Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 431 - 377: The Monk in White Enters the Pass?
They didn’t dwell on this question for too long, after all, all the answers lay in Daxing City, and there was still a long journey ahead to return to Daxing City.
Only then could they be completely safe.
Therefore, after having a hasty breakfast, everyone packed up and continued on horseback.
After yesterday’s thorough rain, the sky today was completely cloudless, but the sun was scorching, making them sweat all over. Yet, at this moment, not a single person complained, and everyone silently pressed on, their pace quickening considerably compared to before.
For several consecutive days, there were no obstacles on the road.
At dusk on the third day, they arrived at Tongguan.
The Tongguan Defender, upon seeing the Second Young Master of the Grand Chancellor, hastily welcomed them in, not only immediately arranging accommodations but also hosting a banquet that evening to welcome Second Young Master Yu Wen and the Young Madam.
After days of travel, Shang Ruyi finally got to take a good, long bath.
Putting on a somewhat suitable dress, Shang Ruyi sat in front of the copper mirror while Tushere styled her hair. Tushere looked at the refreshed and spirited Shang Ruyi in the copper mirror and laughed, saying, "With a wash like this, Miss looks rejuvenated entirely."
Shang Ruyi looked at herself in the copper mirror and smiled, "Really?"
"Of course,"
While combing her long black hair, Tushere remarked with a sigh, "Luckily, the young master is here, so the Tongguan Defender arranged these accommodations for us. Otherwise, Miss would not know how long you’d have to endure the wind and dew."
Shang Ruyi looked at herself in the copper mirror again and couldn’t help but laugh, "What, now you think he’s good again?"
Tushere stuck out her tongue and said, "Anyone who helps Miss live well is good."
Shang Ruyi shook her head helplessly and laughed.
Soon, her hair was done. Although the tools and place were very simple, Tushere could only give her a simple bun, but she still took out two pieces of jewelry to adorn her, making her appear more dignified and sweeping away the previous months’ plainness and simplicity.
At that moment, there was a creak, and the door was pushed open.
Shang Ruyi turned her head and saw Yu Wenye walking in.
He had just washed himself too, now wearing plain long robes. Although his attire was simple and clean, his handsome appearance and tall figure gave off a noble air, especially after rolling in the mud for two days; this refreshing look was quite striking.
Shang Ruyi immediately averted her gaze.
But her heart still couldn’t help but race.
Upon seeing her, Yu Wenye’s eyes seemed to brighten slightly. He walked over to look at Shang Ruyi without saying a word and then asked, "Ready?"
Tushere immediately put down the comb, "Young master, everything is ready."
Yu Wenye looked down at her again, "Let’s go."
Shang Ruyi nodded, then stood up and followed him out to attend the banquet.
The so-called banquet was actually just a fairly sumptuous meal. But for those who had endured days of eating and sleeping outdoors, the spacious room, clean tables and chairs, and lavish food and drink were already a rare treat. The Defender was very polite, saying, "This place is simple and the food and drink are modest. I hope Second Young Master and Young Madam do not mind."
Yu Wenye said, "This is already very good, you are considerate."
The Defender said, "Please take your seats."
So, the two walked over and sat down. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
This Defender’s name was Chu Zhengfei, in his prime at around thirty years old, and he was steady in both speech and action. Although there were only three people at the table, and Yu Wenye didn’t talk much while Shang Ruyi couldn’t speak freely, his constant toasting kept the atmosphere from getting cold.
After a few rounds of drinks, Yu Wenye said, "I don’t recognize General Chu; it seems the previous guard of Tongguan was not you."
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhengfei smiled, put down his wine cup, and said, "Each emperor has his courtiers. Now that the new emperor has ascended, naturally, there have been many adjustments in personnel. I was also recently transferred to Tongguan."
"And where did you command troops before?"
"I was originally the Captain of the Left Brave Guard."
"Oh..."
Upon hearing the words "Left Brave Guard," a light flashed in Yu Wenye’s eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "So, you are a subordinate of the Left Brave General Yu Dingxing."
Chu Zhengfei said, "Yes."
Yu Wenye said, "This time... Great General Yu has indeed achieved great merit."
At the mention of this, a peculiar expression appeared on Chu Zhengfei’s face. He smiled and said, "That was Great General Yu following the times and acting accordingly. Otherwise, it would be difficult to have the flourishing of today’s family."
Flourishing of the family?
Upon hearing these four words, Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a glance.
And Chu Zhengfei also seemed to realize he had said too much, immediately smiled, and said, "That’s a separate matter altogether. What happens with Great General Yu is an internal affair of Daxing City. I have no other talent, aside from being able to guard Tongguan."
Yu Wenye said nonchalantly, "Guarding Tongguan is a great merit in itself."
With that, he looked at Chu Zhengfei and said, "I wanted to ask General Chu something. In recent days, has anyone transported saltpeter, sulfur, or the like in and out of Tongguan?"
"Saltpeter? Sulfur?"
Chu Zhengfei said: "Aren’t these used for making gunpowder?"
Yu Wenye said, "That’s right, has General Chu noticed anything?"
Chu Zhengfei said, "No."
His quick response took Shang Ruyi, who had been silent, by surprise. She instinctively wanted to ask again, but Yu Wenye gave her a look, and she thought for a moment, then pursed her lips.
Instead, Chu Zhengfei laughed and said, "I wonder why Second Young Master has brought this up?"
Yu Wenye said, "It’s nothing much, just that we discovered traces of saltpeter and sulfur on the road and were worried that someone might be transporting these items across the border for something. Since General Chu hasn’t found anything, there’s probably nothing to worry about."
Chu Zhengfei said, "Thank you for your trust, Second Young Master. When I guard Tongguan, if nothing else, I keep a strict check on people and goods."
Saying this, he raised his cup, and the three drank together.
After putting down his wine cup, Shang Ruyi thought again and then asked, "By the way, General Chu, since you inspect all comers and goods, have you seen a... a monk in white enter the border these days?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhengfei’s hand holding the wine cup seemed to tremble slightly.
But he immediately put the cup down without a sound, looked up, and smiled, saying, "Why does the Young Madam ask this?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Oh, it’s nothing special. It’s just that a few days ago we met a monk in white on the road, who seemed to have deep cultivation, but we haven’t seen him since. I wished to ask him about the Buddhist Law, so I wonder if he has crossed the border?"
Chu Zhengfei chuckled and said, "That is hard to say."
Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a glance, both feeling that his words seemed to have another meaning.
Yu Wenye immediately said, "What does General Chu mean by this?"
