In the Moonlight

As soon as they boarded the carriage, Yaoying wanted to check the wound on Tanmoroqie’s back and reached out to lift his inner garment.

“It’s fine.”

Tanmoroqie pressed her hand down gently, his voice soft, a faint sheen of sweat on his face.

Yaoying frowned deeply. “It’s bleeding…”

She straightened up and asked him to lower his head. The moment her fingers brushed his shoulder, he trembled slightly. In the next instant, his hand clamped around her wrist, pulling her into his embrace.

Tanmoroqie held her tightly, his palm resting against the nape of her neck as he closed his eyes.

“Don’t move. Let me hold you for a while.”

His words carried a sigh, like a weary traveler finally able to pause and catch his breath.

He didn’t know when it had started, but whenever he saw her, he couldn’t resist the urge to be close, to touch her.

There had been several times when she had unintentionally fallen into his arms. He knew he should push her away immediately, yet he remained still, allowing her unconscious closeness.

He wanted to hold her like this, without restraint.

Without thinking, without doing anything—just holding her was enough.

Tanmoroqie’s body was damp with sweat, his thin inner garment soaked through. His skin felt feverish, and the scent of sinking incense seemed to grow richer, stirring the heart.

Yaoying raised her hand, carefully avoiding his injury, and wrapped her arms around his waist, listening to his heartbeat through the fabric of his clothes.

The carriage rumbled along the long street, followed by the sound of footsteps like a rising tide.

The imperial guards, generals, and court officials followed on horseback.

Yaoying lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to look outside.

The street was bustling and crowded, packed with people from different tribes, their faces varied, kneeling and bowing toward the carriage, calling out for their king.

More than twenty years ago, shortly after Tanmoroqie was born, he had been forcibly taken from the palace to Wang Temple by ministers and imprisoned there.

Years later, he left Wang Temple and returned to the palace, surrounded by ministers and commoners.

Over two decades, he had poured his heart and soul into sustaining the crumbling Royal Court amidst internal strife and external threats.

Thinking of the hardships and setbacks Tanmoroqie had endured over the years, and his fate as written in the books, Yaoying felt a faint ache in her heart.

Before she knew him, she had regarded him as a stranger, admiring him and lamenting his early death. But when she was at her most desperate, he had saved her. Through days and nights spent together, through life-and-death trials, he was no longer just the legendary Buddha Prince… How fortunate she was to have met him, to know him and walk beside him.

A warm touch brushed the top of her head as Tanmoroqie leaned down to kiss her dark hair.

The two embraced in silence.

…

The palace was now in ruins, with broken wells, crumbling walls, and scattered rubble.

The attendant led a team to clear the square outside the palace and set up a felt tent on the high platform of the long steps. Inside the tent, a long table was arranged, adorned with flowers and precious artifacts.

The carriage stopped at the foot of the steps, and the ministers and commoners prostrated themselves in reverence.

Tanmoroqie stepped down from the carriage, turned, and extended his hand to help Yaoying alight.

The scene was utterly silent, not a single cough to be heard, only the rustle of clothing.

Yaoying took Tanmoroqie’s hand and descended from the carriage. Seeing Li Zhongqian and the Western Army generals who had followed, she made to step toward them, but her hand was held firmly.

Tanmoroqie pulled her back, leading her step by step up the long stairs until they stood before the felt tent on the high platform.

Below, the ministers rose to their feet.

Bi Suo stepped forward, holding a gilded treasure box. Inside lay a golden leaf crown, shimmering under the evening light, adorned with lapis lazuli, agate, and amber, radiant and majestic.He presented the jeweled casket, one hand clenched into a fist placed over his chest, bowing to Tanmoroqie.

Tanmoroqie took the crown from the casket and placed it upon his head.

Bells and drums resonated in unison as ceremonial music swelled. Below the long staircase, court officials and commoners knelt once more in reverence, their acclamations roaring like tidal waves, soaring into the clouds.

Tanmoroqie stood at the forefront of the steps, bathed in the lingering glow of sunset that outlined his profound and elegant features. His robes still bore traces of blood, yet his figure stood as majestic as a mountain.

