The man’s movements were so swift that Shang Ruyi was knocked to the ground before she realized what had happened. She turned her head in embarrassment, and her face turned pale in an instant.

It was Ashina Zhuxie!

His wolf-like eyes seemed to glow red in the night, staring intently at Lei Yu’s pale face, filled with pain.

He said in a deep voice, "Lei Yu!"

"..."

At this moment, it felt as if the whole world had fallen silent.

As Shang Ruyi watched the scene before her, countless thoughts surged up in her mind like the flames burning behind her, but a sudden cold wind blew through, calming her down immediately. Without turning her head, she could tell from the chaotic footsteps and gasps of surprise that people on both sides of the long path had rushed up.

She could clearly distinguish the heavy footsteps of Ashina Shali and the low cries of Lady Jiayuan among the chaotic sounds. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Let her go."

"...!"

Ashina Zhuxie was startled by the low yet irresistibly powerful voice. When he looked up, he met Shang Ruyi’s calm yet fiery gaze. In the next instant, he seemed to realize something and subconsciously loosened his grip but hesitated.

Shang Ruyi said, "Let her go!"

As she spoke, she had already moved to Lei Yu’s side, reaching out to take Lei Yu from Ashina Zhuxie’s grasp.

The two merely exchanged a brief glance, and Ashina Zhuxie understood everything, as did she. His hands were stiff, holding nothing but air, as he watched helplessly as the person in his arms was taken away by Shang Ruyi.

At that moment, a shadow passed over his eyes.

Shang Ruyi immediately held Lei Yu tightly and said softly, "Lei Yu, are you okay?"

Just at that moment, everyone else rushed over. In the chaos just now, some had not seen what happened, while others saw everything clearly. Shang Ruyi looked up and met Ashina Shali’s gloomy eyes, with a hint of hidden anger.

Clearly, this Western Turkic Khan was among those who hadn’t seen it.

Beside him, Lady Jiayuan wore a visibly angry expression, glaring viciously at Ashina Zhuxie, clearly understanding as well.

But both of them restrained their anger, especially Ashina Shali.

He said in a deep voice, "How did this happen?"

Shang Ruyi didn’t answer him; the important thing at that moment wasn’t to respond. She carefully cradled Lei Yu in her arms, gently brushing away the disheveled hair from her face. Although Lei Yu’s breathing was faint, it hadn’t stopped. At Shang Ruyi’s soft call, her long lashes trembled slightly, and she finally opened her eyes.

"Lei Yu!"

Shang Ruyi was both surprised and delighted and was about to speak when Lei Yu gently shook her head.

Then, she reached out and firmly grasped Shang Ruyi’s hand.

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was stunned and didn’t understand her intention until she heard Lei Yu turn and softly say to the concerned Lady Jiayuan and Ashina Shali, "It hurts..."

On hearing this, Lady Jiayuan immediately said, "Quickly, quickly bring a stretcher, and get the Little Princess back to the tent. Hurry, go fetch the doctor too!"

Ashina Shali didn’t speak, but Lady Jiayuan’s words became the pivotal command. The others immediately complied, some rushing off to fetch the doctor, while others brought over a stretcher. But just as they were about to place Lei Yu onto the stretcher, they found that she, who had seemingly fallen unconscious again with her eyes closed, still tightly grasped Shang Ruyi’s hand. As they tried to separate their hands, they noticed Lei Yu’s brows furrow, and even in unconsciousness, she murmured uneasily.

The person dared not move.

Ashina Shali frowned, remaining silent for a moment before saying, "You, accompany her back!"

His command naturally held more weight than Lady Jiayuan’s instructions. No one dared to separate them, so Shang Ruyi followed alongside the stretcher, one hand firmly held, and the other cradling Lei Yu’s somewhat cold body, hurrying back to the Yatai.

The bonfire gathering, along with the contest that determined Shang Ruyi’s fate, concluded abruptly.

However, as she left, Shang Ruyi glanced back once more.

Ashina Zhuxie still stood in place.

Amidst the shifting shadows and chaotic flow of people, his tall figure remained rigid and unmoving. In the firelight, things long hidden in the darkness were laid bare, embarrassed and in disarray, with nowhere to hide.