Bore rode out of the Holy City and headed straight for Yunfu City. On the way, he happened to meet Princess Chima, who was returning to the Royal Court.
Dust billowed on the main road. At the head of the procession was a young man with a high nose and deep-set eyes, tall and robust, riding a fine horse. He wore a peacock-blue brocade robe with half-sleeves, knee-high long boots, and a long sword at his waist. A short dagger was tucked into his belt, and a white cloak with golden patterns draped over his shoulders—the attire of a mid-ranking officer in the Royal Court.
Bore approached him: "General Ashina!"
Ashina Bisha recognized Bore, loosened his reins, and a trace of worry flashed in his emerald-green eyes: "Why have you left the King’s side?"
Bore urged his horse forward and whispered with a choked voice: "Master Mengda Ti Po said the King may not last more than a few days!"
Ashina Bisha lifted his head, gazing in the direction of the Royal Court. Tears welled in his eyes, and he clenched his fists tightly.
Bore wiped the corner of his eye and took out the letter written by Li Yaoying: "Now, only Water Mang Grass can save the King. This Princess of Wei says her dowry contains Water Mang Grass, but Haidu Aling of the Northern Rong seized her dowry. We must retrieve it to find the medicinal herbs."
He briefly explained the whole situation.
As they spoke, the procession halted. Princess Chima, with red hair, brown eyes, and a light veil covering her face, stepped down from her carriage with the help of her maid. Frowning, she asked, "Why have we stopped?"
Bisha motioned for the maid to step back and explained the matter of the Water Mang Grass to Princess Chima.
Bore scratched his head anxiously: "Princess, what should we do now? Should we try this Princess of Wei’s method? The Master said that if it weren’t for the Princess of Wei arranging his travel documents and generously providing him with carriages and supplies, he could never have crossed the blockades to reach the Royal Court. He said all of this was the Buddha’s arrangement."
Though angered by Li Yaoying’s disrespect toward the Buddha Prince, in this life-or-death moment, he preferred to believe the legend: that the Buddha Prince was Ananda, and the Princess of Wei was his Girl of Matanga, sent by the Buddha to test him.
If that were true, then the Buddha Prince could still be saved. Just as Ananda ultimately passed the test, so could the Buddha Prince!
Yaoying’s letter was written in both Chinese and Turkic. Bisha, being a descendant of the Turkic royal family, naturally understood Turkic.
He lowered his head to read the letter, frowning thoughtfully.
Princess Chima cast a cold glance at Bore and said angrily: "Luojia is a prince of the Royal Court, a noble Buddha Prince. How could he be associated with a lowly Han woman!"
Bisha looked up, his gaze turning cold: "Luojia is gravely ill. Only Anxi Pills can temporarily ease his suffering."
Princess Chima sneered: "Over two hundred members of my Tanmo clan were slaughtered by the Han people. The Han are enemies of the Royal Court. I wish I could devour their flesh and drink their blood! Luojia is the ruler of the Royal Court. He will not forget the blood debt of our people!"
Bore, recalling Tanmoroqie’s background, dared not speak.
Bisha’s expression remained unchanged as he turned his horse. "Princess, do you know why Luojia sent me to escort you to Yunfu City?"
Princess Chima remained silent.
Bisha tucked the letter into his robe and said slowly: "As a mid-ranking cavalry officer, I should be by his side. But Luojia feared he might not be able to protect the Royal Court this time and worried you would suffer humiliation at the hands of the Northern Rong. He sent me to escort you to Yunfu City until he secures a treaty with the Northern Rong, after which you will return. With the treaty, whether he lives or dies, you will always be a princess of the Tanmo family. Even if the city falls, Wahan Khan will treat you well."He paused for a moment, then turned to look at Princess Chima.
"Right now, Luojia's life hangs by a thread. Only the medicine of the Han princess can save him. You only remember your hatred for the Han people—do you not care about Luojia at all? You've witnessed how he has struggled through these years."
Princess Chima remained silent, her face beneath the veil as cold as frost.
