In the Moonlight

The north wind howled, freezing the world to its core.

The boundless wilderness was blanketed by a half-foot layer of snow, stretching as far as the eye could see—a bleak expanse of white. In the distance, towering mountain ranges stood layered against the horizon, their peaks crowned with pristine snow. As the morning sun rose in the east, the mountains appeared majestic and magnificent.

When Yaoying spotted the enormous white falcon soaring overhead for the third time, she sighed and tightened the felt blanket around her.

"Haidu Aling is coming."

Xie Qing looked up, following her gaze to the large snow-white falcon.

The sky was high and the clouds sparse. The falcon stretched its powerful form amidst the clouds, its wings seemingly coated with a faint golden light, fierce and imposing.

"Is that a falcon raised by the Northern Rong?"

Yaoying nodded, her voice hoarse. "I first saw it five days ago. It appeared again yesterday, and today it has been following us... It's sending signals to Haidu Aling."

Not long after leaving the Yelu Tribe, they had been pursued by Haidu Aling's men lying in ambush nearby. It was clear that Helong had already been secretly occupied by the Northern Rong. The roads leading to the Central Plains were completely cut off. With Haidu Aling ahead and the Northern Rong behind, they could neither advance nor retreat, forced to carefully conceal their tracks.

They had wandered for an unknown length of time in the desolate snowfields when the falcon suddenly appeared.

Yaoying coughed a few times and signaled Xie Qing and the other guards to find a sheltered spot to rest.

"I've heard merchants in the Western Market say that during the harsh winter, the thousand-mile journey from Liangzhou to Guazhou is treacherous. Caravans avoid traveling at this time of year. Haidu Aling must have blockaded all the main roads in Helong. We might be the only ones heading east. This falcon only needs to patrol a few rounds and report back for Haidu Aling to figure out our direction."

The guards exchanged helpless glances.

Unlike the complex terrain of the Central Plains, this was an endless expanse of desert, offering no place to hide. While there might be caves in the mountains for shelter, the weather was bitterly cold, their food supplies were exhausted, and they were unfamiliar with the terrain. With Northern Rong pursuers hot on their heels and the occasional tribes they encountered recognizing them as Han people unwilling to offer help, their situation was dire.

They had to break through the blockade and return to the Central Plains as soon as possible. Otherwise, no matter where they hid, Haidu Aling would eventually find them.

One of the guards shielded his eyes with his hand and stared at the falcon. "Maybe it's just an ordinary falcon."

Yaoying shook her head. "This falcon has been following us for days. It appears at dawn and vanishes by dusk, never hunting, always tracking us."

"Princess, let me try to shoot it down!"

Lü Heng, the most skilled archer among the guards, shouted loudly. He drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and fired several shots in succession.

The falcon high in the sky let out a few arrogant, clear cries. Suddenly, it swooped down, its massive wings casting a sinister, shadowy gloom, exuding an air of disdain for all beneath it.

Lü Heng cursed loudly and pulled out a few remaining arrows wrapped with gunpowder. "These things scared the Yelu Tribe into kneeling. Can they scare this falcon away?"

Yaoying waved her hand to stop the guard.

The Yelu Tribe lacked worldly experience and had never seen fireworks. Moreover, she had deliberately cursed the First Prince in the Hu language during the old Khan's funeral, terrifying the fire-god-fearing Yelu Tribe out of their wits.

But a falcon would not be frightened away.

When Haidu Aling was eleven years old, he climbed to a mountain peak, killed a formidable mother eagle, and took a fledgling from its nest. He raised it with his own hands and tamed it.That eagle later followed him from east to west, from north to south. The Northern Rong people called it Abu and regarded it as the God of Ten Thousand Eagles.

Haidu Aling once proudly declared that Abu was the fastest and highest-flying bird in the world, and no one but its master could kill it.

Many attempted to kill the divine eagle, but all failed.

This divine eagle ultimately died at the hands of its master, Haidu Aling, simply because it lost a competition and was no longer the fastest-flying eagle in the world.

Yaoying drank the last of the water from her waterskin and gazed toward the eastern direction: "The eagle has spotted us. Haidu Aling only needs to send scouts in different directions, and he'll catch up to us soon."

Time and again, when she saw that White Falcon, she could confirm that Haidu Aling had returned.

This indicated he hadn't succeeded in launching a full-scale surprise attack or provoking war between Great Wei, Western Shu, and Southern Chu—otherwise, he wouldn't have returned so quickly.

Yaoying's heart felt heavy.

This also meant the defeated Haidu Aling would come after her with overwhelming fury and all the elite forces he had brought for his eastern campaign.

Xie Qing found a dry spot and spread out a felt blanket: "Princess, rest for a while."

Yaoying hummed in acknowledgment, sat cross-legged, leaned against Xie Qing's shoulder, and closed her eyes to sleep.

After days of fleeing, she had grown accustomed to catching brief naps anytime, anywhere in the icy snow.

