In the Moonlight

When Princess Manda departed, Yaoying did not go to see her off, considering her promise to dance with her as a farewell gesture.

The physician from the Land of Brahma did not accompany her this time, choosing to remain and continue studying under Master Mengda Ti Po.

...

A few days later, the wedding of Princess Chima and her consort Akelie proceeded as scheduled.

As the only sister of Tanmoroqie, the princess's marriage to the widely-connected consort drew immense crowds. The Holy City emptied as citizens young and old lined the streets to watch the bridal procession. Court officials, military generals, and nearby lords all attended the joyous banquet.

The wedding feast resounded with drums and music, with guests indulging in copious amounts of wine.

Consort Akelie, known for his honest nature, accepted every toast from his colleagues without refusal. From dawn till dusk, he remained beaming with a ruddy complexion.

After the ceremony, Akelie in his splendid groom's attire, surrounded by well-wishers, led the equally resplendent Princess Chima to the main hall to receive blessings from Buddha Prince Tanmoroqie.

Tanmoroqie sat solemnly at the hall's forefront, watching as Akelie and Princess Chima entered side by side.

Attendants scattered flower petals and presented a golden basin filled with clear water. Princess Chima accepted the basin, approached Tanmoroqie, and knelt before him.

The crowd gasped in astonishment, and even Consort Akelie looked surprised.

Holding the golden basin, Princess Chima prostrated herself forward like a devout follower, kowtowing to Tanmoroqie and kissing the golden carpet at his feet.

"Luojia, I have been willful and stubborn, unable to let go of my hatred for the Zhang family. Over the years, I have caused you much trouble. Today, I am marrying. I have a husband now, and in the future, I will have children. My consort has urged me to forget this hatred and embrace a new beginning. I will try to let go of my resentment, live well with Akelie, and bear his children. No matter how many arguments we've had in the past, today is my wedding day. I hope you can sincerely bless me. From now on, let us forget our past disagreements, alright?"

"Your Majesty, I was wrong. Can you forgive me?"

She lifted her head and spoke slowly, her tone sincere and her posture humble.

Consort Akelie also knelt, clasping his fists in respect. "Your Majesty, the princess indeed had her willful moments in the past. I beg Your Majesty to forgive her."

Those in the hall exchanged uneasy glances, and the room fell into dead silence.

Before the Buddha statue, wisps of incense smoke drifted quietly.

Bi Suo stared in disbelief, then after a moment, beamed with joy, looking up at Tanmoroqie with hopeful anticipation.

Tanmoroqie raised his eyes, met the gazes of the assembly, accepted the golden basin, and took a sip of the clear water.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the hall, followed by cheerful expressions.

Tanmoroqie took up his golden staff and gently touched the foreheads of the consort and princess.

"Henceforth, respect and support one another."

Akelie grinned so widely his eyes nearly disappeared, pressing his palms together in reverence. "Today, I vow before the Buddha that I will treat the princess well and remain loyal to Your Majesty. If I ever show the slightest disrespect to the princess, may I face due punishment!"

The crowd erupted in laughter and escorted the newlyweds away.

...

On the wedding day, the Gaochang envoy delegation also received an invitation.

Knowing Princess Chima's sensitivities, Yaoying instructed the envoys to send generous gifts and remain discreetly among the crowd during the celebration, avoiding any appearance before the newlyweds to prevent displeasure among the Royal Court nobility.Such tasks were naturally unsuitable for Li Zhongqian. The deputy envoy took some men to the wedding banquet and returned to tell Yaoying that the venue was packed with people, and no one had noticed them at all.

The wedding proceeded smoothly without any incidents.

Yaoying breathed a sigh of relief for Tanmoroqie.

Not long after, Yaoying’s eyes began to perceive light, and she wanted to remove the bandages. Mengda Ti Po hurriedly dissuaded her: "Princess, your eyes cannot be exposed to direct light yet. You must apply the medicine for another half month before the bandages can be removed."

Yaoying had no choice but to continue having her guards read the letters to her.

While Tanmoroqie applied his medicine, she stayed by his side. Though she could see almost nothing, she listened to his calm conversations with Mengda Ti Po and noted that he was improving day by day, gradually setting her mind at ease.

