CHAPTER 134: CHAPTER 134: ARE YOU STILL WAITING FOR FENG CHEN?

Shang Ruyi pondered for a long time before softly saying, "That’s right."

"Then—"

"But,"

She gently interrupted him, looked into Yang Suyi’s eyes, and earnestly said, "The timing is not right."

Yang Suyi frowned, "What do you mean?"

Shang Ruyi said, "I still hold to what I said yesterday. Ten years ago, when His Majesty the Emperor had just ascended to the throne, the Turkic Khan died, and because Princess Qiancheng seized the moment, the Turkic split into eastern and western factions, greatly reducing their strength. Coupled with the late Emperor’s military achievements in Shuo Bei and the current Emperor’s illustrious reputation, the nations of the Western Regions came to offer their congratulations. That was a time of favorable circumstances."

"..."

"But now—though the Da Ye Dynasty is strong, Ashina Shali has quelled internal rebellions within the Western Turks, governing diligently and preparing their military, so their strength is not weak either. When two strong forces meet, conflict is inevitable, which is a natural principle."

"..."

"Therefore, if the court still wishes to inspire the grasslands and intimidate the Western Regions as in the past... it’s almost impossible. Unless—"

"Unless what?"

Shang Ruyi looked up at him and slowly said, "Unless they completely defeat the Turks and incorporate them into the Da Ye Dynasty’s territory."

Yang Suyi’s eyes brightened instantly.

He was both surprised and delighted, looking at Shang Ruyi even more deeply, saying, "Young Madam truly is—"

Before he could finish saying "a kindred spirit," Shang Ruyi continued, "But this matter, at present, is almost impossible."

This time, Yang Suyi’s eyes dimmed not only with disappointment but also with visible anger. He stared intently at Shang Ruyi and heavily said, "What do you mean by that?"

When she said this, Shang Ruyi was already extremely tense, and in an instant, she detected the anger in his words, breaking out in a cold sweat. But she clenched her fists and earnestly said, "I am not saying it’s impossible, just that, at present, it’s impossible."

"..."

"His Majesty the Emperor is determined to campaign in Liaodong, and my father-in-law is currently in Liaoxi overseeing the transportation of supplies. If there’s also a campaign against the Turks... the military service and corvée are a heavy burden on the people."

"The people? You mean the people of the Da Ye Dynasty, right? As citizens of the Dynasty, bearing military service and corvée is only natural."

Shang Ruyi said, "However, making demands of the people at the right time..."

"Enough," Yang Suyi impatiently interrupted her, coldly saying, "Indeed, these matters are not for someone like Young Madam to comment on lightly."

"..."

Hearing his blunt words, Shang Ruyi knew nothing she said would matter.

Just then, Tushere’s voice calling her came from not far away. She glanced at Yang Suyi and softly said, "In that case, I take my leave."

With that, she sighed and turned to leave.

However, whether it was her illusion or not, as she was leaving, she felt Yang Suyi seemed to be watching her intently, his gaze carrying a burning warmth that scorched her back.

Fortunately, Tushere soon found her, playfully chiding, "Miss, why did you come over here, making it hard for me to find you? Hurry back, I’ve prepared the meal, any longer and it will be cold."

Shang Ruyi nodded and instinctively glanced back.

Just a moment ago, Yang Suyi’s figure was no longer there.

She couldn’t help but direct her gaze beyond the few sturdy flagpoles at the edge of the camp, looking further away—but by this time, nothing could actually be seen. After the sun had set, the entire grassland was shrouded in darkness, creating a feeling that the blackened earth connected with the night sky, forming a chaotic night scene.

Chaotic and heavy, it made breathing difficult.

Involuntarily, Shang Ruyi recalled the images she vaguely saw on the horizon yesterday, resembling human figures...

"Miss?"

Just when her thoughts were heavy, Tushere tugged at her sleeve, "Let’s go back."

Shang Ruyi looked at her, said nothing, but nodded and returned to the camp with her. By this time, everyone around had prepared dinner, and the fragrant aroma of the food aroused everyone’s hunger. Just as Shang Ruyi was about to sit down, she saw Lei Yu walking over with a bowl.

Shang Ruyi immediately stood up, "Why has Miss Lei come over?"

Lei Yu handed the bowl to Tushere, saying, "My family roasted some meat, and I brought it over for you to try."

Shang Ruyi smiled, "Thank you."

During these days of ’fate has brought us together,’ although Shang Ruyi understood what Lei Yu was yearning for, she looked back at her own hopes and didn’t see anything wrong with Lei Yu’s wishes. On the contrary, she felt a kinship with her, like "fellow sufferers travelling the same road."

She then eagerly pulled Lei Yu to sit down and eat with her. Unable to refuse, Lei Yu joined her, and Tushere happily offered her a bowl of hot soup and rice, laughing, "Miss Lei, do come and sit more often. When you are here, our miss’s appetite improves."

Shang Ruyi gave her a reproachful glance.

Lei Yu looked at Shang Ruyi, "Why, such a grown-up, still not eating well?"

"I am not."

"..."

Lei Yu glanced at her, saying, "Are you still waiting for Feng Chen?"

Shang Ruyi’s expression tense, but she quickly forced a smile, saying, "There’s no ’waiting’ for anything, he’s supposed to come anyway."

As if responding to her words, just as she finished speaking, the sound of hurried hooves was heard from the distance, promptly drawing the attention of everyone in the camp. Mu Xian went to have a look and quickly returned to tell Shang Ruyi, "Young Madam, it seems to be a messenger from the following troops."

"Really?"

Shang Ruyi’s eyes brightened, "Have they arrived?"

Mu Xian said, "I’ll have someone go enquire, Young Madam, please wait a moment."

Shang Ruyi nodded, asked him to quickly send someone over, and then sat in place, somewhat restless and unable to eat. She kept looking towards the King’s Tent.

Observing her restlessness, Lei Yu was first somewhat disheartened, but after a long pause, she couldn’t help but chuckle, "Yet you say you’re not waiting for him."

Shang Ruyi’s face immediately flushed.

Despite their words, both were solely focused on waiting for news from that side. But as they waited, more than half an hour passed, and it grew so dark around them that one could not see their hands in front of their face. They’ve added wood to the campfire several times, and finally, they saw Mu Xian coming back breathlessly.

Shang Ruyi instinctively wanted to stand up, but seeing Lei Yu, she reconsidered, forced herself to remain seated, and asked in as calm a voice as possible, "How is it?"

But Mu Xian looked a little troubled, hesitating.

Shang Ruyi said, "Are they, close to arriving?"

Mu Xian softly said, "To inform Young Madam, the message from over there is that they have just passed Dingzhou."

"Just passed Dingzhou?"

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes dimmed.

Sitting beside her, Lei Yu couldn’t help but frown, thinking for a moment, then said, "Why are they moving so slowly? I calculated their pace; they should have passed Youzhou by now? Just passing Dingzhou means it will still take seven or eight days to reach here?"

Mu Xian looked at Shang Ruyi again and then softly said, "It is said that Princess Xinyue is not accustomed to the fatigue of travel, hence the delay in the team’s progress."