Endless snow plains stretched before rolling hills, a clear river meandering out from the valley and flowing across the flatlands.
Felt tents nearly buried in snow dotted the riverbank at the foot of the hills. As Princess Wenzhao, whom the Khan had married from Great Wei, arrived, people swarmed out of the tents, cheering joyfully.
The area before the tents was packed with crowds, laughter and chatter everywhere.
Yet the language was unfamiliar, the accents strange.
The Li siblings stood before the main tent, silent facing each other.
Just like years ago, when they discovered each other's identities and stood gazing silently at one another from the bow of a boat.
At the Red Cliff's head, a vast expanse of misty waves.
The wooden door of the main tent opened from within, and Yelu Khan stepped out. His eyes fell upon Yaoying, travel-worn and weary yet still radiant. Rubbing his hands in delight, his aged face deeply lined, he patted Li Xuanzhen's shoulder and said with a laugh, "Now that Princess Wenzhao has arrived safely, the Crown Prince can set his mind at ease."
Without waiting for Li Xuanzhen to respond, he eagerly lifted the curtain and invited Yaoying into the tent.
Yaoying walked straight ahead without glancing sideways, passing before the grim-faced Li Xuanzhen into the main tent.
After Li De had set the wedding date, Li Xuanzhen led troops to Liangzhou. He should have been guarding Liangzhou now—why had he returned to the Yelu Tribe with Yelu Khan?
Did he have to personally witness her marriage to Yelu Khan to feel secure?
Yelu Khan followed her into the tent, seeming somewhat flustered. He forced a dry laugh and said, "Princess, you must be exhausted from the journey. Rest well tonight—the wedding can be held tomorrow evening."
His Han speech was halting and slow.
Yaoying lowered her gaze without responding, showing every sign of exhaustion.
Noticing the delicate, snow-white skin at her neck, Yelu Khan thought it must be smoother than mutton fat, itching to taste it immediately. Yet seeing the weariness etched between her brows, his heart softened. Remembering that Han princesses were delicate, shy, and bound by etiquette, and considering her youth, he knew he must not be too rough and frighten her. Rubbing his hands, he left with his attendants.
As soon as the tent flap closed, Yaoying collapsed onto the felt carpet. Tali and Ayi knelt beside her, removing the heavy floral crown hairpin from her hair.
Tali said sympathetically, "Princess, though the Khan is old, he is strong and cares for you deeply. I've heard from the Yelu Tribe that he has never been so considerate with any of his wives."
Yaoying remained silent, taking off the hairpins and pearls from her temples until her raven-black hair cascaded loose.
Her entire body ached, and she wanted to think of nothing. Curling beside the long couch, she closed her eyes to rest.
Sleep would help—once she regained her strength, she could face this unfamiliar environment.
A noise came from the tent entrance as a crescent-moon-shaped curved saber lifted the flap, letting in a gust of wind and snow. Black leather boots stepped into the main tent.
Hearing the sound, Yaoying opened her eyes, glanced at the boots, and signaled for the Hu maids and Xie Qing to leave.
Only she and Li Xuanzhen remained in the tent.
Yaoying still curled by the long couch, her lush black hair flowing like a waterfall, covering half the felt carpet, resembling a lazy cat.
"Will Eldest Brother stay to witness the ceremony?"
Her tone was utterly calm, as if she were not about to marry an aging tribal chieftain.
The black leather boots moved before Yaoying. Li Xuanzhen bent down, grabbed her wrist, forcing her to look up. His phoenix eyes fixed on her unblinkingly as he said word by word, "Seventh Sister, I'm giving you one more chance to choose."
Yaoying lifted her eyelids slightly, her gaze clear and bright.
"Fine, I choose Eldest Brother. Can you take me back to Chang'an?"Li Xuanzhen was stunned.
Yaoying smiled mockingly. "Eldest Brother, at this point, you can't give me any choice. The Yelu Tribe has done nothing to break the agreement. Tomorrow is the wedding—surely you don't intend to ruin diplomatic relations between our two countries?"
"You're not that kind of person."
Li Xuanzhen wouldn't do such a thing, nor would he offend the Yelu Tribe or provoke Li De for the sake of someone like her. She wasn't Zhu Lvyun, after all.
Yaoying glanced toward the tent entrance. "And you don't have the capability either."
This was Yelu Tribe territory. He couldn't take her away.
Li Xuanzhen watched Yaoying silently, turbulent currents swirling in his phoenix eyes.
"Eldest Brother, I already made my choice that year—I am Li Zhongqian's sister. If you harm my brother, I will become your sworn enemy."
Li Xuanzhen's fingers tightened further.
Back then, his fingers had been clamped around Yaoying's fragile neck. Just a little more pressure, and she would have died by his hand.
