Melon-Eating Leads to Thunderous Shocker

Ren Tianye froze on the spot.

This was...

Non-cooperation!

No way. Previously, when Wang Ming was hunting down Wen Cheng, the Eldest Princess didn't side with Wen Cheng. He had even thought that this Eldest Princess, Xiao Mingzhao, was willing to stand on his side.

But now... obviously not!

This made Ren Tianye's head hurt.

After all, with an army of three hundred thousand under his command, he had completely surrounded the capital. The empire was within his grasp. The court officials, regardless of their true thoughts, either leaned towards him or remained loyal to the Empress.

Ultimately, the merit of supporting a new ruler and the merit of saving the current monarch were essentially the same. The only difference was who would ultimately claim the empire.

But this Eldest Princess, Xiao Ruyi, neither pledged loyalty to Xiao Mingzhao nor acknowledged him, Ren Tianye. She purely wanted to be someone who washed her hands of everything!

The problem was...

Even if she were just bending with the wind, she should be friendly to both sides, or at least put on a superficial show of it.

But look at her!

Ren Tianye was a bit dumbfounded, but he quickly snapped out of it, realizing he was again habitually using male-oriented logic to understand these female-oriented plotlines.

Since that was the case, there was no need for him to be polite.

Did she really think the world couldn't spin without Xiao Ruyi?

Did he absolutely need Xiao Ruyi to recommend the capable ministers he lacked?

He ordered coldly, "Wang Ming."

"Subordinate is here."

"Lately, the capital has been in chaos, with thugs frequently causing trouble. The Eldest Princess is of noble birth and prefers peace and quiet; she cannot be disturbed by this mess. I, the Grand Commandant, order you to dispatch a unit of personal guards to protect the Eldest Princess's estate."

"Do not allow anyone to enter or leave!"

"For the sake of the Eldest Princess's safety, she is also forbidden from leaving."

Wang Ming immediately replied, "Yes, General-in-Chief."

"This subordinate will handle it at once."

Ever since the battle of Sifang City, Wang Ming had become increasingly astute. He knew that at a time like this, he shouldn't address him as Grand Commandant, but directly as General-in-Chief.

He immediately went to make the arrangements.

The Eldest Princess, who had already walked briskly toward the inner hall, stopped and abruptly turned around. "General Ren, you are forbidding anyone from entering my estate?"

"I have an important matter to attend to recently, and I exactly need someone to come in. By acting this way, are you not delaying my affairs?"

Ren Tianye said flatly, "Oh? What important matter?"

"The biggest matter in the capital recently is none other than treacherous elements attempting to throw the city into chaos. Given your esteemed status, Eldest Princess, it is best you do not get involved in these things."

A hint of panic surfaced on the Eldest Princess's usually serene face, but she was unwilling to argue much with others. After all, she had always maintained a demeanor as placid as a chrysanthemum.

It could even be said that if this matter wasn't so incredibly important to her, she wouldn't have even brought it up.

However, precisely because it was so important, she had no choice but to speak.

Yet, Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi did not state it directly. Instead, she said mildly, "General Ren, the person coming to see me these next two days is a great talent."

"A great talent that you, General Ren, have never been able to obtain. Don't you want to know the reason why?"

"Furthermore, the people in this capital are all loyal to Her Majesty and refuse to join your Grand Commandant's estate. General Ren, don't you want to know why?"

These words already carried a hint of threat.

After all, this was exactly what Ren Tianye had just spoken to her about—wanting her help to recruit talents from across the realm. Yet the Eldest Princess, with a calm face and a faint smile on her lips, spoke words that were serene and indifferent, but stabbed right at his sore spot.

She was practically courting death.

Just as Ren Tianye gave Wang Ming a look, an extremely irritable roar suddenly erupted from the back hall: "Get lost, don't help me up! Today, I must see what kind of scene this slut Xiao Ruyi is trying to make again!"

A man stumbled out from the back hall. His face was pale, his forehead covered in cold sweat. Though he wasn't particularly old, his body trembled unsteadily, clearly suffering from a prolonged illness.

Ren Tianye reacted quickly, immediately guessing that this person was most likely Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi's consort, Wei Shuo, who had been titled Marquis of Changping for his military merits.

There were quite a few people in the front hall, mostly personal guards, and half the room was piled with gifts, making it look chaotic. Such a setting was obviously unsuitable for private marital conversations.

Wei Shuo, however, completely disregarded this.

He stared fixedly at Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi and said angrily, "Xiao Ruyi, I'm not even dead yet, and you already want to go find that bastard?"

"Are you really that impatient?"

Ren Tianye had been a bit furious just a moment ago, but after Marquis of Changping Wei Shuo's shouting, he calmed down, his intense curiosity piqued.

Wang Ming, beside him, wore a similar expression.

Thus, under everyone's watchful eyes, Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi remained terrifyingly placid. She said lightly, "Wei Shuo, we have been husband and wife for many years, and you still misunderstand me?"

