Noble First Daughter-in-law

Chapter 1133 Testing
Shang Ruyi felt that all the blood in her body had gathered in her chest, her heart was pounding, and her hands and feet were as cold as ice.

But there was no change on her face. After another careful examination, she finally confirmed it and said, "You are Guan Chiying?"

"...!"

Guan Chiying was also startled.

He came here on a whim, and was prepared to explain his identity and origins to Shang Ruyi. He also needed to spend some time to gain her trust. However, he did not expect that the other party would call out his name as soon as he opened his mouth.

You know, after the marriage between the Guan family and the Yuwen family, although Yuwen Yuan and the Minister of Justice Guan Ao had close contact in the court, Guan Yunmu himself seldom returned to the Guan family due to his poor health. Especially after Yuwen Yuan was transferred to the post of Ambassador of Pacification in Shanxi, there was basically no contact between the two families in the harem, so that when Yuwen Ye got married, those of the Guan family in Luoyang were almost unable to attend the congratulations. Later, Yuwen Ye brought Shang Ruyi back to Luoyang, and Shang Ruyi followed him in his battles, but their relationship was still very unfamiliar. Shang Ruyi even vaguely remembered that she had not met Guan Chiying at the funeral of Mrs. Guan.

What's more, later on, the emperor was left in Luoyang, the Eastern Capital fell, and Yuwen Yuan ascended the throne in Daxing City. The two sides seemed to be separated into two worlds.

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

Guan Chiying calmed down immediately after being shocked and said carefully: "Yes, I am Guan Chiying."

After saying that, he calmed down, held his breath and looked at Shang Ruyi, as if waiting for Shang Ruyi's next reaction - whether to ask about his purpose, or to shout immediately and ask someone to arrest this uninvited guest.

But what was unexpected was that Shang Ruyi neither asked immediately nor shouted. She just frowned and looked at him intently. The half of her face that was covered by the veil was frowned and her eyes flickered. It can be seen that she was also experiencing a great inner struggle at this moment. After a long time, she finally spoke, but she said: "You are from Guanao--"

Guan Chiying hurriedly whispered, "I am his cousin."

Shang Ruyi raised his eyebrows slightly.

She didn't have much contact with the Guan family, and only heard Yuwen Ye mention his mother's family once or twice after marriage. Although the Guan family was not a large family, it had a large population, but Guan Ao only had one cousin, and his family was not often mentioned.

Guan Ao's father, Guan Rong, was the eldest son in the family. His second sister was Guan Yunmu, who married into the Yuwen family. He also had a third brother, Guan Yu, who had only one daughter. His fourth brother, Guan Xun, had no children yet. His youngest brother was named Guan Li, who was said to be addicted to alcohol and sex. At a young age, he got into a fight with someone in a brothel and was injured. Later, he died. After his death, his pregnant wife was so angry that she miscarried. Later, she was taken back by her family and remarried soon after. The two families no longer had any contact. As for his family, only his concubine and the son born to her concubine were left to mourn for him.

That’s Guan Chiying.

However, given Guan Li's usual disappointing behavior, his status in the family, and the child's background, Guan Chiying must not have received much expectations, so that everyone habitually forgot about him.

Shang Ruyi finally picked up this little thought from the corner of her memory, and thought of this evil man. Then she looked at Guan Chiying with a complicated expression, and thought of what she had just heard from Boss Xu. For a moment, she seemed to have not figured out what attitude she should use to treat this distant relative. What's more, she hadn't even figured out what this person's intention was.

Did he really join Liang Shide?
If that's the case, then why did he come to me secretly?

What is the current situation of the officials?
What plans does he have in mind?
For a moment, countless thoughts and doubts emerged in his mind like bubbles rising from boiling water. Shang Ruyi didn't even have time to sort everything out, but caution and vigilance still immediately erected a wall in his heart.

She said, "What can I do for you?"

Hearing this, Guan Chiying's eyes also revealed a little wariness.

Both of them seemed to be crossing the river by feeling their way. Guan Chiying took a step first, but when he felt the cold water and hard stones at the bottom of the river, he immediately wanted to retreat. Seeing this, Shang Ruyi's heart was moved, and he suddenly said, "I heard that you surrendered to Liang Shide."

Guan Chiying hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Yes."

Shang Ruyi asked: "Why?"

Without waiting for Guan Chiying to answer, Shang Ruyi continued, "Although I don't have much contact with Mr. Guan, I know that he is a man of integrity."

