A deathly stillness fell over the scene.

The room’s candlelight flickered.

Li Zhongqian met the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, advancing step by unsteady step.

The Imperial Guards hesitated, unsure whether to block his path, all looking toward Li De at the main banquet table.

Li De, slightly tipsy with a reddened face, set down his wine cup. Eyes narrowed, he gazed at the pale-faced Li Zhongqian without saying a word.

The Imperial Guards exchanged glances, and remained in place, hands gripping their sword hilts as they watched Li Zhongqian warily.

The assembled civil and military officials looked at each other uncertainly.

Prime Minister Zheng pondered for a moment, sighed, and rose from his seat. Carrying a gilded silver wine vessel, he approached Li Zhongqian.

Wearing a smile, he poured a cup of wine and offered it to Li Zhongqian, speaking in a low voice: “Princess Wenzhao served the country well. Sadly, heaven envied her beauty. This cup of wine should be drunk by you, her brother. Zhongqian, before Princess Wenzhao left the palace, you were her greatest concern.”

The last words were deeply meaningful, spoken from his heart.

Princess Wenzhao was dead. She had traded her marriage for her mother and brother’s peaceful future. If Li Zhongqian acted foolishly now, wouldn’t the princess’s sacrifice be in vain?

But Li Zhongqian showed no gratitude. He raised his eyes, cold light flickering in his phoenix gaze, glancing at Prime Minister Zheng as if looking at a dead man.

Prime Minister Zheng felt his hair stand on end.

Li Zhongqian walked past him, stumbling toward Li Xuanzhen’s seat.

Li Xuanzhen raised his head to meet his gaze, motionless.

The brothers both had phoenix eyes. As their gazes met, one was numb, the other gloomy.

The Eastern Palace officials jumped up, blocking Li Zhongqian: “Duke of Wei, your seat is not here.”

Li Xuanzhen waved for the officials to withdraw.

The officials exchanged worried glances.

Li Xuanzhen’s face turned cold as he commanded sharply: “Withdraw!”

The officials had no choice but to step back.

Li Zhongqian’s face twitched several times before he struck out at Li Xuanzhen.

Cries of alarm rose from all sides as the Imperial Guards rushed forward.

With a crash, Li Zhongqian’s fist grazed past Li Xuanzhen, but his momentum carried him forward until he collapsed onto the felt mat.

The Imperial Guards stood frozen, while the crowd rose in surprise, watching Li Zhongqian struggle to stand, shaking their heads and sighing, their gazes filled with regret and sympathy.

They had all just witnessed it – Li Xuanzhen hadn’t even tried to dodge. At such close range, Li Zhongqian not only failed to hurt Li Xuanzhen but fell himself. It seemed Li Zhongqian truly was crippled – this was the same Li Zhongqian who had once been renowned for his fierce attacks and never backing down from battle!

The Eastern Palace officials stepped forward again.

Li Xuanzhen swept them a warning glance.

The crowd clenched their fists, gritting their teeth as they withdrew.

Li Zhongqian struggled to his feet and lunged at Li Xuanzhen again, throwing another punch.

This punch carried little force, but Li Xuanzhen still didn’t dodge, his head barely turning from the impact. Li Zhongqian continued swinging his fists while Li Xuanzhen remained motionless, the blows falling like raindrops on his face and body.

Li De had been watching the brothers’ interaction. Seeing this, he frowned slightly and signaled the Imperial Guards to separate them.

The Imperial Guards pulled the brothers apart. With his martial arts gone, Li Zhongqian was easily dragged from his seat. Li Xuanzhen’s face showed no bruising at all.

The crowd sighed: Li Zhongqian was only disgracing himself.

“Your Majesty!” Li Zhongqian suddenly shouted from where he’d been dragged, “When the Xie and Li families allied years ago, what did you promise my uncle?”

Silence fell over the hall.

The civil and military officials inwardly groaned, wanting to withdraw but not daring to speak. They could only lower their heads, pretending not to hear Li Zhongqian’s questioning.

Li De stood up, his face dark.

Li Zhongqian laughed coldly, his voice hoarse and sharp: “When Your Majesty married my mother, Empress Tang burst into the wedding hall. My uncle wanted to take my mother away. At that time, what did Your Majesty say to my mother?”

At these words, the officials in the hall lowered their heads even further.

Only Li Xuanzhen raised his head.

Li Zhongqian looked at Li Xuanzhen, a mocking smile on his lips: “In front of Empress Tang, Your Majesty told my mother eight words: ‘The alliance is sealed, never to be betrayed.'”

