The Li Manor in Jinling was the most coveted place among all the renowned scholars and noble families of the city. To stand in Lord Li's study was an honor worth boasting about.
Yet today, the one who barged into the study with a sword in hand was a woman.
Though a princess, she had previously been treated as a mere tool by the Li Family, with no one ever taking her seriously.
But after the words she spoke, the Li Family could no longer regard her as a mere pawn for political marriage.
Lord Li, standing before the bookshelf, slowly turned to face his furious granddaughter.
Mu Wan Yao was radiant and youthful, possessing an innate grace and nobility that seemed bred by heaven and earth. As Lord Li studied her, she too felt uneasy, observing her maternal grandfather.
Lord Li was her grandfather, now in his sixties or seventies, with graying temples, a lean and gaunt face, and an extremely slender frame. Yet his eyes shone like stars, sharp and discerning. This was no foolish old man who would blindly believe whatever Mu Wan Yao said.
Mu Wan Yao held her chin high, undaunted.
After staring at her for a long while, servants rushed in, panicked and begging for forgiveness, claiming they should not have allowed the princess to intrude. Mu Wan Yao scoffed disdainfully. Lord Li calmly ordered that the guards who failed to stop her be given twenty strokes and expelled from the Li Family before he took a seat at his desk with a book in hand.
Hearing Lord Li directly expel them from the Li Family, Mu Wan Yao’s eyes flickered. Jinling was the Li Family’s stronghold—once expelled, would any other household dare take in those servants?
This was cutting off their livelihood.
How ruthless.
Noticing her expression, Lord Li said coolly, "What, is Your Highness feeling soft-hearted? Those who are soft-hearted have no place in politics. A soft-hearted lady might as well marry early, bear children, and after marriage, continue being your arrogant, domineering princess."
Mu Wan Yao retorted immediately, "I am not soft-hearted! If even you, Grandfather, care nothing for the Li Family’s servants, why should I? I was raised in the palace since childhood and have seen palace maids and servants beaten to death. If I were soft-hearted, I would have been long ago. Why wait until now? What I discuss with you today concerns the greater situation and state affairs. Do you truly believe the lives of a few servants could make me retreat?"
Her eyes gleaming brightly, she took a step forward, standing directly in the sunlight at the center of the study. "At this point, I will not take a single step back."
Lord Li gazed at her deeply.
Then he said indifferently, "So, you refuse the marriage alliance? Back when the Li Family supported you, the agreed condition was for you to marry. Has Your Highness grown wings and now wishes to renege?"
Mu Wan Yao shot back, "Times have changed. Back then, you took advantage of my youth and ignorance of politics to hastily make decisions for me—how could I have had any say? This is not about reneging, but the situation has shifted. The Li Family has long been absent from Chang’an, distant from the political scene for too long. The fate of the realm is ultimately decided in the Central Plains. The strategy you set back then is no longer necessary today."
"I stand by what I said before. Whether I marry or not matters little to me. After all, I am a princess, and all you want is a marriage alliance. Even if I marry Wei Juyuan and grow tired of him, what could the Wei Family say if I keep a few male companions? It is only out of loyalty to you, Grandfather, and my unwillingness to see the Li Family suffer losses that I have come to Jinling to explain. After all, this is my maternal family—how could I stand by and watch it repeat past mistakes, swallowed by the tides of change?"
Lord Li remained silent for a long while.As Mu Wan Yao had said, the Li Family currently suffered from a major flaw—having been long absent from the political center, they found it difficult to assess the present situation. As for how much truth lay in Mu Wan Yao’s words, Lord Li truly could not be certain.
Lord Li asked, “How would an alliance between the Li Family and the Wei Family lead to being swallowed by the political situation?”
Mu Wan Yao felt a wave of relief, knowing the other party was beginning to waver. Yet she reminded herself not to grow complacent; she must remain steady and maintain an overwhelming presence. Once she showed any sign of timidity, it would easily be detected by the other side. Facing someone who had played politics for decades, she dared not take a single misstep.
Thus, she had to mix truth with falsehood to deceive him effectively.
Without changing her expression, Mu Wan Yao said, “When the Li Family previously commanded the southern border armies, they were the foremost among the noble families, and no one dared to question them. After the Li Family retreated to Jinling, over the years, the Jiang Clan of Nanyang, to which my Third Brother belongs, gradually began to assume the position the Li Family once held.
