Chapter 680 Will Zhu Xie sit idly by and wait for his death?
Just as Shang Ruyi stopped to observe, a maid walked up to her and pointed—
"Your tent is over there."
She assumed Shang Ruyi couldn't find her place, so she stood there looking around. Shang Ruyi didn't say much, just thanked her softly, and quickened her pace to enter the small tent.
The tent that was reserved for her was naturally not as comfortable and luxurious as Lei Yu's tent, but it was still clean and tidy. Shang Ruyi walked to the bedside and sat down. The bedding was soft and dry, but this comfort did not make her relax. On the contrary, as she rubbed the soft bedding in her palms, a string in her heart tightened even more.
Not only that, Ashina Zhuxie's sinister gaze kept appearing before her eyes.
That gaze made her uneasy.
Yet, amidst the unease, there seemed to be a strange, surging emotion.
Since she was living alone in this tent, she was naturally not as free as when she was with Lei Yu. Shang Ruyi could no longer wander around, but every now and then she would go to the door, lift the tent flap and take a look outside. The scenery outside was the same, and patrolling soldiers would pass by from time to time, but no one disturbed her.
As she walked to the door again, just as she lifted the curtain, she saw a familiar figure walking right in front of her.
"Hmm!"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback; the person in front of her was none other than Lei Yu.
Lei Yu was about to reach out and lift the tent flap when she saw Shang Ruyi standing inside. Although she was somewhat surprised, she didn't seem too surprised that Shang Ruyi would be standing at the door looking out. She simply nodded to her and walked into the tent.
Upon entering and seeing the simple furnishings, she couldn't help but frown deeply.
"So, how will you live?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "I am the Princess Consort of Qin of the Great Sheng Dynasty, not the Princess Consort of your Turks."
"..."
"This kind of accommodation is already very good."
Lei Yu was still not satisfied and said, "I'll have someone find a few more things to put on the table for you. Also, it's cold here at night, one brazier isn't enough."
Shang Ruyi quickly grabbed her and said with a wry smile, "Don't cause any more trouble."
"..."
"Shali Khan has simply forgotten to punish me, not spared me; if you send things to me directly, letting him know that I, the daughter of an enemy, can not only live in the Turkic Khaganate, but also live so comfortably, do you think he will let me live?"
That made sense, and Lei Yu immediately dared not move.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Everything else is fine, but I must get you two extra braziers, since you're afraid of the cold."
Shang Ruyi remembered that she hadn't been sleeping well these past two nights, but when she woke up, she would always snuggle up to her, as she was indeed afraid of the cold. She smiled and nodded in agreement.
After the laughter subsided, a slight unease began to creep back into my heart during the brief silence.
She looked at Lei Yu—Yasu had just returned, and judging from his clingy behavior just now, he probably couldn't bear to leave his wife for even a moment. Although Lei Yu wasn't as affectionate towards him as he was, they had been separated for several days after all, and he had still gone a long way to buy a bag of pepper just because of her words. Shouldn't the couple have some time alone together?
But she came to find me so quickly.
So, Shang Ruyi said softly, "Do you have something to say to me?"
Lei Yu's expression also turned serious.
She looked around, finding no place to sit and talk, so she pulled her to sit down on the bed. Before speaking, she glanced at the tent entrance and said, "You were just looking outside—didn't you also feel something was wrong?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
When it comes to military matters, it's hard to say who is better between her and the carefree, even somewhat naive Prince Iasu. However, Lei Yu, who comes from a military family and even goes to the battlefield with his father, is definitely better than both of them.
Therefore, she must have noticed the unusual situation of the Western Turks at that moment.
I just don't know if what I see is the same as what she sees.
Shang Ruyi said, "You mean—"
Lei Yu looked at her and said in a deep voice, "An army cannot move without supplies."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi's heart sank.
Oh, right!
Since Ashina Shali has already ordered a military campaign against Chang'an and commanded Ashina Zhuxie to hand over the heavy cavalry to Yiasu tomorrow, it means that the battle, according to his plan, should be imminent and the army should set off immediately.
As Lei Yu said, "An army marches on its stomach."