Those eight words made Xie Manyuan believe Li De truly loved her.

Li Xuanzhen’s pupils contracted sharply as he stood and walked to Li Zhongqian: “Say that again.”

The Imperial Guards, intimidated by his presence, released Li Zhongqian.

Li Zhongqian fell to the ground, laughing coldly. Meeting Li Xuanzhen’s gaze, he enunciated each word: “The alliance is sealed, never to be betrayed.”

Li Xuanzhen’s arm muscles tensed, anger surging in his expression. He turned to look at Li De, his gaze sharp as a knife, stepping forward to charge.

The officials immediately grabbed Li Xuanzhen’s arms, preventing his outburst.

Li De coldly watched Li Zhongqian, saying nothing. His graying temples glinted coldly in the candlelight as he made a gesture.

The officials in the hall had been waiting for just such a sign. They quickly rose and hurriedly withdrew.

Li Xuanzhen tried to charge into the inner hall, but the officials dared not release him. Several of them restrained him together, urging him to stay calm as they dragged him away.

The Imperial Guards drew their swords and stood before Li De, guarding against Li Xuanzhen, while others stepped forward to grab Li Zhongqian and drag him before Li De.

Li De looked down at Li Zhongqian, speaking calmly: “Wenzhao is dead. You must carry on the Xie family line. Don’t let your sister’s death be in vain.”

His voice remained as rational and composed as ever, without a ripple of emotion.

Li Zhongqian collapsed on the ground. Hearing this, he raised his head, his hair disheveled from the earlier struggle, face twisted.

Prime Minister Zheng was withdrawing from the inner hall with the others when his gaze fell through the candlelight onto Li Zhongqian, kneeling with hands pressed to his shoulders. Suddenly remembering that cold look from earlier, his heart trembled violently. He stopped and shouted: “Your Majesty—”

The warning came too late.

Everything changed in an instant.

Li Zhongqian suddenly sprang up from the ground, lunging at Li De with lightning speed and overwhelming force. How could this be someone whose martial arts were gone?

Everyone had believed his martial arts were lost and had been guarding against Li Xuanzhen instead, dropping their vigilance. Li Xuanzhen was too far away and restrained by officials, unable to move. The other civil and military officials, not wanting to involve themselves in the emperor’s family affairs, had wisely fled without a trace.

In the inner hall, besides the father and sons, only the Imperial Guards and attendants remained.

Li De felt his wrist seized as tremendous force made him stagger. An ice-cold hand gripped his throat.

In that split second, the nearest guards reacted, bringing their swords down with overwhelming force.

Li Zhongqian remained calm, pushing Li De forward to meet the blades, taking several cuts. His flesh split open, blood spraying forth.

He seemed completely immune to pain, facing the storm of swords and blades, bathed in blood, both hands continuing to grip Li De’s throat.

The guards dared not strike killing blows. In their panic, their swords nearly cut Li De’s arm. Hesitating at this, and seeing Li Zhongqian’s state, they were horrified. Their attack faltered, and everyone stopped moving.

Silence fell over both the inner and outer halls.

Everyone stood frozen, cold creeping through their bodies.

No one had imagined Li Zhongqian had come alone to Linde Hall to attempt assassination!

Though he had been adopted out, he was still Li De’s son! Could he be attempting patricide?

The inner hall was full of skilled Imperial Guards, and the outer hall ringed with layers of guards. Alone, he could not escape even with wings. How dare he defy heaven’s law by attempting to kill both father and emperor?!

Everyone was shocked beyond words.

The Imperial Guards from both halls surrounded them in layers, as Li Zhongqian’s fingers tightened slightly, making Li De’s face contort in pain.

Li Zhongqian looked at the approaching guards, his eyes red as if they could drip blood: “What now? Do you want to watch His Majesty’s blood spill here?”

No one had ever seen Li Zhongqian so crazed. Their scalps tingling, they dared not move.

“Zhongqian!”

“Duke of Wei!”

“Prince Qin!”

“Second Young Master!”

The officials who had been withdrawing from the inner hall ran back in, hearts frozen with fear, screaming hysterically, “Don’t be rash! Release His Majesty quickly! He’s your father!”

Li Zhongqian laughed coldly: “Father? He’s not worthy!”

Everyone was frantically anxious, looking toward Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen.

Li Xuanzhen stood to the side, his face showing neither anger nor panic, only indifference.