One day, Li Zhongqian came to visit Yaoying and informed her that the envoy had obtained the official documents. He asked, "The matter is settled. When will you return to Gaochang with me?"

Yaoying was first delighted about the alliance agreement, but upon hearing the latter part of his question, she hesitated.

Lately, Tanmoroqie seemed to have improved significantly. Whenever she asked Mengda Ti Po or Yuanjue, they both said he looked well and would not be harmed as long as he did not exert himself with martial arts.

Seeing her hesitate, Li Zhongqian frowned and said, "Are you staying because of Su Dan Gu? Why not have him follow you back to Gaochang?"

The Royal Court harbored hostility toward the Han people, and the situation was complex. Su Dan Gu had many enemies, and Li Zhongqian would not allow Yaoying to marry into the Royal Court. If Su Dan Gu truly wished to marry her, he could follow her to Gaochang.

"Brother, he is the Regent of the Royal Court and cannot leave the Holy City."

"You are the leader of the Western Army and cannot remain in the Royal Court indefinitely. There are matters that Damo cannot handle directly. It seems to me that Su Dan Gu’s injuries have mostly healed—there’s no need for you to personally care for him."

As he spoke, Li Zhongqian unwrapped Yaoying’s bandages to examine her eyes, his tone serious.

Yaoying nodded. "Brother, I understand."

Before coming to the Royal Court, she had already separated her civil and military officials, promoted a group of less entrenched generals to balance the influential families, and transferred officials skilled in water conservancy from Shazhou and Liangzhou. With various regions now in a state of recovery, major upheavals were unlikely for the time being. She maintained correspondence with Damo, Yang Qian, and Xie Qing to ensure that important matters were not neglected.

As the siblings were talking, a guard rushed into the main hall. "Princess, my lord, something terrible has happened!"

Li Zhongqian frowned. "What is it?"

"The embassy quarters have caught fire! Our living area was burned, and most of the trunks couldn’t be rescued in time. Several horses were burned to death!"

Yaoying’s heart tightened. "Was anyone injured?"

"Three people suffered burns, and two were hit by burning beams, but their injuries are not severe."

Li Zhongqian stood up. "How did the fire start?"

The guard said indignantly, "Someone set it on purpose! We found stacked firewood behind the stables, and all the exits were blocked. Xie Yong and the others had to break down the door with great effort!"

Li Zhongqian clenched his fists and sneered.

Yaoying held his arm. "Brother, the alliance agreement has been signed. This fire was likely set by someone seeking revenge."

Setting a fire in broad daylight was clearly an act of venting and a warning, revealing both the perpetrator’s arrogance and their deep resentment.

"I’ll handle this," Li Zhongqian said, turning to leave.

Yaoying called out in his direction, "Brother, remember the bigger picture. Don’t let this damage relations."

"I understand."

Li Zhongqian strode away.

Yaoying, filled with anxiety, sent someone to follow him.In the afternoon, the guards returned to report: "We've captured two arsonists. They confessed to setting fire to our envoy residence out of resentment upon seeing the Royal Court form an alliance with the Han people. They've been imprisoned."

Yaoying nodded and said, "Tell the young master to remain calm."

By evening, when it was time for Tanmoroqie's medicine application, he still hadn't returned to the courtyard as usual. Worried that the envoy residence fire might have escalated, Yaoying sent Yuanjue to inquire.

She could well imagine the current situation in the city after the arson at the envoy residence.

Yuanjue didn't return, instead sending a guard with a message: "The King is occupied with important matters unrelated to the envoy residence incident."

"What matters?"

The guard hesitated before saying, "Official court affairs."

Hearing his tone, Yaoying didn't press further, understanding these were internal Royal Court matters not meant for outsiders.

She had the guard read letters to her while waiting for Tanmoroqie's return.

She waited until midnight when carriage sounds finally came from outside the courtyard. Tanmoroqie had returned. His footsteps entering the room were as light and steady as always, his Kasaya brushing against the carpet like gentle drizzle.

Listening to his footsteps, Yaoying asked, "What happened?"

"Minor matters. Some disputes among young officials," Tanmoroqie replied calmly, his tone even.

When Yaoying asked about the envoy residence, he said, "It has been properly handled."

"You haven't had your medicine applied tonight..." Yaoying remembered. "I'll send for Master Mengda Ti Po."

