In the Moonlight

Yaoying took her leave and withdrew.

Tanmoroqie stood in the vast hall, watching her white-robed figure recede into the distance.

Bā mǐ ěr had been waiting outside the hall doors. As soon as Yaoying disappeared down the long corridor, he immediately entered the hall.

Tanmoroqie swayed unsteadily.

Bā mǐ ěr rushed forward to support him: "Your Majesty, you just took medicine. You cannot delay any longer."

After entering seclusion, Tanmoroqie was supposed to secretly leave the city under the identity of Su Dan Gu and should not appear publicly. That morning, while he was regulating his breathing at the Spring Pool, Yuanjue dared not disturb him and left hastily with Bi Suo, while Bā mǐ ěr entered the secret passage to report news.

Hearing that Li Yaoying might be in trouble, Tanmoroqie stopped his breathing exercises, returned through the secret passage, deployed personnel, and pressured the envoy delegation.

An hour had already passed. He needed to return to continue his breathing regulation.

Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze, shook his head to indicate he was fine, then turned and entered the secret passage.

Bā mǐ ěr was somewhat puzzled: Before each seclusion, the King had already arranged court affairs, and all disputes big or small would be handled by others. The conflict between Princess Wenzhao and Princess Manda was merely a trivial matter that Bi Suo and Yuanjue could handle properly. Why did the King interrupt his breathing exercises to personally deal with this matter?

With a loud rumble, the hidden door closed.

...

When Yaoying left Wang Temple, she happened to meet Yuanjue.

Yuanjue and his personal guards were loaded with packages, carrying, shouldering, and lifting numerous chests and books—all confiscated from Princess Manda's possession.

"Princess Manda wanted to defile the King with these filthy things! We can't just let her leave like this. All these items she brought must be confiscated and destroyed!"

Yaoying chuckled lightly, casually glancing at the treasure boxes in the chests. Her eyes fell upon a familiar box, and she exclaimed in surprise, opening the lid.

Inside was indeed the gilded bronze Buddha statue she recognized.

Her guards had sold the bronze Buddha as instructed, reportedly to a merchant from the Land of Brahma who offered a high price, clearly recognizing its value. Unexpectedly, it turned out Princess Manda had purchased it.

"I recognize this treasure box."

Yuanjue's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression pained as he said, "Princess, how could you be familiar with these things?"

Could it be that Princess Wenzhao also intended to use such vulgar items to curry favor with the King?

Yaoying tapped the treasure box with her slightly curved fingers and said, "I've seen this treasure box before... Do you know what's special about this bronze Buddha?"

A blush of embarrassment flashed across Yuanjue's face as he stammered, "I-I'm not Princess Manda! How would I understand these things? What kind of person does Princess take me for?"

Yaoying smiled but didn't return to her courtyard, instead heading straight to the guesthouse.

Her guards had prepared farewell gifts as instructed: silks and brocades that were portable and could serve as currency, warm clothing, dried fruits and provisions that wouldn't spoil easily, and some beautifully bound sutras.

She presented the gifts to the physician, thanking him for diagnosing her condition and prescribing medicine.

The physician was moved to tears, once again apologizing on behalf of Princess Manda.

Yaoying asked him to deliver a letter to Mengda Ti Po for her, which he readily agreed to do. Remembering the matter of the bronze Buddha, she went with her guards to see Princess Manda.

Princess Manda's room was guarded by both royal guards and Jiannu. She was confined to her room until her departure the next day.

The envoy delegation was forced to begin their return journey early. The envoy had pleaded several times without success, becoming resentful toward Princess Manda and having just come to mock and berate her.Princess Manda reclined on the couch, her curly hair disheveled, a lingering anger on her face. Her gray-green eyes were downcast, dimming her usual radiance with a touch of sorrow. Seeing Yaoying enter, she sneered, "Have you come to mock me?"

Yaoying smiled. "I’ve come to bid you farewell and to give you a gift. I also have a question I’d like to ask."

Princess Manda narrowed her eyes, studying her.

