Chapter 329: Chapter 299 Ridiculous..._2
With his words spoken, the entire courtyard fell silent.
Wang Shaoji remained leisurely calm, observing the two faces in front of him, each expressing different emotions.
Chu Yang was silent for a long time before he said to him, "You may go. Once the matter is clarified, I will summon you again."
"Yes."
Wang Shaoji bowed and then turned to leave. Yet, just as he was about to depart, he turned back and shot a sinister glance at Shang Ruyi, his sharp gaze as if intending to tear her apart.
Shang Ruyi, however, just stood there impassively.
In truth, she wasn’t afraid, as the conflict between her and him was not something new. Back when she was with Yu Wenye, she had crossed paths with Wang Shaoji more than once. Although it wasn’t a life-and-death struggle, it certainly wasn’t a situation where peaceful coexistence was possible.
But...
"What are you thinking about?"
Suddenly hearing Chu Yang’s voice next to her ear, Shang Ruyi’s breath caught; she looked up to meet those long, phoenix eyes. At this moment, the intensity and even the warmth in Chu Yang’s gaze had completely cooled down, and his tone was icy: "Who are you thinking about?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi steadied herself and softly said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty’s sword dance just now seemed to have the style of the West River Pei Family."
"Hmm?"
Chu Yang was somewhat surprised she would suddenly mention this, but the inexplicable displeasure in his heart eased slightly because of her words, and he said, "You know Pei Yunshen?"
Shang Ruyi gently nodded.
Although she was not adept at socializing in the past and rarely interacted with the young masters and misses of the Gate Valve families, she was still aware of Pei Yunshen, famed throughout the land and known as the "Sword Saint." Moreover, Pei Yunshen was the uncle of Pei Xu, whom Chu Yang had previously discredited as the Left Director of the Imperial Secretariat. However, Pei Yunshen was not interested in officialdom, living his life with the sword, and thus, the Pei Family’s sword dance was world-renowned, known to virtually everyone.
Whether it was because she spoke of him having another’s style or because mentioning Pei Yunshen inevitably reminded him of Pei Xu, who displeased him, Chu Yang’s expression immediately darkened.
He said coldly, "Don’t think that just because Pei Yunshen excels at sword dance, every sword dance you see belongs to the Pei Family. There are many who know sword dance under the heavens, is it that in people’s minds there can only be those named Pei?"
"..."
"He merely performed a sword dance with his disciple, someone named Sun Linglong, once for the late Emperor. I’ve seen it once."
"..."
"My sword dance is my own understanding, unrelated to him."
"..."
"I am nothing like those named Pei."
His words were not without reason. In fact, all sword dances under the heavens originate from the same source. No matter how they evolve, they all stay true to their roots. But Chu Yang’s sword dance was indeed quite different from the Pei’s sword dance. Pei Yunshen’s sword dance emphasized harmony and balance, being agile and elegant, whereas Chu Yang’s sword dance was wanton and unrestrained, almost a projection of his own soul.
Actions and postures can be similar, but the soul would absolutely be different.
No wonder her words annoyed him.
Yet, his words seemed somewhat prideful, with a hint of childishness. Despite the turmoil in her heart like a tangled skein, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but reveal a semblance of a smile on her face, and she said softly, "Your Majesty is right."
Though his expression seemed vexed, upon seeing Shang Ruyi’s smile, Chu Yang’s mood improved once again.
He still said seriously, "I am who I am; only the people of the world resemble me, there is no one I resemble. Do you understand?"
Shang Ruyi nodded and said, "Ruyi understands."
Only then did Chu Yang nod in satisfaction.
At this moment, Eunuch Yu had already passed down the orders and had returned. Upon seeing him, Shang Ruyi immediately said, "Your Majesty, Ruyi is a bit tired and wants to return to rest."
Chu Yang also noticed her pale face and nodded: "I will escort you back."
"No need,"
Shang Ruyi lowered her head and softly said, "Your Majesty, having just arrived at Jiangdu Palace, there are still matters to attend to. Ruyi can return on her own."
"..."
Hearing her words, Chu Yang couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly, but he could only say, "Then, you may go back."
"Ruyi takes her leave."
Shang Ruyi bowed to him and turned to leave.
Whether it was the exhaustion from the recent sword dance or the exhaustion from arguing with Wang Shaoji, on the way back her steps felt much heavier than when she came. By the time she finally returned to her palace, pushed the door open, and sat down at the bedside, Shang Ruyi felt her whole body weary.
She leaned back against the cushion and let out a long breath.
Yu Wenye.
Yu Wenye...
Just hearing that name unexpectedly, she nearly used all her strength to restrain herself, not revealing any emotional fluctuation, not allowing Wang Shaoji to have his way.
Yet, only she knew, at that moment, how painfully her heart was beating.
These days, she consciously avoided thinking about it, forbid herself from asking, but Wo Xue’s seemingly incidental remark was like a needle fine as ox hair, piercing heavily into her heart, tormenting her these days—Wenye bled to the point of falling into a coma, at death’s door, and it was because of this she had been drugged and taken away from that manor.
Bleeding into a coma, at death’s door...
Those three arrows he took, didn’t they say his life wasn’t in danger? He even managed to visit Empress Jiang after pulling out the arrows. Why was he suddenly at death’s door?
Could it be, the ruptured wound was indeed so severe?
So, how was he now?
Was he... still alive?
This question, she felt she ought not to ponder, yet it lingered like a nightmare, driven away when she was awake, but haunting her in moments of weakness.
Chu Yang refused to confront the uprising of rebel armies across the country, yet she dared not face the life and death of one person.
Laughable...
She reached out to cover her eyes, feeling a hot surge welling up in her eyes as she murmured, "Laughable..."