In the Moonlight

"Then why did you come to Northern Rong?"

Zhu Lvyun instinctively wanted to press further, but swallowed her words before they could escape her lips.

She stared directly at Li Xuanzhen's disheveled appearance, meeting his gaze. Her expression remained as indifferent and slightly impatient as always, yet her heart tightened into a hard knot.

It felt like falling from the clouds into the dust, sinking endlessly downward.

Li Xuanzhen looked at Zhu Lvyun, noticing the lingering affection in her eyes. He froze momentarily before letting out a bitter smile, his thick eyebrows furrowing.

He thought everything between them had ended when she left.

"Yunniang, I didn't properly bid you farewell when you left Chang'an."

He had already moved on - he couldn't let her misunderstand.

Zhu Lvyun stared blankly at Li Xuanzhen: "You want to bid me farewell?"

Li Xuanzhen's expression remained calm, his gaze sharp. An aura of solemn dignity surrounded him, compelling her to face his frankness: "Yes, since we're cutting all ties, we should properly say goodbye."

Zhu Lvyun trembled violently, her face turning deathly pale, her fingers clutching tightly at her sleeves.

Cutting all ties.

He actually wanted to cut all ties with her.

Li Xuanzhen leaned against the earthen wall, shifting his leg slightly, making his shackles clank loudly.

"Before your mother passed away, I promised her I would take good care of you... I failed in my duty to your mother's trust. I couldn't take proper care of you."

When Zhu Lvyun's mother entrusted her to Li Xuanzhen, he was just a youth.

Though he wore armor in battle, charged forward courageously, and appeared composed and mature beyond his years, he was actually just a moody and sullen youth who hadn't yet recovered from his mother's death.

Looking at the heartbroken Zhu Lvyun, he saw himself witnessing Tang Shi being burned to death.

The young Zhu Lvyun wept bitterly, looking at him timidly.

Li Xuanzhen looked down at her as if looking down at his lonely younger self: "I will take good care of you..."

Zhu Lvyun wouldn't suffer despair and pain like he did, wouldn't be tormented by nightmares every night. She would receive the best care. He would treat her well, tolerate her - everything he had desperately wanted but could never have, he could give to Zhu Lvyun.

Li Xuanzhen's lips curved slightly in a self-mocking smile.

How naive he had been back then. He couldn't even take care of himself properly - how could he possibly care for the emotionally complex Zhu Lvyun?

All these years, his unprincipled tolerance and indulgence toward her neither eased his guilt toward Tang Shi nor filled the emptiness in his heart.

Once, for a brief moment, he thought someone could stay by his side, enter his dark heart, and soothe his pain.

But the next moment, the person who had briefly made him forget his hatred stood on her toes, happily pointing at Li Zhongqian on the shore: "Brother Changsheng, the one riding the black horse is my brother!"

To this day, Li Xuanzhen still remembered how his blood seemed to freeze solid when those words echoed in his ears.

So cold and painful.

Having just given him hope, then cruelly tearing it apart before his eyes. It was like finally climbing out of a bottomless, gloomy cave, nearly reaching the warm light, only to be brutally kicked back down.

This time, he kept falling, with no strength left to climb out again.

And she knew nothing of this, looking up at him with her small face, blinking her eyelashes, her dark, bright eyes filled with laughter.

Li Xuanzhen hated her.

Among all the people seeking treatment at Chibi, why did she have to be the one to care for him? And why did she have to be Xie Manyuan's daughter?A sharp pain shot through his wound, and Li Xuanzhen grimaced with a hiss, snapping out of his muddled memories.

"Yunniang..." he said slowly, "It's better that you leave the Central Plains. Li De and the court officials will only use you. Your aunt is your only family, the one who truly cares for you and plans for your future. From now on, stay with her and take good care of yourself. She is the one who can properly look after you."

Zhu Lvyun trembled uncontrollably.

"What about you?" Her voice quivered too. "What about us?"

