“Then why did you come to Northern Rong?”

Zhu Lüyun instinctively wanted to pursue this question, but the words caught in her throat.

She stared directly at the disheveled Li Xuanzhen, their gazes meeting. Her expression remained as always, carrying a hint of impatient coldness, but inside her heart had tightly contracted.

It felt like falling from the clouds into dust, sinking deeper and deeper.

Li Xuanzhen looked at Zhu Lüyun, noticed the lingering affection in her eyes, started, then smiled bitterly as his thick eyebrows furrowed.

He thought when she left, everything between them had ended.

“Maiden Yun, when you left Chang’an, I didn’t properly bid you farewell.”

He had already let go and couldn’t let her misunderstand.

Zhu Lüyun stared blankly at Li Xuanzhen: “You want to say goodbye to me?”

Li Xuanzhen’s expression was calm, his gaze sharp, with an indefinable solemn aura around him that forced her to face his candor: “Yes, since we’re making a clean break, we should say a proper goodbye.”

Zhu Lüyun’s entire body trembled, her face turned pale, and her fingers tightly gripping her sleeves.

A clean break.

He wanted to make a clean break with her.

Li Xuanzhen leaned against the earthen wall, and moved his leg, making the shackles clang.

“Before your mother passed, I promised her I would take good care of you… I failed to fulfill your mother’s wishes, and couldn’t properly care for you.”

When Zhu Lüyun’s mother entrusted her to Li Xuanzhen, he was just a youth.

Though he wore armor then, charging into battle, appearing composed and mature, he was just a brooding, temperamental youth who hadn’t emerged from the shadow of his mother’s revenge.

Looking at the grief-stricken Zhu Lüyun was like looking at himself when he witnessed Tang’s death by fire.

The young Zhu Lüyun wept torrentially, timidly looking at him.

Li Xuanzhen looked down at her as if looking at his younger self standing alone: “I will take good care of you…”

Zhu Lüyun wouldn’t be as desperate and tormented as he was, and wouldn’t be plagued by nightmares every night. She would receive the most proper care; he would treat her well, and be patient with her. Everything he had longed for but could never obtain, he could give to Zhu Lüyun.

Li Xuanzhen’s lips curved slightly, a self-mocking smile appearing.

He had been too naive back then. He couldn’t even take care of himself, how could he possibly take good care of the sensitive Zhu Lüyun?

Over these years, his principled tolerance and leniency toward her neither eased his guilt toward Tang nor filled the void in his heart.

Once, for a moment, he thought someone could stay by his side, enter his dark heart, and soothe his pain.

But the next moment, that person who briefly made him forget his hatred stood on tiptoe, happily pointing to Li Zhongqian on the shore: “Brother Changsheng, that man riding the black horse is my brother!”

Even today, Li Xuanzhen still remembers how his blood froze bit by bit when those words echoed in his ears.

Cold and painful.

Just when hope had been given to him, it was cruelly torn apart before his eyes. Like finally crawling out of a bottomless dark cave, almost reaching the warm light, only to be kicked back down hard.

This time, he kept falling, with no strength to climb out.

And she knew nothing, looking up at him with her small face, eyelashes fluttering, dark bright eyes brimming with joy.

Li Xuanzhen hated her.

Among so many people seeking medicine in Chibi, why did she have to come to care for him? And why did she have to be Xie Manyuan’s daughter?

A wave of pain shot through his wound. Li Xuanzhen frowned and hissed, awakening from his muddled memories.

“Maiden Yun…” he said slowly, “It’s good that you left the Central Plains. Li Dehe and the court officials would only use you. Your aunt is your only relative, she truly loves you and plans for your benefit. From now on, stay with your aunt, and take good care of yourself. She’s the one who can properly look after you.”

Zhu Lüyun couldn’t stop trembling.

“What about you?” her voice shook too, “What about us?”

