Though the turmoil had subsided, with each new ruler came new officials, and the court was filled with anxiety after Li Xuanzhen took charge of state affairs.

He showed no leniency, purging the court, promoting the meritorious, and issuing several edicts of punishment. Overnight, the prisons were filled.

Some families rejoiced while others grieved. As certain clans fell from grace during this father-son conflict, others rose to prominence. Like the ebb and flow of tides, Chang’an saw the emergence of new nobles, like fresh branches sprouting from tree limbs – with proper nurturing, they would grow strong. Generation after generation, the cycle continued endlessly.

Li Xuanzhen reclined against the couch, reviewing memorials.

In the sweltering heat, he noticed the putrid smell emanating from his wounds. Servants brought medicine morning and night, filling the hall with bitter medicinal scents.

A memorial was brought before him.

Zheng Jing knelt before the desk and said, “Your Highness, King Tanmo from the Royal Court has personally come to Chang’an to propose marriage. The envoy requests entry to the city.”

Li Xuanzhen’s hand paused as he unfolded the marriage proposal.

The document was written personally by Tanmoluojia, who indeed had mastered Chinese writing. His calligraphy was vigorous yet elegant, flowing naturally – the result of years of dedicated practice.

Li Xuanzhen could imagine how elated Tanmoluojia must have felt while writing this marriage proposal character by character.

Yaoying liked him and was willing to marry him.

Li Xuanzhen closed his eyes for a moment.

This marriage proposal, meant to be merely a formality, had by twist of fate come to require his approval.

He would have to give her away in marriage once again.

The wounds on his back split open, causing excruciating pain. Li Xuanzhen opened his eyes, and picked up his brush, as fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

No matter how unwilling he was, he could not intervene. She was no longer who she used to be. Moving against her would risk turmoil in the Western Regions. Moreover, with the powerful Royal Court backing Tanmoluojia, he had no chance of success.

Like flowing water, once missed, there was no turning back.

If he remained obsessed, he would become the next Li De.

Li Xuanzhen steadied himself, about to put brush to paper when a eunuch entered with a bowed head.

“Your Highness, Princess Wenzhao has sent someone.”

Li Xuanzhen started, quickly asking: “Show them in. What matters?”

The eunuch replied: “Princess Wenzhao says that since Your Highness is injured, there’s no need for you to reply to the Royal Court’s marriage proposal. King Tanmo has proposed to her, and she can respond herself.”

Li Xuanzhen was stunned for a moment. He put down his brush, his lips twitching slightly without a smile.

This was indeed her style.

Her marriage, her decision.

…

The news quickly spread throughout Chang’an.

Princess Wenzhao’s consort had arrived.

However, it wasn’t the consort who first entered the city, but rather the betrothal gifts from the Royal Court.

To the jubilant music played by musicians, elephants adorned with jewels gracefully entered the city, followed by gold-and-gem-encrusted carriages loaded with open chests full of precious gifts – silk fabrics, pearls, and jade. The sunlight reflected off them, creating dazzling displays. Men and women in Royal Court attire stood beside the chests, smiling as they scattered flowers and coins to onlookers.

A rich, sweet fragrance wafted wherever the procession passed.

The capital’s citizens hadn’t witnessed such a spectacle in many years. The entire city was abuzz as people rushed out of their homes to follow the Royal Court envoy. Amid the thunderous clamor, children chased after the elephants with faces full of curiosity.

Li Zhongqian stood atop the city wall, watching the lumbering elephants slowly parade down the main street. He rolled his eyes heavenward – he’d never realized before that monks could be so worldly.

Several clear laughs like pearls falling on jade rang out beside him.

Yaoying watched the seemingly endless procession with delight. Noticing Li Zhongqian’s apparent displeasure, her eyes sparkled mischievously: “Brother, all these are military funds for the Western army. Weren’t you planning to form a specialized infantry unit focused on battle formations? The location is picked, just waiting for you to return and select the men.”

Li Zhongqian lifted his chin and snorted coldly, “Keep these betrothal gifts. After all, they’re the Royal Court’s sincere intentions.”

After the betrothal gifts, the Royal Court envoy entered the city.

The city gates were packed with people, the wide streets so crowded that not even water could flow through.

Morning dew still clung to tree branches as melodious bell sounds echoed in the wind. Music played continuously, its lingering notes drifting through the air. The cool morning light poured down as hoofbeats approached through the light mist.

Countless gazes from both sides of the street converged like an ocean, looking toward the sound.

The steady rhythm of hoofbeats approached as several golden rays of light cut diagonally through the air, illuminating a corner of a brocade robe shimmering with gold and silver. A tall figure emerged from the dense summer morning mist, his face half-lit, half-shadowed.

The crowd stared dumbfounded at the man riding out of the mist, unable to recover for a long while.

The wind whispered all around.

Li Xuanzhen slowly descended from the high platform, glancing at the young officials standing speechless to either side and looking toward Tanmoluojia.

