Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyebrows furrowed again.
The words suggested as if he had never made a mistake nor apologized to anyone in his life.
So, Shang Ruyi coldly said, "If Young Master Yang feels he did nothing wrong, then I have nothing to say."
But Yang Suyi didn’t respond to this and continued to immerse himself in the shock and disbelief, muttering repeatedly, "I actually, I actually apologized to someone? I actually apologized to someone..."
Shang Ruyi frowned as she looked at him.
Yang Suyi struggled with himself for a while, and then looked up at Shang Ruyi’s face, revealing a faint yet meaningful smile, "Interesting."
At this point, Shang Ruyi also found it "interesting."
She said, "Who doesn’t make mistakes? Could it be that Young Master Yang has never made a mistake or apologized in his life?"
Hearing this, Yang Suyi proudly raised his head and said, "I do not make mistakes."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile – even children wouldn’t claim such a thing, would they?
She said, "Then just now—"
Yang Suyi slightly narrowed his eyes, "I offended Madam, but it doesn’t count as a mistake."
Shang Ruyi found it increasingly "interesting," although from the first time she heard his voice, she sensed the arrogance he carried, never did she imagine someone could be arrogant to this extent.
She said, "Young Master Yang, it’s impossible for a person not to make mistakes, even saints."
Yang Suyi’s eyes suddenly twinkled, fixing his gaze on hers, "You said—saints?"
The moment those words were spoken, Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
At that moment, as if mirroring her uneasy state of mind, a strong wind suddenly whipped up behind her. The wind on the grassland was sharp and biting, carrying an overwhelming ferocity that set the flagpoles behind them dancing wildly, and Shang Ruyi staggered, nearly falling, when Yang Suyi quickly reached out to steady her.
A warmth spread across her arm; it was the heat from Yang Suyi’s palm.
Amidst the cold wind, this warmth should have been comforting, yet for some reason, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a deep, inexplicable unease.
She promptly withdrew her hand.
After barely steadying herself, she softly said, "Thank you."
Seeing her reserved demeanor, Yang Suyi’s face once again took on a teasing expression, but knowing he couldn’t "afford to offend" her, he refrained from saying anything improper, instead offering a slight smile, "Young Madam is too polite."
Shang Ruyi quickly added, "I didn’t mean what I just said..."
It’s crucial to know that in this dynasty, the term "saints" not only referred to ancient sages but also had another implication, namely His Majesty the Emperor!
If someone were to twist her words and report them, it could amount to a crime of treason!
Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out all over Shang Ruyi’s body. She cautiously glanced up at Yang Suyi, only to see him smile faintly, "Young Madam needn’t be nervous; I’m not the type to betray others for personal gain or to falsely accuse someone."
Shang Ruyi heaved a sigh of relief.
Yet the very next moment, Yang Suyi continued, "However, Madam said even saints make mistakes. Does that include His Majesty?"
Shang Ruyi furrowed her brow and hesitantly said, "Matters concerning His Majesty should not be spoken carelessly. Young Master Yang should refrain from discussing this topic."
Yang Suyi said, "As I mentioned, I’m not someone who sells others out for personal advancement or falsely accuses, so Young Madam can speak freely, without worry."
Shang Ruyi still remained silent.
Noticing her cautious demeanor, Yang Suyi slightly frowned, then smiled again, saying, "I understand, Young Madam is still concerned that I might divulge tonight’s conversation. How about this? I’ll only ask the Young Madam if the Emperor’s tour of the Northern Border is wrong?"
Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at him, "Why does Young Master Yang ask this question?"
Yang Suyi let out a mocking laugh.
The journey was arduous, especially when the court was preparing for military action against Liaodong, and while relations with the Western Turks had soured with the Da Ye Dynasty, leading such a large entourage to the Northern Border along with so many civil and military officials’ family members, naturally, there was dissatisfaction, and though they dared not openly caution the Emperor, complaints were widespread.
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "It seems Young Master Yang has also heard some gripes?"
Yang Suyi still sneered, "I’m not deaf."
Shang Ruyi pondered for a long time before cautiously saying, "Does Young Master Yang think there is no error?"
Yang Suyi said, "His Majesty’s grand ambition is to unify the world. This ’world’ is not just the Central Plains but includes the Turks, Tibet, Huiguo, Nanzhao, and many others that should all be part of the Da Ye Dynasty’s territory. This tour of the Northern Border is to demonstrate the might of our dynasty and make all sides submit."
"The Emperor’s ambition is not wrong. However, many things should be decided based on timing and circumstances. Now, the Turks—"
"What about now’s Turks? Shouldn’t they submit to our dynasty?"
Shang Ruyi’s gaze became increasingly profound as she looked at him.
But she dared not continue with his question.
After a long silence, Shang Ruyi suddenly said, "Young Master Yang, did you hear that when we set up camp during the day, the King’s Tent was erected using iron stakes and wooden posts fixed there ten years ago?"
Yang Suyi raised an eyebrow slightly, "Is there a problem with that?"
"Can something from ten years ago still be used?"
"Of course, they can be used,"
Yang Suyi said, "We’ve all been to inspect them. Though ten years have passed, the iron stakes have been specially treated, with only a thin layer of rust on the surface; the posts are made of sturdy pinewood, unfazed by weathering."
Shang Ruyi said, "So they look on the outside, but what about inside?"
Yang Suyi was taken aback.
Shang Ruyi solemnly said, "Ten years ago, His Majesty toured the Northern Border, and everywhere submitted, indeed spreading the Da Ye Dynasty’s prestige. But is the situation now the same as it was ten years ago? Would the leaders of the Turks, Tibet, and other tribes still submit to our dynasty as they did back then?"
As she said this, a deep unease, tinged with fear, filled her, not only because her words were fraught with danger but also because she sensed danger creeping in.
Once again, heaven seemed to respond to her inner turmoil with a howling gale that set them both tottering and sent the flags in the camp flapping noisily, several tents almost taking flight.
Just as Shang Ruyi felt the ground and her heart tremble in resonance, a loud crash resounded from the camp’s direction.
They both swiftly turned their heads, Yang Suyi’s expression immediately changing.
The sound seemed to originate from the King’s Tent.
Something had happened to the King’s Tent!