Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 386 - 342: What exactly happened to her?

"If you want to leave anyone or any place, I will take you without hesitation!"

As soon as he spoke, the two of them happened to reach the door of the side hall.

And not far behind them, in the main hall, the monks had just finished their evening chant, and a long, clear sound of a chime rang out, striking Shang Ruyi’s heart.

Almost instantly, she snapped out of the painful and conflicted emotions.

Leave? No way!

Even though, at this moment, they were temporarily avoiding the flames of war, even though right now, Shen Wuzheng could protect her, who could guarantee, in a world engulfed in such widespread flames of war, causing untold suffering for all the people and creatures, that tomorrow would still be safe and peaceful?

She clearly knew the outcome, so how could she take the wrong path?

If her brother was willing to go to such lengths to protect her, then how could she not consider those she cared about most?

Thus, Shang Ruyi lifted her head, her gaze calm and clear, and said, "Brother, I won’t leave."

"Little sister—"

Shen Wuzheng frowned, about to say something, but at this moment, Shang Ruyi gently interrupted him, saying, "Brother, you said you want to take me away; where can we go?"

Shen Wuzheng’s eyes darkened but quickly replied, "Anywhere."

"..."

"As long as it can take you away from pain, from being hurt, I can take you anywhere."

"..."

"I believe our parents would feel the same."

Even though her mind was clear, these words offered Shang Ruyi a gentle comfort, almost like a sweet dream. She suddenly felt that no matter how much suffering life brings, there is always a sweet taste to accompany it. And this, perhaps, is why people can firmly keep going in times of hardship and difficulty.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but smile a little, reached out to hold Shen Wuzheng’s hand, and gently shook it.

"Brother, thank you."

This was a gesture they often did since childhood. Whenever Shang Ruyi pampered herself in front of this elder brother or received his affection, she would express her feelings in this almost childlike manner. Even though she was now married, making such gestures seemed less appropriate than when she was young, she couldn’t resist wanting to be close to her family.

And faced with her intimacy, a long-lost warmth surged in Shen Wuzheng’s heart.

He smiled, turned his hand to grip his little sister’s fingers.

Then said, "Then you—"

"But I still won’t leave."

Shen Wuzheng immediately frowned: "Why?"

Shang Ruyi lightly sighed and said, "Actually, brother, you understand better than I do."

"..."

"Since you already know the Emperor has passed—no matter if I was the one who killed him or not, even though his death is already over, what his death has initiated, could you be unaware?"

Shen Wuzheng did not speak, but his expression clearly grew serious.

Indeed, he would not be unaware.

Even the most foolish brute or the most ignorant common folk would know that after the Emperor’s death, the whole realm will descend into chaos. The flames of war, already burning endlessly, will blaze more recklessly, possibly engulfing all the people in the entire world and consuming everything.

Throughout history, people have described such a devastating state of affairs with four ruthless words—

Change of dynasty.

In these four words, any killing is ordinary, any mountain of corpses and sea of blood is just scenery, and anyone’s life or death could be as ephemeral as a bubble bursting, silent and unnoticed, not even becoming a whimper in the wind.

So, in such a world, where can they go?

Looking into Shen Wuzheng’s gentle yet profound eyes, Shang Ruyi softly said, "Brother, I know you worry about me and don’t want me to be hurt anymore. But in life—harm is inevitable. What matters is whether we can live more resiliently after being hurt."

As she spoke, she lowered her head, looking at her frail body.

Especially the flat abdomen.

In fact, she had never felt the arrival of this child. For her, the reason behind her miscarriage was more painful than the miscarriage itself, but now, all the pain had passed.

She faintly smiled and said softly, "Brother, this child might have come at the wrong time. But amidst the chaotic world, his leaving might also be his fortune. I can’t run away from the life I chose because of this bit of pain.

"..."

Shen Wuzheng’s gaze sharpened: "The life you chose...?"

Shang Ruyi nodded: "Yes, this is the life I chose, so I must be responsible for the outcome."

"..."

Upon hearing her words, Shen Wuzheng did not immediately say anything further.

He just looked seriously at this little sister in front of him, someone so familiar, yet even amidst her gentle aura, there was still an inherent bravery and decisiveness he was willing to protect with all his might. But now, something seemed to have happened to her, as if in her resilience, there was now a stranger’s determination.

What had happened to her?

Faced with Shen Wuzheng’s clear and discerning gaze, although knowing he would bring no harm to her, Shang Ruyi instinctively avoided his eyes.

Shen Wuzheng pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Little sister, do you remember the last time we met?"

Shang Ruyi said, "Yes, it was at the post station by the Zhanping River."

"Yes,"

Shen Wuzheng said, "That night we didn’t have much time, and we couldn’t talk deeply, but I still remember you saying you didn’t agree with my entering the officialdom. Moreover, before Father was dismissed and exiled, you had advised him to retire to the countryside."

"..."

"At that time, it seemed you had no confidence in the court."

"..."

"And now this situation—"

At this point, he chuckled softly, even though his nature was peaceful, there was an unavoidable hint of satire in that chuckle, and he said lightly, "It indeed hasn’t disappointed our previous concerns, as the nation is now on the brink of collapse, and the people are suffering greatly."

"..."

"In such times, any kind of life carries infinite possibilities, no one can guarantee what might happen tomorrow, nor what direction the state of affairs and one’s own life might take."

"..."

"However,"

His eyes shone as brightly as lightning, fixed on Shang Ruyi’s eyes: "You seem to know that your choice is right."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s breath hitched.

Shen Wuzheng said, "The teacher once told me that life has different forms; it could be a path, an action on the road, or even a companion."

"..."

"So, what did you choose?"

"..."

"Is it the road to Daxing City, is it the decision on the road to take Wanggang Village, or is it your companion—Yu Wenye?"