Free Web NovelChapter 1117: Chapter 805: Hurting Others, Seizing Power
Because Shang Ruyi’s belly was too big, and the sky had already darkened, even if she lit the lantern to walk from Qianqiu Palace to the palace gate, Yu Wenye was worried about her health, so he had a few little eunuchs carry over a sedan and she sat down and swiftly made her way to the palace gate.
Indeed, there were already several carriages parked there.
The largest one, naturally, was prepared by the palace for King Qin and Princess Qin, while the other two slightly smaller ones were for Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan.
The two of them were standing beneath the carriage talking about something. Although it was very dark, the lanterns hanging on the nearby carriage provided a dim light that shone on two equally handsome faces, clearly showing their frowning expressions, evidently anxious, and Shen Wuzheng’s face also bore a deeper worry beyond this anxiety.
Just at this moment, they heard footsteps gradually approaching, Shen Wuzheng turned his head and his eyes instantly brightened.
He hurried forward, hesitated for a moment, and still, along with Pei Xingyuan, courteously greeted King Qin and Princess Qin. Yu Wenye waved his hand signaling them not to stand on ceremony, and then Shen Wuzheng immediately straightened up and looked at Shang Ruyi with concern: "Your health—"
Shang Ruyi knew that once he returned, he would surely know about the incident at Dayan Temple.
So she smiled, feigning a look of being unaffected, and said: "Brother, don’t worry, I haven’t been hurt at all."
Shen Wuzheng was still uneasy; he looked her up and down thoroughly, knowing that even if there were an injury, he wouldn’t be able to see it through the clothes, so he looked up at Yu Wenye again. Yu Wenye solemnly said: "This is one thing you can indeed be assured of; if she were truly injured—I would by no means let it end so easily."
Only then did Shen Wuzheng let out a sigh of relief.
Off to the side, Pei Xingyuan bitterly smiled and remarked: "End so easily? My lord, surely you don’t count that as ’easy’, do you?"
He had already understood from Shen Wuzheng about what had happened during their journey, and considering the incident at Dayan Temple, he had grasped the reasoning behind it; though his words carried a hint of jest, the reality lay behind every word, bloody and raw. Hearing his words, everyone’s facial expressions became even more serious.
Indeed, it doesn’t count as "easy."
After all, the Dasheng Dynasty had lost two Commandery Princes: one dead, the other blinded, not a trivial matter.
Shang Ruyi looked at them, then at the sky, and softly said: "We should get on the carriage first, discuss as we move, or else arriving late at the Duke Mansion will not be proper."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and they boarded Yu Wenye’s carriage together. Fortunately, King Qin’s carriage was spacious enough for the four of them, though a bit cramped; Shen Wuzheng purposely squeezed Pei Xingyuan to the side, pressing him tightly against the carriage wall, afraid he might bump into Shang Ruyi, making Pei Xingyuan protest while the three gentlemen forcefully cleared a large space for her; Shang Ruyi wasn’t finicky, she sat down comfortably.
The carriage soon moved forward.
The wheels rumbled, the carriage swayed; luckily, the road was clear of pedestrians and vehicles due to the late hour, so they traveled smoothly. However, inside the carriage, everyone’s mood and breathing were not smooth; after a long silence, Pei Xingyuan finally said: "Let’s speak openly, things have reached this stage, even the biggest holes need to be patched up, right?"
After speaking, he glanced at Yu Wenye, eyes bright, and asked: "My lord, did you leave any evidence?"
Yu Wenye shook his head.
Although angered, no amount of anger would cause him to lose reason. A flying arrow killing Duke Wushan versus King Qin shooting Duke Wushan were two entirely different outcomes; so he solemnly said: "I used an ordinary bow, shot ordinary arrows; no matter how the Ministry of Justice investigates, they cannot trace it back to me. Furthermore, the boat was turning at that time, making it difficult to identify the direction the arrow was shot from, so they have no evidence whatsoever."
"And Duke Shenwu—"
"He rushed to Yu Dingxing’s side just as the ship was turning, getting shot in the brow by my arrow, but due to the chaos at that time and Yu Dingxing getting shot in the left eye, none of the people around noticed. It wasn’t until they disembarked that they discovered his corpse, thus they couldn’t ascertain whose arrow hit him."
"..."
"In short, it doesn’t implicate me."
Pei Xingyuan exhaled a long sigh, seemingly relieved of the heavy stone weighing on his heart.
But just as he let out a breath, Shen Wuzheng followed up with: "But suspicion doesn’t require evidence, nor does retaliation."
Hearing this, Pei Xingyuan held his breath again, turning his head to look at him, Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi also raised their heads, their eyes intense on Shen Wuzheng’s clear eyes which had restored their usual calmness. He continued: "The Crown Prince is not a tolerant person."
"...!"
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi was breathless, surprised, and glanced at Shen Wuzheng.
Even he said that.
Everyone here...so it’s really only me, all this time, influenced by Yu Wenqian’s splendid attire and cloud-like elegant disposition, believing even if opposed, he was still a decent person?
As if sensing Shang Ruyi’s uneasy aura, Shen Wuzheng turned to her, speaking gently: "What’s wrong?"
Yu Wenye snorted coldly.
Shang Ruyi immediately shook her head, forcing a smile: "Brother, you continue speaking, I’m just listening."
Shen Wuzheng glanced at her again, confirming she showed no signs of abnormality before turning back to Yu Wenye, solemnly stating: "Your action was in retaliation for the affair at Dayan Temple towards Duke Wushan; let’s not discuss right or wrong outcomes, but this time, the Crown Prince will not hesitate."
"..."
"He will use measures equal to or harsher than those of King Qin against us."
This time, Pei Xingyuan’s face also revealed a serious expression, and he murmured: "Then what will be done?"
Shen Wuzheng pondered a moment and said: "Duke Shenwu is the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, and their relationship has always been good. Similarly, the Dong Family is his greatest support in court; with Duke Shenwu’s death, he has lost not only a dear person but also weakened his maternal family’s power."
"..."
"If he seeks vengeance, he will likely pursue these two avenues."
"..."
"Harming people, seizing power."
"..."
"And furthermore, do it doubly, that is the essence of retaliation!"
Upon hearing these words, the carriage interior fell silent—regarding power struggles, this is no novelty, from the day of enfeoffment onwards, the two brothers have been openly and covertly pursuing power.
But harming people...
Who would Yu Wenqian harm?
