Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1074 - 771: The Past Cannot Be Chased, Old Friends Cannot Return

Shang Ruyi had an inkling of familiarity, but Tushere pondered all the way back to the palace without recalling who it was.It seemed not to be someone important, so Shang Ruyi didn’t pay much attention and joked about how Tushere’s young age belied her old mind. Tushere vowed furiously to remember, but Shang Ruyi had already lost interest.

The day’s wandering ended just like that.

By evening, Yu Wenye returned from the camp, relieved to see Shang Ruyi back safe and sound at Qianqiu Palace. During dinner, Shang Ruyi made sure to reheat the food and wine they’d brought back from the Divine Tired Pavilion. Though Yu Wenye wasn’t picky about his meals, after eating Food Bureau dishes daily, he welcomed the fresh fare and both ate heartily.

While eating, Shang Ruyi recounted her experiences at the Divine Tired Pavilion to Yu Wenye.

Yu Wenye listened and couldn’t help but laugh, then advised Shang Ruyi, "You stumbled upon this by accident; don’t breathe a word of it to anyone."

Shang Ruyi promptly responded, "Of course, the moment I realized I shouldn’t hear more, I left without finishing my meal. It was awkward enough hearing what I did, so why would I share it?"

After speaking, she couldn’t resist a laugh, "Do you think Mr. Pei and that Liang Youying—are they well-matched?"

Yu Wenye replied, "You’re busy matchmaking even while pregnant?"

"Not exactly matchmaking; just hoping for the best for them."

"Hmm."

"Besides, if lovers can end up together, matchmaking is a good deed that could earn our child some merit."

Yu Wenye shook his head repeatedly, "Lovers... can Liang Youying really be his lover?"

This mention brought a shadow to Shang Ruyi’s expression.

She thought of Lei Yu—of course, Lei Yu wasn’t Pei Xingyuan’s lover. Nothing ever developed between them, yet given age, appearance, and personality, Liang Youying seemed a suitable match for Pei Xingyuan.

She softly said, "Past events cannot be chased, old acquaintances cannot return. I think Mr. Pei should move on, and the best way to move on is to meet someone new and start a new relationship."

As she finished speaking, she cast a deliberate glance at Yu Wenye.

Yu Wenye should understand such matters well. His deep feelings for Empress Dowager Jiang had affected his life. If not for meeting Shang Ruyi, reciprocated affection wouldn’t have changed him, and he might still be trapped in that emotion. The impact of that love for someone now Prince Qin is unimaginable.

Indeed, Yu Wenye’s eyes flickered upon hearing this.

After a moment’s silence, he said, "You’re right."

"Then—"

"But his situation isn’t that simple."

"Ah?"

"You and I had a marriage agreement from our families, well-matched. But that Liang Youying—her family’s status, relatives, past—you know any of it?"

"...No."

"Xingyuan is now the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a minister of the court. Even if the Emperor doesn’t inquire, Pei Family won’t permit him to marry just any unknown woman. That Liang Youying—"

Shang Ruyi finally understood.

Indeed, while love is important between men and women, family background cannot be ignored.

Liang Youying is Jiang Xian’s cousin, seemingly a commoner, which brings no benefit for a minister like Pei Xingyuan; he himself, elegant and charming, is seen as an ideal match among nobles’ daughters.

Some matters are truly hard to say.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi sighed lightly. Yu Wenye noticed her despondency, smiled, and added some food to her bowl, laughingly advising, "Matchmaking isn’t that easy. Focus on a good pregnancy!"

"Oh..."

Shang Ruyi replied, lacking energy, then ate mechanically.

Yu Wenye watched her with a laugh, just as Tushere and Chang Wan brought hot water and towels, he thought of something and asked Tushere, "The Princess mentioned you saw someone familiar at the Divine Tired Pavilion today. Have you recalled who?"

Upon hearing this, Tushere quickly approached, "Your Highness, I remember now!"

Shang Ruyi also lifted her head, "You remembered? Who is it?"

Tushere said, "That person seems like the father of Lady Lou Liangdi from the Crown Prince Palace, Lord Lou."

Lady Lou Chanyue?

Her father, isn’t he General Ningyuan Lou Yingxiong, who recently submitted to the Dasheng Dynasty?

Tushere finished speaking, then quietly added, "Earlier, when the servant was passing by the Imperial Garden, I happened to come across Your Majesty talking to Lord Lou, so I met him once, but I’m not very familiar, which is why I couldn’t recall him right away."

Yu Wenye asked, "Are you sure it’s him?"

Tushere hurriedly replied, "When that person was coming down the stairs, he was being secretive. I didn’t get a clear look, but I’m about eighty to ninety percent sure."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but slightly furrow her brows. Knowing that Tushere’s eyesight is quite good, being eighty to ninety percent certain should mean it was indeed Lou Yingxiong. It’s just a bit strange that Lou Yingxiong would go to the Divine Tired Pavilion alone to drink and then leave so secretively.

