Tigers Sniff the Rose

The princess had taken up residence at the courier station, where officials and servants alike were expected to attend to her diligently.

The nearly ceased rain dripped intermittently from the eaves like a water clock, its sound crisp and clear. Puddles had formed on the ground where the raindrops splashed.

As Xiarong led the maids in white socks and red skirts, carrying trays in a single file along the corridor, Fang Tong called out and pulled her aside.

Fang Tong glanced toward one of the side rooms: "Have you prepared fresh clothes for Yan Erlang? Also, he arrived in the rain, and his old wounds haven’t fully healed. Being drenched all day, if neglected, he might catch a cold. You should also prepare some ointment, bandages, and ginger tea for him."

Xiarong widened her eyes: "But Her Highness said not to prepare these. Her Highness said, 'If he dies of illness, it serves him right,' and 'What does it matter to me?' How can I disobey Her Highness?"

Fang Tong sighed.

He offered her guidance: "Sometimes, you have to interpret Her Highness’s words in reverse. Why would she suddenly say 'it serves him right'? Clearly, she’s concerned about Yan Erlang but is too embarrassed to show it or visit him personally. This is when you need to guess Her Highness’s thoughts."

Xiarong suddenly understood and hurriedly expressed her thanks.

As she was about to leave, she couldn’t resist turning back to ask: "Guard Fang, you’ve been with Her Highness the longest and know her best. Can you give me a clear answer? How should I treat Yan Erlang? Have our princess and Yan Erlang truly ended things or not?"

Fang Tong replied vaguely: "Just serve him as you would the Imperial Son-in-Law."

Xiarong’s eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, her hands trembled, nearly dropping the tray—

Mu Wan Yao was restless and unsettled.

She had taken the finest room at the courier station. After bathing, she sat on the edge of the bed, distractedly drying her damp hair. She had dismissed the maids, leaving no one to attend to her in the room. After a while of inner turmoil, she heard a soft, rhythmic knocking at the door.

Mu Wan Yao remained silent, glaring somewhat angrily at the wooden door.

Though the person outside hadn’t spoken, the gentle, measured knocking instinctively told her it was him.

Sure enough, Yan Shang’s voice came from outside: "Your Highness, I’ve brought ginger tea for you. May I come in?"

Mu Wan Yao: "No."

Silence followed from outside the door.

Mu Wan Yao stared at the door, noticing the shadow cast upon it hadn’t moved. Clearly, if she didn’t respond, he wouldn’t leave.

Her agitation grew. Furious at her own soft-heartedness, she tossed the hair towel to the ground and snapped irritably: "Come in."

Yan Shang pushed the door open, closed it behind him, and quickly scanned the room.

He picked up the towel Mu Wan Yao had thrown on the floor, folded it neatly, and placed it on the table. Then, carrying the ginger tea, he approached Mu Wan Yao, who sat brooding on the edge of the bed. He glanced down at the princess, clad in a light gauze gown and looking sullen in the dim light, and began urging her to drink the ginger tea.

Mu Wan Yao was annoyed by his meticulous attentiveness.

She shot him a quick glance and noticed he had likely bathed as well.

His dark hair was half-tied with a silver hairpin, still slightly damp. Standing before her with downcast eyes, he wore a clean, light apricot-colored robe—a shade that complemented his clear, gentle features, lending him an air of scholarly elegance. The robe was somewhat loose, probably to avoid irritating the wounds beneath.

Thinking of the unhealed injuries on his shoulders and back, and how he had chased after her for half the day, drenched in the rain, Mu Wan Yao’s heart softened.She finished the ginger soup and handed the bowl back, her usually seductive eyes lowered this time, refusing to look at him. "I'm done. You can leave now."

Yan Shang didn't leave.

He stood before her for a long moment before speaking softly, "I have something to say to you."

Mu Wan Yao remained silent.

Yan Shang pleaded, "Let's reconcile, alright?"

