Apes and men once parted ways.
With but a few stones polished, the childhood era passed.
In bronze and iron furnaces, flames leaped—
Who could guess how long it lasted?
Merely a few thousand cycles of cold and heat.
In human life, laughter is rare;
On battlefields, they draw bows like crescent moons.
Blood has soaked the plains and wilderness.
After reading this piece, my hair turns white,
Yet only scattered traces, a few lines of legacy, remain.
The sacred tales of the Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns
Have deceived countless passersby.
How many truly remarkable figures were there?
After the reputations of Robber Zhi and Zhuang Qiao,
King Chen arose, brandishing his golden axe.
The song unfinished, the east grows bright.
—"Congratulations to the Bridegroom: On Reading History"—
The rain in Chang'an never ceased.
Yang Si had just returned from the military office in the suburbs. Because of the rain, the streets were sparsely populated. He galloped on horseback along the empty main avenue, stopping before a wine shop he frequented.
An alert shop attendant immediately came to tether his horse. Yang Si paid no mind to his rain-soaked clothes and strode directly into the shop.
Due to the rain, the wine shop had few customers. At the counter on the first floor, Yan Xiaozhou, wearing a face-covering veil, was speaking with the shopkeeper behind the counter.
She was softly introducing a jar of wine she had placed on the counter: "This is Lingxi wine. I personally brewed it for three years before it was ready. How about you taste it first, then decide if it’s worth the price?"
The shopkeeper laughed. "Is it really Lingxi wine? Young lady, don’t deceive me. Many of the patrons here are nobles and officials. If they claim it’s fake, my shop’s reputation will be ruined, and I’ll have to hold you accountable."
Yan Xiaozhou smiled. "That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss. You can always come to me if there’s an issue. But as for the price..."
It turned out Yan Xiaozhou had come to the wine shop to sell her liquor.
In the end, Yan Sanlang and Yan Xiaozhou had not sold their house, because Mu Wan Yao refused to let strangers live opposite her home. While Yan Sanlang was still worrying about how to explain this to his second brother, Mu Wan Yao and her future Imperial Son-in-Law left Chang'an together.
After discussing it, the siblings decided to send a letter to their second brother and stay at his house temporarily, focusing on their examinations.
Even through the veil, the shopkeeper could vaguely discern that the young lady was beautiful and youthful. Her voice was gentle and pleasant, and with few customers in the shop, the shopkeeper was happy to banter with Yan Xiaozhou, enjoying the conversation.
Suddenly, a young man’s clear voice called from outside: "Shopkeeper, some wine!"
Yang Si stepped through the door and approached the counter.
The shopkeeper quickly ended his chat with Yan Xiaozhou and responded loudly. Seeing the shopkeeper’s haste, Yan Xiaozhou guessed the newcomer must be someone of importance. Seizing the opportunity while the shopkeeper was busy, she settled the price in a few words.
The shopkeeper, having no time to haggle, agreed promptly.
Yang Si leaned on the counter, his gaze lowered as he asked slowly, "Has any good wine arrived recently?"
His downward glance fell upon the young lady standing opposite him. She was enveloped from head to toe in a white gauze veil, beneath which her vibrant rouge-red skirt stood out vividly. His expression remained impassive, but his mind recalled the sound of her voice he had heard upon entering.
Years of military life in Longyou had instilled in him a habit entirely different from his former self as Yang Sanlang—he paid close attention to everyone around him, wary of border spies trying to extract information.
Yang Si found the young lady’s voice strikingly familiar.The voice was light and soft, with the delicate cadence unique to southerners, reminiscent of the melodic Wu dialect. It flowed like a song—clear, gentle, and unlike the accents of Chang’an.
His slender fingers tapped lightly on the table as he pondered, certain he had heard that voice somewhere before.
With his eyelids lowered, he sensed the young lady behind the face-covering veil gazing at him. Yang Si’s fingers stilled on the table: Hmm?
