Leaden clouds hung low, a biting north wind howled, and goose-feather snowflakes flurried down, blanketing the earth in crystalline white.
The city of Gaochang was shrouded in a world of silver and white.
Amid echoing drumbeats, the city gates creaked open. A merchant caravan composed of camel and horse teams slowly emerged from the gatehouse. Several large carts were laden with goods, while Hu guards in felt hats and curved sabers rode alongside the procession, patrolling back and forth.
Yaoying, draped in a snow-white cloak and clad in long boots, wore a thick felt hat with brocade trim and a windproof mask covering her face. Bundled up from head to toe, she rode a jet-black steed, trailing at the very rear of the caravan. As they passed through the city gates, she gazed out at the vast, boundless expanse of snowy wilderness.
The wind roared as the caravan departed the royal city, pressing forward through the blizzard along a broad snow-covered path.
Yaoying reined in her horse atop a high point, scanning the surroundings until she spotted Su Dan Gu’s figure.
He rode alone at the very front of the procession, keeping a distance from everyone else. His black robes fluttered in the wind, his tall, straight back appearing aloof and solitary—like a lone peak towering above countless mountains.
As she watched his cold, distant silhouette, that peculiar feeling welled up inside her once more.
Since the night before last, Su Dan Gu hadn’t spoken a single word to her.
Whenever she needed to discuss matters with him, Yuanjue had relayed the messages each time.
Yesterday, hoping to speak with Su Dan Gu directly, she waited until dusk, her feet aching from standing, and finally encountered him in the front corridor. But as she approached, he cast her a frosty glance and strode away without a word.
He wasn’t deliberately avoiding her—it was as if he’d suddenly forgotten who she was, his gaze as cold as ice.
Yaoying stood rooted in place, utterly bewildered.
Yuanjue gave an awkward smile and explained that the Regent had always been like this, urging her not to take it to heart.
At the time, Yaoying simply smiled and didn’t press further.
Yuanjue was lying.
Su Dan Gu wasn’t usually like this. Though he appeared cold and detached, indifferent to everyone, he never hesitated to rescue anyone in the caravan who was in danger. Even when he knew she was testing his identity during her illness, he still cared for her attentively, tolerated her little schemes, and urged her to take her medicine. When she sought his guidance, he patiently explained everything she asked, holding nothing back.
He was like a majestic snow-capped peak on the horizon—silent and often vanishing into dust storms, mist, or blizzards—yet she knew he was always there. Whenever she turned to look, his tall, steadfast figure stood in place, filling her with immense reassurance.
How could such a person change so abruptly?
Yaoying tightened her cloak, carefully recalling that even when she went to his room that night, he had already seemed off.
Though distant then, he had at least been willing to talk to her.
These past two days, she had been as busy as a spinning top, shuttling between the royal palace, the Yang residence, and the market districts, meeting wave after wave of people, reminding Old Qi to take stock of the goods. Only last night did she finally settle the most urgent matters. When she told Yuanjue they could return to the Royal Court, Yuanjue let out a soft sigh of relief, his expression one of immense relief.
Yaoying understood: Yuanjue was just as eager as she was to return to the royal city.
The reason wasn’t hard to guess: Su Dan Gu had become too strange, and perhaps only by returning to the royal city could he return to normal.
The wind whistled, and her horse snorted restlessly. Yaoying snapped out of her reverie, leaning down to pat its neck in reassurance.
She was waiting for someone.
Before long, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from the direction of the royal city. Yang Qian came galloping toward her on a sturdy date-red steed."Princess!" Before his horse had fully halted, he released the reins, cupped his hands toward Yaoying, and drew out a dagger inlaid with jewels. "Please accept this."
Yaoying recognized it as the dagger Yang Qian usually wore at his waist.
"Is this what your father left you?"
Yang Qian held the dagger solemnly and declared clearly, "My father instructed me that if I could ever return to the Central Plains, I should present this dagger to the Emperor on his behalf. I was to tell the Emperor that even though he was forced to adopt non-Han attire, speak their tongue, and follow their customs, he never forgot his homeland. In life and death, he remained a son of the Yang family of Hexi."
He gazed into Yaoying’s eyes, his expression earnest.
"Today, I present this dagger to you, Princess."
Yaoying showed a trace of surprise.
