The lively, melodious music stopped, and the dancers on stage bowed slightly, their robes sliding down to reveal snow-white shoulders. With alluring glances and charming smiles, they gracefully withdrew.

After the dancers left, the music became bold and magnificent. A group of bare-chested male dancers wearing only loose pants took the stage, mimicking battle poses as they danced. Dense drum beats rose, fierce and valiant – they were performing a martial dance.

Thunderous applause erupted from below.

Yaoying watched with great interest. When the song ended, she glanced back at Tanmoluojia and hesitated to speak, her smile slightly fading.

He was a monk – she couldn’t drag him into discussing how beautiful the singing and dancing were.

It was already surprising enough that he would accompany her out in this way.

Tanmoluojia sat with his back to the window, focusing intently on handling administrative matters. His sharp edges were all concealed within a gentle, dignified coolness, his presence steady, his Buddhist countenance solemn. Light filtering through the carriage curtain’s gaps cut across his profile, outlining his refined, distinct features. From afar, there was a layer of pale cyan fuzz on his head, but up close, his hair stubble was very light, almost invisible.

Yaoying gazed at him absently, a question bubbling up in her mind: did he have to shave his stubble every few days?

Tanmoluojia raised his eyes to look at her, his gaze questioning.

Why had she stopped watching?

Yaoying came to her senses, covering with a smile, and said, “Master, I’ll get off to buy some things.”

Tanmoluojia nodded, “Have Bamir and the others accompany you.”

She made a sound of agreement and got off the carriage. Many people in the marketplace wore masks; she and her guards blended into the crowd without standing out.

Today was the last day of the festival, and the marketplace was even more lively than previous days. Merchants from various countries called out their wares in different languages, selling all manner of things.

Yaoying bought items along the way, noticing guards patrolling every dozen steps or so. After the recent assassination attempt by the death squads, the imperial guards must have increased their numbers.

Some people who looked like shepherds were selling thorn honey. Yaoying went over and bought all of it.

The season for collecting thorn honey had already passed, and it was rare to see ones as big as grapes. Whenever she saw good ones, she would buy them all.

After browsing around for quite a while, Yaoying looked back. The carriage remained parked in the corner, its curtains hanging low.

Tanmoluojia must still be reviewing documents inside.

Even amid the bustling mortal world, he remained the lofty Buddhist son, out of place in the busy marketplace.

Yaoying couldn’t help wondering: as the Buddhist son who lived in seclusion and usually only attended important dharma assemblies and ceremonies, was this his first time privately leaving the royal temple in that capacity?

A figure walked toward her, and Bamir immediately stepped forward to block them.

The person removed their mask, revealing a young smiling face. The young man bowed to Yaoying, making an inviting gesture.

Bamir lowered his guard and said softly to Yaoying: “He wants to invite you to dance.”

Yaoying shook her head.

The young man showed disappointment, stood straight, and stretched to display his tall, warrior-like physique.

Yaoying still shook her head.

The young man sighed dejectedly, smiled, and took off a flower to offer to Yaoying.

Bamir said: “Today is the last day of the festival. People exchange flowers, splash water in blessing, and play. It’s fine if you accept.”

Yaoying looked toward the carriage. The curtains were drawn tight, the interior invisible. After thinking, she still shook her head.

The young man showed surprise, hurriedly put away his playful manner, cupped his hands apologetically to Bamir, and left with the flower.

Yaoying looked up at Bamir.

Bamir stood stiffly, explaining awkwardly: “Today, young people can give flowers to express admiration to ladies or gentlemen they fancy, regardless of status. You can accept however many flowers are offered unless your heart belongs to another. Your firm refusal just now made him think you already have a chosen lover.”

Standing beside the princess, his expression vigilant, the young man had taken him for the princess’s lover.

Lover?

Yaoying silently repeated these words in her heart, a smile involuntarily rising to her lips.

Bamir dared not smile, carefully glancing back at the carriage, feeling as if two gazes had fallen upon him. Breaking into a cold sweat, he unconsciously stepped further from Yaoying.

The martial dance on stage ended, and all the elaborately dressed dancers left the pavilion to join the crowd, singing, and dancing. The common people danced with them, young men and women holding hands and dancing in circles, the atmosphere electric.

