Li Zhongqian tore open the letter directly, scanning it rapidly with a single glance. His expression abruptly changed, and raging flames ignited in his phoenix eyes.
Those waiting outside the tent heard the loud crash of an overturned brazier and rushed in. They saw scattered embers and a mess on the ground. Li Zhongqian stood before a black lacquered long table split in two, gripping a sharp sword with eyes wide in fury, appearing utterly deranged. The sight startled them.
"Master? What has happened?"
Li Zhongqian was in a violent rage, his face contorted and chest heaving intensely. Glancing at the scattered documents on the floor, he waved his hand to dismiss the guards.
For an entire day, he did not step out of the tent.
In the afternoon, a guard mustered the courage to bring some food inside and discovered that the naan bread and meat broth delivered at noon remained untouched. The tent was eerily silent. Li Zhongqian sat before the table, staring at the letter scattered on the ground, silent and with a sinister expression.
By nightfall, Li Zhongqian’s voice finally emerged from the tent.
The guard hurried in.
"Do not let Seventh Sister know about today’s events."
Li Zhongqian gazed at the sword in his hand, its gleaming blade reflecting his bloodshot phoenix eyes. "If anyone dares to utter even a single word to her, they need not appear before me again."
His voice was hoarse, his tone chillingly terrifying.
The guard’s heart trembled with anxiety. He discreetly wiped away sweat and acknowledged the order.
Li Zhongqian’s face remained dark and brooding.
The next day, he handed a letter to Yaoying.
"I recognize Du Sinan’s handwriting. Why would he write to you? Have you been corresponding with him all along?"
Yaoying’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly glanced at the envelope, noting the intact wax seal, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. "Du Sinan comes from a humble background. To secure his position at court, he must employ certain tactics. I’ve helped him a few times, and he occasionally writes to update me on the situation in Chang’an. Brother, do you remember the divine physician who treated me at Chibi? Du Sinan is from Southern Chu, so I entrusted him with finding that physician."
"Is this for Tanmoroqie’s health?"
Yaoying nodded.
Not only had she sent people to the Land of Brahma to seek out physicians, but she had also dispatched messengers to the Central Plains. Now, these individuals were gradually arriving at the Holy City, and Mengda Ti Po, whom Tanmoroqie had sent away earlier, was also about to return.
Li Zhongqian did not press further. "Stay here with Tanmoroqie. A letter has arrived from Gaochang—there are remnants of the Northern Rong causing trouble in Shazhou. Yang Qian hasn’t led the troops back yet, and Damo needs to hold down Gaochang. I must return as soon as possible. I’ll set off tomorrow."
Yaoying agreed, "Brother, take care in all matters."
After he left, she moved closer to the lamp to read the letter.
A moment later, Yaoying closed her eyes and tossed the letter into the brazier.
Flames leaped up, and the letter quickly turned to ash.
Li Zhongqian returned to the main camp to arrange personnel and carriages, sending light cavalry ahead. Just as he was about to depart, a guard reported, "Master, the King requests your presence in the main tent."
He went to the main tent and, before he could speak, Tanmoroqie said, "Duke Wei, could you delay your return to Gaochang for a while?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was resolute, clearly indicating that the decision had already been made for him.
Li Zhongqian’s thick brows furrowed slightly, his expression displeased. "I have urgent matters to attend to in Gaochang."
Tanmoroqie looked at him, then suddenly frowned tightly, let out a muffled groan, and vomited a mouthful of blood.
Li Zhongqian’s eyes widened in shock, and he stood up abruptly.
Yuanjue, who was standing nearby, promptly and skillfully brought hot water and a towel. Tanmoroqie’s face was slightly pale, but he took the towel and wiped the blood from his lips as if nothing had happened.
Yuanjue withdrew.Li Zhongqian's heart sank as he sat back on the felt rug. "How many times has this happened? Is it like this every day? Have you been hiding this from Bright Moon Slave all along?"
Judging by the reactions of the personal guards, this was definitely not the first time Tanmoroqie had suddenly coughed up blood.
