Chapter 1453 - 1128: Shameless

Shen Tu Tai said: "This Shi Yuxin is skilled in martial arts and full of schemes. I worry that being locked up with others might let her find a chance to escape, so she is isolated there."

"Oh..."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye gave no reply, but after a moment of silence, he said: "I will go over and take a look."

With that, he was about to get up.

Shen Tu Tai and Xue Lin instinctively wanted to stop him, but at this moment, Shen Wuzheng spoke calmly: "Your Highness, it’s better not to go."

Yu Wenye turned his head towards him: "Hmm?"

Shen Wuzheng said: "She has just been fetched back and is slightly injured. Meeting her immediately might make her more wary; it’s better to let her simmer for a while, and wait until she calms down."

Shen Tu Tai and Xue Lin quickly echoed, "Indeed."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said: "Alright."

Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief, and Xue Lin quickly assisted him in sitting down. He had just settled, when Yu Wenye remembered something and asked: "By the way, where is Shantong’er?"

Shen Tu Tai and Xue Lin quickly looked at Shen Wuzheng; since their return, they immediately went to see Yu Wenye, and Shen Tu Tai only heard about Shantong’er’s return halfway, happy but yet to see him.

Shen Wuzheng sighed deeply: "He’s leaving."

"Ah?"

Shen Tu Tai, upon hearing this, immediately felt anxious and instinctively wanted to go out and see, but Shen Wuzheng continued: "However, I managed to persuade him to stay temporarily; after all, some of the people he brought are injured, but they are light injuries. From his intention, once it is handled, he still wants to leave."

"..."

"Your Highness might want to see him first."

Yu Wenye did not hesitate, immediately rising: "Come, you all follow me over."

So, everyone followed him out of the main hall, and soon arrived at a tent in the southeast corner of the camp. Next to it was the place where the military medics treated the wounded, brewing soup and changing medicine. Indeed, several monks were sitting in the cool shed, among them Jue Yun. Luckily, observing closely, they seemed to only have superficial wounds and nothing serious. Yu Wenye asked Xue Lin to go greet them, while he led Shen Wuzheng and Shen Tu Tai to the tent.

Pulling open the entrance, they indeed found Shantong’er sitting cross-legged inside.

The child was still as before, unable to shake the habits developed over years out of home, sitting cross-legged wherever he was. Yet he was restless, even seated, moving this way and that. On the table beside him was a large plate with several pancakes; Yu Wenye saw immediately that Shen Wuzheng had instructed someone to bring it. Shantong’er had already eaten several, and at that moment was folding the remaining half pancake into his mouth. Seeing Yu Wenye and the others enter, he hurriedly swallowed, but unfortunately had stuffed too much, choking until his eyes rolled white.

"Uh, uh—"

Seeing him like this, Shen Tu Tai quickly went over, poured him a cup of tea, and vigorously patted his back. Shantong’er hastily drank the water, finally freeing himself from the choke, yet afterwards started coughing from being spluttered, causing Shen Tu Tai to laugh in jest: "Been gone so long, and now you’re starving yourself?"

"I, cough cough, cough cough cough."

Shantong’er immediately blushed, not knowing whether from embarrassment or coughing.

Yu Wenye also walked in, sitting opposite him, looking at the child’s face with several abrasions, fortunately not serious, he felt relieved and said: "Later, I will have someone bring some meat, we’ll eat together tonight."

Shantong’er finally caught his breath, his face still red, but lowered his head not to meet eyes: "Jue Yun and his brethren do not eat meat. I want to leave with them."

Yu Wenye said: "I’ll naturally have vegetarian meals prepared for them."

Shen Wuzheng sighed: "Shantong’er, are you really going to leave?"

Shantong’er turned his face away: "I merely came back to lend a hand, now that there’s no more danger here, naturally I am leaving."

Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wuzheng exchanged a glance, showing a trace of helplessness.

Yu Wenye said: "While we indeed have no danger anymore, Ru Yi is still in Xiao Yuansui’s camp, she is in danger; you won’t care for her?"

"I—"

Hearing this, Shantong’er instantly froze there, while Shen Wuzheng and Shen Tu Tai quietly exchanged another glance.

Actually, anyone with sense knows, rescuing Princess Qin was originally King Qin’s responsibility; saving a wife is a husband’s duty, in no way involving Shantong’er. Yet, sensibly too, it is known that with Shantong’er’s feelings towards Shang Ruyi, he would never utter "It’s none of my concern," moreover, since he was willing to stay temporarily, it is likely out of concern for Shang Ruyi’s safety.

So, what Yu Wenye said, almost placed Shantong’er in an awkward position, one might say somewhat "blasé."

Yet, Shen Wuzheng and Shen Tu Tai tactfully remained silent.

After a lengthy silence, Shantong’er finally haltingly spoke, his face full of loss and guilt: "We actually, last night, initially planned to go to Xiao Yuansui’s camp to rescue the Princess."

Yu Wenye frowned: "Oh?"

Shantong’er said: "But just as we neared, we noticed chaos in their camp, and then, we saw you break through."

"..."

This time it was Yu Wenye who fell silent, a knot forming between his brows, deeply looking at Shantong’er.

Meanwhile Shen Wuzheng sighed deeply.

Both of them realized, if last night, Shantong’er had carried Jue Yun and the others to storm Xiao Yuansui’s camp after Yu Wenye had drawn Xiao Yuansui’s forces away, with the camp in chaos, perhaps they truly could have rescued Shang Ruyi.

But doing so, on the other hand, Yu Wenye might not have lasted until Shen Wuzheng and others arrived to rescue him.

It’s evident that Shantong’er feels some regret...

Yet, not remorse.

Yu Wenye was silent for a long time, before speaking again, his voice slightly hoarse: "You should stay. After last night’s experience, even if you leave now, Xiao Yuansui won’t easily let you go. Everything, let’s wait until Luoyang’s battle affairs are resolved."

"..."

"Your fellow disciples—regardless of this battle’s outcome, they are heroes. I will ensure their care."

"..."

"The damaged temple, I will also strive to repair and compensate as best I can."

Shantong’er said nothing, his gaze flickering, seemingly still hesitant, while Shen Tu Tai vigorously patted his shoulder: "Alright, a man should be straightforward, there’s nothing bigger than life and death; everything else waits until rescuing the Princess."

Shantong’er finally lowered his head: "Hmm."

His tone was soft, not the resolute certainty but rather an acceptance of fate, obedient yet resigned.

And looking at him, Yu Wenye’s eyes also showed seldom-seen tenderness.

In the next moment, Shantong’er turned to him: "Then, how should we rescue the Princess?"