After seeing Li Xuanzhen off, Yao Ying no longer had a worry.

Li Zhongqian and Wang Ting had almost finished their negotiations on trade and were already drafting the documents.

Her eyesight had not yet recovered, so she could not write or read letters, and could only ask her personal soldiers to read them for her. Some official documents required her to sign her signature in person, so she had to use a seal instead for the time being.

Li Zhongqian did not allow her to go out and asked her to stay in the inn to recuperate.

Every day she asked General Jin to deliver letters to the royal temple. The letters were written by her maids. They contained only trivial things like what she had done that day, whether her eyes were feeling better, and what she had eaten.

Tanmarajiva's reply was also very ordinary. Knowing that she could not read letters, the letter mostly contained a few greetings and a reminder for her to remember to change the medicine. The content was ordinary and would not expose either of them's identities if seen by others.

Letters are delivered by wild geese every day.

One day, Yao Ying was sitting in front of the scaffolding under the corridor waiting for the return of the Jin generals when she heard footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

"Princess, someone from the Royal Temple has been sent to pick you up."

Yaoying moved back to the courtyard. As soon as she entered the house, she smelled a familiar scent of agarwood approaching. She reached out and grabbed the other person's sleeve, smiling and shaking it gently.

"Mage."

Tanmaraka would come to visit her at night these few days. I don't know how he talked to Li Zhongqian, but Li Zhongqian actually acquiesced and didn't stop him from entering the house. Today, Bamil came to pick her up. Li Zhongqian knew about it, but he didn't run back to stop him. He just sent his personal soldiers to give a few instructions.

Tanmarajika said nothing and slowed down his pace.

Yaoying just pulled his sleeve and walked inside.

After a while, Tanmaraka stopped and said, "Princess, please sit here. Mundadeva is coming. Let him look at your eyes."

She said her eyes hurt just to scare Li Zhongqian, and that it would heal in a few days. After a few days, she still couldn't see, so he was worried and asked Li Zhongqian's permission to bring her back to recuperate. Yuanjue said it seriously, as if she was going to go blind. Li Zhongqian was afraid that she would have eye problems, so he agreed with a gloomy face.

Yaoying sat down as she was told. Tanmarajiva leaned over her, his clothes rustled slightly, and his breath fanned over her forehead.

He untied the cloth from her eyes and frowned slightly.

Mengda Deva was summoned to help Yaoying with her eyes. After reading the doctor's prescription and smelling the ointment she usually applied, he said, "This ointment is mild in nature and the prescription is suitable for the disease. Just apply this ointment for external use and add a medicine for internal use. The king does not need to worry. In half a month, the princess should be able to see again."

Tanmarajiva stared at Yaoying in silence.

Bi Suo suddenly appeared at the door, panting, and winked at him. He left Yuan Jue to take care of Yao Ying and went out.

Mondadeva continued to apply medicine to Yaoying.

Yao Ying asked her people to leave and asked, "Master, is the Buddha's body feeling better?"

Mengda Deva and Yuanjue looked at each other, and then looked at Yaoying, who looked hopeful but couldn't see anything clearly, and said, "Princess, judging from the Buddha's pulse in the past few days, the new medicine prescription is effective."

Yao Ying was overjoyed.

Monda Deva continued, "This medicine is extremely painful when taken, making it unbearable, but it can stimulate the effect of the water hyacinth and reduce its toxicity. As long as the Buddhist stops practicing Qigong and takes good care of himself, he will be safe within a few years."

Yaoying was extremely happy.

Now Tanmarajiva no longer needs to go to the battlefield in person and he doesn’t need to practice martial arts. Since the new prescription is effective, as long as he stops practicing martial arts, he will definitely be able to recover!

"Master, you are a great doctor! Thank you for your hard work."

"Princess praise."

Mengda Deva's eyes flashed and he left. After a while, the Indian doctor brought medicine.

Yuanjue took the medicine and handed it to Yaoying. She fumbled for the bowl and drank it in small sips.

There were footsteps at the door, and Bamir came in and spoke to Yuanjue, "The king has something urgent to attend to, and the princess's eye injury has not healed yet. The king has ordered you to stay by her side and not leave the princess alone."

Yuanjue responded and asked, "General Ashina ran away so quickly just now, what happened?"

"Princess Chima requested an audience. The king went back to see the princess."

After these words were spoken, Yuanjue and Yaoying, who was sitting and drinking medicine, were both stunned.

Yaoying hasn't heard any news about Princess Chima for a long time.

