In the Moonlight

The physician knelt on his right knee, hands pressed together and raised to his brow as he paid respects to Princess Manda.

Princess Manda lightly brushed the golden bracelet on her wrist and asked, "Are you hiding something from me? Has a noble in the Royal Court fallen gravely ill, requiring your treatment, which is why their protocol officer permitted me to perform at the ceremony?"

The physician replied, "Your Highness, I am but a healer. I beg your forgiveness, but I cannot answer this question."

Princess Manda sighed, rose from her couch, and approached the physician. Leaning forward, her gray-green eyes shimmered like rippling water, hazy and enchanting. "Could you help me one more time?"

The physician also sighed and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, I have already aided you once. The Royal Court is different from our kingdom. Please give up."

"Give up?" Princess Manda sneered. "And return to that den of demons? To be sent by my father to curry favor with others again? Or to be dispatched to the temple to continue serving the elders?"

The physician lowered his gaze with a sigh.

Princess Manda paced back and forth, the golden anklets on her feet jingling softly. "I cannot go back. I have had enough."

She lifted the physician's face. "You helped me once—why not again? If I can stay, you too may remain in the Royal Court as a palace physician, sharing in wealth and honor with me." Her long lashes fluttered, and her expression turned cold. "Your family and friends back home would also receive rewards."

Hearing the threat in Princess Manda's words, the physician froze briefly, his face flashing with shame and anger. He brushed her hand away and pressed his forehead to her instep. "Your Highness, I helped you not for wealth or to please envoys, but out of sympathy for your plight and hope that you might achieve your wish, which is why I pleaded with the Buddha Prince of the Royal Court. I owe Master Mengda Ti Po a debt of gratitude, yet for selfish reasons I begged the Buddha Prince to grant my request, betraying the master's kindness. My heart is uneasy. I can do no more for you. If you wish to punish me, I dare not complain." He added softly, "I only beg you not to take it out on my family."

Princess Manda's face darkened like stormy waters. "Get out!"

The physician crawled to the door and retreated. Hearing what sounded like sobs behind him, he paused, sighed deeply, and returned to the doorway. "Your Highness, the Buddha Prince is not like those temple elders. Your dance could make any man in Piluo Mo Luo bow, but it cannot sway the Buddha Prince." His heart softening at last, he whispered, "Rather than waste your efforts here... perhaps you could seek Princess Wenzhao's help. She might be able to assist you."

Princess Manda jerked her head up, but the physician had already departed.

Jiannu emerged from a corner, entered the room holding several letters, and knelt. "Your Highness, as you instructed, I searched the physician's quarters and found these letters from Master Mengda Ti Po."

Princess Manda took the letters, opening and examining them one by one. Her eyes flickered with thought. The letters contained nothing beyond greetings and discussions of an illness—and judging by the symptoms, they concerned a woman's condition.

Could the physician's patient be a noblewoman of the Royal Court? This woman must be closely connected to the Buddha Prince, but Princess Chima is not in the Holy City... What other woman could persuade the Buddha Prince to accept the dance offering?Princess Manda's mind suddenly flashed with insight as she recalled the Buddha Prince's gaze toward the curtains during the ceremony. She had sensed someone behind the drapes and deliberately moved closer, only to have a grim-faced guard spring out. She had assumed it was her imagination. After returning to her seat, the more she pondered, the more suspicious she grew. Scanning the surroundings, she noticed Princess Wenzhao had never returned to her seat.

The person behind the curtains was likely Princess Wenzhao.

Turning it over in her mind, Princess Manda had an epiphany: the physician's patient was none other than Princess Wenzhao! She had sought the physician's help, persuaded the Buddha Prince to accept the dance offering, yet feared he might be swayed, so she remained nearby to remind him.

This meant that by controlling the physician, she could make Princess Wenzhao comply.

...

The next morning, Yaoying received another invitation delivered by Princess Manda's servant Jiannu.

Jiannu said meaningfully, "Your Highness, our princess and the physician await you. You must come. The princess says she already knows of the promise between the physician and Master Mengda Ti Po."

As he spoke, he produced a lock of brown curly hair and a handwritten letter from Mengda Ti Po.

Yaoying's heart skipped a beat. The physician from the Land of Brahma was treating Tanmoroqie at Mengda Ti Po's request—a fact unknown to others. Had Princess Manda discovered this?

This must not be revealed.

She remained composed and asked, "What promise between the master and the physician? What does it have to do with me?"

