The beaded curtains reflected the sunlight entering the inner hall, making the area before the writing desk as still as deep water. For a moment, Li Zhongqian thought Tanmoluojia had given a negative answer, because his expression was too composed, his gaze too serene, without a trace of anger or embarrassment at having his feelings exposed.

His very calmness proved he had long discovered his feelings, and his ability to continuously suppress and control them showed his strict adherence to propriety.

But Yao Ying was unaware, letting her guard down completely when alone with him!

Li Zhongqian came to his senses, his face ashen: “Master is an accomplished monk who should observe the precepts. Seventh Sister mentions Master daily, her reverence and trust overflow in her words. How can Master disregard ethics and harbor romantic feelings for her?”

“Could it be because Seventh Sister entered the temple as a Matanga girl that caused Master’s misunderstanding?”

Tanmoluojia shook his head: “From pleasure arises attachment… it is due to my lax observance of precepts, and has nothing to do with the Princess. The Princess made it clear to me from the beginning that the Matanga girl was just an excuse.”

He had unknowingly indulged himself in enjoying her companionship, allowing her closeness. If not for the one-year term, he would have continued this indulgence.

All conditioned phenomena are impermanent, all are suffering. All phenomena are without self, nirvana is peace… As a practitioner, he could recite such scriptures effortlessly and had long comprehended their meaning in his heart, knowing that romantic love was like dream bubbles, fleeting, but even knowing it was a quagmire of suffering, he still allowed himself to sink into it.

Li Zhongqian felt slightly surprised, narrowing his phoenix eyes as he glanced at Tanmoluojia.

He had tried to provoke Tanmoluojia with his words, but Tanmoluojia neither grew angry with embarrassment nor tried to excuse himself by claiming Yao Ying’s deliberate intimacy had shaken his resolve. Instead, he only said his observance of precepts was lax, showing quite a sense of responsibility.

Unfortunately, his identity as the royal court’s Son of Buddha destined him to have no entanglements with women.

No matter how responsible he was, he could not be a good match for Yao Ying.

“Master is outstanding in bearing, widely learned and knowledgeable, noble in status, a dragon among men…” Li Zhongqian pondered briefly, dropping his probing manner and speaking directly, “However, Master is a monk who has left the secular world, and the Son of Buddha in the eyes of the royal court’s people. My sister is young, and as her brother, I inevitably have many concerns. May I ask what Master’s intentions are?”

Tanmoluojia lowered his eyes, fingers turning his prayer beads.

Li Zhongqian said bluntly: “Does Master plan to keep concealing this forever?”

“Or will Master tell my sister the truth and maintain secret contact with her? In the future, when my sister wants to see Master, must she enter the temple in the dead of night for clandestine meetings like last night? Does Master want her to spend her life as a monk’s hidden lover who can’t see the light of day? Must she spend the rest of her life hiding and fearing the exposure of your secret relationship?”

Tanmoluojia’s fingers twitched slightly.

Li Zhongqian continued: “Seventh Sister is my sister, I cherish her like a pearl in my palm and can’t bear to see her suffer any grievance. Master surely knows what we siblings have been through, and I absolutely won’t watch her repeat past mistakes. She has suffered so much; in her future marriage, she must not compromise. Her husband need not be some contemporary talent or ruler of a nation – as long as he knows how to care for her, treats her well, and she likes him, and the couple can support each other through life, that’s enough.”

Xie Manyuan had thrown herself like a moth to the flame, retreating step by step until finally becoming disillusioned and descending into madness. When Yao Ying liked someone, she liked them wholeheartedly, regardless of the outcome. She could sacrifice herself to save him, her brother, and if she fell in love with someone, she would surely do the same.

Li Zhongqian didn’t want to see Yao Ying hurt by love like Xie Manyuan.

He hoped her husband would be a good man – someone who didn’t need to be too outstanding, with a simple family background, who would truly respect and love her, who would definitely respect her and treat her well. Even if the couple’s feelings faded over time, they could still support each other.

Not a monk with a special status who would draw her into endless trouble.

Tanmoluojia gazed at the beast-shaped incense burner wreathed in smoke below the curtain, saying nothing.

Li Zhongqian smiled slightly, saying darkly: “Or perhaps Master’s feelings for Seventh Sister are already deep enough to make you willing to return to secular life for her? Forgive my rudeness, but even if Master returns to secular life, you still can’t give Seventh Sister a peaceful life. The royal court’s people revere Master greatly – if Master returns to secular life because of Seventh Sister, she will be cursed and blamed by everyone in the world. Everyone will call her a temptress, and even if you become husband and wife, you’ll never know peace.”

“When passion runs high, Master can certainly abandon your practice for Seventh Sister, but later when beauty fades and love cools, when feelings wear thin and spouses grow tired of each other when Master recalls giving up your noble status and half a lifetime of learning because of Seventh Sister, will you still be able to treat her as well as you do now?”

