Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1078 - 773: Extraordinary Matters (3)

That kind of boundless bewilderment more clearly conveyed a penetrating coldness.Yet, Shang Ruyi inexplicably felt that although his face was turned towards Yu Wenquan, his cold gaze seemed to be looking at her. Just as she hesitated to divert her gaze, Yu Wenqian seemed to foresee something and also turned his face to the other side.

For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.

This time it was Yu Wenye who broke the silence, saying, "Father, it’s getting dark. We should head back."

Yu Wenquan immediately laughed and said, "Indeed, we’ve appreciated the moon quite enough."

With that, he waved his hand, leading his two brothers and Shang Ruyi down the Thousand-step Corridor, heading towards the Kissing Tower. Since Shang Ruyi’s belly was much bigger than before, Yu Wenquan specifically had Eunuch Yu arrange for a little eunuch to carry a lantern nearby to illuminate the way forward. Even with this arrangement, Yu Wenye stayed by her side without taking a step away, holding her hand as they proceeded. Yu Wenqian walked just two or three steps ahead of them, glanced back once, and said nothing further, just continued forward.

Before long, they returned to the Kissing Tower.

Although the sky was completely dark, the Kissing Tower was brightly lit. Lanterns were lit on both floors of the pavilion, illuminating the small building. Eunuch Yu served by Yu Wenquan’s side while silently giving instructions to the little eunuch behind him. As they reached the entrance, a group of palace maids approached to greet them.

Just as the four of them prepared to enter, a sudden hurried and heavy footstep broke the silence in the night air behind them.

Yu Wenquan involuntarily furrowed his brows.

Eunuch Yu immediately stepped forward and pointed outside, saying, "Who is running around out there?"

A little eunuch rushed over from the darkness of the night. Despite disturbing the Emperor, the two princes, and Princess Qin’s elegant mood, he wasn’t afraid; instead, his face was filled with joy as he whispered two sentences to Eunuch Yu.

As soon as Eunuch Yu heard, his bleary eyes lit up like lanterns.

Yu Wenquan asked, "What’s happening?"

Eunuch Yu took a piece of paperwork from the little eunuch, turned around and happily knelt before Yu Wenquan, proclaiming loudly, "Emperor, Songzhou’s victory report!"

Upon hearing the word "victory report," everyone’s spirits lifted, and Yu Wenquan quickly stepped forward, snatching the document from Eunuch Yu’s hand, tearing it open swiftly. After a cursory glance, his face immediately revealed a delighted smile, but he didn’t say anything right away. Instead, as if to confirm again, fearing he might have misread a word, he re-read it from the start.

Beside him, Yu Wenye could barely contain himself, saying, "Father—"

This time, Yu Wenquan finally re-read the text on the victory report, confirmed he hadn’t misread, then lifted his head, smiled, and said, "Songzhou has surrendered!"

"That’s wonderful!"

Shang Ruyi was both surprised and happy, her eyes widened.

Yu Wenquan also laughed heartily, saying, "Yes, Shen Tu Tai is commendable."

As he spoke, he clenched the letter tightly in his hand, as if to grasp the fruits of victory firmly, leading the three of them into the Kissing Tower, speaking as he walked, "After taking Xuzhou, he remained dormant, only engaging in a standoff with Fan Cheng’en. Several exchanges of letters show that although Fan Cheng’en intended to surrender, those around him didn’t, and even tried to persuade him to fully ally with Luoyang."

Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a glance, their brows furrowed in unison.

Yu Wenqian, who had been silent, said, "If it’s truly that way, then it would be very unfavorable for us."

Yu Wenquan said, "Indeed, that’s why Shen Tu Tai made a decisive move, sending people to infiltrate Songzhou and kill those who proposed surrendering to Luoyang."

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

Can this really work?

Although the fact is evident now, she had differing thoughts—at such a critical juncture, Shen Tu Tai sending people to kill the officials in Songzhou City could hasten Fan Cheng’en’s decision, but it’s highly sensitive. Should Fan Cheng’en feel he’s brutal or threatened, he might indeed turn to Luoyang in anger.

At that point, they would be, as Yu Wenqian said, very unfavorable.

Indeed, just as she feared, Yu Wenqian asked, "Wouldn’t such actions anger Fan Cheng’en?"

The words were barely out when Yu Wenye contemplatively said, "Shen Tu Tai wouldn’t act without assurance; if he acts, he must be certain of victory, and those he killed were likely carefully selected."

Yu Wenquan smiled and said, "You’re right."

Tonight, due to caring for Shang Ruyi’s health, the Mid-Autumn banquet was set only on the first floor. Once inside, they quickly took their seats. After sitting down, Yu Wenquan continued, "After sending people to kill those few, he showed the evidence of their collusion with Wang Shaoqiu to Fan Cheng’en."

Saying this, Yu Wenquan glanced at the letter in his hand, saying, "The information was gathered by Nie Chong, while the action was taken by that kid Shantong’er."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately understood why Fan Cheng’en surrendered.

He was originally a loyalist, that’s why he initially believed the rumors of her regicide and deployed troops to execute her; but later, at the Dayan Temple dharma assembly, the evil deeds of the Wang Brothers’ regicide were exposed to the world. He surely knew this too, thus ought to harbor deep-seated hate towards the Wang Brothers. Some days past, following Wang Shaoji’s death at Shuishen Mountain, only Wang Shaoqiu escaped with the remnants, and at that time, they speculated he might have gone east to join Liang Shide. This also explains why Fan Cheng’en remained close to Luoyang, yet never pledged allegiance to Liang Shide until now.

Now, knowing Wang Shaoqiu’s hand reached into Songzhou, he naturally couldn’t agree.

Under such circumstances, his choice was reduced to one.

To submit to Dasheng!

After listening to Yu Wenquan’s words, Yu Wenye picked up the wine cup already filled on the table, stood to say, "This bloodless capture of Songzhou is entirely due to the Emperor’s divine protection. I raise this cup in celebration of the Emperor!"

Yu Wenquan was already pleased, and hearing this made him even happier, raising his cup.

Shang Ruyi also stood to raise her cup, saying, "I too celebrate the Emperor; capturing Song and Xu States will make advancing east and capturing Luoyang effortless, ensuring the Emperor’s Dasheng Dynasty’s kindness and power resonate across all lands, leaving an illustrious legacy!"

These words made Yu Wenquan burst into hearty laughter.

Previously, his delight in awarding Shen Tu Tai stemmed from his appropriate handling and advantageous command, but this joy was genuinely because this war’s success was crucial for the Dasheng Dynasty; he couldn’t always occupy only the Central Pass, but needs to advance east and conquer the realm, and Luoyang, initially managed for over a decade by Chu Yang as the Eastern Capital, is also the nation’s center, only by capturing it can his dynasty be complete and unified.

"Well said!"

And with that, Yu Wenquan and the two of them raised their cups to drink.

Although she spoke, Shang Ruyi, considering her condition, only drank lightly, while Yu Wenquan and Yu Wenye downed theirs completely. Upon finishing, Yu Wenquan turned to Yu Wenqian, smiling broadly, saying, "Qian’er, do you have anything to say to me?"