The carriage wheels rumbled as the vehicle swayed forward.
Yao Ying glanced at the dazzling glass, coral, tridacna, red pearls, and agate adorning the carriage—symbols of Buddhism’s Seven Treasures—then at the shattered fruit scattered across the ground. She remained still and murmured softly, "Venerable One, I am unharmed."
Tanmoroqie stood motionless, his rosary in hand.
Between them lay the chaotic mess. A gentle breeze swept by, tinkling the bells hanging from the carriage eaves.
Footsteps approached as the guard returned, holding Yao Ying’s dropped boot. "Princess, we found it."
Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze, raising a hand toward the guard. The rosary swayed lightly.
The guard stood frozen, dumbstruck.
Another set of hurried footsteps echoed as Li Zhongqian’s tall figure appeared around the corner. He strode quickly toward Yao Ying, noticed the boot in the guard’s hand, and stepped forward, extending his hand.
The guard, clutching the boot, glanced at Tanmoroqie’s serene face, then at Li Zhongqian’s grim expression, eyes wide with uncertainty, limbs stiff and awkward.
The atmosphere grew tense for a moment.
Li Zhongqian’s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Tanmoroqie, his phoenix eyes narrowing imperceptibly as he assessed him. He spread his large hand.
"Hand it over," he urged the guard in a low voice.
The guard hastily passed him the boot.
Li Zhongqian took it, walked over to Yao Ying, crouched down, and helped her put it on.
"The crowd has dispersed. Let’s head back first. Are you hurt?"
Yao Ying shook her head. Once her boot was on, she smoothed her disheveled hair and eagerly tugged Li Zhongqian forward a few steps, smiling. "Elder Brother, wait a moment. This is Venerable Tanmo, to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude."
She then turned to look at Tanmoroqie.
"Venerable One, I have found my brother!"
He had once prayed for her, hoping she would reunite with her brother soon. Now that she had found him, even without the matter of the Girl of Matanga, she wished to bring Li Zhongqian to meet him.
Tanmoroqie gazed intently at Yao Ying.
Her clothes were soiled, her long hair tousled, a picture of disarray, yet there was no trace of shame or annoyance in her eyes. Her face glowed radiantly, her brows and eyes brimming with joyous laughter, like a sky full of twinkling stars, dazzling and brilliant.
He had seldom seen her laugh so freely and cheerfully, nor had he ever witnessed her being so affectionate with anyone.
Such happiness—the earlier commotion was but insignificant dust to her, scattered by the wind.
She was not yet eighteen, in the bloom of youth, as she ought to be.
The river and sky merged into one hue, a bright moon shimmering over endless, sparkling waves—unrestrained, vivid, and radiant.
Those heavy burdens and bitter past experiences should stay far away from her.
Yao Ying linked arms with Li Zhongqian, her smile effervescent.
Li Zhongqian chuckled, looking down at her as he brushed the dust from her hair. Sensing Tanmoroqie’s prolonged gaze fixed on Yao Ying’s face, a flicker of puzzlement crossed his eyes. He lifted his head and met Tanmoroqie’s cool, detached stare.
He bowed respectfully and said earnestly, "My sister was coveted by villains and stranded in the Royal Court. It is only by your protection, Venerable One, that she escaped. I am deeply grateful, beyond any means of repayment."
Tanmoroqie snapped out of his reverie and replied, "It does not compare to the kindness the princess has shown me. Had she not rescued me, I could not have offered aid. It is the interplay of causes and conditions—the emptiness of all phenomena."
Yao Ying smiled.Li Zhongqian smiled and said, "As my younger sister has said, the Dharma Master possesses profound Buddhist Dharma and a benevolent, righteous heart. Since my arrival at the Royal Court, I have observed its prosperity and peace along the way. The Dharma Master is deeply revered by the people and holds a prestigious reputation. It is only to protect my sister that rumors have spread, causing her immense guilt and my own unease. My visit to the Holy City is both to express gratitude for the Dharma Master's great kindness and to resolve the matter of the Girl of Matanga..."
He paused meaningfully, "to avoid tarnishing the Dharma Master's reputation and prevent incidents like today from recurring."
The more devout the followers, the more fanatical they become when incited, capable of any extreme action. Every additional day Li Yaoying stayed in the Royal Court increased her danger.
They would never allow her to truly defile their god.
