Under Tanmoroqie's personal care, the lotus seeds sprouted and grew leaves within the first year.
By late autumn, a pond of lush green lotus leaves still flourished outside the winding corridor.
The pond water was clear, illuminated by the evening glow, where schools of colorful fish chased the dazzling light sinking beneath the surface. A cool breeze rustled, accompanied by the gentle chimes of carriage bells.
The half-open latticed window channeled fresh spring water to nourish the flowers and plants along the corridor. Though the wilderness beyond the city walls lay desolate, the courtyard remained abundant with flourishing trees and intricate foliage.
From deep within the corridor came a ripple of laughter—round and soft, like dewdrops rolling across lotus leaves.
Tanmoroqie looked up from the stacked Scripture Scrolls, his gaze traversing the crowded green lotus leaves. The corridor was bathed in the lingering sunset, casting interlaced shadows of flowers and trees. A graceful figure slowly emerged from the warm, radiant light.
She walked while whispering to her companions, enveloped in the brilliant evening glow. Occasionally, her radiant smile would outshine all the blossoms in the courtyard.
A gentle breeze carried over the rich, intoxicating fragrance of flowers.
As the laughter drew nearer, she waved her attendants away and entered the hall. Approaching Tanmoroqie from behind, she swayed unsteadily, the pearl-adorned tassels on her shawl brushing softly against the carpet.
Tanmoroqie kept his eyes on the unfolded Scripture Scroll before him.
The next moment, warmth spread across his back.
As was her habit, she draped her arms over his shoulders and leaned against him, her soft fullness pressing into his back. Her warm lips brushed against his neck as she asked, "What are you reading?"
Today, her scent was not only the lingering floral fragrance but also a subtle hint of wine.
She had attended a banquet.
In the Royal Court, almost every household brewed wine. Grape wine was particularly prone to spoilage, but wine frozen in winter could be preserved for a decade without deteriorating, developing a richer and more aromatic flavor. Thus, each household practiced winter freezing. Before the onset of winter each year, the people held a freezing banquet, offering their finest wines in ceremonial tribute, praying for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
Yaoying had brought a variety of seeds and saplings to the states of the Western Regions, along with numerous agricultural officials and craftsmen skilled in farming and irrigation. Shortly after their recent victory, she promptly arranged for the Western Army to assist the people in reclaiming wasteland, digging canals, encouraging trade, deploying cavalry to protect merchant routes, and reducing taxes—ushering in a period of flourishing prosperity across the states.
Since becoming the Queen of the Royal Court, she had also brought many agricultural texts to the Holy City, commissioning monks to translate them and teaching the people to cultivate fruit trees suited to the local climate. Grateful for her benevolence, the people earnestly requested her presence at this year's banquet to taste the finest wines of the Royal Court and lead them in prayers to the gods.
Yaoying had consumed several bowls of wine at the event. On her return, she drank a sobering broth, and though the effects had dissipated, leaving her clear-headed, she still felt slightly lightheaded and unsteady, as if treading on cotton. Softly, she nestled against Tanmoroqie, rubbing against him.
Tanmoroqie's throat tightened, and he lifted his gaze.
Yaoying smiled, her cheeks tinged with a faint peach blossom blush. Her bright eyes, washed clear like water, sparkled with a captivating gleam, the corners slightly red—both lively and enchanting.
Without waiting for his response, she leaned fully against his back and reached over to flip through his book.
"Did you bring this back from Chang'an?"
He nodded.
While Buddhism in the Land of Brahma was gradually declining, it flourished in the Central Plains. He had brought back many Chinese classics, tasking the temple monks with their translation. Buddhism had originally spread to the Central Plains from the Western Regions, and in the future, it was likely that Central Plains Buddhism would, in turn, influence the Western Regions.Yaoying glanced at the Buddhist verses he had translated and remarked, "Seeing one's true nature through the Buddha-mind means anyone can attain Buddhahood. The Buddhist teachings in the Central Plains have integrated with secular ethics, making them more accessible and easily accepted by common people, thus spreading more widely."