Bi Suo rode to the front of the procession, summoned his deputy, and handed over his token: "Send the princess back to the city. Gather our forces and await my orders at Sand City. I will deliver this letter to Northern Rong."
He turned to his personal guards. "If Northern Rong denies their debt, I will personally lead the central army to their main tent to demand the dowry of the Wei Dynasty princess! The Royal Court's central army remains forever loyal to the Buddha Prince!"
"Loyal to the Buddha Prince!"
The crowd responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
Bore quickly caught up to Bi Suo and asked, "Should we send someone to inform the Regent in Gaochang?"
The military and administrative power of the Royal Court lay in the hands of Regent Su Dan Gu.
Bi Suo stiffened slightly and sighed softly: "No need. Su Dan Gu isn't in Gaochang... If he were here, he would make the same decision. The Buddha Prince has sacrificed so much for the Royal Court... If it can save the Buddha Prince, I will bear all responsibility."
If the letter proved false, he was confident he could withdraw unscathed.
If the contents were true, he would risk his life to seize the Water Mang Grass!
Bore acknowledged the order and said, "The Wei Dynasty princess mentioned she would prepare a name list and have her attendants deliver it to the central army. If Northern Rong tries to renege, her attendants can identify the Northern Rong prince. She was imprisoned by him, and her people know where those treasures are hidden."
Bi Suo raised an eyebrow; he had been so focused on the Water Mang Grass that he hadn't considered this.
"That Wei Dynasty princess is quite clever."
Bore curled her lips in disdain.
Not daring to delay, Bi Suo spurred his horse onward. Within days, he located Wahan Khan's main tent and charged alone into the Northern Rong camp to present the letter.
Wahan Khan, who had just left Sand City and was preparing to head to Xizhou, was greatly surprised after reading the letter.
When had Haidu Aling detained a Wei Dynasty princess?
Bi Suo stood before Wahan, neither humble nor arrogant, and stated: "Summon Haidu Aling to confront me face to face! The attendants of the Wei Dynasty princess are in Sand City—they can testify that Haidu Aling imprisoned a guest of our Royal Court for half a year! He also seized the princess's dowry! Our Royal Court has never harassed Northern Rong merchant caravans; even during wartime, they could trade in the Holy City. Great Khan, I urge you to honor our alliance and return the princess's dowry."
Several princes happened to be in the tent and exchanged glances at these words.
The youngest prince approached Wahan and whispered, "Father, not long ago, Haidu Aling did hide a stunning beauty in his camp. I heard she was captured from the Central Plains—I never imagined she was a princess."
Wahan Khan's expression darkened.
The young prince sneered coldly: "Father, do you still doubt Haidu Aling's wolfish ambition? He didn't hide an ordinary beauty but a legitimate princess of the Wei Dynasty, a guest of the Royal Court's Buddha Prince! He has kept this from you for so long—his ambitions are vast! Moreover, as a Northern Rong prince, he embezzled treasures! Is he plotting rebellion?"
Wahan Khan cast a cold glance with his light brown eyes at his youngest son.
The young prince's face turned pale.Wahan Khan withdrew his gaze, his eyes flickering twice as he quickly made a decision. He looked at Bi Suo and laughed heartily, "Truly worthy of Ashina's descendants, as valiant as ever! This matter may be a misunderstanding."
With that, he sent someone to summon Haidu Aling.
Shortly after, Haidu Aling arrived. Seeing the golden-haired, blue-eyed Bi Suo standing with stern resolve, his light golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Wahan asked amiably, "Wolf Slave, did you detain the Princess of Wei?"
From the moment Li Yaoying was rescued by Dharmaraga, Haidu Aling knew that woman wouldn't let things rest. Seeing Bi Suo had come knocking, he understood the matter couldn't be concealed and didn't deny it. Instead, he asked flippantly, "Isn't the Princess of Wei with the Buddha Prince now? What, is the Buddha Prince willing to antagonize Northern Rong over a woman?"
