On the third day after Ashina Bisha returned to the Holy City, the royal palace issued a proclamation announcing that a grand Procession of the Buddha Statues Festival would be held at the beginning of the next month, during which Tanmoroqie would appear at the Dharma Assembly.
With the recent alliance established with Northern Rong and the upcoming grand event, the citizens were overjoyed. Even before the official date, preparations for the Dharma Assembly began everywhere—from the royal palace to common households—with people sweeping courtyards and setting up canopies, creating a lively atmosphere.
The young novice who taught Yaoying Brahmi told her that every year during the Procession of the Buddha Statues Festival, the Holy City would become so crowded that the streets were packed, often leading to fatal stampedes.
"Witnessing the procession can eliminate sins and bring blessings, Princess. You should attend the Dharma Assembly and make a wish before the procession—it’s more effective than usual!"
Yaoying recalled last year’s Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Assembly at Taiji Palace and felt little interest.
The young novice, eyes blazing with fervor, added, "On the day of the festival, the Buddha Prince will return to the temple to deliver a Sutra lecture and debate with eminent monks from Kucha, Gaochang, and Kashgar. This is a rare event that happens only once in a century! I’ve already asked my sweeping-duty senior to save me a good spot!"
Yaoying looked surprised. "The Buddha Prince is going to deliver a lecture and debate?"
Ashina Bisha had brought back Water Mang Grass, alleviating Tanmoroqie’s suffering, but it had only been three days! In such a short time, having barely recovered from near death, he was already preparing to debate with eminent monks—a test not only of his physical strength but also of his mental acuity.
The eminent monks of the Western Regions were skilled debaters. Could he handle it?
The young novice nodded, watching Yaoying. "Princess, do you very much want to see the Buddha Prince debate?"
Yaoying’s lips twitched slightly. When Tanmoroqie debated with eminent monks, he spoke either Brahmi or the Hu language—she wouldn’t understand a word. Of course, she had no desire to go; she was merely astonished by Tanmoroqie’s determination.
A crisis had been quietly averted. The people of the Royal Court eagerly anticipated the grand event, never knowing their Buddha Prince had narrowly escaped death and was enduring torment every moment.
Her expression thoughtful, the young novice glanced at her several times, his eyes shifting: The Central Plains princess is truly infatuated with the Buddha Prince—already so distracted.
That evening, rumors spread throughout the palace that Yaoying was too lovesick over Tanmoroqie to eat or drink, weeping incessantly.
Yaoying ignored the gossip. After hearing from Mengda Ti Po that the central army knights had brought back her dowry, she went with her guards to receive it.
Ashina Bisha had taken the Water Mang Grass directly into the palace, while the remaining carts carrying silk, fabrics, books, documents, Buddha statues, and jewels arrived in the Holy City four days later, escorted by Bore.
He handed the inventory to Yaoying, thumping his chest. "Please check the list, Princess. Everything is here except the Water Mang Grass."
Yaoying thanked him but did not verify the items, instead asking the knights to move the carts directly into the palace storerooms.
After completing the handover, Bore immediately returned to the palace. Seeing that Tanmoroqie had indeed improved, he repeatedly chanted Buddha’s name.
The next day, the rumors reached his ears.
Furious and anxious, Bore sought out Yaoying, pointing a trembling finger at her.
Yaoying looked puzzled and asked, "Is something wrong with the Buddha Prince?"
Water Mang Grass was highly toxic; it could save lives, but excessive consumption was harmful. The reason her Concentrated Dew Pills were so expensive was that they required numerous medicinal ingredients to counteract the grass’s toxicity.The worry on Yaoying’s face seemed genuine, causing Bore to pause. Remembering Tanmoroqie’s instructions, he swallowed the reprimand that had been simmering inside him for a long time.
Forget it. Though this princess is shameless, she truly admires the King’s grace. If not for her dowry, how could the King have escaped danger?
Bore kept a stern expression and said, “The King is much better.”
Yaoying looked blank for a moment, then responded, “Oh. The Dharma Master is blessed with good fortune.”
Bore glared at her. “I’ve heard you’ve been pestering the monks every day, asking about the King’s condition… Do not go around inquiring about the King’s affairs. It will harm his reputation if word spreads. If you have any questions in the future, come to me!”