The crowd was at their wits’ end, turning to glare at Li Zhongqian. Some cursed him outright, others tried to reason with him.

Li Zhongqian seemed not to hear.

“Duke of Wei!” A young voice called out as Zheng Jing rushed into the inner hall, “Duke of Wei, think of Empress Xie! The Empress only has you, her son, to rely on! Do you want Princess Wenzhao to be restless in her grave?”

Li Zhongqian laughed coldly: “When the nest falls, no eggs stay intact. Rather than live on in confusion, better to die with clarity.”

The blood drained from Zheng Jing’s face.

Footsteps thundered as archers poured into the inner hall from all directions, filling every corner, countless arrows aimed at Li Zhongqian.

Li Zhongqian gripped Li De’s throat tightly: “Uncle taught me to serve you as my sovereign, to not disregard the bigger picture, to not dwell on personal gains and losses, to pursue what benefits the realm… I tried my best. I didn’t fight or grab for power. I went to battle and killed enemies. I expanded Great Wei’s territories. I only wanted to take good care of my mother and sister, but you allowed Li Xuanzhen to pressure me relentlessly.”

Li Zhongqian’s pupils dilated, “Father and son, ruler, and subject – this flesh and blood you gave me. If you want to kill me, then do it. I’ve long wished to die… but why did you have to harm Mingyue Nu? Why? What did she do wrong?! When she was sent away, she was only fourteen!”

“Fourteen! She needed medicine from childhood. I couldn’t bear to let her suffer even a little hardship. I only wanted her to marry a good husband, and then cut ties with me so she wouldn’t be implicated by me anymore… I only wanted her to live in peace and happiness… but you wouldn’t even spare her! You wouldn’t even spare her!”

No one answered.

Zheng Jing stared at Li Zhongqian’s blood-red eyes as an icy chill ran from his feet up his spine. He collapsed to the ground, staring in shock: “You’re mad! You’re mad! Li Zhongqian, you’re mad!”

When he had seen Li Zhongqian descend from the carriage, he had suspected the man was deliberately appearing weak, biding his time. He hadn’t exposed this, and when reporting to his superiors had even exaggerated Li Zhongqian’s condition. But he never imagined Li Zhongqian’s goal wasn’t to blend in quietly – he only wanted one final, deadly strike. He had completely lost his reason and no longer cared about anything!

“Second Young Master, you’ve truly gone mad!”

Li Zhongqian’s lips curved upward, his phoenix eyes slanting askew, appearing ghostlike: “Yes, I am mad.”

He should have gone mad from the moment the entire Xie family was destroyed. His father only had Li Xuanzhen in his heart; his uncle died; his mother went insane and couldn’t recognize him. He lost everything overnight, kneeling in the memorial hall, refusing food and drink.

His uncle was a hero, but heroes were always betrayed and forgotten. His heart was lost, not knowing where his path led.

Three-year-old Yaoying would cling to him all day, keeping him company as he maintained the vigil for Xie Wuliang. She couldn’t walk then, staying by his side daily, wanting him to hold her. She was small and chubby, nestling in his arms, pulling out a flatbread and feeding it to his lips: “Brother, eat.”

Li Zhongqian looked down at his sister curled against his chest and the bread in her hand. Tears fell as he ate the flatbread through his tears.

Yaoying brought back his sanity, giving him a reason to live. They relied on each other to survive, and only then did he avoid becoming truly mad.

Now, his Little Seven was gone.

She had resolved the crisis, making a deal with Li Xuanzhen to save him.

Little Seven was timid, lazy, and delicate, always acting coquettish with him. While he was unconscious, she bore everything alone. She went to the Yelu tribe, married a sixty-year-old chieftain, and died at the hands of the Northern Rong…

When the Chief Secretary tearfully told him the truth, it was like taking a rusty knife and carving his flesh piece by piece.

Li Zhongqian hurt.

His heart and liver had been carved out. His entire body, from skin to organs, from limbs to bones, everything ached.

Was Yaoying scared? She was so delicate, so far from the Central Plains… he didn’t dare to imagine how much she must have suffered!

Li Zhongqian had once thought that if he died, his mother and Yaoying would be safe.

But with Little Seven’s companionship, he couldn’t bear to die!

He wanted to take good care of her, watch her grow up, see her married. His Little Seven deserved the best in this world.

Little Seven was gone.

No one could stop him from going mad now.

Li Zhongqian’s eyes grew increasingly red.