Wahan Khan maintained his composure and said gently, "Wolf Slave, I have established an alliance with the ruler of the Royal Court and sworn not to harm each other's families. The Princess of Wei admires the ruler of the Royal Court and followed him across thousands of miles. Her dowry was detained by you, and now the Royal Court has sent someone to reclaim it. What do you think should be done?"
His expression was benevolent, even carrying a hint of smile in his eyes, but everyone present understood what the Khan's smile signified.
Those in the tent broke out in cold sweat.
Haidu Aling seethed with anger internally, but outwardly he showed only respect. Without a moment's hesitation, he obediently replied, "I shall return everything in full."
Wahan Khan nodded, his face full of smiles, though a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes.
Haidu Aling turned to Bi Suo and suddenly shifted his tone, "May I ask in what capacity the ruler of the Royal Court is claiming the Princess of Wei's dowry?"
Bi Suo replied calmly, "The Princess of Wei wishes to marry our King."
Haidu Aling curled his lips, "Oh, so your King intends to break his vows?"
Bi Suo stood with arms crossed, "The King is a monastic and cannot marry the princess. The princess asks for nothing, willing to emulate the Girl of Matanga by practicing cultivation for the King. The King has agreed—this is Buddha's test for him."
Haidu Aling's pupils contracted sharply: Had Tanmoroqie actually accepted Li Yaoying's proposal that day?
Allowing Li Yaoying to enter the temple to practice cultivation—wasn't that just keeping the beauty by his side?!
Wasn't he afraid the news would spread throughout the Royal Court and stir unrest?
Haidu Aling quickly pondered: Back then, Yelu Khan had offered Liangzhou as betrothal gifts after just one glance at Li Yaoying, refusing all persuasion. When the princes of the Yelu Tribe saw Li Yaoying, they were practically drooling with desire.
As for himself, he had also shown extraordinary patience toward Li Yaoying because of her beauty.
Could it be that Tanmoroqie had also been bewitched by Li Yaoying's charms?
He had underestimated that woman. Thinking that bringing her eight thousand li to the Western Regions would make her completely despair and submit obediently, he never expected she would know the Buddha Prince, and now even the Buddha Prince was captivated by her.
Haidu Aling sneered inwardly.
The more this happened, the more determined he was to possess that woman.
Having obtained Wahan Khan's promise, Bi Suo didn't prolong the confrontation. He took his leave and departed.
The moment Bi Suo's figure disappeared beyond the tent entrance, Haidu Aling immediately knelt before Wahan Khan, his face full of shame, "When your nephew was in the Central Plains, he saw that Princess of Wei was a peerless beauty and captured her, intending to present her to the Great Khan. I never expected she had connections with the Buddha Prince and escaped midway. Your nephew acted recklessly first and proved incompetent afterward. I beg the Great Khan to punish me!"Everyone in the tent rolled their eyes in exasperation.
Wahan Khan remained silent.
Haidu Aling knelt on the ground, motionless.
A silence as deep as sinking water filled the space.
After a long while, Wahan Khan stood up, helped Haidu Aling to his feet, and spoke with profound sincerity, "Forget it. Your intentions were filial, after all."
Haidu Aling wore an expression of fearful reverence: "Thank you for your understanding, Great Khan!"
Wahan Khan patted his shoulder and smiled. "Over the years, countless beauties and treasures have been offered by the kingdoms of the Western Regions, yet the Buddha Prince has never shown interest. Now, he's making a great fuss over a woman's dowry. It seems your judgment was sound—that princess of the Wei Dynasty is indeed a peerless beauty."
Haidu Aling's brow twitched, and he sneered, "She is a beauty of unparalleled grace."
Wahan Khan nodded. "Wolf-slave, no matter where that beauty came from, and regardless of whether you resent handing her over, she is now the Buddha Prince's woman. This will surely tarnish his reputation, which only benefits our Northern Rong."
Haidu Aling lowered his head, a shadow clouding his handsome features. "Your nephew understands. Not only must I refrain from stopping the Royal Court from intervening on her behalf, but I should also widely publicize this matter. It would be best if everyone knew the holy Buddha Prince is willing to sink into depravity for a Han woman."
Wahan Khan nodded in satisfaction.
