The next day, Yaoying found Li Zhongqian at the horse grounds.
He was playing polo with Yang Qian and several others, leading selected soldiers in training coordination. Spotting Yaoying ascending the high platform, he swung down from his horse and casually tossed the crescent-moon-shaped mallet to a servant at the edge of the field. In a few strides, he bounded up the stone steps, his crimson narrow-sleeved robe dust-covered, his headscarf loosened to reveal sweat-dampened hair. His face glistened with perspiration, his phoenix eyes appearing exceptionally dark as he asked breathlessly, "What's happened?"
Yaoying handed him a water pouch. "Elder Brother, I heard Xie Chong and the others have taken in a young woman?"
Li Zhongqian didn't accept the pouch, his expression shifting abruptly. "What have you heard? Are you here to question me too?"
Yaoying looked bewildered, glaring at him before slapping the water pouch against his chest with a smack. "I'm here to ask you, aren't I? When have I ever doubted you?"
"You're my elder brother. When something like this happens, I'd naturally come to you first before verifying with others."
Li Zhongqian snapped back to reality, his anger dissipating as he chuckled. He took several loud gulps from the pouch before pouring the remaining water over his head and wiping his face.
"Don't be angry with your elder brother. Too many people have been questioning me about this lately."
Yaoying wasn't angry. She looked at him seriously. "Elder Brother, how did that young woman come to possess your token?"
Li Zhongqian's lips curved slightly. "That token accidentally fell into her hands when I was stranded in Northern Rong long ago. We only met a few times—nothing happened that would betray moral principles. You can ask Tali. When I was in Northern Rong, she saved me multiple times. She can testify I owe no romantic debts."
Hearing this, Yaoying naturally believed him. "Then how do you plan to settle her?"
Li Zhongqian frowned, his damp face showing hesitation. "Let her be for now. She has nowhere else to go. We'll support her temporarily."
"What exactly is her identity? Why didn't Xie Chong and the others dare to speak plainly?"
Li Zhongqian combed his hair with his fingers, adjusted his headscarf, and said, "Bright Moon Slave. She's the youngest daughter adopted by Wahan Khan, originally meant to marry a Northern Rong prince."
Yaoying froze, a figure flashing through her mind.
"Elder Brother, is that princess named Banar?"
Wahan Khan would adopt orphaned girls from his tribe and subordinates, enfeoff them as princesses, raise them carefully, and then marry them off to various tribes—both to win hearts and to plunder and control tribes through marriage alliances. Banar was one of his adopted daughters. When Northern Rong fell, Banar hadn't yet married. After Jin Bo submitted to the Royal Court, he had inquired about her whereabouts, wanting to bring her to the Royal Court.
Li Zhongqian looked surprised. "You've met her? When?"
Yaoying nodded. "During the recapture of Yi Province."
When she led troops to Yi Province, she forbade the Western Army from harassing women and children. She had seen Banar in the royal tent but was too occupied with official matters to pay much attention to others.
The reason she remembered the name Banar was because after seeing her, Banar had behaved strangely, staring at her intently for a long time and calling her Ayinur, claiming to know her.
Li Zhongqian must have mentioned her to Banar."Brother..." Yaoying pondered for a moment before saying, "Princess Banar was raised by Yiqing Grand Princess and holds no filial affection for Wahan Khan. Now that Northern Rong has submitted to the Royal Court, if you and Princess Banar are truly fond of each other, you need not worry about national boundaries or status anymore."
Li Zhongqian scoffed: "What do national boundaries and status matter? I have no desire to marry and haven't done anything to wrong her... She insisted on following me here herself. Since she's in a pitiable situation, let her be."
The last few words carried a cold, irritated tone.
Yaoying raised an eyebrow. She knew Li Zhongqian's temper well - if he truly disliked Banar, he would have driven her away long ago. The fact that Banar still resided in Gaochang proved he didn't actually detest her.
"As long as you know what you're doing."
Since Li Zhongqian hadn't wronged Banar, she wouldn't interfere in their affairs.
Li Zhongqian snorted, a smirk curling his lips: "Don't trouble yourself with my matters..." His tone suddenly turned teasing, "Better take care of your monk first!"
Yaoying was taken aback, "What's wrong with Luojia?"
Li Zhongqian pointed toward several young nobles in the field, "Look at their faces."
Yaoying looked over and saw the young men stealing glances at her while playing polo. Noticing her scrutiny, they hastily averted their eyes. The Niu family's third son accidentally fell from his horse, nearly getting trampled. When he stood up, she noticed his face was bruised and swollen.
Li Zhongqian stroked his chin meaningfully: "These fellows were personally selected by Damo... Yesterday you went to rest right after entering the city, while the monk had to meet with Gaochang officials. You missed quite a show."
