In the Moonlight

Royal Court.

Bā mǐ ěr, having not received any letters from Yuanjue, asked Bi Suo, "Are there any unusual movements in Gaochang?"

Bi Suo looked bewildered. "Why do you ask?"

"Every two days, a letter arrives from Gaochang. It's been two days now, and there's been no word."

Bi Suo's expression darkened. Just as he was about to inquire further, a guard rushed into the corridor. "Urgent military report from Sand City!"

"Gaochang is surrounded by Northern Rong troops!"

Bi Suo paled in shock.

Bā mǐ ěr wasted no time and delivered the battle report to the stone chamber.

Tanmoroqie sat at his desk, looked up, and asked, "How many?"

The guard replied, "Approximately ten thousand! Led by Haidu Aling!"

Tanmoroqie's brows furrowed slightly. He put away his Buddhist beads, his expression grave.

Bi Suo hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to reinforce Gaochang."

Tanmoroqie did not respond directly. Instead, he ordered the guard to bring the map. Picking up a brush, he drew several lines on the parchment and asked the guard, "Is the military intelligence confirmed?"

The guard answered, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is the battle report sent by the garrison commander of Sand City!"

Tanmoroqie frowned. "Haidu Aling was blocked outside White City. It's impossible for him to appear outside Gaochang with ten thousand troops."

Bi Suo also found it puzzling. "He could disguise himself as a herdsman to pass through checkpoints... but his troops couldn’t. So where did the ten thousand soldiers outside Gaochang come from?"

Tanmoroqie pondered for a moment, then set down the brush. "Bring me the battle report sent by Mobi Duo."

Bi Suo quickly retrieved the report and handed it to him.

After comparing the report with the map, Tanmoroqie’s fingers trembled slightly, crumpling the parchment.

Bi Suo asked anxiously, "Your Majesty?"

Tanmoroqie set down the map.

All remaining Northern Rong forces had now turned and were heading toward Gaochang.

Haidu Aling had more than ten thousand troops. In the coming days, the leaderless Northern Rong stragglers scattered across the region would frantically converge on Gaochang.

She was in Gaochang.

Going to Gaochang to rescue her would mean falling into Haidu Aling’s trap.

Not going would mean Gaochang was in peril.

With a soft clatter, the Buddhist beads he had tucked into his sleeve slipped out and fell to the ground.

Tanmoroqie bent down to pick them up, his chest tightening.

...

The sky darkened, a strong wind howled, and the moonlight cast shifting shadows.

Ten thousand Northern Rong soldiers were camped outside Gaochang. From a distance, the flickering campfires looked like a sky full of brilliant stars, a dazzling Milky Way.

Gaochang, in contrast, seemed as small and fragile as a faint firefly, trembling before the overwhelming starlight.

Damo stood on the city wall, gazing at the dense clusters of campfires in the distance. He recalled the overwhelming momentum of the Northern Rong army during their last siege and couldn’t help but feel fear.

It was after that Northern Rong siege that he lost his wife and his courage to resist. He drowned himself in wine and women, becoming a puppet.

Now, facing the menacing Northern Rong cavalry once again, he still couldn’t suppress his fear.

As the flames flickered, Yaoying stepped into the moonlight and stood beside him. She wore a narrow-sleeved brocade robe and silver armor, her long hair wrapped in a headscarf. "Any news from Yang Qian?" she asked.

Damo snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. "No. The Northern Rong camp has settled directly without any movement."

Yaoying frowned slightly and asked the garrison commander beside her, "How many able-bodied men can we muster in the city, including Xizhou soldiers and all civilians capable of fighting?"

The commander thought for a moment and replied, "Only five thousand adult men."

Damo’s face changed, and he looked at Yaoying. "What does the Princess mean? Are we to have all civilians man the city walls for defense?"It is not yet time for unarmed civilians to ascend the city walls for defense.

Yaoying gazed toward the Northern Rong camp, her face etched with worry: "Damo, this Northern Rong cavalry appeared suddenly and is in no hurry to attack. Instead, they have encamped outside the city. This siege is not for a swift assault, nor is it for plundering supplies... Whatever their intentions, we must prepare early."

Damo was also pondering this question: "What do they want? Why are they attacking Gaochang?"

With Wahan Khan dead, the Northern Rong's collapse is inevitable. From any perspective, Yi Province should be the stronghold the Northern Rong must defend—holding it would give them a chance to recover. Thus, the Western Army's next target is to recapture Yi Province.

Precisely for this reason, Li Zhongqian led troops straight to Yi Province a few days ago and is not currently in the city.