“The Jiang Clan is close to Guanzhong, a major northern aristocratic family, making it naturally easier for them to meddle in these affairs. The military power the Li Family relinquished was bound to be consolidated by someone, and those who took it over became the maternal family of my Third Brother. Relying on this military authority, the Jiang Clan has grown increasingly influential in recent years, to the point where Third Brother even dares to contend with the Crown Prince for the throne. Even the Emperor cannot say anything about it.”
Lord Li scoffed, “Your father has grown old.”
Mu Wan Yao nodded. “Your words are accurate, Grandfather. Since my mother passed away, the Emperor’s health has declined significantly. In the past, he suppressed the Li Family with ease, but now he lacks the energy to restrain the Jiang Clan of Nanyang as he once did. However, the noble families remain a persistent concern for him. He cannot sit idly by and watch the Jiang Clan grow as powerful as the Li Family once was. His methods have become more indirect now; compared to his former thunderous approaches, he now employs tactics of leveraging one force against another.
“Recently, the envoys and Third Brother have been frequently active in Chang’an—how could the court be unaware? After the envoys departed, the central authorities immediately used this as a pretext to place Third Brother under confinement. Subsequently, the Crown Prince took control of the military authority in Chang’an, and the Emperor, using the Crown Prince’s hand, mobilized the Northern Agency of the Imperial Guard. In the end, the Emperor sides with the Crown Prince, assisting him in consolidating military power to prevent Third Brother from becoming too dominant and threatening the Crown Prince’s position.”
Lord Li pondered for a long time, wondering if the Emperor had truly softened his methods and abandoned his thunderous tactics.
Was this still the Emperor whom the Li Family feared? Could it be that the old Emperor had finally aged… or had he softened because of his daughter?
His daughter was gone, and now he was beginning to repent. How laughable.
Lord Li said calmly, “Yet what does this have to do with our Li Family?”
Mu Wan Yao declared clearly, “Was the Li Family’s past not the Jiang Clan’s present? And is the Jiang Clan’s present not the future of the Li Family, who now seek an alliance with the Wei Family? The Emperor will not allow noble families to grow too powerful, yet you insist on doing so—isn’t this presenting yourselves as a thorn in his side? Grandfather, having lost his spirit due to the royal marriage, understands the terror of imperial power and no longer wishes to oppose it. Does Grandfather truly wish to clash with imperial authority once more?
“Back then, you were forced back to Jinling. If you clash again, could it mean the complete annihilation of the Li Family?”
“How dare you!” Lord Li slammed the table in fury.
Mu Wan Yao pressed on relentlessly, her beautiful, bright eyes blazing like fire as she stared at him. “Grandfather! In this world, imperial authority ultimately reigns supreme! No matter how powerful a noble family may be, it must yield. Unless you intend to rebel and proclaim yourselves emperors… but in doing so, you would merely become the new imperial authority!”"The Emperor is consolidating and strengthening imperial power. All the noble families in Chang'an are pretending to be submissive, unwilling to take the lead. Should we then step forward only to be crushed?
"Why did the Wei family agree to the marriage alliance between Wei Juyuan and me? Because Wei Juyuan is merely a concubine-born son—to put it bluntly, he was born to an unofficial consort! With such origins, the Wei family could abandon him at any moment. If anything goes wrong, they'd sacrifice a mere Wei Juyuan to protect themselves. But what would the Li Family sacrifice? Me?
"If you abandon me, you'll be completely cut off from the center of political power! The Li Family's current stability exists because of me! I rely on the Li Family, and the imperial court uses me to control and adjust relations with southern aristocratic clans. If you abandon me, are you prepared for a complete break? It's only been a few years since the Li Family retreated to Jinling, and everything is still recovering. Do you really have the confidence to sever ties now?
"You should trust me, leverage my influence, and properly manage the southern aristocratic families. I understand the Li Family's desire to return to Chang'an, but now... at least while my father holds power, it's impossible. However, once the Crown Prince ascends... the Crown Prince trusts the aristocratic families! As long as the Crown Prince takes the throne, we'll have our opportunity!"
Mu Wan Yao spoke eloquently, her voice clear as jade beads.
Yet she was no longer an ordinary puppet controlled by the Li Family.
Lord Li stared at her in astonishment, seeing the confident light in her eyes as she analyzed the political situation. While not every point hit the mark, her overall judgment was fundamentally correct. Vaguely, Lord Li saw in her the shadow of his beloved daughter from years past—how his daughter, before marriage, had been equally self-assured, casually commenting on the world's affairs and notable figures...
How proud Li Nuan had been!