Just then, the shopkeeper smiled and asked Yang Si, “We’ve just received a fresh batch of Lingxi wine. Would Sanlang care to try some?”
Yang Si replied absently, “Mhm.”
A soft laugh came from the young girl standing opposite him.
Yang Si abruptly lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp as a falcon’s, piercing straight toward her. The lady behind the veil seemed startled by the icy aura surrounding him and took two steps back.
But Yan Xiaozhou only retreated those two steps before steadying herself. She curtsied and explained gently, “I was merely amused by the shopkeeper’s business acumen and meant no offense, my lord. You’ve misunderstood.”
By now, Yan Xiaozhou had recognized this gentleman as the one she had rescued by a mountain stream before arriving in Chang’an. However, it was clear he was deeply wary of others, and she had no intention of forcing familiarity, so she simply offered a soft explanation.
After the shopkeeper handed her a string of copper coins, Yan Xiaozhou bowed once more to the gentleman who was staring intently at her. Then, she turned, took her umbrella, and left the tavern.
Inside the tavern, the proprietor personally drew wine for Yang Sanlang. Yang Si watched Yan Xiaozhou’s retreating figure, his mind still lingering on that sense of familiarity. Suddenly, a jolt struck him—the young lady’s voice matched one he had heard not long ago—
The sister from the pair of siblings who had escorted him to the relay station!
That melodious, song-like Wu dialect was identical to the one in his memory.
This was his savior!
Without a second thought, Yang Si abandoned his waiting wine and rushed out of the tavern. The proprietor called after him in vain. Emerging outside, Yang Si found the world shrouded in heavy rain, with no trace of the young lady.
A servant at the tavern entrance, having just returned from securing the horses, hurriedly offered a smile: “Rest assured, my lord, the horses are properly tied…”
Yang Si snapped, “Bring me my horse!”
The servant stammered, “Ah?”
Yang Si reconsidered, “Never mind.”
Without waiting for the servant to fetch the horse, he charged into the curtain of rain. Familiar with Chang’an, his eyes scanned the surrounding buildings meticulously before he dashed off in one direction. Weaving through narrow alleys, he ran, sometimes vaulting over walls and trees, until finally, the path opened up, and he emerged from the winding lanes.
At the alley’s mouth, Yang Si gasped for breath, wiping rainwater from his lashes. Through blurred vision, he spotted a carriage halted there. Yan Xiaozhou was being assisted into the vehicle by her brother.
Yang Si called out, “Hey—!”
The carriage door closed, and the driver urged the horses forward. The sealed door separated the two worlds inside and out.
Ignoring the departing carriage, Yang Si shouted, “What is your name?!”
He raised his voice toward the carriage, “We will meet again—!”
He held little hope, but just as the carriage turned onto a street and was about to vanish from sight, the window slid open. Yan Xiaozhou glanced back in his direction.She sat in the carriage, clearly no longer wearing her face-covering veil. Yang Si’s eyesight was far superior to others, and no matter how dim the light was after the rain, he could clearly see the lady in the carriage turning her head to look at him—her vermilion lips and pearly teeth, her dark, sparkling eyes.
It struck him like a bolt of lightning.
This was the first time Yang Si had seen her clearly. Untainted by dust, pure and translucent; her eyes slightly curved, her lips carrying a faint smile. She was naturally innocent and sweet, yet remarkably sharp-witted. Without saying a word, she simply raised her hand and waved gently toward him through the window.
Yang Si’s eyes lit up: Had she recognized him?
He took a step back, leaning against the wall. After a long moment, he chuckled to himself—
That evening, Yang Si went to the Eastern Palace for dinner.
The Crown Prince, seeing his delighted expression, couldn’t help but ask, “What good fortune has come your way?”
Yang Si replied, “Remember the lady of my dreams I mentioned last time? I ran into her today.”
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. “Is she very beautiful?”
Yang Si smiled without answering, but after a moment, he threw his head back and laughed heartily.
The Crown Prince shook his head with a smile. “What a character.”
