Chapter 1006: Chapter 734: Lamenting Virtue, Cherishing Virtue_2
Shang Ruyi’s expression turned cold as well—Yu Mingyue’s words were so dignified and righteous, as if she was lamenting for her own loss. But in reality, every word of hers was telling everyone present that as Princess Qin, dancing for the Western Turks’ emissary was a disgraceful act. And with that kind of pained expression and tone, she nailed herself to the pillar of shame.
This kind of tactic was something not seen before.
Who knows where she learned it, but it was clear she wielded it with great skill.
Just as Shang Ruyi was pondering how to respond, a calm but clearly angry voice rang out, saying: "You keep talking about honor; then I ask, Lord Yu, what is ’honor’?"
Immediately, all eyes in the great hall turned to where the voice came from.
It was Shen Wuzheng.
He had been suppressing a certain anger all along, without uttering a word, which worried Shang Ruyi. But after the banquet started, she had no time to attend to him, not expecting him to speak up at this time. However, upon hearing him, no one was surprised, as everyone knew of his relationship with Princess Qin. Only Yu Mingyue seemed momentarily stunned, as if she hadn’t expected such a question from him.
For a moment, her mind went blank, and she stammered, "Honor? Honor is honor; what other meaning is there to it?"
Shen Wuzheng mocked, "Sighing over honor, lamenting it, yet not knowing why it is so. It seems, Lord Yu, that as an official at Jixian Zhengzi, your learning and knowledge still need improvement."
"..."
"Honor refers to reputation and integrity."
Yu Mingyue’s eyes lit up, and she immediately said, "Then she—"
But before she finished, she was startled, as if suddenly realizing she had reached a dead end, and from the start, she had been on the wrong path.
Seeing her stupor, Shen Wuzheng seemed to have understood that she had nothing to say. Coldly, he said, "Let me ask you, Princess Qin took the life of the Western Turks’ emissary with a single sword stroke, without deploying any soldiers, capturing Qi County. How does this tarnish her reputation?"
"..."
"As a princess, going to war with the army, she did not rely on protection to survive idly, but instead wielded arms on the battlefield, cutting down the enemy emissary herself. How does her integrity compare to that of Fu Hao Zhao Ping?"
"..."
"Or are you suggesting that, Lord Yu, accompanying the army to war means only needing to go along and return with them?"
These words left Yu Mingyue’s face somber.
If Shen Wuzheng’s previous words were in defense of Shang Ruyi, then this last sentence clearly went from defense to offense, laying her "incompetence" in this battle bare for all to see.
It should be known that this night banquet was a celebration banquet!
The two women who accompanied the army, one being Shang Ruyi, Princess Qin, already had her merits clearly stated by them, but she herself had not a word of achievement.
In fact, Yu Mingyue did not lack the intention to strategize. However, before she could offer any plan, Lu Xiao had already delivered that set of military attire, which inspired Yu Wenqian to devise a plan that led the backup forces of the Western Turks and Wang Shaoji’s troops to slaughter each other. This situation slipped from her control, rendering her knowledge almost useless; while she herself, though not short of time in this world, spent over a year merely adapting to it, deciding to follow Yu Wenqian, change her destiny, and learning some basic court etiquette and horse riding, without possessing additional ability to partake in men’s battlegrounds.
Unexpectedly, this point was seized by Shen Wuzheng for a retort!
Yu Mingyue’s face flushed red and white alternately.
Sure enough, after Shen Wuzheng’s last words, the surrounding ministers’ gazes toward her also changed.
Even Yu Wenquan, who initially looked grave and slightly angry, began reconsidering something upon hearing these words, his gaze toward Yu Mingyue flickering.
Yu Mingyue suddenly panicked, "I—"
But this time, it was Shang Ruyi who interrupted her.
She stood up, looked at the speechless Yu Mingyue, then glanced at the timid Yu Wencheng, who clearly had neither the courage nor the wit to join this debate. Finally, she turned to Yu Wenquan, cupped her hands, and said, "Father, I have something to say!"
Her loud and clear remarks stirred even Yu Wenquan by surprise.
Though he was shocked by what they discussed earlier, Yu Wenquan was not as angry, furious, or contemptuous of this daughter-in-law as Yu Mingyue had anticipated. His gaze toward Shang Ruyi instead brightened, before he gently gestured with his hand: "You may speak."
