Bishuo hurried to the main hall, and the guards personally checked the bronze talisman and let him in.

The atmosphere in the main hall is solemn and dignified, with prayer flags fluttering and incense curling in the air.

The crowd in front of the hall moved, and Prajna stood in front of the hall door and bowed. The envoys from various countries who came to pay homage entered the hall one by one and formally presented their credentials.

In the hall, Buddhist chants were circling, candles were flickering, and the Buddha statues and precious objects were shining with golden light. Tanmarajiva was sitting on the throne in a scarlet cassock. Monks in robes surrounded him and chanted scriptures in unison. He was bathed in the Buddhist sounds and candlelight, with clear features, handsome face, and a calm expression, as if he was standing high above the clouds, cold and holy.

The members of the Vimala delegation, dressed in gorgeous clothes and wearing golden crowns, were coming forward one by one and paying homage to the Buddha statue.

After paying homage, the messenger Virāmāla stepped forward to salute Tanmarāga, then turned sideways to signal to his personal attendants behind him.

There was the sound of jingling jewelry, and a woman in a long silk dress embroidered with pearls and hemmed with vine patterns and gold and silver threads came forward, removed her face veil, and bowed politely.

The woman had brown skin, distinct facial features, an exquisite figure, and a dress of bright colors. She wore a pearl on her forehead, and gold bracelets and beads on her neck, hands, waist, and feet. After entering the hall, she slowly raised the curtain and looked at Tanmaragha with her gray-green eyes. Her eyes moved slightly, and every move she made seemed to be gently twisting her waist to the rhythm, which was fascinating and seductive.

The members of the envoys from other countries in front of the palace looked at the woman with undisguised infatuation in their eyes.

The envoy Virama listened with satisfaction to the suppressed praises from the people around him, and said with pride: "This is Princess Manda from our country."

There was a commotion outside the hall, with people whispering to each other.

Princess Manda faced the gazes of the crowd, holding a golden plate with rare flowers in the plate, and walked to the altar with lotus steps to offer the flowers. She stared at Tanmaraka with her gray-green eyes for a moment, then suddenly smiled, lowered her eyes and head, as if she was shy and timid, and was indescribably charming and moving.

The members of the delegation were all fascinated.

Tanmarajiva lowered his eyes slightly, swept his gaze over Princess Manda, and signaled the monks to offer the golden plate in front of the Buddha statue.

Princess Manda’s expression froze.

She was born with a beautiful appearance. She had learned dancing from the best dancers in the temple since she was young. She was a superb dancer. With a single dance of the Devil Dance, she could make half of the noble men in the city kneel at her feet and let her do whatever she wanted. She had met all kinds of men, whether they were noble royals, shrewd businessmen, or monks who observed the precepts. All the men looked at her with lustful eyes. However, the king in front of her looked at her with such cold eyes, without any sadness or joy, without a trace of emotion.

The king of the royal court was not like the monks she had met before. Those monks avoided her gaze and did not dare to look at her. He did not waver at all. He sat upright on the throne and looked down at her, as if he was looking at a flower, a sedge, a stone, a mortal who was no different from anyone else.

Princess Manda had only seen this kind of solemn look on Buddha statues in temples.

She felt a little depressed. It seemed that this king of the royal court was a person who was difficult to impress.

The messenger did not notice Princess Manda's stiffness and said with a smile, "Princess Manda has been studying Buddhism with the monks of the royal temple since she was young. She is a Upasika. The princess has admired the Buddha for a long time and has read the Buddhist scriptures translated by the Buddha. She has been thinking about it day and night. This time, the princess came to the royal court and is willing to follow the example of the Modanga girl and enter the temple to practice. I hope the Buddha will allow it."

In an instant, the atmosphere became quiet.

Everyone in the palace raised their heads, trying to hide the jealousy and resentment in their hearts: although their princesses were also beautiful, they could not compare with Princess Tianzhu. Princess Tianzhu was not only beautiful, but also had a kind of elusive charm in her every move. If Princess Tianzhu stayed, the other princesses would become foils, and Buddhist disciples would not even look at them.

Outside the hall, Bisha and Yuanjue frowned, while Prajna, who was nodding in agreement, frowned even more, and she wished she could jump up and curse.