On the journey to the Holy City, Li Zhongqian carefully observed that whether in bustling towns or sparsely populated areas, Buddhist temples were ubiquitous, and even nomadic tents had altars for worship. The more the people revered the Buddha Prince, the less they could accept their source of peace being deeply associated with a Han woman.
Of course, they would never show any dissent before the Buddha Prince—all their hatred would be directed solely at Yaoying.
Tanmoroqie met Li Zhongqian's gaze, his eyes deep and tranquil like still wells.
"Very well."
He whispered, lightly fingering his Buddhist beads.
A single, softly spoken word carried the weight of mountains.
After she left, she had sent a letter stating that once she found her elder brother, she would announce she no longer obsessed over him, as agreed.
He had known this day would come.
Standing nearby, Yaoying shivered slightly. The fruit juice had soaked through her clothes, clinging to her skin, and the wind felt chilling as it blew past.
Li Zhongqian noticed immediately. "My sister is unwell and somewhat indisposed. I shall take her back first and visit the Dharma Master at Wang Temple later."
Yaoying thought for a moment but remained silent.
In her current state, it was indeed inappropriate to go directly to Wang Temple.
Bi Suo, who had been observing nearby, stepped forward with a smile. "The carriage is ready. It would be best for the Princess and her elder brother to proceed to Wang Temple together. After today's incident, there may still be people lurking in the alleys seeking trouble. It would be wiser for the Princess to exercise caution."
Yaoying hesitated.
Bi Suo added, "The courtyard where the Princess stayed is cleaned daily. You and your elder brother can rest there temporarily, allowing him to see where you've lived this past year."
Yaoying was slightly taken aback and glanced at Tanmoroqie, whose expression remained calm.
After a moment's consideration, Li Zhongqian nodded in agreement. He wanted to see where Yaoying had resided.
As everyone prepared to depart, Bi Suo invited Yaoying to lead the way. Li Zhongqian declined, "The Dharma Master is the ruler of the Royal Court. My sister and I dare not walk alongside him. Please, Dharma Master, proceed first."
Bi Suo narrowed his eyes.
Tanmoroqie turned and signaled to the Imperial Guards. One guard approached Yaoying with a clean white robe.
He looked at her: "Put it on."
Don't fall ill.
With that, he turned and left, his crimson kasaya bathed in sunlight, its cool radiance shimmering.
...
After Tanmoroqie departed by carriage, Yaoying and Li Zhongqian found a quiet spot to wait longer, estimating that no one would notice them before heading to Wang Temple.
Yaoying wore the white robe and covered her face with a veil. This time, no Imperial Guards or commoners recognized her.
Li Zhongqian studied the white robe with its scrolling vine and gold patterns. "The Buddha Prince treats you well?"
Yaoying nodded. "The Dharma Master treats me very well.""Did he..." Li Zhongqian hesitated, leaving his words unfinished.
Yao Ying: "Did he what?"
Li Zhongqian smiled faintly, "It's nothing."
Having watched Yao Ying grow up, he knew she never mocked the young men who admired her, yet she never grew close to anyone either. At banquets, when young gentlemen tried various ways to approach her, she would respond with an open smile—courteous and proper, yet carrying an untouchable grace like distant clouds.
Only around those she truly cared for would she reveal her playful, teasing side, or show delicate coquettishness.
In all her years, aside from himself as her elder brother, Li Zhongqian had never seen her display such intimate trust toward any man as she did with the Buddha Prince—as if they had known each other for a long time.
Though she and the Buddha Prince hadn't exchanged many words earlier, their eye contact and her unconscious gestures revealed a distinctly different level of closeness toward him.
And the Buddha Prince's attention toward her seemed somewhat unusual as well.
For some reason, Li Zhongqian suddenly thought of Li Xuanzhen.
That Li Xuanzhen had risked his life to escort him to the Royal Court to reunite with Yao Ying—this couldn't simply be out of guilt. That man was gloomy, obsessive, and unpredictable. After helping the Western Army recapture Guazhou, he would definitely come back for Yao Ying.
A weight settled in Li Zhongqian's chest.
The Buddha Prince was an eminent monk, and Yao Ying respected him deeply. Perhaps he was overthinking things due to his protective nature.
The guards led them through side paths, avoiding the crowds as they bypassed Wang Temple and arrived at Yao Ying's courtyard.
The courtyard was lush and verdant, grapevines densely covering the trellises with clusters of crystal-clear grapes hanging low. The corridor in the yard was spotlessly clean, the earthen walls embedded with ventilated lattice windows, making the space bright and tidy.
