The night is dark, lights flickering through the roof and courtyard walls, a warm yellow halo casts a layer of light on the white snow, and the sound of the wind echoes in the endless snowy night.

Yang Qian came to his senses and asked, "Princess, how do you tell who are the treacherous ones?"

Yao Ying did not answer him immediately. She turned around, got on the carriage, sat in the compartment, and lifted the felt curtain with her delicate hands, motioning him to follow.

Before Yang Qian could react, Yuan Jue's expression changed first.

Yao Ying held the curtain with her hands, looked at Yang Qian, and asked with a smile, "Master Yang, are you afraid that I will cheat?"

Yang Qian glanced around and found that he had been surrounded. He snorted, puffed out his chest, and strode towards the carriage.

Princess Wen Zhao is just a weak woman, and he is a dignified young man from the Yang family. If he is afraid and dares not step forward, wouldn’t he be too cowardly?

The wheels rolled over the snow and continued to shuttle through the deep alleys.

In the dark night, the sound of footsteps kept catching up with the carriage, and several guards in white cloaks ran back from different directions, presenting letters and parchment scrolls.

Yuan Jue took it and sent it into the carriage.

There was a light on in the car. Yao Ying opened the parchment scroll, read it carefully under the light, and handed it to Yang Qian who was sitting opposite her.

Yang Qian was moving his arms and legs impatiently. The carriage was not too cramped, and it was more than enough for four people to sit in. However, he was tall and strong, and he was concerned about the difference between men and women, so he didn't dare to get too close to Yao Ying. He couldn't sit straight at all, and could only hunch his shoulders and curl his legs, pressing tightly against the carriage door.

With an awkward posture, he naturally lost all his momentum. Facing the parchment scroll handed to him by Yao Ying, he snorted again and took it to take a closer look.

Yang Qian's face had turned blue after reading only half of it. After reading all the parchment scrolls, his face turned even purpler. His teeth were clattering, and he clenched his fists and said angrily, "These cowards are greedy and afraid of death!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he wished he could tear the parchment scroll apart.

All the letters Yao Ying handed to him were letters of denunciation, and their contents, without exception, were to report to the government that the Princess of Wei was now in Gaochang.

"It's a pity that the princess trusted them so much and risked her life to come to Gaochang to have a secret meeting with them, but they actually reported her!"

Yang Qian gritted his teeth.

…

Before this, a rumor spread in the royal court that a princess named Wen Zhao from the Central Plains fell in love with Fuzi at first sight and would not marry anyone else but him. Fuzi was a high-ranking monk who was not tainted by worldly matters, so naturally he would not marry her. She remained obsessed and made a vow to follow the example of Modanga and practice for Fuzi in order to gain his favor.

At first, no one paid attention to the rumor.

The Buddha not only has a high level of Buddhist teachings and is compassionate and protects the region, but also shows kindness to the people of other countries, regardless of their status. On the northern road of the Western Regions, when merchants encounter bandits blocking their way, they only need to take out the Buddha's flag to travel smoothly. Therefore, he is deeply respected by the people of all countries and is a god in their hearts. He was born in a noble family, with a face like a full moon and eyes like blue lotus. He is handsome and unique, and there is no other man like him in the world. It is not uncommon for women to admire him.

A few months later, the royal court suddenly issued an edict, officially informing all the city-states in the north and south of Congling. Princess Wen Zhao moved into the royal court Buddhist temple and practiced Buddhism for the king.

When the news reached Gaochang, there was an outcry.

Over the years, there were countless men and women who admired the Buddha, and some princesses of city-states even offered their kingdoms to submit to him in order to seek his favor. The Buddha never paid any attention. He had long since transcended the mundane world, so how could he care about the love between men and women in this world?

But this time, the high and mighty Buddhist actually made an exception for a Han woman!

By allowing Princess Wen Zhao to live in the Buddhist temple, wasn't he announcing to the world that Princess Wen Zhao was under his protection?

For a while, the news became very popular, with many different opinions and everyone was discussing it.

At this time, some merchants from the royal court came to Gaochang to purchase wine, and the locals came to ask them about it.

The merchants said: "Princess Wen Zhao has indeed moved into a Buddhist temple. I heard that she listens to Buddhist lectures and eats with them every day."

Everyone was stunned.

A wine merchant laughed and interrupted, "Not only does the princess get to see the Buddha every day, but he also preaches the Dharma to her alone! The Buddhist temple even specially asked the caravan for a cart of food from the Central Plains, which must be prepared for the princess!"

