Bore rode out of the Holy City, heading straight for Yunfu City. Halfway there, he happened to meet Princess Chima returning to the royal court.

On the dusty main road, at the front of the caravan was a young man with a high nose and deep-set eyes, tall and strong, mounted on a fine horse with a long sword at his waist. He wore a peacock-blue long robe with short sleeves made of brocade, knee-high boots, a short dagger on his belt, and a white cloak with gold patterns draped over his shoulders – the attire of a royal army general.

Bore rode up to meet him: “General Ashina!”

Ashina Bisuo recognized Bore and loosened his reins, his jade-green eyes flashing with concern: “Why have you left the king’s side?”

Bore urged his horse forward and said quietly, his voice choked with tears: “Master Monda Tipa says the king won’t last more than a few days!”

Ashina Bisuo lifted his head to look toward the royal court, tears glimmering in his eyes as his hands clenched into fists.

Bore wiped his eyes and took out Li Yaoying’s letter: “Now only finding water viper grass can save the king. This Wei Dynasty princess says there’s waterviper grass in her dowry. The Northern Rong’s Prince Haidu Aling seized her dowry. We must retrieve her dowry to find those medicines.”

He quickly explained the situation.

As they talked, the procession stopped. Princess Chima, with red hair and brown eyes, her face covered by a light veil, dismounted from her carriage with the help of her maids. She frowned slightly and asked: “Why are we stopping?”

Bisuo gestured for the maids to withdraw and told Princess Chima about the waterviper grass.

Bore scratched his head anxiously: “Princess, what should we do now? Should we try this Wei Princess’s method? The Master said that if it weren’t for the Wei Princess arranging his travel documents and generously providing him with horses and supplies, he couldn’t have crossed through all the blockades to reach the royal court. He says all this is Buddha’s arrangement.”

Though he was angry at Li Yaoying for defiling the Buddha’s son, at this critical moment, he would rather believe that everything was true as the legends said: the Buddha’s son was Ananda, and the Wei Princess was his Matangi woman, sent by Buddha to test him.

That would mean the Buddha’s son could still be saved – Ananda ultimately passed his test, so the Buddha’s son could too!

Yaoying’s letter was written in both Chinese characters and Turkic script. As a descendant of the Turkic royal family, Bisuo naturally could read Turkic.

He lowered his head to read the letter, frowning in contemplation.

Princess Chima coldly glanced at Bore and said angrily: “Luojia is the royal prince of the court, a noble Buddha’s son. How can he be involved with a lowly Han woman!”

Hearing this, Bisuo raised his head, his gaze slightly cold: “Luojia is gravely ill. Only the Anxi pills can temporarily ease his pain.”

Princess Chima sneered: “Over two hundred people of my Tanmo clan died at the hands of the Han people. The Han are enemies of the royal court. I wish I could eat their flesh and drink their blood! Luojia is the sovereign of the royal court – he won’t forget the blood debt!”

Bore remembered Tanmoluojia’s background and didn’t dare speak.

Bisuo’s expression remained unchanged as he turned his horse around: “Princess, do you know why Luojia had me escort you to Yunfu City?”

Princess Chima remained silent.

Bisuo tucked the letter into his robes and said slowly: “I am a knight of the central army. I should be by his side, but Luojia feared he couldn’t hold the royal court this time. Worried you would be humiliated by the Northern Rong, he sent me to escort you to Yunfu City until he established a covenant with the Northern Rong, then bring you back. With the covenant, whether he lives or dies, you will always be the princess of the Tanmo family. Even if the city falls, the Khan of Wakhan will treat you well.”

He paused for a moment and looked back at Princess Chima.

“Now Luojia’s life hangs by a thread, and only the Han princess’s medicine can save him. You only remember your hatred for the Han people – don’t you care about Luojia at all? You’ve seen how he’s suffered all these years.”

Princess Chima said nothing, her face as cold as frost beneath her veil.

Bisuo rode to the front of the formation and called his deputy commander, handing over his token: “Send people to escort the princess back to the city. Go gather troops and wait for my signal at Sand City. I will deliver this letter to the Northern Rong.”

