickly go to sleep."

"I have something to tell you."

"What is it, say it quickly, then sleep."

Not knowing why he was urging her to sleep early tonight, Shang Ruyi slowly opened her eyes, looking at Yu Wenye’s nearly sharp silhouette in the darkness. She then softly said, "Although today’s events were dangerous, at least both the Empress Dowager and I are safe, so don’t be angry."

"...!"

Yu Wenye’s chest quivered slightly.

Then, Shang Ruyi felt him take a deep breath as though trying to soothe some turmoil in his heart and said in a deep voice, "I’m not angry. You should sleep."

Shang Ruyi continued, "It’s natural for bad people to do bad things; it would be strange if they didn’t."

"..."

"So, there’s no need to quarrel with them."

"..."

"Just do what you want to do, what you should do."

Yu Wenye’s breath turned heavier, as if sensing something. He looked down at the dark figure in his arms, yet even in the darkness, he could still distinguish Shang Ruyi’s eyes, clear as water, glistening with pure light. He said, "What are you trying to say?"

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "Just... don’t let yourself be provoked."

"..."

Silence fell over the entire Qianqiu Palace.

After a long time, Yu Wenye seemed to lower his head, gently rubbing his chin against the forehead of the person in his arms, disheveling her hair, before saying in a deep voice, "I’m not. Now sleep."

Shang Ruyi was already unbearably tired, struggling to stay awake just to say those words, and now that her eyelids were drooping, upon hearing what he said, she finally felt at ease. She closed her eyes, and Yu Wenye also tightened his embrace, holding her close in silence.

They slept until dawn.

When she opened her eyes, she found the space beside her empty.

Staring at the broad bed that seemed a bit desolate, Shang Ruyi was momentarily dazed, then gradually propped herself up, reaching out to the empty spot, which no longer held any warmth, and softly called, "Someone come."

Tushere and the others were already waiting outside and immediately entered upon hearing her voice, "What are the Princess’s orders?"

Shang Ruyi asked, "When did His Highness leave?"

Chang Wan replied, "He left before dawn."

"Why didn’t anyone wake me up?"

"His Highness instructed us not to disturb the Princess’s rest, so none of us dared—"

"Did he have anyone with him?"

"Yes, I heard that Mu Xian even rallied another troop from the army; quite a sizable group."

"Oh...?"

Shang Ruyi had been about to get out of bed but paused upon hearing those words.

Mu Xian rallied another troop from the army?

Although she knew that King Qin would certainly not travel with only a few people, the news of an additional troop being mobilized gave Shang Ruyi a sense of unease.

Sitting on the bed in silence for a long time, she murmured, "Nothing will happen, right."