Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 604 - 491: To Compete or Not to Compete

Shen Wuzheng remained calm, as if he had already accepted the fact of his "narrow loss," a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at his younger sister.

And Shang Ruyi, after a long silence, finally sighed softly in her heart.

She understood where her elder brother had lost. This poem, with its majestic momentum, bold spirit, and literary allusions, indeed surpassed Shen Wuzheng’s poem.

At the same time, she also understood why her brother would say—he was, as it were, sincerely convinced of his defeat.

Because although this poem was well written, in this poetry contest held in celebration of Fufeng’s victory, it appeared somewhat out of place, as this poem did not mention Fufeng’s battle at all. Upon closer reading, it seemed more like a poet’s personal emotional outburst, awkwardly applied to the Fufeng battle.

Like a pair of delicate silk shoes on a pair of large feet.

Somewhat ill-fitting.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi’s feelings matched those of Shen Wuzheng. She admired the literary talent, yet felt the award given to the poem wasn’t quite deserved. When she looked up at Yu Wenye, she saw him frowning slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of gloom.

This silence lingered a bit too long.

After a while, it was Pei Xingyuan who couldn’t hold it in first. He chuckled and said, "I know what you’re thinking, but it’s hard to say, so let me say it."

"..."

"The poem is good, but it’s not about the Fufeng battle. I didn’t see either Feng Chen or Ruyi in this poem. Awarding it first place overshadows the Fufeng battle. In the future, when people mention this poem, they’ll just think it’s good without remembering Fufeng or the two of you."

"..."

"So, I like the poem, but I don’t like it winning first place."

At this point, Shen Wuzheng seemed unable to hold back anymore and said with a wry smile, "Alright, say no more."

Yu Wenye also smiled faintly, but after laughing, his expression turned somewhat serious.

He thought for a moment and said, "Who is this Guanghan Guest, Brother Fu Ming, have you met him?"

Shen Wuzheng shook his head and said, "That person never showed up. To this day, while this poem has spread throughout Daxing City, no one knows the true identity of the author."

"..."

Yu Wenye furrowed his brows again.

However, he didn’t dwell on the matter anymore—after all, it had already ended, and further deliberation was futile. The four of them chatted for a while longer, and seeing the sun begin to set in the west, Yu Wenye said, "It’s getting late; let’s head back to the city. I still need some time to settle down my troops."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan and Shen Wuzheng looked up at the long, endless procession behind him.

Pei Xingyuan said, "Feng Chen, you’re impressive, so many people!"

Beside him, Shen Wuzheng’s eyes flickered. He clearly knew that Yu Wenye had left Daxing with fifty thousand troops, but judging by the number of troops returning, it was evident he had gained something at Fufeng. However, he didn’t say much and simply nodded, "Let’s go."

So, the few of them left the pavilion, mounted their horses, and Yu Wenye once again led the procession back into Daxing City.

The news of the Fufeng battle’s victory had reached Daxing half a month ago, and government officials were overjoyed. The city residents were equally thrilled, as everyone knew Xue Xiandong’s ultimate goal was Daxing. By defeating him at Fufeng, they had averted disaster for the city’s citizens. So, even though it had been more than half a month since the victory, when they heard the Assistant General had returned, the city’s residents lined the streets in welcome.

Yu Wenye rode his horse, leading the procession down Vermilion Bird Street, with citizens on both sides cheering jubilantly, their voices echoing to the skies. Many people stopped the procession to offer food to the soldiers, and some young women and newlywed wives living in the buildings along the street showered flowers on their heads.

Meanwhile, Shang Ruyi, riding behind Yu Wenye, felt a little overwhelmed by the enthusiastic citizens.

It wasn’t her first time seeing victorious soldiers warmly welcomed by the public, but she had always been an onlooker at the street sides. Now, she was part of the procession receiving cheers and feeling their warmth.

Just as she felt slightly flustered, someone in the crowd noticed her and immediately expressed confusion—

"Why is there a woman in the army? And riding a horse at that?"

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat, fearing that others might have thoughts about the troop, but immediately, someone beside the questioner added, "That’s the General’s wife, isn’t it? She joined the troops on this expedition."

"I heard this woman is incredibly brave."

"Yes, I heard the battle report mentioned that she fought the biggest battle against Xue Xian and killed over eighty thousand enemy soldiers."

"A woman, and so formidable?"

"In our Da Ye Dynasty, which woman isn’t formidable?"

"...!"

Hearing these words, Shang Ruyi felt a jolt in her heart!

Was she mentioned in the battle report?!

She raised her head, looking at Yu Wenye riding ahead of her; his back was broad and reassuring, and with just one glance, she felt at ease.