Messenger Viramali paid no attention to the sarcastic looks from the people around him and looked very proud. Whenever Princess Manda was sent as an envoy to various countries, the king and prince of that country were fascinated by her. He was confident that this time the monarch of the royal court would not be able to resist the beauty of the princess.

In the silence, Tanmarajiva raised his eyes.

Princess Manda looked at him and couldn't help feeling nervous.

Tanmaraka said calmly: "Since the donor is Upasika, he should devote himself to the Dharma."

Having said that, he glanced around, and everyone in the hall was so angry that they dared not utter a word.

"Don't mention this matter again."

The tone was dignified and left no room for doubt.

This time, the hall was exceptionally quiet. Everyone was stunned and speechless for a long time.

The envoy Virāmāla did not expect that Tanmarāga’s response would be so decisive. He was stunned and wanted to argue: Since Princess Wenzhao of the Han Dynasty could do it, why couldn’t Princess Manda?

Before he could finish his words, the envoy suddenly woke up and his hands and feet stiffened when he met the gaze of the sword-wielding guards in front of the palace.

He almost forgot that the Buddha was the monarch of the royal court. The Buddha refused in person and said that the matter should not be mentioned again in the future. How could the countries that came to pay homage dare to act rashly in front of him?

The Buddhists can keep whoever they want, and they don’t even have the qualifications to question.

The messenger calmed down, puzzled: Princess Manda is so beautiful, but the Buddhist is completely unmoved. Who on earth is that Princess Wen Zhao could make an exception for the Buddhist?

He was just wondering when a tribal envoy stepped forward and asked loudly, "Since your country can keep Princess Wen Zhao from the Han land, why can't our princess stay? We have been in contact with your country for nearly a hundred years and have a deep friendship. Can't we be compared with the Han land thousands of miles away? Your country cannot favor one over the other!"

The envoy's mouth twitched. When countries interact with each other, the strong countries will favor some over others. The people of the small tribe were indeed vulgar. They actually asked this question.

He looked up at Tanmaraka with disdain, wanting to hear how he would answer.

The envoys from other countries had the same reaction as him, and countless eyes were once again focused on Tanmaragha.

Tanmaraka's face was calm, and he said, "There is only one Modanga girl."

When these words were spoken, everyone couldn't believe it, and the monks in the hall also showed surprised expressions.

Outside the hall, Bisha looked as if she had been whipped and could hardly stand steadily.

…

After accepting the gifts from various countries, Tanmarajiva got up and left.

The envoys from various countries left the hall, discussing the matter.

Someone cast a sneer at the messenger Virāmāla, who was furious. He turned around to look at Princess Manda and said, "We still have a chance. When we see your demon dance, even a Buddhist would be tempted."

Princess Manda asked softly, "Have you ever met Princess Wen Zhao?"

The messenger said, "No, since the beginning of the Dharma Assembly, the princess has rarely appeared in public. The few times she went out, she wore a veil. Our people did not see her true face."

He chuckled, his tone revealing disdain.

"How can a Handi princess compare to you?"

Princess Manda shook her head: "You underestimated the enemy. I asked my maids and the Buddha's personal soldiers to ask about Princess Wen Zhao. Do you know how they described her beauty?"

The messenger frowned.

Princess Manda said slowly, "They said that Princess Wen Zhao was so bright and beautiful that when they saw her, they thought of pomegranates and honey, the bright moon, the azure sea, and the Jetavana Grove with its ground paved with gold. Her smile could turn any experienced warrior into a young man again."

The messenger's expression became serious: "I underestimated the Handi princess. If she is really as beautiful as the legend says, no wonder the Buddhist said there is only one Modanga girl."

Princess Manda put on her veil and said, "Send someone to keep an eye on Princess Wen Zhao and find out what's so special about her."

The messenger nodded.

…

On the other side, Yao Ying had just returned to the courtyard when her personal guards came up to her and said, "Princess, have you heard? The Indian princess is coming to the royal temple today!"

Yao Ying was stunned. "Princess Tianzhu?"

Is it because of Princess Tianzhu that Yuanjue doesn't want her to go to the palace? Is he afraid that they will quarrel?

The guard said, "Princess, I heard that the princesses in those delegations are more beautiful than each other. If they all stay, what will you do?"

