Chapter 1459 Probing

Shang Ruyi felt as if all the blood in her body had gathered at her chest, her heart pounding wildly, her hands and feet as cold as ice.

However, her face showed no change in expression. After another careful recognition, she finally confirmed without a doubt, "You are Guan Chiying?"

"...!"

Guan Chiying was also taken aback.

He had come here at great risk, prepared to explain his identity and background to Shang Ruyi, and ready to spend some time gaining her trust. Yet, he hadn’t expected his name to be called out by her the moment he opened his mouth.

It’s worth noting, after the marriage between the Guan family and the Yuwen family, even though Yu Wenquan had close ties with Doctor of Righteous Discussion Guan Ao in the court, due to health issues, Guan Yunmu rarely returned to the Guan family. Especially after Yu Wenquan was reassigned as the Shanxi Comfort Envoy, the back residence had little interaction, to the extent that when Yu Wenye got married, almost none of the Guan family members in Luoyang could attend to congratulate; later, when Yu Wenye took Shang Ruyi back to Luoyang, Shang Ruyi followed him into battles here and there, their relationship still very unfamiliar—even Shang Ruyi vaguely remembered that she hadn’t seen this Guan Chiying at Madam Guan’s funeral.

Let alone expect anything after the Guan family remained in Luoyang, the Eastern Capital fell, and Yu Wenquan ascended the throne in Daxing City as Emperor, it was as if the two sides became separated worlds.

Now, the two met in this small tent, as if two worlds were connecting for the first time.

Guan Chiying quickly calmed down after the initial shock, carefully saying, "Yes, I am Guan Chiying."

After speaking, he fell silent, holding his breath watching Shang Ruyi, seemingly waiting for her next reaction—whether she would question his purpose, or shout and have this uninvited guest captured.

But unexpectedly, Shang Ruyi neither questioned immediately nor shouted. Instead, she frowned and focused on him, her half-veiled face showing tight brows and flickering eyes. It was clear she was experiencing a significant inner conflict at the moment, and after a long time, she finally spoke: "You are Guan Ao’s—"

Guan Chiying quickly replied in a low voice: "I am his cousin."

Shang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly.

She didn’t have much interaction with the Guan family and had only heard Yu Wenye mention his maternal family affairs once or twice after marriage—the Guan family, although not a large clan, had many members, yet Guan Ao had only one cousin who was rarely mentioned.

Guan Ao’s father, Guan Rong, was the eldest son in the family. His second sister was married into the Yuwen family, Guan Yunmu. There was another brother, Guan Yu, who had only one daughter, and a fourth brother, Guan Hu, who had no offspring. The youngest brother, Guan Li, was known to indulge in wine and women, fighting in the pleasure quarters at a young age, and later unexpectedly died from injuries. Upon his death, his then-pregnant wife miscarried in anger, later was taken back by her family and remarried shortly after, leaving no further contact with the Guan family. Only his concubine and her son, Guan Chiying, remained to keep vigil for him.

This was Guan Chiying.

However, given Guan Li’s usual unseemly conduct and his family status, coupled with the child’s background, Guan Chiying likely never received significant expectations, to the point where people habitually forgot him.

Shang Ruyi barely pieced together this recollection from the corners of her memory, remembering such a notorious character, and looked at Guan Chiying with a complex expression. She thought about what Boss Xu had just said and seemed unable to make up her mind on how to treat this distant relative, especially since she hadn’t yet figured out this person’s intentions.

Had he really defected to Liang Shide?

If that’s the case, what was his purpose in seeking her in secret?

What was the current situation with the Guan family?

What were his plans?

Countless thoughts and questions emerged like bubbles on a boiling surface, each rising in her mind. Shang Ruyi didn’t have time to sort everything out, but caution and vigilance immediately erected a wall in her heart.

She said, "What are you here for?"

Hearing this, a hint of caution also appeared in Guan Chiying’s eyes.

Both were seemingly crossing the river by feeling the stones. Guan Chiying took the first step, but as soon as he touched the icy current and hard rocks at the riverbed, he immediately felt the urge to retreat. Seeing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart was moved, and she suddenly said, "I heard you surrendered to Liang Shide."

Guan Chiying hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Yes."

Shang Ruyi said, "Why?"

Before Guan Chiying could answer, Shang Ruyi continued, "I may not interact much with Lord Guan, but I know he is steadfast."

Since Guan Chiying’s surrender, he had naturally been met with scorn, especially in Luoyang City, where the Guan family’s steadfastness contrasted sharply with his cowardice and disgrace, even Liang Shide, who accepted his surrender, looked down on him, assigning him as an ordinary vanguard in the army, while Chen Cai treated him with contempt. Hence, he didn’t find Shang Ruyi’s words harsh, but a hint of shame flashed in his eyes, and he said awkwardly, "Yes, he is steadfast. My cousin and uncles are all steadfast like him."