“There is no us anymore.” Li Xuanzhen looked into her eyes, “You are the Zhu family’s Maiden Yun, I am Han’s man Li Xuanzhen. From now on, we each go our way, with no more connection between us.”

Zhu Lüyun collapsed sitting outside the cell, motionless, her body ice-cold.

They had quarreled before, she often said she wanted to make a clean break with Li Xuanzhen. He had no way with her, suppressing his anger to pacify her. Though sometimes he would be cold like now, she could feel that this time was different from any previous argument.

At this moment, Li Xuanzhen’s gaze falling on her face carried no hatred, only a kind of thoroughly relieved calmness.

He didn’t want her anymore.

Zhu Lüyun closed her eyes, tears flowing down.

Li Xuanzhen’s voice was steady, completely unmoved: “After what happened before, Haidu Aling thinks you’ve lost your value as leverage, that’s why you can live peacefully now. This is good for both of us. In the future, neither you nor your aunt should interfere in Central Plains affairs, to avoid being used by the Northern Rong people again. The Central Plains is still your homeland, the common people are innocent, you should act accordingly.”

Zhu Lüyun caught his implied meaning.

His words were both a reminder and a warning.

From now on, they would draw a clear line between them. She could no longer influence his decisions, so Haidu Aling couldn’t use her to threaten him, and both sides would be at peace. If she tried to interfere in Central Plain’s affairs, he wouldn’t show mercy to her or her aunt.

Zhu Lüyun raised her face, a trace of bewilderment flashing in her eyes.

She couldn’t believe he could be so resolute.

She dared not look at his narrow phoenix eyes, her gaze wandering before falling on his shackles.

“I’ll rescue you, Brother Changsheng…”

Li Xuanzhen sighed, saying flatly: “Maiden Yun, don’t call me that anymore.”

Zhu Lüyun bit her lip hard.

Li Xuanzhen closed his eyes, “I’ll find a way to escape, don’t get involved, or you’ll implicate your only relative. Maiden Yun, whatever happens in the future, just pretend you don’t know me.”

He was thinking of her welfare, but Zhu Lüyun couldn’t feel happy at all.

Because he had no feelings left for her, he could be so calm.

She gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks, her expression numb: “You didn’t come to Northern Rong for me… then who did you come for?”

Remembering Li Xuanzhen’s anxious look earlier, her heart stirred.

Could he have come for Li Qinian?

Impossible, Li Qinian was his enemy. Back then, to avenge her, he had killed Li Qinian’s pet dog, and he had even schemed to make Li Qinian marry in her place…

Countless guesses passed through Zhu Lüyun’s mind, any of which seemed more convincing than Li Qinian as the answer.

Li Xuanzhen’s brows furrowed slightly as he said dismissively: “Why I came to Northern Rong isn’t important.”

He gazed at Zhu Lüyun through the bars.

“Maiden Yun, take care.”

Zhu Lüyun shifted her gaze, her fingertips digging deep into her palm. After a moment of silence, she said: “If I don’t help you, aunt might kill you.”

Li Xuanzhen smiled, “I have my plans.”

Zhu Lüyun stood up, turning her back to him, saying: “You led me here, not to ask me to save you… Earlier you asked if I had seen Li Qinian at the royal court, why did you ask about that?”

After being apart for so long, his first question was about someone else. Was Li Yaoying more important than his safety?

Li Xuanzhen paused.

He wanted to ask Zhu Lüyun: How was Seventh Sister doing?

Had she gained weight, or lost it?

During those days trapped in Northern Rong, being repeatedly pursued and surrounded, how desperate and helpless must Seventh Sister have felt?

He didn’t need to ask so urgently, but thinking that Zhu Lüyun had seen Li Yaoying recently, he couldn’t help but ask.

“Maiden Yun, I wronged her, I want to know if she’s doing well.”

Zhu Lüyun walked out.

Li Qinian was his sister, and his concern for her was reasonable.

He might have come to Northern Rong for state affairs.

