The appearance of Shi Shu An Yi was like a sudden gust of wind, blowing away some of the dust that had settled on Shang Ruyi’s memories.

She remembered that when she traveled with her father to the Turks, the Eastern and Western Turks had already split. Therefore, she had never met this Shi Shu An Yi, but she had heard his name countless times in the discussions between her father and Princess Qiancheng.

And this name was often associated with the phrase "grave threat."

Thinking about it now, Ashina Shali’s ambush on Chu Yang in Yanmen County, followed by his collusion with Liang Shide, and later conspiring with Wang Shaoji and his brothers to capture Taiyuan City, all these events likely had the shadow of Shi Shu An Yi behind them.

At this thought, Shang Ruyi felt a growing heaviness in her heart.

At this moment, she heard the voice of Shi Shu An Yi, laced with a smile, say, "The prince has returned from a distant expedition, so as a minister, I naturally should come to greet you."

"Much obliged."

Ashina Zhuxie nodded and looked up at the large King’s Tent in the distance, saying, "By the way, just now—"

Shi Shu An Yi also turned his head to take a look.

Then, with a smile, he said, "Has the prince forgotten that ever since the Khan was injured in Yanmen County, his wounded eye has ached every time the weather turns cold over the years? This year, the pain is worse than in previous years."

"..."

"Therefore,"

As he spoke, he slowly turned his cold gaze toward Shang Ruyi who stood beside Ashina Zhuxie, his tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness: "The Khan remembers even more clearly who it was that injured him!"

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s breath caught.

Could it be that Ashina Shali’s injured eye was from when Yu Wenye shot him in the eye in Yanmen County back then?!

Was the roar just now Ashina Shali’s fury from the pain in his eye?

And by saying this, does he mean to imply—

At this moment, Ashina Zhuxie also turned his head to glance at Shang Ruyi, a thoughtful expression on his face. The next moment, Shi Shu An Yi sneered coldly once again and then said, "Prince, you should quickly go inside to see the Khan. This time Taiyuan has fallen, and the Khan has been waiting for the prince to return and give an explanation."

Upon hearing this, a few personal soldiers were a bit flustered and looked at Ashina Zhuxie: "Prince."

Instead, Ashina Zhuxie was the calmest of them all.

He raised his hand to stop them from speaking and continued to smile, saying, "Just as well, I too have some things to report to my father, the Khan."

Having said that, he dismounted from his horse.

As he dismounted, Shang Ruyi naturally followed suit. Watching her, with a movement that could even be called agile, a cold gleam flashed through Shi Shu An Yi’s small eyes. Then he stepped aside and raised his hand, saying, "Please, you two."

He had not addressed Shang Ruyi directly until this moment when he said "you two," indicating that in his eyes, Ashina Zhuxie and Shang Ruyi were the same in some way—because it was Shang Ruyi’s husband, Yu Wenye, who had shot Ashina Shali’s eye in Yanmen County; and Ashina Zhuxie had failed to hold Taiyuan City from Yu Wenye. So, when they both stood before Ashina Shali, the outcome would not be favorable.

Looking at his sneering expression, Ashina Zhuxie remained very calm, leading Shang Ruyi and a few other soldiers forward.

With two soldiers holding torches aloft, they traveled quickly along the straight road. This long road was almost as wide as the Vermilion Bird Street in Chang An City, and the countless small crescent-shaped depressions on the ground indicated that this was where Turkic soldiers usually practiced horseback riding.

After walking for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they finally ascended the high platform.

The sentry here was even more strict than the straight road earlier, with sentinels stationed almost every three steps and guards every five steps, each soldier holding a torch high, illuminating the enormous King’s Tent brightly.

Just as they approached, a low growl emerged from inside the King’s Tent again—

"Ah!"

This time, it was clearer.

The low growl was mixed with intense pain, causing the entire King’s Tent to tremble slightly and the torches in the soldiers’ hands to flare.

Even though she had mentally prepared, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but tense up at this moment.

Her palms, covered in cold sweat.

But at this moment, no one would comfort her, and Ashina Zhuxie merely looked down at her and then said, "Let’s go in."

Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and followed him forward. As they approached, guards standing at the entrance saw them coming and opened the heavy tent door for them. Instantly, a rush of heat, along with a dazzling light, struck their faces.