Yao Ying walked around the courtyard and discovered all the furnishings remained exactly as she had left them. Even the Buddhist scriptures she hadn't finished reading were kept in their original place, spread open on the desk with paperweights holding down the corners.
A servant said: "General Ashina instructed us to come clean every day."
Yao Ying chuckled—Bi Suo was truly thoughtful.
She pulled Li Zhongqian to see her living quarters, telling him about her daily activities, where her guards stayed, and which marks on the wall were left accidentally during her guards' martial arts practice.
Li Zhongqian listened quietly, finally ruffling Yao Ying's hair.
Knowing she had been living well at Wang Temple brought him comfort.
Yao Ying said: "Elder brother, the Buddha Prince has truly been very good to me. Despite the deep enmity between the Tanmo family and the Han people, he still protects me. Since I've tarnished his reputation, it's natural for the Royal Court's citizens to resent me. What happened today has nothing to do with the Buddha Prince."
"Are you worried I'll take my anger out on the Buddha Prince?" Li Zhongqian narrowed his phoenix eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting as he snorted, "When I'm not by your side, having someone treat you so well and take such good care of you—I should be overjoyed. I feel nothing but gratitude toward him. How could I possibly blame him?"
Yao Ying raised an eyebrow, shaking Li Zhongqian's arm: "That's not what I'm worried about. I'm afraid you'll be upset on my behalf. Elder brother, I don't care at all about those people's curses, so you shouldn't dwell on them either."
Li Zhongqian's expression softened slightly, "Don't worry, this is the Royal Court. I won't start conflicts with those commoners."
After the siblings changed clothes, guards came to report that the merchant caravan had arrived. Wagon after wagon loaded with silk brocades, Buddhist scriptures and statues, exquisite porcelain, and tea were heading toward Wang Temple.
Li Zhongqian nodded: "Since the opportunity presents itself today, we might as well settle this matter now."
...
One after another, cargo-laden wagons appeared outside Wang Temple, forming a long procession. The entire street echoed with the ringing of camel bells.Bore took the thick stack of gift lists presented by Old Qi and hurried into the Zen room to report.
"Your Majesty, these are gifts from Princess Wenzhao's brother, Lord Xie. Their carriages fill the temple grounds outside!"
Tanmoroqie accepted the gift lists.
Footsteps echoed incessantly along the corridor as the abbot, discipline master, and elders of Wang Temple all rushed over, gathering outside the Zen room to pressure Tanmoroqie.
Previously, seeing the one-year agreement nearing its end, they had subtly hinted that Tanmoroqie should announce the departure of the Girl of Matanga, but Luojia had paid no heed.
Monks whispered among themselves, murmuring doubts: Could those folk tales claiming "the King has imprisoned Princess Wenzhao in Wang Temple as his personal consort" actually come true?
Otherwise, why would the King delay?
A few days prior, a young novice sweeping the courtyards secretly revealed news: The King had visited the courtyard where Princess Wenzhao resided and stayed for over two hours!
The monks grew restless, wanting to find Princess Wenzhao and persuade her to leave voluntarily rather than overstay. However, the courtyard was heavily guarded by Imperial Guards, making it impossible for them to see the princess, leaving them silently anxious.
Today, when chaos erupted in the square and Princess Wenzhao's brother descended from the skies to personally escort her back to the Central Plains, the monks rejoiced and mobilized immediately.
The Buddha Prince could delay no longer—he must give the world an answer today.
Inside the Zen room, incense smoke curled delicately as a censer of agarwood perfumed the air quietly.
Tanmoroqie set down the gilded gift lists.
On the desk, bamboo slips were piled high: official documents on one side, and admonitions from monks and court officials urging him to announce Princess Wenzhao's departure on the other.
An Imperial Guard reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Xie and Princess Wenzhao request an audience outside."
Tanmoroqie remained silent for a moment.
"Admit them."
Shortly after, the siblings entered the Zen room side by side.
Yaoying spotted her usual small desk beside Tanmoroqie and, after exchanging greetings with him, instinctively moved toward it.
"Bright Moon Slave."
Li Zhongqian called to her, gesturing for her to sit by his side.
She withdrew her steps and sat down with Li Zhongqian, smiling at Tanmoroqie, who sat upright with solemn dignity.
Tanmoroqie's expression remained placid.
