In the Moonlight

The sky stretched high and desolate, the moonlight casting a cold, silvery sheen that shimmered like fish scales. A night breeze swept in, brushing against the skin beneath thin robes with an icy, snow-like chill.

Su Dan Gu held the trembling Yaoying, his agile figure leaping and darting through the towering shadows of the palace. A leopard followed close behind, its paw movements light and graceful.

Gradually, the clamor of voices grew louder, and several sharp arrows whistled through the air, their cold, piercing sound alarmingly close.

Yaoying’s heart tightened with anxiety, her fingers instinctively clutching Su Dan Gu’s robes.

Without a word, he shielded her in his embrace, raising his arm to swing his blade and deflect the chaotic onslaught of arrows. He leaped from the courtyard wall, landing beside a cluster of oleaster bushes.

From the adjacent courtyard, someone shouted at the archers, "Look carefully! That’s the Regent!"

The archers trembled in fear, immediately descending into chaos as cries and shouts erupted.

The sturdy arm around her shoulder withdrew, and Yaoying was set down, her bare feet touching the cold, muddy ground. A chill shot up through her soles.

A muffled groan sounded behind her.

Yaoying’s eyelids twitched as she turned to look.

Su Dan Gu had taken a step back, clutching his chest. His robes brushed against the oleaster branches, sending a flurry of silvery-white blossoms drifting down.

"Are you injured?"

Startled, Yaoying reached out to steady him. Earlier, when he had fought Haidu Aling while holding her, Haidu Aling had flicked a dagger from his sleeve. To shield her from the blade, Su Dan Gu had abruptly twisted his body to block the strike, likely sustaining internal injuries then.

Su Dan Gu staggered slightly.

Yaoying rushed forward, supporting his arm. Worried he might not understand her hastily spoken Han language, she switched to Hu language and asked again, "Are you injured?"

Steadying himself, Su Dan Gu lifted his gaze and gave her a faint glance. His scarred face was hideous and fierce, his deep jade-green eyes as emotionless as a vast, brilliant starry sky—cold, detached, devoid of joy or sorrow.

For a moment, Yaoying felt as though she were standing not before a man, but a gleaming, icy blade.

A blade without desire or emotion, born solely for slaughter.

Their eyes met.

Frowning, Yaoying looked up at Su Dan Gu, her expression free of fear or disgust, filled only with sincere concern and gratitude. Moonlight spilled into her clear, elongated eyes, where a gentle radiance shimmered like autumn waters—soft, tender, and enchanting.

Su Dan Gu’s eyes, however, remained as still and silent as deep, undisturbed waters.

After a moment of silence, Yaoying asked softly, "General Su, where are you hurt?"

The sound of rapid footsteps, like pattering rain, came from the courtyard gate as Ashina Bisha, clad in armor, rushed in with his guards.

The guards glanced at the arrows on the ground and then at Su Dan Gu’s fearsome face, exchanging uneasy looks and shrinking back, too afraid to approach.

Bisha strode through the scattered arrows, his face etched with anxiety. His gaze fell on Yaoying’s hand supporting Su Dan Gu, and he frowned deeply.

"The palace guards have failed in their duty, frightening the princess," he said to Yaoying with a strained smile, then turned and signaled to two guards. "Escort the princess back to rest."

Yaoying’s eyes swept the surroundings.

The corridor was densely packed with fully armed guards, at least seven or eight of them carrying longbows—Tanmoroqie did not usually reside in the palace, so security was not typically this tight. These men had clearly been prepared for an attack.

Bisha had known Haidu Aling would storm the palace, which was why he had brought so many men to rescue her.

Lost in thought, Yaoying noted that Su Dan Gu could stand steadily now and said, "Thank you, General Su."Su Dan Gu remained silent, his terrifying face betraying no expression.

Yaoying withdrew her hand and turned to leave.

"Princess, wait!"

Bi Suo caught up to her, looking down at Yaoying.

Having been startled awake in the middle of the night, Yaoying hadn't put on her outer robe. She wore only thin inner garments made of fabric brought from the Central Plains - delicate as cicada wings, light and translucent. Under the moonlight, her graceful figure was faintly visible through the gauzy fabric, revealing a slender and soft waist. During her earlier struggle, her collar had come half-open, exposing a glimpse of her smooth, fair shoulder, more lustrous than mutton fat, with a subtle fragrance lingering around her.

The guards in the courtyard had wandering eyes, all secretly watching her.

