Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 795 - 603: What "close relation" would recommend Shen Wuzheng?_2
Xue Daotong then smiled and said, "Your Majesty asked me to inquire, when are Prince Qin and Princess going to enter the palace?"
"..."
"Everything in the palace has been arranged properly."
Mentioning this, Yu Wenye’s expression darkened slightly as he glanced at Shang Ruyi. He was about to explain her need to stay another day at the Duke Mansion to return to the Shang Family tomorrow, but then Xue Daotong smiled again and said, "Your Majesty intends to host a royal banquet tomorrow to honor those credited with managing the epidemic, among whom Prince Qin and Princess have made significant contributions. Naturally, they must attend. So, please make sure to enter the palace today and prepare early."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
Yu Wenquan insisted that they must enter the palace today.
This was not a Holy Decree, just Xue Daotong relaying a message, but a message from the Emperor carried almost the same weight as a decree.
At such a time, she——
Yu Wenye pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Xue, please report back to my father, I will naturally enter the palace as soon as possible. It’s just that Ruyi——"
Before he could finish, Shang Ruyi immediately said, "I’ll enter the palace together with my second brother."
"..."
Yu Wenye furrowed his brow and turned to look at her.
Xue Daotong, being sharp-eyed, noticed the unusual expression between the two and cautiously asked, "Does Prince Qin and Princess have other important matters to attend to?"
Shang Ruyi hastily replied, "No, the summons from father is the most important."
"..."
"Other matters can wait."
Yu Wenye quietly looked at her, the turbulence in his eyes quickly settled into calmness. After a moment of silence, he smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Indeed, the summons from father is, of course, the most important."
After speaking, he raised his head to look at Xue Daotong and said, "Please inform father that we’ll depart immediately."
Xue Daotong glanced at him and then Shang Ruyi, refraining from further inquiries. He clasped his hands in a formal salute, smiled, and said, "Very well, I shall go at once."
With that, he turned and left.
The two of them watched his figure disappear beyond the courtyard before slowly turning back, exchanging a glance. However, unlike moments before when they shared a common thought, their eyes connecting with warmth, now, upon meeting Yu Wenye’s frost-chilled gaze, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but feel a chill seeping into her bones.
She instinctively asked, "What’s the matter?"
"..."
Yu Wenye looked at her for a while, then only lightly said, "Nothing."
After that, he turned his head away, remaining silent for a moment, before again whispering as if to himself, "Nothing."
Then, without waiting for Shang Ruyi to say anything else, he had already raised his head and called out to the outside, "Someone, change clothes, prepare the carriage, we’re entering the palace!"
At his command, the servants immediately busied themselves.
Some came in to load the accumulated boxes and bundles from the courtyard onto the carriage outside, while Chang Wan and Tushere hurriedly assisted the two in changing their clothes. Although they were not luxuriously ornate formal attire, this moment marked their first entry into the imperial palace as Prince Qin and Princess Qin, so their garments couldn’t be too casual.
After changing into formal robes, Tushere opened the box and took out some exquisite jewelry for Shang Ruyi to wear.
Once everything was ready, the two left the Duke Mansion and boarded the carriage.
Along with them were Aunt Hui and others, except for a few left to guard the Duke Mansion. A large number from the mansion, having received their rewards, continued to serve at the palace, creating a somewhat grand procession that departed from Longqing Square, traveling for over half an hour, finally arriving at the Imperial Palace.
This time, unlike previous occasions where they entered through Hanguang Gate, they arrived at Xuanwu Gate.
Though it wasn’t their first time passing through here, the familiar yet heart-beating-stopping exhilaration once again overwhelmed Shang Ruyi, especially as the carriage halted at Xuanwu Gate and they needed to walk through it into the inner palace. Her complexion was as pale as a sheet.
However, due to the crowd and everyone’s first time here, excitement mixed with trepidation over the towering, imposing Xuanwu Gate left no one noticing the silent and sweating Princess Qin with her head bowed.
Until a hand reached out, hesitated for a moment, then grasped hers.
The warmth and solidity of that hand transmitted a signal, allowing Shang Ruyi—who was on the verge of suffocation—to breathe anew, as though her soul was returning to her body. She shivered violently and quickly raised her head.
It was Yu Wenye beside her.
Though holding her hand, his eyes weren’t on her; even his stern face remained expressionless, staring blankly ahead.
It was as if he didn’t care about her at all.
In that moment, Shang Ruyi didn’t know his intentions, but the warmth and reassurance from his palm were real, prompting her to subconsciously form a slight smile at Yu Wenye.
Yet, once past Xuanwu Gate, Yu Wenye withdrew his hand.
The sudden absence of warmth after being enveloped by his hand brought forth a chill sharper than before. Shang Ruyi’s fingers spasmed uneasily, instinctively looking back at him.
She saw Yu Wenye’s gaze slightly flicker towards the front.
Soon, the people around made some soft exclamations. As if sensing something, she quickly looked ahead, only to see a graceful, resplendent figure standing there in the center of the avenue. Such a peerless beauty was breathtaking.
It was Chu Ruoyan!
