Free Web NovelChapter 1118: Chapter 806: I’m Here
Within the silence, Pei Xingyuan suddenly laughed and said, "It’s just us in this carriage, isn’t it?"
"..."
Immediately, the entire carriage became even quieter.
Seeing the others’ eyes on him, his smile gradually stiffened, unease creeping in, "What, am I right? It’s really just us that the Crown Prince is going to target?"
Yu Wenye’s expression was grave, and Shang Ruyi’s brow furrowed.
After a long silence, Shen Wuzheng let out a deep sigh, "If that’s the case, we need to be extra cautious."
Saying this, he turned to Shang Ruyi and said gently yet solemnly, "The Princess Qin is nearly nine months pregnant, correct?"
Shang Ruyi nodded.
Shen Wuzheng said, "The Princess must be more cautious than ever. Everything she eats, wears, and uses should not pass through other hands; you are less than a month from giving birth, and though the midwife has been carefully selected, it’s best to scrutinize everything again to avoid any chance of tampering; and furthermore..."
He spoke in detail, clearly having thought everything through before coming, able to list things item by item. As Shang Ruyi listened, her heart gradually chilled, suddenly aware of how many opportunities for interference surrounded her.
Indeed, precaution is essential.
Yet, as she continued to listen, the chill in her heart was gradually dispelled by a warmth. Despite the numerous lurking dangers and the malevolent intentions around her, she had such a vigilant brother and a husband willing to go to any lengths for her—why fear the danger-filled world and the wicked hearts?
By the time Shen Wuzheng finished speaking, Shang Ruyi was no longer afraid.
She smiled and said, "I’ll listen to Brother, and I’ll be careful once we return to the palace."
Shen Wuzheng nodded.
Pei Xingyuan had been quietly watching them with a smile and now deliberately said, "Fu Ming, you’re just like an old nag, constantly worrying. And it seems you’re only worried about your sister—the Princess Qin? I’m also in this carriage, why don’t you give me some advice?"
"You?"
Upon hearing that, Shen Wuzheng frowned and glanced at him, "If you refrain from causing trouble, it’s already fortunate for us."
Pei Xingyuan’s eyes widened, "Whom did I trouble?"
Shen Wuzheng coldly retorted, "Do I need to say those three words out loud?"
"I—"
Hearing this, Pei Xingyuan felt a little guilty and looked away, covering his mouth while coughing repeatedly. Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but laugh, and Yu Wenye shook his head slightly. After the laughter, Yu Wenye turned and lifted the curtain to look outside. Seeing that they were close to the Dong Mansion, he turned back to the others and said, "Once we arrive at the Duke Mansion, let’s pay our respects and leave promptly without lingering."
The others nodded.
Soon, the carriage halted near the entrance of the Dong Mansion. Although night had fallen, the Dong Mansion was brightly lit, and the entrance was crowded, as if half of Chang An City’s carriages and people were present. The servants at the entrance were almost overwhelmed in the chaos, when a voice declared, "Prince Qin has arrived!"
As this voice rang out, the entrance of the Dong Mansion fell silent.
Everyone quieted and turned, seeing the tall and handsome King Qin Yuwenye accompanied by the visibly pregnant Princess Qin, dressed in mourning attire, followed by his two close associates and a crowd of servants slowly approaching.
In this moment, the air seemed to freeze, and everyone exchanged complex looks, unable to speak, silently retreating to create a wide path for them. As Yu Wenye approached the main gate, those around immediately bowed deeply, "Greetings, Prince Qin, greetings, Princess Qin."
Yu Wenye waved lightly, "Please, rise."
As soon as he finished speaking, several mourning-clad individuals emerged from the gate, naturally from the Dong Mansion, each tearful and red-eyed, suppressing their grief to greet Prince Qin and Princess Qin. Yu Wenye immediately helped them up, then said, "With the Commandery Prince suffering such misfortune, Dasheng has lost a pillar. You must restrain your grief."
The individuals began to sob again.
Shang Ruyi approached to offer a few comforting words and instructed someone to present the condolence gift. The Dong Family members immediately led them inside.
Once they had entered the Dong Mansion’s gate, the people outside who had been holding their breath finally let out a sigh of relief, whispering among themselves. Some couldn’t resist murmuring quietly, "With the Imperial Uncle dead, the situation becomes truly troublesome."
"The great Duke Shenwu struck by a flying arrow, how could that happen?"
"I heard, though it was Duke Wushan who acted, there were others—who knows where that flying arrow came from."
"Shh, are you courting death?"
"The Crown Prince and Prince Qin... things will certainly explode now!"
These outside whispers were soon drowned by the noisy rites at the Water and Land Dojo beyond the wall. Inside the Dong Mansion, Yu Wenye and others found the surroundings already arranged, with white banners hung all around. The altar in the mourning hall was complete, and at the back lay the massive coffin, separated from the front by several funeral banners, with the interior unseen due to unlit candles. Meanwhile, Daoists and monks were conducting the Water and Land Dojo ceremony, among constant chatter, spells, and incantations, creating a buzzing in the mind.
Shang Ruyi, heavily pregnant, feared the noise most, and the commotion subconsciously knit her brows.
Yu Wenye promptly looked down at her, his eyes seemingly asking: Are you alright?
Shang Ruyi quickly shook her head, signaling she was fine. Seeing this, Yu Wenye looked away, eager to complete their task and leave. He immediately led Shang Ruyi to the mourning hall, accepted the incense handed to them, and bowed before the memorial tablet.
After paying respects to the deceased, servants stepped forward to insert the incense into the burner.
Yu Wenye turned to the Dong Family members and spoke a few comforting words, all while sharply observing the surroundings. Once done, he casually asked, "By the way, where’s my Imperial Brother?"
Shang Ruyi also glanced around, noticing Yu Wenqian’s absence in the crowd.
Being Dong Bizheng’s nephew, and having personally returned the coffin, his grief-stricken appearance should have kept him constantly at the mourning hall—how come he’s not here now?
The Dong Family members paused, instinctively glancing around.
At that moment, a low, hoarse voice emerged from behind the mourning hall, eerily chilling as though resounding from Hell itself, "I’m here."
