Chapter 341: Chapter 310: It really is "Good News"_2
Does he really trust Wang Shaoji that much? Or—
At this moment, her mind was in a complete frenzy, unable to react in time, while the two guards hesitated for a moment, seemingly uncertain about the Emperor’s order. But then, Chu Yang coldly said, "Do you dare to defy the imperial decree?"
The two guards could only step forward immediately, grabbing the little palace maid and dragging her out.
The little palace maid, terrified, struggled continuously, crying out, "I was at the corner of the wall and heard them say they were going to act tonight, and they also told everyone not to close the palace gates. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, everything I said is true..."
Shang Ruyi, in a panic, was about to step forward.
But before she could approach to plead for the little palace maid, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her. Upon turning her head, she saw that it was Eunuch Yu.
Lord Eunuch, with a look of fear on his face, gripped her tightly, whispering, "Madam, don’t get involved in this matter."
"Eunuch."
"You, you must leave quickly!"
"..."
Shang Ruyi did not know what was happening, but when she looked back again, the two guards had already dragged the struggling little palace maid out through the side door.
Soon, her cries vanished into the wind that carried the gentle fragrance of flowers and birdsong.
Shang Ruyi stood frozen in place, feeling only a chill around her.
She didn’t know whether she couldn’t believe what her eyes had seen, or what her ears had heard, or perhaps she couldn’t even believe that she was standing here facing all of this.
Chu Yang... why would he do this?
No matter how much he trusted the Imperial Guard and Wang Shaoji, upon receiving news of a rebellion within the Imperial Guard, as an Emperor, considering his own safety, he should send someone to investigate thoroughly and prevent any possible crisis. Yet, just because he didn’t want to hear what he called "nonsense," he had the person who came to report killed...
Is this really what an Emperor should do in the face of his own safety?
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi felt a chill in her heart.
At this moment, she felt her wrist growing heavy. Turning to look, she saw Eunuch Yu’s plump, pale face covered in cold sweat, his eyes almost red with fear as he stared at her, whispering again, "Madam, quickly, leave!"
"..."
At this moment, a shiver went through Shang Ruyi’s heart.
What was Eunuch Yu worried about?
Earlier, she thought Eunuch Yu was worried that the palace maid’s report might anger the Emperor, potentially affecting her, which was why he was so panicked. But now that the palace maid had been dragged away, why was he still afraid?
What on earth was happening?
"You, are here?"
As Shang Ruyi hesitated in confusion, Chu Yang’s lazy yet cold voice sounded from the front. Instantly, Shang Ruyi felt the hand gripping her wrist prick as if by a needle and promptly let go.
Eunuch Yu stepped back, covered in sweat.
Shang Ruyi glanced at him, not understanding, but she still took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked forward.
Chu Yang had already noticed her, but he remained leaning against the tree, his handsome face showing a faintly mocking expression. His slender eyes did hold a smile, but more than that, they bore a hint of alcohol.
Shang Ruyi quickly noticed that several wine jars were toppled beside him.
If she guessed correctly, he must have been drinking here all night.
Those who have drunk all night know that by daylight one gradually sobers up, but the head would hurt greatly. As Shang Ruyi took a step closer to him, she indeed saw his brows furrow constantly in what seemed like pain. Yet when she stood before him and bowed, the corners of his lips still curled upward.
That smile carried a hint of ridicule and mockery.
Was he still angry about yesterday’s events?
Shang Ruyi said, "Your Majesty."
"..."
Chu Yang cocked his head, looking at her for a moment before saying, "Why have you come?"
Shang Ruyi pondered.
Even without looking back, she could feel Eunuch Yu standing not far behind her, urgently anxious, as if he wished to rush forward and push her away, while in her mind, the image of the little palace maid struggling and crying as she was dragged away lingered.
The hand clutching the handkerchief in her sleeve involuntarily tightened.
"I—"
Just as she was about to speak, Chu Yang suddenly laughed coldly, saying, "Did you hear the news and come because of that?"
"...News?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback, looking up at him.
What news?
And at this moment, she clearly saw that beside Chu Yang, apart from several wine jars, there was also an urgent memo.
In these days, Chu Yang had completely stopped reading memos sent from various places because since Luoyang’s fall, news of rebel armies had risen everywhere, the memos sent to Jiangdu Palace either reported another military general’s rebellion or someone’s army raised. Chu Yang completely avoided these messages, as if—
Just like earlier, he had the little palace maid dragged out to be killed.
Thinking of this, the hand clutching the handkerchief clenched tighter.
But this memo...
She said softly, "Does Your Majesty know of something, some good news?"
"..."
Chu Yang slightly raised an eyebrow at her, his smile growing deeper, and slowly stood up. Probably because he’d been sitting too long, his legs were numb; as he got up, he staggered and almost bumped into Shang Ruyi, but managed to regain his balance, chuckled again, and then leaned towards her, looking down into her somewhat dazed eyes.
The two of them were so close, their breaths almost intertwined.
He said, "It’s truly ’good news.’"
Shang Ruyi shuddered, "What?"
Chu Yang stared into her eyes, enunciating each word, "Duke Sheng and his son have raised an army in Taiyuan."