Yaoying informed Yuanjue and went to the silk shop to meet the envoy from Maru.
She knew the envoy from Maru was coming, but she hadn't known the exact date beforehand, nor who would be sent.
From the envoy's message, it seemed the visitor was likely an old acquaintance.
The foreign merchants in the shop were entertaining a distinguished guest. In the elegant room on the second floor, various patterned fabrics—resist-dyed cloth, sheer gauze, Shu brocade, roundel patterns, floral sprays, iridescent silks, lotus motifs, coiling dragon designs, cranes and lingzhi patterns, and swastika-double victory brocades—were hung on display rods. Their vibrant colors and bold, vivid patterns shimmered under the window light, filling the room with a dazzling, golden radiance.
The guest held a piece of sheer gauze, mesmerized, exclaiming in admiration: "The artisans of the Central Plains are truly ingenious! The birds, flowers, insects, and beasts on these silks and gauzes look as if they're alive, and the landscapes and pavilions seem right before my eyes. How much do these silks cost?"
Yaoying stepped forward surrounded by her guards and said, "If Princess Manda likes them, they are all yours."
The woman seated by the window turned around, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. She was draped in sheer gauze, a golden brocade shawl over her shoulders, her hair adorned with pearls and jewels, her arms and wrists adorned with strings of carved and inlaid gold bracelets. Her gray-green eyes shimmered with an amber glow in the sunlight.
After studying Yaoying for a moment, she smiled faintly. "Princess, I am no longer the princess of Piluo Mo Luo."
Yaoying smiled. She had already asked her guards downstairs. "Then how should I address you?"
Princess Manda beamed, rising to greet Yaoying.
"Thanks to you, Princess, I am now the queen of Maru."
As she spoke these words, years of hardship and humiliation flooded her heart.
...
Though she bore the title of princess, she was the daughter of a dancer and held a low status. Raised by the queen to be a court dancer, she relied on her beauty to serve others. At one point, she had tried to seduce the Buddha Prince with her charms to escape the control of Piluo Mo Luo, but he remained unmoved. Frustrated, she turned to Princess Wenzhao, hoping to use her to achieve her goals, but the princess firmly refused.
Princess Manda left the Royal Court in disgrace.
Before leaving the city, Princess Wenzhao found her and proposed a deal.
The princess would help her realize her ambitions, and in return, she would facilitate trade between Maru and the states of the Western Regions, protecting merchant caravans from the Wei dynasty. They formed an alliance, each gaining what they needed.
At first, Princess Manda suspected Princess Wenzhao was toying with her, but she was desperate and unwilling to return to Piluo Mo Luo to face further humiliation. So, she agreed to the proposal, deciding to give it a try.
She went to Maru.
That day, the caravan members reminded Princess Manda to change into the gown Yaoying had given her. When she appeared outside the city of Maru draped in sheer gauze, the officials of Maru were struck dumb.
"A goddess has descended!"
Maru was merely a small oasis kingdom, and the news quickly reached the king. Overjoyed, he ordered a golden carpet laid out and personally went outside the city to welcome Princess Manda.
The caravan leader smiled at the bewildered princess and said, "Princess Wenzhao has arranged everything. The king has long admired your beautiful dance from paintings and has been yearning to meet you. Princess, when you return to the palace, you may dance for the king."
The king of Maru was obsessed with dance. After seeing the paintings of Princess Manda dancing, sent by the caravan, he had dreamed of her day and night, lamenting that the beauty in the paintings was a goddess beyond the reach of mortals.At this moment, the merchant caravan arranged for a wizard to advise the king that if he prayed devoutly, he would surely move the gods, and the divine maiden from his dreams would descend to the mortal world.
When everything was nearly prepared, the merchant caravan brought Princess Manda before the king.
The king was overjoyed.
After hearing the caravan's detailed arrangements, Princess Manda felt her blood surge with excitement: the Buddha Prince of the Royal Court was unfeeling—a block of unromantic wood, a stone-carved Buddha statue, an eternal iceberg! Maru Kingdom was where she could truly showcase her talents!
She performed a dance in the Maru royal palace, enchanting everyone from the king to the nobles and officials. With Yaoying's arrangements and the title of "Divine Maiden" bestowed upon her, she quickly became the king's favored consort.
Though Maru was only a small kingdom, it was under the protection of a powerful empire whose emperor held great favor for the king of Maru.
She seized this opportunity to free herself from the control of Queen Piluo Mo Luo.
...
