Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 637 - 512: Empress of the World

"Feng Chen..."

Even though she felt immense gratitude towards her uncle’s actions, when Shang Ruyi murmured these two words, there was still a trace of tender affection on her lips and teeth.

Seeing her like this, Shen Shiyan seemed to finally put down a heavy stone in his heart and sighed with relief.

In truth, even if Shang Ruyi was getting married, even if she was marrying into the Yuwen Family, even though Yu Wenye was young, handsome, and spirited, the mindset of marrying off a daughter destined him to remain uneasy; moreover, before all this, Shang Ruyi had hardly even seen Yu Wenye, and having experienced a broken engagement and remarriage, Shen Shiyan always worried that even if harmonious, her marriage might be difficult to find happiness in.

But hearing those words from Yu Wenye at Dayan Temple and seeing now the tenderness in Shang Ruyi’s eyes,

he finally set his heart at ease.

This pair, perhaps forced into a match by a marriage contract, yet fortunately, just perfectly, she longs for him, and he cherishes her.

There is nothing more fortunate in this world.

So Shen Shiyan said, "Yu Wenye treats you so well, your uncle is very pleased."

"Uncle..."

"However, your uncle is also worried. The title of Prince Consort, promotion and rank, these things may not mean much to those in the Yuwen Family, but—what about greater temptations?"

Greater temptations...

A flicker of gravity passed in the depths of Shang Ruyi’s eyes.

Though Shen Shiyan still had reservations and did not speak the deeper words, Shang Ruyi well understood; in fact, her conversation with Yu Wenye the previous night had already reached this point.

The title of Prince Consort, promotion and rank, indeed meant little to Yu Wenye; as the second son of the Duke Mansion, the privileges he enjoyed were no less than those of a Prince Consort, his own ability to conquer on the battlefield, and the battle achievements he earned himself were no less than the promotions promised by the Imperial Family. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have risked near execution by Duke Sheng by refusing Princess Xinyue’s marriage proposal.

But now in front of him is a greater, no, a monumental temptation!

Once Shen Shiyan’s word "Resignation" was uttered, if successful, Yu Wenquan would rise to the pinnacle of power, and whoever facilitated this event would be a significant asset regarding the identity of Yu Wenquan’s successor.

This is also the reason why Princess Xinyue has not made any moves up to this point.

It was also last night, Yu Wenye told her about his inability to let go, caught between "unable to get what he wanted." Clearly, Yu Wenquan did not promise Yu Wenye a future successor’s position because, as the newly returned legitimate eldest son of the Yuwen family, he held a special favor; and indeed, Yu Wenqian contributed significantly to his victory in capturing Daxing City, making it difficult for him to choose.

Speaking of which...

Last night, Shang Ruyi only had the chance to ask Yu Wenye if he was angry because of her choice, but forgot to consider that if Yu Wenquan had agreed to his request in the teahouse, then, even if there was something he couldn’t let go of, would he "be willing to let go" because of "what he had already gained" on the other side?

Though she knew that emotions could not withstand trials, and that feelings should not be tested, the mere thought of this possibility made Shang Ruyi unable to help but wonder what his choice would ultimately be.

At this moment, her heart was also in turmoil.

Just then, Shen Shiyan’s warm, husky voice sounded in her ear—

"Ru Yi..."

Shang Ruyi suddenly regained her senses, hurriedly looked up at her uncle, a bit guilty for letting her thoughts wander at such a moment, and quickly said, "Uncle."

Shen Shiyan gently said, "Don’t think about testing anything. The result of a test isn’t a real result."

The result of a test isn’t a real result?

Shang Ruyi looked at Shen Shiyan in surprise, seeing him smile faintly in the dim light, with his tired, bloodshot eyes still shining with clarity. He said, "Before I married your aunt, actually, there was another military general who proposed to her. The one your aunt originally favored was him."

"Ah?"

"But before that man could make his offer, he unfortunately died in battle."

"..."

"Later, your aunt married me."

"..."

"Over the years, we’ve lived a stable life, but at times, I couldn’t help but think about that man, wondering if your aunt would have been happier had she married him, or if I was merely her second choice."

Shang Ruyi widened her eyes, instinctively wanting to speak, but before she could say anything, Shen Shiyan was already smiling and saying, "But I never ask."

"...Why?"

"Because, such a result would be false."

"..."

"That man is already dead, your aunt has already married me, we’re living well, all of this is real."

"..."

"Why should I ignore the reality before my eyes to seek an impossible result?"

"..."

"Ru Yi, what’s before you is the most important."

Right now, what’s most important?

