CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: LIKE A THORN IN THE BACK

Shang Ruyi looked up and saw an eunuch who was somewhat advanced in age. Though he spoke, it was obvious he was asking on behalf of the Emperor, so she quickly responded, "Shang Ruyi, your humble servant."

"Where is Yu Wenye?"

As expected, they asked about him.

It was unclear why, but among so many present, the Emperor inquired about Yu Wenye first, as if the Emperor was intentionally paying attention to him. Shang Ruyi kept her head lowered and softly replied, "My husband, he has some matters to attend to and will arrive shortly."

The eunuch said again, "His Majesty the Emperor has already arrived; should everyone wait for just one person?"

"..."

At this moment, Shang Ruyi only felt anger and frustration.

If it weren’t the Emperor and the eunuch before her, she really wished she could clearly, word by word, tell them that the one who kept Yu Wenye was the Emperor’s royal daughter, the noble Princess Xinyue, and instead of questioning her, why not ask them!

But how could she say such words?

Even if she cared not for her dignity, uttering such words would hurt the Princess, or rather the prestige of the Royal Family. If she truly angered the Emperor, likely before chaos erupted across the land, she would already fall under the Emperor’s Sword.

As well as her suffering uncle and aunt, and her brother...

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi could only bite her lower lip tightly, and said heavily, "I am at fault for not persuading effectively, I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness."

The rustling from the carriage seemed to be someone leaning by the window, speaking softly to the eunuch.

The sharp voice of the eunuch followed, "Then, we shall wait for Young Master Yu Wen a bit longer. If he does not arrive by the appointed hour, do not blame the Emperor for charging him with deceiving His Majesty."

Shang Ruyi bowed her head, her forehead practically touching the ground, "Yes."

Thus, the entire North City Gate fell into silence.

At this moment, everyone seemed to have figured out a hint of what was going on; the Emperor asked about Yu Wenye upon arriving, seemingly intending to make things difficult for him. Yet, though they intended to make things difficult, why didn’t they send someone to find him, or charge him directly, but instead, kept focusing on his wife?

All eyes were on this Young Madam of the Yuwen Family.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi understood more than anyone, at any time, what it meant to feel a prickling in one’s back—not only the peculiar gazes of those around her but also the eyes fixed on her from the golden carriage in front, each gaze like a thorn, making her suffer unbearably.

Time passed, bit by bit.

And Shang Ruyi felt as though all the blood in her body was gradually being drained in this prolonged waiting.

Why hasn’t Yu Wenye arrived yet?

Even knowing that she had exchanged words with him earlier, she couldn’t help but feel the frustration, desperately wishing to pull him in front of her and ask, what pressing conversation must you have at this time? What urgent matter must be attended to now?

Finally, the time to depart arrived.

The eunuch coldly asked, "Is Yu Wenye still not here?"

Shang Ruyi suddenly panicked and quickly knelt upright, "Lord Eunuch,"

As she said this, she glanced toward the golden carriage behind the eunuch, through layers of gauze curtains, vaguely seeing a figure inside, Shang Ruyi bravely spoke, "Emperor, my husband must be dealing with some urgent matters, I hope Your Majesty can grant a bit more time."

Lei Yu beside her also said, "Yes, Your Majesty, please wait a little longer."

Though it was just a sentence, Shang Ruyi still looked at her with gratitude—for at such a moment, she felt more isolated than ever, with even the "husband" she could rely on not by her side, but Lei Yu willing to speak a word for her.

In the midst of their pleas, someone suddenly ran down the long street.

Upon a closer look, it was none other than the little eunuch sent by Princess Xinyue to fetch Yu Wenye.

He ran carefully to the golden carriage, whispered a few words to the eunuch. The eunuch furrowed his brow, glared at the little eunuch, then turned around, bent down at the front of the carriage, and whispered several words inside.

Being closest to the carriage, Shang Ruyi faintly heard the words "Princess," "Yu Wenye," etc.

Her heart raced even more than before.

The entire North City Gate fell silent once again; no one dared to utter a word, breaths held cautiously, leaving only the howling of the wind through the gate’s arch.

After an indeterminate period, there was a long, helpless sigh from inside the golden carriage.

"Ah——"

Upon hearing the sound, Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Why did that sound seem somewhat familiar?

She subconsciously lifted her head, wanting to peer into the golden carriage, but the layers of gauze curtains veiled the person within, leaving only a blurry silhouette, and upon a further glance, she was glared at by the eunuch, forcing her to immediately lower her head.

The person inside spoke softly, seemingly giving some instructions.

After a short while, the eunuch came over, glanced around to confirm that everyone else was present, and said, "Prepare to set out!"

"...?!"

Shang Ruyi was startled, quickly raising her head, "Lord Eunuch, what about my husband—"

The eunuch cast her a cold look, then said, "Second Young Master Yu Wen will set out later."

Shang Ruyi immediately frowned.

She suddenly recalled hearing that this time, numerous people were accompanying the tour to the Northern Border; to avoid congestion and unexpected incidents on the road, they were to depart in two groups. If Yu Wenye was with Princess Xinyue and them, departing as the second batch, wouldn’t they be separated?

With this thought, Shang Ruyi felt a stifling sensation in her chest. She instinctively grasped her collar and took a deep breath.

Then said heavily, "Yes."

The eunuch cast her another cold look, then turned and loudly announced to the rear convoy, "Set out!"

With this command, the entire North City Gate sprang into action, everyone got into their carriages or mounted their horses, Lei Yu seemed to want to say something to her but there wasn’t time, she could only quickly mount her horse and lead her people into the convoy.

And Shang Ruyi also promptly got on the carriage, soon, their convoy followed closely behind the imperial procession, steadily heading toward the outskirts of the city.

Passing through the gates, Shang Ruyi couldn’t resist lifting the curtain and looked back.

Behind them, there was a convoy that stretched out beyond sight, a dense crowd, but each of those faces was indistinctly blurred, not one bearing a reassuring countenance for her.

At this moment, Tushere beside the carriage looked at her worriedly and whispered, "Miss, we—"

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked at her for a while, then let out a bitter smile.

"From here on, we must tread the path on our own."