Tushere was taken aback, glanced at Shang Ruyi again, and swallowed the words he was about to say, muttering softly, "Why is she here?"
Chang Wan looked at Shang Ruyi again and said softly, "She, she said—Prince Qin went to Jinyu Garden."
"..."
"She is here to inform you, Princess, to rest early."
"What?!"
Tushere’s voice suddenly rose several degrees, in the silent night, it seed to make the entire Qianqiu Palace shake slightly. Wo Xue hurriedly ca out from the inner palace, watching them cautiously, especially looking at Shang Ruyi sitting by the window, seemingly motionless, without the slightest expression.
Even though a lamp was lit in front, its flickering light couldn’t illuminate her eyes at all.
Those once bright eyes were now dark and lightless.
At this mont, the initially startled Tushere regained her composure, hurriedly covered her mouth, and looked down at Shang Ruyi, wanting to say sothing but not knowing how to start, feeling anxious, clenching her fists. anwhile, Chang Wan reached out and gently pressed her hand.
The three girls quietly surrounded Shang Ruyi.
It was unclear how much ti had passed before Shang Ruyi finally moved.
She lifted her head, displaying a serene, seemingly indifferent smile, as if nothing had happened, glancing at each of them, then said with a smile, "You should all go and rest."
"..."
"Especially Wo Xue, you have to leave early tomorrow morning, so don’t get up late."
"..."
Wo Xue didn’t know what to do but understood she should obey, so she responded softly and turned to leave.
Tushere said, "Princess, I—"
Shang Ruyi looked at her with a smile and said, "Just earlier Chang Wan was saying that you usually handle things so steadily, never making mistakes. But look at you now, just a bit of news from Jinyu Garden makes you shout like ghosts. What would you do if faced with a major issue?"
"..."
"These days, while we’re away, practice your courage well."
"Princess..."
Tushere was at a loss for words, only feeling both distressed and aggrieved. Yet, seeing Shang Ruyi apparently unconcerned made her wonder why.
Could she truly not care?
She instinctively wanted to ask—after all, this lady who had been dear to her since childhood, now Princess Qin, no matter how her status changed, still held a special place in her heart. She couldn’t bear to see Shang Ruyi suffer any hardship or pain.
Tushere said softly, "Miss..."
Shang Ruyi looked at her again, patiently, though her voice, tinged with night dew, sounded sowhat hoarse as she spoke, "Listen, go now."
Tushere wanted to obey but couldn’t bear to leave. In the end, it was Chang Wan who grabbed her wrist, exerting so force to finally pull her away from Qianqiu Palace, step by step, looking back repeatedly.
From afar, her worried sighs and soft murmuring of discontent could still be heard.
Even when their footsteps faded into the distance and were no longer audible, Shang Ruyi maintained her previous posture, as if lacking the strength to move, quietly sitting there, unmoving.
After a long while, she took a deep breath, attempting to move.
Her whole body felt as if it had been frozen stiff.
This was not unexpected.
Since accepting her identity, the fate before her and the honors brought by the Nine Layers and Three Palaces, she had already foreseen this day, this mont.
Just hadn’t thought it would be today, this mont.
Yet, it truly wasn’t unexpected; after all, yesterday she had ntioned to Yu Wenye about visiting Chu Ruoyan at Jinyu Garden. Because yesterday was their first day moving into the Imperial Palace, Yu Wenye, as King Qin, stayed by Princess Qin’s side, giving her enough face and affirming their relationship to everyone.
So today, before setting out for the expedition, he was supposed to visit Chu Ruoyan.
"Supposed to..."
It was as if responding to the voice in her heart, or perhaps persuading herself. Shang Ruyi murmured these three words over and over again, finally finding a bit of comfort from them, regaining so strength, slowly turning to gaze out the window at the dark sky, at the incomplete moon.
Indeed, people and the moon seldom reach harmony.
Only a few sparse raindrops gently fell onto the windowsill bathed in moonlight.
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