That graceful figure walked toward him surrounded by officials and guards, wearing brocade robes threaded with gold and silver, a leather belt at his waist holding a dagger and curved sword. He was handsome and distinguished, elegant in bearing, his movements refined and dignified. In his sideways glance was a kind of pure and transcendent coldness. Standing there without speaking, just one look from him caused all the young men around him – who had deliberately dressed up and were secretly competing with him – to instantly pale in comparison.

Those few young officials who had been unwilling to concede stiffened for a moment before quietly withdrawing, dejected.

The crowd secretly marveled – such a celestial-like gentleman was indeed a perfect match for Princess Wenzhao.

When the Ministry of Rites officials came forward with flattery, Tanmoluojia nodded in acknowledgment and spoke elegant Chang’an official language without any trace of a foreign accent.

The crowd was stunned once again.

Li Xuanzhen walked forward, his gaze meeting Tanmoluojia’s in mid-air.

For an instant, neither man yielded.

Li Xuanzhen’s eyes held scrutiny while Tanmoluojia exuded unperturbed confidence. Though his expression was gentle, sharp light surged silently in his deep azure eyes – like Buddha, with internal majesty.

The two men entered the hall surrounded by officials.

At the banquet, young officials wracked their brains trying to challenge Tanmoluojia, but he handled everything with ease, displaying a thorough knowledge of Chinese classics and comfortable familiarity with local customs.

The officials couldn’t help but feel discouraged – they were already far behind in appearance and bearing, and now they couldn’t stump him in scholarly knowledge. As for martial arts, they couldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as the consort.

The Ministry of Rites officials exchanged defeated looks: time to prepare for the wedding.

While the Royal Court envoy negotiated with court officials, Yaoying was busy handling Western Army affairs.

She had revealed her background, and the court retained her title. Because she was marrying Tanmoluojia, they granted her additional honors – the common people still called her Princess. General Qin, who guarded Southern Chu, used her name to pacify the region. The remaining resistance quickly surrendered, and Southern Chu gradually stabilized.

Southern Chu had a flourishing literary tradition. When people learned that Yaoying was originally from Southern Chu, storybooks praising her deeds spread through the streets like bamboo shoots after spring rain.

Yaoying improved the printing of these storybooks. Now when scholars wrote articles, they could quickly be carved and printed for sale. The common people eagerly sought these books. Before long, stories of her marriage alliance with the Western Regions and union with Tanmoluojia spread across the land. The tales were so intricate and moving that even Yuanjue, who grew up in foreign lands, immediately dismissed the Western Region folk songs as not touching enough.

She paid no attention to this matter as she packed her belongings, preparing to return to Gaochang.

Yang Qian firmly refused to marry a princess and wouldn’t let his brothers do so either. She advised him: “The Western Regions have been cut off from the Central Plains for too long. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Yang family to take the lead in integrating with the court.”

Thanks to her efforts, the policies and laws of the Western Region states now matched those of the Central Plains, and widespread trade had begun between the regions. The road east meant more than just reclaiming territory.

Yang Qian scratched his head and laughed heartily: “Princess doesn’t know… Princesses have noble status, each more delicate than the last. I’m stubborn as an ox – afraid we wouldn’t get along, might offend someone important.”

Before he finished speaking, remembering that Yaoying was also a princess, he scampered off to drink with Li Zhongqian.

Yaoying couldn’t help but laugh.

That day, someone suddenly delivered a litter of small dogs. She asked her attendant, who said they were congratulatory gifts from the palace.

“His Highness specially went out of the city to choose them for you! Each one is very spirited.”

Yaoying was lost in thought for a moment before instructing her attendant: “Send them to the falconer to raise.”

The attendant looked disappointed: “Why doesn’t the Princess keep them to raise herself?”

Yaoying said quietly: “The small dogs I raised before are gone. I won’t raise any myself anymore.”

The small dogs were sent away, and news returned to the palace.

Later, Li Xuanzhen had the dogs brought back and raised them himself.

After finishing both major and minor matters, Yaoying wrote a marriage acceptance letter in her own words and called Yuanjue, asking him to take it to Tanmoluojia.

Yuanjue’s smile stretched to his ears as he carefully cradled the letter back to the guesthouse.

Outside the window, a pond of lotus flowers stood tall and graceful, their fragrance filling the courtyard.

Such beautiful mountains and clear waters could nurture his Mingyue Nu.

Tanmoluojia received the letter, his fingers caressing her handwriting as if caressing her snow-white skin. He gazed at the lotus flowers swaying in the bright sun, his lips curling slightly.

When they returned to the Royal Court, he would find a way to grow such a pond of lotus flowers.

On the eighteenth of the month, the sky was clear and bright, with gentle winds and light clouds.

The Royal Court envoy formally came to receive the bride.

Banners flew as music split the clouds. Tanmoluojia wore formal attire, his figure tall and straight as he waited at the city gate. His usually calm face showed traces of barely noticeable anxiety.