Tanmoroqie nodded, his emerald eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, his expression calm. "It happens almost every night."
Li Zhongqian's frown deepened, unable to speak for a long while.
"When did this start?"
Tanmoroqie replied indifferently, "It's been like this for over half a month now."
Li Zhongqian stared in shock, his face full of astonishment.
He had kept this hidden for so many days, so thoroughly! None of them knew Tanmoroqie had already started coughing up blood—they thought he could hold on a while longer!
Meeting Li Zhongqian's startled gaze, Tanmoroqie's eyes remained tranquil and serene.
This time, forcibly taking large doses of elixir was like drinking poison to quench thirst. Since the city defense battles began, he'd occasionally suffered from surging blood and energy. He didn't want Yaoying to worry constantly, so he hadn't told her. If these were his final days, he wanted to leave her with only happy memories.
"Duke Weiguo, I have already arranged all matters. The physicians will soon return to the Holy City. I don't know how long I can hold on. If anything unexpected happens..."
Tanmoroqie paused before continuing, "I hope that when that time comes, Duke Weiguo can stay by the princess's side, and preferably take her back to the Central Plains immediately."
He wanted to live, but necessary arrangements still had to be made. The decrees had already been issued—the throne could be succeeded by others, the Royal Court wouldn't face turmoil again in the short term, Bi Suo and Mobi Duo would implement reforms according to his edicts, and the various tribes had pledged loyalty to the queen... The only one he couldn't set his mind at ease about was Yaoying. Even with everything properly arranged, he still felt unsettled.
Li Zhongqian was momentarily stunned before understanding dawned on him, deeply moved.
Tanmoroqie was arranging his final affairs. After the great battle, he had left the monastic life, held the grand ceremony, proposed marriage, and presented Queen Yaoying's crown—fearing there might not be enough time, he had planned everything in advance and completed it all in one go once things stabilized.
No wonder Yaoying had fallen for this monk.
After pondering for a long while, Li Zhongqian's expression turned solemn. He sighed and nodded.
That made sense. If anything happened to the monk, he would need to quickly take Yaoying away from this place of sorrow.
Other matters could be dealt with later.
Li Zhongqian sent his trusted subordinates to lead part of the troops back to Gaochang first, while he himself remained behind. When Yaoying asked, he made excuses about the remaining rebel forces numbering only a few hundred and that his personal presence wasn't necessary, thus evading further questions.
The various tribes and garrison troops left the Holy City one after another. Citizens and imperial guards worked together to clear several long streets and began constructing buildings. Astute merchants arrived in the Holy City with carts loaded with timber, grain, and cloth. Officials designated an area outside the city for free trade between merchants and commoners, following Tanmoroqie's instructions to collect no taxes whatsoever. Upon hearing this, merchants from various regions flocked to the city.
Camel bells chimed along the trade routes amidst bustling crowds, while pipa music swirled through the air. Even on snowy days, the temporarily established market outside the city was packed with people, with merchants' stalls lining up row after row.
Both inside and outside the city, every day presented a scene of fervent activity and busyness.During this time, Yaoying sent people daily to welcome Mengda Ti Po and the others still on their journey. Tanmoroqie had consumed too many elixirs this time and could collapse at any moment. In his presence, she acted as if nothing was wrong, but in reality, she was anxious day and night, often feeling sudden panic and sending someone to check on him every now and then to ease her mind.
Yet Tanmoroqie behaved as if nothing was amiss. After finishing his daily duties, he would accompany her to stroll through the market. This time, he no longer waited in the carriage but walked with her into the bustling marketplace. He no longer wore monastic robes; instead, he dressed in the narrow-sleeved brocade robe of a Royal Court youth, donning a turban and carrying a long sword, looking majestic and heroic. The people recognized him and, as before, greeted him with joined palms, their reverence unwavering.
One day, as their carriage emerged from the market, a bold woman in the crowd called out loudly, "When will the King and Queen hold their wedding?"
Her words silenced the crowd for a moment, but then men and women, young and old, surged forward with laughter, their questions echoing from all directions.