Yaoying watched for a while from the side, then withdrew from the crowd.

Shouts erupted nearby as a group of young people carrying wooden buckets ran past her, laughing loudly.

The music grew more urgent.

Bamir’s expression changed as he said: “Not good! Let’s hurry back.”

Before Yaoying could ask why, with several splashing sounds, some young people grabbed water basins and, laughing heartily, threw water at the crowd. Being close by, a basin of cold water came straight at them, drenching several people.

The young people doubled over with laughter and continued splashing water.

Bamir’s face darkened as he moved to draw his sword.

Yaoying stopped him: “I’ve heard of the royal court’s customs. This is their blessing, it’s fine.”

The water-splashing ritual came from India, later spreading to the royal court along with Buddhism. The royal court’s Buddha-bathing ceremony, winter solstice, and other major festivals all included water-splashing rituals, with people playfully splashing water to bless each other.

Bamir bowed and stepped back, moving in front of her as they walked back.

After the singing and dancing came the people’s revelry. To the bright, resounding drum beats, water carts that had been prepared in advance drove into the main street. People swarmed forward, splashing water at each other. Under the sunlight, the water spray refracted into rainbow-colored beams.

Even though Yaoying’s group quickened their pace leaving the main street, they were still thoroughly splashed by passersby.

By the time they returned to the carriage, Yaoying’s clothes were soaked through, even her hair was wet, with water dripping from her sleeves, hem, and hair strands.

Bamir stood outside asking forgiveness.

Tanmoluojia’s brows furrowed slightly.

Yaoying removed her mask, laughing lightly, showing no sign of anger: “It’s fine, these are all blessings.”

Tanmoluojia looked at her wet face and handed her a handkerchief: “Dry yourself.”

Having read many Central Plains books, he knew the differences between there and the royal court. The royal court’s tribal and feudal systems were completely different from the Central Plains, as were their customs. She adapted very well to local ways.

Yaoying wiped her face and shivered. The weather had turned cool recently, and even in daylight, wet clothes clinging to one’s body felt cold.

Tanmoluojia’s gaze fell on her.

She huddled in the carriage corner, undoing her wet hair bun, and wringing it out. Her thick black hair hung down wet, spilling over her shoulders. Her thin clothes clung tightly to her skin when wet, like delicate spring flower petals just touched with rouge, both red and white, hazy. Her snow-white skin seemed about to show through the gauze – rounded shoulders, slightly swelling snow-white breasts, and slender soft waist, all faintly visible in the dim light.

Further down, one could even vaguely see her long legs. Her whole body gleamed with moisture.

Tanmoluojia immediately averted his gaze. He certainly hadn’t meant to look at her, but one glance had taken in everything.

In the narrow carriage, a faint fragrance drifted her presence everywhere.

Tanmoluojia put down the parchment, took up a thin blanket, and wrapped Yaoying completely in it, tucking it tight. “Don’t catch a cold.”

Yaoying clutched the blanket, and smiled at him, her cheeks like peach blossoms, slightly flushed pink.

Tanmoluojia withdrew his hand, closed his eyes, retreated to the other end of the carriage, turned his back, and lightly tapped the felt curtain, signaling Bamir to hurry back to the royal temple.

The carriage speed increased, traveled several li, then slowed again. Amid the noisy crowds around them, Bamir said from outside the curtain: “The road ahead is blocked. A delegation riding elephants is entering the city, half the street can’t move.”

Yaoying lifted a corner of the curtain to look out and indeed saw several elephants slowly walking down the main street.

She wondered which country’s delegation it was, to have such an elaborate entry ceremony.

Tanmoluojia handed out a bronze token.

Bamir took the token and went to find the imperial guard. Soon after, the carriage turned into an alley, proceeding smoothly without obstruction, and quickly reached the royal temple. However, instead of entering the temple gates, they went directly to the deep courtyard mansions outside the temple walls.

One of the mansions was Tanmoluojia’s residence, with secret passages leading to the royal temple and that hot spring. He had been recuperating here these past few days.

The carriage drove straight into the courtyard. Yaoying, wrapped in the blanket, got off the carriage – she needed to quickly wash up and change clothes.