She told herself this over and over.

…

Zhu Lüyun stayed at the horse farm.

The Princess Imperial was on tenterhooks, fearing she would cry and make a scene about returning to the Central Plains with Li Xuanzhen. Unexpectedly, she remained quiet every day, causing no trouble, secretly relieving the princess.

Tali delivered meals to Li Xuanzhen daily, informing him of Li Zhongqian’s condition.

Zhu Lüyun also visited Li Xuanzhen every day.

Li Xuanzhen didn’t ask her about Li Yaoying again.

That day, when the Princess Imperial’s husband, the Judge, returned to their tent, the princess felt uneasy and ordered guards to watch Zhu Lüyun carefully.

The Judge hadn’t noticed his wife’s heavy concerns, only casually asked if Zhu Lüyun had returned.

The Princess Imperial observed his words and expressions, knowing the Judge was busy with official duties, secretly pondering that she needed to find an opportunity to get rid of the hot potato that was Li Xuanzhen.

The Judge reminded the Princess Imperial: “Recently, you all should stay in the tents, don’t wander around.”

The Princess Imperial’s heart tightened, and she agreed.

The Judge took some clothes and hurriedly left for the main tent.

…

Some days ago, Northern Rong had been in chaos, with the Wahan Khan nearly losing his life in Yizhou, facing extreme danger. After escaping to Woluduo, he turned the situation to his advantage, stabilizing things while deploying troops, thoroughly subduing the rebellious nobles, and then conveniently annexing over ten tribes that had risen in revolt. Afterward, he spread news letting the royal court believe he was dead, luring them to attack.

After waiting for over a month, the royal court’s border troops remained properly disciplined, ignoring all of Northern Rong’s provocations or shows of weakness.

The Judge reminded Wahan Khan: “Great Khan, the royal court’s Buddha’s Son has always been cautious in his actions.”

Wahan Khan snorted coldly, saying: “The Buddha’s Son is cautious, but those aristocrats at the royal court are all arrogant. A few years ago when we occupied Futu City and cut off the trade routes, those merchant aristocrats suffered great losses. They’ve never accepted it, clamoring to lead troops to take Futu City. If the Buddha’s Son hadn’t been holding them back these past few years, those aristocrats would have acted long ago! Now the situation favors them, they definitely won’t stay so quiet!”

The Judge thought for a moment, saying: “Perhaps the Buddha’s Son won’t let them deploy troops.”

Wahan Khan was greatly disappointed – could it be that the Buddha’s Son had seen through everything as a trap?

Though disappointed inside, he didn’t show it on his face. After the situation stabilized, he summoned all his sons to Woluduo for discussion.

…

These days, princes and royal clan members who had received the edict were successively arriving at Woluduo.

The Judge saw that Wahan Khan wanted to resolve the dispute between the Crown Prince’s group and Haidu Aling, making him anxious. He discussed countermeasures with Haidu Aling.

Haidu Aling smiled bitterly, saying: “Whatever the Great Khan says, I’ll listen. At worst, I’ll be a slave to the Crown Prince and others, enduring this grievance. One day, I’ll get my revenge!”

The Judge nodded approvingly: “Han Xin could endure the humiliation of crawling between someone’s legs. Prince, you are an extraordinary person, an eagle of the grasslands, a descendant of wolves. You should be able to endure what others cannot. Remember, prince, absolutely do not defy the Great Khan.”

That night, Woluduo was under curfew, and the outermost area of the camp was completely silent.

The princes came as summoned to the command tent. At the entrance, guards required everyone to surrender their weapons.

The group looked at each other, grumbling as they unstrapped their swords and daggers, creating a series of dull thuds as the weapons hit the ground.

The guards searched each prince one by one, then lifted the felt curtain.

Wahan Khan’s tent was several times larger than others’ felt tents, with felt carpets on the ground and lamp stands in the four corners. Over ten torches burned brightly, making the tent brilliantly lit.