"The King and Queen are a match made in heaven, a bond forged over many lifetimes!"
"We all want to give gifts to the King!"
"Your Majesty, do not be too frugal—the wedding must be grand..."
Listening to the shouts outside the carriage curtain, Yaoying looked up at Tanmoroqie.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he bent to kiss the top of her head.
Not long after, guards reported that the physicians, Mengda Ti Po, and other renowned doctors from various regions had arrived in the Holy City.
As soon as Yaoying received the news, she immediately tasked Bi Suo and Mobi Duo with handling the Royal Court's administrative and military affairs. Both accepted respectfully.
This was Mengda Ti Po's third visit to the Holy City. Seeing the once-magnificent palace reduced to ruins, he sighed with sorrow. After a brief exchange of greetings at the long steps, everyone entered the hall to examine Tanmoroqie's pulse.
Yaoying sat to the side, her expression tense, her eyes fixed unblinkingly as she carefully observed their faces.
The physician who checked his pulse first furrowed his brow and remained silent.
Mengda Ti Po stepped forward, also frowning, a thoughtful expression on his face.
After each physician had taken his pulse, they retreated to the outer room to discuss in hushed tones.
Yaoying's heart burned with anxiety. Unable to sit still, she leaned forward to peer outside the hall when she felt a sudden warmth on the back of her hand.
Tanmoroqie held her hand. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a soft golden glow over his profound and elegant features, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"Bright Moon Slave, do not be afraid. I have no regrets in this life."
With all the physicians gathered, he could no longer hide the truth from her.
He sat upright in the pale golden light, like a Buddha detached from the worldly realm.
Yaoying's composure shattered instantly. Her heart felt as if it had been brutally stabbed, the pain searing.
For days, she had deliberately avoided thinking, mentioning, or asking about it—but what was destined to come had arrived.
"Do not say such things. You haven't accompanied me back to the Central Plains yet. I want to show you the place where I grew up."
She forced a smile, but her eyes slowly reddened.
Tanmoroqie drew her into his embrace, resting his forehead against hers as he gently wiped away the tears glistening on her lashes, letting out a soft sigh.
He did not want to cause her sorrow or pain. He wished to see her laugh, to accompany her through the blooming and withering of flowers.
If that was not possible, then he hoped she would forget him sooner. When her hair turned white, surrounded by children and grandchildren, living a life of joy, it would be enough if she occasionally remembered him and recalled his name.
The felt curtain swayed gently as the physicians bowed and entered the hall. Seeing the two of them, they sighed, their faces flickering with a trace of pity.Tanmoroqie released Yaoying, his sleeves lightly fluttering. "Speak truthfully."
The physician snapped back to attention and said, "Your Majesty, we have deliberated. Your pulse is truly peculiar—never before have we encountered such a faint and unstable rhythm. It may be due to Your Majesty forcibly consuming too many elixirs this time, causing the pulse to differ from the past. Now, Your Majesty's body can no longer endure the Cultivation method. If you do not undergo Power dissipation, you will surely explode and perish within ten days."
Yaoying's face turned pale.
She had long guessed the physician would say this—Tanmoroqie had been sustaining himself through sheer willpower these past days... But hearing the deadline spoken aloud still sent a ringing through her mind, agony surging up.
"And after Power dissipation?" Her voice trembled softly.
The physician shook his head. "Power dissipation... the odds of survival are slim."
Undergo Power dissipation, and he might not withstand it in the moment; refuse it, and death is certain in ten days.
The braziers in the hall burned brightly, yet Yaoying felt cold—a chill rising from the depths of her heart, her entire body as if soaked in icy water. Her heart sank, deeper and deeper.
The inner hall fell silent, save for the crackling of the charcoal.
Tanmoroqie waved his hand, signaling the physician to leave. He lifted Yaoying's chin. "I have decided to undergo Power dissipation. Wait for me to emerge from seclusion."
He could not utter sweet nothings, could not control his own life or death—he had only these words.
Wait for me.
I want to live.
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