Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 650 - 520: Listening to Government Affairs

"Rise, no need for formality."

A flutter of crimson garments suddenly entered Shang Ruyi’s line of sight. She looked up to see Chu Ruoyan standing before her, adorned in a magnificent feathered long dress, her head full of pearls and jade, her makeup exquisite. Her bright red attire further accentuated her peach-like complexion, her eyes shimmering with spring-like allure.

Just now, Taiji Palace seemed like a Heavenly Palace, and she resembled nothing less than an Immortal Concubine from such an abode.

Almost witnessing the envy rising in Shang Ruyi’s eyes subside in an instant, the smile on Chu Ruoyan’s face deepened. Today, she had indeed dressed up intentionally to make everyone understand that in this world, the only one worthy of Yu Wenye was her!

Yet, Shang Ruyi seemed to see through the pride and stubbornness in her eyes.

She said, "I didn’t expect to see you here, Princess."

Chu Ruoyan smiled, "Today, this Princess is here, just like you, waiting for a summons from Your Majesty."

Shang Ruyi said, "But what the Princess awaits is not the same as what I am here for."

Chu Ruoyan laughed, "Of course. I await peace under heaven and the Emperor’s marriage decree, while you—" saying this, a hint of coldness and even disdain flowed in her eyes, "are waiting for a disaster."

"..."

Shang Ruyi was momentarily speechless.

Thinking about it this way, it seemed she truly wasn’t a good person.

At this moment, footsteps sounded outside the side hall. Officials attending the court session were lined up by the path, ascending the red steps in front of Taiji Palace and entering the grand hall. Shortly after, a chorus of deep voices shouted the lengthy homage from within the distant hall—

"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!"

Then there was silence for a while before an eunuch beside the Emperor proclaimed loudly, "Present petitions if there are any, otherwise court is dismissed!"

Immediately, someone shouted, "This minister has a matter to present!"

Shang Ruyi instinctively held her breath and listened intently. It turned out that two counties in Central Pass had suffered irrigation failures affecting their harvests, and the officials requested allocation of grain funds for relief. Instantly, the matter was handed over to the Minister of Revenue, who prepared to allocate 100,000 stone of grain to address the urgent need.

Shang Ruyi thought that was the end of it, but Yu Wenquan took over the discussion and deliberated on subsequent matters. It turned out the issue was that the local dam was damaged, making irrigation impossible during the dry season. He immediately requested an imperial order to send competent Ministry of Industry officials to repair the dam. The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Industry were to discuss and calculate the approximate costs the next day.

After a bit of wrangling, the issues were resolved.

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but sigh softly—she had thought that providing relief to the people was merely a matter of allocating grain, but it wasn’t that simple. She was also somewhat surprised by Yu Wenquan’s meticulousness and thoroughness, appearing so rugged yet so detailed.

Just then, Chu Ruoyan’s impatient voice rang in her ears—

"Hmph!"

Shang Ruyi instinctively turned her head and saw her sitting to the side with an unhappy face, angrily saying, "Why talk about all this nonsense? Don’t they know this Princess is waiting?"

Shang Ruyi glanced at her, knowing that speaking more was pointless at this moment, but couldn’t help but whisper, "Your Highness, the drought-stricken lands belong to the Da Ye Dynasty, and the suffering people are also subjects of the Da Ye Dynasty."

Chu Ruoyan said, "What harm in discussing these matters later?"

"..."

"How can this Princess’s matrimony be placed behind these trivial matters?"

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but frown.

But she no longer wished to speak further, silently turning away to continue listening intently to the ministers in the main hall reporting their matters. Some were indeed trivial, dismissed directly by Yu Wenquan without the Emperor instructing the eunuch to announce them; other issues, like the drought in Central Pass or the various new rebel forces, needed careful handling. Shang Ruyi also realized that Yu Wenquan consistently stood on the platform, delineating all responsibilities clearly and precisely.

His commitment to the court, to the entire world, was tireless and determined.

Turning back to an unhappy-looking Chu Ruoyan, Shang Ruyi felt a sense of indescribable emotion, for at this moment, she couldn’t help but reminisce about that flamboyant, carefree figure in Jiangdu Palace, so ethereal, so intelligent—a child of the heavens with grand ambitions and aspirations above all. Yet, he too made a grave mistake.

In this world, some people and things cannot be simply defined by good or bad, but his outcome remains unresolved.