A moment later, the Crown Prince murmured, “It’s just as well. It’s high time you settled down.”
If he could escape this mire, it would be for the best.
The Crown Prince grew very interested in Yang Si’s dream lady and inquired in detail about her family background. Yang Si knew nothing at all, yet he was more than eager to discuss her with the Crown Prince. After a long and disjointed conversation, Yang Si’s careless attitude finally irritated the Crown Prince, who stopped paying him any attention—
This year had seen abundant rainfall.
While Chang’an was drenched in rain, Nanyang had been subjected to a full half-month of downpour.
Before the rains began, the Nanyang County Magistrate and the Military Governor had joined forces to suppress the mountain bandits, engaging in a prolonged battle of wits. But once the rain started, the bandit suppression efforts were stalled, leaving both sides anxious.
To make matters worse, Yan Shang had personally gone to assess the situation. The large pits they had dug along the mountain paths, intended to trap the bandits, had instead ensnared a convoy of nobles passing through Nanyang.
Yan Shang, who was on the mountain at the time, immediately set aside his own eye injury and went to apologize in person. The nobles demanded not only reparations but also lodging in Nanyang until the rain eased before continuing their journey. Such a small request was hardly something Yan Shang would refuse. As the County Magistrate, he promptly exercised his authority in their presence to arrange accommodations for them in the city.
They insisted on staying at his residence.
Yan Shang assumed these nobles believed the County Magistrate’s residence was the finest in the area, which was why they wanted to stay there. He had no objection, as long as they didn’t mind the simplicity.
And so, without uttering a word, Mu Wan Yao directed Pei Qing to speak with Yan Shang, effortlessly settling the lodging arrangements for the days to come.
In one of the guest rooms at the County Magistrate’s residence, Pei Qing announced his presence outside the door. Upon receiving permission, he entered. The maids who had been drying the princess’s hair inside the room bowed to him and withdrew.
Pei Qing turned his gaze to the lady seated on the bed.
She had changed into a soft silk gown that draped over the edge of the bed. Resting her cheek in her slender fingers, her jade-like face serene, she stared absently at the rain outside the window.
Pei Qing was slightly annoyed. “Your Highness, why must we stay here?”
Mu Wan Yao looked at him, her expression indifferent. “Was it not you who wanted to see what kind of person Yan Shang truly is? Was it not you who wanted to uproot the thorn in my heart? How can I let go, and how can you let go, without getting close to him?”Pei Qing was taken aback, wondering if he was being overly sensitive: "So in that brief moment on the mountain earlier, Your Highness had already thought of so much."
Mu Wan Yao said nothing.
How could she have thought of that much?
When she saw Yan Shang approaching, half her body had stiffened. By the time she regained her composure, he was standing five steps away, smiling as he bowed to them. Her gaze fixed on the white gauze covering his eyes—she just wanted to know what had happened to them.
She forced Pei Qing to engage Yan Shang in conversation and insisted on staying. She simply had to find out what was wrong with Yan Shang’s eyes!
Mu Wan Yao casually instructed Pei Qing: "I don’t want him to recognize me. He’s blind now and doesn’t know it’s me. Give the order that the attendants are not to address me as ‘Your Highness’—use another form of address instead. Also, Yan Shang has a few old servants with him who would recognize me. Send someone to threaten them—they are not to reveal my identity to Yan Shang."
She tilted her head and added coolly: "Tell them I’m merely passing through and wish to have no connection with Yan Shang. If they dare let him know who I am, I won’t spare their lives."
Pei Qing’s expression softened even more.
His eyes gazed tenderly at Mu Wan Yao, delighted by her reaction. He promptly agreed, saying he would go and issue the instructions to avoid exposing the princess’s travel itinerary.
After a moment’s hesitation, Pei Qing said: "I only met Yan Erlang today... Well, though he does carry himself gracefully, he’s still just an ordinary man. Now he’s nothing more than a common county magistrate—I truly can’t see what sets him apart from others. I don’t understand why Your Highness ever liked him in the first place."
