Shang Ruyi’s heart sank.

Although both Ashina Shali and Lady Jiayuan were standing behind her, unable to see the flash of shock in her eyes, they still noticed her quickened breath at that moment.

He frowned, looking down at Shang Ruyi beside the bed: "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing—"

Shang Ruyi looked at Lei Yu’s tightly furrowed brows, instinctively wanting to conceal, but quickly came to her senses. She glanced again at Lei Yu’s pale face, took a deep breath, and lowered her head.

"Hmm?"

Feeling increasingly uneasy, Ashina Shali was about to ask further when a woman hurriedly entered, led by the maid who had just called. As she was about to greet the Khan and Lady, Lady Jiayuan eagerly spoke: "Quickly check on the Little Princess, make sure she is not hurt."

"Yes."

The woman immediately went to the bedside. Initially finding Shang Ruyi somewhat in the way and wanting her to move aside, she stopped when she noticed that the Little Princess was tightly gripping Shang Ruyi’s wrist even in her unconscious state, realizing the deep relationship between the two and saying, "Please help place the Little Princess’s hand here."

Shang Ruyi silently moved Lei Yu’s hand to the side of the bed.

The woman held Lei Yu’s considerably thinner wrist, placing two fingers on the pulse gate, and after a while, suddenly shook, quickly turning Lei Yu’s face to check her complexion and touched her neck.

Seeing her actions, Lady Jiayuan grew more worried and hurriedly asked: "What’s wrong with her?"

Shang Ruyi remained calm, watching quietly as the woman’s expression grew gradually joyful. Then she placed Lei Yu’s hand down, turned around, and respectfully addressed Ashina Shali and Lady Jiayuan: "Congratulations, Khan. Congratulations, Lady. The Little Princess is pregnant!"

"What!?"

Lady Jiayuan could hardly believe her ears, staring wide-eyed at the woman: "You, you say the Little Princess—"

The woman happily said: "The Little Princess is pregnant, and already over two months along."

Once more confirmed, like a heavy stone, it weighed down on Shang Ruyi’s heart.

She felt her heartbeat grow heavy, breathing even more difficult than before, looking again at Lei Yu’s pale face and furrowed brows, a pang of heartache surged forth.

Indeed, she had not misdiagnosed.

Lei Yu was truly pregnant.

And over two months along...

At this moment, numerous thoughts flooded her mind, competing with that pang of heartache, leaving her unsure whether to be happy or sad, or whether to rejoice or lament for Lei Yu.

Just then, Ashina Shali’s deep voice sounded again from behind; compared to Lady Jiayuan’s joy, he was clearly more composed, asking: "Did the fall from the horse just now injure the fetus?"

The woman quickly replied: "The Little Princess is healthy, with no external injuries. From the pulse just now, the fetus appears stable and unharmed. However, going forward, there must be no such jostling or harm."

Lady Jiayuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, saying with lingering fear: "Good, good!"

With that, she became happy again, turning to the slightly eased-faced Ashina Shali, saying: "Khan, quickly share this good news with everyone—Yiasu has an heir, and Khan, you also have successors now!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi turned back to look at her.

In Ashina Shali’s remaining eye, filled with ferocity, a hint of joy also appeared at this moment. He gently nodded, about to speak when a soft voice interrupted.

"No..."

At the sound of this voice, everyone’s hearts were startled.

Shang Ruyi quickly turned her head, seeing Lei Yu, who had just been unconscious with eyes firmly shut, slowly opening them. Her dazzling yet sharp face showed weakness and gentleness for the first time, as she raised her head to look at Ashina Shali and Lady Jiayuan, softly saying: "Don’t say anything..."

Seeing her awake, Lady Jiayuan was joyful again: "Lei Yu, you’re awake."

Lei Yu gently nodded, but her gaze slowly moved to Shang Ruyi beside her. Shang Ruyi said nothing, only silently sitting down next to the bed, helping Lei Yu sit against her, their close relationship causing Ashina Shali to furrow his brow again, but looking at Lei Yu, his annoyance was eventually overshadowed by joy.

He said: "Lei Yu, you must take good care of yourself."

Lei Yu lowered her head: "Yes."

"But, what did you mean by saying not to tell anyone just now?"

"Khan, this news—I want to keep it secret for now."

"Why?"

"Because, Yiasu hasn’t returned yet."

"..."

"I, I want to wait for him to return, and then tell him personally as the first."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s breathing tightened involuntarily, while Ashina Shali and Lady Jiayuan exchanged a glance, both with a hint of joy on their faces, especially Lady Jiayuan, who happily said: "Indeed, the news of him becoming a father should certainly be told to him in person."