"How could a person of my noble and pure character do something so contrary to ethics and morality?"

"I merely wanted to invite Lord Wang over so you could apologize to him. For so many years, you have always refused to bow your head. How can I sit by and let you bear such an infamous reputation?"

Wei Shuo's body swayed, his face filled with misery.

Then he shouted hoarsely, "I, Wei Shuo, married you properly with a matchmaker and betrothal gifts! It was a marriage bestowed personally by the late Emperor, not some sneaky, villainous affair! On what grounds should I apologize to that bastard?"

"That useless piece of trash! He can't wield a pen to stabilize the court, nor can he mount a horse to secure the realm. He only relied on his aristocratic background and the fact that you two were childhood sweethearts to compete with me for the position of imperial consort."

"But recruiting a consort from across the realm was the late Emperor's doing."

"I, Wei Shuo, knew nothing of it and competed for the position fairly and squarely. Why should I apologize to a paramour who has an illicit relationship with you?"

Xiao Ruyi frowned slightly. "Wei Shuo, you have been with me for half your life, yet you are still so petty and calculating. You haven't learned the slightest bit of my magnanimity."

"Back then, didn't you constantly displease Lord Wang? Didn't you cause Lord Wang to indulge in drinking and break his legs? With such grievances, what is wrong with you apologizing?"

"He broke his own fucking legs drinking at a brothel! What the hell does that have to do with me?" Wei Shuo roared, his heart boiling with rage. He, the dignified Marquis of Changping, who had risen to his position through military merit, was now being asked, near the end of his days, to apologize to Xiao Ruyi's lover?

He would rather die!

"It always had something to do with you. It's just an apology, why must you be so stubbornly unwilling?" Xiao Ruyi shook her head slightly and said, "Alas, you are always this petty and calculating."

"Spending half my life with you, even I have been dragged down by you, ruining much of my reputation."

These words were like an explosive detonating in Wei Shuo's heart. He was so agitated that he spat out a mouthful of blood, swaying precariously on the verge of collapse.

The physician Ren Tianye had brought along, possessing the compassionate heart of a healer, immediately rushed forward to support him. As soon as his fingers rested on Wei Shuo's pulse, the anxiety on his face lessened considerably.

Fortunately, it was much less severe than he had imagined.

He immediately pulled out a silver needle. With one prick, Wei Shuo instantly shuddered, his mind clearing up a bit.

Maintaining his demeanor, Wei Shuo nodded at the physician and said, "Thank you for the rescue."

"General, although your condition is not severe, you must not give in to anger. Otherwise, my subsequent treatments will become quite troublesome."

Wei Shuo didn't really take these words in; after all, his entire mind was focused on the Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi. However, Ren Tianye heard them loud and clear.

His eyes instantly lit up.

Listening to the doctor's words, Wei Shuo's condition was curable.

Moreover, judging by the doctor's expression, it probably wouldn't be too much trouble for him.

He then thought of what Su Hong had mentioned in his letter: for the cold-induced rheumatism and arrow wounds Wei Shuo had suffered in the army, the capital might not have the best treatments.

But the Northern Frontier was a different story.

The doctors in the Northern Frontier might be far inferior to the imperial physicians in the capital in other aspects, but when it came to dealing with the lingering effects of battlefield injuries, they all had their own unique skills.

When Ren Tianye first read that, he hadn't taken it too seriously. Thinking about it now, it made perfect sense. After all, these doctors in the Northern Frontier interacted with military men on a long-term basis. Practice makes perfect, and it could also breed incredible, unconventional techniques. It wasn't surprising that they had exclusive skills.

This realization made Ren Tianye quite delighted.

It didn't matter if the Eldest Princess was uncooperative.

As the Prince Consort of the Eldest Princess's Estate and the Marquis of Changping, Wei Shuo could absolutely represent the estate.

Thus, Ren Tianye watched the unfolding drama with even greater interest.

Wei Shuo had already stood up unsteadily, though the ghastly pallor on his face had deepened, clearly driven by sheer anger. He pointed a trembling finger at Xiao Ruyi.

"Xiao Ruyi, you... you are as aloof as a chrysanthemum, you are noble and pure. The world praises your even temper, they all think you are selfless and impartial, and the imperial clan reveres you. But have you never stopped to think where all this actually came from?"

"Your power, your prestige, your good reputation—do you truly not know how you got them?"

These words seemed to strike a nerve with the Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi. She frowned—a rare sight—and said indifferently, "Naturally, it is because of my peaceful nature. I do not fight or snatch, which is why I have earned their respect..."

"Bah!" Before Xiao Ruyi could finish, Wei Shuo shouted, "Stop playing dumb!"

"Back then, the late Emperor risked universal condemnation to forcibly pass the throne to His Majesty. The court and the public were in turmoil, so the late Emperor established a group of regents early on."

