This night passed in silence and gloom.
The next day, Shang Ruyi still did not go out. She just stayed quietly at ho, and it seed that the people at ho also understood her concerns, as almost no one ca to disturb her.
Even Yu Wenquan did not co to talk to her.
Yet even so, Shang Ruyi was not as calm as usual. Even while staying in her room, simply sitting by the window and looking at the gloomy sky outside, she could hear the noisy voices from beyond the gate—though the Duke Mansion was closed to visitors, more people ca; she could imagine that the situation at the Shen Mansion was likely similar.
Shen Shiyan’s lone effort had stirred up a tempest within Daxing City, to the point of being overshadowed by dark clouds pressing down upon it.
At this mont, a cup of tea was placed beside her hand.
Shang Ruyi turned her head to look and saw Tushere standing beside her, the girl’s eyes were red and swollen, an anxious expression on her face, evidently worried that Shen Shiyan had not slept well last night. Shang Ruyi sighed and said, "You may go, let Wo Xue serve instead."
Tushere gently shook her head, still standing motionless.
Shang Ruyi looked at her: "Do you have sothing to say?"
Tushere nodded.
Shang Ruyi sighed and said, "Speak."
Tushere remained quiet for a while before cautiously saying to her, "Miss, why aren’t you going out today?"
"Going out, where to?"
"To, go back and see Mada, or—"
At this point, Tushere hesitated again, finally took a deep breath, and boldly said, "Or go into the palace to find soone to plead for help?"
"Find who?"
"Of course, the Eldest Princess."
"..."
"Isn’t she acquainted with the master-in-law? Previously when Miss went into the palace several tis, she also t with her. Perhaps asking her might save the master’s life."
Shang Ruyi looked at her again, the bitter taste she was trying so hard to suppress slowly surfaced in her heart.
Even she knew, at this mont there was no other way, the only help they could seek was from the Eldest Princess. But—
Shang Ruyi sighed, picked up the teacup, and took a sip; probably due to her poor spirits today, the tea was strong, not only was the scent rich, but it even left a slight bitterness on her tongue. Shang Ruyi instinctively furrowed her brows, swallowed the tea, and waited for the rich aroma to gradually fade, her mind regaining so clarity in the gentle fragrance.
She said, "Now, it’s not the right ti."
"What?"
Tushere widened her eyes in surprise at her—not the right ti?
Shen Shiyan had already been imprisoned, and the Emperor could order his execution at any mont, why wasn’t it the right ti to plead?
When would it be the right ti?
Even if they could wait, could Shen Shiyan in prison wait?
His health was already poor after such a long period of exile, though he was not mistreated there, Lingnan was a place full of noxious mists and wilderness, leaving Shen Shiyan with so illnesses. Finally returning to Daxing City, he was imprisoned again in the Ministry of Justice Prison, which was cold and damp; even a healthy person would fall ill there, let alone him!
Seeing Tushere spilling out all her doubts and worries like beans, evidently deeply concerned for Shen Shiyan’s life, though she too was weighed down by the sa heavy stone in her heart, Shang Ruyi felt a slight comfort and smiled before saying, "Pleading also requires the right timing."
"..."
"Sotis, not only does the person pleading have desires, perhaps the person being pleaded also has desires."
"..."
"At such tis, it cos down to who has more patience."
Though Shang Ruyi would usually teach Tushere so ways of dealing with life’s challenges, and sotis the principles could be profound, this ti it was evidently beyond Tushere’s comprehension. She blinked, blankly digesting the words for a long ti, unable to grasp their aning, only subconsciously catching onto a truth—
"The Eldest Princess also has desires?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her and said indifferently, "Yes."
Tushere was even more astonished: "What does the Eldest Princess desire?"
As soon as she finished speaking, before Shang Ruyi could answer, the sound of soone pushing the door open ca; Tushere turned to look and imdiately said, "Master-in-law!"
Shang Ruyi’s breath unconsciously caught, and she raised her head.
Last night, after the conversation about the nation and personal feelings ended, they hadn’t spoken again. However, Shang Ruyi couldn’t sleep, and clearly felt that Yu Wenye, who held her silently, hadn’t slept either.
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