Moreover, given the scale of the operation, even setting aside the need to prepare provisions, the people in the command tent should at least have heard the news and begun making preparations.
However, from the beginning until now, she has seen that although these Western Turkic soldiers are also training, it is the same as usual, without any intensification or other arrangements; and most people are still living their own lives in an orderly manner, making fires to cook, carrying water and chopping wood, without any sense of tension that a great battle is about to begin.
This doesn't seem like an indication that troops are about to be deployed.
Or rather, even if it were necessary to send troops, it wouldn't be that urgent.
However, compared to that, what seemed more urgent was getting Ashina Zhuxie to hand over the heavy cavalry.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi took a deep breath, looked intently at Lei Yu, and said in a low voice, "Although Khan Shali said he was going to send troops to Chang'an, the entire camp did not seem to be preparing for war at all. What he really seems to be doing is the issue of who will be the owner of the heavy cavalry."
Lei Yu's eyes flickered: "You think so too!"
"..."
"It seems he's using this war to force Zhu Xie to hand over the heavy cavalry to Yiasu."
Shang Ruyi nodded heavily.
She had found it strange before. It was clear that Shali Khan relied heavily on Prince Zhu Xie, but was also very wary of him. How could he possibly trust such a son who held the sharpest weapon on the grassland?
This time, Taiyuan fell, and only General Pasha was punished. Ashina Zhuxie was let go because he brought back Shang Ruyi, which is not like his usual style.
So that's the purpose.
The reason for not punishing Prince Zhu Xie, who returned empty-handed, was to force him to hand over his heavy cavalry. After all, if he refused to hand them over, the blame for losing Taiyuan would still fall on him, and he would be punished like General Pasha. The executioners might not be willing to show mercy, and if he was left either dead or crippled, his cavalry would be taken away as well.
Once the heavy cavalry is out of his hands, no matter how brave and skilled Prince Zhu Xie is, he will be like a tiger with its claws clipped.
However, why did Shali Khan suddenly pull this move?
Just as Shang Ruyi looked up to ask, Lei Yu spoke up at that moment, but lowered his voice and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Actually, I've heard Yiasu say that since Shali Khan was seriously injured in Yanmen County, his injury has never healed."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately thought of the night before last when she had just entered the tent and heard the shrill roar of Shali Khan due to his old wounds.
For someone like him, it must be extreme pain for him to roar like that.
This shows how severe the injury was.
At this moment, though reluctant, she couldn't help but recall the thunderous arrow Yuwen Ye shot amidst thousands of troops in Yanmen County. The shock that scene brought her, even after so long, still made her heart race when she thought about it.
She murmured, "That is the Divine Arm Bow."
Lei Yu said, "Yes, it's already quite difficult for an ordinary arrow to hit the eyes of Shali Khan at such a distance. But Feng Chen's arrow was indeed incredibly powerful. It not only blinded him but also left him with a serious brain injury."
"..."
"I've also heard some people say that because of this injury, Shali Khan couldn't sleep for years and could only rely on drinking... and even women to barely alleviate the pain. But the more he did this, the weaker his spirit became, and the more serious his injury became."
"..."
“Actually, a few days ago, I saw him fall off his horse. Although he wasn’t seriously injured, I’ve hardly seen him ride a horse since then.”
"..."
"This time, the sudden move to bring the heavy cavalry into Iasu's hands... I think he might—"
Shang Ruyi said in a deep voice, "He wants Prince Iasu to be his successor."
Lei Yu's breathing became heavy.
For a moment, both of them fell silent.
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath. In fact, after experiencing some things with the Yuwen family, she vaguely felt that Ashina Shali was considering the matter of passing on the throne. After all, he was getting old, and judging from his injuries, he was also worried about the sudden arrival of death. Therefore, he had to consider the future of the son he had borne for the woman he loved.
Prince Zhu Xie's background destined him to be unable to inherit the throne of Khan.
However, Yiasu was kind-hearted, naive and straightforward, so allowing him to ascend to the throne of Khan, while letting Prince Zhuye hold a large army, was tantamount to opening the door to thieves.
