Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 449 - 390: A Decisive Strike

Chapter 390

As soon as everyone saw the person’s appearance clearly, all drew a deep breath.

And Shang Ruyi, at this moment, forgot to breathe and let her heart beat, just stared wide-eyed, watching incredulously at the white and plump face without a wrinkle, yet bearing all the signs of recent weariness and sorrow, of the Lord Eunuch before her.

Is it Eunuch Yu?!

How could he be here?

How could he—

Just as Shang Ruyi’s mind was in turmoil, everyone around was already in chaos.

Everyone even stopped considering how he managed to return from Jiangdu Palace, why he’s here, or even how he is still alive; just hearing that sentence was enough to shock everyone’s hearts and minds.

Even Ji Hong showed a hint of surprise, hoarsely saying, "You, Yu, Eunuch Yu?"

"It’s indeed me."

Eunuch Yu emerged from the Great Hero Hall, perhaps because it was too dark and oppressive inside, as he walked out towards everyone, his figure seemed a bit shaky, until he looked down at Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi standing side by side below, and only then did a faint smile appear on his pale face.

He said, "Do you trust my words?"

"..."

"Do my words count as evidence to you?"

"..."

For a moment, everyone was silent.

Not only could they not answer the question, but they also forgot the significance of the question.

While Shang Ruyi stared foolishly at Eunuch Yu walking out and speaking those words, her mind suddenly sparked at this moment, recalling the journey back from Jiangdu Palace, Yu Wenye always seemed to have a special person with him, but they never revealed themselves; after passing Song State, they changed from waterway to land, but that person did not disembark and continued on water, diverging from them.

At this moment, she finally understood.

It was Eunuch Yu!

At that time, Yu Wenye sent people to rescue her from Jiangdu Palace, but because Chu Yang took her to Bright Hall, the people who infiltrated the inner palace only found Wo Xue and took her away; now, it seemed, if they found Wo Xue, how could they not find Eunuch Yu?

So, Eunuch Yu left Jiangdu Palace with them.

However—

Why did Eunuch Yu leave with them?

Moreover, judging by the circumstances along the way, the relationship between them seems not just the usual bond between a eunuch serving the late Emperor and the Assistant General, but rather a kind of indescribable tacit understanding.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi’s mind was filled with countless thoughts, as if invisible threads wrapping around her, nearly suffocating her.

Just as she was struggling to breathe, her fingertip was gently pinched.

At this touch, her body felt as if electrified, she shuddered and turned her head, meeting Yu Wenye’s cold yet bright eyes, like stars guiding the way in the night.

He mouthed, "Breathe—"

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was stunned again, finally snapping back to reality.

Since Eunuch Yu appeared, she had forgotten to breathe, at this moment, it felt like even her heart had stopped.

No wonder when he pinched her fingertip, she felt tingling all over.

She hurriedly regained her breathing and heartbeat, but was immediately a bit uneven in her breath; Yu Wenye’s mouth lifted slightly, yet he said nothing more, just raised his head—at this moment, everyone around gradually regained their senses, eyes filled with complexity, looking at each other for a long while before someone asked with a subtle tone, "Eunuch Yu, how comes you are here?"

Seeing Eunuch Yu step forward, looking at that person, then at the surrounding people’s eyes and expressions, almost identical to that person’s, he faintly smiled and said, "You all must be wondering why I’m still alive, right?"

"..."

"With the late Emperor passing, I certainly should have died with him, repaying the imperial grace."

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed lightly again.

Suddenly, Eunuch Yu’s eyes reddened, painfully and angrily saying, "But—Wang Shaoji led the Imperial Guard in rebellion against the court, chaos engulfed Jiangdu Palace, the late Emperor was forced to be killed in Bright Hall, these crimes, cannot be left for him to mislead with lies, ranting hysterically. I kept this life, escaped Jiangdu, returned to Daxing City, to report this matter to the Empress Dowager, and reveal to the world, leaving nowhere for this villain’s wicked deeds to hide!"

Saying this, he glanced at Shang Ruyi again, then spoke to the crowd, "I never thought, you all were deceived by Wang Shaoji, instead, internal strife arose."

"..."

"Did not anyone think, Duke Sheng was loyal to the court, the Yuwen Family dedicated themselves to the nation, how could Young Madam Yu Wen commit regicide?"

"..."

"If she really committed regicide, how dare she attend today’s Dharma assembly?"

His words not only vouched for himself with his experience but also presented the entire Yuwen family.

Now, you must understand, Duke Sheng’s power is overwhelming the court, even the new Emperor was supported by him. To deny this here, would be to deny the court they currently serve!