A peculiar smile played at the corner of Mu Wan Yao’s lips as she replied: "You’ll find out soon enough."
Just as Pei Qing was puzzling over her words, a maid knocked at the door and spoke respectfully: "Sir, Madam, are you both in the room? My master has instructed me to apologize to you and invites you to a banquet this evening to make amends. My master also said that, as you’ve only just arrived and Nanyang was unprepared, he fears you may find the accommodations inconvenient. He has specially vacated his own residence for your use. If there is anything you require or wish to avoid, my master will make all necessary arrangements."
Pei Qing deliberately raised an objection: "We two are fine, but our attendants..."
The maid outside laughed lightly: "Do not worry, sir. Our master has already prepared clean clothing and ginger soup for them. He said that, in principle, he ought to provide for you as well. However, given your noble status, you might not readily accept offerings from outsiders. To avoid any inconvenience, he has specially summoned a tailor to the residence to make new garments for you."
Pei Qing was dumbfounded.
He stared in astonishment at Mu Wan Yao, noticing the deepening smile on her lips as she turned to gaze out the window at the rain. Clearly, she had anticipated exactly what Yan Shang would do.
Mu Wan Yao whispered to Pei Qing: "Ask her what’s wrong with Yan Shang’s eyes."—
Yan Shang’s eyes shouldn’t be seriously injured.
The maid explained that their master’s eyes had been weak since his arrival in Nanyang—he couldn’t bear bright light, as if from an old injury. Over time, his eyes had improved. However, during a recent bandit suppression operation, his eyes were accidentally injured again. So these past couple of days, he’s been wearing the gauze and applying medicine, but he’s expected to recover soon.
Mu Wan Yao stood and said to Pei Qing: "I’m going to check on Yan Shang’s eyes."
Pei Qing: "..."He did not stop her, comforting himself that the princess was only concerned about the other's eyes. If he kept obstructing her, aside from whether he could actually prevent her, it might only make Mu Wan Yao more anxious, which would be worse.
Since Mu Wan Yao found it awkward to speak in front of Yan Shang herself, fearing he might recognize her, she brought along a maid to act as her mouthpiece when she went to see him. She left Xiarong, whom Yan Shang was familiar with, behind and brought Qiu Si, who had been gradually rising in prominence over the past two years.
As Xiarong was to be married off soon, more duties had been assigned to Qiu Si. Mu Wan Yao had grown accustomed to using Qiu Si more often, and since Qiu Si was lively and fond of joking, she had developed a certain tacit understanding with this maid who had just turned fifteen.
Qiu Si patted her chest and assured Mu Wan Yao, "Don't worry, my lady, I will definitely not let Yan Erlang recognize us."
Yan Shang returned to his residence and, after freshening up, sat in his room lost in thought. Two attendants stood by his side—one was gathering the used gauze and other items, preparing to apply medicine to the young master's eyes. The other attendant was Yun Shu, who stood there stifled and dazed, his mind full of turmoil.
The moment Her Highness the Princess entered their residence, he had recognized her.
But the guard captain Fang Tong, who followed the princess, had flicked his finger and sealed Yun Shu's mute point, rendering him unable to utter a single word.
Afterward, the princess's people threatened him again, forbidding him from revealing the princess's identity... Yun Shu could only pray that Her Highness the Princess was truly just passing through Nanyang and would not stay long.
Her Highness had no idea how much she made Erlang unable to let go, how much she had hurt him.
While Yun Shu was tangled in his thoughts, a clear, slightly sweet voice of a maid came from outside the door: "Is the Prefect here? Our lady is concerned about the Prefect's eyes and has come to check on him."
Yan Shang snapped out of his thoughts, stood up, and smiled. "That is too courteous. I am ashamed to have caused such trouble..."
He suddenly fell silent, hearing a "creak" as the door was pushed open directly. Yan Shang's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that this... future wife of Lord Pei seemed somewhat impolite.
