Yaoying's hand resting on Tanmoroqie's arm gradually stiffened. The biting wind mixed with swirling snowflakes stung her face—even through the veil, her cheeks felt frozen.
She wasn't afraid of Zhu Lvyun.
The Helong survivors led by the Yuchi and Yang clans had already formed an alliance with her. They trusted her not only because of her status as a princess of the Wei Dynasty but also because they sought to curry favor with Tanmoroqie. As a princess of the fallen previous dynasty, Zhu Lvyun couldn't raise large armies nor understand the intricate conflicts between various tribes. Whatever her purpose was in appearing here, Yuchi Damo wouldn't be swayed by her.
Zhu Lvyun posed no threat.
The person Yaoying feared was Li Xuanzhen.
Zhu Lvyun had appeared in this remote land thousands of miles from Chang'an. According to the book, Li Xuanzhen would commit all sorts of unimaginably obsessive acts for her. Upon discovering she'd come to the Royal Court, he would undoubtedly abandon everything to follow her.
No matter what hardships they encountered, these two always managed to escape unscathed.
But those unfortunate enough to get caught in their wake faced different fates.
Getting involved with them usually brought misfortune.
The reason Yaoying and Li Zhongqian had suffered so much over the years was precisely because of Li De and Li Xuanzhen's misplaced resentment. After Tang Shi's death, the father and son believed everyone should be buried with her—regardless of their innocence.
After Xie Wuliang's death, Yaoying, Li Zhongqian, and Xie Manyuan could have returned to Jingnan to live peaceful lives, but Li De wouldn't allow it, and Li Xuanzhen refused to let them go.
Even if Li Zhongqian didn't contend for power, he would still meet his end.
Li Zhongqian didn't contend. He drifted through life in confusion and dissipation—Yaoying understood he abstained because he knew struggling would only hasten his death, and he didn't want to implicate her and Xie Manyuan.
He thought his death would end everything, unaware that in Li De's eyes, they were his children and subjects, destined to be exploited until nothing remained.
The Xie family had fought to the last man for him, yet Li De merely sighed and praised their loyalty.
Emperors have no affection—there's no reasoning with them.
Yaoying knew clearly that if she could safely return to the Central Plains and reunite with Li Zhongqian, the siblings would still have to confront Li De and his son. This time, they wouldn't trade submission for survival.
But first, she needed to reunite with Li Zhongqian.
Now Zhu Lvyun had suddenly appeared before her as if descending from heaven, which meant Li Xuanzhen couldn't be far behind.
Where was Li Zhongqian now? Did he know she was at the Royal Court?
If he encountered Li Xuanzhen, would he be in danger?
A profound unease seized Yaoying. Her body turned cold, and her heart trembled faintly.
The melodious ringing of camel bells drifted to her ears, mingling with the alternating cries of merchants in Hu, Turkic, Persian, and Sogdian languages. Steam rose from earthen walls lining the street as deep-eyed Hu people with prominent noses lifted enormous oven lids. Using iron tongs, they swiftly pulled out steaming flatbreads from blazing red ovens until stacks of bread—each as long as a grown man's arm—piled up like small hills.
The aroma of freshly baked thin sesame flatbread filled the air.
Yaoying snapped back to reality and realized she'd been standing in front of the food stall staring at the flatbread. She shook her head slightly and lifted her face to look at Tanmoroqie, intending to make some lighthearted remark. But when her gaze met his, she paused in slight surprise.
He wore a light-colored headscarf, his exposed green eyes watching her quietly as if they could see through all her fears.
His gaze remained calm and gentle, yet it carried a strangely soothing power.Yao Ying gazed at Tanmoloqie, her heart gradually calming. She swallowed back all the playful remarks she had intended to say and spoke softly, "General, I just saw someone I knew from the Central Plains."
After a pause, she added, "I didn't want to see her... but perhaps it's just as well. Knowing she has appeared in the Royal Court earlier allows me to be wary of her and the Crown Prince sooner."
Having sorted out her thoughts, Yao Ying let out a light sigh, straightened her slightly raised chest, and regained her composure. The sudden worry that had clouded her brow moments earlier vanished completely.
She released Tanmoloqie's arm and quickly walked over to a food stall, where she bought several thin sesame flatbreads.
One needs a full stomach to plan how to deal with things.
Tanmoloqie remained where he was, watching Yao Ying's slender retreating figure.
After buying the flatbreads, Yao Ying returned to Luojia's side but did not offer him any. The two went to a hostel in the market district, still using Akebayan's identity, only to be told that the usually vacant hostel was fully booked.
They tried another one, but it was also full—even the cellars were occupied by merchants.
After trying several more hostels without success, Yao Ying couldn't help but ask Tanmoloqie, "Is there some festival in the Royal Court recently?"
Tanmoloqie shook his head.