They rested for only fifteen minutes, shivered through a nap in the bitter wind, then climbed back onto their horses and continued eastward.

Even knowing Haidu Aling would soon pursue them, they had to keep fleeing.

The closer they got, the greater their hope.

Perhaps they could escape?

That day, the White Falcon followed them all day again, disappearing once more at dusk.

To shake off the White Falcon, they traveled through the night. The snowy path was rugged and treacherous after dark—several horses collapsed from exhaustion in succession, while others suddenly spooked, throwing guards harshly from their backs.

A guard said, "We're unfamiliar with the terrain. We can't risk traveling at night anymore!"

Xie Qing had no choice but to order everyone to stop and rest.

The guards hadn't eaten for days. They grabbed handfuls of snow to eat, turning their backs to Yaoying so she wouldn't see.

Yaoying touched the leather pouch at her waist. Xie Qing hadn't eaten these days either—all the edible rations had been given to her.

The people were starving and freezing, and so were the horses. After days of arduous travel, several horses had already died recently, forcing guards to share mounts.

Her beloved Wusun horse was also on the verge of collapse.

It was a gift from Li Zhongqian.

Yaoying untied the leather pouch and handed it to Xie Qing: "Take it and share it among them."

Xie Qing refused to accept it.

Yaoying's tone grew firmer: "They've worked hard for days—they need to eat something to maintain their strength. I kept some dried cakes. A'Qing, if anything happens to you all, I won't get far on my own either."

Xie Qing took the pouch and distributed its contents among the other guards.

The guards declined, insisting they could endure.

Xie Qing said expressionlessly, "Eat. If you don't, the Princess won't eat either."

The guards had no choice but to accept.

Xie Qing returned empty-handed to Yaoying's side.

Yaoying leaned against his shoulder and handed him a dry, hard cake: "A'Qing, I saved this for you."

Xie Qing didn't speak, taking the cake and stuffing it into his mouth, chewing silently.

Yaoying gazed up at the pitch-black night sky and asked softly, "A'Qing, do you think Xie Liang and the others are still alive?"

Xie Liang was among the first group of guards sent to deliver messages.Xie Qing said in a low voice, "Judging from the Northern Rong pursuers these past few days, their chances of survival are slim."

Yaoying curled her lips, "You really don't know how to comfort people."

Xie Liang and the others had likely already perished at the hands of the Northern Rong. They had followed her thousands of miles to the Yelu Tribe, risking their lives to break through multiple blockades on her orders. In life, they were merely her personal guards; in death, the people of the Central Plains would never know of their deeds.

Yaoying shivered from the cold, curling into a tight ball.

Xie Qing bent down to tighten the felt blanket around her, his dark eyes fixed on her. "Princess, even if Xie Liang and the others have died, they died for loyalty and righteousness. They have no regrets."

Yaoying recalled when Xie Liang first came to her side—a simple, honest young man who would blush and fumble awkwardly whenever he looked up at her.

When devising the escape plan in the Yelu Tribe, Xie Liang accepted the orders without a single question.

Yaoying asked him if he was afraid to die.

He scratched his head, "Yes."

Then why did he still follow her commands?

Xie Liang continued scratching his head, "Because you are the Seventh Princess! When I was chosen by the Prince of Qin back then, I swore an oath to heaven, earth, and our ancestors!"

He didn't fully comprehend the grand ideals of nation and loyalty; he only knew he had to protect the princess and obey her commands. If the princess ordered him to do something right, then he must strive to fulfill it.

No matter how dangerous the task.

His loyalty was so simple, yet so profound.

Yaoying was cold, hungry, and stiff all over, her body aching as if her bones had been crushed and haphazardly reassembled. A deep pain radiated from within her bones.

She wanted to live, to return to the Central Plains, to bring these personal guards who had shared hardships with her back home.

Yaoying clenched her fingers tightly and fell into a deep sleep, driven by a fierce will to survive.

When she woke, the sky was already faintly lit. It might be another clear day—the red sun had yet to emerge, but the fierce wind had already swept away all the scattered clouds, leaving the sky a brilliant blue.

Someone exclaimed in a hushed, excited voice, "That eagle isn't chasing us anymore!"

Everyone cheered with relief. Xie Qing lifted Yaoying and helped her onto the horse.

Yaoying breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Not long after they set off, she glanced back at her personal guards and realized Lü Heng was missing.

She reined in her horse and counted the remaining guards.

Not only was Lü Heng gone—four were missing in total.

Yaoying looked at Xie Qing.

Xie Qing tugged on the reins, slowing his pace. "Princess, it was the only way."

Yaoying fell silent for a long moment, then closed her eyes.

To shake off the pursuers and the eagle's tracking, splitting the group to divert attention was indeed the best strategy. The eagle could quickly find their trail, but it couldn't distinguish their identities.

Lü Heng might not truly be able to lure away the White Falcon, but he could buy her a little time.

For just that sliver of time, they had gone without hesitation.

