In the Moonlight

The sound of rain outside the window was like a cascade of jade.

The night wind, carrying moisture, seeped through the cracks into the room, adding a touch of chill.

Yaoying changed into a fresh gown and sat by the lamp, slowly wringing the water from her long hair.

When Su Dan Gu had held her, his entire body was stiff and cold, his palms icy—so cold that a shiver had run through her. Even now, the spot on her neck where his hand had pressed felt strangely warm.

Had he truly lost control due to a flare-up of old injuries?

But why hold her? Why not someone else?

Yaoying sat lost in thought for a while, then tied up her hair with a silk ribbon and wrote a brief letter. She summoned her guard: "Deliver this to General Ashina. Tell him I wish to see General Su and ask him to ensure it reaches him."

Rather than sitting here alone with wild speculations, it was better to confront Su Dan Gu directly.

As the guard took the letter and left, he nearly collided with Bā mǐ ěr, who had come to deliver a message.

"Princess, General Ashina requests your presence."

Seeing his anxious expression, Yaoying threw on her cloak and followed him out. "What happened?"

Bā mǐ ěr replied, "General Su has fallen ill. General Ashina asked me to fetch you."

Yaoying froze. Had Su Dan Gu’s old ailment truly flared up?

The last time he nearly suffered a Qi deviation during training, he had held her too—clutching her for half the night as if she were a pillow, his body equally cold.

The two hurried across the courtyard under an umbrella, splashing through puddles, and arrived at a compound near the interrogation hall. They ascended the steps.

Bi Suo descended toward them, holding a lantern. His gaze settled on Yaoying. "My apologies for troubling you so late, Princess."

Yaoying removed her hood. "How is General Su?"

Bi Suo smiled and bowed. "I acted thoughtlessly, worrying you unnecessarily. The Regent was merely unwell for a moment but has recovered. I apologize for my rashness."

Yaoying stared blankly, then looked up toward the doorway.

A tall, imposing figure stood there—proud and weathered. In the flickering lamplight, his scar-covered face was half-lit, half-shadowed, his green eyes deep and calm.

Raindrops fell steadily before the steps.

Yaoying gazed at Su Dan Gu, silent for a long moment, then took a few steps forward. "Are you feeling better, General?"

He looked down at her and nodded. "I am fine. Thank you for your concern, Princess. Please return."

Then, turning to Bā mǐ ěr, he added coldly, "Escort the Princess back."

Bā mǐ ěr bowed in acknowledgment.

Bi Suo stood to the side, not daring to speak.

A gust of wind swept through, and the rain suddenly intensified, drumming loudly against the tiled roof.

Yaoying remained on the steps, silent. The questions she had wanted to ask no longer seemed necessary.

Raindrops splashed, dampening the hem of her dress. She adjusted her cloak and smiled faintly. "I’m glad you’re well, General. It’s late, and you’ve just returned from campaign. Rest early. I’ll take my leave."

Yaoying turned and walked away.

Bā mǐ ěr, looking confused, hurried after her.

Once their figures vanished into the depths of the corridor, Tanmoroqie staggered back, bracing himself against a pillar to steady his trembling form.

Bi Suo moved to support him.

He waved him off, turned, and hobbled into the room, collapsing onto the bed.

Bi Suo sighed. "Your Majesty, why must you torment yourself like this…"

Tanmoroqie had taken medicine and just regained consciousness. Learning that Bi Suo had summoned Li Yaoying, he had struggled to his feet and coldly sent her away.After embracing the princess so warmly, he turned cold toward her without any explanation. Even with her gentle temperament, the princess would naturally feel anger.

Tanmoroqie had been forcing himself to stay conscious but was completely drained, his mind growing hazy again. His brow furrowed tightly, forehead beaded with cold sweat.

"Don't involve her in this..."

Unaware of his surroundings, he suddenly murmured these words.

As a cultivator, he shouldn't disturb her worldly life. For him, all this was merely a trial, but for her it was different.

No matter what identity he appeared before her with, he shouldn't cross that boundary.

He couldn't keep making the same mistake.

Bi Suo shook his head with a sigh, keeping vigil by the bedside, his heart filled with conflicting emotions.

...

At dawn the next day, Tanmoroqie regained consciousness. A floating blue light filled the window.

The rain had stopped, and daylight brightened the sky.

He rose and, as on every ordinary day, summoned the physician, took medicine, removed his headscarf, peeled off the scar disguise, took off his ordinary robes, changed into his kasaya, retrieved his string of Buddhist beads to wear around his wrist, then sat cross-legged before the Buddha statue to meditate.

Yesterday's embrace in the rain was merely a moment of lost composure.

With clouds dispersed and rain ceased, the red sun emerged, brilliant sunlight shining everywhere—everything had vanished like mist.

After reciting several sutra scrolls, Bi Suo and Bā mǐ ěr came to report matters.

"Your Majesty, the city has remained peaceful during this period..."

