Chapter 1313 - 989: I Am Going to Resolve Xiazhou’s Crisis

With Yu personally accompanying her, Shang Ruyi slowly walked along the bluish stone path in the backyard and entered that courtyard. It was still surrounded by lush bamboo, shrouded in a misty haze, and as soon as she stepped into the yard, a familiar fragrance greeted her.

Yu whispered, "I won’t accompany the Princess."

She obviously realized that Shang Ruyi’s journey was not just to bring Sun Xianyue, but also truly to meet Lu Xiao, so she didn’t disturb them. Shang Ruyi nodded, watched her aunt turn and leave, and then pushed open the door to enter that quiet and elegant retreat.

Upon entering, she saw Lu Xiao sitting by the table in the center, holding a cup and drinking.

Seeing her posture, Shang Ruyi thought she was drinking wine, but as she approached, she caught a faint scent of tea; it turned out she was drinking tea.

Yet when Lu Xiao looked up at her, her gaze was alluring like silk, as if she really was drinking wine, seemingly intoxicated by the aroma. Even as a woman herself, Shang Ruyi felt a flutter in her chest, her breathing momentarily tightened.

But she quickly steadied her breath and walked in slowly.

Seeing her, Lu Xiao hesitated for a moment, then slowly stood up to greet her with a bow: "Princess."

This was rare.

Lu Xiao had helped her a few times, but their relationship had always been a subtly opposing one—certainly because from the very beginning Xiao Yuansui had been hostile towards them. Thus, Lu Xiao had never been polite upon seeing her, but now, alone in each other’s company, Lu Xiao offered her a bow, something that surprised Shang Ruyi.

However, she quickly understood.

She then smiled gently and raised her hand slightly, sitting by the table as well, and said: "It seems you already know of King Qin’s victories on the Eastern front."

After the bow, Lu Xiao also sat across from her, saying: "Yes."

"Do you know why I came to see you today?"

"..."

Lu Xiao’s soft, alluring eyes glanced at her, her expression serious but speechless. Obviously, she was surprised that Shang Ruyi would actively seek her out; after all, given her status as Princess Qin, she should be summoning Lu Xiao outside rather than coming to meet her.

Lu Xiao cautiously said: "Perhaps, you have news from the East to tell me."

"..."

"Is it about him?"

Though she tried hard to restrain her emotions, when speaking, especially in the last few words, her body involuntarily leaned forward, revealing her inner urgent longing. Shang Ruyi sighed lightly in her heart, then said: "I have no news of him."

"..."

"King Qin fought several battles recently, but has not encountered him. No one knows where he is now."

Upon hearing this, an undeniable disappointment showed on Lu Xiao’s face.

She softly said: "Oh."

Shang Ruyi looked at her, yet continued: "You want to see him, don’t you?"

Lu Xiao looked back at her, a bitter smile hiding a trace of mockery: "Why does the Princess tease me so?"

Her past thoughts were always concealed beneath her carefree attitude and feigned allure, but the words spoken by Shang Ruyi and Yu last time had made her realize that none of her thoughts were actually hidden. Everything was seen clearly, everyone knew her weakness, knew that she was using her life to follow that man, unwavering until death.

Thus, Shang Ruyi asking if she wanted to see him, wasn’t it just a tease?

Seeing her like this, Shang Ruyi sighed again inwardly, then said: "What if I take you this time?"

"...!?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao instinctively gasped in surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at Shang Ruyi, whispering in disbelief: "You, you’ll take me, take me to Luoyang?"

Shang Ruyi nodded: "To meet him."

"..."

"Of course, it may not be possible to see him, but to meet him, one must go to Luoyang."

"..."

"Are you willing—"

"Willing!"

Before the word ’willing’ was out, Lu Xiao eagerly interrupted, leaning almost completely over the table in anticipation, gazing fervently at Shang Ruyi, though observing her fiery eyes made Shang Ruyi’s heart feel even colder.

She smiled: "It’s redundant for me to ask you."

This remark revealed more apparent sarcasm than when she asked if Lu Xiao wanted to see Xiao Yuansui earlier, but Lu Xiao —no longer caring—responded quickly, thinking for a moment before saying: "But, how will you take me to Luoyang?"

"..."

"Are you going to Luoyang?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi calmly said: "My main goal for this trip isn’t Luoyang, but if my purpose is achieved, I can make a trip."

"..."

"That is, of course, provided I have the ability."

"..."

"And going with me is — well, it’s a gamble, right? Do you dare?"

Lu Xiao did not even answer whether she dared, instead carefully staring at her: "You, where are you going on this trip?"

Shang Ruyi replied: "Xiazhou."

"Xiazhou?"

The unfamiliar place made Lu Xiao slightly surprised, but she quickly recovered, saying: "I’ve heard that recently the newly appointed Zhu Xie Khan of the Turks led troops south, besieging the Eastern Turkic border at Xiazhou, and Princess Qiancheng sent letters continuously requesting the Emperor for military aid."

Shang Ruyi laughed unsurprisingly: "I see you’re not entirely indifferent to what’s happening outside."

Lu Xiao slightly stiffened her face: "I don’t live on air."

But after saying this, she once again looked at Shang Ruyi seriously: "But, if the court sends troops—why is it you going?"

"..."

"Is it possible the court has sent you to lead an army to support?"

"..."

"How can it be?!"

Hearing her words filled with disbelief and skepticism, Shang Ruyi also chuckled — to have Princess Qin lead troops against the Turks, not only would Lu Xiao find it hard to believe, anyone would doubt it, so she merely smiled and said: "Me leading troops? Who would dare hand me command of an army? Especially against Ashina Zhuxie leading the Western Turkic main force. That would be a suicidal move."

Such words naturally did not surprise anyone, but Lu Xiao’s eyes showed even more suspicion as she stared at Shang Ruyi, frowning: "Then, why did you say you were going to Xiazhou?"

"..."

"Also, you mentioned after achieving your purpose, you might go to Luoyang. What’s your purpose?"

"..."

"What exactly are you going to do?"

Shang Ruyi smiled and said: "I’m going to resolve the crisis at Xiazhou."