Tanmoroqie looked at her and softly acknowledged.

Soon, Mengda Ti Po arrived with physicians from the Land of Brahma. Yaoying sat by the couch listening as he removed his Kasaya. When Mengda Ti Po applied some unknown medicine, his body trembled violently. After some rustling sounds, he suddenly grasped her hand tightly - his palm cold and clammy with sweat.

Yaoying quickly held his hand.

Mengda Ti Po and the others withdrew.

The room fell silent. Tanmoroqie said nothing, just tightly clutching Yaoying's hand.

"Master?"

Tanmoroqie responded softly.

Unable to see his condition clearly, Yaoying felt heartache.

"Princess, I'm better now," he whispered, releasing her and raising his hand to gently brush her cheek, the cold Buddhist beads grazing her skin.

Yaoying held onto his hand firmly.

Tanmoroqie remained silent, then suddenly sat up, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her onto the couch.

Yaoying fell against his bare chest. Afraid of pressing on him, she struggled to get up, but he held her shoulder, having her lie sideways against him. She rolled off him, making sure not to press on his legs before settling down. Reaching up, she groped for his face.

"Don't move."

Tanmoroqie caught her hand, his deep voice sounding above her head.

Yaoying stayed still, nestling against him, accompanying him through his suffering.

Late into the night, wisps of smoke rose before the candlestick as the room plunged into darkness. She unknowingly fell asleep.

Tanmoroqie looked down at her, not closing his eyes for a long time.

Light footsteps sounded beyond the Felt Curtain.

Bi Suo entered holding a candlestick. His eyes widened at the scene on the couch.

Tanmoroqie looked up, meeting his gaze with composure, his eyes conveying authority.

Bi Suo quickly turned away.

Tanmoroqie gently released Yaoying, covered her with the quilt, rose from the couch, draped his Kasaya over himself, and walked out of the inner chamber.Bi Suo followed him, speaking softly: "Half an hour ago, light cavalry discovered an entire merchant caravan slaughtered on the main road outside the city... no survivors..."

"This is the third merchant caravan?"

"It's the third one. Every slaughtered caravan left no survivors—human or animal. The wounds are identical, likely from the same type of weapon, possibly even the same blade."

Bi Suo's tone was grave: "Your Majesty, rumors are already spreading... claiming the murderer is Regent Su Dan Gu."

The atmosphere abruptly turned heavy.

Tanmoroqie glanced back; the felt curtain swayed gently as Yaoying slept curled up on his couch, her profile soft as if bathed in a faint halo.

"Summon the Duke of Weiguo."

He watched Yaoying as he spoke.

Bi Suo showed surprise, took the bronze tally, and left.

Tanmoroqie walked to the couch, bent down, and brushed aside Yaoying's long hair, his fingertips gently massaging her pressure points. She murmured softly and sank deeper into sleep.

He gazed at her, his fingers lingering greedily at the side of her neck.

Half an hour later, torchlight flickered outside the courtyard, footsteps approaching from afar.

Tanmoroqie stood and walked out.

Bi Suo pushed the door open, signaling Li Zhongqian to enter.

Summoned in the dead of night, Li Zhongqian entered with a furrowed brow and anxious expression, immediately asking: "Has something happened to Bright Moon Slave?"

The candlelight wavered as a figure emerged from the shadows—a loose kasaya draping a sharply defined frame, features exquisite as a painting.

Li Zhongqian froze, his eyelids twitching: "Where is Su Dan Gu?"

Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze, his presence suddenly swelling like a deep abyss and towering peak, emerald eyes gleaming ominously.

"I am Su Dan Gu."

He enunciated each word clearly.

Li Zhongqian's phoenix eyes widened slightly; comprehension dawning, a wave of furious rage surged through him. He sprang forward, his large hands clenched into fists like palm-leaf fans, smashing violently toward Tanmoroqie.

"Shameless!"

He roared: "You're a monk! Since you cannot renounce your vows, you shouldn't have touched a single hair on Bright Moon Slave!"

"What do you take her for? Wanting to hide her away in a golden cage? Let her live in shadows forever, mocked by the world for seducing a monk, for having a secret affair with a monk?"

Tanmoroqie remained motionless, enduring Li Zhongqian's blows head-on.

