CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 402: THE BUSTLING MUNDANE WORLD, THE COLD WHITE CLOUDS

"...?"

Shang Ruyi paused.

Perhaps it was because she was finally away from that silent, lifeless Buddhist Hall, her senses returned to her body, and she immediately understood what had been said.

Yu Wenye had heard the two verses exchanged between Yu Wenqian and himself just now.

And what he meant was—

Shang Ruyi’s mind raced, reaching a conclusion.

He was jealous?

Under normal circumstances, at any time, in any situation, Shang Ruyi would never have reached this conclusion; but today was different, especially after they’d shared that almost sacrilegious kiss before the Bodhisattva, even after she had clearly told him "I like you"—

She clearly felt that Yu Wenye was jealous.

For a moment, Shang Ruyi was stunned.

But meeting her gaze, Yu Wenye’s expression suddenly froze, followed by a trace of almost irritable emotion. He quickly turned his head to look forward, gripping her wrist even tighter than before, causing Shang Ruyi to stagger with every step.

But she continued to watch him.

Until she saw that the tips of his ears were slightly red.

Shang Ruyi said, "You—"

Yu Wenye gritted his teeth, saying, "Shut up!"

At this moment, he clearly wore his annoyance on his face, it was etched in his voice. Even in her dreams, Shang Ruyi couldn’t have thought about it, but she genuinely felt that Yu Wenye was truly jealous.

Shang Ruyi felt like laughing.

Normally, she would probably be unable to suppress her laughter, but right now, just by looking up, she could see that figure ahead, a heavy stone in her heart pressing her smile away.

Shang Ruyi could only say, "Yu Wenye, I’ve never met him!"

"..."

Yu Wenye’s face darkened even more.

He said nothing further, just kept walking ahead, with Shang Ruyi knowing better than to provoke him at this time, so she said nothing more, merely following him through gate after gate. Finally, the sounds of voices grew louder, and in the distance, Yu Wenquan was standing with numerous civil and military officials in front of the Great Hero Hall, seemingly preparing to hold the ensuing ceremony, but clearly, everyone’s thoughts weren’t on the ceremony.

After all, Yu Wenquan’s mind wasn’t on it.

He spoke to the crowd while occasionally looking in this direction, and when Yu Wenqian appeared, Yu Wenquan’s eyes lit up.

As if a ray of sunlight broke through a gap in the clouds, illuminating his face.

Immediately, Shang Ruyi saw this friendly and amiable figure, Duke Sheng, with a pleased smile.

Speaking of which, although she’d married into the Yuwen Family for quite some time and even though Yu Wenquan was dispatched to Liaoxi for provisioning not long after, then returned to the Eastern Capital and soon went to Taiyuan, leaving little time for communication between the father-in-law and daughter-in-law, due to his special identity and because he could decide her fate as well as everyone’s, Shang Ruyi paid close attention to his emotions.

Even so, Shang Ruyi had never seen him this happy.

The joy was genuine, radiating from the heart. Even one with such high status and depth could not conceal it at this moment.

And this joy was directed at the center of attention—

Yu Wenqian.

Yu Wenqian slowly walked over, seemingly about to salute him, but was immediately pulled up by Yu Wenquan, who reached for his arm, discontentedly saying, "Where have you run off to again?"

Now holding a high position, almost under one man yet above thousands as Grand Chancellor, his words and actions naturally carried authority, but at this moment, towards Yu Wenqian, there was a sense of grievance in his tone.

Almost like, resentment.

Facing his father’s grievance, Yu Wenqian remained calm, softly saying, "Father, I was merely offloading some extrinsic matters."

"Extrinsic matters—well, offloading is good."

Perhaps due to his happiness, Yu Wenquan spoke incoherently, and his piercing tiger eyes squinted into slits with laughter, repeatedly saying, "It’s good you’re back."

"..."

The hustle and bustle on that side contrasted starkly with the calmness on the other.

Standing not far away, Yu Wenye, who had just been in a rush, had stopped and was standing quietly at the Zhaotai Gate on one side of the Great Hero Hall, watching the scene calmly.

The blush that had gathered on his face vanished without a trace.

What remained was a pallor, as if drained of blood.

Yet even so, there was still no trace of emotion on his face, his eyes as cold as ever, making it impossible to read his thoughts.

Until Shang Ruyi’s low voice sounded beside him—

"However, it might not be."

"...!?"

Yu Wenye frowned, looking down at her. Shang Ruyi also gazed at the bustling scene ahead. Under Yu Wenquan’s warmth, the officials had all gathered around, surrounding Yu Wenqian tightly. Everyone chattered away, though they stood too far to hear clearly. Judging by their flattering expressions, it seemed to be nothing more than praises of the grand son’s wisdom and valor, conquering Daxing City without battle, achieving unprecedented feats.

Yu Wenqian stood at the center, his handsome and upright presence further enhanced his distinguished air, with a faint curve on his lips that seemed like a smile, but looking from afar, it also seemed a bit cold.

The noise of the world, the chill of the white clouds.

Yu Wenye’s aura grew colder as he said, "What are you saying?"

Shang Ruyi turned to him, softly saying, "I’ve seen him."

"When?"

"Back in Yanyue City."

"What?!"

Yu Wenye’s eyes widened, looking down at her as Shang Ruyi said, "That was when I was distributing rice to those villagers. I saw him standing across the street."

"..."

"It was just at that time he was veiled, and I didn’t know who he was, plus he left quickly, so I never mentioned it. But now thinking back—"

Her breath grew more chaotic, contrasting with the clarity of her thoughts at this moment.

If the white-clad monk she saw back then in Yanyue City was indeed Yu Wenqian, it meant that during that period, he stayed close by, merely maintaining a hidden identity, not revealing himself.

And then, in that valley—

Just this thought made Shang Ruyi’s fingertips feel cold.

Yet right at that moment, a low voice sounded beside her ear: "It wasn’t him."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi looked up at Yu Wenye.

His gaze was deep and had fully regained the usual steely demeanor, even colder than usual. Even before Shang Ruyi spoke, he seemed to know what she was thinking, decisively saying, "It wasn’t him."