Chapter 950: Chapter 692: This Is the Truth

Even though the voice came from his chest, at that moment, it fiercely struck Shang Ruyi’s heart.

Her heartbeat was completely chaotic.

Despite the chaos in her heart, her thoughts inexplicably became clearer, and only then did she understand why Yu Wenye always forbade her from looking up at him—because she had said she was using him, and it enraged him, but now he calmly told her that he willingly let himself be used.

He willingly let himself be used, just to keep her by his side.

This was a kind of acceptance, or perhaps, a surrender for him, Yu Wenye—the most proud and arrogant Yu Wenye, who wouldn’t bow to fate or imperial power, who even God Buddha must yield to, said he surrendered.

To a man...

A surge of warmth welled up in her chest, reddening her eyes and making Shang Ruyi’s throat choke even more. She wanted to say something but couldn’t make a sound.

And Yu Wenye, after saying those words, seemed to have a sense of "breaking the pot since it’s already cracked," and then he continued, speaking rapidly, "So, you can only stay by my side, become my wife, the Princess Qin."

"..."

"Because if you leave me, no matter where you go, you won’t be safe. In such chaotic times, no one can fully protect your family—not even my father, my brother!"

"..."

"If you stay by my side, I will protect your family, and more importantly, you."

"..."

"Thus, it’s decided!"

"..."

Shang Ruyi couldn’t respond.

But at that moment, listening to Yu Wenye’s nonsensical words, she inexplicably felt like laughing—what a "terrible" deal this was, not to mention his status as King Qin, even ordinary merchants and commoners might not accept such a deal.

Yet he said it so quickly, so naturally.

As if afraid she would object.

If it weren’t just moments ago, when she clearly saw the man from across the Cangtou River, if it weren’t now, sitting astride the horse, leaning into his embrace, feeling his solid chest and familiar warmth and presence, she would almost suspect that some fool had possessed this man.

Possessed...

At the thought of those words, her heart suddenly sank.

But before she could ponder further, Yu Wenye’s slightly panting, even trembling voice came again from above, as if he was slightly out of breath from saying too much, or for some other reason.

He said, "You agreed, right."

This tone wasn’t a question.

But as if he didn’t want to hear any answer she might give that he didn’t want, the hand encircling her waist unconsciously began to exert force.

Shang Ruyi felt breathless from his grip.

Actually, after hearing the news that Shen Wuzheng wasn’t dead, Shang Ruyi originally didn’t have any other answer.

But at that moment, she fell silent and still kept her head lowered, without meeting his deep, even slightly blazing gaze. Immediately, Yu Wenye’s breath became even more disordered. He said in a deep voice, "You—"

"Aren’t you angry?"

He hadn’t finished speaking when he was interrupted by a sudden question from Shang Ruyi.

"...?"

Yu Wenye was stunned, but in the next moment, he understood.

Shang Ruyi slowly raised her head. Her face wasn’t too pale, yet evidently lacked any blood color; only her eyes and tip of her nose were flushed, her eyes slightly quivering, unexpectedly showing softness, completely devoid of the hateful coldness and decisiveness she showed when they last spoke.

Yu Wenye’s face suddenly darkened.

His appearance, aside from being strikingly and extraordinarily handsome, was sharp and stern. Such a person had a powerful and mighty presence on the battlefield, but in ordinary times, as soon as he hardened his expression, it would bring about an imposing aura of authority.

This aura made the atmosphere between the two, which had softened and even became somewhat tender, immediately cold and severe again.

But Shang Ruyi wouldn’t allow herself to overlook this due to fear.

If they were to be honest with each other, they had to make everything clear. After going through this, she felt hurt and knew fear and didn’t wish for the two of them to have any more estrangement or repeat today’s mistakes in the future.

So she asked, "When I said those things, are you really not angry anymore?"

"Of course, I’m angry."

"Then—"

"But, I’ve also figured it out these days. You said those things to me only after hearing the ’death news’ of Shen Wuzheng. But his ’death news’ was fake."