Jiannu replied, "The princess says the promise concerns you, and you surely know what it is. If you do not come, you will bear the consequences, and it would be best not to disclose this matter."

Yaoying's mind raced. "If Princess Manda wishes to see me, then I shall choose the location. Tell her to wait for me at the sheepskin shop outside the posthouse."

Jiannu hesitated.

Yaoying's expression darkened. "If Princess Manda refuses, I must decline the invitation. I doubt her sincerity."

Fearing she might change her mind, Jiannu quickly nodded. "Rest assured, Your Highness, our princess means no harm and only wishes to speak with you. I will send word immediately, but you must depart at once and bring only two attendants."

Suspicion arose in Yaoying's heart. She had made the demand to test Jiannu, and from his reaction, he seemed insecure. Did Princess Manda truly know about Tanmoroqie's critical illness?

If Princess Manda only suspected, would going not confirm her guess?

But if she didn't go and Princess Manda, enraged, killed the physician or recklessly spread the news, it would be disastrous. The physician might still cure Tanmoroqie—he couldn't be allowed to die...

Yaoying weighed her options, uncertain.

Logically, given Tanmoroqie's caution, if he dared employ the physician from the Land of Brahma, he must have contingency plans. Yet, the physician was, after all, from the Land of Brahma...

After consideration, she dared not take the risk and agreed.

Her guards widened their eyes, attempting to stop her.

Yaoying shook her head. "Princess Manda went to such lengths just to force me to see her. She wouldn't dare harm me."

This was the Holy City. Princess Manda had to exercise restraint—her goal was to stay, not offend the Royal Court.The immediate priority was to stabilize Princess Manda first; other matters could wait until after their meeting. She could start by probing Princess Manda to see how much insider information this princess actually knew.

Having made up her mind, Yaoying said to Jiannu, "I can bring only two attendants."

As she spoke, she shot a meaningful glance at her personal guard.

Understanding her signal, the guard immediately turned and headed to Wang Temple to inform Yuanjue as soon as Yaoying followed Jiannu out the door.

Yuanjue was shocked and stomped his foot in agitation, saying, "The King has entered seclusion! I can’t report this to him right now. We’ll have to wait for General Ashina to return and decide what to do!"

The guard froze—the Buddha Prince was already in seclusion?

…

When Yaoying followed Jiannu to the sheepskin shop, Princess Manda had already reserved the entire place and was waiting inside.

"Princess Wenzhao dares to come to the meeting—you truly have courage."

Yaoying smiled, sat down opposite Princess Manda, her expression calm and her attitude arrogant.

"What does Princess Manda wish to discuss with me? To be frank, as soon as the chief of the royal guards learns that I’ve come near the embassy, he will surely bring men to check on me within half an hour to ensure my safety. It’s not that I intend to leak the news, but such are the rules. If you have something to say, Princess, you’d better say it quickly. I’m very busy and have no time to chat over tea with you."

Princess Manda glanced at Yaoying.

Princess Wenzhao, who had publicly whipped the Northern Rong princess and intimidated all the princesses by stepping into the fire altar, was indeed arrogant and domineering. Even now, caught in her grasp, she remained this insolent.

Was she trying to seize the initiative and overwhelm her with presence?

Unfortunately, the fact that she had come proved she truly cared about the physician’s life. Princess Manda already held the winning hand—how could she be swayed by such tactics?

"Princess, you are remarkable and straightforward."

Princess Manda paused, then spoke bluntly, word by word: "I already know about the deal between you and the physician."

After saying this, she watched Yaoying closely, observing her reaction.

Yaoying didn’t even twitch an eyebrow, replying indifferently, "Princess, you jest. I am not acquainted with your kingdom’s physician—what deal could there be?"

Princess Manda smiled slightly, her eyes and brows full of charm. "There’s no need to keep pretending, Princess. I had someone search the physician’s medicine chest and letters—the evidence is conclusive. The physician is now imprisoned in a place no one knows about. If you can do me a favor, Princess, I can let him live to see you again."

Yaoying’s heart sank, her hands tightening in her sleeves, but she maintained a smile. "What evidence? I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I’ve had no dealings with your physician."

Princess Manda’s brow twitched with irritation.

Even at this point, was Princess Wenzhao still trying to bluff her way through?

She sneered, locking eyes with Yaoying, and said slowly, "Princess, you suffer from an incurable illness. Master Mengda Ti Po is an old acquaintance of yours and has been searching for a cure. The physician came at his request to treat you. Isn’t the reason you came to see me because you’re afraid I’ll kill the physician?"

