Yao Ying felt like her entire body was on fire.

Tanmoluojia’s reaction was far more intense than she had imagined.

Near her ear came his suppressed, heavy, and irregular breathing. Her nose was filled with the faint scent of his body. His muscles were firm and alarmingly hot. His shoulders were tense and hard, sweat rolled down his bare back, and his body trembled.

As their body temperature rose, the tent suddenly became stuffy. The flickering candlelight cast upon the two tightly embracing figures, creating a hazy amber glow.

It was hot.

Every part of Tanmoluojia’s body was hot.

The breath he cast on Yao Ying’s ear and neck was lingering and scalding.

The strong arms confining her were powerful, solid, and burning.

The surrounding air seemed to be on fire as well—scorching and thin—making it difficult for her to breathe.

Yao Ying, relying on her status as a laywoman, though inexperienced herself, had at least heard much about such matters, while Tanmoluojia was a celibate monk who understood little about these things. She had originally planned to tease him but gradually found herself unable to laugh. Her muscles and bones softened considerably, fine beads of sweat appeared on her face, and her hands trembled.

When she instinctively withdrew, Tanmoluojia unconsciously let out an unbearable low moan, immediately following by pressing himself against her body. His sweat-drenched forehead rested against the side of her neck, and his hot breath brushed past her earlobe, mingling with hers.

“Ming Yuenu…”

A whisper filled with pain, urgency, and restraint escaped his lips, which usually recited scriptures with devotion. The veins on his neck bulged, his breath was domineering and sharp, and his blood surged like a wild horse breaking free from its reins. He trembled against her, his arms holding her tighter and tighter.

Yao Ying opened her eyes and secretly glanced at him.

Tanmoluojia held her in his arms. His eyes, usually without joy or sorrow and without the slightest ripple, were now tinged with desire. His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze confused, restrained, struggling. His face was wet, soaked with sweat, his facial features becoming more distinct and clean-cut. The masculine scent mixed with the cool agarwood fragrance, stirred one’s heartstrings.

…

…

…

Being looked at by him this way, a numbness rose from the deepest part of her heart. Yao Ying couldn’t help but shudder her face flushed red. She could no longer summon the heart to tease or joke with him, so she closed her eyes.

Tanmoluojia’s body shuddered, his eyes staring unblinkingly at her, who was just inches away.

She leaned against his bare shoulder, not daring to look up. The ribbon in her hair had come loose, and her black hair was disheveled in his embrace. Her eyes were tightly closed, her cheeks flushed red like peach blossoms. Several strands of sweat-dampened hair clung to her cheeks, and her moist lips were pressed tightly together, not daring to make the slightest sound.

In the Pool of Three Lives, a lotus flower was just beginning to bloom, swaying gently, appearing unable to bear the burden of overwhelming emotion.

The flower was gorgeous and voluptuous.

He gazed at the seductive petals, evil thoughts overflowing, continuously sinking deeper.

From desire comes worry, from worry comes fear; if one departs from desire, what worry and what fear?

He could not depart from it.

Since he could not depart from it, he acknowledged his desire, wanting to become one with her, wanting to seek from her the purest bliss in this world.

…

In her hazy state of mind, Yao Ying had completely forgotten everything she had seen in Princess Manda’s book. In her dazed consciousness, she heard a low, hoarse groan near her ear.

She remained motionless, completely stunned.

Tanmoluojia trembled several times, his arms tightening around her. He buried his head in her lush thick hair, his breath hot and moist.

It was quite a while before his breathing calmed down. His arms loosened slightly as he panted, kissing her neck and temple with small, delicate kisses, his brows tightly furrowed.

Yao Ying’s heart was pounding. With a swift movement, she lay down with her back to him, pulled the brocade quilt over herself, covering her entire face, not even exposing her eyes. She curled up into a ball, her eyes tightly shut.

Reading about it in books was one thing, experiencing it personally was another.

Her entire body was burning hot; she felt like a little lamb on a roasting rack, about to smoke.

Tanmoluojia came back to his senses from his passion and stared at his empty embrace, startled for a moment.