Tanmoroqie said, "When monks from the Central Plains preach the scriptures, they often encourage people to turn to Buddhism through self-realization and attaining Buddhahood."
Yaoying nodded. "Sudden enlightenment to achieve Buddhahood is much easier than ascetic practices and deep meditation. Most monks from the Land of Brahma come from Brahmin backgrounds, and their revered asceticism and alms-begging don't appeal to ordinary believers."
"What is true nature? What is Buddha?"
Yaoying rested her chin on his shoulder, smiling without answering.
Tanmoroqie turned to look at her. "Why have you gone quiet?"
A delicate, radiant smile played on Yaoying's lips. "I won't debate scriptures with you—I can never win."
A few days ago, during a scriptural debate with him, she had been trapped by his arguments and had to search through books for a long time before finding a rebuttal. She decided never to engage in Buddhist debates with him again.
Her hair was styled in a cloud-like bun, adorned only with a gilded silver hairpin inlaid with coral blossoms and tied with a silk ribbon. Beyond that, her jet-black tresses bore no other hairpins, jewels, or ornaments. Her attire was simple and unadorned—a thin gown that revealed a glimpse of her snow-white chest and a sheer draped skirt. Yet, with every smile and glance, her radiance shone through, carrying an indescribable allure and elegance.
Tanmoroqie, still holding his brush, couldn't resist looking up and capturing her vermilion lips.
She chuckled softly, her tongue playfully teasing.
His eyes darkened, and he responded fervently. She shyly retreated, but as he pursued, she gently bit him, the mix of tingling and sharp pain intensifying her fragrance. He tightened his grip around her waist, refusing to let her pull away.
Her sheer gauze tangled with his monk's robes.
Outside the window, lotus leaves rustled and swayed gently.
Yaoying felt her body go limp, gradually sliding downward. Tanmoroqie set down his brush, lifted her, and she settled onto his lap, facing him. Their robes—her gown and his monk's attire—slipped away.
Only Yaoying could sense Tanmoroqie's tension.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Don't move."
Tanmoroqie gazed at her unblinkingly.
Yaoying untied the silk ribbon from her hair and wound it around his wrists, layer by layer. Swaying her hips, she slipped her hand inside his collar, stroking him with just the right pressure. Under his silent watch, she gradually relaxed her body.
Tanmoroqie's eyes were intense, fixed on her face. His brow furrowed with restraint, and deep within his jade-green eyes, flames seemed to blaze.
The sky darkened, and tree shadows danced before the window.
Lotus petals unfurled, slowly enveloping him.
The night wind whistled, stirring the pond's lotus leaves into undulating emerald waves. Suddenly, a fierce gust swept through, causing the leaves to tremble delicately, as if unable to bear the force. In moments, the lotus disks bowed under the wind's pressure, scattering a shower of glistening dew.
Inside the chamber, Yaoying's cloud-like bun had come loose and disheveled. Her face was flushed, the floral hairpin barely clinging, coral beads dangling from her hair and swaying gently. Her brows were knit, and tears welled in her eyes.
Though she had taken the lead, she soon found herself overwhelmed.
Her body tensed uncontrollably, and she collapsed weakly into Tanmoroqie's embrace.
He was drenched in sweat, his jade-green eyes calm and cool, yet his face was veiled with primal desire. Effortlessly, he broke free from the silk bonds, clasped the waist that had just been swaying softly, and nibbled at her damp hairline. Brushing aside her garments, he turned her over, shifting their positions.
The lotus leaves quivered and swayed in the wind.
...They were newlyweds, practically inseparable every day. After a night of intimacy, Yaoying woke with a sore and aching waist. She had only taken a few steps when she gasped, bracing her lower back.
Light footsteps sounded behind her as Tanmoroqie approached, pressing his palm against her waist in a gentle massage.
Yaoying turned her head, gazed at his serene and authoritative face, and leaned in to kiss him.
He immediately lowered his head, deepening the kiss, his eyelashes fluttering as if intoxicated.
Yaoying smiled softly and gave him a playful nip.
A sharp pain shot through Tanmoroqie’s tongue, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, his right hand tightened around the nape of her neck as he continued to kiss her, the gesture shifting from tender to relentless, leaving her no room to retreat.