Yaoying closed her eyes, holding back the tears that threatened to spill, then whipped her horse to continue galloping.

She couldn't let Lü Heng and the others sacrifice in vain.

They continued racing eastward.

Suddenly, the Wusun horse let out a high-pitched whinny, its front legs buckling as it crashed heavily into the snow.

"Princess!"

Xie Qing and the guards cried out in alarm, reining in their horses and leaping forward.

Yaoying fell to the ground, tumbling several times. Fortunately, the Wusun horse had struggled to hold on for a moment before collapsing, and the snow on the ground was thick. She wasn't seriously injured, only suffering a few scrapes.Xie Qing helped her to her feet. Dizzy and disoriented, she swayed several times before steadying herself.

The Wusun horse continued to struggle violently, emitting desperate whinnies of despair.

The guards shielded Yaoying. "The horse is spooked!"

Yaoying’s eyes reddened as she pushed the guards aside, her voice choked with sobs. "No, it’s exhausted."

She knelt before the Wusun horse, her hand trembling as she reached out.

This was the horse her elder brother had gifted her—a gentle, resilient companion of several years, intelligent and never once ill-tempered toward her. It had always loved sweet custard apples.

Seeing its owner, the Wusun horse gradually calmed. Its dark, moist eyes fixed on her, panting heavily, it lifted its head with effort and nuzzled her palm, just as it used to when begging for treats.

With trembling hands, Yaoying rummaged through the leather pouch. The Wusun horse loved sweet fruit—it loved sweet fruit!

The pouch was empty.

The horse gazed motionlessly at Yaoying. When no fruit came, its eyes remained gentle. It wagged its tail at her one last time, then stilled.

Tears Yaoying had held back for days finally fell.

I’m sorry. I wasn’t a good owner. I couldn’t give you your favorite fruit.

Xie Qing silently lifted Yaoying onto his horse, and they rode together.

By afternoon, they had lost two more horses.

Horse meat could stave off hunger, but none of the guards would slaughter their beloved steeds. When the last horse collapsed, they had no choice but to cross the wilderness on foot.

Yaoying, weak with hunger and growing frailer by the day, was carried by Xie Qing, who had handed his long blade to another.

Days later, they finally glimpsed the familiar mountain range stretching along the great river on the horizon.

The guards rushed up the slope. "Once we see those bun-shaped hills, we’re near Liangzhou! One more day to cross that mountain—we’ve escaped!"

Perched on Xie Qing’s back, Yaoying lifted her head in a daze.

Could she really go home?

Be reunited with her elder brother?

Trembling all over, she had no time to speak before sharp cries pierced the clouds. A massive white falcon swooped down from the sky.

Yaoying’s face turned deathly pale.

As the falcon’s wings cut through the air, the ground beneath them trembled. The thunder of hoofbeats echoed from behind.

Yaoying looked back.

Across the vast plain, dust clouds billowed. On the blood-red horizon where the sun slowly sank, hundreds of robust knights in black armor galloped forth like a dark torrent, their overwhelming might poised to engulf Yaoying and her party.

The guards stood frozen.

The riders closed in swiftly. At their forefront was a burly, towering man in a wide felt hat and a black brocade robe woven with gold, gripping an enormous longbow. His pale golden eyes gleamed with a feral coldness in the twilight.

He halted not far from Yaoying, a smirk twisting his lips.

"Seventh Princess, I didn’t expect you to last this long."

Yaoying shut her eyes, shivering faintly.

She recalled the Northern Rong legend of taming eagles through endurance.

Haidu Aling was a master of this art.

He had found her long ago, lingering nearby, watching her endure hunger and torment. And now, just as she believed she could return home, he appeared to cruelly crush her hope of going east.One moment she saw hope, the next she was plunged into the deepest despair—how could she not break down?

Haidu Aling was taming her.

She had nowhere to escape.

Xie Qing set Yaoying down, took her own saber, drew it from its sheath, and stood in front of Yaoying.

The other guards silently drew their sabers as well.

A mocking smile played on Haidu Aling’s lips, but he made no move, as if Xie Qing and the others were utterly beneath his notice.

Xie Qing stood before Yaoying, her saber in hand, her expression calm.

As though she were not facing an undefeated army.

They were only a handful of people, exhausted and faint with hunger.

Their opponents were strong, well-supplied, and full of energy.

They were like eggs dashed against a rock—certain to die.

But what of it?

Xie Qing recited the vow she had once made, word by word: "I am willing to follow Seventh Lady, protect her safety, to the ends of the earth, even if it means ten thousand deaths."

Not the Seventh Princess of the Li family, not the Little Seventh Lady of Jingnan.

Just her own Little Seventh Lady.

She glanced back at Yaoying.

"Seventh Lady, have you recognized me?"

Tears welled in Yaoying’s eyes as she gave a faint smile. "A-Qing, I recognized you long ago."

