Yan Shang propped himself up on the bed with one hand while drawing aside the bed curtain with the other, looking down at the panting princess lying there.
Her hair spread like seaweed across the pillows, her fragrant cheeks flushed crimson. She resembled a pure moonbeam shining upon a landscape of snow-covered hills and frozen lakes. Her eyes shimmered with misty light, brimming with poetic spring passion between her brows. Still dazed after their intimacy, she frowned slightly as her gaze settled on Yan Shang.
Yan Shang's heart raced as he watched her, feeling both astonished and dazed by her current appearance.
This was the first time he had witnessed such languid, unrestrained charm in her. She seemed much more at ease than during their previous encounters. For the first time, he truly felt he had brought Mu Wan Yao pleasure.
The maiden's eyes were tinged with rosy hues at the corners, her skin glistening with fragrant perspiration as she breathed in soft pants. Her sounds stirred discomfort in him, yet each time her kitten-like breath brushed past his ear, he wanted to please her more earnestly, to hear more of her.
The pounding of his heart grew so loud he feared it might leap from his chest.
Lost in her present beauty, he couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her lips.
Mu Wan Yao raised a hand to block his approach, her voice still slightly hoarse yet delicately charming: "Don't! It's dirty!"
Yan Shang sighed softly: "You find your own essence dirty?"
Mu Wan Yao glared at him.
He lowered his eyes, his face similarly flushed, dark hair cascading around him. His slight smile rippled through her heart like gentle waves across a landscape. Just as Mu Wan Yao felt her heart swaying, Yan Shang had already dropped the curtain and moved away.
Yan Shang went to fetch tea to rinse his mouth and found a handkerchief. Guessing Mu Wan Yao would be too lazy to wash up, he intended to clean her himself. After these back-and-forth preparations, when he finally returned to the bed and knelt on the wooden frame to open the curtain, a delicate figure immediately embraced him with snow-white arms, allowing him to fully immerse in her warm, fragrant softness.
Mu Wan Yao complained: "You took so long again! Whatever mood I had left is gone with all your coming and going."
Yan Shang explained somewhat shyly: "I was just cleaning up."
Mu Wan Yao smiled playfully: "Did little Yan go down?"
Yan Shang didn't understand.
She made him understand through action—reaching down to stroke his lower abdomen, her fingertips making contact. Yan Shang stiffened instantly, blood rushing backward as his body reacted beyond control. She revealed an understanding smile, tilting her face with a mix of teasing and amusement as she looked at him.
He flushed crimson: "Yao Yao!"
Mu Wan Yao: "So you understood now?"
Yan Shang sighed helplessly: "When you act like this... I'm not a fool."
Mu Wan Yao smiled, thinking how entertaining it was to play with intelligent people—just a slight hint and they understood. But Yan Shang paused, gently moving her hand away as he whispered: "I need to return tomorrow... It's inconvenient."
Mu Wan Yao expressed surprise: "Could you possibly last all night? Do you have that capability?"
Yan Shang replied with slight annoyance: "Must you speak so bluntly? I mean... I feel uncomfortable in someone else's territory."
Mu Wan Yao chuckled: "When have you ever been comfortable? You're never at ease. You complain that daytime is too bright and lacks privacy, that nighttime encounters between unmarried people invite gossip; you dislike any place other than a bed as improper, fear the jostling of carriages; worry that too short a time leaves me unsatisfied, that too long risks discovery; fret that premarital relations are inappropriate, complain that I delay setting the wedding date... You've never been comfortable with anything."Yan Shang was speechless.
Could he really be so transparent?
Seeing him holding a handkerchief, frozen in hesitation, Mu Wan Yao sighed and pulled him down to sit. Taking the cloth from his hand to clean herself, she lifted her knee and paused briefly—only to see Yan Shang hastily turn his face away, refusing to look in her direction.
Mu Wan Yao wrinkled her nose at his retreating back, exasperated by his restraint.
She mused that she must break through his reserve at least once... Matters between men and women, the joys of the bedchamber, were natural and right, yet he had never truly let himself go, always missing the peak of pleasure. Thinking of this, she felt a pang of regret on his behalf.
