Chapter 986: Chapter 720: Instinctive Knowledge

Upon hearing this voice, both people inside the room were startled.

Is it Shen Wuzheng?

Why is he here?

Upon hearing his voice, Yu Wenye’s face, which was already somewhat dark, turned even darker, especially seeing Shang Ruyi’s eyes brighten, her demeanor renewed, he couldn’t help but grit his teeth and pinch her waist.

"Ouch!"

Shang Ruyi nearly cried out, but fortunately, she still had the sense to endure it, only glaring at Yu Wenye.

Then she hurriedly struggled out from his arms.

Though the room was already quite warm, the two had just been tightly entwined, and their skin burned even through the clothing, and when they suddenly separated, a strange chill swept over, causing Yu Wenye to frown. But outside the door, Shen Wuzheng’s voice continued: "Although tonight’s celebration feast has been canceled, Shen Tu Tai and the others are still gathering to drink, hoping to invite Prince Qin to join and make it lively."

"Oh, is, is that so."

As a secretary, he doesn’t need to explain these to Wo Xue, a maid.

These words were obviously meant for those inside the room.

Shang Ruyi had already stood up, staggered back to the other side of the table to sit down, and then said, "Your Highness, since it’s like this, you should go."

Inside and outside the room instantly fell silent.

Yu Wenye glared at her fiercely, as if he wanted to tear a piece of flesh from her, but could only stand up, pull a coat over himself, and walk over to open the door.

Outside, indeed, there stood Wo Xue, somewhat uneasy, and Shen Wuzheng in blue robes, standing serene and poised.

He cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness."

Yu Wenye glanced at him, replied irritably, "It’s gracious of Mr. Shen to personally come invite me."

Shen Wuzheng said, "I dare not, it’s just this journey has been hard on everyone, and now that things have finally... been settled, although the celebration feast will have to wait until we return to Chang An, there are some words everyone wishes to say to Your Highness."

"..."

Yu Wenye looked at him, said nothing more.

When Shen Wuzheng said the matter was settled, he deliberately elongated his words. In fact, everyone understood the implication—this battle of Taiyuan, everyone knew it was a challenge to the Crown Prince position by the two Princes. Now, it seems that Yu Wenqian has won, but ascending to the Crown Prince position is only a phase victory. Everyone knows, throughout history, many have sat on this seat, yet ultimately fell just a step away from the highest throne. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Yu Wenye is not without opportunity.

But at this moment, minds are inevitably restless, for what they are contending for is not mere family property nor ordinary power, but the throne that affects the fate of them all, even the fate of the world.

So, even if plans cannot be immediately set for the future, Yu Wenye needs to soothe his subordinates.

He said, "Alright."

After saying that, he glanced back at Shang Ruyi again, his look seeming to say "You just wait," then walked out. But after taking two steps, he felt Shen Wuzheng behind him not moving, and stopped: "You—"

Shen Wuzheng said, "I just accompanied them to drink two cups, a bit tipsy, won’t be going tonight."

"..."

Yu Wenye’s eyes darkened.

But he looked at Shen Wuzheng, then back at Shang Ruyi inside, eventually exhaled deeply, said to Wo Xue standing at the door: "Take good care of her."

Wo Xue hurriedly said, "Yes."

After saying this, Yu Wenye left without looking back.

Shen Wuzheng exhaled lightly, watched his silhouette disappear into the night, then turned his head, Shang Ruyi already welcoming him into the room, seating him at the spot Yu Wenye just was, then smiled at him: "Brother."

Shen Wuzheng looked her up and down again.

He asked, "Not hurt?"

This was what he asked when they met again at the city gate yesterday, and asking it now clearly worries that she might have encountered danger in the trip to Shuishen Mountain, Shang Ruyi quickly shook her head, smiled and said, "No, brother, don’t worry."

Only then did Shen Wuzheng relax.

Then turned his head to look outside the room—the door was not fully closed; he glanced in the direction Yu Wenye’s silhouette disappeared, his face slightly darkened, then looked at Shang Ruyi, and deeply asked, "Did he trouble you again?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart unexpectedly surged with warmth.

Shen Wuzheng was originally one who strategizes and controls victory from afar, yet at this moment, he only concerns himself with these "trivial" matters, seeming as if no matter what happens, these are the most important.

Whether she was hurt, whether Yu Wenye bullied her.

That warm feeling in her heart grew hotter, to the point it felt scorching now, making Shang Ruyi’s eyes slightly red, she smiled at her brother, softly said, "Brother, don’t worry."

"..."

"He hasn’t, and won’t anymore."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wuzheng’s gaze flickered slightly.

