Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 424 - 371: Such a Complex Relationship

The following three days, just as Yu Wenye had said, they began the forced march.

A forced march was different from an ordinary march. Everyone traveled light and moved quickly. They discarded all unnecessary luggage, and even Shang Ruyi got off the carriage, riding on horseback with the others, braving the scorching sun as they climbed mountains and crossed rivers, galloping forward.

Shen Wuzheng and Tushere were worried, but although Shang Ruyi was tired after running like this for three days, her spirits were much improved.

Though the miscarriage had taken a toll on her body, the fetus was not far along, and being young with a strong constitution, she had recovered a lot during her rest on the ship. Now moving about made Shang Ruyi feel like she had come back to life.

Seeing that even the daughter-in-law of Duke Lian—who should now be referred to as the Grand Chancellor—was like this, some who were constantly complaining gradually fell silent. Although some who couldn’t endure the hardship slipped away, those who remained were nearly all proven, their determination strong, and their marching abilities evidently superior to the average person.

Moreover, Yu Wenye’s forced march was not just to test them.

Because, after leaving Yanyue City, they had entered Liang Shide’s sphere of influence. Although they chose small paths to avoid large groups, they still encountered two groups of the enemy.

However, these two groups were not the main force. When they encountered the first group, they chose to take a detour and avoided a direct confrontation; when the second group intercepted them, the opposing force numbered only a little over a thousand. Yu Wenye even sensed that the opponent had no intention of engaging in battle, so when he clearly saw that their carriage hadn’t charged over, he simply led his troops straight through without facing much resistance and thus passed through.

After that, there were no further obstructions on their path, nor did Liang Shide’s troops pursue them.

On the fourth day, a light drizzle began.

Although marching in the rain was not easy, no one complained. Instead, the rain provided relief to those nearly dehydrated and faint from the blistering sun.

Everyone wore bamboo hats and raincoats, continuing to advance in the rain.

And Shang Ruyi, under Tushere’s stern urging, was forced back into the carriage.

To accompany her, Yu Wenye also sat in the carriage. Shang Ruyi, still uneasy, said, "By riding in the carriage, won’t it cause dissatisfaction among the people—especially those from Wanggang Village?"

Yu Wenye smiled, but did not immediately speak, instead making a gesture for silence towards her.

Shang Ruyi, startled, quickly closed her mouth.

In the past two days, they had thoroughly witnessed Nie Chong’s "Sharp-Hearing Ear" prowess. Just as Shantong’er had said, this person could hear anything. Even amidst chaos, he could accurately catch someone speaking in a low voice.

In fact, the first time they encountered Liang Shide’s troops, he had detected the sound of hoofbeats from a distance, allowing them to prepare and take a detour to avoid the opposition.

So now, everyone spoke cautiously, mindful of him.

Seeing Shang Ruyi’s wary look, Yu Wenye smiled again, then whispered, "Those truly dissatisfied left within the three days. Besides, I said there’d only be three days of forced marching. Once we’re out of Liang Shide’s influence around Luoyang, there’s no need to hurry as much."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi lifted the curtain, looked at the rain outside, then turned back to him, whispering, "Have we passed Luoyang now?"

To avoid Liang Shide’s main forces, they had taken a long detour, and she was unfamiliar with her surroundings.

Yu Wenye said, "Once we cross the Yi River ahead, we’ll more or less have left the Eastern Capital’s territory. However, we’re on a small path, and after the river, there’s still a mountain road to traverse."

Shang Ruyi breathed a long sigh of relief. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

She said, "I didn’t expect that Liang Shide’s troops wouldn’t follow us."

Yu Wenye lifted a corner of the curtain to look back. Behind them, only their troops moved silently in the rain. He pondered and said, "It’s not that they didn’t follow."

"Hmm?"

Shang Ruyi blinked and, meeting his deep gaze, suddenly realized something, saying, "You mean he chose not to follow?"

Yu Wenye said, "With such a major incident at Wanggang Village, he and Xiao Yuansui are allies. It’s impossible for him to be oblivious and not receive any news."

"..."

"Now that Wanggang Village’s power is greatly diminished, he must reconsider his relationship with us."

"..."

"Furthermore—"

"And furthermore what?"

Yu Wenye lowered his head to look at her and said, "Moreover, when I sent Cheng Qiao to transport grain to the Xingluo Granary recently, I had them spread some information, including that—Wang Shaoji and Wang Shaoqiu are heading north."

"...!?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s expression immediately turned to one of shock, and her widened eyes inadvertently showed a trace of panic and fear.

Even though several months had passed and they were far from Jiangdu Palace, what had happened there still haunted her like a nightmare. In her light sleep, even an offhand remark could drag her back to that dark night seemingly swallowed by a sea of blood.