Princess Chima and Tanmaraka were not close. When the royal court was in danger, she took her guards and hid in her private estate, not caring about anything else. After the army returned victorious, she immediately returned to the Holy City, where she drank and had fun with the nobles every day. Bishuo often visited her.

Yuanjue asked Bamil, "Why did Princess Chima ask to see the king? Is it because of Prince Mobito?"

“I don’t know about that either.”

Frustrated.

Yao Ying turned to him and asked: "What is this about Mo Biduo?"

Yuanjue replied, "Prince Mobito is not from an aristocratic family. When he entered the Jiedu Yamen, the ministers in the court were talking about it. Princess Chima asked to see the king about this matter... The princess said that the king was biased and unfair to General Ashina."

Yao Ying frowned.

A few years ago, Princess Chima broke up with Tanmo Luoga because he stopped her from killing innocent people. Since then, she has poured all her hatred for the Zhang family on Tanmo Luoga. No matter what Tanmo Luoga does, she is not satisfied.

There were footsteps approaching from afar in the corridor, and the guard clasped his fists and reported: "Princess, Princess Manda wants to see you."

Princess Manda was imprisoned for several days. The Indian medical officer pleaded for her, and the personal soldiers searched her residence and confiscated a batch of items before she was released.

Yaoying thought for a moment, put her hand on Yuanjue's arm, and said, "Ask her to go next door."

Whenever she met outsiders, she would go to the house next door, which was connected to this house, but from the outside it looked like two independent houses.

Princess Manda had been crying out to heaven and earth for the past few days, but no one was responding. She was filled with resentment. As soon as she entered the house, she complained loudly: "The Buddhist not only sent people to search my boxes and cages, but also ordered the delegation to return to the country as soon as possible. I will leave tomorrow! The last time I left the royal court, I left in a hurry, and this time I am being treated so lightly!"

The last time she left the royal court, she was laughed at and secretly hated it. This time she came to the royal court, she dressed up beautifully and rode an elephant into the city, just to avenge her previous shame and make a splash, but the Buddhist son chased her away again!

Just by listening to Princess Manda's angry tone, you can tell how angry she is.

Yao Ying could do nothing to help. She had already exchanged letters of credence with the Malu delegation. Princess Manda came to the royal court with the delegation to present the letters of credence. There was really no other reason for her to stay longer. Princess Manda was mainly going to Gaochang, so she could stay for a while longer.

"I am not feeling well, so I will have my personal soldiers see you off tomorrow. You don't need to worry about me. If you have any troubles in Malu in the future, you only need to find a local merchant, and the merchant will do its best to help you solve your problems."

Princess Manda looked at Yaoying. Although her eyes were covered with a layer of cloth, she had a smile on her lips and her face was shining, like a pearl emitting a faint glow. It was obvious that she was really happy.

The Buddha could not give her any status, but she didn't care at all.

"I do not understand."

Princess Manda sat down next to Yaoying, and the scene of her resolutely stepping into the fire altar appeared in front of her eyes. She said puzzledly, "The princess is obsessed with the Buddhist disciple, and the Buddhist disciple is also clearly interested in the princess, but he is afraid to make love with the princess because of too many concerns. Is the princess willing to have such an unofficial relationship with the Buddhist disciple? I love such a beauty as the princess, but how can the Buddhist disciple remain unmoved? If the princess doesn't use some tricks, when will she get what she wants?"

She said earnestly, "Princess, if you love someone, you should use whatever means you have. Don't be too cautious! Life is short, enjoy it while you can."

Yao Ying smiled, "I appreciate the princess's intention. I got what I asked for, not what the princess thought."

"Princess, are you only looking for the Buddha's heart?" Princess Manda curled her lips, "If you have the heart, why can't you get the person as well? If you can't get the person, it's boring to have the heart alone!"

Yao Ying smiled and said casually, "Master is a monk. It is enough for him to share half of his devotion to Buddha with me."

Princess Manda was stunned for a moment, feeling a little annoyed.

"Princess, you don't have to worry about this anymore."

Yaoying said with a smile, her tone very gentle, but she exuded a completely different kind of graceful aura.

Princess Manda often saw this kind of aura in those powerful people who held the power of life and death. She couldn't help but shudder. Thinking of Yao Ying's current status, she sat up straighter and said, "I am rude."

…

Wang Temple.

Princess Chima, dressed in gorgeous clothes and wearing a pearl and jade crown on her head, walked into the brightly lit front hall with a smile on her face.

