Li Zhongqian tore open the letter and scanned it rapidly, his expression suddenly changing as fury blazed in his phoenix eyes.

The guards waiting outside the tent heard the crash of an overturned brazier and rushed inside. They found burning coals scattered everywhere in disarray. Li Zhongqian stood before the black lacquered desk that had been split in two, sword in hand, eyes bulging with rage, appearing completely deranged. They were terrified.

“My lord? What has happened?”

Li Zhongqian was consumed by fury, his face contorted, chest heaving violently. Looking at the scattered documents on the ground, he waved for his guards to leave.

For an entire day, he did not step foot outside his tent.

In the afternoon, a guard nervously brought in some food, only to discover that the naan bread and meat soup delivered at noon remained untouched. The tent was deathly quiet. Li Zhongqian sat before his desk, staring at the letters scattered on the ground, not uttering a word, his expression dark and menacing.

As night fell, Li Zhongqian’s voice finally emerged from the tent.

The guard hurriedly entered.

“Do not let Seventh Lady know about today’s events.”

Li Zhongqian gazed at the sword in his hand, its bright blade reflecting his blood-red phoenix eyes. “Whoever dares breathe a word to her about this need never appear before me again.”

His voice was hoarse, his tone terrifyingly cold.

The guard’s heart trembled as he quietly wiped away his sweat and acknowledged the order.

Li Zhongqian’s face remained dark.

The next day, he handed a letter to Yaoying.

“I recognize Du Sinan’s handwriting. Why would he write to you? Have you been corresponding with him all along?”

Yaoying’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly glanced at the envelope, saw the seal was intact, and quietly sighed in relief before saying: “Du Sinan comes from humble origins. To establish himself in court, he had to use certain methods. I helped him several times, so he occasionally wrote to tell me about the situation in Chang’an. Brother, do you remember that divine physician who treated my illness at Chibi? Du Sinan is from Southern Chu, so I asked him to help me find that physician.”

“For Tanmoluojia’s health?”

Yaoying nodded.

She had not only sent people to seek physicians in Tianzhu but also to Central Plains. Now these people were successively arriving in the Holy City, and Mondatipo and the others who had been sent away early by Tanmoluojia would soon return.

Li Zhongqian didn’t ask anything more, saying: “Stay here with Tanmoluojia. Gaochang sent a letter – some Northern Rong remnants are causing trouble in Shazhou. Yang Qian hasn’t returned with his troops yet, and Damo needs to guard Gaochang, so I must hurry back. I’ll depart tomorrow.”

Yaoying responded with a simple “Alright” and added, “Brother, please be careful.”

After he left, she rushed to the lamp to read the letter.

Moments later, Yaoying closed her eyes briefly and threw the letter into the brazier.

The flames leaped up, quickly reducing the letter to ashes.

Li Zhongqian returned to the main camp to dispatch men and horses, sending light cavalry ahead. Just as he prepared to depart, a guard reported: “My lord, the King requests your presence in the main tent for a discussion.”

He went to the main tent, but before he could speak, Tanmoluojia said: “Would the Duke of Wei consider delaying his return to Gaochang?”

Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain, clearly having already decided for him.

Li Zhongqian’s thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, his face displeased: “I have urgent matters in Gaochang.”

Tanmoluojia looked at him, suddenly wrinkled his brow tightly, and let out a muffled groan before coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood.

Li Zhongqian’s eyes widened as he stood up.

Yuanjue, standing nearby, immediately and skillfully offered hot water and clothes. Tanmoluojia’s face had a slight greenish tinge as he took the cloth and wiped away the blood from his lips as if nothing had happened.

Yuanjue withdrew.

Li Zhongqian’s heart sank as he sat back down on the felt mat: “How many times has this happened? Is this happening every day? Have you been hiding this from Mingyuenu?”

Judging from his guard’s reaction, this was not the first time Tanmoluojia had suddenly coughed up blood.