The father, sons, and nephews discussed matters in the tent for a while before Haidu Aling took his leave.
The young prince immediately jumped up. "Father Khan! Haidu Aling is spouting nonsense! He concealed the identity of the Wei Dynasty princess because he didn't want to surrender the beauty! Father Khan is the bravest man in the world—the most beautiful woman under heaven should be delivered to your bed. Haidu Aling hid her away—this is disrespect toward you!"
Wahan Khan lifted his eyelids and scolded angrily, "You are the son of the Divine Wolf, carrying the blood of the Divine Wolf! How can you sow discord before your father like some ignorant woman?"
The young prince snorted lightly and shut his mouth sheepishly.
Wahan Khan glanced around, his eyes falling on a trusted aide guarding the tent entrance.
The aide whispered, "Prince Haidu Aling returned directly to his tent without stopping elsewhere."
Wahan Khan gave a slight nod.
The young prince finally grasped the implication and broke out in a cold sweat.
Wahan Khan looked at his youngest son and shook his head. "You are too naive to be a match for Wolf-slave. Wolf-slave was raised by wolves—they taught him to hunt, and I taught him to lead troops in battle. He is still young now, reckless and arrogant. When he truly matures, he will inevitably replace me."
The young prince stiffened his neck. "I am also a child you raised, Father Khan!"
Wahan Khan rolled his eyes skyward.
He was a fierce alpha wolf who had expanded his pack, raised a brood of sons, and led his people to unify the grasslands. He believed he was still strong and capable of continuing his conquests.
Yet the young wolves were growing impatient. They all wanted to challenge him, the alpha, to become the new leader.
The strong rule.
His sons were wolves too, but unfortunately, they were too foolish—destined to die at the hands of Haidu Aling, who aspired to be the alpha.
Wahan Khan did not resent Haidu Aling's ambition, but he could not tolerate his hidden schemes.
The letter from the Wei Dynasty princess had served as a warning. Haidu Aling had secretly annexed Helong and the Northern Desert, hoarded weapons and horses, and raised private slaves. Just how vast were his ambitions?
Wahan Khan pondered for a long time.
He had to guard against this wolf-raised cub.Today he forced Haidu Aling to return the dowry of the Wei Dynasty princess, creating a deadly enmity between Haidu Aling and the Royal Court’s Buddha Prince. If Haidu Aling were to truly launch a rebellion in the future, his weak and useless sons could flee to the Royal Court for refuge.
Wahan Khan sighed inwardly. The person he most feared in his life was Tanmoroqie, the one he most wanted to defeat was him, and the one he trusted the most... unexpectedly, was also him.
The Buddha Prince was a true gentleman who would not harm his subjects.
...
Bi Suo left the main tent and immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Sand City.
The personal guards had already arrived at Sand City. Upon hearing the news, they brought the handwritten inventory from Yaoying and hurried to the camp to check the dowry. The deputy general of the central army dispatched two hundred soldiers to escort them.
When Haidu Aling saw the inventory presented by the personal guards, his narrow golden eyes coldly fixed on them. He curled his lips scornfully, then turned and strode away in anger.
Bi Suo escorted the dowry under guard.
Once outside the camp, the personal guards quickly located the crates of medicinal herbs and presented them to Bi Suo.
Bi Suo took the herbs, mounted the fastest horse, and rushed back to the Holy City.
...
Yaoying and the remaining personal guards were still detained, though they had been moved to a more spacious and brighter room.
Mengda Ti Po had prescribed medicine for Xie Qing, who was now well cared for. Her wounds gradually healed, and her complexion improved day by day.
Yaoying counted the days, thinking that Bore must have obtained the Water Mang Grass by now. She wondered if Tanmoroqie’s condition had improved.
One day, as she was studying Brahmi with the young novice assigned to watch her, the monk’s disciple hurried into the courtyard. He urged her to pack her belongings quickly and take refuge in Mengda Ti Po’s courtyard for a few days.
"Why?" she asked.
The disciple’s voice trembled. "Just follow me, Princess. This is the monk’s instruction."
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