Yaoying returned to the courtyard with General Jin and was delighted to find that Xie Qing and the others had come back.
As everyone greeted each other, Xie Chong and the others spotted the messenger falcon and could barely contain their excitement. They crowded around it, marveling at the rare sight and vying to feed it.
General Jin stood alert and spirited on the eagle scaffold, its talons gripping tightly.
A dozen guards stretched out their arms offering pieces of meat, gazing at it with eager anticipation.
General Jin swept a haughty glance around, then snatched a piece of meat from one of the guards, looking completely different from the frail bird it had been when attacked by Garuda earlier.
That night, Yuanjue sent a falconer to teach the guards how to train the messenger falcon.
The next morning, Yaoying was awakened by a loud crashing sound, followed by a sharp thud as something slammed hard against her door.
Footsteps scrambled chaotically, and the guards shouted anxiously.
Amid the commotion came one or two clear, urgent cries.
Yaoying jolted awake, quickly threw on a fur coat, and pulled open her door.
Two dark shapes tangled in mid-air, sharp talons ruthlessly slashing at each other as feathers drifted down.
Yaoying’s lips twitched: Was Garuda fighting with General Jin again?
Outmatched by Garuda, General Jin suddenly folded its wings and dove straight toward Yaoying.
The falconer who had rushed over whistled sharply, raising his arm covered by a falconry glove to divert General Jin away. Yaoying had just gotten up and wasn’t wearing any protective gear—the eagle’s talons could have injured her.
As General Jin was led away by the falconer, Garuda beat its wings and its agile figure disappeared behind the snow-covered courtyard wall.
Yaoying tightened her fur coat, both amused and exasperated: Was the entire Wang Temple considered Garuda’s territory?
It seemed the only solution was to send General Jin outside the city.
Mulling it over, she turned back to her room and casually glanced down at her feet. Her toes brushed against something soft, sending a chill down her spine.
A pile of dead mice lay scattered in disarray at her doorstep.
“These mice were brought by the Buddha Prince’s falcon,” Xie Chong panted, having just finished his martial arts practice, sweat dripping as he leaned against the corridor. “It delivered seven or eight of them!”
Yaoying was taken aback.
Was Garuda… apologizing to her?
She stared at the dead mice on the ground, shook her head with a wry smile, and called for someone to clean them up. Then she summoned the guards and informed them about Zhu Lvyun and her party.
She needed to select someone to keep an eye on the Northern Rong delegation at the posthouse.
Xie Chong immediately volunteered, making a throat-slitting gesture. “Princess, I can eliminate her without a trace.”
Yaoying shook her head.
Xie Chong’s face fell in disappointment.
Yaoying named another guard: “Xie Yan, your Hu language is the best. You go to the posthouse and keep watch on the Northern Rong delegation.”
Xie Yan was tall and had picked up the Hu language faster than any of the other guards. His mother was of Hu descent, and he had inherited her features. Dressed in a short robe and long boots, he looked no different from a Hu tribesman.
“Remember, you are not there to kill.”
Xie Yan acknowledged the order and asked, “Princess, then what should I do?”
“Watch them, follow them. No matter what happens, do not alert them,” Yaoying instructed.
The Eldest Princess knew Zhu Lvyun well and understood she couldn’t accomplish anything significant. Yet she had still sent her as an envoy—there must be another reason.
Xie Yan nodded. “I’ll remember.”
After breakfast, Yaoying wrote letters to Yang Qian, Yuchi Damo, and the merchant caravan outside the city.
The guards informed her that it was no longer possible to send letters out: “The four armies of the Royal Court are acting arrogantly. Under the pretext of enforcing martial law, they’ve taken control of all the city gates. Starting today, monks from Wang Temple are not allowed to leave, let alone the Holy City. All letters will be confiscated by them.”Xie Chong lowered his voice, speaking with deep concern: "Could their Buddha Prince fall completely from power? Princess, should we make preparations early?"