Everyone was eager to ask more questions.

The merchant continued, "My aunt often went to the royal temple to listen to the Buddhist monk's lectures. She heard from the monks in the royal temple that the princess could enter the Buddhist monk's meditation room. The princess did not understand Sanskrit, so the Buddhist monk taught the princess Sanskrit personally."

Everyone looked at each other and saw shock and excitement in each other's eyes.

Seeing the crowd's enthusiasm rising, someone else interrupted, "Yes! The Buddhist disciple and the princess shared a desk and read a sutra together every day! The little nun saw it with her own eyes!"

Another merchant smiled and told the crowd who were eager to hear the news: "I have met Princess Wen Zhao. The princess likes colored glassware and bright moon beads. I have dealt with the princess's servants. The princess bought all the utensils from me! The princess praised my gems as the most beautiful and rarest in the royal court!"

"I also sold the makeup powder, gold foil flower ornaments and eyebrow pencil used by the princess. The princess looked like a goddess and knew how to put on makeup. The ladies in the royal court all imitated her fashionable makeup."

"Whatever Princess Wen Zhao wore, whatever her hair style, within five days, everyone from the royal family to the prime minister's wife and the dancers in the streets would follow suit."

The crowd was skeptical at first, but after listening to the Hu merchants' solemn oaths and clear and logical statements, the doubt faded away and was replaced by a thriving curiosity.

Nowadays, when the ladies of Gaochang talk about the Buddhist son and Princess Wen Zhao after dinner, they no longer laugh at Princess Wen Zhao's wishful thinking as they did in the past. Instead, they are curious about how Princess Wen Zhao was so beautiful and charming that the calm Buddhist son would make an exception for her.

Especially after the news that "Prince Aling of Haidu of the Northern Rong publicly declared that Princess Wen Zhao would be his woman sooner or later" spread throughout the Western Regions, the people of Gaochang became even more excited about this topic.

It turns out that the Buddha's instructions to various countries were to warn the Prince of Beirong!

One is the noble and aloof Buddhist son of the royal court, and the other is the iron-blooded and conquering prince of Beirong. Who will Princess Wen Zhao become the woman of in the end?

After Princess Wen Zhao has practiced for a full year, will the Buddhist really marry her?

…

While the common people were happily discussing the romantic affair between Princess Wen Zhao and Buddhist monk, Yang Qian and other Hexi people were also excited: Princess Wen Zhao came from the Central Plains!

Yang Qian was eager to know what the current situation in the Central Plains was like. Was the Central Plains unified? Was the emperor planning to send troops to recapture Hexi, Gaochang, and Yizhou?

He sent a servant to follow the merchant to the royal court to inquire about Princess Wen Zhao's origins. Half a month later, the servant returned and brought back news that made him depressed: Princess Wen Zhao was abducted to the Western Regions by Haidu Aling and could not protect herself. The Central Plains dynasty still had not recovered Helan.

Yang Qian was greatly disappointed, but he still sold his land and saved some money, preparing to go to the royal court to pay a visit to Princess Wen Zhao. After all, the princess was a princess from the Central Plains, stranded in a foreign land with no one to rely on. As a descendant of the Hexi Yang family, he should share the princess's worries and see if he could help. By the way, he could also ask the princess about things in the Central Plains.

Unexpectedly, before he set off, Princess Wen Zhao came to Gaochang on her own.

Yang Qian's heart trembled with fear: Haidu Aling still has evil intentions towards the princess. In the royal court ruled by Fuzi, the princess can be safe. Gaochang surrenders to Beirong. If Lady Yina informs Haidu Aling, the princess will be in danger!

He thought the princess was really reckless and wanted to scare and warn her so that she would see the consequences.

But he never expected that as soon as they left the market, someone couldn't wait to send a letter of denunciation.

Yang Qian's fingers tightly grasped the parchment, and veins on the back of his hands throbbed.

"Since Princess was able to obtain these letters, she must have made all the necessary preparations. I admire you! Princess, please tell me the names of those people. I, Yang Qian, am ashamed to be associated with them!"

Yao Ying smiled faintly, without any anger of betrayal on her face, and said, "This is Gaochang, not the Central Plains."

Yang Qian frowned.

Yao Ying looked at him calmly: "Master Yang, the Central Plains is in chaos, and the Western Regions have been isolated for many years. How many people are there like you who never forget their homeland and hope to return to the East?"

