In the Moonlight

When Su Dan Gu's gaze swept over Yang Qian, the latter felt a chill in his heart, a shiver running through his body.

Without his mask, his face full of suspicion, he asked Yaoying, "Princess, who is this person?"

Yaoying thought for a moment and replied seriously, "He is my friend."

The alliance between Yuchi Damo and the Royal Court was a secret, unknown even to Yang Qian. She instinctively felt she shouldn't reveal too much.

Hearing her solemn tone and obvious trust in Su Dan Gu, Yang Qian didn't press further. He carefully observed Su Dan Gu—the man wore a mask, obscuring his features. He was lean and upright, a tight leather belt accentuating his wiry frame and muscular lines, with long arms and a narrow waist. His aura was fierce and imposing, exuding an overwhelming presence that clearly marked him as a top-tier expert.

Yang Qian's blood boiled with excitement. If not for the inappropriate setting, he would have found a reason to spar with the man.

Yaoying noticed his eagerness and couldn't help but smile wryly.

His wish was destined to go unfulfilled. Su Dan Gu only drew his blade to kill or save lives; at all other times, he never engaged in combat.

The three of them regrouped, left the corridor, and passed through the hall filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo music. The night was deep, and the candle wax from the lamp trees had solidified into cascading waterfalls. Dancers still twirled and spun, their long skirts billowing.

Suddenly, several guests in brocade robes, heavily intoxicated, blocked their path. Seven or eight hands slapped Yang Qian's shoulders.

"Fourth Lang, we've finally caught you today! Weren't you the one who claimed to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk? Come, compete with Eighth Lang!"

The drunk men, reeking of alcohol and unusually strong, dragged Yang Qian to a long table and forced him down. The surrounding crowd closed in, clamoring to pour him more wine.

Yaoying stood aside and watched for a while, hesitating whether to rescue Yang Qian. Her gaze swept over a figure approaching from the corridor, and her heart jolted violently.

That man also wore a mask, dressed in a small-sleeved brocade robe with floral patterns, his curly hair cascading over his shoulders. He had thick arms, a tall and robust build.

Led by a sturdy servant, he entered the hall. His falcon-like eyes scanned the room, their pale yellow irises gleaming with a faint golden light under the candle flames.

Yaoying quickly averted her gaze and turned away.

She couldn't mistake him—that man was Haidu Aling. Su Dan Gu had said the Falcon spotted his White Falcon near Gaochang, and now he had indeed appeared.

Su Dan Gu stood right beside her. Afraid of being recognized, she instinctively spread her arms and clung tightly to his sleeve.

Her sudden closeness made Su Dan Gu pause slightly. Beneath his mask, his thick brows furrowed faintly.

Yaoying whispered, "General Su, Haidu Aling is here, right at the entrance."

Su Dan Gu remained composed, glancing toward the entrance and recognizing Haidu Aling's figure.

No wonder she had suddenly thrown herself against him.

He lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on Yaoying's glossy black hair. She trembled lightly, her head bowed low, her braids adorned with silk ribbons and gems loosening and brushing against his arm. Her fingers clutched his sleeve tightly, her knuckles stiff.

She was very tense.

Su Dan Gu didn't pull his arm away. Instead, he turned with Yaoying, allowing her to evade Haidu Aling's line of sight.

Yaoying pressed herself against his arm like a cat clinging to him affectionately, moving slowly with his guidance. Once her back was to the entrance and Haidu Aling was out of her peripheral vision, she gradually relaxed, letting out a soft sigh. She lifted her head and looked at Su Dan Gu.

There was nothing to fear—Su Dan Gu was here. As long as he was here, she felt completely at ease.Although he remained silent and offered no words of comfort, Yao Ying's unsettled emotions gradually calmed. "General Su, has Haidu Aling come to find Yuchi Damo?"

She clutched Su Dan Gu's arm, leaning against him as she looked up with clear, trusting eyes, speaking softly so her warm breath brushed against his chest and chin.

A faint, delicate fragrance lingered around his nose.

Su Dan Gu lifted his gaze toward the corridor.

Haidu Aling paced back and forth in the hall, clutching a horn-shaped wine cup, drinking while constantly scanning the room as if searching for something.

Unable to see behind her and with Su Dan Gu being a man of few words who remained silent, Yao Ying grew anxious. She leaned out from his arm to see if Haidu Aling was heading toward Yuchi Damo, but as soon as she lifted her face, she felt a sharp gaze sweep over her. Stiffening, she quickly retreated back into the shelter of Su Dan Gu's arm.

