The night was deep, with lamplight filtering through the walls and roof tiles, casting a warm yellow glow on the pristine white snow as wind echoed through the endless snowy night.

Yang Qian came to his senses and asked, “How does the Princess distinguish which people are treacherous?”

Yaoying didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned and climbed into the carriage, settling inside. Her delicate hand lifted the felt curtain, gesturing for him to follow.

Before Yang Qian could react, Yuanjue’s expression had already changed.

Yaoying held the felt curtain, looking at Yang Qian with slightly curved brows and eyes, asking with a smile, “Is Young Master Yang afraid I’m setting a trap?”

Yang Qian glanced around, realizing he was already surrounded, let out a light snort, puffed out his chest, and strode toward the carriage.

Princess Wenzhao was just a weak woman, and he was a proud son of the Yang family – wouldn’t it show cowardice if he feared to step forward?

The wheels crunched through the snow as they continued threading through deep, narrow alleys.

In the darkness, footsteps constantly caught up with the carriage as several guards in white cloaks returned from different directions, presenting letters and parchment scrolls.

Yuanjue received them and passed them into the carriage.

A lamp hung inside the carriage. Yaoying opened the parchments, examining them carefully in the lamplight before handing them to Yang Qian sitting opposite.

Yang Qian was impatiently shifting his arms and long legs. Though the carriage wasn’t cramped – it could easily seat four – his tall, robust frame and awareness of proper male-female distance kept him from sitting too close to Yaoying. Unable to sit straight, he could only hunch his shoulders and curl his legs, pressing tightly against the carriage door.

This awkward posture naturally stripped away his imposing manner. When Yaoying handed him the parchments, he snorted again before taking them for careful examination.

Halfway through reading, Yang Qian’s face had turned blue. After finishing all the parchments, it turned purple. His teeth ground audibly as he clenched his fists and raged, “These cowards who fear death!”

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, nearly tearing the parchments apart.

The letters Yaoying had given him were all denouncements, without exception reporting to officials that a Great Wei princess was now in Gaochang.

“The Princess trusted them so much, risking herself to come to Gaochang and meet with them secretly, yet they reported her!”

Yang Qian ground his teeth.

…

Earlier, a rumor had spread through the royal court about Princess Wenzhao from the Central Plains who had fallen in love with the Buddha’s Son at first sight and would marry no other. The Buddha’s Son was an accomplished monk who had transcended worldly matters and naturally wouldn’t marry her. She remained devoted, making a vow to follow the example of the Matangi woman and practice cultivation for the Buddha’s Son, seeking his favor.

At first, no one paid attention to this rumor.

The Buddha’s Son not only achieved great mastery in Buddhist dharma and showed compassion in protecting the region, but also extended his benevolence to people of other countries regardless of status. Along the Northern Route of the Western Regions, when merchants encountered bandits, they needed only to display the Buddha’s Son’s banner to pass unhindered. Thus, he was deeply revered by people of all countries and regarded as divine in their hearts. Of noble birth, with a face like the pure full moon and eyes like blue lotus flowers, his beauty was unmatched in the world. It wasn’t unusual for women to admire him.

Several months later, the royal court suddenly issued an edict, formally announcing to the countries and city-states north and south of the Onion Range that Princess Wenzhao had entered the royal temple to practice cultivation under the king.

When this news reached Gaochang, it caused an uproar.

Over the years, countless men and women had admired the Buddha’s Son, with some princesses even submitting their entire countries in hopes of gaining his affection. The Buddha’s Son had never responded, having transcended worldly matters – how could he care about mortal love?

But this time, the lofty Buddha’s Son had made an exception for a Han woman!

His allowing Princess Wenzhao to enter the temple – wasn’t that announcing to the world that she was under his protection?

For a time, rumors flew and discussions raged, with everyone talking about this matter.

Just then, royal court merchants came to Gaochang to purchase grape wine, and locals eagerly sought information from them.

The merchants said, “Princess Wenzhao has indeed moved into the temple. They say she listens to the Buddha’s Son’s dharma teachings daily and takes meals with him.”

Everyone was dumbstruck.

A wine merchant added with a smile, “The Princess not only sees the Buddha’s Son every day, but he also expounds the dharma just for her! The temple even specifically requested a cartload of Central Plains grain from merchant caravans – surely it’s prepared for the Princess!”

