Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi was montarily stunned, while Mr. and Mrs. Shen exchanged a glance and imdiately showed a gratified smile.
Only Shen Wuzheng’s gaze slightly hardened.
But no one spoke imdiately; Shang Ruyi, after gathering her thoughts, felt her cheeks unexpectedly warm, yet found it even more peculiar—yesterday in the side hall, Yu Wenye’s attitude towards her was unmistakably aloof, and her return to the Shen Family this ti was partly to visit her uncle and aunt and reunite with them, and partly to distance herself for a while to let their feelings—indefinable and inexplicably hostile—subside.
She hadn’t expected Yu Wenye to send soone to fetch her early in the morning.
It seed as if... he couldn’t bear to be apart for even a mont.
Thinking of this, she looked again at Yu, who was smiling broadly, and her cheeks reddened further as she quickly stood up: "Uncle, Aunt, Brother, I’ll be leaving now."
"Alright,"
Yu nodded in satisfaction, seeing the couple’s strong feelings as sothing to be relieved about. Yu smiled and said, "We’ll see you off."
Shang Ruyi quickly responded, "No need."
As elders, it was not proper to see off juniors like this, but Yu was unwilling to listen and insisted.
While they were tugging on each other, suddenly another servant rushed in from outside, looking more anxious than the previous one, and said breathlessly, "Master, Madam, Young Master..."
Shen Shiyan frowned slightly: "What’s the matter now?"
The servant trembled and said, "A, a decree has arrived."
"What!?"
Upon hearing the word ’decree’, everyone montarily froze. However, it was not entirely unexpected, and Shen Shiyan quickly regained his composure and hastily ordered, "Quickly, go outside to receive the decree."
Yu nodded repeatedly, assisting Shen Shiyan in tidying his attire as they headed out.
Shang Ruyi also followed them outside.
Only Shen Wuzheng remained, his expression the calst, yet as he saw everyone hurrying out, his brows furrowed slightly, sensing sothing keenly.
However, he didn’t say much, and rely followed everyone outside.
As they reached the courtyard, a familiar figure led a group of guards inside. The guards arranged themselves in two neat lines on each side of the courtyard, and the eunuch walked forward slowly. Shang Ruyi looked up and was instantly shocked, her eyes wide open.
"Eunuch Yu!?"
In front of her, wearing official attire and holding the decree, was none other than soone she was already familiar with—Yu Mingli, who once served Chu Yang, and had just managed to return to Chang An City after the Jiangdu Palace Rebellion, always by Empress Dowager Jiang’s side!
He was delivering the decree again?
Now, although Yu Wenquan had not officially ascended the throne, he had already begun to issue imperial commands, and decrees were naturally his, aning Eunuch Yu was now retained in the palace and serving the Emperor once more!
So he was—
After a mont of shock, Shang Ruyi finally regained her senses, seeing Eunuch Yu co forward. Upon noticing her also being at the Shen Family, his plump, fair face showed a mont of surprise, but he didn’t say much, raised his head, and declared aloud, holding the yellow scroll in his hands, "Shen Shiyan, Shen Wuzheng, receive the decree!"
Upon hearing these words, everyone was shocked again.
It was assud that the Emperor’s decree was ant for Shen Shiyan. After all, Shen Shiyan was a major contributor to Yu Wenye’s ascension, and besides the court rewards, there should be other compensations, hence the decree’s arrival, although surprising, was not unexpected.
But the decree was also directed at Shen Wuzheng?
Though surprised, none dared to delay and quickly knelt down to receive the decree, and Eunuch Yu slowly opened the decree, announcing loudly: "A decree from the Central Secretariat: Minister of Rites Shen Shiyan, recognized for his wisdom and moral conduct, magnanimity and grace, deeply embodies the Emperor’s intentions, appointed as Vice Minister; his son Shen Wuzheng, erudite and broad-minded, possesses the capability of a master and discernnt, an exemplary minister for resolving chaos and crises, specially appointed as Weibei Road Marching Secretary, so decreed."
...
For a mont, the entire Shen Family fell silent.
Eunuch Yu did not urge them, seemingly aware that this decree would render them thus, after closing the scroll, he silently watched the few individuals kneeling on the ground, bowing their heads, unable to utter a word at the mont.
It was not surprising for Shen Shiyan to be suddenly promoted from a small Minister of Rites to Vice Minister, as he was a key figure in Yu Wenquan’s ascension, and even bestowing him a dukedom would not be excessive; it was probably to avoid gossip that such an appointnt was not made, but with what they knew of Yu Wenquan, they understood Shen Shiyan’s future rewards would not be lacking.
The strange matter lay with Shen Wuzheng.
Without any prior indication, Yu Wenquan hadn’t even formally t Shen Wuzheng, yet suddenly added his appointnt after his father’s in the decree—with wording that clearly praised him, yet inexplicably brought a sense of unease.
Moreover—Weibei Road Marching Secretary?
If he were to be appointed, there are many positions in the court suitable for Shen Wuzheng, why is it this particular position?
