The sky stretched vast and silent, moonlight casting down a silvery sheen that glittered like fish scales, while the night wind swept past, brushing against the skin beneath thin garments with a snow-like chill.

Su Dangu held the trembling Yao Ying, his agile figure darting and leaping between the towering shadows of the palace walls. The leopard followed behind them, its graceful paw steps light and beautiful.

Gradually, chaotic voices approached. Several arrows whistled through the air, their cold shriek frighteningly close.

Yao Ying’s heart tightened with tension, her fingers unconsciously gripping Su Dangu’s robes.

Without a word, he shielded her in his embrace, raising his arm with sa word to cleave through the scattered incoming arrows, then leaped down from the courtyard wall, landing beside a jujube thicket.

From the courtyard on the other side of the wall, someone shouted at the archers: “Look carefully! That’s the Regent!”

The guard archers trembled in fear, instantly falling into chaos, shouts erupting everywhere.

The firm arm around her shoulders withdrew, and Yao Ying was set down, her bare feet touching the ice-cold earth as chills ran up her body.

A suppressed groan sounded behind her.

Yao Ying’s eyelids twitched as she turned to look.

Su Dangu clutched his chest and stepped back, his robes brushing against the jujube branches, causing silver-white flowers to flutter down.

“Are you injured?”

Yao Ying was startled, reaching out to support Su Dangu. Earlier when he was holding her while fighting Hai Du Aling, the latter had produced a short dagger from his sleeve. Fearing she would be stabbed, he had abruptly turned to block the strike, likely suffering an internal injury then.

Su Dangu stumbled slightly.

Yao Ying rushed forward to support his arm, realizing he might not understand the Han language she’d spoken in her urgency, and asked again in Hu language: “Are you hurt?”

Su Dangu steadied himself, lifting his gaze to look at her briefly. His scarred face was hideously fierce, with a pair of emotionless deep jade eyes like the vast, brilliant starry sky – cold and detached, without joy or sorrow.

Yao Ying suddenly felt that the person standing before her wasn’t human, but rather a coldly glinting sword.

A sword born solely for killing, without emotion or desire.

Their eyes met.

Yao Ying frowned as she looked up at Su Dangu, her face showing no fear or disgust, only sincere concern and gratitude. Moonlight fell into her clear, elongated eyes, with light flickering in their depths, autumn waters rippling, gentle and captivating.

But Su Dangu’s eyes remained like still, deep waters, without a ripple.

After a moment’s gaze, Yao Ying continued asking softly: “General Su, where are you injured?”

Footsteps like raindrops came from the courtyard gate as Ashina Bisuo, wearing military attire, rushed over with his guards and burst into the courtyard.

The guards saw the arrows on the ground, then glanced at Su Dangu’s fierce face, looking at each other in trepidation, shrinking back afraid to approach.

Bisuo stepped over the scattered arrows, hurrying forward with an anxious expression. His gaze fell on Yao Ying’s hand supporting Su Dangu, his brows furrowing deeply.

“The palace guards were negligent, causing the Princess distress.” He smiled at Yao Ying, then turned to gesture to two guards, “Escort the Princess back to rest.”

Yao Ying’s eyes swept around.

The corridors were packed with fully armed guards, with seven or eight just carrying longbows – Tanmoluojia rarely stayed in the palace, so palace security was usually not this strict. These men had been prepared to meet the enemy.

Bisuo knew Hai Du Aling would break into the palace, which was why he brought so many men to rescue her.

Lost in thought, Yao Ying saw that Su Dangu could stand steadily now and said: “Thank you, General Su.”

Su Dangu made no sound, his terrifying face showing no expression.

Yao Ying withdrew her hand and turned to leave.

“Princess, wait!”

Bisuo caught up, looking down at Yao Ying.

Awakened in the middle of the night, Yao Ying hadn’t put on an outer robe, wearing only thin undergarments. The fabric, brought from Central Plains, was as thin as cicada wings, light and transparent. In the moonlight’s soft embrace, her graceful figure was half-visible, the gauze revealing a slender, soft waist. During the earlier struggle, her collar had come half-open, exposing a glimpse of jade-like smooth shoulder, more delicate and tender than sheep-fat jade, with a subtle fragrance lingering about.

The courtyard guards’ gazes wandered, all secretly watching her.

