Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 611 - 496: The Solution

"...?"

Shang Ruyi paused, turning her head to look at him, only to find Yu Wenye giving her a cold glance before turning his head away.

It seemed he was angry again.

For a moment, Shang Ruyi didn’t quite understand, but she heard a light laugh. When she looked up again, she saw Yu Wenqian smiling gently, saying, "As expected, Feng Chen is the most clear-minded."

"..."

"Indeed, back then, Emperor Wen should not have found a way to resolve it, because, just two days after the comet appeared, Emperor Wen passed away."

"..."

"If a solution had been found back then, Father would also be better prepared to deal with Your Majesty today. Father, do you agree?"

After speaking, everyone looked at Yu Wenquan.

Recalling those past events, Yu Wenquan’s expression deepened slightly, but he remained clear-minded and did not get lost in reminiscence. He simply sighed lightly and then said, "Indeed, today, upon hearing the report from the Historian, the young emperor was frightened. He kept me here to find a way to resolve it."

"..."

"However, I have spent my life dealing with soldiers and have never heard of celestial phenomena. As for a way to resolve it, I know even less."

"..."

"I had people search through some documents left from back then, but there was no record. It seems Emperor Wen never found a solution, and the emperor, in his panic, kept me by his side. It wasn’t until later, when he heard that Ye’er had brought a victorious army into the city, that this news reassured him somewhat, and he allowed me to return home."

Yu Wenye let out a light huff.

However, the sound was so quiet that only Shang Ruyi, sitting beside him, could hear it. She instinctively looked up at him, but Yu Wenye still refused to look at her and merely said to Yu Wenquan, "Even so, we still need to give His Majesty an explanation for this matter."

"..."

"Father, when you searched through the old documents today, was there really no record at all?"

Yu Wenquan shook his head.

After thinking for a moment, he added, "However, when Emperor Wen passed away, several ministers were on duty by His Majesty’s side. Perhaps they heard a word or two, and His Majesty intends to summon these old ministers to the palace tomorrow to inquire."

Yu Wenye asked, "Who are they?"

Yu Wenquan replied, "There is Nayin Ji Hong, Left Director of the Imperial Secretariat Pei Xu—just returned to Daxing City a few days ago—and also the Minister of Rites."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat, and Yu Wenquan looked at her, saying, "Ruyi, it’s your uncle."

"My uncle too?"

"Yes. But I’m not sure if he knows about the events back then."

"..."

Shang Ruyi was rather surprised—over the years she had grown up by her uncle’s side and occasionally heard him express opinions on court matters. Especially when witnessing the emperor’s reckless militarism and extravagant behavior, he would nostalgically talk about the harmonious governance during Emperor Wen’s reign. But he had never mentioned the events before Emperor Wen’s passing.

However, considering the magnitude of the emperor’s passing and the involvement of palace secrets, it’s not surprising that he had not spoken lightly about it.

It’s just unknown whether he knows about the so-called resolution method.

At this moment, Yu Wenquan let out a soft sigh and said, "We’ll see what the results are when His Majesty questions them tomorrow."

With that, he lightly waved his hand, ending the topic there.

However, the mood of everyone present was clearly not settled. After all, this matter was extraordinary; the elusive "resolution method" was one thing, but just the Historian’s words, "The comet appears, and disaster arises," were enough to keep their minds uneasy.

If both Liang Shide in the Eastern Capital and Wang Shaoji in Jiangdu were not immediate threats, then what disaster could the comet possibly herald?

The last time a comet appeared, within two days, Emperor Wen passed away. Could this time’s appearance portend the same—

Everyone fell into contemplation for a moment.

Regardless, this was a banquet held to welcome Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi back, and it couldn’t be overshadowed by gloom because of this matter. Thus, Yu Wenquan broke the solemn atmosphere, shared a few cups with them, and talked about the war in Fufeng. Despite being an adversary to Xue Xian, he greatly admired Xue Xian’s military prowess and naturally was all the more pleased with this couple who had defeated Xue Xian.

While chatting, he suddenly remembered something and asked Yu Wenye, "The troops you brought back—"

Yu Wenye replied, "The court’s forces have already been handed over."

"How many of Xue Xian’s surrendering soldiers are in the court’s forces?"

"About thirty thousand."

"And you—"

"This time, from Wanggang Village and Fufeng, I brought back a total of one hundred and fifty thousand troops. Currently, Shen Tu Tai is appointed as the commander-in-chief trainer."

Upon hearing Shen Tu Tai’s name, Yu Wenquan understood his son’s intention.

He let out a heavy sigh before saying, "There’s no problem with assigning this troop to you, but your actions this time were too significant, and you delayed returning to court for half a month. Do you know how many officials were watching? Even Ji Hong is preparing to impeach you."

