Fang Tong rested his hand on the narrow blade at his waist, gazing at the young lady on the swing. Hearing her mention Yan Erlang, he paused before saying, "...Why must you imprison him? If Erlang does not care for Your Highness, what use is imprisonment?"
He was speaking in defense of Yan Shang.
Mu Wan Yao turned her face to look at him. Her expression was somewhat cold, and Fang Tong shifted his gaze uncomfortably. Only then did Mu Wan Yao stroke her cheek and smile, as if struck by a thought: "As my chief guard, do you still care so much about Yan Shang? Are you afraid he'll be hurt, afraid he'll suffer? Do you not care about me?"
Fearing that Her Highness might misunderstand, Fang Tong immediately replied, "This subordinate naturally respects only Your Highness. It's just that Yan Erlang is, after all, in a weaker position when facing Your Highness..."
Mu Wan Yao said icily, "What, do you think he's merely an accessory? That since I don't seem to care much about him, I shouldn't bully him? Who told you I don't care about him? Who told you!"
She abruptly stood up and took two steps forward, causing the swing behind her to sway and tremble. Mu Wan Yao's imposing aura made even Fang Tong retreat a step, let alone the other guards in the courtyard.
The homeowner who had rented out this residence and his wife peeked nervously at the gate, curious about the noble guest staying in their house. But Mu Wan Yao's fierce demeanor frightened them into turning away, not daring to ask further.
Mu Wan Yao fixed Fang Tong with a piercing glare: "Must I be utterly heartbroken to prove I care for him? Must I weep every night to show I care? Who told you that because I appear unaffected, I truly treat him as a plaything to be discarded after use?"
Even as chief guard, Fang Tong had to endure a public scolding from the princess. He lowered his head, his face flushing crimson, and quickly knelt to admit his fault. His prompt apology finally softened Mu Wan Yao's expression slightly.
Mu Wan Yao said quietly, "You all seem to think I should particularly hate him... but what makes me resent him is precisely what I deeply envy. When people lack something, they always desire it. Once they obtain it, they covet something better."
Fang Tong said remorsefully, "This subordinate was narrow-minded. Your Highness deserves better. But what did Your Highness mean earlier when you said you wanted Yan Erlang's life?"
Mu Wan Yao drifted into thought for a moment, recalling Yan Shang as she had seen him recently—the desolate Yan Shang who had looked at her in prison, and the Yan Shang who had chatted with her nights before.
She said slowly, "I've been lost, so I've always been watching others, learning from others. But what does it matter? This is how people move forward step by step. Having reached my current status as a princess, I can advance no further.
"Wei Shu serves as an envoy, Yang Si follows the army, Yan Shang participates in governance. Even among women—Zhao Wuniang fled an arranged marriage, Liu Ruozhu married a husband who shares her passion for preserving ancient texts and authentic works... They all have their own lives. Men like Wei Shu, Yang Si, and Yan Shang shine brightly enough to leave significant marks in history. But what am I?"
She murmured to herself, as if trying to convince herself.
She thought that if she let Yan Shang go, with his gentle nature, he would surely drag his feet in dealing with his fiancée's matter, unable to resolve it quickly. And she could no longer endure... could no longer bear being separated from Yan Shang again!
These half-month of fleeing had temporarily allowed her and Yan Shang to set aside past affections and grievances, coexisting harmoniously. During this time, they had cooperated under the guise of a married couple.She stood by his side, seeing more facets of him. Every time she heard others refer to them as a married couple, Mu Wan Yao thought how wonderful it would be if Yan Shang were truly her husband. Once this obsession took root, it was hard not to let her thoughts wander further—
He was a true gentleman of noble character and radiant virtue—could she willingly become a self-degrading villain?
He was admired and respected by the people—had her childhood dream been to exploit the commoners and disrupt the court?
Her lifelong pursuit was to break free from the cage of being controlled by others, to seek a sense of security.
Her existence faced suppression and doubt from others, yet she rose up, relished it, became enthralled. She vowed not to wallow in degradation; even heaven would applaud her. Heaven allowed her to encounter such a luminous figure, brilliant as the stars and moonlight, at a time when she had lost her own aspirations and was mired in petty struggles... Wasn't this a reward meant for her?
