"Elder brother!"

Without waiting for Yu Wenqian to finish his words, Shang Ruyi had already urgently spoken.

However, at the very moment she spoke, Yu Wenqian also stopped abruptly. His words were cut off right at the last character, while Shang Ruyi’s urgent whisper seemed to complete the sentence.

Shang Ruyi’s heart instantly sank.

She felt as if she was walking step by step into a trap set by someone else.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but clench her fist. Yet, the burning pain all over her body made it impossible to concentrate. If earlier amidst the fire, she endured flames scorching her body and could tolerate the pain, the truly unbearable was just this moment—the flames were burning within her heart.

After a long silence, Shang Ruyi finally whispered, "Elder brother, I..."

Yu Wenqian, with a calm demeanor and only a faint smile in his bluish-gray eyes, looked at her.

He calmly said, "You don’t need to mind what I just said. Actually, I just wanted to tell you, you have protected your husband very well."

"..."

"I am happy for my second brother."

Your husband...

My second brother...

These two titles made Shang Ruyi’s heartbeat even heavier.

She herself understood, no matter her status as the daughter-in-law of the Duke Mansion or Yu Wenye’s wife, she might have various mentalities facing the Duke’s heir, her husband’s elder brother. But when they were alone, she could only be Shang Ruyi, facing only Yu Wenqian.

Their relationship had only one kind, just like Yu Wenqian’s words back then—

You, Shang Ruyi, have wronged me, Yu Wenqian!

Their relationship was completely nailed by this sentence. No matter what happened or what will happen in the future, Shang Ruyi could never face him calmly.

After a long silence again, Shang Ruyi finally whispered, "I’m sorry—"

But this time, Yu Wenqian interrupted her: "Let’s talk about the matter at hand."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heartbeat sank once more.

Yes, the matter at hand.

Yu Wenqian had just said he had dismissed everyone else so the two could speak alone because there was a matter to discuss with her.

But now, Shang Ruyi’s mind was beginning to become chaotic.

Though they had only been alone twice, she could clearly feel that the man before her, who seemed calm and collected, was indeed a master manipulator of people’s minds, able to easily strum the heartstrings of others and control their emotions. At this moment, her joys and sorrows were completely manipulated by him.

Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and said, "Please speak, elder brother."

Yu Wenqian said, "Do you remember my previous request, sister-in-law?"

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was puzzled—request? What request?

Facing her somewhat bewildered expression, Yu Wenqian faintly smiled again and said, "During your time at the Duke Mansion, I once told you, I was worried about Feng Chen’s health and hoped he wouldn’t go to Fufeng."

"..."

"But, sister-in-law didn’t agree with my view and insisted on accompanying him here."

"..."

"Many days have passed, and my feeling then is still the same. What about you, sister-in-law?"

"..."

"Do you still stick to your previous view now?"

Shang Ruyi’s heartbeat gradually sped up, her breath becoming short, but the expression on her face turned calm, her brows slightly knitted, and after contemplating for a long time, she said, "Elder brother is hoping I will take Feng Chen away from Fufeng?"

Yu Wenqian said, "I hope Feng Chen has a chance to be saved."

"..."

Shang Ruyi was speechless.

To be fair, Yu Wenqian’s proposal at this time would indeed be beneficial to Yu Wenye because Fufeng is a place frequent with battles. Not only is there a capital made of rotting corpses outside the city, but also Xue Xian eyeing fiercely. His staying here is not good for his illness.

Moreover, his illness—

Thinking of this illness made Shang Ruyi furrow her brows. Until now, there is still no effective medication, and Yu Wenye has been sick for the fifth day now. From He Wenzhu’s diagnosis, if no medicine is found soon, he might not make it through.

Therefore, they indeed should quickly take Yu Wenye away from Fufeng to seek a chance for him to live.

But—

Shang Ruyi suddenly took a deep breath, calming herself down.

The battle of Fufeng is so important to Yu Wenye, though he didn’t say, Shang Ruyi who knows about the change of ownership of Daxing City couldn’t be ignorant. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Just like the earlier strategy against Wanggang Village, Yu Wenye was right—he needs this achievement.

Whether it’s the one from Wanggang Village or the battle of Fufeng.

But now, Yu Wenye having defeated Xue Xian in two battles and frustrated the enemy’s morale, has fought the greatest chance for Fufeng. As long as they wait for a few more days until the Longxi Army’s supplies run low and their morale weakens, and then attack, if they can defeat the Longxi Army, Fufeng’s siege could be broken!

And now, wanting to make him leave Fufeng?!

If Fufeng falls afterward, the failure can be attributed to him, but if Fufeng holds on, it would have nothing to do with him.

Wouldn’t that mean handing over all previous achievements?

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a chill down her spine—could this be the reason why Yu Wenqian inexplicably mentioned the previous sentence? Knowing what would make her feel guilty, after suppressing her emotions, discussing Yu Wenye’s departure from Fufeng would make it hard for her to persist?

With this thought, Shang Ruyi looked up at him.

She met a pair of almost transparent, clear eyes devoid of any shadows.

Those clear eyes suddenly made Shang Ruyi feel a bit lost and clueless. Was she overthinking, or was the other person hiding too well?

As her mind was in turmoil, the natural curve of Yu Wenqian’s lips deepened.

He said, "Sister-in-law, have you finished thinking?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi remained silent for a long time, then suddenly looked up at him and said, "Why did elder brother suddenly come to Fufeng this time? Back in Daxing, elder brother only didn’t want Feng Chen to go to war, but did not mention coming to Fufeng."

Yu Wenqian said, "Because of Feng Chen’s illness."

Shang Ruyi’s eyes slightly shook: "Elder brother came because he knew Feng Chen was ill?"

"Yes."

"How did elder brother know Feng Chen was ill?"

Yu Wenqian gazed at her, faintly smiled, and said, "Sister-in-law doesn’t know? When the General is out fighting, after each battle, they must write military reports to be sent back to the Ministry of War, that’s where I found out."

"Ministry of War?"

Shang Ruyi’s brow furrowed again, Yu Wenqian said, "I am currently working in the Ministry of War."

"..."

Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.

No wonder he came so quickly.

But—

Shang Ruyi pondered for a moment, then said, "Since elder brother heard about Feng Chen’s illness and came, then—elder brother, did you bring any medicine for Feng Chen with you?"