Bisuo looked at Yao Ying’s snow-white shoulder, his brows knotting tighter.

Yao Ying noticed her disheveled state, smiled, and drew her collar closed, her movements natural and unabashed. She had already reacted quickly by jumping out of bed to hide, but unfortunately was still trapped by Hai Du Aling. He treated her as prey, having figured out her escape habits.

Bisuo had expected Yao Ying to show embarrassed discomfort, or be frightened to tears, but was surprised to see her smiling instead, his eyes revealing astonishment.

“Princess, you’re shivering.”

He took off his white robe and draped it over Yao Ying’s shoulders, gripping her shoulders and saying softly, “Princess need not be afraid, I will guard here all night.”

The guards stared dumbfounded: The general was truly gallant and romantic, not forgetting to show tenderness even at such a time!

Yao Ying was shivering from the cold and didn’t stand on ceremony with Bisuo, pulling the cape tight as she said: “Thank you.”

Bisuo watched her leave, his gaze gentle until her graceful figure disappeared beside the courtyard gate. Then he turned to look at Su Dangu, his lips curling slightly.

“Regent, thank you for saving Princess Wenzhao. I was truly afraid she would be kidnapped by Hai Du Aling just now.”

He seemed very relieved, patting his chest as he spoke loudly.

Su Dangu remained silent, sheathing his sword and raising his head to sweep his gaze across the courtyard.

Everyone trembled under his look, shakily kneeling.

Bisuo also knelt on one knee, saying respectfully: “Regent, we captured eight men, killed five, two committed suicide, none escaped!”

He had led troops to ambush near Li Yao Ying’s residence, rushing over when they heard the commotion.

Su Dangu nodded, his black robe hem sweeping past everyone’s eyes as his tall, straight figure walked into the corridor, melting into the night.

The leopard followed, swishing its tail.

Soon, the footsteps disappeared.

Like a demon or ghost, coming and going without a trace.

The guards who had shot arrows at Su Dangu in the chaos looked at each other, trembling like sieves: “Has the Regent become angry? Will he punish us?”

They hadn’t meant to – seeing a figure carrying the Princess, they thought it was Hai Du Aling! Who could have imagined the mysteriously appearing and vanishing Regent would suddenly show up?

Please don’t let the Regent behead them!

Bisuo stood up and kicked a guard: “Be more alert next time! What if you had injured the Regent? All archers go to the punishment hall, ten strokes each!”

No one dared beg for mercy, kowtowing in acceptance – better ten strokes than losing their heads!

The guards asked Bisuo: “General, who should we send to report to the King at the temple?”

The King had ordered them to be on guard, now that they had caught people, they should report to him first.

Bisuo shook his head: “No need to send anyone to the temple… the Regent will personally report to the King.”

…

Yao Ying returned to her courtyard.

Xie Qing and Xie Chong immediately rushed over – they had helped the guards subdue Hai Du Aling’s men and were about to go look for her.

Yao Ying first went to her room to put on shoes – most roads in the palace were dirt paths, and walking barefoot all the way had nearly rubbed her feet raw.

Xie Chong said angrily: “I didn’t expect Hai Du Aling to still not give up. The Princess lives in the royal palace, yet he still dared risk coming himself.”

Yao Ying changed into thick padded robes, saying: “The Buddhist Prince rarely stays in the palace, so palace security is not strict.”

When Hai Du Aling appeared at the Buddhist debate assembly, she knew his intentions were not good, so she lived in seclusion, not stepping outside the palace gates. After the Northern Rong embassy left, she waited another two days before daring to move about outside the palace. But this time Hai Du Aling had more patience than before, waiting until tonight to make his move.

Yao Ying thought of Hai Du Aling’s personally trained white falcon Abu – he enjoyed the feeling of conquering prey and wouldn’t easily let her go.

“Now we must quickly find a way to send news back to the Central Plains…” Yao Ying murmured, “I wonder if Brother’s wounds have healed… he’s so impetuous, won’t listen to anyone’s advice…”

She missed Li Zhongqian but also feared him encountering Hai Du Aling and repeating the tragedy.

Having been in the cold wind half the night, Yao Ying’s face was pale, her lips light blue, her body trembling slightly.