Wearing a tiger skin great coat, Wahan Khan sat on the leather-wrapped throne, his sharp eyes coldly sweeping over his sons, his gaze majestic.

The flames flickered, the atmosphere heavy.

Wahan Khan looked toward Haidu Aling, who had been pushed to the outside: “Aling, you attempted to assassinate Jinbo, do you know your crime?”

Haidu Aling hurriedly stepped forward from the crowd, his tall frame kneeling at the Khan’s feet, submissively saying: “I know my crime, please punish me, Great Khan.”

The Crown Prince and others clamored: “He committed a capital offense!”

“Right! If he hadn’t tried to assassinate Jinbo and caused such a big incident, how would those tribes dare to rebel? This is all his fault! Father Khan, Aling committed a capital offense!”

“Exile him to Samarkand!”

Amid the uproar, Wahan Khan remained composed, looking toward his third son who was shouting the loudest: “How do you think Aling should be dealt with?”

The third son replied without thinking: “His head should be chopped off!”

Another prince chimed in: “That’s too easy for him! Tie him to a horse and let it drag him until he dies!”

Haidu Aling knelt on the ground, maintaining a respectful posture, motionless, his face full of remorse.

Wahan Khan remained silent, waiting for his sons to finish, then smiled coldly, “Aling’s attempted assassination of Jinbo deserves death by law…”

The princes’ faces showed signs of satisfaction.

Wahan Khan suddenly changed his tone, “But what about you all?”

The princes were stunned.

Wahan Khan suddenly slammed the armrest, glaring at everyone: “You previously set a trap, wanting to kill Aling, do you know your crime?”

The princes looked at each other.

Wahan Khan swept his gaze around, “The descendants of the Divine Wolf would rather die bravely with a sword than cower in fear. You are princes, yet you use such petty methods to harm your brother – it’s a disgrace to the wolf clan!”

“If Aling must be put to death, what about you?”

The princes ground their teeth, kneeling with hatred, their expressions still somewhat unwilling.

Wahan Khan heaved a long sigh, raising his eyelids, “We have the Divine Wolf’s blood flowing in our veins.”

The wavering firelight cast on his aged face, his clouded eyes emitting a few gleams of that same light.

“Our ancestors came from the deep mountains and ice plains. Our tribes once suffered greatly from hunger. When winter came, food would run out, and the elderly and weak would die in groups. When I was young, our tribe was oppressed and humiliated. Our men served as slaves for other tribes, our women were wantonly abused. My mother, lacking even a single piece of clothing to keep warm, gave birth to my younger brother and froze to death on a winter night. My brothers and I survived countless brushes with death before finally strengthening our tribe, unifying the grasslands, allowing our people to eat and dress well, possess the most beautiful pastures, occupy the most fertile lands, and choose the most fertile women.”

“Others call us barbaric savages, mock us as crude and uncivilized, but their proud civilization cannot stop our invasion. Their warriors cannot withstand our brave cavalry. They must bow their noble heads and submit to us.”

“The fat cattle and sheep of the grasslands, the tall fine horses, the rich oases among the yellow sands, the gold-flowing East… these will all be our prey. Wherever the hooves of the Khanate’s iron cavalry tread will be our territory!”

The torches flickered as night winds beat against the felt tent.

Wahan Khan sat on his black throne, looking at his sons.

“Though I am old, I can still lead troops into battle. I will lead my people to continue conquering – only death can stop my steps.”

“What about you? You are in your prime, living in luxury and indulgence, enjoying the fruits of others’ labor – hunting, singing, and dancing with Kucha courtesans, drinking and making merry. You haven’t yet contributed to the Khanate’s growth, but you’re already eager to kill each other, waiting to ascend the throne.”

He spoke each sentence in a flat tone as if making casual conversation.

To the Crown Prince and others’ ears, however, it was like thunder exploding. They lowered their heads in shame, prostrating themselves on the carpet, not daring to make a sound.

