Yao Ying told Yuan Jue she was going to the silk shop to meet the envoy from the Malu Kingdom. She knew the Malu envoy was coming, but hadn’t known the exact date or who would be sent. From the messenger’s words, it seemed the person might be an old acquaintance.
In the shop, the Hu merchants were entertaining distinguished guests. In the second-floor private room, various types of cloth were displayed on poles – tie-dyed fabrics, light gauze, Shu brocade with patterns of medallions, flowering branches, iridescent colors, lotus flowers, coiled dragons, cranes with lingzhi mushrooms, and swastika patterns with double happiness motifs. The colors were rich and brilliant, the patterns bold and clear. Placed by the window, when sunlight shone through, the room was filled with dazzling colors and golden light.
The distinguished guest held a piece of thin gauze, mesmerized by its beauty, exclaiming in admiration: “Han craftsmen are truly ingenious. The birds, insects, and beasts on this fine gauze and brocade look almost alive, and the landscapes and pavilions seem to be right before one’s eyes. How much do these silks cost?”
Yao Ying, surrounded by her guards, stepped forward and replied: “If Princess Manda likes them, they are all gifts for the princess.”
The woman sitting by the window turned around, revealing a face of incomparable beauty. She wore thin gauze wrapped around her body, with gold-threaded colored silk draped over her shoulders, and jewels and precious stones adorning her hair. Her arms and wrists were decorated with strings of carved gold bracelets inlaid with jade, and her gray-green eyes gleamed amber in the sunlight.
She studied Yao Ying for a moment, then curved her lips: “Princess, I am no longer the princess of Vilomarola.”
Yao Ying smiled, having already asked her guards downstairs: “Then how should I address the princess?”
Princess Manda smiled warmly and rose to exchange greetings with Yao Ying.
“Thanks to your blessing, Princess, I am now the royal consort of Malu Kingdom.”
As these words left her mouth, years of bitterness and humiliation welled up in Princess Manda’s heart.
…
Though she held the title of princess, being the daughter of a dancing girl meant her status was low. The queen had raised her like a dancer, training her to serve with her beauty. Initially, she had tried to seduce the Buddha’s Son with her charms, hoping to escape Vilomarola’s control, but he remained unmoved. Angered, she then approached Princess Wenzhao, hoping to use the princess to achieve her goals, but was firmly rejected.
Princess Manda had fled the royal court in disgrace.
Before she left the city, Princess Wenzhao had found her and proposed a deal.
The princess would help her realize her ambitions, and in return, she would help the princess establish trade between the Malu Kingdom and the Western Regions states, protecting Wei Dynasty merchant caravans. The two women allied, each taking what they needed.
At first, Princess Manda had suspected Princess Wenzhao was mocking her, but having nowhere else to go and not wanting to return to Vilomarola to face humiliation, she had agreed to the princess’s proposal, willing to give it a try.
She went to Malu Kingdom.
That day, the merchants had reminded Princess Manda to change into the robes and skirts Yao Ying had given her. When she appeared outside Malu Kingdom’s city wrapped in gauze, the kingdom’s officials were dumbfounded.
“A divine maiden has appeared in the mortal world!”
The Malu Kingdom was just a small oasis nation, and news quickly reached the king’s ears. The king was overjoyed and ordered golden carpets to be laid on the ground, personally going out to welcome Princess Manda.
The caravan leader had smiled slightly at the confused Princess Manda, “Princess Wenzhao arranged everything. The king has already seen your beautiful dance in paintings and has long admired you. Princess, when you return to the palace, you can dance for the king.”
The king of the Malu Kingdom was obsessed with dance. After seeing those paintings of Princess Manda dancing that the merchant caravan had brought, he thought of her day and night, lamenting that the beauty in the paintings was a divine maiden that mortals had no chance of meeting.
At this time, the caravan had arranged for a wizard to advise the king that if he prayed sincerely, he would move the spirits, and the divine maiden of his dreams would descend to the mortal world.
When everything was properly prepared, the caravan appeared with Princess Manda.
The king was ecstatic.
After hearing the merchants explain all their arrangements, Princess Manda’s blood boiled with excitement: The Buddha’s Son of the royal court was stone-hearted, just an unfeeling block of wood, a stone Buddha statue, a mountain of ice that would never melt. Malu Kingdom was where she could truly display her talents!
She danced once in the Malu Kingdom palace, enchanting everyone from the king to the noble officials. Combined with Yao Ying’s arrangements and her reputation as a “divine maiden,” she quickly became the king’s favored consort.
