At daybreak, Ashina Bisha led the central army in restoring order, taking stock of personnel and horses, gathering scattered soldiers, and arresting the nobles involved in the assassination of Su Dan Gu according to the roster at the manors.
The imperial guards, carrying yellow silk edicts, sped like the wind, simultaneously reaching different key towns to issue decrees. The noble families, caught off guard and having lost control of the military, weighed their options and abandoned resistance.
By the time the fires outside the city were extinguished and the citizens of the Holy City cautiously cracked open their doors to peer at the long streets, the court had already undergone a dramatic upheaval.
Bi Suo spent the entire day rushing through the city's streets and alleys, so busy his feet barely touched the ground. In the afternoon, he deliberately detoured to the princess's residence to check on Princess Chima. Before he could get close, he heard loud wailing.
Outside the princess's residence, a dense crowd knelt—confused children, noblewomen adorned with pearls and jade, young scions in brocade robes, and white-haired elders—all weeping bitterly at the gates.
Bi Suo frowned, reining in his horse. "What's going on?"
The chief steward of the princess's residence stepped forward and bowed. "General, these people are here to beg the princess for mercy. They've been crying all day. No matter how I try to persuade them, they refuse to leave."
Tanmoroqie kept to himself and had just ruthlessly purged the noble families. The imperial relatives and nobles in the city dared not plead before him, so they gathered at Princess Chima's gates, begging her to intercede for their families.
Bi Suo raised his horsewhip angrily. "The city is under martial law! No officials or commoners are allowed to linger outside. Who gave them permission to kneel here and beg?"
The steward said helplessly, "The princess forbade us from driving them away. She said to let them kneel and cry."
Bi Suo urged his horse up the stone steps and cracked his whip fiercely. "The King has issued a decree: before sunrise tomorrow, no one is allowed outside! Those who disobey will be charged with rebellion! Return to your residences immediately and do not leave without permission, or you'll join the conspirators who assassinated the Regent in prison!"
The nobles wailed loudly, tears streaming down their faces as they glared hatefully at Bi Suo.
Bi Suo patted the sword at his waist.
Recalling the chaos outside the city the previous night, the nobles shrank back, rose with resentment, and departed.
Bi Suo instructed the steward, "Tell the princess the city is chaotic these days. She should not go out."
The steward whispered, "General, the princess is not here. She has gone to Wang Temple."
Bi Suo's face changed abruptly. "When did this happen?"
The steward hesitated, stammering, "Just now... The princess heard that this morning, the King rewarded merits and promoted a commander surnamed Zhang... She flew into a rage, immediately ordered the stables to prepare a carriage, and went to Wang Temple..."
Last night, when the four armies' camps were scattered, a descendant of the Zhang family took advantage of the chaos to shout, persuading his comrades to surrender with him. He lit torches to guide the arriving tribal cavalry, making a great contribution. This morning, the commander overseeing the four armies rewarded merits to boost morale. The young Zhang had been promoted three ranks in a row, becoming an imperial guard.
Princess Chima deeply hated the Zhang family. Upon hearing this, she was furious and immediately went to Wang Temple to demand that Tanmoroqie revoke the appointment.
She carried the bronze token Bi Suo had given her, so the central army guards dared not stop her.
Bi Suo wasted no time, immediately turning his horse to chase after her toward Wang Temple.
...
Wang Temple.
Yaoying descended from the high tower, intending to return to her courtyard. She had slept in the Zen room overnight and thought it best to slip away unnoticed to avoid further gossip.Bā mǐ ěr said with a troubled expression, "Before the King left, he instructed me to guard the Princess. If anything were to happen to the Princess before his return, I would have a hard time explaining it to him."
Yaoying felt she was already safe and didn't need to stay any longer, but Tanmoroqie had also considered her safety. With the Royal Court currently busy with numerous affairs, it was best for her to follow his arrangements.
She returned to the Zen room, sat cross-legged, and her gaze swept over the Scripture Scrolls on the long desk.
Tanmoroqie had written in Sanskrit, which she couldn't understand.
Remembering something, she asked Bā mǐ ěr for paper and brush. Dipping the brush tip in ink, she wrote a brief letter to Xie Qing and the others, entrusting someone to deliver it to the courtyard.