Wahan Khan’s gaze swept over each person.

“You think sitting on the throne means you can command all tribes?”

“Foolish!”

“We are a pack of wolves. To become the alpha wolf requires a brutal battle. The Khanate is made up of individual tribes, each with its chieftain, and I am the Khan of Khans, the chief among all chiefs. While I live, others dare not move rashly. When I die, they will bare their claws and fangs, tearing at your flesh. You fools, how could you possibly be their match?”

“Look at yourselves – when Yizhou was surrounded by other tribes, which one of you could turn the tide? If I had died then, your bones would have been gnawed clean long ago!”

“To sit securely as Khan requires not only suppressing internal rivals but also dealing with external enemies. Which of you is confident you can defeat the royal court’s Buddha’s Son?”

The sons’ faces burned red, not daring to argue.

Wahan Khan drew a deep breath, his eyes signaling to the attendant beside him.

The attendant pulled out over ten arrows from the quiver, handing them to the princes.

The princes didn’t understand but straightened up, each taking an arrow in hand, all looking at Wahan Khan together.

Wahan Khan said: “Break it.”

The princes complied, exerting force, with several cracks breaking the arrows.

Wahan Khan nodded to the attendant.

The attendant took out a bundle of arrows and placed them on the velvet carpet.

Wahan Khan said: “Come up one by one, see who can break this bundle of arrows.”

The sons looked at the bundle of arrows on the ground, understanding dawning. They exchanged glances, sharing a look, then turned to look at Haidu Aling.

Wahan Khan spoke earnestly: “A single arrow breaks easily, but a bundle is hard to break. You are brothers of flesh and blood, and Aling is your brother too. If you can unite as one, why worry that the Khanate cannot grow strong? Then, from the eastern sea to the western mountains will all be your territory! If you kill each other, these broken arrows will be your fate!”

The sons gained understanding, their eyes filling with tears as they knelt and kowtowed: “Father Khan’s teachings are right, we know our mistakes! From now on we will reform ourselves and never act so foolishly again!”

Wahan Khan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze lingering on each son’s face for a moment before waving his hand.

“From this moment, the foolishness between you brothers is wiped clean. Henceforth you must unite as one, remember your identity – you are descendants of the Divine Wolf, do not bring shame to your descendants!”

“Whoever dares to harm their brothers again, I will execute them personally!”

Everyone responded in deep voices, making vows and oaths before withdrawing.

Wahan Khan said: “Aling, stay.”

Haidu Aling’s body stiffened. He crawled to the Khan’s feet, weeping: “The Great Khan’s kindness to me is as heavy as mountains. I have no way to repay it. If killing me can appease the princes’ anger, I am willing to end myself to repay the Great Khan’s nurturing grace!”

Wahan Khan looked down at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Aling, none of my sons compare to you. If they could be as adaptable as you, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”

Haidu Aling broke out in a cold sweat.

Wahan Khan leaned back on his throne, saying flatly: “Aling, have you ever wondered – we’ve already unified the grasslands, why do we still advance westward? I keep losing to the royal court’s Buddha’s Son, why am I still obsessed with taking the royal court?”

Haidu Aling carefully said: “Because the royal court is prosperous.”

Wahan Khan shook his head: “No, I attack the royal court because I have no choice.”

Haidu Aling was stunned.

Wahan Khan sighed, “We are tribes of horseback. We don’t know how to farm crops, can’t weave fine cloth, don’t understand how to run businesses, and have no prosperous capital. When food runs out, we raid and force other tribes to hand over their grain. We conquer by force, and demand they support our tribe. When boys become men, they raid other tribes to take women as wives. These years we’ve conquered tribe after tribe, unstoppable, but we don’t know how to govern a country, much less support a mighty empire.”

The current Northern Rong appeared strong but was full of crises, with deep contradictions within the royal family.

That’s why there was the nobles’ rebellion this time.