Yang Qian clenched his fist and said, "There are many people like me! As long as I raise my hand, they are all willing to serve the princess!"

Yao Ying shook her head. "You are a hero, I admire you, but not everyone can disregard life and death like you. Most people are busy seeking wealth and glory, and a stable life. Now that the Wei Kingdom cannot send troops to the west, Gaochang is powerless to fight against the Northern Rong, so it is reasonable for them to betray me."

She had long guessed that someone would inform on her and had made arrangements in advance.

This meeting was a test. She already had an idea in her mind about which people could be trusted, which people could be used, and which people must be kept away.

"Princess, you don't have to make excuses for them. They can be greedy and afraid of death and not come to the market to see you, but they shouldn't report the princess after swearing an oath to her! This is totally unreasonable!"

Yang Qian sneered, "How can a Hexi disciple like me do such a dirty thing?!"

Yaoying's lips curled up slightly.

When Yang Qian was young, he was unruly, arrogant and wild. Everyone said he was a playboy. Who could have imagined that this young man in thin spring clothes, riding a horse on a sloping bridge, with red sleeves waving all over the building, was actually a man of strong and proud character?

She looked at the man in front of her, and her eyes softened as she thought of how he had gone through untold hardships and finally died in despair, turning into a pile of dry bones in the quicksand.

"It is precisely because there are so many villains that a sincere hero like you is more valuable."

Yao Ying spoke from the bottom of her heart, her dark and shiny eyes staring at Yang Qian steadily.

Yang Qian sensed her sincerity and was startled. He looked uneasy and avoided her gaze. His back was so stiff from pressing against the door of the carriage that it ached. A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, which was still filled with anger. He whispered, "Princess, you are too kind."

Yao Ying smiled.

Yang Qian was so embarrassed that he didn't know where to put his hands and feet. He sat there for a while, then suddenly raised his head and hit the back of his head on the car with a loud bang.

He didn't care about the pain, frowned and asked: "Princess, are you going to let it go? What if one of them sends a letter of denunciation?"

Yao Ying pointed at the parchments and said, "Master Yang, I came from the Central Plains and don't know much about the Hexi nobles who are stranded in Gaochang. You should know all the people who reported me. They are all descendants of Hexi officials and are related by marriage. Among them is your uncle. Master, if I kill them for my own safety, how will their families view me?"

Yang Qian's anger gradually dissipated, he lowered his head and said dejectedly: "Kill them, these nobles must be holding a grudge against the princess."

For the aristocratic families, family interests are above all else. The princess is just an outsider, and the clansmen are blood relatives who share the same joys and sorrows. Even if they do not approve of the relatives' despicable act of accusing the princess, they will choose to protect the relatives.

So these people cannot be killed.

Could he just let them use the princess to please the Northern Rong people? If he kept hanging out with these people, when would he be able to fulfill his ambition of regaining his lost territory?

Yang Qian suddenly felt discouraged.

A cup of warm goat milk was brought to Yang Qian.

He lifted his eyelids.

Yao Ying pushed the teacup forward and said in a calm voice, "Master Yang, even ants are greedy, not to mention humans. Now I am stranded outside the territory, without soldiers or generals, Helan has been lost, and the Northern Rong are strong. It is natural for your clansmen to report me in exchange for immediate benefits. The county officials are better off managing me now, not to mention that Gaochang has surrendered to the Northern Rong."

Yang Qian took the teacup, looked at the snow-white goat milk in the cup, and said angrily: "I am a good man, Yang Qian, and I don't want to be like them. A real man should wear a three-foot sword and accomplish unparalleled achievements!"

Yao Ying tried not to laugh.

She knew that Yang Qian was a man of strong will, a man of his words, and a man who would rather die than surrender. He was not just a reckless young man who could only shout bold words. However, in the eyes of others, Yang Qian was a little naive and childish. No wonder people in the city called him a wandering knight.

"My lord, this is how the world works, don't worry about it. Now I am alone, your clansmen can betray me for glory. If the Northern Rong are in chaos, and I have soldiers and generals, heroes like you to help me, and the various tribes to cooperate, the Wei can send troops to the west. Will they still risk being abandoned after their death to please the Northern Rong?"

Yang Qian suddenly raised his head, his pupils sparkled, and there seemed to be two clusters of burning flames in his eyes.

