His expression changed so dramatically that Shang Ruyi couldn’t even deceive herself into thinking it was an illusion. As soon as Tushere exited the room, she imdiately asked, "What’s wrong?"
"..."
Yu Wenye remained silent, not even looking at her, took a cup and gulped down its contents, turned, and lay down on the bed.
Shang Ruyi was sowhat bewildered again.
What happened to him? He was in a bad mood when he returned today, had just gotten slightly better, but now a cup of tea was delivered, she hadn’t said a word, and it seed she upset him again?
Shang Ruyi felt that his temper was becoming increasingly difficult to understand, but since he was about to set out on a military expedition, she wouldn’t argue with him.
She just sighed, drank her tea, and lay down to sleep herself.
By the next day, she woke up earlier than Yu Wenye, which saved her the trouble of having to put on a show of sharing a bed with him for the sake of a few maidservants again. However, for so reason, after an entire night, Yu Wenye’s mood still hadn’t improved; from washing up to dressing, he didn’t say a single word to her.
Until they escorted Yu Wenquan to the gate.
Due to the last expedition to Liaodong, Yu Wenquan only oversaw the transport of grain at Liaoxi without bringing many of his own soldiers, so this ti returning to Taiyuan, he was traveling light, with just a few carriages escorted by a small group of n. Of course, he also took so of the household servants, including Aunt Hui.
Yu Wenquan stood at the gate and carefully entrusted so matters to Yu Wenye before getting ready to turn and board the carriage.
Before getting on the carriage, he thought for a while, then turned back to Shang Ruyi and said, "Ruyi, while you’re staying in Luoyang, you must be cautious in all things, especially—"
As he spoke, he glanced toward the west, then said, "Do not be careless."
The Yuwen Family’s residence in Luoyang was located in the bustling and lively East Market, not far to the west was Ziwei Palace, the Imperial Palace built by Chu Yang within the Eastern Capital City.
Shang Ruyi imdiately understood, and said softly, "Father, rest assured."
Yu Wenquan continued, "You are still young. If you can’t decide on important matters, consult your elders."
"Yes."
It seed that he was most worried and least at ease with this daughter-in-law of his. After finishing his instructions, he sighed lightly, turned, boarded the carriage, and soon the group of n left the Yuwen Mansion, gradually disappearing into the morning light.
As soon as Yu Wenquan’s entourage disappeared, Yu Wencheng, who had been sulkingly standing aside, imdiately jumped up and said, "Oh, father is gone!"
Yu Wenye imdiately frowned and looked back at him, "Father is gone, but I’m still here. Don’t think you can slack off. Quickly go back, have breakfast, and go to school!"
"Second Brother, since father finally left, let have a day to play."
"No, go quickly!"
Yu Wencheng probably knew his brother’s stern and impartial nature, so he had no choice but to mumble as he was taken back by a few maidservants and little servants. Yu Wenye watched his silhouette disappear into the mansion, then turned around.
Turning back, he t a pair of gentle and calm eyes beside him.
Shang Ruyi asked, "Today, do you still have things to attend to?"
Yu Wenye replied stiffly, "Yes."
At this mont, Mu Xian and the others had already brought the horse over. Yu Wenye stepped down the stairs, mounted the horse, and left the Yuwen Mansion with his n. Shang Ruyi remained standing at the door, watching his silhouette disappear at the end of the long street, turning back to an empty gate and an even quieter courtyard, feeling a bit dazed.
Actually, Yu Wenquan’s departure didn’t really affect her life much. Although Yu Wenquan was a Duke, the household rules were not strict, and since Shang Ruyi married into the family, she was exempt from many daily obligations, living more freely than most daughters-in-law in Gate Valve aristocratic families. So now that Yu Wenquan left, she actually felt overly free and a little lost.
However, things always tend in opposite directions.
While she was idling at ho, sowhat aimlessly, the gatekeeper suddenly ca to report—soone from the palace had arrived!
Shang Ruyi was startled and imdiately sprang up.
Beside her, Tushere was also taken by surprise, stamring, "Miss, why has soone from the palace co again? Now that the Duke is not here and the young master has gone out, what should we do?"
Though it was unexpected, Shang Ruyi cald herself quickly and said urgently, "Go out first, and then we’ll see."
So she quickly tidied her clothes and rushed to the hall.
Upon entering, she saw a tall and thin, relatively young eunuch standing inside with his hands folded. Shang Ruyi hurried over and said, "Sir."
The eunuch, seeing Shang Ruyi, bead and greeted her warmly, "Madam, greetings."
Shang Ruyi was slightly taken aback, but then she rembered that Guan Yunmu had already passed away; to outsiders, she was now to be addressed as "Mrs. Yu Wen."
She composed herself, hurriedly returned the courtesy, and invited him to sit and have tea, but the eunuch politely declined with a smile and said, "I am here with a ssage from Empress Jiang and won’t delay. Madam, since her eting with you in Yann County, the Empress has deeply missed you and would like to invite you to the palace for a chat. I wonder if you would be willing?"
