Deep in the heart of the mainland lay Gaochang, strategically positioned between the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, home to various ethnic groups. As a small oasis nation amid the desert, it had been subject to different regimes, struggling to survive between powerful forces. When the Central Plains dynasties were strong, it sought ways to align itself with them, eventually becoming incorporated into the Tang Dynasty’s territory. It served as an important outpost in the Western Regions, adopting the customs, laws, official writings, and language of the Central Plains.
When chaos erupted in the Central Plains, warfare proliferated. With the loss of Helan and Longxi, the Western Region provinces became isolated. The Western Prefecture reverted to Gaochang, and many noble families and commoners from Hexi and Longxi fled westward to Gaochang for refuge. Han Chinese, Turks, Sogdians, Tiele people and various other ethnic groups settled here, with Han Chinese forming the majority.
The Yuchi clan, originally a prominent family from Longxi, intermarried with local royalty after moving to Gaochang, eventually assuming control and becoming the ruling family. The current Yuchi ruler, named Yuchi Damo, had married Lady Zhang from a noble family. Several years ago, when the Northern Rong army threatened their borders, Gaochang submitted to them, and Yuchi Damo married the niece of Khan Wakhan, becoming a vassal to the Northern Rong.
The royal city of Gaochang was built along a river, occupying advantageous terrain. Beyond the city walls stretched dozens of miles of desolate plains. Near the city walls, human activity suddenly intensified. Against the dry north wind, merchant caravans from different city-states traveled through the flowing sands, with melodious camel bells echoing, forming long queues of merchants waiting to enter the city.
Yao Ying’s group dismounted, waiting to enter the city. They had already prepared the necessary documents and passes, so they didn’t need to worry about being questioned, only about concealing their identities.
While waiting in line, Yuanjue quietly conversed with Yao Ying, one of the few who knew their mission’s purpose. He glanced at Su Dangu at the front of the line, scratched his head, and whispered to Yao Ying, “Princess, there’s something I don’t understand. The Yuchi ruler is called Damo, showing that the Gaochang royal family are Buddhists. Most Gaochang people believe in Buddhism, and their people deeply respect the King. Every year, many come to the holy city to hear the King’s teachings, with nobles competing to make offerings. Wouldn’t they agree to an alliance just by invoking the King’s name? Why did the Princess need to come to Gaochang personally?”
Yao Ying smiled and said, “The Yuchi royal family migrated from Hexi and was deeply influenced by Confucian education. The customs here differ somewhat from our royal court, and my presence shows more sincerity.”
Yuanjue’s expression showed some disapproval.
Yao Ying didn’t explain further.
While Gaochang revered Buddhism and Yuchi’s ruler sent grape wine tributes to the royal court annually, the royal authority held greater importance. This place had once been a prefecture of the Central Plains dynasty, predominantly populated by Han people. The official academies taught students Confucian classics, the Five Classics, and various histories. Although in recent years, under pressure, they had abolished the official academies and adopted barbarian customs and language like other Northern Rong vassal states, the deep-rooted influence of the Central Plains persisted.
When Master Xuanzang returned to the Central Plains after his journey to obtain Buddhist scriptures, he received great respect from Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong. He was a clever monk who understood that imperial support was necessary to spread Buddhism. He once submitted two requests to Emperor Gaozong: to place Buddhism ahead of Taoism and to exempt monks and nuns from being judged by secular law, granting them certain privileges.
Although Emperor Gaozong greatly admired Master Xuanzang, he firmly rejected these requests. In the Central Plains, Buddhist clergy were both otherworldly and worldly, always subject to imperial authority. As an emperor, Gaozong wasn’t foolish enough to agree to Xuanzang’s petition.
Similarly, no matter how much Yuchi Damo respected Dharmārāga when discussing alliance matters, he would still weigh the benefits and drawbacks from Gaochang’s perspective, without letting emotions cloud his judgment.
Yuanjue and the royal guards had grown up in the royal court, fervently worshiping Dharmārāga, believing it natural for nobles and officials to submit to the Buddha’s son. No amount of explanation from Yao Ying would change their minds.
Dharmārāga’s ability to intimidate evil spirits these years relied on more than just Buddhist dharma!
Yao Ying suddenly had a thought.
Judging from Yuanjue’s attitude, one could imagine how arrogant the royal court’s envoys to Gaochang must have been. Was this why Su Dangu’s previous mission to Gaochang had failed?
She glanced at Su Dangu and shook her head with a smile.
Though Su Dangu was full of killing intent, he wasn’t the type to be so arrogant as to be discourteous. However, being a man of few words, he wasn’t suited for diplomatic missions. Why did Dharmārāga send him to Gaochang when gravely ill?
Ashina Bisuo would have been the most appropriate envoy…
A cheerful pipa melody interrupted Yao Ying’s thoughts. The crowd ahead surged forward – it was their turn to enter the city.
Once inside, the wind suddenly died down, replaced by warm air mixed with various worldly scents.
Yao Ying, her face covered by a veil, carefully observed the passersby, her brows slightly furrowed.
Along the way, regardless of age or gender, no one wore Central Plains clothing. Men and women alike wore narrow-sleeved robes with braided hair hanging down their backs. Men wore daggers at their waists, while women decorated their braids with pearls and precious ornaments.
This was once Central Plains territory.
Yao Ying walked lost in thought, not noticing when the person ahead suddenly stopped and turned toward her. She bumped into him.
She stumbled unexpectedly, but he remained solid as a wall, unmoved.