Between him and Li Zhongqian, she could only choose one.
Either completely sever ties with Li Zhongqian and Xie Manyuan to live on as A Yue, or die along with them.
Even when she could barely breathe, she had chosen Li Zhongqian without hesitation.
And all these years, he had repeatedly made things difficult for Li Zhongqian, repeatedly forced her to choose. Though he knew she would never give the answer he wanted to hear, he kept asking anyway.
Li Xuanzhen's fingers burned.
Yaoying lowered her head, her cool fingertips gradually prying his fingers open.
She once thought she could reason with Li Xuanzhen, but later realized it was all futile. Before the powerful, the reasoning of the weak is utterly useless.
Tang Shi's words—"Kill them all"—had become Li Xuanzhen's inner demon. Xie Manyuan, Li Zhongqian, Li De, the Xie clan, the Li clan—whether innocent or deserving punishment—none could escape.
So she didn't want to waste any more words.
What did it matter if Li Xuanzhen was the Child of Destiny?
Li Zhongqian would never abandon her, and she would never give up on Li Zhongqian. If truly driven to desperation, she might as well perish together with Li Xuanzhen.
Li Xuanzhen looked down at Yaoying, silent and motionless, his handsome features twisting into something ferocious.
Yaoying leaned against the couch edge, resting her chin on her arm, her expression serene.
"I'm tired, Eldest Brother. Do as you please."
She closed her eyes, long lashes trembling slightly, and soon seemed to truly fall asleep, her breathing even.
Li Xuanzhen stood in the tent, storms raging in his eyes, slowly clenching his hands into fists.
He shouldn't have gone to Chibi.
Then he wouldn't have met her, wouldn't have felt pity for her, wouldn't have thought to take good care of her, wouldn't have been torn between his mother's instructions and her.
He was actually begging his enemy's daughter to choose him.
And she looked down on him with disdain.
Li Xuanzhen shuddered all over, as if jolted awake from a dream. He whirled around abruptly and strode away, his eyes bloodshot.
Shortly after, Xie Qing entered the tent and informed Yaoying that Li Xuanzhen had left.
Yelu Khan had repeatedly urged him to stay for the wedding, saying Bie Mutie was waiting to challenge him to a drinking contest, but Li Xuanzhen claimed he had military affairs to attend to in Liangzhou and departed with his personal guards.
Yaoying responded with a faint "Mm."
Xie Qing sat cross-legged by the felt rug, his gaze falling on Yaoying's snow-white wrist where faint finger marks were visible.
"Princess, what happened between you and the Crown Prince?"Yaoying spoke slowly: "It's nothing much... I've had poor health since childhood. That year, someone mentioned a highly skilled divine physician had emerged in Chibi. My elder brother immediately took me there seeking treatment. At that time, Chibi was under Southern Chu's jurisdiction, and the divine physician only treated Southern Chu subjects. Since my brother had previously attacked Chibi under Commander Pei, he feared exposure would prevent the physician from treating me. So he had our lifelong servants take me to seek medical help..."
The dialects of Jingnan and Chibi were quite similar. Yaoying's convincing Chibi accent raised no suspicion from the divine physician. Seeing she was only accompanied by elderly servants, he allowed her to stay at his residence and provided meticulous treatment.
The physician's skills proved truly remarkable. After several months staying at his home, Yaoying's complexion grew increasingly rosy.
It was there that Yaoying encountered a severely wounded young man.
"He said his name was Yang Changsheng, from Southern Chu."
Yaoying smiled faintly.
In her childhood, she rarely went out due to leg ailments. Li Xuanzhen had always resented the Xie family, avoiding any contact with them while frequently away on campaigns. Though aware of each other's existence, the siblings had never actually met.
Both disguised as Southern Chu natives - Li Xuanzhen with facial injuries - neither recognized the other. Yaoying didn't recognize Li Xuanzhen, and he certainly couldn't identify her.
Following the physician's advice to move about regularly, Yaoying often helped with errands and patient care. Noticing Li Xuanzhen lying unattended, she voluntarily took charge of delivering his medicine.
Gradually, they became acquainted as A Yue and Yang Changsheng.
Later, after Li Xuanzhen's facial wounds healed, Yaoying even teased him: "Brother Changsheng, your eyes and brows somewhat resemble my elder brother's, and you're about his height too."
Li Xuanzhen frowned: "Your brother abandoned you in Chibi for months without care. Aren't you angry?"
Yaoying lightly punched his arm in protest: "My brother didn't abandon me! He had urgent matters to attend to, and I'm grown enough to care for myself!"
Li Xuanzhen smiled and bent down to mold clay figures for Yaoying.
The Yang Changsheng Yaoying knew was a man of few words but great integrity. When Chibi suffered month-long torrential rains causing devastating floods, he risked his life saving people despite his severe injuries, nearly being swept away by floodwaters due to exhaustion.