A foreign merchant who also couldn't find lodging passed by them and, overhearing their conversation, laughed heartily. "You're not from the Royal Court, are you?"
Yao Ying replied, "My husband and I are from Sheep and Horse City."
Sheep and Horse City was a settlement predominantly inhabited by Han Chinese, originally a garrison for soldiers and a place for herding sheep and horses.
The foreign merchant grinned. "No wonder you didn't know. At the beginning of next month is the Buddha Prince's birthday. People from hundreds of miles around are rushing to the Royal Court to pay homage to the Buddha Prince before his birthday. These past few days, the crowds aren't even that large. Wait until the weather warms up—the roads will be packed with devotees heading to the Holy City to worship! That's when it gets truly crowded. The city can't even hold everyone; many people carry felt blankets and sleep by the roadside when tired."
Yao Ying looked astonished and glanced up at Tanmoloqie. He grew up in the Royal Court—how could he not know about such an important occasion?
Tanmoloqie frowned slightly.
Yao Ying turned back to continue her conversation with the foreign merchant.
Though she wore several layers of padded jackets, her graceful figure was still apparent. Her eyes were long and charming, clearly marking her as a young and beautiful woman. Her polite tone and sweet voice made the merchant more than willing to show off his knowledge, answering every question she asked in detail.
After chatting with him for a while, Yao Ying had a sudden thought and casually asked, "Earlier, I saw some Northern Rong people at the city gate. They were carrying a very grand sedan chair—are they also heading to the Holy City to worship?"
The soldiers escorting Zhu Lvyun had braided hair, curved blades at their waists, and wore what appeared to be Northern Rong attire.
The merchant nodded. "You must be talking about the Northern Rong princess."
Yao Ying's mouth twitched. How did Zhu Lvyun become a Northern Rong princess?
The merchant stroked his beard proudly, continuing to show off. "Wahan Khan of the Northern Rong was so terrified by our Buddha Prince that, upon hearing the Buddha Prince's birthday was approaching, he sent an envoy with gifts. That Northern Rong princess came with the envoy. Rumor has it she's a princess the Khan brought from the Central Plains..."
Here, he coughed lightly, his expression turning suggestive. "This Northern Rong princess, like the Buddha Prince's Princess Wenzhao, is also a Han woman."
He emphasized the words "Han woman" particularly heavily.Hearing her name mentioned, Yaoying's eyelids twitched. Remembering the rumors she'd heard in Gaochang, a wave of guilt washed over her for no reason. She quickly changed the subject, exchanged a few pleasantries with the foreign merchant, and pulled Tanmoroqie away.
Half an hour later, Yaoying finally found an inn with vacant rooms. She immediately asked the attendant for a jug of clean water, filtered it, boiled it over the room's stove, and entrusted the attendant to buy several thick round naan breads without greasy fillings. She arranged them on a plate and handed it to Tanmoroqie.
"General, have some food and rest well."
This was something Yaoying had learned from Yuanjue—she remembered his preferences.
Tanmoroqie did not sit down. Watching Yaoying bustle about, his gaze fell on the back of her left hand, and he gestured for her to extend it.
Yaoying reached out her hand.
Tanmoroqie gently removed her leather glove. The marks seemed to have faded slightly. He picked up a clean cloth, washed her wound with the clear water, dried it, reapplied the ointment, and carefully put her glove back on.
"Princess, you should rest."
His tone was cold, his expression unreadable, yet his movements while applying the ointment had been exceptionally gentle. His slender fingers had deliberately lightened their touch as they brushed over her hand.
The more detached he seemed now, the more it highlighted his earlier tenderness.
Like spring water hidden within a block of ice.
Yaoying's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Tanmoroqie with confusion, murmured an acknowledgment, then moved to sit cross-legged opposite the stove.
Tanmoroqie ate some naan and continued meditating to regulate his breathing.
Yaoying sat with her chin propped in her hands, lost in thought while keeping watch over him. She had chosen the inn's best room, setting up a felt tent near the stove. It was warm enough without needing a fur coat, far more comfortable than the icy wilderness on the mountain.
Unconsciously, the sky grew dark.
Yaoying went to the outer room, ate something, then returned to the stove to continue guarding Tanmoroqie.
As the night deepened, strange owl hoots echoed from outside the window.
Tanmoroqie slowly opened his eyes.
In the flickering dim candlelight, Yaoying sat across from him, one hand supporting her chin. She looked exhausted, her eyes wide open but dull and bloodshot. Every now and then, she shook her head, trying to stay awake.
Tanmoroqie glanced at the candlestick—piles of hardened wax had accumulated beneath the short table.
She had guarded him for yet another day.
With a light sweep of his sleeve, Tanmoroqie extinguished the candle and said, "Princess, retire for the night."
Yaoying jolted upright instinctively, widening her eyes and lying through her teeth, "It's fine, I'm not tired."
Even as she spoke, she let out a yawn.