Bi Suo stared at Yaoying's snow-white shoulder, his brow furrowing tighter.

Noticing her disheveled state, Yaoying smiled slightly, naturally straightening her collar without any embarrassment. She had jumped barefoot from her bed to hide, reacting quickly enough, yet Haidu Aling had still trapped her like catching a turtle in a jar - he treated her as prey and had already learned her escape habits.

Bi Suo had expected Yaoying to show embarrassment or tearful fear, but instead she was smiling, which surprised him.

"Princess, you're trembling."

He removed his white robe and draped it over Yaoying's shoulders, holding her gently as he said, "Princess, you needn't be afraid. I will stand guard here all night."

The guards stared at him wide-eyed: The general truly knows how to charm women, still trying to court favor at a time like this!

Yaoying, shivering from the cold, didn't stand on ceremony with Bi Suo. She pulled the shawl tighter and said, "Thank you."

Bi Suo watched her walk away with gentle eyes, following her graceful figure until it disappeared by the courtyard gate. Then he turned to Su Dan Gu, a slight smile curling his lips.

"Regent, thank you for saving Princess Wenzhao. I was truly afraid Haidu Aling would have kidnapped her just now."

He spoke brightly, patting his chest as if genuinely relieved.

Su Dan Gu remained silent, sheathing his sword and sweeping a glance across the courtyard.

Everyone trembled under his gaze, kneeling fearfully.

Bi Suo also knelt on one knee, respectfully saying, "Regent, we captured eight, killed five, two committed suicide - none escaped!"

He had led his team to ambush near Li Yaoying's residence and rushed over when they heard the commotion.

Su Dan Gu nodded, his black robe sweeping past everyone as his tall, straight figure entered the corridor and melted into the darkness.

The leopard followed, wagging its tail.

Soon, the sound of footsteps faded away.

Like a ghostly apparition, he came and went without a trace.

The guards who had shot arrows at Su Dan Gu in the earlier chaos looked at each other, trembling like sieves: "Has the Regent taken offense? Will he punish us?"

They hadn't done it intentionally - when they saw someone holding the princess, they thought it was Haidu Aling! Who would have expected the elusive Regent to appear suddenly?

Please don't let the Regent chop off our heads!

Bi Suo stood up and kicked a guard: "Be more alert next time! What if you accidentally injure the Regent? All archers report to the punishment hall - ten strikes each!"

No one dared beg for mercy, kowtowing in acknowledgment. Ten strikes were better than losing their heads!

A guard consulted Bi Suo: "General, who should report to the King at the temple?"

The King had ordered their vigilance, and now that they had captured people, they should report to him first.

Bi Suo shook his head: "No need to send anyone to the temple... The Regent will personally report to the King."

...

Yaoying returned to her courtyard.Xie Qing and Xie Chong immediately rushed over. Together with the guards, they subdued Haidu Aling's subordinates and were preparing to go out and search for her.

Yaoying first returned to her room to put on shoes—most of the palace roads were dirt paths and muddy ground. Having walked barefoot all the way, the soles of her feet were nearly worn raw.

Xie Chong said angrily, "I never expected Haidu Aling to still be unwilling to give up. The princess lives in the Royal Court palace, yet he dares to take such risks to come here."

Yaoying changed into a thick lined robe and said, "The Buddha Prince rarely stays in the palace, so the palace guards aren't very strict."

When Haidu Aling appeared at the Buddhist debate assembly, she knew he meant trouble. That's why she had been keeping a low profile, not stepping outside the palace gates. Even after the Northern Rong delegation left, she waited two more days before daring to go out. Unexpectedly, this time Haidu Aling was more patient than before, waiting until tonight to make his move.

Yaoying remembered the White Falcon Abu that Haidu Aling personally trained. He enjoyed the feeling of conquering prey and wouldn't let her go easily.

"Now we need to quickly find a way to send the message back to the Central Plains..." Yaoying murmured, "...I wonder if Elder Brother's injuries have healed... He has an impatient temperament and won't listen to anyone's advice..."

She missed Li Zhongqian, but also feared that if he encountered Haidu Aling, the tragedy would repeat itself.

Having been exposed to the cold wind for half the night, Yaoying's face was pale, her lips faintly blue, and her body trembled slightly.

Xie Chong and the others exchanged glances, unwilling to frighten her further. They smiled and said, "Princess, rest assured, Prince Qin will definitely be safe! You've had a scare tonight, so rest early. If Haidu Aling dares to come again, we'll chop off his hands."