Mu Wan Yao let out a scornful laugh. This time, she simply turned over onto the bed, rolling toward the inner side. She wrapped herself in the quilt, covering her ears with her hands, adopting a clear "I don't want to hear you" posture.

Yan Shang sat down and, quite accustomed to her behavior, reached out to pull the quilt up over her shoulders.

He knew this was just her temper and didn't take offense, continuing in his gentle tone, "I've thought it through. Whether we have children or not doesn't matter. I can accept it."

Mu Wan Yao had originally resolved not to respond to him no matter what he said.

But his words ignited her anger, making it impossible to stay silent.

So the moment she had lain down, Mu Wan Yao threw off the quilt and sat up abruptly. She sat cross-legged on the bed, facing Yan Shang, glaring at him with sarcasm. "It took you a whole month to figure that out? Your thinking process is truly lengthy."

Yan Shang felt ashamed.

His fingers curled slightly where they rested on the bed, his eyes downcast as he whispered, "I'm sorry... but this really is a significant matter. I needed time to think it through properly. When I said it didn't matter before, you accused me of being dismissive, didn't you? I didn't want you to blame me for avoiding the issue when we tried to resolve it... I'm not avoiding it now. I've thought it through."

Mu Wan Yao found it ridiculous.

Her voice rose sharply, "I asked for your answer, and it took you over a month to think it through! What were you doing all this time? Now that you've figured it out, you think you can just come back and reconcile? Don't you think it's too late? Do you think just because you chased after me, I'll nod in agreement? Who do you think you are? Do you think I can't live without you?!"

Her tone was agitated, filled with fury and disappointment.

Seeing the anger in her eyes, Yan Shang grew flustered and couldn't help defending himself. "I... I've always been like this... I'm sorry. But I'm not like you... you only care about immediate satisfaction, while I think about the long term. You focus on the moment, but I can't do that... I had to think carefully about our future."

Mu Wan Yao retorted, "What exactly have you thought through?"

Yan Shang paused before saying, "I've met Chunhua."

Mu Wan Yao's eyebrows twitched sensitively, and her gaze toward him turned sharp and cold.

Her suspicions were confirmed.

Because Yan Shang's next words were, "I asked Chunhua about your time with the Black Barbarians... Yaoyao!"

He hadn't finished speaking when she jumped off the bed to leave. Yan Shang reached out to stop her. She struggled violently, but he knew he couldn't let her go like this. He held her tightly, forcibly pulling her into his arms.

Mu Wan Yao kicked and hit, but couldn't break free. Her face flushed with anger, and her pride drove her mad. She lowered her head and bit his wrist. Yan Shang grunted in pain but still refused to let go. Mu Wan Yao looked up, her eyes blazing with fury, and shrieked, "Who gave you the right to ask? Who asked you to meddle? We're already separated! Stay out of my affairs!"Yan Shang endured her kicks and blows, his arms and knees struck several times. He suffered greatly, gradually feeling he could no longer restrain her, and couldn't help but sharpen his tone, raising his voice slightly: "I never wanted to separate from you. It was you who drove me away... I've been constantly thinking about what happened between us, I..."

Mu Wan Yao: "Do you care that much about my past?!"

Yan Shang: "Is it me who cares? It's you who cares immensely, it's you who forced me into this. If you didn't care yourself, how could it affect me?"

Mu Wan Yao sneered coldly.

She was held in his embrace, his arms wrapped around her waist preventing her from leaving, but her hands remained free. This posture was hardly suitable for arguing—sitting on his lap appeared far too intimate—yet clearly neither was in such a mood at the moment. Mu Wan Yao raised her hand and gripped his chin, and while he was startled, she leaned in and kissed him.

Yan Shang was bewildered, his grip on her loosening. He couldn't explain how it happened, but by the time he realized, they were already entangled in a breathless, inseparable kiss, their lips moist and flushed from sucking.

His body temperature soared, his heart pounding wildly, and he couldn't resist leaning in for more. But Mu Wan Yao leaned back, pulling away, her gaze icy as she stared at him.