Though she was already overwhelmingly familiar with this figure, at this moment, her heart still beat a bit faster as she gazed upon him.

At this moment, Yu Wenye turned his head: "Ruyi—"

Shang Ruyi immediately came to her senses: "What’s the matter?"

"It’s time to part ways up ahead. You should take Tushere and the others and go back to the mansion first."

"Okay."

After saying this, Shang Ruyi softly added, "Come back early."

Yu Wenye glanced at her, said nothing, with a faint smile at the corner of his eyes, he quickly turned his head away, and soon, at the fork in the road ahead, Shang Ruyi led Tushere and Wo Xue, along with Mu Xian leading a team to escort them back to the mansion, while Yu Wenye continued leading the main troops towards the Ministry of War.

Watching his figure disappear at the end of the long street, Shang Ruyi finally turned around, leading the others in the opposite direction.

About half an hour later, they returned to the Yuwen Mansion.

At this time, the sun was setting in the west, the scorching heat had dissipated, but the golden glow of sunset paved the road ahead as if it were a Golden Light Avenue, carrying a sense of solemnity. Yet when Shang Ruyi reached the Duke Mansion, it was eerily empty, with not a single person to welcome them, and even the main gate was tightly closed!

Sitting atop her horse, Shang Ruyi looked at the closed gate, her brows furrowed slightly.

Tushere said, "What’s going on? The Miss has returned; how come there’s no one here to greet us."

Mu Xian also furrowed his brow, but immediately said, "Young Madam, please wait a moment, I’ll go and call the door."

He then dismounted and walked forward to knock, but after knocking several times, there was still no one to answer—one must know, in a household like the Duke Mansion, the gatekeepers could never be absent, otherwise, it would be too discourteous if someone came and couldn’t get in.

Just as Mu Xian was about to knock harder, there came a creaking sound, as the door was finally opened from within.

A familiar, delicate figure peeked out, immediately breaking into a smile.

"Young Madam!"

Upon closer inspection, it was Chang Wan.

She joyfully walked up to Shang Ruyi’s horse and said, "Young Madam, you’re finally back!"

Shang Ruyi nodded, then glanced inside the gate and said, "Why did it take so long for someone to answer the door?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Wan’s face also showed a hint of resentment, but before she could speak, a familiar, jovial voice came from inside the door: "Ah, the Young Madam has returned."

Shang Ruyi looked up and saw Aunt Hui leading a few people to greet her.

However, she did not descend the steps, instead standing at the doorway, smiling and saying, "Welcome, Young Madam."

Seeing this, Shang Ruyi smiled calmly but did not dismount, merely nodding and saying, "Aunt Hui, managing the household must be laborious for you."

Aunt Hui was slightly taken aback.

Although Shang Ruyi was all smiles, she had reached her home, yet remained on horseback speaking, which was somewhat disrespectful and caught her by surprise. But Aunt Hui still smiled and said, "Not at all, not at all, it is the Young Madam who has been through hardships, going to battle with the second young master."

Shang Ruyi nodded and said, "Indeed."

She continued, remaining on her horse.

Aunt Hui’s brow twitched slightly in response, and the maids behind her hesitated, exchanging glances. Aunt Hui thought for a moment and glanced behind Shang Ruyi: "The second young master—"

Shang Ruyi said, "He went to the Ministry of War first to report, asking me to return first."

With that, she looked up at the gate behind Aunt Hui and laughed, "Lucky I returned first, otherwise, if he, a victorious Great General, couldn’t enter his own home, it would be laughable. Those who know about the hard work Aunt Hui puts into housekeeping would understand, but those who don’t might think Aunt Hui isn’t letting the General in!"

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Hui’s face changed slightly.

She looked again at Shang Ruyi sitting composed on her horse, the same person physically but without that same clever yet non-confrontational demeanor she had when she first married into the Yuwen Family.

Instead, despite her smiling face, there was a palpable firmness within her demeanor.

The people behind were nervously preparing to step forward, and Aunt Hui exhaled deeply. Finally, she stepped down from the stairs, saluted Shang Ruyi, and said, "How could I dare, how could I dare."

"..."

"This old lady was thinking, the second young master has returned triumphantly, the house should be thoroughly cleaned to give him a proper welcome. So, I led everyone in the household to clean, unexpectedly missed the Young Madam’s knock on the door."

"I see."

Shang Ruyi smiled faintly, dismounting and saluting the elder, "Aunt Hui has worked hard."

Aunt Hui slightly bowed in return, then said, "Please, Young Madam, come into the mansion, the rooms have all been tidied for the second young master and the Young Madam."

Shang Ruyi nodded and was about to step into the Yuwen Mansion but then paused, turning to Aunt Hui and asking, "Where are Father and elder brother?"