Ashina Shali furrowed his brow again: "Why hasn’t he returned? Wasn’t he just going nearby?"

"Well—"

Lady Jiayuan hesitated for a moment, just about to speak when Ashina Shali angrily interrupted: "Useless thing."

Though he was reprimanding, his expression nonetheless bore joy at the corners.

It’s clear that while he may voice discontent about his youngest son, his heart is filled with love and indulgence.

Seeing him like this, Lady Jiayuan also breathed a sigh of relief, glanced around once more, straightened her expression, and instructed, "All of you listen carefully: the news of the Little Princess’s pregnancy must absolutely not be divulged before Yiasu returns. If anyone dares to leak it, I’ll beat you all to death!"

The woman, along with several maidservants, hurriedly knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and agreeing.

Lady Jiayuan expressed concern for Lei Yu a few times, noticing that although she was trying to muster up energy, her eyelids continued to droop, clearly exhausted. She decided to return with Ashina Shali, letting Lei Yu rest properly. Before leaving, she ordered hot water to be brought for Lei Yu’s washing, along with some medicinal soup for stabilizing the pregnancy.

Ashina Shali did not leave immediately but instead lowered his head to glance at Shang Ruyi sitting by the bedside.

He said, "It’s best not to let her stay here and disturb you anymore."

"No..."

Lei Yu shook her head, about to say something when Shang Ruyi lifted her head and addressed Ashina Shali, "Khan, I understand medicine. Lei Yu is my friend. By staying by her side, I can take care of her health, as well as her unborn child."

"..."

"As for my disposition—you may deal with it anytime, Khan."

This statement elevated the tension within the tent once again. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Especially for Lei Yu, who immediately looked up at Ashina Shali, a hint of weakness and pleading in her eyes. Even under her gaze, though Ashina Shali furrowed his brow with a touch of fierceness, he couldn’t maintain that fierceness.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, "As for your disposition, this Khan won’t forget."

"..."

"But since you can take care of the Little Princess’s health—"

Lei Yu hurriedly interjected, "Thank you, Khan!"

A trace of displeasure flashed in Ashina Shali’s eyes, clearly aware he was being cornered. Yet, the matter of his beloved son’s offspring could indeed alleviate many displeasures. Moreover, Shang Ruyi remained in the Turkic territory, and whenever he wished, he could have his enemy’s daughter dismembered—a matter not to be rushed.

Thus he said, "Alright, you rest now."

After speaking, he turned and walked out.

Lady Jiayuan also exhaled in relief, glaring at Shang Ruyi with a stern expression but saying nothing more, only reminding Lei Yu a few times before following Ashina Shali out.

As they opened the tent door to leave, Shang Ruyi instinctively looked outside.

Beyond the tent door, the night was still dark and opaque.

Yet in the night, shadows moved around. Among them, she immediately recognized the tallest figure, whose eyes stood out the brightest, whose restrained composure seemed to burn with a smoldering flame—

Ashina Zhuxie.

He stood quietly not far away, watching.

Upon seeing him, Ashina Shali’s broad body appeared to stiffen slightly. He promptly shut the tent door, and in the instant the cold wind was blocked, Shang Ruyi faintly saw Ashina Zhuxie bow his head under the oppressive gaze.

Inside the tent, peace returned once more.

This time, however, the peace was heavier, almost suffocating.

Shang Ruyi supported Lei Yu, allowing her to lean against the headboard, placing a few soft cushions at her back for comfort, then sat by the bed, right in front of her, gazing into her eyes.

She softly asked, "You truly are alright?"

Lei Yu smiled faintly.

In that smile was a hint of relief and fatigue. She calmly said, "Rest assured, I know how to protect myself."

"..."

"I’m alright."

She spoke, lowering her gaze to her belly, her eyes dimmed slightly.

She murmured, "This child is alright too."

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s breathing grew heavier, observing Lei Yu’s long lashes covering her bright eyes completely. Yet, certain emotions don’t need eyes to be perceived, emotions that tormented not only her but Shang Ruyi as well.

After seeming ages of silence, Shang Ruyi finally spoke, his voice dry as if worn by grit—

"You don’t wish to be the first to tell Yiasu, do you?"

"...!"

Lei Yu shivered slightly.

She hesitated for a moment, ultimately lifting her head to look at Shang Ruyi. But before she could speak, Shang Ruyi continued, "You haven’t decided whether to keep this child, right?"

"..."

"You originally didn’t want this child, did you?"