CHAPTER 371: CHAPTER 332 I NEED THIS "CREDIT

Yu Wenye turned his head to look at her.

The sunlight from outside glazed her with a misty hue, reminiscent of ink wash painting, making her appear gentle and serene, and even her gaze seemed much clearer.

Yu Wenye’s expression also seemed a bit dazed at this moment.

After a while, he nodded and said, "Hmm."

Shang Ruyi frowned slightly. At this moment, shouldn’t they hurry to cross the Eastern Capital and return to Yu Wenquan’s side? Heading north at this time—

She said, "You aren’t planning to bypass the Eastern Capital, are you?"

Yu Wenye shook his head, his brow already darkened as he spoke, "After Liang Shide occupied Luoyang, he commanded hundreds of thousands of troops, and nearly all the surrounding counties are under his control. How big a detour must we make to avoid him."

"..."

"Moreover, Hebei has always been his territory."

Shang Ruyi nodded, that was precisely why she felt worried earlier, so she asked again, "Then where are you heading north to?"

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said, "We are going to Wanggang Village."

"...!?"

Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened instantly.

Wanggang Village?!

They’re traveling north to Wanggang Village?!

The Wanggang Village rumored to be led by Wang Quyi, where heroes and valiant men gather, commanding countless soldiers, fortress-like in strength?

She almost asked instinctively, "What are you going to do there?"

Yu Wenye glanced at her, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, yet there was no trace of laughter in his eyes, but rather a touch of gravity as he said, "Certainly not for sightseeing."

In truth, Shang Ruyi knew her question was rather foolish.

She was just caught off guard.

As she pondered once more, she lifted her head to look at Yu Wenye, instinctively lowering her voice as she said, "With Liang Shide and Xiao Yuansui blocking the road ahead, so you plan to detour through Wanggang Village?"

Yu Wenye gave her another look, paused before saying, "That’s one reason."

Shang Ruyi asked, "What else do you intend to do?"

"..."

"You... you aren’t thinking of, taking advantage of this time to seize Wanggang Village, are you?"

Yu Wenye looked at her, saying nothing.

His attitude, however, was a tacit acknowledgment.

Shang Ruyi, at this moment, couldn’t even muster a surprised expression, nor speak any words of disbelief, merely staring blankly at him. After quite some time, she spoke softly, "Even with the troops Cheng Qiao brought, you only have over a hundred men."

"..."

"But Wanggang Village— even if Xiao Yuansui is currently in Luoyang, there are at least tens of thousands left in the village."

"..."

"How do you intend to fight?"

Yu Wenye said, "That’s why I’m thinking of a way."

"..."

Shang Ruyi watched him, her thoughts muddled.

If it were a hundred-strong force fighting against a thousand-strong force, it might be akin to hitting stone with an egg, yet there’s still a hope for a miracle, like an iron egg shattering stone; but a hundred-strong force attacking a Wanggang Village with tens of thousands stationed— even a miracle couldn’t succeed.

Yet Yu Wenye said he would find a way!

What kind of method could enable a hundred-strong force to capture Wanggang Village guarded by tens of thousands?

Shang Ruyi watched him reclining by the other window, sunlight illuminating his eyes with a hint of amber glow amidst their cold and deep gaze. However, those eyes remained impenetrable, even flickering with a brightness that sunlight could not obscure.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Yu Wenye turned to look at her, "What’s wrong?"

Shang Ruyi whispered, "I feel like you have another intention?"

"...!"

Yu Wenye’s eyes flickered slightly.

He replied calmly, "Why?"

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, "The news sent by the Lei Family should be accurate; Liang Shide and Xiao Yuansui are waiting for us ahead, and with the current troop strength, it’s indeed unlikely to cross the Eastern Capital. So, you plan on ensuring our safety en route and to ensure we can return safely to Father’s side— but even if this is all true, it’s not a reason to attack Wanggang Village with over a hundred men."

"..."

"I feel like you must have other considerations."

"..."

A trace of what seemed like joy flashed across Yu Wenye’s eyes, a joy reminiscent of someone walking long alone in the night suddenly seeing a ray of light ahead, and within the light, another person’s silhouette appears.

But he didn’t show too much excitement, only took a deep breath.

Then he said, "What you said, is right."

Shang Ruyi widened her eyes, "You—"

Yu Wenye said, "I need this ’merit’."

"...Merit?"

Shang Ruyi looked at him, her mind stirred—merit? What did he mean?

She thought it over and seemed to understand a bit. Now that Duke Sheng had already raised his troops, the next step would surely be contesting for the throne. Yu Wenye was his most favored son, renowned for his military achievements alongside him. If he could truly capture Wanggang Village in one go, it would indeed be considered ’merit’.