"There is no 'us' anymore." Li Xuanzhen looked into her eyes. "You are Zhu Lvyun of the Zhu family, and I am Li Xuanzhen, a man of Han descent. From now on, we each go our separate ways, with no further connection."

Zhu Lvyun slumped motionless outside the prison cell, her body turning cold.

They had argued before, and she had often threatened to cut ties with Li Xuanzhen. He would helplessly suppress his anger to soothe her. Though he had been as cold as he was now at times, she could feel that this time was different from any previous dispute.

At this moment, the gaze Li Xuanzhen fixed upon her held no resentment—only a calmness of complete release.

He truly no longer wanted her.

Zhu Lvyun closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

Li Xuanzhen's voice remained steady, utterly unmoved: "After what happened before, Haidu Aling believes you have lost your value as a pawn. That's why you can live in peace now—it's better for both of us. In the future, you and your aunt should not meddle in the affairs of the Central Plains, lest you be exploited by the Northern Rong again. The Central Plains is, after all, your homeland, and the common people are innocent. You should act wisely."

Zhu Lvyun understood the implication behind his words.

His statement was both a reminder and a warning.

From now on, they would draw a clear line between them. She could no longer influence his decisions, and Haidu Aling would have no means to use her against him. Both sides would remain at peace. If she attempted to interfere in the affairs of the Central Plains, he would show no leniency toward her or her aunt.

Zhu Lvyun lifted her face, a flicker of bewilderment in her eyes.

She couldn't believe he could be so resolute.

Avoiding his narrow phoenix eyes, her gaze wandered aimlessly until it settled on the shackles binding him.

"I'll rescue you, Changsheng gege..."

Li Xuanzhen sighed softly and said indifferently, "Yunniang, don't call me that anymore."

Zhu Lvyun bit her lip hard.

Li Xuanzhen closed his eyes. "I'll find a way to escape. Don't get involved, or you'll implicate your only family. Yunniang, no matter what happens in the future, act as if you don't know me."

He was thinking of her well-being, but Zhu Lvyun felt no joy in it.

It was precisely because he no longer held any affection for her that he could be so calm.

She gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, her expression numb. "You didn't come to the Northern Rong for me... Then who did you come for?"

Recalling Li Xuanzhen's earlier anxious demeanor, her heart trembled.

Could it be for Li Qiniang?

Impossible. Li Qiniang was his enemy. Back then, to vent her anger, he had killed Li Qiniang's fine hound and even schemed to have Li Qiniang take her place in a marriage alliance...

Countless speculations raced through Zhu Lvyun's mind, each more convincing than the possibility of Li Qiniang.

Li Xuanzhen frowned slightly and said dismissively, "Why I came to the Northern Rong is unimportant."

He met Zhu Lvyun's gaze through the bars.

"Yunniang, take care."Zhu Lvyun averted her gaze, her fingertips digging deep into her palms. After a moment of silence, she said, "If I don’t help you, my aunt might kill you."

Li Xuanzhen smiled. "I have my own plans."

Zhu Lvyun stood up, turning her back to him. "You lured me here not to beg for my help... Earlier, you asked if I’d seen the Seventh Lady at the Royal Court. Why did you ask about that?"

After such a long separation, his first question was about someone else. Could Li Yaoying be more important to him than his own safety?

Li Xuanzhen paused.

He wanted to ask Zhu Lvyun: Is Seventh Lady doing well?

Has she gained weight or grown thinner?

During his time trapped in Northern Rong, hunted and cornered time and again, how desperate and helpless must Seventh Lady have felt?

He hadn’t meant to ask so urgently, but the thought that Zhu Lvyun had recently seen Li Yaoying made the words spill out.

"Yunniang, I’ve wronged her. I just want to know if she’s doing well."

Zhu Lvyun walked out.

Seventh Lady was his sister—it was only natural for him to care about her.

Perhaps he’d come to Northern Rong for matters of state.

She repeated this to herself, over and over.

…

Zhu Lvyun settled in at the horse ranch.

