Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 792 - 601: Duty Between Monarch and Subject, Order Between Elders and Juniors
Eunuch Yu smiled faintly upon hearing this and said, "The Holy Decree from Your Majesty just mentioned clearly that your brother is well-read and broad-minded. Now that the court is in need of talents, Your Majesty does not shy away from appointing relatives, which is indeed your brother’s fortune."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "To be heavily relied upon by the Emperor is naturally a blessing, but I still have a bit of confusion."
"What is it that the Princess does not understand?"
"My brother’s abilities were not known to the Emperor before. Does the sudden appointment by the Emperor mean that someone recommended him?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yu’s footsteps slightly paused.
Shang Ruyi sensed something from this, but when she looked into his eyes again, she found that Eunuch Yu was still smiling with his eyes narrowed even thinner than last night’s crescent moon, showing no trace of his emotions.
Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but feel a bit discouraged.
She understood, of course, that to be positioned by Chu Yang’s side to serve for so long, become a trusted aide, and now be able to return and serve the new emperor, Eunuch Yu must not be a simple-minded person. His thoughts were not easily seen through by her, which made her even more worried about Shen Wuzheng’s sudden appointment.
As they talked, the two of them had already reached the gate of the Shen Mansion.
Outside the gate, indeed, there was a carriage sent from the Duke Mansion, and another one was the carriage that Eunuch Yu had arrived in. Shang Ruyi personally escorted Eunuch Yu over, who bade farewell and was about to board the carriage.
However, being older, his movements were somewhat slow, and with this slight pause, a thought crossed his mind.
He pondered for a moment and turned back to Shang Ruyi, "Princess."
Shang Ruyi looked up at him, "Eunuch Yu, what is it?"
Eunuch Yu thought for a while and then smiled, "Your Majesty employs talents without avoiding relatives, naturally because someone recommends the worthy without avoiding kinship; hence your brother is so fortunate."
"..."
"I hope your brother can serve the court well and have a limitless future."
After saying this, he smiled again, called upon a guard behind him to assist him onto the carriage, and soon, the carriage left the Shen Mansion, disappearing into the dust.
Leaving Shang Ruyi standing there, she slightly furrowed her brow.
Recommending the worthy, without avoiding kin?
So Shen Wuzheng’s promotion was indeed due to someone’s recommendation, and "without avoiding kin" implies that the person who recommended him was a relative.
It certainly wasn’t Shen Shiyan, as he had been utterly shocked earlier. At the court, the only ones who could speak with Yu Wenquan and were considered kin to Shen Wuzheng were—
Upon realizing this, Shang Ruyi was momentarily relieved, and she turned to climb into the carriage that had long been waiting for her. "Let’s go back."
The coachman responded, snapped the whip, and the carriage immediately left the Shen Mansion, heading towards the Duke Mansion.
Along the way, Shang Ruyi temporarily put her mind at ease but was still preoccupied. Although she never doubted Shen Wuzheng’s capability and firmly believed that no matter what position he held, he would excel in it, the position of Weibei Road Marching Secretary was clearly a preparation for an imminent conflict—
Taiyuan?
So, her long-held apprehension was about to materialize?
But why assign Shen Wuzheng such a position? Based on her view of Shen Wuzheng’s future, her strategic-minded brother should be staying in the court as a civil servant. Even if he couldn’t rise too high now, there were many practical, unobtrusive positions available within the Six Ministries.
What exactly was that recommending person thinking?
With a bit of worry lingering in her heart, the constant gentle jolts of the carriage seemed to amplify it. Nearly an hour later, she finally returned to the Yuwen Mansion.
Upon stepping out of the carriage, she saw Tushere waiting inside the gate, who greeted her with joy as soon as she saw her.
"Miss!"
Shang Ruyi shook her head.
Tushere, realizing her own lack of composure upon seeing her mistress’s reproachful gaze, immediately composed herself and respectfully bowed, "Princess."
Only then did Shang Ruyi walk over, looking down at Tushere and saying, "In the future, you must not forget yourself in front of others."
Tushere quickly responded, "I understand, my lady."
Noticing that Shang Ruyi’s eyes were still smiling, she felt relieved. The two had grown up together and shared a bond different from others. No matter how high Shang Ruyi stood, she couldn’t do without this immature but devoted girl by her side.
She smiled and asked, "Why are you waiting here?"
Tushere accompanied her inside while complaining, "I didn’t know until yesterday that the Princess had returned to the Shen Family. I should have gone with her to serve. How can the Princess be without attendants? I do miss the master, madam, and the young master too."
Shang Ruyi laughed, "Do you want to serve me, or do you just want to see them?"
Tushere stuck out her tongue and giggled, "Hehe."
Shang Ruyi playfully gave her a stern look and shook her head with a smile. After lamenting, Tushere composed herself again and was about to say something more, but before she could, she saw a familiar figure approaching. It was Aunt Hui, dressed in a dark red brocade jacket with ritualistic patterns, her hair neatly combed and adorned with numerous gems and jewels not usually seen.
