The next day, Bi Suo heard that Yao Ying would be accompanied by Sultan Gu on a diplomatic mission to Gaochang in two days, and she firmly objected: "I don't agree!"

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, and he struggled to get down to the ground.

"I want to see the king!"

The maids looked at each other, not daring to stop him.

The curtains were lifted slightly, and Princess Chima entered the room holding a plate of fresh fruits. Seeing this, she threw away the lacquer plate, rushed to the bed, supported Bisha, and angrily said, "Are you crazy? You are injured, how can you go to see Luojia?"

Bi Suo gritted her teeth and said, "I must see the king. It's too hot now to travel. It will be cooler in a month, and my injury will be healed by then. Princess can wait another month!"

Princess Chima pushed him back onto the couch and sneered, "Do you care so much about that Han princess?"

Bi Suo frowned slightly and said, "Chi Ma, the diplomatic mission to Gaochang is a major event for the court, so don't worry about it."

Princess Chima narrowed her eyes slightly, and a hint of disdain flashed across her hazel eyes: "Just because she is a Han woman, Gaochang will agree to an alliance?"

Bi Su glanced at her, smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Alliance comes second...

He pulled Princess Chima away, called the guards, and asked them to help him take the carriage to the Buddhist temple.

Princess Chima was unable to stop him and was furious. She stood in front of the courtyard gate, watching his back as he staggered onto the carriage, and almost bit her teeth.

Bisha took a carriage to the Buddhist temple, and the attendant went in to report, and returned after a while.

"General, the king has been in seclusion last night, concentrating on meditation and not seeing anyone. The temple master said that the king will be in seclusion for several months this time."

Bisha clenched his fists and closed his eyes.

"To the zoo."

The attendant responded and drove the carriage out of the temple, around the northern wall, and arrived at a large courtyard shaded by pine and cypress trees.

The houses and pavilions in the courtyard stand tall on the uneven earth cliffs, sparsely distributed in an orderly manner, with thick shade all around. A pool of running water meanders around the courtyard, and there is a dense forest on the river bank, lush and verdant.

The attendant helped Bisha get off the carriage.

Bisha was extremely anxious. He pushed his servants away and, regardless of his own injuries, quickly climbed up the stone steps in two steps.

There were loud footsteps, and the guards on duty drew their swords and stepped forward.

Bi Su took out a bronze card with a ghost face and said, "I want to see the Regent!"

When the guards saw the bronze plate with a ghost face, they carefully identified it for a while, confirmed that it was correct, and immediately sheathed their swords and made way.

The sound of deliberately light footsteps could be heard faintly in the corridor, and all the secret guards retreated silently to their original positions.

Bi Suo put away the bronze plate, walked through two rows of poplar trees and a courtyard covered with dense vines, went around the long and gloomy porch, and came to a hidden secret door.

He pushed open the door, walked down the narrow stairs in the dark, and came to an airtight, deep and dark dungeon.

The cell was silent, with no lights on and so dark that one could not see one's hand in front of one's face. It was like the gaping mouth of a giant beast, lurking in the darkness, waiting to devour its prey.

Bisa had been afraid of this cell since she was a child. The further she walked inside, the more frightened she became, and she couldn't help but shudder.

A dark arc of light flashed in the corner, and a leopard stepped out of the darkness, its eyes glowing with phosphorescence.

Bi Suo screamed in fear and stepped back to avoid the blow, which caused the wound to be pulled and he grimaced in pain.

The leopard looked at him with contempt, turned around and ran away.

Bi Suo ignored the pain and followed the leopard, passing through a long, narrow and winding passage, and bypassing a narrow stone crevice. The front suddenly opened up and the clear skylight fell into the dark passage, illuminating the general outline of the cave. There were shadows everywhere beside the stone platform and the air was hazy.

Mist was lingering in the air, and a tall figure stood in it with his back to Bisa. He was wearing a black robe, and had a tall, slender, and well-proportioned body.

