Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 610 - 495: Comet Appears, Disaster Arises

"Last night, there was a comet in the northwest, stretching several zhang, resembling a dragon, emerging from the east and setting in the west, rushing day and night..."

As Yu Wenquan spoke, his voice grew lower. By the time he spoke the last few words, that subdued voice nearly pressed the candles in the dining hall down under an invisible pressure, causing everyone’s breathing to involuntarily sink.

Until, he heavily spoke the last four words—

"An ill omen."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi sharply inhaled.

She suddenly remembered, last night, when they lay under the sky and rested in the wilderness, just as she was about to sleep, it seemed she saw a flash of light across the sky. That light was like a sudden inspiration in her mind. She began to suspect that the villagers who left behind an empty village, really left because of war?

However, that question had no answer.

After all, those villagers had left without a trace, leaving no one for her to inquire, so she let it go. She dismissed that light as simply a fleeting thought and did not pay it much heed.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be true!

But—

The comet appearing indicates an ill omen; these words now have a peculiar weight and unease.

What does this "ill omen" mean for the Da Ye Dynasty at this time?

At this moment, Yu Wenquan seemed to be thinking the same, frowning as he stated, "If this celestial phenomenon appeared some days ago, the ’ill omen’ could have referred to Xue Xiandong’s advancement and the battles in Fufeng; but now, Ye’er has returned triumphantly, Xue Xiandong has been slain, and there’s no greater military threat in Longxi. It seems the ill omen does not refer to the western matters."

Yu Wenye thought for a moment, then asked, "What’s the situation in the Eastern Capital recently?"

Yu Wenquan replied, "Liang Shide hasn’t made any significant military moves lately, but he’s been implementing several measures that have won the hearts of the people in the Eastern Capital."

"Oh? What are they?"

"After occupying the Eastern Capital, he not only spared the remaining townspeople but redistributed the lands left by the wealthy households who fled, giving them to the poor families left in the city. He also ordered his troops not to invade these lands, training during their spare time and farming when idle. As a result, the situation in the Eastern Capital is even better than—"

He seemed to want to say, better than when the Emperor was present, but the words remained unspoken.

Shang Ruyi’s heart sank slightly.

Noticing her unease, Yu Wenye glanced at Shang Ruyi but said nothing more. However, everyone understood; Chu Yang may have been an extraordinarily intelligent man and a talented and ambitious Emperor, yet nothing could conceal the fact that the Dynasty was riddled with wounds and the common folk living in misery under his rule.

After contemplating, he said, "Clearly, we cannot give Liang Shide too much time."

"..."

"Otherwise, if this continues, reclaiming the Eastern Capital will be very difficult."

Yu Wenquan nodded heavily.

Yu Wenye continued, "And what about Wang Shaoji and his men?"

Yu Wenquan replied, "While they have begun to move north, after Ru Yi exposed their treachery at Dayan Temple, the court issued proclamations to inform the nation. Consequently, counties along the way have begun deploying troops to intercept them."

"..."

"I’ve heard that throughout this journey, not only have many soldiers from the court scattered, but many from the Imperial Guard have also deserted."

"..."

"However—the late Emperor took many troops to Jiangdu, and even though some have been reduced, tens of thousands remain, not inferior to Xue Xiandong’s forces."

Shang Ruyi’s breath sunk once again.

This time, her subdued breath contained an ire that had never faded; after all, she still often found herself trapped in the nightmare of Jiangdu Palace’s Bright Hall—a nightmare sea of blood—from which neither Wang Shaoji nor Wang Shaoqiu’s fierce and cunning visages appeared, yet she knew clearly that nightmare was brought upon her by them!

Sooner or later, she will cleanse that nightmare of its blood.

With their blood!

Mention of the two caused Yu Wenye’s expression to darken slightly, but he said nothing more; he merely reflected for a while and then stated, "Which means they won’t reach the Eastern Capital any time soon, let alone Daxing."

"That’s right."

"Then, the Historian’s mention of ’ill omen’ does not refer to these uprisings."

Yu Wenquan nodded lightly.

Yu Wenye furrowed his brows slightly, "Then what could it be?"

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but frown and ponder.

Just as the atmosphere in the dining hall fell into temporary gloom, a low yet tranquil voice echoed amongst them—

"When the comet appears, disaster will ensue."

Upon hearing this voice, Shang Ruyi shuddered slightly.

She looked up to see Yu Wenqian, who had been silent all along, speaking. He raised his clear eyes and slowly said, "If I recall correctly, back in the late Emperor’s waning days, there was also an abnormal celestial event. The people at the Historical Bureau reported nearly identical findings, indicating—when the comet appears, disaster will ensue."

"..."

"Father, isn’t that right?"

Yu Wenquan looked somewhat surprised at him, "How do you know?"

Yu Wenqian replied, "Oh, I heard some guards at the palace talking about it a few days ago."

The guards he referred to were likely Yu Dingxing or someone connected, since only the old staff at Daxing Palace would know about the late Emperor’s matters.

At that moment, an evening breeze suddenly blew in from outside the window, causing the candle flames on the surrounding candlesticks to flicker, casting fluctuating shadows across Yu Wenquan’s deep visage, rendering him momentarily inscrutable.

He was silent for a while before saying, "Yes, there was such a thing."

"..."

"However, that was over a decade ago, and I had nearly forgotten about it."

Yu Wenqian stated, "I also heard it from some elders. They said, back then, the late Emperor—Emperor Wen was gravely ill, bedridden, and when the Historian observed the stars at night, he discovered the comet appeared in the southeast and thus reported to Emperor Wen, predicting a calamity was imminent."

"..."

"Emperor Wen was greatly startled and immediately ordered the people from the Historical Bureau to seek a solution to avert it."

"..."

"However—"

Here, his expression sank and his words stopped; Shang Ruyi reflexively asked, "But what? Was a solution found?"

Yu Wenqian looked up at her, and his clear eyes flickered in the wavering candlelight, forming a faint smile passing beneath them.

Just as he was about to speak, a cold voice suddenly intervened—

"If one had been found, Father wouldn’t have just returned!"