When their lips finally parted, Yaoying’s heart raced like a drum. It took her a long while to catch her breath.
Rising on her toes, she planted several kisses on his face.
Tanmoroqie watched her without a word.
She was returning to Xizhou for a month—a trip planned long in advance.
Yaoying cupped Tanmoroqie’s face and spoke earnestly, "Husband, remember to write to me."
Tanmoroqie had no defense against her. Brushing aside the strands of hair framing her cheeks, he replied in a low voice, "Come back soon."
Yaoying answered brightly, "I’ll return in just a few days."
Tanmoroqie murmured a soft acknowledgment, yet his arm remained wrapped around her waist, refusing to let go for the longest time.
From head to toe, he radiated reluctance.
Yaoying, too, was unwilling to leave. After lingering a while longer, she steeled herself and pushed him away. "I’m going now. Don’t see me off."
She stepped out of the hall, rounded the corridor, and paused mid-step when her peripheral vision caught the lotus leaves filling the pond. She glanced back.
A tall, straight figure stood by the window, the Felt Curtain half-rolled up. He stood there, his gaze fixed intently on her.
Yaoying’s heart tightened. She wanted so badly to tell Xie Qing and the others that she wouldn’t leave, that she’d return to Xizhou next year instead.
Her foot had barely shifted forward when she forced herself to calm down. Shaking her head, she waved at Tanmoroqie, hardened her resolve, and turned to leave.
Tanmoroqie stared at the end of the corridor, then lowered his gaze.
Sunlight bathed the ground—she was already gone.
…
The next day, Tanmoroqie opened his eyes to an empty space beside him on the pillow.
He lay lost in thought for a while before rising to attend to official duties, swiftly completing the day’s urgent matters.
The hall was utterly silent.
Since her departure, the surroundings felt even more desolate. Even the lotus leaves in the pond seemed less vibrant than the day before.
He received ministers and chieftains, issued decrees, summoned monks to inquire about the progress of sutra translations and temple reforms, and offered a few words of guidance. He remained busy until nightfall.
Yuanjue delivered a stack of memorials awaiting review. With the Queen visiting her family, the King could focus on clearing the backlog of trivial matters.
Tanmoroqie lit a candle and began reviewing the memorials. The candlelight cast a long shadow on the floor.
He glanced back. The small table Yaoying used was neatly arranged.
Their desks had originally been placed side by side, allowing him to see her sitting beside him without looking up. But he often found himself distracted or drawn to other matters. She had someone move the desks apart, positioning them back-to-back so both could concentrate on their tasks. Whenever she had a question or felt tired, she would lean back and rest against him.
He wondered where she was staying tonight and whether her journey had been arduous. Last night, he should have shown more restraint, but knowing she would leave today, he had wanted to keep her close and couldn’t resist indulging a little too fiercely.
A month.
By the time she returned, the courtyard would likely be blanketed in several feet of snow.Light footsteps sounded at the door as Yuanjue entered holding a letter: "Your Majesty, this was delivered by the Queen's attendant."
Why would she send a letter so soon after leaving? Had something happened?
Tanmoroqie frowned, taking the letter and opening it.
A silk ribbon carrying a faint sweet fragrance slipped out and fell into his palm.
This was the very ribbon she had used last night to bind his hands, preventing him from moving. Later, he had covered her eyes with it while she wept uncontrollably, her hands clinging to his shoulders, begging him to slow down.
Tanmoroqie gripped the ribbon and unfolded the letter.
Only one sentence was written on the paper.
"Master, I miss you so much."
Tanmoroqie lifted his head, gazing out at the pitch-black night sky beyond the window.
He instructed Yuanjue: "Set out for Xizhou and bring the Queen back."
Yuanjue looked bewildered. The Queen had just left today and wasn't due back for a month—there was no need to prepare for her return so soon.
"Depart immediately."
Tanmoroqie's tone brooked no argument.
Whatever the King said was right. Not daring to contradict him, Yuanjue dumbly acknowledged the order, withdrew to pack his belongings, and headed straight for Xizhou.
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