“The love between men and women burns like fire but extinguishes like wind – I speak from experience.”

All these years Li De had been willing to die for Tang Ying, but hadn’t he initially just married into the Xie family to expand his power?

Love cannot be relied upon.

Li Zhongqian looked directly at Tanmoluojia: “Moreover, the royal court is ten thousand miles from Seventh Sister’s homeland, with different geography, customs, and language. She was forced to drift here and had no choice but to adapt to local customs. Master is the ruler of the royal court and cannot abandon it to return home with her. She is Han Chinese, and the royal court looks down on Han people. Even if Master goes through countless hardships with her and she stays, there will still be much trouble in the future.”

Even if Yao Ying didn’t return to Chang’an, she definitely wouldn’t stay in the royal court for life. After the Western Army recaptured Guazhou and Shazhou, she would certainly stay in Guazhou to handle Western Army affairs, staying away from Li De and Li Xuanzhen. The remaining forces from the Xie family of Jingnan could relocate to Guazhou.

Therefore, whether Tanmoluojia returned to secular life or not, he had no way to give Yao Ying a bright and peaceful future.

The hall fell silent.

The two men sat in silence, neither speaking for a long time.

After a while, Li Zhongqian’s lips curved as he changed the subject: “Master is a high monk, and although you have developed feelings for my sister, it should be just a temporary stirring of emotion that will dissipate before long, far from reaching the point of discussing marriage. My previous words were just needless worries born from my anxiety… I’ve made myself ridiculous before Master.”

He raised his eyes to look at Tanmoluojia.

“Seventh Sister has endured many hardships and suffered too much. Master has protected her, and I am deeply grateful and will certainly repay Master’s kindness, but I won’t watch her step into a quagmire for the sake of repaying gratitude.”

“Please promise me one thing.”

Tanmoluojia’s eyes flickered: “What does Duke Wei want me to promise?”

Li Zhongqian’s expression became solemn: “Master cannot abandon the royal court, and I have no intention of forcing Master to abandon everything. Since there can be no outcome, I hope Master will maintain proper boundaries with Seventh Sister from now on and keep your distance, not letting her misunderstand and become immersed in it, unable to extricate herself. I will also remind Seventh Sister to mind her behavior, lest her childlike nature disturb Master’s practice.”

Tanmoluojia gripped his prayer beads tightly.

Everything Li Zhongqian said, he could foresee. He was a practitioner and shouldn’t selfishly cling to Yao Ying’s closeness when she knew nothing.

Li Zhongqian was right – for Yao Ying, he was a quagmire.

“Very well,” he said, his voice hoarse.

…

Outside the side hall.

Bisuo stood nervously, hand on sword hilt, listening intently to the movements inside, ready to rush in and stop any fight.

Behind the curtain, all was quiet except for muffled conversation. He waited a long time without hearing any argument or fighting and frowned in confusion as a series of footsteps approached.

Bisuo quickly stood at attention, watching Li Zhongqian stride out of the inner hall and leave.

They hadn’t fought?

Bisuo turned and entered the hall, his gaze falling on Tanmoluojia’s face, his heart tightening.

Tanmoluojia’s eyes were downcast, his face exceptionally pale.

“In the future when I have an attack, don’t alarm Princess Wenzhao, don’t invite her into the temple late at night.”

Bisuo froze: “King…”

Tanmoluojia lowered his head to review memorials, his manner heavy.

Bisuo dared not argue, sighing quietly.

Tanmoluojia picked up his brush to write.

Bisuo thought for a moment, then said carefully: “King, Princess Wenzhao truly cares about your health… when she heard the King was ill, she came to visit without a second thought.”

Tanmoluojia shook his head, “Don’t take advantage of her.”

Shame flickered across Bisuo’s face.

Tanmoluojia said nothing more.

This matter couldn’t be blamed on Bisuo’s initiative – it was because of his several tacit approvals that Bisuo would invite her to look after him.

Ultimately, it was his fault.

There was a line in the scriptures: Neither meet nor speak together… if he truly resolved to cut off his attachment, as long as he didn’t see Yao Ying or speak with her, he could focus on meditation…

Over time, even if attachment remained, it wouldn’t affect her.

He had made his resolution, but time and again indulged himself in seeing her, speaking with her. When she came to care for him, though his face showed nothing, his heart rejoiced, wanting to keep her by his side, accompanying him like this forever.

Once attachment arises, desire will constantly expand until it completely devours his reason.

He not only had an attachment but selfishly wanted to possess her exclusively.

If this continued, he would eventually lose control and do something to force her.

Tanmoluojia steadied himself, focusing on reviewing memorials. When he turned to an exquisite parchment scroll, the brush in his hand suddenly stopped.