The Eldest Princess fretted anxiously, fearing she would weep and clamor to return to the Central Plains with Li Xuanzhen. To her surprise, Zhu Lvyun remained quiet and composed each day, causing no disturbance. The princess breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Tali brought meals to Li Xuanzhen daily and updated him on Li Zhongqian’s injuries.

Zhu Lvyun also visited Li Xuanzhen every day.

Li Xuanzhen did not ask her again about Li Yaoying.

One day, the Eldest Princess’s husband, the Judge, returned to the tent. Uneasy, the princess ordered her guards to keep a close watch on Zhu Lvyun.

The Judge, unaware of his wife’s worries, merely asked in passing if Zhu Lvyun had returned.

Observing his demeanor, the Eldest Princess realized he was preoccupied with official duties. She began to ponder how she could quickly rid herself of the troublesome burden that was Li Xuanzhen.

The Judge cautioned the Eldest Princess, "Stay inside the tent these days. Don’t wander around."

A chill ran through the princess, but she agreed without protest.

The Judge gathered a few articles of clothing and hurried off to the main tent.

…

Some time earlier, Northern Rong had been thrown into chaos. Wahan Khan had narrowly escaped death in Yi Province, surviving one peril after another. After fleeing to the Orda, he turned the situation to his advantage—stabilizing his position while deploying troops to subdue the rebellious nobles. Once they were thoroughly pacified, he seized the opportunity to annex over a dozen tribes that had risen in the turmoil. He then spread rumors of his own death, hoping to lure the Royal Court into launching an attack.

For over a month, he waited, but the Royal Court’s border guards remained disciplined. No matter how Northern Rong provoked or feigned weakness, they paid no heed.

The Judge reminded Wahan Khan, "Great Khan, the Buddha Prince of the Royal Court has always been cautious in his actions."

Wahan Khan snorted coldly. "The Buddha Prince may be cautious, but the powerful clans of the Royal Court are arrogant. A few years ago, when we captured Futu City and cut off the trade routes, several of those clans running merchant caravans suffered heavy losses. They’ve never accepted it—always clamoring to lead troops and retake Futu City. If not for the Buddha Prince restraining them, those clans would have attacked long ago! Now, with the situation in their favor, they would never stay this quiet!"

The Judge thought for a moment. "Perhaps the Buddha Prince has forbidden them from sending troops."

Wahan Khan was deeply disappointed. Had the Buddha Prince seen through the entire scheme?

He hid his disappointment, and once the situation stabilized, he summoned all his sons to the Orda for counsel.

…In recent days, the princes and royal clansmen who had received the summons arrived at the Orda one after another.

The judge, aware that Wahan Khan intended to resolve the dispute between The First Prince and his faction and Haidu Aling, felt uneasy and discussed countermeasures with Haidu Aling.

Haidu Aling smiled bitterly and said, "Whatever the Great Khan says, I will listen. At worst, I will become a slave to The First Prince and his men, endure this humiliation, and reclaim my dignity another day!"

The judge nodded approvingly. "Han Xin could endure the humiliation of crawling between another man's legs. You, Prince, are an extraordinary man, a soaring eagle of the grasslands, a descendant of wolves. You must endure what ordinary men cannot. Remember, do not defy the Great Khan under any circumstances."

That night, a curfew was imposed in the Orda. The outermost part of the camp was plunged into deep silence.

The princes, summoned for an audience, arrived at the main tent, where the guards demanded that everyone surrender their weapons.

Exchanging glances, the men grumbled as they unbuckled their sabers and daggers, the dull thuds of metal hitting the ground echoing around them.

The guards searched the princes one by one, then lifted the felt curtain.

Wahan Khan's grand tent was several times larger than the others. The floor was covered with felt carpets, and lamp stands were placed at the four corners, with over a dozen torches blazing fiercely, illuminating the tent brightly.

Wahan Khan, draped in a tiger-skin cloak, sat on a leather-wrapped throne. His sharp eyes swept coldly over his sons, exuding authority.