"I understand,"

Yu Wenye put down his wine cup and calmly said, "But this group of horses is special, if handed over to the court — the court won’t be at ease, and neither will I."

"..."

"So it’s best if I lead them personally, taught by Shen Tu Tai, and we’ll never lose a battle in the future."

In fact, Yu Wenquan was leaning towards this point initially, but Yu Wenye’s actions this time were too significant, indeed causing dissatisfaction among old ministers in Daxing City. Even as Grand Chancellor, he faced considerable pressure during that period, luckily managing to suppress it eventually.

And confronted with his son’s youthful impulsiveness, yet tangible achievements, he indeed couldn’t say much.

He sighed, "You..."

Yu Wenye continued, "But Ji Hong wants to impeach me?"

Yu Wenquan frowned without speaking, while Yu Wenqian nodded and said, "Elder Ji is indeed preparing to submit a memorial, but the Ministry of War has also submitted a report simultaneously. Your achievements are real, making court officials ecstatic, and Your Majesty was very pleased, so his words have been temporarily suppressed. Additionally —"

Here, he paused and smiled faintly.

Yu Wenye looked at him, "What?"

Yu Wenqian shook his head.

Shang Ruyi felt puzzled, just watching him, while Yu Wenquan unhappily said, "This time, it was the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess who personally intervened to finally suppress this old man. Otherwise, who knows what trouble he would’ve stirred again."

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s breath slightly deepened.

The Empress Dowager, and the Eldest Princess?

Indeed, no matter what, these two would certainly stand behind Yu Wenye, especially — the Eldest Princess.

For some reason, Shang Ruyi thought back to the moment outside the Buddhist Hall at Dayan Temple, when she saw Chu Ruoyan again. The naive and carefree Princess Xinyue seemed to have changed somewhat, although she couldn’t articulate it or even see it, she felt it clearly.

But some things simply couldn’t be changed.

For example, her feelings towards Yu Wenye...

Just thinking about it made her feel a stone pressing on her heart, making the exquisite dishes taste bland, yet Shang Ruyi remained silent, merely lowering her head. Yu Wenye glanced at her, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately refrained, merely letting out a deep sigh.

Yu Wenquan didn’t notice anything unusual and continued, "Ye’er, let’s forget about this matter for now; if there’s a similar situation in the future, you must explain it to me first."

Yu Wenye replied, without showing any emotions, "Yes."

After that, the atmosphere turned slightly heavy, but even so, by the time they finished the meal, it was nearly 9 PM, and darkness had fallen completely. Yu Wenquan unexpectedly drank a few more cups, and as the gathering dispersed, he instructed Aunt Hui behind him, "Send two bowls of sobering soup to the study. Qian’er, you come too."

"Yes."

Yu Wenye said, "Father, aren’t you going to rest?"

Yu Wenquan waved his hand and said, "We need to discuss today’s matter further."

"...Oh."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye’s eyes flickered slightly, glancing at Yu Wenqian, and saw that Yu Wenqian was also looking at him and Shang Ruyi, saying, "Father, should we let Feng Chen and sister-in-law join —"

"No need,"

Yu Wenquan waved his hand again, saying, "They’ve just returned, and Feng Chen’s health hasn’t fully recovered yet; let them rest well for now. The court matters can wait for a few days. You all go and rest."

Yu Wenye said, "Yes."

Finished speaking, he didn’t say anything more and turned to leave with Shang Ruyi.

Yu Wenqian quietly watched their figures fade into the night, remained silent for a moment, and after hearing Yu Wenquan’s call, he quietly followed.

The night deepened like the liquor, growing heavier and heavier.

In fact, both of them drank quite a bit, but whether the wine was ordinary today or their minds were too occupied, the alcohol’s effect was overshadowed, and the residual drunkenness was blown away by the cool night breeze on the way back to their rooms.

But as soon as they returned and removed their outer garments and washed their hands, they heard a knock on the door. Opening it, Tushere was there handing them two bowls of sobering soup.

Yu Wenye said nothing, picked up a bowl and started drinking, while Shang Ruyi also took a bowl. After just one sip, she frowned.

"Why is it so sour?"

Tushere immediately shrank her neck sheepishly and said softly, "Forgive me, Miss, I used too much vinegar today."

Shang Ruyi looked down and indeed, the sour soup in the bowl was very dark, containing quite a bit of vinegar. Just one sip was enough to make her cheeks pucker and almost close her eyes.

She said crossly, "You think vinegar is free at home, huh."

"Hehe."

Tushere stuck out her tongue and awkwardly smiled.

Then, Shang Ruyi suddenly thought of something, turned around, and saw Yu Wenye on the other side, face unchanged, finish a whole bowl of soup.