CHAPTER 480: CHAPTER 413: SHE NEVER WOKE UP AGAIN IN THIS LIFETIME

At this moment, Yu Wenqian suddenly chuckled and said, "I never expected that Sister-in-law would have such magnanimity and spirit. She truly deserves to be Uncle Shang’s daughter, the General’s Tiger Daughter."

"...?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi cautiously looked up at him and forced a smile, "Thank you, Elder Brother."

"However,"

Yu Wenqian then turned to Yu Wenquan, smiling as he said, "Tonight is our family banquet after all. Even if Father holds the position of Prime Minister, he can’t decide on a military expedition at a family banquet. If the censor officials come to know, they’d impeach Father."

"..."

"This matter should be discussed at tomorrow’s morning meeting."

As he spoke, he looked at Yu Wenye: "Second Brother, what do you think?"

Yu Wenye’s brow slightly furrowed.

His use of "Second Brother" clearly established the hierarchy before him, and considering it involved the censors impeaching Yu Wenquan, it would seem like he was deliberately putting his father in a difficult position if he insisted.

Yu Wenye’s expression darkened slightly and said, "Elder Brother is right."

Yu Wenquan also looked at the two of them, then waved his hand and said, "I’ll think this matter over again myself."

As he spoke, he glanced at Shang Ruyi, his eyes filled with complex meanings, and simply said, "Ruyi, you may sit down."

Shang Ruyi said, "Yes."

Though she appeared calm as she sat back beside Yu Wenye, she clearly felt a wave of dizziness as she sat down.

In fact, just now, at this family banquet, especially while speaking so boldly in front of Yu Wenqian, she took a great risk to help Yu Wenye secure the opportunity for the expedition to Fufeng and leave Yu Wenqian with nothing to say. Yet unexpectedly, he deftly turned the words back on them, leaving the matter unsettled.

If it truly had to wait until tomorrow’s court to be discussed, who knows what the outcome would be.

Though she felt uneasy, she didn’t have anything further to say at this point. Watching as Yu Wenquan smiled again, raising his glass to his sons, seemingly saying something, and then joining everyone in drinking.

But she wondered if it was merely her illusion, as across from her, there was someone whose clear eyes seemed to linger on her through the exchanging of cups.

It made her feel like sitting on pins and needles.

The family banquet finally concluded.

When the two returned to their room with a slight alcohol scent, it was already late at night.

Chang Wan had prepared hangover soup and Tushere had also readied hot towels for them to wash. But Yu Wenye directly leaned against the headboard, one hand resting on his forehead, half-covering his slightly reddened eyes.

His pupils seemed filled with many emotions.

Shang Ruyi first fed him a few sips of the hangover soup, then brought over a towel, wiping the corners of his mouth, and softly said, "I tugged at your sleeve earlier, why did you keep drinking?"

Yu Wenye opened his eyes slightly, looking at her, and seemed to smile as he said, "You think I’m drunk?"

"Aren’t you?"

Shang Ruyi tilted her head, eyeing him—someone drunk would never admit it. Though he wasn’t exactly drunk, the alcohol made him somewhat somber and his eyes, red at the corners, seemed brighter and more intense than usual.

Yu Wenye watched her for a moment, then with a slight smile, said, "The wine wasn’t actually strong."

"..."

"Much lighter compared to that jar of Nine Brewed Spring."

Shang Ruyi was slightly taken aback.

She could indeed tell that when the jar of Nine Brewed Spring appeared tonight, not only did Yu Wenquan’s mood seem strange, but Yu Wenye, sitting next to her, had a momentary pause in his breath—even though he showed no other signs, talking about the expedition to Fufeng with usual composure, he clearly drank with some concern afterward.

For them, that wine, and the night that once intoxicated them, seemed to hold a special significance.

Shang Ruyi thought about it but didn’t ask directly, instead soaking the towel again, wringing it gently, and wiping his temples, saying, "But you never drank it."

"..."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, his hand returning to his forehead, once more covering his eyes.

He said deeply, "Indeed, I never did."

"..."

"But that night, Mother was somewhere else, drinking with Father."

"..."

"She never woke up again."

"...!?"

Shang Ruyi’s heart suddenly trembled.

Guan Yunmu? She was drinking that night as well?

Aunt Hui had just said that on the night of Mrs. Dong and Yu Wenquan’s wedding, ten jars of Nine Brewed Spring were brought, and Yu Wenquan drank nine jars; but Guan Yunmu was elsewhere that night, drinking with Yu Wenquan.

Could it be—

Shang Ruyi’s hand immediately paused, looking at Yu Wenye, she said softly, "Did Mother..."

"..."

Yu Wenye was silent for a long time before slowly lowering his hand. His alcohol-flushed eyes seemed to carry a hint of laughter, though it was mixed with an even deeper melancholy.

He said, "For lovers to become spouses is a good thing."

"..."

Shang Ruyi seemed to understand something all of a sudden, but just then, Chang Wan and Tushere came in to clean up the bowls of hangover soup and water basin. Shang Ruyi wiped briefly, letting them take the items out, then returned to the bedside, watching Yu Wenye sit there, appearing both in a daze and clear-minded, clearly tormented.

She thought for a moment, gently leaning down, resting in his arms.

Softly she said, "Feng Chen, the past is gone, those people are no more."

"..."

Yu Wenye’s breathing caught slightly. After a while, he raised a hand to gently embrace her and said, "I understand."

"..."

"I’ve let go long ago."

"..."

"For lovers to become spouses is a good thing."

"..."

"Crossing mountains and seas, traversing sands and deserts to catch up with that one person is also."

As he spoke, his tone lightened, as if with a hint of a smile, "Being able to marry casually and meet someone you love in the process is even a serendipitous thing."

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.

She slowly lifted her head, looking into his eyes made misty by the alcohol, at this moment exceptionally tender, even the faint smile at the corner of his mouth seemed so captivating.

Unconsciously drawn in, she lightly wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in closer.

She kissed him.

Yu Wenye’s breath caught in that moment, his hand wrapping around her slender waist tightened slightly, almost unable to resist pulling this delicate girl closer, crushing her in his embrace, then—fiercely possessing her!