Mu Wan Yao said earnestly, "Someone like him, once he marries me, will be devoted to me alone. He will love me, care for me, and treat me better than anyone else."
Fang Tong: "Erlang will be angry..."
Mu Wan Yao dismissed it: "He won't stay angry for long."
Fang Tong: "But what if he acts like he did three years ago..."
Mu Wan Yao said: "The path I choose, I will walk myself. Whether good or bad, I will bear it alone. I used to fear such choices, but now..."
She had never had the right to choose her own man before; she was always forced into decisions by others. Now, she would choose for herself once.
She turned to look at Fang Tong, her eyes shimmering with a serene, galaxy-like radiance, captivating and profound. Under the dappled shade of the trees, she stood in the May garden, the breeze rustling her pleated skirt as she slightly lowered her head, gazing at Fang Tong. They faced each other in silence.
Looking into the distance, Fang Tong saw a magnificent and resolute princess. Mu Wan Yao saw countless rivers of the past, the silhouettes of old acquaintances severed one by one in the light and shadows, leaving only one gentle figure standing. She whispered softly:
"Yan Shang is the only one who makes marriage seem less hopeless to me. I want to try. I have the courage to try. What do you think?"
Fang Tong stared at her blankly for a moment before tightening his jaw and replying hoarsely: "This subject naturally follows Your Highness."
Only then did Mu Wan Yao smile gracefully. She cared little for others' opinions, for how she and Yan Shang would be talked about. But Fang Tong had been through so much with her; he understood her past, and his support for her future was what truly mattered.
Mu Wan Yao sat back on the swing, swaying slowly a couple of times before saying: "Tell me about the current situation in Rang County. How is Pei Qing? And what about Chang'an? Yan Shang has gone to see the county magistrate... It's time for us to close the net."
Yan Shang discussed the princess's affairs in detail with the local magistrate.
With Fang Tong's return, Rang County was no longer solely under the Jiang family's control. The Jiang family was furious, but Mu Wan Yao was ready to settle accounts. After days of evasion, they had gathered ample evidence that the Nanyang Jiang clan had attempted to assassinate the princess. If the princess had died, it might have been one thing, but if she survived, this evidence would return to Chang'an and become a weapon against Prince Qin.
Plotting to harm a royal princess—even if it were the Nanyang Jiang clan or Prince Qin—as long as the Emperor lived, he would not stand idly by while one of his children killed another.
This was bound to be the major case of the year in Chang'an.
The Nanyang Jiang clan would inevitably have to go to Chang'an to apologize for their crimes.Yan Shang's arrival sent tremors through the county magistrate's residence. The magistrate had initially put on airs, assuming Yan Shang was there to negotiate on the princess's behalf. But as Yan Shang laid out the facts one by one, the magistrate's teacup grew unsteady in his hands, and he began repeatedly wiping cold sweat from his brow.
The magistrate muttered to himself, "How did it come to this? Why must it go so far... Our clan has been entrenched in Nanyang for a century. Even the Emperor couldn't possibly uproot us entirely! If our clan falls, all of Nanyang will descend into chaos. Besides, isn't Prince Qin more important than Danyang Princess? And moreover... where is the evidence for assassinating the princess?"
Yan Shang said gently, "Why do you think Lord Pei remained in Rang County? Naturally, to gather evidence. The Jiang Clan has been entrenched in Nanyang for a century—they must have left behind many things. Furthermore, during my three years as magistrate here, I accumulated certain materials... These have already been handed over to Lord Pei by my trusted aides. The Jiang Clan will inevitably be convicted... The imperial dignity cannot be violated. Do you still not understand?"
The magistrate's forehead grew even more drenched in cold sweat.
After a long silence, he suddenly knelt down: "Lord Yan, save me! Since you've come here, you must have a way to save me. Please speak plainly—"
Meanwhile, in the courtyard where Mu Wan Yao resided, Fang Tong was providing a detailed report of the situation. Mu Wan Yao nodded thoughtfully: "A century-old noble family—uprooting them would certainly cause severe damage. Nanyang would become useless. Nanyang is prosperous, an extremely important tax-producing prefecture in the central plains. This land cannot be wasted.