Yaoying was taken aback.

Thinking she had frightened her, Princess Manda said with some satisfaction, "Only this physician can cure your illness. His life now rests entirely in my hands. Do you think I have the right to ask you to do one thing for me?"

Yaoying snapped back to reality, both amused and exasperated: Princess Manda thought the physician was here to treat her? And had captured him to threaten her?

So, Princess Manda didn’t know about Tanmoroqie’s illness.Yaoying breathed an inward sigh of relief but kept her expression tense, her mind racing. Since Princess Manda had misunderstood, it was better to let the mistake stand and see what she wanted.

"What does the princess wish me to agree to?"

Hearing her tone soften slightly, Princess Manda grew even more convinced that she was afraid. A smile curled at the corners of her lips as she said, "The princess and I share similar hardships. I would never harm you... I am here to help you fulfill your desires."

Yaoying feigned a puzzled expression.

Princess Manda spoke gently and slowly, "On my way to the Royal Court, I heard the story of Princess Wenzhao. Her homeland is thousands of miles away, and my homeland is also far from the Royal Court. In my homeland, women are of low status. Although I am a princess, I was not born of the queen. My mother was a lowly dancing girl..."

At this point, Princess Manda's eyes seemed to glisten with tears, a sight that evoked pity.

"I was sent by the queen to learn dancing from a young age. My mother wept bitterly, but I was too young and ignorant to understand her sorrow. Later, on her deathbed, my mother warned me that by performing in public and dancing to entertain others, I would surely end up like her—mocked and scorned by the world..."

"Later, my mother's words came true. My dancing skills were exceptional, and I became famous far and wide. My father often made me perform at banquets. That year, when I was fourteen, rebel troops besieged the city. To gain the support of the elders, my father offered me to them..."

Princess Manda wiped the corner of her eye.

"After that, I drifted from one man to another and became the infamous seductress of Piluo Mo Luo."

Princess Manda let out a long sigh, her gray-green eyes fixed on Yaoying, shimmering like pools of water.

"After arriving at the Royal Court, I originally intended to seek the favor of the Buddha Prince. However, after witnessing Princess Wenzhao's bold acts of offering flowers and stepping into the fire altar, I abandoned that idea. The princess's sincere devotion to the Buddha Prince moved me deeply. Moreover, the Buddha Prince has declared that the princess is his only Girl of Matanga. I dare not compete with you."

Princess Manda gently took Yaoying's hand. "The princess dared to step into the fire altar for the Buddha Prince, which shows how deeply you care for him. It's a pity that the Buddha Prince remains unmoved. When the year is up, the princess will have to leave in sorrow. A beauty like you, once you leave the Royal Court, will surely face countless dangers and become the object of others' desires. Our situations are similar, and I wish to help you achieve your goal—to stay."

"Of course, my help comes with a request. I hope that once the princess achieves her wish, you can help me find a nobleman in the Royal Court to rely on. From then on, we can support and depend on each other. The princess can remain by the Buddha Prince's side, and I can enjoy wealth and glory."

Yaoying gazed at Princess Manda, her face showing signs of being moved.

Princess Manda spoke with sincerity, "I have long contemplated this plan, but I never had the chance to speak with the princess face to face. As a last resort, I had to use the physician to pressure you."

She waved her hand, signaling Jiannu to bring forward several boxes and precious scrolls, placing them on the table.

"Please believe in my sincerity. These are all gifts for you. In my homeland, there are many secret techniques for men and women to cultivate together. I am well-versed in these arts and can teach them to you. Once you master these techniques, you will effortlessly captivate the Buddha Prince and make him addicted to you. I assure you, from then on, the Buddha Prince will not be able to spend a single day without your presence."

"By then, why would the princess need to risk stepping into the fire altar again?"She opened the precious manual, its exquisite pages filled with illustrations of men and women in intimate embraces. The lines were fluid, vividly lifelike, and depicted a variety of positions.

A lamp flickered on the desk, its swaying flame illuminating the figures on the pages with an almost mesmerizing power.

Princess Manda smiled faintly at the corners of her lips and proceeded to open the jeweled box.

"These secret medicines are aphrodisiacs not shared outside the palace. With them, even a seventy-year-old man can regain his vigor. There are also drugs for women—colorless and odorless—just a dab on the skin, and the most restrained man will go wild for you."

Yaoying glanced at the explicit illustrations in the manual and the array of secret medicines, her lips twitching slightly. Was Princess Manda trying to teach her the arts of the bedchamber?

