Yao Ying left the meditation room and went straight back to her quarters. Her guards came forward to bow and report the events of the past two days – they had followed her instructions, and everyone both inside and outside the city had strictly observed the rules, with no one causing trouble.
Xie Chong cupped his hands and said: “Princess after the situation in the city stabilized, the Northern Rong embassy submitted their credentials and were eager to leave. I heard the royal court has already released them. Xie Yan just sent back a message asking for instructions on what to do next.”
Yao Ying sat at her desk, frowning in thought, her fingers tapping lightly twice before saying: “Tell him to find a way to continue following Zhu Lüyun and adapt to circumstances as they arise.”
Xie Chong acknowledged and withdrew.
Yao Ying lowered her head to write a letter when a shadow fell over her. Xie Qing walked to the desk, sat cross-legged, and stared at her expressionlessly.
She smiled slightly and continued writing, asking: “Ah Qing, how are your injuries?”
Xie Qing replied: “Just a few scrapes.”
After speaking, she continued staring, her face tense.
Yao Ying put down her brush. “Ah Qing, what do you want to tell me?”
Xie Qing looked at her and said: “Princess has spent two nights in the Buddha’s Son’s meditation room.”
Yao Ying nodded, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Now that things are settled, I’ve returned.”
Xie Qing’s brows furrowed slightly: “Princess, why did the royal court ministers think of kidnapping you to threaten the Buddha’s Son?”
Yao Ying kept her head down, writing while speaking: “They all see me as the Buddha’s Son’s Matanga woman. General Ashina mentioned to his subordinates about increasing security for my protection. His subordinates thought I was as important as Princess Chima, so they decided to act first before the additional guards arrived.”
Whenever there was unrest in the city, Bisuo would go to protect Princess Chima. This time, when Bisuo mentioned protecting her from his subordinates, the royal court ministers thought of kidnapping her.
Xie Qing’s face remained expressionless as she asked: “Princess, does the Buddha’s Son know that you harbor no romantic feelings for him?”
Yao Ying smiled, “Of course, the Master knows.”
Tanmoluojia had never believed her nonsense from the beginning.
Xie Qing was silent for a moment, then said: “Princess, these past two days you shared a room with the Buddha’s Son… You are young and beautiful…”
Yao Ying guessed what she was about to say, paused, and laughed despite herself, cutting off her words: “Ah Qing, don’t worry. The Master is an enlightened high monk who cares for all under heaven, untainted by worldly matters. He makes no distinction between men and women.”
How could someone as noble as Tanmoluojia harbor such thoughts? To him, she was no different from Yuan Jue or Prajña.
Xie Qing fell silent.
Yao Ying finished writing the letter and put down her brush. “Ah Qing, you’ve never cared about such things before. Why bring this up today?”
Given Xie Qing’s personality, she wouldn’t bat an eye even if Yao Ying kept ten male companions and indulged in debauchery daily, or deliberately tried to seduce monks, let alone staying with Tanmoluojia out of necessity.
Xie Qing said: “Princesses from various countries have arrived in the holy city and are sending people to inquire about your history. The rumors in the city are growing, and I’ve heard some of them.”
From her tone, those rumors must not have been favorable.
Yao Ying pondered for a moment, “It’s all because of me that the Master’s reputation has been tarnished.”
She was lost in thought for a while before handing the letter to Xie Qing.
“Ah Qing, these days I’ve had you study military texts and learn from the royal court’s officers. What have you learned?”
Xie Qing answered: “I’ve learned about troop deployment, battle formations, and military discipline.”
“How well have you learned?”
Xie Qing thought for a moment and said: “I can recite all the military texts Princess gave me, but having never been in actual combat, I dare not say I’ve mastered them.”
Yao Ying nodded, “It’s easy to discuss military strategy on paper or in theory, but the battlefield is different.”
Xie Qing gripped her sword hilt, straightened her back, and stood at attention.
“Princess, since my great-grandfather’s time, my family has served the Xie family for generations. Our sons have followed young masters to the battlefield generation after generation. Though I couldn’t inherit the family tradition, at Princess’s command, I can go to battle immediately!”
Warmth surged in Yao Ying’s heart, and she made a sound of acknowledgment.
“Ah Qing, take this letter personally to Yang Qian. Take Xie Chong and the others with you and leave immediately. Yang Qian should have received the letter sent by Messenger Hawk earlier; he will be waiting near Yangma City.”
She composed herself and bowed to Xie Qing.
“Ah Qing, during our time in exile, we’ve been through much, and you’ve seen that to return to the Central Plains, we will inevitably have to fight the Northern Rong. You must train well under Yang Qian.”
Xie Qing stood up, returned Yao Ying’s military salute, took the letter, and though her face remained expressionless, an unusual light burned in her eyes, her gaze determined.
She was born with extraordinary strength, far surpassing her brothers in talent, but her father had never taught her military strategy, simply because she was a woman and could never go to battle.
Now, she would fight for her princess and herself.
