Yao Ying took her leave and departed. Tanmoluojia stood in the spacious hall, watching her white-robed figure disappear into the distance. Bamier had been waiting outside the hall doors, and as soon as Yao Ying had walked far enough down the corridor, he immediately entered.
Tanmoluojia swayed slightly. Bamier rushed forward to support him: “My King, you’ve just taken your medicine, we can’t delay any longer.”
After Tanmoluojia went into seclusion, he was supposed to secretly leave the city under the identity of Sudangu, avoiding public appearances. Earlier this morning, while he was cultivating by the spring pool, Yuanjue didn’t dare disturb him and hurriedly left with Bisuo. Bamier entered through the secret passage to report the news.
Upon hearing that something might have happened with Li Yao Ying, Tanmoluojia stopped his cultivation, returned through the secret passage, and deployed people to pressure the diplomatic mission.
An hour had already passed; he needed to return and continue his cultivation.
Tanmoluojia lowered his gaze, shook his head to indicate all was well, and turned to enter the secret passage. Bamier was puzzled: before each time the King went into seclusion, he had already arranged for court affairs to be handled, with people assigned to resolve all disputes, big or small. The conflict between Princess Wenzhao and Princess Manda was merely a minor matter that Bisuo and Yuanjue could handle properly—why did the King interrupt his cultivation to personally deal with this matter?
With a loud boom, the secret door closed.
…
When Yao Ying came out from the Royal Temple, she happened to meet Yuanjue.
Yuanjue and his guards were carrying, shouldering, and lifting various boxes and books—all items found at Princess Manda’s residence.
“Princess Manda intended to use these filthy things to defile the King. We can’t just let her leave—everything she brought must be confiscated and destroyed!”
Yao Ying couldn’t help but laugh. As she casually glanced at the treasures in the boxes, her eyes caught a familiar case. She made a surprised sound and opened the lid.
Inside was indeed the gilded bronze Buddha statue she recognized.
The personal guard had sold the bronze Buddha according to her instructions. The buyer was said to be an Indian merchant who offered a high price, clearly knowing its value. She hadn’t expected that Princess Manda had been the one who bought it.
“I recognize this treasure case.”
Yuanjue’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he said gravely: “Princess, how do you know these items?”
Could it be that Princess Wenzhao also planned to use such base items to curry favor with the King?
Yao Ying curved her finger and tapped the treasure case, saying, “I’ve seen this case before… Do you know what’s special about this bronze Buddha?”
Yuanjue’s face flushed red, and he stammered: “I-I’m not Princess Manda, how would I know about these things? What kind of person do you take me for?”
Yao Ying smiled slightly and headed straight to the embassy instead of returning to her quarters.
The personal guards had already prepared farewell gifts as she instructed: silk fabrics that were easy to carry and could serve as currency, warm clothing, non-perishable fruits and dried food, and some beautifully bound sutras.
She gave the gifts to the physician, thanking him for diagnosing and prescribing medicine for her.
The physician was moved to tears and apologized again on Princess Manda’s behalf.
Yao Ying asked him to help deliver a letter to Mondative. The physician readily agreed. Remembering the bronze Buddha matter, she took her guard to see Princess Manda.
Princess Manda’s room was guarded jointly by the close guards and strong servants. She had to stay in her room until leaving tomorrow.
The diplomatic mission was forced to depart early. The envoy’s several pleas for leniency were rejected. Angry at Princess Manda, they had just come to mock her.
Princess Manda lay reclined on the couch, her curly hair loose, her face still showing anger. Her grey-green eyes were downcast, having lost some of their usual allure and gained some melancholy. Seeing Yao Ying enter, she sneered, “Has the Princess come to mock me?”
Yao Ying smiled, “I’ve come to bid Princess farewell and bring you a gift, and also to ask Princess to satisfy my curiosity.”
Princess Manda squinted as she sized her up.