The flames flickered, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Wahan Khan looked at Haidu Aling, who stood isolated from the others. "Aling, you attempted to assassinate Jin Bo. Do you admit your guilt?"

Haidu Aling hurriedly stepped forward, his tall frame kneeling at the Khan's feet, and replied submissively, "I admit my guilt and await your punishment, Great Khan."

The First Prince and his supporters clamored, "He has committed a capital offense!"

"Exactly! If he hadn't attempted to assassinate Jin Bo and caused such a major incident, how would those tribes dare to rebel? This is all his fault! Father Khan, Aling deserves death!"

"Exile him to Samarkand!"

Amid the uproar, Wahan Khan remained composed and turned to his third son, who was shouting the loudest. "How do you think Aling should be punished?"

The third son replied without hesitation, "His head should be chopped off!"

Another prince chimed in, "That's too lenient! Tie him to a horse and let it drag him to death!"

Haidu Aling remained kneeling on the ground, posture respectful and unmoving, his face filled with remorse.

Wahan Khan said nothing, waiting until his sons had finished speaking before letting out a cold laugh. "Aling's attempt on Jin Bo's life is a crime punishable by death..."

The princes' faces lit up with triumph.

But then Wahan Khan abruptly changed his tone. "And what about all of you?"

The princes were taken aback.

Wahan Khan slammed his hand on the armrest and glared at them. "You set a trap earlier, intending to kill Aling. Do you admit your guilt?"

The princes exchanged uneasy glances.

Wahan Khan scanned the group. "The descendants of the Divine Wolf would rather die bravely with a blade in hand than retreat in fear. As princes, using such underhanded methods to harm your own brother is a disgrace to the Wolf Clan!"

"If Aling must be executed, then what of you?"

The princes gritted their teeth, their jaws audibly clenching, and knelt resentfully, their expressions still tinged with defiance.

Wahan Khan let out a long sigh and raised his eyelids. "The blood of the Divine Wolf flows in our veins."

The flickering torchlight cast shadows on his aged face, and his clouded eyes gleamed with an unusual intensity."Our ancestors came from the deep mountains and icy plains. Our tribe once suffered deeply from hunger and deprivation. When winter arrived, food supplies would be cut off, and the elderly and weak would die in droves. When I was young, our tribe was oppressed and humiliated. Our men served as slaves for other tribes, while our women were shamelessly violated. My mother, without even a single garment to cover her body or ward off the cold, froze to death on a winter night after giving birth to my younger brother. My brothers and I endured countless life-and-death struggles before we finally strengthened our tribe, unified the grasslands, and enabled our people to have enough to eat and wear, to possess the most fertile pastures, to occupy the richest lands, and to choose the most fertile women."

"Others call us savage barbarians, mocking us for our crude and uncivilized ways. Yet the civilization they take such pride in cannot stop our invasions. Their warriors cannot withstand our brave iron cavalry. They have no choice but to lower their noble heads and submit to us as vassals."

"The plump cattle and sheep of the grasslands, the tall and powerful steeds, the lush oases amidst the yellow sands, the eastern lands flowing with gold... all these shall be our prey. Wherever the hooves of the Khanate's iron steeds tread, shall become our territory!"

Torches flickered, and the night wind beat against the felt tent.

Wahan Khan sat on his dark throne, watching his sons.

"Though I am old, I can still lead troops into battle. I will continue to lead my people in conquest. Only death can halt my steps."

"And you? You are in the prime of your lives, yet you indulge in luxury, debauchery, and pleasure. You hunt, dance with Kucha's foreign dancers, and revel in drink. Before you have even contributed to the expansion of the Khanate, you are already eagerly killing each other, waiting to ascend the throne."

He spoke sentence by sentence, his tone flat, as if making casual conversation.

But to the ears of the First Princes, his words were like thunderclaps. They bowed their heads in shame, prostrating themselves on the carpet, not daring to make a sound.

Wahan Khan's gaze swept over each of them.

"Do you think that ascending the throne will allow you to command all the tribes?"