Zheng Jing shouted hoarsely: “Duke of Wei! You inherited the Xie family name! If you make a mistake today, it will become an eternal regret! The Xie family’s century of reputation will be destroyed by your hands! Where does this leave Great Wei? Where does this leave the common people?”

Li Zhongqian smiled mockingly.

“The common people? The empire? What do they matter to me?”

He stood in the airtight circle of soldiers, expressionless.

“My Little Seven is gone. I care for nothing else.”

He wasn’t his uncle, nor was he Yaoying. He didn’t want to care about others’ lives or deaths, he only wanted to take good care of his sister.

Li Zhongqian laughed coldly, his grip tightening.

“What does it matter if all of Great Wei becomes Mingyue Nu’s funeral offering?”

Hearing these words, Prime Minister Zheng knew Li Zhongqian had completely lost his mind. He gestured to the Imperial Guards and slowly closed his eyes, his expression pained.

As the archers drew their bows, ready to lose thousands of arrows, the Imperial Guards saw Li Zhongqian had no weapons. Seizing the moment, they rushed him all at once.

Shouts and cries erupted in chaos.

The archers, fearing to hit others, quickly retreated.

Prime Minister Zheng rushed to Li De’s side, finding him unconscious from strangulation, his eyes rolled back, unknown if dead or alive. The Prime Minister’s whole body trembled.

With the Crown Prince in shock and the Duke of Wei attempting patricide, if His Majesty were to pass away now, Great Wei would surely fall into chaos!

The officials stood by, their hearts burning with anxiety.

The imperial physicians hurried over to examine Li De’s injuries, striking his chest several times. Li De made choking sounds in his throat before slowly regaining consciousness, his gaze gradually clearing as he sat up supported by the Imperial Guards.

Everyone was still shaken, kneeling to kowtow, shouting “Long live the Emperor!” Some wept with joy, sobbing loudly.

Li De’s face was dark as water. After weathering so many storms, he had nearly fallen into this small ditch.

He hadn’t expected Li Zhongqian, even in such an injured state, would dare to attack him publicly.

The incident happened and ended in an instant. The lower-ranking officials outside the hall hadn’t yet realized what occurred, and some ministers who had just left the hall didn’t have time to inquire before it was over.

Several imperial physicians were ordered to examine Li Zhongqian again. After a quiet discussion, they reported to Li De: Li Zhongqian’s martial arts were indeed gone.

His earlier display wasn’t entirely an act.

The ministers remained silent.

In recent years, many had tried to assassinate Li De, but none had managed to harm him. Yet Li Zhongqian, stripped of his martial arts, dared to attempt assassination in such a desperate manner!

He knew he would fail, yet still risked death to try. That sudden burst of power wasn’t from deliberately hiding his strength, but from expending all his potential in an instant – he was fighting to the death!

After all, Princess Wenzhao was his blood sister!

Prime Minister Zheng sighed deeply, his eyes signaling the Imperial Guards to quickly take Li Zhongqian away.

Other ministers’ reproachful gazes fell on him: the Duke of Wei dared attempt regicide, yet he still wanted to protect him.

Prime Minister Zheng looked toward the crowd, silently mouthing two names.

Xie Wuliang, Li Yaoying.

For the Xie family, for Princess Wenzhao, let Li Zhongqian keep his life.

Everyone fell silent, averting their eyes, tacitly consenting to his subtle move.

Their gazes fell on Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen.

Li Xuanzhen stood to the side, maintaining an uninvolved expression throughout as if he cared nothing for Li De’s life or death.

Everyone sighed silently, each lost in their thoughts.

…

Li De didn’t deal with Li Zhongqian immediately.

Li Zhongqian was taken away by the Imperial Guards and thrown into the court prison.

Two days later, Zheng Jing came to see him: “Many court officials have pleaded for you.”

The entire Xie family had died heroically, Princess Wenzhao had perished, and Li Zhongqian had fought for Great Wei north and south before losing his martial arts. The officials urged Li De to show mercy, saying he had lost control temporarily because of his sister’s death – it was understandable.

The Eastern Palace was unusually quiet this time, not taking the opportunity to kick him while he was down.

Zheng Jing sent away the jailer and asked what was on his mind: “Second Young Master, did you intend to assassinate His Majesty then?”

He couldn’t even lift his golden hammers anymore and had been searched before entering the palace banquet, carrying no weapons. How did he dare make such a move? If the archers had loosed their arrows, he would have become a sieve in an instant! Besides, Li De was skilled in martial arts – one movement would have broken free from his grip.