A guard stepped forward and presented a scroll. Yaoying took it and handed it to Princess Manda. "That day at the ceremony, watching you dance, I was utterly captivated. Your movements were agile and graceful, ever-changing, blending strength with softness. Truly, you are the finest dancer in the Northern Land of Brahma."

Princess Manda sat up. Having practiced dance since childhood with exceptional talent and years of relentless training, she was quite proud of her skills. Though she suspected Yaoying of sarcasm, she still lifted her chin and accepted the painting.

In the painting, a woman draped in sheer silk danced gracefully in a hall, her movements enchanting. Celestial maidens surrounded her, colorful banners fluttered, creating a scene of sacred beauty as if in a heavenly realm.

Princess Manda was taken aback, swallowing the sarcastic retort she had been about to utter.

The scene depicted was exactly what her dance had conveyed that day. The face of the woman on the paper was unmistakably hers, vivid and lifelike. It was clear that great effort had been put into the painting—it was no hasty work.

As she gazed at the smiling, dancing woman in the painting, she couldn’t help but recall her younger, innocent self—a time when she genuinely loved dance, not merely using it as a means to ensnare men.

The Queen had said that children born of lowly women were also lowly. Her mother had been a temple dancer, and so was she.

Princess Manda lost herself in thought for a moment before looking up and glancing at Yaoying. Only someone who truly appreciated her dance could have painted such a piece.

"You must be skilled in dance as well, Princess? Could it be that you are also accomplished in this art?"

Yaoying replied, "I studied for a few years in the past, but I only know a few routines. I dare not compare myself to you. When you dance, it’s as if a celestial maiden has descended to earth."

Her tone was sincere, without a hint of mockery. Princess Manda snorted proudly, her long lashes fluttering, her eyes sparkling with a charming allure.

"What did you wish to ask me, Princess?" she asked, a smirk playing on her lips. "Have you had a change of heart and want to learn about the Dual Cultivation Secret Method? I’m always at your service. With the secret method and the aid of the special medicine, the Buddha Prince will surely become infatuated with your body and grant your every wish."

Yaoying shook her head. "Some time ago, you purchased a bronze Buddha statue. What mechanism does it have?"

Princess Manda rolled her eyes and leaned back on the couch.

"It’s just a Dual Cultivation Buddha Statue. If you twist the lotus mechanism, you’ll see a naked man and woman embracing each other on the lotus pedestal, lost in passion."

She deliberately spoke bluntly, waiting to see Yaoying’s embarrassed reaction.

But Yaoying merely raised an eyebrow, her expression unchanged.

Good thing I didn’t give this bronze Buddha statue to Tanmoroqie as a birthday gift, she thought.

Princess Manda felt somewhat disappointed and snorted again.

Seeing Yaoying’s striking beauty—both innocent and alluring, with a lively charm in her gaze—she had assumed the Buddha Prince had already secretly indulged with her. To her surprise, Yaoying had not yet succeeded.

Since the Buddha Prince had not broken his vows and had not experienced the ecstasy of such pleasures, his resolve remained firm. She had wanted to help Yaoying achieve her goal precisely to tempt the Buddha Prince to break his vows. Once he had his first taste, it would be much easier for her to seduce him later.She had seen many young maidens like Yaoying, whose hearts were so easily stirred—those bashful girls were easily coaxed and deceived by her, and with her help, they would seduce their beloveds.

But Princess Wenzhao was different. Upon seeing the explicit images of men and women in the precious manual, her face didn’t even flush.

Princess Manda looked at Yaoying, as if suddenly understanding: "So the Buddha Prince prefers a woman like Princess Wenzhao, who is indifferent to romance. No wonder he pays no attention to a beauty like me."

Yaoying’s lips twitched slightly.

"This time, I’ve lost…"

Princess Manda gave a self-mocking smile and lay back on the couch, her golden bracelets jingling softly. "Princess Wenzhao, with such beauty, you ended up in a foreign land thousands of miles from your homeland. Without the Buddha Prince’s protection, you would have attracted the pursuit of others long ago. You are fortunate to have met a ruler like the Buddha Prince."

"Yes, I am very grateful to the Buddha Prince."