He turned to his guards: “If the Northern Rong deny it, I will personally lead the central army to their camp to demand the Wei Princess’s dowry! The royal central army is forever loyal to the Buddha’s son!”

“Loyal to the Buddha’s son!”

Everyone responded loudly, their voices shaking the clouds.

Bore quickly caught up with Bisuo and asked: “Should we send someone to Gaochang to inform the Regent?”

The military and political power of the royal court was in the hands of Regent Su Dangu.

Bisuo’s form stiffened, and he sighed softly: “No need. Su Dangu isn’t in Gaochang… If he were here, he would make the same decision as me. The Buddha’s son has sacrificed so much for the royal court… I will bear all responsibility as long as we can save him.”

If the letter was fake, he was confident he could withdraw unscathed.

If what the letter said was true, he would risk his life to get the water viper grass back!

Bore agreed and said: “The Wei Princess said she would prepare a detailed list and have her attendant deliver it to the central army. If the Northern Rong tries to deny it, her attendant can identify the Northern Rong prince – she was imprisoned by the Northern Rong prince, and her attendant knows where those goods are hidden.”

Bisuo raised his eyebrows; he had been so focused on the water viper grass that he hadn’t thought of this.

“That Wei Princess is very clever.”

Bore curled his lip in contempt.

Bisuo dared not delay. Riding hard, within a few days he found the Khan of Wakhan’s camp. He charged into the Northern Rong camp alone and presented the letter.

The Khan of Wakhan had just left Sand City and was preparing to go to Western Prefecture. After reading the letter, he was very surprised.

When did Aling detain a Wei Dynasty princess?

Bisuo stood before Wakhan, neither humble nor arrogant, and said: “Have Haidu Aling come here to face me! The Wei Princess’s attendants are in Sand City – they can testify that Haidu Aling imprisoned our royal court’s guest for half a year! And seized the princess’s dowry! Our royal court has never mistreated Northern Rong merchant caravans. Even when our nations were at war, Northern Rong caravans could trade in the Holy City. Great Khan, please honor the covenant and return the princess’s dowry.”

Several princes happened to be in the tent and exchanged glances upon hearing this.

The young prince walked to Wakhan’s side and said softly: “Father Khan, Haidu Aling did indeed hide a stunning beauty in his camp not long ago. I heard people say that beauty was captured from the Central Plains – I didn’t expect her to be a princess.”

The Khan of Wakhan’s face darkened slightly.

The young prince gave a cold laugh: “Father Khan, don’t you see Haidu Aling’s wild ambitions? The one he hid wasn’t an ordinary beauty, but a legitimate princess of Wei, a guest of the royal court’s Buddha’s son! He concealed this from you for so long – his appetite isn’t small! Moreover, as a Northern Rong prince, he embezzled wealth! Is he planning rebellion?”

The Khan of Wakhan’s light brown eyes coldly glanced at his youngest son.

The young prince’s face turned pale.

The Khan of Wakhan withdrew his gaze, his eyes flickering twice before he quickly made a decision. He looked at Bisuo and laughed heartily: “As expected of Ashina’s descendant, truly valiant! This matter might be a misunderstanding.”

He then sent someone to summon Haidu Aling.

Soon after, Haidu Aling arrived. Seeing Bisuo with his golden hair and emerald eyes looking stern, Aling’s pale golden eyes narrowed slightly.

Wakhan asked pleasantly: “Wolf Slave, did you detain a Wei Dynasty princess?”

From the moment Li Yaoying was rescued by Tanmoluojia, Haidu Aling knew that woman wouldn’t let the matter rest. Seeing that Bisuo had come to their doorstep, he knew the matter couldn’t be hidden anymore. Without denying it, he asked flippantly: “Isn’t the Wei Princess with the Buddha’s son now? What, is the Buddha’s son going to antagonize the Northern Rong over a woman?”

