Chapter 681 If it were up to me
Shang Ruyi and Lei Yu talked for a while longer, until the sky outside gradually darkened. They both forgot the time, until a smiling yet cautious voice came from outside the tent—
"Ayu?"
It was that Prince Iasu.
Upon hearing the voice, both of them instinctively shut their mouths. After a moment's thought, Shang Ruyi also came to her senses, smiled at Lei Yu, and said, "It seems that he has come looking for his wife."
Lei Yu never liked to act like a child, but at this moment, she couldn't help but blush.
She hurriedly got up and went out with Shang Ruyi. As soon as she opened the tent door, she saw Yiasu standing outside, his big eyes wide open, looking at them expectantly. As soon as he saw her come out, his big eyes immediately curved into a smile and he said, "You really are here. I just went back and saw that you weren't home, so I guessed you came."
"..."
"Do you want to chat a little longer? I'll have someone bring dinner here."
"..."
"Ayu, what do you want to eat?"
As he said this, his eyes were still glued to Lei Yu as if drawn by invisible threads. He said he was bringing over dinner so the two of them could chat a little longer, but his eyes were full of "Come back with me quickly."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "No, let's stop talking."
Upon hearing this, Prince Iasu immediately beamed and said, "Alright, then we'll head back first. By the way, what would you like to eat? I'll have someone bring it to you. I know you might not be used to our food, but the kitchen has some rice and noodles from the Central Plains that will suit you perfectly."
Shang Ruyi shook her head and smiled, "I can get used to Turkic food. Let's leave the rice and flour for Lei Yu."
As she spoke, she looked at Lei Yu meaningfully and said, "You'd better watch your appetite."
Although her first child hadn't been in her body for long, and because of the stress and urgency of that time, she hadn't experienced any pregnancy symptoms at all, she had heard that pregnant women often vomit and couldn't eat greasy food. Although Lei Yu didn't have any symptoms yet, she might need those things to cleanse her palate in the future.
However, upon hearing her words, Iasu realized something.
He immediately turned to look at Lei Yu and said, "By the way, Yu, didn't you have something to tell me?"
Lei Yu was taken aback: "Huh?"
Iasu said, “I just went to see my mother. After she told me something important, she also asked me if I had told her anything—but when I asked her what she wanted to tell me, she refused to say, only saying that important matters were at stake. She also said that if I really wanted to know, I should ask you.”
As he spoke, he stepped forward and approached Lei Yu, taking her hands in his own, and asked with concern, "What exactly do you want to tell me?"
"..."
Lei Yu stared blankly at his innocent, carefree, childlike expression.
Shang Ruyi stood to the side, silently averting her gaze.
She felt a little reluctant to see Lei Yu lie to him, but she also understood Lei Yu's concerns. In fact, even Madam Jia Yuan knew that Lei Yu hadn't told her about this, and she helped to keep it a secret. It was clear that everyone understood that the bigger picture was the priority.
Once the heavy cavalry was acquired, the Western Turks appointed a successor, and everything was peaceful.
Therefore, Lei Yu's good news was like icing on the cake for Prince Iasu and for the entire Western Turkic Khaganate, and his joy would be even greater.
After a moment of silence, Lei Yu said, "I have something to tell you, which is—"
Shang Ruyi subconsciously turned to look at her, only to see Lei Yu also looking over. Their eyes met, and then Lei Yu took a deep breath and said, "It's about Ruyi."
"ah?"
Iasu was taken aback and turned to look at Shang Ruyi.
Lei Yu said, "As you probably already know, she is not only the Queen Consort of the newly established Great Sheng Dynasty, but also the daughter of the former General of the Cavalry. The Khan has always harbored resentment towards her father. This time, your elder brother captured her to please the Khan."
"..."
"But she is also my good friend."
"..."
“Iasu, I have never asked anything of you before, but this time I really hope that you can find a way to send her back to the Central Plains. I want her to return safely to her husband's side—just like the two of us, so that we can stay together forever.”
Upon hearing the first part of the sentence, Iasu's brows furrowed in distress, but when he heard the last sentence, his eyes lit up.