Yaoying nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. "Princess Manda, you’d better give up."

Princess Manda’s brow furrowed slightly.

Yaoying continued, "I know your goal has not yet been achieved, so you haven’t truly given up."

Princess Manda smiled seductively. "Do you know what my goal is?"

Yaoying returned the smile. "Your goal isn’t just to find any ordinary patron, but the strongest and most powerful one, so you can completely break free from Piluo Mo Luo, isn’t that right?"

Princess Manda’s expression darkened.

"With your abilities, Princess, you don’t need to fixate on the Royal Court. You are now Piluo Mo Luo’s envoy, which is why the Royal Court has spared you. If there’s a next time and the Royal Court decides to punish you, you will undoubtedly bear the full brunt of the blame."

A chill ran down Princess Manda’s spine.

The envoy indulged her and even hinted that she should use any means necessary because she was seen as a disposable pawn, someone who could be abandoned at any moment. If the Royal Court insisted on pursuing the matter this time, the king and his ministers would not protect her; instead, they would severely punish her to absolve themselves of responsibility.

Princess Manda locked eyes with Yaoying, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Are you warning me or reminding me?"

Yaoying did not answer. She turned and left, pausing briefly at the doorway.

"Your dance was truly exquisite."

She spoke calmly, then stepped out of the room.

Princess Manda sat up straight, staring in the direction Yaoying had gone, lost in thought for a long time.

...

That evening, Yaoying packed her belongings. The next day, she changed into men’s clothing, gathered her personal guards, and set off with a covert central army unit.

Before leaving Wang Temple, she visited the Zen room.

Yuanjue informed her that Tanmoroqie had already entered seclusion and asked if she had urgent matters to discuss, offering to relay any messages on her behalf.

Yaoying smiled and shook her head. Exiting Wang Temple, she gazed thoughtfully at the towering Pagoda Forest.

Bi Suo had arranged a carriage for her, instructing her to travel first with his advisors and subordinates. He needed to escort the Piluo Mo Luo envoy out of the city and then proceed alone to another location.

They agreed to meet later in Sand City.

In the afternoon, Bi Suo arrived at Princess Chima’s residence. The estate was filled with music and revelry—Chima was once again hosting nobles and officials.

He casually scanned the courtyard and noticed many guests from the Xue and Kang families, his brow furrowing slightly.

Princess Chima was drinking with members of the Kang family when she heard of Bi Suo’s arrival. Overjoyed, she excused herself from the banquet and urged him to stay for a few days.

Bi Suo replied, "I have urgent duties to attend to. I’m only passing through today to see how you’re doing."

Princess Chima frowned. "Are you going to war again? Why can’t you stay in the Holy City and handle court affairs? The battlefield is fraught with danger—you should remain in the Holy City!"Bi Suo’s brows were tightly furrowed. They had argued over this matter many times before. Now, in a hurry to leave, he did not wish to quarrel with her before his departure. He spoke gently, "I will return soon. Take good care of yourself. The Khan has arranged for people to look after you. If anything happens, you can seek their help or write to me."

Princess Chima knew she could not stop him. Suppressing her anger, she ordered her servants to pack clothes and fine weapons for him. She watched him ride away, standing in place for a long time.

The Chief Steward stood by her side.

"Luojia can remain within the fortified walls of the Holy City’s Wang Temple, while Bi Suo must repeatedly charge into battle, risking his life at every turn."

Princess Chima murmured these words, then suddenly turned to the Chief Steward and asked, "Between Bi Suo and Luojia, which one do the noble families prefer?"

The Chief Steward froze, sweat pouring down his face. He knelt and pressed his forehead to the ground, not daring to utter a word.

...

Yaoying traveled alongside Bi Suo’s advisors.

Although she participated in strategic discussions, she refrained from interfering in other matters. Most of the time, she remained in her carriage.

Over the course of several days together, she shared all she knew about Haidu Aling and the Northern Rong army but never offered opinions on other affairs. She did not wander around or pry into matters beyond her scope, and she strictly instructed her personal guards to remain discreet and cautious.