"Those who govern should maintain balance among all parties. The Jiang Clan of Nanyang cannot fall. But not falling doesn't mean they can't be replaced."
Noble families could take turns in power—while the clan itself remained, its leadership could be changed. Just as her father the Emperor had dealt with the Jinling Li Clan before: the Lis retreated to Jinling, her uncle was demoted to Lingnan. They were wounded, but their foundation remained, and the Li Clan survived. As long as the Li Clan survived, southern stability could be maintained.
A clear line of thought emerged before Mu Wan Yao, allowing her to contemplate and develop her ideas one by one—
"Yan Shang is negotiating with the magistrate. That magistrate is also from the Jiang Clan. This time, I'll use the charge of plotting against the princess to bring down the provincial governor and military commissioner, and install this non-direct-line Jiang Clan magistrate who has no choice but to side with us.
"Pei Qing must also remain in Rang County. With only one magistrate on my side, I'm not at ease. Rang County is an attached county—if I take Yan Shang away, I need to put someone else in his place. Pei Qing betrayed me, so I'll strip him of his position as Imperial Son-in-Law. He's no longer suitable to remain in Chang'an... Better to leave him in Rang County to help me stabilize Nanyang.
"Nanyang still needs bandit suppression—we can't afford chaos at this time. With Nanyang's leadership replaced, my Third Brother will face constraints. I can use this to press him into retreat. If Father wants to deal with the Jiang Clan, he won't let Third Brother become troublesome... Since Father finds it inconvenient to move against his own son, I might as well give him a push."
Mu Wan Yao rose and entered her room to prepare letters. One would go to Rang County, addressed to Pei Qing. Several would be sent to Chang'an, to those court officials of humble origins who were aligned with her, instructing them to use this incident to attack the Jiang Clan of Nanyang and force the provincial governor and military commissioner to remove their caps and come to Chang'an for sentencing.
She also needed to write to Prince Qin—using their sibling bond as leverage to bargain with him and obtain what she had long desired from him.
Oh, and she must write to Liu Wenji as well, to cooperate with him...
"Father!"Mu Wan Yao was about to enter the house when she suddenly heard a clear, boyish voice. Turning around, she saw Fang Tong looking ashen-faced and embarrassed. Raising an eyebrow, Mu Wan Yao followed Fang Tong’s gaze to a corner near the side room, where a sturdy little boy was stealthily calling out to them.
The boy was immediately picked up by a guard, who covered his mouth. The guard glanced nervously in their direction, fearing punishment from the princess. Held in the guard’s arms, the boy also looked at Mu Wan Yao. Upon seeing the Danyang Princess—whom his father often mentioned—the little boy froze.
It was his first time encountering such a beautiful and noble lady, and his face instantly flushed bright red.
Fang Tong struggled to speak: "Your Highness, please forgive him. My son is young and doesn’t know any better. I don’t know how he slipped out and disturbed you..."
Mu Wan Yao, in a good mood, smiled indifferently. Though she might still carry some unresolved feelings toward children, they were no longer as severe as before. Amused by the boy’s shy expression, she instructed the guard to take him away without any punishment.
In Rang County, late at night, Pei Qing sat at his desk and received a secret letter from the princess, delivered by express courier.
He struggled internally for a long time, recalling the terror he felt when he encountered the bandits that day. Fear had driven him to flee, and his cowardice had made him release the princess’s hand. Although he later led troops to rescue her, the Earth Dragon had awakened, and the princess had already vanished.
Afterward, he collaborated with Yan Shang’s remaining forces in Rang County to stabilize the situation on behalf of the princess, hoping to atone for his mistake. Now, the letter that would determine his fate had arrived.
As a princess, she held the power to decide the life or death of someone of his background with ease. Despite his best efforts, he still dreaded the impending punishment.
Pei Qing couldn’t help but wonder: When Yan Erlang betrayed the princess back then, did he feel the same fear and unease as he did now? The weight of imperial authority was crushing, yet as subjects who lived off the emperor’s favor, what choice did they have?
Finally, Pei Qing opened the princess’s letter. His eyes scanned the lines rapidly, and after finishing, his emotions were indescribable.