Remembering how he'd been deceived all these days and had tacitly allowed Yaoying to interact with him, Li Zhongqian's fury intensified. His eyes nearly split with rage, hair standing on end as he rained heavier punches upon him.

Tanmoroqie still didn't flinch, not uttering a sound even when blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Fuming with hatred, Li Zhongqian's chest heaved violently. He finally stopped, sneering coldly: "Where is Bright Moon Slave? I'm taking her away now."

Suddenly, the motionless Tanmoroqie raised a hand, blocking his path.

Li Zhongqian's phoenix eyes narrowed sharply as he turned back, his face dark as stormy waters.

"What? Not letting her go?"

Tanmoroqie lifted his head, his gaze clear and cold. "She's tired. Let her sleep a while longer."

Li Zhongqian stood stunned.

...

The next morning, Yaoying was awakened by her guards.

"Princess, an urgent letter from Gaochang!"

Startled from her dreams, Yaoying sat up. A pair of steady arms reached over to support her, gathering up her long hair.

"Dharma Master?"

Yaoying stared blankly.

Tanmoroqie hummed in acknowledgment, bringing a cup of tea to her lips and helping her drink. "Li Zhongqian is here, waiting outside."

Elder brother is here?Yaoying quickly rose to wash up and went out to meet Li Zhongqian, then suddenly came to her senses and said, "Dharma Master, don't come out. My brother will see you."

Tanmoroqie supported her by the arm. "It's alright. I am the Regent now."

Yaoying breathed a sigh of relief. When she reached the outer hall, Li Zhongqian came forward to meet her. "Damo sent an urgent message. The Kingdom of Ghaz refuses to repatriate the Han people who have taken refuge there. Yang Qian is furious and wants to lead troops to attack Ghaz."

During the years of war, many Han people and Hu tribes that had once submitted to the Central Plains were forced into exile. After the Western Army pacified the Western Regions, Yaoying used gold and silver to ransom Han people and Hu tribes taking refuge in various places. The Kingdom of Ghaz refused her ransom, forcing the exiled commoners into military service, driving unarmed and completely untrained serfs to the battlefield, and ambushing merchant caravans traveling to and from Maru. When the news came back, Yang Qian was enraged.

Yaoying frowned. "Ghaz is just a small tribe. How dare they obstruct trade?"

Li Zhongqian said, "Wealth moves men's hearts. We've only just finished fighting a war, so no one takes us seriously."

The Western Regions had been in chaos for so many years that no one believed the Western Army could pacify them. The Wei Dynasty of the Central Plains was too distant. The small tribes and kingdoms in the west were short-sighted, focused only on immediate gains, and didn't take the Western Army's decrees seriously.

Yaoying pondered for a moment. "To clear the western trade routes, the Western Army must win a major victory."

Now that the areas east of the Western Regions, including Helong, were connected, her next goal was to open up the western trade routes. That was why she had cooperated with Princess Manda to establish merchant caravans in Maru, which stood at a crucial point on the trade route.

Li Zhongqian nodded. "The envoy group is about to depart. You should come back with me."

Yaoying was taken aback and instinctively looked in Tanmoroqie's direction. He stood to her right, silent all this while. She could sense his presence and knew he hadn't left.

"Brother, I need to speak with General Su for a moment."

She spoke softly, with a hint of coquettishness in her tone.

Knowing she couldn't see, Li Zhongqian shot a cold glance at Tanmoroqie before turning to leave.

"Princess, you should return to Gaochang first."

Once Li Zhongqian's footsteps faded, Tanmoroqie spoke.

Yaoying's brow furrowed tightly. "Dharma Master, your injuries..."

"With the princess by my side, my injuries have improved greatly these past few days," Tanmoroqie said calmly. "Mengda Ti Po and the physicians from the Land of Brahma will stay to care for me. The princess has accompanied me for so long; it's time for you to return."

Yaoying's heart raced, and she reached out to grab his arm.

Tanmoroqie looked down, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he gazed steadily at her face.

"There have been some unusual movements in the Royal Court recently. I need to handle political affairs and won't have time to attend to the princess. Lately, there are people in the city inciting the commoners to harbor hatred toward the Han. The envoy group cannot stay long in the Royal Court. The Duke of Wei must return quickly. It's also not advisable for the princess and the merchant caravan to remain. It's safer for you to leave with him first. I will write to you."