Since surrendering, Guan Chiying has naturally encountered many cold stares, especially in Luoyang City. The strong character of Guan's family members only highlights his cowardice and meanness. Even Liang Shide, who accepted his surrender, looked down on him and made him an ordinary pawn in the army. Even Chen Cai beat and scolded him. Shang Ruyi's words at this moment were nothing compared to everything before, so he didn't find them harsh when he heard them, but a trace of embarrassment still flashed in his eyes, and he said bitterly: "Yes, he is strong, my cousin, and all the uncles are as strong as him."

"..."

"But, steel is very easy to break."

Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, but he didn't say anything. Guan Chiying lowered his head and said in an increasingly difficult voice, "I am also from the Guan family. I can't just sit there and watch the whole Guan family fall into Liang Shide's hands."

"..."

There was a hint of surprise in Shang Ruyi's eyes.

She said, "You mean—"

Guan Chiying took a deep breath, looked up at her, and said, "Princess, there are no outsiders here, and I don't have to hide it. Besides, I think you understand that everyone has to die. Some people's death is heavier than Mount Tai, while others are lighter than a feather. As for me, I am willing to weigh the weight of Mount Tai with the lightness of a feather."

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

"..."

When Shang Ruyi heard him say it clearly, his throat suddenly choked.

In fact, she is not the "diode" as Yu Mingyue said, who has a one-track mind when looking at people and things. She admires those tough guys with iron will, but she can also understand that those who survive in adversity are not all despicable. Survival is human instinct, and those who are willing to survive are as tenacious as those with iron will.

Shang Ruyi said: "So, you are doing this to protect the officials and their children?"

Guan Chiying said: "They are not dead, are they?"

"..."

"If in the future, they are lucky enough to make it to Daxing City alive and face Duke Sheng - oh no, now he should be called His Majesty the Emperor, they will be innocent and clean when facing him."

"..."

"In this way, the glory of the Guan family can continue."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.

She understood what Guan Chiying meant - if he surrendered alone, he would be seen as a coward in the eyes of the world, but he could save the lives of the Guan family; and if the Guan family cut ties with him, they could also preserve the family's reputation. If a new dynasty really came in the future, they would also be praised by civil officials as people of noble character, and even worthy of a mention in history books.

It's just him...

When Shang Ruyi looked up at Guan Chiying again, his eyes softened a little, and Guan Chiying seemed to be concerned about the situation around him, and continued: "I am not saying this out of fear of death, Princess, please believe me."

"..."

"I also inquired about some news about the princess. I know that you stopped Xiao Yuansui's men in Huyang Valley and were captured. The princess is a heroine and admirable."

Shang Ruyi smiled bitterly.

However, she also understood that Guan Chiying had obviously seen that she was treated specially in the army and was worried about her relationship with Xiao Yuansui, so he had remained silent before. But after spending a day asking around about her situation, he finally believed that she did not have any unbearable relationship with Xiao Yuansui and dared to come and meet him.

Shang Ruyi smiled bitterly and said, "I am not a heroine. I am just a weak woman who was captured after a military defeat."

Guan Chiying hurriedly said: "Don't say that."

He seemed to want to say a few words to comfort Shang Ruyi, but at that moment a team of patrolling soldiers passed by outside. The heavy and orderly footsteps made the two men quiet down immediately. They almost held their breath to stop their heartbeats. Only when the sound went away did they both breathe a sigh of relief.

The time, place and situation did not allow them to gossip.

Guan Chiying said hurriedly: "I came to meet the princess this time, firstly to confess my true feelings, and secondly, I also thought that if the princess can return safely one day, please tell the people of the Yuwen family that no one in the Guan family has kowtowed to survive - except me. Please don't despise them just because they survived Liang Shide's hands."

Shang Ruyi said: "I know."

Guan Chiying continued, "Also, is the princess planning to leave? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Shang Ruyi understood that he also wanted to help her escape from here, but she immediately said: "Although you can enter and exit my tent, it is difficult to leave here, especially for me - it is even more difficult."

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

Shang Ruyi said: "He and I are old acquaintances, so I can still guarantee my own safety for the time being. You don't have to worry about me. I have my own way."

"so……"

Guan Chiying looked at her and seemed to have it all figured out, so he nodded and said, "Okay then."

At this point, the conversation seemed to have come to an end, but Guan Chiying was still standing there, as if he was about to leave, but he didn't move. Shang Ruyi immediately sensed that he was hesitant to speak, so he asked, "Do you have any other plans?"

Hearing her say this and looking at Shang Ruyi's flickering eyes, Guan Chiying seemed to sense something.

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