Chapter 1133 Testing

Shang Ruyi felt as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her chest; her heart was pounding, and her hands and feet were as cold as ice.

But her face remained expressionless. After a second, careful examination, she finally confirmed, "You are Guan Chiying?"

"...!"

Guan Chiying was also taken aback.

He had come at great risk, prepared to explain his identity and background to Shang Ruyi, and also prepared to spend some time gaining her trust. However, he did not expect that as soon as he opened his mouth, she would call him by name.

It should be noted that after the marriage alliance between the Imperial Family and the Yuwen Family, although Yuwen Yuan maintained close ties with Guan Ao, the Grand Master of the Court, Guan Yunmu rarely returned to the Imperial Family due to his poor health. Especially after Yuwen Yuan was transferred to Shanxi as the Pacification Commissioner, there was virtually no contact between the inner quarters. As a result, when Yuwen Ye got married, almost none of the officials in Luoyang were able to attend and offer their congratulations. Later, Yuwen Ye returned to Luoyang with Shang Ruyi, and Shang Ruyi followed him on his campaigns, so their relationship remained very distant. In fact, Shang Ruyi vaguely remembered that she had never seen Guan Chiying at the funeral of Lady Guan.

Not to mention later, the emperor was left in Luoyang, the eastern capital fell, and Yuwen Yuan ascended the throne in Daxing City, as if the two sides had become two separate worlds.

Now, the two meet in this small tent, as if two worlds are being connected for the first time.

Guan Chiying, after his initial shock, quickly regained his composure and carefully replied, "Yes, I am Guan Chiying."

After he finished speaking, he fell silent, holding his breath and looking at Shang Ruyi, seemingly waiting for her next reaction—whether she would ask about his purpose or immediately shout for someone to arrest this uninvited guest.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Shang Ruyi neither immediately asked questions nor shouted. She simply frowned and stared intently at him. The half of her face, veiled and only partially visible, was etched with a furrowed brow and flickering eyes, revealing a profound inner struggle within her. After a long while, she finally spoke, saying, "You are from Guan'ao—"

Guan Chiying quickly whispered again, "I am his cousin."

Shang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly.

She didn't have much contact with the Guan family, and only heard Yuwen Ye mention his mother's family once or twice after their marriage. Although the Guan family wasn't a huge clan, it still had a large population, but Guan Ao only had one cousin, who wasn't often mentioned.

Guan Ao's father, Guan Rong, was the eldest son in his family. His second sister was Guan Yunmu, who married into the Yuwen family. He also had a third brother, Guan Yu, who had only one daughter. His fourth brother, Guan Jian, had no children. His youngest brother was named Guan Li, who was said to be addicted to wine and women. At a young age, he got into a fight in a brothel over a woman and was injured, eventually dying from his injuries. After his death, his pregnant wife suffered a miscarriage due to grief. She was taken back to her family and soon remarried, and the two families lost all contact. As for his branch of the family, only his concubine and her son remained to observe mourning for him.

That is, Guan Chiying.

However, given Guan Li's consistently disappointing behavior and his status at home, coupled with the child's background, Guan Chiying was unlikely to have received much expectation, to the point that everyone had become accustomed to forgetting about him.

Shang Ruyi finally managed to pluck this thought from the deepest corner of her memory, recalling this villain. Then, she looked at Guan Chiying with a complicated expression, and thought about what Xu Laoda had just said. For a moment, she couldn't figure out how to treat this distant relative. Moreover, she hadn't even figured out what this person's purpose was.

Did he really side with Liang Shide?

If that's the case, then what was his purpose in coming to find me behind my back?

What is the current situation of the government officials?

What are his plans?

In an instant, countless thoughts and doubts rose in her mind like bubbles rising from boiling water. Shang Ruyi didn't even have time to clarify everything, but caution and vigilance immediately erected a wall in her mind.

She asked, "What brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of wariness appeared in Guan Chiying's eyes.

Both of them seemed to be feeling their way across the river. Guan Chiying took the first step, but as soon as he touched the cold water and hard stones at the bottom of the river, he immediately wanted to back down. Seeing this, Shang Ruyi's heart stirred, and she suddenly said, "I heard that you surrendered to Liang Shide."

Guan Chiying hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Yes."

Shang Ruyi asked, "Why?"

Before Guan Chiying could answer, Shang Ruyi continued, "Although I don't have much contact with Lord Guan, I know he is a man of unyielding integrity."