Just as the Monk Soldier delivering the letter had left, a clamor arose from the adjacent room separated by a wall, mingled with a woman's furious scolding.
With both Yuanjue and Bore absent at the moment, the Monk Soldier consulted Bā mǐ ěr: "Princess Chima demands to see the King. I told her the King isn't in the Zen room, but she refuses to believe it and insists on forcing her way in."
Bā mǐ ěr hesitated and said, "I'll go explain to the Princess."
After speaking, he glanced back at Yaoying.
"Princess Wenzhao, please retreat to the inner room for now. If Princess Chima barges in... and sees you here..."
Understanding his meaning, Yaoying withdrew to the inner chamber.
The inner room of the Zen chamber was where Tanmoroqie resided. The space was simply yet elegantly furnished with a sleeping couch and a short desk, the floor covered with a Persian velvet carpet. Golden brocade curtains hung low, and beneath the window stood an Eagle Scaffold. The bookshelf against the wall was densely packed with Scripture Scrolls. Sunlight streamed through the high window, filling the air with floating golden dust and permeating the room with a heavy, slightly bitter fragrance.
Yaoying did not touch the Scripture Scrolls on Tanmoroqie's short desk or bookshelf. After sitting cross-legged on the carpet for a while, heavy footsteps echoed from the long corridor outside.
Bā mǐ ěr knocked on the doorframe, signaling that Princess Chima had left.
Yaoying stood and went out, then paused in surprise upon seeing the person entering the Zen room alongside Bā mǐ ěr.
Bi Suo, with a helmet tucked under his arm, gave her a tired smile before turning to instruct Bā mǐ ěr, "If Princess Chima comes again, send someone to inform me."
Bā mǐ ěr acknowledged the order, scratching his head as he added, "General, when Princess Chima loses her temper, she becomes truly unreasonable. You're the only one who can calm her down."
Bi Suo smiled wryly. Chima was genuinely angry this time, and it had taken him considerable effort to persuade her to leave.
"The Zhang family matter is troublesome..." he murmured.
Yaoying's interest was piqued. "What happened with the Zhang family?"
Bi Suo sighed and recounted what he had witnessed outside the princess' residence, concluding, "The King has ordered a reform of the military system, where promotions are based on merit. A descendant of the Zhang family rendered great service and was rewarded with a promotion. Princess Chima is struggling to accept this."
Yaoying frowned slightly.
Bi Suo, looking distressed, said, "Zhang Xu is a direct descendant of the Zhang family. It's only natural for Princess Chima to be upset about his promotion."
Yaoying pressed her lips together and asked, "Who informed Princess Chima about this? So many officers were promoted this morning—why did news of Zhang Xu's promotion spread so quickly?"
Bi Suo was taken aback, thought for a moment, and replied, "The relatives of those noble families were kneeling outside the princess' residence pleading for mercy. They might have been the ones who told her."
Yaoying looked up and lowered her voice. "General, it would be best if you sent someone to keep an eye on Princess Chima. Since she can't see the Dharma Master and has no outlet for her anger, if someone provokes her into confronting that Zhang forbidden official directly and causing a scene, it might be difficult to resolve."Bi Suo’s eyes widened in realization, his expression abruptly darkening. “Thank you for the reminder, Princess.”
He turned and strode away in large steps.
Yaoying watched his anxious retreating figure and sighed softly.
The noble families’ counterattack had come so swiftly.
By having the elderly, weak, and women kneel and weep publicly, they were garnering sympathy and accusing Tanmoroqie of cruelty toward the noble families.
Informing Chima about the promotion of the Zhang family’s descendants was an act of sowing discord—both provoking Chima and warning the Zhang family.
If Chima and Commandant Zhang were to clash, whom should Tanmoroqie side with?
Favoring Chima would inevitably breed discontent among the rising new nobles.
Siding with Commandant Zhang—would the royal relatives led by Chima let the matter rest?
They were pervasive, like maggots in the bone, always waiting to exploit Tanmoroqie’s vulnerabilities to stir up trouble.
It was impossible to guard against them entirely.