Why would the Northern Rong abandon Yi Province, make no attempt to flee westward, and instead gather forces to attack Gaochang?

The banners of Haidu Aling's troops have appeared among the Northern Rong cavalry. For the past two days, they have only challenged us to battle without launching an attack. Whispers in the army suggest he is attacking Gaochang to seize Princess Wenzhao—rumors have already begun to surface. Damo was deeply alarmed; at such a critical moment, such gossip could incite panic among the citizens and lead to reckless actions.

Yaoying rested her hand on the battlements and said softly, "Some say Haidu Aling is attacking Gaochang because of me, and that if I am handed over, the Northern Rong will withdraw. Do you think that is credible, Damo?"

Damo studied her for a long moment, then a faint smile touched his lips: "Haidu Aling is ruthless and cruel. If I were to hand you over, he would immediately order the slaughter of the city. He is deliberately spreading such rumors to sow discord and make us distrust each other. I will not fall for it."

Yaoying nodded: "You and I both see it clearly. However, as long as someone spreads rumors in the city, the people will believe them. If the Northern Rong cavalry then concentrate their attacks on the gates a few more times, chaos will inevitably erupt... If the people force me to leave the city, it will create a rift between the Western Army and the civilians. Recapturing lost territories in the future may become far more difficult, and the Northern Rong could seize the opportunity to win over those provinces and counties that are still observing... If I do not leave, the powerful families will resent me..."

"Whether I stay or go, morale will be affected."

Damo felt a chill run down his spine. Haidu Aling had not even launched an attack—merely besieging the city and spreading rumors had already stirred public sentiment, placing the Western Army in a precarious position.

Yaoying said calmly, "If the Northern Rong continue to challenge us tomorrow without attacking, it means this siege will not end easily. They intend to wait, biding their time until disorder breaks out within the city."

Damo's scalp prickled: "Princess, I will issue orders immediately. Starting tomorrow, anyone caught spreading rumors will be severely punished!"

Yaoying showed no trace of panic: "Such is human nature. I am well aware. The rumors have already spread; waiting until tomorrow will be too late. I have already sent people to summon the respected elders of the city. We must find a way to curb the rumors as soon as they emerge—the longer they circulate, the harder it will be to clarify the truth."

She could not show any sign of weakness. From the very beginning of the defense, she must stabilize the people's hearts.

A personal guard reported that the elders were almost assembled, though a few clan leaders were deliberately stalling and had not yet set out.The two exchanged a glance, descended the city wall, and entered the council hall. Inside, torchlight flickered, and the room was crowded with people, all wearing anxious expressions and furrowed brows. As soon as the two stepped in, the crowd surged forward.

"Princess, the Northern Rong are advancing fiercely. General Yang has led troops to Yanqi—can we hold the city with the forces we have?"

"What demands did Haidu Aling make? Are they willing to withdraw their troops?"

"There are ten thousand Northern Rong soldiers outside the city! How can we possibly defend against them?"

A chorus of panicked, strained inquiries filled the air.

Yaoying walked to the long table, scanned the room, and said, "Haidu Aling stated that he would withdraw his troops if I agree to leave the city."

Her words caused an uproar in the hall.

Everyone stared in stunned disbelief, then expressions of embarrassment surfaced. Rumors had already spread, and they couldn't help but wonder if the gossip was true—that the princess, peerless in beauty across the Central Plains, might indeed be the reason for Haidu Aling's advance. At this moment, she should be the last person to bring this up, yet she announced it publicly. Could it be that the princess, understanding the greater good, intended to sacrifice herself for the safety of the city's residents?

Yaoying looked at several elders. "Do you believe I should leave the city?"

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to voice their thoughts.

Damo sneered, "Have you forgotten what happened the last time we opened the city gates to the Northern Rong?"

"If the city falls this time, the princess and I might survive, but the rest of you will have to fend for yourselves."

A chill ran through the crowd. Last time, to make an example, the Northern Rong had allowed their soldiers to burn, loot, and kill, executing a number of officials loyal to Han lands and palace guards... Damo was right—he and the princess would likely be spared, but the ones facing decapitation would be them!

Damo continued, "With the princess here, Western Army forces and tribes from all regions will rush to our aid. Liangzhou's army will send reinforcements, and the Royal Court won't stand by idly... But if the princess isn't in Gaochang, do you think any rescue would come?"

Eyes widened, and cold sweat broke out.

The Western Regions' states relied on oases, with sparse populations unable to support strong armies. Each region struggled to protect itself; if other prefectures heard they were besieged by Northern Rong cavalry, they wouldn't dare send troops.