Therefore, when they sailed back to Wei County together and saw Li Zhongqian and the Tang family waiting ashore, realizing each other's true identities, Yaoying didn't immediately avoid Li Xuanzhen.
She always believed that someone who would risk their life saving strangers should be capable of resolving hatred.
Li Xuanzhen's reaction proved far more intense than hers. Standing at the prow, he glanced at Li Zhongqian on shore, then at her, his smile gradually freezing as dark clouds gathered in his eyes. Suddenly he seized her, gripping her throat.
Yaoying nearly died by his hand.
To this day, she still remembered the feeling of Li Xuanzhen's rough, cold fingers clamping around her neck.
Xie Qing commented expressionlessly: "The Crown Prince is too stubborn."
Yaoying rubbed her wrist and smiled, "Enough, let's not discuss these matters anymore."
She refocused on her current situation: "A Qing, what exactly was the First Prince doing that night?"
Xie Qing collected his thoughts and replied: "I inquired - the First Prince looted several cartloads of goods that night."
Yaoying frowned.
After regrouping that day, the First Prince claimed he had robbed some herdsmen. But observing carefully, she noticed the First Prince and his retinue had all replaced their saddles and tack with new ones. How could ordinary herdsmen afford such expensive saddles?"I suspect the First Prince was the one who ambushed and slaughtered that Royal Court merchant convoy."
Xie Qing's eyes showed surprise: "The Yelu Tribe people say no one would dare to rob a merchant convoy flying the Buddha Prince's banner."
Yaoying curled her lips: "Others don't dare because they know their place and understand consequences. The First Prince is not that kind of person."
She had been wondering all along - why would the powerful Yelu Tribe collapse so silently and completely?
The reason likely lay here. The First Prince was greedy and brutal, having angered too many tribes. Now he had likely robbed Dharmaraga's subjects. Even if the Royal Court didn't seek revenge, neighboring tribes would use this as an excuse to attack.
Yaoying pondered for a long moment before instructing Xie Qing: "Find an opportunity to see what those several cartloads of goods actually are."
Xie Qing acknowledged the order.
The next morning, before dawn even broke, lively voices could be heard outside the tent.
Tali helped Yaoying wash and dress, informing her that the tribe was preparing for the evening wedding ceremony. Bonfires would be lit before the main tent at night, and all the tribe's men and women would come to congratulate them.
Yaoying changed into her wedding dress while Tali gathered her long hair and began braiding it.
She looked at her slightly pale face in the bronze mirror, ignoring the fear and unease in her heart, repeatedly bolstering her own courage.
Xie Qing slipped into the tent, signaling with his eyes for Tali and Ayi to leave, then approached Yaoying from behind: "Princess, I found this."
Yaoying turned and saw him pull from his chest a blood-soaked banner.
The exquisite golden patterns could still be faintly discerned on the soiled fabric.
The First Prince had indeed remained defiant and robbed that merchant convoy.
Yaoying's mind raced: "We must inform Yelu Khan about this... but I cannot be the one to speak. Yelu Khan might not believe me and would only see it as sowing discord. Moreover, if the news leaks out, the First Prince will certainly retaliate... Ah Qing, find more evidence and leak this information to the Second Prince."
Tali had mentioned that the First and Second Princes had never gotten along.
Xie Qing acknowledged and turned to leave.
The Second Prince didn't disappoint Yaoying's expectations. Upon hearing the rumors, he immediately reported to Yelu Khan.
Yelu Khan flew into a rage and summoned the First Prince: "You actually ambushed and killed the Buddha Prince's merchant convoy! You're bringing disaster upon our Yelu Tribe!"
Seeing his crime exposed, the First Prince showed no panic: "I've already killed all the people and slaughtered all the livestock. Who would know it was my doing?"
Witnessing his eldest son's utter recklessness, Yelu Khan grew even more furious: "By the Zoroastrian God above, if the Buddha Prince's wrath falls upon the Yelu Tribe, you will be the tribe's greatest sinner!"
The First Prince said carelessly: "The Buddha Prince is far away in the Western Regions - he can't suddenly descend from the heavens through divine power! Besides, what if he does come? Let him try to battle me for three hundred rounds if he dares!"
Yelu Khan's face turned purple with rage. Just as he was about to draw his sword, footsteps sounded outside the tent.
"Khan, Bie Mutie has returned!"
Yelu Khan immediately said: "Bie Mutie, come in quickly."
Bie Mutie entered the main tent, frowning slightly: "Khan, why did the Crown Prince of Great Wei leave so suddenly? Wasn't he supposed to have a drinking contest with me?"