Xie Qing nodded, her expression still unreadable. "A scholar dies for one who understands him. Though I, Xie Qingniang, am a woman, I can still uphold the aspirations of my forebears. To die protecting Seventh Lady—I would have no regrets."

And no remorse.

She raised her long saber, facing the menacing Northern Rong army.

The other guards were stunned for a moment, then exchanged knowing looks and burst into laughter. "In ancient times, there was Hua Mulan; today, we have Xie Qingniang. To fight alongside you—we’ll have something to boast about to our brothers in the underworld."

"What a pity we never took the chance to tease you before..."

"Would you dare lay a hand on her? With her build, she could slap you dead with one blow!"

Gasping weakly, they forced themselves to stand firm, shielding Li Yaoying, refusing to retreat.

In the twilight, their tall, steadfast silhouettes stood as grand as the mountains behind Yaoying.

These ordinary people had guarded her until now, all for the sake of a promise.

They regarded her as their sworn loyalty, willing to sacrifice their lives for her.

She, too, wanted to repay their devotion.

Standing behind Xie Qing and the others, Yaoying wiped the corners of her eyes with a smile.

Haidu Aling narrowed his eyes, lifted his massive longbow, drew it back, and filled it with power.

Yaoying knew this battle was over before it had even begun.

They didn’t even have a chance to struggle.

She dried her tears and placed her pale hand on Xie Qing’s shoulder.

Xie Qing turned to look.

"A-Qing, we must live. We must live well."

Her gaze was resolute as she looked toward Haidu Aling, seated on his horse in the distance.

"As long as we survive, one day we will surely return to the Central Plains."

Realizing what Yaoying intended to do, Xie Qing grabbed her hand and roared, "No!"

Yaoying looked at the others. "Restrain her."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances.

Yaoying broke free from Xie Qing’s grasp, smoothing the hair at her temples. "I am your princess. Now I command you to restrain Xie Qing. Will you defy my order?"

The guards’ faces showed turmoil. After a moment of struggle, tears sprang to their eyes. They clasped their fists and assented.

Xie Qing’s eyes blazed with fury as she lunged forward, shouting, "No! Seventh Lady, come back!"

The guards blocked her path, holding her firmly in place.Xie Qing frantically swung her blade, forcing the guards to helplessly wrest it from her grasp, pin her to the ground, and restrain her arms and legs to prevent any movement.

Yaoying offered Xie Qing a gentle smile, her voice soft: "A-Qing, I am fine."

The current Haidu Aling was still young, not yet the emperor who would conquer countless nations. He had his weaknesses and enemies he feared.

She would always find a chance to escape.

As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.

Yaoying slowly stepped out from behind the guards, standing before everyone, facing Haidu Aling.

"I will go with you."

The cold wind tousled her disheveled robes and long hair. Though worn and haggard from days of hardship, she remained noble and beautiful, like a flower blooming defiantly in mountain snow.

Haidu Aling raised an eyebrow, lifting his arm for the White Falcon to land. It nibbled at his fingers.

The corner of his mouth curved upward.

Taming this Han princess was even more exhilarating than the conquest he felt when breaking falcons.

...

Yaoying became Haidu Aling's trophy.

Seemingly pleased with her compliance, he agreed to spare the lives of Xie Qing and the others.

Before being placed in the carriage, Yaoying glanced back at the mountains standing tall in the twilight, their layered cliffs magnificent against the vast landscape.

She would return. She would cross those towering peaks and return to her homeland.

...

Though having just ambushed the Wei Dynasty and incurring their enmity, Haidu Aling showed no fear of them. Only after capturing Yaoying a day's journey from Liangzhou did he leisurely lead his troops back.

Yaoying was confined to a carriage fitted with iron bars, personally guarded by Haidu Aling's elite soldiers.

She finally received fresh food.

In the afternoon, Northern Rong soldiers brought a Hu maidservant to Yaoying.

Yaoying looked at her in surprise: "How are you here?"

Tali wiped the corner of her eye: "This slave remembered your instructions, Princess. After you left, I escaped amidst the chaos. Soon after, the Yelu Tribe was annexed by Northern Rong... The First Prince and all the elders died... I had just found shelter when the men in our tribe were slaughtered by Northern Rong soldiers. We women became their slaves."

Helong had already been occupied by Northern Rong, all tribes forced into submission—men killed, women enslaved.

Tali lowered her voice: "Princess, I heard them say the Northern Rong Khan is attacking the Royal Court in the Western Regions but suffered defeat. He has summoned Prince Aling back. Prince Aling is taking us to the Western Regions."

Yaoying sighed softly.

Not long ago, she had spoken with Tali about the Quicksand River and Tali's homeland, never imagining she would one day journey to that distant land beyond the borders.

The desolate Yelu Tribe had not felt so far from home after all—the Western Regions thousands of miles away were the true remoteness.

That night, Yaoying was brought to Haidu Aling's tent.

"How did the Seventh Princess discern my identity?"