The guards brought hot water, and she took a bath and changed into a long robe. Yuanjue came over carrying a bowl of medicine: “His Majesty says the Princess caught a chill today and should drink a bowl of medicinal soup. It has honey fruit in it, not bitter at all.”

A warm feeling flowed through her heart as Yaoying took the bowl and drank the medicine in one go.

She had the guards take the things she bought at the marketplace to Li Zhongqian, then walked into the room.

The temple master had urgent matters to report, so Tanmoluojia had gone to the royal temple.

Yaoying found a bronze vase, put in a flower about to bloom, and placed it beside Tanmoluojia’s desk. After looking at it for a while, she felt it wasn’t right and moved the vase to a corner, then thought again and moved it back.

After a while, she still took the vase away and placed it under the window ledge outside.

A guard came to report: “Princess, regarding your letter, some foreign envoys wish to see you. Xie Quan has brought them over.”

Yaoying read the letter, couldn’t believe it, both surprised and delighted: “Quickly invite the Master in!”

Unable to wait, she took the letter and hurried out to meet them.

Several men wearing turbans walked in led by the guards. The leader was elderly, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. Seeing her, a slight smile appeared on his face as he pressed his palms together in greeting.

Yaoying hurried forward, smiling as she returned the greeting: “Master, I trust you’ve been well?”

The man standing before her was none other than the monk Mengda Tipuo, whom she had met in Chang’an, reunited with the royal court, and then parted from.

Mengda Tipuo smiled: “The Princess looks ever more radiant.”

Yaoying smiled. Having long dealt with officials and nobles, Mengda Tipuo still hadn’t changed his habit of speaking pleasantries to everyone: “Master, why didn’t you tell me you’d come to the royal court? I could have had the merchant caravans assist you.”

Mengda Tipuo spoke slowly: “I left the royal court before because although water grass could suppress His Majesty’s condition, it couldn’t cure it completely. After returning to India, I traveled to various places, searching through medical texts. Though I haven’t found a cure for His Majesty’s symptoms, I’ve made some discoveries. That, combined with receiving the Princess’s letters, is why I’ve returned to treat His Majesty. As it happens, there was a delegation coming to the royal court from where I was traveling, so I journeyed with them, avoiding much trouble along the way.”

Yaoying had maintained correspondence with Mengda Tipuo, asking how to treat Tanmoluojia. She had guessed Mengda Tipuo returned for Tanmoluojia’s health but feared she was wrong. Now, with her guess confirmed, she was overjoyed, too excited to speak for a long while.

She sent someone to the royal temple with a message.

Soon, Bisuo, having heard the news, rushed over first, ecstatically leading Mengda Tipuo to see Tanmoluojia.

Tanmoluojia returned from the royal temple to the courtyard, and saw Mengda Tipuo, was startled for a moment, but showed no expression.

The inner chamber grew quiet, candlelight flickering.

After they gazed at each other for a moment, Mengda Tipuo first bowed to Tanmoluojia, checked his pulse, examined the pulse pattern, and frowned deeply, sighing heavily.

“Since we parted, I presume Your Majesty has continued to labor tirelessly, practicing the techniques…”

Bisuo sighed deeply and asked anxiously: “Do you have a cure?”

Mengda Tipuo shook his head: “I haven’t found one, but I’ve discovered several excellent remedies we can try.”

Hearing the first half, Bisuo was somewhat disappointed, but hearing there were remedies to try, his face showed hope again.

Tanmoluojia’s expression remained unchanged as he said lightly: “You’ve gone to much trouble, Master.”

Mengda Tipuo smiled and said humbly: “Your Majesty led the army to greatly defeat the northern barbarians, intimidating all directions, with various countries submitting. In these chaotic times, Your Majesty alone bears responsibility for the safety of hundreds of thousands of common people. If we could cure Your Majesty, it would ensure decades of peace and stability, benefiting countless lives. I dare not speak of trouble.”

Bisuo smiled from the side: “Master’s quarters have been cleaned. This time Master must stay longer.”

Mengda Tipuo smiled and said: “Whether or not the remedies are effective, I will stay long in the royal court.”

Bisuo was overjoyed, happily rubbing his hands together.