…
Bi Suo hurriedly chased out of Wang Temple and found that Princess Chima was indeed heading to confront Zhang Xu. Fearful of the consequences, he intercepted her carriage and directly confiscated the bronze pass from her attendants.
Chima lifted the carriage curtain, her face flushed with anger. “What are you doing?!”
Bi Suo glanced at her, his tone tinged with irritation. “Chima, I never should have given you this bronze pass.”
From nobles to commoners, no one in the city was permitted to come and go freely. He had specially granted her a bronze pass for emergencies, never expecting it would nearly lead to disaster.
Had he allowed her to proceed unchecked and Chima had indeed caused a scene at Zhang Xu’s place, it would have chilled hearts. If the noble families then seized the opportunity to drive a wedge between Tanmoroqie and the newly surrendered four armies, it would surely destabilize military morale.
“Zhang Xu has already been appointed as Commandant and is a soldier loyal to the King. Do not trouble him.”
Chima’s face darkened with rage. “There are so many loyal officers—why must Luojia promote Zhang Xu? I accepted it when he spared the Zhang descendants, but now he’s elevating the Zhang family again. How can I stand by and watch as the Zhang family rises from the ashes? The Zhang family and I are irreconcilable!”
Bi Suo signaled the attendants to turn the carriage back toward the princess’s residence and said sternly, “Everyone is a subject of the King… Chima, your eyes see only hatred, while the King’s gaze is fixed on the stability of the Royal Court.”
Chima snorted coldly. “He cares for no one. The Tanmo family means less to him than the Zhangs.”
Frowning, Bi Suo escorted her back to the princess’s residence, instructing the Chief Steward to keep watch over her. He confiscated the bronze passes and seals from the residence, declaring, “If anyone visits the Princess during this time, turn them all away. The Princess will see no one.”
The Chief Steward assented.
Chima’s expression turned grim. “Bi Suo, are you placing me under house arrest?”
After dismissing the Chief Steward, Bi Suo sighed deeply. “Chima, I have no choice. I can no longer indulge your recklessness.”
Already incensed by her failure to prevent Tanmoroqie from promoting Zhang Xu, Chima grew even more resentful at his words. “Why do you always side with Luojia? Are my demands so unreasonable?”
Rubbing his temples, Bi Suo replied helplessly, “Chima, it has always been you whom I’ve favored. Had I not repeatedly made excuses for you, Bā mǐ ěr and the others would have forcibly brought you back long ago.”
Chima’s anger remained undiminished.
With other matters demanding his attention, Bi Suo had no desire to prolong the argument. Softening his tone, he said, “Behave yourself and don’t cause trouble. Once I’ve finished my duties, I’ll take you to the market to watch the Kucha music and dance performance.”
With that, he hurried away.
Fuming, Chima slammed the table over with a loud crash.
This could not go on any longer.
…Bi Suo left the princess's residence and found Yuanjue. "Where is the King?"
Yuanjue replied, "The King returned from the palace and went to see Venerable Dutuo."
Venerable Dutuo was the monastery's disciplinary chief, responsible for upholding the precepts.
Bi Suo hurried to the punishment hall. Dusk was approaching, and the underground chamber was dimly lit. The echo of footsteps in the silent corridor sounded somewhat eerie.
He passed through the narrow passage and quickly entered the repentance room. Just as he was about to knock, several dull thuds came from inside.
Thud after thud.
Tanmoroqie was being punished.
Bi Suo stood still, slowly clenching his fists.
...
Over a decade ago, Bi Suo had stood in this very spot when he first saw the imprisoned Tanmoroqie.
At that time, the Zhang family controlled the court administration. Tanmoroqie had grown up in the monastery, forbidden by the Zhangs to leave or receive ministers. Only the aged Bololiuzhi was permitted to teach him Buddhist Dharma.
Bololiuzhi always praised Tanmoroqie's intelligence, which made Bi Suo deeply resentful. Since childhood, he had longed to meet Luojia.
That year, during a monastery ceremony, Bi Suo and several other noble youths sneaked into the punishment hall.
The slender Luojia sat in his cell reading scriptures, wearing a gray monastic robe. A few beams of daylight filtered into the chamber, dappling his face and illuminating his profound features. Amid the blooming flowers and scorching summer heat, an ethereal cold radiance seemed to emanate from him.