Bi Suo sighed and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty, are you really going to personally escort Princess Wen Zhao to Gaochang?"

The man turned around, his face covered with ugly scars, and his emerald eyes looked over through the mist, as if they were looking through the water of the San Sheng Pond, cold and noble.

"I have made up my mind."

He said softly.

Each word was gentle, yet it was like a towering mountain pressing down with the force of thunder.

All the words Bi Suqi said were stuck in his throat. He was silent for a long time, then kowtowed and said, "I understand."

…

It was near the beginning of autumn, and the daytime was still hot, but the nights turned suddenly cold. A strong wind blew overnight, and the leaves of the grape vines in the yard fell all over the ground, covering the steps.

When she got up early the next day, Yaoying found a thin layer of frost on the ground.

The personal soldiers who had gotten up early to practice martial arts gathered in front of Bo Shuang, all of them were very surprised.

Seeing this, the royal court attendant smiled and explained to everyone: "Although it is so hot during the day, once it gets cold, there will be frost at night. If the wind blows for a while, you may have to wear a fur coat! Every year, the snow starts to fall before all the leaves on the trees have fallen. Everyone says that there is no autumn in the royal court. After summer comes winter."

As he spoke, he rubbed his hands excitedly, "The Regent has issued a decree that the Begging for the Cold Festival will be held in a few days. We won the battle this year, so the Begging for the Cold Festival will definitely be more grand and lively than last year!"

Yao Ying was stunned: "The Begging Cold Festival is coming?"

The royal court belongs to an oasis kingdom. The summer is dry and rainy. It is common for it not to rain for a whole month. The water source for irrigating farmland and nourishing the land mainly comes from seasonal rivers formed by the meltwater of ice and snow in the Tianshan Mountains. Therefore, they will hold grand celebrations before winter comes, begging for colder winter and more snow to ensure sufficient water in the coming year.

Yaoying had heard from Biso that the Qihan Festival was one of the most important festivals in the royal court, and Sultan Kublai was also a member of the royal court, so why didn't he wait until the festival was over before setting out?

The waiter nodded happily: "This summer is longer than in previous years. Everyone has been looking forward to it for a long time!"

Yaoying chuckled.

It's no wonder the waiter was so excited. The Qihan Festival usually lasts for seven days. There are not only grand music and dance performances, but also rituals to pray for blessings and ward off disasters. At that time, the people in the city come out to sing and dance, and it is extremely lively. On the last day, men, women, old and young dress up, wear masks, and splash water on each other to pray for blessings. It is fun and auspicious.

She asked the waiter, "Did the Regent King attend the Chilling Festival last year?"

The waiter thought for a moment and shook his head.

Yao Ying then asked, "What about the Buddha's son?"

The waiter laughed and said, "Princess, you don't know. The Buddhist disciple is a monk. Monks must abide by the precepts of abstaining from singing and dancing. They cannot watch singing and dancing. The Buddhist disciple has never attended the Chilling Cold Festival."

Yao Ying seemed to be thinking about something.

The Walking Parade is a Buddhist festival, where Dhammarogya holds a ceremony. The Chihan Festival is a secular festival, and he never attended it... Why didn't Sultan Kumbh attend the Chihan Festival?

Could it be that he is also a lay disciple like Yuanjue and Prajna?

In the afternoon, Xie Peng came back from outside the city and told Yao Ying that the city had indeed begun to prepare for the Qi Han Festival. All the major government offices were sweeping their courtyards and setting up platforms for music and dance performances. The musicians and singing girls hired by the Hu merchants from the Guizi area had also arrived. Recently, the post houses outside the city were full of people who came to participate in the Qi Han Festival.

Yao Ying had doubts in her heart. When she went to visit Ashina Bisha the day before her departure, she tentatively said, "I heard that the Cold Begging Festival is coming soon. The Regent Prince is a member of the royal court. I think he will also want to reunite with his family and friends. It would be better to postpone the trip for a few days and leave after the Cold Begging Festival."