He clearly understood, Yu Wenye’s venture into Western Turks is not merely entering enemy territory and disregarding life and death that simple, he almost handed the Crown Prince position to Yu Wenqian – such actions explained everything; seeing him and Shang Ruyi return to Taiyuan City with seamless concordance explained further, the two were completely in sync.

Thus, Shang Ruyi says such.

He stared steadily at his little sister, silent for a long time, uncertain whether he felt relieved or forsook something, he exhaled heavily and deeply said, "If so, that’s good."

Saying that, he nodded, "That’s good..."

"Brother."

At this moment, Shen Wuzheng’s eyes seemed to carry a hint of loss. Shang Ruyi’s heart couldn’t help but be moved. Just as she was about to say something else, she saw Shen Wuzheng raise his head again, smiling gently at her, "Little sister, you know, I actually never wanted you to get married."

"..."

"Because no one can take care of you better than us."

"Brother..."

"But now that you’ve married, and to someone you like and who truly cares for you, I won’t think otherwise."

"..."

"Little sister, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters."

"Brother..."

This time, the warmth in her heart not only brought tears to her eyes but also rose to her throat, making Shang Ruyi’s voice hoarse. She struggled for a long time before softly saying, "Brother, don’t worry. Even if challenges arise in the future, he and I will overcome them together and be well."

Shen Wuzheng nodded at last.

Although the door remained open, the room’s ample fireplaces and the honesty in their hearts made them both feel a warmth that was all-encompassing.

And at this moment, Shang Ruyi suddenly said, "However, there’s something I feel I should tell you, Brother."

"Oh?"

Shen Wuzheng looked up at her, his eyes flickering: "What is it?"

|

The cold wind howled.

Wo Xue had been standing not far from the door, watching the two inside. Shang Ruyi spoke quietly about something. Although Wo Xue couldn’t hear their conversation, he could see Shen Wuzheng’s expression growing more serious, and the usually composed person even showed signs of astonishment.

Not knowing what they were discussing.

But Wo Xue did not approach and simply stood under the porch, keeping an eye on the surroundings to prevent anyone else from coming near.

Inside the room, after Shang Ruyi’s lengthy narration, silence returned once more. This silence was deeper than ever and underscored by Shen Wuzheng’s heavy breathing, which added a sense of suffocating oppression.

She softly said, "Brother, I——"

Shen Wuzheng also looked up at her, his eyes flickering: "You——"

Shang Ruyi immediately said, "I really am myself, Shang Ruyi."

"..."

"When Uncle brought me home, I had many injuries. You were furious and wanted to confront those beggars. Later, hearing that my pinky was broken, unable to feel hot or cold and numb, you stayed with me for days, holding my finger, hoping it would warm up."

"..."

"I’ve never forgotten any of this."

Listening to her recount those past events, Shen Wuzheng’s gaze gradually became calm and returned to his usual gentleness. Indeed, thinking it over carefully, Shang Ruyi was indeed Shang Ruyi—she was the little sister he had cared for since childhood, never spoiled or bratty, always sensible and modest, someone he cherished deeply.

However, the experiences she spoke of were really too bizarre, even for him, to accept.

Finally, Shen Wuzheng let out a breath and said, "As long as it’s you, it’s fine."

Shang Ruyi smiled and added, "Please don’t tell Uncle and Aunt about this."

"..."

"I don’t want them to worry or feel sad about me—even though these things are in the past, you know what Aunt is like, Brother."

Shen Wuzheng smiled as well.

Even he, hearing Shang Ruyi’s struggles over those days, couldn’t help but feel pained. His mother, who loved Ruyi dearly and was so tender-hearted, would surely be even more saddened. She might find it necessary to visit a few temples to pray and make wishes for peace of mind.

So he nodded, "Alright, I won’t say a word."

"..."

"But in the future, if anything else happens, you must tell me—even if I’m not the first to hear."

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Got it."

After saying all this, Shen Wuzheng did not feel relieved, and as he exchanged another look with Shang Ruyi, both their eyes showed a heightened sense of alertness.

He said, "So, that Yu Mingyue——"

Shang Ruyi replied, "She definitely has a gift of ’foreknowledge’."

"..."

"I just don’t know where she comes from or how much she knows."

Shen Wuzheng thought for a moment and said, "You just mentioned that the things you ’took from her’ are partly what she instinctively knows; some have become your nightmares and premonitions."

Shang Ruyi nodded.

Shen Wuzheng frowned slightly, pondering, "Instinctively knows..."

As he spoke, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes.

Shang Ruyi immediately asked, "Brother, did you think of something?"