The Khan of Wakhan’s expression remained normal as he said gently: “Wolf Slave, I have established a covenant with the royal court’s sovereign and sworn an oath not to harm their family members. The Wei Princess admires the royal court’s sovereign and has followed him from afar. You’ve seized her dowry, and now the royal court’s sovereign has sent someone to retrieve it – what do you think should be done?”

His expression was kind, with even a hint of a smile in his eyes, but everyone present understood what the Khan’s smile meant.

Everyone in the tent broke out in cold sweat.

Haidu Aling was seething with anger inside, but his face showed only respect. Without a moment’s hesitation, he complied: “I will return everything as counted.”

The Khan of Wakhan nodded, his face full of smiles, though a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes.

Haidu Aling looked toward Bisuo, suddenly changing tack: “May I ask in what capacity is the royal court’s sovereign requesting the Wei Princess’s dowry?”

Bisuo replied calmly: “The Wei Princess wishes to marry our king.”

Haidu Aling’s lips curled: “Oh, so your king plans to break his vows?”

Bisuo stood with his arms crossed: “The king is a monk and cannot marry the princess. The princess asks for nothing, willing to follow the example of the Matangi woman and practice under the king’s guidance. The king has agreed – this is Buddha’s test for him.”

Haidu Aling’s pupils suddenly contracted: Tanmoluojia had accepted Li Yaoying’s proposal from that day.

Letting Li Yaoying enter the temple to practice – wasn’t that just keeping a beauty by his side?!

Wasn’t he afraid the news would spread throughout the royal court and disturb people’s hearts?

Haidu Aling thought quickly: Back then, Khan Yelu had only glanced at Li Yaoying once before offering Liangzhou a betrothal. No amount of persuasion could change his mind. After seeing Li Yaoying, the Yelu tribe’s princes were so enthralled their eyes nearly fell out.

As for himself, he too had shown extra patience with her because of her beauty.

Could it be that Tanmoluojia had also been bewitched by Li Yaoying’s beauty?

He had indeed underestimated that woman. He thought bringing her eight thousand li away to the Western Regions would make her completely despair and finally submit obediently. He hadn’t expected her to know the Buddha’s son, and now even the Buddha’s son had fallen for her.

Haidu Aling laughed coldly in his heart.

All the more reason he must possess that woman.

Having received the Khan of Wakhan’s promise, Bisuo didn’t press further and took his leave.

As soon as his figure disappeared before the tent entrance, Haidu Aling immediately knelt before the Khan of Wakhan, his face full of shame: “When your nephew was in the Central Plains, seeing that Wei Princess was a rare beauty, I had her brought to my tent, intending to present her to the Great Khan. I didn’t expect she had connections with the Buddha’s son and escaped halfway. Your nephew was reckless at first and incompetent later – please punish me!”

Everyone in the tent rolled their eyes.

The Khan of Wakhan remained silent.

Haidu Aling knelt on the ground, motionless.

A silence thick as sinking water.

After a long while, the Khan of Wakhan rose and helped Haidu Aling up, saying earnestly: “Let it be, you were showing filial piety.”

Haidu Aling appeared deeply fearful: “Thank you for your understanding, Great Khan!”

The Khan of Wakhan patted his shoulder and smiled, “Over the years, the Western Regions have presented countless beauties and treasures, but the Buddha’s son has never been moved. Now he makes such a fuss over a woman’s dowry – it seems your eye for beauty is good. That Wei Princess must indeed be extraordinary.”

Haidu Aling’s brows trembled slightly as he sneered: “She is a national beauty, Heaven’s perfection.”

The Khan of Wakhan nodded: “Wolf Slave, regardless of where that beauty came from, or whether you’re unwilling to give her up, now that she’s become the Buddha’s son’s woman, it will surely damage his reputation. This can only benefit our Northern Rong.”

Haidu Aling lowered his head, his handsome face clouded with darkness: “Your nephew understands. Not only should I not prevent the royal court from standing up for that woman, but I should spread this news far and wide. Better let everyone know that the pure Buddha’s son is willing to sink into desire for a Han woman.”

