In the Moonlight

The guards on duty lifted the tent curtain.

Inside, it was silent except for a few guards stationed in the corners. Following Yuanjue’s gesture, Yaoying stepped onto the high platform. Her gaze fell upon Tanmoroqie seated on the jeweled throne, and she froze momentarily.

Tanmoroqie wore a crimson kasaya, held a sacred vessel, and donned a crown of golden leaves inlaid with lapis lazuli, amber, and agate—radiant, elegant, and majestic.

It was the first time Yaoying had seen him wearing the crown of the Royal Court’s ruler, and a peculiar feeling stirred within her. She couldn’t resist stealing a few more glances.

Tanmoroqie summoned Bore.

Upon seeing Yaoying, Bore widened his eyes in surprise and led her to a corner behind the curtain near the jeweled throne.

Yaoying complied but kept glancing back at Tanmoroqie. He happened to lift his gaze to meet hers, his figure resplendent with jewels, dignified and solemn.

Their eyes met, and Yaoying felt an inexplicable guilt, quickly retreating behind the curtain.

"Whose seat is this?" she asked Bore.

Bore’s expression was complicated as he replied, "It used to be for the young princes and princesses. Please sit here, Princess, and do not rise or move around before the ceremony ends. It would be improper if you were seen."

He spoke as if admonishing a restless child.

Yaoying chuckled softly and settled into a cross-legged position.

…

The curtain swayed gently, obscuring any glimpse of her peeking.

Tanmoroqie glanced in Yaoying’s direction briefly before withdrawing his gaze, his fingers lightly brushing the sacred vessel.

A clear chime rang out. The guards in front of the hall raised their banners in sequence, forming several dragon-like lines extending from the high platform down the long steps to the grounds below. The entire arena fell silent.

Drums and bells resounded across the training ground as cavalry from five armies, clad in different colors and mounted on majestic steeds, formed battle arrays. Led by Bi Suo and Mobi Duo in imposing armor, they charged into the arena with thunderous momentum.

The very earth seemed to tremble.

Seated behind the curtain with a commanding view, Yaoying observed the envoys from various nations in other felt tents. All were fixated on the five armies below.

The cavalry moved with strict discipline and impeccable formation. After demonstrations of archery, charges, tactical maneuvers, and siege simulations, the envoys wore grave expressions, with some from smaller tribes discreetly wiping sweat from their brows.

When Bi Suo and Mobi Duo led the knights away, the crowd collectively sighed in relief.

As the drumbeats ceased, Kucha musicians struck up a lively melody. Nobles in splendid attire, envoys from various lands, and commoners formed processions, presenting birthday tributes to the main hall one by one. Rare treasures, gold, silver, pearls, and jade piled high on golden trays.

When it was Piluo Mo Luo’s turn to present their tribute, the bustling noise abruptly died down. Countless eyes turned to Princess Manda, encircled by a group of exquisitely dressed dancers.

The dancers began their performance, assuming postures of prayer to the gods. Princess Manda stepped forward gracefully from their midst, her movements fluid and naturally alluring.

A red bindi adorned her forehead, a sheer veil covered her head, and she wore a form-fitting gown embroidered with pearls, gems, and lotus patterns. The intricate hem was lavish, draped with a translucent shawl that accentuated her delicate curves. A gem-encrusted belt cinched her waist, while dozens of gold bracelets adorned her wrists and bare ankles. Moving to the music, her hands twisted like petals, her legs bent, and she slowly bowed to Tanmoroqie.

Even before she began to dance, her charm was palpable.

For a moment, the very breeze seemed to soften with enchantment.

Those present held their breaths.

Amid the profound silence, Yaoying heard Bore grinding his teeth.

"Those Piluo Mo Luo people have no shame!" he fumed.In the kingdom of Piluo Mo Luo, dance is regarded as a means of communication with the divine. During sacrificial rites and celebrations, there is always a segment dedicated to offering dance to the gods. Dance here resembles a religious ritual, and the people of Piluo Mo Luo express their blessings through these performances. The officials of the Royal Court could not refuse such an offering.

