Gaochang, situated deep inland in a strategically advantageous location, straddling the northern and southern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, is home to a mix of various ethnic groups.
As a small oasis state in the desert sea, it was once subordinate to different separatist regimes, struggling to survive in the cracks between multiple powerful forces. When the Central Plains dynasties were strong, it sought ways to align itself with them, later becoming incorporated into the Tang Empire's territory and serving as an important outpost of the Tang in the Western Regions. Its rituals, customs, policies, laws, official script, and the language of its people were all identical to those of the Central Plains.
When the Central Plains fell into chaos, with incessant warfare and the loss of Hexi and Longyou, the various prefectures of the Western Regions were left isolated. Xizhou once again became Gaochang, and many prominent families and commoners from Hexi and Longyou migrated westward to Gaochang for refuge. Han Chinese, Turks, Sogdians, Tiele, and numerous other ethnic groups settled here, with the Han Chinese forming the majority.
The Yuchi clan, originally a prominent family from Longyou, intermarried with the local royal family after moving to Gaochang and eventually replaced them to become the rulers.
The current Yuchi ruler is named Yuchi Damo. He once married a woman from the prominent Zhang family. A few years ago, when the Northern Rong army pressed down on the borders, Gaochang submitted to the Northern Rong. Yuchi Damo married the niece of Wahan Khan and pledged allegiance to the Northern Rong.
The royal city of Gaochang was built along a river in a strategically vital location. Dozens of miles outside the city lay desolate wilderness, but as one approached the city walls, the sounds of human activity suddenly grew dense. Braving the dry northern wind, merchant caravans from various city-states traveled through the shifting sands, their melodious camel bells echoing continuously. Long queues of merchants waiting to enter the city formed several lengthy lines.
Yaoying and her party dismounted one by one, waiting to enter the city.
They had already prepared the necessary documents and passes, so they did not need to worry about being interrogated, but they could not reveal their identities.
While waiting in line, Yuanjue quietly conversed with Yaoying. He was one of the few in the group who knew the purpose of their journey.
Glancing at Su Dan Gu at the front of the line, he scratched his head and asked Yaoying in a low voice, "Princess, there's one thing I don't understand. The Yuchi ruler is named Damo, which shows that the Gaochang royal family are Buddhists. Most Gaochang people believe in Buddhism, and their citizens hold their king in high esteem. Every year, many people go to the Holy City to listen to the king's sermons, and the nobles compete in making donations. If we just mention the king's name, won't they agree to an alliance? Why did the princess need to come to Gaochang in person?"
Yaoying smiled and said, "The Yuchi royal family migrated from Hexi and were deeply influenced by Confucian teachings. The customs here are slightly different from those of the Royal Court, and my personal presence shows greater sincerity."
Yuanjue's expression showed a hint of skepticism.
Yaoying did not explain further to him.
Gaochang also revered Buddhism, and the Yuchi ruler offered grape wine to the Royal Court every year. However, royal authority held greater weight here. This place was once a prefecture of the Central Plains dynasties, with Han Chinese forming the majority. Official schools taught the children to study Confucian classics, the Five Classics, and various historical texts. Although in recent years, due to circumstances, these official schools were abolished and, like other small states subservient to the Northern Rong, they adopted non-Han customs and spoke non-Han languages, the long-standing influence of the Central Plains remained deeply ingrained.
When the monk Xuanzang returned to the Central Plains after fetching the scriptures, he was highly esteemed by Li Shimin and Li Zhi, father and son, and frequently interacted with the imperial family. He was a very intelligent monk who understood that he must rely on the imperial family to promote Buddhism. He once submitted a memorial to Li Zhi with two requests: to place Buddhism before Taoism and to abolish the law that held monks and nuns accountable for crimes in the same way as laypeople, granting monks certain privileges.Although Li Zhi held great esteem for Master Xuanzang, he resolutely rejected his petition. In the Central Plains, Sramanas existed both beyond and within worldly affairs, yet always remained subordinate to imperial authority. As an emperor, Li Zhi was not foolish enough to grant Master Xuanzang’s request.