Li Zhongqian lay on the hay pile, his face expressionless: “If I had succeeded, we would have died together.”

His tone was flat, showing no concern for the enormous changes his success would have brought.

Zheng Jing drew in a sharp breath – Li Zhongqian truly had intended patricide!

He remained silent for a while before saying: “But you failed.”

Li Zhongqian laughed coldly: “Third Brother, did you think if I truly laid low, they would spare me?”

Zheng Jing’s eyes flickered.

Royal families were most ruthless.

Princess Wenzhao was dead. Li De knew Li Zhongqian couldn’t let go of his hatred. Whether he lay dormant or went mad like the other night, Li De wouldn’t leave such a threat alive. Rulers were suspicious by nature – Li De would eliminate all obstacles to Li Xuanzhen at any cost, to prevent instability when Li Xuanzhen ascended the throne.

Li Zhongqian clearly understood Li De’s ruthlessness, just as Li De knew his character. If he truly had laid low, Li De wouldn’t have lowered his guard – instead, he would have become even more vigilant and eliminated him immediately.

Li Xuanzhen was indeed a man of his word, not rushing to harm him, but Li De was uneasy and urgently summoned him back to the capital to test him.

So he might as well make one desperate attempt.

The worst outcome would only be losing his life.

He had nothing left to lose now.

Zheng Jing sighed softly: “You’ve already tried once, don’t harbor such thoughts again. His Majesty dares to let you return to the capital because he’s not afraid of another assassination attempt. Princess Wenzhao’s memorial hall was just recently built – His Majesty won’t dare take your life for now… Second Young Master, what are your plans now?”

This risk would put Li De’s mind at ease about Li Zhongqian – an impulsive prince was easier to deal with than one with deep schemes, though he still couldn’t be careless.

Li Zhongqian gazed at the damp brick walls of his cell: “Third Brother, prepare provisions and horses for me.”

Zheng Jing froze: “Where are you going?”

Li Zhongqian replied calmly: “To Helong. I will petition to go to Helong.”

Li De would readily agree.

Zheng Jing frowned: “Second Young Master… Princess Wenzhao is gone, the barbarians saw it themselves. Helong is now occupied by the Northern Rong, the situation is dire.”

Li Zhongqian spoke softly: “Even though she’s dead, I must bring her back. She’s timid, afraid to be alone. I need to bring her home. I promised her that no matter where she was, I would find her.”

Zheng Jing thought Li Zhongqian was completely unrealistic: how could one find a single person’s remains in the vast frontier?

He didn’t know how to dissuade Li Zhongqian. Thinking of the Seventh Princess who died in the frontier made his heart ache as if pierced by countless needles. Li Zhongqian, as her blood brother, must be suffering even more.

But how would Li Zhongqian search?

“Your martial arts…” Zheng Jing hesitated.

Li Zhongqian’s expression remained unchanged: “If I can’t lift the golden hammers, I can switch to long swords, short blades, spears… I once gave up martial arts for scholarly pursuits, then gave up scholarship for martial arts. A few poisoned arrows’ damage won’t destroy me.”

Until he found Little Seven, he wouldn’t fall.

Zheng Jing let out a long sigh.

No matter what words of dissuasion he spoke, Li Zhongqian wouldn’t listen. He couldn’t stop Li Zhongqian from going to the frontier.

Li Zhongqian’s petition for punishment was quickly submitted. When common people heard he was going to Helong to retrieve Li Yaoying’s remains, within days they gathered ten thousand signatures requesting to accompany him.

Li De had summoned Li Zhongqian back to the capital intending to confine this son, but seeing the public sentiment surge, he weighed the situation and abandoned the idea.

“He wants to go to Helong?” Li De was skeptical.

Prime Minister Zheng replied: “It’s true.”

Li De stared at the inkstone on his desk, lost in thought for a moment, then said: “So be it.”

Days later, Li Zhongqian left Chang’an with a few personal guards, escorted by soldiers.

The Chief Secretary saw him off, crying: “This old servant will surely take good care of the Lady. Second Young Master, you must return soon! Whether you find the Seventh Miss or not, you must come back! This old servant will always wait for you!”

Li Zhongqian dismissed the Chief Secretary and reined his horse on the mountain path, turning to look at the towering palace walls to the northeast.

What a pity – if his body had recovered, he could have killed Li De that night.

If he hadn’t acted that night and continued lying low, he could have found a better opportunity. But he couldn’t wait that long. Too much time had passed since he regained consciousness.

