Yao Ying and Tanmoloujia’s carriage blended into the crowd, heading toward Star City’s gates that were open to commoners. Star City was heavily guarded, with lone young men being detained, but in contrast, the pilgrimage groups prostrating and worshipping toward the Holy City didn’t draw the knights’ attention. Yao Ying and her companion passed through Star City without incident.
Tanmoloujia gestured for Yao Ying to wait in the city for one night, saying “We’ll go to the Holy City tomorrow.”
Yao Ying was puzzled – they were so close, with the Holy City right before their eyes, why delay another day?
Tanmoloujia closed his eyes to meditate, showing no intention of explaining.
Yao Ying waved her hand in front of his eyes, confirming they were closed, and secretly wrinkled her nose at him.
They rested in the city for one night and continued their journey early the next morning in the cold wind.
The river, over ten zhang wide, had frozen solid. Deep ravines and rugged mountain paths were covered by a thin layer of snow, making the earth appear as a vast white expanse.
The pilgrimage groups walked across the desolate snowy plains – men, women, old and young, thousands of people stretching beyond sight. They came from different tribes with varied clothing, eye colors, and hair colors. The only similarity was the devout expression on each person’s face.
Everyone was already familiar with the roads at the foot of the Holy City, avoiding snow-covered ravines without needing reminders, preventing themselves from falling and getting bruised.
The Holy City’s inspection was stricter. Along the main road outside the city, there was a team of Four Armies knights stationed every two li, their gray-brown eyes scanning the crowds. The knights would occasionally charge into the crowd to pull out men of tall stature.
Yao Ying remembered taking a different route on her first visit to the Holy City, climbing the earthen cliff for a long time. Now that shortcut would certainly be guarded. To avoid alerting the Imperial Guard, they had to enter through the main gate this time.
In the distance, the city gate spanned across the riverbank at a commanding height, magnificent and grand. Long stone steps wound upward, with solid watchtowers and arrow towers hidden among the cliff faces. The Imperial Guard’s armor glinted silver, and even the thick snow couldn’t conceal the subtle air of military might.
It was still early, with crowds gathering at the foot of the city gate waiting to enter. Seeing this, the pilgrimage groups stopped to rest, sitting by the roadside in small groups to eat dried food and drink salty milk tea for warmth.
Yao Ying also stopped, her brows slightly furrowed as she gazed at the distant Holy City.
Under the azure sky, the Holy City’s distinctive massive black earthen cliff stood towering, like a taut arrow shooting straight toward the heavens. Over a thousand temples were scattered near the highest rocky outcrop at the northern end, with carved stone pillars gleaming golden, and scattered pagodas revealing their tall spires, solemn and majestic.
The pilgrims ate and drank while discussing Tanmoloujia’s deeds, praising his years of virtuous works benefiting the region. Their cheerful voices merged into surging waves, rolling one after another into Yao Ying’s ears.
Suddenly, a red-haired middle-aged Hu person mentioned the princesses who had come from afar to the Holy City, asking, “Is the Buddha’s Son going to break his vows and take a wife?”
The crowd showed displeasure, discussing heatedly.
“How could the pure Buddha’s Son return to secular life and marry?”
“Right, the Buddha’s Son will certainly drive away those princesses!”
Hearing their clamor, Yao Ying felt as if thorns were pricking her back.
It seemed the news of various princesses gathering at the Holy City had spread far and wide. Although the rulers of various countries feared Tanmoloujia and dared not openly raise the banner of seeking marriage alliance, the royal court merchants traveled between countries with news spreading quickly. They had already proclaimed the purpose of various countries’ diplomatic missions. Everyone knew the Buddha’s Son’s name, and now probably even three-year-olds knew about the group of beautiful princesses hoping for his emergence from seclusion.
She needed to hurry and prepare everything.
Yao Ying calculated silently in her heart.
