CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 234: DID YU WENYE RUN AWAY?!

A day later, the army set out.

Though it was called an army, in reality, as soon as the decree from the Ministry of Personnel arrived, the few hundred soldiers following Yu Wenye all returned to the Xingluo Granary. The ones who could return to the city with him were only a few dozen personal soldiers he brought from Yuwen Mansion.

As the Assistant General, such a turnout was rather bleak.

However, when his troops entered the Eastern Capital City, they witnessed a different spectacle—the nearly all of the city’s residents came out, every household was decorated with lights and colors, it was as lively as a New Year celebration. They stood on both sides of the street, cheering incessantly for the general on horseback entering the city, and some even threw flowers at him.

Even though Yu Wenye had been mentally prepared, he was still taken aback by the sight.

Shang Ruyi was even more dumbfounded.

To avoid drawing attention, she dressed in men’s clothing and followed behind Yu Wenye with Mu Xian and the others. At this moment, watching the excited cheers and applause from the surrounding citizens, and hearing them shout in unison—

"Great General! Great General! Great General!"

This overwhelming enthusiasm instantly made her blood surge, her chest warm, and the hardships and pains of the recent days suddenly seemed less significant.

In that moment, she even somewhat understood why Yu Wenye had the ambition to achieve great things and put aside personal feelings since childhood.

This moment of glory was enough to fill a person’s heart.

Looking at the tall, steady figure sitting firmly on horseback ahead, Shang Ruyi also felt happy, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

But just then, a team of people and horses suddenly appeared on the long street ahead, like a cloud appearing on the horizon, gradually moving towards them, blocking out the sunshine and slowly dispelling the joyful atmosphere around.

Shang Ruyi’s breathing suddenly became heavier.

It was Wang Shaoji and the Imperial Guard!

They came aggressively, like hungry wolves eyeing their prey, especially Wang Shaoji, whose face was sullen, his eyes fixed on Yu Wenye with a hint of red, stopping his horse only when he reached Yu Wenye, and suddenly put on a different facade, smiling politely, "Great General, you’ve worked hard."

Yu Wenye replied calmly, "Why is General Wang here?"

"By His Majesty’s order, I came to welcome the Great General."

"Thank you for the trouble, General Wang."

"No trouble, no trouble,"

Wang Shaoji smiled and said, "These are His Majesty’s instructions, and also within this general’s duties. Upon returning to the city, please proceed directly to the Ministry of Justice for trial, I believe the Great General can understand. As for the others—"

He glanced behind Yu Wenye.

Naturally, he also saw Shang Ruyi disguised as a man, and he laughed, "Young Madam, you are indeed a heroine, the court knows about you following the Great General to battle this time, but it’s best to have less of this, the military is not a place for women like you."

Shang Ruyi’s brow furrowed; she wanted to say something but, after looking at Yu Wenye, held back.

Seeing her not react, Wang Shaoji said no more, just gave a cold laugh, then said, "The others, just let them return to where they belong, without His Majesty’s orders, they must not act without permission, much less leave the city."

Yu Wenye also glanced back.

His eyes quickly scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on Shang Ruyi, but without giving any hints, he turned his head back, saying calmly, "Very well."

Wang Shaoji was slightly taken aback, he had expected Yu Wenye to turn back and instruct those behind him, he was even prepared to prevent them from "private exchanges," yet unexpectedly, Yu Wenye said not a word, and the dozens of personal soldiers behind him, along with the Young Madam, just calmly spurred their horses to move forward. Clearly, they had anticipated this outcome before entering the city and had already communicated everything clearly.

Wang Shaoji sneered, "Please."

After speaking, he waved his hand, and the Imperial Guard behind him immediately spurred their horses forward, surrounding Yu Wenye from front and back.

This formation was to prevent him from escaping.

Yu Wenye, however, smiled faintly, "I’ve already returned to the city, and I will accept all the court’s arrangements for me, there’s no need for this, it looks rather petty."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shaoji’s expression changed again.

But after a quick turn of his eyes, he sneered again, "The Great General is indeed open-minded. In that case, I shall fulfill the Great General’s wish—" After saying this, he waved his hand, and the two people blocking the way immediately spurred their horses aside, while he personally rode alongside Yu Wenye, saying, "For this stretch of road, I’ll accompany the Great General."

Yu Wenye said, "Much obliged."

With that, the two groups proceeded together.

The Ministry of Justice was merely three streets away, but they had to pass through the busiest market of the Eastern Capital, which slowed their progress. Yet, Yu Wenye showed no signs of anxiety, instead sitting leisurely on horseback, one hand on the reins, the other hand even hanging at his side, as if admiring the long-missed scenery around him.

Wang Shaoji’s eyebrows furrowed tightly.

Soon, a bustling street appeared ahead, filled with people and vehicles, the noise not losing to the cheers of the citizens welcoming the Great General at the city gate earlier.

And at the sight of the lively scene before her, Shang Ruyi’s heart couldn’t help skipping a beat.

Ahead was the Tinghe Building.

She suddenly recalled that on the day before leaving the Eastern Capital for Xingluo Granary, she had also been there, but the circumstances were quite different from now.

Last time, because of a special person’s arrival, the building was cleared of people, no outsiders at all, while now it was bustling with guests coming in droves. Even before they approached, the loud drinking and laughing of the customers inside could be heard, reintroducing them to the bustling world after being used to the quiet of Luokou Ferry and Huangtu Ridge for days.

Shang Ruyi was momentarily lost in thought.

And just then, a sudden sound of rapid hoofbeats broke out in front, and Shang Ruyi looked up to see someone charging out from their midst!

It was Yu Wenye!

He spurred his horse forward before anyone realized!

This left Wang Shaoji and his men stunned, none had expected him to flee at this moment, and in the next moment, Wang Shaoji yelled, "Quick! Quick, catch him!"

Shang Ruyi was also dumbfounded.

Watching Yu Wenye speeding away, she widened her eyes in shock, unable to comprehend.

What is happening?

Why would Yu Wenye choose to escape at this time?

Having already entered the city, where could he run to even if attempting to flee?

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