After a brief rest, they embarked on the journey back.

However, having galloped all night long, both people and horses were exhausted, with some injuries, and they also had to carry Wang Shaoji’s corpse. The return trip was slow, and it wasn’t until noon that they stopped at Shouyang to rest and eat something simple before continuing. It was near dusk when they once again saw the towering silhouette of Taiyuan City.

Finally, they had returned.

The people welcoming them at the city gate looked very different from the orderly formation of the previous day. Everyone carried a hint of worry and expectation. However, upon seeing the two princes return safely, even bringing back Wang Shaoji’s corpse, the atmosphere immediately changed.

Although these people understood that between the two brothers of the Wang Family, the real figure in charge, the one manipulating everything from behind, was Wang Shaoqiu, Wang Shaoji’s infamous reputation preceded him. Additionally, when Yu Wenquan ascended the throne in Chang An, it was also Wang Shaoji who was accused of regicide and treason. Therefore, in everyone’s eyes, he was the truly heinous one, guilty beyond doubt. This was why seeing his corpse was so gratifying.

For a moment, the whole of Taiyuan was in an uproar.

Returning to Yu Wen’s old house in Taiyuan, it was already heavily guarded by layers of guards. They each returned to their rooms to bathe and rest, but even within the deep courtyard, Shang Ruyi could hear the lively celebrations outside, cheers and the sound of gongs and drums echoing through the streets and lanes, as if it were a festival.

However, in the midst of this joyous center, she felt surprisingly calm.

With Wo Xue’s assistance, she took a comfortable bath, washing away the grime, blood, and what Wo Xue called "bad luck" accumulated over the days. Returning to her room, she was drying her hair when Yu Wenye, freshly bathed and changed, entered the room.

The two locked eyes but said nothing.

Yu Wenye glanced at Wo Xue, who was still behind Shang Ruyi, combing her long hair by the copper mirror, and said calmly, "You may leave. Call us when the meal is ready outside."

Wo Xue immediately replied, "Yes."

Having said that, she put down the wooden comb and turned to leave.

She even closed the door behind her.

Shang Ruyi continued to sit motionless before the copper mirror, her clear eyes reflecting the flickering candle flame not far away, so bright yet seemingly filled with a hint of confusion when reflected in the mirror.

Until Yu Wenye slowly walked behind her, picked up the wooden comb, and gently arranged her sleek black hair bit by bit. As her hair gradually became smooth, his warm presence dispelled the confusion in her eyes, and Shang Ruyi gradually became more alert, gazing at the person behind her.

She softly asked, "Are you still angry with me?"

"..."

Yu Wenye remained silent, only toying with a slightly damp lock of her hair, his expression serious in the mirror, appearing heavier under the flickering candlelight.

It also made Shang Ruyi’s breathing heavier.

She fell silent for a while before softly saying again, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you angry or worried."

"..."

"I just wanted—"

At this point, she seemed to realize that some words were difficult to say, especially in front of her husband. Yu Wenye was not a man of small mind, but any man would struggle to tolerate his wife harboring such thoughts, especially for another man.

At the moment when Shang Ruyi found it hard to speak, Yu Wenye instead raised his head to look at her.

Then he said lightly, "You just wanted to avenge him, right?"

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s breath caught, and she looked up at him.

Yu Wenye fell silent, slowly letting go of the lock of hair between his fingers, sighing, "Everyone says you took down the culprit Wang Shaoji, but I could see that your arrow was clearly aimed at Wang Shaoqiu."

"..."

"In your heart, the one who forced him to his death was Wang Shaoqiu."

"..."

"So, the one you wanted to kill was also Wang Shaoqiu."

"..."

"The reason Lu Xiao didn’t reveal her identity and secretly came to find you is because she wasn’t sure if she could persuade us, yet you followed her. At such a time, it’s only hatred that drives you, nothing else."

Shang Ruyi’s face gradually turned pale.

From the moment Yu Wenye mentioned "him," it felt like a heavy stone pressed on her heart—or perhaps it had been pressing there for a long time, never letting up during these days.

She had thought that today, she could take her enemy’s life and avenge him, yet unexpectedly, she was still one step behind.

As Yu Wenye said, yesterday, they led the troops charging towards the East City, and before leaving, Yu Wenye had warned her, "Don’t follow," leaving her in a state of shock, yet eager. At that moment, the enchanting and charming beauty Lu Xiao suddenly appeared before her.

That moment indeed left her greatly astonished.

The two had met before, but never grew close, and Lu Xiao had been kept by Wang Shaoji, always obedient and favored. To them, Lu Xiao even counted as being on the opposing side.

So, seeing her appear before her, Shang Ruyi’s first reaction was to be on guard.

Yet surprisingly, Lu Xiao’s first words to her were—"That painting from back then, Young Madam, oh no, Princess, Princess Qin should repay me now, shouldn’t she?"

At that moment, Shang Ruyi felt as if struck by lightning.

She stared blankly at the enchanting beauty emerging from the shadows of the night. No matter how much time had passed, with battle fires dispelling anxieties and scars, a beautiful person was still beautiful. But she could also see that over the years, Lu Xiao must have suffered greatly. Though her clothes remained splendid and her appearance unrivaled, those eyes filled with spring water concealed a deep, unremovable resentment behind their enchanting smile.

It was then that Shang Ruyi realized that when Yu Wenye attacked Xingluo Granary and was plotted against by Wang Shaoji and others, the person who sent her the painting, the one who alerted her to everything, was none other than Lu Xiao!

"It was you?"

She couldn’t quite believe it, but in her heart, she knew, it had to be her!

Lu Xiao smiled faintly, saying, "If that’s not enough, then the favor of giving that message to the Deputy Commander of the Left Palace Army in Jiangdu should earn me some repayment from the Princess, shouldn’t it?"

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart once again pounded like thunder.

She stared blankly at those bright eyes harboring emerging murderous intent, and was once again shrouded in the threatening memories of her time in Jiangdu. As expected, the painting also came from the same hand, namely the one before her—Lu Xiao!

She asked, "How do you want me to repay you?"

In an instant, a chilling intent filled Lu Xiao’s eyes, with no more concealment of her killing intent.

She gritted her teeth and said, word by word, "I want you to help me kill Wang Shaoji and Wang Shaoqiu!"