As Yao Ying emerged from the main hall, Boruo quickly caught up with her. With widened eyes and a stern expression, he was about to reprimand her.

Before he could speak, Yao Ying quickly said, “Someone pushed me in there just now.”

The force of the push had been considerable, clearly intentional.

Boruo was taken aback.

Yao Ying pointed to the endless line of people in front of the hall and asked, “Where are all these worshippers from? Have their identities been verified?”

Boruo shook his head and said, “The temple is holding dharma talks and prayers for five consecutive days. All citizens of the royal court, regardless of status, can come to worship. Some are from the holy city, others have traveled from elsewhere. They’ve been waiting outside the royal temple for days, not eating or drinking, just to catch a glimpse of the King’s presence. Because the crowd outside kept growing, we had to let some people in without checking each person individually, though the imperial guards should have verified their identities when they entered the city…”

Yao Ying’s brows furrowed slightly, wondering who had pushed her.

Boruo glanced at Yao Ying and snorted softly, saying, “Princess should be more careful in the future and avoid walking alone outside the royal temple. I know who pushed you.”

Yao Ying asked, “Who was it?”

Boruo tucked his hands into his sleeves, his gaze lingering on Yao Ying’s face, which remained as alluring as a peach blossom even without makeup. He lowered his voice and said, “The King has been so lenient with you that the royal court’s citizens have been gossiping endlessly. The worshippers all say they want to find ways to drive you out. The person who pushed you must be one of them. Be careful, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because the King indulges you.”

Yao Ying responded with a thoughtful “mm,” and said, “I’ll remember that. Thank you for warning me.”

Boruo’s face flushed slightly. He lifted his chin and said gruffly, “If I wasn’t worried about you ruining the King’s reputation, I wouldn’t have warned you!”

With that, he lifted his long legs and stormed off, his movements stiff.

Yao Ying couldn’t help but smile. Standing on the steps, she surveyed her surroundings. Countless cold gazes swept over her from the crowded masses, but when she looked their way, they had already averted their eyes, hiding in the crowd.

It’s easier to dodge spears than hidden arrows.

It seemed the push earlier was an impulsive act from someone in the crowd who harbored ill will towards her.

Yao Ying retreated from the corridor and turned down the passageway, waiting along Tanmoluojia’s path back to his meditation chamber.

Along the way, monks, novices, and worshippers who saw her avoided her gaze, gathering in clusters to whisper among themselves.

Yao Ying thought for a moment, then descended the stone steps and left the covered walkway.

Tanmoluojia’s birthday was approaching, and these days the temple’s front hall was packed from morning till night with worshippers from various regions. Given her sensitive position, appearing beside Tanmoluojia now would surely hurt the worshippers’ feelings and affect his reputation.

It would be better if she didn’t appear at the temple during the dharma assembly.

…

Half an hour later, when the prayer assembly ended, Tanmoluojia emerged from the main hall, his jade eyes sweeping lightly across the corridor.

The walkway was empty, with snow light filtering in, illuminating the vibrantly colored murals of Buddha preaching on the walls, where the Buddha sat in lotus position, dignified and majestic.

Yuanjue peered around searchingly for a while, then puzzled, said, “Princess Wenzhao was just here… where did she go?”

Tanmoluojia remained silent.

One who doesn’t belong here will leave eventually, so there’s no point speaking of “where did she go.”

He gripped his gilt incense staff and walked into the corridor, the hem of his wide kasaya sweeping across the railings, brushing off a patch of fresh snow.

Back in the meditation chamber, there was still no sign of Yao Ying. Yuanjue grew somewhat worried and asked the temple guards, “Have you seen Princess Wenzhao?”

The guards replied, “Princess Wenzhao came by earlier and left this.”

He produced a piece of parchment.

Yuanjue took the parchment and brought it to the long table.

“Where did the Princess go?”

The guard said, “The Princess gave us this and mentioned something about discussing matters with General Ashina.”

Yuanjue’s brows furrowed as he turned to look at Tanmoluojia.

Tanmoluojia’s jade eyes lowered slightly to look at the parchment, his expression calm, without a ripple of emotion in his eyes.

Just when Yuanjue thought he might not have heard, he suddenly asked, “Did anyone follow her?”

The guard was startled for a moment, then said, “The King had instructed that the officials must not let the Princess leave the royal temple alone, so two people were sent to follow her.”

Tanmoluojia nodded slightly.

…

Yao Ying changed into riding clothes, covered her face with a veil, and rode out of the royal temple.

Her guards and two central army escorts followed behind her.

She first went to see Old Qi and gave him several instructions. On her way back to the city, she paid a visit to Ashina Bisha to ask for a small favor.