Yaoying put away her melancholy and smiled at everyone, sending them out. She sat alone in the dim room, gently rubbing her feet that were bruised and battered by gravel while quietly thinking.

This time, Xie Qing didn't dare to let Yaoying leave her sight. She sat cross-legged in the corner of the room, closing her eyes to sleep.

The next day, Ashina Bisha came to visit Yaoying, repeatedly assuring her that the palace had strengthened its vigilance, Haidu Aling's subordinates were either dead or captured, and he definitely wouldn't dare to break into the palace again at night.

Yaoying thanked him for bringing troops to assist last night, then directly asked: "General, did you know all along that Haidu Aling would come?"

Bisha was taken aback.

Yaoying looked at him calmly with her sparkling eyes.

After staring at each other for a while, Bisha put away his joking expression and nodded: "That's right. The Regent knew Haidu Aling was still lurking in the Holy City and ordered us to strengthen our vigilance to prevent Haidu Aling from abducting the princess."

Yaoying was startled.

She had thought the person who arranged the ambush last night was Bisha, but it was actually Su Dan Gu?

Truly worthy of being the Regent who controlled military and political affairs and intimidated several major noble families—indeed meticulous, secretly guarding against Haidu Aling.

Bisha scratched his head: "Princess, I didn't intentionally hide it from you. I was really afraid of frightening you, so I didn't warn you in advance. The Regent didn't know if Haidu Aling would come or when he would come. If we had told you first, you would inevitably have been unable to eat or sleep peacefully, worrying day and night."

Yaoying smiled indifferently and shook her head: "I wouldn't be angry about this..."

Then she changed the subject, "However, I hope the General won't hide things from me in the future. I'm the one Haidu Aling wants to abduct, making me the best bait. If the General had informed me earlier, I could have coordinated with you from inside and outside, and we might have been able to capture Haidu Aling."

Bisha's face showed shock, and he remained silent for a long time.

Yaoying smiled at him, her brows and eyes radiantly beautiful.Bi Suo avoided her gaze and asked, "Has the Princess considered that if we cooperate from both inside and outside to kill Haidu Aling, you would have no more worries?"

Yaoying smiled faintly, looking up at the clear blue sky: "The Royal Court has established an alliance with the Northern Rong. Haidu Aling is a prince of the Northern Rong. If the Royal Court kills him now, the Northern Rong will surely find an excuse to start a war—General, rest assured. Under the Royal Court's protection, I understand the stakes. Haidu Aling must die on land outside the Royal Court, or we must ensure no trace is left, giving the Northern Rong no grounds for accusation, or he must fall in battle between two armies."

"Haidu Aling would not come to the Northern Rong as an envoy without reason. The Regent must have sensed something, which is why he did not strike to kill last night."

Bi Suo turned to look at Yaoying, a strange expression flickering across his handsome face.

The Princess was right—the Royal Court should not go to war with the Northern Rong at this time. The central army was loyal to Tanmoroqie, but the left, right, forward, and rear armies were controlled by various noble families. After several major battles, morale was unstable, and with the farming season approaching, military resources were insufficient.

The grand Buddhist assembly after the war was not only to celebrate the victory but also to reassure the people, intimidate the ministers, and stabilize the court.

Last night, he had refrained from informing Li Yaoying in advance, fearing that the Princess of Great Wei, in her panic, might disrupt their plans and drag the entire Royal Court into turmoil.

Bi Suo sighed, clasped his hands toward Yaoying with a serious expression: "Princess, I apologize."

He knew Haidu Aling was determined to capture the Princess, yet he could not kill the man to ensure her peace of mind. How could he call himself her friend?

Yaoying stood up, remaining under the corridor, and returned the gesture to Bi Suo: "General, I am under the Buddha Prince's protection and have formed an alliance with him. Only when the Royal Court is stable can I be safe. I will not act against the greater good, nor am I so arrogant as to demand that your country kill a Northern Rong prince for my sake."

Forming an alliance with Gaochang was for future plans, benefiting both her and the Royal Court. She was not naive enough to believe Tanmoroqie would order Haidu Aling's death for an unrelated person like her.

Moreover, Haidu Aling was a top-tier warrior of the Northern Rong—how easy would it be to kill him?

Tanmoroqie had saved her, assigned guards to protect her, and taken precautions against Haidu Aling. For that, she was already deeply grateful.

