Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 996 - 726: Young Master Shen, What Do You Say?

Crown Prince!These two words, like a thunderbolt descending from the sky, momentarily stunned everyone present, even some commoners near the Vermilion Bird Gate heard it, each terrified, nearly collapsing to the ground!

Crown Prince, the Emperor has decreed Han King as Crown Prince!

This new Dasheng Dynasty has finally welcomed its first Crown Prince!

As the crowd was shocked to the core, even Yu Wenqian himself had his eyes wide open, unable to react at all, Yu Mingyue was actually the first person to recover her senses.

Ecstatic, she immediately bowed and prayed, "Thank Your Majesty for the grace, long live my Emperor!"

As she spoke, the people around her also came to their senses.

Thus, everyone successively knelt and kowtowed, together with the commoners behind them, some heard snippets, some only saw the silence before the Vermilion Bird Gate; most even did not know what happened, nor knew what would befall them as ants beneath those lofty individuals, yet they coincidentally joined in the kowtowing and saluting, shouting long live.

"Long live my Emperor, long live, long live!"

For a moment, the sound resonated through the sky.

Almost numbly following everyone to say these words, Shang Ruyi kept her head buried low, heart heavy, mind buzzing, too weighty to lift her head, only seeing her hands supporting the ground, body icy cold, fingertips pale.

She couldn’t even hear what Eunuch Yu said next, nor what those around were saying.

After an unknown period, a steady, warm hand reached out, held her slender arm and lifted her from the ground, Shang Ruyi barely came to her senses, lifting her head, she was greeted by Yu Wenye’s calm, stern eyes.

Sensing her weakness, he softly asked, "Are you okay?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s throat choked, barely said, "I-I’m okay."

Saying so, she grabbed Yu Wenye’s arm to stand, but her legs were still weak and soft, Yu Wenye supported her until she took a deep breath calming herself, then released his hand. When Shang Ruyi looked at him again, though her brow still furrowed, her gaze had calmed.

She said, "We—"

Yu Wenye said, "No matter."

Shen Wuzheng stood aside, solemnly watching them, looking to Yu Wenqian who had also risen, accepting congratulations from Eunuch Yu and surrounding generals.

He has become the Crown Prince.

This was the outcome they knew they’d face since before; if before, Yu Wenquan might still hesitate between his two sons, then Yu Wenye’s scheme involving the Empress Dowager Jiang angered this new Emperor, Yu Wenquan clearly isn’t someone easily threatened or coerced, understanding his son’s overpowering capacity, if not curbed, he’d have no means to control him in the future.

Thus, he didn’t even wait for them to enter the palace, for court.

Decree made outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, precisely to avoid all trouble, whatever preparations Yu Wenye might have, he could do nothing at this time, all is settled.

Of course, it’s the present settlement.

After speaking quietly with Shang Ruyi, both fully calming down, Yu Wenye looked up, bringing her over to Yu Wenqian, at that moment a few congratulating officials stepped back, Yu Wenqian seemed to sense something, turned around, facing his stern, cold-eyed younger brother.

Yu Wenye bowed to him, "Congratulations Imperial Brother, Congratulations Crown Prince."

Yu Wenqian glanced at him, and by his side, Shang Ruyi who was also bowing in congratulation. His eyes flickered as if considering what to say, but only contemplated for a moment, he said, "Second Brother, no matter what happens, I hope we remain united as brothers, like in this battle."

Right then, the usual thought might be how to comfort.

Or perhaps, completely sever relations, speak coldly to this brother who schemed against him but ultimately failed.

Yet Yu Wenqian didn’t do so; he evidently didn’t intend to fully break with Yu Wenye, becoming arch enemies; knowing comforting words are futile at such time, instead more piercing, so simply spoke well-rounded formalities, no fault to find, no chance to exploit, enemy or ally, leaving Yu Wenye to decide.

Indeed, Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, his eyes slightly flickered as he looked at him.

A long pause, he said, "Of course."

Though he remained calm, upon uttering these words, he distinctly felt the surrounding atmosphere had shifted.

Earlier at Taiji Palace, both he and Yu Wenqian were surrounded by respective officials, starkly divided, though less in number beside him than Yu Wenqian, they were still roughly equal. At present, after speaking with Yu Wenqian, glancing around, those officials who surrounded him changed their gaze, some not approaching at all, others had already moved to Yu Wenqian, starting to flattery.

At once, one side bustling, the other stark.

Likewise starkly divided.

"These people are too much."

As Yu Wenye coldly glanced over those faces that were flattering and sycophantic, a crisp voice sounded in his ear. When he looked down, it was the small Shantong’er pouting, displeased with those people.

