Tigers Sniff the Rose

For the first time in three years, Mu Wan Yao entered the residence next door.

The garden was overgrown with wild grass, and the trees were withered and bare. The water in the pond had become stagnant, with light catkins floating on the surface like shadows of the past.

Standing there, Mu Wan Yao saw the siblings Yan Sanlang and Yan Xiaozhou. Hearing them speak, she felt a disorienting sense of time reversing. But time clearly had not reversed, because Yan Sanlang had said that Yan Shang was getting married...

Mu Wan Yao’s heart felt hollow. For a moment, she didn't know what she was thinking.

She felt as if she were in a daze, her mind wandering.

By the time she came to her senses, she was already standing in Yan Shang's former room. The furniture was just as it had been, and aside from a layer of dust and cobwebs in every corner, nothing much had changed.

But Mu Wan Yao wasn't looking at any of that. She stood by a writing desk, her eyes lowered to a pot of water lilies that had long since withered.

She stared down at the flowerpot, and her thoughts suddenly drifted to that rainy night. When he had opened the door and seen her, his eyes had been as clear and bright as a shooting star.

Gazing at the silt in the pot, she vaguely saw the bed curtains fluttering and the candlelight glowing faintly. She remembered leaning over his back to watch him, and him asking her, "Have the water lilies bloomed?"

The water lilies had not bloomed.

The water lilies were already dead—

When Pei Qing arrived at the Princess Residence, he saw a carriage that didn't belong to the household parked in the alley and immediately sensed something was amiss. He soon learned that Mu Wan Yao had gone next door. Pei Qing hurried over, meeting no obstruction along the way. He saw all the servants, along with two unfamiliar men and women, standing together outside a room.

Using the advantage of his status, Pei Qing pushed his way through the crowd. Through the window, he saw Mu Wan Yao standing before a flowerpot.

She just stood there, the setting sun casting a glow on the side of her face. Her long lashes were lowered, her expression cold.

But in that instant, Pei Qing perceived a profound sadness emanating from her.

The words that had filled his chest got stuck in his throat, and his heart, steeped in water, turned sour and bitter... Pei Qing couldn't help but despair, feeling that his three years of companionship couldn't compare to the single moment her heart was stirred by a shadow of the past.

To Her Highness the Princess, what was he, really?

That day, Mu Wan Yao was in no mood to spend time with Pei Qing. Instead, she invited the siblings Yan Xiaozhou and his brother to stay at the Princess Residence. Pei Qing returned to his own residence and tried to calm himself in his study for a while, but the jealousy in his heart refused to subside.

He couldn't help but laugh at himself.

In just three years, he had already become a sixth-rank official in the court. Even if it couldn't compare to Yan Erlang's meteoric rise of several ranks in a single year, such an achievement was still considered extremely promising.

Yet, everyone around him couldn't help but bring up "Yan Erlang" or "Yan Suchen."

Because Yan Suchen was a renowned minister throughout the land; because although Yan Suchen was not in Chang'an, the two great deeds he had accomplished there made it impossible for anyone to forget him; because Yan Suchen was so young, and because Yan Suchen had once had an ambiguous relationship with the Danyang Princess.

And because at first glance, Pei Qing and Yan Suchen looked so alike.

Only Mu Wan Yao never mentioned Yan Suchen.

Pei Qing had thought that with Yan Shang in Nanyang, people would eventually forget him over time. Unfortunately, the longer Yan Shang stayed in Nanyang and the more outstanding his political achievements became, the more rumors flowed into Chang'an... and talk of Yan Suchen was everywhere again!

Sitting in his study, Pei Qing's handsome face twisted for a moment. He refused to accept it... refused to accept where exactly he had lost.

He was about to marry the princess, yet the princess couldn't forget another man... What kind of marriage was this?

Yan Suchen had merely appeared in her life earlier than he had. And he had merely left earlier.

That was why Mu Wan Yao's heart was filled with only the good things about that man, unable to remember the bad. But as a man himself, Pei Qing didn't believe that the "white moonlight" in the princess's heart could truly be perfect and flawless. And only by shattering the trace of that white moonlight in the princess's heart could he perhaps... truly enter it.

Otherwise, this marriage... Pei Qing always felt that something unexpected would happen—

Two days later, as a continuous rain fell over Chang'an, Mu Wan Yao entered the palace to see the Emperor.