In her youth, while critiquing the era's heroes, she had been overheard by the current Emperor during his incognito visit when he was still a prince. That man had sought to marry Li Nuan, but the Jinling Li Clan hesitated about aligning with that prince. It was Li Nuan who had rushed to the study, standing exactly where Mu Wan Yao now stood, speaking with equal confidence, declaring she would surely help that prince ascend the throne and restore the Li Family's prosperity...
Thirty years had passed in the blink of an eye!
Thirty years!
Lord Li had thought he would never again see his daughter's radiant spirit in any young woman.
Mu Wan Yao declared: "Therefore, I cannot marry!"
This voice overlapped with Lord Li's memory of Li Nuan's voice. But what Li Nuan had said back then was—"Therefore, I shall marry!"
After speaking, Mu Wan Yao heard no response. Growing anxious, she turned to look at Lord Li. To her surprise, she found him gazing at her dazedly, his eyes weary, suddenly appearing to have aged over ten years.
Mu Wan Yao faltered, whispering: "Grandfather... what's wrong? Did I say something incorrect?"
Lord Li collected his scattered thoughts, using his sleeve to conceal his expression. When he looked up again, he had regained his composure.
Lord Li said wearily: "So your opposition to the Li-Wei marriage alliance stems from believing the Li Family cannot afford to lose. You want us to continue cooperating with you, providing support so you can help the Li Family maneuver in Chang'an. Your reasoning sounds excellent... but you are ultimately a woman. You will eventually marry and bear children—why not simply follow our arrangements? Has your uncle's choice of Wei Juyuan failed to meet your expectations in some way? The husband we selected for you is not unworthy. Marriage alliances are meant to build bonds, not create enmity."Mu Wan Yao said softly, "Wei Juyuan is very good. My collaboration with him... has actually been quite pleasant. I know the Li Family wants to use me for a peace marriage, but they also hope for my marital happiness. After all, I am my mother's only daughter, and you are my maternal grandfather—you wouldn't watch me live out my days in sorrow...
"But I am a princess who returned from a peace marriage. I've seen through marriage and have no interest in it. The Li Family and I are bound together—we rise and fall as one. Grandfather, you should focus on recuperating. The Li Family now... shouldn't take the lead. Let other noble families step forward while we watch the show.
"If you don't trust my judgment, Grandfather, shall we make a bet? The Emperor will certainly deal with Third Brother's maternal clan."
Lord Li remained silent for a long time before saying, "Stay in Jinling for two more days and tell us about the situation in Chang'an."
He smiled self-deprecatingly, "Being away from the political scene for so long has made me a frog at the bottom of a well, a laughingstock. Now I have to rely on a young girl like you to learn about Chang'an... I've truly managed the Li Family poorly. When I descend to the underworld, I'll be ashamed to face our ancestors."
Hearing an elder speak like this made Mu Wan Yao's heart ache slightly.
Yet she breathed a quiet sigh of relief, knowing her purpose for coming to Jinling had largely been achieved.
She relaxed, a faint smile touching her lips. But when Lord Li glanced at her, she quickly concealed her satisfaction.
Lord Li shook his head, thinking how transparent her emotions were—the young princess was still green.
As Mu Wan Yao was about to take her leave, Lord Li suddenly called out, "Yao Yao."
Mu Wan Yao paused, turning her shoulder slightly as she looked back intently.
She heard the old man say gently, "Yao Yao, don't blame us, don't blame your mother. Sending you for the peace marriage was truly a last resort. After you left, your mother developed heartache and cried daily—she had already regretted it. At that time, she told me she hoped the conflict between the Li Family and your father would end soon so she could bring you back. No matter what conditions the Black Barbarians demanded, your mother wanted to bring you home."
Mu Wan Yao's face suddenly stiffened.
A breath caught in her heart, instantly choking her.
She refused to think about it, never dared to think about it.
She had been separated from her mother during the peace marriage, never to meet again. She had returned to Chang'an using news of her mother's death... She never had the chance to ask her mother: Did you regret sending me away?
People always say mothers are softer-hearted than fathers.
Yet her mother had been so ruthless, intent on taking revenge against the Emperor for Second Brother's sake, even dragging her daughter into it.
Did you regret it?
In the underworld, after learning what I endured, Mother, did you ever feel regret?
Was Second Brother your flesh and blood, but not I? Did you only love Second Brother and not me?
...Mother, how disappointed I am in all of you. So much so that now, when Grandfather says this, I don't know if he's telling the truth or just using familial bonds to stabilize me. All of you... hypocritical, filthy, vicious... And I'm becoming just like you.