Her fingers clutching his arm were soft, each nail painted with a light, vibrant rosy hue.

Su Dan Gu raised his hand, hovering inches from Yao Ying's shoulder, and said quietly, "Don't move."

His tone was calm.

Yao Ying immediately stilled, leaning obediently against his chest.

Haidu Aling's wandering gaze eventually fell upon the masked Su Dan Gu. Even from halfway across the hall, he could sense Su Dan Gu's imposing presence and couldn't help but look a moment longer. Noticing the graceful, dark-haired young woman nestled intimately in his arms, the two seemingly whispering intimately, Haidu Aling soon averted his eyes.

Su Dan Gu withdrew his arm and said, "Haidu Aling is looking for an opportunity."

Yao Ying's eyes shifted thoughtfully as she guessed Haidu Aling's purpose: "Lady Yina and her guards are all eyes and ears for Wahan Khan. Haidu Aling wants to meet Yuchi Damo but fears being discovered by her, so he must have disguised himself to sneak in. He's here to persuade Yuchi Damo to lend him troops."

As they spoke, they slowly moved into a dimly lit corner. To outsiders, Yao Ying appeared to be holding Su Dan Gu's arm while he bent his head to speak with her—their posture intimate, one graceful and the other tall and steady—leading observers to assume they were lovers lost in affection and pay them no further mind. Such scenes were common at banquets.

Pretending to be drunk, Yao Ying hid in Su Dan Gu's embrace and retreated behind an empty banquet table in the corner. Releasing her tight grip on him, she found a wine-serving attendant and asked him to pass a message to her "cousin" Yang Qian.

Soon after, Yang Qian hurried over, reeking of alcohol but fully alert—accustomed to heavy drinking, he never seemed to lose his sobriety.

Yao Ying informed him that Haidu Aling had arrived.

Yang Qian jolted, lowering his voice to ask, "Are you certain, Princess?"

He had never seen Haidu Aling before.

Yao Ying nodded. "I would never mistake Haidu Aling."

She felt increasingly grateful she had insisted on meeting Yuchi Damo today. If Haidu Aling had reached Damo first, her own meeting with him would not have gone so smoothly.

Yang Qian's expression turned grave. "I'll go check on the King."

As she watched him leave, Yao Ying's mind raced.

They were in Gaochang, and Haidu Aling was hiding his identity—this was the perfect opportunity to kill him. However, as the top warrior of the Northern Rong, his martial skills were exceptional. Given his methods, his personal guards were surely lying in ambush nearby. If they couldn't strike decisively in one move, Yuchi Damo and the others would be in grave danger.Like Haidu Aling, she could not reveal her identity and must not be recognized by him.

The circumstances of a princess in exile and a princess under the protection of the Royal Court's Buddha Prince were vastly different. Only after Tanmoroqie had publicly announced her status to the various nations could she safely reach Gaochang, and with little effort, gain recognition of her princess status from the powerful families of Hexi and Yuchi Damo. Only then would those opportunistic individuals abandon their schemes of offering her to Haidu Aling.

If she were to expose herself before Lady Yina, it could very well provoke a conflict between the Royal Court and the Northern Rong.

She could not presume upon Tanmoroqie's compassion to act recklessly.

Yaoying knelt before the low table, her hands clenched into fists. As she contemplated the potential consequences of acting impulsively, the murderous glint in her eyes gradually faded.

A cool gaze fell upon her face.

Yaoying looked up.

Su Dan Gu had keenly sensed the shift in her demeanor over those few moments.

Yaoying smiled faintly and whispered, "General, there's no need to worry about me. I understand the gravity of the situation and won't act rashly."

She lacked any martial prowess and would not foolishly attempt to assassinate Haidu Aling unless absolutely necessary.

Su Dan Gu averted his gaze, scanning the surroundings. Noticing that Haidu Aling had left the banquet table and was heading toward the felt tent, he made as if to rise. "Haidu has gone to see Yuchi. I will escort you back."

Yaoying shook her head. "Let's wait a little longer. I'm afraid something might go wrong. I need to wait for Yang Qian to come out."

Su Dan Gu lowered his eyes to look at her.

Yaoying met his gaze, a slight curve at the corners of her lips, and said word by word, "I'm fine. With you here, General, I'm not afraid at all."