Bisuo sensed his aura suddenly turn sharp and called out worriedly: “King?”

He had already dispersed his inner force, how could this happen?

Tanmoluojia remained motionless for a long while before finally leaving his comments on the parchment.

Bisuo was puzzled. He withdrew and waited for Tanmoluojia’s reviewed memorials to be sent out from the side hall. As Bore and others sat around copying documents, he pulled out that parchment scroll and looked at it a few times, his brows furrowing tightly.

When Bore copied this parchment, his eyes grew round: “Prince Mopiduo of the Wujili tribe has formally proposed marriage to Princess Wenzhao?!”

Bisuo’s expression darkened slightly.

No wonder Tanmoluojia had reacted that way when he saw this memorial.

Bore clicked his tongue, muttering while copying: “The King just announced Princess Wenzhao’s departure from the temple, and the Wujili tribe immediately sent a marriage proposal, requesting the King’s permission. Prince Mopiduo must have been waiting for this day – he’s certainly eager… He’s a young hero, handsome too, quite well-matched with Princess Wenzhao…”

Worry crossed Bisuo’s face.

Mopiduo was the prince of the Wujili tribe, highly valued. Yao Ying was now the Commander of the Western Army, and the noble houses allied with the Western Army would certainly hope she’d maintain relations with the royal court. Moreover, Mopiduo was skilled in warfare and would take over the Wujili tribe in the future – the noble houses would persuade her to marry him.

When that time came, with the King bestowing the marriage, Princess Wenzhao no longer pining for the Son of Buddha but instead marrying the royal court’s young hero – it would truly make a beautiful story. They were of similar age, and truly well-matched.

He’d heard from the Ministry of Rites that Li Yao Ying was now actively uniting various states and tribes, constantly building power. Would she consider marrying Mopiduo for the greater situation?

Bisuo looked at the parchment again.

On this memorial, Tanmoluojia hadn’t written a reply, only stamped his seal.

In other words, as ruler, he wouldn’t prevent the Wujili tribe from proposing to Li Yao Ying.

What was he thinking in his heart?

The parchment was quickly sent out from the Royal Temple. The Wujili tribe’s envoy waiting outside was overjoyed, carefully holding the parchment as he hurriedly left.

…

Li Zhongqian returned to the silk shop, where guards told him Li Yao Ying was still sleeping.

“Don’t disturb her, let her continue sleeping.”

He took his sword to another courtyard to handle military affairs and urged the guards to pack their belongings.

In the innermost bedroom on the second floor, Yao Ying slept heavily, hugging a silk-hidden pouch, sweating profusely.

She had a dream where she was carding cotton and pulling apart wadding, snow falling heavily, wild wind blowing through the small window lattice into the room, and felt curtains rolling wildly. She was drunk and dizzy, wearing a pomegranate red small floral gold-painted gauze jacket with a spring-water green gauze skirt with roundel patterns below, carrying a white silk scarf embroidered with birds and flowers, stumbling into a quiet meditation room.

A monk wearing a crimson kasaya sat before a lamp with his back to her, his figure straight and tall, reading Buddhist scriptures. She walked toward him, and for some reason, the further in she went, the hotter she felt, her body sticky with sweat. Her silk scarf, paired bracelets, gold armlets, outer crossed-collar half-sleeves, hairpins, and colored hair ribbons fell one by one to the ground with the light tinkling sounds of jade pendants.

The monk held the scripture, raising his eyes to glance at her, his jade-green eyes as calm as the sea.

She felt unbearably hot, walked to his side, touched his face with her burning fingertips – indeed it was slightly cool – and simply threw herself into his arms, sitting on his lap, raising her hands to embrace his neck.

He looked down at her, expressionless.

She squirmed in his arms, disheveling his kasaya, her fingers moving up his neck to touch his head. In her drunken haze, she pressed close and called softly: “Master…”

Their breaths intertwined, a faint agarwood scent surrounding them.

Her body was covered in a layer of sweat, wet and clinging to him ever more tightly. He looked at her, slowly bending down toward her, his arms tightening.

They sat face to face, one of his hands supporting her as he lowered his head to kiss her neck.

A series of heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Yao Ying awoke from her dream with a start, dazed for a moment. The dream from just now was instantly forgotten by half, only vaguely remembering that she seemed to be sitting on Tanmoluojia’s lap… just like that Indian bronze Buddha statue she had seen…

Such a sin, such a sin…

Yao Ying came to her senses, sat up, rubbed her messy hair, shook her head, and thought to herself: Next time she must sell that bronze Buddha.

Several knocks came at the door, and a guard reported from outside: “Princess, the Wujili tribe has sent gifts overnight.”

“The Wujili tribe?”

Yao Ying got up, lit the lamps, hurriedly freshened up, changed clothes, and rushed to the main hall.