Moreover, the Western Army obeyed the princess's commands. The alliance between the Central Court, the Royal Court, and the Western Army was brokered by her. These factions distrusted each other and recognized only the princess as their leader. If she were forced to leave, any rescue forces would head straight for Haidu Aling—who would bother to relieve Gaochang's crisis?

Thus, if the princess departed, soldier morale would collapse, defeat would follow swiftly, and they would be the ones to suffer. Only by keeping the princess in the city could they expect reinforcements and inspired troops to defend fiercely.

After weighing the situation, their expressions shifted. They bowed to Yaoying, faces flushed with shame.

The princess could have returned to Chang'an, far from the war, yet for the greater cause, she remained in this perilous place, toiling tirelessly. The people of various prefectures owed her their gratitude—how shortsighted they were to consider handing her over for temporary safety!

"We are ashamed. Please punish us, Princess."

Yaoying did not expose their earlier thoughts. "The situation is critical now. Only by uniting can we hold the city."

She glanced at her guards.

One guard stepped forward, coldly scanning the room until everyone broke into a sweat. With a sudden swing, his long blade cleaved the long table in two, splinters flying.

"Anyone who disrupts morale will share this table's fate."

Trembling, the crowd chorused their assent.Yao Ying stepped out of the military headquarters, where clamoring voices erupted at the entrance. Several elders, resembling tribal leaders, rushed forward, shouting and demanding whether she was willing to leave the city for the people's sake.

The personal guards' expressions darkened. A few escorted Yao Ying away first, while one remained behind. Drawing his long blade, he struck an elder with the hilt. Caught off guard, the elder tumbled down the steps, immediately bruised and bloodied.

The crowd fell silent for a moment.

The guard descended the stone steps under the fearful gazes of the onlookers, using his blade tip to brush aside the elder's disheveled hair. "Shouting and causing a disturbance before the commander, attempting to provoke—this is only a minor punishment. Next time, the blade will not spare you."

A chill ran through the crowd.

Sheathing his blade, the guard scanned the area and followed Yao Ying.

Zheng Jing hurried over, frowning deeply upon hearing the inflammatory words the elders had just spouted. "Princess, what is the current situation in the city?"

Yao Ying let out a sigh. "The clever ones understand the situation now. The rest have been intimidated by my guards. As long as they stay quiet, we can have some peace and avoid being attacked from both sides."

Zheng Jing hesitated before saying, "Princess, if the Duke of Wei were here, he would surely advise Your Highness to find a way to withdraw from the city..."

He believed Yao Ying's status was too valuable to risk over the loss of a single city, and there was no need for her to stay and defend it.

Yao Ying shook her head. "If I flee in the face of battle, how will the people view me? Once the Western Regions lose faith in the Western Prefecture troops and the court, all our previous efforts will be in vain. It will be difficult to rally and reclaim lost territories in the future. Moreover, with ten thousand Northern Rong cavalry stationed outside the city, even if we retreat, we cannot break through their encirclement."

Zheng Jing frowned.

Yao Ying was right—leaving the city now would be walking into a trap. For her, staying inside was the safest option.

However, if reinforcements did not arrive in time, Gaochang would not hold out for long.

"Can Yang Qian return in time?"

Yao Ying worriedly replied, "Since Yanqi was a trap, Yang Qian is likely trapped as well. We can only wait for reinforcements from the Western Prefecture troops and tribes across the regions. The Northern Rong's supplies won't last long. All we can do now is defend the city and wait."

Torches blazed fiercely in the deep night. Clad in military attire, she stood bathed in the hazy firelight and sighed.

"What I fear most now is not the Northern Rong attacking the city... If Elder Brother learns that Gaochang is besieged, he will surely rush back with only two thousand men..."

If Haidu Aling set a trap to ambush the reinforcements, he would be in grave danger.

Zheng Jing comforted her, "The Duke of Wei has led troops for many years and will surely remain vigilant."

The night wind howled past.

Yao Ying steadied herself. She could not afford to panic—she had to hold the city.

Only if she remained safe would Li Zhongqian avoid reckless advances.

Returning to her quarters, Yao Ying summoned a guard. "Were the messenger eagles sent out?"

The guard replied, "The Northern Rong are shooting down the eagles. We cannot send messages out. Now, we can only use daytime smoke signals to alert others."

Yao Ying frowned.

Yuanjue, who had been following Yao Ying closely, had refrained from speaking earlier while she discussed military affairs with Damo and Zheng Jing. Now, he could not help but interject, "Princess, if the King learns that Gaochang is besieged, he will surely send troops. Reinforcements might already be on their way."