Lord Li quietly watched the young princess standing at the study door.
He saw Mu Wan Yao stand there for a long time before turning back with a smile, her eyes shimmering like lake waters: "I understand. Regardless of whether what you say is true, if Mother loved me even a little, it would still comfort my heart."
Seeing her like this, Lord Li knew she didn't fully believe him.
He smiled self-deprecatingly.He sighed, "Yaoyao, perhaps you blame us for being heartless. But worldly matters, worldly people... they are all like this. You were born into the imperial family and are the Li Family's granddaughter—you must ultimately walk the same path as us. You spoke very well before, quite impressively. But now you've shown timidity... Yaoyao, you still need to harden your heart further and become more polished."
Mu Wan Yao tilted her face away.
She recalled the three books compiled by the Hanlin Academy and the Scholarly Duel participants under the Emperor's decree when the envoys were still present:
"Chronicles of Chang'an Maidens," "Chronicles of Chang'an Youths," and "Records of Chang'an Heroes."
Mu Wan Yao murmured dreamily, "I know I'll become like all of you... but I'd rather be a hero."
Lord Li fell silent for a moment before saying, "Even to become a hero—who is born a great hero?"
Mu Wan Yao sighed softly, nodding as she gazed at the patch of sky visible through the study window—
Indeed, who is born a great hero?—
Mu Wan Yao was detained by the Li Family in Jinling, as they demanded she elaborate on the current state of Chang'an's political situation. Though yearning to return immediately, she patiently persuaded the Li Family instead. She portrayed Chang'an's political climate as far more severe and chaotic than reality, hoping to convince the Li Family to avoid stirring the waters.
Meanwhile, Chang'an was plagued by continuous rain.
In a tavern, Wei Shu sat alone by the window sipping wine when he heard the waiter's greeting. Turning his head, he saw Yan Shang being led upstairs by the attendant. Yan Shang closed his umbrella while ascending, flicking off water droplets from his shoulders, all while quietly conversing with the waiter.
Wei Shu observed how the usually indifferent waiter became exceptionally attentive to Yan Erlang—not only proactively taking his umbrella but even fetching a cloth to wipe the rain from his shoulders. Yan Shang repeatedly expressed gratitude and insisted on giving a tip.
As the waiter departed, Wei Shu thought the man seemed utterly dazed, profoundly moved by Yan Erlang's demeanor.
Wei Shu watched quietly.
Having reached the upper floor, Yan Shang noticed him and approached with a gentle smile. Elegant and refined, his demeanor shone like polished jade—his graceful presence had improved significantly since Wei Shu first met him.
Wei Shu reflected that some people grow more tedious with familiarity, while others reveal greater virtues over time.
Yan Shang sat down and apologized, "On my way, I saw Brother Liu leading the Northern Agency troops through the Imperial Street. I was momentarily reflective and lingered with the commoners to watch, thus delaying. I'll punish myself with a drink to apologize."
Wei Shu looked at him. "Using alcohol as punishment?"
He knew perfectly well Yan Shang rarely drank.
Yan Shang paused, then chuckled in acceptance. "Very well, wine it is."
He poured himself a cup and drank it in one go. Seeing Yan Shang willing to drink, Wei Shu's eyes sparkled with amusement, recognizing the sincerity of his apology.
Wei Shu remarked, "The Brother Liu you mentioned—is that Liu Wenji?"
Yan Shang nodded.
Wei Shu's voice was cool and clear: "Among us, only you still remember Liu Wenji."
Yan Shang grew quiet, murmuring, "His journey to this point hasn't been easy."
Wei Shu remained indifferent. Leaning against the window frame, he gazed into his wine cup and said tonelessly, "Without capability yet forcing himself into prominence—he must bear whatever consequences follow. Who in this world has it easy?"Wei Shu was a man of cold disposition, often sought out by others but never the one to initiate contact. After becoming a Censorate Inspector, he grew even more aloof and detached, keeping to himself and earning widespread dislike in the court. This was the first time he had ever voluntarily commented on Liu Wenji.
Yan Shang glanced at him and noticed the faint redness under the young man's eyes, his gaze slightly hazy. Yan Shang then lifted the wine jar, now more than half empty, and sighed in understanding. "Ju Yuan, you've had too much to drink. You're still young—how can you indulge so recklessly?"
Wei Shu said, "I'm not young anymore. I'm already sixteen. The Wei Family is arranging a marriage alliance with the princess for me—am I still a child?"