"Fools!"

"We are a pack of wolves. To become the alpha, one must go through a brutal fight. The Khanate is made up of individual tribes, each with its own Chieftain. I am the Khan of Khans, the Chieftain of all Chieftains. As long as I live, no one dares to act recklessly. Once I die, they will bare their claws and fangs, tearing your flesh apart. You fools, how could you possibly be a match for them?"

"Look at yourselves! When Yi Province was besieged by other tribes, which one of you could turn the tide? If I had died then, your bones would have been gnawed to dust long ago!"

"To secure the Khan's throne, you must not only suppress internal rivals but also deal with external enemies. Which of you is confident you can defeat the Royal Court's Buddha Prince?"

The sons flushed red, not daring to argue.

Wahan Khan took a deep breath and signaled to his attendant with his eyes.

The attendant drew over a dozen arrows from his quiver and handed them to the princes.

The princes, puzzled, straightened up and each took an arrow, looking at Wahan Khan in unison.

Wahan Khan said, "Break it."

The princes complied, applying force with their hands. With several sharp cracks, they snapped the arrows.

Wahan Khan nodded to his attendant.

The attendant brought out a bundle of arrows and placed it on the wool carpet.

Wahan Khan said, "Come up one by one and see who can break this bundle of arrows."The sons looked at the bundle of arrows on the ground and understood. They exchanged glances and turned their eyes toward Haidu Aling.

Wahan Khan spoke with profound sincerity: "A single arrow is easily broken, but a bundle of arrows is hard to snap. You are brothers of the same flesh and blood, and Aling is also your brother. If you can unite as one, why worry about our khanate not growing strong? By then, from the eastern seas to the western mountains, all will be your domain! But if you turn against each other, these broken arrows will be your fate!"

The sons, deeply moved with tears in their eyes, knelt and kowtowed: "Father Khan's lesson is right! We realize our mistake! From this day forward, we shall cleanse our hearts and reform, never to act so foolishly again!"

Wahan Khan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze lingering on each son's face before waving his hand.

"From this moment, all past mischief between you brothers is erased. Henceforth, you must stand united. Remember your identity—you are descendants of the divine wolf. Do not bring shame upon your descendants!"

"Whoever dares to harm his brother again, I shall execute him personally!"

The crowd responded in low voices, swearing oaths before withdrawing.

Wahan Khan said: "Aling, remain."

Haidu Aling stiffened, crawling to the Khan's feet with tears: "Great Khan has shown me immense kindness beyond repayment. If my death can appease the princes' anger, I am willing to end my own life to repay your nurturing grace!"

Wahan Khan looked down at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Aling, none of my sons compare to you. If they could be as adaptable as you, I wouldn't have to worry so much."

Haidu Aling broke into a cold sweat.

Leaning back on his throne, Wahan Khan said calmly: "Aling, have you ever wondered why we continue westward after unifying the grasslands? Why do I persist in attacking the Royal Court despite repeated defeats by the Buddha Prince?"

Haidu Aling carefully replied: "Because the Royal Court is prosperous."

Wahan Khan shook his head: "No. I attack the Royal Court because I have no choice."

Haidu Aling stared in astonishment.

Wahan Khan sighed, "We are tribes born in the saddle. We don't farm grains, weave fine cloth, understand trade, or possess wealthy capitals. When food runs out, we raid and force other tribes to surrender their provisions. We conquer by force, demanding they sustain our tribe. When boys become men, they seize women from other tribes as wives. Over the years we've conquered tribe after tribe, invincible in battle, but we don't know how to govern a country, much less sustain a powerful empire.Though Northern Rong appears strong now, it's actually riddled with crises, with deep conflicts within the royal family.

This is precisely why the noble rebellion occurred.

"Aling, the only way to ease conflicts and survive crises is through constant conquest. Like wolves, we must keep hunting to survive. The moment we lose our claws and fangs, death approaches."

Wahan Khan leaned forward, looking intently at Haidu Aling.