After the ministers finished their obeisance, chieftains from various tribes stepped forward one by one to offer precious sabers and treasures as tokens of their submission.

Tanmoroqie glanced at the ceremonial official beside him.

The official, holding a piece of parchment, stepped forward and loudly read its contents.

"By the King’s decree, from this day forth, the military shall establish the position of Vice Minister..."

Silence fell over the crowd below as everyone held their breath, listening intently.

Gradually, some broke into cold sweats, trembling uncontrollably; others wore expressions of astonishment, unable to regain their composure for a long while; yet others beamed with joy, kowtowing in gratitude.

None had expected that on the very first day after the great battle, Tanmoroqie would initiate such sweeping reforms.

He commended those who had distinguished themselves in the recent conflict, punished officials who had stirred trouble during the previous unrest, seized the opportunity to promote a group of commanders from humble origins, ordered civil officials to revise old laws and compile new ones, reformed ceremonial attire, and curtailed the power of noble families.

From this day forward, the authority of the Royal Court rested solely in the hands of the monarch; noble families could no longer stir up turmoil as they once had.

Finally, the ceremonial official announced tax reductions to allow the people to recuperate.

Among the officials, reactions were mixed—some rejoiced, others worried, their minds racing as the shrewd considered how to seize the moment and achieve great ambitions.

Below, the common people, upon hearing that the King had exempted them from taxes for several years and that their children would no longer be forced into labor on the estates of nobles, were overjoyed and cheered in unison.

Once the ceremonial official finished reading the decree, the ministers rose from their bows and withdrew with respectful bows.

The common folk, unwilling to disperse, stayed behind to help with cleaning and restoration, their faces radiant with cheerful smiles: having survived the calamity, the ravaging Northern Rong could no longer stage a comeback; the King continued to rule his subjects, the Western Army and the Royal Court were in harmony, and the days ahead promised to grow better and better!

Throughout the entire ceremony, Yaoying remained in the felt tent, standing beside Tanmoroqie, accepting the homage of the multitude.

When the people and ministers below chanted Tanmoroqie’s honorific title, she turned aside, intending to retreat to a corner. Tanmoroqie lifted his gaze, his eyes resting on her face—gentle, yet carrying a hint of firm authority.

"Stay with me."

Bathed in the glow of twilight, he spoke softly.

Yaoying raised an eyebrow, smiled, and remained where she was.

...

The grand ceremony concluded under the radiant dusk.

Tanmoroqie descended the steps, followed by the newly appointed Grand Chancellor, commanders of the five armies, various chieftains, Mobi Duo, and Bi Suo, who clustered around him.

The chieftains gazed at the ruined debris flanking the long staircase and sighed repeatedly, saying, "The Holy City was once prosperous and affluent, with thriving commerce—a place all tribes yearned for. Who would have thought it would be destroyed in this turmoil?"

The ministers echoed their sentiments, reflecting that after the war, a grand and magnificent ceremony should have been held to celebrate. Yet, with half the Holy City in ruins and the King insisting on simplicity, the preparations had been rushed.

Tanmoroqie, walking ahead, suddenly paused.

The others hurriedly stopped as well. A few chieftains, unsure what they had said wrong, exchanged bewildered glances."The Holy City can be rebuilt if destroyed. The safety of the people and the lasting peace of the Royal Court must come first." Tanmoroqie turned around, scanning the assembly, and said, "What I have defended has never been the Holy City or the palace, but the people of the Royal Court."

A flicker of shame crossed the ministers' faces.

The tribal chieftains were momentarily stunned, then straightened with solemn respect, expressing admiration: "The King is benevolent and compassionate, caring for all his subjects. He is the Khan of Khans, and we pledge our eternal loyalty to follow him!"

Others echoed in agreement.

Tanmoroqie remained composed.

Seeing him occupied with discussing state affairs with his ministers, Yaoying stood aside without interrupting, directing her guards to assist in cleaning the palace and organizing the battlefield. Suddenly, she felt an intense gaze fixed upon her.

She looked back.