She brought up matters concerning the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel, intending to give her Emperor a heads-up. She wanted to have a say in the Ministry of Personnel, but she was afraid of making Prince Qin too wary. Her plan was to feint an attack on the Ministry of War, making Prince Qin believe that she coveted power there.

Speaking of this, Mu Wan Yao's heart still pounded, afraid the Emperor would not permit it. "The Li Family has recommended a military prodigy to me and wants this person to take up a post in Chang'an... I want to use this person to attract Third Brother's attention."

In truth, this person was also a probing move by the Jinling Li Clan into Chang'an's circles.

No one knew if the Emperor would allow it.

From behind the bed curtains came the Emperor's weak cough. After a long coughing fit, Mu Wan Yao finally heard his faint voice, "...Fine."

Mu Wan Yao pondered for a moment before speaking again. "Also... the Li Family sent a letter. My maternal great-grandfather... is probably not going to make it; he's about to pass away. Your daughter... wishes to make a trip to Jinling. Firstly, to... to see my great-grandfather one last time. Secondly, to discuss my marriage. Thirdly, to meet with them in person to discuss the matter of the Ministry of War. And fourthly... the leadership of the Li Family is about to change, and I want to make contact with them."

The Emperor's voice was weak. "I trust in your abilities now. Cough, cough. Yaoyao, whatever you want to do... cough, just go ahead and do it."

Mu Wan Yao said, "Can I use the Li Family to bring troops into Chang'an? Because I see that Third Brother has been in the limelight recently, and I'm afraid, just in case..."

The Emperor gave a cynical laugh. "Afraid, just in case, that I die before I've arranged everything properly?"

Mu Wan Yao quickly said, "Emperor..."

The Emperor sighed wearily. "It's fine. Do as you wish. Don't worry, Yaoyao, I will pave the way for you. I only hope that I can personally see you in your red wedding attire, marrying in splendor. Cough, cough. You must return from Jinling early, don't delay your own wedding.

"I've always wanted you to marry the one you like most. Now, cough, cough, it's up to you. Whatever you wish, cough, so be it."

Tears welled up in Mu Wan Yao's eyes. Seemingly overcome with grief, she threw herself by the bed, whimpering as she clutched the Emperor's hand that extended from the curtains. She began to cry, begging her Emperor to take care of his health—

Half an hour later, Mu Wan Yao washed her face and left the Emperor's bedchamber, where the air was thick with the smell of medicine. Standing under the night sky, she let out a long breath.

Her heart, however, was not particularly joyful.

She could clearly feel that the Emperor's health was deteriorating.

Liu Wenji quietly appeared behind her and called out softly to the princess, saying, "This slave will escort Your Highness out of the palace."

Mu Wan Yao's face was expressionless; she didn't even spare a glance for the powerful grand eunuch behind her who held sway over the court.

Liu Wenji now controlled the military power of the Northern Agency, and with scholar-officials like Duke Zhao flocking to him and fawning over him, he was no ordinary figure at court. But back in the Imperial Palace, Liu Wenji was still the eunuch who served by the Emperor's side, and he still had to respectfully refer to himself as "this slave" before Mu Wan Yao.

Liu Wenji personally escorted Mu Wan Yao out of the palace, with other palace attendants keeping their distance. Liu Wenji lowered his head and whispered a few words, "The imperial physicians say His Majesty will not live past this year."

Mu Wan Yao remained expressionless, as if she hadn't heard him at all.

But she had received the most crucial piece of information.

Indeed.

With the Emperor's health worsening, Liu Wenji needed a backer, and Mu Wan Yao needed someone to relay the most private details of the Emperor's condition to her. Mu Wan Yao and Liu Wenji's cooperation was extremely low-key. Both had their own agendas, merely using the Emperor as a stepping stone to plot their respective futures.

Of course, all of this had to be hidden from the Emperor.

After escorting the princess, Liu Wenji returned to his duties before the Emperor. He was informed by a junior eunuch that Prince Jin had once again brought his entire family to visit His Majesty, which made him pensive.

A good-for-nothing who only knows how to show filial piety... Would it be better for him if a good-for-nothing became emperor?

A sinister gloom flashed in Liu Wenji's eyes. He let out a turbid breath, his mood heavy.

After all, his relationship with the Crown Prince was poor, and Mu Wan Yao's relationship with the Crown Prince was also poor. That was why he and Mu Wan Yao could cooperate... But the Emperor currently had no intention of deposing the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince was being so forbearing. If the Crown Prince really managed to hold out until the Emperor's death and ascend the throne as a matter of course, would Liu Wenji's glory today be affected?

