Walking into the dark and narrow alley again, the chill wind penetrated her bones. Yaoying couldn't help but shiver slightly and held her hood tightly.

Bi Suo walked in front, holding a lamp in her hand. She glanced at her hair that was soaked by the steam in the secret passage and said softly, "The king is not feeling well and is depressed. I don't know how to make him feel relieved. I took the initiative to invite the princess to come. I'm sorry for that."

Yao Ying looked down at the road and said, "It's okay. The mage's health is more important."

She remembered Tanmarajiva's ending...and hoped that he could live well. She could change Li Zhongqian's ending, and should be able to change his as well.

"General, why is the mage so depressed?"

Yaoying asked in a low voice, Tanmarajiva has a profound knowledge of Buddhism, sees through the world, has no sadness or joy, and should not be troubled by the ordinary worldly troubles.

Bi Suo said, "Perhaps it is because the court has been busy with government affairs and the war has been intense recently, and the king has been tired and worried too much."

Yaoying frowned slightly.

Bi Suo uttered a few random words and fell silent, looking at the lamp in his hand, but his eyes remained on Yao Ying.

Tanmarajya was a Buddhist disciple, so it was inconvenient to summon her late at night, so she put on her cloak and followed him into the temple through the secret passage without asking any questions. She did not bring any personal soldiers with her for fear of leaking the news.

She doesn't care at all that she is wronged.

A woman as stunning as her, even if she does nothing, just a casual glance is enough to make people fascinated by her, make the strongest warriors of the tribe blush and be willing to risk their lives for her. What's more, when she is good to someone, it is with all her heart and sincerity. Who can resist?

Tanmarajiva had never seen her and did not know that there was such a woman in the world.

But once you meet, get to know each other, and spend time together every day, you naturally can't help but develop a desire to possess each other exclusively.

Having seen light and warmth, I can no longer endure darkness and loneliness.

But Koroga was so clear-headed that he would not be so foolish as to possess a Han woman as a Buddhist.

If that happened, he would be cursed for all eternity, and Princess Wen Zhao would definitely be regarded as a witch who brought disaster to the country and the people, and would be cursed and hated by her crazy followers, and would have to be on guard against revenge from her followers at all times.

No woman can bear that kind of pressure.

Therefore, Luo Jia couldn't even say a word to keep her. He could only quietly call her name after she left and was unconscious.

Bisa was in a heavy mood. He wanted Luojia to feel better, but he was also afraid that what he was doing now would make Luojia fall deeper into trouble, so that in the end one of them would be heartbroken and the other would be infamous.

There is no perfect solution in the world...

I hope he is right.

Biso stopped, pushed open a secret door, and pointed forward with the light in his hand: "The king is inside."

Yao Ying followed the direction of the dim light and saw a corridor leading to a quiet room. Felt curtains were hung low and a few faint candlelights flickered, vaguely illuminating the outline of the furnishings in the room. The carpet on the floor shone with golden light.

"The doctor has come and the medicine is on the table. Princess, please remind the king to use the medicine."

Bi Suo stood outside the secret door and said.

Yaoying hummed softly and walked inside. The room was warm and stuffy, and she soon broke into a sweat. She took off her shawl, walked past the long table, and saw the letter and box she had someone deliver, a jar of steaming medicine, several packages of medicinal herbs wrapped in silk, a large plate of icy fruits, and a bowl of ice cream sprinkled with sour plums.

The incense was curling up in the inner room, and she lifted the curtain to look inside. The room was simply furnished with a long couch, two long tables, a candle, a Buddhist scripture, and a charcoal stove.

A man was lying on the couch, his eyes were closed, his face was slightly red, and he was motionless, covered with a thin blanket. There was a stove in the inner room, and it was warm. There were beads of sweat on his forehead. The blanket was turned up, and the sleeves of his monk's robe were exposed.

Yao Ying tiptoed forward, leaned over, pulled out the half of the thin blanket that was rolled up under his arm, unfolded it, and covered his bare shoulders. Her fingers accidentally rubbed his shoulder, feeling sticky and greasy.

Not only was his head sweating, but his body was also covered with a thin layer of sweat.

Yaoying looked around, found the copper basin, twisted a handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat from Tanmarajiva's forehead and cheeks.

The slightly warm handkerchief touched his skin, and the sleeping man's eyelashes trembled slightly. He slowly opened his eyes, and his gaze fell into Yaoying's autumn-watery eyes.

He looked at her with a calm expression, dark circles around his eyes, and clear, cool blue eyes.

Yaoying softened her movements.

As expected, he was tired. He had walked such a long way during the day for her. His condition had worsened. In such a hot day, he had to light a stove by the bed.

She wiped his face and shoulders, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Master, let me help you up and wipe your body too? It will make you sleep more comfortably."

Tanmarajiva pursed her lips slightly and said nothing.

He had deep and handsome facial features, and usually looked cold and solemn when his face had no expression. When he was serious, he looked inviolable and holy. At this moment, he was lying down and looking at Yaoying. Although he was sick, his demeanor was still graceful.