Yan Shang's mind was a muddled mess, jolted awake by her piercing look.

Mu Wan Yao scolded him: "You don't care? When I kiss you, don't you think about other men kissing me like this? When you hold me, don't you imagine other men doing the same? You absolutely cannot not care—does lying make you seem noble?"

Yan Shang's face flushed red. He said, "I truly haven't thought about it."

Mu Wan Yao: "I don't believe you!"

The two seemed on the verge of arguing again.

Mu Wan Yao pressed him relentlessly, while Yan Shang grew increasingly flustered and angry. After a long pause, he blurted out: "Whenever you get close to me, my mind goes blank—I can't think of those things at all. I'm not like you, calculating and scheming even when kissing... I would never do that!

"Do you think everyone is as duplicitous as you?"

Mu Wan Yao froze.

After speaking, Yan Shang realized what he had said and was slightly stunned himself, a blush of shame and embarrassment rising to his cheeks.

They stared at each other for a long moment.

He whispered, "I really haven't thought about those things."

Seeing him like this, Mu Wan Yao actually began to believe him. She bit her lip, suddenly feeling ridiculous and realizing she had been unreasonable. Covering her face with her hand, she turned away and said dryly, "Oh."

Seeing her calm down and stop causing a scene, Yan Shang let out a slight sigh of relief. Holding her shoulders, he lowered his head to look at her. She covered her face, refusing to let him see. Amused, Yan Shang whispered, "What are you doing..."

Mu Wan Yao remained silent.

Yan Shang: "Then... are you willing to sit down and properly listen to the conclusion I've reached after a month of thinking?"

Mu Wan Yao: "Go ahead. I'd like to hear what you've been thinking about all this month."

She felt a sense of reckless relaxation.

If Yan Shang knew everything... her defenses would be meaningless. She actually wanted to hear his thoughts—

Outside the door, the maids listened to the commotion inside, even hearing the princess's sharp cries. The princess was so enraged that they stood guard outside, ready to rush in and drive Yan Erlang away whenever summoned. But after a long period of arguing, it suddenly grew quiet inside.

Xiarong and the other maids exchanged glances, then slowly retreated further away.In the chamber, Yan Shang was using a cloth to dry Mu Wan Yao's hair. He insisted on doing such laborious tasks, and Mu Wan Yao couldn't be bothered to stop him. She listened as he spoke with great care:

"You've only injured your health, and a place like the Black Barbarians has no good physicians. Perhaps with proper recuperation over a few years, your body will recover. I suspect that since Your Highness returned to Chang'an, you've never sought a physician's consultation because you were afraid... I think it would be wise to have a thorough examination. Even if you truly cannot bear children, we can still replenish the years of physical depletion Your Highness has endured.

"Whenever the weather changes slightly, Your Highness falls ill, and I worry deeply about that."

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him.

Her heart felt adrift, unable to believe that one day she could sit so calmly and discuss her inability to bear children with a man. By her nature, she would have been furious, would have stormed off at the first word. Yet Yan Shang's tone was gentle... and her hair was still held in his hands.

His voice was leisurely, as if he weren't discussing the grave matter of her infertility, but merely something as ordinary as what to eat tomorrow.

This attitude truly soothed Mu Wan Yao.

His conversational skill was so refined that Mu Wan Yao had no choice but to calm down alongside him.

Mu Wan Yao said despondently, "If I can't bear children, then I can't. Even if I seek a physician's care, I still won't be able to. What then?"

Yan Shang: "If it truly isn't possible, then we must accept it. Fortunately, I have an elder brother at home; my Eldest Brother has sons, so our family line won't end. Moreover, have I told Your Highness that my third brother is also about to marry? He will soon have children too... I'm the second son in the family, so the burden of continuing the lineage doesn't rest solely on me.

"And you are a princess. Even if we have no children, no one would dare criticize you. You needn't worry about anyone blaming you... When you think about it, being a princess does have its advantages, doesn't it?"