Mu Wan Yao saw the two attendants in the room. Yun Shu was looking at her as if he had seen a ghost. She brushed the hair by her ear and winked at him with a smile. Yun Shu's expression grew even stranger. Only then did Mu Wan Yao turn her gaze to Yan Shang. Her eyes swept over him from head to toe, noticing his gaunt cheeks and prominent cheekbones beneath the gauze covering his eyes.
Even in his own quarters, he was fully dressed, not flustered by their sudden arrival. However, his clothes were different from those he had worn on the mountain.
He looked exceptionally lean and pale.
Mu Wan Yao stared at him for a moment, then noticed the gauze in the attendant's hand. She paused and signaled Qiu Si with her eyes. Qiu Si then said cheerfully, "Oh, is the young master applying medicine to his eyes? It so happens that someone in our lady's family is a master of medicine. Our lady can help bandage the young master's eyes."
Yan Shang gently declined, "There's no need. How could I trouble the lady..."
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow: Lady?!
What was he reminding her of?
Mu Wan Yao felt provoked and walked toward Yan Shang. Yan Shang heard her footsteps and caught the faint fragrance she carried. He stepped aside, and Yun Shu hurriedly reached out to support him. With Yun Shu's help, Yan Shang moved back.
Mu Wan Yao followed his steps and grabbed his wrist.
Yan Shang reached out to brush her off, his fingers carefully avoiding her skin even through the sleeve.He casually stepped back, while Mu Wan Yao deliberately pressed forward.
Threads of fragrant breeze drifted, faint and elusive.
Yan Shang still spoke gently: "Madam, with your noble status, how could you trouble yourself with such trivial matters. Moreover, my eyes are not seriously injured. To have you concerned about me makes me truly uneasy. Your cultivated demeanor earns my utmost admiration. I imagine Lord Pei must be similarly distinguished. Has Lord Pei not accompanied you here?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
She signaled Qiu Si to speak and shut this man's words down. After a long pause, Qiu Si managed: "Sir, what do you mean by this? Our lady merely intended to apply medicine for you. You're being excessively cautious."
Yan Shang smiled gently: "I meant no such thing, Madam misunderstands. It's just that I am already betrothed. My fiancée is delicate and lovely, innocent and artless. While my interactions with Madam are naturally above reproach, gossip spreads easily. I truly wouldn't want such minor matters to cause Miao Niang unnecessary concern."
Qiu Si was stunned, thinking it was over.
She turned to look at the princess, and indeed saw Mu Wan Yao's face instantly turn cold. Yun Shu stood rigidly, sweat nearly dripping from his forehead. With a polite smile playing on his lips, Yan Shang continued telling Mu Wan Yao how dearly he cared for his fiancée. The more he spoke, the darker Mu Wan Yao's expression became.
She turned and walked away.
Qiu Si hurried after her.
Hearing the footsteps fade into the distance, Yan Shang relaxed and sat down. Suddenly, he asked Yun Shu in a low voice: "Why were you so stiff earlier? What were you nervous about?"
Yan Shang's keen observation always put great pressure on Yun Shu, who struggled to control his stammer: "I... wasn't nervous."
Fortunately, Yan Shang seemed preoccupied with some puzzle and didn't pay much attention to Yun Shu's demeanor. Frowning in confusion, Yan Shang murmured: "Her voice sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it before?"
Long ago, he had heard Qiu Si's voice. But three years had passed since then, and retrieving that particular voice from his memory wasn't easy—
Yan Shang lost himself in thought, reflecting on his momentary daze earlier.
He thought to himself, that fragrance about the madam...
When she drew near, his heart raced violently, leaving him somewhat dry-mouthed.
Yet he knew the scents noble ladies used were actually limited to just a few varieties.
Nothing particularly special.
Then why had his heartbeat been so unnatural at that moment? Why had his cheeks heated uncontrollably?
Yan Shang frowned in bewilderment, unable to comprehend his physical reactions.