Bi Su was stunned for a moment, then shook her head with a bitter smile: "According to my opinion... I should accompany the princess to Gaochang, and it would be best to postpone it for another month."

Unfortunately, Tanmarajika disagreed.

He looked melancholy and absent-minded for a while, with a faint confusion in his emerald eyes. After a while, he came to his senses, smiled, and said, "The Regent has no relatives or friends. He never participates in the Chilling Festival. The date of departure has been set, so the princess does not have to worry about this."

Yao Ying recalled the waiter's description of the sultan trembling in ancient times.

To the waiter, only if the ferocious and evil Regent does not attend the Chill Festival can the people in the city celebrate the festival to their heart's content.

Sultan never shows up at festivals, maybe because he doesn't want to scare people?

Yaoying thought for a while, put the matter aside for the time being, looked at Bi Suo's legs, and asked, "Was it Haidu A Ling who did it?"

Bi Suo returned home injured and was taken directly to the Princess Chi Ma's mansion to be taken care of personally. She knew Princess Chi Ma's taboos and had never found a chance to ask Bi Suo until today when Bi Suo moved back to her own mansion.

"It wasn't him who did it." Bi Su's expression turned cold, "It was his personal soldiers."

He leaned on the couch and said slowly, "After I arrived in Beirong, I saw Haidu Aling lying in his tent every day, pretending to be a good person, and instigating several princes to examine his wounds. The youngest prince vomited after seeing his wounds, and the second prince used a dagger to scrape off the rotten flesh from his wounds, cutting until the bones were almost exposed, but he didn't even blink."

Yao Ying frowned: "Is his injury real?"

Bisuo shook his head: "No, his injuries are only minor."

Yao Ying took a breath of cold air.

Haidu Aling's wound was only a minor one, and he deliberately did not treat it in time, allowing the wound to rot and grow maggots, making others think that his entire leg was disabled. The second prince used a knife to scrape off his flesh, but he did not react at all - these were all means used to confuse the princes!

This man is indeed very scheming. He could be so cruel to himself. No wonder Wakhan Khan and his sons were deceived by him.

Bi Suo sighed: "Haidu A Ling is indeed the best warrior of Beirong. He can endure what ordinary people cannot. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have believed that his legs were really broken! I remembered your instructions and watched his tent day and night. Finally, I found some clues and was about to make him 'make a fake come true' as you said, but he was prepared. I failed to hit him with my first strike and was eager to get away, so I was slashed by his personal soldiers."

Having said that, he curled the corners of his mouth and raised his eyebrows at Yao Ying.

"But I didn't let Haidu A Ling be proud for too long. The Second Prince and I worked together to attack his tent. The Second Prince was really ruthless and wanted to kill him. He didn't want to be exposed at first, but when he saw that the assassin's moves were fatal, he got anxious and jumped to the ground to hide at the critical moment, which happened to be seen by the Second Prince."

Yao Ying understood what he meant and smiled at Bi Suo.

Now the second prince has become suspicious of Haidu Aling, and Haidu Aling's plan has failed.

Bi Su patted his legs and said proudly: "Haidu A Ling suffered in vain, but my blow was not in vain!"

Yao Ying slightly curved her eyebrows, bowed to him, and said with a smile: "General, you have made a great contribution. Yao Ying admires you very much!"

She was getting ready to travel, so she changed into something light, a brocade gown with a lapel and short sleeves and a deer pattern, a braided shawl, and a brocade belt around her waist. She had a slender figure, soft and fair skin, and she looked at him with a smile in her eyes, her eyes slightly raised, and her gaze was radiant.

Bi Su suddenly felt a flush on her face. She looked away, looking at the bright spot of light reflected on the window sill, and said, "Princess... The Regent has a strange temper and doesn't like women to get close to him. When you are with him, please be more considerate of him."

Yao Ying nodded: "I won't disturb the Regent."

Bi Suo hummed.

On the third day, the team set out.