Similarly, no matter how much Yuchi Damo respected Tanmoroqie, when it came to discussing an alliance, he would still weigh the pros and cons from the perspective of Gaochang’s interests, refusing to let emotions cloud his judgment.
Yuanjue and the Royal Court guards had grown up within the Royal Court since childhood, fervently worshipping Tanmoroqie and believing it was only natural for nobles and officials to submit to the Buddha Prince. No matter how much Yaoying tried to explain, it was useless.
All these years, Tanmoroqie’s ability to intimidate demons and monsters had not relied solely on the Buddhist Dharma!
A sudden realization struck Yaoying.
From Yuanjue’s behavior, it was easy to imagine how arrogant the Royal Court’s envoys to Gaochang must have been. Had Su Dan Gu’s previous failed diplomatic mission to Gaochang been due to this?
She glanced at Su Dan Gu and shook her head with a wry smile.
Though Su Dan Gu radiated a fierce aura, he was not the type to be arrogantly discourteous. However, he was a man of few words and utterly unsuited for diplomatic missions. Why had Tanmoroqie, in his severe illness, specifically sent him to Gaochang?
Clearly, Ashina Bisha would have been the most suitable envoy…
A cheerful melody of the pipa interrupted Yaoying’s thoughts. Ahead, the crowd surged—it was their turn to enter the city.
Once inside, the howling wind immediately softened, replaced by a warm, dusty breeze carrying the mingled scents of worldly life.
Yaoying, her face veiled, carefully observed the passersby as they walked, her brow slightly furrowed.
Along the way, not a single person—man or woman, young or old—wore Central Plains attire. Both men and women donned narrow-sleeved robes, their hair braided and hanging down their backs. Men carried daggers at their waists, while women adorned their braids with pearls, jade, and tassels.
This was the ancestral land of the Central Plains.
Lost in thought as she walked, Yaoying failed to notice the person ahead suddenly stopping and turning to look at her. She collided headlong into him.
Caught off guard, she staggered, but the other stood firm and unmoving, solid as a wall.
Yuanjue, standing nearby, widened his eyes in surprise.
Rubbing her forehead, Yaoying lifted her gaze and met Su Dan Gu’s deep jade-green eyes.
She smiled at him, her enchanting eyes fluttering behind the veil, their expression obscured yet strikingly alluring.
Yuanjue’s expression turned peculiar.
Once Yaoying steadied herself, Su Dan Gu said, “In three days, Yuchi Damo will visit the Wang Family Temple to pay homage to the Buddha.”
Yaoying understood and nodded—three days later would be their meeting with Yuchi Damo.
“General Su, I would like to visit the market districts these next few days.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “I wish to gather some information to strengthen our position when negotiating with Yuchi Damo.”
Su Dan Gu grunted in acknowledgment.
Yaoying breathed a sigh of relief. Despite Su Dan Gu’s fearsome appearance, he was surprisingly easy to talk to. Throughout their journey, whenever she discussed matters with him, he would seriously consider her proposals as long as she provided sound reasons.
They first found an inn to settle in. The innkeeper warmly welcomed them: “You’ve traveled far and endured much hardship, honored guests. Please rest awhile in the hall.”
A stove burned warmly in the hall. Exhausted and hungry, the group gathered around it, drinking broth to warm themselves.
Yaoying, utterly fatigued, drank a bowl of hot broth and ate a few pieces of sesame flatbread before retiring to her room. When an attendant brought a bathtub and hot water, her spirits lifted instantly. Shedding her dust- and snow-stained clothes, she sank into the warm, fragrant water, so content she didn’t even want to lift a finger.All her companions were men, and she didn't want to be a burden. She gritted her teeth and rode hard throughout the journey, eating cold, tough rations when hungry, draping more layers when cold, and sleeping in her clothes like the others when tired. During this time, let alone bathing, even wiping herself with hot water was a luxury. Fortunately, it was winter, so she could endure it.