Yan Shang did not reply but instead called for the waiter to brew some hot tea to sober Wei Shu up. Yan Shang busied himself again, tending to those around him as if it had become second nature. Wei Shu sat across from him, watching for a long moment before suddenly saying, "I’m leaving Great Wei on a diplomatic mission to foreign nations, resisting the marriage alliance with the princess. Shouldn’t you thank me?"
Yan Shang was taken aback and asked, "Do you need me to thank you?"
Wei Shu fell silent.
Yan Shang sighed softly. "Ju Yuan, though you are young, you have a strong will of your own. At such a tender age, you already hold your own in court—how could I underestimate you? Whether you reject the marriage or not, you have your own reasons. What you want is not my gratitude but my support.
"I know you have ambitions and refuse to be a pawn in someone else’s game. This move to step away from the board was made with remarkable resolve. Even if I were in your position, I couldn’t have done better. To act decisively when the time calls for it—Young Master Wei the Seventh’s courage is something I cannot match."
Wei Shu stared at him blankly, and after a long pause, he couldn’t help but break into a smile, his shoulders relaxing as he slumped forward onto the table.
Wei Shu muttered, "Yan Erlang always knows just what to say."
Yan Shang replied gently, "I’m only speaking the truth."
Wei Shu remained silent for a long time before speaking in a subdued voice, "But did I truly do the right thing? To escape the chessboard, I volunteered for this diplomatic mission to foreign nations. The journey is long and treacherous—who knows when I’ll return? I might die out there, never making it back to Chang’an, or if I fail in my mission, my official career could be ruined upon my return.
"The Wei Family arranged for me to enter the bureaucracy, and I know what they’re thinking. They see me as an outsider, an adopted son. If the alliance with the princess goes well, the Wei Family can climb higher by aligning with the royal family, securing a brighter future—especially after the Li Family incident, which still haunts the noble families. But if the cooperation fails, I can be discarded at any time. After all, the Wei Family loses nothing, and I’m not even part of their main lineage.
"My mentor urged me to marry the princess for the sake of cooperation between both sides. I don’t know whether his care for me as a disciple outweighs his desire to use me. I was content to follow their plans at first… but I grew more and more resentful!
"This was never meant to be my path!"
Wei Shu abruptly lifted his head from the table. His face was strikingly handsome, his eyes blazing with an icy intensity, dazzlingly bright.
He fixed his gaze on Yan Shang. "Last year, Second Brother Yan and I took the Imperial Examination at the same time, and later, we both participated in the Imperial Selection. I had the talent of a top scholar, while Second Brother Yan only managed to place third. And who knows how much of that success was due to guidance from Her Highness the Princess beforehand? Though I never spoke of it, I knew you struggled to pass only with her help.""I know Second Brother Yan's talents lie elsewhere. I know the princess is helping you. I don't mind, but I'm not convinced in my heart. I think, why should you receive Your Highness's favor? I am the top scholar! After the Imperial Examination, I hold the eighth rank while you're only the deputy eighth rank. You've always been one step below me!"
"Back then, I was also at the peak of my confidence!"
"But then things changed... You killed the Zheng Family Head with a single arrow, and even before you took the Imperial Examination, the court was already competing to recruit you. Then you suddenly became the chancellor's disciple, favored by the current chancellor. You began making a name for yourself in Chang'an, while I became disliked for constantly monitoring officials.
"Then came the tributary missions from various states. Your single arrow at South Mountain tied you to the princess. Then you negotiated with the Uman King, arguing on principle, helping the Black Barbarians and Great Wei establish new alliance terms.
"Then the Military Exercise! You were just a civil official—why should the Uman King demand your participation? But simply because he disliked you, he insisted you join the military officers on the field.
"During the exercise, I was merely managing provisions in the rear while you and Yang Sanlang were at the front. Yang Sanlang stole the spotlight, blocking the Uman King with just a few dozen men and forcing him to detour. You burned their provisions, cutting off their supply line. Later, in analyzing the military strengths of various states, your performance was nearly as impressive as Yang Sanlang's.
"Then you suddenly surpassed me, becoming a seventh-rank official. You submitted memorials to the central government, opening trade routes and establishing diplomatic missions. Meanwhile... I was suppressed by the Wei family and forced to undertake a diplomatic mission! And now you're heading to Shu... Second Brother Yan, I always feel that since we started serving as officials, you've consistently walked a better and faster path than I have. Why do I fall so short compared to you?"
