CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: IS SHE A PERSON WHO LOVES DEEPLY?

Yu Wenye said, "Is Ru Yi the type to have deep affections?"

Hearing this question, Yu immediately showed a surprised expression, "What does Second Young Master mean by this?"

Yu Wenye thought for a moment, then said, "What I mean is, if she likes something—will she like it for a long time? Or is it that she says she likes it one day, and the next day it might mean nothing to her at all?"

"..."

"Is she like that?"

"..."

Yu did not answer him immediately but silently observed him for a long time before speaking, "Ru Yi, as a child—even though she grew up beside me, she’s independent by nature and doesn’t want to trouble her elders. She always keeps things bottled up inside."

"..."

"So regarding what you’re asking, I can’t give you an accurate answer."

"Oh..."

Yu Wenye didn’t seem disappointed, just nodded lightly.

But in the next moment, Yu continued, "However, for us women, whether or not we have deep affections also depends on the object involved."

"...?"

Yu Wenye’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

Yu spoke meaningfully, "If the other party—that is, the thing you mentioned—is worth it, then no matter how much hardship we endure, we will follow them through thick and thin, never giving up; but if the other party is not worth it, then letting go in time is freeing both them and ourselves."

"..."

Yu Wenye said nothing, only watching her thoughtfully.

At this time, the hour of departure had arrived.

Shang Ruyi’s calm facade was completely shattered at the moment of parting, she held onto her uncle and aunt’s hands tightly, her eyes red, unwilling to let go. In the end, it was Shen Wuzheng who stepped forward and gently pulled her slender wrist away.

Shang Ruyi spoke with a sobbing tone, "Brother..."

Shen Wuzheng stood before her, softly saying, "You have to be good."

"..."

"In the coming days, neither our parents nor I will be by your side. You must take care of yourself."

"Brother..."

Seeing Shang Ruyi was about to cry, Yu Wenye walked up behind her, his warm hands grasping her slender, trembling shoulders that seemed about to break, and said in a deep voice, "Ru Yi, don’t do this."

"..."

"Acting this way will only make the elders sadder."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi bit her lip, forcibly swallowing her sorrow and tears. But with red eyes and nose, her reluctant expression as she looked at her family was even more pitiful than if she had cried.

Shen Wuzheng took a deep breath, then lifted his head to look at Yu Wenye.

The two exchanged gazes; the atmosphere wasn’t exactly harmonious, but Shen Wuzheng still said seriously, "I don’t want to trouble Young Master Yu Wen, but since Ru Yi has married you, I hope you can take care of her."

Yu Wenye said flatly, "Ru Yi is my wife, this needn’t be explained by others."

"..."

Shen Wuzheng looked at him for a while, then smiled.

The smile seemed to lack warmth or any emotion, but as Yu Wenye watched his retreating figure, he couldn’t help but slowly furrow his brows.

When the time to part inevitably came, Shen Shiyan and his wife looked back repeatedly as they embarked southward, and Shen Wuzheng only said "Take care" to Shang Ruyi before following his parents.

Shang Ruyi stood at the posthouse entrance, tears in her eyes, watching as their figures disappeared at the end of the long road.

Only when she finally turned around did she realize she had been leaning against Yu Wenye’s chest the entire time.

His hands had been supporting her shoulders all along as well.

No wonder, despite the cool breeze, she had always felt so warm.

Shang Ruyi instinctively stepped back, moving herself out of his embrace, and lowered her head as she said, "Thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for accompanying me this whole way."

"..."

Yu Wenye looked at her for a moment and said lightly, "You’re welcome."

He emphasized the words "welcome" particularly, causing Shang Ruyi’s heart to sink. But upon reflection, she understood; this journey was one she had negotiated with him for in exchange, and his emphasis on the words was likely reminding her not to forget their agreement.

In the future, when he goes to meet that Princess, not only must she not ask for an explanation, she must also cover for them.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt the wind grow colder, chilling her nose to the point of aching.

But she sniffed, lifting her spirits immediately, "It’s getting late, we should hurry back."

Yu Wenye glanced at her but said nothing more, he simply turned around and ordered everyone to mount up, and the group soon left the Zhanping River Posthouse.

After a night’s rest and traveling during the day, naturally, it went smoother than last night, and just after 3:00 PM, Luoyang City already appeared in their sight.

The group didn’t enter the city directly but stopped in a dense forest some distance from the city gates, where Tushere and two attendants were guarding a carriage, anxiously waiting for them. Upon seeing the safe return of the group, they all breathed a sigh of relief and joyfully approached.

Tushere eagerly asked, "Miss, where are the master and madam?"

Seeing neither of the familiar figures in the crowd behind Shang Ruyi, she panicked, "Did it not work out?"

Shang Ruyi shook her head and explained last night’s events to her.

Tushere let out a long breath, expressing a mix of regret and relief, "Even though they couldn’t stay, this is good too. At least we know they won’t suffer in the future, and since the eldest young master is with them, they’ll be fine."

Shang Ruyi nodded.

At this point, Yu Wenye had already organized their men—last night, to not arouse suspicion and avoid complications, he and Shang Ruyi had disguised themselves well when leaving the city in a carriage. Now that their mission hadn’t been accomplished, they didn’t need to hide anymore on returning.

However, after the group was ready, Yu Wenye did not immediately set off.

He let everyone rest on the spot while he leaned against a large tree at the roadside, his eyes fixated on the end of the long road leading to Luoyang City.

As if waiting for something.

Shang Ruyi walked up to him, her curiosity piqued, about to ask, but upon seeing his deep-set eyes, she suddenly seemed to understand and remained silent, just standing quietly a short distance behind him, looking at his back, following his gaze toward the winding road that appeared endless.

Strangely, although Luoyang City is usually bustling with traders coming and going, today, despite standing there for a long time, scarcely anyone passed by.

The sun was about to set.

At that moment, finally, a few sparse figures began to appear along the road.