Therefore, by stripping Ashina Zhuxie of his military power and entrusting the most valiant and skilled heavy cavalry to Yiasu—regardless of when this expedition to Chang'an takes place, it seems that Ashina Shali truly intends to fight this battle, allowing Yiasu to integrate with and become familiar with this force, and to truly control it. In this way, Ashina Zhuxie will have no chance of turning the tide.
This is his true plan!
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi let out a long breath and subconsciously reached out to grab the bedding beneath her. Although it was soft to the touch, it made her feel a chill.
It turns out that no matter where you go, as long as there is power, there will always be people vying for it.
Previously, she thought that Ashina Zhuxie and Yuwen Ye were in very similar situations. Now it seems that Yuwen Ye's situation is better. At least now, Yuwen Yuan has already relied on this son and sent troops to fight. The troops he and Yuwen Qian lead are no different. It's just that the final victory or defeat will determine who among them can succeed to the position of crown prince.
Meanwhile, Shali Khan was completely suppressing Ashina Zhuxie.
She thought for a moment and then asked, "Then, does Prince Iasu know about this? And what does he think?"
Lei Yu said, "I just mentioned this to him, and he didn't seem too willing. He was worried that if Shali Khan did this, it would strain the relationship between the brothers. In his mind, the relationship between people seems to be more important than power, wealth, or anything else."
"..."
"Actually, he has always been a carefree child. Even when the flames of war were about to reach the tents, he wouldn't worry."
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but smile.
It's clear that Yiasu is that kind of person. His heart is filled only with the people he loves. That's why he could go to the grasslands for days and nights without sleep just to intercept Hu merchants, all for the sake of buying her a bag of pepper so that she could have some delicious mutton soup.
Such a man, as a husband, is almost every woman's dream.
But what about as a Khan?
Almost like Shang Ruyi, Lei Yu initially smiled, but as she smiled, her smile gradually faded and was replaced by a faint worry. She sighed softly and continued, "However, Madam Jia Yuan has already sent someone to call him over to talk. I think it must be to discuss this matter."
At this point, she frowned slightly and said, "I think that Khan Shali didn't just think of making him his successor today; he just started working on it recently."
"..."
"And Shi Shuanyi and several other ministers and nobles are probably also adding fuel to the fire on this matter."
Shang Ruyi said, "If he inherits the throne of Khan, what will his attitude towards the Central Plains be like—"
Lei Yu thought for a moment and said, "He treats me very well. Although I can't guarantee that I can influence his decisions about the Central Plains, I think I can say something, even if it's just a little bit."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
In this way, Lei Yu's status is similar to that of Princess Qiancheng of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.
Having a woman who cherishes her homeland and has feelings for the people of the Central Plains as the Khatun in the Turkic Khaganate, even if she cannot completely control the court, at least she can still say a few words, which has some benefits.
Therefore, it would be more advantageous for them to allow Prince Iasu to smoothly take over the heavy cavalry and then ascend to the throne of Khan.
Just then, Shang Ruyi lowered her gaze and suddenly saw Lei Yu's still flat stomach. Suddenly remembering something, she said, "By the way, have you told him about your pregnancy?"
"ah?"
Upon hearing Shang Ruyi's words, Lei Yu's eyes widened immediately.
Upon seeing her like this, Shang Ruyi immediately understood that she must have been so focused on the important matter at hand that she had forgotten about this joyous occasion.
Sure enough, Lei Yu said, "I had completely forgotten about it!"
Shang Ruyi said, "Then you should find a chance to tell him quickly."
Lei Yu thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Tomorrow, Ashina Zhuxie will hand over the heavy cavalry to him. Before long, Shali Khan will probably announce the successor. Such an important matter should not be distracted by this small thing."
"..."
"I'll tell him after things have settled down."
Seeing her serious expression, Shang Ruyi could only nod.
So, the only problem right now is—
How will Prince Zhu Xie respond?
Thinking of the look he had given her when he looked up just now—that sinister, sharp gaze, like a trapped beast cornered—made Shang Ruyi's heart tighten.
Will Ashina Zhuxie sit idly by and wait for his doom?
Tomorrow, he will hand over his heavy cavalry. Will he really hand them over willingly?
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