Chapter 973: Chapter 709: Buddha’s Heart at Work_2

However, it seems that despite having no previous opportunity to interact with the Wang Brothers, Yu Wenqian was able to see through whom among them is truly dangerous after just the battle in Taiyuan.

But he wasn’t the only one who saw through this; there was another person, the one who shot that arrow just now—

Thinking of this, both of them simultaneously turned their heads.

At this moment, the reeds upstream swayed in the wind again, and that familiar figure seemed to have moved closer to them, yet did not step out of the reeds. Even so, the already familiar Yu Wenye immediately recognized the slender figure of the young lady.

He furrowed his brow and clenched his teeth bitterly.

But when he spoke again, he commanded those behind him first: "Shen Tu Tai, lead the men over there and drag Wang Shaoji up. Also, keep sending people up the mountain to pursue them, but don’t chase too hastily; return once their direction is confirmed."

"Yes!"

Shen Tu Tai took the order and waved to the people behind him.

A team immediately followed him forward, and upon entering the river again, arrows ceased to fly toward them. Evidently, Wang Shaoqiu only focused on leading his men away and had no intention of confronting them, while Shen Tu Tai gave instructions to those behind him. These men hurriedly crossed the river, hooves clattering, and soon disappeared into the forest ahead.

Yu Wenye also turned his horse and followed the river upstream.

In just a moment, he arrived outside the reeds.

He said in a deep voice, "Come out!"

Though his voice was not loud, such a call in the open wild was quite unsettling, even causing the slender and withered reeds to tremble.

From inside came a rustling sound.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Shang Ruyi; she rode her horse out of the reeds slowly, still clutching a bow in her hand.

Yu Wenye’s face turned livid: "Who let you come?!"

Originally, he had resolved to treat her well, never to lose his temper with her after bringing her back from the Western Turks, and to clarify any misunderstandings between them without causing further harm. But seeing her disregard danger and disobey him by pursuing him here, Yu Wenye’s anger flared immediately.

What infuriated him even more was Shang Ruyi stopping at the edge of the reeds, seemingly unwilling to come out.

She sat on horseback, craning her head to look at the mountain on the opposite bank, cautiously asking, "They won’t come back, right?"

Yu Wenye’s brow furrowed tightly.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Now that you’re afraid, why did you follow?"

"..."

"Didn’t I tell you to stay in Taiyuan!"

Listening to his angry roar, not intending to give her, the Princess Qin, any face, and seeing Shen Tu Tai and the others behind him looking over, even Yu Wenqian, who had ridden up behind and heard this, slightly furrowed his brow, stopping beside Yu Wenye.

Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip and said softly, "I’m not—"

"Not what? You’re not following?"

"I’m not following you?"

"What?"

"I didn’t follow you over here, I—"

She initially wanted to explain but suddenly heard Yu Wenye laugh lightly.

However, it wasn’t a genuine laugh but rather a mocking chuckle, even with a hint of disdain. Shang Ruyi knew he was truly angry and immediately bit her lip. Yet she didn’t feel constrained by Yu Wenye’s actions. His refusal to allow her to come was due to the immense danger on this journey, and even though she didn’t follow them closely, witnessing their pursuit of Wang Shaoji’s group until here, seeing each of them injured, she understood the situation that night.

If she made a mistake and ran into Wang Shaoji’s group, she might really not return.

At this moment, Yu Wenqian said, "Second brother, you should—"

But he didn’t finish speaking before Yu Wenye, seemingly calm, but with deep-seated anger in his words, said, "Imperial Brother, this is between me and her. Please don’t intervene."

"..."

Yu Wenqian glanced at him.

Just then, a sweet voice, so sweet it almost made one’s bones tingle, echoed in. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"I brought her here. Please, Second Prince—oh no, please, Prince Qin, calm your anger."

Upon suddenly hearing this seductive yet familiar voice, Yu Wenye’s expression darkened instantly, and even Yu Wenqian furrowed his brow slightly, both instinctively looking up ahead.

The voice came from behind Shang Ruyi.

As for Shang Ruyi, she did not display any sign of surprise, only widening her eyes to look at Yu Wenye, speaking cautiously: "She brought me here."

"..."

"She told me Wang Shaoji has hidden a large group here, so if you really followed them here, whether ambushed or not, there would almost certainly be a fierce battle."

"..."

"But you’ve just returned from the Western Turks, and are very tired."

"..."

"So I thought if we could catch them off guard—"

Saying this, she also appeared somewhat frustrated, gently lowering her head.

Yu Wenqian’s presence grew heavier unknowingly.

Indeed, that arrow just now was fired by Shang Ruyi, who had rushed all night, finally arriving before them, lurking in the reeds, intending to catch the Wang Brothers off guard here. Unfortunately, earlier...

Yet this person—

Thinking this, they again lifted their heads, only to see behind Shang Ruyi, the reed stalks swaying once more, as a slender green shadow gradually stepped forth.

Skin white as snow, features as if painted, a waist like willows, lotus blossoms under each step.

The beauty lightly smiled at the two men before her, a seductive smile that could fascinate anyone: "Greetings, Princes. Lu Xiao extends her salutations."