Yao Ying was taken aback, murmuring, "Reinforcements from the Royal Court?"A flash of insight struck her mind like lightning. Her pupils contracted sharply as she unfolded the map, studying it until her palms grew damp with sweat. Snatching up the map, she rushed out of the room and found Damo, who was about to take a short nap. She gathered the other defending generals immediately.

"Could Haidu Aling's strategy of besieging without attacking these past two days be because he's waiting for our reinforcements?"

Damo looked puzzled. "Waiting for reinforcements? Shouldn't he be trying to take the city before reinforcements arrive?"

Yaoying pointed at the map. "If he attacks Gaochang, troops from Xizhou within several hundred miles will come to our aid. The Royal Court will dispatch soldiers too. The Liangzhou army preparing to attack Yi Province might also rush to assist... By holding his position, he can draw all these forces toward him."

Damo's eyes widened as he drew a sharp breath.

If Yaoying's speculation proved true, then Haidu Aling was using Gaochang as bait to lure all rescue forces into his trap!

The others were equally stunned, finding it hard to believe. "Is that really possible?"

Yaoying's face turned pale. "We'll know tomorrow."If Haidu Aling's true target was indeed the reinforcements, he wouldn't dare commit his full strength to attacking the city—that would deplete his combat capability."

His spreading of rumors was merely a tactic to mislead them.

That night, no one dared to sleep.

At dawn the next day, war drums thundered as the defending generals donned their armor and took positions.

The Northern Rong sounded their horns, sending several fast riders galloping forth. The archers drew their bows and shot arrows carrying cloth strips.

A single sentence was written on the strips: They would withdraw if Gaochang surrendered Princess Wenzhao.

The Northern Rong dispatched soldiers with booming voices to shout the message from the cloth strips.

Having already appeased the city's influential families with a mix of incentives and warnings the previous night, Yaoying had ensured the soldiers understood that only by keeping Princess Wenzhao could they hope to maintain their advantage. No matter how the Northern Rong taunted them, the soldiers on the city walls remained unmoved.

After more than an hour of shouting, Gaochang showed no response.

When the sun reached its zenith, the Northern Rong launched their first assault amid thunderous war drums. Gaochang had long since reinforced its defenses. As the Northern Rong cavalry charged halfway, deafening explosions shook the ground, startling their warhorses and throwing their sharp bow formation into chaos. Following cries of agony, they quickly regrouped, pulling back to both flanks and forming a wedge-shaped vanguard to continue the assault.

Once they entered firing range, the defending generals immediately ordered archers to release their arrows. A rain of arrows descended with sharp whistles, slowing the Northern Rong's advance.

After several rounds of fierce combat, both sides sounded the retreat.

Yaoying's expression was grave. The Northern Rong's offensive showed no sign of weakness—even after the chaos caused by the gunpowder, they fearlessly pressed forward. Had she guessed wrong?

On the second day, war drums roared again as the Northern Rong sent troops to taunt them with vulgar insults.

Gaochang also dispatched loud-voiced soldiers to trade insults with them.

By noon, the Northern Rong beat their drums and launched another siege. The charging cavalry remained as fearless as the day before.

This pattern continued for several days, spreading anxiety throughout the city and exhausting the soldiers. Damo grew more apprehensive each day as he gazed at the dark mass of Northern Rong troops outside the walls.

But Yaoying gradually discerned the truth: "They're conserving their strength. Each time, they commit only a limited force."

Damo's heart raced faster with anxiety. "We can't get messages out... Reinforcements must already be on their way..."

If this was indeed Haidu Aling's scheme, he had already succeeded.Li Zhongqian, reinforcements from the Royal Court, Xizhou troops, and provinces loyal to the Han territories... What exactly was Haidu Aling trying to achieve by luring all these reinforcements to Gaochang?

A chill ran down Yaoying’s spine.

Just then, another piercing horn sounded from outside the city, and a towering blaze suddenly erupted from the direction of the Northern Rong camp.

The Northern Rong army had not anticipated an attack on their camp. While the vanguard continued to charge forward, the rear guard panicked, unsure whether to turn back or follow the vanguard. The flanks fell into chaos, and before long, the Northern Rong forces began to retreat.

The defenders of Gaochang were overjoyed and shouted, “Reinforcements have arrived! Reinforcements have arrived!”

In the distance, the Northern Rong camp was already engulfed in a raging sea of flames.

Yaoying stared at the wildly dancing flames, drenched in cold sweat.