Her earlier panic had been due to the sudden, unexpected sight of Haidu Aling. Now that she had calmed down, she felt much better.

Su Dan Gu shifted his gaze away and sat back down.

In the hall, dancers twirled gracefully to the melodious music. The burnt-out candles on the gilded lamp stands had been replaced with fresh ones, their flames bright and steady, creating an atmosphere of serene tranquility.

Yaoying had no mind to appreciate the song and dance. She casually pulled a plate of fruits closer, eating while keeping an eye on the direction of the felt tent.

A crescent moon hung high in the dark sky. As the folk tune came to an end, sporadic applause echoed from all sides of the hall. The Qiang flute fell silent, and several Hu women wearing brocade caps stepped onto the circular carpet in the center. The courtyard quieted for a moment before the pipa player swept her fingers across the strings, abruptly launching into a rapid melody. The Hu women twisted their slender waists, spinning swiftly with their skirts flaring out like brilliantly blooming flowers.

The atmosphere instantly turned lively as guests began to dance, joining hands and stepping to the rhythm.

While Yaoying watched the corridor, a shadow suddenly fell over her, and a hand extended toward her.

She looked up.

A young man wearing an animal-face mask, dressed in a narrow-sleeved robe and a leather belt around his waist, stood before her. His light brown eyes fixed on her as he smiled and said, "Are you Yang Qian's younger sister? Fourth Brother and I are the closest of friends. I know Third Sister and Fifth Sister well. Has Fourth Brother abandoned you again? Young Lady Yang, come join us for some fun."

Yaoying shook her head and tugged at Su Dan Gu's sleeve beside her, indicating that she already had company.

The young man's gaze shifted to Su Dan Gu's face. After a glance at his mask, he stared intently at Yaoying's mask for a long moment before letting out a frustrated "ah" and making an apologetic gesture toward Su Dan Gu.

"My apologies for the intrusion."

With that, he turned and retreated.

Yaoying found his expression somewhat odd. She touched the mask on her face. Though the Ghost Face Mask was frightening, it wasn't uncommon. Why had that man stared so intently at her mask?Before she could ponder further, a figure flashed in the corridor—Haidu Aling had emerged.

Yaoying quickly lowered her head, picked up a dried fruit, and offered it to Su Dan Gu, gently nudging his arm with her fingertip.

Su Dan Gu lowered his gaze, accepted the dried fruit she handed him, then raised his eyes to follow Haidu Aling’s movements.

A moment later, his voice sounded above her head: "Haidu has left."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

…

The felt tent remained dimly lit.

Haidu Aling had infiltrated the palace to meet with Yuchi Damo, while Yang Qian stood guard outside. As soon as Haidu departed, Yang Qian lifted the tent flap and entered. "Damo, what does Haidu Aling want?"

Yuchi Damo sat on the couch, his expression grave. "He told me that Yi Na killed my son and daughter, and that the siblings sent to the Northern Rong were children of herders."

Yang Qian frowned. "Did he come to Gaochang just to tell you this?"

Yuchi Damo glanced at him and asked, "Has Princess Wenzhao left?"

Yang Qian shook his head.

Yuchi Damo narrowed his eyes. "The Princess indeed hasn’t left… Please invite her over. I have a few words to say to her."

Yang Qian went to fetch Yaoying, but she remained seated, waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to ensure Haidu Aling had truly departed before rising to meet Yuchi Damo.

Having already heard from Yang Qian about the content of Haidu Aling’s conversation with Yuchi Damo, she entered the tent and immediately asked, "Does the Lord wish to inquire about which faction the Northern Rong soldiers who pursued the young master and his sister belonged to?"

Yuchi Damo’s pupils contracted sharply, and he nodded. "Indeed, that is precisely what I wished to ask."

Yaoying sat opposite him and said, "To be frank with you, Lord, I am not certain either."

Yuchi Damo fell silent for a moment before letting out a cold laugh. "The Princess was in Gaochang and should have met with me. Only by knowing that Yi Na had sent away my children could you have dispatched people to rescue them in time. Where was Haidu Aling at that time? He and I have never had any dealings—how could he be so well-informed about my situation? And how did he know Yi Na intended to kill them?"

Yaoying met his gaze and replied, "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

Yuchi Damo’s chest heaved violently, his eyes cold and sharp. "Thank you, Princess, for saving my children! Had you not intervened, they would not have escaped this calamity."