After a long while, his voice came softly from behind: "Are you finished?"
Mu Wan Yao: "Mm."
He turned his shoulder slightly and, seeing she had already donned her inner robe without deceiving him, let out a quiet breath. Leaning over to retrieve the used handkerchief, he made to rise and tidy up—but Mu Wan Yao had had enough. Snatching the cloth from his hand, she tossed it onto the floor beyond the bed, pulled him down to lie beside her, and complained: "Leave it! The maids will tend to it tomorrow."
Yan Shang allowed himself to be drawn down to lie on his side.
Golden bed curtains and candlelight draped over them as Mu Wan Yao faced him. In the quiet stillness, their eyes met, and the air grew thick and scorching.
His lashes fluttered, gaze dropping as he shied away.
Seeing him like this—his dark hair disheveled, the flush still lingering on his cheeks—Mu Wan Yao felt her delight grow. Letting her eyes drift lower, she asked: "Are you sure you don’t want my help? I could use my hand. Even with your back injured, if we lie on our sides... it could still work."
Yan Shang shook his head. "It will pass soon."
Mu Wan Yao teased deliberately: "Other women make their lovers burn hotter the longer they look. But you—the longer you look at me, the cooler you grow. Are you doing it on purpose? Or am I truly so unappealing?"
Yan Shang: "What burning and cooling?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
After several such tests, she confirmed he was still the Yan Erlang she knew. Even after what he’d just done for her, he remained largely oblivious to the vulgar banter and suggestive teasing between men and women. Being with him made her feel positively corrupt.
Mu Wan Yao covered her face.
But Yan Shang reached over and gently pulled her hands away, wanting to see her expression. Soft yet firm, he murmured: "Don’t hide. I want to look at you."
Peeking through her fingers with round eyes, she saw his relaxed brows and slight smile, and she too eased, letting her hands fall. Gazing at each other, they both broke into simultaneous grins. Mu Wan Yao cooed, "Second Brother Yan," and nuzzled closer, rubbing against him until she nestled into his embrace.
Her long hair brushed against his neck as she sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Yan Shang whispered by her ear: "Was I... good?"
Mu Wan Yao: "At what?"
After a bashful pause, he pressed on: "Just now."
Mu Wan Yao looked up, then finally remarked: "...You’ve changed."
Yan Shang flushed, stammering slightly: "I—I was only asking. It doesn’t mean anything else. If you’d rather not say, forget it."
Mu Wan Yao chuckled: "I don’t mind saying. I dare say anything—it’s whether you dare listen."She raised a brow at him, her gaze flirtatious and teasing. He felt both amused and pleased. Before he could savor this flicker of joy, Mu Wan Yao in his arms had already begun: "You go first—what do you think?"
Yan Shang was taken aback, then stammered, "I think... it's quite good."
Mu Wan Yao pressed, "Do you also think your skills are quite good?"
Yan Shang was horrified.
After digesting her boldness for a long moment, he said, "I meant you're quite good."
Mu Wan Yao was puzzled.
He truly struggled for a while before leaning close to her ruby-like earlobe and whispering a few words: "Yao Yao is so sweet, so soft."
This time, it was Mu Wan Yao's turn to blush crimson.
Flustered and angry, she hit his chest: "How dare you say such things? You shouldn't speak like that!"
Yan Shang's face flushed deeply: "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."
Mu Wan Yao stiffened her expression: "Where did you learn all this?"
Yan Shang: "I didn't learn it from anywhere..."
Mu Wan Yao: "Was it that Chun Niang of yours?"
Yan Shang paused, then said, "What does she have to do with it... Yao Yao, did you investigate her?"
Mu Wan Yao immediately snorted.
She wanted to throw a tantrum, to pick a fight with him over Chun Niang and make a scene without reason. She had already learned how Yan Shang knew this person after having Fang Tong look into it. Knowing that Yan Shang likely had some hidden scheme, Mu Wan Yao wasn't as angry.
But the thought of him teaching a beautiful courtesan to read and write, sharing a room with her... back when they were separated, she had no right to interfere; now, of course, she had to make a fuss.
Yet the atmosphere was too pleasant, and Mu Wan Yao found she couldn't bring herself to argue.