“Aling, the only way to ease contradictions and survive crises is to keep conquering, like wolves – we must keep hunting to survive. Once he loses his claws and fangs, death is not far away.”

Wahan Khan leaned forward, looking at Haidu Aling.

For Northern Rong to continue growing strong, the succeeding Khan must be full of fighting spirit, ambitious, ruthless, and far-sighted.

His sons couldn’t bear such a heavy responsibility. Even if they ascended the throne, they would die in the nobles’ struggles.

Wahan Khan patted Haidu Aling’s shoulder: “Aling, if you want to be Khan, you must look far ahead. Don’t lower yourself to Jinbo and the others’ level. You are destined to be the alpha wolf, the eagle. They will follow you in the future, be loyal to you, grow strong with you. In the future, your name will surely spread across the entire grassland.”

Haidu Aling raised his head in disbelief, his eyes red, muscles tensed.

Wahan Khan nodded to him, saying: “Though I suppressed the rebellion this time, those submitted small nations are all stirring, wanting to take a bite out of us. We don’t have much grain and fodder left. We must quickly win a major victory to subdue people’s hearts. I heard the royal court’s regent Su Dan Gu is dead. The royal court nobles are short-sighted, indeed forcing the Buddha’s Son to give up power. This is truly a great opportunity for us to attack the royal court again.”

Haidu Aling’s blood boiled: “I am willing to be the Great Khan’s vanguard!”

He continued, “Su Dan Gu is dead, the Buddha’s Son has lost his right arm. The royal court nobles have long been at odds with him. The Buddha’s Son must be in a difficult situation.”

Wahan Khan laughed coldly, “These years, if not for the Buddha’s Son, I would have trampled the holy city long ago! I truly admire him. What a pity, he will die at the royal court nobles’ hands sooner or later. Su Dan Gu was highly skilled in martial arts yet died unnaturally – it must have been the royal court nobles’ doing.”

The royal court was full of deep-rooted problems, relying entirely on the Buddha’s Son to hold things together. In the future, he would either die in internal struggles or be slowly dragged to death by the openly submissive but secretly defiant nobles.

Haidu Aling sighed: “The Great Khan is wise!”

The tent’s firelight flickered as the two discussed how to raid the royal court until dawn.

Haidu Aling left the great tent.

A gust of wind blew against him, making him shiver. He realized his robes were soaked with sweat.

The Judge was right – after the turmoil, Northern Rong was tottering and could split apart at any time. What the Great Khan needed most now was to stabilize people’s hearts. The more open and honest he was, the more reluctant Wahan Khan would be to kill him.

For now, he must endure. Only when the Great Khan grew old and his position was secure could he move against the Crown Prince and others?

Haidu Aling’s lips curled up as he strode toward his tent in the golden morning light.

…

Soon, news spread throughout Woluduo that the Crown Prince, Second Prince, and others had reconciled with Haidu Aling.

For several days in a row, people in the camp often saw the brothers gathered around bonfires drinking and talking happily, the atmosphere harmonious.

Wahan Khan was greatly pleased and ordered the army to move out.

The Princess Imperial immediately called her guards, wanting them to mix Li Xuanzhen in among the slaves.

The guards went to the dungeon to get him, but shortly came running back panic-stricken: “He’s gone!”

The Princess Imperial was furious. She led people to check the dungeon personally, finding it indeed empty, with only a set of shackles remaining.

“Where’s Maiden Yun?”

Zhu Lüyun was brought over. Seeing the empty cell, her eyes widened.

The Princess Imperial asked in surprise: “You didn’t know Li Xuanzhen escaped? Didn’t you help him escape?”

Zhu Lüyun shook her head, her expression wooden.

…

At this time, on the snowy plain not far from the horse farm, Li Xuanzhen wore a fur-lined jacket, mixing among the tribal slaves transporting felt tents, leather, and iron pots. When Northern Rong soldiers rode past on horses urging the slaves to move faster, he lowered his head, pulling down his felt hat to cover his face, pushing a ram-horned cart piled high with felt cloth.