It was said that Princess Manda had studied dance in temples since childhood. Her movements were classical and graceful, yet filled with temptation, capable of stirring men's desires. Under the guise of honoring the gods, her dance was clearly ill-intentioned!

Bore stared at Princess Manda, his face turning pale with anger.

Yaoying suppressed a laugh, not wanting to add fuel to the fire.

Below the stage, Princess Manda had already begun to dance gracefully to the music. Her waist swayed, her hands shifted through countless poses, and the golden bangles on her wrists and ankles jingled rhythmically. Like a swirling breeze and drifting snow, her movements were as elegant as a phoenix in flight. The pearls and tassels on her attire shimmered like stars, while the floral patterns seemed to writhe like dragons and snakes.

She was both elegant and enchanting, exuding unparalleled charm.

The audience was spellbound. Several men stood up dazedly, craning their necks, wishing they could get closer for a better look.

Yaoying, who had been frail in her childhood, was advised by a renowned physician to learn dance to strengthen her body. She had studied both vigorous and soft dances under the guidance of Hu dancers and was now equally captivated.

As the song ended, the music suddenly slowed. Princess Manda’s eyes swept around flirtatiously as she slowly removed her veil. Her delicate jade-like feet stepped across the Persian red carpet, moving step by step toward the main hall.

Behind the curtain, Yaoying couldn’t help but admire: No wonder Princess Manda’s dancing skills were praised as exquisite. Her movements were both agile and elegant, blending strength and softness, full of vitality, and imbued with an indescribable sense of noble and dignified religious significance. A combination of sanctity and allure, it was almost soul-stealing.

Princess Manda had now reached the main hall.

Tanmoroqie never watched song and dance performances. The kingdom of Piluo Mo Luo could only have her perform under the pretext of honoring the gods. Knowing this opportunity was rare, Princess Manda exerted all her skills—her movements now light and graceful, now brisk and lively. Her body, veiled in sheer fabric, was faintly visible, exuding a rich and lavish sensuality.

As Princess Manda danced up to Tanmoroqie’s throne, her movements grew increasingly alluring. When she leaned forward, her legs slightly parted, and her sheer veil slipped, revealing skin with a honeyed glow. The temptation was palpable, and a subtle, seductive desire permeated the tent.

Bore’s face began to turn purple with rage.

Yaoying leaned closer to the curtain, her gaze fixed intently on Princess Manda, who was as dazzling as a blooming flower. Just as she was completely absorbed, she felt a cold gaze fall upon her. Startled, she turned to look at Tanmoroqie.

He was watching her, his expression unreadable.

A wave of guilt washed over Yaoying. She awkwardly retreated and closed the curtain.

For him, this situation must be incredibly awkward. She shouldn’t have been so enthusiastically enjoying the spectacle.

Outside the curtain, the music continued. Princess Manda’s watery, gray-green eyes turned toward Tanmoroqie, and she realized he wasn’t looking at her at all. Her heart sank.

Could this monk truly be free of desire?

Her dancing was masterful. While spinning rapidly, she kept a careful watch on Tanmoroqie and noticed that he occasionally glanced toward the curtain beside the throne. Swaying her waist, she moved closer to the curtain.

Tanmoroqie’s brow furrowed slightly.

Princess Manda’s eyes shifted thoughtfully. She leaned forward and, with slender fingers, brushed the curtain aside.

Behind the curtain, Yaoying reacted swiftly and pushed Bore out.

Princess Manda, confronted by his furious, contorted face, paused in confusion and stepped back.

Bore was seething. He straightened the curtain and hurried to Tanmoroqie’s side. “Your Majesty, let me stop the musicians!”Tanmoroqie said calmly, "Since it is a tribute from another kingdom, let them finish playing."

Bore gritted his teeth and acknowledged the order.

The music came to an end.

Princess Manda bowed gracefully, her posture enchanting and alluring.

Tanmoroqie watched her.

Silence fell over both the platform and the audience below.

Everyone gazed toward the high platform.

In the stillness, Tanmoroqie lightly brushed his fingers.

Bore immediately raised his voice and announced, "Next!"