Tanmoluojia’s gaze swept across Mengda Tipuo’s face, then looked at the flickering candlelight. “Life and death are impermanent, all is empty, we cannot force things. Master, you said that since you couldn’t cure my condition, you wouldn’t return to the royal court.”

Though he and Mengda Tipuo had different philosophies, they respected each other and wouldn’t criticize each other’s ways. After fulfilling his promise, Mengda Tipuo set out for India, with no need to return.

Mengda Tipuo nodded: “Before leaving, I indeed felt I would never return to the royal court in this life.”

His pursuit of the Way was not in the royal court.

“Why did Master turn back?”

Mengda Tipuo looked at Tanmoluojia and answered: “For two people.”

Tanmoluojia raised his eyelids.

Bisuo looked bewildered, “Besides His Majesty, for whom?”

Wasn’t the Master here for Tanmoluojia?

Mengda Tipuo pressed his palms together and bowed, “Also for Princess Wenzhao.”

Tanmoluojia gazed at him, silent for a long while.

Mengda Tipuo took several letters from his sleeve, laid them on the long table, and spread them out. The writing on the envelopes was graceful and elegant.

Tanmoluojia lowered his eyes and picked up the letters.

The first letter was written a year ago; he recognized Yaoying’s handwriting.

In the letter, she wrote that her symptoms had worsened and asked Mengda Tipuo how to alleviate the suffering.

The symptoms described in the letter were all his symptoms.

He picked up another letter, written ten months ago, still asking about symptoms, this time more specifically.

At the time she didn’t know his cultivation technique was strange and mysterious, so she guessed and suspected he was using pills to stimulate his power and was suffering their backlash, asking many questions about pills. Her mother had gone mad because of Indian pills, so she feared he was taking too many.

Tanmoluojia continued reading.

In the next letter, she knew he had practiced Buddhist secret techniques, asking all about Indian secret methods, requesting Mengda Tipuo to inquire if anyone in India had practiced similar techniques and if there were any complete cures.

Tanmoluojia finished reading the last letter and closed his eyes briefly.

She had deceived him.

She had said after that farewell, she would never return, never write to him, never mention him again…

Yet she had written to Mengda Tipuo, discussing his condition with him.

Even though she had decided to have no more connection with him, she still silently cared about his health.

Although these letters were all written in her voice describing herself, without a single word about him or the royal court, Tanmoluojia knew they were all written for him.

Fearing the letters falling into others’ hands would expose his secret, she wrote obscurely – anyone who didn’t know the situation wouldn’t understand even if they intercepted the letters.

Mengda Tipuo traveled to various places, separated by great distances. She must have written several identical copies of these letters every so often to ensure they would eventually reach him.

The room was quiet for a long time.

Bisuo’s heart trembled, and he remained silent for a long while. He couldn’t read Chinese characters, but he could guess who had written the letters.

Mengda Tipuo spoke slowly: “Princess Wenzhao has shown me great kindness, our fates are connected. After I left the royal court, the Princess often wrote to me, inquiring about His Majesty’s condition, and even sent merchant caravans to India to seek famous physicians. Some of the excellent remedies I found were recommended by those physicians. The Princess has been constantly sending people to seek famous physicians from various countries.”

Tanmoluojia’s fingers tightened, gripping the letters.

…

Yaoying personally led people to check the quarters prepared for Mengda Tipuo, having some furnishings removed.

As she was giving instructions, a guard came to report: “Princess, there’s another letter, delivered by people who came with Master Mengda Tipuo.”

Yaoying took the letter, read it, and raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“I forgot to ask you, which country’s delegation did Master Mengda Tipuo travel with?”

“Princess, I believe it was called something like the Malu Kingdom.”

Yaoying put away the letter.

So the elephants she saw today were tributes from the Malu Kingdom. Mengda Tipuo traveling with them was quite a coincidence.

“Princess, the Malu envoy left a verbal message as well.”

“What did the envoy say?”

The guard coughed lightly and said softly: “The envoy said he hadn’t expected the Princess to succeed. The Princess helped him fulfill his wish, so he could also help the Princess succeed in the shortest time. Though his treasures were confiscated by the royal court, he still had many left and would share everything.”

Yaoying’s lips twitched.