Yao Ying instructed Xie Qing: “Yang Qian is loyal and brave in battle, but he’s unrestrained and somewhat rash. He has always considered the Northern Rong barbarians who rely on brute force in warfare, ignorant of strategy. He thinks that with comparable forces and fearless warriors, victory would come easily. When you reach Yangma City, remind him to keep his activities hidden. Recruiting volunteer soldiers isn’t easy, and if the Northern Rong discovers them, they’ll be in danger.”
Xie Qing acknowledged.
Yao Ying gathered the other guards and gave them several tasks. The guards accepted their orders and returned to their rooms to pack.
Xie Peng hesitated, saying worriedly: “What about the Princess with all of us gone? I should stay.”
Yao Ying shook her head: “I have enough people remaining. You all have important duties. Be careful and don’t act rashly.”
Those skilled at accounting stayed to manage the books, those suited for commerce had already joined the merchant caravans – she had carefully selected each person. Keeping everyone by her side for protection would waste these guards’ talents.
She needed protection, but she needed military commanders more.
The guards responded in unison and rode away.
After sending off Xie Qing and the others, Yao Ying returned to her room to review the accounts Old Qi had sent. A guard came to report that Ashina Bisuo had arrived.
Yao Ying put down the ledger and went out to receive him.
Bisuo smiled at Yao Ying, still handsome and elegant, but with a deep melancholy between his brows, his thoughts seemingly distant, his golden hair dimmer than usual.
He came to apologize to Yao Ying – his subordinates had tried to kidnap her earlier, and now that the matter was settled, he had dealt with those subordinates.
“I was careless for a moment. Please forgive me, Princess.”
Yao Ying indicated it was nothing, her gaze lingering on Bisuo’s face.
“General, are we friends?”
Bisuo grinned, “Of course we are.”
Yao Ying looked up at the sky beyond the courtyard. The sunlight was pleasant, distant cliffs were covered in thick snow, and the sky was as blue as the sea.
“Would the General have time to go horseback riding outside the city to clear your mind?”
Bisuo was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
The two rode out of the royal temple. The city was slowly returning to order, with snow-covered streets and towering city walls showing no trace of the recent unrest.
Outside the city stretched endless snowy plains. The river had not yet thawed. In the Central Plains, this would be the season of spring warmth and blooming flowers, but spring had not yet arrived in the royal court, and snow still fell occasionally these days.
Yao Ying wore a padded robe with medallion and pearl hunting patterns, her face covered with a veil, as she rode her horse up the slope. Bisuo followed beside her. The guards trailed far behind, while the wind howled across the hillside.
Bisuo reined in his horse and asked: “What does Princess Wenzhao wish to discuss with me?”
Yao Ying gripped the reins with one hand while adjusting her veil with the other, saying softly: “General, I am not from the royal court. Though I receive the Buddha’s Son’s protection and have become acquainted with you, I am still an outsider and shouldn’t meddle in royal court affairs.”
Bisuo smiled, “The Princess and I get along well. There’s no need for such formality.”
Yao Ying looked at him: “Then I shall speak freely.”
She changed her tone.
“Why don’t you ask to marry Princess Chima?”
Bisuo was stunned, his face bewildered. After a long moment, he said with a mixture of laughter and tears: “Has the Princess heard something? My relationship with Princess Chima is not like that. Princess Chima is older than me – I see her as an elder sister, and she sees me only as a younger brother.”
Yao Ying could see his words were sincere and unforced. She frowned slightly, smiling as she said: “I misunderstood. Please forgive me, General.”
Bisuo waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.
Yao Ying looked into his jade-colored eyes and asked: “General, do you disapprove of the Buddha’s Son promoting Zhang Xu?”
Bisuo shook his head, “No, I understand the King’s intention. His actions have far-reaching implications.”
Yao Ying said slowly: “Zhang Xu achieved great merit and should be rewarded. Otherwise, the new military system would be merely empty words. His promotion can help more low-ranking soldiers understand the military reforms. When people see that the Buddha’s Son would promote even him, military morale will surely soar, remaining troops in other towns will voluntarily surrender, noble families will rush to denounce Xue Yanna, and the situation will quickly stabilize…”
She paused briefly, then asked: “General, you are utterly loyal to the Buddha’s Son and understand his considerations. Why did you take Princess Chima’s side this time?”
Bisuo smiled bitterly, “Princess Chima was deeply traumatized watching her clansmen die tragically. Even after taking revenge, she still cannot forget that past. Whenever anything involves the Zhang family or Han people, she flies into a rage and won’t listen to any persuasion. I can only humor her and comfort her, waiting for her anger to subside, and then the matter passes. Otherwise, she would keep causing trouble…”
Yao Ying summarized: “Princess Chima is volatile and quick to anger, needing to be humored, while the Buddha’s Son won’t mind these things. He is rational, calm, and clear-headed, so you advise him to accommodate the Princess.”