A stir rippled through the crowd below, like a stone dropped into water, spreading circles of murmurs and discussions.

Princess Manda stiffened, her face flashing with shock, confusion, and humiliation. She rose gracefully and departed under Bore's urging.

...

Inside the felt tent, Yaoying heard the music outside stop and quietly pulled open a narrow gap to peek out.

Princess Manda’s retreating figure remained light and graceful.

Tanmoroqie tilted his head and glanced at Yaoying.

Yaoying gripped the tent flap, revealing only half her face, and smiled at him. She knew he would not be bewitched by Princess Manda's Celestial Demon Dance.

Her gaze was clear, filled not only with reverence and admiration but also a hint of apology for causing him trouble.

Tanmoroqie withdrew his gaze.

...

Afterward, the various kingdoms continued presenting their birthday tributes.

When it was Yaoying’s turn, Yuanjue came to fetch her. She tiptoed out and exited the felt tent from the other side of the long staircase. Bi Suo and Mobi Duo, having removed their armor, were ascending the steps. They paused briefly when they saw her emerge from the main hall.

Yaoying had no time to greet Bi Suo and hurried down the high platform from the opposite side.

Bore loudly announced Yaoying’s title.

Instantly, the music and conversations ceased, and even the howling wind seemed to fade away.

Yaoying did not enter the hall but stood in the snow below the platform, facing countless gazes—some curious, some wary, some disdainful, some contemptuous. She smiled faintly, swept her eyes around, her gaze shimmering like autumn waters.

Silence still enveloped the scene both on and off the platform.

Yaoying signaled for a Royal Court official to step forward and said, "I wish to present my tribute to the Buddha Prince. I invite all the princesses to come closer and watch."

The official looked horrified. He glanced at her and, seeing the smile in her eyes, realized she was not joking. He sent someone to relay the message to the other princesses.

The princesses were suspicious and wary, fearing Yaoying intended to cause trouble. However, refusing publicly would make them appear cowardly, and they were also curious to see what tricks Yaoying might have up her sleeve. After exchanging glances and considering their numbers, they snorted coldly and stepped out of their felt tents.

Soon, the seating for the princesses of various kingdoms was moved to the front of the platform.

A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.

On the platform, Bi Suo frowned. "Princess Wenzhao wants all the princesses to watch her tribute up close?"

Bore gritted his teeth, frustrated. "I thought Princess Wenzhao was composed, but I never expected her to succumb to jealousy!"

Yuanjue trembled with anxiety, looking left and right. "Will the princess start a fight? Should we stop her?"

Only Mobi Duo watched Yaoying below, a faint smile curling his lips. "Princess Wenzhao is openly challenging all the princesses. Why shouldn’t she?"

Bi Suo turned to look at Tanmoroqie.

Tanmoroqie frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on Yaoying below. He nodded at Bi Suo.

Understanding his intent, Bi Suo hurried down the high platform.

In the icy snow, Yaoying stood in her narrow-sleeved robe, two personal guards behind her. She glanced at the other princesses gathered before the platform.

The princesses from various kingdoms wore varied expressions, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on her, waiting to see what tribute she would present.

One princess whispered softly, "Could it be that she intends to dance as well?"Onlookers sneered, "Even Princess Manda's Celestial Demon Dance failed to move the Buddha Prince. Could her dance possibly surpass Princess Manda's?"

Amid the murmurs, Bi Suo stood in a corner, watching Yaoying.

Unhurried, Yaoying clapped her hands. A guard stepped forward carrying a bronze pot with a curved neck. She uncorked it, retrieved a small vial, and slowly poured boiling water from it into the pot. With her hands forming a lotus mudra and chanting softly under her breath, multicolored mist soon began to drift from the spout, spreading and shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.

Standing on the snow, Yaoying’s graceful figure and dignified poise, enveloped by the swirling clouds, made her resemble a celestial maiden from a mural painting.

The crowd stared in astonishment, unable to conceal their awe despite their efforts.

Pointing at the colorful mist, Yaoying declared clearly, "I once dreamed of a towering tree adorned with golden blossoms, solemn and beautiful. Today, the birthday gift I offer to the Buddha Prince is none other than the golden flowers from that dream."

