Yu said, "What do you mean?"
Shen Shiyan frowned and said, "I can’t quite explain it, but something feels off. Previously, when we discussed her marriage with Yu Wenqian, she didn’t object. Why is it that after falling ill, she now refuses to marry him to death?"
Yu immediately said, "Actually, I’m puzzled by this matter too."
Shen Shiyan said, "I haven’t had a chance to ask you, how did Ruyi’s illness come about?"
Yu thought for a moment and said, "It was just a month ago, right after we arranged her marriage with Yu Wenqian. I took her to Ban Yan Temple to worship Buddha, hoping for his protection. We were crossing the river by ship, and she was looking at the scenery by the window when she suddenly heard an odd sound of water, followed by a gust of wind."
"Yes, it was strange. The weather was quite hot that day, yet the wind was bone-chilling, making us dizzy, and Ruyi fainted on the spot."
Shen Shiyan couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
"Our Ruyi has never been one to faint from a mere gust of wind."
"Are you suspecting—"
Shen Shiyan was silent for a long time, hesitating repeatedly before finally saying softly, "I can’t pinpoint the reason, but I’m worried she might have encountered something unclean."
"I’ve heard some strange tales before, saying that the ghosts of those drowned in the water haunt the crossing travelers..."
Yu was shocked upon hearing this and said, "Are you suggesting—spirit possession?!"
The couple was so astonished by those unbelievable words that they were speechless.
But after a while, Yu shook her head immediately and said, "It can’t be, it can’t be. If someone was resurrected through spirit possession, they would definitely be different people. But Ruyi’s personality hasn’t changed. She still speaks and acts as usual."
Shen Shiyan said, "She never expresses opinions on politics, but just a moment ago, the things she said—"
At this, Yu couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Master, you’re overthinking. Our Ruyi may not speak much, but she’s very sharp-minded. She even cares about the war at Dragon Gate. Can she not keep your matters in her heart?"
"Besides, what kind of person is your brother-in-law? Ruyi has been traveling around with him since she was little, and she’s seen more of the world than I probably have. What could be wrong with his daughter?"
These words left Shen Shiyan unable to refute them, murmuring, "Seems like I was worrying too much."
"But why did she suddenly refuse to marry Yu Wenqian?"
Yu thought for a moment and said, "I guess she might have never wanted to, but she couldn’t not respect her father’s last wish. After falling ill, perhaps she’s realized that marriage isn’t a trivial matter—it affects her whole life."
"Moreover, young girls’ thoughts are always hard to fathom. When you first proposed to me, didn’t I find you skinny and monkey-like? But now—"
Shen Shiyan’s face turned red, and he said sternly, "What nonsense are you talking!"
"Why are you blushing? I’m not blushing."
"You, stop making trouble!"
The couple carried on in laughter and banter.
No one noticed the little figure standing outside the door—it was Shang Ruyi, who was just about to leave. She stood at the doorway, initially tidying her clothes, but unintentionally overheard her uncle and aunt’s conversation.
Yet she said nothing, merely left silently with a complex expression.