Liu Wenji only allowed himself to think about it. For now, the Emperor was still alive, and Liu Wenji did not have the audacity to do anything under the old emperor's nose. The more critical the time, the calmer one had to be.

Just as Liu Wenji was about to enter the hall, he saw Princess Consort Jin in the antechamber. With harsh words, she was giving a woman behind her a thorough dressing-down. The woman stood trembling in the shadows, her voice seemingly choked with tears as she replied.

Princess Consort Jin raged, "What are you crying for? Can't I say a few words to you? All you know is how to put on a pitiful act and complain about me to your husband. If I hadn't taken pity on you and helped you back then, could you have become the secondary consort you are now? You and your son would have been killed by those women in the rear court long ago! You useless thing..."

Liu Wenji said coolly, "Your Highness, this is a restricted area. It would be best not to be so loud. What if you disturb His Majesty's peace and quiet?"

Princess Consort Jin started, then quickly put on a fawning smile for this powerful eunuch who was now in the Emperor's favor. She asked after the eunuch's health and whether the Emperor could see visitors. From the shadowed corner, Chunhua quietly raised her eyes and shot Liu Wenji a grateful look.

Liu Wenji did not turn back, nor did he look at her—

Hearing that Mu Wan Yao was going to Jinling, Pei Qing felt even more strongly that she didn't care about their marriage at all.

They were getting married in half a year, and she still had time to go to Jinling?

It was as if... the marriage was just an incidental matter, not affecting her daily life in the slightest.

Although Pei Qing knew the princess had agreed to marry him to help him get promoted, for her to act this way, wasn't it treating him as if he were nothing? How was he supposed to maintain his standing at court?

Pei Qing immediately went to the princess to plead with her, but Mu Wan Yao was iron-willed. For the sake of her power, she would not make way for his feelings. With no other choice, Pei Qing had to say, "It's fine if Your Highness wishes to go to Jinling. But since I am the future Imperial Son-in-Law, Your Highness can't always leave me behind. I'll have no prestige at all. Please allow me to accompany Your Highness to Jinling.

"Be-besides! Since it is the princess's maternal family, shouldn't I have the right to pay them a visit?"

Mu Wan Yao was indifferent. "As you wish."

Seeing her lack of concern, Pei Qing was suddenly overjoyed and began to busy himself with arranging the princess's trip to Jinling. He had only been testing whether Mu Wan Yao would let him get involved. Seeing that she didn't mind, he became even more delighted.

Amusingly, just as there were people like Pei Qing who wanted to go to Jinling with Mu Wan Yao, there was also someone who did not want to go.

This person was Fang Tong.

When Fang Tong came to request leave, Mu Wan Yao was instantly displeased. For all these years, from the Black Barbarians to Chang'an, wherever she went, Fang Tong, her captain of the guards, would follow. She was used to his presence, and he was familiar with her habits. They had a tacit understanding that helped avoid many mishaps.

If Fang Tong didn't go, and Mu Wan Yao made a mistake, there would be no one with that kind of rapport to help her clean up the mess. What would be the point of that?

Seeing the princess's displeasure, Fang Tong was also in a difficult position. He gave a wry smile. "Your Highness, this subject is no longer a young man. I have a family to support, and it's truly inconvenient to be away for months at a time. My eldest son recently returned from my wife's family home, and I haven't spoken a word to the boy in a year. If I go to Jinling, by the time I return, my wife will surely have sent the boy away to practice martial arts again.

"I just... I just want to spend a few more days with him. Our father-son relationship is quite distant. I don't want it to always be this way."

Only then did Mu Wan Yao understand.

A sudden idea struck her. "Ah, I remember now. I've seen your son, isn't he still quite young? He's only four this year, right? And you've already sent him off to practice martial arts? You could have your son travel with us. He's never been to Jinling, has he? It's a perfect chance for him to have some fun along the way."

Fang Tong was taken aback.

He said, "Your Highness doesn't like children, does she?"

Mu Wan Yao fell silent for a moment.

She thought of some past events and smiled faintly. "I don't dislike them that much.

"Actually... I haven't cared about these things for a long time.

"It's fine, let him come along. I won't be annoyed." —

In the magistrate's yamen of Rang County, Nanyang, the lamps were still brightly lit late into the night.

The rain had been drizzling since the beginning of the month, falling intermittently for half a month now.