He felt somewhat troubled, somewhat confused, and somewhat dejected. Random thoughts crossed his mind—could it be because he hadn't been this close to a woman in so long that he reacted this way?
Ah, Yan Shang, Yan Shang.
How could you be so base—
Mu Wan Yao was infuriated by Yan Shang's repeated references to "Madam," and his deliberate emphasis on his fiancée greatly diminished her interest.
Seeing that although his eyes were bandaged, he remained eloquent and in excellent condition, Mu Wan Yao couldn't be bothered with him anymore.
And Mu Wan Yao not deliberately seeking out Yan Shang was what pleased Pei Qing most. Pei Qing rejoiced inwardly at his decision to detour to Nanyang—indeed, after seeing Yan Shang a couple more times, the princess would realize how ordinary he was. He believed that in a couple more days, Mu Wan Yao would completely lose any former feelings for Yan Shang.
However, since they had come to Nanyang, it would be dull for Mu Wan Yao to stay indoors all the time. So Pei Qing inquired about some interesting historical sites in Nanyang, intending to take Mu Wan Yao out for some amusement.Mu Wan Yao was growing restless staying at the residence, especially since Yan Shang left early and returned late each day. It was baffling how a blind man could be so diligent with his duties. Thus, she let Pei Qing arrange their itinerary and went out with him for amusement. However, Pei Qing’s intentions weren’t merely to entertain the princess—he also aimed to further tarnish Yan Shang’s image in Mu Wan Yao’s eyes.
That afternoon, as Mu Wan Yao and Pei Qing were riding back to the residence in a carriage, the vehicle came to a sudden halt. Mu Wan Yao heard commotion outside.
She asked suspiciously, “What’s going on?”
Pei Qing opened the carriage door first and said, “It seems Yan Erlang is being cornered by someone.”
Mu Wan Yao then leaned out to look.
She saw their carriage and horses parked outside the county magistrate's residence. Yan Shang emerged from the residence, supported by Yun Shu, walking with some difficulty. But the moment he stepped out, he was surrounded by commoners from all directions. Yun Shu was startled, and Han Shu Xing, who was following behind Yan Shang, abruptly drew his blade.
Yan Shang said sharply, "Han Shu Xing, sheathe your blade! Do not raise a weapon against the commoners."
Han Shu Xing reluctantly sheathed his blade but did his best to shield Yan Shang, preventing the visually impaired official from being jostled by the crowd. Yan Shang spoke gently, urging everyone to calm down and explain their concerns, but his clear, mild voice was drowned out by the clamor of the people.
Han Shu Xing raised his voice angrily, "Your magistrate has already been injured in the eyes while suppressing bandits! If you keep making such a racket and injure him further, who will handle your affairs then?"
At these words, the chaotic crowd finally quieted down.
Hearing the surroundings grow silent at last, Yan Shang sighed and asked, "What is the matter that has brought you to blockade the magistrate's residence?"
After some pushing and shoving, the commoners sent forth a representative: "Prefect, the rain has been falling for two months now. If it continues like this, what will become of this year's harvest? Will Nanyang be flooded? Prefect, have you officials done something wrong to anger the heavens, to provoke the Dragon King's wrath? Should we offer sacrifices to the Dragon King?"
Yan Shang: "...What kind of sacrifices?"
The commoners grew excited: "We've selected a pair of young boys and girls! If we offer them to the Dragon King, His Majesty will calm his anger and stop the heavy rains from flooding us!"
The commoners were so ignorant.
On the other side, Pei Qing's face showed an incredulous expression. He glanced at Mu Wan Yao and saw her merely lifting the carriage curtain to watch Yan Shang, who was surrounded by the ignorant commoners. Mu Wan Yao's eyes were dark and unfathomable, and she remained silent.
Yan Shang spoke gently: "You are mistaken. Sacrifices to the Dragon King are not made in this manner. Please listen to me—Nanyang has not incurred the great wrath of the heavens. The heavens labor day and night; if they were to favor mortals even once, their attention would be on Chang'an. How could they notice a small place like ours? It must be that the Dragon King has dozed off. It's alright—we shall pray to His Majesty for clear skies..."
