CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112: YOUR FEELINGS ARE TRULY VALUABLE

For some reason, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a chill of fear.

Clearly, Yu Wenye hadn’t done anything, so why did she feel he was angry?

But what’s there to be angry about?

Shang Ruyi steadied herself and continued, "This is the only thing I can do for you—though, presumably, this is what you want."

"..."

"As long as I’m your wife providing cover for you, she won’t have to go to great lengths to send people with fake Holy Decrees to summon you to the palace. I can always accompany you to see her—of course, I won’t interfere between you two."

At this point, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a catch in her throat.

Just thinking that maybe there would indeed be a day when she would have to accompany Yu Wenye to meet that noble Princess Xinyue, yet she would have to hide away to give them space to be intimate, made her feel as if something had stabbed her heart.

But this is also the only thing she could exchange with Yu Wenye.

After all, he didn’t care about anything of hers.

At this moment, Yu Wenye suddenly let out a small laugh.

His eyes, as dark as obsidian, had dimmed and no light was visible, yet a sharpness akin to a blade seemed to emanate from them. He stared intently at Shang Ruyi, and after a long while, he slowly said, "Shang Ruyi, your feelings are truly worthy—you are truly a person of deep emotions."

For some reason, the words "deep emotions" were said through gritted teeth, as if he desperately wanted to tear something apart.

Shang Ruyi said sadly, "My uncle and aunt are the best people to me in the world and also the most important."

Her feelings for them might never have been expressed fervently, yet they were her life’s roots, invaluable—especially after this misguided affection, she understood even more what she should cherish.

She looked up at Yu Wenye again and said softly, "I apologize for what happened yesterday. It’s my immaturity, liking someone, and needing a response. If I don’t get one, I become angry and lose my temper, that’s my fault. But I won’t act this way in the future."

"..."

"Now, I’m begging you to help me."

Love may be gone, but she cannot lose her family.

Yu Wenye stared coldly at her for a long time, then suddenly turned and walked out.

Hey?

Shang Ruyi was stunned—did he agree or not?

She was about to follow him when she saw Mu Xian striding back, seemingly ready to report something to Yu Wenye, but Yu Wenye had already spoken up first, "Gather your men and set off immediately with me."

Mu Xian paused for a moment, "Are you heading to the Pei Family, Young Master?"

"..."

Yu Wenye was silent for a while, his tall figure in the night giving off an indescribable ominous aura, then said, "Leave the city."

Mu Xian seemed to sense the somber thoughts of his master, and then, looking at the Young Madam behind him who showed a slight smile of joy, had a hint of realization, but said nothing more and promptly responded, "Yes."

|

The night was heavy, and the dense pounding of hooves around seemed to deepen the darkness.

Although Shang Ruyi was skilled in horse riding, she had never ridden at such a dark night. Fortunately, Yu Wenye instructed Mu Xian to have two people ahead holding torches to light the wide government road beneath them.

That night, they traveled nearly a hundred miles.

Seeing that it was already past 3 AM, Shang Ruyi anxiously asked, "Can we make it?"

In the night, Yu Wenye dressed in dark attire, covered completely with a black wind cloak, almost hiding his face, with only his bright eyes gleaming lightly, spoke in a deep voice, "It’s best to catch them tonight. Otherwise, if they start moving at dawn, we’ll have to wait for the next night to act."

Shang Ruyi’s expression grew more grave.

She pushed her horse forward with effort, as the guards silently surrounded them, driving their horses in protective silence. After a while, they heard a sound of flowing water ahead.

Yu Wenye said in a deep voice, "It’s the Zhanping River."

"Is that—"

"There is a posthouse by the river. According to the usual pace, they should stay there tonight."

When Shang Ruyi heard this, she instantly became tense.

Sure enough, after galloping for some distance, the water sound became louder, and in the dark, a river reflecting a faint shimmer could be seen winding in the night. By the riverside, stood a small two-story building illuminated by a lantern at the entrance, barely showing the outline of the building.

It’s the Zhanping River Posthouse!

Sensing that they were still half a mile away from the posthouse, Yu Wenye raised his hand and everyone hurriedly pulled back on their reins to stop.

Shang Ruyi also stopped, turned to him and asked, "Why did we stop?"

Yu Wenye ignored her, instead ordering in a deep voice, "Extinguish the torches."

The two people leading removed the torch light at once.

Suddenly, they were plunged into darkness, relying solely on the faint moonlight overhead to barely distinguish each other’s silhouettes.

Shang Ruyi stared at him for a long time before discerning Yu Wenye’s expressionless face, calmly said, "Mu Xian, circle around, check how many horses are parked near the stable, and see how many people are inside the posthouse, report back once you’re clear."

"Yes."

Mu Xian immediately dismounted, using the cover of night to head toward the Zhanping River Posthouse.

Only then did Shang Ruyi somewhat snap back to reality—this was an investigation of the posthouse’s situation.

In other words, they were preparing to make a move.

For some reason, even though nothing had happened yet, her heart started racing madly, and her hand holding the reins trembled uncontrollably.

Yu Wenye sat on his horse, his eyes calmly fixed at the distant glimmer of light, and said, "Use this time to tell me clearly about the upcoming plan."

"What?"

Shang Ruyi was still somewhat dazed, "What, plan?"

Yu Wenye turned to her, his gaze indifferent, "The court officers escorting prisoners are not warriors. If we are to rescue them, my men could do it in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. So, the critical question is which direction to go afterwards. Where do you plan to take your uncle and aunt?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi instantly froze.

Though she had made the decision, and galloped here, this particular question had indeed never crossed her mind.

Yu Wenye continued, "Returning to Luoyang is definitely not an option. The posthouse along the way have reception documents; once they realize the officers escorting your uncle fail to arrive on time, a message will be sent back to Luoyang immediately. At that point, not only will the court dispatch soldiers to apprehend us, but the Yuwen Family wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed."

"..."

These calm words pierced Shang Ruyi’s heart like a sharp knife.

Yu Wenye’s face showed not a hint of emotion, "So, where do you plan to take them next?"