"The princess doesn't need to stay with me all the time."

Hearing his tone as calm as usual, with no hint of farewell, Yaoying relaxed. After a moment's thought, she said, "I'll leave for a few days and return once the matter with Ghaz is resolved."

"Alright."

He replied, his voice carrying a rare, faint trace of laughter—light and free.

Yaoying didn't pack her belongings. Since she would return soon, there was no need. She gathered her personal guards, gave them instructions, left a few trusted aides behind, and sent for Bi Suo."I need to return to Gaochang for a while and will come back later."

Bi Suo hummed in acknowledgment, his voice tinged with surprise.

Yaoying looked at the shadowy figure before her and said, "If anything happens on the Dharma Master's side, be sure to send me word promptly. I'll have General Jin return every other day."

Bi Suo agreed, saying, "Princess, you may go to Gaochang with peace of mind. Thanks to you, Dharma Master Mengda Ti Po has continued to search for prescriptions for the King. These past few days, I've seen that the King has improved significantly. If anything happens, I will certainly inform you."

Still uneasy, Yaoying called Yuanjue over and gave him repeated instructions.

The fire at the post station had left the embassy members shaken, and they quickly prepared to depart. Li Zhongqian led the embassy out of the city first, with Yaoying following shortly after, the two groups traveling separately.

Before leaving, Yaoying took Tanmoroqie aside, urging him to take his medicine on time, not to overexert himself, and to call for help if he felt unwell during dressing changes.

"Whatever you do, don't use your inner energy... If any urgent matters arise, let Bi Suo and Bā mǐ ěr handle them. Dharma Master, you must focus on recovering properly."

As she spoke, her heart grew heavy with reluctance, and she managed a faint smile.

"Take good care of yourself, so I won't have to worry."

Tanmoroqie agreed to each of her requests. He helped Yaoying put on her beaded veil hat, assisted her onto her horse, then mounted his own horse, covering his face with a scarf. He followed at a distance behind her, escorting her out of the city.

Dark clouds hung low as the carriage procession moved through the long street. A biting north wind howled, its chill piercing to the bone.

Someone by the roadside was seeing off a friend, the mournful strains of a pipa rising high and sorrowful, desolate and heavy. The music was scattered by the roaring wind, drifting through the layered clouds, lingering in the air like a cuckoo's blood-stained cry—inexpressibly bleak and desolate.

Yaoying tightened the reins and halted. Though she could see nothing, she still lifted her head to gaze in the direction of the Holy City.

The wind lifted the ribbons of her veil hat, and a sudden chill touched her face.

She raised her hand, feeling droplets of cold gather in her palm as something melted between her fingers.

A guard nearby said, "Princess, it's snowing."

Yaoying remained lost in thought for a moment before summoning Yuanjue, who had come to see her off. She whispered, "I'm still worried... If anything happens to the Dharma Master, you must send me word. Also, whatever Mengda Ti Po and the others discuss each day, and whatever medicine the Dharma Master changes to, you must write to me in detail."

Yuanjue nodded vigorously. "Understood, Princess! I will definitely keep you informed!"

Snow fell thick and fast, the sky growing increasingly gloomy. The guards, worried they wouldn't reach the post station before dark, came to urge her on. Yuanjue also reminded Yaoying not to delay the journey. Wrapping her cloak tightly around herself, she gently nudged her horse's flank and, surrounded by her guards, turned her horse around.

The fierce wind raged, and dark clouds churned and rolled angrily. The boundless wilderness stretched endlessly, with snowflakes drifting across the vast expanse. The winding path through the wilds extended all the way to the horizon, where the carriage procession gradually vanished into the wind and snow.

Tanmoroqie reined in his horse on a high vantage point, watching until the procession disappeared into the swirling snow.

Snowflakes settled thickly on his shoulders.

The sky darkened.

He remained motionless, like a snowman.

...

"King."

A long while later, Bi Suo rode up to find him.

Tanmoroqie withdrew his gaze, turned his horse, and the accumulated snow on him rustled as it fell. "Send people to follow them and escort her back to Gaochang."

"Yes."