For Northern Rong to continue growing, the next Great Khan must be filled with fighting spirit, ambitious, ruthless, and far-sighted.

His sons cannot bear such responsibility—even if they ascended the throne, they would perish in noble conflicts.Wahan Khan patted Haidu Aling on the shoulder: "Aling, if you wish to become the Great Khan, you must have a long-term vision. Do not stoop to the level of Jin Bo and his ilk. You are destined to be the alpha wolf, the mighty eagle. They will eventually follow you, remain loyal to you, and join you in expanding the Khanate. In the future, your name will surely resound across the entire grassland."

Haidu Aling lifted his head in disbelief, his eyes reddened and muscles taut.

Wahan Khan nodded at him and said, "Although I have suppressed the rebellion this time, the vassal states are restless, waiting to bite us. With limited provisions left, we must win a major victory soon to regain their allegiance. I've heard that the Regent Su Dan Gu of the Royal Court is dead. The shortsighted nobles of the Royal Court are seizing the chance to pressure the Buddha Prince into relinquishing power. This is the perfect opportunity for us to attack the Royal Court again."

Haidu Aling's blood boiled with fervor: "I volunteer to lead the vanguard for the Khan!"

He added, "With Su Dan Gu dead, the Buddha Prince has lost his right-hand man. The Royal Court nobles have long been at odds with him, so the Buddha Prince must be in a difficult position."

Wahan Khan sneered repeatedly, "Over the years, if not for the Buddha Prince, I would have already trampled the Holy City! I genuinely admire him. What a pity—sooner or later, he'll die at the hands of the Royal Court nobles. Su Dan Gu, with his exceptional martial skills, died an unnatural death; it must have been the work of those nobles."

The Royal Court was plagued by deep-rooted problems, sustained only by the Buddha Prince's efforts to turn the tide. In the future, he would either perish in internal strife or be dragged down by the duplicitous nobles.

Haidu Aling sighed, "The Khan is wise!"

The firelight flickered in the tent as the two discussed how to launch a surprise attack on the Royal Court until dawn.

Haidu Aling exited the grand tent.

A gust of wind hit him, and he shivered, realizing his robes were soaked with sweat.

The judge was right—after the turmoil, Northern Rong was teetering on the brink, ready to splinter at any moment. What the Khan needed most now was to stabilize morale. The more candid Haidu Aling appeared, the less willing Wahan Khan would be to kill him.

For now, he had to endure. Only when the Khan grew old and his own position was secure could he move against The First Prince and the others.

A smirk tugged at Haidu Aling's lips as he strode toward his own tent under the golden dawn.

...

Soon, news of the reconciliation between The First Prince, The Second Prince, and Haidu Aling spread throughout the Orda.

For several days in a row, people in the camp often saw the brothers gathered around bonfires, toasting and chatting amiably.

Wahan Khan was pleased and ordered the army to march.

The Eldest Princess immediately summoned her guards and instructed them to sneak Li Xuanzhen in among the slaves.

The guards went to the dungeon to fetch him but soon rushed out in a panic: "He's gone!"

Furious, the Eldest Princess went to inspect the dungeon herself. It was indeed empty, with only a set of shackles left behind.

"Where is Yunniang?"

Zhu Lvyun was brought over. Staring at the vacant cell, her eyes widened in shock.

The Eldest Princess asked in surprise, "You didn't know Li Xuanzhen escaped? Didn't you help him flee?"

Zhu Lvyun shook her head, her expression blank.

...

Meanwhile, on the snowy plains not far from the pasture, Li Xuanzhen, clad in a fur-lined jacket, blended in with the tribal slaves transporting felt tents, hides, and iron pots. Whenever Northern Rong soldiers rode past, urging the slaves to hurry, he lowered his head, pulled down his felt hat to conceal his face, and pushed a ram-horn cart piled high with felt blankets.

On the cart, Li Zhongqian lay nestled among thick felt blankets, coughing softly.