Her entire noble appearance was startling to Shang Ruyi.
It was this grandeur that gave her an imposing presence. When she looked at Shang Ruyi, a trace of nearly undisguised malice flashed in her eyes.
Of course, that malice vanished in an instant.
Even though it was fleeting, Shang Ruyi keenly caught it, not to mention even without Aunt Hui’s expression, just from Yu Wenqian’s demotion from Crown Prince to Han King, she understood that Aunt Hui and Duke Shenwu, along with Yu Dingxing, who openly showed shock and anger in court, and Yu Mingyue behind him, must have been so upset they didn’t sleep well all night.
Thinking about it this way, having had a good night’s sleep last night really wasn’t a loss.
At this thought, Shang Ruyi put on a full smile and said to Aunt Hui, who also had a full smile on her face, "Aunt Hui, good morning."
Aunt Hui walked over and respectfully bowed to her, "Greetings, Princess Qin."
Shang Ruyi quickly replied, "Aunt Hui, there’s no need for such formality."
Aunt Hui chuckled, "Etiquette cannot be discarded, and moreover, starting today, this old one will enter the palace to serve Your Majesty. Naturally, I must uphold etiquette by His Majesty’s side."
"..."
"Also wishing that Prince Qin and Princess Qin will not forget—the principles of loyalty between ruler and minister, and the order between young and old."
"Of course."
"Then I shall take my leave."
With that, she waved her hand and led a group of servants towards the other side, clearly busy with moving the entire Duke Mansion’s belongings into the palace. Shang Ruyi watched her retreating figure for a long while, slowly withdrawing her smile from her face, as a deeper gloom arose in her eyes.
Walking back, Tushere commented, "This Aunt Hui is just going to the palace to be a Chief Lady. Yet, look at her pride, she’s even become rude when speaking with the little— with the Princess."
Shang Ruyi said, "She has never been courteous."
"..."
"Moreover, now that she’s no longer serving Duke Sheng but His Majesty, being so close to His Majesty, anything can be discussed, anything can be done."
"..."
"We must be even more cautious with her than in the past."
Hearing this, Tushere frowned and thought it over, somewhat understanding, "Does the Princess mean that when everyone lived in the Duke Mansion, we saw each other often and were closer; but after entering the palace, His Highness Prince Qin and the Princess live in different palaces from His Majesty, so we have fewer chances to meet, making it harder to get close. If she wishes to instigate something, it becomes easier, right?"
Shang Ruyi gave her a look and smiled, "You catch on quickly."
Tushere was about to smile when Shang Ruyi added, "Moreover, it’s not just that simple."
"What else?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"Living in the Duke Mansion is the Yuwen Family; moving into the palace means serving the Heavenly Family."
"..."
"She’er, you must be more cautious with your words and actions in the future, because in the palace, even a small mistake is not just punished by a beating or confinement—it could cost your life."
Hearing this, a more serious expression appeared on Tushere’s face.
She gritted her teeth, showing a determined face and said, "This servant will be cautious, willing to die rather than cause trouble for the Princess."
Shang Ruyi smiled slightly.
As they spoke, the two continued to walk back. After a few steps, Tushere remembered something and said, "Oh, Princess, today—"
Before she could finish, they had already reached the courtyard door.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw several boxes in the spacious yard, all sealed with labels. It was clear they were packed the day before and were to be sent to the palace. Just as they were looking, they saw the door in front open and Chang Wan stepped out of the room.
Turning around and seeing Shang Ruyi and Tushere, joy flashed in Chang Wan’s eyes, and she immediately came forward to bow, "This servant greets the Princess."
Shang Ruyi smiled and nodded, then glanced at Tushere, implying she should notice how quick-witted Chang Wan was, causing Tushere to lower her head in grievance. Only then did Shang Ruyi say, "Did you pack all these? You’ve worked hard."
"The Princess speaks too highly of me. How dare this servant speak of hardship, moreover,"
Chang Wan looked up at Shang Ruyi and said softly, "In fact, all these were packed by His Highness Prince Qin last night."
"Hmm?"
Shang Ruyi frowned upon hearing this, "He packed them?"
"Yes, this servant only got up this morning to seal and carry them out."
"Did he pack all these things alone?"
"Yes."
"Until when did he pack?"
"This servant doesn’t know, only saw that the lamp in the room seemed to stay lit all night."
"..."
For some reason, even though staying up late for work or battle was ordinary for Yu Wenye, his body unfazed by a night or two without sleep, staying up all last night left Shang Ruyi feeling an inexplicable unease.
She thought for a moment and motioned for Chang Wan to leave, then walked to the door herself.
Taking a deep breath at the door, she was about to reach out to push it open when she heard a creaking sound, and the door opened from inside.
A note, thrown out carelessly like garbage, landed outside.
