Chapter 140: The Cold Stove

The people of Kathmandu were clever, adept at backing the underdog. In a later era, there would be a fashionable term for it: "venture capital." They had placed their bet on the young Tang dynasty men.

Xizongzan was also a clever man, or at least he thought himself to be. Therefore, when Banijia brought back the news, he did not show much surprise. Even after hearing the conditions set by the Tang people, he remained entirely unperturbed.

"If you intend to tie me up, just having you alone won't be enough."

Banijia ignored his bantering and walked into the room by himself.

"The Tang people have asked me to hand over all the Tibetans. You had better leave as soon as possible; I don't want to hand you over to them."

"Are they going to support you in becoming king?"

"That's the next step. Only by using the Tibetans in the city to negotiate with them can that possibly be achieved. Noble Xizongzan, you are a smart man. Nowadays, the Tang are powerful and backed by the mob, while you yourselves are overwhelmed with your own troubles. To protect ourselves, we can only bow our heads to them temporarily. Both you and I know that the Tang people will not stay here forever; when the time comes, everything will go back to how it was."

The other man spoke quite straightforwardly, and every word was the truth. How could Xizongzan not know this? Nearby Zhangzhung was currently unable to offer any promises of support. Rather than spinning a lie that would be easily seen through, it was better to speak the plain truth and plan for the future.

"It seems you have already made your decision. Our people in the city have already been rounded up by you, haven't they? When do you plan to hand them over to the Tang?"

"That depends on when you leave." Banijia did not deny it, but his tone carried a sense of urgency.

"It appears I am disrupting your plans. Very well then, but before I depart, could you grant me a small wish?"

Banijia looked at him warily. Xizongzan smiled and shook his head: "Don't be so nervous, my friend. You mentioned earlier that we might still be family in the future. Remember you said you could arrange for me to meet Her Grace, the beautiful Queen? This is probably my last chance, isn't it?"

"She might not be awake yet."

"I can wait."

Xizongzan's smile left him unable to refuse. The wait lasted until nightfall, as leaving the city under the cover of night caused the least commotion. Banijia did not want to burn bridges with him completely, given this man's inherent status; once handed over, there would be no room left for maneuver with Tibet. Besides, it was only for one night, and as long as he was careful, nothing should go wrong. After all, this was his own territory, so he finally agreed.

For many days, this had been the soundest sleep Sarasvati had experienced, because this room was the one she had lived in before her marriage, filled everywhere with the scent of her hometown.

Having been away for more than twenty years, she had never imagined she would return in such a manner. Although the furnishings in the room remained largely the same as before, everything had already changed. When a knock sounded at the door, she was sitting blankly by the window, gazing at the scene outside.

"My dear sister, did you sleep well?"

"Banijia, I hope you've brought good news." Sarasvati turned her head, resuming her icy demeanor, though a flash of surprise crossed her eyes when she saw the man standing behind Banijia—he was a Tibetan.

"Everything is going smoothly. Let's not discuss that for now; allow me to introduce a friend to you, the noble Xizongzan from Zhangzhung." Banijia took a step aside, revealing the man behind him.

Xizongzan stepped forward, bowed his waist, and performed a Tibetan greeting.

"Just call me Xizongzan, Your Esteemed Majesty."

"Xizongzan from Zhangzhung, is there a reason for your visit?" Sarasvati nodded calmly in acknowledgment. To be introduced so solemnly by her own cousin, this person's status surely could not be low, yet at such a sensitive juncture, she was unclear about the visitor's intentions.

Although she was merely a queen, she was well aware of the state of the country. Furthermore, Kapilavastu was situated so close to Zhangzhung; if this man were the local official, it meant the two sides shared a relationship as close as lips and teeth. No wonder he commanded her cousin's attention—that pragmatic fellow wouldn't spare an extra glance for anyone who couldn't offer practical help.

"Respected Queen, as an admirer of yours, upon hearing of your arrival, it would be the lifelong regret of my life if I failed to witness your beauty with my own eyes."

Sarasvati was all too familiar with the look men gave her, but such unmasked desire still stirred resentment within her. She felt as though she had plummeted overnight from a queen into a common harlot exposed to everyone's gaze. The Tang people were like this, the Tibetans were no different, and even her own cousin knew only how to take advantage of her plight.

She forced a smile and said coldly, "You have seen me now. Are you satisfied?"

Xizongzan gave a faint smile: "Even more beautiful than I imagined, beyond the power of language to describe. I would be even more grateful if I could spend a moment conversing with such a lovely woman. Don't you agree, Lord Mayor Banijia?"

"Perhaps my sister does require some company. If needed, my men will be right outside the door. I wish you both a pleasant evening."

Without waiting for further discussion, Banijia backed out and pulled the door shut behind him, yet he remained standing just outside, listening to the movements within.

The moment the door closed, Xizongzan had already stepped forward. Sarasvati watched him approach in astonishment as he abruptly embraced her.

"You..." Before her words could escape, her mouth was covered by Xizongzan's hand.

"I'm sorry, we don't have much time. Let me finish, and then you can decide whether to cry out for help."

The man's voice sounded softly by her ear. Sarasvati ceased her struggle and allowed him to hold her, their cheeks brushing simply to keep their voices hushed.

"Banijia intends to surrender to the Tang and is even using the Tibetans in the city as a welcoming gift. I hear the Tang plan to support him in ascending the throne, and perhaps you might become queen again. Your family will become the masters of this land. Sarasvati, is this the outcome you hoped for?"

Xizongzan finished speaking. After a moment passed without a response, he realized he was still muffling her mouth and hastily pulled his hand away.

Sarasvati glared at him with annoyance: "My husband and my son are both dead, and my only daughter is still in the hands of the Tang. I came here all alone precisely to make him agree to the Tang's conditions. Aside from that, what else can I do?"

"The moment I first saw you, I read your mind in your eyes. You are not resigned to this."

"Resigned or not, what does it matter? Didn't you just say it yourself? He has already agreed to the Tang, and even plans to round up the Tibetans and hand them over to them." Sarasvati did not deny it.

"That is why I am here. If you are willing, I can take you away from this place—we can leave tonight."

"Where to? Zhangzhung? The Tang forces are right at the border and may have already attacked. You yourselves have nowhere to run; what would I go there for?"

The moment Xizongzan heard this, he knew she was tempted. He continued, "What you want is to break free from the control of others. Whether it is the Tang or your cousin, it is all the same. In their eyes, you are merely a beautiful woman."

"How would the Tibetans be any different? Weren't you just saying the opposite a moment ago?"

"Of course it's different. Perhaps Nepal should be ruled by a queen." Xizongzan loosened his grip on her waist and looked directly into her face.

Sarasvati listened in a daze. At that very moment, the door gave a faint creak, followed immediately by her lips being muffled by a heavy, warm breath. She had only enough time to close her eyes and let her body yield to the man's hands.

Banijia gently pulled the door shut behind him, his expression as gloomy as water. Muttering a curse under his breath, he turned and strode away from the room.