Tanmoluojia grew up under everyone’s expectations, each step carefully considered. He was powerfully rational and wouldn’t make mistakes.
Princess Chima lost her clansmen and became hot-tempered. People sympathized with her circumstances and often yielded to her.
When this pair of siblings had conflicts, Bisuo and others typically chose to accommodate Princess Chima, because Tanmoluojia was strong enough, and as the exalted Buddha’s Son, he wouldn’t mind such trivial matters.
Bisuo exhaled a long breath, his face showing weariness.
The horses’ hooves made soft crunching sounds in the thick snow, echoing in the wind.
Yao Ying patted her horse’s neck and said: “General, forgive my directness, but if such things happen again, Princess Chima will once again be incited by others.”
Bisuo’s lips curved in a bitter smile: “She may cause trouble, but she’s never created any major incidents. Everyone knows her temperament and won’t hold it against her.”
Yao Ying remained silent, gently squeezing her horse’s flanks to turn around.
After riding some distance, she looked back at Bisuo.
“General, what is the real knot in Princess Chima’s heart regarding the Buddha’s Son?”
Bisuo’s body jolted as he suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze electric.
Yao Ying met his scrutinizing gaze and said slowly: “General, from what I observe, Princess Chima’s hatred for the Buddha’s Son isn’t simply because he stopped her from killing innocents. She harbors some deep-seated resentment toward him.”
With the royal family in decline, without Tanmoluojia, Princess Chima could never have avenged her clansmen. Her brother was her only support – why did she hate him so much?
There must be a reason.
Bisuo’s pupils contracted, his eyes flashing with shock, fear, and suspicion.
“What does the Princess know?”
His tone was ice-cold.
Yao Ying shook her head, “General, I am new here and know nothing, but I can see that you know what Princess Chima’s inner conflict is.”
Bisuo remained silent for a long time.
Yao Ying met his gaze, her eyes frank, and said: “General, you are caught in the middle, struggling on both sides. You must have your difficulties, but continuing like this will never resolve the underlying problems.”
Bisuo shifted his gaze and asked: “Why does the Princess tell me these things?”
Yao Ying gazed at the majestic royal temple below the distant cliff, its tower spires covered in snow, solemn and dignified.
“Because I worry about the Buddha’s Son.”
Although Tanmoluojia probably didn’t need her concern, she still wanted to do what she could for him.
Bisuo was silent even longer this time.
After a long while, his lips curved slightly, and the confusion that had plagued him these past days instantly vanished, his mind suddenly clear.
“Thank you for your reminder, Princess,” Bisuo said deliberately, his tone steady. “The Princess can rest assured that I, Ashina Bisuo, will forever be loyal to the Buddha’s Son.”
Golden sunlight poured down, the cliff’s snow reflecting rays of light. As he gazed at the royal temple below, his expression was determined, his eyes clear, a faint smile playing at his lips while his golden hair shimmered brilliantly.
Yao Ying let out a gentle sigh.
…
The two descended the mountain, returning to the royal temple.
Yuan Jue had been anxiously pacing, and seeing them return together – one tall and handsome, one radiantly beautiful – he frowned slightly and quickly came forward: “The King has matters to discuss with the General and has been waiting for some time.”
Bisuo bid farewell to Yao Ying and immediately turned to go to the meditation room.
Yao Ying returned to her quarters.
A guard came to report: “Princess, Old Qi just had someone deliver a treasure box, saying it’s a birthday gift prepared for the Buddha’s Son.”
Yao Ying’s brow twitched: “What birthday gift?”
The guard replied: “The Buddha’s Son’s birthday is approaching. Days ago, commoners coming to pay respects already filled the main road. Now that the Buddha’s Son has consolidated military power, his prestige is even greater than before. Court ministers, tribal chiefs, and foreign envoys and princesses are even more eager to curry favor with him. Old Qi says the Persian merchants’ treasures will surely rise in price! So he acted first, collecting rare treasures for the Princess. He selected this item – it’s both exquisite and grand, and something the Buddha’s Son would like. It will surely surpass other princesses’ gifts a hundredfold!”
Yao Ying grew interested. “What treasure? Let me see.”
She had thought giving some sutras would be enough and hadn’t considered giving Tanmoluojia other gifts – he didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed celebrating birthdays. She had asked Yuan Jue and Prajña, who said that while many devotees indeed came from all directions each year to wish him longevity, he remained indifferent and wouldn’t attend the dharma assembly that day.
But Old Qi and the others didn’t think so. They insisted she should find some rare treasure to outshine the other princesses’ gifts.
The guard went out and soon returned carrying the treasure box, opening the lid.
Instantly, golden light filled the room, a precious aura floating in the air.
The guard looked expectant.
Yao Ying saw the treasure in the box and her mouth twitched.
“How many silver coins did Old Qi pay for this?”
The guard named a figure.
Yao Ying felt a sharp pain: when she had sold this bronze statue, she had only asked for a few dozen extra silver coins! When Old Qi bought it back, the price had increased tenfold!