Compared to the adults’ maturity and restraint, he was obviously much more direct.

A large hand reached over and rubbed the child’s bald head, pressing Shantong’er’s head down suddenly, causing him to stagger. When he looked up, it was Shen Tu Tai. He said to Shantong’er, "It’s enough to know, why speak it out."

Shantong’er pouted, "Seventh Brother, aren’t you angry?"

Shen Tu Tai, although not as obvious as he was, did not hide the slight anger and disdain on his face, only with a bit more composure, said, "Angry. But strength should be used in useful places."

Shantong’er blinked at him.

He was still young, with simple thoughts, unable to consider the complexity of people’s hearts and power struggles, only instinctively feeling unfair, still complaining to Shen Tu Tai, "But for the attack on Taiyuan, we also exerted our efforts", unaware that this time’s ennoblement, while based on the merits of the Battle of Taiyuan, was actually not that related to the merits anymore.

Yu Wenquan only wanted to ennoble Yu Wenqian and use this matter to intimidate Yu Wenye.

Because, he was the Emperor!

At this time, someone emerged from the lively crowd over there and slowly walked towards Yu Wenye; it was Eunuch Yu. He still retained the happy smile from offering congratulations just now, and facing Yu Wenye again at this time, he was not awkward, nor did he have the cold distance of others, just saluted as usual, "Your Highness, you have worked hard."

Yu Wenye said, "Not at all."

Eunuch Yu said, "Your Majesty has decreed that both Your Highnesses are to rest in the palace for now, and later this evening, His Majesty will host a banquet at Bai Fu Hall for all ministers, as well as to welcome Your Highnesses."

Yu Wenye said, "Is it not necessary to return thanks?"

Eunuch Yu laughed, "His Majesty is attending to state affairs today."

"I see,"

Yu Wenye raised his eyebrows, then nodded and said, "I understand."

After speaking, he turned and made arrangements for the people around him. Shen Tu Tai and Shantong’er, of course, led their own people away, while the court’s reinforcements had to be handed back to the Ministry of War.

The only one needing special arrangements was—

Lu Xiao gracefully walked towards them, with a smile yet not a smile, and said, "I wonder how Prince Qin plans to arrange for this little woman."

Shang Ruyi saw her and immediately said, "We plan to—"

As she spoke, she turned to look into the crowd around, after a while, she gradually frowned.

Where is Pei Xingyuan?

Not to mention she wanted to find him at this time, according to Pei Xingyuan’s personality, he should also jump out at this moment to make a few joking remarks to help Yu Wenye relax, or complain like Shantong’er. In short, he should have appeared.

But in the crowd, he was nowhere to be seen.

Even Yu Wenye and Shen Wuzheng felt a bit surprised; they both searched through the surrounding crowd and indeed did not find him. Listening to their words, someone beside them already said deeply, "Could it be that on knowing today’s outcome, Mr. Pei didn’t even want to come?"

Shang Ruyi frowned upon hearing this.

She was already quite familiar with Pei Xingyuan. Although this person was a bit carefree in daily life, she knew well he was not such a person. On the contrary, he valued affection and loyalty even more than ordinary people; he just didn’t like to express it earnestly.

But why didn’t he come?

Yet the most pressing issue now wasn’t finding him. Shang Ruyi turned to glance at Lu Xiao, thought for a moment, and then instinctively looked at Shen Wuzheng, softly saying, "Brother..."

Shen Wuzheng understood: "You want her to come to my house?"

Shang Ruyi said, "Is it possible?"

Prior to this, they had considered arranging for Lu Xiao to temporarily stay at Pei Xingyuan’s house, since he was carefree, and it wouldn’t be surprising to have an enchanting beauty around; as for Lu Xiao’s relationship with Xiao Yuansui and her time with Wang Shaoji, Yu Wenye would explain at a suitable time, not a major concern.

Now, with Pei Xingyuan absent, considering the others around, Shen Tu Tai and Nie Chong, being rough men, were naturally not suitable; Mu Xian and Cheng Qiao also had their respective duties, and given their temperament, they probably couldn’t handle someone like Lu Xiao.

It seemed the only one one could entrust was Shen Wuzheng.

But would Shen Wuzheng be willing?

Indeed, upon hearing Shang Ruyi’s words, Shen Wuzheng’s brows instinctively furrowed, but he didn’t immediately refuse. Instead, he turned to glance at Lu Xiao, who was smiling sweetly at him. Even when just standing still, the enchanting aura emitted from her stirred quite a few men around into a daze, their eyes seemingly tied to strings nailed onto her.

Lu Xiao tilted her head, smiling as she said, "Young Master Shen, how about it?"