Yan Shang had already begun explaining in a ramble: "Chun Niang is the woman Brother Liu saved earlier... the eleventh son of Physician Zhang's household will eventually return to Chang'an, and I thought Brother Liu's matter shouldn't be left unresolved... and I need an informant in the Pleasure Quarter..."
Mu Wan Yao cut him off impatiently: "Enough, enough! I already know, I don't want to hear it again!"
Yan Shang sighed helplessly: "Then what do you want to hear?"
Mu Wan Yao: "Did you sleep in the same room with her at night? When you taught her to write, did you guide her hand? Were you as close to her as we are now? Did you smile at her, did you put on an act with her..."
Yan Shang smiled.
Mu Wan Yao: "What's so funny?!"
Yan Shang covered her mouth gently and whispered, "Swearing again. A princess shouldn't learn such bad habits. I'm just a little happy that you care about me... Don't worry, I know my limits. I won't make things difficult for you."
He threatened her playfully: "If you promise to have only me from now on, I'll have only you too."
Mu Wan Yao felt she could agree to that and immediately laughed in acceptance.
Returning to the original topic: "But if you didn't learn it from Chun Niang, where did you pick up such skills? Don't be afraid, I just want to know who corrupted you. I'll go kill them!"
Yan Shang murmured softly: "I learned it from you. Are you going to kill yourself?"
Mu Wan Yao was stunned: "Ah..."Yan Shang’s lashes lifted slightly as he looked toward her. His face flushed red: “The first time you did this for me, I wanted to do the same for you… but you struggled so fiercely back then, refusing to let me touch you. I thought, if I could feel something, you should feel the same. The difference between men and women shouldn’t be that vast.”
Mu Wan Yao stared blankly: “You really…”
Yan Shang: “What is it?”
Mu Wan Yao said dejectedly: “You’re too clever, it makes me nervous. If I weren’t a little more capable, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you…”
Yan Shang smiled: “That’s not true.”
Mu Wan Yao lifted her face, her hand caressing his delicate brows, and whispered: “But Second Brother Yan, you must be exhausted like this. Can you try to relax a little? At least when you’re with me, learn to set down your burdens and stop overthinking everything.
“You worry too much—it’s excessive. If you don’t have a place where you can rest even a little, you’ll break down sooner or later. Second Brother Yan, try to relax with me.”
Yan Shang looked down at her, his eyes sparkling as if lit by flames, enchanting and tender.
Without a word, he lowered his head to kiss her.
The world praised his elegance, adored his attentiveness, and admired his restraint. Only Mu Wan Yao, time and again, wished he could relax and ease his mind. She repeatedly complained that he was too tightly wound, urging him not to push himself so hard.
The world loved him as a gentleman, a saint—but only she loved him as Yan Shang.
Yan Shang whispered: “I’ll try.”
Mu Wan Yao nibbled at his lips, her voice muffled with laughter: “Good, then shall we continue our intimate pleasures?”
Yan Shang chuckled and agreed.
Like bashful young lovers, they hid behind the bed curtains, whispering such words. Full of curiosity about each other’s bodies and sensations. Mu Wan Yao said she wanted to see his, but he refused, saying, “What’s so interesting about that?”
They wrestled playfully—the young lady trying to slip downward, the young man holding her to keep her from squirming. And he, taking advantage of the wound on his shoulder, hissed in feigned pain, coaxing her into stillness. But then Mu Wan Yao eagerly invited him to look at her neckline. She willingly tugged open her collar, offering him a view and a touch, boldly displaying the allure of a young woman.
Yan Shang trembled, leaning down to kiss her several times. He seemed intoxicated, his face redder than before. But he quickly regained control, carefully covering her collar again.
Mu Wan Yao giggled against his chest, teasing him.
Outside the house, the shadows of bamboo and cypress fell upon the ground like tender water weeds; beneath the corridor, lantern light flickered through the trees like sparks. The wind rustled, and the last of the drizzle faded away—
Before dawn the next day, Yan Shang had to return to Chang’an. Mu Wan Yao was displeased and quarreled with him, mocking that even if he returned now, it would be too late: “Your superior won’t be pleased just because you go back today, but if you leave now, I’ll be unhappy too.”