When he agreed, Yaoying held his shoulders and let him sit on the railing beside the couch. She had taken care of the drunk Li Zhongqian and the injured Xie Qing. Both of them were tall and strong, so taking care of Tanmaragha was no problem for her.

When he sat down, she released her hands, rewrapped the handkerchief, pressed it gently on his neck, and moved it slowly down.

The warm and smooth handkerchief gently brushed across his exposed collarbone, and a corner of the handkerchief slipped into his monk's robe. He suddenly raised his hand and held Yaoying's wrist.

Yaoying raised her eyes to look at him. His face was calm, his eyes were cold, and the palm of his hand holding her wrist was sweaty.

"Mage?"

Yaoying called him doubtfully, wondering if he didn't recognize her again?

Tanmarajiva lowered his eyes and looked at her for a while, then he grabbed her with his right hand, raised his left hand, untied his monk's robe with one hand, took the handkerchief from her hand, and wiped his own body.

Seeing that he didn't want her to touch him, Yao Ying immediately lowered her head and stepped back, tightening her grip. He held her tightly, not allowing her to move.

Yao Ying thought: It seems he is not awake yet.

Tanmarajiva held Yaoying in one hand and wiped his body with the other. During the whole process, his pair of green eyes looked at Yaoying dimly with a cold gaze.

Yao Ying didn't know whether to help him or to retreat, so she could only turn her head and stare at the candle on the long table.

The candle flame flickered a few times, and Tanmarajiva wiped it, covered himself with his monk's robe, leaned back on the couch, and then let go of Yaoying's hand.

Yao Ying rubbed his wrist. Although he was sick, his wrist was quite strong.

Tanmarajiva closed his eyes, and after a while, he opened them and glanced at Yaoying.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

He said softly, his tone revealing deep fatigue.

Yao Ying said: "The mage hasn't taken the medicine yet."

Tanmarajiva seemed not to have expected Yaoying to answer him. He raised his eyelids and stared at her for a moment.

The woman sitting in front of him with a faint smile on her face was really her.

The next moment, Tanmarajiva's eyebrows twitched slightly, his body froze, his pupils slowly opened, and a trace of surprise flashed across his eyes, as if in the quiet night, a shining star suddenly ignited, and then faded away little by little, and soon the sky returned to desolateness, with only dark clouds moving.

He has always been a calm and self-controlled person, and his shock was only for a moment.

Yaoying blinked and looked carefully at his expression.

Their eyes met, their breaths intertwined.

Yao Ying knew that Tanmo Luojia recognized her, and raised her eyebrows, "Master, it's me. General Ashina brought me here. Who did you think I was just now?"

Tanmaraka said nothing, his figure remained motionless, as if he was in a trance.

Seeing that he didn't want to answer, Yao Ying stopped asking questions, stood up and walked to the long table, poured a bowl of medicine, returned to the couch, and held the medicine bowl: "Master, take the medicine, it tastes bitter when it gets cold."

Tanmaraka's gaze rested on her face.

The candlelight flickered. She was wearing the same clothes she wore in the hall during the day: a plain light brown cloth robe. Her long hair was tied up, and between her black hair was a shimmering emerald jade lotus hairpin. She wore no makeup, but she was youthful, delicate, and fair-skinned, and still looked stunning.

At dusk, the hall was densely packed with monks, and countless pilgrims and believers were watching outside the hall. The Buddha statue looked down majestically. The temple master shouted at her and she was officially expelled from the temple.

He walked up to her and looked down at her. She winked at him playfully, looking relieved.

She can get rid of her identity as a Modanga girl.

From the beginning to the end, he and she knew that the Modanga girl was just a cover.

But at that moment, he actually had a delusion that he hoped that her lies were all true.

She admired him and regarded him as a trustworthy elder, thinking that he was pure and selfless... She was wrong.

He tolerated her unconscious closeness.

He wanted her to stay, to stay with him, and not go anywhere.

He was addicted to her company.

So, he couldn't keep her.

"Mage?"

A bitter medicinal smell wafted into her nose, and Yaoying held the medicine bowl and handed it to Tanmaragha.

Tanmarajika came back to his senses, paused for a moment, and his mind gradually became clear. He took the medicine bowl, but did not drink it. He put it aside and reached out his hand to Yaoying.

Yao Ying was stunned and looked at him in confusion.

Tanmaraka lowered his head, lifted her wrist with his fingers through her sleeve, and rolled up her sleeves, being careful not to touch her skin.

Her wrist was slender and her skin was as white as cream. There was a faint red mark where he had just grabbed it.

"Does it hurt?"

He heard his own voice, calm and steady, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

I didn't dare to ask in public, but I finally asked it.

Yao Ying shook her head: "It's okay, it will go away in a while. I usually get a mark if I bump into something by accident, and I don't even need to apply medicine."

Now she is used to falling and getting beaten up, as long as she doesn't have a scar on her face, that's fine.

Tanmaraka said nothing, but looked at her other hand, still holding up her wrist through her sleeve and lifting up the sleeve with his fingers.