Yao Ying remained rigid, not daring to move, even her breathing was kept light. The candle in the room flickered, and there was no sound.

Soon, a pair of large hands reached under the brocade quilt gripped her shoulders, and turned her entire body over, making her face him.

Yao Ying’s gaze darted around, as if fixed to the felt carpet, refusing to look up.

“I’m sorry.”

A hoarse whisper came from above her head.

Yao Ying was stunned for a moment, then raised her eyelids.

Tanmoluojia sat before her, the desire not yet faded from his face, the corners of his eyes slightly red. His bare body was covered in sweat, gleaming with a honey-colored sheen in the candlelight. His eyes were dark, his expression guilty.

She had not wanted to touch him earlier, but he could not control himself and forced her to continue.

Yao Ying gazed blankly at Tanmoluojia, her lips curling up bit by bit. She sat up wrapped in the brocade quilt and said softly, “I’m not angry.”

She just couldn’t react in time.

Tanmoluojia remained silent, his slightly reddened eyes fixed on her delicate hands.

Yao Ying instinctively hid her hands under the quilt, straightened up, and planted a soft kiss on Tanmoluojia’s face.

“I’m really not angry…” her face slightly flushed, her bright eyes flickering with a smile, her voice gentle, “You are my lover, I like being close to you.”

A wave of heat rolled through Tanmoluojia’s body. He closed his eyes for a moment, then reached into the brocade quilt, caught Yao Ying’s hidden hand, took a clean cloth, moved the copper basin over, and wiped her fingers.

Yao Ying’s face burned, and at this moment she couldn’t summon any desire to tease him.

After washing her hands, she prepared to lie down to sleep, when suddenly her palm grew warm.

Yao Ying’s heart fluttered.

Tanmoluojia held her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her palm, the pads of her fingers, her fingertips, kissing each finger one by one, his eyelashes quivering, his expression devout.

He kissed her entire hand, then his gaze fell on her wrist.

Her wrist was bare.

Tanmoluojia frowned slightly, rolled up Yao Ying’s sleeve, and ran his fingers along her skin, feeling for the string of prayer beads he had given her, which she had always hidden under her clothes. He took it off and put it back on her wrist, winding it around slowly, one circle at a time, as if performing a very serious ritual.

Yao Ying looked at him without speaking.

The moonlight-like prayer beads wrapped around her wrist, each bead lustrous, further highlighting her wrist’s snow-white appearance.

Tanmoluojia helped her put on the prayer beads, kissed her fingers, and looked up: “Wear them like this from now on, don’t hide them anymore.”

Yao Ying’s mind exploded with emotion, filled with tenderness that threatened to overflow. She hooked her arm around Tanmoluojia’s neck, pulled him down, and kissed his forehead.

Tanmoluojia’s breath deepened, and then he suddenly released her, helped her lie down, and covered her with the brocade quilt.

Yao Ying was startled, her gaze sweeping over his waist. Her eyes widened in surprise.

He seemed to be aroused again.

She reached out her hand.

Tanmoluojia’s breath caught, and he quickly pressed down her restless hand. His face was calm and composed, but his breathing was somewhat erratic: “It’s getting late, go to sleep early.”

As he spoke, he put on his inner garment and lay down beside Yao Ying, closing his eyes.

Yao Ying rolled her eyes, turned over, and just as her hand extended from beneath the quilt, Tanmoluojia’s hand came over and grasped hers.

“I’m better now…” he dared not look at her smiling eyes, keeping his eyes closed as he recited scriptures, then sighed, his voice deep and low, “Be good, sleep.”

He had nearly lost control earlier. If it happened again, he would take her right there tonight, and she couldn’t handle it.

Yao Ying heard the fatigue in his voice and stopped teasing him. She placed her hand on his arm and closed her eyes to sleep.

Hearing her breathing become long and even, Tanmoluojia opened his eyes, gripped the hand she had placed on him, looked at it for a long time, then swallowed and gently placed it back under the brocade quilt.

The candles had long gone out, and the light in the tent was dim.

