Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1087 - 782: Jiang Chong’en

"What!?"Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Jiang Chong’en?

If her memory weren’t quite good, she would have almost forgotten this name. But she had indeed heard it, even met him, so she couldn’t easily forget. Moreover, she was about to meet Empress Dowager Jiang shortly.

And this Jiang Chong’en was Empress Dowager Jiang’s cousin.

Thinking back, memories that had long faded slowly resurfaced in her mind. Shang Ruyi clearly remembered that the last time she heard that name and met this person was when Chu Yang was about to head south to Jiangdu, leaving behind the Eastern Capital Luoyang. Because Empress Dowager Jiang was ill, some of her attendants were left behind, and Jiang Chong’en stayed at the Eastern Capital. But he was afraid of Liang Shide, who had his eyes on Luoyang, and even ran to the then critically ill Empress Dowager Jiang to loudly complain that her illness was dragging him down.

After that... the Eastern Capital fell.

Shang Ruyi hadn’t heard his name again, even forgot about him, let alone his life or death.

Unexpectedly, at this time, she heard about him once more, and even more surprisingly, it was related to that Tongguan secret report that had astonished everyone, yet whose origins couldn’t be traced.

The report, that map, was given by him!?

Could it be—

Yu Wenye said gravely, "I heard before that when Liang Shide attacked the Eastern Capital, there was almost no effective resistance from Luoyang. Although Lei Yi had a deep understanding of the city’s defenses, Luoyang’s fortifications were strong and shouldn’t have fallen so quickly. Now that I hear he’s still alive, it doesn’t seem strange."

Shang Ruyi almost affirmed, "He defected to Liang Shide."

"It seems so."

"Then right now—"

The words didn’t need to continue. With Jiang Chong’en’s name mentioned, certain things became very clear, and Shang Ruyi instantly understood why, after receiving that secret report, the delighted Yu Wenquan allowed her to come to Dayan Temple to worship Buddha and relaxed Chu Ruoyan’s confinement—of course, it was because of Jiang Chong’en, being Empress Dowager Jiang’s cousin and considered a relative of Chu Ruoyan as well.

And the Emperor didn’t speak of this matter, for a simple reason.

Yu Wenquan was a cautious and steady man. Jiang Chong’en having defected to Liang Shide for so long, suddenly switching sides for no reason would naturally raise suspicions. Yu Wenquan didn’t publicize it, firstly to ensure the safety of the defector, and secondly, likely to verify the authenticity of this matter, confirming everything before making it public to avoid making a mockery of himself. But regardless, the incomplete map was far too tempting. If Jiang Chong’en would really bring the rest of the map, Yu Wenquan certainly wouldn’t hesitate to reward him with a high position and a generous salary.

And this time, during his patrol of Tongguan, it was very likely that Jiang Chong’en might appear there.

This matter seemed clear, but there were still many uncertainties. Yu Wenye furrowed his brows and said, "However, why would Jiang Chong’en suddenly choose to defect to Dasheng now?"

Shang Ruyi said, "Is he not valued on Liang Shide’s side?"

Yu Wenye fell silent for a moment, neither confirming nor denying.

There was no word from Liang Shide’s side, and speculation alone couldn’t reveal anything. Some people and matters are hard to discern without facing them directly. With this thought, Yu Wenye took a deep breath and said, "Alright, you hurry on. I’ll stay here and think for a bit longer. The sooner you return, the sooner I can set off."

"Alright,"

This time, Shang Ruyi didn’t dawdle or try to persuade him further. She turned and left the Buddhist Hall. Seeing her come out, Master Xinzeng immediately greeted her with a smile. Shang Ruyi said, "Prince Qin wants to stay here and rest for a while. Master, please lead me inside to pay respects to the Buddha."

"Certainly."

Master Xinzeng didn’t ask further. He raised his hand, guiding Shang Ruyi forward.

Walking down the long corridor to the end and ascending a stone staircase, they arrived at the Scripture Pavilion where the Inner Altar Dharma Assembly was previously held. Shang Ruyi was not unfamiliar with this place. She glanced at the tightly closed doors of the Scripture Pavilion and followed Master Xinzeng, bypassing the building, passing through another gate, and entering a quiet courtyard.

It seemed everything was arranged in advance; the courtyard was deserted, with only a pavilion standing quietly within.

The air was filled with a tranquil aura.

Master Xinzeng stopped at the gate, turned, and smiled at Shang Ruyi, saying, "The noble is waiting inside the Scripture Pavilion; the Princess may go in to meet. There’s no one else here to disturb you, so the two of you may feel at ease."

After speaking, he pressed his palms together and bowed to Shang Ruyi with a Buddhist greeting.

Shang Ruyi nodded and turned to enter the courtyard.

She carried a food box in one hand. Though there wasn’t much inside, hence it wasn’t heavy, her steps were slow due to the heaviness of her body, and perhaps more so because of the weight on her heart, even though she knew she ought to hurry.

Until she reached the tightly closed door of the pavilion.

From within came a low, hoarse voice, yet it bore a tender warmth, "Is that Ruyi?"

Shang Ruyi immediately replied, "It’s me."

Having said that, she reached out and pushed open the door.

A gust of wind suddenly blew from behind her into the quiet pavilion, but immediately, a rich and almost palpable scent of ink greeted her. Shang Ruyi seemed to fall into a deep pool of scriptures, nearly choked by the overwhelming fragrance.

This was the Scripture Pavilion of Dayan Temple!

Inside the pavilion were neat rows of bookshelves, reaching the ceiling, densely packed with scriptures. Even the walls of the pavilion were almost entirely covered by towering shelves, spare for one wall where a window allowed some ventilation, or the ink fragrance might have suffocated someone.

Her vision dazed by the orderly shelves, Shang Ruyi looked around for a while before spotting a slender figure standing by one of the shelves, smiling at her.

It was Empress Dowager Jiang!

She wore extremely simple attire, akin to a monk’s plain haitian robe. Her once enviable glossy black hair had turned white but was neatly tied at the back, resembling that of a Bhikkhuni.

Shang Ruyi instinctively took a deep breath.

Suppressing the sour and pained feelings that she knew would surface upon meeting, she took a few steps forward. Just as she was about to approach Empress Dowager Jiang, she stopped again.

She said, "Empress Dowager..."