So Yan Shang stayed with Mu Wan Yao at the courier station until noon. During that time, he finally got his wish and discussed her journey to Jinling with her. He listened to what she planned to say, analyzing and refining her words. Nothing of great importance—just Yan Shang feeling pleased that he could finally take part in some small part of her affairs.
Yet his joy remained as faint as ever, unnoticed by anyone.It was noon when Fang Tong urged Mu Wan Yao, saying that if they didn't hurry, they wouldn't be able to reach the next post station to rest that day. Only then could Yan Shang finally part with Mu Wan Yao, promising to wait for her return in Chang'an.
By this time, Mu Wan Yao was already somewhat regretting her decision to go to Jinling. Her original reason for going to Jinling was largely to avoid Yan Shang, but now that they had reconciled, the distance between Jinling and Chang'an became a significant barrier between them.
It would take at least a month to return to Chang'an and see Yan Shang again... Mu Wan Yao resented that Yan Shang was an official in the capital. If he were still the Yan Shisheng from Lingnan as before, she could have disregarded his wishes and forcibly taken him along to Jinling, and no one would have been able to say anything.
But now, Mu Wan Yao could only say, "I won't stay long in Jinling. I'll try to return within a month. You wait obediently for me to come back, understand?"
Under the gaze of all the guards and maids, Yan Shang felt very uncomfortable. Under Mu Wan Yao's insistent stare, he reluctantly whispered his agreement.
He watched her carriage depart. The beauty sat inside the carriage, and he could no longer see her. A sense of inexplicable melancholy rose in Yan Shang's heart. He couldn't bear to part with her, but since she had already shown such reluctance, he couldn't join her in sorrow. If both of them wallowed in sadness, the journey would become impossible—
Yan Shang returned to Chang'an that same day and went to apologize to his superior the next day. He thought his unexplained absence would surely draw reprimands, but when he returned to the Ministry of Revenue, he found everyone too busy to care about his one-day absence. Yan Shang quickly asked what had happened and received the answer—
"An earthquake has struck sixteen northern counties, causing rivers to dry up immediately. With continuous lack of rain, some areas are already experiencing drought, and the masses are rioting..."
Yan Shang murmured, "Whenever heaven sends great disasters, there are bound to be rebellions and refugees..."
The official he had stopped to question gave a perfunctory nod and continued to busy himself with the matter.
Yan Shang also hurried to help.
At this point, the Ministry of Revenue's top priority shifted from sending envoys abroad to disaster relief. For half a month straight, continuous reports from various regions poured into the Ministry of Revenue. Rivers were drying up, drought-stricken areas were increasing, and the Ministry of Revenue approved batch after batch of grain and funds, yet the disaster showed no signs of abating. It was said that some places had already witnessed incidents of cannibalism...
Yan Shang was summoned to meet with the Minister of Revenue and the Vice Minister of Revenue. Seated with them was the Crown Prince.
The Minister of Revenue was originally the head of the ministry, but due to his advanced age, he would retire in a few years. Although Yan Shang had been in the Ministry of Revenue for over two months, he hadn't seen this minister handle many affairs. The person truly managing the ministry was the Vice Minister of Revenue sitting beside the minister.
This vice minister was very familiar to Yan Shang.
Because this Vice Minister of Revenue had once served as Mu Wan Yao's advisor. He left the Princess Residence to become an official and then rose rapidly under the Crown Prince's support. Having reached such a high position, this vice minister had become the most powerful among the officials Mu Wan Yao had connections with.
Moreover, this vice minister remained utterly loyal to Mu Wan Yao and had always looked after Yan Shang since his arrival at the Ministry of Revenue.
When Yan Shang met these three men, he bowed to them. Only the Vice Minister of Revenue gave him a friendly smile.The Vice Minister of Revenue said, "Su Chen, you must already understand the gravity of the severe drought in the north and the resulting displacement of the common people. According to protocol, the central government will dispatch an imperial official to oversee relief efforts in the affected regions. Other prefectures have already been assigned officials, but the counties of Shu Province are known for their fierce and unyielding populace, and the land is barren. No one in the court is willing to go there.