When Bisha had helped her retrieve her dowry from the Northern Rong, she had thought about not putting all her eggs in one basket and had sent several personal guards with different merchant caravans to Samarkand, India, and Tibet, both to try to send messages and leave a way out, as well as to gather information.

Now the caravans were returning one after another, some bringing back what she wanted, others turning back halfway, returning empty-handed.

Yao Ying couldn’t help but think of Zhang Jiu and the others who had set out from Gaochang, wondering where they were now and if they had broken through the Northern Rong’s blockade. The royal court also had special scout troops for gathering intelligence, and she wanted to ask Bisha about it.

Bisha wasn’t at his residence; he had gone to the training ground.

His guard said, “Every year before and after the King’s birthday, there’s a military review at the parade ground, with a grand martial arts competition that all citizens can watch. This year the General will also participate in the competition, so he’s been going to the training ground these days to practice with others.”

After the unrest, the royal court needed a grand military review and martial arts competition to stabilize public sentiment.

Yao Ying had the escorts lead the way as she headed to the training ground.

The training ground was located near the Sand Garden outside the city, with spacious grounds and favorable terrain, with viewing stands set up around it.

When Yao Ying arrived at the training ground, it was bustling with activity, thundering with hoofbeats. A mounted archery competition was underway, with noblemen and women in fine silk clothing sitting in the high stands, eyes fixed intently on the two horses at the front of the field, thoroughly engrossed.

The escort told Yao Ying that traditionally, the various tribes and small states that came to pay tribute would also send warriors to participate in the competition. To avoid ill feelings, in the days before the official martial arts competition, some warriors would practice together privately to gauge each other’s strength.

Yao Ying stood on the platform, looking out at the field.

The competition was in full swing, with a row of targets set up on the south side. More than ten men in central army cavalry uniforms rode black warhorses, wielding longbows, galloping around the field like wind and lightning. When they were a hundred paces from the targets, they raised their arms and nocked arrows, releasing rapid shots that hit the bullseye every time.

The crowd outside erupted in thunderous cheers.

Soon after, the soldiers below raised flags to signal and loudly announced the competition results. Two broad-shouldered, muscular men rode forward while the other soldiers who had lost the competition withdrew from the field. The two men slowly retreated to opposite sides of the field. After a while, the soldiers removed the targets, leaving only a tall pole. Someone blew a horn, and amid the deep, heavy drone, both horses simultaneously broke into a full gallop. The two men on horseback showed no fear of falling, extended their long arms, drew their bows, and released arrows in quick succession.

The arrows shot from galloping horseback carried magnificent power, like rainbows piercing the sun, filling the field with thunderous sounds. The arrows struck the pole directly, making it quiver.

It was another tie between the two men.

Men and women around the field cheered in unison.

Yao Ying recognized one of the men below as Bisha and silently marveled.

With another blast of the horn, the two men spurred their horses into a gallop and nocked arrows again. The man competing with Bisha suddenly hesitated. After Bisha had released his arrow, he finally let his bowstring loose. With a whoosh, his arrow flew like lightning, striking Bisha’s arrow in mid-air, causing both feathered arrows to fall to the ground.

The crowd erupted in amazement.

Before anyone could react, the man nocked another arrow, drew his bow to full strength, and shot steadily at the pole.

With a crash, the pole fell to the ground.

The crowd looked at each other, unsure how to judge the winner.

Below the platform, Bisha laughed heartily and cupped his hands in respect to his opponent who had shot down his arrow, saying, “What excellent arm strength!”

His opponent removed his mask, revealing a young face with strong features and a spirited countenance, his brown eyes containing traces of undisguised pride.

“The one who beat the General is Mo Biduo,” said the escort beside Yao Ying.

Though Bisha had lost the competition, his face showed no displeasure. He withdrew from the field alongside Mo Biduo, and seeing Yao Ying waiting at the edge of the field, he rode over to meet her.

Yao Ying told him about the favor she needed.

Bisha said, “I’ve been paying attention to this matter. The Northern Rong are moving their Woluduo camps, with their most elite cavalry units moving westward. The security in the eastern territories should have relaxed. There’s no news yet about Zhang Jiu and the others.”

Yao Ying calculated the days and said, “No news is good news. With the Northern Rong in such chaos and weakened, perhaps they took advantage of the confusion to cross the Northern Rong border.”

Bisha looked at her and comforted her, saying, “They are brave and fearless; they must be safe and sound.”

Yao Ying nodded, “I hope they can turn misfortune into blessing.”

The two chatted for a while, then headed back to the city together. Just as they passed through the city gates, they heard approaching hoofbeats, and a fast horse galloped up, stopping in front of them.