Even Shang Ruyi was stunned for a moment, looking at Lei Yu with some surprise.
In the past, I only knew that she was straightforward and capable, a brave and strong woman from a military family who was no less capable than any man. But today I discovered that Lei Yu was not completely ignorant about matters of the heart.
With just that one sentence, Iasu's heart softened.
Sure enough, Iasu's eyes sparkled, as if an emotion was surging within them, but he managed to suppress it. However, when he spoke, his voice trembled with excitement: "Ayu..."
It's conceivable that although Lei Yu had married him and was pregnant, she might not have been so affectionate towards him in the past.
Lei Yu herself said that she had thought things through before deciding to keep the child.
They also stayed with Iasu.
So her attitude at this moment truly flattered Iasu. Overjoyed, he squeezed Lei Yu's hand tightly in his palm until Lei Yu couldn't help but hiss and frowned as he smiled, "You're hurting me."
"ah!"
Iasu was startled and quickly let go.
He loosened his grip, not completely, but slightly loosened his fingers, still holding her hand firmly. After apologizing repeatedly, he glanced at Shang Ruyi, who was smiling demurely, and then said to Lei Yu, "I understand what you mean, A-Yu. But—"
The last two words made the two women's hearts sink again.
Iasu pondered for a moment and said, "If it were up to me, I would immediately release her. Even if she were your friend, I could not accept my father and my elder brother bullying a weak woman."
"..."
"But now, the affairs of the Turks are not up to me."
"..."
“However, I can assure you that as long as I am here, I will definitely not let Father Khan and my elder brother harm this—Ruyi.” As he spoke, he looked at Shang Ruyi and said, “Whenever there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely find a way to let you return safely to your homeland and back to the side of that King of Qin.”
"...Thank you."
Shang Ruyi nodded in greeting, then looked up and exchanged a glance with Lei Yu.
At that glance, both of their eyes flashed intensely.
What they heard was exactly what Iasu would do, something they had long expected, but what truly captivated them were those few seemingly casual words—
If it were up to me.
Yes, in the Western Turkic Khaganate now, he cannot completely control matters, big or small.
However, if Ashina Zhuye's heavy cavalry were truly handed over to him, and if Shali Khan truly passed the Khanate to him, he would be able to control the entire Western Turkic Khaganate. At that time, what would be beyond his control?
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Prince Iasu."
Iasu quickly shook his head: "Don't say that, I didn't do anything."
After saying that, he turned his head and looked at Lei Yu expectantly: "Then we won't disturb your friend's rest."
Although she was preoccupied, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but purse her lips upon hearing this. Lei Yu was also a little embarrassed, but nodded nonetheless and told Shang Ruyi to go back to her tent to rest. He then ordered his men to send her some fresh fruits, vegetables, and roasted meat before returning to their tent with Yiasu.
Almost instantly, it got dark.
After dinner, the wind outside gradually picked up, and at Lei Yu's instruction, another brazier was brought in, making the entire tent warm and cozy. So, Shang Ruyi went to bed early to rest.
Even without the brazier, she felt her hands and feet getting warm, and surprisingly, she was no longer affected by the harsh cold of the grassland. So, falling asleep wasn't too difficult. However, because the overall situation was uncertain and her mind was filled with many thoughts, even though she was lying in the warm bed, she couldn't fall asleep until late at night, and even then, it was only a light sleep.
In her hazy state, she kept hearing the howling wind outside, like a thousand horses galloping.
It's as if the people here are always unsettled.
Finally, the next morning arrived.
Before dawn, Shang Ruyi got up. Since she didn't live with Lei Yu, she naturally didn't have any maids to serve her. But she wasn't timid. Seeing that there were a few maids guarding the pot of water that was about to boil by the campfire not far ahead, she went over and asked for half a basin. She came back, washed up quickly, and combed her hair herself.
When they finally came out of the tent, their appearance was already neat and tidy, but it was still dark.
However, faint lights were already shining from those familiar tents—Shang Ruyi even guessed that some of the tents were lit up all night.