Yuanjue beside her widened his eyes.
Yao Ying rubbed her forehead and looked up, meeting Su Dangu’s deep jade-colored eyes.
She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling flirtatiously. With her face veiled, her expression was hidden, making her eyes appear especially alluring.
Yuanjue’s expression turned strange.
After Yao Ying steadied herself, Su Dangu said, “In three days, Yuchi Damo will visit the royal temple to worship Buddha.”
Yao Ying understood and nodded – that would be their meeting day with Yuchi Damo.
“General Su, I’d like to browse the market these few days.”
After a moment’s thought, Yao Ying added, “I want to gather some information to improve our chances in negotiations with Yuchi Damo.”
Su Dangu grunted in agreement.
Yao Ying breathed a sigh of relief. Despite Su Dangu’s fierce appearance, he was quite reasonable. Throughout their journey, whenever she discussed matters with him, as long as she explained her reasoning, he would consider it seriously.
They first found an inn to stay at. The innkeeper warmly welcomed everyone: “Distinguished guests must be weary from your journey. Please rest in the hall for a while.”
The hall had a fire pit, and everyone was tired and hungry. They sat around drinking soup to warm up.
Yao Ying was exhausted too. After drinking a bowl of hot soup and eating several flatbreads, she returned to her room. When the servant brought up a hot bath, her spirits lifted immediately. She removed her dust and mud-covered clothes and sank into the warm, fragrant water, too content to move even a finger.
Traveling with all men, she didn’t want to be a burden. She had endured the journey, riding hard, eating cold, hard rations when hungry, layering more clothes when cold, and sleeping fully clothed when tired like everyone else. During this time, forget about bathing – even hoping for hot water to wipe down with was a luxury. Fortunately, it was winter, so she could endure it.
After soaking in the hot water for a while, her stiff limbs gradually relaxed, though they were sore and aching. Yao Ying was starting to doze off when suddenly a commotion of horses and men erupted downstairs, with someone loudly berating the servants and horses neighing shrilly.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Yao Ying quickly rose, hastily dried her soaked hair, casually tied it up, and got dressed.
There were several knocks at the door, and Xie Qing’s voice rang out.
“Come in.”
Xie Qing entered, frowning, and said quietly, “The Northern Rong prince has followed us here.”
Yao Ying’s heart skipped a beat. “Has he discovered us?”
Xie Qing shook his head: “They don’t recognize us. They just happened to check into this inn too, with eighteen people in total, blocking the courtyard downstairs. Yuanjue asked the Regent for instructions, and he said to remain unchanged in the face of change.”
Yao Ying frowned.
One unfortunate encounter was enough, and she thought they had shaken off the Northern Rong prince. Unexpectedly, right after they checked in, the prince stumbled upon them.
After pondering for a moment, she said, “The Regent is right about remaining unchanged in the face of change. We just checked in, and suddenly changing inns without reason would make the Northern Rong suspicious. Better to stay put. Now that we know their identity, we can take the opportunity to investigate their purpose in Gaochang.”
This inn was one of the royal court’s outposts in Gaochang; otherwise, Su Dangu’s group wouldn’t have stayed there. The prince had quite an eye, choosing the most dangerous place right away.
Xie Qing acknowledged and went to instruct Xie Chong and the others to be careful and preferably not go out. As Han Chinese, they were too conspicuous.
The prince’s group was overbearing and flamboyant. From the moment they entered the hall, they kept loudly ordering the servants around, drove away other guests, monopolized the fire pit, and called for singing girls to entertain them with song and dance in front of the hall. The pipa music alternated between passionate and melancholic, occasionally interrupted by the singing girls’ bold or coy laughs and teasing.
The merchants at the inn, well-traveled and worldly-wise, could tell from the prince and his guards’ attire that they were either wealthy or noble, and dared not voice their anger despite their indignation.
Yao Ying’s group, exhausted, had retired early to their rooms without emerging.
The laughter and revelry showed no signs of stopping even by midnight.
The prince’s voice was loud and clear, keeping Yao Ying tossing and turning, unable to sleep. It wasn’t until late in the night that the prince finally quieted down. She dozed off in a haze, suddenly awakening from her dream, stared blankly for a moment, got up, and poured herself a bowl of cold water.
A dark figure stood motionless by the window, like a ghost.
Yao Ying was startled, dropping the clay bowl in her hand.
As it shattered, the shadow moved slightly, pushing open the window. In the darkness appeared a face wearing a yaksha mask.
Goosebumps rose on Yao Ying’s arms, her body stiffened, and a cold sweat broke out. When her gaze met those jade-colored eyes, she froze, then couldn’t help but laugh wryly: “General Su?”
Su Dangu looked at her face without speaking, his gaze slowly moving downward to the broken bowl on the floor.
Yao Ying said softly, “I was thirsty and got up for water, accidentally dropping the bowl.”
Su Dangu grunted in acknowledgment, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Yao Ying watched him go, found another bowl, poured herself some water, took a few sips, sat back on the bed, zoned out for a while, then lay down to continue sleeping.
Soon after, deliberately lightened footsteps sounded outside the window.
Yao Ying immediately opened her eyes, her eyes gleaming brightly in the darkness, her pupils rolling around once, carefully sat up, got out of bed, tiptoed to the window, and swiftly pushed it open.
A dark figure stood before the window, jade eyes calmly gazing at her from behind the mask.
Yao Ying felt somewhat embarrassed – apparently, he knew she hadn’t been asleep.