The Imperial Physician knelt on his right knee, raising his clasped hands to his brow in greeting Princess Manda.

Princess Manda’s fingers lightly brushed the gold bracelet on her wrist as she asked, “Are you hiding something from me? Is there someone important in the royal court who is gravely ill, and requires your treatment? Is that why their ceremonial officials allowed me to dance at the ceremony?”

The physician replied, “Princess, I am a healer. Please forgive me, but I cannot answer this question.”

Princess Manda sighed, rose from her seat, and walked to stand before the physician. She bent down, her gray-green eyes shimmering like rippling water, mesmerizing and alluring.

“Could the physician help me one more time?”

The physician also sighed, bowing deeply, “Princess, I have already helped you once. The royal court here is different from our kingdom. Please give up.”

“Give up?” Princess Manda laughed coldly. “And then return to that den of demons? To be sent by my father to please others again? Or be sent to the temple to continue serving the elders?”

The physician lowered his eyes and sighed.

Princess Manda paced back and forth, the gold anklets on her feet jingling. “I cannot go back. I’ve had enough.”

She lifted the physician’s face.

“You could help me once, why can’t you help me again? If I can stay, you too can remain in the royal court, become a Royal Physician, and enjoy wealth and glory with me.”

Her long lashes fluttered as her expression turned cold.

“Your family and friends back home could also receive rewards.”

The physician detected the threat in Princess Manda’s words. He froze momentarily, shame and anger flashing across his face. He brushed away her hand and touched his forehead to her feet: “Princess, I helped you not for wealth and glory, nor to please the envoys. I sympathized with your situation and hoped you could achieve your wishes, which is why I petitioned the Buddhist Prince. I owe Master Mondatta a debt of gratitude. I should have repaid that debt, but instead selfishly begged the Buddhist Prince to grant my request, betraying the Master’s friendship. I am troubled by this. I cannot do anything more for the Princess. If the Princess wishes to punish me, I dare not complain.”

“I only beg that the Princess not take out her anger on my family.”

Princess Manda’s face turned dark as water.

“Get out!”

The physician crawled to the doorway and withdrew. Hearing what seemed to be sobbing from behind him, his steps faltered. He let out a long sigh and returned to the doorway.

“Princess, the Buddhist Prince is different from those temple elders. Your dance could make any man in Viromara bow his head, but it cannot move the Buddhist Prince.”

His heart had ultimately softened, and he said quietly, “Rather than wasting your efforts here, why not… why not seek help from Princess Wenzhao? Perhaps she could help you.”

Princess Manda suddenly raised her head.

The physician had already gone far.

The servant emerged from a corner, entered the room, and knelt while holding several letters: “Princess, as you ordered, this slave searched the physician’s quarters and indeed found several letters from Master Mondatta.”

Princess Manda took the letters and examined them one by one carefully, her eyes flickering.

The letters contained no other content besides greetings; they all discussed medical conditions, and judging by the symptoms, they appeared to be discussing a woman’s illness.

Could the physician’s patient be a noble lady of the royal court?

This woman must have a close relationship with the Buddhist Prince, but Princess Chima wasn’t in the Holy City… what other woman could persuade the Buddhist Prince to accept the dance?

A flash of insight struck Princess Manda as she suddenly recalled the Buddhist Prince’s glance toward the curtains during the ceremony. She had sensed someone must be behind the curtains and deliberately moved closer, but what emerged was a guard with a twisted face. She had thought it was her imagination. After returning to her seat, the more she thought about it, the more something seemed amiss. Looking around, she noticed Princess Wenzhao had never returned to her seat.

The person behind the curtains was likely Princess Wenzhao.

Princess Manda thought it through and suddenly understood: the physician’s patient was none other than Princess Wenzhao! She had sought the physician’s help to persuade the Buddhist Prince to accept the dance, but fearing the Prince might be moved, she stayed nearby to remind him.

This meant that if she controlled the physician, she could make Princess Wenzhao obey…

…

The next morning, Yaoying received another note delivered by Princess Manda’s servant.

The servant said meaningfully: “Your Highness, our Princess is waiting with the physician. The Princess insists you must come. She says she knows about the promise between the physician and Master Mondatta.”

As he spoke, he produced a lock of brown hair and a letter in Master Mondatta’s hand.

Yaoying’s heart skipped a beat. The fact that the Indian physician had been entrusted by Mondatta to treat Tanmoraka was unknown to others – how did Princess Manda know?

This matter absolutely could not be leaked.