Xie Chong and the others exchanged glances, not wanting to frighten her, and smiled: “Princess, please rest assured, the Qin Prince will certainly be safe! Princess has had a fright tonight, please rest early. If Hai Du Aling dares come again, we’ll chop off his hands.”

Yao Ying put away her melancholy and smiled at everyone, sending them out. She sat alone in the dim room, gently rubbing her feet covered in wounds from the gravel while quietly thinking.

Xie Qing dared not let Yao Ying leave her sight this time, sitting cross-legged in a corner of the room, closing her eyes to sleep.

The next day, Ashina Bisuo came to visit Yao Ying, repeatedly assuring her that palace security had been strengthened – Hai Du Aling’s men were either dead or captured, and he would not dare break into the palace at night again.

Yao Ying thanked him for leading troops to help last night, then asked directly: “Did the General know beforehand that Hai Du Aling would come?”

Bisuo was stunned.

Yao Ying’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him calmly.

Bisuo met her gaze for a while, putting away his joking manner and nodding: “Indeed, the Regent knew Hai Du Aling was still hiding in the Holy City and ordered us to strengthen security to prevent him from kidnapping the Princess.”

Yao Ying was startled.

She had thought Bisuo arranged the ambush troops last night, but it was Su Dangu?

As expected of the Regent who controlled military and government affairs and intimidated several noble families – he was truly meticulous, secretly guarding against Hai Du Aling.

Bisuo scratched his scalp: “Princess, I didn’t mean to hide it from you, I was just afraid of frightening you, so I didn’t warn you. The Regent didn’t know if Hai Du Aling would come or when he might come. If we had told the Princess first, you would inevitably worry day and night, unable to eat or sleep peacefully.”

Yao Ying smiled carelessly, shaking her head: “I won’t be angry about this…”

She changed the subject, “However, I hope the General won’t hide things from me in the future. I am the one Hai Du Aling wants to kidnap, I am the best bait. If the General had informed me earlier, I could have coordinated with you from the inside – we might have been able to capture Hai Du Aling.”

Bisuo’s expression showed shock as he fell silent for a long while.

Yao Ying smiled at him, her features lovely.

Bisuo avoided her gaze and asked: “Has the Princess considered that we could coordinate to kill Hai Du Aling? Then the Princess would have no more worries.”

Yao Ying smiled faintly, raising her head to look at the bright blue sky: “The royal court has established a treaty with Northern Rong, and Hai Du Aling is a Northern Rong prince. If the royal court kills Hai Du Aling now, Northern Rong will certainly find an excuse for war. Don’t worry, General – I am under the royal court’s protection and can distinguish what’s important. Hai Du Aling must die outside the royal territory, or it must be done leaving no trace for Northern Rong to find fault with, or during the military confrontation.”

“Hai Du Aling wouldn’t visit Northern Rong without reason. The Regent must have sensed something, which is why he didn’t strike a fatal blow last night.”

Bisuo turned to look at Yao Ying, an unusual expression crossing his handsome face.

The Princess was right – the royal court cannot afford to go to war with Northern Rong now. While the central army is utterly loyal to Tanmoluojia, the left, right, front, and rear armies are controlled by various noble families. Having just gone through several major battles, morale is unstable, and with the farming season approaching, military recruitment is difficult.

The grand Buddhist assembly after the war was both to celebrate victory and to pacify the people, intimidate ministers, and stabilize court politics.

The reason he hadn’t informed Li Yao Ying beforehand last night was fear that the Great Wei Princess might disrupt their plans in her terror, dragging the entire royal court into a quagmire.

Bisuo sighed, clasping his fists toward Yao Ying with a serious expression: “Princess, I’m sorry.”

He knew Hai Du Aling was determined to have the Princess, yet he couldn’t kill that man to give her peace – what right did he have to call himself the Princess’s friend?

Yao Ying stood up, standing in the corridor and returning Bisuo’s bow, saying: “General, I am under the Buddhist Prince’s protection and allied with him. Only when the royal court is stable can I be safe. I won’t disregard the bigger picture, nor will I be so arrogant as to demand your country kill a Northern Rong prince for me.”

Allying with Gaochang was for plans, beneficial to both her and the royal court. She wasn’t naive enough to think Tanmoluojia would order Hai Du Aling’s death for someone unrelated to her.

Besides, Hai Du Aling was one of Northern Rong’s top fighters – how could he be easily killed?