As the crowd flowed endlessly along the road with constant chatter and laughter, the meditating Tanmoloujia suddenly opened his eyes, reached out to pull aside the curtain, raised his eyes to look at the blue sky, and said, “It’s still early, we’ll enter the city in the afternoon.”
“Afternoon?”
Yao Ying murmured, nodding in agreement.
The pilgrims had traveled far, looking travel-worn and ragged. Many would stop to tidy themselves before entering the city, so waiting a few more hours didn’t matter.
Yao Ying poured herself a cup of hot tea and dozed off leaning against the carriage wall. She was suddenly awakened by sharp shouting, with horses neighing and screams rising and falling on the road.
She quickly lifted the curtain to look outside, hearing wailing and crying not far away. People on the road were scurrying away with their heads covered, screams arising everywhere. Several lightly armored Imperial Guard soldiers rode horses from north to south, their whips mercilessly lashing down on a group of pilgrims.
Those who were struck fell to the ground, convulsing and bleeding profusely – it turned out those whips had thin metal plates embedded in them, causing bloody wounds with each strike!
The soldiers whipped the commoners as they went, then turned their horses around, seemingly unsatisfied. They split up to dive into the fleeing crowds, driving people together to whip them. The people had nowhere to hide, their screams echoing across the snowy plains, desolate and tragic.
The pilgrimage groups had been traveling together and had developed some friendships over these days. One of the Hu merchants couldn’t bear to watch and tried to persuade them to stop, but the soldiers didn’t cease, angrily saying, “They are lowborn people from the Wuliang tribe, unworthy to enter the city to pay respects to the Buddha’s Son!”
The merchant was helpless, pacing anxiously.
Why would the Royal Court’s Imperial Guard be so ruthless toward common people?
Yao Ying clenched her fists, feeling the person beside her suddenly surge with energy, making her heart skip a beat.
Tanmoloujia had also been awakened, his gaze passing over her shoulder to watch those violent Imperial Guards, his jade eyes deep and dark.
Fearing he would intervene and expose his identity, Yao Ying said softly, “General, I have a way to frighten them away.”
Her eyes signaled Tanmoloujia to secure his headscarf as she quickly found her blue beast-patterned silk bag, searched through it, found a folded piece of cloth, and gave it to a servant from the merchant group with some instructions.
The servant quickly ran with the cloth to the righteous Hu merchant, whose eyes lit up upon seeing it.
Shortly after, a snow-white banner embroidered with vine patterns in gold unfurled in the wind, fluttering vigorously.
In these troubled times, common people lived in hardship, uncertain of their next meal. When they were in despair, the Buddha’s Son descended from heaven to save them. At that time, everyone saw a huge white banner waving in the wind, so a thought became deeply rooted in everyone’s heart: as long as they saw the Buddha’s Son’s banner, they would be saved.
Now, seeing the familiar banner again, the people’s eyes grew intense, with some excitedly falling to their knees.
The Hu merchant pointed at the banner, declaring loudly, “The Buddha’s Son always says all beings are equal, regardless of birth, as long as they submit to the Royal Court, they are all children of the Royal Court! We are all faithful followers coming to pay respects to the Buddha’s Son. You beat and scold devout followers without cause – beware of evil karma! When the Buddha’s Son emerges from seclusion, he will surely uphold justice for us!”
The surrounding followers helped shout and cheer.
Those few soldiers were of low rank, and seeing the banner, they looked at each other, ultimately not daring to cause a big incident. They sneered, putting on a fierce front while inwardly afraid, withdrew their whips, and left.
Everyone sighed in relief and went forward to help those who had been beaten.
The Hu merchant stood in place, watching until the soldiers’ figures completely disappeared, then let out a long breath. He turned back wanting to thank the person who had given him the banner, but when he asked those nearby, no one knew.
No one knew who had provided the banner.
The Hu merchant guessed that the kind person who had helped might not want to offend the Imperial Guard, smiled, and put away the banner.