Maintaining her composure, she asked, “What promise exists between the Master and the physician? What has it to do with me?”

The servant replied, “The Princess says the promise concerns Your Highness. Your Highness surely knows what promise it is. If Your Highness doesn’t come, you’ll face the consequences. Moreover, Your Highness would do well not to let this matter slip to others.”

Yaoying’s mind raced as she said, “If Princess Manda wishes to see me, I should choose the location. Please have the Princess wait for me at the leather shop outside the embassy.”

The servant showed hesitation.

Yaoying’s face darkened as she said, “If Princess Manda doesn’t agree, I dare not accept this invitation. I question Princess Manda’s sincerity.”

The servant, fearing she might change her mind, nodded and said, “Please rest assured Your Highness. Our Princess has no ill intentions, she only wishes to speak with you. This humble one will relay the message now, but Your Highness must depart immediately, and You may only bring two attendants.”

Yaoying grew increasingly suspicious. She had made demands only to test the servant, and judging by his reaction, he lacked confidence. Did Princess Manda know about Tanmoraka’s serious illness?

If Princess Manda only had suspicions, wouldn’t going there just confirm her guesses?

Not going might cause Princess Manda to kill the physician in anger or recklessly spread the information, which would be troublesome. The physician might be able to cure Tanmoraka; he couldn’t be killed like this…

Yaoying weighed her options, uncertain.

Logically speaking, given Tanmoraka’s cautious nature, if he dared to employ an Indian physician, he must have contingency plans. But the physician was still Indian after all…

After consideration, she dared not risk it and nodded in agreement.

The guard’s eyes widened, wanting to stop her.

Yaoying shook her head and said, “Princess Manda went to such lengths just to force me to meet her. She wouldn’t dare harm my life.”

This was the Holy City; Princess Manda had to be careful in her actions. Her goal was to stay, not to offend the royal court.

The urgent matter now was to first pacify Princess Manda; other matters could wait until meeting her. She could first probe Princess Manda to see exactly how much she knew.

Having made her decision, Yaoying said to the servant, “I can bring just two attendants.”

As she spoke, she gave a meaningful look to the guard.

The guard understood and, after Yaoying left with the servant, immediately turned to go to the Royal Temple to inform Yuanjue.

Yuanjue turned pale with shock, stamped his foot, and said anxiously, “The King is in seclusion! I cannot report this matter to him now. We can only wait for General Ashina to return and decide!”

The guard was stunned – the Buddhist Prince was already in seclusion.

…

When Yaoying followed the servant to the leather shop, Princess Manda had already rented the entire shop and was waiting inside.

“Princess Wenzhao dares to come to the appointment – truly courageous.”

Yaoying smiled and sat opposite Princess Manda, her expression composed and attitude haughty.

“What does Princess Manda wish to tell me? To be frank, once the Guard Commander knows I’ve come near the embassy, he will certainly bring men to investigate within half an hour to ensure my safety. This isn’t me intentionally leaking information – it’s simply the rule. Whatever Princess wishes to say, best say it quickly. I’m busy and have no time for idle chat over tea with the Princess.”

Princess Manda glanced at Yaoying.

Princess Wenzhao, who dared to publicly whip the Northern Rong Princess and intimidate all princesses by stepping into the fire altar, was indeed arrogant and domineering. Even after being caught in her grip, she remained so aggressive.

Trying to seize the initiative and overwhelm her with presence?

Unfortunately, the fact that she came proved she truly cared about the physician’s life. Having secured victory, how could she be fooled?

“The Princess is remarkable and straightforward.”

Princess Manda paused, then said word by word, “I already know about the deal between you and the physician.”

Having spoken, she watched Yaoying’s expression.

Yaoying didn’t even raise an eyebrow, saying dismissively, “The Princess jests. I have no acquaintance with your country’s physician, what deal could there be?”

Princess Manda smiled slightly, charm radiating from her eyes and brows: “Princess need not pretend anymore. I had someone search through the physician’s medicine box and letters; the evidence is conclusive. Now the physician is held in a place unknown to anyone. If the Princess can help me with something, I can let him live to see the Princess.”

Yaoying’s heart sank, her hands clenched inside her sleeves as she smiled and said, “What evidence? I don’t understand what the Princess is talking about. I have no association with your country’s physician.”

Princess Manda’s brow twitched.

At this point, Princess Wenzhao still wanted to feign ignorance.

She laughed coldly, meeting Yaoying’s gaze, and said slowly, “The Princess suffers from a terminal illness. Master Mondatta is an old acquaintance of the Princess and has been seeking treatment. The physician was entrusted by her to treat the Princess. Isn’t the Princess here because she fears I might kill the physician?”