A gentleman with a stern face ignored the servants' attempts to stop him and barged all the way into the county magistrate's yamen, pushing open the door. He saw a single bean-sized flame. Yan Shang was sitting behind a desk piled high with books, still reviewing official documents. As he burst in, Yan Shang looked up from his desk and cast a thoughtful gaze at him.

A slight smile touched Yan Shang's lips as he said, "Brother Ziwang."

He was like the clear and gentle moonlight, elegant and serene. His polite smile toward the man who had barged in smoothed away the man's indignation.

Yan Shang then nodded to Han Shu Xing, who was standing behind the man, and said, "You may withdraw."

Han Shu Xing nodded and left. The man who had barged in relaxed his expression, feeling that Yan Shang had given him face by dismissing his own guard. But Han Shu Xing, head lowered, thought to himself that the people of Great Wei were treacherous, and Yan Erlang was the most treacherous he had ever met.

Yan Erlang had clearly been here in his office waiting for this man to show up, yet he had made them try to block him, putting on an act of being in a difficult position.

The man who had barged into the county magistrate's yamen late at night was the sixth young master of the Jiang family. He was from the main lineage of the Jiang clan and, through his own considerable abilities, now served as the military commissioner of Shannan Circuit, which meant he was in charge of military affairs in the Nanyang region.

This Jiang Liulang had burst in late at night because Yan Shang had just issued an official document ordering the suppression of eighty bands of mountain bandits near Nanyang. As this involved military affairs, the sixth young master was naturally indignant, feeling that Yan Shang had overstepped his authority and had come to argue with him—

Jiang Liulang paced around the room, suppressing his anger. "Fine, you, Yan Erlang, are a capable one. Since you came to Rang County as magistrate, you've promoted education, encouraged agriculture, maintained public order... In what way has the Jiang family not cooperated with you? It was all for the good of Nanyang. You came to the Jiang family several times to ask my great-grandfather to come out of retirement, to get the major clans to vote in support of your schools... Seeing that you were truly acting for the good of the state, we cooperated all the way.

"But now you want to suppress bandits! Yan Erlang, you're just a county magistrate! This sort of thing should be my duty, shouldn't it? Even I'm not in a hurry, so why are you? You..."

Yan Shang watched him with a faint smile, thinking to himself that the Jiang family had only agreed to his actions because he would end up splitting the political achievements with them. It had little to do with the good of the state.

Once the other man had said his piece, Yan Shang spoke in a warm voice, "Brother Ziwang, as far as I know, you are from the main lineage of the Jiang family, but the current Prefect of Nanyang is not. Over these years, you should have been looking for opportunities to accumulate merit. Why is it that you are refusing a matter that is both good for the people and will earn you credit?"

Jiang Liulang spoke earnestly, "Because you don't understand how difficult these mountain bandits are to suppress. They're like wildfire that can't be burned out... It will take years to clear them out completely. I'm perfectly fine being a military commissioner, why should I take on such a thankless task?

"Besides, if I agree to your plan, it's a clear move to snatch merit from the Prefect. Our family is backing him right now. For me to so openly oppose him... Ai, I know you might not understand the affairs of our great families, but I really can't be so disrespectful to him."

Yan Shang said softly, "Do you know what level the practical affairs of Rang County have reached?"

Jiang Liulang was puzzled. "Rang County is just a mid-level county. What level could it reach?"

In Great Wei, prefectures and counties were graded as upper, middle, or lower based on their household counts. Nanyang was a middle-level prefecture, and its seat, Rang County, was also a middle-level county.

Now that Yan Shang had suddenly brought this up, Jiang Liulang's eyelid twitched. He gave a dry laugh. "Don't tell me the household count of Rang County has changed drastically..."

Yan Shang said softly, "If there are no surprises, when the new census is taken this year, I will be leaving Nanyang, and the Prefect of Nanyang will also be promoted... But with the Jiang family's power so entrenched in Nanyang, how can you be willing to leave? You yourself said that suppressing bandits is not a one-year affair. My business can't be delayed, but if you are suppressing bandits, it's excusable, and you can delay your promotion and stay in Nanyang."

Jiang Liulang murmured, "In that case, the Jiang family will support me..."

He cupped his hands in thanks to Yan Shang. Without needing further explanation, Yan Shang had given his branch of the family a way out, and in a manner that the rest of the Jiang family could not object to. His mind raced, wondering why Yan Shang was helping him like this... Jiang Liulang guessed it was probably because years ago, when Yan Shang had just arrived, the Prefect had tried to force a marriage on him to win him over, and so Yan Shang held a grudge against the Prefect—

After sending Jiang Liulang away and dealing with the matter, Yan Shang continued with his work.