People couldn’t contain their curiosity and pressed for more details.

The merchant continued, “My aunt often goes to the royal temple to hear the Buddha’s Son’s teachings. She heard from the temple monks that the Princess could enter and leave the Buddha’s Son’s meditation chamber. Since the Princess doesn’t understand Sanskrit, the Buddha’s Son personally teaches her.”

People exchanged glances, seeing shock and excitement in each other’s eyes.

Seeing everyone’s enthusiasm, another person chimed in, “Yes! The Buddha’s Son and Princess share the same desk daily, reading the same sutra! A young novice monk saw it himself!”

Another merchant smiled and told the eagerly listening crowd, “I’ve seen Princess Wenzhao. The Princess likes glass vessels and bright moon pearls. I’ve dealt with her servants – all her items were bought from me! The Princess praised my gems as the most beautiful and rare in the royal court!”

“The makeup powder, gold leaf, flower decorations, and eyebrow paint she uses were also sold through me. The Princess has divine beauty and knows how to adorn herself – the royal court women all imitate her contemporary style.”

“Whatever clothes Princess Wenzhao wears or hairstyle she adopts, within five days, from the Prime Minister’s wife down to the district dancers, they all follow suit.”

People had been skeptical at first, but hearing the Hu merchants speak so confidently and in detail, their doubts faded, replaced by burgeoning curiosity.

Now, when Gaochang women discussed the Buddha’s Son and Princess Wenzhao over tea, they no longer mocked her unrequited love as before but wondered what kind of exceptional beauty she must be to make the Buddha’s Son, whose heart was as still as water, break protocol for her.

Especially after news spread throughout the Western Regions that “the Northern Rong Prince Haidu Aling had publicly declared Princess Wenzhao would eventually be his woman,” Gaochang’s people became even more excited discussing this topic.

So the Buddha’s Son’s announcement to all countries was to warn the Northern Rong prince!

Between the pure and aloof Buddha’s Son of the royal court and the iron-blooded warrior Northern Rong prince, whose woman would Princess Wenzhao ultimately become?

When Princess Wenzhao completed her year of cultivation, would the Buddha’s Son marry her?

…

While common people eagerly discussed the romantic affairs between Princess Wenzhao and the Buddha’s Son, Yang Qian, other River West people were excited for a different reason: Princess Wenzhao had come from the Central Plains!

Yang Qian desperately wanted to know the current situation in the Central Plains – had it been unified? Was the emperor planning to send troops to reclaim River West, Gaochang, and Yizhou?

He sent household servants to follow merchants to the royal court to inquire about Princess Wenzhao’s background. Half a month later, the servants returned with news that dejected him: Princess Wenzhao had been captured and brought to the Western Regions by Haidu Aling, barely able to protect herself – the Central Plains dynasty still hadn’t reclaimed the Hexi Corridor.

Though greatly disappointed, Yang Qian still sold the property to save money, preparing to go to the royal court to pay respects to Princess Wenzhao. Regardless, she was a Central Plains princess stranded in foreign lands without support. As a son of the River West Yang clan, he should help ease her worries and perhaps learn about Central Plains affairs from her.

Unexpectedly, before he could set out, Princess Wenzhao came to Gaochang herself.

Yang Qian was alarmed: Haidu Aling still harbored designs on the Princess. While she was safe in the royal court under the Buddha’s Son’s presence, Gaochang submitted to the Northern Rong – if Lady Yina reported to Haidu Aling, the Princess would be in danger!

He felt the Princess was truly reckless and wanted to frighten and warn her to see the dangers.

But he never imagined that just after leaving the market district, people had already eagerly sent denunciation letters.

Yang Qian’s fingers tightly gripped the parchment, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

“Since the Princess could obtain these letters, you must have made thorough preparations. I admire you! Please tell me these people’s names – I, Yang Qian, am ashamed to associate with such people!”

Yaoying smiled faintly, showing no anger at being betrayed, and said, “This is Gaochang, not the Central Plains.”

Yang Qian’s brows furrowed tightly.

Yaoying looked at him calmly: “Young Master Yang, with the Central Plains in chaos and the Western Regions isolated for years, how many people are like you, never forgetting their homeland and hoping to return east?”