Tanmoluojia nodded, his jade-green eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, his expression calm. “It happens almost every night.”

Li Zhongqian’s frown deepened, leaving him speechless for a long while.

“When did this start?”

Tanmoluojia spoke flatly: “It’s been like this for over half a month now.”

Li Zhongqian froze, his face filled with shock.

He had hidden it for so many days, concealed it so thoroughly! None of them knew Tanmoluojia had already started coughing up blood – they thought he could still hold on for some time!

Tanmoluojia met his astonished gaze, his eyes calm and detached.

This time, forcibly consuming large amounts of pills was like drinking poison to quench thirst. Since the time of defending the city, his blood had been periodically rushing to his heart. He didn’t want Yaoying to worry constantly, so he hadn’t told her. If these were to be his final days, he hoped to leave her only with happy memories.

“Duke of Wei, I have arranged everything. The physicians will return to the Holy City soon. I don’t know how long I can hold on, and if anything unexpected happens…”

Tanmoluojia paused before continuing: “I hope at that time, the Duke can stay by the Princess’s side and take her back to Central Plains immediately.”

He wanted to live, but necessary arrangements had to be made. The edict had been issued, the throne could be succeeded by others, and the royal court would not fall into chaos in the short term. Bisuo and Mobituo would implement reforms according to his edicts, and the various tribes promised to be loyal to the Queen… His only concern was Yaoying. Even with everything else properly arranged, he still couldn’t rest easy.

Li Zhongqian was stunned for a moment before understanding, deeply moved.

Tanmoluojia was making final arrangements. After the great battle, he had returned to secular life, held grand ceremonies, proposed marriage, and sent Yaoying the Queen’s crown – because he feared running out of time, he had planned everything, waiting for things to settle down to complete them all at once.

No wonder Yaoying would love this monk.

Li Zhongqian pondered for a while, his expression becoming grave before he sighed and nodded.

He had a point – if anything happened to the monk, he would need to take Yaoying away from this heartbreaking place quickly.

Other matters could wait.

Li Zhongqian sent his trusted subordinates ahead with some troops back to Gaochang while he stayed behind. When Yaoying asked, he made excuses, saying the few rebellious remnants only numbered a few hundred men and didn’t require his attention.

The various tribes and stationed troops left the Holy City one after another. The citizens and imperial guards cleared several long streets and began building houses. Shrewd merchants arrived with carts full of timber, grain, and cloth. Officials designated an area outside the city for merchants and citizens to trade freely. Following Tanmoluojia’s orders, no taxes were collected, and when merchants from various regions heard this news, they came in droves.

The commercial roads rang with camel bells, streams of people flowed constantly, and pipa music swirled through the air. Even on snowy days, the temporary marketplace outside the city was packed with people, and the merchants’ stalls lined up in neat rows.

Inside and outside the city, every day presented a bustling scene of activity.

During this time, Yaoying sent people daily to welcome Mondatipo and the others who were still on their way. Tanmoluojia had taken too many pills this time and could collapse at any moment. In front of him, she acted as if nothing was wrong, but day and night her heart hung in suspense. She would suddenly feel anxious and disturbed, only finding peace after sending someone to check on him every little while.

Tanmoluojia, however, acted as if nothing was wrong, accompanying her to browse the marketplace after finishing his daily duties.

This time he no longer waited in the carriage for her but walked with her into the bustling marketplace. He no longer wore monk’s robes; when going out, he dressed in the court’s narrow-sleeved brocade robes, wore a headscarf, and carried a long sword, appearing distinguished and valiant. When the common people recognized him, they still bowed with joined palms as before, devout and respectful.

One day, as their carriage was leaving the marketplace, a bold woman in the crowd called out loudly: “When will the King and Queen hold their wedding ceremony?”

After a moment of silence following this cry, the crowd surged forward with smiles, and questions coming from all directions.

“The King and Queen are a match made in heaven, a destiny cultivated through several lifetimes!”

