Lei Yu heard this and immediately frowned.

Everyone in the grassland knows, and she is even more aware, that Ashina Shali is fierce and cruel, vengeful, treating his subjects with such harshness, let alone his enemies.

Especially as the wife of Yu Wenye who once shot an arrow blinding his eye in Yanmen County.

Even though she managed to protect Shang Ruyi last night, here in Western Turks, she’s constantly on edge; every sighting by Ashina Shali brings new anger, and each anger put Shang Ruyi’s life in jeopardy. Therefore, last night, she repeatedly reminded Shang Ruyi not to leave her tent lightly even if she had freedom of movement, to avoid confrontation with Ashina Shali.

Unexpectedly, today, Ashina Shali wanted both of them to attend the bonfire gathering.

Lei Yu vaguely felt that the intention behind it might not be kind.

Thinking this, she said, "My friend traveled a long distance to Turkic land, fell ill last night, and just got a bit better. Let’s not make her attend the bonfire gathering tonight."

Ashina Zhuxie replied, "I said the same to Father Khan."

"Then—"

"But Father Khan insists."

"..."

"I think it’s better to let her go over."

Ashina Zhuxie looked over Lei Yu’s head at Shang Ruyi, whom she had shielded behind, saw the serious expression, then saw Lei Yu’s tightly furrowed brow, and said, "Father Khan letting her go may only trouble her; but if she doesn’t go, Father Khan will not just trouble her alone."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s breath caught.

Actually, upon hearing Prince Zhuxie speak, saying Shali Khan wanted both to go to the bonfire gathering, she knew she couldn’t avoid tonight’s event; after all, as Yu Wenye’s wife, regardless of their relationship, Ashina Shali would not let her stay peacefully in Western Turks.

However, she didn’t expect this Ashina Zhuxie, though a grassland warrior, to have such meticulous thoughts. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

This person is unusual...

With this in mind, she looked up, meeting Lei Yu’s worried gaze, obviously understanding Ashina Zhuxie’s reason and worried about Shang Ruyi’s safety. With little room to refuse, Shang Ruyi didn’t make it hard for her, simply smiled and said, "Blessing might not be disaster, disaster can’t be avoided. Just as well, I haven’t attended a grassland bonfire gathering in years, so this might be a chance to see."

Hearing this, Ashina Zhuxie was slightly startled: "You—have been to the grassland?"

Lei Yu’s face changed drastically, hurriedly gesturing to Shang Ruyi not to say more. Shang Ruyi then realized—the Western Turks only know Yu Wenye had a wife, know she’s Yu Wenye’s wife, but don’t know Yu Wenye’s wife is her, Shang Ruyi.

And thus, the daughter of Shang Ruohong.

Years ago, Shang Ruohong teamed up with Princess Qiancheng to divide Eastern and Western Turks, weakening their strength, further thwarting Ashina Shali’s plans to advance south. Compared to this, Yu Wenye’s old grudge over an arrow in Yanmen County seemed less of a vendetta than Ashina Shali’s grudge against Western Turks.

If they knew she was Shang Ruohong’s daughter, given Ashina Shali’s vengeful nature, tonight’s bonfire would roast much more than just a lamb.

Therefore, she casually said, "I, I only heard about it before."

"Oh?"

Ashina Zhuxie slightly raised his eyebrows, looked at her again, eyes flickering but not saying more, remained silent for a moment, then said, "No matter what, it’s Father Khan’s command, you must obey. Hurry along."

With this, he glanced at Lei Yu’s slightly pale face and turned away.

Once he left, Lei Yu immediately turned back, sweating coldly, whispered to Shang Ruyi, "I almost forgot about this. Your identity must be kept confidential, here in Western Turks they only know you as Young Madam Yu Wen, Princess Qin, not your origins, be very careful not to slip up, or else—"

Shang Ruyi nodded, "I understand."

"Then, first come back with me, I’ll find some Turk garments for you to change into, so you don’t stand out too much."

"Okay."

Since this isn’t a diplomatic mission, not bound by formal attire, and her clothes were indeed thin for the harsh grassland, Shang Ruyi didn’t make it difficult for herself, followed Lei Yu to change into a long leather robe, tightly wrapped from neck to ankle with only a hemp rope tied at the waist, wearing leather boots. Except for her coiffure styled by Lei Yu in Central Plains fashion, Shang Ruyi now looked like a Turkic person.