On the high platform, the enormous royal tent, which looked down upon the grassland like a celestial palace overlooking the human world, was already brightly lit by torches lit by guards.
The firelight flickered, illuminating the faces of the warriors.
Each of them wore a solemn expression, as if they all understood that today would be an important day, one that would determine to whom the cloud hanging over their heads would ultimately belong.
Shang Ruyi stood at the door, silently gazing ahead.
At this moment, several guards came out of the royal tent. Seemingly on orders, they hurriedly descended the platform and walked to the tents closest to the royal tent, where they whispered something to each other.
This must be Shali Khan summoning the people.
Shang Ruyi subconsciously held her breath, and the next moment, she saw a familiar figure walk out of the tent not far ahead.
It is Lei Yu.
She already looked like a Turkic woman, her hair tied up in a convenient bun, and she wore a thick fur coat. The fluffy fox fur adorning the collar and cuffs looked very warm, which made her cheeks look round and jade-like, giving her a unique and gentle charm.
As soon as she came out, she immediately turned her head and looked at Shang Ruyi.
Their eyes met, their thoughts unspoken.
But she didn't come over, because the next moment, another tall figure also came out of the tent. It was Iasu. He was also wearing a long fur coat, which still couldn't hide his strong figure and dashing appearance. When he came out, the wind almost blew his eyes out. He subconsciously reached out and put his arm around Lei Yu, as if he was afraid that she would get cold from the wind.
Lei Yu slapped his hand away and said a few words. He immediately smiled, but then silently walked behind Lei Yu to shield her from the wind.
Then, the two turned and walked toward the royal tent.
Just as they were about to lift their feet, a voice, carrying a chill even in the cold wind, was blown to their ears, scraping against their earlobes like a knife.
“Iasu”.
Upon hearing the voice, Prince Iasu immediately turned around with a smile: "Big brother!"
The one speaking was Ashina Zhuxie.
He also happened to come out of the tent and looked at his younger brother and sister-in-law in front of him. Although it was still dark, his eyes flickered slightly in the dim light.
Lei Yu's heart sank when he met the man's gaze, which was both sinister and seemed to hold a strange glint.
She didn't say anything, only lowered her head. Ashina Zhuxie looked at her like this and seemed to sense something, but he didn't say a word. He just slowly walked up to Yiasu and said, "You, so early."
Iasu said, "Father Khan sent someone to summon us to the royal tent. Elder brother, you too—"
"Um."
"Big brother..."
Seemingly anticipating the somewhat awkward, even embarrassing, situation his elder brother would face today, Iasu felt a mix of joy and embarrassment while facing him. He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Brother, actually I—"
Before he could finish speaking, Ashina Zhuxie interrupted him calmly.
He said, "Let's not keep Father Khan waiting any longer, let's go first."
After saying that, he patted Yiasu on the shoulder, his gaze sweeping over Lei Yu behind Yiasu, whose eyes were lowered and who was not meeting his eyes. A gust of wind swept across her cheek from his broad shoulders, and Ashina Zhuxie also walked past them.
Iasu stared blankly at his retreating figure.
It wasn't until the guard beside him urged him again that he came to his senses, took Lei Yu's hand, and the two of them walked towards the high platform.
Watching them leave, Shang Ruyi stood at the tent entrance, her cheeks and ears stinging from the cold wind, but she didn't return to the tent. She kept watching their backs disappear into the huge royal tent, her heart growing increasingly tense.
Given the current situation, which is related to the changes in the Turkic court, Ashina Shali naturally wouldn't allow her to go.
But her heart was already completely tied to the royal tent.
What will be the outcome today?
The next moment, a hurricane suddenly struck, howling and whipping up withered grass and dust from the grassland. It roared across the yurt like a thousand horses, forcing everyone to close their eyes, as if inexplicably weighed down by the menacing aura of the wind. Shang Ruyi frowned, and Lei Yu's words echoed in her mind again—
I don't believe he won't come.
Perhaps when he arrives, it will be in a way you would never expect.
But now that the situation in the Turkic Khaganate has reached this point, will Yuwen Ye really come?
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