Yu Wenye’s eyes darkened slightly, and he said, "So, you went with her?"

Shang Ruyi nodded silently.

She could tell that Yu Wenye still felt some dissatisfaction, and was even angry because she had taken risks by acting on her own. But at this moment, she didn’t want to explain further, nor did she want him to know that even Lu Xiao had reminded her to take more troops with her back then.

These days, Wang Shaoji’s troops had been ambushed in Shouyang, and after the fall of Taiyuan, morale had dissipated, with no military discipline to speak of. Soldiers deserted and fled every day. After more than half a month, the army of hundreds of thousands had dwindled to fewer than eighty thousand. Hence, Lu Xiao could seize the opportunity when Wang Shaoji ordered them to stay at Shuishen Mountain while he led a team to rescue Wang Shaoqiu, to secretly escape and take a detour to Taiyuan. But still, there were tens of thousands of troops remaining, yet Shang Ruyi intended to go alone?

Wasn’t this simply walking into the wolf’s den?

Unexpectedly, Shang Ruyi had found another small path with her. Because Wang Shaoji and his men were pursued all the way by Yu Wenye and his team, they were ultimately slower and arrived at the foot of Shuishen Mountain later than them. By then, Shang Ruyi had already found a withered reed patch and was lying in wait for the final strike.

Unexpectedly—

At the moment her arrow was released, Yu Wenqian’s arrow was also shot, hitting Wang Shaoqiu’s horse, causing him to tilt, while Shang Ruyi’s arrow missed its target and hit Wang Shaoji instead.

In that instant, Shang Ruyi was overwhelmed by a stabbing heartache.

This pain twisted her heart, almost preventing her from shooting a second arrow. Beside her, Lu Xiao bit her lips tightly, her eyes turned red. Seeing Wang Shaoji being dragged by his brother to serve as a human shield, and finally falling chaotically into the river, trampled by those frantically fleeing, she said fiercely, "He deserves it!"

It seemed Wang Shaoji had finally met his retribution.

Unfortunately, the one she truly wanted to kill, Wang Shaoqiu, still managed to escape with his life.

After hearing Shang Ruyi’s recount, Yu Wenye’s face showed some emotion. He took a deep breath, as if recalling something, and said, "So the person who delivered the message to Cheng Qiao that night in Jiangdu was her. I didn’t expect that all these years, she remained by Wang Shaoji’s side but never wavered in her mission."

Shang Ruyi nodded.

That night, the one discussing important matters with him at Cheng Qiao’s house was also Yu Wenye, who knew this mysterious person existed.

Moreover, this person had helped during the battle at Xingluo Granary, lending him a hand.

He said, "She truly is a remarkable woman."

Shang Ruyi looked up at Yu Wenye in the mirror, seeing him sigh softly, seemingly moved by the hardships Lu Xiao had endured over the years, and said in a gentle voice, "Now that she’s with us, I hope you—"

Yu Wenye glanced at her and nodded, "I understand."

"..."

"No matter what, she’s just a weak woman. Even if she returns in this manner, I won’t allow anyone to mistreat her. Moreover, she’s done so much for us."

Shang Ruyi said softly, "It’s more than that."

"Hmm?"

Yu Wenye was startled, widening his eyes at her, "What else?"

Shang Ruyi said, "She mentioned she delivered a set of military uniforms to elder brother."

"Military uniforms? What does that mean? And when did this happen?"

"It was when we crossed Tongguan and split paths. From what she said, she initially assumed we would go east, so she sent the uniforms to remind us to disguise as Wang Shaoji’s troops and lure the Western Turkic reinforcements into mutual destruction. Only after sending the uniforms did she realize that elder brother went east."

"..."

"However, I heard that elder brother indeed used this strategy, ambushing Ashina Zhuxie’s troops in Shouyang, causing them and Wang Shaoji’s troops to fight each other. Once both sides suffered heavy casualties, he finally appeared."

"..."

"Therefore, Ashina Zhuxie could no longer fight and had to leave Taiyuan. As for Wang Shaoji, due to his losses, he couldn’t participate in the battle for Taiyuan."

"...!"

Yu Wenye took a deep breath, saying deeply, "So that’s how it was."

"..."

"She—truly is a remarkable woman."

This was the second time he used the words "remarkable woman" to describe Lu Xiao, and in Shang Ruyi’s heart, at the moment of seeing Lu Xiao again, she had the same thought. No one could have imagined that such a captivating woman, who could make men fall for her at a glance, could have such resolute determination. Even while being pursued, captured, and even toyed with by Wang Shaoji for so long, she still held fast to her original intention, always finding ways to remind them to deal with Wang Shaoji at crucial moments.

Though she was powerless, every time, she had to rely on external force. Even in killing Wang Shaoji, it had to be executed through Shang Ruyi. Yet she succeeded every time, advancing with careful steps, never discouraged or giving up.

If such a woman does not deserve those three words, then who does?

Shang Ruyi slowly turned around to face Yu Wenye, and softly said, "If possible, I hope we can provide her some protection during this period."

"..."

"As to where she wants to go in the future..."

Yu Wenye gradually bent over, meeting her gaze, and said, "You mean—Xiao Yuansui?"

Shang Ruyi nodded.

She said, "During the night we traveled together, when we reached the foot of Shuishen Mountain, we talked for a while. I could tell that all the things she did were for Xiao Yuansui. The Xiao family was suspected and distrusted largely because of Wang Shaoji—he sowed discord, leading to the Xiao family falling out of favor, and Xiao Yuansui eventually taking the path of rebellion. In her heart, she has always hated Wang Shaoji. Now, her long-cherished wish has been fulfilled."

"..."

"I think ultimately, she wants to return to Xiao Yuansui’s side."

Yu Wenye frowned, pondering, "But now, whether Xiao Yuansui is in Luoyang or elsewhere is unknown. She’s just a weak woman—"

Shang Ruyi responded, "I know, so I persuaded her. She promised me she wouldn’t leave until things are clear. Therefore, I wish to protect her during this time."

"..."

"It’s also a way to repay her for past kindness."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said, "This, I can agree to."

Shang Ruyi immediately smiled, "Thank you."

She smiled, her face blossoming with genuine happiness, but Yu Wenye’s face was devoid of any hint of a smile. His stern, grave eyes looked deeply at her, and he said, "So, is that all about her?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, as if sensing something, her long eyelashes trembled immediately, and she lowered her eyes, "Yes, that’s all."

"Then, it’s time to talk about us."