The crowd glanced at her, then at the barren, icy landscape, their faces full of doubt.

Someone burst into laughter, "In this season when not a blade of grass grows, where could flowers possibly come from?"

No sooner had he spoken than Yaoying gently waved her sleeve. Within the mist, the faint silhouette of a large tree began to emerge. As the clouds gathered and swirled, the tree’s outline grew clearer, and a patch of green suddenly appeared in the snow. A magnificent tree rose from the ground, lush and verdant. Soon, countless golden buds sprouted all over its branches.

The audience stood frozen, instinctively rising to their feet.

In the snowy field, the tree burst into full bloom, its golden flowers radiant and trembling—solemn, sacred, resplendent, and dreamlike in their breathtaking beauty.

Faint, melodious music seemed to drift through the air, ethereal as celestial harmonies.

Silence fell over the entire scene, both on and off the platform.

Within the mist, thousands of golden blossoms bloomed without any sign of fading.

After a long pause, someone on the high platform, tears in their eyes, cried out excitedly, "Udumbara flowers! Those are Udumbara flowers!"

"Udumbara flowers appear only once every three thousand years, blooming with golden splendor—just as described in the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra!"

"The Buddha Prince’s merit is boundless! The deities sent this Han woman a dream so that Udumbara flowers would manifest on his birthday!"

Everyone had heard the legend of Udumbara flowers, and believers, convinced of divine intervention through dreams, erupted in fervent devotion. They knelt, pressed their palms together, and bowed reverently in the direction of Tanmoroqie.

Congratulations resounded to the heavens.

Envoys from various nations stared in shock, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

In the corner, Bi Suo watched Yaoying amid the mist, his expression deeply moved.

Yaoying remained motionless as the mist began to dissipate and the tree’s outline faded.

The envoy from Piluo Mo Luo, snapping back to reality and seeing how Yaoying had captivated the crowd, gritted his teeth and shouted toward the sky, "The flowers are gone!"

Everyone looked up anxiously—the golden blossoms had dimmed. They exchanged worried glances.

Calmly, Yaoying reached out and grasped at the air.

The mist vanished, the music ceased, and the ground returned to its blanket of white snow, with no tree or flowers in sight.

Disappointed, the crowd turned to Yaoying, hoping she could summon the miracle once more.

Slowly, she opened her hands—a cluster of blooming golden flowers lay glowing in her palms.

A chorus of delighted exclamations arose from the crowd.Everything that had just happened was not an illusion—the Udumbara flower had truly manifested in this world!

“With the Udumbara flower descending once more, the Royal Court is sure to enjoy lasting peace and prosperity!”

One person shouted this phrase loudly, and others followed in agreement, merging into a massive wave of voices.

Bore was both incredulous and overjoyed. After the crowd’s excitement had settled, he rushed down from the platform with a beaming smile, carefully took the golden flower from Yaoying’s hands, placed it on a golden tray, and presented it before Tanmoroqie.

Below the platform, the princesses from various kingdoms gradually regained their composure and exchanged uneasy glances.

They had lost. Princess Wenzhao had received divine enlightenment in her dreams and even presented the Udumbara flower to the Buddha Prince. How could they possibly compete with her?

After offering the golden flower, Yaoying did not leave immediately. Instead, she glanced at the princesses with a faint smile.

The princesses felt a sudden chill, their hairs standing on end as a sense of foreboding swept over them.

...

The ceremony concluded.

The common people were still immersed in the astonishment of the Udumbara flower’s appearance, with laughter and joy echoing everywhere.

In the carriage returning to Wang Temple, Bore respectfully held the golden tray, his face brimming with smiles.

Tanmoroqie glanced calmly at the golden flower on the tray.

Outside the curtain came the sound of urgent hoofbeats. Yuanjue reined in his horse by the carriage window and cupped his hands in salute. “Your Majesty, after the ceremony, Princess Wenzhao did not return to Wang Temple immediately.”

Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze. “Where did she go?”

