"The debate over official recusal is still ongoing in Chang'an. It's not just about the same prefecture; they're discussing recusal even for the same county. This means officials of local origin cannot serve in their hometowns."
Seated under the locust tree in the post station's rear courtyard, Fang Tong was reporting the latest news from Chang'an to the princess. Mu Wan Yao flipped through various letters while listening to Fang Tong's explanation, nodding slightly. "Hmm, official recusal. If Chang'an can truly reach a consensus on this, it would benefit the humble-born scholars. We must strive for this."
She paused, her tone suddenly turning peculiar as her gaze drifted through the locust branches overhead, lost in thought.
She couldn't help feeling that the rise of humble-born scholars was something the entire era and all people were unconsciously pushing forward. This official recusal policy, which restricts noble families, originated from the Nanyang plot against the princess. Yet when Mu Wan Yao herself orchestrated the entire scheme, her ultimate goal was merely to gain control of the Ministry of Personnel.
She never expected official recusal would become the focal point. Vaguely yet unmistakably, the entire era seemed to be promoting the rise of humble-born scholars and the decline of noble families.
That she could advance the cause of humble-born scholars to this point was partly due to the Emperor's support, but also because she was conforming to the trends of the times, wasn't it?
Mu Wan Yao found herself pondering more deeply about the relationship between humble-born scholars and noble families, the importance of imperial examinations, and expanding her thoughts to include the common people she had observed during her journey south... "In poverty, maintain personal integrity; in success, benefit all under heaven." When she was being pressured from all sides, she had no energy to consider these matters. Now that she had escaped that situation, she could see further.
This made her think of her father, the Emperor.
What perspective did her father, who had been convalescing deep in the palace, use to view them? In the Emperor's eyes, were their petty struggles utterly ridiculous? Were they all just chess pieces in the Emperor's hands, helping him achieve his predetermined goals...
Fang Tong said: "There's another matter. Vague news from Chang'an suggests that Gong Liu has found an overseas miracle doctor who can help slow the progression of His Majesty's illness. It's possible the Emperor could live one or two years longer."
Mu Wan Yao froze.
After a moment's thought, she said: "That's acceptable too."
Fang Tong continued: "Also... the Crown Prince has finally made his move. After remaining silent in the Eastern Palace for three years, his first action was to remove the military governor of Shannan from office, transferring the Shannan circuit's troops for his own use and replacing them entirely with his own people. Prince Qin naturally refuses to accept this. The official recusal policy was already giving Prince Qin headaches, and now with the Crown Prince taking advantage of the situation, Prince Qin has begun attacking the Crown Prince's faction in court."
"For example, the Yang family... all Yang family members serving in court have been impeached and continuously assigned to remote posts. Even Yang Sanlang - currently awaiting new appointment orders from the court - has been affected by the dispute between the Crown Prince and Prince Qin, causing his appointment to be delayed indefinitely."
Mu Wan Yao's eyes flickered slightly.
As she turned to speak, she suddenly heard a soft cry of "Father." Fang Tong looked embarrassed, seeing his young son peeking through the fence and waving at him. When Mu Wan Yao's ice-clear eyes turned toward him, the boy showed no fear, instead offering her a shy smile.
Before Fang Tong could sternly reprimand him, the boy came pattering over and carefully offered the princess a butterfly wrapped in his handkerchief. Blinking his eyes, he looked expectantly at Mu Wan Yao, hoping this butterfly might earn him praise from the beautiful princess.Fang Tong was rendered pale and flustered by his young son, fearing that Mu Wan Yao's sharp glare might frighten the child to tears. However, Mu Wan Yao sat gracefully with her skirts spread out, her sparkling eyes fixed on the butterfly the boy held up before her. Without changing her expression, she took it, and with a slight movement of her index finger, the butterfly came to rest on her jade-white, slender finger.
The colorful butterfly perched on the beauty's hand was a delightful sight.