Shang Ruyi suddenly seemed to understand something, and felt a clarity in her heart. Without waiting to think further, Shen Shiyan looked up again and tried hard to peer past the bars at the single skylight. The daylight was changing, and the time left for them was already running out.

Then, Shen Shiyan smiled and said: "Through storm and stress, it refers to your current relationship with the Yuwen Family, and especially with Yu Wenye. Your uncle can do little for this world, and for you. But regardless of the future and whether the great affair succeeds, it is a weight between you and him."

A weight...

Whether or not Shang Ruyi knew about the future, for most of the officials in the court, the Yuwen Family replacing the Daye Dynasty was almost only a matter of time. Thus, whoever puts forward the crucial point of this "abdication" is extremely important. Shen Shiyan had an immense favor from Yu Wenquan and his enterprise!

If he lives, he will be Yu Wenquan’s founding contributor.

If he dies, then this great merit will be inherited by his closest family, most directly Shang Ruyi, as she is Yu Wenye’s wife. Yu Wenquan cannot ignore this issue.

This is the greatest weight Shen Shiyan has given to the couple!

Shang Ruyi immediately also became clear-minded and looked at him: "Uncle!"

"If fortune favors, and the great work succeeds,

Shen Shiyan’s eyes grew even redder, yet amidst his fatigue, there was an excitement so fervent it was something he had not felt his entire life. Fixing his gaze on Shang Ruyi, he said: "Ruyi, you must understand your standing!"

Upon hearing Shen Shiyan’s words, Shang Ruyi was suddenly covered in goosebumps.

It was only until this moment that she faced this fact head-on for the first time.

Yu Wenquan was sure to rise to the pinnacle of power, just like when she first saw him at the Shen Family, and unconsciously uttered those two words—

Grand Ancestor!

And Yu Wenqian... no matter what he experiences, once his outcome is as she predicted, with the numerous war merits of Yu Wenye as the second son, and the weight given by Shen Shiyan, then he is likely to become the most significant successor.

Namely, the foundation of the nation!

And she, too—will become—

At this moment, a narrow beam of light from the skylight above suddenly became extremely dazzling, almost blinding Shang Ruyi. In that brief confusion, she seemed to see a man as beautiful as an immortal, smiling at her with casual ease, saying one word at a time, "I truly did not expect that in the world, there could be a Young Madam like you. So young, yet with such awe-inspiring presence—sufficient to—mother, the realm."

Could this truly be possible?

Could the man’s teasing words truly become a prophecy?

Shang Ruyi felt her blood coursing through her body, and her mind buzzing. This overly shocking possibility left her somewhat dazed—what she originally had was merely a humble thought to protect her family in the impending chaos.

Would it really lead her to such a result?

"If the great work succeeds,"

Shen Shiyan’s gentle voice, like a spell, once again revealed the truth in her ear. Shang Ruyi raised her eyes to meet his loving gaze, and Shen Shiyan smiled at her, "Ruyi, you must understand what you should do."

Shang Ruyi swallowed hard, her voice bitter, "Uncle, I—"

At this moment, a sound echoed in the silent passage.

The two instinctively held their breath, Shang Ruyi turned to look and saw indistinct figures appearing at the doorway. Soon, Yu Wenye and the prison guard approached, and the guard said, "The hour has come, Young Madam, please return."

At this moment, Shang Ruyi could not spare a glance at Yu Wenye’s stern eyes but hurriedly turned back, "Uncle!"

Shen Shiyan smiled and nodded at her, everything that needed to be said had been said, even if the end truly came. Then, with enough conviction, he faced death calmly. His tranquil eyes were filled with finality as he waved to her, "Go."

"..."

Shang Ruyi was speechless, her hand still gripping the bars tightly, the wooden splinters piercing her palm.

Behind her, a familiar warmth surrounded her.

Yu Wenye walked to her side, "Let’s go."

He held her hand and nodded to Shen Shiyan, and then turned to leave.

As Shen Shiyan’s hands held onto the wooden bars, he felt the pain in his injured leg now numbed. Just as he was about to sit down slowly, Shang Ruyi took two steps forward, clenched her fist hard, and the burning pain in her palm jolted her awake. She stopped in her tracks, turned to Shen Shiyan, and said, "Uncle, as Aunt said, if you return safely this time, she will separate from you."

"Ah?!"

The previously calm and collected Shen Shiyan was struck as though he was hit by lightning, his eyes filled with panic.

Before he could respond, Shang Ruyi continued, "I will definitely save you and bring you out safely. In the next couple of days, think about how you will coax Aunt back, she means it seriously."

"..."

"Uncle, we shall leave first."

After speaking, she turned and left.

Left in the silent and cold prison, a surge of hot and restless emotion revived the atmosphere that was originally like dead water.