Shen Wuzheng shook his head and said, "Silly girl, do you really think I have foreknowledge?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Uh."

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, and when she met Shen Wuzheng’s smiling eyes, she suddenly realized—yes, even she, having gone through such experiences, couldn’t know everything, let alone someone else?

Perhaps Shen Wuzheng was astute about many things, but he was ultimately not an immortal.

Shang Ruyi murmured, "Since we don’t know, then—"

Shen Wuzheng said, "Although we don’t know what disaster the appearance of the comet foretells, disaster is the root of all matters. So I think what we should pay attention to is, instead, this."

"..."

"Perhaps this is our turning point."

Disaster can become a turning point?

Shang Ruyi felt like this seemed like a wild tale, but the person who said this was Shen Wuzheng. She knew he wouldn’t speak without basis, much less joke about her father’s life.

After a long silence, she murmured, "I hope, so..."

Seeing her still somewhat bewildered expression, Shen Wuzheng didn’t say much more. He just looked up and met Yu Wenye’s gaze. Both seemed to have a deep, similar emotion in their eyes, yet they remained silent.

At that moment, a maid from Yu’s side approached and softly said, "Young Master Yu Wen, our lady requests to speak with you inside."

"Hmm?"

The people in the hall were taken aback.

Shang Ruyi widened her eyes in surprise. Yu had always only been close to herself. Even if she wanted to meet someone alone for a conversation, it would be to call her, so why was she calling Yu Wenye?

Yu Wenye was evidently also surprised, "Your lady?"

"Yes."

"..."

Yu Wenye hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright." He then turned back to Shang Ruyi, "I’ll be right back."

Shang Ruyi nodded, watching him follow the maid into the courtyard. Only when Yu Wenye’s silhouette disappeared through the side door did she slowly withdraw her gaze, somewhat dazed. Shen Wuzheng turned to her and, as if understanding something, softly comforted, "Perhaps Mother has something specific to discuss with him. Don’t worry."

"Hmm."

In truth, Shang Ruyi wasn’t worried.

No matter how people and events in this world change, there are some things she can always trust—in them, her aunt and Shen Wuzheng.

And Yu Wenye.

So even if there are things she doesn’t understand, she isn’t overly concerned.

Seeing her expression relax, Shen Wuzheng thought for a moment and then asked, "By the way, Ruyi, I heard that during your trip to Fufeng, there were some rumors about an epidemic. Is that true? Who fell ill?"

Shang Ruyi replied, "It was Feng Chen. Brother, you didn’t know?"

"I only heard some vague rumors on the streets, but I’d rather hear the specifics from you."

"He did indeed fall ill, and..."

Shang Ruyi proceeded to recount their experiences in Fufeng to Shen Wuzheng. As he listened to the harrowing scenes of the soldiers building the gruesome Capital mound and Yu Wenye’s subsequent serious illness, Shen Wuzheng’s expression grew increasingly grave. When Shang Ruyi finished speaking, he merely furrowed his brows in silence, as if deep in thought.

Shang Ruyi said, "Brother?"

Shen Wuzheng snapped back to reality, looked up at her, and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Shang Ruyi smiled and shook her head.

Shen Wuzheng continued, "And that Princely Heir—"

When Yu Wenqian was mentioned, Shang Ruyi’s eyes dimmed slightly. In truth, even now, Yu Wenqian seemed not to have acted against them. Not only that, before their expedition to Fufeng, he had gone to great lengths to dissuade them due to Yu Wenye’s health issues. After arriving in Fufeng, he had even provided her with the convenient veil; although he didn’t participate in the Fufeng conflict, during the most critical battle, it was still him who stood shoulder to shoulder with her, defending the Fufeng City Gate with a single arrow.

In careful consideration, he seemed to have provided more help than harm.

But for some reason, the mere mention of him inevitably caused a heaviness in Shang Ruyi’s heart. Perhaps it was because she could never fully discern the hidden emotions in those clear, gray eyes.

Or perhaps, her guilt triggered an opposing emotion?

After all, to him, she was always—

"Ruyi?"

Just when Shang Ruyi’s emotions threatened to spiral out of control, Shen Wuzheng’s gentle voice drifted into her ears, calling her back to her senses. Shang Ruyi raised her head to meet his concerned eyes, "What’s the matter? What are you thinking?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Shang Ruyi shook her head, returning to her usual demeanor, "Brother, you asked just a moment ago—"

Seeing her complexion, a faint light flickered in Shen Wuzheng’s eyes. He shook his head and smiled, "It’s nothing now."

In fact, Shang Ruyi didn’t like discussing Yu Wenqian with others, given that when it came to him, there was so much she needed to keep hidden. If she slipped, things would become even harder to resolve. So hearing Shen Wuzheng change the subject was a relief. But after pondering for a moment, she asked, "By the way, brother, when we arrived earlier, I saw several people outside the door. There was Minister Lu from the Ministry of War, and that Doctor Wen who was acquainted with Uncle."