This time the movements were still gentle, but the momentum was strong and did not allow her to refuse.

Yao Ying was confused for a moment.

Tanmarajiva held her hand, and her right hand trembled slightly.

Her hand might have been bumped when she was avoiding the crowd during the day, and there were several bruises on it. Looking at it under the light, there were several obvious marks on her snow-white and tender skin, which was somewhat shocking.

Today people just throw away some fruits and vegetables that will not hurt anyone.

Tanmarajiva’s eyes were solemn.

Yao Ying followed his line of sight and was startled herself. Recalling what happened in the square, she withdrew her hand and covered her sleeves. "I don't know where I touched it a few times, but it didn't hurt at all."

She picked up the medicine bowl that Tanmaraka had put down, "Master, take the medicine."

Tanmarajiva took the medicine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it quickly with graceful movements and at a fairly fast pace.

Yao Ying handed him a cup of water for him to rinse his mouth, then remembered the box she had brought, so she picked it up, opened it, and took out a sheepskin bag from inside.

"Master, I bought this on the way back to the Holy City. It's just the right thing to relieve the bitter taste."

She smiled and sat back on the couch, untied the sheepskin bag, took Tanmarajiva's hand, asked him to open his palm, and took a clean handkerchief to cushion it.

His palms felt slightly cool, and Tanmarajika lowered his head. Under the light, a handful of crystal clear, amber-like, yellow-white sugar grains of varying sizes fell onto the handkerchief in his palm. The sugar grains were plump, round, and bright in color.

A faint sweet fragrance spread.

"Someone happened to be selling this today. I remember that the Master often eats it." Yao Ying said, "I asked a doctor, and he said that thorn honey can nourish and strengthen the body, quench thirst, and relieve pain. It is not incompatible with the medicine the Master is taking. This is the first batch of thorn honey this year. When I bought it, there were still branches and leaves inside. I picked them out and cleaned them up. The Master, come and taste it."

Tanmarajiva was silent for a while, picked up a piece of yellowish thorn honey and put it into his mouth.

The prickly honey was delicate and soft, rich and fresh in the mouth, with a slightly sour sweetness exploding on the tip of the tongue, slowly overflowing over the lips and teeth, sliding into the throat, and then the lingering fragrance on the teeth and cheeks, seeping into the lungs, and the sweetness went all the way to the deepest part of his heart. He seemed to be able to feel the blood surging, and his stiff limbs were slightly sore and numb.

Yao Ying looked at Tanmaraka eagerly: "Is it sweet?"

He looked at her and nodded.

"sweet."

Very sweet.

Yaoying smiled and said, "In my hometown, honey is a tribute."

Thorn honey is a kind of sugar granules secreted and condensed from camel thorns. In the past, the Western Regions often presented it to Chang'an as a tribute. When she was buying fruits today, she saw a few packets of thorn honey. It was rare that the sugar granules were as big as small grapes. She bought all of them and gave one packet to Li Zhongqian. She planned to give the rest to Tanmaragha. He often ate thorn honey and must like it very much.

"It's a pity that a pack was squeezed out in front of the palace gate today..." Yao Ying said with regret.

Tanmarajiva's heart trembled slightly, remembering that when she saw her during the day, Li Zhongqian was not by her side. Later, Li Zhongqian hurried over and seemed to have a few sheepskin bags in his hands.

When she was surrounded by people, mocking and cursing, what she was thinking about was a few packets of honey that she used to eat.

He sat there in a trance for a while, then picked up his handkerchief and placed the unfinished honey on the pillow. His eyes fell on Yao Ying's hand and he whispered, "There's medicine over there."

Yao Ying looked in the direction he pointed and found a silver clam box. When she opened it, a clear medicinal fragrance wafted out.

"Where do you want to rub?"

Yaoying washed her hands, dragged the clam box, and asked.

Tanmarajika said nothing, took the clam box from her hand, sat up straighter, dipped two fingers in the ointment, and motioned for her to roll up her sleeves.

Yao Ying was stunned, "I'm fine."

She thought the medicine was for rubbing on his legs.

Tanmaraka raised his eyes to look at her, his complexion looking a little better than before, and said gently but without questioning, "Apply some medicine, and you will get better quickly."

Yao Ying had no choice but to sit down and roll up her sleeves.

Tanmaraka leaned over, first wiped her wrists with a handkerchief, and then gently applied the ointment.

The thin fingertips touched the wound gently. The ointment was slightly cool, and there was a slight stinging pain in the bruised area. Yao Ying couldn't help but hiss softly, and a shudder rolled through her body.

Tanmaraka immediately raised his eyes to look at her, his eyes flashed like lightning, and his eyebrows slightly wrinkled: "Does it hurt?"

He asked, and without waiting for her answer, he had already loosened the strength in his hands, making them as gentle as clouds.

Yaoying stared at Tanmarajiva in a daze, shaking her head.

"It doesn't hurt."

She whispered, her face slightly hot, and a strange feeling surged in her heart again.