Bi Suo said, his expression complicated.

"Speaking of which, we owe much to Princess Wenzhao."

Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze.

Bi Suo gestured to Bā mǐ ěr, who slowly explained: "When Haidu Aling launched his surprise attack, all the court officials fled to Wang Temple. The Grand Chancellor personally took charge, presiding over court affairs and reprimanding the officials, who then dispersed and returned to their duties obediently. During this time, some temple monks requested an audience. Following your instructions, I found excuses to dismiss them and ordered heightened vigilance at all city gates, keeping them securely closed. Everything remained peaceful throughout."

With ample grain supplies in the city and the Grand Chancellor's price control edict, shops didn't dare raise prices. Except for the closed city gates, everything appeared normal as usual.

"Unexpectedly, Northern Rong spies had long been embedded in the city. While General Gelu and others couldn't capture Haidu Aling immediately, the stalemate in battle made citizens fearful. The spies spread rumors, causing widespread panic, then seized the opportunity to instigate riots and incite citizens to storm the city gates..."

"The Grand Chancellor led officials to the gates to dissuade the people, but citizens believed rumors claiming the Grand Chancellor had already sent his family out of the city and demanded the same for themselves. No amount of persuasion worked. Possibly due to instigation, a guard suddenly assaulted a citizen, leading to complete chaos... When the Grand Chancellor went to assess the situation, several women emerged from the crowd attempting to assassinate him! Caught unprepared, the Grand Chancellor was wounded, though fortunately it was merely a superficial skin break."

Hearing this, Tanmoroqie slightly furrowed his brow.

The Grand Chancellor had been too rigid, following his instructions step by step. While utterly loyal, he failed to adapt to circumstances, thus unable to quell minor disturbances.

Bā mǐ ěr continued: "At that critical moment, Princess Wenzhao suddenly appeared on the city tower. Her personal guards saved the Grand Chancellor..."

That day, Li Yaoying unexpectedly appeared, rescued the Grand Chancellor, stood on the city tower to persuade the citizens, declaring that the Buddha Prince had long arranged defenses and Haidu Aling could never breach the Holy City. The citizens remained half-convinced, half-doubtful.

Recalling the scene, Bā mǐ ěr couldn't resist building suspense: "Your Majesty, can you guess what the princess did?"

Tanmoroqie cast him a faint glance.Bā mǐ ěr shuddered abruptly, remembering he was reporting a matter, not boasting to colleagues. He quickly composed himself and said solemnly: "The princess had been closely monitoring the city’s movements. As soon as she heard the news, she rushed over. Standing on the city tower, she pointed at the few most disruptive individuals in the crowd and, without a word, ordered her personal guards to arrest them!"

Li Yaoying appeared in men’s attire, her face veiled. When her guards moved to apprehend the troublemakers, the citizens in the city erupted in an uproar. Unfazed by their pointing and murmuring, she immediately exposed the identities of those spies—it turned out she had been secretly investigating since her return to the Holy City, waiting for the spies to reveal themselves so she could capture them all at once.

At that moment, Bā mǐ ěr heard of the commotion at the city gate and dispatched Monk Soldiers from Wang Temple to handle the situation. The citizens trusted the Monk Soldiers and, seeing the spies exposed under the guards’ questioning, dispersed on their own.

From then on, no matter what rumors circulated, the people dismissed them as the work of Northern Rong spies and obediently stayed in their homes.

The Grand Chancellor, having experienced a false alarm, grew even more vigilant. He issued several decrees imposing not only a nighttime curfew but also strict daytime restrictions throughout the city. It was only the day before yesterday, upon learning of the army’s imminent triumphant return, that the bans were lifted.

After finishing his report, Bā mǐ ěr retreated to the doorway.

Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze in silence, his fingers turning the Buddhist Beads.

Bi Suo added: "Your Majesty… Princess Wenzhao has been sending her personal guards back and forth between the Holy City and the river valley to relay messages to General Gelu and the others. She has remained wary of Haidu Aling."

Tanmoroqie’s fingers stilled.

"Why was no one informed?"

He asked softly.

Bi Suo whispered: "The princess presented herself as my advisor Bayan. General Gelu and the others did not know she was Princess Wenzhao, and the Grand Chancellor assumed she was merely a clerk in my residence."

On the journey back from Sand City to the Holy City, Li Yaoying never revealed her identity. Only Bā mǐ ěr and Bore knew she had returned.

Bā mǐ ěr assumed Tanmoroqie was aware of the matter and thus did not think to report it in writing.

A sliver of morning light streamed into the Zen room, cutting across the desk and falling upon Tanmoroqie’s Kasaya, shimmering with a faint golden glow.

He remained silent for a long while before asking Bā mǐ ěr: "When did Princess Wenzhao return?"

Bā mǐ ěr thought for a moment and replied: "Almost a month ago… She returned before Haidu Aling launched his surprise attack."

Tanmoroqie stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the courtyard.