"..."

"But, rigidity breaks easily."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart gave a start, but she said nothing, while Guan Chiying lowered his head, speaking with increasing difficulty, "I am also part of the Guan family. I can’t just watch the entire Guan family fall into Liang Shide’s hands."

"..."

A hint of surprise appeared in Shang Ruyi’s eyes.

She said, "Do you mean—"

Guan Chiying took a deep breath, looked up at her, and said, "Princess, there are no outsiders here, so I won’t hide anything. Besides, I believe you understand: everyone dies, some deaths are weightier than Mount Tai, others lighter than a feather. As for me, I’m willing to make the feather as light as possible carry the weight of Mount Tai."

"..."

"As long as I surrender alone, they can all survive, and live with a clear conscience!"

"..."

Hearing his straightforward words, Shang Ruyi felt her throat tighten immediately.

Speaking of which, she wasn’t the so-called "diode" that Yu Mingyue accused her of being, seeing people and matters in only one way. She respected those iron-willed men, yet she could also understand that those striving to survive adversity weren’t all despicable and vile; survival is a natural human instinct, and the perseverance of those who wish to survive is no less than that of the iron-willed.

Shang Ruyi said, "So, you’re doing this to protect the elders and children of the official family?"

Guan Chiying replied, "They aren’t dead, are they?"

"..."

"If in the future they are fortunate enough to reach Daxing City and face Duke Sheng—oh no, now he should be called His Majesty the Emperor, when they face him, they will still have a clean reputation."

"..."

"This way, the full glory of the official family can still continue."

Hearing these words, Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.

She understood Guan Chiying’s intention—by surrendering alone, in the eyes of the world, he would be seen as a coward afraid of death, but he could preserve the lives of the elders and children of the official family; cutting ties with him, the members of the official family could maintain the family’s reputation. If a new dynasty truly arises, they can still be regarded by civil servants as paragons of noble character worthy of being written about in the historical records.

But he himself...

When she looked up at Guan Chiying again, Shang Ruyi’s gaze softened a bit, and Guan Chiying, as if concerned about the surroundings, continued, "I’m saying this not out of some cowardly desire to live. Please, Princess, you must believe me."

"..."

"I also inquired about you, Princess, and learned that you stopped Xiao Yuansui’s men in Hu Yang Valley and were captured. You, Princess, are a heroine among women, worthy of admiration."

Shang Ruyi let out a bitter smile.

However, she realized that Guan Chiying had clearly noticed her special treatment in the army, worried about her relationship with Xiao Yuansui, so he remained silent before, spending a day discreetly inquiring about her situation before believing she didn’t have any disgraceful relationship with Xiao Yuansui, which gave him the courage to come to her.

Shang Ruyi smiled bitterly, "I’m not any heroine among women, just a frail woman captured after a defeat."

Guan Chiying hastily said, "Please don’t say that."

He seemed to want to comfort Shang Ruyi with a few words, but just then a patrol passed by outside, the heavy yet orderly footsteps made them immediately quiet down, almost holding their breaths to still their heartbeats. They both breathed a sigh of relief once the sound faded into the distance.

Time, place, and circumstance allowed them no leisure for chat.

Guan Chiying hurriedly said, "My reason for seeking this meeting, Princess, is first to express my heartfelt intentions, and second, if one day you return safely to the other side, please tell the Yuwen Family that no member of the official family has shamefully sought survival—except for me, and ask His Majesty the Emperor not to despise them for surviving Liang Shide’s hands."

Shang Ruyi said, "I understand."

Guan Chiying continued, "Also—does the Princess plan to leave? Is there anywhere I can lend a hand?"

Shang Ruyi realized he wanted to help her escape this place as well, but she promptly said, "Even if you can come and go from my tent, it’s very difficult to leave here, especially for me—it’s even harder."

Guan Chiying said, "You and General Xiao..."

Shang Ruyi said, "He and I are old acquaintances, so I can temporarily ensure my own safety. You don’t need to worry about me; I have my ways."

"I see..."

Guan Chiying, seeing her seemingly assured demeanor, nodded and said, "Alright, then."

Having reached this point, the conversation seemed to conclude, yet Guan Chiying remained standing there as if ready to leave yet rooted in place. Shang Ruyi immediately sensed his hesitation to speak and asked, "Do you have other plans?"

Upon hearing her words and seeing Shang Ruyi’s flickering eyes, Guan Chiying seemed to sense something.

He said, "Princess, do you also have something to tell me?"