At the other end of the road, watching through the curtain gap as the Hu merchant put away the banner, her eyes showed traces of reluctance.
If not for wanting to avoid drawing attention, she would have asked for the banner back.
Tanmoloujia gazed at the kneeling crowds on both sides of the road and asked softly, “Where did the Princess find this banner?”
Yao Ying smiled, lowered the curtain, and said quietly, “I got it from Yuanjue that night when climbing the mountain, and have kept it with me. The Buddha’s Son’s reputation spreads far and wide – in case of emergency, this banner might prove useful…”
And it did prove useful.
As she spoke, she noticed Tanmoloujia’s gaze remaining fixed on her face, making her heart flutter anxiously. She withdrew her smile and asked, “General, did I do something wrong?”
Such banners were common among Royal Court merchant groups, not forbidden items.
She raised her eyelids, her black bright eyes looking up at Tanmoloujia, reflecting his fierce face.
He remained silent.
Although Yao Ying wore a veil, one could still see faint swelling marks on her forehead. These days, to blend in with the pilgrims, she would also prostrate toward the Holy City like them, the marks were from kowtowing.
She hadn’t mentioned it at all, and if he hadn’t noticed the scrapes on her forehead and palms while awake, he might never have discovered them.
“The Princess did nothing wrong.”
He said, his voice very soft but his tone firm.
Yao Ying slowly exhaled, her eyes curving slightly as she smiled at him.
As the disturbance subsided, the pilgrims were still shaken, not daring to delay further. They packed up their bedding and belongings and entered the city together.
More and more people left as the day grew late.
When only scattered travelers remained on the road, Yao Ying worried that staying too long would invite inspection from the Imperial Guard, and couldn’t help asking Tanmoloujia, “General, when will we enter the city?”
Tanmoloujia said calmly, “Wait a bit longer.”
After waiting another two full hours, with the evening glow burning fiercely at the horizon and the snow on the cliff stained with a layer of brilliant rouge color, Tanmoloujia still showed no intention of entering the city.
When the sunset withdrew its last rays of light, suddenly from the southern end of the road came the sound of horse hooves like a sudden rain.
Yao Ying narrowed her eyes and lifted the curtain to look toward the sound.
Two fast horses galloped past like a whirlwind, heading straight for the Holy City.
The Imperial Guards along the way heard the hoofbeats and came forward to greet them. The scouts on the fast horses shouted something, leaving everyone dumbfounded and standing in place. After a while, they came to their senses, looked at each other, mounted their horses, and galloped frantically toward the city following the scouts.
Wherever the scouts passed, people and horses were thrown into chaos.
Yao Ying turned back, looking questioningly at Tanmoloujia.
He said, “Wait another half hour, then we can enter the city.”
Outside the carriage window came the high-pitched neighing of horses.
Half an hour later, the two joined the crowds entering the city.
Not knowing exactly what had happened, the Four Armies knights along the way seemed to have all withdrawn, all inspection soldiers had vanished without a trace. The atmosphere was heavy and strange, and they entered the city effortlessly. The excuses Yao Ying had prepared and the bags of silver meant for bribing the Imperial Guard went completely unused.
What had happened?
While Yao Ying was still puzzled, in the heavy dusk, several thunderous bell tolls suddenly rang out from the direction of the city wall. She jumped in fright, instinctively moving closer to Tanmoloujia.
People on the road were equally startled, looking up and around.
The bell sounds lingered and echoed through the streets and alleys. The reporting scouts stood on the city wall, facing the citizens who had swarmed below upon hearing the bells, and shouted in terror: “The Regent is dead!”
Immediately, others began repeating the news of Regent Sudan Gu’s death.
The news stirred up waves of reaction.
Soldiers quickly dove into the streets and alleys, their deliberately trembling shouts reaching every neighborhood: “The Regent was killed by bandits!”
