"Fourteenth Young Master," Yang Xinzhi warned from behind him.
Li Yuangui weighed his options. The four of them were strong young men armed with sharp blades, each skilled in martial arts—where could they possibly come to harm? Besides, there was no better way to find the person they were looking for. Might as well take the gamble.
As for the Pei siblings asking for his help with matters in the Great Peace Palace... he had already been involved in the assassination of a monarch and patricide with enemy assassins—what more did he have to fear?
"Let's go!" Once his mind was made up, he hesitated no longer. The five men and two dogs followed the three Pei family servants out of the "Little Western Market," heading west along the Wei River upstream.
Fortunately, the Pei family estate wasn’t far. Just beyond the town, a large mansion stood beside the main road. They had set out around dinnertime, and by the time they passed through the Black Head Gate into the estate, the sky hadn’t fully darkened yet. The Pei siblings invited Li Yuangui and Yang Xinzhi into the main hall for hospitality, while the young lady of the Pei family excused herself and retreated to the inner courtyard.
Upon entering the main gate, the Pei man had already instructed a servant to "invite Zhang Zhuangtou to the main hall." Li Yuangui found this slightly odd. The Pei siblings were high-ranking officials from a noble family—staying at their rural estate as masters. The estate manager, Zhang Zhuangtou, who oversaw the farmwork and rent collection, was their servant. Why would a master use the word "invite" when summoning a servant?
Once seated in the main hall, the host spoke first:
"That reckless boy Yan-na has never been one to settle down since childhood—bold and impulsive, never once listening to me..."
In the side chamber of the Zoroastrian temple in Buzheng Ward, the balding foreigner sat cross-legged opposite Chai Yingluo and Wei Shufen, speaking calmly in Chinese. The line of his lips, hidden beneath a thick beard, seemed to curl into a smile, but his deep-set blue eyes held no joy—only a trace of weariness and sorrow.
An Yan-na was his eldest son. When his wife gave birth to their first child, he himself was only fifteen or sixteen, still a boy. Coupled with his constant travels as a merchant, he had no idea how to be a father. The two quarreled every time they met, and even after Yan-na grew up and joined the merchant caravans, their relationship never improved. Seven or eight years ago, before a spice caravan set off from Persia to Gaochang, Yan-na committed an outrage that nearly drove him mad. An San whipped his eldest son fiercely with a camel whip and left him at his uncle’s house to recover while he set out with his wife and other children.
Then, his caravan encountered dust storms and remnants of defeated bandits in the Great Sand Desert of the Western Regions. He escaped alone, but all his camels, horses, goods, companions, slaves, wife, and children perished. The only blood relative left in the world was Yan-na.
Father and son later joined Kang Su-mi’s ranks and gradually gained his trust. An San had no rebellious intentions—since Kang Sabao was determined to please the Heavenly Khan and the Tang court, he too devoted himself to the cause. But An Yan-na once again succumbed to recklessness and greed, unable to resist the lure of gold from a minor Tuyuhun prince. The first time he led Tuyuhun assassins into the forbidden garden to set fire to a temple, Kang Sabao found out immediately and flew into a rage. To save them both, An San personally whipped his son again.
Both were experienced in this routine—the father raised the whip high but struck lightly, while the son howled as if in unbearable agony, his back covered in terrifying-looking but shallow wounds that would heal with medicine in a couple of days. But if he had known what Yan-na would do after recovering, he truly wished he had struck with full force—enough to leave his son bedridden for at least a month, unable to move...An San spoke in a low, sorrowful tone, very much like a grieving and helpless old father. Wei Shufen listened with sympathy, but Chai Yingluo remained composed and solemn, sitting upright without showing any emotional reaction:
"Do you mean to say that after your son slipped away from his sickbed, he never returned? You haven't seen Princess Seventeen, Sang Sai, or those Tuyuhun assassins again?"
"At this point, what would I have left to hide?" An San spread his hands. "It was Kang Sabao's idea to fabricate identities and shelter Sang Sai's group—I was just following orders. Later, when Kang Sabao left the capital and Sang Sai acted recklessly against advice, I couldn't stop them. Now, I just want to find my wayward son. I have no face left in the Office of the Protectorate General. My son and I will return to our homeland in Zhaowu..."