Tanmoroqie took up the reins and rode straight back to Wang Temple. He removed his heavy cloak and entered the stone grotto.The cave was lit with hundreds of candles, their flames blazing fiercely, as if capable of frightening away all evil spirits and heretical doctrines in the world. The flickering candlelight danced upon the dignified and majestic Buddha statues in the wall niches. The Buddhas stood silently, gazing down at him beneath their feet with stern brows and cold eyes, solemn and serene.

The elderly monk Venerable Vinadita, summoned to the cave, entered leaning on his staff.

"Why has the King come?"

Tanmoroqie looked up at the rows of solemn Buddha statues filling the densely packed niches and said, "I have been stirred by desire."

His clear, cold voice echoed through the silent stone grotto. The candle flames flickered, shifting the interplay of light and shadow, making the assembled Buddhas seem to glare at him in anger, condemning his wicked thoughts.

Master Tituo pressed his palms together and said, "All living beings are ordinary mortals, deluded by desires and attachments, unable to seek liberation. Your Majesty is also mortal, born with innate desires. Since childhood, you have cultivated the Buddhist Dharma. Through diligent practice and tempering, desires will ultimately prove as transient as passing clouds. Once the clouds disperse, you will attain enlightenment."

Tanmoroqie replied indifferently, "Whenever I see her, I cannot suppress my desires. Even when she is out of sight, her image lingers before my eyes. Reciting sutras and chanting Buddha's name cannot restrain these thoughts. I want to keep her by my side, to see her at all times."

"Have you broken the precept of chastity?"

"Not yet," Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze. "But my heart has already stirred."

Master Tituo trembled all over, his aged face twitching slightly, horrified beyond measure.

The King had not even been intimate with the woman who stirred his desires, yet his resolve had already wavered.

After a long daze, he collected his thoughts and spoke earnestly, "Being momentarily captivated by physical beauty is common. Even Ananda was nearly seduced by the Girl of Matanga. When Your Majesty comprehends the underlying truth, desires will melt away like ice and snow. Only by severing attachment and love can one return to the right path. As the Buddhist verse says: Life in this world is like dwelling amidst thorns. If the heart remains unmoved, one does not act recklessly; without reckless action, there is no harm. But if the heart is stirred, one acts recklessly, injuring the body and aching the bones, thus experiencing all the sufferings of the world."

The candle flames flickered unsteadily. Tanmoroqie's deep green eyes reflected scattered points of light, his face pale and expression calm. "I cannot sever it... nor do I wish to."

Recalling the moments spent with her, he could feel a joy he had never known before. He did not want to forget those memories.

Master Tituo let out a long sigh. "Your Majesty, even if you cannot sever these desires, you remain the Buddha Prince of the Royal Court."

This was his duty.

Tanmoroqie's eyelashes fluttered slightly, his eyes filled with boundless bitterness and desolation, yet his gaze remained resolute. "I understand."

This was his predicament.

He could not reveal his desires for her to his subjects.

Until he could offer her anything, he could not drag her down to sink with him. Yet he ought to confess everything before the Buddha, admitting all his sins.

"Parting from loved ones, unattainable desires, encounters with hatred—the affairs of love are like morning dew or flashes of lightning. Your Majesty is gifted and intelligent, having cultivated since childhood and comprehended the Way for many years. Yet even you face this tribulation. I hope Your Majesty will calm your heart in meditation, perhaps then you may cease your attachments."

Tanmoroqie shook his head.

From the moment his heart stirred, he had foreseen his own end. He could not let go.

"Carry out the punishment."

Master Tituo sighed deeply. "The confluence of causes and conditions arises from unknown origins. All conditioned things are impermanent, subject to birth and extinction."

The staff descended.

Tanmoroqie pressed his palms together, his green eyes lowered. The candlelight cast his elongated shadow upon the wall's Buddhist niches. The staff fell blow after blow, while the assembled Buddhas gazed coldly, their expressions detached.

...

Bi Suo waited outside the grotto, listening to the repeated sounds of the staff striking, his fingers digging deeply into his palms.

Finally, with a creak, the door was pulled open, and a figure slowly emerged, stumbling as they walked.

Bi Suo stepped forward to support him, his tone heavy with sorrow. "Your Majesty... even if you had truly broken the precepts, no one would blame you."