The princess ordered him to plead guilty to Chang’an, and the matter of the Imperial Son-in-Law was to be dropped.
The wedding preparations in Chang’an would proceed as planned, but Pei Qing would become a laughingstock.
Yet being ridiculed was still bearable, for the princess no longer intended to secure him the position of Vice Director in the Ministry of Personnel. Instead, she wanted him to remain in Nanyang. Once the Jiang family’s representatives in Nanyang were replaced, he was to stabilize the region and prevent it from offering too much support to Prince Qin in the future.
The new official position the princess arranged for him was Chief Administrator of Nanyang—a rank of upper sixth grade, even higher than the Vice Director position she had initially promised.
However, it was still a regional post.
And it meant he could not return to Chang’an.
Moving from Chang’an to Nanyang was a promotion in name but a demotion in reality. Without the princess’s support, if the humble clans abandoned him, Pei Qing’s career as Chief Administrator of Nanyang might very well be the end of the line... He consoled himself, thinking that at least it was better than what Yan Erlang had faced back then.
With a bitter heart, Pei Qing lifted his heavy arm and wrote a reply to the princess, agreeing to her demands.
Over the next half month, Nanyang underwent a dramatic transformation.After the news of the princess's safety arrived, the Provincial Governor and the Military Commissioner were both charged with crimes. They removed their official caps and robes, and were escorted to Chang'an to face judgment. With Nanyang losing its top military and administrative leaders, the entire region began to descend into chaos. The magistrate of Jiang lineage, whom Mu Wan Yao had supported, was urgently appointed as the acting Provincial Governor of Rang County to stabilize Nanyang.
In Chang'an, using the evidence of the princess's attempted assassination, the humble-born ministers accused Prince Qin. Since the princess had been pursued, the fault inevitably lay with the Military Commissioner's deployment of troops. The Jiang family's military power in Nanyang was too formidable, and the humble-born ministers backed by the princess suggested weakening Nanyang's forces. The Jiang family, to avoid suspicion, should no longer have their clansmen serve as officials there.
Liu Wenji seized the opportunity to intervene. Coveting the military forces under the Military Commissioner of Shannandong Circuit, he also sought to incorporate these troops into the Northern Agency. He actively supported the principle that officials should not serve in their native regions.
Duke Zhao, who had always followed Liu Wenji's lead in court, had now become the Censor-in-Chief and moved to the Censorate, assuming real authority. With great zeal, and after an undisclosed discussion with Liu Wenji, Duke Zhao led the Censorate officials the very next day to impeach all officials of the Jiang family in Nanyang.
The principle of avoiding local appointments became the hottest topic in court affairs.
At the same time, to compensate the princess for her losses, the humble-born faction targeted the Ministry of War under Prince Qin's control, demanding that he relinquish his military authority in Chang'an. The rationale was that the princess had been pursued by government troops. Though the two matters were unrelated and lacked logical connection, those in power could exploit any pretext when seeking to attack.
Besieged on all fronts, Prince Qin tearfully pleaded before the Emperor but to no avail. Ultimately, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and seek help from his younger sister, Danyang Princess. In earnest and sincere letters, Prince Qin distanced himself from the Jiang family, insisting that those who pursued the princess were insignificant figures and that Mu Wan Yao could punish whomever she pleased without his interference. Yet, as siblings, how could she press him so harshly?
Moved by her brother's tear-stained, heartfelt letters, Danyang Princess sighed and reminisced about their deep sibling bond.
In the end, Danyang Princess conceded, relinquishing her demand for military authority in exchange for the power to dismiss officials in the Ministry of Personnel. In essence, Mu Wan Yao sought to intervene in the Ministry of Personnel, ensuring it would no longer be Prince Qin's sole domain. Concerned for her safety during her upcoming journey to Jinling, she feared encountering officials of Jiang lineage from Nanyang who might seek revenge after the implementation of the avoidance principle.
Mu Wan Yao demanded authority over the appointment and dismissal of officials in the Ministry of Personnel to guarantee her safety during her southern travels.
This demand was somewhat more acceptable to Prince Qin than dividing military power.
