When tidings of the invincible sovereign Khosrow Anushirvan reached the ears of the Khaqan of China, dread pierced his heart, and his countenance turned pale as a withered fenugreek blossom. Realizing that taking up arms against the King of Kings would bring only ignominy and ruin to his empire, he summoned his wisest counselors, mobads, and noble statesmen to seek a path of salvation. The Khaqan declared that victory could easily turn to shame unless wisdom paved the way, proposing: 'The true remedy is to dispatch envoys to the Iranian court and seek a marital alliance. Within my royal chambers dwell virtuous maidens fitted for the crown; by uniting one of them in holy matrimony with the Shah of Iran, we shall forge a bond of blood that no adversary can sever, turning hostility into lasting peace.' The assembly of sages lauded his counsel, affirming it as the sole righteous path.
Thereupon, the Khaqan unsealed the doors of his ancient treasuries, selecting gifts of gold, silver, dazzling jewels, and shimmering Chinese silks such as no mortal eyes had ever beheld. He summoned an experienced royal scribe to compose a decree upon fine Chinese silk. The letter commenced with sublime praise for the Almighty Creator—the Lord of Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon—who bestows victory and requires only truth from humanity. It extended glorious greetings to the Shah of Iran, the master of the sword, mace, and throne. The Khaqan wrote that human beings derive true nobility from sacred bonds, and that his envoys had reported the unmatched justice and Divine Glory of Khosrow's court; thus, uniting Iran and China through marriage would erase all borders and bring divine favor upon both nations.
Three distinguished, highly eloquent envoys took the sealed silk letter and the immense tribute, journeying toward the Iranian realm. Upon their arrival, King Khosrow Anushirvan received them seated upon his ivory throne, wearing the imperial crown. The Chinese ambassadors prostrated before him, offering thirty thousand gold dinars along with glittering silks and treasures, chanting praises in the Chinese tongue. The Iranian monarch commanded his minister to host them in grand quarters. At dawn the following day, Anushirvan donned his ruby crown and convened his full council of mobads and chieftains. As the silk letter was read aloud, its gentle tone of apology, praise, and goodwill filled the assembly with marvel, leading the Iranian nobles to glorify the Shah whose divine majesty had humbled the mighty Eastern lord into seeking friendship and blood lineage.