Seeing that he was even joking, Mu Wan Yao turned her face away. She didn't smile, her dark eyes fixed on him: "No one would blame me, but they would blame you. Wherever you go, you'll face repercussions. The accusations from family, the doubts from clansmen, the concern from friends, the questions from colleagues in official circles... You'll bear this pressure for the rest of your life."

Yan Shang lowered his head and slowly uttered, "Mmm."

After a long pause, he said, "So... didn't I take a month to consider it thoroughly?"

Mu Wan Yao turned her face away, pursing her lips: "You really don't have to do this. If it's out of pity for me, it's entirely unnecessary. You're so fine; there are plenty of maidens who admire you. You don't need to endure this pressure at all."

Yan Shang repeated, "That's why I considered it for a month."

Mu Wan Yao's shoulders trembled slightly, yet she deliberately played the villain, pretending not to understand him: "Are you using your kindness to pressure me now?"

Yan Shang: "It's an exchange of hearts. I want to tell you my thoughts; if you don't accept them, there's nothing I can do."

Yan Shang leaned in to look at her. She turned her face away, refusing to let him see. He sighed softly and drew her into his embrace, pressing her face against his neck. This time, he felt the dampness on his neck, but she wouldn't have to resent him for seeing it.

The maiden trembled in his arms, and Yan Shang gently stroked her back to comfort her.

Her voice choked with tears: "But you like children so much."

Yan Shang whispered: "I also... like Your Highness very much."He coaxed her softly, "Later, later... if you truly cannot bear children, we can ask my eldest brother or third brother to adopt one for us. If you don’t want a child from our family, there are plenty of orphans abandoned by their parents in this world... Of course... if you don’t want any, that’s fine too. Life with nine out of ten perfections is already good enough—there’s no need for everything to go exactly as one wishes."

He spoke softly into her ear, sharing his plans and thoughts. He had genuinely considered the consequences of this matter and devised solutions one by one. His attitude soothed Mu Wan Yao. Initially, she had thought this was an enormous issue, but seeing Yan Shang like this, she began to feel it might not matter after all.

As long as he remained by her side.

Mu Wan Yao lifted her face from his embrace, her hand caressing his features, the mist clinging to her eyelashes brushing against his cheek. She leaned in to kiss him, but Yan Shang retreated slightly, expressing his refusal.

Yan Shang lowered his head. "I’ve given you my answer. Won’t you give me yours?"

Mu Wan Yao looked confused. "What answer?"

He glanced at her, pursed his lips, with a hint of petulance. "Your answer about marrying someone else."

Mu Wan Yao paused.

Then she said, "Oh, that."

Yan Shang watched her.

Mu Wan Yao couldn’t help but curl her lips into a thoughtful smile. "You chased me all the way out of Chang’an. Did you know I was heading to Jinling? I’m going to Jinling because I felt a letter wouldn’t suffice—I intended to personally explain to my maternal grandfather and his family that I’m refusing the marriage proposal. I never intended to marry in the first place. Didn’t I already tell you that?"

Yan Shang fell silent.

After a long while, he said, "What I seek isn’t just this one time. I want a proper status."

Mu Wan Yao rested her hand on her forehead.

Thinking she was about to refuse again, Yan Shang grasped her hand, his tone intensifying. "Yao Yao!"

He continued, "Power and influence are fine, but am I not good enough? Do you really believe I can’t help you? We can face things together. You keep so many matters from me, and I worry about you... Can we not continue like this? Even if we aren’t in that kind of relationship, didn’t I say I’d serve as your retainer? What kind of lord constantly leaves their retainer out in the cold and handles crises alone?"

Mu Wan Yao stared at him, waiting to hear what else he had to say.

Yan Shang pressed on, "I just want a proper status... I can’t be with you without any recognition. What would that make me? A kept man? I don’t like that. I hate always sneaking around, unable to speak of our relationship to others. When people speculate and ask me, I can’t even admit it, afraid of upsetting you or causing you trouble... I don’t want to live like this anymore."

