Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip and turned around.

|

Soon, they returned to the Yatai.

Shang Ruyi still closely followed beside Lei Yu, steadily supporting her as she slowly lay back on the bed. Ashina Shali and Lady Jiayuan stood nearby, both looking extremely grim.

Outside the tent were other nobles and Prince Zhu Xie.

Lady Jiayuan gazed worriedly at Lei Yu, who had fallen unconscious again, and said, "Lei Yu’s skills in riding and archery are outstanding, surpassing even many men. How could this happen today—"

With these words, the entire tent fell silent for a moment.

Shang Ruyi squatted by the bedside, holding a handkerchief gently wiping the mud and rain off Lei Yu’s cheeks. Even without turning around, she could feel a piercing gaze behind her, as if wishing to pierce through her body.

If it weren’t for Lei Yu stubbornly grasping her hand before losing consciousness, she might already be riddled with arrows now.

Lady Jiayuan seemed to regret her words too and quickly turned to look outside, murmuring, "Where is the doctor? Why hasn’t anyone called the doctor yet?"

Those outside heard her voice, seemingly in a state of panic. Shortly, a maid entered cautiously, saying, "Madam, there are so many people tonight, and it’s very chaotic. We’ve just been to the doctor’s tent but couldn’t find anyone; I’m afraid there’s been no time to come back."

Lady Jiayuan said, "Go look again, quickly find the person and bring them here!"

"Yes!"

The maid dared not delay and hurriedly ran out again.

Just then, another maid brought in a basin of hot water from outside and placed it next to the bed, intending to wet a cloth to wipe Lei Yu. But Shang Ruyi softly said, "Let me do it."

The maid hesitated, glanced at Lady Jiayuan.

Lady Jiayuan frowned but simply gestured with her hand, and the maid bowed and retreated.

Shang Ruyi soaked her handkerchief in the water, swirled it with one hand, then wrung it moist, continuing to wipe Lei Yu’s face—her complexion still pale, her eyes tightly shut, brows slightly furrowed, seemingly worried about others’ life and death even in her slumber, unable to find peace.

Shang Ruyi reached out, gently massaging between her brows.

Just as it seemed slightly relaxed, Lei Yu knit her brows again; Shang Ruyi sighed softly inwardly, continuing to wipe her ears and neck with the damp cloth.

The clothes were dirty but had to wait until she was awake to remove and clean them. After wiping the face, Shang Ruyi lifted Lei Yu’s hand, which was tightly clutching her wrist.

Ashina Shali, who had been silent, watched Shang Ruyi’s calm demeanor and Lei Yu’s pale, unconscious form with a steely expression, a more grim intent in his eyes.

He said coldly, "She risked her life for you, and you remain so calm?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi remained still, not even turning around.

Yet her heart felt as if it was stabbed deeply, bloodless but causing her entire body to tremble in pain.

In truth, she knew Lei Yu’s actions couldn’t be hidden from Ashina Shali—The Western Turkic Khan was older than them, not to mention having quelled rebellions among the Western Turkic tribes and claimed the Yatai position. He witnessed countless battles and intrigues; such a minor trick naturally couldn’t escape his eyes.

Lei Yu fell off the horse intending to save her.

Because the outcome of this competition, win or lose, meant ruin for Shang Ruyi, she told Lei Yu she’d rather die than lose.

But moments ago, seeing Lei Yu stubbornly trying to win to save her life, she indeed panicked, even considering using the competition’s opportunity to escape.

Yet calming down revealed how foolish that notion was.

Not only was her horse not strong enough to reach the Central Plains, but considering supplies and stamina, this place was still within Turkic Yatai territory, surrounded by skilled Turkic archers—how could she possibly escape alone on horseback before so many?

So earlier, Lei Yu saw through her intention, her third arrow veering off.

And as it veered, she fell off—ensuring Ashina Shali and Lady Jiayuan were preoccupied with the Little Princess’s safety, unable to deal with Shang Ruyi.

At least it salvaged the moment.

Thinking this, a surge of bittersweet emotion emerged, moistening Shang Ruyi’s eyes with tears.

She was foolish enough, so why was Lei Yu even more foolish?

But the problem was that although Lei Yu’s fall seemed serious, a skilled rider like her had fallen many times since childhood and developed self-rescue methods—just now, Lei Yu rolled several times upon falling, instinctively protecting herself from trampling and ground impact.

Indeed, Lei Yu showed no obvious injuries.

If so, why did she lose consciousness?

Shang Ruyi wiped her face, ears, and neck, tested her pulse, finding she wasn’t pretending but truly fainted.

How could her body be so weak?

Thinking thus, Shang Ruyi’s heart grew more puzzled, yet facing Ashina Shali’s mocking question, she could only grit her teeth, keeping silent. Gently lifting Lei Yu’s hand, wiping the mud from her hand and wrist.

But just then, Shang Ruyi’s fingers inadvertently pressed against her pulse.

"...!"