CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 326: SLAUGHTER IN SONGZHOU CITY!

The innkeeper stayed by the side, still somewhat confused at this moment, just listening to the sounds outside fading and also feeling a bit odd. He walked to the door, lifted the curtain to look outside, and was immediately startled, gasping: "Oh my!"

Everyone hurriedly asked him what was wrong. The innkeeper’s face turned pale as he turned around and said, "Outside, why are there so many officers and soldiers?"

In an instant, Yu Wenye’s gaze sharpened.

He thought for a moment, gently placing Shang Ruyi from his arms into a chair, his movements careful as if handling a precious treasure, and after putting her down, he even meticulously tucked the slightly disarranged edges of her clothes beneath her.

Then he looked into Shang Ruyi’s eyes and calmly said, "Rest for a while."

"..."

Shang Ruyi did not speak, but merely lowered her eyelids lightly.

Yu Wenye stood up, summoned Tushere to guard Shang Ruyi, and then instructed Mu Xian and the other two attendants who stood by, "Stay here, do not go anywhere, and regardless of what happens outside, do not leave her side, not even a step."

The two attendants immediately complied, but Mu Xian, somewhat worried, said, "Master—"

Yu Wenye gave him a cold look.

Mu Xian immediately dared not say anything more, could only shut his mouth, and also retreated to Shang Ruyi’s side.

Only then did Yu Wenye slowly walk over, comforting the innkeeper a couple of times, then reached out to lift the curtain gently.

Though silent, at this moment Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but look up, only to see the once-busy lobby outside the medical hall, filled with people seeking treatment and medicine, now completely empty; and outside the door, not knowing when, had arrived a large group of officers and soldiers, all armored and armed, surrounding the small medical hall so tightly.

Her heart trembled uncontrollably.

But immediately, Yu Wenye had already walked over, and deftly dropped the curtain, sealing it tight.

He slowly walked to the lobby, the air still filled with the heavy medicinal scent unique to the medical hall, yet unable to mask the dangerous aura emanating from the surrounding blades. He coldly glanced around, although those officers and soldiers were armed, yet Yu Wenye’s reputation was widespread. They had long heard of his martial prowess and combat achievements, even with him alone stepping out unarmed, his imposing demeanor still weighed heavily on them.

In fact, as Yu Wenye stepped toward the door, several people at the forefront of the group involuntarily retreated a couple of steps.

Yu Wenye coldly said, "Leader, come out."

At this moment, a man in his thirties emerged from the crowd, also in armor, yet his slender physique clearly could not bear the weight of the armor, his steps sluggish, his figure swaying, standing at the front of the group, not appearing imposing but rather somewhat comical.

This was clearly a civil servant.

However, the fierce and solemn expression on his face was striking.

He walked over, cupped his hands to Yu Wenye in salute, and with a heavy expression, said, "Songzhou Governor Fan Cheng’en, meeting the Assistant General."

Yu Wenye raised his brows slightly.

Though officially in the officialdom for less than a year, not often interacting with officials, especially civil servants, he had heard of this person’s reputation. Fan Cheng’en had served as the Imperial Censor, and several times boldly advised, angering the Emperor, being sent to Song State, yet due to his integrity and governance achievements, he had a good official reputation, reaching the position of Governor; and although he always petitioned the Emperor to cease campaigns against Liaodong, constructing the Great Wall, causing the Emperor to disfavor him, yet he remained loyal to the court and the Emperor.

Upon seeing him at this time, Yu Wenye felt slightly moved.

But he remained composed and said, "I did not reveal my identity, how does the Governor know of my presence here?"

Fan Cheng’en replied, "The Great General possesses unparalleled talent, a dragon among men. Such a person entering the city cannot avoid notice."

"Oh?"

Yu Wenye responded, "It seems I underestimated you."

"I wouldn’t dare."

"Then, the Governor arrives in force, wielding weapons, perhaps seeking me for some purpose?"

"The Great General is a national treasure; no matter the audacity of Fan, I wouldn’t dare wield weapons against you."

"Then may I ask the purpose of your visit?"

At this moment, Fan Cheng’en’s face darkened, his gaze like a knife directed behind Yu Wenye, at the tightly concealed inner chamber door, and he said deeply, "I am here to arrest the regicide—Shang Ruyi!"

"...!"

Though separated by Yu Wenye’s tall stature and the closed curtain, his voice was nevertheless like a thunderclap, exploding in the inner chamber.

The innkeeper and the elderly man seeking treatment paled in fright.

And Shang Ruyi, at this moment, almost suffocated.

Regicide!

These two words, like a knife, stabbed her heart fiercely again, the pain making her almost unable to breathe.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shaoji and his proclamations spread so quickly. These days they traveled day and night to reach Duke Sheng ahead of the news, yet it was a step too late.