Everyone remained silent, and finally, Shen Wuzheng was the first to raise his head.
His expression was normal, not even a flicker of fear in his eyes, and he softly said to the still-stunned Shen Shiyan beside him, "Father, accept the decree."
Upon hearing his voice, Shen Shiyan ca to his senses and quickly said, "Long live my Emperor, long live!"
After finishing, he raised both hands to receive the Holy Decree.
Eunuch Yu handed over the decree, then raised his hands to salute, smiling, "Mr. Shen, congratulations to you and your son."
With Shen Wuzheng’s help, Shen Shiyan slowly stood up. Though still a bit dazed, he politely said, "Eunuch, you’ve worked hard. Please sit down and have so tea."
Eunuch Yu smiled and shook his head, saying, "I don’t have the leisure ti, I must return to the palace and report back, so let’s leave the tea for another day."
His words were smooth; although he declined Shen Shiyan’s offer, the words "leave the tea" left room for future interaction. Shen Shiyan understood that Yu Wenquan’s ascension ceremony is the day after tomorrow, and he certainly has many tasks to handle. Since Eunuch Yu has been kept by his side, it is clear he is a confidant, and the tasks naturally are entrusted to him.
Hence, he did not insist, rely glanced back at Yu, who imdiately brought out a thick stack of items and handed them over. Shen Shiyan took the opportunity to hold Eunuch Yu’s hand: "I will escort the Eunuch."
"No need for the trouble."
Eunuch Yu obviously wasn’t new to such situations, discreetly put the items into his sleeve and politely declined Shen Shiyan’s gesture again; seeing this, Shen Shiyan no longer insisted. However, as he turned his head, he saw Shang Ruyi, who had been standing to the side deep in thought, stepping forward and smilingly said, "Eunuch Yu, as it happens, I’m also heading to Duke Mansion, let accompany you for the first section of the road."
Eunuch Yu glanced at her and smiled, "Forgive my impudence, thank you Princess Qin."
After saying this, they headed towards the exit.
Shang Ruyi bade a quiet farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Shen, especially Shen Wuzheng. Shen Wuzheng remained composed, rely nodding at her, his clear and cold eyes deepening slightly.
Shang Ruyi and Eunuch Yu walked towards the exit together.
The Shen Mansion is not very large, and this first section of the road was not far, but both of them slowed their pace, and with Eunuch Yu discreetly signaling, the guards followed from afar, naturally providing the opportunity to speak privately.
Yet Shang Ruyi remained silent for several steps before quietly saying, "Congratulations to Eunuch Yu."
Eunuch Yu didn’t seem surprised at Shang Ruyi’s seemingly out-of-place remark, his round plump face breaking into a smile, "Princess Qin, the sa to you."
His calm deanor, hiding all emotions effortlessly within, elicited admiration from Shang Ruyi.
She then recalled Yu Wenye storming into Jiangdu Palace single-handedly to rescue her during the Jiangdu Palace Rebellion. Even in such a perilous and chaotic situation, he didn’t forget to send soone to extricate Eunuch Yu from the inner palace, and secretly brought him back to Chang An. Later, during the Dayan Temple gathering when the ministers embarrassed her, he intervened, saving her at the last mont.
Back then, Shang Ruyi suspected that Eunuch Yu might be Yu Wenye’s person.
But until this mont, she fully understood—the true loyalty of Eunuch Yu was to Yu Wenquan!
Realizing this, while shocked, she also felt a deeper tremor knowing that Eunuch Yu was the close inner servant of Chu Yang. Even before the Jiangdu Palace Rebellion, when she hadn’t yet arrived at the palace, accompanying Chu Yang and staying the closest, was none other than Eunuch Yu.
He was the Emperor’s confidant, almost the most trusted person aside from Empress Dowager Jiang, Chu Ruoyan and Chu Chengfei.
Such a person, surprisingly, was placed by Yu Wenquan beside Chu Yang.
It is evident, while the youngsters were cautiously discussing his "great undertakings," "grand achievents," Yu Wenquan had already foreseen everything, putting the plan into action, and had even inserted his own people at critical places.
After returning to Chang An, Eunuch Yu didn’t reveal his identity, instead, he served by Empress Dowager Jiang’s side. Partly due to so attachnt to his forr lord, but mainly because Yu Wenquan aid to control and position the remaining crucial mbers of the Royal Family from the Chu dynasty.
It was also thanks to Eunuch Yu that Empress Dowager Jiang could quickly arrange the retreat to Yanchun Palace, making Chu Chengfei’s abdication more seamless, and ensuring his safety post-abdication.
Thinking of these, Shang Ruyi sighed deeply in her heart.
However, Eunuch Yu, adept in reading people’s expressions, seed aware of the sigh from the newly appointed Princess Qin. He rely smiled, and said, "Surely, Princess has more to say than just ’congratulations.’"
"Indeed, I have sothing to ask the Eunuch."
"Oh? What do you want to ask, Princess?"
Shang Ruyi looked ahead, her expression solemn, "Why did the Emperor—father, suddenly decide to appoint my elder brother?"
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