"I know."

"Their purpose for coming—"

Shen Wuzheng’s eyes carried a hint of a smile. Although there was a touch of coldness, when directed at Shang Ruyi, it unconsciously softened, "What do you think?"

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "They want to save Uncle—not just that."

"..."

Although Yu Wenquan and Yu Wenye had made it very clear yesterday, regarding the matter of Shen Shiyan declaring the word ’criminal’ to deceive the Emperor, the court ministers were unlikely to publicly petition to protect him. Doing so would signal the Emperor that many supported him, possibly forming a faction or conspiracy, and the Emperor would not show Shen Shiyan any leniency.

But all this is said on the surface.

In everyone’s heart, what should be done and what they will think is not something the Emperor can control.

As for what Shen Shiyan said this time, whether intentionally or unintentionally, there must be those who internally agree, and indeed, countless people have already thought of this—so, after he did this thing, many people came to the doorstep.

They are also looking for ways, not just to save Shen Shiyan’s life.

Probably, they also want to seize this opportunity to accomplish something.

That is—

The atmosphere within the hall grew increasingly heavy, as if a suffocating pressure lingered in that heaviness.

And just when Shang Ruyi was finding it hard to breathe, her chest seemingly weighed down by a massive stone, a hand rested on her shoulder. The fingers were long and though not as robust and strong as those of a military general, they contained a gentle strength. Just a light touch seemed to ease the burden off her heart in an instant.

Looking up, it was Shen Wuzheng.

Only to hear him speak gently, "Don’t worry too much."

"..."

"No matter the size of the problem, I’m here."

Hearing him say this, Shang Ruyi immediately felt warmth in her heart, suddenly feeling as though even the greatest difficulties pressing down need not worry her.

So she nodded gently, "Mm."

The two discussed for a while longer before Yu Wenye came out from the backyard. Although his face showed no emotion, when he returned to Shang Ruyi’s side, she still sensed that his gaze was even more solemn than before.

Just as she wanted to ask him—what did Aunt say to you? But before she could speak, Yu Wenye said, "It’s getting late, we should be heading back."

"Ah?"

Shang Ruyi turned to glance, indeed, it was almost noon.

Ordinarily, she might have wanted to stay and dine with Aunt and Shen Wuzheng, but today clearly lacked such an atmosphere. Shen Wuzheng also said, "I won’t be keeping you for lunch today."

Shang Ruyi nodded and stood up with Yu Wenye, only letting Shen Wuzheng bid farewell to Yu on her behalf, then left.

Outside the door, it seemed someone had just been turned away.

The wind still carried a trace of heaviness and loss, and that sensation clung to Shang Ruyi as she boarded the carriage and slowly left Shen Mansion. She couldn’t help but sigh lightly, worry once again crawling onto her brow.

Even if she knew this was intentionally done by Uncle, resolving it remained a major issue.

As for what Shen Wuzheng said, turning crisis into opportunity...

How is it so easy?

In this world, only immortals can turn disasters into opportunities.

Thinking of this, she sighed heavily again.

At this moment, a warm figure gently leaned in, causing Shang Ruyi to startle. Turning her head, she met Yu Wenye’s deep eyes, and he looked down at her, saying, "Now, is there anywhere you want to go?"

"..."

"Wherever you want to go, I’ll accompany you."

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked at him, silent for a while, then gently shook her head and said, "I don’t want to go anywhere. Let’s go home."

Yu Wenye raised his eyebrows slightly.

With no other instructions, the coachman naturally continued towards Yuwen Mansion. Neither of them spoke again, and the carriage fell into a somewhat strange silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Wenye finally spoke gravely, "I thought you would want to enter the palace to beg for help."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s lowered lashes trembled slightly, making her gaze seem to flicker.

She remained silent for a while before shaking her head and saying, "I won’t."

Yu Wenye looked down at her, "Why?"

Shang Ruyi said, "When seeking help, you must consider the other’s attitude."

"..."

"Especially—her."

"..."

"If she doesn’t want to give me a chance—just like yesterday, she may not be unaware of what happened in Liangyi Hall, but she said nothing more and merely let us leave the palace—then even if I want to ask her now, there’s nowhere to turn for help."

"..."

"But if she wants to give me a chance, even without me asking, she will find ways for me to do so."

Yu Wenye looked at her, his gaze deepened.

He said, "Then, if she gives you a chance, will you ask her?"

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.

After a long silence, she raised her head to look at Yu Wenye, her gaze deep as if an unmoving pool of still water, yet stirred by her chaotic emotions into a slight ripple.

She said, "Do you want me to ask her?"