No escape.

The moment Shang Ruyi heard Ashina Shali say "You, surname Shang," she understood the greatest crisis she faced after being abducted to the Western Turks was now right before her.

She took a deep breath and slowly stood up, but before she could speak, Lei Yu beside her had already stood up hastily. However, perhaps she stood too quickly, she stumbled and almost fell, saved only by Shang Ruyi who reached out to hold her arm.

Ashina Zhuxie, standing in front, frowned slightly as he watched them.

Lei Yu, disregarding her awkward appearance, immediately said, "Khan, she—"

But before she could finish, Ashina Shali had already forcefully waved his hand, cutting off Lei Yu’s words. His remaining eye, now bloodshot, glared viciously at Shang Ruyi and asked again, "You, surname Shang?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Shang Ruyi replied, "Yes."

"What’s your name?"

"Shang Ruyi."

"What is your father’s name?"

"Shang, Ruohong."

These three words were like a bolt of lightning striking; everyone was stunned, even Lady Jiayuan, who had always been calm and composed beside him. She widened her eyes in shock and anger, incredulous.

Shang Ruohong, these three words represented a hatred etched into the bones for the Western Turks, especially Ashina Shali.

Because of him, the Eastern and Western Turks split. Although Ashina Shali eventually quelled the rebellion and became the Western Turkic Khan, the strength of the Turks greatly diminished, unable to compete with the Central Plains Dynasty. Even this occupation of Taiyuan was due to collusion with the Wang Brothers, only to lose the city again within a month.

Facing such a confrontation, Shang Ruyi could only think of four words—

Fresh grievances and old hatred.

Ashina Shali, biting his teeth, seemed to laugh out of rage, but the smile was grim, like a wolf brandishing bloody fangs under a crescent moon. He said, "You are Shang Ruohong’s daughter, how dare you come to the Turks?"

Shang Ruyi calmly replied, "I was brought here."

"Indeed, brought here."

Ashina Shali nodded, his gaze shifted to Ashina Zhuxie, his emotions inscrutable as he said, "You’ve done a great job."

Ashina Zhuxie lowered his head, his expression emotionless, but Lei Yu beside him was frantic. She hurriedly stepped forward to say something, but Ashina Shali coldly declared, "Tonight, if anyone dares to speak further, they shall share the same fate as this person!"

"Ah?"

Lei Yu was startled, but Shang Ruyi had already reached out to pull her back behind herself.

At this moment, indeed, it was best not to let Lei Yu say anything.

Because even now, Ashina Shali had not drawn his sword, nor had he immediately ordered samurai in to drag her out to be killed as he did last night; this meant that amidst such fresh grievances and old hatred, her death alone would not appease him. This realization might instead be her chance for survival.

Thus, it was best if Lei Yu did not provoke him at this time.

Indeed, even Lady Jiayuan, who had been seated behind Ashina Shali, kept signaling to Lei Yu to be cautious and not act recklessly.

Lei Yu, both surprised and frightened, did not know what to do, whereas Shang Ruyi conscientiously stepped forward to the center of the area, in front of the bonfire, facing Shali Khan, letting him scrutinize her while she calmly regarded him.

However, she had already seen through the Khan last night.

Instead, this one-eyed Shali Khan, last night, looked at her with the eyes that examined Yu Wenye’s wife, while today, he gazed with animosity at Shang Ruohong’s daughter. His emotions were nearly unchanged, except for his deeper, heavier hatred for Shang Ruohong—last night, he wished to tear her to pieces, while today, he seemed unable to think of a way to kill her.

After a long silence, Ashina Shali suddenly laughed, "Do you know? I have always wanted to find your father, to drain his blood, and roast him over a fire. Once roasted, to cut him piece by piece, to tear him into a thousand pieces, let every Turk take a piece, and chew him thoroughly!"

Shang Ruyi clenched her teeth, her hands hanging by her sides involuntarily formed fists.

She forced a smile and said, "That, Khan may be disappointed."

"..."

"Because my father passed away many years ago."

"..."

"Even if my father hadn’t passed away, Khan’s wish would be hard to realize, given that my father was the Left Merit Guard Cavalry General. Capturing him wasn’t easy, he roamed the grasslands freely, and eventually returned safely to his homeland, later lived deeply within the Central Plains. If Khan’s men reached Taiyuan, it would still be insufficient."

"...!"

Upon hearing her words, Lei Yu’s face turned more alarmed than before.

She had never been a timid woman, but concerning Shang Ruyi’s safety, she worried more than for herself—yet Shang Ruyi’s words, each one, even every character, were provoking Ashina Shali.

If Ashina Shali, in anger, ordered her killing, who could save her tonight!?

In fact, after saying these words, Shang Ruyi’s palms were clammy with cold sweat; she knew she should judge when to advance or retreat, to protect herself, yet she couldn’t compromise on her father’s honor.

After all, the General of Cavalry Shang Ruohong once roamed the Turks alone, causing the split between Eastern and Western Turks, salvaged the Dynasty’s faltering momentum, intimidated the Turks into submission for years—being his daughter, she wouldn’t allow his prestige to be tarnished even in death.

His prestige...

With that thought in mind, Shang Ruyi clenched her fists tighter, took a deep breath, straightened her back.

Looking up again, she saw Ashina Shali’s remaining eye seemed ignited by the bonfire’s glare, burning with anger, a fire raging to engulf and consume her.

He gritted his teeth, fiercely said, "Indeed, he died."

"..."

"But no worries, there’s still his daughter."

"..."

"Who would’ve thought, even heaven helps me, letting my son bring his daughter before me."

With that, he sneered again, "Zhuxie, you’ve accomplished a great deed!"

Hearing him repeat these words, Ashina Zhuxie’s face remained unemotional, but Lady Jiayuan frowned. She shifted her gaze, suddenly asked, "Khan, what does Khan intend to do with her?"

"What to do with her—"

Ashina Shali’s blood-red eye once more fixed on Shang Ruyi.

Evidently, aside from "death," there seems no fitting end for such a foe’s daughter. Yet merely "death" wouldn’t quench his hatred.

Then Lady Jiayuan suddenly smiled, "I think, simply killing her would be too lenient."

"..."

"Why not let her become a concubine to Prince Zhuxie."