Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 432 - 378: Dharma Assembly

Chu Zhengfei said, "There have been too many monks entering the pass recently. If not a hundred a day, then at least eighty. Speaking of white-robed monks, there are quite a few, but I don’t know which one the Young Madam is asking about. Do you have a name or Dharma title? Where do they practice?"

"...?"

Hearing this, the two of them were stunned.

For a moment, they couldn’t think about names, Dharma titles, or where they practiced. Yu Wenye frowned and asked, "Why are so many monks entering the pass?"

Chu Zhengfei laughed, "It seems that Second Young Master and the Young Madam haven’t heard yet. On the fifteenth of the eighth month—just the day after tomorrow—there will be a Buddhist ceremony in Daxing City, inviting monks from all over the realm. The news has already spread to nearby prefectures and counties. These days, monks from all over have been rushing to Daxing City in droves, almost blocking the passes. Moreover, the court has granted free lodging and food to them along the way, nearly emptying the granary at Tongguan. But these past two days, most of them have already arrived in Daxing City, so the number passing through has decreased."

Shang Ruyi frowned and said, "We stopped at Yanyue City before, how come we didn’t know?"

"This—"

Chu Zhengfei was momentarily speechless, but Yu Wenye pondered for a moment and said, "It was probably because there was unrest in the Eastern Capital before, so the news couldn’t get through; later, when we came over, we always took small roads and didn’t see many people, so we didn’t hear this news."

Only then did Shang Ruyi nod, and she asked Chu Zhengfei, "But, where is the ceremony being held?"

"At the Royal Temple, the ceremony of Dayan Temple."

"What is the purpose of this ceremony?"

"The purpose..."

Speaking of this, Chu Zhengfei’s face showed a strange expression, half-smiling as he said, "The first purpose, of course, is to preach and spread Buddhist Law."

Yu Wenye said, "And the second?"

Chu Zhengfei did not immediately answer but cautiously glanced at Shang Ruyi.

That look deepened the shadow already rising in Shang Ruyi’s heart, as if she had vaguely guessed something.

After a moment of silence, Chu Zhengfei cautiously said, "The second is— the late Emperor."

"...!"

At hearing these words, Shang Ruyi’s breath caught.

Yu Wenye’s expression also darkened.

So, it was this.

In fact, Chu Zhengfei’s earlier words were merely a delay. This ceremony really had no first or second purpose. At this moment, given the state of the world, holding the ceremony has only one purpose—a single purpose—

The late Emperor Chu Yang!

Although Yu Wenquan had already installed Prince Zhao, Chu Chengfei, as the Emperor after occupying Daxing City, and had honored Chu Yang of Jiangdu Palace as the Supreme Emperor, effectively rendering him powerless in the eyes of the world, the Supreme Emperor was still revered as a ruler. Moreover, since the news of his death had spread, the new emperor who inherited the throne must express something.

This ceremony is precisely being held for him.

Yu Wenye understood why Chu Zhengfei had shown such a strange expression towards Shang Ruyi earlier.

Since the news of Chu Yang’s death had arrived, some information attached to it by Wang Shaoji and others was clearly also known to the people of Daxing City—Shang Ruyi as regicide!

So, in the eyes of the world, Chu Yang died at the hands of the Yu Wen Family’s Young Madam.

And now, the court wants to hold such a ceremony...

No one knows what position they will put Shang Ruyi in.

Yu Wenye looked down at the person beside him. Though she seemed to strive to appear calm and indifferent, the dim eyes and the fingertips trembling slightly at her side could not deceive.

Without a word, Yu Wenye reached out and gently took her hand.

"...!"

Shang Ruyi trembled slightly and looked up at him.

Yu Wenye did not look at her, instead speaking to Chu Zhengfei, "Since it’s such an important event, we can’t be neglectful. If we can return in time to attend this ceremony, it would be good."

Chu Zhengfei’s face showed a trace of surprise: "Second Young Master and— the Young Madam, also want to go?"

Yu Wenye said, "Of course."

Chu Zhengfei looked at him and then at Shang Ruyi, who seemed calmer.

Though Yu Wenye hadn’t looked down at her, the warmth spread from his palm gradually calmed her. Shang Ruyi even took a deep breath, raised her head, and with a smile, said, "Of course we must attend such a ceremony."

"..."

Chu Zhengfei looked at them again with a complex expression.

After a moment, he smiled and said, "Since that’s the case, I will prepare a carriage and new horses tomorrow to ensure the two of you smooth travel and arrival in Daxing City before the fifteenth of August."

Yu Wenye said, "Then, I thank General Chu in advance."

Chu Zhengfei immediately said, "Second Young Master is too kind."

After that, the three raised their cups again and shared a drink.

That night, they drank quite a bit. When Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi returned to their room, though intoxicated, the two were a bit calmer than usual. Even when Shang Ruyi sat before the copper mirror, removing her hairpins, and looked at Yu Wenye’s reflection in the mirror, her gaze was exceptionally clear.

Yu Wenye also watched her through the mirror.

The two of them stared at each other for a while, seeming as though they had much to say, yet both remained silent.

After a long time, Shang Ruyi finally spoke first: "The ceremony—"

"Don’t worry."

Yu Wenye sat on the sitting platform in the room, speaking in a deep voice, "Now that Father is esteemed as the Grand Chancellor, Dayan Temple may be a Royal Temple, but holding a ceremony also requires the court’s approval. This matter must have been consented by him."

"..."

"Since he agreed, there is nothing to worry about." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked up at the mirror, her gaze shifting to the hand he placed on his knee.

Just earlier, upon hearing the ceremony’s purpose, it was that rough yet warm hand which grabbed her, warming her, and steadying her.

At this moment, even just glancing at his large fingers seemed to bring her a sense of peace.

So she nodded.

Yet after a while of silence, she couldn’t help but ask, "Did you ever think about who suggested holding this ceremony?"

At these words, Yu Wenye’s breathing seemed to pause for a moment.

He looked at the eyes of Shang Ruyi reflected in the copper mirror, silent, not speaking.

But indeed, this was not a difficult question to answer. Since the ceremony was a major Buddhist event, the suggestion to hold it would naturally have come from someone of the Buddhist faith.

Yet, this question was also somewhat difficult to answer—

Who is this person of the Buddhist faith?

In the silent confrontation between the two, the night gradually deepened.

And in the darkness, a rider left Tongguan, hastening towards Daxing City.