In other words, after Yaoying left with the rear army, she immediately rushed back to the Holy City without stopping.

At that time, no one knew how many troops Haidu Aling would bring.

Despite her fear of Haidu Aling, knowing he would launch a surprise attack, she still came back without hesitation.

Why did she return?

…

Half an hour later, in a small courtyard.

The deep, resonant toll of a bell echoed through Wang Temple as the morning light poured down, glinting golden atop the pagoda’s spire.

Hearing the bell, Yaoying, who had been writing at her desk, lifted her head.

A young novice in the courtyard beamed and said: "Princess, our Buddha Prince has ended his retreat!"

Yaoying set down her brush, walked to the doorway, and looked toward the direction of the stone caves.

In the bright morning light, the towering stone caves were bathed in a radiant golden halo, appearing solemn and sacred.

Hurried footsteps approached as Bā mǐ ěr came looking for her: "Princess, the King requests your presence in the Zen room."

Yaoying tidied up and followed Bā mǐ ěr to the Zen room.Upon entering the arched gate, a tall figure emerged from the depths of the corridor, walking toward them. The sword at his waist reflected shimmering jewel-like lights. A leopard with ancient coin-patterned fur followed by his side, its paws landing silently on the lotus-patterned brick floor.

Bā mǐ ěr halted and bowed to the man. "Regent."

The man acknowledged with a hum, his gaze sweeping over Yaoying. Backlit by the sun, his green eyes appeared slightly darker than usual.

Yaoying looked at him but did not step forward. "Is the General feeling better today?"

Su Dan Gu gave a slight nod.

The leopard beside him lifted its head, yellow eyes narrowing, then suddenly lunged forward, hooking its claws into Yaoying’s skirt.

"Ali."

The man’s clear voice rang out.

The leopard retracted its claws, leaped onto the railing, and trotted away with its tail drooping.

The man nodded to Yaoying and walked off.

Yaoying watched his retreating figure and asked Bā mǐ ěr, "Is General Su leaving the city?"

Bā mǐ ěr replied, "The King has ended his retreat. The Regent has been ordered to pursue Wahan Khan and the Northern Rong remnants in Yi Province. He departs today."

Yaoying frowned slightly, continuing toward the Zen room while glancing back over her shoulder.

At the entrance, Bore greeted her with a cheerful smile, whispering, "Princess, the King has ended his retreat. Given your recent merits, he will surely reward you."

Yaoying remained silent, her gaze drifting past his shoulder into the Zen room.

The hall was filled with a fresh fragrance, spacious and bright. A man sat cross-legged before a desk reviewing memorials, dressed in a loose, snow-white kasaya embroidered with gold patterns. His posture was upright, his presence imposing, and his expression serene yet aloof.

She approached.

"Dharma Master."

Tanmoroqie acknowledged with a hum, gesturing for her to sit.

Yaoying’s eyes swept the room. Beside the long desk stood a shorter one—the very desk she had used during her previous stay in the Zen room.

She walked over and sat down, studying Tanmoroqie carefully.

His brow was broad, nose straight and high, features sharply defined. His calm demeanor seemed untouched by worldly dust, and his face carried a certain Buddha-like solemnity.

Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze, meeting Yaoying’s thoughtful eyes. "Haidu Aling has fled toward Gaochang. Yuanjue has already headed south—he will warn Gaochang."

Yaoying snapped out of her reverie. "Thank you, Dharma Master."

She was not surprised that Haidu Aling had fled south. The Royal Court’s cities were fortified and easily defensible. To preserve his strength, he would avoid direct assaults, opting instead for sneak attacks to create chaos. Upon hearing of Wahan Khan’s defeat, he would withdraw south without hesitation. For him now, consolidating remnants and expanding his forces was clearly more urgent than relieving Wahan Khan.

Tanmoroqie lowered his head, opening another memorial.

"Bā mǐ ěr told me you assisted the Grand Chancellor in maintaining order in the city and captured several Northern Rong spies."

Yaoying smiled. "I only caught a few people. The interrogation, verification, and maintenance of order were all handled by the Grand Chancellor and Bā mǐ ěr."

Worried about Haidu Aling’s sinister schemes, she had specifically monitored suspicious individuals in the city, hence her quicker reaction than the Grand Chancellor and Bā mǐ ěr.

Tanmoroqie picked up his brush to write. "Why did you return to the Holy City?"

His tone was even, as if merely making casual conversation.

Yaoying remained composed, answering lightly, "General Ashina invited me to join the campaign precisely because I understand Haidu Aling. Since Haidu Aling intended to attack the Holy City, how could I avoid it? ... You have shown me immense kindness, Dharma Master. I wished to do my part for you."She paused for a moment, gazing at the brush in Tanmoroqie's hand. "I came back for you, Master."

The tip of the brush on the paper never faltered, its movement graceful and fluid.

Tanmoroqie looked down at the unfolded silk cloth, writing with composed elegance, not a ripple of emotion crossing his face.