Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1066 - 768: Buddha Guides the Predestined (Part 3)

As she had just stepped down from the Thousand-step Corridor, Shang Ruyi suddenly remembered something, her footsteps coming to a halt: "Lou? That’s a rare surname. Whose daughter is she?"Tushere, supporting her with one hand, softly replied: "This Lady Lou’s father is none other than General Ningyuan Lou Yingxiong."

"Oh..."

Shang Ruyi suddenly understood. Lou Yingxiong was also the General Ningyuan of the Da Ye Dynasty, having guarded Anyang for several years. Among the military generals of the Da Ye Dynasty, he had clashed the most with Wanggang Village, but unfortunately, he had always been without achievement in his battles.

After the Eastern Capital fell and Chu Yang died in Jiangdu, the entire Henan Road descended into chaos. Although Shang Ruyi, on her way back to Chang An with Yu Wenye, had joined forces with Shen Wuzheng to uproot most of Wanggang Village’s power, at that time, they had no connection with this General Ningyuan. Presumably, at that time, he too had already been confined due to the turmoil.

It was only after the battle of Taiyuan, upon returning to Chang An, that Shang Ruyi learned that this General Ningyuan, along with his family and retinue, had surrendered to the Dasheng Dynasty, much to Yu Wenquan’s delight, and he was reinstated to his original position.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but look back once more.

At this moment, Lou Chan Yue, whose fragrance was attracting bees and butterflies around her, slowly approached Yu Wenqian’s side and gracefully bowed: "Your Highness."

"..."

Yu Wenqian was silent for a moment before saying: "Why are you here?"

Lou Chan Yue smiled gently: "I heard people say that Your Highness was discussing important matters with the Commandery Prince and hadn’t even had lunch. So I specially had a meal prepared, to see if Your Highness had finished dealing with matters. If so, it would be better for your health to eat sooner rather than later."

Yu Wenqian glanced at her.

His concubine, Lady Lou, while not extraordinarily beautiful, was indeed quite lovely. Even in plain clothes, standing amidst the vibrant blooms, she wasn’t overshadowed by the scenery. Instead, she harmonized with the radiant spring light, becoming even more charming and alluring.

Yu Wenqian didn’t say much more, just nodded: "Hmm, let’s go."

With that, he got up and headed toward Chengqian Hall, while Lou Chan Yue stepped back and only followed him slowly after he had passed.

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Upon returning to Qianqiu Palace, originally Tushere was to help Shang Ruyi settle down to sleep as Yu Wenhuai instructed before leaving. However, having just heard Yu Wenqian’s suggestion, she couldn’t sleep. She immediately summoned Jiang Kesong to inquire about the recent arrangements and instructed him on the changes that needed to be made. Although Jiang Kesong was a martial artist, he was quick-witted. After listening to her, he understood her meaning and went to implement the changes.

By the time he left, it was nearly 3:00 PM.

Usually, at this time, Shang Ruyi would have woken up from her afternoon nap and read several pages of a book. But today, after finishing giving instructions, she was exhausted, disregarding the lateness of the hour. She lay down for a nap, only to sleep until 5 PM. Upon waking, her head was fuzzy, her muscles and bones ached, and she almost couldn’t get up.

Tushere assisted her in getting up while sending someone to deliver a message to the Food Bureau, complaining: "In the future, Princess should do things on time. What difference would it make if Jiang Kesong knew later? It disturbed your nap, and now you’re not alert. Having slept so long this afternoon, how will you sleep at night?"

Shang Ruyi’s head was already muddled, and Tushere’s words only made it worse.

She frowned and said: "Alright, I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable until you said so."

Then, she looked outside where the sun was beginning to set and asked: "Where is King Qin?"

Tushere replied: "King Qin just sent a message saying he still has matters to attend to and won’t be dining with the Princess tonight."

"Oh..."

Shang Ruyi’s expression fell, her eyes looking downcast.

During the day, she seemed to have been somewhat "unreasonable." After thinking things through, she had planned to have a heart-to-heart with Yu Wenye over dinner to smooth things over. Unexpectedly, he didn’t come back.

Recently, he had always dined with her.

Perhaps because they had been spending so much time together, even more intimate than during their honeymoon, she had inadvertently become more attached to Yu Wenye. But upon reflection, she realized this wasn’t good. Even though she was pregnant, he still had many responsibilities, and today’s letter from Shen Tu Tai probably concerned the front line. She couldn’t help, nor could she be a burden.

With this in mind, she took a deep breath, abandoned the feelings of defeat and weakness, and said: "Alright then, serve the meal, I’m hungry."

And so, she ate the meal alone.

Shortly after dinner, the sky darkened. Shang Ruyi leaned by the table, reading for a bit until her eyes felt dry. She put down the book, which she hadn’t really absorbed, and let Tushere help her wash up and prepare for bed.

Soon, she had freshened up, changed into comfortable sleepwear, and got into bed.

It was nearing summer, the climate during the day was pleasant, and it wasn’t cold at night. Just a thin blanket was enough to sleep comfortably, but Shang Ruyi still inexplicably felt a bit chilled under the covers, though she hadn’t felt cold recently.

After pondering for a while, she realized—it was because Yu Wenye wasn’t there.

In recent days, he had always been by her side when she went to bed, embracing her. His familiar, warm presence enveloped her like an invisible fortress, shielding her from all outside threats and chills, allowing her to sleep peacefully.

Gradually, it became a habit.

So much so that now, even though it wasn’t cold and she, being pregnant, had a higher body temperature, she felt unsettled without him next to her.

Why does habit become so daunting?

Shang Ruyi felt both frustrated and dismayed with herself, feeling as if she had become soft, even unable to be without someone. Determinedly, she resolved to fall asleep alone, forcefully closing her eyes. Yet, having slept too long that afternoon, she tossed and turned for some time until she finally fell asleep as the drums sounded the third watch.

In the midst of her hazy slumber, she became aware of a warm body drawing near.

Instinctively, Shang Ruyi leaned into that warm presence. Then, she heard a soft chuckle near her ear, and a familiar, strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace.

Slowly opening her eyes, Shang Ruyi met Yu Wenye’s smiling eyes.

He softly said, "Did I wake you?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi, not fully awake from her drowsiness, dazedly stared at him for a while before asking: "Why are you back so late?"

Yu Wenye replied with a smile: "I had matters to handle."

"What matters?"

"Shen Tu Tai’s matters."

"Didn’t he lead troops to attack Song State?"

"Hmm, but there was a bit of a complication. He couldn’t afford to offend King Qi, so I had to step in to resolve it."

"...?!"

Although the previous conversation had been conducted in a half-asleep state, following his responses instinctively, at his final sentence, she suddenly jolted awake. Eyes widening, she stared at Yu Wenye and asked, "King Qi? What trouble has King Qi stirred up again?"