On Pei Qing's side, he could hear Yan Shang speaking about praying for clear weather and moving the heavens... Pei Qing muttered, "Has Yan Shang gone mad? The Master said, 'Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance'—has all his learning gone to the dogs? How can he deceive the commoners like this?"
Mu Wan Yao said calmly, "Because your grand principles are neither understood nor believed by ordinary commoners. Clear skies mean the heavens are pleased; rain means the heavens are angry. A good harvest is the heavens showing favor; a poor harvest is heavenly punishment. Studying is about deciphering the will of heaven; not studying is a blessing from heaven.
"This is how ordinary commoners think.
"If you tell them now that wind and rain are ordinary occurrences and there's no need to panic, they will think you are a demon or monster who doesn't consider things from their perspective.
"That's why... Yan Shang wants to promote education."
Pei Qing looked at Mu Wan Yao with a strange expression. He had never imagined a princess could have such understanding. He said, "Your Highness cares so much about the people's welfare..."
Mu Wan Yao: "I don't care."
She paused, lowering her eyes: "Yan Shang told me this."
Pei Qing: "...Your Highness, it seems you haven't been in contact with him for three years."Mu Wan Yao said, "Before he left, he submitted a memorial. Besides advising me on how to bide my time and build up strength, he also recounted his childhood experiences traveling in Jiangnan."
The rain pattered noisily, its sound roaring like thunder.
Pei Qing felt a pang of sorrow in his heart and after a long pause, managed to utter, "...But it was for such commoners that he betrayed Your Highness. However, I would not."
Mu Wan Yao remained silent. Her eyes fixed on the crowd of commoners escorting Yan Shang in a certain direction, she instructed the coachman, "Follow them and see."
Pei Qing immediately felt distressed. His original intention was to have Mu Wan Yao witness Yan Shang's embarrassment, but now it was Mu Wan Yao who actively wanted to follow and observe—
It turned out Yan Shang had promised these commoners to pray for clear skies in Nanyang.
The continuous rain in Nanyang had persisted from February straight through to April. Yan Shang, surrounded by the commoners, ordered the closure of the city gates. He arranged for a platform to be constructed at the most central location in Nanyang, with an altar and yellow banners set up on it, where everyone would pray for clear weather.
Mu Wan Yao's carriage stopped at the entrance of a teahouse. She saw more and more commoners gathering from all directions, kneeling one by one beneath the platform, murmuring prayers for the rain to stop. The officials were on high alert, patrolling among them, most fearful of anyone causing trouble amidst the chaos.
Conflicts erupted between the commoners and the officials. The officials urged the commoners to disperse or simply return home, while the commoners argued back, asking what would happen if the rain didn't stop and accusing the officials of harming them.
Amid the clamor, they suddenly looked up and saw Yan Shang being assisted onto the platform.
Rain poured from all directions, drenching Yan Shang's snow-white robes. The gauze bandage over his eyes fluttered lightly, accentuating his pale, ethereal elegance. Standing on the high platform, he sat down just like that and cupped his hands in salute to the people below.
Yan Shang said, "I will personally pray for clear skies here. I implore you, fellow villagers, to refrain from disputes, lest we disturb the will of heaven."
The commoners stared blankly upward, gazing at their county magistrate seated beneath the banners. His face was refined and handsome, so youthful. He sat there quietly, watching the Wizards pray and dance wearing masks. Wind and rain swept in from all sides, whipping against his already soaked robes.
He appeared even thinner, more pure and luminous like moonlight.
He simply sat there in silence, not uttering a word.
Gradually, the unrest below subsided. The commoners agreed to follow the officials' arrangements to disperse and no longer crowd together. They watched quietly as the Wizards prayed for clear skies, refraining from speaking out of turn or wandering about.
From dawn till dusk, a full three hours.