Yaoying recalled the fleeting strange expression on Tanmoroqie's face when she saw him last night, "Did they give Luojia trouble?"
Li Zhongqian laughed: "Not exactly trouble, just some foolish youngsters wanting to see what makes the monk better than them. Nothing serious happened."
Yaoying thought to herself that Luojia had a steady temperament, and this being Gaochang, he wouldn't want to cause her embarrassment. Even if others intended to make things difficult, nothing major would come of it.
"I'm going to check on him. Brother, continue your polo game. If you find Princess Banar's situation troublesome, let me know and I'll handle it. Since you want to look after Princess Banar, then do it properly. Don't say angry words that might hurt her feelings!"
After speaking, she turned and left.
Li Zhongqian watched her hurried departure and chuckled lowly with a soft curse.
His attendant approached: "My lord, Princess Banar has fallen ill..."
Li Zhongqian frowned deeply: "If she's ill, summon a physician. No need to report to me - I can't cure diseases!"
He walked a few steps, then paused, adding, "The palace physicians are skilled. Use my name card to summon them. Whatever medicine is needed, put it on my account."
With that, he took his polo mallet, mounted his horse, and continued directing the soldiers in tactical drills.
...
Yaoying first went to find Yuanjue and pressed him: "What happened at yesterday's banquet?"
It turned out the Gaochang nobles hadn't composed poems, but had merely used some classical allusions that Yuanjue didn't understand, making him think they were mocking people.
Yaoying didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Yuanjue wasn't familiar with Central Plains customs. To her ears, the methods the Gaochang nobles used to challenge Tanmoroqie sounded like wedding carriage blocking rituals or tricks played on grooms.
"What about the injuries on Niu Sanlang and the others' faces?"Yuanjue quickly explained: "The King is of noble status and deeply respects the Queen, he would never harm anyone! During yesterday's archery competition, when the King couldn't shoot the wild geese, he instead shot at others' arrows. Every arrow hit its mark, knocking down everyone's arrows. Because it was mounted archery, some young nobles were competing fiercely, several horses collided, and that's how they got injured... Also, after the banquet, they set up an ambush trying to sneak attack the King. The King, being wise and perceptive, paid them no mind. They fell into their own trap and got beaten up in the chaos..."
Although the young nobles of Gaochang were accomplished in both literary and martial arts, being far from the Central Plains, they had only secretly read some scriptures and their knowledge couldn't compare to Tanmoroqie's. After rounds of poetry composition and debates, finding they couldn't outmatch him, they resorted to martial prowess. When Tanmoroqie shot down everyone's arrows with several consecutive shots, they suddenly remembered the Regent's formidable reputation.
Damo had originally joined the young nobles for fun, but when he met Tanmoroqie's cool, authoritative gaze, he immediately lost all nerve and sheepishly retreated to drink alone. Only a few spoiled young nobles remained unconvinced, trying various methods to challenge Tanmoroqie, but he resolved each one effortlessly.
Yaoying hadn't expected so much to happen while she was asleep! Finding Tanmoroqie's residence, the guards bowed to her: "Your Majesty, the King is meeting with envoys. Do you have any instructions?"
She shook her head, signaling the guards to remain silent. Waiting outside for a while, she saw the envoys leave and deliberately lightened her steps entering the room.
Tanmoroqie sat at his desk without looking up: "Have you eaten?"
"How did you know it was me entering?"
People often spoke of ice-like skin and snow-like complexion. Even in midsummer, she carried a light fragrance.
Tanmoroqie caught her playful hand, not laughing aloud but feeling happiness bubbling within him - like still waters where lotus flowers gently sway.
"I knew it was you the moment you approached."
Yaoying kissed his cheek: "I heard from brother that Niu Sanlang and others gave you trouble yesterday? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Just trivial matters."
He raised his eyes to look at her.
"Are you feeling wronged marrying me?""
Yaoying chuckled, leaning in to peck the corner of his mouth: "Why think of asking this?"
Her kiss was brief, and Tanmoroqie couldn't help but follow her lips as she pulled away. She had already retreated, casually flipping through the Scripture Scrolls on his desk.
His brow twitched slightly as he inconspicuously pressed down on the bottommost book: "From Chang'an, Guazhou, Yi Province to Gaochang - along this journey, many young men proposed to you."
All were dashing young men, understanding and charming.
She knew them, exchanged pleasantries with them when returning to the city, accurately calling each by name. They looked thrilled.
He overheard Gaochang palace maids gossiping: "The Buddha Prince is handsome of course, but he's a monk! Like a Buddha statue, so solemn... understands no romance. The Princess will soon grow tired of him."
"Right, I heard the Buddha Prince still chants scriptures daily. The Princess is young and beautiful, how could she bear it?"