Princess Manda snapped back to reality, her eyes sweeping across the opulent surroundings filled with dazzling treasures.
Princess Wenzhao sat before her, even more charming and radiant than before, her gaze carrying a spirited elegance as she issued commands to her guards with dignified authority.
When she first arrived in Maru, the trade route from the Central Plains to the Western Regions was still under Northern Rong control. Even then, Princess Wenzhao had been preparing for the future smoothness of commercial roads. After Princess Manda won over the king of Maru and the various states in the Western Regions were restored, shrewd merchants quickly gathered in Maru—the essential hub connecting eastern and western trade routes.
Princess Manda felt awestruck whenever she reflected on this.
What she had sought was a reliable support, while Princess Wenzhao aimed for a prosperous trade route spanning tens of thousands of miles, connecting hundreds of states large and small, and benefiting countless people.
Their aspirations were so different, yet the princess had been willing to cooperate with someone like her.
Princess Manda smiled self-deprecatingly, reining in her wandering thoughts, and signaled to her attendant with a glance.
The attendant produced the diplomatic documents.
Yaoying's guard stepped forward to receive them and handed them to her. She carefully reviewed the Chinese version.
Princess Manda continued selecting silks and said with a laugh, "There's no need for you to read further, Princess. The documents are filled with empty phrases about trade and exchanging envoys. What you truly desire, I have accomplished for you. Wei dynasty merchant caravans passing through Maru will receive a ten percent tax reduction, and Maru will ensure their safety within our borders. Regarding the matter of printing books you mentioned earlier, the king has also agreed. He has issued an edict to collect ancient texts, but you must dispatch trusted caravans to transport those books. The control over books is strict in various states, and private trading by merchants is prohibited."
After reading the documents, Yaoying handed them to her guard for safekeeping, nodded, and said, "The Consort is a woman of her word, though I didn't expect you to come in person."
She had maintained correspondence with Princess Manda, whose last letter only mentioned sending an envoy to deliver the documents.
Princess Manda snorted lightly, "If I didn't come personally to see you, how could I convince you of my sincerity? Moreover, I have a favor to ask of you, Princess, and I must come in person to make the request."
"What is it?"
Yaoying asked, her tone calm, as if no matter what the request, she would not refuse if it was within her power.
Given her current status, she indeed had such confidence.
Princess Manda looked at Yaoying, who was several years younger than her, and felt deep admiration inwardly. Cooperating with someone like Princess Wenzhao was like adding wings to a tiger—it greatly enhanced her own capabilities.In the future, when trade routes flourish, Maru Kingdom can profit from them. Given her close ties with the princess, she would have more leverage when dealing with Maru officials.
Such a powerful ally must be carefully cultivated to secure a retreat path for herself.
"Are there any more of those sheer gauzes woven from paintings?"
Princess Manda draped the gauze over her shoulders, walked to the mirror stand in the shop, and struck alluring poses. "They must be even more beautiful than those previously sent to Maru Kingdom by the princess."
Yaoying raised an eyebrow. "That requires first drafting the designs, then waiting for the embroiderers to weave them. The entire process would take about half a year."
"I can wait." Princess Manda turned back and cast a flirtatious glance at Yaoying. "Right now, the King of Maru is utterly infatuated with me. It will be years before he tires of me."
The king adored dancing, and she was confident that with her dance skills and survival tactics honed over the years, she could maintain her position in Maru Kingdom.
Yaoying calculated the timeline and said, "In five months, the merchant caravan will deliver the goods to Maru Kingdom."
Princess Manda curled her lips into a smile.
"The princess is indeed decisive..."
She paused, then abruptly changed the subject: "Though the princess remains in the Royal Court, she helped me achieve my goals in Maru Kingdom. How is it that after all this time, she hasn't won over the Buddha Prince? Did she leave pitifully after the one-year term ended? What happened to all her tactics? The princess dared to step into burning fire altars—how could she have failed?"
Yaoying, who was drinking tea, nearly choked upon hearing this.
Princess Manda shook her head in exasperation. "I came to the Royal Court personally this time not only to thank the princess face-to-face and request more painted gauzes but also to help the princess fulfill her wish!"
As she spoke, she clapped her hands twice.
Attendants carried forward a chest and opened the lid.
She casually picked up a scroll, unrolled it, and pointed at the illustrations of men and women embracing and intimating in various poses. "Princess, I have many more such treasures. I specifically sent people back to Piluo Mo Luo to search for more precious manuals and images, all brought to the Royal Court. If you just follow my advice and employ a few tricks, you will surely share intimate moments with the Buddha Prince."