"Manager An, you've thought this through quite thoroughly," the female Daoist mocked. "An Yan-na and his group committed such grave crimes, and you still expect to leave the frontier peacefully and return home? To enjoy the gold and silver he earned from Tuyuhun?"
"I know it won't be easy," An San said with a wry smile. "I can only ask my old friend Prince Consort Chai for help, to forge travel documents and permits. I’ll also trouble Miss Chai to escort us on our journey—no need to go far, just... to Dunhuang will suffice."
Wei Shufen couldn’t help but scoff. This An San Tuzi had quite the plan.
At these words, Chai Yingluo’s expression changed, and she turned to glance at the door. An San coughed pointedly, and two Hu warriors with curved swords at their waists emerged from either side of the doorway, responding in their native tongue.
"Are... are you detaining us as hostages?" Wei Shufen blurted out. In the imperial capital of Chang'an, under the Son of Heaven’s very nose, how dare An San Tuzi act so boldly?
"Necessity leaves no room for courtesy. My apologies," the Hu manager said, his face again taking on a sorrowful expression. This time, Wei Shufen felt no sympathy for him.
Chai Yingluo gave a soft laugh and reached out to stroke the head of the hunting leopard lying beside her. Atun responded with a purr.
"An Sanlang, you’ve known my father for years—how long have you known me? Though I’m just a woman, do I usually act so rashly and without foresight? Do you think two women entering your Zoroastrian temple would go unnoticed, with no one outside aware or ready to assist? Let me be frank: I’ve already sent word to Princess Pingyang’s residence to inform my father! And why do you think I brought a leopard? A woman in men’s attire, parading through the city streets and wards with a hunting leopard—how many passersby would notice and remember? Not to mention the guards at the ward gates. If my family questions them, won’t they know I entered your Zoroastrian temple in Buzheng Ward? The Right Wu Houwei Garrison, responsible for the capital’s security, is also in this ward. Do you really want to provoke the Celestial troops of the Great Tang by openly detaining imperial relatives? Even if you’re willing to sacrifice your own life for your only son, if chaos erupts in this temple and stirs up the Hu community, your fellow Zhaowu clansmen in the capital—numbering nearly ten thousand now—will you have them all perish with you?"
So this was the purpose behind the female Daoist’s earlier orders at Purple Void Monastery for Jing Xuan to return to the Chai residence and her decision to bring Atun along to the temple. Wei Shufen suddenly understood, silently admiring her foresight.
An San Tuzi’s face turned pale, then flushed. After an awkward pause, he gritted his teeth and said:
"High Truth Master speaks wisely. I hadn’t considered this thoroughly. Therefore, I must ask you to cooperate willingly and persuade Prince Consort Chai to ensure my son and I depart safely."
"Cooperate willingly?" Was this Hu man out of his mind?
An San gave a sinister laugh and turned his gaze to Wei Shufen."This young lady is bold and quick-tongued, seems to be quite favored and relied upon by the High Truth Master..."
Alright... Wei Shufen sighed inwardly. She was being mistaken for Chai Yingluo's personal maid again.
She had certainly never entered a Fire Temple before, nor had she personally dealt with these foreign merchants. When they entered the temple earlier, Chai Yingluo had only announced her own identity at the gate without mentioning Wei Shufen, so it was natural for these foreigners to assume she was a servant. Now, An San Tuzi suddenly turned to her with a fierce glare in his eyes—likely intending to make an example of this "favored maid" to intimidate and threaten Chai Yingluo.
After all, she was just a mere servant. Even if she were tortured to death, the authorities wouldn’t consider it a major issue.
The female Taoist burst into laughter:
"An Sanlang, what sharp eyes! This young lady is indeed deeply respected by me, and her birth father is also highly esteemed by the current Son of Heaven of the Great Tang..."
"Birth father?" An San's thick brows furrowed, sensing trouble.
"Indeed," Chai Yingluo smiled radiantly. "I know your people struggle to grasp the numerous titles and names of our imperial court's officials and ministers—those unrelated to you, you can't be bothered to inquire about. But as for this young lady's esteemed father, An Sanlang, you must have heard of him. He is none other than the current Chancellor and Palace Attendant, the Heavenly Khan's foremost loyal and outspoken minister, revered throughout the court—Wei Zheng, Lord Wei Xuancheng!"