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
She then recalled that a few days ago, Yu Wenquan had ntioned that when he was about to leave the palace after the morning court session, the Empress had sent soone to tell him that she wanted to have Shang Ruyi enter the palace to have a chat. She hadn’t expected the summons to co so quickly.
Moreover, who would dare say they were unwilling to respond to the Empress’s summons?
Although Shang Ruyi felt sowhat uneasy in her heart, she still imdiately smiled and said, "To be favored by Her Majesty is my blessing. It’s just, I haven’t had ti to dress up—"
The eunuch smiled and said, "Madam is elegant and graceful; her usual attire is already very fitting."
"..."
It seed there was no way to avoid this, nor ti for her to prepare.
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath, then smiled and said, "Then, please lead the way, sir."
The eunuch imdiately raised his hand: "This way, madam, please."
So, Shang Ruyi only took Tushere and followed the eunuch out, only to find an ornate carriage already waiting outside. Judging by its design, it was indeed a palace carriage. She brought Tushere along and boarded the carriage, and soon the eunuch also mounted a fine horse nearby, accompanying the carriage as they left the Yuwen Mansion.
Heading west, they passed through several streets, and gradually, the surroundings beca quieter and quieter.
Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a towering palace gate.
However, this was not the main gate of the Ziwei Palace, but the Xuanren Gate on the eastern side. The eunuch smiled and said, "Madam, once you enter the palace gates, you can no longer ride in the carriage. It will be sowhat tiring for you, and those accompanying can only follow up to this point."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "These are the rules."
After saying this, she turned back and instructed Tushere to wait for her here, and then continued inside with the eunuch.
Once through the palace gates, it appeared that all around were towering palace walls, and the view was not expansive. However, the path ahead seed longer and farther than the avenues outside the market; they walked forward, passing through a spacious square and another gate.
Before them appeared a massive palace.
This palace was several stories high and had no side halls, but it was heavily guarded, with almost a sentry every three steps and an outpost every five steps. Nurous little eunuchs ran back and forth, busy with their tasks.
The eunuch said, "This is the Zuocang Palace."
Shang Ruyi nodded cautiously, making no comnt.
She had vaguely heard that the Zuocang Palace was the treasury of the Da Ye Dynasty, naturally more important than other palaces. She refrained from asking questions or even taking another glance, keeping her head down as she followed the eunuch forward.
After passing Zuocang Palace, the road ahead seed even longer.
The eunuch smiled and said, "Madam, please be patient a little longer. We are now circling to the Anning Gate, and once past Anning Gate, we will reach the Eastern Palace."
Shang Ruyi smiled and replied, "Yes."
This stretch of the road was longer than the previous ones, with towering palace walls on both sides resembling two rows of tall and majestic guards, expressionless and gazing at them coldly. The further Shang Ruyi walked, the lighter her steps beca, yet she could not conceal the echo of her footsteps, which only amplified within the palace walls, making one even more anxious.
Finally, a palace gate appeared ahead, which was indeed the Anning Gate.
The eunuch was about to lead her through the gate when Shang Ruyi suddenly looked up and saw, several hundred steps ahead, what seed to be another larger and more imposing palace gate. She couldn’t help but ask, "Sir, what is that—"
The eunuch also glanced over and smiled, "That is the Xuanwu Gate."
"Xuanwu... Gate?"
"Yes,"
The eunuch, guiding her inside, continued to smile and said, "Madam might not have been to Daxing City before. This Ziwei Palace was built by His Majesty according to the Daxing Palace within the Western Capital Daxing City, with all the palace gates modeled after those of the West Capital Imperial Palace—only this Xuanwu Gate, the Xuanwu Gate of Daxing Palace is much larger and more majestic than this one. When Madam has a chance to visit the West Capital, she will know."
Shang Ruyi’s mind was sowhat muddled, and after a mont she replied softly, "Yes."
Seeing her sowhat absent-minded look, the eunuch assud she was overwheld by the sights in the palace, so he said no more and continued to lead her forward. Shortly, they arrived outside the Empress’s palace.
This palace was broad and, though not grand and tall, exuded a tranquil aura.
Several large doors and windows were tightly shut, except for the central door which was slightly ajar, as if it had been waiting for her arrival. The eunuch led Shang Ruyi over, announced her presence, and imdiately two young and beautiful palace maids ca out and politely guided Shang Ruyi inside.
As soon as she entered, a warmth and fragrant aroma enveloped her, soothing Shang Ruyi considerably.
Looking up, the palace before her was both exquisite and spacious. A huge screen divided it into inner and outer chambers. The screen, made of solid wood, prevented any view of the interior, but generally, the palace was arranged such that the inner chamber was for private use, while the outer chamber accommodated guests. Naturally, guests were not permitted to enter the inner chamber freely. The outer chamber was furnished with several seats, various incense burners, fire basins, and exquisite lamp stands, clearly intended for the Empress to receive her subjects.
Seated at the top, clad in brocade and elegant attire, with a dignified appearance, was none other than Empress Jiang!
Shang Ruyi hurriedly advanced to pay her respects, "This humble servant greets Her Majesty the Empress!"
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