This man raised among wolves stood robust by a long table like a mighty mountain, calmly skinning a still-struggling wild deer with a knife.

The scent of blood filled the air.

Yaoying stood before the long table, speaking plainly: "I heard my elder brother mention the Northern Rong Prince."

"Oh?" Haidu Aling didn't look up, deftly peeling the deer's hide with his blade. "I did cross blades with Li Zhongqian. He was valiant."He changed the subject, "However, Li Zhongqian is severely injured and has been unconscious. The one guarding Liangzhou is your Crown Prince. As far as I know, you have a feud with the Crown Prince. If not for the Crown Prince's Palace's schemes, you wouldn't have ended up in your current situation."

Haidu Aling lifted his head, his pale yellow eyes shimmering like a pair of translucent glass beads in the candlelight.

"Your father exchanged you for Yeluhazhu's loyalty, the Crown Prince sent you to marry in place of the woman he loves, and the ministers stood by and watched when your brother was injured—why are you still sending them warnings?"

Yaoying replied indifferently, "Because I am a citizen of Great Wei."

Haidu Aling raised an eyebrow. "I can avenge the Seventh Princess. Once I kill the Crown Prince, I can support Li Zhongqian's ascension to the throne."

Yaoying sneered, "There's no need for the Prince to trouble himself."

The events after her substitution in marriage were grievances between her, Li De, and Li Xuanzhen. Once she freed herself, she would settle these entanglements with Li De and his son.

She would never cooperate with someone as ambitious and treacherous as Haidu Aling.

Haidu Aling was faithless, cold-blooded, and cruel. As a child, he killed the she-wolf that raised him just to use its pelt to gain acceptance into the tribe. Wahan Khan treated him like his own son, had his younger brother adopt him, and gave him noble status, yet he despised his adoptive father for being weak and useless. Though he remained as close as father and son with Wahan now, in the future, he would slay Wahan, massacre Wahan's sons and grandsons, kill all of Wahan's heirs, and become the new leader of the Northern Rong.

How could such a ruthless person sincerely help her seek revenge?

If she agreed, not only would the Great Wei empire fall, but the entire Central Plains would eventually land in Haidu Aling's hands, and she and her brother would be mercilessly killed by him.

Haidu Aling laughed heartily. "Does the Seventh Princess doubt my sincerity?"

Yaoying met his gaze directly. "If the Prince's idea of helping me seek revenge is achieved by trampling over the bones of tens of thousands of innocent people, then we have nothing to discuss."

Haidu Aling slowly slit open the belly of the wild deer. "Yeluhazhu only glanced at you once and became obsessed with marrying you... Seventh Princess, you disrupted my plans. The one who should have married was the Fukang Princess."

If the Fukang Princess had married, first, he could have used the opportunity to kill the Crown Prince and throw Great Wei into chaos. Second, by leveraging Lady Zhu's identity to sow discord, along with the spies planted in Southern Chu and Shu, the Central Plains would inevitably fall into turmoil. By then, the Northern Rong could effortlessly destroy the Wei dynasty.

Alas, despite all his calculations, Haidu Aling never anticipated that Yeluhazhu would be swayed by lust, captivated by a delicate Han princess, and even offer Liangzhou as a bargaining chip to marry her.

He couldn't understand it until that night at the palace banquet, when he saw the exquisitely adorned Seventh Princess and realized why Yeluhazhu had been so smitten.

Such unparalleled beauty should belong to him.

It was her incomparable allure that made him drop his guard and underestimate this woman.

Haidu Aling clicked his tongue. "I only sent a few letters, promising the Fukang Princess I would help her restore her kingdom, and she was willing to marry into the Yelu Tribe. And her aunt—the Yiqing Grand Princess, who married into the Turks—I promised to help her restore her kingdom, and she advised me, sending loyal servants to the Central Plains to contact old ministers loyal to the Zhu family, persuading Western Shu and Southern Chu to attack your Great Wei..."

Yaoying slowly widened her eyes.

Haidu Aling smiled. "Seventh Princess, the Fukang Princess is a princess, the Yiqing Grand Princess is a princess, and you are also a princess. Why are you so different from them?"

Yaoying remained silent, her hands trembling faintly within her sleeves.

So that's how it was! So that's how it was!Haidu Aling should not have led troops to attack the Central Plains so early, and Zhu Lvyun should never have inexplicably colluded with the northern tribes in the first place. She had never understood why so many things had changed—it turned out the beginning of this shift lay with Yiqing Grand Princess!

No wonder Haidu Aling understood the various Central Plains kingdoms so thoroughly. No wonder he could stay informed of Southern Chu’s movements despite being in the north. No wonder Yiqing Grand Princess sent loyal servants back to the Central Plains for help. No wonder Southern Chu ended up entangled with Haidu Aling—it was all part of Haidu Aling’s scheme!