Tanmoluojia had saved her, assigned guards to protect her, and guarded against Hai Du Aling – she was already very grateful.

Bisuo gazed at Yao Ying, his eyes flickering as he dropped his previous casual demeanor, standing straight as he said: “Princess need not be so polite. By saving the King, you saved the entire royal court. Though I cannot kill Hai Du Aling now, if we meet on the battlefield in the future, I will certainly kill him!”

Yao Ying smiled gently, saying: “We cannot kill Hai Du Aling now… but we also cannot let him return peacefully to Northern Rong.”

Bisuo’s lips curled: “Princess, rest assured. Hai Du Aling broke into the palace at night – we couldn’t catch him and have no proof, but his men fell into our hands. The Regent ordered that we send these men to Northern Rong; Khagan Wahan will surely be furious.”

Yao Ying nodded.

This was indeed a good method. Khagan Wahan was more honorable than Hai Du Aling, and he already viewed Tanmoluojia as his nemesis, not daring to go to war with the royal court.

However, there was an even better, more vicious method.

Yao Ying gestured for her guard to bring out the herbs she had prepared last night: “Last night I was saved by the Regent, I wish to thank him in person.”

Bisuo’s eyes flickered as he smiled: “The Regent’s whereabouts are unpredictable; I don’t know where he is either.”

Yao Ying also smiled: “Then please help convey a message for me.”

Bisuo’s expression turned hesitant, but before he could speak, a guard tumbled into the courtyard shouting, “Hai Du Aling has come!”

Everyone was shocked, guards hurriedly grabbing weapons and taking defensive positions.

Bisuo’s expression changed as he reassured Yao Ying: “Princess need not fear, Hai Du Aling is alone and won’t dare act rashly.”

After speaking, he turned and ran out.

Yao Ying steadied herself and retreated to wait for news in the concealed tower on the second floor.

Soon, a guard returned to tell Yao Ying that Hai Du Aling was now in the palace.

After his defeat last night, he hadn’t fled but found a place to rest for the night. Early this morning, he had boldly appeared at the guesthouse entrance, saying he had encountered bandits on his way back to Northern Rong, all his guards were killed, and he demanded the royal court provide him horses and provisions, plus escorts to return to the encampment.

Xie Chong cracked his knuckles: “This man is truly brazen – isn’t he afraid we’ll kill him?”

Yao Ying frowned.

Hai Du Aling was extremely bold; this retreat was an advance. With no guards protecting him, he feared Su Dangu would hunt him down, so he simply revealed his identity as an envoy and demanded the royal court send him back to Northern Rong. This way, he needn’t fear the royal court’s assassins. As for breaking into the palace last night, he could deny it to his death.

Sure enough, the guard came to relay that as Hai Du Aling was a Northern Rong envoy, court ministers didn’t want to cause trouble and had prepared horses for him.

The guard said: “Princess, Prince Hai Du Aling says he wants to see you and speak a few words before leaving. General Ashina says you can go or not go.”

Xie Chong and the others jumped up, their faces flushed red: “No way!”

Yao Ying pondered for a moment, then stood up.

She might as well see him – Hai Du Aling couldn’t do anything to her now, and she wanted to know his true purpose.

Hai Du Aling had changed his attire, his braided hair falling over his shoulders, wearing a colorful half-sleeved brocade robe as he leaned against a corridor pillar, one leg slightly bent, his shoulder and back muscles rippling.

Ministers stood watching from the side as Bisuo led the royal guards in a standoff with Hai Du Aling, blade light flickering, spears like a forest.

Yet the entire courtyard’s presence seemed concentrated on Hai Du Aling alone.

Seeing Yao Ying, his lips curled as he walked toward her: “Princess truly has great skill and methods – the high and mighty Buddhist Prince breaks protocol for you, and now even Su Dangu comes to your rescue.”

Yao Ying’s expression remained normal: “Is this what the Prince wanted to tell me?”

Hai Du Aling’s light yellow eyes fixed on her face – radiant and beautiful, with fair smooth skin, brilliant as spring flowers when she smiled, her clear elongated eyes slightly upturned unconsciously revealing a soul-stirring gentleness, yet uniquely cold as ice toward him, never showing him her tender, charming side.