Yuanjue hesitated before replying, “The princess... she detained the other princesses. It seems she said she wanted to compete with them. General Ashina is accompanying her... I didn’t catch the rest clearly...”

Tanmoroqie’s brows furrowed slightly. “Go and keep an eye on them.”

Yuanjue acknowledged the order, turned his horse, and rode away.

Upon returning to Wang Temple, Tanmoroqie found that the monks had already heard about the miracle at the ceremony and were eagerly crowding around to see the Udumbara flower.

He instructed Bore to store the golden flower safely, removed his crown, and returned to his Zen room. Holding his rosary, he closed his eyes and entered meditation.

Half an hour later, as dusk began to fall, a guard returned to report.

“Your Majesty! Princess Wenzhao is confronting the princesses from other kingdoms outside the city.”

“Princess Wenzhao declared that she sincerely admires you and that she was punished by the gods in her dreams, suffering the torments of fire, wooden hammers, and drowning—agonies worse than death. Yet, she remains utterly devoted to you. She insisted that if the other princesses wish to stay like her, they must endure the same punishments.”

“The princess’s personal guards set up an altar outside the city, with raging flames at its center. The princess announced that only those brave enough to walk through the fire are worthy of claiming admiration for you. When the commoners heard, they all rushed to watch the spectacle.”

“The other princesses tried tossing a veil into the fire altar, and it instantly burned to a wisp of black smoke. Terrified, none dared to step forward.”

At this point, the guard kneeling outside the Zen room raised his voice abruptly.

“In front of everyone, Princess Wenzhao stepped into the fire altar!”

“Her clothes immediately caught fire, and some princesses were so frightened they burst into tears...”

Silence fell in the Zen room for a moment.

Then, a sharp sound of Buddhist beads rubbing together echoed as Tanmoroqie opened his eyes.

...

The twilight deepened, and the sky was ablaze with sunset hues.

A carriage pulled up to the side gate of Wang Temple.

Bi Suo and Yaoying jumped out of the carriage one after the other, followed by Yuanjue dismounting his horse. The three chatted and laughed as they entered the temple. Just as they passed through the corridor, several guards hurried toward them. Spotting Yaoying, they immediately blocked her path without a word.

“His Majesty summons the princess.”

Bi Suo interjected, “Wait a moment. The princess needs to change her clothes first.”The guard remained unyielding. "Please forgive my rudeness, Princess, but the King has ordered that no matter what you are doing, we must bring you to the Zen room immediately without any delay."

Bi Suo frowned slightly.

Yaoying thought for a moment and said, "It's alright. If the Dharma Master is looking for me, it must be for an important matter."

As she spoke, she glanced at the cloak Bi Suo was wearing. "May I borrow your cloak, General?"

Bi Suo took off his cloak and handed it to her. She accepted it, draped it over herself, and followed the guard to the Zen room.

Candles had already been lit in the Zen room. When the guard lifted the felt curtain, a gentle breeze stirred, causing the flickering candlelight to fall on Tanmoroqie's face as he sat upright on the meditation cushion. In his usually serene and indifferent emerald eyes, there seemed to be ripples of emotion.

"Dharma Master?"

Yaoying walked in and asked softly.

Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze, his eyes sweeping over the cloak she wore. "Take it off."

His tone was flat, devoid of any emotion.

Yaoying froze, her hands gripping the cloak tightly.

Tanmoroqie frowned slightly and gestured with his chin toward the meditation cushion beside him.

Yaoying walked over and sat on the cushion, looking up at him.

He looked down at her, his gaze stern. "Take it off."

His tone carried an unusual severity.

Yaoying realized he might have found out about the fire altar incident. Reluctantly, she lowered her head and removed the cloak. The warm, yellow candlelight illuminated her clothing—the narrow-sleeved robe was tattered, its sleeves and hem scorched black.

Tanmoroqie watched her, the guard's words echoing in his ears.

"Princess Wenzhao stepped into the fire altar!"

Her clothes were burned, but what about her?

How could an ordinary mortal withstand the blaze of fire?

He gazed down at her, his eyes profound.