After soaking in the hot water for a while, her stiff limbs gradually relaxed, aching and sore. Yaoying grew drowsy, but suddenly, a clamor of people and horses erupted downstairs. Someone was loudly scolding the attendants, and the neighing of horses was shrill.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Yaoying immediately rose, hastily dried her soaked long hair, casually tied it into a bun, and put on her clothes.
A few knocks sounded at the door, and Xie Qing’s voice followed.
"Come in."
Xie Qing entered, her brow furrowed, and whispered, "The Northern Rong prince has followed us."
Yaoying’s heart sank. "Has he discovered us?"
Xie Qing shook her head. "They don’t recognize us. They just happened to lodge at this same posthouse. There are eighteen of them, blocking the courtyard downstairs. Yuanjue sought instructions from the Regent, who said to adapt to the situation without taking action."
Yaoying frowned.
Once was already too much for such an unlucky encounter. She thought they had shaken off the Northern Rong prince, but he had stumbled upon them right after they settled in.
After a moment’s thought, she said, "The Regent is right. We should adapt without taking action. We’ve only just arrived. Changing posthouses for no reason would arouse the Northern Rong’s suspicion. It’s better to stay put. We know their identities, so we can take this chance to find out why they’ve come to Gaochang."
This posthouse was a Royal Court outpost in Gaochang, which was why Su Dan Gu and the others had chosen to stay here. The prince had a keen eye—he’d picked the most dangerous place without even realizing it.
Xie Qing acknowledged the order and went out to instruct Xie Chong and the others to proceed with caution and avoid leaving their rooms unless necessary. As Han Chinese, they stood out too much.
The prince and his entourage were arrogant and ostentatious. From the moment they entered the hall, they loudly ordered the attendants around, drove away other travelers, monopolized the stove, and summoned a group of Hu singing girls to dance and entertain them in the hall. The pipa music alternated between fervent and melancholic, punctuated by the girls’ bold or seductive laughter and banter.
The merchants at the posthouse, well-traveled and worldly, could tell from the prince and his guards’ attire that they were either wealthy or noble. Though resentful, they dared not speak up.
Exhausted, Yaoying and her companions retired to their rooms early and did not step out again.
The revelry showed no signs of stopping even late into the night.
The prince’s loud, clear voice kept Yaoying tossing and turning, unable to sleep. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that he finally quieted down. She drifted into a fitful sleep but suddenly jolted awake from a dream. Dazed for a moment, she got up and poured herself a bowl of cold water.
A dark figure stood motionless by the window, ghostly and silent.
Startled, Yaoying dropped the ceramic bowl.
As it shattered, the figure stirred, pushed open the window, and revealed a face wearing a Yaksa mask in the darkness.
Goosebumps prickled Yaoying’s arms. She froze, cold sweat breaking out all over. But when her gaze met the pair of green eyes, she paused, caught between laughter and tears. "General Su?"
Su Dan Gu stared at her face without a word, his gaze slowly lowering to the shattered ceramic bowl on the floor.
Yaoying whispered, "I was thirsty and got up to drink water. I accidentally dropped the bowl."Su Dan Gu grunted in acknowledgment, said not a word, turned around, and left.
Yaoying watched him walk away, found another bowl, poured herself some water, took a few sips, then sat back on the bed and lost herself in thought for a while before lying down to continue sleeping.
Not long after, the sound of deliberately light footsteps came from outside the window.
Yaoying immediately opened her eyes, which gleamed sharply in the darkness. Her pupils darted around once before she cautiously sat up, got out of bed, tiptoed to the window, and pushed it open with a sharp swish.
A dark figure stood before the window, its calm green eyes beneath the mask fixed on her.
Yaoying couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward—it seemed he knew she hadn’t been asleep.
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