At this critical moment, a light sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet King’s Tent.

Shang Ruyi looked up and saw the alluring middle-aged woman, who had been standing ahead, circle the table and slowly approach Ashina Shali’s side. She smiled and said, "Khan, you’re overreacting."

"..."

"Lei Yu is already married to Yiasu; she belongs to us Turkic people now. How could she still be our enemy?"

Yiasu...

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but furrow her brows and immediately recalled that name.

Ashina Yiasu.

The Turkic Prince whom Lei Yu has married.

She instinctively glanced around. The men seated behind the tables in the large tent were all burly, bear-like figures, with some having thick eyebrows and beards that nearly obscured their features. Yet, it was apparent they were all older, none younger than Ashina Zhuxie. She couldn’t even bear to imagine any of them in connection with Lei Yu’s marriage.

So, that Turkic Prince isn’t here.

Where has he gone?

Sure enough, when Ashina Shali was mentioned, even he frowned slightly, glanced around, and also looked behind Lei Yu. But outside the large tent, there was only the inky black night, and no one else entered.

He then asked, "Where is Yiasu? Why haven’t we seen him these past two days?"

The woman chuckled and whispered two sentences into his ear.

After hearing her words, Ashina Shali furrowed his brows tightly, turned his head, and glared at her angrily, saying, "Useless! Just circling around women!"

The woman awkwardly smiled, stepping back a bit.

Although reprimanding her, Ashina Shali’s anger seemed to diminish slightly. When he turned to look at Lei Yu and Shang Ruyi, the bloodthirsty fierceness in his gaze softened, leaving only cold sharpness uncompromised.

He let out a deep breath and then said, "Lei Yu, regardless of what you think in your heart, now that you’ve married into the Turks and become my daughter-in-law, you’re part of the Western Turks. Everything you think and do should be for us!"

Lei Yu slightly lowered her head: "...Yes."

But the next moment, she lifted her head again, her softened eyes revealing a still resolute expression, "But, I still plead with the Khan to spare this old acquaintance of mine."

"..."

"She is just a woman. Although it was her husband who initially harmed the Khan, men’s quarrels should be resolved among men, and should not result in women bearing the consequences."

"..."

"Please grant this, Khan!"

For some reason, her words were spoken with exceptional firmness, yet Shang Ruyi could hear a trace of trembling in them.

Men’s quarrels should be resolved among men.

Women should not bear the consequences...

When she said these words, was she thinking of herself—because she, as a woman, bore consequences she shouldn’t have?

The collusion between Liang Shide and the Western Turks was initially a trade of interests, yet to consolidate relations between the two sides, Lei Yu was married to the Turkic Prince.

She clearly... loved Yu Wenye!

Though this once unsettled her and caused some hidden displeasure, at this moment, Shang Ruyi was filled only with bitterness, only for her reluctance and grievance, even causing tears to hotly well up in her eyes again, reddening her eyes.

Upon hearing her words, Ashina Shali’s expression darkened.

He looked at Shang Ruyi again, though his gaze still concealed murderous intent and hatred, it no longer contained the rage and desire to tear her apart; he took a deep breath and finally said, "I can grant your request."

"...!"

Lei Yu immediately breathed a long sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Ka—"

Before she could finish, Ashina Shali interrupted her, saying, "But this is only temporary."

"..."

"Because I have not yet decided how to deal with her. During this time, she can be safe—by your side."

"..."

"But if she attempts to flee, or if she cannot, like you, submit to our Western Turks, she will remain our enemy. As for how I deal with enemies, you should be very clear!"

Lei Yu’s shoulders trembled slightly once more.

But no matter what, she was temporarily safe, and she immediately lowered her head: "I understand. Thank you, Khan! Thank you, Khan!"

Perhaps truly overjoyed, she said "Thank you, Khan" consecutively twice, before turning to look at Shang Ruyi, her face filled with delight, and Shang Ruyi, with teary eyes, looked at her, chokingly said, "I..."

Lei Yu grabbed her hand.

At this moment, Ashina Shali turned around with his back to them, coldly saying, "Enough, you may leave now!"

The middle-aged woman also nodded to Lei Yu, signaling for them to leave and avoid causing more trouble. Lei Yu held Shang Ruyi’s hand more tightly, softly saying, "Let’s go, follow me first."

After speaking, she led her out of the large tent.

As soon as they stepped out of the tent, they felt the sharp cold wind blowing, immediately stripping away the remaining warmth clinging to them from inside the King’s Tent, causing both to shiver. Following, an icy voice from Ashina Shali echoed from the tent—

"I haven’t dismissed you yet! You think what happened at Taiyuan will just be forgotten? You still owe me an explanation!"

"...Yes."

Shang Ruyi instinctively glanced back.

Responding to those words was Ashina Zhuxie. He had initially turned aside, seemingly intending to leave as well, but upon hearing Ashina Shali’s words, he had to remain, turning towards his father. Despite his imposing stature, when standing alone in the vast and somewhat empty center of the large tent, he seemed small and even a bit helpless.

Ashina Shali had already returned to sit at the table, with the woman standing by his side, facing Ashina Zhuxie with a cold, amused smile.

The next moment, the tent door closed.

Though it was dark outside, there were still many soldiers holding high torches, illuminating each other and the path ahead. Lei Yu took Shang Ruyi a few steps away from the tent door, heading to an open space next to the King’s Tent, before immediately turning to her, "You—"

"I—"

Both opened their mouths, stunned.

Lei Yu showed a hint of a smile, immediately saying, "You go first."

Shang Ruyi, her words blocked, also smiled. When she looked at her again, her eyes filled with tears, and as soon as she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

She choked, "Are you okay?"