Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight - Chapter 162.3

“I have heard that the Princess is recruiting a volunteer army, hiring trade caravans, and ransoming Hexi people who were sold into slavery…” Yuchi Damo said. “If there is anything I can assist with, the Princess may leave a word with Fourth Yang.”

This was his way of telling her to find Yang Qian if she needed him.

Yaoying nodded.

Yang Qian straightened his chest. “I will definitely take good care of the Princess!”

Yuchi Damo’s expression softened a little.

They discussed in detail how to secretly train the volunteer army and how to pass messages. Outside the felt tent, music resounded, and the revelry of song and dance filled the night.

No one knew how much time had passed when whistles sounded outside.

Yang Qian signalled with his eyes. It was time for Yaoying to leave.

Yaoying rose to take her leave, but as if remembering something, lowered her head and drew from her sleeve a smooth, delicate piece of dark green jade, placing it into Yuchi Damo’s hands.

The moment he received the stone, Yuchi Damo’s expression changed drastically. He jerked his head up, eyes wide, his hands trembling.

Yaoying said softly, “Not long ago, my guards passed through the Great Desert Route and found several Northern Rong men chasing a brother and sister. They intervened and saved them. This piece of gem was the young lady’s ornament.”

Yuchi Damo’s fists clenched tight, his whole body shaking.

“Please be at ease, my Lord. They will be sent to the Royal Court, where they will be given the best care. No one knows their identities. As for Lady Ina, she likely believes they perished already on the Great Sea Route.”

After speaking, Yaoying turned and walked out.

“Princess.”

The voice of Yuchi Damo came from behind.

“Why has the Princess only told me this now?”

Yaoying turned her head back.

Yuchi Damo narrowed his eyes, scrutinising her face closely under the dim light.

That piece of jade was his daughter’s; he could never mistake it.

Ina had wanted to kill his son and daughter, yet Princess Wenzhao had saved them. Or perhaps Princess Wenzhao, in order to persuade him to agree to an alliance, had sent people to intercept Ina’s men, rescue the siblings, and then frame Ina… Whatever the truth was, he would rather his children be under the Buddha Son’s protection in the Holy City.

When the children had been taken away, he thought he would never see them again in this life.

Why did Princess Wenzhao not reveal their whereabouts sooner?

Yaoying smiled. “Your Majesty’s presence is too extraordinary. When I caught sight of you just now, I was momentarily struck and did not recall.”

She had indeed sent people to rescue Yuchi Damo’s children with the intention of winning his favour and lessening his concerns. However, if she had brought them up immediately, it would have sounded more like a threat, so she had chosen not to mention it.

Whether Yuchi Damo agreed or not, the children had already been saved. She would never hand them back into Lady Ina’s hands. It was the same no matter when she chose to speak of it.

Yuchi Damo and Yang Qian’s loyalty to their homeland was worthy of admiration. She was willing to show her sincerity.

Yaoying turned and walked out.

Yuchi Damo fixed his gaze on her retreating figure, momentarily lost in thought.

Just as Yang Qian had said, he longed to re-establish ties with the Central Plains, to break free from this state of humiliation and oppression. Princess Wenzhao had come from the Central Plains, and she also enjoyed the Buddha Son’s favour. Even without her speaking, he would take the initiative to approach her with goodwill. Yet he had not wanted to reveal his thoughts too soon, and he had feared that Princess Wenzhao might be nothing more than a weak and weepy noblewoman. He wanted to wait until he had met her before deciding.

Now, however, a powerful conviction surged in his heart. This gamble would bring him returns far beyond his expectations.

…

Yaoying stepped out of the felt tent with Yang Qian following at her side.

As they walked, the two spoke in low voices. Yaoying said, “Tomorrow I will have Old Qi deliver some supplies to Fourth Young Master’s residence. Use them to recruit more volunteer soldiers.”

Yang Qian nodded. He was not skilled at handling administration and household affairs. Over the past few years, he had been selling off his lands and estates to support the volunteer army, leaving himself in straitened circumstances. The princess extending her hand was exactly what he needed to resolve his urgent crisis.

The corridor was dark and shadowed, while the swaying candlelight in the hall spread a thin, soft glow across the floor.

Several Hu women wearing masks lifted their skirts as they passed along the corridor, chattering animatedly.

In a daze, Yaoying caught the sound of her title. She paused, tilting her ear to listen more carefully.

“Today Lady Zhang’s twelve-coloured skirt was so beautiful. Where did the fabric come from?”

“Of course from the merchants of the royal court! I heard Princess Wenzhao wore a twelve-coloured skirt when she danced for the Buddha’s Son. When the skirt spread open in her dance, it looked just like a blossoming flower…”

“Yes, Princess Wenzhao wore it before…”

The Hu women giggled as they ran off.

From the shadows of the corner, Yaoying’s lips twitched faintly.

Yang Qian, standing beside her, scratched his head, his eyes gleaming as he asked quietly, “Princess, are the rumours true?”

Yaoying shook her head. “The Buddha’s Son protects me because of his compassion, not because of those rumours.”

She could guess his thoughts. His mind was wholly set on rebellion, and he wanted to persuade her to use her relationship with Tumoroga to have the royal court send troops to attack the Northern Rong.

Disappointment showed faintly on Yang Qian’s face. The Buddha’s Son’s proclamation had spread across the land, and his sisters at home discussed the Buddha’s Son and the princess every day. He had truly thought the rumours were real.

The two turned a corner, where a tall figure stood waiting. His turquoise eyes swept over Yaoying and Yang Qian, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

Yaoying walked forward to meet him.