He held her wrist firmly, fearing she might evade the issue again. He decided to lay everything out clearly. "I’m not forcing you to give me an answer right now... I’m saying, at least give me a timeframe! How long do you expect me to wait? I’m not afraid of waiting—I’m afraid you’ll keep stringing me along, leaving me with no future in sight. Do you want me to wait a year, two years, five years... or a lifetime? You have to make it clear to me."

Mu Wan Yao asked, "What if I asked you to wait a lifetime?"

Yan Shang was taken aback.

He released her wrist and murmured, "In that case, I wouldn’t stay with you."

He stated, "My bottom line is having a proper status. You can’t keep humiliating me indefinitely."

Mu Wan Yao sighed.Yan Shang felt a pang of heartache. After waiting for so long and receiving nothing, his heart grew cold. Unwilling to humiliate himself further, he rose to leave when Mu Wan Yao chuckled and wound her way over. Pressing his shoulders, she made him sit back down.

She knelt before him as he looked up at her.

Mu Wan Yao gazed at him intently, murmuring, "I thought you were forcing me for an answer right now, but it turns out you only want me to think it through and give you a deadline. Second Brother Yan, why are you so lenient with me?"

She lowered her head to nuzzle his cheek, her voice soft, "Second Brother Yan, I’m not afraid to tell you—with my past, power and status are especially important to me. I can’t give up power for you. Without it, I’d feel unsettled. I can’t live on love alone, nor on you alone.

"But you’re important too. Power and you—I want both, and I won’t let go of either. Second Brother Yan, rest assured, if your bottom line is a formal status, I will definitely give it to you."

Her hand caressed his chin; a flicker of light stirred in his eyes as if he were about to speak. Mu Wan Yao pressed a finger to his lips, stopping him.

She looked at him with utmost seriousness, "But have you really thought it through—being with me? Even if it’s very likely we’ll never have children? Have you truly considered it and won’t regret it? If you’ve made up your mind, I won’t torment myself over this anymore, nor will I allow you to regret it. Second Brother Yan, you still have a chance to back out now. Otherwise, in the future, if I’m both childless and bully you, it’ll be too hard on you."

Yan Shang said quietly, "Don’t belittle yourself."

Without giving a clear answer, he lifted his hand to embrace her shoulder and looked at her. His eyes were like clear water, and this subtle response made Mu Wan Yao suddenly laugh in spite of herself, finding him endearing and lovable.

The withered flower in her heart bloomed anew, its branches stretching out.

He had this ability—to make her feel alive again after despair.

Yan Shang still remembered his request, "My status..."

Mu Wan Yao widened her eyes and said deliberately, "You took a whole month to think it over and reach a conclusion—why can’t I have a couple more days to consider? I need to think seriously too, to weigh the consequences. Marrying you is too troublesome; I’m not that impulsive! If there’s no benefit for me, I won’t marry you!

"You’d better wait patiently for me to think it through."

Yan Shang was taken aback, realizing Mu Wan Yao was retaliating. He could only sigh and accept this answer—

Mu Wan Yao pressed against him and kissed him again.

Yet after hesitating for a while, Yan Shang leaned against the bedpost, panting, and asked her, "Are we reconciled now?"

Mu Wan Yao’s fingers, soft and teasing, slipped into his waist, making him tremble. He pressed her mischievous hand through his clothes. She didn’t answer him at all, and Yan Shang felt it improper to keep asking. He thought they must be reconciled, or she wouldn’t act like this...

But the night grew later, and the water clock had chimed more than once.

Yan Shang said, "It’s late... I should go back to sleep."

His tone held a struggle; clearly, even someone like him found it hard to tear himself away from a beauty’s embrace. Especially since they had just reconciled after more than a month apart, tonight he was having trouble controlling himself.

Mu Wan Yao sat on the bed watching him rise; he glanced back at her.

Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow.