"After much consideration, I believe that among the directors in the Ministry of Revenue, you alone possess the meticulousness, courage, and prudence to avoid being sidelined or manipulated by local officials. I have recommended to His Highness the Crown Prince that you be sent to Shu to manage the relief efforts. Are you willing?"
Yan Shang did not hesitate: "Of course, I am willing."
The three men were momentarily taken aback by Yan Shang's decisiveness before praising his resolve.
Most officials in Chang'an were unwilling to serve in the provinces, complaining about the hardships, the complexities of governance, and the lack of enlightenment among the people. Being sent to Shu was particularly arduous—it had long been a place of exile for disgraced court officials. Although the Ministry of Revenue needed to assign someone, the majority of court officials came from influential families and could not be forced to go. After much deliberation, Yan Shang was the only suitable candidate.
Yet his immediate agreement still came as a surprise.
The Crown Prince, seated nearby, listened as Yan Shang inquired with the Vice Minister about matters requiring attention. Frowning slightly, the Crown Prince felt a sense of unease.
Because Yan Shang was not the one he had recommended for the relief mission.
The Crown Prince needed Yan Shang in the court. Yan Shang’s successful handling of the diplomatic mission had already been a great achievement for the Crown Prince. He believed Yan Shang’s talents were far more valuable in the central government than in managing disaster relief. Sending someone of Yan Shang’s caliber to oversee relief efforts seemed like a waste of his abilities.
Yet it was the Emperor who had specifically ordered Yan Shang to go to Shu.
The Emperor had expressed mixed feelings about Yan Shang—at times criticizing him for disrupting Mu Wan Yao’s Peace Marriage, at others questioning his unexplained leave of absence, and even suggesting that Yan Shang’s rapid promotion had stirred discontent among the court officials. In short, the Crown Prince understood the Emperor’s implication.
The Emperor wanted the Crown Prince to restrain Yan Shang.
Sending Yan Shang out of the capital to manage relief efforts was the Crown Prince’s response to the Emperor’s wishes. The Emperor said no more, seemingly satisfied. Yet the Crown Prince still felt something was amiss—did the Emperor truly intend to suppress Yan Shang? And if so, why?
The reasons the Emperor had given felt perfunctory—
Around the same time, the Ministries of Revenue, Rites, and Personnel finalized the list of court officials for the diplomatic missions to various nations.
Wei Shu’s name was prominently included.
Wei Shu was appointed as deputy envoy, accompanying the chief envoy on a mission from Great Wei to other nations.
When the list of central government appointments was announced, the Wei family fell silent. Wei Shu’s departure from Chang'an would last at least a year, possibly several years. Their plans to arrange a marriage alliance between Wei Shu and the Li family were effectively thwarted.
For who knew when Wei Shu would return to Chang'an?—
At the end of May, as Yan Shang prepared to leave for Shu and Wei Shu prepared to depart Great Wei, the two learned of each other’s assignments and arranged to meet at a tavern in the Pleasure Quarter of Chang'an to bid each other farewell.
On his way to the Pleasure Quarter, Yan Shang encountered the Northern Agency troops returning to Chang'an.
The soldiers marched in formation, disciplined and orderly. Surprisingly, the one leading them was not a general, but the eunuch Liu Wenji. Mounted on a horse and dressed in eunuch attire, Liu Wenji could not conceal the cold severity in his expression nor his faint air of arrogance.
Bystanders whispered among themselves:
"Why is a eunuch leading the troops? How could His Majesty appoint a eunuch as an official?"
"He’s acting all high and mighty because of his master’s influence! A eunuch daring to ride ahead of the generals… This is utterly improper."Liu Wenji cast a cold gaze over the crowd, and immediately soldiers stepped forward to bind the talkative commoner. Just as Liu Wenji was about to order the man's tongue cut out and execution by beating, his eyes unexpectedly met Yan Shang's in the crowd. Yan Shang looked at him with a faint smile in his eyes, seeming somewhat pleased for him.
Meeting his gaze, Yan Shang cupped his hands and nodded slightly.
The eunuch beside Liu Wenji whispered, "Shall we execute him?"
Unwilling to let Yan Shang see this side of him, Liu Wenji frowned and said, "Give him a light punishment and release him."
