Chapter 134 Are you still waiting for Feng Chen?
After considering it for a long time, Shang Ruyi said softly, "That's right."
"That--"
"but,"
She gently interrupted him, then looked into Yang Suiyi's eyes and said seriously, "The timing isn't right."
Yang frowned casually: "What do you mean?"
Shang Ruyi said, "I'll repeat what I said yesterday. Ten years ago, when His Majesty the Emperor had just ascended the throne, the Turkic Khan died. Because Princess Qiancheng seized the opportunity, the Turkic Khaganate split into two parts, east and west, and its strength was greatly reduced. In addition, the late Emperor's military achievements in the north and the current Emperor's illustrious reputation have led to the congratulations of the Western Regions. It was a perfect combination of timing, location, and popular support."
"..."
"But now—our Great Ye Dynasty is powerful, but Ashina Shali has quelled the internal rebellion of the Western Turks, worked diligently to govern, and strengthened his army. His strength is not weak either. When two strong forces meet, conflict is bound to break out. This is only natural."
"..."
"Therefore, if the imperial court still intends to bestow favors upon the grasslands and intimidate the Western Regions as it did in the past... it's almost impossible. Unless—"
"Unless what?"
Shang Ruyi looked up at him and slowly said, "Unless we completely defeat the Turks and bring them into the territory of the Daye Dynasty."
Yang Suiyi's eyes lit up immediately.
His expression was a mixture of surprise and delight, and his gaze towards Shang Ruyi deepened as he said, "Young Madam is indeed—"
Before she could utter the word "soulmate," Shang Ruyi continued, "But right now, that's almost impossible."
This time, Yang Suiyi's eyes not only dimmed, but anger also clearly rose on his face. He stared intently at Shang Ruyi and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that?"
When she said these words, Shang Ruyi was already extremely nervous. At this moment, she could almost instantly hear the anger in his words, and she broke out in a cold sweat. However, she clenched her fists and said seriously, "I am not saying that this is impossible, but that it is impossible right now."
"..."
"His Majesty the Emperor has already decided to wage war against Liaodong. My father-in-law is currently overseeing the transport of grain in western Liaodong. If we were to wage war against the Turks as well... the military service and corvée labor would be an unbearable burden on the people."
"The common people? You mean the subjects of my Great Ye Dynasty, right? As subjects of the dynasty, it is only natural for them to bear military service and corvée labor."
Shang Ruyi said, "But, to employ the people at the right time..."
"Alright," Yang interrupted her impatiently, coldly saying, "These matters are indeed not for someone like the young mistress to casually comment on."
"..."
Hearing his blunt and direct words, Shang Ruyi knew that there was no point in saying anything more.
Just then, she heard Tushe'er calling her from not far away. She glanced at Yang Suiyi and said softly, "In that case, I'll take my leave."
After saying that, he sighed and turned to leave.
However, whether it was her imagination or not, as she left, Yang Suiyi seemed to be staring intently at her from behind, his gaze seemingly burning her back with intense heat.
Fortunately, Tushe'er found her quickly and said reproachfully, "Miss, why did you come here? I've been looking for you everywhere. Hurry back, I've already prepared the food, it'll get cold if you wait any longer."
Shang Ruyi nodded, then subconsciously glanced back.
Yang Suiyi was no longer in that spot.
She couldn't help but look beyond the thick flagpoles at the edge of the camp to a more distant place—but in reality, she couldn't see anything at this point. After the sun set, the entire grassland was shrouded in darkness, and the pitch-black ground seemed to merge with the sky, creating a chaotic night.
Chaotic and heavy, making it hard to breathe.
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but recall those vaguely human-like figures she had seen on the horizon yesterday...
"Miss?"
Just as she was lost in thought, Tushe'er tugged at her sleeve: "Let's go back."
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, said nothing, just nodded and went back to the camp with her. At this time, everyone around had prepared dinner, and the aroma of food filled the air, making everyone hungry. Just as Shang Ruyi was about to sit down, she saw Lei Yu walk over with a bowl.
Shang Ruyi immediately stood up: "Miss Lei, what brings you here?"
Lei Yu handed the bowl in her hand to Tu She'er and said, "This is some meat that my family roasted. I brought it over for you to try."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Thank you."
These days of "relying on each other for survival," although Shang Ruyi knew what she was hoping for, looking back at her own expectations, she didn't think there was anything wrong with her. On the contrary, she felt a closer connection to her, as if they were both "fellow sufferers in the same boat."
So, she tried her best to pull Lei Yu to sit down and eat with her. Lei Yu couldn't refuse her, so she had to sit down. Tu She'er happily served her a bowl of hot soup and rice, and said with a smile, "Miss Lei, come and sit more often. When you come, our young lady's appetite is better."
Shang Ruyi gave her a reproachful look.
Lei Yu looked at Shang Ruyi and said, "What's wrong? You're such a grown-up, why aren't you eating properly?"
"I don't."
"..."
Lei Yu looked at her and said, "So you're still waiting for Feng Chen?"
Shang Ruyi's expression hardened, but she immediately put on a smile and said, "What are you talking about waiting for? He was going to come anyway."
As if in response to her words, just as she finished speaking, a series of rapid hoofbeats were heard in the distance, immediately attracting the attention of everyone in the camp. Mu Xian went over to take a look and hurriedly returned to tell Shang Ruyi, "Young Madam, it seems to be the group of people behind that has sent a message."
"real?"
Shang Ruyi's eyes lit up: "Have they arrived yet?"
Mu Xian said, "I'll send someone to investigate. Please wait a moment, young mistress."
Shang Ruyi nodded and told him to send someone over quickly. Then she sat there restlessly, unable to eat, and kept looking up at the royal tent.
Seeing her like this, Lei Yu was initially somewhat disheartened, but after a while, he couldn't help but sneer, "You still say you weren't waiting for him."
Shang Ruyi's face immediately flushed.
Even so, the two of them were single-mindedly waiting for news from the other side. However, they waited for more than half an hour. It was already so dark that they couldn't see their own hands in front of their faces. The campfire in front of them had been lit with firewood countless times. Finally, they saw Mu Xian running back, panting heavily.
Shang Ruyi instinctively wanted to get up, but when she saw Lei Yu, she thought for a moment and forced herself to stay in place, asking in as calm a voice as possible, "How is it?"
But Mu Xian looked somewhat embarrassed and stammered.
Shang Ruyi asked, "Are they almost here?"
Mu Xian said in a low voice, "Reporting to the young mistress, according to the news from over there, they have just passed Dingzhou."
"Just passed Dingzhou?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's eyes dimmed.
Sitting next to her, Lei Yu couldn't help but frown. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Why are they moving so slowly? Judging by their pace, they should have passed Youzhou by now, right? They just passed Dingzhou, so it'll be another seven or eight days before they arrive?"
Mu Xian glanced at Shang Ruyi again before saying softly, "I heard that Princess Xinyue is not used to long journeys, so the progress of the group has been delayed time and time again."
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