Yan Shang said, "I’m really leaving."

Mu Wan Yao remained silent.Yan Shang: "Tomorrow... tomorrow I'll be going back. I came specifically to explain things to you. Once I've made things clear, I must return to Chang'an."

Mu Wan Yao remained silent, wearing a faint, enigmatic smile.

Yan Shang glanced back at her again—this was the third time he had turned to look at her. Mu Wan Yao couldn't suppress the curve of her lips any longer and finally gave in, collapsing backward onto the bed.

She laughed so hard she rolled over, propping her face up with her hand as she lifted her head. Tenderness filled her brow, her eyes shimmered like rippling water, and a blossom-like dimple graced her cheek: "Alright, alright, stop looking at me like that... I know what you mean. If you want to stay the night, just stay!

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder—I've never refused you before!"

Yan Shang flushed at her teasing.

He insisted, "That's not what I meant... I just wanted to talk with Your Highness a little longer."

Mu Wan Yao said with feigned seriousness, "Just chatting under the quilt? You're something else."

Her teasing made him increasingly uncomfortable. Her laughter deepened his embarrassment, making him feel vulgar. Just as he was about to give up and leave in frustration, Mu Wan Yao affectionately pulled him back down to sit, sweet-talking and coaxing him until he stayed—

Mu Wan Yao always left a small lamp burning when she slept at night.

Yan Shang remembered her habit well. He lit a lamp outside the bed curtains, carefully let down the layers of drapes, and returned to the bedside, leaning against the edge before lying down.

Mu Wan Yao, sleeping on the inner side, stared at his back.

Her gaze was so intense it nearly bore holes through his spine.

Mu Wan Yao said sarcastically, "Going to sleep just like that?"

Yan Shang gave a soft "Mm," and said, "Your Highness must travel tomorrow, and I must return to Chang'an."

Hearing the worry in his tone, Mu Wan Yao guessed his thoughts and couldn't help laughing. "There you go again. You're the one who left Chang'an without taking leave, and now, before dawn has even broken, you're already restless, fretting over tomorrow's duties. Can't you relax a little?"

Yan Shang: "I'm sorry."

Mu Wan Yao snorted, "You should be sorry to me."

After a long pause, she suddenly spoke again, "You really are a block of wood!"

Her coquettish tone carried a hint of disappointment and a great deal of resignation.

Just as Mu Wan Yao was complaining about his lack of response, the young man with his back to her said, "How am I a block of wood?"

Mu Wan Yao: "If you weren't a block of wood, you wouldn't be lying next to a delicate beauty with your back turned, not even glancing over your shoulder."

He fell silent.

Mu Wan Yao reached out to poke him, but her fingertips only lightly brushed his back. Remembering his wounds hadn't fully healed, she didn't dare touch him recklessly.

Losing interest, she turned over, intending to face away from him as well. "If I weren't worried about your injuries, I'd have my way with you."

Yan Shang sat up. He rose by the bedside, pushing aside the bed curtains. Mu Wan Yao peeked to see what he was doing, wondering if her words had angered him enough to leave.

Her heart uneasy, she watched as Yan Shang turned to look at her. His gaze remained clear and gentle, but perhaps due to the dim light, shadows flickered in his eyes, lending them deeper meaning.

Yan Shang leaned in to embrace her, lifting her up. Mu Wan Yao was bewildered, but the next moment her face flushed scarlet as his fingers lightly hooked the sash at her waist, his warm fingertips brushing over her skin. Her waist went soft instantly, and though the air wasn't cold, it crept over her snow-like skin, raising goosebumps along her calves.

Her face burning, she suddenly realized what he was doing. Having never seen Yan Shang take the initiative like this, she gazed at him with a mix of shyness and delight, shivering slightly as her knees were exposed to the air.

Seeing him lower his gaze, she couldn't bear the shyness and reached out to cover his eyes, giggling, "Don't look!"