The main street surged with people. Citizens knew Yaoying was getting married today, so they wore their brightest clothes, adorned their heads with flowers, and carried gifts as they lined both sides of the street to respectfully welcome the procession.

Colorful silk streamers hung from the lush locust and elm trees along the street, creating a magnificent spectacle of clouds and rainbows.

Before dawn, Zheng Biyu had people light bright candles and lead the noble ladies in adorning Yaoying. It took a full two hours before they helped her into the carriage amid exclamations of admiration.

Yaoying sat properly in the carriage, her hair in a high bun adorned with twelve ornamental flowers, pearls, and kingfisher feathers filling her temples. She wore a deep blue ceremonial robe with pheasant patterns, plain silk undergarments, and a vermillion skirt embroidered with golden phoenixes. Her brow was decorated with emerald, her face powdered, wearing full formal makeup. She held a round fan to shield her face.

As the carriage passed down the street, citizens cheered and rejoiced, following behind while calling out her official title, their congratulatory voices rising and falling like waves.

“Wishing the Princess and Consort a long life together, flying wing to wing!”

“May the Princess and Consort have noble sons soon!”

“Princess, please come back to visit often!”

Yaoying couldn’t help but recall the scene when she had left Chang’an in a carriage for her forced marriage alliance. Then she had thought she would never return, and the citizens had sent her off with tears, their crying shaking the heavens.

She had returned, her family was well, and peace reigned under heaven.

This time, everyone wore smiles. Li Zhongqian walked at the front of the procession in bright clothes on horseback, brave and vigorous. Having escaped Li De’s shadow, he was much more cheerful than before.

On the main road before the city gate, flowers covered the ground, and several snow-white banners with gold patterns flew in the wind.

Yaoying’s gaze fixed on those banners as she recalled the day she first met Tanmoluojia, her lips pressing together slightly.

At that time, she had rushed forward in desperation without much thought.

A faint smile suffused her face, her cloud-like hair rich and luxuriant, beautifully moving – she appeared like a goddess.

The citizens’ cheers grew even more enthusiastic.

The ceremonial official climbed the high platform to read the imperial edict.

Tanmoluojia waited patiently. Behind him, Royal Court guard knights in blue robes and white clothes placed their fists against their chests, respectfully saluting their queen with solemn dignity.

When the ceremonial official read the last word, declaring the ceremony complete, Li Zhongqian winked at Yaoying: “If you’re ever wronged, your brother will avenge you!”

With that, he withdrew along with the Western Army commanders.

Tanmoluojia rode forward, dismounted, and walked to the carriage window, bending down.

This was Royal Court custom.

A pair of delicate hands parted the carriage curtain, and Yaoying’s smiling face appeared in his eyes.

Tanmoluojia stared at her in her wedding attire.

Yaoying smiled radiantly, her beauty so resplendent it made the blooming trees along the street lose their color. Her glancing eyes held a kind of inner radiance, every feature exquisitely beautiful.

A goddess descended to earth.

He remained speechless for a long while, his heart filled with a strange, indescribable joy.

Yaoying smiled and tugged his sleeve, pulling him closer to plant a kiss on his cheek.

The Royal Court musicians played their instruments with even more vigor.

Tanmoluojia came to his senses, watching the falling carriage curtain as his lips slowly curved upward.

The Royal Court guard knights crowded forward, surrounding their king and queen as they headed west.

The citizens followed for mile after mile, reluctantly watching the procession disappear into the distance.

Many years later, this grand wedding remained one of the most talked-about events among Chang’an’s citizens.

Just after the procession left the capital prefecture, the bride signaled for the carriage to stop.

Tanmoluojia immediately reined in his horse.

The carriage curtain swayed as Yaoying leaned out the window, brushing aside the swaying golden phoenix pearl strings at her temples. “Luojia, wearing this is too tiring. I want to change clothes and ride horseback.”

Tanmoluojia gazed at her, his eyes gentler than the wind brushing through flowers.

Xie Qing brought Yaoying’s mount. She removed the heavy phoenix crown, took off the ceremonial robe, changed into light brocade clothes, mounted her horse, and with a crack of her long whip, galloped across the endless plain in the brilliant sunlight.

After riding some distance, she stretched her limbs, took a deep breath, and looked back with a smile.

Tanmoluojia spurred his horse forward to ride beside her, reaching out to grasp her whip hand, holding it tightly.

“Mingyue Nu, I don’t know how to be a good husband. You’ll have to teach me.”

Yaoying raised an eyebrow, shaking her head: “I don’t know either.”

Her tone was playful.

She wouldn’t fall for it anymore – when he had helplessly said he didn’t know how to be a good lover, she had immediately softened her heart, but actually, he was full of ideas!

Tanmoluojia couldn’t help but smile, bending down to kiss Yaoying’s hair.

The two rode hand in hand at an easy pace, their shadows on the ground pressed close together, inseparable.

Just like them, holding hands on the same path, companions for life.