Yaoying was stunned.

Princess Manda, thinking she had frightened her, said proudly, “Only the physician can cure the Princess’s illness. Now the physician’s life hangs by my word alone. Does the Princess think I have the right to ask her to do something for me?”

Yaoying came to her senses, torn between laughter and tears: Princess Manda thought the physician had come to treat her. And had captured him to threaten her?

This meant Princess Manda didn’t know about Tanmoraka’s illness.

Yaoying felt relieved inside, but her face remained tense as her mind raced. Since Princess Manda had misunderstood, she might as well play along and see what she wanted.

“What does the Princess want me to agree to?”

Hearing her tone soften slightly, Princess Manda became more certain she was afraid. Her lips curled into a smile as she said, “The Princess and I share similar misfortunes. I won’t harm you… I’m here to help the Princess. I can help the Princess achieve her wishes.”

Yaoying put on a puzzled expression.

Princess Manda spoke softly, slowly saying, “When I came to the royal court, I heard Princess Wenzhao’s story. Princess Wenzhao’s homeland is thousands of miles away, and my homeland is also far from the royal court. In my homeland, women’s status is low. Although I am a princess, I wasn’t born to the Queen. My mother was a lowly dancing girl…”

At this point, tears seemed to well up in Princess Manda’s eyes, arousing sympathy.

“From childhood, the Queen sent me to learn dance. My mother’s face was washed with tears. I was young and ignorant then, not understanding my mother’s sorrow. Later, before she died, she warned me that by performing dance and showing my face in public, I would surely end up like her, scorned by the world…”

“Later, mother’s words became a self-fulfilling prophecy. My dancing skills were outstanding, and my name was known far and wide. My father often had me perform at banquets. That year, when I was fourteen, rebels approached the city. To gain the elders’ support, my father offered me up…”

Princess Manda wiped her eyes.

“After that, I maneuvered between different men, becoming Viromara’s notorious whore.”

Princess Manda let out a long sigh, her gray-green eyes fixed on Yaoying, seeming to hold pools of water.

“After coming to the royal court, I originally intended to attach myself to the Buddhist Prince, but after seeing Princess Wenzhao’s flower offering and entering the fire altar, I gave up that idea. The Princess’s true devotion to the Buddhist Prince deeply moved me, and since the Buddhist Prince said you were his only Matanga woman, I dare not compete with the Princess.”

Princess Manda gently held Yaoying’s hand, “The Princess dared to enter the fire altar for the Buddhist Prince, surely deeply in love with him. But alas, the Buddhist Prince remains unmoved. When the year ends, the Princess can only leave in disappointment. A beauty like the Princess, after leaving the royal court, will surely face dangers and be coveted by others. Our situations are similar, so I want to help the Princess achieve her wish and stay.”

“Of course, in helping the Princess, I also have my requests. I hope that after the Princess achieves her wish, she can help me find a noble of the royal court as my patron. Afterward, we can support each other, and rely on each other. The Princess can stay by the Buddhist Prince’s side, and I can enjoy wealth and glory.”

Yaoying looked at Princess Manda, showing an expression of being moved.

Princess Manda’s face was full of sincerity: “I’ve long had such plans but never had the chance to speak with the Princess’s face to face. I had no choice but to use the physician to force the Princess.”

She waved her hand, signaling her servant to bring several boxes and precious books, placing them on the table.

“Please believe in my sincerity, these are all gifts for the Princess. In my homeland, there are many secret practices for men and women to cultivate together. I am skilled in these arts and can teach them to the Princess. Once the Princess learns these secret methods, she can effortlessly seduce the Buddhist Prince into obsession. I can guarantee to the Princess that afterward, the Buddhist Prince won’t be able to spend a day without the Princess’s body.”

“Then, why would the Princess need to risk entering the fire altar?”

She opened the precious book, revealing page after page of exquisitely drawn images of men and women in intimate union, with flowing lines, lifelike details, and rich poses.

A lamp was lit before the table, its flickering flames illuminating the couples on the pages, creating a mesmerizing power.

Princess Manda smiled and opened the treasure box.

“These secret medicines are palace aphrodisiacs never shared outside. With these secret medicines, even a seventy-year-old man can become vigorous. There are also medicines for women, colorless and tasteless. Just apply a little to your body, and even the most restrained man will go crazy for you.”

Yaoying glanced at the explicit drawings in the book and those secret medicines, her mouth twitching. Was Princess Manda trying to teach her bedroom arts?

