"Because the ruler of the Royal Court is the Buddha Prince, I dare to make such an agreement with him."
Yaoying smiled faintly as she spoke softly.
She had painted an ambitious vision for Tanmoroqie. Whether this vision could be realized remained uncertain.
Would Gaochang agree to form an alliance? Could they successfully deliver the message back to the Central Plains? With thousands of mountains and rivers separating them, would unforeseen changes occur by the time their message reached the Central Plains?
All these were variables beyond prediction.
But as long as they took one more step forward, there would be one more glimmer of hope.
If the Royal Court were still controlled by nobles and ministers like Kang Mo Zhe, Yaoying would never have proposed an alliance with the Royal Court. People like Kang Mo Zhe, who cared only for their family's interests, would not pay attention to a distant Central Plains dynasty eight thousand miles away. Her proposal would not be taken seriously and would only invite ridicule.
Moreover, allying with Kang Mo Zhe would require her to guard against being exploited and harmed by him.
Tanmoroqie was different. He cared deeply about the lives of the Royal Court's people, possessed foresight, and had a broad perspective. As intelligent as he was, he surely understood how slim their hopes were, but he would be willing to give it a try—gaining one more ally meant having one less enemy. He did not know how long he could hold on and needed more allies.
Therefore, Yaoying did not need to embellish her words extravagantly or make grand promises.
Whatever the final outcome, Tanmoroqie would not make things difficult for her, even if he had no intention of allying with the Central Plains.
Yaoying was certain of this.
This man before her made her feel at ease. During the six months she had been stranded in the Western Regions, she had lived in constant fear. Only after arriving at the Royal Court could she finally sleep soundly, free from nightly terrors.
He had deep, penetrating eyes that seemed to see through everything. In his presence, she did not need to conceal or scheme; she only needed to speak her mind.
Yaoying continued, "The highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy's strategy, the next is to attack their alliances, the next is to attack their army, and the lowest is to attack their fortified cities. To defeat the enemy through one's own strategy, subduing them without fighting, is the highest form of warfare. The Buddha Prince, with his compassionate heart, must surely agree with this."
At fifteen, the girl was in the bloom of youth. Her dark hair was tied up, with red silk ribbons cascading down her snow-white neck. Her skin was as fair as jade, her face radiant like a blooming flower, brightening the entire inner hall.
Just as described in the poem, the east wind blooms a thousand trees with flowers overnight.
The light reflected on the four walls of the hall shimmered faintly, and golden rays danced across the long table, where a yellowed Scripture Scroll lay open.
Tanmoroqie's gaze fell on the Scripture Scroll.
"After the Elephant Procession ceremony, Ashina Bisha will escort the Princess to Gaochang."
A brilliant smile spread across Yaoying's face: he had agreed!
"This matter must not be disclosed. I apologize for the inconvenience, Princess Wenzhao."
Yaoying nodded. "Do not worry, Master. I understand the need for discretion. This agreement remains solely between you and me."
She let out a soft sigh and smiled.
"I am far from the Central Plains, with no soldiers or generals by my side. I am grateful that you, Master, are willing to trust me. How could I feel inconvenienced? If I can return to the Central Plains, I will do my utmost to facilitate the alliance."
Tanmoroqie's fingertips brushed the Scripture Scroll. After a moment of silence, he said, "The Princess should not underestimate herself."
Her courage and keen insight were worthy of his trust.
When he was thirteen, he had led a mere few thousand central army cavalry to confront the Northern Rong, who were undefeated and invincible in battle. At that time, he had no certainty of victory, yet in the end, he had won.
Tanmoroqie covered his lips and coughed, a trace of weariness crossing his calm brow.Yao Ying's gaze swept over his face as she asked softly, "Venerable One, have you experienced any heart palpitations, fever, or night sweats these past few days?"
Tanmoroqie lifted his eyes to look at her.
Yao Ying studied his complexion with evident concern, her worry palpable: "Water Mang Grass is toxic and shouldn't be taken long-term. If you feel unwell, you must inform Mengda Ti Po."
Tanmoroqie responded with a faint acknowledgment.
Remembering his lingering illness, Yao Ying rose to take her leave: "The Venerable One needs to prepare for the Buddhist debate assembly. I won't disturb your meditation anymore."
Not a sound came from behind her. As she reached the door, her peripheral glance caught Tanmoroqie bent over the scriptures on his desk, his lean profile sharply outlined in the golden light.
Returning to her courtyard, Yao Ying retrieved her dowry inventory and ordered her guards to gather all Buddhist texts to be delivered to the temple.
"Central Plains Buddhist scriptures differ slightly from those circulating in the Western Regions. Since the Venerable One and temple monks will soon debate with monks from other kingdoms, these texts might prove useful."
Beyond the scriptures, she also instructed her guards to deliver all gold and jade Buddha statues to the temple. With the entire Royal Court preparing for the Buddha Procession Festival, these statues would serve better purpose there than remaining with her.
In the devoutly Buddhist Royal Court where temples and stone pagodas dotted the cityscape, Yao Ying's Buddha statues drew little attention. However, the Central Plains scriptures quickly captured the monks' interest, particularly several Brahmi manuscripts that sparked heated debates among them.
When Bore learned of this, he panicked and summoned the temple abbot: "Where are the Buddha statues from Princess Wenzhao? Gather them all and return them immediately!"