Before she could voice a refusal, Yang Qian extended the dagger with both hands, his eyes blazing. "Princess, please keep this dagger for me. On the day I escort you back to the Central Plains and reclaim Hexi, you may bestow it upon me then. I do not know who the Emperor of the Central Plains is now, nor whether the great families and officials of Chang’an still remember us exiles. All I know is that Princess Wenzhao is my comrade-in-arms, who has fought by my side!"
Amid the swirling snow and pale daylight, his young, resolute face seemed coated in a faint glow, his eyes burning like twin flames.
Fervent and unwavering.
A surge of warmth flooded Yaoying’s heart. She lifted her veil, and a bright smile gradually spread from the corners of her eyes and brows, like a peony trembling into full bloom, radiant and dazzling.
She accepted the dagger and laughed, "Good! When we return to the Central Plains, I must share a great toast with you, Fourth Lang!"
Yang Qian roared with laughter, "My capacity is as vast as the rivers and seas—I can drink ten thousand cups! I hope you won’t mind my heavy drinking then!"
"Is it a promise?"
"A promise!"
They exchanged smiles and raised their hands for a firm handclap.
Yang Qian gathered the reins and said, "The King cannot come to see you off, Princess. I hope you will forgive him."
Yaoying’s heart stirred. She glanced at the distant merchant train and instinctively lowered her voice. "Fourth Lang, do you know what agreement the King and the Royal Court envoy reached?"
Su Dan Gu and Yuchi Damo must have met. What had they exchanged? What had they agreed upon? Why was Yuchi Damo so secretive, hiding it even from Yang Qian?
Yang Qian shook his head, his eyes flickering briefly. He, too, lowered his voice. "I asked the King, but he wouldn’t reveal a word. Should I ask him again? Is this matter of great importance?"
Yaoying smiled lightly. "I was just momentarily curious. Don’t trouble yourself over it, Fourth Lang."
Yang Qian gave an acknowledging sound and looked into the distance, his gaze settling on the guards waiting not far away.
The Princess had too few personal guards. He had selected thirty of his family’s soldiers to serve as her escort. To avoid drawing attention, they had to disguise themselves as slaves who had sold themselves into servitude.
He had originally wanted to send more men for the Princess’s use, but Yuchi Damo warned him that doing so would alert Lady Yina, so he had to abandon the idea.
Yang Qian clenched his fists and said gravely, "Princess, Gaochang cannot protect you now. You must first return to the Buddha Prince’s Royal Court and await news. But please rest assured—I am secretly training a volunteer army, and the family soldiers of various houses have been dispatched to different tribes. When the time is ripe, the King can reclaim his authority unnoticed and detain Lady Yina. When that day comes, I will personally go to the Royal Court to bring you back. As soon as Zhang Jiu sends word, we can set out for the Central Plains."Yaoying lowered her head to secure her dagger and chuckled softly, "Fourth Lang, there's no need to worry about me. I have personal guards for protection. Although our plan hasn't encountered any mistakes so far, we can't guarantee Lady Yina won't notice anything amiss. You and King Yuchi must remain cautious."
Yang Qian nodded in agreement, adding with slight dissatisfaction, "Damo is more cautious than anyone."
Yaoying didn't respond to this remark.
Yang Qian, filled with fervent passion, longed to immediately rebel against the Northern Rong and lead the righteous army back to the Central Plains. Unbeknownst to him, given Gaochang's current strength, raising a banner of rebellion would be like an egg striking a stone. Before they could even escape Gaochang, the Northern Rong would dispatch cavalry to intercept them.
For now, their task was twofold: secretly build up their strength while gathering intelligence on the Northern Rong's stationed forces, and continuously send messengers to contact the Central Plains, striving to deliver messages early and await the right opportunity.
The two discussed trivial matters such as maintaining communication, recruiting and training the righteous army, and relocating the displaced Hexi refugees scattered among various tribes before bidding farewell.
As young souls, one had set down a heavy burden and moved a step closer to returning to the Central Plains, while the other saw hope and grew more determined to lead their people eastward. Both were filled with aspirations for the future, their eyes sparkling with vitality and spirits soaring, without a trace of sorrow or melancholy in their parting.
Yaoying grasped the reins, gently nudged the horse's belly, and the steed galloped down the slope.
Suddenly, a clear, resonant strum echoed from behind.
Yaoying turned her head.
Yang Qian, who had somehow produced a pipa, straightened his back and swept his fingers across the strings, producing a sharp, metallic sound that pierced the air like striking stone.