Mobi Duo stood behind the crowd, clad in silver armor and a white robe, exuding an imposing presence. He smiled at her, stepped forward, and clasped his fists in salute. "Princess, thanks to the assistance of the Western Army during this turmoil, we were able to rally our forces while Haidu Aling was caught off guard."

Yaoying returned the gesture. "The Western Army and the Royal Court are allies—this is only natural. I haven’t yet congratulated you on your promotion."

Previously, Mobi Duo had cooperated with Bi Suo in a plan to lure out the conspirators by intentionally allowing himself to be captured by the Imperial Guards. The original plan was to expose the mastermind and eliminate the threat at its root. However, Bi Suo abandoned the entire scheme. Upon hearing that the Imperial Guards had betrayed Tanmoroqie, Mobi Duo knew his identity was sensitive. If he remained in the Royal Court, he would surely be eliminated by ministers hostile to Wujili Bu. Taking advantage of lax surveillance, he escaped, intending to return to Wujili Bu and lead his tribe in relocation—for if Tanmoroqie were forced to his death, Wujili Bu would no longer pledge allegiance to the Royal Court, and without fleeing, they would immediately be enslaved by the nobility.

Soon, news of Tanmoroqie’s death in the turmoil spread throughout the Royal Court. Mobi Duo’s father dared not delay and led their tribe away that very night. Thus, by the time Mobi Duo learned that Tanmoroqie was still alive, Wujili Bu had already traveled hundreds of miles.

When Mobi Duo received Tanmoroqie’s handwritten letter delivered by a messenger eagle, he was discussing plans for revenge with his father. Overjoyed, father and son immediately turned the tribe around and, following Tanmoroqie’s instructions, secretly contacted other tribes and gathered forces. All of this had to be done discreetly, without allowing Haidu Aling to catch even a hint of the plan. To avoid leaking information, Mobi Duo deliberately let part of the tribe continue westward while he led the elite troops back to the Holy City.

In this great battle, Mobi Duo distinguished himself in combat and was promoted once more, this time with almost no opposition.

Mobi Duo grinned. "It is all due to the King’s divine command, his trust in me, and the responsibilities he entrusted to me that I could achieve such merit…"

The King had mentored him, teaching him how to command troops, manage subordinates, and cooperate with colleagues.

Princess Wenzhao had never mocked his accent or Wujili Bu’s peculiar customs.

When the King and the Princess stood together on the high platform, they were a perfect match.

Only the King was worthy of the Princess.

Mobi Duo paused for a long moment, suppressing his melancholy and disappointment. He scratched his head, straightened his legs, and performed the most formal salute to Yaoying.

"Princess, I have lost to a great hero as noble and benevolent as the King, and I accept it wholeheartedly. I wish you and the King a harmonious union and a lifetime of happiness together."

Yaoying’s brows relaxed, and a radiant smile spread across her face, the silk ribbon in her hair trembling with her movement. "Thank you for your blessing, Prince."Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the two exchanged a smile.

One radiated heroic vigor, the other shone with brilliance.

The surrounding chatter ceased, and the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.

Mobi Duo heard Bi Suo's cough and glanced over in confusion. Bi Suo shot him a meaningful look.

A piercing gaze swept over him. Tanmoroqie, who had been speaking with the ministers, lifted his eyes and looked past the crowd to glance at him.

Mobi Duo couldn't help but shiver.

The red sun sank westward, and the sky quickly darkened.

Most of the city's residents were homeless. Tanmoroqie ordered the soldiers to set up felt tents outside the city to temporarily shelter the people.

Rows of felt tents stretched across the snowy ground, illuminated by flickering lights.

Tanmoroqie instructed the officials: "The houses and streets must be thoroughly cleaned. Lead the imperial guards personally to sprinkle lime water everywhere. After the war, disease prevention is crucial. If there are any sick people, move them to one place for centralized treatment."

The officials acknowledged the order.

Bi Suo stayed close to him. After the others had withdrawn, he frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, why not delay the issuance of the edict for a few days?"

Tanmoroqie gazed at Yaoying, who stood by the felt curtain speaking with her personal guards. "Do you think reforming the official system now is too radical?"