On the cart, Li Zhongqian lay between thick felt blankets, coughing softly.

Li Xuanzhen followed the Northern Rong soldiers, pushing the small cart, and running at full speed.

Days ago, observing Wahan Khan’s troop movements, he suspected the Khan planned to attack small nations or tribes to the west.

The royal court was in the west.

Li Xuanzhen had no way out then, so he simply hid in the command center, resting and recovering at the Princess Imperial’s place, waiting for Li Zhongqian to heal. They would mix into the army, and follow the troops when they set out – not only avoiding pursuit but also preventing getting lost again. They could also spy on military information to warn the royal court. If they could find an opportunity to kill Haidu Aling, that would be best of all.

Snow and wind struck his face, the cold penetrating to the bone.

But Li Xuanzhen didn’t feel cold at all, waves of heat rolling through his body.

He was going to find her.

…

A thousand li away, at the royal court.

After howling all night, the wind cleared the next morning. The courtyard was covered in white snow, brilliant morning sunlight slanting across the snowdrifts, dazzlingly bright.

Yaoying was woken by the sound of wings fluttering at her window. She quickly got up to open the door.

The black hawk General Jin swooped into the room, raising its head to affectionately peck at her.

Yaoying stroked General Jin, fed it dried meat, took the letter it brought back, and read it, her lips curling up. She hurriedly washed and dressed, pulled on her boots, and went to the royal temple to see Tanmoluojia.

Though early, the temple monks had already finished today’s morning lessons. After attending morning lessons, Tanmoluojia was at the blessing ceremony. The hall front was already packed full, men and women, young and old, heads crowded together.

A small novice who knew Yaoying made way for her. She stood on tiptoe, peering through the gaps inside.

The hall was filled with sweet sandalwood incense. Tanmoluojia wore a snow-white gold-patterned kasaya, standing before the Buddha hall holding a gilt incense staff, his appearance solemn and dignified, surrounded by chanting monks. The faithful waiting before the hall came forward one by one, respectfully bowing to him. He touched each with his incense staff. The faithful trembled with excitement – some were so weak-kneed they couldn’t move for a long time and had to be supported away by others.

Yaoying watched from outside for a while, wanting to withdraw and wait on the path to the meditation room, when someone behind pushed her. She stumbled several times, falling headlong into the crowd of waiting faithful, nearly falling.

When she steadied herself, she found she had been pushed to the front of the line. Hundreds of gazes in the hall fell on her at once – some angry, some surprised, some with hints of disgust, as if wanting to pierce her like a sieve.

Prajña and Yuanjue standing in the corner maintaining order stared at Yaoying in round-eyed surprise: couldn’t the princess wait?

Yaoying felt guilty and moved to the side, about to withdraw, when a cold voice sounded from before the Buddha hall.

“Come forward.”

Inside and outside the hall, dozens of people gasped.

This was the first time the Buddha’s Son had called a faithful forward.

The gazes falling on Yaoying became like knives, razor sharp.

Yaoying was also stunned for a moment. She turned, walking step by step to Tanmoluojia under everyone’s gaze, following the example of those before her, pressing her palms together and bowing respectfully.

Her steps were dignified, her face beautiful as flowers and moon, her attitude sincere. There was no hint of mirth on her face, her respectful bow graceful and practiced. The surrounding people’s gazes gradually softened.

Tanmoluojia looked at Yaoying, his gaze clear and cold, lightly touching her forehead with the incense staff.

Yaoying raised her head, giving him an apologetic smile, her eyes curving like crescents, seeming somewhat coquettish.

Tanmoluojia shifted his gaze, catching in his peripheral vision as she withdrew with the others, his incense staff remaining lowered.

The next faithful waited a while.

Tanmoluojia collected himself, his expression still solemn and composed, as light as clouds and wind.