This was not at all unexpected for Shang Ruyi.

No wonder, when speaking with Lei Yu earlier, as time passed, her unease was growing bit by bit. In fact, she herself was well aware of her own usefulness.

After all, as a captive of the Turkic, Ashina Shali couldn’t really let her stay here in peace.

Yu Wenye led his army to approach. Regardless of his purpose or strategies, Ashina Shali having her in captivity gave him a "first move." When the time comes on the battlefield, in front of Yu Wenye, and even more so in front of the soldiers of the Dasheng Dynasty, stabbing herself, the Princess Qin, or cutting off an arm or a leg in front of them could crush the enemy’s morale.

At worst, it would be to use herself as a flag sacrifice.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Lei Yu immediately reacted and said: "No way!"

Ashina Zhuxie’s eyes flickered, he fell silent for a moment before speaking in a deep voice: "You should know, the Khan’s orders cannot be defied."

"..."

"Moreover, you don’t have the strength to defy them."

This statement immediately made Lei Yu’s face turn pale.

Indeed, for example, before, rescuing Shang Ruyi from the King’s Tent, using her pregnancy news again at the bonfire to protect Shang Ruyi, these were her actions, but in the end, it was because Ashina Shali hadn’t decided to kill Shang Ruyi yet; but this time is different, Yu Wenye led the army here, with two armies facing off, this is not a time when her actions can have an outcome.

Lei Yu, after all, doesn’t have her own troops by her side, Ashina Shali with one command, even sending just a few people would suffice to drag Shang Ruyi away.

Seeing Lei Yu’s pale face, Zhuxie said: "She must go with us."

Lei Yu instantly panicked and instinctively reached out to grab Shang Ruyi, pulling her close, her eyes filled with terror with a hint of determination: "No, you can’t—"

"Ah Yue."

Suddenly, a gentle voice interrupted her.

It was Yiasu.

He slowly appeared from behind Ashina Zhuxie, with an expression of unsurprised upon seeing Lei Yu here, and especially seeing Lei Yu protect Shang Ruyi by her side, he softly said: "Don’t do this."

Lei Yu was even more anxious, frowned as she looked at him: "Yiasu, you promised to help me protect Ru Yi!"

Ashina Zhuxie glanced at his brother behind him, said nothing, turned around and walked silently to the side, only then did Yiasu come up and softly said: "Ah Yue, don’t worry. Even if Father Khan wants to take her over, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll hurt her. But if you keep insisting here, then Father Khan—"

Lei Yu’s expression became even more helpless.

Ultimately, it was Shang Ruyi who gently freed her hand from Lei Yu’s palm, Lei Yu panicked and looked back at her, only to see Shang Ruyi softly say: "They are right, if we are to persist, it shouldn’t be here."

"..."

"Lei Yu, you’ve done enough already."

"But—"

Seeing Lei Yu still wanted to say something, Shang Ruyi suddenly leaned towards her ear and whispered: "Here, I have no chance at all, but on the battlefield, maybe there’s still a slight chance."

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Yu’s eyes suddenly brightened, realizing something.

Shang Ruyi said: "Therefore, I must go."

"..."

Lei Yu finally took a breath, but as she pondered again, said: "Then I’ll accompany you."

No sooner had the words fallen, both Shang Ruyi and Yiasu said: "No way!"

The two exchanged a glance, then both looked at Lei Yu, Lei Yu suddenly frowned: "Why not?"

Shang Ruyi somewhat irritably glared at her—why ask why? She’s pregnant now. Even if she hasn’t told Yiasu, Shali Khan and them all know, the other day, she almost disturbed the fetal gas falling off the horse to save herself. This time, on top of that, going to battle, how could she allow a pregnant woman to go?

Yiasu said: "If fighting occurs, blades and swords are blind, what if you get hurt?"

"..."

"Just moments ago, even father and mother specifically said, let you stay in Yatai to rest properly—they have never cared for you like this before, don’t take risks."

Shang Ruyi also said: "No nonsense!"

As she spoke, without leaving marks, she glanced at Lei Yu’s belly, and Lei Yu herself realized.

Even Shali Khan and Lady Jiayuan have said so; it’s clearly considering her pregnancy, making it impossible to really go to the battlefield—in fact, aside from the purpose of protecting Shang Ruyi, she truly doesn’t want to face Yu Wenye as the Turkic Princess on the battlefield.

She couldn’t help him, and she couldn’t confront him.

Thinking of this, Lei Yu exhaled, and her tense shoulders seemed relieved of a massive weight, slightly drooping down, only then did Yiasu also breathe a sigh of relief, looking up he said to Shang Ruyi: "You, come with us."

Shang Ruyi nodded: "Mm."

At this time, Ashina Zhuxie, who had been standing aside, seeing they finalized their discussion, then turned and walked back. Just as Shang Ruyi was about to pass by Lei Yu to exit the tent, suddenly Lei Yu raised her head: "Wait!"

Yiasu looked at her: "What’s the matter?"

Lei Yu fixed her eyes on her husband, said solemnly: "Yiasu, as your wife, I have no other requests, but one thing I want you to promise me."

"Speak."

"Either you send her away safely, or you bring her back safely."

"..."

"I only want her to be alright!"

This kind of talk, probably not the first time in the couple’s conversation, but this time, Lei Yu said it exceptionally serious, as if wanting to sear every word into Yiasu’s heart, and Yiasu also listened earnestly, nodding: "I know, I promise!"

Only then did Lei Yu breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing her look, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but feel another wave of emotions surging in her heart, moreover a sense of bitterness. But when she looked up, she met the black and oppressive gaze of Ashina Zhuxie standing on the side.

He just fixed his gaze on Lei Yu with thoughtfulness.

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.

But before she could ponder anything further, the sound of horns came from the front of the Yatai, the command for the troops to assemble, Yiasu immediately said: "We’re leaving, you go back to the tent and rest well."

Saying this, the three of them turned to leave together.

But after taking just two steps, Yiasu suddenly stopped again, turned and walked to Lei Yu, took her hand and squeezed it hard, then showed her a smile so tender it almost seemed out of place in this harsh land.

"Wait for me to come back!"

Lei Yu looked at him, seriously nodded: "Mm."