Yaoying was momentarily speechless. When did I go around asking about Tanmoroqie? Everyone in the palace admires him, and his name as the Buddha Prince comes up in almost every conversation. I never deliberately sought information.
But Bore was convinced that Yaoying was scheming to get close to Tanmoroqie and warned her, “Don’t think you can take this chance to approach the King. The medicine you brought saved him, and he is grateful to you, but he will not be swayed by you!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuanjue appeared at the courtyard gate.
“Princess, the King requests your presence in the main hall.”
Bore was dumbstruck.
Yaoying spread her hands at him. “Your King invited me.”
Bore had no retort. He turned his head away and fell silent.
Yaoying walked past him and followed Yuanjue to the main hall.
As they crossed the front courtyard, a flash of golden light streaked through the quiet corridor. A spotted leopard leaped silently down from the wall and pressed its paw against the vines twining over the steps.
Yuanjue halted and signaled for Yaoying not to panic.
Having seen this untamed leopard frequently over the past few days, Yaoying was less frightened now. She averted her gaze and stood perfectly still.
The leopard narrowed its eyes, jumped onto the corridor, lowered its tail, and suddenly began walking toward Yaoying.
Yuanjue’s expression shifted.
“Ali!”
A cheerful voice rang out as the golden-haired, green-eyed General of the Central Army hurried out from the inner hall, stepping in front of Yaoying. He waved at the leopard and said, “Don’t scare Princess Wenzhao!”
The leopard glanced at him almost disdainfully, then turned, leaped down the stone steps, and lazily curled up in the shade of the vines to nap.
Ashina Bisha turned to Yaoying with a smile. “Princess, were you frightened?”
Yaoying looked into his emerald-green eyes and shook her head.
Ashina Bisha’s mother was a Turkic princess, and his father was a noble of the Royal Court. Tall and handsome, he had struck her at first glance as resembling Tanmoroqie in his features, but upon closer inspection, she realized they were not alike—only their eye color was similar.
Bisha smiled, his grin as bright and dazzling as the sunlight outside the corridor. Though he carried himself with a rakish charm, his tone was sincere, almost earnest: “If not for your Water Mang Grass, the King would not have escaped this calamity. You are an honored guest of the Royal Court. If Xue Yanna dares to trouble you again, do not be afraid—just send word to me.”
Yaoying thanked him and entered the inner hall.
Bisha stood in the corridor, watching her retreating figure for a while. He scratched his head, shook it with a wry smile, and resumed his guard duties.
The inner hall was spacious and serene. The gold-and-jade statues of the Buddha and the incense tables had all been removed, though a faint fragrance still lingered in the air.
Tanmoroqie sat cross-legged on a felt rug, clad in a snow-white kasaya adorned with golden patterns, a rosary resting beside his hand—ethereal and transcendent.Two attendants knelt nearby, offering the medicinal soup. He picked up the bowl and drank it in one swift, yet graceful motion.
The attendants withdrew with the empty bowl.
Yaoying's gaze fell upon Tanmoroqie's face. His complexion had improved significantly—pale as the cold moon, his eyes clear and lucid. Perhaps it was his profound serenity that made it difficult to discern any trace of the suffering he endured from his expression.
Tanmoroqie lifted his eyelids, gesturing for Yaoying to sit.
She knelt opposite him. Though usually casual in posture, facing this living Buddha made her instinctively straighten her back and sit with proper decorum.
Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze slightly. "Why has the Princess not gone to the Land of Brahma?"
His tone was placid, yet this very detachment carried a subtle authority that made Yaoying sit even straighter. Instead of answering, she asked in return: "Forgive my boldness, Venerable One, but why did you send Regent Su Dan Gu to Gaochang?"
Tanmoroqie remained silent.
Yaoying asked softly, "Does the Venerable One wish to form an alliance with Gaochang?"
Tanmoroqie's gaze settled upon her.
Meeting his eyes, Yaoying continued slowly: "The ruler and nobility of Gaochang are largely descended from prominent families of Hexi—they are Han people. Gaochang emulates the ceremonial systems of Central Plains dynasties, with flourishing Confucian traditions and customs identical to the heartland. Since the Royal Court harbors hostility toward Han people, you could only secretly dispatch the Regent to sound out Gaochang's intentions."