Little Seven was all alone out there; he needed to bring her home first.

After finding Little Seven, he would return for revenge.

He had already exposed the false image of Li De and Li Xuanzhen’s father-son devotion. Let them suspect each other, let father and son destroy each other. When he returned, he would make everyone pay the price!

Li Zhongqian whipped his horse across the Ba Bridge where willow branches swayed lightly, heading west without looking back.

Little Seven, don’t be afraid, your brother is coming for you.

…

Eight thousand li away, at the Royal Court.

After encountering Haidu Aling at the Buddhist temple during the day, Yaoying couldn’t sleep well all night.

In her dream, a young man in silver armor and white cloak charged down a hillside, rushing without hesitation toward the Northern Rong’s black-armored enemy formation.

The young man was surrounded and died from exhaustion, his battle robe in tatters.

The enemy commander rode to the front of the formation; in the sunlight, his narrow eyes gleamed with a pale golden light.

“Brother! Don’t go, don’t go… don’t meet Haidu Aling…”

Yaoying woke with a start, her whole body trembling.

She had changed Li Zhongqian’s fate. Two years ago, he was supposed to die fighting Haidu Aling. Then, she had found a way to keep him away from the frontier.

Now, her brother must be coming to find her. Would he think she was still in Haidu Aling’s camp and go straight to the Northern Rong to look for her?

Yaoying rose to wash her face.

Outside the window came a chorus of chattering voices – the guards were practicing martial arts early again.

Yaoying smiled at their playful sounds and pushed open the window.

Xie Peng and Xie Chong immediately rushed to the corridor, speaking all at once: “Princess, at yesterday’s Buddhist debate, the Master won!”

Yaoying had already guessed Tanmoluojia would win, not surprised at all.

Xie Chong clapped his hands and laughed: “The Northern Rong’s Haidu Aling specially brought more than ten high monks. From noon until dark, they took turns debating with the Master, but the Master still won!”

They hadn’t attended the debate but had only heard the results from others. Yet now they were all competing to tell Yaoying about each round’s outcome as if they had watched it themselves.

Yaoying leaned by the window, watching them vividly describe the grand occasion of the Buddhist assembly, her heart gradually calming.

This was Tanmoluojia’s royal court; she didn’t need to be afraid.

Yaoying gathered her spirits and asked Xie Chong: “Has anyone asked about the monks’ robes?”

Xie Chong scratched his head: “Not yet.”

Xie Peng’s head poked over: “Princess, should we try another method?”

Yaoying smiled: “No hurry, the debate assembly just ended.”

The guards responded loudly and were about to continue discussing the assembly with Yaoying when they glimpsed Xie Qing’s tall figure appearing in the corridor. They quickly jumped back into the courtyard to continue their practice, shouts filling the yard.

Yaoying shook her head with a smile and asked Xie Qing: “Did you find out everything?”

Xie Qing nodded, saying: “Haidu Aling is the Northern Rong delegation’s deputy envoy, staying at the guesthouse in the south of the city. The delegation has thirty-two people; they came for the Buddhist debate. They had another person originally chosen as deputy envoy but made a last-minute change.”

Yaoying’s brows furrowed slightly.

No wonder Ashina Bisuo didn’t know Haidu Aling would appear at the temple.

Xie Qing continued: “Haidu Aling is always accompanied when going out, never moves alone, and shows no strange behavior.”

Yaoying pressed her lips together, deciding not to go out until the Northern Rong delegation had left.

Bisuo came to visit her daily, inviting her out to play. She explained her reasons, and Bisuo had to give up. After two days, he came back excitedly: “The Northern Rong people have all left!”

Yaoying was still uneasy.

Had Haidu Aling come to the Northern Rong just to test Tanmoluojia’s Buddhist knowledge?

She continued sending Xie Qing out to gather information and only dared to occasionally appear outside the palace with Ashina Bisuo’s company after there were no more signs of Northern Rong people in the holy city.

That day, the person Yaoying had been waiting for finally arrived.

Xie Chong was so excited he tripped over his own feet rushing into the courtyard, shouting: “Today someone asked about the robes the monks wore at the temple that day!”

Yaoying let out a breath, “Good, the remaining carts of silk in the palace treasury can all be sold now.”

The Buddhist debate was a major event in the holy city, drawing crowds of spectators. The monks’ robes at the assembly were gifts from her. When nobles from various city-states saw those dazzling, magnificent robes, they would surely ask about how they were made.

This was the day Yaoying had been waiting for.