Since his surrender, Guan Chiying had naturally faced much contempt, especially in Luoyang. The unyielding spirit of the Guan family only highlighted his cowardice and despicable nature. Even Liang Shide, who had accepted his surrender, looked down on him, relegating him to a lowly foot soldier in the army. Chen Cai also subjected him to beatings and verbal abuse. Compared to all that, Shang Ruyi's words were insignificant at this moment, so he didn't find them offensive. However, a hint of shame flashed in his eyes as he said awkwardly, "Yes, he is unyielding. My cousin and all my uncles are just as unyielding as he is."

"..."

"But, the strongest things are easily broken."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat, but she said nothing. Guan Chiying lowered her head and said in an increasingly hoarse voice, "I am also a member of the Guan family. I can't just stand by and watch the entire Guan family perish at Liang Shide's hands."

"..."

A hint of surprise appeared in Shang Ruyi's eyes.

She said, "You mean—"

Guan Chiying took a deep breath, looked up at her, and said, "Your Highness, there are no outsiders here, so I don't need to hide anything from you. Besides—I think you understand that everyone must die, but some deaths are heavier than Mount Tai, while others are lighter than a feather. As for me, I am willing to weigh the weight of Mount Tai with the weight of a feather."

"..."

"If only I surrender, then they will all live, and live with a clean conscience!"

"..."

When she heard him say it so clearly, Shang Ruyi's throat tightened.

To be honest, she wasn't the "diode" that Yu Mingyue described, someone who only saw things in a single, narrow way. She admired those tough, resolute men, but she could also understand that not all people who survived adversity were despicable or vile. Survival is a human instinct, and those who are willing to survive are just as tenacious as the tough, resolute men.

Shang Ruyi said, "So, you're doing this to protect the officials and their families?"

Guan Chiying said, "They're not dead, are they?"

"..."

"If in the future they are fortunate enough to live to reach Daxing City and face the Duke of Sheng—oh no, now I should call him His Majesty the Emperor—they will be innocent and clean."

"..."

"In this way, the glory of the entire family can continue."

Upon hearing these words, Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.

She understood Guan Chiying's meaning—if he surrendered alone, he would be seen as a cowardly coward in the eyes of the world, but he could save the lives of the Guan family; and if the Guan family severed ties with him, they could also preserve the family's reputation. If they were to truly come to power in the new dynasty, they could still be regarded as virtuous by civil officials, and even be worthy of being recorded in history books.

But he...

When Shang Ruyi looked up at Guan Chiying again, her gaze softened. Guan Chiying, seemingly mindful of the surroundings, continued, "I am not speaking out of fear of death. Please believe me, Your Highness."

"..."

"I also inquired about the Princess Consort and learned that you ambushed Xiao Yuansui's men in Huyang Valley and were then captured. The Princess Consort is a heroine among women, truly admirable."

Shang Ruyi gave a bitter smile.

However, she also realized that Guan Chiying had obviously seen her special treatment in the army and was worried about her relationship with Xiao Yuansui. That's why he had kept quiet before, and only after spending a day inquiring about her situation did he believe that she did not have any improper relationship with Xiao Yuansui, and only then did he dare to come and acknowledge her.

Shang Ruyi smiled bitterly and said, "I'm not some kind of heroine, just a weak woman who was captured after a defeat."

Guan Chiying hurriedly said, "Please don't say that."

He seemed to want to say a few words to comfort Shang Ruyi, but just then a patrol of soldiers passed by outside. The heavy, orderly footsteps made the two of them immediately quiet down, almost holding their breath and stopping their heartbeats. Only when the sound faded away did they both breathe a sigh of relief.

The time, place, and situation left them no room for idle chatter.

Guan Chiying hurriedly said, "I came here to recognize the Princess Consort this time, firstly to express my true feelings, and secondly because I thought that if the Princess Consort can return safely to the other side one day, please be sure to tell the Yuwen family that none of the Emperor's family members have groveled to survive—except for me. I also ask His Majesty not to despise them just because they survived Liang Shide's clutches."

Shang Ruyi said, "I know."

Guan Chiying added, "And another thing—Does the Princess intend to leave? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Shang Ruyi realized that he also wanted to help her escape from this place, but she immediately said, "Although you can enter and leave my tent, it will be very difficult for you to leave, especially for me—it will be even more difficult."

Guan Chiying said, "You and General Xiao..."

Shang Ruyi said, "I know him from before, so I can still guarantee my safety for the time being. You don't need to worry about me. I have my own way."

"so……"

Seeing that she seemed confident, Guan Chiying nodded and said, "Alright then."

At this point, the conversation seemed to have reached its end, but Guan Chiying remained standing there, as if about to leave, yet he hesitated. Shang Ruyi immediately sensed his hesitation and asked, "Do you... have some other plans?"

Hearing her say that, and looking at Shang Ruyi's flickering eyes, Guan Chiying seemed to sense something.

He said, "Your Highness, is there something you also want to say to me?"