Yaoying glanced around.
Her blushing guards and the Hu merchants withdrew.
Princess Manda flipped noisily through the manual. "Princess, I can tell the Buddha Prince is interested in you. Once a man develops such interest, other thoughts are sure to follow. Add a little fuel to the fire, and you'll succeed."
"Find an opportunity, dismiss everyone else, put on a sheer dress, take the manual, and go ask the Buddha Prince for guidance. Remember, act as if you know nothing..."
Princess Manda smiled meaningfully.
Princess Wenzhao, with her flower-like beauty and graceful figure, possessed an elusive charm in her every glance—both lively and innocent yet alluring. When she stood present, she captivated all attention.
"When the Buddha Prince reacts, lean in close and ask, 'Venerable One, why won't you look at me?'"
"If he doesn't respond, take his hand and place it on yourself..."
"'Venerable One, touch me...'"
Yaoying's eyelid twitched slightly as she stopped the increasingly vulgar Princess Manda. "I appreciate your kindness, Princess Consort, but please keep these treasures for yourself."
Princess Manda set down the manual. "The princess helped me achieve my wish—I want to do something for her in return."
Yaoying smiled and shook her head. "Our alliance only requires you to protect the merchant caravans."Princess Manda rolled her eyes and said, "With your beauty and mastery of those illusion techniques, you hardly need my guidance. With a little effort, the Buddha Prince would surely become devoted to you... Do you have some reservations?"
If the rumors about Princess Wenzhao seducing the Buddha Prince were true, she couldn’t believe the Buddha Prince would resist touching the princess!
Yaoying smiled faintly.
Tanmoroqie was the ruler of the Royal Court, burdened with heavy responsibilities. Whatever he chose, she would not pressure him. Her main concern now was whether Mengda Ti Po could cure him.
"Does the princess have any other matters?" she asked.
Seeing her unmoved, Princess Manda narrowed her eyes and reluctantly dropped the topic of seducing the Buddha Prince. "I heard you were seeking medical treatment. I asked the physician, but he wouldn’t say—did he fail to cure your illness?"
Yaoying replied indifferently, "Old ailments are hard to heal."
"The physician came with me to the Royal Court this time. On the journey, he often discussed prescriptions with Mengda Ti Po. If you need his services, just send someone with a message."
Yaoying thanked Princess Manda.
Princess Manda looked thoughtful. "The symptoms Mengda Ti Po and the physician discussed—I’ve heard of them before."
Yaoying lifted her eyelids.
Princess Manda continued, "I know of a secret method that might be worth trying. This method is only circulated in Piluo Mo Luo. As a temple saintess, I’ve seen it. If Mengda Ti Po’s prescriptions prove ineffective, you could try my secret method."
Yaoying was half-convinced, half-doubtful. "What secret method?"
Princess Manda clapped her hands, summoned an attendant, retrieved several exquisitely bound volumes, and handed them to Yaoying.
"These are secret methods I smuggled out from the temple. I’m telling you this secret out of gratitude."
Yaoying unrolled one volume, glanced at it briefly, and immediately closed it.
Princess Manda said gravely, "I’m not joking. These truly are secret methods I stole from the temple. The monks there use this cultivation method for practice. You must keep them."
Yaoying’s lips twitched.
Princess Manda recalled another matter. "By the way, you asked me to keep an eye on Haidu Aling of the Northern Rong. He didn’t pass through Maru. I heard from the king that he might have fled to Samarkand."
Yaoying snapped to attention, her brow furrowing.
Wahan Khan had previously sent people to manage Samarkand. Haidu Aling must have fled there to seek allies.
…
Meanwhile.
Bi Suo led Mengda Ti Po to his quarters to rest, while Tanmoroqie returned to the courtyard.
Yaoying’s personal guards were absent.
He stood under the corridor, his brow slightly furrowed.
Yuanjue explained, "Your Majesty, the princess went to meet the envoys from Maru. She restored diplomatic relations with Maru on behalf of the Wei Dynasty."
Tanmoroqie’s expression remained neutral. "Did Bā mǐ ěr accompany her?"
He had heard about the Maru envoy from Mengda Ti Po.
"He did."
Tanmoroqie turned and entered the room. His gaze swept past the small table beside the long desk and paused.
A half-bloomed snow lotus was placed in a bronze vase on the small table.