The others shared his worry. Outside the city walls, private soldiers from noble families were densely packed layer upon layer. The Buddha Prince only had the central army. If the newly elected Regent turned out to be a figure like Dong Zhuo, wouldn't the Buddha Prince be reduced to a puppet in the future?
Yaoying offered no explanation, only instructing everyone to stay indoors in the coming days.
Amid the flurry of activity, someone entered to report: "Princess, General Ashina's attendant has arrived."
The visitor wore the blue robes of the central army with a white cloak draped over his shoulders. Presenting Bi Suo's bronze tally, he said, "Princess, General Ashina requests your presence at the scripture cave to discuss matters he mentioned yesterday."
Remembering the arrangement, Yaoying took the letter she had prepared and left the courtyard with the guards.
The temple atmosphere was heavy and solemn. Monks gathered in the main hall chanting sutras, leaving the corridors and courtyards empty and silent, with no one in sight for long stretches.
After walking some distance behind the guards, Yaoying frowned slightly. The scripture cave lay to the north of the temple, where the terrain should have been ascending, yet this path felt like it was heading south.
She glanced at the guards, confirming one was Bi Suo's attendant, then exchanged a silent look with Xie Qing beside her.
After a brief wordless exchange, Xie Qing's expression turned cold as she tightened her grip on her sword hilt.
Remaining calm, Yaoying scanned their surroundings. The area was eerily quiet. With four large, imposing guards, Xie Qing alone wouldn't be able to handle them.
Her mind raced for an escape plan when suddenly, without warning, a guard halted, spun around, and flung a cloud of powder at her with outstretched fingers.
Already vigilant, Yaoying immediately held her breath, covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve, and swiftly retreated without hesitation, turning to run.
Knowing she'd only be a burden to Xie Qing in a fight, she focused on putting as much distance as possible between herself and the guards.
Surprised by her quick reaction, the guard lunged forward. Xie Qing drew her blade to intercept while two other guards attacked her with their swords. She dodged nimbly, maintaining a solid defense.
The remaining guard seized the opportunity to charge at Yaoying.
Anxious, Xie Qing tried to break away to intervene, but the other three immediately fanned out to block her path. Forced to stand her ground, she gritted her teeth and engaged them.
Yaoying fixed her eyes on the distant towering pagoda and cave temples, sprinting desperately. Behind her, rapid footsteps closed in as the guard caught up, his tall frame looming over her. A large, fan-like hand grabbed for her braid.
A gust of wind brushed the back of her head as icy fingers clamped tightly onto her shoulder.
...
After Yaoying departed, Xie Chong and the others continued their martial practice.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed at the entrance as several sword-bearing central army guards entered the courtyard. "Where is Princess Wenzhao? General Ashina requests her presence at the scripture cave."
Xie Chong and the others stared in confusion: "Didn't you just deliver the message? The Princess has already left for the scripture cave."
The guards exchanged startled glances before immediately turning to pursue. They rushed to the scripture cave but found no trace of Yaoying or her party, their faces paling in alarm.
"Report to the General at once!"
Bi Suo was on duty at the main hall when the guards found him. Upon hearing their report, his expression shifted abruptly.
"Do not alert the Prince."
Regaining his composure, Bi Suo issued calm, firm orders to the guards."Take two teams and conduct a thorough search from south to north. With strict security everywhere, no one could have taken the princess out of Wang Temple. They must still be hiding inside."
The guard anxiously replied, "General, they have your bronze token—they might have already left the temple! At this point, we must ask the Monk Soldiers to assist in the search and find them quickly. However, the Monk Soldiers only obey the king’s orders..."
Bi Suo’s expression darkened like still water.
The assembly to appoint the Regent was about to take place, and he didn’t want to distract Tanmoroqie.
But if Princess Wenzhao were taken away and hidden, and something happened to her... his conscience would never be at ease.
The princess had said she considered him a friend.
Bi Suo closed his eyes briefly, then turned and entered the hall.
Tanmoroqie sat with his back to him, cross-legged before the Buddha, his breathing faint as if already deep in meditation.