The personal guard stepped forward and took out a painting. Yao Ying received it and handed it to Princess Manda: “That day at the ceremony when I watched Princess dance, I was completely entranced and couldn’t forget it. Princess’s dance moves were graceful and beautiful, ever-changing, combining both strength and gentleness—truly worthy of being Northern India’s premier dancer.”
Princess Manda sat up. She had learned dance from a young age and was extremely talented. After years of unremitting practice, she was quite proud of her abilities. So even though she suspected Yao Ying was being sarcastic, she still raised her chin and accepted the painting.
The painting showed a woman draped in gauze dancing in the hall, her movements graceful. Surrounding her were celestial maidens and floating banners, making the scene look sacred and beautiful, as if in a celestial realm.
Princess Manda was stunned, swallowing back the mockery that had been about to leave her lips.
The scene in the painting was exactly what her dance that day had expressed. The face of the woman on paper was her likeness, vivid and extremely expressive, obviously having taken considerable effort—not something done hastily.
Looking at the smiling dancing woman in the painting, she couldn’t help but think of her innocent self from years ago, when she truly loved dance rather than using it as a means to capture men.
The Queen had said that children born to lowly people were also lowly. Her mother was a dancer from the temple, and so was she.
Princess Manda was lost in thought for a moment before raising her eyes to glance at Yao Ying. Only someone who truly appreciated her dance could have created such a painting.
“Princess must also know the art of dance? Could it be that Princess is also accomplished in this art?”
Yao Ying said, “I studied for a few years before and only know a few dances. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to Princess—when Princess dances, it’s like a celestial maiden descending to earth.”
Her tone was sincere, without any trace of mockery. Princess Manda gave a proud snort, her long lashes fluttering, her eyes gleaming alluringly.
“What did Princess want to ask me?” Her lips curled up, “Have you regretted it and want to learn those dual cultivation secret methods? I’m at Princess’s service anytime. Once Princess learns the secret methods, with the help of secret medicines, the Buddha’s Son will surely crave your body and grant your every wish.”
Yao Ying shook her head, “Princess bought a bronze Buddha statue some time ago. What mechanism does that Buddha statue have?”
Princess Manda rolled her eyes and leaned back on the couch.
“It’s just a dual cultivation Buddha statue. If you turn the mechanism in the lotus, you’ll see a naked man and woman embracing and making love on the lotus seat.”
She deliberately spoke plainly, waiting to see Yao Ying show an embarrassed expression.
But Yao Ying merely raised an eyebrow, her face showing no particular expression.
Fortunately, she hadn’t given this bronze Buddha as a longevity gift to Tanmoluojia.
Princess Manda was somewhat disappointed and snorted.
Seeing Yao Ying’s stunning beauty, both pure like a maiden yet with glances full of charm and allure, she had assumed the Buddha’s Son had already secretly become intimate with Yao Ying, but unexpectedly Yao Ying hadn’t succeeded yet.
Since the Buddha’s Son hadn’t broken his precepts and hadn’t tasted those enchanting pleasures, naturally his determination remained firm. She had wanted to help Yao Ying achieve her wish precisely to make the Buddha’s Son break his precepts. After the first time, it would be twice as easy for her to seduce him.
She had seen many young maidens like Yao Ying before whose hearts were stirred by love. Those shy maidens were extremely easy to coax and bewitch, helping them seduce their lovers under her guidance.
But Princess Wenzhao was different—she hadn’t even blushed at seeing the naked couples in the precious manual.
Princess Manda looked at Yao Ying, seeming to understand something: “So the Buddha’s Son prefers women like Princess Wenzhao who don’t understand romance. No wonder the Buddha’s Son disdains beauties like me.”
Yao Ying’s lips twitched slightly.
“This time I lost…”
Princess Manda gave a self-mocking smile and lay back on the couch, her gold bracelets jingling. “Princess Wenzhao, with such beauty as yours, stranded thousands of miles from your homeland in a foreign land, if not for the Buddha’s Son’s protection, you would have long ago attracted others’ competition. You’re very fortunate to have met a ruler like the Buddha’s Son.”