The intensity of his stare felt almost tangible, pressing down on Yaoying with immense weight, inch by inch, as if cutting into her. Her heart raced, and cold sweat slowly gathered in her palms.

"Dharma Master?" she mustered the courage to call out to him.

Tanmoroqie remained silent.

Yaoying felt stifled. Just as she was about to break out in a sweat, Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze. "Stretch out your hand."

His tone had returned to its usual gentleness.

Yaoying breathed a sigh of relief and extended her hand.

Tanmoroqie glanced at her scorched sleeve, carefully rolled up the burned part, and gently pressed two fingers against her wrist to check her pulse.

"Were you burned?"

He asked abruptly.

Yaoying shook her head. "Don’t worry, Dharma Master. The fire altar was set up by my personal guards. Back when they were in Chang’an, they often used such tricks while traveling the martial world to intimidate others. It looks frightening, but it’s all just an illusion—it doesn’t actually harm anyone. Today, I deliberately wore this specially treated robe and tied up my hair. As for these burned parts..."

She lifted her other sleeve and waved it in front of Tanmoroqie.

"Only these sections weren’t made with the special dragon cloth, so they caught fire, but they won’t burn completely."

She smiled slyly.

"We had to produce some flames to scare off the other princesses."

Earlier, when she had pressured Zhu Lvyun, she had intentionally drawn the attention of spies from the other princesses, spreading rumors to instill fear in them. Today, she first used illusions to bewilder the crowd, then presented the udumbara flower to win them over. This made the princesses half-believe the story of her being punished by the gods in her dreams. Finally, by stepping into the fire altar, she left the other princesses frozen in terror.

Moreover, by offering the udumbara flower, Tanmoroqie would gain even more admiration from the people. She hoped this would help repair the damage her actions had caused to his reputation.The Udumbara flower is actually a type of tree species native to the Land of Brahma. It came to be regarded as an extraordinarily rare mystical blossom because Buddhist scriptures record that it only blooms when deities or Buddhas manifest in the world, coupled with various far-fetched interpretations. The golden flower she had craftsmen create was nearly indistinguishable from the real one—even natives of the Land of Brahma who had seen the genuine flower could not tell them apart, let alone the people of the Royal Court who noticed nothing amiss.

Yaoying recounted the story in a light, unhurried tone, concluding: "This way, no one will dare mention emulating the Girl of Matanga again."

If anyone dared bring it up, the people of the Royal Court would be the first to demand they step into the fire altar to be burned.

Yaoying looked at Tanmoroqie, wrinkled her nose apologetically, and said: "I've caused you much trouble, Dharma Master. I could have announced during the ceremony that through your guidance, I've severed all worldly attachments and would never appear before you again... but since Haidu Aling hasn't fallen from power yet, I had reservations and had to find another way to deter others. This method will ensure your complete peace from now on."

Tanmoroqie remained silent.

Lowering her voice slightly, Yaoying continued: "Please rest assured, Dharma Master. When the one-year period ends, regardless of the situation, I will definitely leave the Holy City."

Tanmoroqie still didn't respond.

Yaoying thought he might be unwilling to discuss the matter of the Girl of Matanga and fell silent.

After a long while, Tanmoroqie withdrew his fingers.

Her pulse was steady.

Yaoying retrieved her hand and adjusted her sleeve.

Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze to her, remaining silent for a long time before asking: "In your dreams, were you punished by deities or Buddhas?"

Yaoying was taken aback, then shook her head: "No, those words were meant to frighten the other princesses. I didn't dream of any deities or Buddhas."

Tanmoroqie hummed in acknowledgment. "Princess, please don't speak such prophecies in the future."

Yaoying nodded, somewhat embarrassed. "You must find this amusing, Dharma Master. I'll copy several sutras tomorrow to seek forgiveness from Buddha."

She had told too many lies in front of this monastic, and he surely disapproved in his heart.

Tanmoroqie noticed her discomfort and averted his gaze, fixing it on the flickering candle flame.

He wasn't reproaching her.

The reason he asked her not to speak such prophecies was... because he would take them seriously.

The candle flame wavered.

His heart wavered along with it.