Although he had a house in Rang County, not far from the yamen, Yan Shang spent most of his time living in the yamen. Just like tonight.

Yan Shang sat in the darkness, lost in thought.

He silently contemplated the situation in Chang'an.

His Majesty had just sent him a secret decree, ordering him to tie down the Jiang clan in Nanyang so they would be unable to leave for a year.

Upon receiving such a secret decree, Yan Shang knew the situation in Chang'an had changed, and the Emperor wanted him to control things on the Nanyang side. After much thought, suppressing the bandits was the best way to tie down the Jiang clan. And if the bandits were truly eradicated, the common people would also benefit.

But... did His Majesty's decree mean that a move was about to be made against Prince Qin in Chang'an?

Yan Shang's brow furrowed slightly. If so, he wondered if it would affect Mu Wan Yao's marriage.

He zoned out in the darkness for a while, thinking how everyone in Chang'an said she and her Imperial Son-in-Law were inseparable, and that he treated her extremely well... Had she finally met someone she truly liked?

Yan Shang felt both sad and happy for her. He so wished she could move on from the past, be a happy princess, have a blissful marriage, and an Imperial Son-in-Law who was devoted to her and had eyes only for her.

Given her status now, if she was willing to marry, it must mean she was truly in love, right? Only when she was married could he finally be at ease.

Yan Shang sat quietly with his head bowed. In the pitch-black room, he fumbled to his feet, felt his way along the wall, and from a hidden compartment concealed by a mechanism, he retrieved a black sandalwood box. When he sat down again, he opened it.

Rain dripped from the eaves outside. The candlelight in the room flickered, illuminating a small pouch inside the box.

Yan Shang reached out and took the pouch, his fingers tracing the pattern he had touched countless times over the years. He looked down at the pouch, still unable to guess what she had embroidered on it.

It looked like water weeds, but it also looked like a big bug.

But perhaps... what she had embroidered back then was actually a pair of mandarin ducks.

Mandarin ducks returning as a pair. That must have been what she was thinking back then.

He slumped over the desk, his shoulders trembling slightly. He propped his forehead with his hand, trying to soothe his troubled heart.

Yan Shang closed his eyes, suppressing the bitter, withered feeling in his heart. He just sat in the darkness looking at this pouch, as he had done countless times before.

But she was getting married now.

He had promised to let her live well.

Then he should never disturb her again, and walk out of her life forever.

Besides, he too would be getting married in the future... To be constantly thinking of one person was unfair to everyone.

Like a wisp of white mist sitting in the dim light, Yan Shang caressed the pouch and closed his eyes, as if persuading himself, or perhaps someone else. He murmured softly, "Yaoyao, you must be well.

"From now on, I will no longer concern myself with you. You must be well." —

He thought to himself, Yaoyao was a person with so many complicated thoughts.

He was afraid that the moment she thought of him, she would get angry; that the moment she thought of him, she would begin to doubt the meaning of marriage and love.

He was also afraid that the moment she thought of him, she would feel a lingering attachment; that she would be trapped in the past, unable to move on.

That was why he had to sell all his houses in Chang'an. That was why he couldn't appear before her at all.

That was why he had to make a clean break—

Love is like a blazing fire, and also like frigid water.

The fire burns on and on; the water deepens into ice.

He wanted to be with her, but he was such a flawed person. Helping her forget him was the best thing he could do for her—

On Mu Wan Yao's side, the procession traveled on, leaving Chang'an.

When they stopped to rest at noon, the others ate outside while Mu Wan Yao remained in her carriage, not getting out. As she was flipping through a music score, studying ancient music, the carriage door opened. Xiarong, with a strange expression, whispered a few words in her ear.

Mu Wan Yao's brow arched, but she kept her head down, still looking at her book. "Have Pei Qing come over."

When Pei Qing came over, he paid his respects to Mu Wan Yao. Seeing her flipping through a music score, he was reminded of what a talented lady she was. He had heard that the Danyang Princess was exceptionally skilled in both literature and music. How, he wondered, could he ever get to hear her play the Konghou or the Guqin?

Mu Wan Yao, her head lowered to her book, said, “I hear the itinerary you've arranged deviates somewhat from the road to Jinling. This doesn't seem to be the most direct route.”

Pei Qing pressed his lips together.

“It is,” he said.