His room seldom had decorative flowers.
Yuanjue hurriedly apologized, "Your Majesty, this flower was brought back by the princess. It was left outside, and I was afraid it would wilt in the sun, so I moved it inside temporarily…"
As he spoke, he picked up the bronze vase, intending to move it out.
"No need to move it."
Tanmoroqie suddenly said.
Yuanjue paused, scratched his head, and set the vase back.
Tanmoroqie sat down, carefully placed the letter from his sleeve on the desk, lifted his gaze, and stared at the snow lotus in the bronze vase, lost in thought for a while.When she returned, she had her personal guard help her store something, hiding it furtively as if she didn’t want him to see. He didn’t look closely.
It turned out to be a flower.
While she was strolling through the market, young men kept offering her flowers, but she hadn’t accepted a single one.
Tanmoroqie raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing the snow lotus petals.
A faint chill seeped through.
By the time Yaoying returned, it was already midnight.
The room was lit, and Tanmoroqie was still awake. Mengda Ti Po had come personally to apply his medicine.
Yaoying sat to the side watching, her brows slightly furrowed with worry. Once Mengda Ti Po left, she immediately stepped forward and tucked Tanmoroqie’s quilt securely around him.
“Venerable One, are you feeling better?” she asked softly.
Tanmoroqie looked at her and nodded. “A little better. Princess, you should rest early.”
Yaoying offered a faint smile. Once he closed his eyes, she stood and went out, speaking with Mengda Ti Po under the corridor eaves.
Exhausted, Tanmoroqie fell asleep. When he woke, he realized she still hadn’t returned to her room. Just as he was about to rise, the door creaked open. She tiptoed in, lit a lamp, and busied herself with something in the outer chamber, the rustling sounds drifting in.
He lay back down and waited. After a while, she returned to the inner chamber and slept on the couch in the adjoining room.
The next morning, when Mengda Ti Po came to apply Tanmoroqie’s medicine, his expression seemed slightly peculiar.
Tanmoroqie asked, “What did the Princess discuss with you yesterday?”
Mengda Ti Po thought for a moment and replied truthfully, “The Princess asked me whether the Dual Cultivation methods circulated among some sects in the Land of Brahma are genuine or merely exaggerated fabrications.”
Beside them, Bi Suo’s eyes widened in shock. Before he could speak, Tanmoroqie’s gaze fell upon him—sharp and icy.
Breaking into a cold sweat, Bi Suo shook his head vigorously. “Your Majesty, I never mentioned this to the Princess!”
Previously, monks from the Land of Brahma had suggested this method of strengthening the body to Tanmoroqie, even presenting several Scripture Scrolls. They claimed that by following the methods described and practicing with young maidens, one could eliminate all ailments and prolong life. Tanmoroqie had ignored them.
After Yaoying returned to the Royal Court, Bi Suo recalled the monk’s suggestion and hinted at it obliquely, only to be firmly rebuked by Tanmoroqie. How would he dare bring it up to the Princess?
Tanmoroqie’s expression darkened as he summoned Yuanjue.
“Where is the Princess?”
“The Princess has gone to the guesthouse. Today, the Queen of Maru is hosting a banquet for the Duke of Wei and the Princess…”
Tanmoroqie’s gaze deepened.
“When the Princess returns, have her come to me at once.”
It was already dark, and Yaoying still hadn’t returned to the courtyard. Yuanjue lit the lamps and candles in various places, keeping watch under the corridor for over two hours. Leaning against the flower trellis, he dozed off but was abruptly awakened by the sound of carriage and horses.
Shadows shifted under the corridor as personal guards escorted Yaoying back. She wore a cloak with its hood drawn, her face hidden from view.
Yuanjue stepped forward. “Princess, His Majesty is waiting for you.”
Yaoying’s steps were unsteady as she softly acknowledged, signaling her guards to disperse before entering the inner chamber.
Tanmoroqie sat by the lamp reading Buddhist scriptures. Having long heard the commotion outside, he set down the Scripture Scroll and lifted his head. “Princess…”
Before he could finish his sentence, a delicate fragrance wafted toward him, its subtle sweetness seeping into his senses.
Yaoying slumped before the long table, removed her cloak, and lifted her face to look at him. As her hood slipped back, her eyes appeared moist. “Venerable One, why are you still awake?”
In the candlelight, her slightly flushed cheeks glowed with a soft rosy hue, and her lips were glossy.Tanmoroqie remained silent for a long while.
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