"The Northern Rong have surrendered, and the world is peaceful now. I want to get married, Luo Jia." She signaled the chief secretary to take out the wedding invitation and hand it to the personal guards, saying, "The prince consort is called Akelie, a commander of the imperial guards, not a member of the Kang, Xue, An, or Meng families. Can you rest assured?"

Tanmo Luojia said calmly: "As long as he is a person of good character, no matter what his family name is, he can be the prince consort."

Princess Chima sneered, "I have already decided on the person and the wedding date. You are my brother. Although you are a person of indifference and never care about these things, I still want to tell you something."

After saying that, she turned away.

When Bisha heard this, he frowned and was about to chase after him, but Tanmarajya stopped him and said, "Whose subordinate is Akelie?"

Bisha turned around quickly and said, "It's Youwei's man. I know him. His family has been officers of the imperial guards for generations. He is a loyal and honest man. He got married at the age of fifteen. His wife died of illness a few years ago and he has no children. Last time when Haidu Aling raided the Holy City, he was in charge of guarding the princess's mansion."

Tanmaraka hummed, put down the invitation, and said, "Did Mobito go to the Jiedu Yamen the day before yesterday?"

Bi Suo came to his senses and said, "On the first day he reported to the military headquarters, he had a minor conflict with several generals. Someone laughed at his heavy accent and they had a few arguments, but nothing serious happened."

Everyone knows that the heavy accent is just an excuse. Even if Mobido is perfect and there is nothing wrong with him, he still has a hard time in the military.

The aristocratic families cannot be defeated in a day or two; they are deeply rooted, like a thorn in the flesh.

The candles flickered and the incense smoke curled up in the hall.

Tanmarajiva opened a memorial, which was a document requesting trade with the Wei Dynasty. Once he signed it and sent it to various departments, Li Zhongqian could return to Gaochang.

He looked at the memorial and didn't write for a long time.

"Your Majesty." Prajna bowed outside the temple gate, holding a stack of scriptures in her hands. "Ten days from now, there will be a grand Dharma assembly. Several monks who came to travel here want to debate with the monks. The monks cannot tell whether the scriptures they brought are from heterodox religions or not. Please seize them."

The wind blew into the inner hall, and the felt curtains swayed slightly.

"Just bring it in."

Tanmarajiva said calmly, picked up the pen and wrote a reply on the memorial, handed it to the guards, and ordered it to be passed on. He sat there in a trance for a while, picked up the wedding invitation beside him, looked at it for a few seconds, and stood up and left the inner hall.

Bamil was waiting in front of the alley.

He asked, "Has the princess changed her medicine?"

Bamil replied, "It has changed. Princess Manda came over just now. She will leave tomorrow. Princess Wen Zhao drank the medicine and talked to her for a while to see her off."

Tanmarajiva frowned slightly and returned to the courtyard. The house was brightly lit, but no one was there.

This is how his residence should be, quiet and free of worries.

She shouldn't be here.

"Princess Wen Zhao hasn't come back yet?"

Tanmaraka asked.

"In the house next door, Yuan Jue accompanied the princess there. The princess said she would stay there tonight and would not come back, so the king does not need to worry."

Tanmarajiva glanced at the empty house and walked towards the corridor leading to the next door.

The sky is boundless, with a silver disk hanging high in the sky. There is silence all around, with the occasional chirping of night birds. The moonlight pours down like frost and snow, illuminating the outlines of the grass and trees outside the corridor. The cold wind blows gently, swaying the shadows of the trees, and the silver light flows and floats in the night.

Tanmaraka brushed aside the vines entwined in front of the archway, and suddenly a pleasant and melodious sound of a pipa came.

The swaying light from the garden shone on his face, highlighting his handsome features.

He subconsciously wanted to step back, his eyes drifting across the quiet corridor towards the courtyard, and his steps suddenly stopped.

Felt curtains were hung high in front of the courtyard, a tent was set up, the moonlight was bright, and I didn't know what kind of flowers and trees were planted in the courtyard. The fragrance of the flowers was rich and strong, and it wafted in the dark night, making the fragrance even sweeter.

Shadows swayed in the tent. Several maids were sitting on the ground, playing music, some holding pipa and 亂鼓, some holding flute and golden bells. The music was soft and mellow, breaking the silence of the night, passing through the thick darkness, and circling around.

The gauze curtains were blown up high by the breeze, and a graceful figure was looming in the distance. She swung her arms lightly, and slowly moved around in time with the music, her supple waist gently twisting. An indescribable gentle charm flowed in the dark night, like layers of flowers blooming one after another, eclipsing the moonlight in the courtyard.