Bi Suo gazed at Yaoying, his eyes flickering, shedding his previous frivolity and standing upright: "Princess, there is no need for such courtesy. By saving the King, you saved the entire Royal Court. Though I cannot kill Haidu Aling now, if I encounter him on the battlefield in the future, I will surely slay him!"

Yaoying smiled gently and said, "We may not be able to kill Haidu Aling now... but we cannot let him return to the Northern Rong unscathed either."

Bi Suo's lips curved into a smile: "Princess, rest assured. Though we could not capture Haidu Aling for breaking into the palace at night and lack evidence, his men have fallen into our hands. The Regent has ordered them sent to the Northern Rong. Wahan Khan will surely be furious."

Yaoying nodded.

This was indeed a solution. Wahan Khan valued honor more than Haidu Aling and already regarded Tanmoroqie as his nemesis, not daring to wage war against the Royal Court.

However, there was another, better—and more vicious—method.

Yaoying signaled her guards to bring out the medicinal herbs she had prepared the previous night: "Last night, I was rescued by the Regent. I wish to thank him in person."

Bi Suo's eyes flickered as he smiled and said, "The Regent's whereabouts are unpredictable. I do not know where he is."Yaoying also smiled faintly. "Then I ask the General to relay a message for me."

Bi Suo hesitated, not yet having spoken, when a guard stumbled into the courtyard in a panic. "Haidu Aling is here!"

Everyone was startled. The personal guards hurriedly grabbed their weapons, adopting defensive stances.

Bi Suo's expression changed, and he reassured Yaoying: "Princess, do not be afraid. Haidu Alling is alone and would not dare to act recklessly."

After speaking, he turned and rushed out.

Yaoying steadied her nerves and retreated to a concealed tower on the second floor to await news.

Shortly after, the guard returned and informed Yaoying that Haidu Aling was now at the palace.

After his defeat last night, he hadn't fled far but had found a place to rest for the night. Early this morning, he swaggered to the entrance of the guesthouse, claiming that he had encountered bandits on his way back to Northern Rong, and all his personal guards had been killed. He demanded that the Royal Court provide him with horses and provisions and send an escort to accompany him back to his main tent.

Xie Chong rubbed his hands together eagerly. "This man is truly audacious. Isn't he afraid we'll kill him?"

Yaoying frowned.

Haidu Aling was fearless to the core. By doing this, he was advancing by retreating. With no personal guards left and fearing Su Dan Gu's pursuit, he openly revealed his identity as an envoy and demanded that the Royal Court send him back to Northern Rong. This way, he need not fear any covert assassination attempts by the Royal Court. As for his intrusion into the palace last night, he could simply deny it to the death.

Sure enough, a guard came to relay the message: Haidu Aling was an envoy of Northern Rong, and the court officials, not wanting to cause trouble, had prepared horses for him.

The guard said, "Princess, Prince Haidu Aling says that before leaving, he wishes to see you and speak a few words with you. General Ashina says you may go or not, as you choose."

Xie Chong and the others leapt to their feet, their faces flushing red. "Out of the question!"

Yaoying pondered for a moment, then stood up.

Very well, she would see him. Haidu Aling couldn't harm her now, and she wanted to know his true intentions.

Haidu Aling had changed his attire. With his braided hair draped over his shoulders and wearing a colorful half-sleeved brocade robe, he leaned against a pillar, his long legs slightly bent, the muscles of his shoulders and back bulging powerfully.

Ministers stood to the side observing, while Bi Suo led the Royal Court guards in a standoff with Haidu Aling. The glint of blades flashed, and spears stood like a forest.

Yet the entire courtyard's imposing aura seemed concentrated on Haidu Aling alone.

When he saw Yaoying, the corner of his mouth lifted, and he walked toward her. "The Princess truly has remarkable skill and tactics. The exalted Buddha Prince made an exception for you, and now even Su Dan Gu has stepped in to rescue you."

Yaoying remained composed. "Is this what the Prince wished to say to me?"

Haidu Aling's light yellow eyes fixed intently on her face—radiant and captivating, with lush, snow-white skin. When she smiled, it was as brilliant as spring blossoms. Her bright, long eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, unconsciously revealed a heart-stirring softness and charm. Yet, she was always cold and aloof toward him, never displaying any delicate or enchanting demeanor in his presence.

"I don't understand," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I am the strongest and bravest warrior of Northern Rong. Why do you reject me again and again?"