Yiqing Grand Princess allied with him, dispatching spies back to the Central Plains to gather military intelligence, seek allies for her, and sow chaos in the courts of various kingdoms. The loyal servant who appeared beside Zhu Lvyun, urging her to marry into the Yelu Tribe, was just one of them!

That princess who married into the Turks years ago, seeking to restore the Zhu clan, had actually formed an alliance with Haidu Aling, nearly allowing the Northern Rong to sweep in unopposed.

Yaoying swayed, almost losing her balance.

Unaware that Yiqing Grand Princess was behind it all, she had only warned Li Xuanzhen and Du Sinan in her letters to be wary of Southern Chu. She didn’t know if they could uncover Yiqing Grand Princess’s spies.

Haidu Aling chuckled lightly, “Seventh Princess, you see, without the help of your Han princess, how could I have so easily plundered the Central Plains and obtained a beauty like you?”

Yaoying steadied her thoughts and lifted her gaze. “Han people are human, and you Northern Rong are human too. Among humans, there are good and bad. I am not Yiqing Grand Princess—I will not cooperate with you, Prince.”

She paused, straightening her back.

“Not everyone can be swayed by your threats or bribes. There are many others like me.”

“This time, when you attacked Great Wei, Southern Chu—who should have simultaneously mobilized troops and shares a blood feud with Great Wei—remained inactive. They know your ambitions extend far beyond Guanzhong. When lips are gone, teeth will be cold; we share a common destiny. Although the noble-hearted of Southern Chu and Western Shu were temporarily deceived by you, once they learn the truth, they will never make peace with someone like you!”

“The Central Plains have been unified. Great Wei will soon quell the turmoil, and Southern Chu and Western Shu will both submit to Great Wei. Mountains and rivers united, sovereign and subjects united in purpose. Though the Northern Rong are powerful, Great Wei is not without its own strong generals!”

Haidu Aling narrowed his slender eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips. “This prince admires your breadth of vision, Princess.”

Yaoying replied coldly, “I, too, admire your breadth of vision, Prince.”

Haidu Aling was taken aback. “The princess admires me?”

A faint smile touched Yaoying’s lips. “You are not Wahan Khan’s biological son, yet to repay his nurturing kindness, you charge ahead in battle, drenched in blood. How much land have you seized for the Khan this time?”

Haidu Aling’s face stiffened slightly.

Noting his anger, Yaoying thought to herself: Indeed, Haidu Aling is very sensitive about his origins. After all, he is not Wahan’s true son.

Seemingly at a loss for words, Haidu Aling stopped what he was doing and gestured for Yaoying to leave.

Yaoying turned and swept away, her sleeves fluttering.

Haidu Aling’s expression darkened as he summoned his strategist. Wiping the deer blood from his blade with a cloth, he asked, “Did you hear what the Seventh Princess said just now?”

The strategist nodded.

“If even a delicate woman like her possesses such vision, are all Central Plains people like this? Is now truly not the right time to attack the Central Plains?”The strategist weighed his words carefully, phrasing them in a way Haidu Aling could understand: "Although the Wei Kingdom is newly established, it has won the people's hearts. As the saying goes, what long united must divide, what long divided must unite. Southern Chu clings to a corner of the land—outwardly prosperous, but rotten to the core. It is no match for Wei. Looking across the Central Plains, no other force can stop Wei from unifying the north and south."

Haidu Aling frowned in thought.

He was not Wahan Khan's biological son. What would all the military achievements he had painstakingly earned actually bring him?

If he stayed to continue attacking the Central Plains, even if he seized Guanzhong, Wahan would never grant it to him as a fief. Wahan only cared about his own sons.

He needed to secure his position within the Northern Rong first.

The Central Plains would be his sooner or later—there was no need to rush.

The Crown Prince did not seem as indifferent to the Seventh Princess as the rumors suggested. The Second Prince and the Seventh Princess relied on each other for survival. By keeping the Seventh Princess, she might prove useful in the future.

Haidu Aling made up his mind and ordered the strategist: "Starting tomorrow, command all divisions to abandon their heavy supplies and rendezvous with my uncle as quickly as possible. You stay behind to govern Helong—don’t let the men sent by other princes seize the fruits of my victories!"

The strategist acknowledged the order.

...

The next day, the marching troops abruptly quickened their pace.

To speed up the journey, the convoy abandoned the large carts altogether. Yaoying was placed on horseback by several robust and skilled Hu women riders, galloping westward with the troops.

They passed through Ganzhou, Suzhou, Guazhou, and Shazhou, traversed the vast plains at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, and arrived before the eight-hundred-li flowing sands.

Moheyan Desert, according to historical records, stretched eight hundred li. Ancient texts called it the Sand River, where no birds flew overhead, no beasts roamed below, and neither water nor grass could be found. At night, demon fires flickered like scattered stars; by day, harsh winds drove sands like seasonal rain.

Tended daily by the Hu women, Yaoying suffered little hardship crossing the desert, but she worried incessantly about Xie Qing and the others.