Princess Manda’s red lips parted, her voice full of enchantment: “The Buddhist Prince is peerless in bearing. Doesn’t the Princess want to experience the greatest pleasure of the mortal world with him soon, making him unable to leave you?”

Yaoying’s mind conjured up Tanmoraka’s cold and sacred face, her heartstrings tightening as she shuddered.

What a sin.

Princess Manda watched with satisfaction as she stirred up thoughts in her, a bright smile on her lips, “The Princess cannot succeed alone. Cooperate with me, and we can each get what we want. What do you say?”

The next moment, her smile froze on her lips.

Yaoying’s face showed no signs of being captivated, shy, embarrassed, or uncontrollably aroused. She smiled and looked up, “What the Princess seeks is probably not as simple as marrying a noble, is it?”

Princess Manda’s face darkened slightly.

Yaoying’s lips curled, “The Princess helping me achieve my wish is just a roundabout approach.”

If she were just a crazy woman madly in love with Tanmoraka and having nothing else, being encouraged by Princess Manda and using these messy secret methods and arts would be like stepping into Princess Manda’s trap. Princess Manda would use her to gradually approach Tanmoraka and then replace her.

Moreover, who knew if these secret medicines had any harmful effects? If she used them and something happened to Tanmoraka, Princess Manda could take advantage of the situation.

Yaoying said coldly, “I will not cooperate with the Princess.”

The smile disappeared from Princess Manda’s face: “The physician is in my hands. Isn’t the Princess afraid of never seeing him again?”

Yaoying shrugged, “If I don’t see him, so be it. Life and death are fated.”

Now she could be certain Princess Manda didn’t know about Tanmoraka’s illness. The more indifferent she appeared, the safer the physician would be.

Princess Manda narrowed her eyes, doubt arising in her heart: Was Princess Wenzhao truly not afraid of death?

A sharp whistle came from outside, and a black hawk beat its wings against the window, making dust fall from the window frame.

Yaoying listened carefully and unhurriedly stood up.

“Princess Manda, my guards have come to fetch me.”

Princess Manda was shocked. She went to the window to look outside, where the sound of horses neighing filled the air as dozens of guards in narrow-sleeved robes surrounded the shop.

She gritted her teeth and said, “The physician is in my hands. I won’t let him treat the Princess again. The Princess has been ill for many years; the torment of illness must be unbearable, right?”

Yaoying smiled.

Indeed unbearable.

But even if her life truly depended on the physician, she would not cooperate with Princess Manda just to cure her illness.

“The physician was at the Royal Temple yesterday. The Princess couldn’t have sent him out of the city after curfew, which means he’s still in the city. The embassy staff cannot move freely, the physician hasn’t left the embassy, and there are no secret passages or rooms in the embassy. Finding one person is very easy. Princess, this isn’t your homeland. The entire embassy, including servants, has only a few dozen people. Finding the physician will be as easy as turning over one’s palm.”

“I said I don’t have time for tea with the Princess.”

Princess Manda’s face stiffened.

She had thought Princess Wenzhao was just a pampered woman crazy with love, not knowing that Princess Wenzhao could mobilize so many people in such a short time.

She had been careless.

…

Yuanjue personally led people to search, questioning everyone and quickly found the physician.

The physician hadn’t been harmed at all, just confined. He bowed to Yaoying, pleading tearfully: “Princess Manda has had a difficult life and momentarily lost her judgment, coming up with this foolish idea and offending the Princess. I beg the Princess to forgive her.”

Yuanjue said from the side: “Although Princess Manda is an envoy, she had ill intentions. How can we let her off lightly?”

The physician was extremely anxious and looked toward Yaoying.

“This humble one treats the Princess. I beg the Princess, for my sake, to forgive Princess Manda.”

Yaoying was stunned.

She had thought Princess Manda had misunderstood and had maintained an indifferent attitude so Princess Manda would back down… Could it be that Princess Manda hadn’t misunderstood?

“You came to treat my illness?”

The physician nodded, prostrating himself: “The Buddhist Prince had this humble one treat the Princess. The medicine pills the Princess took a few days ago were prepared by this humble one for the Princess.”

Yaoying’s body trembled slightly, and she remained silent for a long while.

The scenes from that day flashed through her mind. At that time, Tanmoraka indeed hadn’t said what the physician’s purpose was in coming to the royal court. She had voiced her guess, and he neither denied nor corrected it, so she had naturally assumed the physician had come for him.

Why didn’t he tell her the truth?