“Yes, I’m very grateful to the Buddha’s Son.”
Yao Ying nodded, then changed her tone, “Princess Manda had better give up.”
Princess Manda’s brow furrowed slightly.
Yao Ying said, “I know, Princess hasn’t achieved her goal yet, hasn’t truly given up.”
Princess Manda smiled seductively: “You know what my goal is?”
Yao Ying returned her smile: “Your goal isn’t to find an ordinary patron, but the strongest, most powerful patron, and then completely break free from Piluomoluo, isn’t that right?”
Princess Manda’s expression darkened slightly.
“With Princess’s abilities, you needn’t fixate on the Royal Court. Princess is now Piluomoluo’s envoy, so the Royal Court has pardoned you this time, but if there’s a next time when the Royal Court metes out punishment, Princess will be the one bearing all responsibility.”
A chill ran down Princess Manda’s spine.
The envoy indulged her, even hinting that she could use any means necessary, because they treated her as a disposable piece, ready to abandon her at any time. If the Royal Court had pursued this matter, the King and ministers would not have protected her and would have severely punished her to distance themselves.
Princess Manda met Yao Ying’s gaze, her lips curling up, “Is Princess warning me, or reminding me?”
Yao Ying didn’t answer, turning to leave. When she reached the doorway, her steps paused.
“Princess truly dances beautifully.”
She said lightly, stepping out of the room.
Princess Manda sat up straight, staring in the direction of her departure, lost in thought for a long while.
…
That evening, Yao Ying packed her luggage. The next day, dressed in men’s clothing, she set out with her guards, accompanying a secret central army unit.
Before leaving the Royal Temple, she visited the meditation room.
Yuanjue told her Tanmoluojia was already in seclusion, asking if she had urgent business to see him, saying he could convey the message.
Yao Ying smiled and shook her head, leaving the Royal Temple, gazing thoughtfully at the towering pagoda forest.
Bisuo had prepared a carriage for her, letting her travel first with his staff and subordinates. He needed to escort the Piluomoluo diplomatic mission out of the city, and then go somewhere alone.
They agreed to meet in the Sand City.
In the afternoon, Bisuo arrived at Princess Chima’s residence, where songs and dances rang out noisily—Chima was again hosting a banquet for nobles.
He casually scanned the courtyard, discovering many guests were from the Xue and Kang families, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Princess Chima was drinking with the Kang family members. Hearing Bisuo had come, she was overjoyed, leaving the banquet, wanting him to stay for a few days.
Bisuo said, “I have important duties, I’m just passing by today to see how you’re doing.”
Princess Chima frowned and said, “You’re going to war again? Why can’t you stay in the Holy City to manage state affairs? The battlefield is dangerous—you should stay in the Holy City!”
Bisuo’s brows furrowed deeply. They had argued about this many times. He was in a hurry now and didn’t want to quarrel with her before leaving, so he said gently, “I’ll be back soon, take good care of yourself. The King has arranged people to look after you. If anything happens, you can find them, or write to me.”
Princess Chima knew she couldn’t stop him. Suppressing her anger, she had servants pack some clothes and fine weapons for him, watching him ride away on horseback, standing there for a long time.
The Chief Secretary stood beside her.
“Luojia can stay in the iron-walled Holy City Temple, but Bisuo has to charge into battle time and again, risking his life.”
Princess Chima murmured, suddenly turning to ask the Chief Secretary: “Tell me, between Bisuo and Luojia, whom do those noble families prefer?”
The Chief Secretary was startled, breaking into a cold sweat, prostrating himself on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
…
Yao Ying traveled with Bisuo’s staff.
Although she participated in planning, it wasn’t convenient for her to inquire about other matters, so she spent most of her time in the carriage.
After several days together, she shared all her knowledge about Haidualin and the Northern Rong army, but never interfered in other matters, didn’t wander around or ask questions, while also keeping her guards in check, requiring them to be careful in words and actions.