Whenever anxiety arose, they would glance up at the Prefect still sitting serenely on the platform and feel their hearts calm again—
For three full hours, aside from the prayers of the Wizards and the sound of the rain, no human voices could be heard.
Sitting in the carriage, Pei Qing watched entranced, while Mu Wan Yao observed with intense focus.
Seated in the carriage, she looked up at him sitting in the rain, and her mind suddenly recalled the way he had recited "The Great Rat" during that rain in Lingnan. She also thought of their argument about the people's welfare in the Ministry of Justice prison years ago... Now, watching him sit there in the heavy rain, accompanying and aiding these commoners.
He was so magnificent.
He was like a white crane, like precious pearls and jade, a person who seemed to radiate light. He made people involuntarily look up to him, involuntarily follow him.
Mu Wan Yao's gaze remained unblinking as she instructed the maid outside, "Fetch clean men's clothing."Pei Qing had guessed what she intended to do, yet his heart ached with bitterness and self-reproach, rendering him utterly incapable of uttering a word to stop her—
By sheer coincidence, as dusk fell, the rain unexpectedly ceased.
The common folk, however, saw no coincidence in this, believing instead that their Prefect had moved the heavens, and they cheered with unrestrained joy.
When Yan Shang was helped down from the platform by Yun Shu, he was drenched from head to toe, his body icy cold. His face was pale, and his hands trembled slightly. Suddenly, he heard Yun Shu’s voice, filled with both frustration and astonishment: “...Young Lady!”
Yan Shang lifted his gaze.
Mu Wan Yao, sheltered by her maids holding umbrellas, approached with a gray rabbit-fur cloak draped over her arm.
In the next moment, the cloak was laid over the exhausted Yan Shang.
The woman’s warm, soft body drew near as she stood on tiptoe to drape the garment over him. She remained silent, but her breath brushed against his neck, causing Yan Shang to lose himself in thought. Her fingers pressed against the nape of his neck, signaling him to lower his head as she fastened the tie at his collar.
Yan Shang was stunned, once again catching the familiar scent that clung to her. Suddenly aware of what had been placed upon him, he was taken aback, feeling it was highly improper. He stepped back, unaware that Mu Wan Yao was still on tiptoe, tying the sash. His retreat caused her to gasp in surprise, stumbling forward as he pulled her off balance.
Yan Shang’s heart felt as if struck by a heavy blow.
Then came the sound of the common folk rushing over: “Prefect! Prefect, thank you, Prefect...”
Yan Shang reached out and steadied the young lady he had inadvertently pulled, preventing her from falling. Fearful that the overzealous crowd might jostle her delicate frame, he found himself wrapping his arms around her as she stumbled into him, holding her close against his chest.
Her cheek brushed against his neck.
In that instant, his face flushed as if scorched by fire, and the corners of his pressed lips curled into an unnatural arc. He held her, shielding her from the surging crowd.
His hands enveloped her, concealing the frantic beating of his heart, yet the weight of his fingers resting on her back felt immense, trembling uncontrollably.
...Was it her?—
Pei Qing’s voice followed: “...Young Lady.”
Yan Shang gripped Mu Wan Yao’s arm and gently pushed her away.
Mu Wan Yao glanced up at him, noting his composed expression, and having secured the cloak, she said nothing as Pei Qing led her away. Pei Qing glanced back at the young man with the white gauze covering his eyes. He had so much he wished to say, yet no words would come.
...Faced with such a person, what could he possibly say?—
Amid the chaotic footsteps, Yan Shang stood bewildered, unable to discern who had come or gone in his surroundings.
After standing there emptily for a while, he softly asked one of the common folk who had gathered to thank him, “That young lady who just left... her eyes... are they somewhat round, with upturned corners, like... a cat’s?”
The commoner nodded: “Yes, yes! Especially captivating eyes. Ah, that young lady is truly beautiful...”
Yan Shang stood frozen in place.
His face flushed crimson as blood, while his heart ached as if shattered. He felt both joy and sorrow—
He knew who she was.
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