He had always believed that Luojia and the princess had consummated their relationship. He never imagined that Luojia could restrain himself from being intimate with the princess.

Tanmoroqie lifted his face. "If I had truly broken the precepts... she would not be able to leave."He was nearly at his breaking point, and unrest was simmering within the Royal Court. A storm was brewing, and he had to send her away early to prevent her from being dragged into it.

"The princess is a free-spirited person and does not need a title..."

"She is free-spirited, so does that mean I can selfishly take from her without guilt?"

Bi Suo had no reply.

All was silent, the heavy snow falling without a sound, while scattered lights flickered and danced in every corner of the monastery.

Tanmoroqie, his face deathly pale, gazed down from the railing at the monastery standing quietly in the snow. "It is enough. These days she has spent with me are enough."

Bi Suo’s eyes reddened slightly.

"Bi Suo, promise me one thing."

"Your command."

Tanmoroqie stood facing the wind, his robes flapping loudly, his emerald eyes fixed in the direction of Gaochang. "When I die, do not enshrine me in the monastery. Send me to her side."

In life, he could not indulge his selfish desires.

At least in death, let him be selfish once.

Bi Suo’s nose tingled with sorrow, tears falling as he dropped to one knee, his left fist pressed to his chest.

"Yes."

He choked out the reply.

...

That night, Yaoying and her party safely reached the courier station, reuniting with Li Zhongqian, who had arrived ahead of them.

The snow fell all night long.

By the next day, the wilderness had transformed into a world of crystalline ice and snow. In the distance, mountain ranges stretched endlessly, their snow-covered peaks reflecting the brilliant morning light in a dazzling display.

With the skies clearing after the snow, the caravan continued its journey. Just as Yaoying released General Jin, a massive falcon swooped down from above, landing on her shoulder and giving her arm a sharp peck.

Yaoying joyfully called for the falconer, instructing him to retrieve the letter brought by Garuda and hand it to the guard.

The guard read it aloud: the letter asked where she had reached and reminded her to be cautious of hidden crevices beneath the snow while traveling in such conditions.

Yaoying carefully stored the letter, then rummaged for some dried meat and fed it to Garuda with a smile. Since it was inconvenient to write a reply on the road, she casually untied the ribbon from her hair and wrapped it around Garuda’s leg. After its hearty meal, Garuda spread its wings and flew back to the Holy City.

Li Zhongqian stayed close by her side, his thick brows furrowing at the sight.

A few days later, a troop approached from the east. The leader, a tall general clad in armor and expressionless, clasped his hands toward Yaoying and said, "Princess, I have come to escort you."

Yaoying exclaimed in delight, "Ah Qing!"

Xie Qing urged his horse forward, nodding in greeting to Li Zhongqian. After exchanging pleasantries, they continued eastward.

...

Garuda soared over the mountains, through the snowy clouds, and returned to the Holy City, perching on the Eagle Scaffold and letting out a few cries.

The Felt Curtain swayed as Yuanjue stepped out, rubbing his hands. Noticing the ribbon tied around Garuda’s leg, he paused in surprise, then removed it and brought it into the inner hall.

Inside, a brazier burned brightly. Tanmoroqie sat leaning against the couch, writing with a brush, his desk piled high with documents.

When the ribbon was placed before him, he lifted his gaze, set down his brush, and took it. He wound it around his fingers, gently stroking it.

Bi Suo entered the hall. "Your Majesty, Mengda Ti Po and the physicians from the Land of Brahma have departed. They have agreed to continue concealing the truth from Princess Wenzhao."

Tanmoroqie gave a faint hum, then glanced at Yuanjue, his gaze as cold as ice.

Yuanjue quickly knelt and said, "Your Majesty, the letters I wrote to the princess were all as you instructed."

Tanmoroqie nodded.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor as Bā mǐ ěr hurried into the hall, bringing a chill with him. He knelt and reported, "Your Majesty... the fourth son of the Kang family, the eighth son of the Xue family, and the tenth son of the An family are dead."

Bi Suo frowned. "How did they die?""Violent death, just like the others who have died violently these past days—all killed with a single strike," Bā mǐ ěr whispered. "It's said they all offended the Regent..."

Bi Suo broke out in a cold sweat and looked toward Tanmoroqie.

Tanmoroqie's expression remained unchanged.