The abbot replied, "The festival is in few days. Princess Wenzhao's exquisitely carved statues have already been arranged in the prayer hall. She generously donated several gold statues for public worship, and the people are deeply grateful."
Bore stamped his feet in frustration, scratching his head anxiously: "What about the scriptures she sent? Did you accept those too? Return them at once!"
"The princess's scriptures contain elegant phrasing with profound meaning. Our monks have been so absorbed in studying their true essence that they've neglected meals. The Zen master hasn't delivered any lectures for days."
Bore looked utterly despairing: "What else... what else have you accepted from the princess?"
After some thought, the abbot answered: "The day before yesterday, the princess sent a cartload of silk fabrics for making ceremonial robes... Yesterday her guards delivered alms..."
In short: money accepted, statues used, books read, robes tailored.
Return them?
The abbot pressed his palms together and shook his head sheepishly.
Impossible.
Bore staggered dizzily, on the verge of tears.
Perfect. Not only had the King used the Water Mang Grass from the princess's dowry, but the temple had also accepted her Buddha statues, scriptures, silk... Even the Royal Court's citizens had received portions of her dowry!
Bore rushed back to the palace in agitation, his steps heavy as he entered the inner chamber.
"Your Majesty, Princess Wenzhao harbors ill intentions! She's nearly given away her entire dowry! I suspect she's doing this deliberately - she wants to cling to you forever!"
Tanmoroqie, clad in snow-white Kasaya, looked up from his scripture reading by the window, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Summon Princess Wenzhao."Yaoying thought Tanmoroqie wanted to discuss the trip to Gaochang with her, but upon entering the inner hall, she found many people standing before the hall—Ashina Bisha, the palace steward, and others—all waiting with hands at their sides, their faces tinged with shame.
Bore, Yuanjue, and other guards stood by the door, the atmosphere in the hall heavy and solemn.
On the jeweled throne, Tanmoroqie held a scroll of Scriptures, reading with an air of elegant ease.
Yet the people below were drenched in sweat.
The hall was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
When Bisha saw Yaoying enter, he quietly exhaled, scratched his head, and clasped his hands toward her. "Princess, it was my negligence. I failed to take proper care of things."
The palace steward also bowed to Yaoying.
Her eyes bewildered, Yaoying repeatedly returned the gestures.
Bisha turned toward Tanmoroqie on the throne and said, "Your Majesty, the princess’s treasure registry from the Central Plains is still intact. Though the distributed items cannot be returned, I will take the princess to the treasury and let her choose any treasures she wishes. We will not allow her to be wronged."
Tanmoroqie remained silent and merely waved his hand.
Bisha and the others bowed respectfully to him, winked at Yaoying, and escorted her out.
"Princess, this way, please."
Bisha led Yaoying to the palace treasury.
"Please inform me of the quantity and value of the items you gave away—do not hesitate. The Water Mang Grass and medicinal herbs must have been quite valuable, right? And those precious Scriptures and exquisite silks—in the Western Regions, a single bolt of Central Plains silk is worth a hundred gold coins. Your dowry belongs to you alone and should not have been appropriated by the Royal Court. His Majesty has already reprimanded the steward and me."
Yaoying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Please convey to the Dharma Master that the palace steward did not neglect me. I willingly gave away those Scriptures and silks—it has nothing to do with him."
Bisha smiled. "His Majesty knows that the Buddha statues, Scriptures, silks, and alms were given voluntarily. No one forced you."
Yaoying was taken aback. "Then why did the Dharma Master reprimand the steward?"
A bright smile spread across Bisha’s face. "The princess is alone in a foreign land, burdened with deep concerns. Distributing your dowry was a way to secure a more comfortable life in the Royal Court."
Yaoying nodded, then shook her head. "Without the Royal Court’s help, how could I have reclaimed those treasures? I gave away the Scriptures and Buddha statues both to foster goodwill and out of gratitude to the Buddha Prince. There was no hardship involved."
Bisha raised an eyebrow. "Did the princess truly part with them willingly?"
Yaoying chuckled lightly. "I am already deeply grateful just to have preserved my life."
It was true that some in the Royal Court coveted the cartloads of treasures brought back from the Northern Rong by the central army. By ostentatiously giving away her dowry, aside from expressing gratitude to Tanmoroqie, she also had her own considerations—there was no reluctance whatsoever.
Giving them away was more advantageous for her.
Bisha’s eyes gleamed with admiration: The princess is indeed clever.
After cart after cart of jewels and treasures entered the palace, countless eyes had been fixed daily on the treasury. Wealth tempts the heart—sooner or later, someone would have set their sights on that dowry. By proactively donating her dowry, and sending it all to the king’s temples, who would dare lay a hand on offerings meant for the Buddha?
In this way, she not only protected herself but also earned a reputation for virtue, leaving greedy court ministers with no opportunity to act. A single move yielding multiple gains.
Bisha clapped his hands. The princess’s decisiveness in making choices is admirable! However, His Majesty said that as a guest of the Royal Court, you should not have been forced to make such a decision. Moreover, since the king used your medicinal herbs, it is only right that compensation be made."He signaled for the steward to open the palace treasury.
"Princess, feel free to pick whatever catches your eye!"
Yaoying followed him into the treasury, her vision instantly dazzled by shimmering golden light and the radiant aura of treasures.
Even though she was accustomed to worldly wealth and luxury, she couldn't help but stare in astonishment.
The monk is so wealthy!
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