The rider dismounted smoothly and gestured to Yao Ying and Bisha. It was Yuanjue who had come looking for them.

“General, the King commands you to go to the royal temple immediately.”

After speaking, Yuanjue glanced at Yao Ying.

“The King said if Princess Wenzhao is also here, please ask the Princess to come as well.”

Bisha and Yao Ying hurried back to the royal temple.

The temple hall entrance was still crowded, so they avoided the crowd and entered through a side door, walking together down the corridor leading to the meditation chamber.

Two sets of footsteps followed one after another, one hurried, one light.

They had returned together.

Bisha, with his long arms and legs, walked very quickly, but when they were almost at the meditation chamber, he deliberately slowed down to wait for Yao Ying.

Yao Ying smiled at him.

The two walked side by side up the stone steps.

Deep in the corridor, Tanmoluojia stood before the steps, his eyelids lowered, his hand suddenly pausing as he stroked the falcon.

The falcon immediately let out a dissatisfied cry.

Tanmoluojia ignored it and withdrew his hand, the sleeve of his kasaya floating lightly as he turned sideways to face the courtyard. His eyes gestured for Bisha to come forward and look at the intelligence report just delivered by the falcon.

Seeing this, Yao Ying knew she should withdraw. She stepped out of the corridor, removed her veil, and took out some dried meat to feed the falcon.

The falcon glanced at her, flapped its wings, and flew to the railing in front of her.

After reading the report, Bisha’s brows furrowed. Seeing that Yao Ying had withdrawn, he nodded inwardly, stepped forward, and said quietly, “The Northern Rong are secretly moving their troops. Are they getting restless and planning to attack us?”

Tanmoluojia nodded and calmly said, “I have already ordered increased vigilance everywhere. A battle between the royal court and the Northern Rong is inevitable.”

Bisha nodded, his expression grave.

The royal court had just experienced internal turmoil, and people’s hearts were unsettled. This battle might be difficult to fight.

However, in all these years of confrontations with the Northern Rong, when had the royal court ever been confident? Every time Khan Wahan led troops to attack the royal court, the nobles were so frightened their legs turned to jelly. They either hurried to move their family wealth out of the city to avoid disaster or knelt crying, begging Tanmoluojia to surrender outside the city. They hindered progress every time. Now with them out of the way, Tanmoluojia could focus entirely on facing the enemy.

The unease in Bisha’s heart quickly faded. Remembering something, he looked up and asked softly, “Your Majesty, who will lead the troops in this campaign?”

Tanmoluojia stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the snow in the courtyard, and said, “You will be the vanguard.”

Bisha understood the implications and sighed inwardly, nodding in agreement.

With him as the vanguard, the commander would naturally be Regent Su Dan Gu.

After discussing some matters about deploying troops, Tanmoluojia fell silent, looking out into the corridor.

Bisha craned his neck to follow his line of sight, his brow twitching.

Yao Ying stood by the railing, bending down to talk to the falcon, her eyes and brow corners filled with smiles. The radiance of the pristine snow in the courtyard seemed to concentrate on her, making her skin glow brighter than snow, her beauty clear and enchanting.

Sensing the gaze of the two men in the corridor, she stood up and blinked at Tanmoluojia inquiringly.

Tanmoluojia gave a slight nod.

Yao Ying walked into the corridor.

Bisha handed her the intelligence report, and she quickly read through it page by page.

Tanmoluojia said, “Haidu Aling is still alive and continues to enjoy Khan Wahan’s trust.”

Yao Ying nodded.

Bisha had been watching her, and seeing her calm reaction, showed traces of surprise. “Princess knew this already?”

Yao Ying smiled and said, “Haidu Aling isn’t so easily displaced. General, don’t worry about me. I didn’t expect a few attempts at sowing discord would be enough to eliminate him.”

She had dealt with Li Xuanzhen for several years, facing such an opponent who could turn danger into safety no matter what perilous situation he fell into, as if divinely assisted, and she could remain calm. The fact that Haidu Aling still enjoyed Khan Wahan’s trust couldn’t shake her resolve.

Yao Ying raised her head, meeting Bisha’s sympathetic and pitying gaze, and said, “Haidu Aling is the Northern Rong’s greatest warrior. To truly defeat him, it can only be done on the battlefield.”

Haidu Aling was tough to kill. If one attempt failed, then try a second time and a third.

Bisha’s heart trembled, and he gazed at Yao Ying for a long while before nodding with a smile.

Yao Ying looked toward Tanmoluojia, “Did the Master call me here just to tell me this?”

Tanmoluojia stepped down from the stone steps, gesturing for Yao Ying to follow him.