Chapter 1307 - 983: Yu Wenye’s Battle Report!

Shang Ruyi felt as if her heart was pricked by a needle upon hearing this.

Sun Xianyue’s Sword Dance was graceful and elegant, possessing a worldly demeanor. Even if the resemblance with Chu Yang was just a figment of her imagination, a swordsman so passionate, resolute, and unafraid of authority, if truly gravely injured and maimed, it would be heartbreaking.

Tushere also let out a painful "oh no" upon hearing this, saying, "He won’t be crippled, will he?"

Chang Wan glanced at her, shook her head gently, and said, "I used all the medicine given by Doctor Su on him, so he should be alright for now. But if he’s kept imprisoned, or further tortured without medical attention, it may turn bad soon."

Shang Ruyi frowned and sighed, "He got implicated because of me."

Tushere and Chang Wan hurriedly exclaimed, "Princess, please don’t say that!"

Shang Ruyi shook her head, saying, "As the Princess Qin, from the day I married into the Yuwen Family, it was destined that I would face these things, naturally without regret. But he could have lived as a carefree wandering hermit, uninvolved in worldly affairs. Had he not been set up to frame me, he wouldn’t have been implicated and schemed against, right?"

"Princess, you’re mistaken,"

Wo Xue entered at this moment, saying softly, "Sun Xianyue dared to enter the palace to perform, to plead for the Pei Family, surely aware of the dangers involved?"

"..."

"But he still came, that was his own choice. Princess, please do not feel sorrow for his decision."

Shang Ruyi was somewhat surprised that she would speak at this time, yet the gloom in her heart couldn’t be dispelled. She simply responded softly, "I know he chose it himself, but if it weren’t for me, he also—"

Wo Xue quickly said, "He entered the palace to perform for the Pei Family’s plea, and Han Yuhui already knew about it."

"Mm."

"Now, how could Han Yuhui possibly let him speak before the imperial court? She wished nothing more than for the Pei Family to fall, and even more eagerly for all those friendly to the Prince Qin to meet ruin. Sun Xianyue falling into her hands surely spelled a dead end for him."

"..."

"Thus, Sun Xianyue’s visit had only this outcome; the Princess being framed was merely one outcome among many. If not this, there would be others."

Shang Ruyi looked at Wo Xue with some amazement, not expecting her normally quiet demeanor to articulate such understanding now. Even Tushere regarded her in a new light, immediately agreeing, "Wo Xue is correct; good or bad is each person’s choice. Sun Xianyue is a man; how can he blame a woman for everything?"

Chang Wan also added, "She’er is right."

Listening to them comfort her, Shang Ruyi gradually cleared the fog in her mind, then smiled, saying, "You all seem clearer-headed than me."

Tushere playfully slapped Wo Xue, laughing, "Normally, it takes three sticks to hear a sound from you, today, you’re speaking eloquently."

Wo Xue pursed her lips and smiled.

After the laughter, Shang Ruyi’s expression was still serious, saying, "Despite saying this, Pei Xingyuan’s downfall and the Pei Family’s loss of favor are due to the Prince Qin. I also bear responsibility, and no matter what, I must protect Sun Xianyue."

Tushere heard this, worriedly saying, "Han Yuhui is already dead; what can the Princess do?"

Shang Ruyi understood her meaning—if Han Yuhui were still alive, she could use her life to exchange for Yu Wenquan’s release of Sun Xianyue. But now that Han Yuhui is dead, though Yu Wenquan may not express it, his heart is inevitably angry, possibly venting on Sun Xianyue.

Moreover, the situation in the court is gradually becoming clear: Yu Wenye leading the expedition, at least during this period, is the court’s most relied upon prince, while the Crown Prince Yu Wenqian remained in the Capital, already weakened by the loss of his strong maternal support through Duke Shenwu. His father-in-law, Duke Wushan, was also severely injured and sidelined, and now he’s lost Chief Palace Han due to palace intrigues, becoming noticeably weaker.

As the Emperor, Yu Wenquan would never wish for any single family to dominate the court; he seeks a balance, or say, a check, to ensure stability.

Thus, imprisoning Sun Xianyue is to continue sidelining the Pei Family, and to further suppress the faction supporting the Prince Qin.

In such circumstances, what can be done?

Shang Ruyi pondered deeply, and seeing her brow furrowed and her entire demeanor gloomy, the girls exchanged glances but dared not disturb her thoughts, quietly exiting Qianqiu Palace.

Thus, under the shroud of incessant rain, the oppressive Chang An City finally received a piece of news.

Yu Wenye had sent back a war report!

The news arrived just as Yu Wenquan conducted the first imperial court session after several days of silence. Though there was a mountain of governmental matters pending, Yu Wenquan still appeared weary, like a sickly tiger, his might undeniable even seated on the Dragon Chair, yet exuding an air of decline.

At this moment, an urgent military report arrived!

Yu Wenquan’s eyes brightened, eagerly questioning the Minister of War who had just received the report, "Has he already relieved Cijian’s danger and rescued King Qi?"

Dong Yue glanced at the document, shaking his head, "Prince Qin didn’t go to Cijian."

"What!?"

Yu Wenquan instantly furrowed his brows once more, "I ordered him to lead forces to assist Cijian. He didn’t go to Cijian, then what’s he done?"

"..."

"If not going to Cijian, what’s his plan?"

"This—"

Dong Yue took another look at the war report, then hesitated as he glanced at the Crown Prince Yu Wenqian standing nearby. Yu Wenquan, at this age, paid less heed to victories and losses, but the loyalty of his ministers and the safety of his kin weighed far more significantly.

Thus, he swiftly commanded, "Present the report!"

Before Dong Yue could step forward, Eunuch Yu quickly moved down, taking the report to present it into Yu Wenquan’s hands. He opened it, and upon reading the first few sentences, his brow immediately furrowed tightly, his whole demeanor irate and nearly losing balance on the Dragon Chair. But as he read further, his expression gradually calmed, then revealed delight, culminating in a powerful slap on the imperial table, resonating through Taiji Palace, startling all present.

Someone inquired, "Emperor, may we know the state of the front lines—"

"A splendid victory!"

The slap seemed insufficient to express the excitement and joy Yu Wenquan felt, he repeatedly slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "The Prince Qin indeed wields military prowess like a god!"