"Anyone could see that the late Emperor's mind was made up, and everyone wanted to scheme for a position as a regent. The late Emperor had brothers and sons, yet he gave this position to you!"

"A mere woman, with neither the talent to stabilize the country nor the military merit of riding into battle—on what grounds did you get it?"

"It was me. It was me, Wei Shuo."

"I poured out my heart and blood for you!"

"In the Northern Frontier, I personally led over ten thousand light cavalry, risking my life to venture deep into the desert. I launched a surprise attack on the barbarians, beheaded three thousand enemies, captured tens of thousands of cattle and sheep, and cut off the head of the barbarian Wise King of the Left, achieving great merit!"

"It was also me who schemed for you in the royal court, taking great pains to clear away the obstacles step by step."

"It finally made His Majesty see you!"

"He saw the might of your Eldest Princess's Estate, which is why you were seated in the position of a highly trusted regent!"

"If not for this position as a regent, how could you have peacefully planted your chrysanthemums all these years?"

"But..."

As if recalling something heartbreaking, Wei Shuo visibly crumbled. "After you took the position of a regent, what did you say to me?"

"You said..."

"You said I was unscrupulous!"

"You said my methods were too ugly!"

Tears were already rolling down the corners of Wei Shuo's eyes.

Ren Tianye, however, was somewhat dumbfounded, and Wang Ming beside him looked the same.

They didn't know much about the messy affairs in the capital, and they truly hadn't known there was such a secret history.

That explained it. With Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi's status—it wasn't as if the previous emperor only had this one sister—why would she be so trusted?

It turned out it was all Wei Shuo's doing.

This guy was a damn capable man!

He just had a bit of a screw loose in his head!

Of course, Xiao Ruyi was even more sick in the head. What did she mean by unscrupulous? What did she mean by ugly methods?

The struggle for power is a life-and-death battle.

Did she have to act as aloof as a chrysanthemum for this too?

"When our daughter grew up..." Wei Shuo's voice rang out again. "I always wanted to find her a good family to marry into. I racked my brains and finally found the Prime Minister's son, a match of equal social standing and noble character."

"I was joyfully preparing to marry off my daughter."

"But you..."

"What did you say?"

"You said I was a social climber, lacking even a shred of moral backbone!"

"And then, taking advantage of the chaos in the Northern Frontier when I returned there, you married our daughter off to a destitute scholar. That scholar was cowardly and timid, yet he insisted on reclaiming his pride at our daughter's expense."

"What kind of grievances has our daughter suffered all these years?"

"You gained a good reputation for being wise and open-minded."

"But this reputation was bought with our daughter's entire life."

"Does your heart not ache for our daughter?"

Wei Shuo was shouting himself hoarse, but Xiao Ruyi's face remained placid. "Our daughter is fine in every way, but unfortunately, she inherited your temperament: petty and narrow-minded."

"Marrying a scholar just means living a slightly poorer life. In this lifetime, who doesn't experience some hardships?"

"Just endure it and it will pass."

"Why is there a need to be so petty?"

As soon as the Eldest Princess said this, the doctor pulled a silver needle from his sleeve, guessing that Wei Shuo was probably going to collapse again, feeling somewhat worried in his heart.

Although he had unique skills and saving the current Wei Shuo wasn't too difficult, if he kept being provoked like this, let alone having unique skills, even if he were the greatest medical sage to roam the Great Yu Dynasty for eight hundred years, he wouldn't be able to save him.

This was just... too damn provoking, wasn't it?

Even he felt his blood boiling upon hearing it, feeling like he was going to faint.

Ren Tianye and Wang Ming, however, were completely stunned.

They originally thought they were just casually enjoying some gossip today, but as a result... this was a damn thunderbolt!

This gossip was way too outrageous!

But Ren Tianye and Wang Ming never expected that an even bigger piece of gossip was yet to come!

Wei Shuo didn't collapse. Relying on the burning anger in his heart, he unsteadily pointed at Xiao Ruyi and roared, "The most hateful thing is the military merit I established in the Northern Frontier, risking my very life."

"It was to defend the country!"

"It was to eliminate the barbarian menace in the Northern Frontier for our Great Yu."

"Even Lin Yi, the former commander-in-chief of the Chifeng Army, admired my achievements."

"But what was it in your mouth?"

"You said my hands were stained with blood, that I wasn't fit to be your husband, and that I should apologize with my death."

"These brain-damaged people in the capital revered you even more because of this, thinking you could place righteousness above family for the sake of the world's common people!"

"But why don't you think about it? If it weren't for me, Wei Shuo, continuously establishing merits and achievements in the Northern Frontier, how could your Eldest Princess's Estate awe everyone into submission?"

"Everything you have stems from me and our daughter!"

"Yet you claim you got it all by being as aloof as a chrysanthemum, without fighting or snatching?"

"And now, you even want me to apologize to the mistress who once insulted me?"

"Xiao Ruyi, in your damn dreams!"

...