Gritting his teeth, Prince Qin considered that even if he lost the Ministry of Personnel, his maternal uncle still served as the Minister of Justice. Besides, aside from the half of military power Liu Wenji had taken, he could still control the Ministry of War. It was not a total loss... Prince Qin agreed to Mu Wan Yao's demand—
In Nanyang, as June arrived, the weather grew increasingly hot and dry. The scorching days of the sixth month stirred restless hearts.
However, the dispute between Chang'an and Nanyang began to subside after Mu Wan Yao and Prince Qin reached a reconciliation.
A faint smile gracing her lips, Mu Wan Yao watched as the individuals on her submitted list began to intervene in the Ministry of Personnel, feeling immensely satisfied. She thought ahead to the following year, when the examination officials in the Ministry of Personnel could use the imperial exams to select her own people for court positions. This was the true opportunity for the rise of the humble-born.Satisfied with her success, she had set the board step by step, meticulously calculating every move... Tracing back to the bandit suppression, she had ultimately forced Prince Qin into a position where only the Ministry of War remained at his disposal.
What use did Mu Wan Yao have for the Ministry of War? As a princess who neither practiced martial arts nor understood military affairs, holding military power was useless to her. It would merely be paving the way for others. But controlling the Ministry of Personnel was different. Mu Wan Yao had long coveted Prince Qin’s Ministry of Personnel... and now she had finally obtained it.
As Mu Wan Yao read the letter, savoring the fruits of her victory, the door was knocked once, and Yan Shang, his eyes veiled with a gauze, entered from outside.
Seeing him, Mu Wan Yao’s mood lifted. She smiled warmly and said, "Thank you for helping me. The matters in Chang’an have been resolved, and the officials in Nanyang will also be replaced. I will remember how you saved me, and Chang’an will remember it too. When you are promoted in the future, it will bring you benefits."
Yan Shang smiled faintly; he did not care for such things.
But his tone carried a hint of strangeness: "Your Highness, I have learned some news."
Mu Wan Yao rose and took his hand, guiding him to sit. She looked down at his handsome, gaunt face, her heart filled with affection, though she only chided lightly, "Between you and me, why speak of 'subjects' and such? Just say 'you' and 'I' as before."
Yan Shang paused, then complied: "I’ve just learned that all the bandits who kidnapped you back then are dead."
Mu Wan Yao fell silent.
Then she smiled: "That’s good, isn’t it? Aren’t you happy about it?"
Yan Shang lifted his face, and though he could not see her, he turned in her direction. He said softly, "Their deaths were too clean, which is unusual... When I think back to what happened, I find it full of doubts. Pei Qing and the princess left the city—likely spurred by my provocation—on a sudden impulse. I had made ample arrangements in Rang County to protect you, so why were you captured by mountain bandits the moment you left the city? Did Pei Qing leak the information?
"At first, I thought my protection was insufficient, but in the past two days, all the reports from the people I had arranged that day came back. By my reasoning, nothing should have gone wrong, yet it did. Was it really Pei Qing who leaked the information? But if it was Pei Qing, why did you promote him?
"Could it be that you are more forgiving of him than of me?"
A faint, elusive smile played on Mu Wan Yao’s lips.
She leaned against him indifferently and asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Yan Shang lowered his head and whispered, "I want to ask if you used everyone."
Mu Wan Yao’s fingers twitched slightly on the back of his hand, but she said nothing.
Yan Shang continued quietly, "After our argument, you were truly angry with me and decided to handle your affairs. You probably wanted to retaliate and cause me a major trouble, so you secretly gave the mountain bandits an opportunity to harm you in Rang County. At the time, you thought that as the magistrate of Rang County, if something happened to you, I would be punished, while the provincial governor and military governor, both from the Jiang family, would stand by and watch.
"The entire incident of your abduction was part of your plan. You had arrangements all along the way, which is why we managed to escape repeatedly, yet always by chance avoided being caught by the authorities. Fang Tong did not just arrive later—he and his guards had been following us from the start, along with the guards along the route.""You calculated everything. You caused trouble in Nanyang, created chaos in Nanyang. Risked your own safety to make the Jiang family unable to resist wanting to kill you. Because you relied on this to alter the Jiang family's fortune in Nanyang, used this to pressure Prince Qin. You don't even want military power—what you've been scheming for from the beginning is the Ministry of Personnel.
