CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 125: SHE DOESN’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE JEALOUS

Very soon, their group arrived at the North City Gate.

And it was already packed with people ready to depart with the imperial procession. Although each accompanying member was required to streamline their entourage, there were still nearly a thousand people gathered together.

When Shang Ruyi arrived, Lei Yu was right in the midst of clashing with another family’s carriage; it was a servant from the Wang Family, and both sides were arguing, seemingly about to start a fight.

Shang Ruyi called for the coachman to stop and lifted the curtain herself, smiling at Lei Yu, "Miss Lei."

The originally furious Lei Yu, hearing such a gentle voice, turned her head with a frown and her expression darkened further, "What are you calling me for?"

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Why not turn a big issue into a small one?"

Lei Yu immediately sneered, "Just because I’ve blocked your way, I’m supposed to make it a small matter? They crashed into my people and spoke rudely. How do you account for that?"

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, got off the carriage, walked to Lei Yu’s horse, and gently held its reins.

Lei Yu’s expression changed immediately, "What are you doing?"

Although Shang Ruyi wasn’t as strong as her, the light tugging of the reins made the horse follow involuntarily. If she were to rein in the horse, it might get startled and kick Shang Ruyi, causing a major incident.

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Miss Lei, I’d like to have a word with you."

Lei Yu, though angry, could only lean down impatiently, "Hurry up."

Shang Ruyi tiptoed slightly, leaning into her ear to whisper, "Miss Lei, naturally you have reason to be upset, but if you both continue to stand off, and fighting breaks out, the Emperor’s procession will soon be at the North City Gate. If you block the way, how could there be no punishment?"

"..."

"Delaying the imperial procession is a crime against the Emperor."

Hearing what she said, Lei Yu wavered, but still said angrily, "Even if it’s a crime against the Emperor, it’s the Wang Family who started it."

Shang Ruyi shook her head and said, "Wang Shaoji is in charge of the Imperial Guard, serving by the Emperor’s side. Even if punishment were to be meted out, it wouldn’t fall on him, just on his servants. But if the Emperor decides to punish the Lei Family, you won’t be able to escape it. Miss Lei, sacrificing yourself for a few servants is hardly worth it. Besides, he’s always with the Emperor, any issue can be easily dealt with."

"..."

"Miss Lei, it’s best not to suffer this immediate loss."

Hearing this, Lei Yu regained her composure.

She looked up at the provocative faces of the Wang Family servants, held back her anger and instructed her attendants, "Make way."

Her people immediately cleared a path, while the Wang Family servants left with a few mocking laughs, infuriating Lei Yu until her face turned pale, but when she looked back at Shang Ruyi, her expression softened a bit, "Are you—your family well?"

Shang Ruyi gave a faint smile, released the reins, and then said, "A few days ago, I bid farewell to my uncle and aunt. By the way, we also saw off Mr. Pei outside the city."

Lei Yu’s expression darkened.

"Unexpectedly, just after meeting, such misfortune struck."

"It’s hard for things in the world to go as one wishes."

The two of them hadn’t been getting along well when drinking before, but after a few words, there was a sense of camaraderie. Shang Ruyi understood what Pei Xingyuan meant, that Lei Yu was fierce in appearance but soft-hearted, a person worth befriending.

So she said, "This time Miss Lei is also going to the Northern Border, it won’t be lonely with the two of us on the road."

Lei Yu originally wanted to roll her eyes at her, but stopped herself, giving a slight snort instead.

She looked behind Shang Ruyi and asked, "Where is Feng Chen?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, forcing a smile, "He, he has something to do, he will come later."

Lei Yu seemed a bit disappointed, looking at Shang Ruyi again, as if a bit embarrassed to show her disappointment, while Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Anyway, on this journey, there will be opportunities to meet."

Given that her relationship with Yu Wenye was limited to this, there was no need to really consider herself his wife, nor was it necessary to compete with other women for him. If jealousy should arise, it wouldn’t be her place.

Instead, Lei Yu was taken aback by her "magnanimity."

"You—"

Her words were cut off by a loud shout from behind.

"The Emperor is arriving!"

At these words, the bustling North City Gate suddenly fell silent, with everyone in carriages or on horseback dismounting and kneeling on the ground, as a grand procession approached along the main road.

Leading the way were two teams of Imperial Guards, and in the middle, riding a horse with head held high, was none other than Wang Shaoji, whom they had just spoken of.

Upon seeing him, Lei Yu’s face darkened further.

In a low voice, she muttered, "Traitorous scoundrel!"

Like her, Shang Ruyi knelt by the street, burying her laughter at the unfiltered yet somewhat endearing Lei Yu.

Feeling her shoulders shaking with laughter, Lei Yu turned to her, "What are you laughing at?"

Shang Ruyi quickly shook her head, making a silencing gesture—at this moment, the Emperor’s carriage was nearing them, and naturally, they needed to remain silent.

Lei Yu snorted softly.

Just then, the crisp hoofbeats of eight stallions echoed throughout the long street, and the immense carriage wheels slowly rolled to a stop before them.

Cautiously, Shang Ruyi lifted her eyes.

The two teams of Imperial Guards had passed by, and next came an enormous golden carriage that occupied almost the entire street. The carriage’s roof, grand as a house, was adorned with exquisite clouds, and delicate beaded ornaments hung around, swaying in the wind and jingling; the carriage itself was vast and spacious, resembling a moving room from a glance. The slightly ajar door released a strange fragrance from within, quickly scenting the entire street, but thin veils cloaked the carriage’s surroundings like clouds, barely letting a glimpse of a figure sitting inside, making it impossible to discern their appearance.

That, naturally, was the current Emperor—Chu Yang!

Everyone held their breath.

Shang Ruyi felt a little uneasy, subconsciously turning her head to glance at the other side of the long street; Yu Wenye hadn’t arrived yet.

The Emperor had already arrived at the North City Gate, and very soon everyone would follow the imperial procession. If he hadn’t arrived by then, what if the Emperor blamed him?

While Shang Ruyi broke into a cold sweat, the advancing carriage wheels suddenly stopped.

Right before her eyes!

Shang Ruyi’s breath hitched, kneeling there, not daring to move.

From the massive carriage above, a voice murmured something, and soon, someone approached her. Shang Ruyi dared not lift her head, only seeing a pair of dark boots stop before her.

Above, a sharp voice rang out, "Is this the Young Madam Yu Wen?"