In that moment, Bi Suo and the other noble youths hardly dared to breathe, fearing they might disturb their King.
When they saw that the scriptures Tanmoroqie was reading were in Sanskrit, they had no choice but to acknowledge his superiority. Their teacher hadn't favored Luojia—Luojia truly was his most brilliant student.
Later, Bi Suo became one of the guards serving the Buddha Prince.
No one understood better than Bi Suo what Luojia had endured over the years.
As a child, the confined Luojia lacked adequate clothing and food, never seeing sunlight, yet he still studied diligently.
Witnessing the massacre of the Tanmo clan, he maintained his Buddha-nature, never becoming as gloomy, irritable, and unreasonable as Chima had.
Practicing cultivation methods, enduring pain, protecting all beings through Asura means, silently accepting punishment alone.
Throughout these years, Bi Suo had never seen Luojia smile.
Not once.
Luojia seemed born understanding his responsibilities. Destined to be King, renowned for early wisdom since childhood, he had to not only propagate Buddhist Dharma and bear the people's expectations but also shoulder the entire dynasty.
With both Buddha Prince and Asura embodied in one person, could he maintain his current determination and clarity indefinitely?
...
Remembering Tanmoroqie's reactions after his previous cultivation method went out of control, Bololiuzhi's final instructions resurfaced in Bi Suo's mind.
"Don't let Luojia become another General Saisang'er..."
Bi Suo closed his eyes, burying his worries deep within his heart.
After waiting for some time, the sounds of canning in the repentance room ceased. Following a period of low conversation, the door opened from within. Tanmoroqie emerged, his broad Kasaya concealing his form, his steps steady, his expression calm.
Bi Suo composed himself and approached, first offering apologies before reporting quietly about Princess Chima's matter.
"Your Majesty, I've already counseled Princess Chima. The princess was instigated by others and acted rashly out of righteous indignation. I beg your forgiveness for her."
Tanmoroqie glanced at him. "Watch her."
Bi Suo's face flushed slightly. Luojia knew Chima's temperament and had reminded him to monitor the princess's residence. If Bi Suo hadn't privately given the bronze token to Princess Chima, she would never have been able to leave her residence."I have taken note, and will not allow Princess Chima to trouble Zhang Xu again. In truth, her actions are somewhat understandable. Once we remove those who instigate her, she will settle down."
Bi Suo’s face was full of self-reproach. Tanmoroqie gazed into the pitch-black night sky and said nothing more.
...
That evening, Tanmoroqie did not return to the Zen room until after dark.
Bā mǐ ěr remained dutifully at his post, refusing to let Yaoying return to her courtyard. As the sky grew increasingly dark, she stood up and lifted the Felt Curtain from time to time to peer outside. After what felt like an eternity, shadows from lanterns flickered along the corridor, followed by the sound of footsteps. Tanmoroqie, surrounded by blue-robed and white-cloaked guards, walked slowly toward the Zen room. His figure was tall and straight, the golden patterns on his Kasaya softly illuminated.
Yaoying let out a long sigh of relief—he had finally returned.
Bā mǐ ěr lifted the Felt Curtain, and Tanmoroqie stepped into the Zen room.
"Venerable One."
A gentle call came as Yaoying stepped forward to greet him.
Tanmoroqie paused slightly, his gaze resting on her smiling face.
Yaoying’s lips twitched. Had he forgotten she had been waiting in his Zen room all this time?
"Venerable One, please rest well. I shall take my leave."
Yaoying retreated from the Zen room.
Bā mǐ ěr scratched his head awkwardly. "Princess... it is almost midnight. The gate to the outer courtyard has been locked. If you return now, you will disturb everyone."
Yaoying halted, thought for a moment, and asked, "Are there any vacant courtyards in the temple?"
Since she could return to her courtyard at daybreak, she could simply find a place to wait for a few hours.
Bā mǐ ěr shook his head.
As the two were at a loss, a hand with distinct knuckles brushed aside the Felt Curtain.
Tanmoroqie stood at the doorway, his green eyes fixed on Yaoying, a deep weariness etched between his brows.
"Come in."
He spoke impassively, without a trace of emotion.
Yaoying’s retreating foot involuntarily drew back.
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