The music became more lingering, and the dancing figure in the gauze tent stretched out her arms, her shadows swaying like branches of flowers. The drumbeats suddenly stopped, and the gauze curtains fluttered, revealing a snow-white arm. A string of glittering jade-inlaid gold bracelets on the arm reflected rays of light, making the skin look even whiter.

The night wind blew, blowing up the gauze curtain.

The moon was dim and the lights were flickering. She was dancing in the dark night with her eyes covered with a cloth, swaying to the music. Her dance was graceful and charming, like a flower swaying gently in the wind, about to fall, stirring the heart and arousing pity, or as if she was about to fly away with the wind, pure, light, noble and elegant.

The floral scent in the air became stronger.

Tanmaraka's eyes were deep.

The music came to an end, and like drizzling rain, the woman behind the gauze curtain moved lightly with lotus steps. The dark clouds dispersed, and a beam of moonlight poured down, just lingering on her shoulders.

She had her hair in a high bun, and the pomegranate-red sash that tied her hair reached her ankles. Her eyes were still covered with cloth, and she was wearing a thin, soft Indian dress with a pattern of floral branches made of gold and silver thread and inlaid with gold lace. The edge of the dress was embroidered with gold leaves and silver bells, and only reached her waist. Her fat waist could be seen between the trembling silver bells. The long skirt was thin, and the light gauze wrapped around her legs showed off her slender figure.

The dress is embellished with dense pearls and colorful gems. When she dances, thousands of colors change and flash, as bright as clouds, gorgeous and dazzling.

Graceful and extremely beautiful.

The music became slower and softer, and her movements became more graceful and elegant, like a flower in full bloom.

She looked back and smiled, her face was covered in sweat and dust.

The surroundings were as silent as water, and the people in the tent stared up at her blankly.

Suddenly, the tune of the music rose abruptly, becoming loud and cheerful, the sound of drums was like heavy rain, silver bells rang, she smiled slightly, and spun along with the music, spinning faster and faster, twirling and dancing like a tumbleweed, colorful ribbons flying high, rustling, the fragments of her dress became a colorful rainbow, her hands danced in ever-changing postures, her feet never left the room, gorgeous and dazzling.

Just like the goddess dancing in paradise in the mural.

At the end of the song, she was slightly out of breath, her shirt half-off, revealing a hint of sweat on her snow-white shoulders.

Princess Manda's cheerful laughter came from the tent. She walked forward with a wine bowl in her hand, her face full of joy, and said something.

Yaoying smiled, took the wine bowl, raised her head, and faced the direction where Tanmaragha was standing.

Tanmarajiva stood in the cold shadows, her figure motionless. She knew the distance was far, and with a cloth covering her eyes, she just happened to look over, her body still slightly tensed.

Princess Manda ordered her maid to continue playing and pulled Yaoying to dance with her. The two of them danced a vigorous dance with a combination of strength and flexibility, and a vigorous and lively style.

Yao Ying smiled and whispered to Princess Manda from time to time. If her eyes had not been injured, her bright eyes would have been filled with joy and laughter.

The aroma is refreshing.

Tanmaraka had never seen her like this before.

Youthful, lively, charming and attractive.

Maybe she had always been like this, but because she was concerned about the fact that he was a monk, she never showed this side of herself in front of him.

He stood there in a daze for a while, then tightly grasped the Buddhist beads, turned his back, stood in the shadows, and was lost in thought for a long time.

The corridor is dark.

Someone knelt outside the tent and advised Princess Manda to rest early as they had to travel quickly tomorrow. Princess Manda muttered a few words and the music stopped. The girl's cute laughter lingered in the night.

Tanmarajiva stepped onto the stone steps and took a few steps when he heard chattering behind him and a group of people walked over.

"Princess, who will win or lose between you and Princess Manda?"

Yao Ying chuckled, "We make friends through dancing, why should we argue about winning or losing?"

"The Takuzhi dance performed by the princess and Princess Manda is so beautiful..."

The voices came closer and closer, then suddenly stopped.

"I forgot to take it..."

The footsteps faded away.

Tanmaraka waited for a while and walked out from the shadows.

"Who's there?"

A gentle question.

Tanmaraka raised his eyes.

Yao Ying stood in front of the corridor pillar, her hair disheveled, her face flushed, her colorful silk sash hanging low, her dress as thin as mist, her slender skin faintly visible, the moonlight outlining her undulating lines, her snow-white skin oozing with sweat, and she asked softly in his direction.

