A pair of Bodhi lamp trees flickered with candlelight, their glow spilling through gilded bronze leaves to illuminate the scrolls and books spread across the desk.
Yaoying sat hunched over the desk, having finished reviewing a stack of documents. She set down her brush, rubbed her shoulders, and placed the documents she was uncertain about—those without detailed annotations—to the side.
The various provinces, ravaged by war, lay in ruins with countless tasks awaiting restoration. However, the complex terrain and inconvenient transportation in the Western Regions made reviving production swiftly an intricate and tedious endeavor. Even implementing a simple policy like establishing schools and allowing commoners' children to attend encountered numerous obstacles. Moreover, many small tribes had yet to submit, requiring constant vigilance against remnants of resistance. Just reading through the documents each day left her overwhelmed.
In contrast, managing merchant caravans was far easier. Driven by profit, as long as benefits were assured, the entire caravan would unite in support of every command issued.
Fortunately, the provinces now teemed with vitality: displaced people were gradually being settled, and public sentiment had stabilized. Once the newly promoted officials grew familiar with their duties, matters should quickly fall into place.
Yaoying let out a long sigh. Just as she picked up her brush again, hurried footsteps echoed, and Yuanjue peered from behind the curtain.
"Princess, the King is having an episode!"
Yaoying immediately set down her brush, stood up, and hurried out of the room.
Bi Suo, who had just entered to deliver medicine, had been injured by the True Qi. Clutching his chest, he stood pale by the entrance, frowning as he regulated his breathing for a moment. He handed her a bottle of medicine and watched her enter the secret passage.
"Be careful, Princess. If anything happens, ring the hanging bell—I can hear it from here."
Yaoying acknowledged and stumbled through the pitch-black corridor until she saw light ahead, quickening her pace.
A golden arc flashed in her peripheral vision. A pair of beastly eyes gleamed with a chilling coldness in the darkness.
Startled, Yaoying halted.
A leopard emerged from the corner, stepping gracefully to her feet and sniffing with a raised nose.
Her palms sweating, Yaoying remained perfectly still.
The leopard’s breath rustled the hem of her skirt as it circled her once before turning and heading inward.
Yaoying sighed in relief and entered the opening.
The cave was filled with mist and dim light. Warm spring water gurgled, bubbling with fine, pearl-like foam.
A figure sat cross-legged beside a stone platform, his face pale, the furrow between his brows slightly reddened. An aura of cold, fierce killing intent seemed to emanate from him. The muscles beneath his bare-shouldered Kasaya were taut, his skin glistening with a glossy dampness—whether from sweat or the moist air was unclear.
He was enduring agony.
Holding her breath, Yaoying crept toward him. After only a few steps, his eyes snapped open. Two icy, merciless gazes pierced through the hazy mist, fixing on her face. His deep eyes were webbed with bloodshot veins, appearing truly terrifying in the faint light.
In this moment, he was both the wrathful Vajra and the compassionate Bodhisattva—he was Su Dan Gu, he was Tanmoroqie.
Yaoying’s heart trembled, a surge of bitterness welling within her. His life had been fraught with hardship, enduring prolonged suffering beyond what others could bear, now tormented further by awakened emotions.
She would rather he had never felt anything for her than witness him torn between faith and desire.
Meeting his frosty, ice-cold gaze, Yaoying stepped onto the stone platform, leaned over, poured out several pills, and brought them to his lips.
"Venerable One, it’s me," she said softly, suppressing her sorrow.Tanmoroqie's brow was tightly furrowed, his gaze distant as he watched her for a long time. A cold, shadowy glint flashed in his eyes before he suddenly reached out to grasp her wrist, pulling her down to crouch beside him.
His face was pale, yet his fingers burned like embers.
Caught off guard, Yaoying stumbled into his embrace. She lifted her face to meet his eyes.
He looked down at her, a faint cold light rising in his gaze as it settled on her face.
Her clear, shimmering eyes, like autumn waters, reflected his icy expression.
"All illusions, all things are empty."
He recited each word deliberately, his voice cool and detached, his gaze like a deep pool—unruffled and undisturbed.
"Yes, Master, I am merely your illusion."