Just as the boy was about to praise her, Mu Wan Yao flicked her finger lightly, and the butterfly flew away. The boy froze, then glanced uneasily at the princess. Mu Wan Yao's expression remained indifferent as she crumpled her handkerchief, then reached out with both hands to cover the child's ears, pressing them gently on either side.
Fang Tong stared in astonishment as Mu Wan Yao tilted her head toward him and said, "Such topics are unsuitable for a child. Continue."
Fang Tong glanced at his son, who was nestled against the princess, blushing fiercely. Feeling both anxious and amused, he cleared his throat and resumed discussing official matters: "In short, the Yang family has become a casualty in the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Qin. Yang Sanlang remains in Chang'an for now, and it's unclear what will become of him."
Mu Wan Yao replied, "The Crown Prince will make arrangements for him; there's no need for us to worry."
Fang Tong chuckled softly—he had mentioned it only because of the princess's close relationship with Yang Si. But such camaraderie held little weight in matters of principle and allegiance. The princess would not go easy on the Crown Prince for Yang Sanlang's sake, nor would the Crown Prince show leniency toward the princess because of Yang Si.
After a moment of thought, Mu Wan Yao smiled and said, "I initially feared that the issue of officials avoiding conflicts would unite the Crown Prince and Prince Qin against the common-born officials and target me. Unexpectedly, they've become entangled over military authority. All the better—this allows us to step aside and observe from the outside..."
Before she could finish her thought, the boy whose ears she had covered snuggled closer and exclaimed, "Your Highness, I think I heard a little! What are you talking about? I heard you say 'military'—are we going to war?"
Mu Wan Yao was startled, surprised that even covering his ears hadn't blocked the boy's sharp hearing. After a moment's reflection, she blamed Fang Tong for having his son practice martial arts from such a young age. As she lowered her hands from the boy's ears and was about to glare at Fang Tong, she noticed Yan Shang approaching outside the fence.
Yan Shang was being supported by a servant, with the dejected Han Shu Xing trailing behind.
Immediately, Mu Wan Yao exchanged a glance with Fang Tong, signaling that they should not discuss too much official business in front of Yan Shang. She then turned her gaze to Han Shu Xing behind Yan Shang and remarked sarcastically, "So eager to have him released? Did you seek my permission?"
Yan Shang entered the courtyard and, hearing Mu Wan Yao's voice, stopped in her direction and bowed respectfully. He said gently, "I brought Han Shu Xing to apologize to you, Your Highness. He acted foolishly and made a mistake, and after being confined for four or five days, I thought it time to release him. After all, I need assistance by my side."
Trained well by Yan Shang, Han Shu Xing knelt without prompting and kowtowed to Mu Wan Yao, muttering, "From now on, I will follow Your Highness's arrangements and never act on my own again."
Mu Wan Yao scoffed coldly, "How dare I make arrangements for you? In your eyes, only Yan Er matters—not me, Your Highness, does he?"
As Han Shu Xing started to defend himself, Yan Shang placed a hand on his shoulder, signaling that saying more would only worsen the situation and that someone not skilled in debate should not argue with a talented princess.Mu Wan Yao couldn't bring herself to vent her anger on Yan Shang, as she always felt somewhat guilty in his presence. Besides, he often endured grievances, and she couldn't bear to add to them. Instead, she directed her fury at Han Shu Xing, lashing out with sarcastic remarks that left not only Han Shu Xing flushed with embarrassment but even Fang Tong feeling the princess was being excessively harsh.
Fang Tong glanced over and thought Yan Erlang's composure was far more admirable. Even when the princess made indirect criticisms aimed at him, he acted as if he hadn't noticed. Yan Shang tilted his head slightly and, during a lull in the princess's tirade against Han Shu Xing, interjected, "I faintly heard a child's voice. Is there a child here?"
Mu Wan Yao's heart stirred.