The night before, Yaoying hesitated whether to go and say goodbye to Tanmo Luoga. The monk told her that Luoga had gone into seclusion and would not see anyone, so she had to give up.

Clouds were rolling in the sky and the dawn was breaking. Accompanied by Yuanjue, Yao Ying and her personal soldiers left the Buddhist temple and went out of the city along the same route they had taken when they first entered the city.

In front of the cliff, there was a noisy sound of people. It was almost the Qihan Festival. The herdsmen from hundreds of miles around were rushing to the holy city, and the market was crowded with people.

Yaoying asked Yuanjue: "Don't we have to wait for the Regent?"

Yuan Jue said: "The Regent is not in the city, let's go directly to Sand City to meet him."

The weather gradually became cooler, and the daytime was not as hot as in midsummer. They got up early and set out on their journey. They stopped to set up camp and rest at the hottest time of the day, and then continued their journey in the afternoon. After several days of travel, they finally arrived at Shacheng.

The group stopped in front of the inn to drink some water when they suddenly heard a few eagle cries overhead.

Yaoying raised her head, her veil fluttering in the wind.

A majestic eagle flew over their heads, spread its huge wings, and flew towards a sand dune in the distance.

Yuan Jue looked around for a while and whispered, "The Regent is here."

Yao Ying looked in the direction of his finger. The sun was setting in the west. A man and a horse were standing on the hillside. The evening light was on his shoulders. His figure was tall and against the light, so his face could not be seen clearly. But the heroic aura like an arrow ready to be shot on a bow and string must be Sultan Gu without a doubt.

She wanted to go forward, but she remembered Bi Su's reminder and did not move.

Several people filled their water bags and rode towards the ancient Sultan.

When a few people approached, Yao Ying's eyes fell on Sultan Gu's face and found that he was wearing a ghost mask on his ferocious face.

When he goes out, he really has to cover his face, otherwise it will attract too much attention.

But why did he choose the ghost face mask?

Compared to his face, this mask is more terrifying...

Yao Ying was a little distracted, and the strength in her hands loosened. The horse suddenly sped up and galloped forward, with dust flying everywhere.

After several days' journey, they were exhausted. Before they could react, Yao Ying had already shot out like an arrow.

The wind whistled in her ears and there was a nervous call from behind. Yao Ying felt nervous for a moment, but she calmed herself down, leaned down, hugged the horse's back, tightened the reins, reached out and patted the horse's neck to comfort the mount.

The black horse snorted a few times and slowed down.

Yao Ying breathed a sigh of relief, slowly sat up, and gently pulled the reins.

A cold gaze fell on her.

Yao Ying raised her head and glanced at Sultan Gu guiltily. His black robe was covered with sand, which was splashed onto him when her mount was startled and rushed over.

It's so hot during the day and everyone wears white robes, but he always wears black. Isn't he afraid of the heat?

Yao Ying couldn't help but smile and said, "How are you, Prince Regent?"

Sultan Kumar said nothing.

Yao Ying looked at his green eyes that were not covered by the double masks and said, "I was saved by the Regent last time, but I haven't thanked him in person yet. Has the Regent's injury healed?"

The girl's tone was sincere, without a trace of fear, and her voice was soft and gentle.

Sultan Gu said nothing, but moved his horse half a body forward and stretched out his hand towards Yao Ying.

Yao Ying was stunned.

Sultan Gu said nothing, but bent down, hooked her stirrup rope with his slender fingers, and untied a string of golden leaves entangled together.

In the setting sun, there was a shallow scratch on the horse's back.

Yaoying realized that the horse was frightened because it was pricked by the gold leaves.

She looked at Sultan's profile and felt that the mask on his face was not so ugly anymore. She said softly, "Thank you, Regent."

Sultan Kumbha lowered his eyes and let go of the untied silk thread.

There was the clatter of horse hooves, and I felt like a few people were chasing after me.

Sultan Gu turned his horse and galloped down the hillside, his back seeming to absorb the entire sky's evening light.

The group followed in silence.