Chapter 1046: Chapter 762: The Emperor’s Heart Is Hard to Fathom
At this moment, the three of them almost held their breath and stopped their hearts from beating, as if prisoners on the execution ground were waiting for the verdict at the third quarter of the noon. Finally, they only heard Yu Wenquan let out a deep sigh and said, "All of you, stand up."
Aunt Hui widened her eyes: "Your Majesty?"
Meanwhile, Eunuch Yu was so pleased that he stepped forward to help Shang Ruyi up, saying, "Princess, be careful, the ground is cold, don’t hurt yourself," while also gesturing to Yu Wenye and Chu Ruoyan, who immediately stood up as well.
However, allowing them to stand did not mean they were without guilt.
Chu Ruoyan still kept her head down, a layer of fine sweat covering her smooth forehead, clearly not yet recovered from the dangerous situation—after all, her identity was different from Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi, and she had two more people behind her needing her protection.
Yu Wenquan’s deep eyes slowly scanned over the three of them, finally resting on Yu Wenye.
He said, "King Qin."
Yu Wenye immediately responded, "I am here, Your Majesty."
Yu Wenquan said, "You are often busy with official duties, but you must not neglect family affairs. Remember, a harmonious family leads to prosperity, and without family peace, nothing can be accomplished."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat, and Chu Ruoyan, who was standing next to her, breathed a little harder—throughout the whole affair, they had concealed the fact that there was a provocation that almost led to a conflict between wife and concubine, yet Yu Wenquan mentioned ’family peace’ at this time.
It seemed he was not completely unaware of the truth.
Yu Wenye’s brow furrowed slightly, but he was not alarmed. He immediately replied, "I understand. From now on, I will manage the household well to prevent such—misunderstandings from happening again."
Yu Wenquan nodded, then turned his gaze to Shang Ruyi, his expression suddenly becoming gentle.
He said, "Ruyi."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "I am here, Your Majesty."
Yu Wenquan said, "You are the one among these juniors who reassures me the most, but now I also worry about you, for it is your pregnancy. The Imperial Doctor looking after your pregnancy, should we add more staff?"
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "Doctor Su is diligent and very effective. It was she who first discovered the dust on the hawthorn cake and warned me."
Yu Wenquan nodded: "That’s good. Besides her, you and those around you should be more watchful."
Shang Ruyi said, "I understand."
Yu Wenquan nodded, and then slowly moved his gaze to Chu Ruoyan standing next to her.
The previously gentle eyes immediately became serious again, and with someone of his stature, even a serious gaze could become tangible, like an invisible boulder pressing on Chu Ruoyan’s heart, making her breath and heartbeat difficult. Chu Ruoyan struggled to control her trembling, but her uneven breathing still betrayed her panic at that moment.
Finally, she heard Yu Wenquan’s voice in her ears: "Ruoyan."
Chu Ruoyan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said, "I am here, Your Majesty."
Yu Wenquan said, "It is good that you and Ruyi work together in harmony and love; it is not in vain of your mother’s earnest teachings."
"...Yes."
"However,"
Yu Wenquan’s tone shifted, "Your mother managed the harem for many years, yet she never resorted to violence."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruoyan hurriedly knelt down again: "I know my mistake!"
Seeing her like this, Yu Wenquan revealed a faint smile and waved his hand, saying, "Get up, get up."
Shang Ruyi and Yu Wenye reached out to help her up, and only then did Chu Ruoyan barely stand firm. Yu Wenquan continued, "You should let me finish speaking. It was wrong to hit people. If the little palace maids and eunuchs did not do their job well, you should have the supervising palace maid punish them, not get involved yourself. It breaks the rules and undermines your dignity."
"..."
"However, you were anxious for Ruyi and acted rashly, which is understandable."
Hearing this, Chu Ruoyan let out a breath.
But the next moment, Yu Wenquan said, "Nevertheless, this matter was ultimately your negligence, and if I completely ignore it, disorder would ensue in the palace."
Upon hearing this, their breaths tightened, and they all looked at him.
Although it was only a short period, Shang Ruyi felt that Yu Wenquan’s words had played with their breaths and heartbeats as if in the palm of his hand. Had she not gone through some experiences with Yu Wenye, she would have been sweating all over her head like Chu Ruoyan.
Even though her face remained calm, her hand holding onto Chu Ruoyan’s was already full of cold sweat.
At this moment, she truly understood the unpredictable nature of the monarch’s heart.
Fortunately, when Yu Wenquan spoke again, his tone was calm and unemotional, solemnly saying, "You shall be confined for half a year."
"...!"
Chu Ruoyan’s heart skipped a beat; she instinctively grabbed Shang Ruyi’s hand in return, and the two sweaty hands, clasped together, somehow generated a scorching warmth. She instinctively glanced over and hurriedly shifted her gaze, saying to Yu Wenye, "I accept the decree. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy."
Yu Wenquan nodded and said, "You can leave now."
"...Yes."
Chu Ruoyan’s breath was still somewhat uneven, but at this moment, it was indeed better to leave Liangyi Hall early, away from Yu Wenquan’s gaze. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she saw Yu Wenye remained still, saying to Yu Wenquan, "Your Majesty, I have one more request."
Yu Wenquan slightly frowned: "What else do you have to say?"
Yu Wenye said, "That Jian Chun is dead. Now, Jinyu Garden is short of one person. I wish to ask the Palace Bureau to assign another person over. If Ruoyan is confined for half a year and there aren’t enough people around her, I fear she will suffer."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan nodded, "Naturally, if one is missing, they must be replaced."
After saying this, he turned to Aunt Hui, who had been standing silently by the side with a face already dark but said not a word. Just as he was about to speak, Yu Wenye continued, "I specifically request that the replacement palace maid should be carefully selected, not like the previous Jian Chun."
"...!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan immediately turned his head to look at him. Even Aunt Hui, who had been silent all this time, momentarily stiffened.
Yu Wenquan asked, "Are you saying—"
Yu Wenye said, "I mean this palace maid was not originally serving Ruoyan but was reassigned by the Palace Bureau after Jinyu Garden was renamed. Yet she was careless, even daring to neglect items delivered to Princess Qin. If such a person remains, who knows what else will happen?"
Yu Wenquan’s eyes suddenly narrowed: "Was she assigned by the Palace Bureau?"