Li Xuanzhen followed the Northern Rong soldiers, pushing the cart and breaking into a brisk trot.

A few days earlier, observing Wahan Khan's troop movements, he had suspected the Khan intended to attack a small western state or tribe.

The Royal Court lay to the west.Li Xuanzhen had nowhere else to turn at the time, so he took refuge in the Yating, recuperating his strength under the protection of the Grand Princess. Once Li Zhongqian had recovered from his injuries, they blended into the army and set off with the troops. Not only did this allow them to evade pursuit, but they also no longer feared losing their way. Along the journey, they could gather military intelligence and issue warnings to the Royal Court. If they could seize the opportunity to kill Haidu Aling, that would be even better.

Snow and wind whipped against his face, the cold piercing to the bone.

Yet Li Xuanzhen did not feel the chill at all; waves of warmth surged through his body.

He was going to find her.

…

A thousand miles away, in the Royal Court.

The howling wind had raged all night. By the next morning, the sky had cleared, and the courtyard was blanketed in pristine white snow. The brilliant morning sun cast a slanting glow over the snow, dazzlingly radiant.

Yaoying was awakened by the fluttering of wings outside her window. She quickly rose and opened the door.

The black eagle, General Jin, swooped into the room, lifted its head, and affectionately pecked at her.

Yaoying stroked General Jin, fed him some dried meat, and retrieved the letter he had brought. After reading it, a smile curled at the corners of her lips. She hurriedly freshened up, pulled on her long boots, and headed to Wang Temple to see Tanmoroqie.

It was still early, but the monks in the temple had already completed their morning chanting. Tanmoroqie was presiding over the post-chanting blessings, and the hall was already packed with people—men and women, young and old, a bustling crowd.

A young novice who recognized Yaoying made space for her. She stood on tiptoe, peering through the gaps to see inside.

The hall was filled with the rich fragrance of agarwood. Tanmoroqie stood before the Buddha hall, clad in a snow-white kasaya embroidered with golden patterns, holding a gilded incense staff. His solemn and dignified presence was surrounded by monks chanting Scriptures in unison. Devotees, eagerly waiting in front of the hall, stepped forward one by one, bowing respectfully to him. As his incense staff lightly touched each devotee, they trembled with excitement. Some were so overwhelmed they could barely move and had to be supported away by others.

Yaoying watched from outside for a while, intending to step back and wait along the path to the Zen room. But someone behind her gave her a push. She staggered a few steps, stumbled into the line of waiting devotees, and nearly fell.

By the time she steadied herself, she found she had been pushed to the very front of the line. Hundreds of eyes in the hall fixed on her—some angry, some astonished, some with barely concealed disdain, as if their gazes could pierce her through.

Bore and Yuanjue, standing in the corner maintaining order, stared wide-eyed at Yaoying in surprise: Couldn’t the princess have waited?

Feeling a pang of guilt, Yaoying moved to the side, about to retreat, when a cool, clear voice rang out from the front of the Buddha hall.

"Come forward."

Dozens of people inside and outside the hall gasped in unison.

This was the first time the Buddha Prince had ever called a devotee forward.

The gazes fixed on Yaoying sharpened into daggers, piercing and intense.

Yaoying was also taken aback. She turned and, under the scrutiny of everyone, walked step by step to Tanmoroqie. Following the example of those before her, she pressed her palms together and bowed to him in reverence.

Her steps were graceful, her face radiant and serene, her attitude devout, without a trace of frivolity. The elegance and familiarity of her bow gradually softened the onlookers’ expressions.

Tanmoroqie gazed at Yaoying, his eyes clear and penetrating, and lightly tapped her forehead with his incense staff.

Yaoying lifted her head and gave him an apologetic smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons, as if with a hint of playful pleading.

Tanmoroqie averted his gaze, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched as she withdrew with the others. His incense staff remained raised, unmoving, for a long moment.

The next devotee waited patiently.Tanmoroqie composed himself, his expression still solemn and composed, as calm as the drifting clouds and gentle breeze.