Yelu Khan, currently overwhelmed with troubles, answered distractedly: "He and Princess Wenzhao aren't born of the same mother, so there's no affection between them. He left after speaking just a few words with Princess Wenzhao..."
Bie Mutie's faintly golden eyes flickered twice, a trace of viciousness flashing in their depths.Yelu Khan spoke to him about the First Prince's plundering of the merchant caravan: "Bie Mutie, what do you think should be done? You came from the Western Regions—does the saying about divine retribution truly come to pass?"
Bie Mutie glanced at the First Prince and smiled. "Although the First Prince acted rashly, one thing he said is correct: the Buddha Prince remains far in the Western Regions and hasn't left the Holy City all these years. The First Prince merely killed a few Hu merchant guards—the Buddha Prince won't go to great lengths over this."
Yelu Khan shot a fierce glare at the First Prince and sneered, "Let's hope so."
The wedding proceeded as planned.
From noon onward, the tribe's men and women began dancing to the beat of drums and music, laughing and reveling noisily. By nightfall, most of the tribesmen were half-drunk, and the camp was ablaze with roaring bonfires. Yaoying was escorted out of her tent.
Countless eyes fell upon her, with the gazes of several young princes growing increasingly undisguised.
Once again, Yaoying noticed the gaze that had previously sent chills down her spine.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall, sturdy young man standing beside Yelu Khan. He had an aquiline nose, deep-set eyes, and a piercing gaze, his light golden pupils reflecting the firelight.
The smiling look he directed at her now intensified the unease in her heart.
Steadying her nerves, she completed the ceremonial bows under Tali's guidance. Just as she was about to rise, Yelu Khan across from her suddenly emitted a few muffled sounds from his throat and collapsed backward.
The crowd was shocked. Bie Mutie rushed forward in a single stride, catching Yelu Khan and laughing, "The Khan has had too much to drink!"
The several princes exchanged glances, then hurried over to assist Yelu Khan back to his tent.
Before turning away, the First Prince gave Yaoying a deep look, his lips quirking into a smirk. "Don't worry, beauty. If my father falls ill and cannot regain his vigor, I will take good care of you in his place. Tonight, rest well in your tent."
His expression abruptly darkened, his eyes turning menacing. "Your guards are no match for the Yelu warriors. Don't make any rash moves later."
Wiping the corner of his mouth, he laughed heartily and strode into the tent.
Standing amidst the crowded gathering, Yaoying felt a chill run through her. She scanned her surroundings.
Yelu Khan's personal guards were conspicuously absent, while the princes' guards had dispersed in different directions. The bonfires still blazed fiercely, but the cheerful atmosphere had vanished, replaced by a tense, oppressive stillness, as if a storm were brewing.
Returning to her tent, Yaoying immediately removed her wedding attire and ordered Xie Qing to assemble their forces.
"Yelu Khan didn't seem drunk. Something is bound to happen in the Yelu Tribe tonight."
She had thought warning the Yelu Chieftain would allow him to prepare in advance, but trouble had erupted that very night. It seemed the First Prince had long been ready.
No wonder the First Prince had dared to flirt with her so brazenly along the journey.
In the First Prince's eyes, she was already his for the taking.
Xie Qing quickly gathered their guards. Dozens of soldiers stood ready, firmly protecting Yaoying's tent.
No one else came to inquire. Several tribal elders, accompanied by the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and other adopted sons, headed to Yelu Khan's tent.
Soon, the sounds of fighting and shouting erupted from within the tent.
Knights lying in ambush drew their blades and charged into the fray. The princes' guards roared as they clashed in a chaotic melee, steel glinting and blood splattering.
Tali and Ayi huddled trembling in a corner of the tent.Two hours later, The First Prince emerged from the tent, covered in blood and carrying the heads of his younger brothers: "They attempted to assassinate Father Khan while he was ill, but were executed by Father Khan's personal guards!"
The Yelu Tribe revered strength. Upon seeing The First Prince had killed the other princes, everyone except the personal guards of the slain princes knelt and prostrated themselves at his feet.
Bie Mutie stepped out of the tent and stood beside The First Prince, respectfully inviting him back inside.
The First Prince tossed the heads aside and turned to reenter the tent.
The others gradually rose and began systematically cleaning up the aftermath. The heads of the princes and tribal elders were thrown into the fire, crackling as they burned.
Xie Qing stood guard before the tent, his face tense: "Princess, what should we do?"
Yelu Khan was not yet dead, but remained unconscious. With The First Prince having eliminated the other princes and now commanding the tribe's obedience, Yaoying would inevitably fall into his hands.
Yaoying had no time to ponder when The First Prince had poisoned Yelu Khan's wine bowl. Though she had been wary of him, she never anticipated he would strike with such ruthless brutality.
"Our numbers are too few..." Yaoying closed her eyes briefly. "For now, we wait and observe."
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