Bi Suo looked grave and nodded.

"Now is the best opportunity. Without destruction, there can be no construction. Only by breaking the cage can new rules be established. Governing the Royal Court requires a long-term perspective. Starting the reform of the official system now, whether it succeeds or fails, will prevent the noble families from shaking the new selection system."

Tanmoroqie spoke slowly.

"Bi Suo, do not underestimate the common people. The strength of ants may be humble, but even ants can topple an elephant. Establishing schools so that the children of commoners can receive daily education—given time, they can restrain the noble families. Ensuring the people's prosperity and stability is the foundation of lasting peace."

Bi Suo suddenly understood, silently marveling. Tanmoroqie did not expect the reforms to take effect immediately. Every step he took was carefully considered. The constant infighting among the Royal Court nobles endangered the state. Only by strengthening the royal authority could they prevent the noble families from arbitrarily deposing and appointing emperors again. The Royal Court needed clear governance and stable administration; otherwise, it would fall into endless internal strife.

As they spoke, Yuanjue approached and said quietly, "Your Majesty, the princess advises you to rest early. The wound on your back hasn't been treated yet..."

Tanmoroqie acknowledged with a hum, his gaze fixed on Yaoying. "Where is the Duke of Wei?"

"The Duke of Wei and the Western Army generals have set up camp in the east."

Tanmoroqie nodded. "Take the items and deliver them there."

Yuanjue acknowledged the order and hurried back to the storeroom, directing the guards to send gilded gift boxes to Li Zhongqian's tent.

Tanmoroqie walked to his own tent.

Yaoying immediately pulled him inside, her brow furrowed. "If I had known you would be so busy after the ceremony, I should have treated your wound in the carriage. Does it hurt?"

"Bright Moon Slave."

Tanmoroqie raised his hand to dismiss the guards, his green eyes lowered as he grasped Yaoying's shoulders and gazed intently at her.

Candles were lit in the tent, and in the flickering candlelight, his eyes seemed especially profound.

Yaoying looked up at him. "What's wrong?"

"I will still read the Scriptures and study Buddhist teachings in the future..."Tanmoroqie spoke slowly, his tone solemn and voice hoarse, "Bright Moon Slave, even though I am no longer a Sramana, I must still cultivate my path... You saw earlier that as the ruler of the Royal Court, I will often be occupied with governmental affairs like today..."

Yaoying was stunned for a moment: "You had me accompany you today to show me all this?"

Tanmoroqie nodded and sighed softly, "Bright Moon Slave, I grew up in a Buddhist temple since childhood. I know how to be a monk, how to be a ruler... but I don't know how to be a good lover."

He wasn't a young man like Mobi Duo, who knew how to win her favor.

Yaoying was stunned even longer this time, as if she had drunk several bowls of Gaochang grape wine—her heart felt both sour and numb, with something surging secretly within, full and swelling.

Luojia, who was capable of everything, actually cared about this.

Before, his heart was free of attachments. Now, he had stepped into her mundane world, striving to be a good lover for her.

With her heart surging with emotion, Yaoying stood on her toes and quickly kissed his cheek, smiling radiantly: "You're already very good like this. And then, you need to listen to me, apply medicine properly, and when I tell you to come back and rest, you have to take it to heart."

Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze to look at her and softly hummed in agreement.

Since she didn't mind, then from now on, he would be her lover.

Thinking of the wounds on his back, Yaoying said with heartache: "Alright, I've had someone bring the medicine. Sit down, and I'll help you apply it."

Tanmoroqie shook his head.

Yaoying narrowed her eyes slightly—he had just promised to listen to her properly.

"I need to see the Duke of Weiguo..." Tanmoroqie explained, "He is your elder brother. I should go see him now."

Yaoying felt both sweet and amused, glancing at the burning candle: "Go tomorrow."

She had met with Li Zhongqian in the afternoon, and he should be asleep by now.

"No." Tanmoroqie shook his head, hugged her, and walked out of the large tent, "I'll go see him right now."

He wanted to cherish every moment, every instant with her, unwilling to delay.