"Your Highness, am I right?"
A profound smile curled at the corners of Mu Wan Yao's lips as she extended her slender jade-like finger, gently pressing it against his moist red lips. Leaning down, she intimately wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered softly in his ear: "Shh, keep your voice down, don't let others discover.
"I always knew my methods couldn't escape Second Brother Yan's notice."
She began sweetly calling him "Second Brother Yan" again.
Yan Shang remained silent for a long while, his heart in turmoil. She was completely transparent with him, yet it was only after continuously receiving letters from Chang'an and Nanyang over the past two days that he realized something was amiss everywhere...
After a long pause, Yan Shang smiled bitterly: "Your Highness has changed tremendously. Your methods are so decisive—I had underestimated you."
Mu Wan Yao gazed at his smooth jawline and asked: "But you were the exception. I never expected you to risk your life to save me... I hadn't factored you into my plans at the time. Second Brother Yan, I thought after our big argument, you truly wouldn't care about me anymore. I was so angry that you abandoned me, I wanted to take revenge... If you wanted to marry, I would make sure you couldn't... But I never imagined you would save me like that.
"That day on the mountain, after you shot the arrow, you came and held me, asking if the bandits had hit me. Your tone... I thought you were about to cry.
"In that dazed moment, I finally realized you had always cared deeply about me. It was my immaturity that hurt you so much. Second Brother Yan cared for me so much, even accompanying me all the way south in exile... You were willing to sacrifice your eyesight, knowing full well that following me might lead to permanent blindness... Yet you still chose me."
Mu Wan Yao leaned down, pressing her cheek against his.
She whispered: "You're so good."
Repeating the words she'd said many times before: "You're the best person I've ever met."
Yan Shang's face gradually flushed red. Being pressed to sit like this made him increasingly uncomfortable.
He had originally intended to scold her somewhat, but her constant confessions left him too embarrassed to speak. Unable to see her, that intense longing to behold her face surged within him again. Yet his heart ached with melancholy, knowing she had now achieved her goals and would be leaving... Torn between sorrow and happiness for her, he said: "This is good too. That you've become so capable puts my mind at ease.
"After I return to Rang County, at least I won't constantly worry about you being deceived anymore."
Mu Wan Yao tilted her head: "You're returning to Rang County?"
Yan Shang: "Yes. The matters here are settled. I should go back to stabilize Rang County, shouldn't I?"
Mu Wan Yao: "Oh."
Her perfunctory response puzzled him briefly, but he didn't dwell on it as her flirtatious behavior soon made him blush crimson, his thoughts turning to mush, nearly forgetting how she had manipulated everyone in Nanyang—
The next day, before the carriage where Mu Wan Yao's party prepared to depart, Yan Shang came to see them off. He planned to return to Rang County after the princess left.
Standing tall in his wide robes before the carriage, he bowed deeply and offered sincere wishes for Mu Wan Yao's safe journey.
Stepping closer to the princess, he shyly asked her to wait for him one year, promising he would come for her.
Mu Wan Yao gazed deeply at this jade-like handsome gentleman, then took two cups of wine from Fang Tong, handing one to Yan Shang: "Since this is a farewell, please drink this cup. You're not still unable to handle alcohol, are you?"
Yan Shang's face warmed slightly, but he smiled: "Though my alcohol tolerance still isn't normal, I won't collapse after one cup. Your Highness need not worry."
Mu Wan Yao nodded.
Fang Tong watched sympathetically as Yan Erlang, completely unsuspecting of the princess, drank the wine she offered. True to his word about not collapsing after one cup, Yan Erlang staggered two steps after drinking, then was solicitously supported by Mu Wan Yao who asked if he was alright.
Whereupon Yan Shang fainted—
Three days later, Yan Shang awoke in a carriage heading to Jinling.They were already a hundred li from Nanyang, with no hope of turning back. He had lost all means of contact with his own people and was trapped in the princess's carriage.
The carriage rumbled along, its wheels clattering. The young lord sat inside, wrapped in a quilt, lost in thought and silent for a long while.
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