Hearing her father's name, Wei Shufen instinctively bowed her head in respect, so she missed the fleeting expression on An San's face. However, the middle-aged foreign merchant fell silent, and the room was filled only with Chai Yingluo's lingering laughter:
"Miss Wei is a noble lady from a distinguished Shandong family, dignified and composed, unlike my reckless and unrestrained tongue. Did you mistake her for a servant? Haha, Chancellor Wei is now a powerful and influential courtier, far more influential than my father, who holds a nominal post while recuperating from illness. Even our Great Tang's Heavenly Khan must yield and endure Chancellor Wei's counsel. You, An Sanlang, dare to lay hands on Chancellor Wei's firstborn daughter, the apple of his eye? Go ahead, but the consequences are yours to bear..."
An San's deep-set green eyes scrutinized Wei Shufen up and down. After a moment of assessment, he seemed to believe Chai Yingluo's words and deflated without a word. The female Taoist, having laughed her fill, caught her breath and lowered her voice to propose:
"Steward An, I can cooperate voluntarily to ensure the safety of you and your son."
"Oh?" The bald foreigner raised his brows.
"—On the condition that you return the Great Tang's Seventeenth Princess to me, safe, sound, and unharmed. I guarantee to escort you and your son out of Chang'an. After that, it’s up to your own abilities."
Wei Shufen thought the terms were reasonable. The exits of Chang'an were heavily guarded, making it difficult for An San and his son to leave the city. But once outside, they could avoid official checkpoints and travel through remote wilderness to eventually leave Tang territory and return to the Western Regions. Of course, such a journey would be arduous and dangerous for ordinary people, but foreign merchants ought to have the skills for it.
"How many times must I say it? I don’t know where Yan Na is," An San growled, his voice thick. "And I know nothing about your Seventeenth Princess—never met her, let alone whether she’s truly with my son!"
Chai Yingluo studied the foreign merchant with the shrewd gaze Wei Shufen had seen before. Her long lashes fluttered twice before she nodded decisively:"Good, I believe your word! Then here's how we'll cooperate: I'll inform my father and voluntarily stay here with Wei Niangzi to 'study foreign medicinal herbs,' serving as your protective hostages, An Sanlang. Within three days, you must investigate your son and my Seventeenth Aunt's whereabouts among the merchant groups in Chang'an and bring them back. Hand my aunt over to me, and you and your son can gather your belongings and leave."
An Yan-na, a foreigner with distinctive features, traveling with a young girl would easily draw attention wherever they went. The cold spring nights made hiding in the wilderness impractical, especially while caring for a delicate young daughter. The most likely hiding place would be among familiar kin. Chai Yingluo's plan to have An San search for his son's whereabouts was currently the most feasible approach—possibly even more effective than a citywide military sweep.
Moreover, they absolutely did not want the news that "the Seventeenth Princess has been abducted" to spread. The consequences would be far too severe, far beyond what they could control.
After a brief consideration, An San readily agreed:
"Deal! Then I must trouble Lady Chai and Lady Wei to stay here for a few days. I'll have my people attend to you properly. If we fail in the end, by Mazda above, my son and I will be on our way to the Bridge of Judgment—I only ask that you two see us off!"
With that, he rose and took his leave. By now, the night was deep, and both women were utterly exhausted. The partitioned room had a bed, spacious enough for two women—even with the addition of a plump leopard.
As they undressed and loosened Atun's collar and leash, Wei Shufen asked, "Sister Ying, what was An San saying about some 'Mazda' and a 'bridge'... Who is he going to meet?"
"Lord Mazda, the god worshiped by the merchant foreigners," Chai Yingluo replied with a weary smile, sitting down on the bed. "An San Tuzi meant that if he and his son still can't escape death, they'll drag us down with them... Hurry and sleep. Move to the inner side."
Wei Shufen followed her example, removing only her outer robe and boots, keeping her undergarments and socks on as she climbed obediently to the inner side of the bed. She understood Chai Yingluo's arrangement was to protect her. The Taoist nun then drew a dagger from her boot and tucked it under her pillow. Wei Shufen also felt for the short knife hidden in her clothes—both weapons had been brought from the Purple Void Monastery. Once the two women settled in, Atun leaped onto the bed, nestling beside Chai Yingluo and growling softly by the outer edge.