In Northern Rong, the most beautiful women belonged to the strongest men. Why was Princess Wenzhao unwilling to submit to him?

Haidu Aling let out a scornful laugh.

"Last night, when that ugly freak Su Dan Gu came to rescue you, you clung to him so tightly... Could it be that I am even less than an ugly freak?"

Yaoying replied calmly, "A person's beauty is not in their appearance. General Su fights for the country, safeguarding peace and stability. He rewards and punishes with clarity, impartial and selfless. I respect the General. Though a man like you, Prince, may be handsome and dashing, in my eyes, you are merely ordinary."Haidu Aling grinned, his gaze sinister: "My adoptive father once fell for a woman and went to propose marriage. The chieftain of that tribe looked down on him and refused. My father didn't lose heart. A month later, he led a surprise attack on that tribe, slaughtered all its men, and killed her father and eight brothers right before her eyes."

"That woman became my adoptive mother. She married my father, bore him ten children, and revered him—he was her entire world."

Among the Northern Rong, if a man desires a woman, he should stop at nothing to eliminate all who stand in his way, even if they are her own brothers.

Northern Rong women submit only to valiant men. They are born to be possessed by men, to spread their legs and bear their children.

"The most beautiful woman in the world should belong to me." A pale golden light flickered in Haidu Aling's eyes. "Princess, you cannot escape my grasp."

He didn't care whether Li Yaoying now belonged to Tanmoroqie or Su Dan Gu, or if both had become her devoted followers. Northern Rong men cared not for a woman's chastity—they plundered lands, conquered foreign tribes, and possessed beautiful women.

Princess Wenzhao might not be his now, but sooner or later, she would fall into his hands.

Yaoying remained silent, but beside her, Bi Suo's expression darkened abruptly as he drew his blade and charged forward.

Suddenly, a cold, vicious gust swept through, and a dark shadow descended from above. A pair of sharp black claws lunged straight for Haidu Aling's face.

Caught off guard, Haidu Aling instinctively raised his arm to block, but he was too slow. The falcon's iron-hook-like talons slashed across his face, instantly drawing blood.

Two icy, piercing cries echoed as a massive falcon swooped past the crowd and soared into the sky.

Everyone stared in stunned silence.

Several guards snapped back to reality, their faces alight with excitement: "That is the King's falcon!"

Before their voices faded, the courtyard gate swung open. Several monks in dharma robes and blue-clad soldiers entered, led by Yuanjue, Tanmoroqie's personal guard.

Standing at the edge of the corridor, he faced the furious Haidu Aling and declared clearly: "Princess Wenzhao is the King's Girl of Matanga, under his protection. I advise you to watch your words, Prince. Any further offense will not be tolerated!"

The courtyard fell into abrupt silence, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone held their breath, faces filled with shock and awe.

Bi Suo stood pale and disbelieving.

Yaoying, too, was dumbfounded for a long moment.

When Su Dan Gu had uttered those words to Haidu Aling the previous night, it was to drive him away. No one else had been present, so the statement wouldn't spread.

But now, with Yuanjue declaring it publicly—and to Haidu Aling, a Northern Rong envoy—wasn't this tantamount to acknowledging her status?

It was one thing for her to claim she was willing to emulate the Girl of Matanga; the world would merely think her madly infatuated with Tanmoroqie.

But for Tanmoroqie himself to publicly affirm this claim—that changed everything!

Yaoying felt her blood run cold, her mind buzzing with chaos.

Amid the eerie, heavy silence, Haidu Aling, the Northern Rong man, was the first to react. His pupils contracted as he stared at Yaoying and sneered, "Well played, Princess!"

With that, he turned and strode away.

At that moment, no one paid any attention to what Haidu Aling had said.

Everyone in the courtyard—ministers, guards, attendants, monks, Bi Suo... all of them—turned their heads stiffly toward Yaoying, their movements rigid, their eyes wide with shock.Hundreds of gazes surged over in an instant, sharp as blades, carrying a biting chill that pierced Yaoying until her head spun and vision blurred.

She forced herself to steady her mind and looked toward Yuanjue.

Yuanjue gazed at her and said word by word: "From today onward, the princess shall move into the Buddhist temple to reside and study the Buddhist Dharma alongside the monks in the temple."

Yaoying's heart trembled, feeling as if the gazes fixed upon her had turned into tangible knives, cutting her with sharp pain.