Though the Malu Kingdom was small, it was supported by a powerful empire whose emperor greatly favored the king of Malu.
She had thus escaped the control of Vilomarola’s queen.
…
Princess Manda returned to the present, her gaze sweeping around the room filled with luxurious goods.
Princess Wenzhao sat before her, even more beautiful and spirited than before, carrying herself with natural dignity and authority when commanding her guards.
When she arrived in the Malu Kingdom, the trade routes from the Central Plains to the Western Regions were still under Northern Rong’s control. Even then, Princess Wenzhao had been preparing for the future opening of trade routes. After she had captured the heart of Malu’s king and the Western Region states were restored, shrewd merchants quickly gathered in the Malu Kingdom—it was the essential passage connecting the eastern and western trade routes.
Princess Manda was still amazed whenever she thought about this.
She had only wanted support for herself, while Princess Wenzhao had sought a prosperous trade route spanning tens of thousands of li, connecting hundreds of large and small states, benefiting countless people.
Their desires had been so different, yet the princess had been willing to cooperate with someone like her.
Princess Manda smiled self-mockingly and pulled back her wandering thoughts, signaling to her attendant with her eyes.
The attendant brought out the state letter.
Yao Ying’s guard stepped forward to receive it and passed it to her. She opened the Chinese version and read it carefully.
Princess Manda continued selecting silks, saying with a smile: “Princess need not read it, the document contains only empty words about trade and exchanging envoys. I’ve accomplished what the princess wanted. Tax for Wei Dynasty merchant caravans passing through the Malu Kingdom will be reduced by one-tenth, and the Malu Kingdom will ensure their safety within our borders. Regarding the matter of printing books that the princess mentioned before, the king agreed and issued an edict to collect ancient books. However, the princess must send trusted merchant caravans to transport those books, as various countries strictly control book trade and don’t allow merchants to buy or sell books privately.”
Yao Ying finished reading the document, handed it to her guard to keep, and nodded, saying: “The royal consort keeps her promises, though I hadn’t expected you would come personally.”
She had maintained correspondence with Princess Manda, who had only mentioned in her last letter that she would send an embassy to deliver the state letter.
Princess Manda gave a light snort, “How could I convince the princess of my sincerity without coming in person? Besides, I have a favor to ask of the princess, which requires a personal visit.”
“What favor?”
Yao Ying asked, her tone neutral, suggesting that whatever it was, if she could do it, she wouldn’t refuse.
Given her current position, she indeed had such confidence.
Princess Manda looked at Yao Ying, who was several years younger than herself, secretly admiring her. Cooperating with someone like Princess Wenzhao was truly like adding wings to a tiger for herself.
When the trade routes prospered in the future, Malu Kingdom could profit from them, and her close relationship with the princess would give her more authority in front of Malu Kingdom’s officials.
With such a powerful ally, she needed to maintain good relations and keep this as a backup plan.
“Do you still have those gauzes woven with pictures?”
Princess Manda draped the gauze over her shoulders and walked to the shop’s mirror, posing coquettishly, “They should be even more beautiful than those you previously sent to Malu Kingdom.”
Yao Ying raised an eyebrow, “That would require first drawing the patterns, then waiting for the embroiderers to weave them. Going back and forth, it might take half a year.”
“I can wait.” Princess Manda turned back, throwing a flirtatious glance at Yao Ying, “Now the king of Malu Kingdom is infatuated with me, he won’t tire of me for several years.”
The king loved to dance, and she was confident that with her dancing skills and the survival techniques she’d developed over the years, she could maintain her position in the Malu Kingdom.
Yao Ying calculated the days and said: “In five months, the merchant caravan will deliver the items to Malu Kingdom.”
Princess Manda’s lips curved upward.
“The princess is indeed decisive…”
She paused, then suddenly changed the subject: “Princess, you’re at the royal court and could help me fulfill my wishes in the Malu Kingdom, so how is it that you haven’t captured the Buddha’s Son yet? After a year passed, you left so pitifully? Where did all your tactics go? Princess, you dared to step into the burning altar, how did you fail?”
Yao Ying was drinking tea and nearly choked on these words.
Princess Manda shook her head, speaking as if disappointed in a student: “This time I came to the royal court in person, not only to thank the princess face-to-face and ask for some painted gauze but also to help the princess fulfill her wish!”
As she spoke, she clapped her hands twice.
Her attendants stepped forward with boxes and opened the lids.