Li Zhongqian came straight to the point: "Buddha Prince, in your compassion, my sister has caused you much trouble this past year. Now that the one-year term has ended, we cannot in good conscience burden you further. I have come today to formally take my sister out of the temple. Your protective grace is unforgettable and beyond repayment; today, I can only express my gratitude modestly. Should you ever have need of me in the future, I shall not refuse."
Hearing this, Yaoying couldn't help but look up at him.
Since when did he speak so politely?
Li Zhongqian gazed at Tanmoroqie.
Tanmoroqie lifted his eyes. "Duke Weiguo, you exaggerate."
His gaze fell upon Yaoying.
She was also looking at him; their eyes met, and she blinked at him.
Tanmoroqie watched her and said, word by word, "The princess has also shown me kindness... The princess will always be my guest."
A guest from afar must eventually depart.
Footsteps sounded at the door as Bore stood outside and said, "Your Majesty, the ceremony is ready."
Tanmoroqie said nothing.
Thinking he hadn't heard, Bore repeated, "Your Majesty, the ceremony in the main hall is prepared. All monks have gathered there. The abbot requests your instruction—may we begin?"
Li Zhongqian observed Tanmoroqie for a while.
Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze and stood up.
"Begin."Li Zhongqian and Yaoying rose to their feet along with the others. The group walked in silence through the tranquil long corridor, passed the towering pagodas of the Pagoda Forest, and descended the gentle, lengthy steps. As they approached the main hall, Bore signaled for Li Zhongqian to follow him, leading him to the Buddha hall through another entrance.
Yaoying nodded to Li Zhongqian, indicating that all was well.
He frowned as he walked away, saying, "If anything happens, call out loudly."
"Nothing will happen, Brother."
Yaoying watched Li Zhongqian leave, then lifted her gaze to Tanmoroqie walking ahead. Quickening her pace to catch up, she said, "Venerable One, I'm tired. May we rest for a while?"
Tanmoroqie halted his steps and looked down at her.
Yaoying gazed up at him with pleading eyes.
Tanmoroqie stopped and glanced at the guards following behind.
Understanding his meaning, the guards retreated several steps and stood still.
Yaoying let out a soft sigh, leaning against the railing to sit and fanning herself. "Venerable One, please sit and rest awhile too."
Tanmoroqie stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance at the Pagoda Forest bathed in brilliant golden light.
It was he who was tired.
Her complexion appeared normal, showing no signs of fatigue at all.
"I am fine," he said softly.
Yaoying glanced at the hem of his kasaya. Through the robe, she couldn't tell if his leg had improved, but she had noticed his slightly slower movements while descending the steps earlier.
"Venerable One, you've been presiding over dharma assemblies daily these past days. You should rest more..." She smiled at him. "I've troubled you today. Despite your busy schedule, you still handled my matters... Resolving my troubles sooner will bring you peace in the future."
Tanmoroqie's gaze remained fixed on the sharp spire of the sarira stupa atop the pagoda.
"The princess has never been a trouble," he suddenly stated.
Yaoying was taken aback, looking up at Tanmoroqie. He stood upright before the railing, his deep yet clear jade-green eyes sparkling brilliantly. His features were sharp as if carved by a knife, his crimson kasaya billowing in the wind with sleeves flapping. The exposed half of his shoulder showed well-proportioned muscles, gleaming with a glossy wheat-colored hue under the setting sun's golden rays. For the first time, the loose kasaya clearly outlined his tall, sturdy frame.
He was the monarch of the Royal Court, the Buddha Prince of Wang Temple.
A young novice approached and reported, "Your Majesty, everything is prepared."
Tanmoroqie acknowledged with a sound and turned to leave.
Yaoying stood up to follow him, sighing inwardly. She had wanted him to rest, but he showed not a moment of relaxation.
The main hall was filled with incense smoke. Before the hall stood dense rows of monks, yet not a single cough was heard—only deathly silence, solemn and dignified.
Yaoying lowered her head and entered the main hall through the central door. Immediately, hundreds of sharp gazes surged toward her like tidal waves. Unhurried, she stepped forward, pressed her palms together in greeting, and knelt on the meditation cushion.
Whispers arose from the pathway as the monks parted to make way. Tanmoroqie entered the hall surrounded by his guard knights, seated himself on the high platform, and looked down upon the assembly with a stern expression.
The temple master shook a bronze bell, and all the monks turned their furious gazes toward Yaoying.
One monk shouted angrily, "Foolish one! Have you severed your deluded attachment to the Buddha Prince?"