Su Dan Gu's solitary journey to Gaochang surely carried a secret decree. At that time, the Northern Rong were launching a full-scale invasion of the Royal Court. Yaoying speculated that Tanmoroqie, perhaps aware of his limited time left, sought to secure a retreat path for the Royal Court by sending Su Dan Gu to seek aid from Gaochang.
Tanmoroqie's expression confirmed Yaoying's conjecture.
She shifted her tone: "I presume Gaochang refused the Regent."
Tanmoroqie remained silent, a faint unusual light flickering in his deep jade-green eyes.
Facing his gaze, Yaoying stated: "A small state with scarce population, Gaochang's survival strategy is to maneuver between powers, submitting to every strong dynasty to ensure its existence. Now that the Northern Rong are powerful, Gaochang has sworn allegiance to them. Though the Royal Court is prosperous, its military strength remains limited. Gaochang would not risk offending the Northern Rong to ally with the Royal Court."
Gaochang connects the Central Plains to the east, links the Western Regions to the west, controls the Silk Road to the south, and commands the grasslands to the north—a crossroads where various ethnic groups intermingle. This geographical position makes it strategically offensive but indefensible. Throughout history, this oasis kingdom on the ancient Silk Road has struggled to survive between competing regimes and powers.
The Central Plains dynasties once established prefectures and counties in Gaochang, stationing troops there. Later, when the Central Plains fell into turmoil and could no longer maintain western influence, the Western Regions descended into chaos. Gaochang and other small western states, cut off from the Central Plains, could only govern independently.
Yaoying had already inquired: the current ruler of Gaochang bears the surname Yuchi, descendant of a prominent Longxi family. Gaochang submits to the Northern Rong, and two years ago, ruler Yuchi married the niece of Northern Rong's Wahan Khan as his consort.
She looked at Tanmoroqie and smiled faintly, finally answering his initial question: "Venerable One, by remaining in the Royal Court, I could serve as an envoy to Gaochang on your behalf."
An unknown incense smoldered in the hall, its delicate fragrance drifting in faint wisps.
Tanmoroqie gazed at Yaoying, his profound eyes slightly dazed.
Yaoying declared solemnly: "Gaochang was once a prefecture under Central Plains administration. Its ruler and nobility still cherish their Central Plains heritage. As a princess of Great Wei, my diplomatic mission to Gaochang would have greater chances of success than the Regent's."Gaochang was unwilling to offend the Northern Rong, but neither would they truly submit to them. Their king and nobles always hoped to restore connections with the Central Plains dynasty. As a princess of Great Wei, her mission to Gaochang might persuade their king to consider Tanmoroqie’s proposal.
Yaoying paused briefly before continuing, "I may not be able to convince the King of Gaochang, but at the very least, Gaochang will not become an enemy of the Royal Court. Currently, from the Eastern Liao Sea to the Western Sea, from the southern He Long region to the northern Beihai, all have submitted to the Northern Rong. The Royal Court alone cannot withstand the Northern Rong’s might. Whatever Gaochang’s response may be, Great Wei is willing to form an alliance with the Royal Court to jointly resist the Northern Rong."
Tanmoroqie gazed at Yaoying for a long while.
The maiden’s voice was soft and melodious, her tone calm, as if completely unaware of the weight of her words.
From east to west—Great Wei, the Royal Court, Gaochang... and many other smaller states yearning to return east—if such an alliance were truly formed, it would not merely alter the fate of the Royal Court or the dynamics of the Western Regions, but the very course of the world.
Tanmoroqie recalled the year he turned thirteen, when Northern Rong cavalry stormed into the Holy City amid swirling yellow sands. Reciting Scriptures silently, he led the central army to confront the overwhelming tide of enemies.
From that moment on, he was destined to bear the burden of this nation until his death.
He was the Buddha Prince, a monarch, yet the princess before him was but a delicate and beautiful maiden, adrift in foreign lands with an uncertain future.
The rosary in Tanmoroqie’s hand swayed slightly as he asked softly, "Why does the princess wish to ally with the Royal Court?"
A faint smile touched Yaoying’s lips as she met Tanmoroqie’s gaze steadily. "Because of you," she replied.
Tanmoroqie was taken aback.
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