"Sister Ying, does your chest still hurt inside?" Wei Shufen asked guiltily. For her and the Seventeenth Princess, the Master of the Purple Void Monastery had truly risked her life.
"It's bearable," the older woman beside her sighed. "No worse than this morning—a sign of improvement. A couple of days' rest here should do the trick."
"Are we really staying here?" The idea felt unsettling. There were still countless troubles awaiting them outside, and the Zoroastrian temple was eerie and dangerous. Wei Shufen doubted she could sleep tonight, despite being bone-tired.
"You'd rather not stay here?" Chai Yingluo chuckled softly. "Well then, think carefully—can you find us a safer place?"
Wei Shufen shuddered, as if lightning had flashed before her eyes.
They had come here not just to "risk their lives rescuing the Seventeenth Princess." They were also here to escape disaster.The turmoil at Great Peace Palace had implicated them as key figures, and they would undoubtedly be summoned for questioning by the investigators. Yet they could neither tell the truth and implicate Li Yuangui and his sister, nor was it wise to lie to the emperor. The only course now was to delay and hide until the Seventeenth Princess was found, then discuss with Li Yuangui and others how to handle the aftermath.
If they were to hide, Prince Wu’s residence, Purple Void Monastery, and Princess Pingyang’s estate were all out of the question—palace envoys would search those places first. The Fire Temple, however, was rarely frequented by Han Chinese and relatively isolated. The foreign assassins and merchants who had caused the chaos at Great Peace Palace were not of the same tribe, so investigators wouldn’t trace them to the Zoroastrian temple within a day or two... Indeed, as long as An San Tuzi and the other foreigners truly had no intention of harming them, staying here was safer than anywhere else outside.
Beyond Chai Yingluo’s prone figure, the plump Hunting Leopard panted softly by the bedside.
"But, Sister Ying... we brought Atun with us... wouldn’t that make it easy for the guards to track us?"
If the Chai household could inquire at the Buzheng Ward gate and learn of their whereabouts, wouldn’t the palace investigators do the same? Their exit from the forbidden garden had also been recorded at Fragrant Forest Gate. If the palace envoys entered the city through Fragrant Forest Gate and questioned people along the way...
"They don’t know we have the leopard. Jing Xuan hasn’t returned to my home either—I told her to stay nearby and send someone to meet us at the temple tomorrow..."
Chai Yingluo’s reply was drowsy and indistinct. Wei Shufen recalled their journey from Purple Void Monastery into the city and realized the guards indeed hadn’t known they had Atun—such a conspicuous clue for inquiries.
When they passed Fragrant Forest Gate, the three women and the leopard had all stayed hidden inside the carriage, with only Chai Yingluo showing herself to greet the guards. After entering the city, they had abandoned the carriage in a secluded spot and switched to horses—it was unlikely any guard had seen them riding with a leopard.
So if the palace envoys couldn’t find them at the Chai residence, they could only ask at various checkpoints whether any women had been seen traveling by carriage or horseback... In Chang’an, there must be thousands of such cases...
Wei Shufen didn’t know when she had fallen asleep, but she slept deeply and woke well past sunrise. She was alone on the bed; Chai Yingluo was outside speaking with someone, her voice faintly drifting through the curtains.
Hurriedly rising to wash and dress, Wei Shufen stepped out of the bedroom to find breakfast laid out on the low table—flatbreads and cheese. Chai Yingluo’s bowl and plate held leftovers as she sat cross-legged, intently listening to a woman by the dining table.
The woman was a foreign girl—blonde, high-nosed, and strikingly beautiful—but her face was clouded with worry as she spoke in halting tones:
"...If the lady could just inform Yang Dalang... that would be enough. Whether to act is his decision. This humble one would be endlessly grateful."
"Yang Dalang?" Wei Shufen approached the table, sitting down to eat as she asked.
"A-Fen, you’re awake?" Chai Yingluo looked up with a smile. "You’d never guess what this beauty is saying. She was ordered to serve Yang Rou-ta for a night recently, and well..."
"This humble one," the blonde foreign girl bit her tearful lip, "might be... carrying Yang Dalang’s child."
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