They were confined with other captives, marching at the rear of the convoy.

Whenever the troops halted to rest, Yaoying seized chances to speak with the captives, hoping to send a message to Xie Qing. However, the Hu women kept too close a watch, and the captives did not speak Chinese. Her repeated attempts proved futile.

Beyond the eight-hundred-li Sand River, further north lay Yi Province.

During the previous dynasty’s turmoil, Yi Province had been occupied by mixed Hu tribes, once submitting to the Western Turks, Tubo, and other powers. Now, it was under Northern Rong control, and the Northern Rong’s main tent was currently stationed in Yi Province.

The closer they drew to Yi Province, the more frequent the Northern Rong scouts became, delivering letters from Wahan Khan. Haidu Aling busied himself dealing with Wahan Khan and was nowhere to be seen daily.

Tali told Yaoying that Wahan Khan had been besieging the Royal Court for half a year. Not long ago, he suffered another defeat at the hands of the Buddha Prince. Furious and agitated, he suddenly fell ill and had to retreat to a fortified town. That was why Haidu Aling was rushing back to Yi Province.

Yaoying secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

...

The Western Regions were vast, with harsh climates. Scattered oases, large and small, supported limited populations.

This geographical reality made it difficult for a powerful, militarily strong dynasty to emerge in the Western Regions—they simply lacked the capacity to maintain large armies. Thus, when the Northern Rong invaded, the various tribes were as scattered sand, unable to resist.

Back when the Northern Rong conquered the Western Regions, they advanced unimpeded. The Northern Rong Khan believed he could crush the entire Western Regions within a few months.

The Northern Rong were invincible; wherever their cavalry went, city-states and tribes, large and small, all submitted.Wahan Khan, swollen with pride, decided to seize the moment and capture the legendary Holy City in one fell swoop, intending to make the Buddha Prince his prisoner.

Everyone believed Wahan Khan would successfully conquer the Holy City and capture the Buddha Prince.

Yet in that battle, despite his powerful cavalry, Wahan Khan was defeated.

Facing the Buddha Prince’s two thousand troops with thirty thousand of his own, he not only suffered a crushing defeat but also fled in disarray, abandoning his armor and weapons. The once-arrogant Wahan Khan fell from his horse and was nearly trampled to death by his own steed.

That battle, where the few triumphed over the many, made the thirteen-year-old Buddha Prince Tanmoroqie renowned throughout the Western Regions, his prestige reaching unprecedented heights.

At the same time, it left a deep scar in Wahan Khan’s heart.

Eager to escape the shadow of defeat and restore morale, the proud Khan found that, for some inexplicable reason, ever since that loss, the Northern Rong army would always encounter mishaps whenever they faced the Royal Court’s forces—especially the central army loyal to the Buddha Prince.

After suffering another defeat at the hands of Tanmoroqie’s central army, Wahan Khan began to suspect that Tanmoroqie might truly possess supernatural powers.

This became an obsession for Wahan Khan, and from then on, he instinctively avoided confronting the Royal Court.

Thus, the northern route of the Western Regions enjoyed ten years of peace.

In both of those battles, Haidu Aling had remained closely by Wahan Khan’s side.

Wahan Khan’s obsession became Haidu Aling’s as well.

Two generations of Khans had been defeated by Tanmoroqie, both harboring doubts about the Holy City and neither daring to launch an attack lightly.

As long as Tanmoroqie lived, neither Wahan Khan nor Haidu Aling could breach the Holy City.

It was only after Tanmoroqie’s death from illness that Haidu Aling laughed heartily and declared to his subordinates, “Without the Buddha Prince, is the Holy City still the Holy City?”

He immediately mustered his troops and led them to besiege the Holy City.

Soon after, the Royal Court fell.

…

Recalling the conflicts between the Northern Rong and the Royal Court, Yaoying could confirm that both Wahan Khan and Haidu Aling feared Tanmoroqie.

This time, Wahan Khan mustered his courage and sent tribes under his control to harass the Royal Court, only engaging in peripheral skirmishes. Not only did he fail to capture the Holy City as intended, but the setback infuriated him to the point of falling ill. News of this spread, further convincing the Northern Rong cavalry of the rumor: whoever dares attack the Holy City will face divine retribution.

Like his uncle, Haidu Aling was wary of Tanmoroqie. With the Northern Rong’s devastating defeat, he was busy managing military affairs and had temporarily forgotten about her. This was the perfect opportunity for her to find a way to escape.

But before Yaoying could seize the moment, one day, several Hu women suddenly dragged her to the front of Haidu Aling’s tent.

In the open space before the tent stood a tall pole, and a bloodied, battered figure was tied to it. Blood dripped from the hem of his robe, staining the sandy ground with a dark pool.

Yaoying’s gaze fell on the person’s face, and her entire body trembled.

Haidu Aling lifted the tent flap and stepped out, a blade in his hand. A fresh wound on his right cheek still bled, covering half his face in blood.