He thought to himself that he could always have the man killed later when Yan Shang wasn't around.
The Northern Agency's army... the Emperor seemed to have intentions of placing eunuchs in control, and he needed to seize this opportunity.
Yan Shang merely watched Liu Wenji's triumphant return to the city from the street for a while, feeling pleased for his former friend. Without lingering longer, he hurried away to meet Wei Shu in the Pleasure Quarter.
In the imperial palace, the Emperor listened to reports from all sides.
The Emperor chuckled softly: "It seems Yan Shang is truly going to Shu Zhong..."
Cheng An, standing nearby: "This servant fails to understand. Since Your Majesty wishes to promote Yan Erlang, why assign him to such a thankless task?"
The Emperor said: "To clean up the Ministry of Revenue."
The Emperor sneered: "The Ministry of Revenue has been under the Crown Prince's management for several years, yet the more he manages it, the more funds it lacks. Year after year there's no money... I simply don't understand. He has profited several times, how can it still be so strained? The Ministry of Revenue needs to be straightened out."
Cheng An said: "Your Majesty allowing eunuchs to meddle with the Northern Agency is to weaken Prince Qin's backing forces. This old servant doesn't understand why Your Majesty doesn't eliminate Prince Qin's forces entirely, and why you still need to divert attention to the Crown Prince? If Yan Suchen doesn't follow Your Majesty's plan..."
The Emperor said calmly: "That's precisely why I'm testing Yan Suchen. I'm testing what kind of person Yan Suchen truly is."
Meaningfully, he murmured to himself: "To see who he will serve, which side he will stand on."
Cheng An: "Everyone at court knows Yan Erlang is the Crown Prince's man."
The Emperor said calmly: "Not necessarily."
"That day when he shot and killed the Zheng Family Head with an arrow, it appeared to help the Crown Prince, but it might have just been coincidence. However, no matter what... this time, it's unlikely to be coincidence. I need to find Mu Wan Yao a reliable backer, but first I must know if this backer is worthy. I can tolerate temporary selfish motives, but not lifelong ones."
Cheng An thought to himself: It seems His Majesty is gambling that this time Yan Erlang will confront the Ministry of Revenue, and confront the Crown Prince.
But... would Yan Shang really do that?
Having aligned himself so well, would Yan Shang truly abandon the Crown Prince?
The Emperor suddenly said: "Mu Wan should have reached Jinling by now, shouldn't she?"
Cheng An quickly replied: "Yes, Your Majesty rest assured. Her Highness the Princess has become much wiser now. She will surely pacify the Li Family and return safely to Chang'an."
The Emperor nodded and closed his eyes—
Mu Wan Yao was already in Jinling at this moment.
Anxious and impatient, she wanted to resolve her marriage matter quickly and return to the capital to reunite with Yan Shang.
But the Li Family here in Jinling was putting on airs and refusing to see her.
After giving them two days of face, Mu Wan Yao lost patience. Her guards cleared the way, clashing fiercely with the Li Family guards, while Mu Wan Yao, sword in hand, stormed directly into the study to meet her maternal grandfather.
Mu Wan Yao got straight to the point: "Grandfather only wants the Li Family to prosper, insisting I marry for alliance. But before that, doesn't Grandfather consider whether the Li Family can even survive?"
Looking at the old man standing with his back to her, reading by the bookshelf, Mu Wan Yao's expression was frosty as she pressed forward step by step: "Does Grandfather truly believe my father the Emperor would stand by and watch the Li Family grow powerful, watch the Wei Family expand? Fang Tong, bring the news I just received from Chang'an—let my grandfather see who my father is dealing with now!"
"My Third Brother's backing forces are second only to the Li Family, which is why he has been so arrogant in Chang'an all these years. Now Third Brother is confined to his residence, Northern Agency forces are beginning to be taken over by eunuchs... Does Grandfather think this is coincidence? Does Grandfather believe my father's arrangements could be coincidental?"
"Now we should join forces to deal with my father! My father wants the Li Family destroyed... You've been in Jinling too long, so long you've lost sharp political awareness... Now is the time for us to cooperate, don't get caught in others' schemes!"
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