The Khan of Wakhan nodded with satisfaction.

The father and sons, uncle and nephews gathered in the tent to discuss matters for a while before Haidu Aling took his leave.

The young prince immediately jumped up: “Father Khan! Haidu Aling speaks nothing but lies! He concealed the Wei Princess’s identity because he didn’t want to give up the beauty! Father Khan is the most valiant man in the world – the most beautiful woman should be sent to your bed. Haidu Aling hiding away a beauty shows disrespect to you!”

The Khan of Wakhan lifted his eyelids and berated him angrily: “You are the Divine Wolf’s son with the Divine Wolf’s blood! How can you act like an ignorant woman, stirring up discord before your father?”

The young prince snorted lightly and sheepishly closed his mouth.

The Khan of Wakhan looked around, glancing at his trusted aide standing by the tent entrance.

The aide said softly: “Prince Haidu Aling went straight back to his tent without stopping anywhere.”

The Khan of Wakhan nodded slightly.

The young prince finally understood and broke out in cold sweat.

The Khan of Wakhan looked at his youngest son and shook his head: “You’re too naive, no match for Wolf Slave. Wolf Slave was raised by wolves – they taught him to hunt, and I taught him to lead armies in battle. Now he is still young, rash, and proud. When he truly matures, he will surely replace me.”

The young prince stuck out his neck: “I am also a child taught by Father Khan!”

The Khan of Wakhan rolled his eyes heavenward.

He was a fierce alpha wolf who had expanded the pack, raised a group of sons, and led his people to unite the grasslands. He felt he was still strong enough to continue conquering.

However, the young wolves could no longer wait. They all wanted to challenge him, the alpha wolf, to become the new alpha.

The strong rule.

His sons were also wolves, but unfortunately, they were too foolish. They were destined to die at the hands of Haidu Aling, who wanted to become the alpha.

The Khan of Wakhan didn’t mind Haidu Aling’s challenge, but he couldn’t tolerate Haidu Aling’s hidden agenda.

The Wei Princess’s letter had warned him – how great were Haidu Aling’s ambitions, secretly annexing Helong and Beimo, hoarding weapons and horses, keeping private slaves?

The Khan of Wakhan pondered for a long time.

He had to guard against this young wolf raised by wolves.

Today he forced Haidu Aling to return the Wei Princess’s dowry. This created a deadly feud between Haidu Aling and the royal court’s Buddha’s son. If Haidu Aling truly rebelled in the future, his weak and useless sons could flee to the royal court for shelter.

The Khan of Wakhan sighed inwardly. In his life, the person he was most wary of was Tanmoluojia, the person he most wanted to defeat was him, and the person he trusted most… was also him.

The Buddha’s son was a true gentleman who would not harm his subjects.

…

After leaving the great tent, Bisuo immediately sent someone to Sand City with the news.

The guards had already arrived at Sand City. Upon hearing the news, they took the inventory list written by Yaoying to the camp to check the dowry. The deputy commander of the central army dispatched two hundred men to escort them.

When Haidu Aling saw the inventory list produced by the guards, his narrow golden eyes coldly watched them. His lips curled as he turned and left.

Bisuo led people to escort the dowry.

After leaving the camp, the guards immediately found the boxes of medicine and presented them to Bisuo.

Bisuo took the medicine, mounted the fastest horse, and rushed back to the Holy City.

…

Yaoying and the remaining guards were still confined, though they had been moved to a more spacious and bright room.

Monda Tipa had prescribed medicine for Xie Qing, and she received proper care. Her wounds finally began to heal slowly, and her complexion improved day by day.

Yaoying counted the days, thinking Bore should have obtained the water viper grass by now, wondering if Tanmoluojia had improved.

This day, while she was learning Sanskrit from the young novice monk who guarded her, the Master’s disciple suddenly hurried into the courtyard, asking her to quickly pack her things and hide in Monda Tipa’s courtyard for a few days.

“Why?”

The disciple’s voice trembled: “Princess, just come with me. These are the Master’s instructions.”