Under the moonlight, she covered her eyes, her lips bright red.

Tanmarajya closed his eyes for a moment.

"Is it fate?"

He remained silent for a long time. Yao Ying asked again, stretched out her hand, and walked towards him.

She happened to be standing under an arched dome. There was a staircase under the columns painted with green branches and leaves, but she couldn't see it, so she stepped on empty air and fell forward.

Tanmaraka stepped forward and held her arm.

Through the thin veil, her smooth and clean arm slid through his palm.

Yao Ying couldn't stand still for a moment, and threw herself into his arms, grabbed his sleeve, raised her face, and smiled slyly: "Master, I knew it was you."

Tanmaraka held her soft body and asked, "How do you know it was me?"

"There should be someone guarding this place. They will retreat only when you come..."

Yaoying was so tired that her whole body felt limp. She felt a little lazy. She sniffed the sleeve of his cassock and said, "And I can smell your fragrance."

Suddenly, an electric current surged through his body. Tanmarajika lowered his eyes and tightly grasped the Buddhist beads in his sleeves.

Yao Ying couldn't see anything, so she didn't notice his stiffness and asked, "What time is it? Why is the wizard here?"

Tanmaraka looked at her.

She panted slightly, hugged his arms, and the colorful silk ribbons also wrapped around him.

The fragrance of flowers was soaked with sweat, and the aroma became stronger.

There was a sound of chaotic footsteps approaching, and her servants came over.

Yaoying turned around and was about to speak when Tanmarajiva raised his hand as if possessed by a demon, held her shoulders, turned her around, and hid behind the flower vine where he had just stood.

The branches and leaves stretched out, carrying the scent of night dew, and entangling the two people.

Yaoying looked up blankly and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Tanmarajika said nothing. In the small space, the two stood facing each other. She was unsteady on her feet, so he held her waist and let her lean on him. It felt like he was holding a piece of soft jade, as gentle as spring water. With the slightest breeze, she would melt in his arms.

Their breaths intertwined and blended together. She looked up at him with her red lips slightly parted.

Tanmaraka lowered his head and moved closer to her.

The moonlight filtered through the tiny cracks in the vines and shone on him. His brows were calm, and there seemed to be a light of Buddha's light surrounding him.

Yaoying felt as if his body was a little hot and looked at him blankly.

The next moment, his hot fingers pressed on the back of her neck, and he pressed her into his arms with gentle force, and his lips fell on the top of her head, just like the time in the canyon, just gently and restrainedly rubbing her hair, and separated at the touch.

Yaoying's body also gradually became hot. She snuggled up to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and trembling slightly.

"Princess! Princess?"

Yuanjue's voice echoed in the corridor.

Tanmarajiva let go of Yaoying, and the tightly clenched Buddhist beads left a mark on his palm.

That night, Yaoying returned to the courtyard to sleep.

Tanmarajiva was meditating in a quiet room.

She and Princess Manda had been chatting for half the night and were really tired. After washing up, she felt even more tired. She tossed and turned for a while and then fell asleep.

Hearing her breathing becoming long and even, Tanmarajiva opened his eyes, stood up, walked around the felt screen, went to the couch and sat down.

She actually fell asleep like that, not worrying at all about what he might do in the room next to her.

If you don't care about anything, you won't be afraid.

Tanmarajiva stared at Yaoying for a long time, with waves surging in his blue eyes. He raised his hand and lightly brushed her lips with his fingertips.

Her lips are softer than the flesh.

The three demon women who seduced the Buddha in the scriptures were enchantingly beautiful. They transformed themselves into charming beauties to seduce the Buddha, but the Buddha was unmoved and responded with a cold face.

She didn't do anything, but he felt lustful.

In the past, his only desire was to keep her by his side, hoping that she could accompany him for a long time and only have eyes for him.

Now, his lust was mixed with his physical desire for her. He had practiced Buddhism since he was young, and his mind was indifferent. He had never felt such uncontrollable physical desire, which was like a raging fire. Only she could extinguish this blazing flame.

Tanmarajiva did not sleep all night.

The next day, before she woke up, he went to Wangsi first.

Prajna came to get the scriptures from yesterday and asked, "King, will you attend the debate?"

Tanmarajiva closed the scripture and shook his head.

"The grand ceremony will be presided over by monks from other temples."

The path he follows is destined to be different from that of others.

Prajna retreated in disappointment.