Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Although there was no court assembly today, Yu Wenquan didn’t slack off either. He rose early, practiced a set of boxing, had a simple meal of soup and cakes, and then continued to write intently at his desk, the reports piling up into two large stacks. It wasn’t until nearly noon that he lifted his head, instantly feeling his neck stiff to the point of nearly locking.

"Ouch..."

He gave a soft cry, and the eunuch Liu Yu, who was attending him, quickly stepped forward to help him sit up, gently massaging his shoulders to relax his muscles.

Yu Wenquan moved his neck and asked, "Has Yu Mingli returned?"

Liu Yu replied, "Eunuch Yu hasn’t returned yet."

Yu Wenquan paused for a moment and then said, "Bring me some tea."

Liu Yu hurriedly went to brew a cup of tea for him, cautiously holding it up, Yu Wenquan took a sip, but the aroma did not disperse the gloom in his heart, nor did it ease his tightly furrowed brow. After pondering for a while, he took another sip and then handed the teacup to Liu Yu. Just as he was about to pick up his pen to continue reviewing the memorials, he felt his wrist ache unbearably, causing him to frown and rub his wrist.

"Getting old..."

Hearing him mutter in such a manner, Liu Yu immediately said, "Emperor, this is nonsense. Throughout the palace, there’s not a single other person more vigorous than the Emperor."

Yu Wenquan smiled bitterly, "Almost fifty, vigorous indeed..."

Just then, someone from outside reported that Concubine Zhang and Chief Palace Han wished to see him.

Yu Wenquan said, "Let them in."

As he spoke, he rotated his neck and wrist again and finally felt his shoulder and wrist somewhat loosened. Looking up, he saw Zhang Yuping and Han Yuhui walk in, both bowing to him. Yu Wenquan waved his hand for them to rise and then said, "Why have you both come together, is something the matter?"

Zhang Yuping immediately stepped forward and said, "I have been discussing with Chief Palace Han about the Emperor’s birthday celebration next month, and we’ve drafted a booklet detailing the celebration’s events, the list of invited guests, and the items to be used. We ask the Emperor to review it."

After speaking, she handed over the booklet in her hands.

Yu Wenquan accepted it and flipped through a couple of pages, saying, "I’ve already said not to make it too extravagant, you all..."

Though he said this, his tone was not entirely rejecting it, especially when reading about inviting emissaries from the Western Regions and sea countries to celebrate. He couldn’t help but recall the poem Yu Mingyue composed before — "The Nine Heavens open the palace gates, all nations bow with crowns to admire the splendor." This should be the greatest hope of all emperors through the ages. It was this poem that had slightly changed his view of Yu Mingyue, but when it fell upon himself, he was still somewhat hesitant.

Han Yuhui cheerfully said, "Emperor, please see the items listed in the booklet, they are quite frugal."

He said, "Still, it’s not right."

"..."

"Actually, I’ve been hesitating about whether to hold this birthday celebration."

Zhang Yuping hurriedly said, "How can the Emperor’s fiftieth birthday not be celebrated? What would that look like if spread around?"

Yu Wenquan said, "I was thinking that the Eastern Capital is still engaged in war, and for me to celebrate my birthday so grandly, what would the soldiers at the front think?"

Zhang Yuping and Han Yuhui exchanged a glance, and Zhang Yuping quickly said, "The Emperor’s fiftieth birthday must be celebrated properly, it can’t just pass by casually. Moreover, the soldiers at the front fighting are also doing so for the Emperor and the Dasheng Dynasty. If the court does not show any gesture on the Emperor’s birthday, how can we display the prestige and dominance of our Dynasty?"

Yu Wenquan looked at her, and his gaze seemed somewhat softened.

Han Yuhui also said, "Prince Qin is known for his valor. Leading the army this time, if in a month he can capture Luoyang for the Emperor, it would indeed be a cause for celebration. Isn’t the Emperor’s birthday a great opportunity for this?"

Zhang Yuping immediately said, "Indeed, Prince Qin, with his filial piety, will surely take Luoyang for the Emperor within a month!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s gaze flickered even more intensely.

Yu Wenye had been leading the troops for over a month, and although he had originally intended to send an additional supervisor to the army, after much consideration, he abandoned the idea. Despite the rift between them after the Longmen Crossing battle, he was still very aware of his son’s military prowess and knew well that without him, the Yu Wen Family wouldn’t have been able to establish themselves with military achievements in such chaotic times and wouldn’t have inherited the Da Ye Dynasty’s legacy.

Hence, he strongly believed that Yu Wenye could capture Luoyang.

However, with no news from the front, he was completely unaware of the situation on the Luoyang front, leaving him somewhat passive and unable to decide whether to send reinforcements to Xiazhou.

If, as Zhang Yuping and Han Yuhui said, Yu Wenye could indeed capture Luoyang before his birthday, it would be wonderful.

If not...

Yu Wenquan sighed softly, saying, "You two shouldn’t talk too much about this. The battlefield is ever-changing and cannot be controlled merely by human wishes."

Both exchanged a glance and immediately said, "Yes."

While Yu Wenquan continued reading the following sequence without further objection, suddenly a little eunuch appeared outside the Liangyi Hall, peering inside with a somewhat anxious expression. Liu Yu saw this and immediately went out to meet him, the two speaking quietly at the door.

Yu Wenquan glanced up and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Liu Yu quickly returned and said, "Emperor, news has come from Chengqian Hall that Princess Qin wishes to see the Emperor."

"Her?"

Upon mentioning Shang Ruyi, a complex expression appeared on Yu Wenquan’s face. He set down the booklet, paused for a moment, then said, "Why does she want to see me? The matter hasn’t been clarified yet. If it’s still about the talk from a few days ago, there’s no need for her to repeat it."

Liu Yu immediately said, "I’ll go convey the message."

He was about to leave when he heard Yu Wenquan’s voice calling from behind, "Wait."

Liu Yu stopped, and Yu Wenquan lowered his head in thought for a moment and then said, "Bring her in; I also want to hear what she has to say after these past two days."

"Yes," Liu Yu replied and turned to leave.

Yu Wenquan then instructed the two little eunuchs in the hall to separate the reviewed and unreviewed memorials and clear the desk. After everything was tidied up, Liu Yu returned with several people.

At the forefront was Shang Ruyi.

But behind her were not only Tushere, who had been taking care of her at Chengqian Hall but also several others from Jinyu Garden, including Chu Ruoyan. Moreover, the little palace maid Wo Xue held a pale-faced little eunuch in hand, kneeling outside the door.

Yu Wenquan was momentarily stunned, "What’s going on? Why are you all here together?"