Yan Shang caught her hand, tilted his head, and pressed a kiss to her wrist. The delicate scent of him meeting her soft skin sent tremors through Mu Wan Yao, her eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably. And he didn't stop there—his breath, light as raindrops, trailed along her wrist, meandering like a stream through mountains and waters.Yan Shang knelt barefoot by the bedside, his face pressed against her abdomen, one hand resting on her knee as he gently nudged.

Mu Wan Yao looked at him in confusion.

For she had never imagined he could be so bold.

The next moment, he lowered his head, his kisses continuing to flow slowly along the curves of her body like a meandering stream.

Kneeling before the footstool, his long hair cascaded over his shoulders, his lowered lashes dense as a curtain. Mu Wan Yao instantly cried out like a kite with its string severed. Unable to endure, she arched backward and collapsed onto the bedding. Her entire body flushed crimson, while his gentle breath below tinged her with a rosy hue.

Mu Wan Yao was going mad.

Her long hair spilled across the pillow, her snow-white feet pressed against his shoulders as she kicked him. "Let go! Let go! You mustn’t do this... you mustn’t!"

Yet her voice carried a sob, trembling slightly from overwhelming pleasure.

The spring rain drizzled outside, lamplight flickered wildly. Her starry eyes half-closed, lips slightly parted. Overwhelmed, she covered her mouth with her hand, the corners of her eyes suffused with scarlet and glistening tears.

The scene unfolded like winding landscapes, soft and hazy. The gentleman knelt on the floor, the lady lay upon the bed. The canopy cast their silhouettes in dim, hazy warm colors——

In Chang’an City.

The troops at the northern camp outside the city had retired for the night, only patrolling soldiers standing vigilant.

In the main tent, Liu Wenji leaned against a couch, gripping a sword.

Even as he drifted into drowsiness, he never released the sword. Occasionally jolted awake from nightmares, his eyes would snap open to the pitch-black tent where he sat alone, then close again.

He remained constantly alert for any impending rebellion—the northern camp must be subdued!—

At the Wei residence, Zhao Lingfei had already retired, but Wei Shu remained seated at the desk in his study.

He sat alone for a long time until the night deepened. A cat’s cry outside startled him from his thoughts.

After staring at the desk for a while, he spread out paper and began drafting a memorial—

Requesting to be sent as an envoy to various states, to strengthen Great Wei’s relations with neighboring countries.

He composed a memorial discussing Great Wei’s ambivalent relationships with surrounding nations, expressing his own lofty ambitions adorned with elegant prose, hoping to move the reader with his aspirations and secure approval.

The Wei family treated Wei Shu as a pawn.

But Wei Shu intended to break free from this chessboard.

He felt he had failed his mentor, yet he knew what was truly better. He would rather leave Great Wei as an envoy, unable to return for years, than remain a pawn in others’ hands—

The Wei family could have the Censorate suspend his position.

Yet they could not control the neighboring nations’ compliance—

In the palace, the Emperor woke from a nightmare in the middle of the night and could not fall back asleep.

As he lay awake waiting for dawn, Cheng An, attending outside, knew His Majesty was awake and entered to serve.

After a moment, Cheng An reported, "Your Majesty, it seems Yan Erlang has left Chang’an."

The Emperor had previously ordered surveillance on Yan Erlang. Yan Shang’s conduct had always been proper, so when he finally did something slightly irregular, the subordinates immediately reported it.

The Emperor fell silent.

Thoughtfully, he asked, "When did Danyang leave Chang’an?"

Cheng An understood the Emperor’s meaning and replied, "Her Highness the Princess departed at dawn, while Yan Erlang left after the noon meal... but the Princess traveled by carriage, and Yan Erlang by horse... He might actually catch up. Your Majesty, it appears Yan Erlang and Her Highness may soon have joyous news."

A smile touched the Emperor’s eyes.Softly: "Then I shall give Yan Suchen a fine opportunity for promotion... It all depends on whether he can seize it."

He sighed: "If Yan Suchen isn't strong, how can he protect Yaoyao?"