Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 824 - 620: You’re Not the Only One Who Protects Family

At this moment, Yu Wenye’s finger suddenly paused, then sharply swiped left from Fukou Pass, pointing decisively on Yicheng.

He lifted his head and said to Yu Wenqian, "Imperial Brother, I choose here."

"...!?"

This took everyone in the assembly hall by surprise.

No one expected that at the last moment, he would change his mind; just moments ago, his focus was on the eastern line, but he suddenly chose the western line.

Even the usually composed and steady Yu Wenqian couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly at this.

He looked at Yu Wenye’s flickering yet serious eyes, then at the worrisome Yicheng he pointed to on the map, and after a long silence, he said, "Second Brother, are you certain?"

Yu Wenye said, "Yes."

"..."

Yu Wenqian watched him for a while, then smiled lightly and said, "I thought with Second Brother’s personality, you would definitely choose the eastern line."

Yu Wenye replied, "Imperial Brother, don’t misunderstand. My choice of the western line isn’t out of fear of difficulty."

Yu Wenqian smiled and said, "I never thought so."

Yu Wenye nodded, stepped forward, looked at a few fortresses on the eastern line, especially Jingxing Pass near Jinzhong, and said with a deep voice, "Apart from Yanmen County, actually in the past, when I followed Father in the Dragon Gate campaigns, I had several encounters with the Turkic. They are familiar with my tactics. If it were a regular battle, I could still fight, but this matter concerns the safety of Taiyuan, and I can’t take that risk."

"I see."

"Moreover, on this expedition, I have mostly light cavalry who can move flexibly in the mountains and reach Yicheng the fastest to rescue Third Brother."

As he spoke, he glanced at the map, focusing on the western line where Yu Wencheng was trapped in a gorge, then turned to look at the swirling snowflakes outside the assembly hall, illuminated by firelight.

He said solemnly, "Third Brother may only be able to hold on for two more days."

"...!?"

Yu Wenqian’s eyes darkened.

Although Yu Wencheng was besieged by Wang Shaoji’s troops, and even Chu Zhengfei’s forces sent to assist him were beaten back, it’s true that he couldn’t hold on much longer, but why did Yu Wenye clearly state—only two days?

What reason is there for this?

However, he didn’t ask further, just pondered for a moment, and his smile gradually faded, replaced by a heavier expression as he said to Yu Wenye, "In that case, I’ll leave the western line—leave Third Brother’s safety in your hands, Second Brother."

Yu Wenye replied, "Please rest assured, Imperial Brother!"

After speaking, the two nodded to each other and turned back, facing the various expressions of people in the hall, especially those standing behind them.

Particularly Yu Mingyue and Shang Ruyi.

Yu Mingyue’s brow furrowed slightly as if she was also surprised by Yu Wenye’s choice, but upon closer inspection, although her radiant face was clearly illuminated by the lamplight, it showed no hint of emotion.

After exchanging glances with Yu Wenqian, her gaze returned to Shang Ruyi, sitting opposite her.

It wasn’t until this moment that she faintly smiled.

Meanwhile, Shang Ruyi’s thoughts were in disarray.

Yu Wenye—chose the western line?

She couldn’t claim to fully understand this man, just as his inexplicable mix of apparent hostility and an unquenchable fury towards her often left her puzzled, and now, his choice surprised her even more.

Though everyone knew Yu Wenye was ambitious for power and status, otherwise, he wouldn’t have demanded Yu Wenquan exchange the Crown Prince title for his help back then; had they not offered, he might have refused to act. Ultimately, it was at that critical moment he stepped up, reclaiming an opportunity in the struggle for the Crown Prince’s position.

Yet, the current situation seemed too simple.

So simple, it felt as if the other side had set a trap for them to fall into.

Because from the surface, choosing the western line did seem much easier, but this "ease" was apparent to anyone, and if Yu Wenqian wanted to secure the Crown Prince position, he wouldn’t have let Yu Wenye choose first.

Moreover, this "ease" was likely orchestrated for them to see.

After all, when they passed Tongguan, they discovered Yu Mingyue had piled gunpowder and nitrate in the valley to harm Yu Wenye, but later, when they asked Chu Zhengfei whether anyone had transported such materials across the pass, he instantly denied it.