Yaoying pressed her palms together and bowed. "This disciple has severed all false thoughts."
"Truly?"
Yaoying replied, "Previously, I was obstinate and unawakened. After studying the scriptures, my heart has opened and understanding dawned—I have resolved my inner turmoil."
The monk demanded, "Are you willing to shave your head, renounce the world, and take refuge in the Buddha?"
Yaoying answered, "This disciple cannot relinquish the mortal world."The monk sneered coldly: "You cultivate samadhi to transcend worldly troubles. Without eliminating lustful desires, you cannot escape the dust of this world. Since you refuse to shave your head and join the monastic order, you must leave the temple immediately from this day forward. May you conduct yourself well hereafter."
Yaoying assented, slowly releasing a sigh of relief.
With this one-year agreement resolved, Tanmoroqie would no longer have to endure the criticism of indulging her.
As the weight lifted from her heart and she prepared to rise, a wave of astonished murmurs and sharp intakes of breath suddenly filled the hall. The gazes fixed upon her intensified abruptly, bearing down with the force of ten thousand pounds, making her feel suffocated.
Bewildered, Yaoying looked up and froze.
A shadow fell over her, enveloping her entirely. Tanmoroqie had descended from the high platform without her notice, step by step, until he stood before her. His tranquil, deep-pool-like green eyes looked down upon her.
Yaoying felt her scalp prickle under his gaze, holding her breath unconsciously, her fingers trembling slightly.
The monks glanced around in confusion.
The temple master frowned and gestured to Yaoying: "Princess Wenzhao, you may leave now..."
Yaoying kept her eyes on Tanmoroqie.
The hall fell into a silence so profound one could hear a pin drop.
Tanmoroqie gazed at Yaoying for a long moment, his eyes seeming to swirl with undercurrents before calming again, becoming as still as an ancient well.
He merely watched her, silent and unmoving, then after a pause, turned and left.
The monks began chanting scriptures in unison, the resonant sounds of Buddhist hymns and temple bells filling the hall.
A young novice cheered softly.
The news of the Girl of Matanga leaving Wang Temple quickly spread throughout and beyond the temple grounds.
Outside the hall, Li Zhongqian, standing alongside the royal guards, watched Tanmoroqie’s retreating figure, his pupils contracting sharply, brows furrowed deeply.
...
Tanmoroqie returned to his Zen room.
At first, his steps were steady, but once he entered the small courtyard, surrounded only by his trusted aides, his gait became unsteady. As he ascended the stone steps, he stumbled, nearly collapsing.
Bi Suo sensed trouble and helped him back to his room. Despite the sweltering summer heat, his wrists were icy cold.
A physician rushed over, administering acupuncture to Tanmoroqie and helping him regulate his breathing.
It was not until dusk that Tanmoroqie’s complexion showed slight improvement.
The physician muttered, "Didn’t I instruct you to ensure His Majesty remains in a calm and cheerful state of mind?"
Bi Suo remained silent, dismissed the physician, and covered Tanmoroqie with a thin blanket. Suddenly, the sleeping man opened his eyes, staring directly at him.
"Bright Moon Slave."
He whispered, his gaze vacant.
Bi Suo was stunned.
Just then, a few knocks sounded at the door. Bore entered with a letter and a small box: "General, this was delivered by the West Army Commander."
"Which West Army Commander?"
Bi Suo took the letter, recognized the familiar handwriting on the envelope, froze for a moment, then leaped to his feet.
"Where is the messenger?"
Bore replied blankly, "They just delivered it. The person should still be outside Wang Temple."
Bi Suo hurried out of the temple, mounted a fast horse, and caught up with the messenger: "West Army Commander, please wait!"
Several sturdy horses halted. The rider turned back, her jet-black hair gleaming, radiant and striking. "General?"
Bi Suo stared at her for a long time.
So that was it.
From this day forward, she was no longer Princess Wenzhao, sheltered by the Buddha Prince, but the West Army Commander allied with the Royal Court. None of the criticisms would fall upon the Buddha Prince anymore.
She was making plans for Luojia.
Yaoying tentatively asked, "Is it still inappropriate for me to write to the Buddha Prince in my capacity as West Army Commander?"
Bi Suo smiled and shook his head: "Please accompany me into the temple, Princess."
Yaoying hesitated.
Bi Suo said, "His Majesty is ill."Yaoying frowned slightly and turned her horse around.
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