Who dares utter such words? Who dares harbor such doubts?

Indeed, the people present quieted down.

But not everyone could be convinced by his self-proving words. Ji Hong lowered his head to ponder for a moment, then slowly lifted it, leaning on his cane, he walked two steps forward to the steps and said to Eunuch Yu, "I understand what you said, Eunuch Yu, but there is one thing I still don’t understand."

Eunuch Yu was courteous to him, raising a hand, "Please, Mr. Ji, ask your question."

Ji Hong narrowed his eyes slightly, although his eyes were murky, there was a sharp gleam in the midst of the confusion. He said, "Since Eunuch Yu knew the truth of the late Emperor being forced to death early on, why didn’t you say something earlier and prevent everyone from being misled by Wang Shaoji?"

Eunuch Yu replied, "I am old and weak, the journey was difficult. I only arrived in Daxing City the day before yesterday."

"..." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"After arriving in Daxing City, I immediately informed the Empress Dowager of these matters."

Upon hearing this, those around him instinctively looked up towards the Great Hero Hall behind him.

Shang Ruyi also looked up at the tightly shut door, knowing that Eunuch Yu must have received permission from the Empress Dowager before speaking out at this moment. But until now, the Great Hero Hall remained shut, with no sound at all.

How does she feel inside, hearing the commotion outside, especially those words just exchanged...?

Shang Ruyi hardly dared to imagine.

And Ji Hong immediately said, "Then the Empress Dowager—"

Eunuch Yu also glanced back at the tightly shut windows and doors, sighing lightly in his heart, then turned back to the crowd saying, "It’s just that the matter is significant, the Empress Dowager also doesn’t want to listen idly or rashly spread unverified news to disturb others. Therefore, she is also waiting, waiting for somebody from Jiangdu Palace to return and corroborate my story."

"..."

"Just a moment ago, after hearing Young Madam Yu Wen speak inside the Great Hero Hall, the Empress Dowager knew my words were not false."

At this point, the crowd had nothing more to say.

Initially, everyone had wanted him to testify for Shang Ruyi, but now, it no longer mattered what they thought because those who truly cared about the truth behind the late Emperor’s death could not compare to the Empress Dowager. Since she confirmed Shang Ruyi’s words could be corroborated by Eunuch Yu’s, then who dared to question Shang Ruyi’s words?

Suddenly, the entire Dayan Temple fell into silence.

"Amitabha Buddha."

At this moment, the one who could speak again was the Abbot of Dayan Temple. Master Xinzeng slowly stepped forward, clapped his hands together in prayer, and said aloud to Shang Ruyi, "Now that the water has receded and the truth is clear, may the Buddha bless you, Young Madam Yu Wen, you—are cleared."

Just as the word "cleared" was spoken, a deep bell toll rang from the bell tower not far away.

The resonant chime echoed with an indescribable awe, shaking the hearts of all.

It was as if a massive stone had finally settled!

Everyone understood, with the appearance of Eunuch Yu, the silent yet immense presence of the Empress Dowager, and the words of Master Xinzeng, this case had truly come to an end.

Wang Shaoji was indeed the culprit who assassinated the Emperor!

Accompanied by the bell chime marking the temporary end of the ceremony, everyone fell silent. Some sat in place, seemingly contemplating all that had happened in these days, while others hurried away, seemingly eager to deal with the consequences of this emerging truth.

Soon, the area in front of the Great Hero Hall had mostly dispersed.

It was only at this moment did Shang Ruyi manage to catch her breath.

Earlier, when surrounded and interrogated by everyone, it felt as if she was trapped in an enclosed space, choked, void of light.

Yet thankfully, these walls had fallen.

They were knocked down by her, but also—

Shang Ruyi slowly turned her head to look at Yu Wenye beside her, observing that throughout, he had barely spoken, without any emotional flurry, not even a trace of triumphant joy, as if all was well within his control.

To be precise, indeed, everything was within his control.

When he said "I’ll handle it," it wasn’t to argue in the ceremony, to talk about something he himself hadn’t witnessed, which could make matters worse and obscure the truth.

What he needed was for Eunuch Yu to return to Daxing City and appear before everyone at the most opportune moment.

Thus, everything was settled.

So last night—

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled with a trace of trepidation.

As her breathing hastened and her heartbeat unsteady again, Yu Wenye’s deep voice sounded in her ears, "What are you thinking?"

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat again.

She looked up, only to see Yu Wenye looking down at her, his gaze cold and austere, yet sharp. He asked, "What did you mean with that glance you just gave me?"