“We all want to give gifts to the King!”

“King, don’t be too frugal, the wedding must be grand…”

Yaoying listened to the calls from beyond the carriage curtain and looked up at Tanmoluojia.

He smiled slightly and bent down to kiss the top of her head.

Soon after, the guards reported that the physician, Mondatipo, and other famous doctors from various places had all arrived at the Holy City.

As soon as Yaoying received the news, she immediately had Bisuo and Mobituo take over the court’s political and military affairs. The two respectfully agreed.

This was Mondatipo’s third visit to the Holy City, and seeing the once-magnificent palace reduced to ruins, he sighed deeply. After briefly exchanging greetings at the bottom of the long stairs, they entered the hall to check Tanmoluojia’s pulse.

Yaoying sat to the side, her expression tense, eyes unblinking as she carefully observed their facial expressions.

The physician first took his pulse, frowning deeply, saying nothing.

Mondatipo stepped forward, and also furrowed his brow, showing a thoughtful expression.

Several physicians took turns checking his pulse before retreating to the outer hall to discuss in low voices.

Yaoying’s heart was anxious, and she couldn’t help but crane her neck to look outside. Suddenly, she felt warmth on the back of her hand.

Tanmoluojia held her hand as sunlight filtered through the window lattice. His deep, beautiful brows and eyes were suffused with a faint golden glow, his lips curved in a slight smile.

“Mingyuenu, don’t be afraid. I have no regrets in this life.”

With all the physicians here, he could no longer hide it from her.

He sat serenely in the pale golden light, like a Buddha transcending the mortal world.

Yaoying’s calm composure shattered instantly as if her heart had been viciously carved out, the pain was intense.

For days she had deliberately avoided thinking about it, mentioning it, or asking about it, but what was meant to come would still come.

“Don’t say such things. You haven’t accompanied me back to Central Plains yet. I want to show you where I grew up.”

She forced a smile, but her eyes slowly reddened.

Tanmoluojia held her in his embrace, his forehead against hers, raising his hand to brush away the tears that sparkled on her eyelashes, letting out a soft sigh.

He didn’t want to make her sad or upset; he wanted to make her laugh, wanted to accompany her to watch flowers bloom and fall.

If that wasn’t possible, then let her forget him early, and when her hair turned white, surrounded by children and grandchildren, living a life full of joy, occasionally remembering him, remembering his name – that would be enough.

The felt curtain swayed gently as the physician bowed and entered the hall. Seeing the two of them, he sighed, a trace of sympathy crossing his face.

Tanmoluojia released Yaoying, his sleeve floating lightly: “Tell us truthfully.”

The physician collected himself and said: “Your Majesty, we have discussed it. Your pulse is truly strange. You have never had such a floating pulse before – it may be due to the excessive amount of pills you forcibly consumed this time, which is why your pulse is different from before. Now your body can no longer withstand the martial arts technique. If you don’t disperse the power, in ten days, you will certainly die from your body exploding.”

Yaoying’s face turned pale.

She had long guessed the physician would say this – Tanmoluojia had only been able to hold on until now through sheer willpower… but hearing the physician speak the deadline still made her head buzz, pain welling up.

“What about after dispersing the power?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

The physician shook his head: “Dispersing the power… the chances are slim.”

Dispersing the power might kill him immediately; not dispersing it meant certain death in ten days.

The brazier in the hall burned brightly, but Yaoying felt cold, a chill rising from the deepest part of her heart, her entire body feeling as if submerged in ice water. Her heart sank, sinking deeper and deeper.

The inner hall fell silent except for the crackling sound of burning charcoal.

Tanmoluojia waved his hand, gesturing for the physician to leave, then lifted Yaoying’s chin. “I’ve decided to disperse the power. Wait for me to emerge from seclusion.”

He couldn’t speak sweet words or determine his own life or death. He only had this one sentence.

Wait for me.

I want to live.