Yao Ying’s body stiffened, instinctively thinking Ashina Bisuo had met with some accident, her gaze meeting Tanmoloujia’s.
Amidst the howls of “The Regent is dead,” his expression remained calm, showing not a trace of shock or worry.
Yao Ying was stunned for a moment, then thinking of his composure these past days, suddenly understood, a flash of bright insight crossing her mind: Bisuo wasn’t dead – this was all part of their plan. Having the Regent “die” by an assassin’s blade would better deceive their enemies and draw out the true masterminds behind everything.
The reason he had insisted on entering the city today was because he knew exactly when news of the Regent’s death would arrive. Once those with ill intentions confirmed the Regent’s death, they would surely lower their guard and withdraw their men, allowing them to enter the city openly.
Yao Ying stared at the man beside her.
So even while severely injured, alone in the ice and snow, even while at risk of his techniques backfiring at any moment, even in his weakened state with unclear consciousness, he had still been planning and maneuvering for the Royal Court, never relaxing for a moment.
Though he had no personal guards with him, he could still grasp all intelligence in time, direct Bisuo’s next moves, arrange for Yuanjue to relay commands, control the overall situation, and even calculate the timing precisely… The eagle that flew back to him every night must have been carrying his orders.
Now, the Imperial Guard deliberately spreading news of the Regent’s death was also within his expectations.
These days she had been caring for him, urging him to rest and recover properly – had he listened to any of it?
Yao Ying fell silent.
…
News of Sudan Gu’s death spread quickly, throwing the city into chaos, with people’s hearts in turmoil.
The carriage arrived at an inconspicuous corner, where Tanmoloujia led Yao Ying down from the carriage. After many twists and turns, he brought her into a secluded courtyard and looked at her.
She hadn’t spoken since earlier.
Tanmoloujia lit the lamps in the room and said, “The Princess cannot return to the temple. Wait here. Bisuo returns to the city tonight and will come to take the Princess to stay at his residence temporarily.”
Yao Ying came to her senses and made a sound of acknowledgment.
Tanmoloujia said nothing, his gaze passing over her face.
Yao Ying smiled at him and said, “I understand. The General must return to the Royal Temple undetected to report important matters to the Buddha’s Son and cannot take me along. Don’t worry about me, General. No need to wait for General Ashina to return – I can go wait at his residence now.”
With the Regent “dead,” he needed to be even more careful about concealing his identity. She was now Akbar Yan and could go to Bisuo’s mansion by herself.
Tanmoloujia shook his head: “The Princess should wait here.”
Yao Ying nodded, not arguing with him: “I understand. Then I’ll listen to the General – I won’t go anywhere, I’ll just wait here for General Ashina.”
Tanmoloujia made a sound of acknowledgment and turned to leave.
Yao Ying worried about his injuries and instinctively wanted to stop him, to urge him to use his techniques sparingly. Her hand had just risen when she withdrew it again.
He wouldn’t listen – she had been advising him all these days, his ears must have grown calluses by now.
Yao Ying had been applying medicine daily, and the scar on her hand had changed from purple-blue to a tender pink color. She waved it timidly before his eyes, and when she withdrew it, there seemed to be a hint of grievance in the gesture.
Tanmoloujia secured his headscarf and walked out of the courtyard without hesitation, closing the gate.
After walking some distance, a sudden scream broke out in the quiet alley.
Tanmoloujia’s footsteps halted as he looked back.
In the dim light, cursing voices came from the alley as several merchants helped a woman walk out. The earlier warning bells and drums had startled the donkey the woman was riding. The stubborn beast had kicked up its hooves, throwing the woman off – the scream had come from her.
This was his meeting place with Bisuo, very close to Bisuo’s residence. Bisuo would arrive soon; she would be safe.
Tanmoloujia turned and continued walking forward.
…
Yao Ying watched Tanmoloujia leave, tidied up her silk bag, and after waiting a while, heard footsteps outside the door.