The other advisors assumed she was a spy Bi Suo had previously planted among the Northern Rong and tried to probe her for information indirectly. She ignored all such attempts.

The journey proceeded without incident until they reached Sand City, where Bi Suo caught up and joined them. The next day, he took his advisors and led several thousand troops ahead.

Yaoying, along with a few other advisors and the remaining soldiers, stayed behind.

Beyond Sand City lay vast stretches of desert. Yaoying abandoned her carriage and rode on horseback like the others. After several days, her entire body felt as though it had fallen apart.

The weather gradually warmed, and the snow began to melt. Beneath the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Snowy Mountains, lush green pine forests emerged. Glacial rivers, laden with gravel and debris, surged down, flowing through the desolate desert. Wherever they passed, life revived, and from a distance, patches of fresh green grass could be seen along the riverbanks.

But the warmth also brought fierce winds. When gales whipped up sand and dust, they blotted out the sky, plunging the world into near-darkness.

One day, while crossing a broad plain, they encountered another sandstorm. Seeing that the camels and horses could not advance against the wind and the soldiers could no longer discern their direction, the group had no choice but to seek shelter near a hill that offered some protection from the storm and set up camp there.

Yaoying shook the sand out of her boots, ate some dried rations, and had just lain down to sleep when a messenger braved the strong winds to reach their camp, delivering urgent news.

Bi Suo, who was ahead of them, had encountered a Northern Rong scouting party while passing through a valley. Both sides were startled by the unexpected encounter and hastily assumed defensive positions.

Fortunately, the enemy was only a scouting unit, small in number. Bi Suo, familiar with the terrain, managed to corner them in a narrow gorge and eliminate the entire party.

The advisors were shocked. "Have the Northern Rong scouts already infiltrated the Royal Court? How could they be so fast?"

Yaoying replied, "They march swiftly, traveling through the night and requiring almost no supplies."

The advisors shuddered with fear. No wonder the Royal Court had to mobilize its troops in secret this time. Otherwise, the moment an edict was issued from the Holy City, the Northern Rong scouts could deliver the news to Wakhan Khan’s desk the very next day!Yaoying estimated the marching speed of the Northern Rong soldiers and said, "General Ashina isn't far from us. We might encounter Northern Rong scouts, so we must heighten our vigilance."

The advisers nodded. "Northern Rong scouts are elusive. We cannot let our guard down."

Orders were issued that evening to increase patrols at all posts while dispatching their own scouts for reconnaissance and timely warnings.

After discussions lasted until midnight, everyone returned to their tents. Yaoying, aching all over, lay down and closed her eyes. She had just fallen asleep when startled whinnies jolted her awake. She quickly rose, pulled on her boots, and stepped out of the tent.

The camp was pitch dark. Her guards found her, their expressions anxious. "Scouts have spotted a Northern Rong troop nearby! Several hundred strong!"

Yaoying's heart leaped. A few hundred Northern Rong cavalry could launch a surprise attack—had they stumbled into an ambush?

Steadying herself, she sought out the other advisers.

The advisers were engaged in heated discussions. The military strategists believed they had likely encountered Northern Rong cavalry and must break camp overnight. Though they outnumbered the enemy, most of their troops were infantry—and not elite ones at that—making them no match for Northern Rong horsemen.

After deliberation, they decided to proceed cautiously and break camp immediately.

Under the cover of deep night, soldiers roused from sleep scrambled in panic, hurriedly packing their belongings.

A young officer led several dozen men at the front, while guards escorted Yaoying and the other advisers in the center, with the remaining soldiers following behind.

They traveled for half an hour in tense apprehension when suddenly torchlights flickered ahead, accompanied by the thunder of hoofbeats—a contingent was charging toward them.

Everyone held their breath, hearts clenched in fear.

The approaching riders closed in swiftly like a gust of wind. Torchlight illuminated a fluttering banner, beneath which a general in imposing silver armor—majestic and formidable—galloped forward. Reining in his horse, he removed his helmet. The dancing flames revealed a face with deep-set features and strong, chiseled lines.

The advisers' worry turned to joy. "General Mobiduo!"