Yao Ying shook her head, went into the room and sat down, picked up a pen and wrote a letter, saying: "The master is a great monk. No matter how beautiful those princesses are, in the eyes of the master, they are just skins."

Once, there was an ugly old woman with a crooked mouth and slanted eyes who was praying outside the temple. Others kept a distance from her, but Tanmarakshi did not mind that the old woman was ugly and smelly, and prayed for her. In his eyes, there was no distinction between beauty and ugliness.

The guard brought a brazier and placed it in front of the desk, whispering, "Princess, the monk is also a human being. On the day of the martial arts competition, the Buddhist will attend the ceremony as a monarch, and Princess Tianzhu will dance for him. I heard from people that even stones would be moved after seeing Princess Tianzhu's magic dance."

Yao Ying stopped moving her hands and asked, "Demon Dance?"

She thought of the mural "Subduing the Demons", in which one of the paintings depicted the story of the demon king sending three beautiful daughters to seduce the Buddha. The demons were naked, wearing only a transparent gauze, dancing around the Buddha, posing in a seductive and charming manner.

Princess Tianzhu wants to seduce Indamaruga and shake his will?

Yao Ying frowned slightly.

She knew that Tanmarajiva would not be tempted, but in the final analysis, this matter was caused by her. It was because Raja made an exception for her that all these troubles arose.

Yao Ying hesitated for a moment and asked, "Are all the things I want ready?"

The guard said, "Everything is ready. This was done by Lao Qi himself."

Yao Ying nodded, took out a piece of gold-sprinkled paper that the shop had recently made, wrote a formal birthday message, and blew away the ink.

The next day, she took the letter of credence to find Yuanjue.

People on the street were looking at her.

Yao Ying thought secretly that the people in the royal court had been looking at her with hostility recently, so she had to find a way to leave the royal temple as soon as possible.

…

Yuanjue was on duty in the meditation room. When he heard that Yaoying was looking for him, he said to the messenger, "Princess Wen Zhao, please go back first. I will be free at noon."

Tanmarajiva, who was reading memorials with his head down, heard the voice and raised his eyes to glance at him.

Yuan Jue hurried forward and bowed to explain: "Your Majesty, Princess Wen Zhao wants to discuss something with me."

Tanmaraka lowered his eyes, looked at the parchment scroll, and said, "Let her in, and you go out to see her."

Yuan Jue was stunned and replied yes.

After a while, the messenger came with Yao Ying.

Yao Ying did not dare to disturb Tanmarajya, so she stood outside the hall, waiting for Yuanjue to come out, and asked in a low voice: "I heard that on the first day of the ceremony, ministers, common people, all tribes and envoys must offer gifts to the Buddha?"

Yuanjue nodded.

Yaoying asked again: "Princess Tianzhu wants to perform a dance there?"

Yuan Jue's expression suddenly changed, and he said in one breath: "The king has already said that the princess is the only daughter of Modanga. Princess Tianzhu will not succeed. Princess, just rest assured!"

Yao Ying was stunned.

"What does the only Modanga girl mean?"

Yuan Jue was also stunned: "Princess, haven't you heard yet?"

He told her what happened yesterday and finally said, "When the ceremony is over, all princesses must leave the Holy City and return to their tribes and countries before the end of the month, including Princess Tianzhu."

Yao Ying stood in front of the hall, lost in thought for a while.

If Tanmarajiva had rejected her directly like he rejected Princess Tianzhu, she would not have been able to escape from the clutches of Haidu Aling.

…

After a cup of tea, Yuanjue returned to the meditation room and stood in the corner.

Without even raising his head, Tanmaraka asked, "What is it?"

Yuanjue guessed that he was asking about Li Yaoying, and replied, "Princess Wen Zhao said that she would also present gifts to the king on the day of the ceremony, and asked if I could arrange a seat for her. The princess has even written a eulogy... I was just about to ask the king if we could add a seat for Princess Wen Zhao."

The pen in Tanmarajaka's hand paused for a moment.

Yuanjue scratched his head and asked tentatively, "Tian?"

Tanmarajiva continued writing and nodded slightly.

…

In a blink of an eye, it was the first day of the ceremony.

