The people in the main hall, including Yu Wenquan who had put on a gentle expression upon seeing Shang Ruyi, were all stunned by the earth-shattering words she uttered.
Yu Wenquan furrowed his thick eyebrows: "What did you say?"
Shang Ruyi snapped back to reality and hurriedly came forward to give her respects: "Ruyi pays her respects to Uncle."
Everyone was still somewhat dumbfounded.
Fortunately, Yu was quick-witted; she hurried forward and said with a smile: "Do not mind, Duke. Ruyi was ill before, but she’s just starting to get better and is still a bit muddled."
Yu Wenquan’s expression became complicated as he looked over Shang Ruyi, his tone slightly softer: "No need for formalities."
Although he didn’t show a good face to Shen Shiyan and his wife, seeing Shang Ruyi reminded him of her father, his friend who passed away early, which eased his anger a little. As for those two words just now—likely it was a slip of the tongue from a girl recovering from a serious illness.
He asked kindly: "I heard from your uncle that you were sick. Are you better now?"
Shang Ruyi glanced up at him.
This Yu Wenquan was naturally suited to the face of a military general; even trying his best to show a gentle expression seemed awkward. But somehow, this awkwardness wasn’t unattractive; instead, it was amusing and even made one feel a bit closer.
This very person would indeed—
Shang Ruyi steadied her mind and softly said: "Ruyi’s health is no longer an issue."
Yet she was recovering from a serious illness and had rushed in just now; upon finishing speaking, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth and cough twice, a slight flush of unhealthy redness appearing on her pale face.
Yu Wenquan frowned and said: "Since you haven’t fully recovered, then go back and rest."
Though he missed an old friend, being a military general, he struggled to have any fondness for a frail young girl. Any moments of sympathy he had just now faded quickly.
Shang Ruyi immediately sensed his attitude change, thought for a moment, and calmly said: "I must come not only as a junior to pay respects to Uncle, but I also wish to see the legendary archer, the great hero of Dragon Gate who’s built capital with corpses."
As soon as she uttered those words, the hall fell silent.
Yu Wenye, who had been silent all along, glanced at her.
Yu Wenquan was also staring at her in astonishment: "How could you know?"
Earlier this year, Shu Duan’er from Dragon Gate gathered for a revolt, and Yu Wenquan, as the Shanxi Comforting Envoy at the time, led troops to attack. During the fierce battles, he released a hundred arrows, all hitting the enemies; then, he built a capital from the corpses, and the hundred arrows were all retrieved, his name became famous throughout the world.
Unexpectedly, a young girl who had never been out of the boudoir knew about this.
Shen Shiyan immediately said: "Brother Yu Wen, this time at Dragon Gate, you astonished the world with one battle! Not only the officials of the court, but also the civilians praise you greatly. Ruyi has always cared about you as an elder, she was so happy upon hearing this news that she couldn’t sleep for several days."
Hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s gaze at Shang Ruyi immediately gained a few unexpected traces of happiness.
"Who would have thought a young lady like you would be concerned with border wars."
Shang Ruyi softly said: "As a woman, it is regrettable that I cannot defend our country, but I’ve never forgotten my father’s teachings. Father often said Uncle was a hero of the times, and if darkness fell, it would surely be Uncle who would dispel the shadow. Therefore, whenever I heard of Uncle’s military accomplishments, I greatly admired."
Who doesn’t like being flattered?
These words made Yu Wenquan’s heart and mind feel joyful, causing him to laugh heartily, while he heavily patted Shen Shiyan on the shoulder: "Good, good, good!"
"This manner surely resembles a daughter-in-law of the Yuwen Family."
"Come, Ye’er, greet your sister Ruyi. You weren’t just—"
Before he finished speaking, Yu Wenye suddenly interrupted him: "Father!"
Everyone was taken aback.
His expression changed slightly and he said softly: "We just met."