"These gentlemen were all selected by the City Lord..."
Tanmoroqie lowered his head.
Yaoying leaned completely against him, nestling in his embrace, rubbing against his chest before waving her hand with grand spirit.
"I don't like them. I only like someone like you."
The corners of Tanmoroqie's mouth lifted slightly as he raised his arms to embrace her.She was deeply cherished by the common people. Here, no one questioned her Han ethnicity, nor would anyone insinuate that she had seduced a monk. Wherever she went, locals would rush to welcome her.
After finding Li Zhongqian, she could leave the Royal Court for good. It was only for him that she had returned to the Royal Court, where devotees insulted her, court officials suspected her of ulterior motives, and noble families sent assassins after her... She had stayed almost alone in a country entirely hostile to her, enduring so much without ever complaining to him.
Yet when he was merely troubled by a few impulsive youths, she specially came to comfort him.
Tanmoroqie gazed at her for a long time.
Yaoying lifted her eyes, met his gaze, smiled, and raised her hand to stroke his head.
"Why haven’t you grown your hair out yet?"
Her fingertips tingled with a faint, ticklish sensation. Finding it amusing and no longer afraid of him, she stroked higher, cupped his face, and leaned in to kiss him.
Tanmoroqie watched her, silent for a moment, then asked, "If I grow my hair, will you still like me?"
Was he worried she would be disappointed if he grew his hair?
A monk having such concerns?
She laughed uncontrollably, hooked her arms around his neck, and brushed her fingers over his deep-set eyes and brows. "I’ll love you no matter how you look."
He looked at her, then suddenly leaned down, trapping her between his solid chest and the desk. His eyes darkened as one hand slid into her hair, the other pressing against her neck. His fingers gently loosened the silk ribbon, caressing softly. His cool, melodious voice whispered by her ear, "Bright Moon Slave, always love me like this, alright?"
Light, scattered kisses fell by her temples.
Yaoying had initially intended to tease him, deliberately nestling mischievously in his embrace, supple and twisting like boneless silk. But under his pressure, she became immobile. The silk ribbon came undone, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.
His body was still feverish, the heat seeping through layers of intricately embroidered golden robes, warming her as his arms held her tightly.
When a gentle person turns forceful, it’s even more heart-stirring.
A wave of heat rushed through her.
He lifted her face, drawing closer. His calm, deep green eyes reflected her image, gazing silently as he had always done—protecting her quietly, his eyes still holding the vastness of eternity. But now, the composure that seemed to see through others had softened into tender affection, desire silently surging.
Though there was no movement, no words, and his breathing remained steady, his gaze burned like dark blue flames, a roaring fire beneath a glacier.
Yaoying’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. She pulled his neck down, kissing his lips. Remembering how he chanted scriptures to lull her to sleep each night, her tongue entwined with his, parting his lips, twining inseparably.
Breaths merged and exchanged, fabrics rustled. Her soft, full form blossomed slowly in his palms, her sweet fragrance growing richer.
Tanmoroqie shuddered, his arms tightening around her as he kissed her back more fiercely.
After a long while, hearing her overwhelmed whimpers, he came to his senses and released her lips, though his hand still rested on her smooth neck, holding her close.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes moist and dazed. He looked down at her unblinkingly, breathing lightly.Yaoying gradually calmed down, remembering there were still guards outside. She braced her hands against his legs and rose to her knees.
Tanmoroqie reached out to steady her, but the next moment his body abruptly stiffened. His breathing grew heavier as he closed his eyes, a suppressed groan escaping his lips that sounded both pained and pleasured.
Recently his cultivation method had advanced to another realm, often causing feverish symptoms. Since she disliked heat, she would push him away the moment his fever subsided. Knowing his self-restraint, she would soon tease him again by drawing near.
He feared hurting her.
"Bright Moon Slave..."
He murmured her name softly, without further words, his body radiating an intensity that made it impossible for her to think clearly.
Yaoying's face burned with a blush, a barely restrained warmth stirring within her. Guiltily, she scanned the room.
In broad daylight.
The doors and windows were tightly shut, with no swaying shadows visible outside the window. The guards had quietly withdrawn at some point - these days, whenever they were alone, those nearby would discreetly retreat.
Just like last time, Yaoying buried her face against Tanmoroqie's shoulder, her loose hair revealing crimson-tipped ears.
The moment she was enveloped in tenderness, even with Tanmoroqie consciously restraining himself, he still trembled uncontrollably.
He quivered in her palm, tense and feverish, until release finally came. An unfamiliar tide of passion surged through his entire being like flowing water.
The scriptures say: Desire between men and women is like glue and lacquer, difficult to separate. Indeed, it was true.
Desire made one lose control, and he had long been immersed in it, craving for more.
OpenNovel