The hall was brightly lit, and Li Zhongqian was already there. He looked at her for a while, then handed her a gift list: “The young prince of the Wujili tribe has formally proposed marriage to you.”

Yao Ying was stunned, took the gift list, and looked carefully. The gifts were varied – thousands of cattle and sheep, various animal skins, and iron implements, these being the Wujili tribe’s marriage proposal customs. There was also a pair of wild deer and a pair of wild geese – these were prepared according to Central Plains marriage proposal customs.

“Has Mopiduo returned to the holy city?”

Yao Ying asked puzzled, as she hadn’t received any battle report of Mopiduo’s return.

The Wujili tribe’s envoy hurriedly stepped forward, explaining with a smile: “The prince is still fighting at the front… Please forgive our late-night visit, Princess. These were all the prince’s prior instructions – as soon as the Princess left the Royal Temple, we were to immediately come to propose marriage… The prince said the Princess is like a divine woman, surely many warriors would want to marry you, and he feared he wouldn’t return in time, so he insisted we must propose quickly.”

Yao Ying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

The envoy said: “Princess need not decide now. In our tribe, a proposal is how a man expresses his determination and sincerity to his beloved maiden and her family. Our young prince truly admires the Princess.”

After speaking, he added, “Please be assured, Princess, the prince has obtained the King’s permission – the Wujili tribe can freely choose our khatun.”

Yao Ying’s hands trembled slightly as she raised her eyes, “The Son of Buddha agreed?”

The envoy nodded, saying with a smile: “As soon as the marriage request letter was sent up, the King approved it.”

As he spoke, he presented the parchment.

Yao Ying took the parchment, looking directly at where the response was written, seeing the familiar seal.

It was indeed Tanmoluojia’s approval.

She held the parchment, lost in thought for a moment.

The candlelight flickered slightly as Li Zhongqian reached over to take the parchment from her hands, returning it to the envoy, and looked at her intently: “Mingyue Nu, what are you thinking about?”

Yao Ying gathered her thoughts and smiled, “Nothing.”

The envoy smiled: “Please trust our prince’s sincerity, Princess and Princess’s brother. The night is late, we won’t disturb the Princess’s rest. When the prince returns, he will personally come to propose to the lord and Princess. Please forgive any discourtesy, my lord.”

Li Zhongqian gestured for guards to escort the envoy out, his phoenix eyes fixed firmly on Yao Ying: “I heard from the guards that this Mopiduo has embraced you. You quite like him?”

Yao Ying laughed: “No.”

She knew she didn’t dislike Mopiduo, but as for romantic feelings, absolutely not.

Li Zhongqian nodded, “You just left the Royal Temple, and Mopiduo’s subordinates immediately produced his letter, requesting permission from the Son of Buddha before coming to propose to you… This Mopiduo is accomplished for his age and thinks things through carefully, but unfortunately, he’s a foreigner.”

Yao Ying smiled: “What’s wrong with being a foreigner?”

Li Zhongqian frowned: “He’s the heir to the Wujili tribe. If you marry him, you’ll become the Wujili tribe’s khatun, having to live in the Wujili tribe. They follow water and grass in their nomadic life, no one in the tribe speaks Chinese. You’d spend your whole life far from your homeland, living in a strange tribe – it would be too hard on you.”

As they were talking, the Gaochang envoy, having heard the news, hurried over, clapping lightly and smiling: “Princess, Prince Mopiduo is brave and skilled in battle, and also a trusted minister of the Son of Buddha. Although the Wujili tribe is a vassal of the royal court, the Khan makes his own decisions in all matters large and small, and the prince commands ten thousand elite cavalry!”

Yao Ying immediately felt overwhelmed.

The Gaochang envoy represented those noble houses eagerly seeking to ally with the Western Army. They knew she couldn’t stay in the royal court’s Royal Temple forever, and these days they had used all sorts of subtle methods to propose marriage alliances. The Lord of Yuchi had warned her that her marriage would upset the balance of power within the Western Army – whoever married her would quickly rise to prominence. Therefore, the noble houses hoped she would choose a husband from among them, or marry a powerful foreign tribe to gain support and stabilize the situation.

In short, they didn’t want her to marry into a Central Plains noble house.

The reason Li Zhongqian was considering choosing someone from among the Western Army commanders was because he knew this would strengthen her relationship with the noble houses in the Helong region. When their interests aligned, her position would be more secure.

Yao Ying didn’t want to discuss her marriage with the Gaochang envoy and gave Li Zhongqian a meaningful look.

Li Zhongqian gave the Gaochang envoy a cold look.

The envoy shuddered and tactfully took his leave.

Li Zhongqian said solemnly: “Mingyue Nu, marry whoever you want to marry, don’t compromise yourself.”

Yao Ying smiled, “I know.”

She returned to her room and lay down but couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning. The next day she got up before dawn to find Bisuo.