His expression grim, he strode toward Xie Qing.

Yaoying lunged forward, but the Hu women swarmed around her, holding her back firmly.

Haidu Aling glanced back at Yaoying, wiped his wound, hissed in pain, and raised his long blade. “Seventh Princess, it’s not that I’m breaking my promise, but your subordinate dared to assassinate me. Don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Just as he was about to bring the blade down on Xie Qing’s neck, a sudden thought flashed through Yaoying’s mind.

“I know Tanmoroqie!”

The blade, having just touched Xie Qing’s neck, abruptly halted.Yaoying’s heart leaped with joy: Haidu Aling truly feared Tanmoroqie!

Haidu Aling’s pale yellow eyes flickered with a strange light as he turned to scrutinize Yaoying.

Tanmoroqie’s reputation was known throughout the Western Regions, but people usually addressed him as Buddha Prince, Master, or Dharma Teacher. Ordinary folks only knew his surname was Tanmo, unaware of the name Luoqie. Haidu Aling himself had only learned Tanmoroqie’s full name by chance.

How did a Han woman like the Seventh Princess know Tanmoroqie’s full name?

Yaoying steadied herself and met Haidu Aling’s suspicious gaze calmly. “Has the Prince ever wondered why the Royal Court’s trade caravan appeared near Liangzhou?”

Haidu Aling’s brow furrowed slightly.

When he learned that the First Prince had ambushed Tanmoroqie’s caravan, he had indeed pondered this question: Why would Tanmoroqie’s people cross the Flowing Sands River and appear near Liangzhou?

The Buddha Prince was noble and sacred, rarely leaving the monastery except to lead troops in battle. Haidu Aling had thought long and hard but couldn’t figure out the reason, though the matter had lingered in his mind.

Now, as Yaoying brought it up, Haidu Aling immediately recalled it.

Haidu Aling feigned nonchalance. “Could it be for you?”

Yaoying nodded. “Exactly, it was for me. I had just married into the Yelu Tribe when Tanmoroqie’s caravan appeared nearby. Do you think that’s a coincidence?”

Haidu Aling’s frown deepened.

Suppressing her trembling, Yaoying continued spinning her tale: “Not only do I know Tanmoroqie, but we share a deep friendship. The reason I was willing to make a deal with Li Xuanzhen was because I knew Tanmoroqie would send someone to rescue me. Release my guards and send me to Tanmoroqie, and I can persuade him to form an alliance with you.”

Haidu Aling laughed. “Why would I need an alliance with the Buddha Prince?”

Yaoying replied coolly, “Wahan Khan will soon establish a non-aggression pact with Tanmoroqie. Once the Khan returns to the main tent, how will you, a prince without Wahan Khan’s bloodline, compete with the others? Are you content to submit to them?”

Haidu Aling’s smile vanished. His outwardly imposing aura receded, as if his anger had subsided, but his eyes gleamed with a sinister killing intent.

Dark and oppressive.

At this moment, he was at his most dangerous.

Yaoying broke out in a cold sweat. Glancing sideways at Xie Qing, she pressed on, “Release me, and I’ll convince Tanmoroqie to ally with you. If Wahan Khan dies, you’ll surely be executed by the other princes. Why not secure a way out for yourself?”

Haidu Aling remained silent, shifting his long blade and swinging it toward Yaoying.

This woman had guessed his thoughts—she couldn’t be allowed to live!

The Hu women screamed in terror, covering their heads and scrambling away.

A cold gleam enveloped Yaoying. Her legs weakened, and she dug her nails deep into her palms, forcing herself to face Haidu Aling directly. “Aren’t you afraid Tanmoroqie will avenge me?”

Haidu Aling’s movement halted.

Just then, the clatter of hooves sounded as several Northern Rong soldiers dismounted and hurried to the tent. “Great Prince, the Khan is about to form an alliance with the Buddha Prince!”

Haidu Aling froze.

The soldier approached, presented a letter, and clasped his fists. “The Khan has already set out for Sand City and requests your presence.”

Haidu Aling sheathed his blade, took the letter, and found its contents matched exactly what Yaoying had just said.Wahan Khan was gravely ill, and the tribe's witch doctors claimed he was likely cursed by the Buddha Prince. Fear spread through the army, leaving Wahan Khan with no choice but to seek reconciliation with Tanmoroqie, agreeing that Northern Rong and the Royal Court would not interfere with each other.

Of course, this was only a temporary measure. For Northern Rong to conquer the Western Regions, they must capture the Holy City.

But how could the Princess of Wei foresee the two nations forming an alliance?

Haidu Aling was inwardly shocked but showed no expression. He tucked away the letter and cast a cold glance at Yaoying: "Take her away."

No matter how peculiar this princess might be, keeping her would surely prove useful.

If she truly knew Tanmoroqie, all the better.

Haidu Aling hurried off with the letter.

Before the Hu woman could approach, Yaoying finally collapsed, unable to hold on any longer.