Chapter 1419 - 1095: Compassion

Seeing Shang Ruyi’s sharp and keen demeanor, Xiao Yuansui’s smile deepened. He stood up slowly and walked from behind the desk to stand before Shang Ruyi, bowing his head to look at her: "What did I get wrong?"

"My father-in-law has long since ascended to the throne and proclaimed himself Emperor. My husband is the illustrious Prince Qin of the Dasheng Dynasty."

As Shang Ruyi spoke, she raised her head to meet his gaze, calm yet full of majesty, saying, "Even if you do not call me ’Your Highness’, you should address me as ’Princess’."

Xiao Yuansui’s eye twitched slightly.

Like Yu Wenye, he too was someone whose anger and joy were never shown overtly. Indeed, perhaps the more his heart was tormented, the angrier he was, the calmer and more indifferent his expression became. But at this moment, Shang Ruyi clearly saw his eye twitch slightly, as if something in her words had pierced his heart.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yuansui said softly, "Indeed, ascending to the throne, proclaiming Emperor."

"..."

"The world is in chaos with heroes rising everywhere, yet no one expected that Duke Sheng would also harbor such ambitions."

"..."

"I underestimated him."

His words held a trace of sentiment, and Shang Ruyi carefully examined the deep shadows in his eyes, gradually understanding.

She recalled the prophecy song she had heard years ago—

Three Generations of Imperial Map, Wanggang seizes the people’s mouths.

Phoenix Cry on Xiao Mountain, yet behold Mizhou.

Back then, Xiao Yuansui was mistrusted by the Emperor because of the "Xiao Mountain" mentioned in the song due to his surname ’Xiao’, and he was not utilized. To revive his spirits, he joined Zuo Heng’s ranks and participated in rebellion until he was eradicated by the court.

At that time, both he and Zuo Heng may have dreamt of ruling amidst the chaos, and this prophecy indeed foreshadowed some events, such as after three generations, the Da Ye Dynasty’s reign would end, to be replaced; Wanggang Village, after seizing Xingluo Granary, gained temporary glory, gathering elites to stir the winds of turmoil. Perhaps Xiao Yuansui truly believed he fulfilled the prophecy with the "Xiao Mountain".

Looking back now, perhaps Xiao Mountain indeed referred to Wanggang Village under Xiao Yuansui’s control, but the true focus was not Xiao Mountain, but the Phoenix Cry!

Phoenix Cry on Xiao Mountain actually referred to Feng Chen singlehandedly dismantling Wanggang Village at that time.

Even now, Shen Tu Tai was still under his command, even decisively seized Shi Yutao after Shi Yuxin captured him, establishing a standoff with them.

As for "yet behold Mizhou"...

That, need not be elaborated.

Yu Wenquan had ascended to the throne and proclaimed as Emperor long ago, having concealed his brilliance and wisdom for years, finally revealing his true self after Chu Yang’s death, and the mystery of the prophecy seemed to have stripped away its mystique, revealing the truth and clarity.

Shang Ruyi said blandly, "With the world in chaos and heroes rising, no one should be underestimated."

"..."

"At the very least, neither my father-in-law nor my husband have ever underestimated you."

Xiao Yuansui raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at her for a while, then said, "Indeed, I have never underestimated the Princess. Yet, this time, the Princess with three hundred cavalry thwarted my tens of thousands of army, nullifying my plans to advance west to Chang An, making me see you in a new light."

Shang Ruyi furrowed her brows.

Though Xiao Yuansui had graciously called her "Princess", mentioning those three hundred cavalry felt like a knife stabbing into her heart.

Those three hundred cavalry were her heart and soul, truly her capital, even when the Crown Prince who disdained her deeply and the Crown Princess Consort who saw her as an enemy might make any move against her, this was her confidence to confront them.

Yet, they were all lost here.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes reddened; she bit her teeth hard and then barely said calmly, "You’ve honored me too much."

After speaking, before Xiao Yuansui could open his mouth, she continued, "Did you seek me out just to say these things?"

Xiao Yuansui watched her for a while, then said, "Oh, just wanted to catch up with the Princess."

"Catch up?"

For some reason, those two words sounded somewhat grating to Shang Ruyi’s ears. She glanced at Xiao Yuansui and intentionally looked around. The tent wasn’t small, even more spacious than some halls in wealthy households, yet a tent is a tent. Especially considering she was a captive, along with the surrounding situation, no matter how spacious, it felt cramped and suffocating to her.

So she said calmly, "To catch up, one needs matters from the past to discuss, and to part ways afterwards. Can I do that?"

Her words were filled with sarcasm, yet Xiao Yuansui did not get angry; instead, a hint of a smile appeared at the corners of his lips.

Shang Ruyi continued, "Besides, we have indeed only met by chance. There’s truly nothing to catch up about. In contrast, another person here is your old acquaintance, and has been waiting to ’catch up’ with you."

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Yuansui’s smile stiffened, his expression becoming complicated.

He certainly understood that Shang Ruyi was referring to Lu Xiao.

After a brief silence, he said, "Oh."

Shang Ruyi earnestly said, "If you wish to catch up, you should go find her."

Xiao Yuansui lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, the smile touched with helplessness, but it gradually turned indifferent, saying, "It seems, the Princess still cares about others, especially her, more than yourself as you did in Xingluo Granary."

Shang Ruyi frowned slightly, then suddenly remembered. Indeed, back when she was captured in Xingluo Granary, she had mentioned to Xiao Yuansui that should he meet Lu Xiao again someday to show mercy to this woman who had suffered.

He remembered.

Shang Ruyi said, "I’m a woman; I understand the hardships women face, so I think more for her."

Xiao Yuansui silently looked at her for a while, then suddenly raised his voice, "Come!"

A soldier immediately entered to receive orders, and Xiao Yuansui instructed, "Take the Princess to bathe and change, take good care of her, do not neglect."

The soldier said, "Yes."

Shang Ruyi sighed in relief, nodded to Xiao Yuansui, and then followed the soldier out. Just as she left, Hua Ziyang walked over from another path, entering the tent immediately feeling an invisible, oppressive atmosphere weighing on his heart, whispering, "Great General..."

Xiao Yuansui quietly walked back to the table and sat down, expressionless, saying, "What is it?"

Hua Ziyang said, "That... Miss Lu Xiao has been making a fuss to see you, refuses the food delivered and won’t change clothes, just waiting."

"..."

Xiao Yuansui furrowed his brows slightly, not getting up, instead picking up the brush on the table, writing a few strokes on the white xuan paper, then rolling it up and handing it to Hua Ziyang, saying, "Give it to her, she knows what to do."