He gazed at her serene sleeping face in the darkness, composing himself. He reached out to gently caress her face, his finger brushing over her delicate eyebrows, her rosy cheeks, lingering on her soft lips for a while, then involuntarily leaning in to kiss her.

In her dream, Yao Ying felt something press against her and swatted at it.

Smack!

Tanmoluojia’s arm took the hit, bringing him back to his senses. He retreated, and looked at her, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.

Her temper was fiercest when she was asleep.

…

The light reflecting on the felt curtain grew brighter and brighter.

When Yao Ying woke up, the space beside her was empty; Tanmoluojia had already risen and gone out. She didn’t know when he had fallen asleep last night. When she had half-awoken, he wasn’t beside her.

The maidservant entered the tent, bringing hot water and new clothes, and attending to her washing. A fire basin burned in the tent, making it warm and cozy.

Yao Ying’s entire body ached. Last night, when Tanmoluojia had held her tightly, although he had been very restrained, her arms, shoulders, and waist still had several places that were pinched red. After bathing and changing clothes, she felt refreshed.

The maidservant brought in a large dining table. On the table, gilded plates, bowls, cups, and dishes were stacked layer upon layer, piled high. Lamb, beef, venison, butter, maqiao rice, millet porridge, meat and vegetable nang bread, a plate of pomegranates, a plate of almonds, a plate of smoked grapes, a plate of honey, and also plates of various pastries and sweets—it was a dazzling array.

Yao Ying was shocked. Tanmoluojia’s usual meal consisted of just a plate of mutton and a small dish of vegetable nang bread. Why had so much been prepared for today’s breakfast? Everything else aside, pomegranates and honey were rare at this time of year.

“I can’t finish all this. Take it away and distribute it to others to eat.”

“This was ordered by the King two days ago.”

The maidservant said, bowing to Yao Ying, then withdrew.

Yao Ying was puzzled. She only ate the nang bread and millet porridge, not touching anything else, then left the tent and headed toward the Western Army’s encampment.

Along the way, people of the royal court who saw her, whether servants, commoners, soldiers, or officials, all stopped what they were doing, placed their left fists on their chests, and respectfully bowed to her.

Yao Ying’s confusion deepened. After finishing her business, she called for Yuan Jue.

Before Yuan Jue had even approached, he first bowed respectfully and said with a smile: “This humble one pays respects to the Queen.”

Yao Ying was stunned; this was no small shock.

“What Queen?”

Yuan Jue raised his head, his expression even more bewildered than hers: “The Queen is you, Princess.”

Yao Ying smiled and said, “It hasn’t been announced to the world yet, and we haven’t exchanged national letters. Don’t call me that; just call me Princess as before.”

Yuan Jue scratched his scalp, “Queen, the King took you to participate in the ceremony yesterday, which was the announcement of establishing the Queen. The day before yesterday, the King instructed that starting today, someone would be arranged to bring you breakfast every day. Everyone in the royal court knows…”

Just accompanying him at the ceremony yesterday was announcing it to the world? And he had arranged for meals to be sent before the ceremony?

Yao Ying frowned slightly and asked, “What’s special about this morning’s breakfast?”

Yuan Jue’s face reddened slightly and said, “According to the royal court’s customs… that’s the meal prepared for a bride… starting from yesterday’s ceremony, the same meals will be provided every day for the next three months…”

Yao Ying’s mouth twitched.

No wonder this morning’s breakfast was so rich, piled so high the table could barely hold it all.

“Queen, the customs of the royal court are different from those of the Central Plains. In the royal court, if a young man wants to marry a girl, as long as the girl is willing, the man brings people to snatch the girl back to his home, and they are considered married. During these months, he must bring out the best things to entertain the new bride. After a few months…”

Yuan Jue suddenly stopped, coughed twice, then continued, “The groom takes the bride to visit her parents’ home, and the ceremony is considered complete. At the ceremony, the Princess and the King accepted the court officials’ homage together. In the eyes of our royal court people, you are already our Queen.”

Yao Ying remembered now that bride-snatching was popular in the royal court.