Through the half-damp Kasaya, his heartbeat remained steady and calm. Yaoying collected herself, sitting up in his embrace, and spoke softly as she unfolded her hand to reveal the elixir, bringing it to his lips.
"Take it."
Tanmoroqie watched her unblinkingly, his gaze profound. His slightly pale lips parted, and he swallowed the pill.
His lips, full and soft, brushed against her palm, sending a fine shiver through her. She withdrew her hand and tried to sit up, but he held her firmly in place.
He looked at her with solemn sternness, like a statue of the Buddha, yet his hands gripped Yaoying tightly.
Before she understood his feelings, she wouldn't have thought much of it. But now, knowing his heart yet aware he didn't recognize her, lying in his arms made her skin grow warm. The sound of his heartbeat echoed in her ears.
He made no other move, simply holding her quietly while softly chanting the Scriptures.
Yaoying listened intently for a while but realized he was reciting in Sanskrit, which she couldn't understand.
After a long moment, he stopped and looked at her.
The silvery moonlight poured down from the cave's opening, his jade-green eyes seeming veiled in mist, as if dampened by moisture.
Yaoying's heart softened, and she smiled.
"I'm here. I'll stay with you, Master."
He closed his eyes and continued circulating his energy, the True Qi flowing and surging within him.
Yaoying sat up from his embrace, staying by his side to wipe his sweat. When she noticed his expression shifting, she immediately called out to wake him, fed him another elixir pill, and seeing his lips chapped, poured a bowl of water to help him drink.
Unnoticed, two hours passed. His breathing gradually steadied, and Yaoying sighed in relief, leaning against him and dozing off with her head resting against the stone wall.
When Tanmoroqie awoke, his arm was slightly numb. Yaoying nestled against him in deep sleep, her eyelashes fluttering lightly, her fingers clutching the sleeve of his Kasaya.
The night was deep, the moonlight gentle. Through the haze, she appeared even more radiant and captivating, her slightly pouted lips full and crimson, exquisitely alluring.
Tanmoroqie suddenly recalled the Thorn Honey she had given him—glistening and sweet.
He watched her for a moment, then raised his right hand, slowly moving it toward her face. Just before touching her, he stopped, withdrew his arm, and pulled away.
Yaoying stirred awake, her body sliding downward.
Instinctively, Tanmoroqie reached out to grasp her shoulder, helping her sit up.
Rubbing her eyes, Yaoying murmured, "Master, are you feeling better?"
Her voice, soft and lingering from sleep, tugged at one's heartstrings.
Tanmoroqie released her. "I'm much better. Princess, you may leave."
Yaoying paused, lifting her gaze to him. "Master, those who have left the household do not speak falsely."
Tanmoroqie remained silent.
"You want me to stay with you. You said it, and I remember."
Yaoying spoke cheerfully, standing up and supporting his arm. "Alright, don't worry about me. It's time for you to soak in the hot spring, Master."Tanmoroqie gently pushed her hand away, indicating he didn't need her help, and stepped into the hot spring.
Yaoying looked at his kasaya: "Aren't you taking off your clothes?"
His back stiffened slightly as he sat down facing away from her.
Before, when he didn't know her feelings, he could naturally undress in front of her without hesitation, but now he couldn't.
He closed his eyes, then opened them again shortly after, looking toward the stone platform.
Yaoying had spread a fleece blanket by the stone platform and was sitting cross-legged, chin in hands, staring at him. When she noticed his gaze, she blinked at him.
Tanmoroqie said, "Leave."
She shook her head, turned her back to him, and hugged the blanket tightly. "I won't disturb you, Dharma Master."
Tanmoroqie watched her back without speaking.
Amid faint rustling sounds, Yaoying suddenly turned her head, her bright eyes firmly capturing his gaze fixed on her.
He was indeed watching her.
Tanmoroqie met her gaze, their eyes intertwined, before he slowly closed his.
The mind is like an official; if the official stops, all followers cease. Desire arises from your thoughts, and thoughts are born from contemplation. When both minds are tranquil, there is neither form nor action.
Yes, he wanted her to stay.