Yang Qian clenched his fists and said, “There are many like me! If I raise the call, they would all be willing to serve the Princess!”

Yaoying shook her head, “You are a hero, Young Master, and I admire you. But not everyone can disregard life and death like you. More people bustle about seeking wealth and glory, wanting present comfort. Now that Great Wei cannot yet send troops west, and Gaochang lacks the strength to oppose the Northern Rong, their betrayal of me is understandable.”

She had anticipated the denunciations and made preparations accordingly.

This meeting was a test – she had already determined who could be trusted, who could be used, and who must be avoided.

“Princess needn’t make excuses for them. They could choose to stay alive by not coming to meet you at the market, but they shouldn’t have sworn oaths to you and then reported you! That is inexcusable!”

Yang Qian sneered, “How could we River West descendants commit such despicable acts?!”

Yaoying’s lips curved slightly.

In his youth, Yang Qian had been defiant and unrestrained, arrogant and wild. People called him a wastrel – who could have imagined that this frivolous youth, wearing thin spring robes, riding horses by slanted bridges, and answering the beckoning of red sleeves from upper chambers, would possess such unyielding integrity?

Looking at the man before her, thinking of how he would face countless hardships before dying in despair, ultimately becoming nothing but bones in flowing sand, her gaze softened.

“Precisely because there are so many petty people that a hero with such pure sincerity as you is more precious.”

Yaoying spoke from her heart, her dark, bright eyes steadily fixed on Yang Qian.

Hearing her sincerity, Yang Qian froze, becoming flustered. He avoided her gaze, his back pressed against the carriage door until it ached. Though still angry, a trace of embarrassment crossed his face as he said softly, “The Princess overstates it.”

Yaoying smiled.

Yang Qian was so uncomfortable he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet. After sitting stiffly for a while, he suddenly raised his head, banging it against the carriage with a loud thud.

Ignoring the pain, he frowned and asked, “Princess, do you plan to just let this go? What if some of them have already sent out their denunciation letters?”

Yaoying pointed at the parchments: “Young Master Yang, I come from the Central Plains and know little about the River West noble families stranded in Gaochang. You must know these people who reported me – they’re all descendants of River West officials, connected by marriage, including your clan uncle. Young Master, if I killed them for my safety, how would their families view me?”

The anger gradually drained from Yang Qian’s body as he hung his head dejectedly: “If they were killed, these noble families would surely harbor hatred for the Princess.”

For great clans, family interests superseded everything. The Princess was an outsider, while clan members were blood relatives who shared both fortune and hardship. Even if they disapproved of their relatives’ despicable act of reporting the Princess, they would still choose to protect their own.

So these people couldn’t be killed.

But should they be allowed to use the Princess to curry favor with the Northern Rong? Associating with such people daily, when would he ever achieve his ambition of reclaiming their homeland?

Yang Qian suddenly felt despondent.

A cup of warm sheep’s milk was offered to Yang Qian’s hand.

He lifted his eyes.

Yaoying pushed the cup forward, her voice steady: “Young Master Yang, even insects cherish life, how much more so humans? Now I’m stranded in foreign lands, without troops or generals. The Hexi Corridor is lost, and the Northern Rong is strong. Your clansmen reporting me to gain immediate benefits is only human nature. Local officials matter more than distant ones – especially when Gaochang submits to the Northern Rong?”

Yang Qian took the cup, staring at the snow-white milk within, and said angrily: “I, Yang Qian, am a fine man, unwilling to grovel like them. A true man should wear a three-foot sword and achieve immortal merit!”

Yaoying suppressed a smile.

She knew Yang Qian was resolute, kept his word, and would rather die than submit – not just a rash youth shouting brave words. But to others, Yang Qian seemed somewhat naive, no wonder city people called him a wandering knight.

“Young Master, this is how the world is, don’t take it to heart. Now I’m alone and weak, so naturally your clansmen can betray me for glory. But if the Northern Rong faces internal strife, and I have troops and generals, with heroes like you lending strong support, with various tribes coordinating from within and without, and Great Wei able to send troops west – would they still risk being discarded after use by currying favor with the Northern Rong?”

Yang Qian suddenly raised his head, his pupils gleaming like two fierce flames burning bright.