With the candle extinguished, only the faint glow from the stove remained. In the dimness, soft rustling sounds filled the room. A dark shadow flashed before Yaoying's eyes as the man's tall, straight figure suddenly appeared right in front of her.
She froze, her hand suspended mid-air.
Tanmoroqie stood before her, grasped her wrist, and slowly leaned down. His face, covered with ferocious scars, drew closer and closer to hers.
The stove's glow was faint, the room thick with impenetrable darkness. His powerfully built body pressed toward her like a towering mountain peak, his aura icy.
Yaoying stared blankly, meeting his calm green eyes, and held her breath.
So close that his steady breath brushed against her face.
Yaoying leaned back slightly, but Tanmoroqie only drew nearer.A sudden peculiar sensation crept up her neck. With his left hand holding hers, his right hand gently parted her collar and slipped inside. His black leather gloves had been removed at some point, his dry fingertips pressing against her warm, smooth skin in a rhythmic, intermittent motion.
Yaoying shuddered twice, but before she could voice her question—unaware which point his fingers had precisely touched—a wave of exhaustion surged through her. Her body grew weak and limp, her vision darkened, and she collapsed into Tanmoroqie’s embrace.
Tanmoroqie caught Yaoying, his fingers continuing to press on the acupoints. Hearing her breathing grow steady and deep, he withdrew his hand, held her shoulders to lay her down, pulled a felt blanket over her, and gently tucked in the edges.
The firelight flickered across half of Yaoying’s face, her features delicate as a painting, with faint shadows encircling her eye sockets.
Tanmoroqie retreated to the front of the stove and resumed his meditation.
Outside the posthouse, the wind howled. An hour later, hurried footsteps abruptly pierced the silent night sky—someone was walking across the tiled roof.
Tanmoroqie opened his eyes and glanced at Yaoying across from the stove. She had turned over beneath the blanket, now facing him, sound asleep with no sign of waking.
He rose, left the felt tent, secured the entrance, exited the room, and pushed open the outermost window.
A dark figure groped its way into the room, stood firm, saluted him, and lifted its head to report, “Regent, General Ashina has arrived at Sand City. Following your instructions, the general set a trap there and captured three waves of assassins—mostly young men captured from various tribes, but also some from the Royal Court.”
Tanmoroqie asked, “How is General Ashina?”
The messenger replied quietly, “General Ashina was well-prepared and sustained only a minor injury—a cut on his arm. The bleeding has stopped, and it’s not serious.” After a pause, he inquired, “The general seeks your guidance on how to deal with the assassins.”
Tanmoroqie produced a parchment scroll. “Tell him to proceed as planned. There’s no need to interrogate the assassins.”
The messenger respectfully accepted the scroll and tucked it into his robe.
Standing by the window, Tanmoroqie suddenly asked, “Has Northern Rong sent an envoy to the Royal Court?”
The messenger hurriedly responded, “I was just about to report that, Regent. The King’s birthday is approaching. Besides the envoy from Northern Rong, delegations from other nations have also arrived at the Holy City… Not only has Northern Rong sent a princess, but there are now several princesses in the Holy City. I’ve heard they are all stunningly beautiful and yet unmarried.”
Tanmoroqie gave a faint hum of acknowledgment.
The messenger saluted and slipped away silently.
Tanmoroqie’s thick brows furrowed slightly as he gazed into the night, lost in thought for a moment.
Another creak sounded at the window. A figure cautiously climbed in, feeling its way, rolled on the floor, stood up, and saluted Tanmoroqie.
It was Yuanjue, the guard sent to notify the various city lords.
“Regent, I’ve inquired everywhere. The city lords report no abnormalities in their cities, but there have been troop movements at the pastures and military posts. Due to the severe cold, many herdsmen’s livestock have frozen to death, so they haven’t had time to conduct detailed investigations. This year’s roster for garrison transfers hasn’t been finalized yet. Only the lord of Moon Dawn City is drafting a list of recommended guards this month and recorded several shifts of rotating officers and soldiers. I’ve brought back the draft document.”
Tanmoroqie took the document.
Yuanjue lit a candle.
Tanmoroqie unfolded the document and skimmed it rapidly by the faint candlelight, then lifted his gaze.The relationships among the Royal Court's five armies, major noble families, and garrison troops across all city-states and towns were intricate and deeply entangled. The parchment records documenting annual troop rotations and duty shifts alone filled over a dozen scrolls. Yet, with his vast knowledge and retentive memory, he had committed all these details to heart. A single glance at Moon Dawn City's roster was enough for him to identify any anomalous deployments.
His expression remained composed as he instructed Yuanjue, "There's no need for you to go to Moon Dawn City anymore. Proceed directly to Sand City and inform Ashina to be wary of the Xue family."
Yuanjue felt his chest tighten, responding in a low voice of acknowledgment.
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