Yaoying stared at him for a while. Seeing that he didn't open his eyes, she leaned over the stone platform, reached out to stir the warm spring water, her fingertips becoming damp.
"Dharma Master..."
She said softly, "Where the mind holds Buddha, Buddha is everywhere. The body is but a vessel. The path you uphold is different from others. Why not treat me as part of your cultivation? Once you recover, I will leave and not affect your spiritual practice."
"For me, just knowing someone like you has already brought me joy. Being able to help you makes me even happier."
A sudden splash echoed as the water rippled, and Tanmoroqie in the spring abruptly moved.
Yaoying's hand, still stirring the water, was grasped.
He held her tightly, his fingers even hotter than before, and pulled her upright with force. His expression was stern and authoritative.
She was taken aback.
Tanmoroqie raised his eyes to look at her, restrained himself by closing them briefly, and suppressed the simmering anger that had been troubling him these days.
He didn't want to frighten her.
She shouldn't see herself as medicine for his ailment—coming to him when useful, only to be discarded like worn-out shoes when not.
He would never treat her so lightly.
Moreover, she thought too highly of him.
He was a monk, but also the ruler of the Royal Court, governing the entire kingdom with decisive power over life and death. Did she believe that merely accompanying him to dispel inner demons would allow her to leave?
From joy springs greed, from love springs desire. He knew he had developed attachment—the seven emotions and six desires are ordinary human traits, nothing to be ashamed of, and he could restrain and endure them.
But if wicked thoughts do not cease, all thoughts remain unquiet.
Once he indulged his desires, he would keep her by his side forever, and no one could stop him.
As the Buddha Prince, he could not enter the mortal world, yet he longed to confine her, who belonged to that world, beside him.
She shouldn't wade into these troubled waters.
Once in, she might not be able to escape.
His muscles tensed, his entire aura shifting as True Qi surged outward. His jade-green eyes stared directly at Yaoying, devoid of any warmth.
Yaoying had never seen him, as Tanmoroqie, display such a state and was stunned.
Before she could gather her thoughts, he abruptly released her hand and turned his back.
The stone cave fell into an eerie silence.
After a long while, Tanmoroqie turned around, his expression having returned to normal, his gaze calm.
"I still need to meditate. Princess, you should rest for a while."He spoke softly, his tone gentle.
Yaoying’s thoughts raced, wondering if her earlier words had provoked him. After a moment’s consideration, she let out a soft "Oh," lay down wrapped in the woolen blanket, and pricked up her ears, listening carefully for any movement from him.
He leaned against the stone wall, eyes closed, motionless.
Her mind was filled with the memory of his fierce glare, her heart still pounding as she gradually drifted into sleep.
The night passed without Tanmoroqie uttering another word.
When Yaoying awoke in the morning, the spring was empty. She glanced around and met the gaze of the leopard lounging in the corner, which lazily flicked its tail.
She rose and walked into the passageway, where footsteps immediately sounded from the other end. Yuanjue emerged carrying a lamp.
"Princess, you’re awake! The King instructed me to wait here and escort you back to the market quarter once you awoke."
Recalling the previous night, Yaoying was lost in thought for a moment before asking, "Is the Dharma Master feeling better?"
"Much better!" Yuanjue’s voice was cheerful. "General Ashina instructed me to accompany you and escort you back again tonight. Can you come this evening?"
Yaoying nodded. She had previously agreed with Bi Suo that she would return to the shop during the day to handle some miscellaneous matters and meet with Li Zhongqian, then return in the afternoon.
Yuanjue escorted her out of the temple. Back at the shop, Li Zhongqian soon arrived. The day before, he had met the Buddha Prince—impersonated by Bā mǐ ěr—behind a screen and submitted the diplomatic missive. The next step was negotiations with Royal Court officials.
"Where is your friend?" Li Zhongqian asked, looking around after concluding their official discussion.
Yaoying replied, "He has returned to his own residence."
A sharp glint flashed in Li Zhongqian’s phoenix eyes.
He had already inquired and learned that among the Royal Court’s young generals, only a few were skilled in military strategy, formation tactics, and known for their elusive movements. Among them, only the Regent had prior interactions with Yaoying. He had also learned from his guards that Su Dan Gu likely admired Yaoying but, fearing to offend the Buddha Prince, had not expressed his feelings openly like Mobi Duo.