Between tribes, the practice of bride-snatching was in effect. If a groom wanted to marry a daughter from another family, they would meet privately, snatch the daughter back home to live together, and after some time, bring the bride to pay respects to her family. Usually, both families would approve the marriage before the wedding.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

After yesterday’s ceremony, in the eyes of the royal court people, was she considered a bride “snatched” by Tanmoluojia?

Yao Ying returned to the main tent. Tanmoluojia had already returned and was sitting in the tent reviewing state letters. Dressed in brocade, sitting upright, from behind he still looked like a monk studying scriptures.

She tiptoed behind him, bent down, avoided his wound, and placed her slender arms on his shoulders. “Luojia, Yuan Jue says the royal court people already consider me the Queen.”

Tanmoluojia continued writing, his expression calm: “The Princess is my Queen.”

Yao Ying smiled, “Didn’t you say we weren’t married yet…”

This was what he had said last night.

Tanmoluojia’s hand paused. He put down his brush and turned his head to look into Yao Ying’s eyes.

“Last night… for me, the Princess is already my wife. When the state letters are delivered, the royal court will formally hold the ceremony.”

He spoke softly, his expression solemn.

Yao Ying was stunned at first, somewhat wanting to laugh, but seeing how serious he was, she didn’t dare laugh out loud and just smiled as she embraced him. In his view, her helping him last night meant he had to take responsibility, and she was now his wife.

She planted two kisses on his cheek and head, straightened up, and was about to walk away when her wrist was caught. He pulled her into his arms, her forehead felt warm, and his lips slid down bit by bit, entwining with hers.

Footsteps sounded outside the tent, and Bisuo was reporting from outside.

Tanmoluojia released Yao Ying, watching her figure disappear behind the felt curtain, his gaze continuing to linger in the direction she had gone.

Bisuo entered the tent, coughed once, and said, “King, everything has been arranged properly. Prince Jinbo is responsible for gathering those Northern Rong prisoners, various tribes have begun to withdraw back to their settlements, Mobiduo has returned to the military department, and troops stationed in various locations have also begun to return to their posts…”

He reported several matters and then took out a parchment letter.

Tanmoluojia took the parchment, read the letter, his expression unchanged, and said, “If there are any unexpected situations, proceed according to my instructions.”

Bisuo sighed deeply, saluted, and responded affirmatively, hesitating, his expression conflicted.

Tanmoluojia lowered his head and continued reviewing documents.

Bisuo thought for a moment but still didn’t speak, and withdrew from the main tent.

A guard from the Princess’s former mansion approached and asked softly, “General, what did the King say?”

Bisuo shook his head: “I didn’t tell the King. There’s no need to bother him with such small matters.”

“But what about the Princess’s posthumous title?”

Bisuo gazed into the distance.

Princess Chima was dead, killed amid battle.

He had long known this would be the outcome, but after all, she was his sister, so he had sent people to inquire about her whereabouts and found her corpse.

“Death is like a lamp extinguished. No matter how many evil deeds Chima committed, she was still a princess of the royal court and should be given some dignity. But she colluded with noble families, causing chaos in the court, and when the Northern Rong army surrounded the city, she fled with her guards, abandoning the city… For such a princess, how can I persuade Luojia to give her a posthumous title?”

Luojia was merciful. If he begged hard enough, perhaps Luojia would agree to preserve Chima’s title, but could the common people accept it? Bore, Ari, and other guards who died were given the title of loyal and righteous, enshrined in the temple, and praised by the people. Chima and other noble families who fled with their private armies had committed grave sins, were abhorred by the people, and should be punished accordingly. Only by clearly distinguishing rewards and punishments could the hearts of the people be appeased. He shouldn’t trouble Luojia over his matters.

Bisuo exhaled and said.

The guard lowered his head.

Bisuo walked away, saying indifferently, “She always said she was a daughter of the Tanmo family. Bury her beside her mother.”

The guard acknowledged.

…

At the same time, in the Western Army camp, light cavalry brought a letter sent from the distant Central Plains.

“A letter for Ming Yuenu? Who sent it?”

Li Zhongqian took the letter, looked at the handwriting on the envelope, and frowned slightly.