As the wind and snow whipped against her face, Yaoying leaned low on her horse, waved at Yang Qian playing the pipa on his mount, and flashed a radiant smile before urging her horse onward. The steed's mane flowed like dark clouds, and her snow-white cloak billowed in the wind.
Watching her recede into the distance, Yang Qian felt a surge of heroic passion in his chest. His fingers danced nimbly over the strings, and the pipa's melody grew increasingly fervent and joyful.
Since childhood, he had vowed to reclaim his homeland, unwavering even in the face of death. His family mocked him, friends ridiculed him, and elders shook their heads in dismay at the sight of him... Now, he had finally met a friend who understood his ambitions and aspirations.
The vibrant, rain-like notes of the pipa cut through the raging snowstorm, carrying far across the boundless snowy plains.
Members of the merchant caravan turned back curiously.
On the slope, a noble young master in splendid attire held a pipa, playing the resolute and stirring "Song of Liangzhou" to bid farewell to his princess.
Both Han and Hu people in the caravan recognized the tune. Hearing the familiar melody, their faces lit up with joy, and they hummed along softly.
Yuanjue glanced around, snorted disdainfully, and rolled his eyes skyward.
The crisp sound of hooves echoed, splashing snow and mud.
Yaoying galloped swiftly, catching up to the caravan amidst her guards and arriving by his side.
Yuanjue quickly composed himself, assuming a stern expression.
Without slowing her pace, Yaoying raced past him, heading straight for Su Dan Gu at the front of the procession.
Yuanjue stared blankly for a moment, then spurred his horse to chase after her.
Yaoying tightened her reins, caught up with Su Dan Gu, and rode alongside him.
"General Su!"
She called out softly, her voice light and cheerful, tinged with laughter.
Su Dan Gu lowered his gaze, his mask dusted with a thin layer of snowflakes.
"General Su, why haven't I seen the Buddha Prince's eagle today?"
Yaoying looked up at him, making small talk. After the swift ride, she hadn't worn her face covering, and her cheeks were flushed red from the wind. Her chest rose and fell slightly with soft pants, her bright eyes gleaming.Su Dan Gu remained silent, his emerald eyes cold and profound.
Yuanjue followed the two, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Su Dan Gu, observing his reactions with a tense expression. His shoulders were rigid, his right hand hovering stiffly over the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Su Dan Gu shifted slightly.
Yuanjue immediately tightened his grip on the long blade, lips pressed thin, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Su Dan Gu turned his horse and spurred it into a gallop, leaving Yaoying behind.
The days they had spent together seemed like nothing more than a dream—to him, she was merely a stranger with no connection at all.
Yaoying watched Su Dan Gu’s retreating figure and did not pursue him.
Yuanjue let out a soft sigh of relief.
Suddenly, Yaoying turned and glanced at him, her dark eyes calm yet piercing, filled with scrutiny.
Yuanjue felt a chill run down his spine, his scalp tingling. Hastily, he tightened his grip on the reins, turned his horse, and pretended to order his guards to stay alert.
Only after a long while, when he felt Yaoying’s gaze shift away, did he pat his chest, his heart still trembling with lingering fear.
Truly, a princess is a princess—she was utterly intimidating just now.
...
The journey back to the Royal Court was peaceful and uneventful.
When they passed the place where they had encountered the bandits before, Yaoying instructed Xie Qing and the others to remain vigilant. The members of the merchant caravan, remembering the location, all drew their blades.
In the end, they encountered no one and safely crossed the shifting sand dunes.
Yaoying thought to herself: The bandits must have been thoroughly frightened by Su Dan Gu and had likely sought other means of livelihood.
With this thought, she scanned the surroundings.
Su Dan Gu was nowhere to be seen.
Yaoying frowned, lost in thought.
As they left the desolate wilderness, other camel caravans gradually appeared along the trade route, and the wind occasionally carried the distant, melodious chimes of camel bells.
One day, after the snow had cleared and the sun shone brightly, the snow-covered plains reflected dazzling rays of light.
The merchant caravan trudged through the snow and stopped at a relay station to change horses when a surprised cry suddenly came from the opposite direction.
Yaoying dismounted and turned to look.
Under the sunlight, a tall, sturdy man strode toward her, removing his felt hat to reveal a head of golden hair fluttering in the wind.
Yuanjue, standing behind her, rushed forward excitedly: "General Ashina!"
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