Upon hearing her voice, Yu Wenye’s expression grew even darker.

"...!"

Shang Ruyi seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn, but couldn’t help frowning upon hearing his plans.

Only two hundred men, he only gave Shen Wuzheng two hundred men.

Although, for Changchun Palace, which was almost abandoned, two hundred guards were not few, this place was outside Tongguan, after all. It wasn’t protected by the Dasheng Dynasty, nor was it absolutely safe. Yuan An’s troops had managed to pursue Yu Wencheng all the way to Cangbai Mountain, unable to even save Yicheng.

What if Taiyuan noticed that Yuan An hadn’t returned and sent more troops?

What if they found Changchun Palace?

With just two hundred guards, wouldn’t they be like lambs to the slaughter?

Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip, wanting to say more, but before she could, Yu Wenye spoke coldly as if he hadn’t heard her, "Begin mobilizing the troops now, set out before nightfall."

Shen Wuzheng glanced at him and said, "Yes."

After speaking, he bowed slightly, then stood upright, looking at Shang Ruyi.

His gaze remained serene; having shed his usual distant coldness towards others, his eyes were filled with warmth when looking at Shang Ruyi. Though he said nothing, his glance conveyed countless words, soothing Shang Ruyi’s unrest with just one look.

Shen Wuzheng gave her a slight smile, then turned to leave.

Shang Ruyi instinctively stepped forward.

But just as she was about to move, Yu Wenye’s cold voice came from behind, "All of you, withdraw!"

Her heart almost skipped a beat with that stern voice; she reflexively turned back, seeing his injured hand pressed firmly against the table. Perhaps because the wound had reopened, the gauze on his fingertips was soaked with deeper blood-red, but reflected in his cold eyes, there wasn’t a trace of warmth.

He said coldly, "Return to your tents, none of you are to come out. Rest tonight, we depart at dawn!"

Everyone replied, "Yes!"

After that, they all rose, bowed to him, and left the Central Army Tent.

Shang Ruyi followed them outside, but as the tent flap fell, she couldn’t help looking back again. She saw Yu Wenye lightly lifting his injured hand to his forehead, and through his fingers, as if in an illusion, she seemed to see him look up at her coldly.

So cold, without a hint of warmth.

Shang Ruyi’s steps grew heavy again, she stood at the tent’s entrance, unable to move.

She knew he was angry at her about Shen Wuzheng.

Last night, regardless of what was said between the two men, Yu Wenye wasn’t the only one who made a move, perhaps he wasn’t even the first to act, but her impulsive questioning made him furious. So now, he didn’t want to say a word to her, not even seeing her seemed an annoyance.

So... giving Shen Wuzheng only two hundred men to go to Changchun Palace, was that also a sign of his annoyance?

Shang Ruyi felt a pang of sadness, but more than that, a sense of helplessness. They were in the army, and Yu Wenye’s word was law; no one could defy his orders.

While she was silent, Wo Xue came over, softly comforted her, and led her back to their tent.

Soon, bonfires were lit throughout the camp, and the aroma of food permeated the air amidst rising smoke. Just as the sun set and the cooks brought the evening meals, Shang Ruyi heard the commotion outside mixed with the sound of hooves.

She immediately walked to the tent entrance, and in the distance, saw a large group of horses leaving the camp.

It was Shen Wuzheng, and Yu Wencheng.

They took those two hundred soldiers and the severely wounded needing treatment, departing the camp towards the west, heading for Changchun Palace.

The torches held high by the leading soldiers were soon swallowed by the night, and before long, even the sound of hooves disappeared into the mountains, leaving only the silent night like ink dripping into water, gradually darkening everything, the night staining Shang Ruyi’s distant gaze into a lightless abyss.