The guards mentioned that Su Dan Gu had accompanied Yaoying to and from Gaochang and had even shared a tent with her.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhongqian’s eyelids twitched.
Ashina Bisha had ordered his guards to keep silent, so the Royal Court remained unaware of the matters between Su Dan Gu and Yaoying. Li Zhongqian had never paid much attention to Su Dan Gu before.
Now it seemed clear: A Bi could only be Su Dan Gu.
It was said that Su Dan Gu was hideously ugly, resembling a wrathful deity, cruel and bloodthirsty—a figure who could silence crying children at night.
The thought gave Li Zhongqian a headache. No wonder A Bi had to keep his face covered!
One was the Royal Court’s Buddha Prince, the other its Regent... neither identity seemed quite suitable.
Hearing that Su Dan Gu was not present, Li Zhongqian kept his composure for the time being, gave Yaoying a few reminders, and returned to the embassy with his attendants.
Yaoying went to her room to write letters. Yuanjue approached with a cheerful smile, carrying several brightly patterned garments. "Princess, the city has been holding celebrations every day—it’s incredibly lively. Change into these clothes quickly, and I’ll take you to watch the Royal Court dancers perform the vigorous dances."
"What kind of vigorous dances?" Yaoying asked absently.
Yuanjue replied, "All kinds—dances from the Land of Brahma, Persian dances..."
Yaoying remained silent, focused on the letter in her hand.
Yuanjue added, "Princess, the King instructed me to take you."
Yaoying was taken aback and looked up. "The Dharma Master asked you to take me to see the vigorous dances?"
Yuanjue scratched his head and said, "The King mentioned that you’ve had a difficult journey and told me to show you around the city."Yaoying's fingers trembled slightly as she recalled the words he had once spoken to her.
"You are a princess of the mortal world."
He remembered what she liked.
He had been acting strangely these past few days. She thought he had been angry with her ever since she forced him to confess in the canyon that day. She never expected him to remind Yuanjue to take her to the grand celebration.
A bittersweet warmth surged in Yaoying's heart.
Yuanjue urged her softly, "Princess, there will be dance competitions today. The Royal Court has won a great victory, and dancers from all regions have gathered here. This is a rare opportunity not to be missed in a thousand years."
Yaoying set down her brush, stood up, changed into the festive attire of Royal Court ladies, and left the silk shop with her guards, accompanied by Yuanjue.
Yuanjue brought her to the busiest long street in front of the palace to watch the dance competitions.
Colorful tents stretched for nearly several miles along the street. The air was filled with music and singing, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere. On the stage, dancers twirled and leaped to the rhythm of the music, their movements so dazzling they dazzled the eyes. Below the stage, the crowd surged, erupting in enthusiastic cheers from time to time.
Yaoying, her face veiled, watched the dancers gracefully performing on the high stage, her mind drifting in a daze.
When she first entered the city, she had eagerly gazed at the high stage from her carriage, longing to get closer and enjoy the spectacle. Now that she was right in front of the stage, her attention wandered.
What is the monk doing right now?
She couldn't help but wonder.
The thunderous beats of drums and music filled the sky. A few abrupt, sharp sounds of blades sliding out of their sheaths were completely drowned out by the music and cheers. Long swords were drawn, gleaming coldly. Several figures swiftly pushed through the crowd, their movements ghostlike,
and lunged toward Yaoying, who stood beside Yuanjue.
The guards reacted instantly, drawing their swords and rushing forward to engage the attackers.
Screams erupted as the crowd scattered in panic like headless flies. Yaoying was swept away by the surging crowd. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a woman charging toward her, a fierce glare in her eyes. The woman drew a dagger hidden in her sleeve, closed in, and thrust the blade toward Yaoying's heart.
A tall, dark figure flashed past, wrapping an arm around her waist and spinning her around.
With a sickening thud, the dagger plunged into flesh. A dull sound followed, and blood gushed out like a fountain.
Yaoying trembled violently, her heart feeling as though it had been brutally seized. A wave of pain washed over her entire body.
OpenNovel