Bisuo had arrived.
Yao Ying’s eyes darted as she hugged her silk bag and hid in a corner, peering through the door crack. A tall figure stepped onto the stone stairs and walked over.
He pulled open the door, his jade-colored eyes looking directly at where Yao Ying was hiding.
Yao Ying met his gaze, her eyes widening in surprise.
“General Su?”
In the night, Tanmoloujia who had returned stood at the doorway, his expression calm. The moonlight poured down, making his figure appear especially tall as he nodded slightly to her and said quietly, “Princess, come with me to the Royal Temple.”
Yao Ying was stunned. “What about General Ashina?”
Tanmoloujia swept his sleeve, extinguishing the candle, and turned to walk out, “He knows what to do.”
Yao Ying was somewhat taken aback, stood dazed for a moment, then hugged her silk bag and followed him.
After walking a few steps, Tanmoloujia stopped.
Yao Ying stopped as well.
Tanmoloujia lowered his gaze.
Yao Ying looked up at him, their eyes meeting.
He said, “On the way to the Royal Temple, I must trouble the Princess somewhat.”
Yao Ying was startled, then smiled and said, “I’ll follow your lead.”
He raised his hand, his fingers brushing past Yao Ying’s cheek.
A black cloth covered Yao Ying’s eyes, wrapping around her temples and tied behind her head with a gentle knot, plunging her vision into darkness.
Yao Ying couldn’t see anything, but knowing he stood beside her, she didn’t feel panicked. She slowly reached out her hand and called softly, “General?”
Though her face was covered with the black cloth, her lips still curved slightly upward, showing complete trust.
Tanmoloujia bent down.
A familiar presence suddenly drew near, and Yao Ying felt herself being lifted. Her hands searched and wrapped around his neck, taking quite a while to find the right place in her blindness.
Then the wind whistled in her ears as he carried her soaring into the air, passing over rooftops, the crisp sound of feet landing on roof tiles echoing in the night.
In complete darkness, Yao Ying didn’t know how much time had passed when she felt his speed decrease, his body shifting as if moving through uneven terrain. Among the wind sounds came the patter of flowing water – in such cold weather, which river hadn’t frozen? Could it be the sound of melting ice?
She pondered idly.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Tanmoloujia set Yao Ying down without removing the black cloth from her eyes, and pressed something into her palm, saying, “Follow me.”
They seemed to be in a very spacious area – though he kept his voice very low, there were still faint echoes.
Yao Ying nodded with a sound of acknowledgment, her fingers grasping what he had placed in her hand, finding it to be a piece of soft fabric. She tugged slightly, and the figure beside her shifted.
She reached up puzzled, feeling his solid arm.
So what he had given her was his sleeve.
Yao Ying’s lips curved slightly as she listened to Tanmoloujia’s voice, holding his sleeve tightly as she followed him. After walking along a flat path, they came to a gentle stairway. He walked in front of her, occasionally quietly warning her about upcoming turns or stone steps.
The secret passage was narrow, their two breathing patterns gradually intertwining.
…
Royal Temple.
Under the northernmost cliff, among a row of caves large and small, only the innermost cave had an oil lamp lit, its yellow light flickering, illuminating the round-faced Buddhist statues carved on all four walls, solemn and majestic.
In the silence, the bookshelf against the wall suddenly creaked.
The guard sitting cross-legged in the cave immediately jumped up three feet high, respectfully waiting before the bookshelf. After the Buddha’s Son left the Holy City, he had been staying in the cave pretending to be the Buddha’s Son, almost forgetting what day it was.
Soon after, the bookshelf was pushed open from inside, and two figures slowly walked out – one tall and straight in dark clothes, the other graceful and feminine, a woman with a black cloth covering her eyes, carefully following the man into the cave.
The guard was dumbstruck, his eyes bulging round.
The Buddha’s Son had gone to Gaochang and brought back a young lady through the secret passage to the temple!