The other staff members thought she was Bisuo’s previous spy planted among the Northern Rong and tried to probe indirectly, but she ignored all such queries.
The journey was peaceful until they reached Sand City, where Bisuo caught up and joined them. The next day, he took his staff and led several thousand troops ahead.
Yao Ying and several other staff members remained behind with the other soldiers.
Beyond Sand City stretched a vast desert. She abandoned her carriage and rode horseback like everyone else. After several days, her entire body felt as if it was falling apart.
The weather gradually warmed, and the snow melted. Under the snow-capped, layered mountains, dark green pine forests emerged. Glacial rivers carried sand and gravel, rushing down through the uninhabited desert wasteland. Wherever they passed, all things revived—from afar, patches of tender grass could be seen along the riverbanks.
Along came strong winds, and when sandstorms arose, they blocked out the sky like night.
That day, passing through a wide plain, they encountered another windstorm. Seeing that the camels and horses couldn’t advance in the strong wind, and soldiers couldn’t determine directions, everyone had to find nearby hills that could barely block the wind to make camp.
Yao Ying emptied the sand from her boots, ate some dried food, and had just lain down to sleep when a messenger braved the strong winds to reach their camp, bringing news.
Ahead, while passing through a valley, Bisuo encountered a Northern Rong scout team. Neither side had expected to meet the other and were startled, hastily taking positions to face off.
Fortunately, the other side was just scouts, few in number, and Bisuo knew the terrain well. He forced them into a gorge and eliminated that unit.
The staff members exclaimed in shock: “The Northern Rong scouts have already entered the Royal Court’s territory? How so quickly?”
Yao Ying said, “They march quickly, can travel through the night, and almost need no supplies.”
The staff members were terrified: no wonder the Royal Court had to deploy troops secretly this time—otherwise, while the edict was just being issued in the Holy City, the next day Northern Rong scouts could deliver the news to the Wahan Khan’s desk!
Yao Ying calculated the Northern Rong soldiers’ pace and said, “General Ashina isn’t far from us, we might also encounter Northern Rong scouts. We must strengthen our vigilance.”
The staff members nodded: “Northern Rong scouts appear and disappear like ghosts, we can’t be careless.”
That night, orders were given to increase patrols everywhere and send out their scouts to reconnoiter and give timely warnings.
After talking until midnight, everyone returned to their tents. Yao Ying’s body ached all over. She lay down and closed her eyes, sleeping for a while before suddenly being awakened by the sound of startled horses. She quickly got up, put on her boots, and left the tent.
The camp was pitch black. A personal guard came looking for her, anxiously saying, “Scouts have discovered a group of Northern Rong cavalry nearby! Several hundred men!”
Yao Ying’s heart jumped—several hundred Northern Rong cavalry could launch a surprise attack. Had they encountered Northern Rong ambush troops?
She steadied herself and found the other staff members.
The staff was in a heated discussion. The military advisor believed they had likely encountered Northern Rong cavalry and must broken camp overnight. Although they outnumbered the enemy, most of their troops were infantry and not elite soldiers—they couldn’t compete with Northern Rong cavalry.
After discussion, everyone decided to play it safe and break camp overnight.
In the deep night, soldiers woke from their dreams, panicked, and hurriedly packed their belongings.
A young commander led several dozen men at the front, personal guards protected Yao Ying and other staff members in the middle, with other soldiers following behind.
After anxiously traveling for half an hour, suddenly firelight flickered ahead and hoofbeats approached—a cavalry unit was galloping toward them.
Everyone’s hearts tightened, not daring to breathe.
The cavalry unit approached like lightning. The firelight illuminated a fluttering banner, under which rode a commander in magnificent silver armor, strong and imposing, spurring his horse forward at full speed. As he drew near, he removed his helmet. The flickering firelight illuminated his face, showing deep-set features and strong lines.
The staff members’ worry turned to joy: “General Mopiduo!”