The streets of the holy city were deserted, the scene was unprecedented, and the martial arts arena and the sea were bustling with people.

Led by Yuanjue, Yaoying walked into a felt tent on the high platform.

The tent was covered with Persian carpets, and the ladies sat at the desk. At first glance, the room was filled with jewels and golden glitter.

Yaoying did not dress up today. She was still wearing her usual attire, a brocade robe and long boots. She had her hair in a man's bun. There was no decoration on her head except for a jade lotus hairpin. Her face was still covered with a veil.

Yuan Jue looked at her several times, and muttered to herself: Why doesn't Princess Wen Zhao wear heavy makeup today like she did in Gaochang? Although the princess looks beautiful dressed like this, the other princesses all wear pearls and jade, and Princess Wen Zhao doesn't even wear a flower. Isn't it too shabby?

The princess's caravan travels back and forth on the trade routes, and her silk shops change their designs every month. Noblewomen from various countries flock to them, so they must have no shortage of gold, silver, and jewelry.

Could it be that the princess was doing the opposite and deliberately dressing in men's clothing to appear different from the crowd?

Yaoying didn't know that Yuanjue was commenting on her outfit in her mind, so she found her seat and sat down.

The noble ladies and princesses on the stage were wrapped in gorgeous silk and embroidered with layer upon layer of pearl ornaments. Yao Ying, dressed in a chic narrow-sleeved gown, immediately attracted everyone's attention as soon as she appeared.

Princess Manda and princesses from other countries looked at her.

Several princesses from small countries whispered: "She is Princess Wen Zhao from the Han land..."

"The girl Modanga that the Buddha mentioned is her."

"Is that her?" A princess looked at Yao Ying with a critical eye and snorted, "Nothing more than that."

"She didn't even dare to take off her veil. She must have known that her appearance was not as good as Princess Manda's, so she didn't dare to reveal her true face."

"I heard from a Hu merchant that Han women have a way to seduce men. Princess Wen Zhao must have used that method to win the favor of the Buddhist."

"Yes, the Chinese woman knows magic!"

The mocking words of the crowd flew into Yuanjue's ears. He looked around, frowned, and walked out.

Yaoying knew that princesses from various countries were also attending the ceremony today, so she looked at them as soon as she stepped into the felt tent.

She could not understand the princesses' whispers, but she knew from their expressions that they were talking about her. She smiled slightly, her brows relaxed, and her eyes became bright.

Because of her smile, the whole felt tent suddenly became brighter.

The princesses remembered the rumor that Yao Ying beat Princess Beirong in the street. Seeing that she was calm, they suspected that she was going to attack them. They were frightened and avoided looking at her.

Yao Ying glanced around and saw those princesses from small countries blushing. She felt a pair of gazes fixed on her for a long time and she looked back at them openly.

Princess Manda leaned against the bed and looked at Yaoying. She was not wearing a veil today. She stared at Yaoying with her gray-green eyes for a moment and then looked away.

Yaoying sat upright and continued to look at the other princesses with a smile.

The princesses of the small countries felt their scalps tingle and kept silent.

…

Yuanjue quickly ran into the main hall on the high platform. Tanmaraka had already arrived and was talking to Mobito, who was dressed in military uniform.

After Mo Biduo left, Yuan Jue stepped forward and whispered, "King, I think we should change the seat for Princess Wen Zhao."

Tanmaraka raised his eyes and looked at him.

Yuan Jue said, "Those princesses and royal ladies are talking about Princess Wen Zhao, and some of their words are unbearable to hear."

He was afraid that Princess Wen Zhao would have a disagreement, so he would order her personal guards to attack people, just like he did with Princess Beirong.

Tanmaraka looked at the felt tents of the noble ladies and said, "Princess, please come here."

Yuan Jue was stunned.

…

After a while, Yuanjue came to the felt tent and motioned Yaoying to leave with him.

Yao Ying looked puzzled. She stood up and followed him, walking down the long stairs into the main hall on the high platform. The surrounding area was heavily guarded by guards, snow-white flags were fluttering, the wind was blowing, and the atmosphere was solemn and quiet.

The author has something to say: Upasikha: a woman who believes in Buddhism at home.

Jetavana: Jetavana Monastery, a monastery donated to the Buddha by the elder Sudatta of Sravasti.