Yan Shang quietly watched Wei Shu.
Wei Shu never usually spoke like this—today it was only because he was leaving, and had drunk too much... Yan Shang said: "Ju Yuan, why focus on me? You have your own path, you..."
Wei Shu softly interrupted: "But I don't know if I'm walking the right path."
After a moment of silence, he continued slowly: "Will this diplomatic mission truly bring good results? I've thought it over—when I first became an official, it was to earn an honorary title for my mother. Later, it was to show the Wei family that I could forge my own path without following theirs. But after that, I began feeling lost... wanting to do more. I started thinking that being controlled by politics, constantly swayed back and forth, seemed rather pointless.
"Second Brother Yan, I want to accomplish something too..."
His voice gradually faded as he spoke, filled with confusion and uncertainty about the future.
Yan Shang suddenly said: "Ju Yuan, I'm actually the same as you. When I first became an official, I wanted to serve the people. But when I actually started serving, I found it wasn't like that. My first post was in the Secretariat, which seemed like an excellent start. But there, I spent every day busy with trivial tasks. And my superiors—I didn't feel they were handling particularly important matters either.
"It was just one tedious procedure after another. An administrative order would come to one department, only to be passed to another. Constant buck-passing, endless back-and-forth. What meaning is there in any of this? Spending all day on such tasks—how does it benefit the people?
"Precisely because I disliked these duties, I pushed myself to participate in diplomatic affairs, to continuously submit various memorials... You only saw the central government adopting one of my memorials—you don't know that many more of my memorials were never even read by my superiors."
Wei Shu looked up at him.Yan Shang said: "I too feel disheartened and helpless. I often wonder, what is the purpose of me being an official? I am now a seventh-rank official, yet I spend my days buried in the Ministry of Revenue... To be honest, I believe the ministry wouldn't be affected at all without me. Because many officials are busy all day with trivial and useless official duties! That's why I accepted the mission to Shu without hesitation this time to provide disaster relief. Because I don't like what I'm doing now either—I want to do something truly meaningful.
"Just like you, Ju Yuan. Your diplomatic missions are truly meaningful work. When you're caught up in the covert struggles of the officialdom, you always seem to find it rather dull.
"All the heroes under heaven began from periods like ours. Who is born a hero? Who is born with unwavering ambition?
"You don't know if what you're doing is right, or how it might affect your official career. I want to offer you a saying—'Do good deeds without asking about the future. When the river narrows, the water runs swift; when people are pressed, they become resourceful.'"
The confused light in Wei Shu's eyes gradually steadied.
He stared blankly at Yan Shang and repeated: "'Do good deeds without asking about the future'?"
Yan Shang said: "I probably shouldn't be saying this. Because in this bustling officialdom, so many seek only the path of promotion and wealth. I just feel that Ju Yuan shouldn't be like that... Many things in this world don't necessarily lead to good outcomes or bring any benefits. Perhaps after your diplomatic mission, your official path will remain blocked; perhaps my trip to Shu will offend many people... Yet in this world, there are always some things that need to be done by someone.
"It might be hard work, it might bring no benefits, but it's right, it's correct. Then there should be someone among us who does it."
Wei Shu looked at him and suddenly laughed.
He sat up straight, poured wine and raised his cup in respect: "Yes, that makes sense. What I'm doing is the right thing—why should I hesitate, why should I waver because of the Wei family's attitude? I am right, even if the outcome is bad... As long as it's correct, I should do it.
"'Do good deeds without asking about the future'! Second Brother Yan, I toast to you!
"May we both remember these words and never forget our original intentions!"
In the misty rain, with few pedestrians about, two young men drank in the tavern. After getting drunk, they talked grandly about heroes under heaven, and in their excitement, they raised their chopsticks and sang. Then, when their enthusiasm subsided, they returned home—
At the end of May, Wei Shu left Chang'an on his diplomatic mission to various countries.
Yan Shang simultaneously departed Chang'an, setting out for Shu to provide disaster relief.
At the end of June, Mu Wan Yao returned from Jinling.
On her first day back, before even entering the palace to report her safe return to the Emperor, Mu Wan Yao eagerly sought to see Yan Shang.
She didn't find Yan Shang, only receiving a long letter left at his residence, in which he bid her farewell and explained his departure for disaster relief.
Holding the letter, Mu Wan Yao was stunned—
Where was her Yan Shang?
Where was her husband?
Where was that well-behaved husband of hers who was supposed to be waiting properly in Chang'an for her return?
How could he just be gone like this?
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