Yao Ying's face was calm: "Since you want to achieve great success, you shouldn't be depressed by the current setback. Those who want to achieve great things cannot be obsessed with gains and losses. You should unite everyone you can unite with and make friends with everyone you can make. Your clansmen are greedy and afraid of death, and they also want to seek wealth and honor by taking risks."

Yang Qian remained silent, pondered for a moment, then pulled himself together and straightened his back.

He understood the princess's hint.

When he was weak, his clansmen disagreed with him. When he had the strength to unite with the Central Plains Dynasty to regain the land, would his clansmen still stand against him? Which of the wealthy families in the city did not often recall the prosperous and peaceful past?

Yang Qian pointed at the parchment and said, "These people cannot be killed."

First, their crimes do not deserve death.

Secondly, killing people rashly will only intensify the conflict.

Yao Ying nodded and said, "I will deliver these letters to Wei Chi Damo."

Yang Qian's eyelids twitched and his teeth suddenly felt sore.

The princess's move was very cruel.

Although Yuchi Damo and Lady Ina are husband and wife, they are incompatible. The nobles in the city informed Lady Ina, which was undoubtedly a betrayal of Yuchi Damo. The princess sent the letter to Yuchi Damo, wasn't it just killing someone with a borrowed knife?

He thought that the princess and the Buddhist had known each other for a long time, and that the princess was going to let bygones be bygones and win people over with her virtue!

Yao Ying met Yang Qian's surprised gaze and smiled slightly.

If she let those people go, within three days, Lady Ina's personal soldiers would come to her house. She didn't want to risk her own life to persuade those cunning people.

Yang Qian narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then took some pleasure in the misfortune: "It's good that the princess treats them this way."

Wei Chi Damo would not kill anyone for such a small matter, but he would not let them off easily either. I think those people would have to suffer some physical pain. It would be good to teach them a lesson, so that they would not rush to inform on others at the slightest sign of trouble.

After figuring this out, Yang Qian let out a long breath, and then thought of Yao Ying's situation, with a look of shame on his face, he said, "I have done nothing these years, I have no troops, and I cannot escort the princess back to the Central Plains."

Yao Ying was about to discuss this with him, and said, "Young Master, you are the commander of Hexi. You must be familiar with military books and have a family background in military studies. I have a presumptuous request."

"Princess, just speak frankly."

Yao Ying looked serious, saluted towards Yang Qian, and said word by word: "Mr. Yang, are you willing to recruit soldiers for me and train the volunteer army?"

A tremor ran through the muscles on Yang Qian's face.

Yao Ying looked straight at him and said slowly, "A real man should be equipped with a three-foot sword and accomplish extraordinary feats. I think Young Master Yang is an extraordinary person. One day he will be able to become famous throughout the world and realize his ambitions."

No matter what the result is, at least this time he knows that the Central Plains Dynasty has not completely given up the lost land, and he will not die alone and despair.

Yang Qian's chest heaved violently, and his eyes shone like stars.

…

Yuanjue was sitting outside the carriage, listening to Yang Qian's trembling voice coming from inside the carriage, and his heart trembled as well.

What on earth was this Han Chinese man talking to the princess about? Why did the conversation take so long?

He was in a trance, with a frown on his face. He felt angry and wondered why he was angry. When the carriage stopped, he quickly gathered his thoughts, looked around quickly, made sure it was safe, and signaled.

The felt curtain was opened, and the tall Yang Qian jumped off the carriage and strode away. He was full of vigor and energy, and his eyes were brighter than stars.

Yuanjue quietly rolled his eyes.

They continued to wander in the alley until they were sure that no one was following them, then they turned back to the courtyard.

It was late at night, everything was quiet and silent, and snowflakes were flying all over the sky.

The carriage drove into the backyard. Yuanjue jumped off the ground, turned around, and wanted to help Yaoying down. He opened the felt curtain and saw the situation in the carriage clearly. He was stunned.

A dim yellow light flickered slightly. Yaoying was leaning in the corner of the carriage, her arms folded, her eyelashes drooping, as if she was asleep.

She had met several people today and was exhausted. Her voice was hoarse when she spoke to Yang Qian.

Yuanjue felt a little embarrassed and was hesitating whether to wake her up when the personal soldier who stayed in the courtyard strode over.

"The princess is back? The Regent wants to see the princess."

Yuanjue was stunned for a moment. He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt guilty for Yaoying.