Princess Manda parted her crimson lips, her voice dripping with temptation: "The Buddha Prince is peerless in grace and charm. Does the princess not wish to experience the greatest bliss of the mortal world with him soon, making him unable to ever leave your side?"

Yaoying’s mind conjured Tanmoroqie’s aloof and sacred countenance. Her heart tightened, and she shuddered.

Sin, sin.

Princess Manda watched with satisfaction as she stirred Yaoying’s thoughts, a bright smile gracing her lips. "The princess cannot stand alone. Cooperate with me, and we can each get what we need. What do you say?"

The next moment, her smile froze on her face.

Yaoying showed no signs of fascination, shyness, embarrassment, or uncontrollable arousal. Instead, she smiled lightly, lifted her gaze, and said, "What the princess desires is surely not as simple as marrying into nobility, is it?"

Princess Manda’s expression darkened.

Yaoying curled her lips. "Helping me achieve my wish is nothing more than an indirect move on your part."

If she were merely a lovesick, desperate woman infatuated with Tanmoroqie, easily swayed by Princess Manda into using these dubious secret methods and medicines, she would be stepping right into Princess Manda’s trap. From then on, Princess Manda would use her to get closer to Tanmoroqie and eventually replace her.

Moreover, who knew if these secret medicines were harmful? If she used them and something happened to Tanmoroqie, Princess Manda would be perfectly positioned to seize the opportunity.

Yaoying stated coldly, "I will not cooperate with you."

Princess Manda’s smile vanished. "The physician is in my hands. Aren’t you afraid you’ll never see him again?"

Yaoying shrugged. "If I never see him again, so be it. Life and death are fated."

She was now certain that Princess Manda did not know about Tanmoroqie’s illness. The more indifferent she appeared, the safer the physician would be.

Princess Manda narrowed her eyes, a doubt forming in her mind: Was Princess Wenzhao truly unafraid of death?

Outside, a sharp whistle sounded, followed by a black eagle flapping its wings against the window, shaking dust from the frames.

Yaoying listened intently, then rose calmly to her feet.

"Princess Manda, my guards have come for me."

Princess Manda was startled. She hurried to the window and looked out—below, horses neighed, and dozens of guards in narrow-sleeved robes had surrounded the shop.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "The physician is in my hands. I will not allow him to treat you any further. You’ve suffered from illness for years—the torment of pain isn’t pleasant, is it?"

Yaoying smiled.

It wasn’t pleasant.

But even if her life truly depended on the physician, she would not cooperate with Princess Manda just to cure her illness."The physician was at Wang Temple just yesterday. The princess couldn't have sent him out of the city after curfew, which means he's still inside. The envoy delegation cannot move about freely, and the physician never left the guesthouse. There are no secret passages or hidden rooms in the guesthouse - finding one person would be effortless. Princess, this is not your homeland. The entire delegation, including servants, numbers merely a few dozen. Locating the physician would be as easy as turning over one's hand."

"I've said before, I have no leisure to take tea with the princess."

Princess Manda's face stiffened.

She had thought Princess Wenzhao was merely a spoiled woman driven mad by love, never expecting she could mobilize so many people in such a short time.

She had been careless.

...

Yuanjue personally led the search, interrogating everyone one by one, and quickly found the physician.

The physician hadn't been harmed in any way, only confined. He bowed to Yaoying, weeping and pleading: "Princess Manda has suffered many hardships in life. In a moment of confusion, she came up with this foolish plan and offended you. I beg for your forgiveness."

Yuanjue said from the side: "Though Princess Manda is an envoy, she harbored ill intentions. How can we let this go lightly?"

The physician grew increasingly anxious, looking toward Yaoying.

"I have treated your illness. I beg you to consider our relationship and spare Princess Manda."

Yaoying was stunned.

She had thought Princess Manda misunderstood the situation, and by adopting an indifferent attitude, she had made Princess Manda retreat... Could it be that there was no misunderstanding?

"You came here to treat my illness?"

The physician nodded, prostrating himself: "The Buddha Prince ordered me to treat you. The pills you took these past few days were prepared by me for your condition."

A slight tremor passed through Yaoying's body, and she remained silent for a long while.

Scenes from that day flashed through her mind - back then, Tanmoroqie indeed never stated the physician's purpose for coming to the Royal Court. She had voiced her assumption, and he neither denied nor corrected her, so she had naturally assumed the physician came for him.

Why didn't he tell her the truth?