She casually picked up a scroll, unrolled it, and pointed at the pictures of men and women embracing and being intimate in various positions, “Princess, I have many more such treasures. I specially sent people back to Vilomarola to search for more precious books and images and brought them all to the royal court. Princess, you only need to follow my instructions, use a little strategy, and you’ll surely be able to share clouds and rain with the Buddha’s Son.”
Yao Ying glanced around.
The blushing guards and Hu merchants withdrew.
Princess Manda flipped through the scroll with rustling sounds: “Princess, I can see that the Buddha’s Son has feelings for you. Once a man develops feelings, he will surely develop other thoughts. Light another fire, and you can succeed.”
“Find an opportunity to send others away, wear gauze skirts, take these scrolls to consult the Buddha’s Son, and remember to act as if you don’t understand anything…”
Princess Manda smiled with deep meaning.
Princess Wenzhao’s face was as beautiful as a flower in bloom, her figure delicate and graceful. Her glances carried both innocent vivacity and charm – just one turn of her eyes conveyed an indescribable allure. When she stood there, others could see only her.
“When the Buddha’s Son shows a reaction, Princess should move closer and ask, ‘Master, why won’t you look at me?'”
“If the Buddha’s Son doesn’t answer, Princess should take his hand and place it on yourself…”
“Master, touch me…”
Yao Ying’s eyelid twitched slightly as she stopped Princess Manda, whose words were becoming increasingly vulgar. “I appreciate the royal consort’s good intentions, but please keep these treasures for yourself.”
Princess Manda put down the scroll: “Princess fulfilled my wishes, I also want to do something for you.”
Yao Ying smiled and shook her head: “In our alliance, the royal consort need only protect the merchant caravans.”
Princess Manda’s eyes rolled thoughtfully: “Princess, with your beauty and those illusion techniques, you don’t need my teaching. If you just put your mind to it, the Buddha’s Son would long since have become your devoted servant… Does the princess have some concerns?”
If those rumors about Princess Wenzhao seducing the Buddha’s Son were true, she couldn’t believe he could resist touching the princess!
Yao Ying smiled slightly.
Tanmoluojia was the ruler of the royal court, with too heavy a burden on his shoulders. Whatever he chose, she wouldn’t force him. What she cared most about now was whether Mondattiva could cure him.
“Does the royal consort have any other matters?”
She asked.
Seeing her unmoved, Princess Manda narrowed her eyes and had to end the topic of seducing the Buddha’s Son. “I heard the princess is seeking medical treatment. I asked the physician, but he wouldn’t say – has he failed to cure the princess’s illness?”
Yao Ying replied indifferently: “Old ailments are hard to cure.”
“This time the physician came to the royal court with me. On the way, he often discussed prescriptions with Mondattiva. If the princess needs to instruct him, just send someone with a message.”
Yao Ying thanked Princess Manda.
Princess Manda appeared thoughtful, “I’ve heard before about the symptoms that Mondattiva and the physician were discussing.”
Yao Ying raised her eyelids.
Princess Manda said: “I know a secret method we could try. This method is only passed down in Vilomarola. As a temple maiden, I’ve seen it. If Mondattiva’s prescription doesn’t work, Princess could try this secret method of mine.”
Yao Ying was skeptical: “What secret method?”
Princess Manda clapped her hands, called her attendant, found several beautifully made books, and handed them to Yao Ying.
“These are secret methods I stole from the temple. I’m grateful to the princess, that’s why I’m telling you this secret.”
Yao Ying opened the books, looked for just a moment, and then quickly closed them.
Princess Manda’s expression was serious: “I’m not joking with the princess. These are secret methods I stole from the temple. The temple monks used these techniques to practice. Princess must keep them.”
Yao Ying’s lips twisted.
Princess Manda remembered something else and said: “Oh right, about Haidou Aling of the Northern Rong that the princess asked me to watch for – he didn’t pass through the Malu Kingdom. I heard from the king that he might have fled to Samarkand.”
Yao Ying came to her senses, her brows furrowing.
The Wakhan Khan had once sent people to establish themselves in Samarkand. Haidou Aling must have fled there to seek help.
…
Meanwhile.
Bisuo led Mondattiva to rest, and Tanmoluojia returned to the courtyard.
Yao Ying’s guards weren’t there.
He stood before the corridor, slightly frowning.
Yuan Jue said: “Your Majesty, the princess went to meet the Malu Kingdom envoy. The princess has restored diplomatic relations between Wei Dynasty and Malu Kingdom on Wei’s behalf.”
Tanmoluojia’s expression was calm, “Did Bamir go with her?”