“I don’t understand,” his eyes narrowed, “I am Northern Rong’s strongest and most valiant warrior – why do you repeatedly reject me?”

In Northern Rong, the most beautiful women belong to the strongest men – why wouldn’t Princess Wenzhao submit to him?

Hai Du Aling sneered.

“Last night that ugly monster Su Dangu came to save you, and you clung to him so tightly… Am I inferior to an ugly monster?”

Yao Ying said coolly: “A person’s beauty isn’t in their appearance. General Su fights for his country, guards peace for all, is clear in rewards and punishments, just and impartial – I admire the General. Someone like you, Prince, though handsome and romantic, is merely ordinary in my eyes.”

Hai Du Aling grinned his gaze dark: “Years ago, my adoptive father fell in love with a woman and went to propose marriage. That tribe’s chieftain looked down on my adoptive father and refused him. My adoptive father didn’t give up – a month later, he led an attack on that tribe, killing all the men and executing her father and eight brothers before her eyes.”

“That woman became my adoptive mother. She married my adoptive father and bore him ten children. She revered and loved my adoptive father – he was her heaven.”

In Northern Rong, when a man wants to marry a woman, he should use any means necessary, killing all who stand in his way, even if they are the woman’s brothers.

Northern Rong women only submit to valiant men; they are born to spread their legs for men, to be possessed by men, and to bear their children.

“The most beautiful woman in this world should belong to me.” Light gold flickered in Hai Du Aling’s eyes. “Princess, you cannot escape my grasp.”

He didn’t care whether Li Yao Ying belonged to Tanmoluojia or Su Dangu now, or if both men had become her servants. Northern Rong men don’t care about women’s chastity – they plunder lands, conquer other tribes, and possess beautiful women.

Princess Wenzhao might not belong to him now, but she would eventually fall into his hands.

Yao Ying remained silent while Bisuo beside her changed color in anger, raising his sword to charge forward.

Suddenly, a sharp cold wind swept past as a black shadow descended from above, a pair of sharp black talons reaching straight for Hai Du Aling’s face.

Caught off guard, Hai Du Aling instinctively raised his arm to block but was still too slow – the iron hook-like talons scraped across his face, instantly drawing blood.

Two cold, clear cries rang out as a huge grey eagle swept past everyone’s eyes, spreading its wings to fly toward the high sky.

Everyone stared in shock.

Several guards reacted with excitement: “That’s the King’s eagle!”

Before the words faded, the courtyard gate opened as several monks in Buddhist robes and blue-robed soldiers entered, led by Yuanjue, Tanmoluojia’s guard.

He stood before the corridor, looking at the angry-faced Hai Du Aling as he declared loudly: “Princess Wenzhao is the King’s Matangi Woman, under the King’s protection. Please mind your words, Prince – any further offense will not be tolerated!”

The courtyard suddenly fell silent, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Everyone held their breath, faces shocked.

Bisuo’s face showed utter disbelief, pale as paper.

Yao Ying also stared in amazement for quite a while.

Last night when Su Dangu said these words to Hai Du Aling, it was to force him to retreat, with no others present – those words wouldn’t have spread.

Now Yuanjue said these words publicly, and to Northern Rong envoy Hai Du Aling – wasn’t this equivalent to acknowledging her status?

Her saying she was willing to emulate the Matangi Woman meant nothing – people only thought she loved Tanmoluojia to obsession.

But Tanmoluojia himself publicly acknowledging this claim had a completely different meaning!

Yao Ying’s blood froze as her mind buzzed.

In the strange heavy silence, Hai Du Aling, the Northern Rong man, was the first to react. His pupils contracted as he looked at Yao Ying and sneered: “The Princess has great methods indeed!”

With that, he strode away.

At this moment, no one cared what Hai Du Aling had said.

Everyone in the courtyard – ministers, guards, servants, monks, Bisuo… everyone turned their necks to look at Yao Ying, their movements stiff, eyes shocked.

Hundreds of gazes suddenly rushed over like knives, bringing whistling cold blade winds that made Yao Ying dizzy.

She barely steadied herself and looked toward Yuanjue.

Yuanjue looked at her, enunciating each word: “From today onward, the Princess will move to live in the Buddhist temple, studying Buddhist teachings with the temple monks.”

Yao Ying’s heart shook as she felt the gazes on her body turn into tangible knives, cutting her painfully.