Now, Shang Ruyi was a criminal that everyone wished to execute!

At this point, Tushere immediately leaned over, her arms forcefully encircling Shang Ruyi, her face serious, whispering, "Miss should not listen; we should also ignore it."

"..."

Shang Ruyi bit her lip and remained silent.

But she understood in her heart that ignoring it wouldn’t solve the issue.

In order not to draw attention, Yu Wenye had only brought a few of them into the city. However, now the Songzhou Governor had mobilized a large troop, making it impossible for this matter to end peacefully today.

She subconsciously wanted to get up, but her body’s weakness left her unable even to move.

At this moment, outside, Yu Wenye coldly said, "Why does Mr. Fan say this?"

Fan Cheng’en gritted his teeth, his thin face filled with anger and heaviness, "Great General, do you still want to conceal it? News has come from Jiangdu that His Majesty has passed away, and the one who assassinated the Emperor is none other than Shang Ruyi!"

Yu Wenye said, "This is a false accusation against her. My wife did not do such a thing."

Fan Cheng’en’s eyes filled with even more resentment, "Great General, the assassination of the Emperor by Shang Ruyi is known throughout the world. Why do you pretend to be calm?"

Yu Wenye said, "I am calm because my wife did not assassinate the Emperor. Also, Shang Ruyi is my wife’s personal name. Please refrain from calling her by her given name, Mr. Fan!"

"..."

His words took Fan Cheng’en by surprise.

The crime of assassinating the Emperor was one that would lead to rivers of blood, yet Yu Wenye remained so calm, even quibbling over how others addressed his wife. Was there really more to this than met the eye?

Yet no matter what, such a grave matter could not be dismissed lightly, even if there was a suspect involved.

With this in mind, Fan Cheng’en said, "Very well, Your Lady. Regardless, since Your Lady is implicated in the grave crime of assassinating the Emperor, I absolutely cannot permit such a person to come and go as they please. I must arrest her, investigate this thoroughly, and provide justice to the world and to His Majesty."

Yu Wenye said, "No."

"Why?"

"My wife is seriously ill and weak; she cannot withstand the tribulations of imprisonment."

"Great General!"

Fan Cheng’en’s face turned grim, especially given Yu Wenye’s seemingly polite yet aggressively pressing stance, making him extremely angry. He shouted, "Assassinating the Emperor is an unforgivable crime. The perpetrator’s entire family can be executed! Great General, if you understand the situation, hand over the criminal, and I will not complicate matters further."

Execute the entire family.

Those three words struck heavily into Shang Ruyi’s heart once more.

At this moment, she could no longer remain calm. Biting her lower lip, she finally managed to sit up slowly with great effort.

Tushere, startled, hurriedly tried to press her back down, but Shang Ruyi caught her wrist and said in a deep voice, "This matter, no matter what, cannot implicate my—entire family, be it the Yuwen family or my uncle’s family."

"Miss..."

"Help me out."

Just as she struggled to get up, Mu Xian approached with a deep voice, "Young Madam, don’t act impulsively."

Shang Ruyi frowned at him, "Mu Xian, if I am not handed over, you all will be implicated because of me."

Mu Xian said, "Young Madam, if handing you over—wouldn’t be the decision of Second Young Master."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled slightly.

Meanwhile, outside, Yu Wenye’s low voice could be heard, calm as he said, "So, Mr. Fan believes that if I do not hand over my wife, even if it leads to the execution of my family, killing the innocent, it is worth it?"

Fan Cheng’en was pushed to his limits by his icy attitude. He wasn’t a cruel man, but at this point, he couldn’t consider much else. He could only grit his teeth and say, "Yes!"

"..."

Yu Wenye narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at him.

That arrogant expression further enraged the other. Just as Fan Cheng’en could not hold back, about to order the soldiers behind to charge, Yu Wenye suddenly sighed and said, "In that case, I won’t feel that the people of Songzhou City are too innocent after all."

"...!"

These words made Fan Cheng’en’s raised hand freeze immediately.

He stared blankly at Yu Wenye, "What do you mean?"

Yu Wenye calmly said, "I, Yu Wenye, have no great abilities, but as a man, I know I must protect my wife, even if it means death."

"..."

"The problem is, I currently have no troops by my side, no weapons in hand. Facing the forces you brought, Mr. Fan, even if I wanted to fight, the odds are slim. So today, it seems my wife and I have no chance of surviving."

"..."

"But fortunately, I made some preparations beforehand."

Seeing his calm demeanor, Fan Cheng’en grew increasingly uneasy and asked, "What preparations?"

Yu Wenye looked at him, saying flatly, "Before entering Songzhou, I sent a message to my father, telling him—I’ve entered Songzhou, and if I die here, it is the locals who killed me. I asked him, no matter what, to send troops to avenge me, destroy Songzhou City completely!"