He had heard about the Malu Kingdom embassy from Mondattiva.
“Yes.”
Tanmoluojia turned to enter the room, his gaze sweeping across the small table beside the long desk, pausing briefly.
In the bronze vase on the small table was a half-bloomed snow lotus.
He rarely had flowers displayed in his room.
Yuan Jue hurriedly apologized: “Your Majesty, this flower was brought back by the princess. I was afraid it would wilt in the sun outside, so I moved it inside first…”
As he spoke, he picked up the bronze vase, intending to move the flower out.
“No need to move it.”
Tanmoluojia suddenly said.
Yuan Jue froze, scratched his head, and put the bronze vase back.
Tanmoluojia sat down, took out the letter from his sleeve, and put it away, then raised his eyes to look at the snow lotus in the bronze vase, lost in thought for a while.
When she returned, she had asked her guards to keep something for her, hiding it as if not wanting him to see. He hadn’t looked closely.
So it was a flower.
When she was walking through the market, young men kept offering her flowers, but she hadn’t accepted a single one.
Tanmoluojia raised his hand, his fingertip lightly touching the snow lotus petal.
It was slightly cold.
When Yao Ying returned, it was already midnight.
The room was lit, and Tanmoluojia was still awake. Mondattiva had come personally to apply medicine for him.
Yao Ying sat to one side watching, her brows slightly furrowed with worry. After Mondattiva left, she immediately went forward to tuck the blanket around Tanmoluojia.
“Master, do you feel better?”
She asked softly.
Tanmoluojia looked at her and nodded: “Better. Princess should retire early.”
Yao Ying showed a slight smile. After he closed his eyes, she rose to leave and stood in the corridor talking with Mondattiva.
Tanmoluojia was exhausted. When he awoke from his sleep, he found she hadn’t returned to her room. Just as he was about to get up, there was a creaking sound as the door was pushed open. She tiptoed into the room, lit a lamp, and busied herself with something in the outer room, making rustling sounds.
He lay back down and waited a while. She returned to the inner room and slept on the partition bed.
The next morning, when Mondattiva was applying medicine for Tanmoluojia, his expression was somewhat strange.
Tanmoluojia asked: “What did the princess discuss with you yesterday?”
Mondattiva thought for a moment and answered truthfully: “The princess asked me whether the dual cultivation methods circulating in some sects in India were real, or just others’ exaggerations and fabrications.”
Bisuo beside them widened his eyes, but before he could speak, Tanmoluojia had already turned to look at him, his gaze severe and cold.
Bisuo broke out in a cold sweat, shaking his head like a rattling drum: “Your Majesty, I never mentioned this matter to the princess!”
Previously, Indian monks had suggested this method of strengthening the body to Tanmoluojia, even presenting several sutras, saying that if he followed the methods described and practiced with young maidens, his ailments would be cured and his life extended. Tanmoluojia had ignored it.
After Yao Ying returned to the royal court, Bisuo remembered that monk’s suggestion and had obliquely mentioned it, but was firmly rejected by Tanmoluojia. How would he dare mention it to the princess?
Tanmoluojia’s expression was grave as he called for Yuan Jue.
“Where is the princess?”
“The princess went to the guest house. Today the Malu Kingdom royal consort is hosting a banquet for Duke Wei and the princess…”
Tanmoluojia’s gaze deepened.
“When the princess returns, tell her to come see me immediately.”
Until dark, Yao Ying hadn’t returned to the courtyard. Yuan Jue lit the lamps and lanterns everywhere and kept watch in the corridor for over two hours, dozing against the flower wall, when suddenly he heard the sound of carriages and horses and quickly roused himself.
Shadows moved in the corridor as the guards escorted Yao Ying back. She wore a cloak with a hood, her face hidden within it, her features unclear.
Yuan Jue went forward to meet her: “Princess, His Majesty is waiting for you.”
Yao Ying’s steps were unsteady as she gave a soft sound of acknowledgment, gestured for her guards to disperse, and returned to the inner room.
Tanmoluojia sat reading Buddhist scriptures by lamplight. He had already heard the sounds outside, and put down the scripture in his hands and raised his head: “Princess…”
Before he could finish speaking, a delicate fragrance drifted in, a subtle sweet scent entering his lungs.
Yao Ying collapsed into a seat before the long desk, took off her cloak, and raised her face to look at him. As her hood fell back, her eyes were moist. “Why hasn’t Master gone to sleep?”
In the candlelight, her slightly flushed face carried a faint rosy hue, her lips moist.
Tanmoluojia remained silent for a long while.