Mu Wan Yao asked coolly, “And why is that?”

Pei Qing replied, “This route is not the shortest to Jinling because we will pass through a place midway. We will pass through… Nanyang.”

He stared at the princess in the carriage, his gaze unwavering.

Mu Wan Yao slowly lifted her eyes, her attention finally shifting from her book to him.

“You’re courting death,” Mu Wan Yao said, her voice ice-cold.

“This subject feels that Your Highness’s inability to forget an old acquaintance may simply be due to an overly beautified memory,” Pei Qing said. “This subject will soon be the Imperial Son-in-Law, and I truly wish to help Your Highness pull out that thorn. Once Your Highness sees that person again, you will know that the past is in the past.”

Pei Qing emphasized, “Some people… change.”

“He won’t change,” Mu Wan Yao said indifferently.

“No one is as good as they are in memory.”

Mu Wan Yao simply looked at him without a word.

Pei Qing’s heart pounded with nervousness, terrified she would fly into a rage. She was a princess, after all; she was the ruler, and he was the subject. If she was resolute about not going to Nanyang, he had no way of stopping her.

Mu Wan Yao said slowly, “Do as you please.

“But you had best be prepared… Some people are not what you think they are.”

—

In the middle of the third month, Mu Wan Yao’s party entered the territory of Nanyang.

It had been raining for the entire past month, a continuous drizzle that had slowed the progress of the carriages and horses. The incessant rain was enough to make one’s heart grow weary and irritable.

Fortunately, they had carriages.

However, the Danyang Princess and the future Imperial Son-in-Law did not ride in the same carriage, as the princess claimed she liked quiet and wanted to read without hearing anyone else breathe. The future Imperial Son-in-Law, ever the compliant one, naturally took a separate carriage.

As the carriage traveled along the mountain path, Pei Qing grew tense upon entering Nanyang’s borders and went to inform the princess. He was far more nervous than Mu Wan Yao herself, but she remained in her carriage, quietly reading her book, completely unconcerned about their whereabouts.

Sometimes she couldn't help herself, but most of the time, she could control her lack of self-control.

Suddenly, with a thud, the carriage began to shake and jolt, startling Mu Wan Yao inside. Her head slammed against the carriage wall, the pain bringing tears to her eyes—

The entire procession of carriages and horses had gotten stuck on a potholed mountain road.

The attendants held up umbrellas, struggling to help the princess out of the carriage. Mu Wan Yao was fuming. Holding up her skirts, she was supported by Xiarong as she glared at the carriages stuck in the large ruts on the road.

Mu Wan Yao suppressed her anger. “What happened? The road was fine. Where did such a huge pit come from?”

She looked ahead and saw that this stretch of mountain road had been dug up with pits and holes. Even if the carriages hadn't gotten stuck now, they would have soon enough.

Her retinue was baffled; no one knew what was going on in Nanyang.

While the group was stranded, Xiarong held an umbrella for the princess, and Pei Qing led some men to figure out how to get the carriages out of the pits. Fang Tong, standing by the princess’s side, suddenly let out a small, “Uh.”

Mu Wan Yao turned her head. “What is it?”

She followed Fang Tong’s gaze, and in an instant, she fell silent—

On the winding path ahead, a group of people, having likely heard the commotion, was approaching. Most of them wore the attire of minor officials, presumably the local authorities.

But their leader, dressed in a loose-fitting white robe, did not look like an official.

He had a handsome and refined face. A servant followed behind, holding an umbrella for him, yet his robes were still spattered with mud. A strip of white gauze covered his eyes, the band tied behind his head fluttering gently in the wind and rain.

Supported by a young servant and with someone pointing the way, he walked toward them.

His voice was clear and gentle. “Distinguished guests, you have just arrived in our humble land. I failed to welcome you from afar and have caused you to fall into this predicament. I am truly ashamed—”

—

Mu Wan Yao turned her shoulder slightly, quietly watching as Yan Shang was led closer. Before he had even seen anyone, he bowed first in greeting, offering his apologies.

She saw the white gauze over his eyes, saw his elegant and dignified bearing.

She saw the faint smile on his lips, saw how the misty rain shrouded his brows and eyes, obscuring her view—

Countless snowflake-like specks of light flew from beneath the pine trees. Heaven and earth were like a tapestry, the mountain forest like smoke.

Across the vast expanse of heaven and earth, she stood in the mud, while he was as white as a jade figure.

When she met him again, the rain was like a deluge, pouring down from the heavens.