Yaoying’s expression remained calm: “If Young Master wishes to achieve immortal merit, you shouldn’t be disheartened by temporary setbacks. Those who accomplish great things cannot be confined by minor gains and losses. You must unite with everyone who can be united, and befriend everyone who can be befriended. Your clansmen fear death but also seek fortune in danger.”

Yang Qian fell silent, pondering for a moment before straightening his shoulders with renewed spirit.

He understood the Princess’s hint.

When he was weak, his clansmen opposed his views, but when he had the strength to unite with the Central Plains dynasty to reclaim their homeland, would they still stop him? Which noble family in the city didn’t frequently reminisce about the peaceful prosperity of the past?

Yang Qian pointed at the parchments: “These people can’t be killed.”

First, their crimes didn’t warrant death.

Second, rashly killing them would only intensify conflicts.

Yaoying nodded, saying: “I will send these letters to Yuchi Datuo.”

Yang Qian’s eyelid twitched, his teeth suddenly aching.

The Princess’s move was ruthless.

Though Yuchi Datuo and Lady Yina were husband and wife, they were like water and fire. The city’s noble families informing Lady Yina was undoubtedly a betrayal of Yuchi Datuo. The Princess sending the letters to Yuchi Datuo – wasn’t she using another’s knife to kill?

He had thought that after spending time with the Buddha’s Son, she would choose to forgive and win people over with virtue!

Yaoying met Yang Qian’s surprised gaze with a slight smile.

If she simply let these people go, within three days Lady Yina’s guards would come knocking. She had no intention of risking her life to reform such crafty individuals.

Yang Qian narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and said with some schadenfreude: “The Princess’s handling of them is excellent.”

Yuchi Datuo wouldn’t kill people over such a small matter, but he wouldn’t let it go easily either. Those people would surely suffer some physical punishment. It would be good for them to learn a lesson, preventing them from running to report the slightest disturbance.

Having figured this out, Yang Qian let out a long breath, then thought of Yaoying’s situation and showed a shameful expression: “I’ve been idle these years, without troops to escort the Princess back to the Central Plains.”

Yaoying had been wanting to discuss this with him: “Young Master is descended from the River West Military Commander, surely well-versed in military texts and family learning. I have a presumptuous request.”

“Please speak freely, Princess.”

Yaoying composed herself solemnly, bowed to Yang Qian, and said word by word: “Would Young Master be willing to recruit troops and train a volunteer army for me?”

Yang Qian’s facial muscles trembled.

Yaoying looked directly at him, speaking slowly: “A true man should wear a three-foot sword and achieve immortal merit. I see Young Master is no ordinary person – one day you will surely make your name known throughout the world and fulfill your ambitions.”

Whatever the outcome, at least this time he would know the Central Plains dynasty hadn’t completely abandoned their lost territories – he wouldn’t die in lonely despair.

Yang Qian’s chest heaved violently, his eyes bright as stars.

…

Yuanjue sat outside the carriage, hearing Yang Qian’s excited, trembling voice emerge, his own heart trembling too.

What was this Han person discussing with the Princess? Why had they talked for so long?

His thoughts wandered, brows furrowed, feeling both annoyed and confused about why he was annoyed. When the carriage stopped, he quickly collected himself, swiftly surveyed the surroundings, confirmed safety, and gave a signal.

The felt curtain lifted, and the tall Yang Qian jumped down from the carriage, striding away full of spirit and vigor, his eyes brighter than stars.

Yuanjue secretly rolled his eyes.

They continued winding through alleys until confirming no one was following before heading back to the courtyard.

The night was deep, all around silent except for snowflakes dancing in the sky.

The carriage drove into the back courtyard. Yuanjue jumped down, turned to help Yaoying descend, lifted the felt curtain, saw the scene inside, and froze.

In the dim yellow lamplight, Yaoying leaned in the carriage corner, arms crossed, eyelashes lowered, appearing to be asleep.

She had met several groups of people today, exhausted, her voice hoarse even while talking to Yang Qian.

Yuanjue was somewhat troubled, hesitating whether to wake her, when a guard watching the courtyard strode over.

“Has the Princess returned? The Regent wants to see the Princess.”

Yuanjue froze, and for some reason, suddenly felt guilty on Yaoying’s behalf.