Everyone could hear that she was asking "Are you willing?", but what she was really asking was "Do you dare?".

Ashina Shali did not immediately speak, but gritted his teeth forcefully. Shang Ruyi could almost hear the grinding sound, as if he were chewing her bones. The next moment, a cold light flashed in his eyes and then, in extreme anger, he showed a sinister smile and said, "Of course."

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked up at him, seemingly without much surprise, and simply said, "Thank you, Khan."

Ashina Shali said, "But who should compete with you?"

Shang Ruyi replied, "Since the Khan has already agreed to the contest, then beyond that, everything follows the Khan’s arrangements."

"Listen to my arrangement?"

As he spoke, Ashina Shali slowly turned to look around. Although it wasn’t a significant day, whenever there was a bonfire gathering, all the Turkic people would definitely come out, just as Shang Ruyi said, on the grassland, strength is above all. Sitting in the very front around the bonfire, apart from the nobles, Ministers, and noble women, are powerful warriors, each as robust as mountains, with extraordinary riding and archery skills. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

At this moment, upon hearing Ashina Shali and Shang Ruyi’s words, these people stood up one after another.

The kind of fierce aura emitted, even in the dark of night, was unsettling.

Ashina Shali spoke while observing, "If we let our Turkic men compete with you, it would be hard for you not to think we are bullying a weak woman; if we let our Turkic women compete with you—"

Right then, a familiar figure stepped forward.

"Let me!"

This sentence wasn’t very loud, yet it carried a sharpness due to a tremble of fear.

Upon hearing these words, both Ashina Shali and Shang Ruyi looked up, showing no sign of surprise.

Because this person was Lei Yu.

Just moments ago, when Shang Ruyi uttered the words that angered Ashina Shali, she was already unable to sit still, her face pale with fear and cold sweat on her forehead. Now, upon hearing of the riding and archery contest, especially competing with Turkic women, she couldn’t hold back any longer and immediately stepped forward.

Though earlier in Yanmen County, during their joint breakthrough, she saw that Shang Ruyi’s riding and archery were decent, having saved their lives at a critical moment.

But after all, this is Turkic.

And whoever Ashina Shali would choose could not be someone with ordinary riding and archery skills; a loss would not only allow Shang Ruyi to choose freely but also bring great shame.

Thus, Shang Ruyi would then have no way to survive.

So, she immediately stood up.

Upon seeing her step forward, Lady Jiayuan, who had initially suggested Shang Ruyi be a concubine for Ashina Zhuxie, couldn’t help but frown. However, at this point, she had no room to speak again. Besides – her eyes shifted slightly, seeming to comprehend Ashina Shali’s thoughts. She could only cast a reproachful glance at Lei Yu, and quietly returned to her seat.

On the contrary, Ashina Shali had a cold smile of "just as expected" on his face, and said, "Lei Yu, do you want to compete with your ’old acquaintance’?"

Lei Yu took a deep breath and said, "Khan, no matter what, I am already married to Yiasu; I am Turkic now. These words were said by the Khan before."

Ashina Shali said, "Correct."

Lei Yu said, "If that’s the case, may I compete with her as a Turkic? Can the Khan agree?"

"... Of course."

Upon hearing these words, a slight smile appeared on Lei Yu’s face.

But at that moment, the surrounding Turkic people furrowed their brows, looking at each other with puzzled expressions.

It must be known, this Shang Ruyi is both Yu Wenye’s wife and Shang Ruohong’s daughter. Falling into their hands, she ought to be killed, or at the very least, tortured according to Ashina Shali’s wishes; why are they listening to her and competing in riding and archery?

Moreover, letting Lei Yu compete with her?

Since Lei Yu is her old acquaintance, she might want to protect her, and if she holds back in the contest, wouldn’t it work in Shang Ruyi’s favor?

Just when those around were restless, wanting to step forward and persuade, Ashina Shali suddenly said again, "However, do you know how the outcome of this competition is determined?"