But, could this merit really be described as ’needed’?

At this moment, he should be prioritizing his own safety. Why would he consider needing merit?

Moreover, when mentioning merit, there seemed to be an implication of contesting with others.

Shang Ruyi faintly sensed something, but she also felt as if a thin veil was shrouding her view, making it hard to see through Yu Wenye’s thoughts, and even harder to see through those cold and profound eyes in front of her.

After a moment of silence, she finally said softly, "If you want to do it, then go ahead."

This time, it was Yu Wenye who looked at her again. Looking at her eyes, with her emotions hidden beneath long eyelashes, Yu Wenye said softly, "You can rest assured."

Shang Ruyi raised her eyes to look at him, "Hmm?"

"Whatever I do, I will ensure your safety."

"..."

"That’s my bottom line."

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s eyes dimmed again, she lowered her head to avoid his gaze and said, "I’m not your burden. No matter what, I will do what I should do."

Yu Wenye quietly looked at her for a long time before replying softly, "Hmm."

The rest of the journey, the two of them did not speak again.

Although Shang Ruyi was still anxious at heart, she also understood that she shouldn’t disturb Yu Wenye’s thoughts at this time. She might not be able to do anything in the war, so not putting pressure on him, letting him act freely, was the only thing she could do.

It wasn’t until noon that they stopped to eat and rest by a roadside tea stall.

Yu Wenye got off the carriage as usual, then turned around, holding her hand, carefully half-supporting and half-hugging her as she alighted.

Until now, the two had not reached an agreement regarding their relationship. Not only because they couldn’t come to terms, but also because at this moment, survival was far more important than feelings. Regardless of whether he still needed her as his wife to cover his emotions, Shang Ruyi knew she still needed him—

And needed Duke Yu Wenquan even more.

Thus, the two maintained the state they were in when they first married, showing harmony as a couple in front of others.

Beside them, Tushere saw Yu Wenye’s cautious demeanor in protecting her, and finally, the weight in his heart was lifted. He quickly ran to the stall owner to buy tea and snacks.

They had many people with them, and the tea and snacks the stall owner had were not enough, so he could only first serve the two masters to sit and served them tea and snacks, then went to the stove to boil water for the others, accompanying it with a diligent smile, "Honored guests, please eat slowly, the rest will be served shortly."

Yu Wenye poured a cup of tea from the teapot and handed it to Shang Ruyi.

Then he turned and asked, "Boss, do you have many passing customers here?"

The stall owner immediately smiled wryly, "You’re joking, honored guest. This place is so desolate that there’s not even a village. We waited a long time just to welcome you and your party."

Shang Ruyi took a sip of tea, the flavor was light, merely for quenching thirst. She pursed her lips and asked, "If that’s the case, why do you still stay here to do business?"

The stall owner laughed, "Though passing guests are few, we still rely on such a big stronghold."

As he spoke, he gestured forward with his hand.

Yu Wenye said, "You mean Wanggang Village? You do business with them?"

"Yes,"

The stall owner laughed, "There are many people in that stronghold, and when they go out for business, there could be dozens, sometimes hundreds or thousands, just stopping by my stall for a rest is enough for me to live off for a while."

Yu Wenye said, "I see."

After speaking, he smiled and said, "So, you, Boss, are also relying on a gold mountain."

The boss smiled wryly, "Though it’s a golden mountain, who knows when it might collapse? In these times, today you fight me, tomorrow I fight you, even Eastern Capital Luoyang—who can guarantee longevity? We, running small businesses, fear the mountain will crumble, fear the water will flow away."

Shang Ruyi said, "So, the world still benefits from peace."

The stall owner laughed, "Of course. It’s just that—"

At this point, the water boiling on the stove was ready. He quickly fetched the kettle to brew tea for everyone, handing it to each person, before sighing and returning, "Nowadays, amidst chaotic times, they say even the Emperor—sigh, wishing for peaceful days can only be in dreams."

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s expression immediately turned somber.

Yu Wenye glanced at her without saying anything and just picked up the kettle, adding some hot water to her cup, softly saying, "Drink a little more, your lips are dry."

Shang Ruyi looked up at him, said nothing, just nodded silently and brought the cup to her lips.

Just then, the stall owner beside them sighed again, "Speaking of which, the turmoil in this world started with the rebellion of the Zuo Family, right in the Ying and Song regions. At that time, it was quite intense. The Emperor was still in Luoyang, and they almost seized Luoyang, showing how fierce they were."

"..."

"Ever since their uprising started, the world has never been at peace."

With his words, the entire tea stall fell into silence.

Shang Ruyi’s hand involuntarily trembled, and a bit of tea spilled from the cup, splashing onto her hand.