Bi Suo knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, Princess Wenzhao was taken away by someone impersonating my subordinate... She may have already left Wang Temple. I request Your Majesty’s order for the Monk Soldiers to conduct a strict search."
The hall was as silent as still water, not a sound to be heard.
Bi Suo waited a moment, thinking Tanmoroqie hadn’t heard, and hesitated whether to repeat himself. When he looked up, he froze.
Tanmoroqie was already standing before him, his steps calm and unhurried, his expression serene, his deep green eyes showing no ripple of emotion.
Yet his striking brows, which seemed to gather the beauty of mountains and rivers, were slightly furrowed.
"When did this happen?"
Bi Suo snapped back to attention. "Just now."
Tanmoroqie’s face remained expressionless as he strode out of the inner hall and summoned the Monk Soldiers guarding the main temple. "Search to the south."
To the north, beneath the cliffs, stood forests of pagodas and dense caves, with Monk Soldiers patrolling every half-hour. The southern area was flatter and more open, with many vacant monastic quarters. For the past few days, the Monk Soldiers had been withdrawn to the northern halls. If someone intended to take Yaoying out of Wang Temple, escaping from the south would undoubtedly be easier.
At Tanmoroqie’s command, the Monk Soldiers swiftly dispersed along their assigned patrol routes.
Bi Suo, frantic with worry, led his guards along the path in search.
After a short while, shouts arose from the south.
"We found her!"
"Princess Wenzhao has been found!"
"Princess Wenzhao is safe and unharmed."
Overjoyed, Bi Suo hurried forward with his men.
In the dimly lit corridor, several Monk Soldiers escorted Yaoying and Xie Qing down the stone steps.
Yaoying’s braids were loose, her clothes disheveled, her appearance disarrayed, and her steps slightly unsteady.
Xie Qing followed half a step behind her. After the recent struggle, she had several cuts on her face and neck, minor injuries on her arms and waist, and her robes were stained with blood. Her expression was icy, and she still tightly gripped her sword.
Bi Suo’s heart tightened as he stared intently at Yaoying in the distance. Confirming she was unharmed, he let out a long sigh of relief, the weight lifting from his chest. He strode forward, removed his white cloak, and wrapped it around her, saying softly, "Due to my negligence, you have been frightened, Princess."
Yaoying, still shaken from nearly being taken by the guard, replied, "Your subordinate escaped."
Bi Suo’s expression hardened, and he sneered, "He won’t get far."
He glanced at Yaoying and said gently, "Let me escort you back."
Yaoying nodded.
Just then, a Monk Soldier hurried over and stopped them. "By the king’s order, Princess Wenzhao need not return just yet."
He then gestured for Yaoying to follow him.
Yaoying looked at Bi Suo.
Bi Suo’s expression stiffened for a moment. The corners of his mouth twitched, his eyes flickered, and his gaze drifted away.
After a moment’s thought, Yaoying instructed Xie Qing to return and followed the Monk Soldier.Bi Suo followed closely behind.
Led by the monk soldiers, the two traversed a long corridor adorned with murals. Snowlight reflected into the passage, casting shimmering blue-gold shadows that pooled like liquid light spots on the floor. The morning breeze stirred wind chimes hanging from the eaves, their tinkling echoes weaving through the air.
The atmosphere was opulent yet solemn, radiating sacred dignity.
Yaoying suddenly realized this was another side path leading to Tanmoroqie's Zen room.
Yuanjue stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing Yaoying, his face relaxed with visible relief as he lifted the felt curtain.
Bi Suo and Yaoying entered the Zen room one after another.
A cool gaze swept over like lightning, ultimately settling on Yaoying.
Tanmoroqie stood by the window, turning to look at her. His overly large crimson kasaya fell in water-like folds, accentuating his lean frame. Sunlight spilled diagonally through the window, illuminating his profile. His refined features resembled a softened ink-wash painting, with deepening contours and slightly lowered jade-green eyes.
Meeting his gaze, Yaoying suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
OpenNovel