CHAPTER 376: CHAPTER 336: THIS UNEXPECTED SURPRISE, TOO UNEXPECTED!_2

However, none of the surrounding people noticed anything. Yu Wenye instructed the others to stay by the carriage, and then joined them on the dirt slope. As they approached the pavilion, the first thing they saw was the tall stone monument beside it—although it was called a monument, it was actually just an upright, elongated stone, resembling a monument, but without any intricate carvings, only deeply engraved with two large characters.

Wanggang!

Yu Wenye’s eyes slightly darkened upon seeing it.

This was the mark of Wanggang Village, presumably made by Wang Quyi, indicating this area was under his jurisdiction.

Shang Ruyi clearly noticed it too.

But at this moment, neither Wanggang Village nor Wang Quyi attracted her attention. She followed Shen Wuzheng into the pavilion. Inside, they saw a stone table surrounded by four stone stools, all cleaned, with a book titled "Wenzi" on the table, which he had obviously been reading.

As soon as she sat down, she immediately asked, "Brother, you—"

"Don’t worry,"

Knowing she was still concerned about Mr. and Mrs. Shen, Shen Wuzheng gently said, "Father and mother are fine."

With just one sentence, Shang Ruyi felt a great relief lift from her heart.

She exhaled deeply, saying, "It’s good they’re fine, good they’re fine."

Shen Wuzheng said, "Actually, we originally thought this road would be difficult, but not long after we set out, the people you sent arrived, and with their escort, everything went smoothly."

At this point, he looked at Shang Ruyi, "Little sister, why did you send someone to escort us to Daxing?"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, but immediately replied, "When I sent people out, Luoyang had already been taken by Liang Shide, and the situation in Taiyuan was unclear. I thought—only Daxing might be considered a relatively safe place."

"..."

"After all, the Shang Family—"

Although she didn’t finish her sentence, the two men in the pavilion somewhat understood.

She had already been expelled from the Shang Family, but the Shang Family’s main residence was still in Daxing City, and Mr. and Mrs. Shen, being old acquaintances, wouldn’t be left completely unattended.

Upon hearing this, Shen Wuzheng gently nodded.

He looked at Shang Ruyi again, with a somewhat nonchalant smile, "I thought you already knew at that time that Duke Sheng had occupied Daxing City."

"...!?"

The pavilion fell silent in an instant.

Yu Wenye slightly furrowed his brows but said nothing, while Shang Ruyi widened her eyes in shock, "Brother, what did you say?!"

Shen Wuzheng looked at them, especially giving Yu Wenye a glance, "Just a few days after Liang Shide took Luoyang, Duke Sheng had already seized Daxing City."

Shang Ruyi could hardly believe her ears, but Shen Wuzheng spoke calmly and solemnly, clearly not joking, she quickly turned to Yu Wenye, but saw his expression was grave, a cold light flashed in his deep eyes, seemingly surprised, yet not entirely unexpected.

But Shang Ruyi was truly shocked.

Even though she knew that this world would ultimately reach a certain conclusion, and this nearly brilliant conclusion would certainly belong to the Yuwen Family, thus Duke Sheng taking Daxing City, although unexpected, was within expectations.

However, this unexpected event was too surprising!

Considering the military force he had and the information he’d obtained about Xue Xian aiming for Daxing, even if he could take Daxing City, it should’ve required a fierce battle, likely more challenging than Liang Shide taking Luoyang!

Shang Ruyi instinctively asked, "How could it be so fast?!"

"..."

Shen Wuzheng did not immediately answer her question but glanced at Yu Wenye again.

The latter’s gaze had grown even steadier.

Shen Wuzheng said, "I don’t know the specifics very well, as I learned this news only after heading north near Luoyang. But I’ve heard—it seems Daxing City was first taken by someone else, who then opened the gates and welcomed Duke Sheng."

"..."

"In such circumstances, Duke Sheng officially raised troops in Taiyuan, then entered Daxing City."

"..."

"Now, Daxing City is completely in Duke Sheng’s hands, which is why I felt assured to have your people escort father and mother westward, while I stayed here."

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s breath was frozen.

Turns out... that’s how it was.

The news that had almost tormented her turned out to have a such a truth behind it.

No wonder Yu Wenye felt strange, given that after heading south, he sent a letter to Yu Wenquan asking him to await his rescue before making any decisions, and yet Yu Wenquan still raised troops ahead of time, almost putting her in threat at Jiangdu Palace.

It was because of this.

Someone had seized Daxing City first, opened the gates to welcome Duke Sheng, he was already at the point of no return, at that moment if there were any hesitation, not only future achievements might be at risk, but even the current life and death would be in jeopardy!

But—

Who is that person?

Who could, in such a short period of time, make such a decision, capture Daxing City, and then present the whole Daxing City to Duke Sheng!

At this moment, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a chill rise inexplicably from her heart, fearing to think further, she instinctively reached out to clutch her collar.

Just then, a warm large hand reached from behind, gently placing on her shoulder.

Without turning around, she knew who it was.

Yu Wenye’s steady and gentle voice sounded, "Knowing this now is also good."

"..."

"But there are still truths that we must understand once we reach Daxing."

"..."

Shang Ruyi did not turn, just lowered her head and gently nodded.

Sitting opposite her, Shen Wuzheng eyed the hand on her slender shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly, while at this moment, Yu Wenye had already lifted his head towards him, speaking in a deep voice, "Then, elder brother, why are you here alone?"