Could he have been handling some affair? Or hiding from someone?

Or perhaps—

Shang Ruyi turned to look at Yu Wenye, who was also frowning and deep in thought, and said, "Could it be that he also saw Mr. Pei and Liang Youying, and felt awkward staying, so he left early, sneaking away?"

Yu Wenye glanced at her and said nothing.

This does seem to be a reasonable explanation, but for some reason, even Shang Ruyi herself felt it was a bit strange, yet couldn’t pinpoint exactly what felt odd.

After a long silence, Yu Wenye finally said, "Enough, let’s eat first, the dishes have gone cold."

A month and a half later, Shang Ruyi hadn’t left the palace, only directing Jiang Kexing to handle the affairs of the academy. By early July, the academy, named "Yu Zhang" by Shang Ruyi, opened for classes, immediately causing quite a stir in Chang An City, drawing the attention of countless scholars.

However, by that time, Shang Ruyi no longer had the additional time to concern herself with the academy’s matters.

After all, once the classes commenced, everything was up to the teachers and students of the academy. She provided a stage, but what kind of story each person could perform on it was up to their own fate.

Moreover, as July began, the weather became hotter.

It wasn’t as bad for others, but Shang Ruyi was pregnant, and her heavily swollen belly made it increasingly difficult for her to move. Her belly felt less like a child and more like a fireball, leaving Shang Ruyi flushed with heat every day. Even when sitting still, she was drenched in sweat, and Tushere and the others could only ask Eunuch Yu for an extra ice tray daily to place beside her. They fanned her from a distance, worried she would get too hot or catch a chill.

That day, as Shang Ruyi sat beside the ice tray, absentmindedly fanning herself while looking at a book without flipping a page for most of the day, Eunuch Yu arrived to deliver congratulations.

Shen Tu Tai had taken Xuzhou!

Though not unexpected, it was still good news. Upon hearing it, Shang Ruyi joyfully tried to stand up, but Eunuch Yu quickly stepped forward to support her, smiling as he said, "Princess, please be careful. No matter how good the news, it shouldn’t disturb the Emperor’s eldest grandson."

Shang Ruyi smiled and asked, "When did they capture it?"

Eunuch Yu responded, "Three days ago, General Dingyuan immediately sent back the victory report."

"Good, that’s good."

Shang Ruyi nodded repeatedly with joy but then noticed that Eunuch Yu’s title was incorrect. She looked up and asked, "General Dingyuan?"

Eunuch Yu smiled, "After the victory report came back, the Emperor was so pleased that he rewarded not only us servants but all those around. He immediately drafted an edict to appoint Shen Tu Tai as General Dingyuan, rewarding him with a thousand gold pieces."

After that, Eunuch Yu chuckled, "Prince Qin’s recommendation was really effective."

At this, Shang Ruyi was somewhat surprised. She hesitantly murmured, "Promoted so quickly?"

Although taking Xuzhou was indeed an achievement, Shen Tu Tai was supposed to lead the troops to conquer both Song and Xu States. They should have waited to celebrate the victory upon conquering both states altogether. Raising his rank to General Dingyuan so hastily seemed a bit too hurried.

Apparently seeing through Shang Ruyi’s concerns, Eunuch Yu smiled, "The Emperor’s promotions can’t keep up with General Shen Tu’s rapid conquests. The victory at Xuzhou was achieved with almost no loss of troops, and the defending general simply retreated. Not to mention, having taken Xuzhou, General Shen Tu sent a letter to the Songzhou Governor, and Fan Cheng’en treated the messenger with great respect. At this rate, it seems that Songzhou might just surrender without a fight."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes lit up.

It seemed they had expected that Fan Cheng’en was a loyal and patriotic good official. Previously, due to rumors of her regicide, he was determined to have her executed, but later pardoned Yu Wenye due to Yu Wenquan’s support, showing he understood the current situation well.

If they could indeed persuade him to surrender successfully without spilling a drop of blood—

Shang Ruyi’s eyes curved with delight, and she no longer felt hot, asking again, "By the way, does His Highness know about this?"

Tushere and Chang Wan exchanged a knowing glance and both started laughing, addressing Shang Ruyi, "Princess, you know very well that if the news has reached us, how could Prince Qin not know?"

"He probably knew even before we did."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi found it amusing—of course, it is about military matters. Yu Wenye, being a key figure, probably received the news even faster than Yu Wenquan did.

She nodded with joy.

But amid this joy, a strange thought suddenly crept into Shang Ruyi’s mind—

Yu Mingyue seemed to have been out of touch for a while now.