Yaoying calmly responded, "Fortune favors the virtuous."

Yuchi Damo’s face darkened, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists. "Haidu Aling did not explicitly state his intentions earlier, but I can guess his purpose—he wants to become the new Khan and is seeking funds and troops from me to assist him. I will pretend to comply."

He sighed, straightened up, and raised his hands in a solemn salute to Yaoying, his tone earnest. "I entrust my children to your care, Princess."

Yaoying returned the salute. "Please rest assured, Lord."

Yuchi Damo stared at her unblinkingly, his red hair and brown eyes stark against his pale face, his gaze sharp as a blade. He said coldly, "Princess, if Haidu Aling gains power, kills the other princes, and leaves me with no choice but to obey him…"

Yaoying smiled. "No matter what happens, whether our alliance holds or breaks, it has nothing to do with your children."

Yuchi Damo’s slender eyes studied her for a long time before a faint smile touched his lips. "I trust you, Princess."

Yaoying knew that at this moment, Yuchi Damo had truly begun to regard her as an ally.

She rose to leave, and as she was about to exit the tent, Yuchi Damo's emotion came from behind:

"The Princess is truly the Buddha Prince’s chosen.""

His tone was filled with sincerity.Yaoying's brow twitched as she stepped out of the felt tent. Remembering the bizarre rumors circulating through Gaochang's streets and alleys, she clasped her hands together and silently offered Tanmoroqie an apology in her heart.

She owed Tanmoroqie far too much.

Yang Qian hurried after her, pressing anxiously: "Princess, who is the mantis? Who is the oriole?"

The veiled implications in Yuchi Damo and Yaoying's earlier conversation had left him utterly confused. He had tried several times to interject with questions, but Yuchi Damo paid him no mind.

Yaoying explained to him: "Lady Yina is the mantis, Haidu Aling is the oriole."

She and Su Dan Gu had suspected Lady Yina would attempt to kill the siblings, so they sent people to rescue them and fabricated evidence of their deaths. Lady Yina's guards, believing it to be true, ceased their pursuit and sent a pair of shepherd children of similar age to the Northern Rong instead.

Lady Yina's intention was clear: eliminate the siblings to remove future troubles while deceiving Yuchi Damo, using substitute children to continue manipulating him.

Haidu Aling's sudden appearance at the palace, specifically bringing tragic news to Yuchi Damo, immediately put the latter on alert. Yaoying also realized the situation might be more complicated than she initially thought.

It wasn't just Lady Yina who wanted the siblings dead—Haidu Aling did too.

Regardless of whether Lady Yina intended to kill them, Haidu Aling would never allow the siblings to reach the Northern Rong alive. He planned to use this incident to frame Lady Yina, ensuring Yuchi Damo would completely break with her.

That's why Yuchi Damo later expressed such fear, lamenting that his children couldn't escape this calamity.

If Yaoying hadn't intervened to save them, even if the siblings miraculously escaped Lady Yina's guards, they still wouldn't have survived Haidu Aling's schemes.

Hearing her detailed explanation, Yang Qian suddenly understood and angrily exclaimed: "They won't even spare children!"

Yaoying thought to herself that Haidu Aling had nearly succeeded. Without her interference, Yuchi Damo wouldn't have suspected his motives.

Did this count as another instance where she accidentally thwarted Haidu Aling's plans?

As they conversed, they exited the corridor. Before the steps stood a tall, straight figure, shoulders dusted with a thin layer of cold moonlight.

Whenever Yaoying met with people like Yuchi Damo and Yang Qian, Su Dan Gu never stood too close, keeping watch over her from a distance.

He stood there as if standing atop a high mountain peak, isolated from the world.

Looking at his back, Yaoying remembered the young man's strange gaze earlier and asked Yang Qian: "Fourth Young Master, was there something inappropriate about the mask I wore tonight?"

Yang Qian froze for a moment, then shook his head.

Yaoying frowned slightly and recounted the incident with the young man.

Yang Qian suddenly slapped his forehead.

"My fault for forgetting to remind you, Princess..." He pointed toward Su Dan Gu not far away. "The masks worn at palace banquets carry specific meanings. When you attend banquets with him wearing matching masks, my friend might have mistaken you for being engaged."

Yaoying stared blankly.

Heaven and earth bear witness—she hadn't done it intentionally...