More so, he mentioned Wang Shaoji’s name.

Though not the cause of it all, he was a painful presence in that nightmare.

Seeing Shang Ruyi’s face suddenly turn pale, Yu Wenye frowned, placed a supportive hand on her shoulder, wanting to say something to comfort her, yet found the words unable to come out at that moment.

As for Shang Ruyi, she took a deep breath to calm herself down.

When she looked up at Yu Wenye again, she forced a smile to show that she was fine, and then said, "Hearing the name of someone annoying really makes one uncomfortable."

"..."

Yu Wenye looked at her, remained silent for a while, and then responded, "Hmm."

Shang Ruyi continued, "But, why did you let people spread this rumor?"

Yu Wenye replied, "Though it’s called a rumor, it’s not really a rumor, just a forewarning. Judging from my speculation, Wang Shaoji can’t possibly stay in Jiangdu for long; he will surely head north."

"Why?"

"He is a northerner; his roots, all his power, and connections are in the North. Going to Jiangdu is completely unfamiliar to him, and it’s even more difficult to deal with the Southern clans; moreover, even if he wants to stay in Jiangdu, his Imperial Guard is entirely composed of northerners, including the troops taken on patrol. These people long for home, so it’s impossible for them to stay there forever."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi nodded lightly, "Yes, I heard before..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Yu Wenye understood.

The warriors of the Imperial Guard stationed at Jiangdu Palace are different from the Old Palace Guard. They long day and night to return to the North. Now that the Emperor has passed away, no decree weighs over them anymore, they will surely demand to move north.

She thought for a moment and then asked, "Did you spread this rumor so Liang Shide would hear it?"

"Hmm."

"Why?"

Yu Wenye looked down at her and said, "If Wang Shaoji and Wang Shaoqiu’s siblings return, where do you think they’ll go with hundreds of thousands of troops?"

This time, Shang Ruyi completely understood and said, "The Eastern Capital! He will return to the Eastern Capital!"

"..."

"And the Eastern Capital is already occupied by Liang Shide, so there’s a high chance they will confront each other!"

"Correct,"

Yu Wenye said, "Now, Wanggang Village’s power has greatly diminished, and they may face Wang Shaoji leading hundreds of thousands of troops back to the city. This is the biggest crisis Liang Shide is currently facing. If he attacks me now, my father will definitely lead troops eastward to avenge me. So, Liang Shide will face enemies on two fronts."

"..."

"Therefore, this time he didn’t send a large army to pursue us, he must have his own considerations."

Shang Ruyi nodded, couldn’t help but sigh deeply, and said, "Such a complex relationship."

"..."

"I thought that as soon as we came here, we’d confront them. Who knew Wang Shaoji’s movement would affect our actions."

Yu Wenye said, "The world is in chaos now, with various factions rising. Forming alliances and using strategies are very important. Even if you can’t ally with other forces, you must skillfully use them to balance relationships to find your opportunity."

Shang Ruyi glanced at him and nodded, "Hmm."

As they spoke, amidst the rain curtain and the sound of hooves ahead, came the original sound of gurgling river water.

The Yi River had arrived.

Shang Ruyi quickly lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside. A river running north-south lay before them, wide and murky. Although the rain had lessened compared to earlier, it had rained for half a day, so the river was still turbulent, with waves not infrequently whipped up by the wind crashing onto the banks, sending up water splashes half a person’s height, scaring the few horses near the riverbank into neighing loudly.

Fortunately, there was a wide stone bridge across the river, which they could use to cross.

The people up front dismounted, leading their horses across the stone bridge one by one. When it was their turn, because the stone bridge was not too wide, just barely enough for a carriage to pass, they worried about the danger of overturning, so they let Shang Ruyi and Yu Wenye get out of the carriage first, and cross after the carriage had passed.

Thus, Shang Ruyi got off the carriage.

As soon as she stood still, the fine rain fell on her, and she immediately felt a chill coming over her.

Shang Ruyi instinctively crossed her arms over her body.

Just then, an umbrella was raised over her head.

Looking up, Shang Ruyi saw that it was Yu Wenye, holding an umbrella, pulling her to his side.

Immediately, the continuous drizzle was blocked out, leaving only the sound of raindrops falling on the oiled-paper umbrella above, distant and close, like a lover’s whisper in the ear.

For some reason, although she had just been chilled by the rain, now she suddenly felt warm.

Not only was her body warm, but even her face began to flush slightly.

It seemed like Yu Wenye’s body heat, the two of them being so close, transferred over, so Shang Ruyi instinctively moved a step to the side.

But Yu Wenye extended his hand and pulled her back to his side again.