She pulled Fang Tong's son into her embrace. The boy was mesmerized that this icy princess would actually hold him, while Fang Tong stared in stunned silence. Mu Wan Yao smiled faintly and turned to Yan Shang. "My son. Surprised?"
Yan Shang, his eyes covered by a white silk blindfold: "..."
He was momentarily speechless, stunned for a long while before managing to say, "Your Highness must be joking? You... you... are still an unmarried maiden..."
Mu Wan Yao enunciated each word clearly: "The child's father is you."
Yan Shang: "..."
His lips parted and closed, closed and then parted again as if to speak, but no words came out.
His mind was in turmoil. After several attempts to calm himself, he began calculating time and dates... but no matter how he counted, the timing didn't add up. Back then, he had been imprisoned for a full month, and before that, he and Mu Wan Yao had... but that time was interrupted halfway, he hadn't actually entered her.
Before that incident, they hadn't seen each other for half a year.
How could she possibly have been pregnant?
Moreover, Mu Wan Yao had told him she had difficulty conceiving—how could she have given birth to such a grown child? Yes, the child's age didn't match either...
Han Shu Xing, kneeling obediently beside Yan Shang and listening to the reprimand, could no longer contain his shock and looked up at Yan Erlang. Seeing Yan Shang's clean jawline, he suddenly understood everything—the reason why Yan Shang and Mu Wan Yao were so entangled—
These two had secretly conceived a child together, openly feuding while secretly carrying on their romance, deceiving him terribly.
Mu Wan Yao hugged the boy and sighed softly. "Second Brother Yan, are you denying your own son now?"
Yan Shang's brows furrowed slightly. After a long pause, he said somewhat hesitantly, "You're talking nonsense again."
Seeing his expression, Mu Wan Yao knew he was half-convinced. Deliberately teasing him, she wove a story half-true and half-false: "He really is your child. Did you think I had other lovers? Think back to when we were so close—what didn't we do?"
As she spoke, she shot a glare at Han Shu Xing, letting the shocked man hear that she and Yan Shang had a past relationship, so he needn't play the good guy.
Mu Wan Yao continued, "I was already pregnant back then, but you and I were quarreling at the time. I was so angry I didn't want to tell you. I suffered greatly to secretly give birth to your son, enduring years of hardship without complaint. Who would have thought that after we reunited, you wouldn't even ask about him—so heartless."
Yan Shang flushed red.
He had been somewhat half-convinced, wondering if he really might have had a child. But hearing Mu Wan Yao speak like this, he knew it was false. Probably some child happened to be playing near her, and she was using him to test Yan Shang.
Somewhat helpless, he said, "Stop playing around."Supported by his servant as he took his seat, Han Shu Xing felt he had gone too far and couldn't help saying: "Erlang, I've always stood by your side, you know that. I believe you must have unspeakable difficulties, but... how could you abandon your wife and child?"
Mu Wan Yao covered her mouth, suppressing a giggle: "Exactly! He did abandon his wife and child. Not to mention how carefree he is outside, he doesn't care at all about me crying my eyes out every day, how pitiful I am."
Yan Shang said to Han Shu Xing: "Your Highness and I cannot have children."
Then turning to Mu Wan Yao, he said softly: "Stop teasing Han Shu Xing."
After he "looked" at her, Mu Wan Yao's expression gradually cooled. His words were too absolute, making her unhappy. As she grew displeased, Yan Shang said: "Yao Yao, come here."
Mu Wan Yao didn't move. She was a princess - should she just go when told? Did someone have any awareness of being a prisoner?
Yan Shang whispered: "I have something to say to you that shouldn't be heard by others."
Mu Wan Yao paused, still tempted by his so-called secret. She said: "Fang Tong, all of you withdraw."
After everyone left the backyard and it was empty, she walked to Yan Shang and sat down before him. After a moment of silence, Yan Shang said: "I didn't want to say much to you originally, but... are you still concerned about the issue of heirs?"
Mu Wan Yao looked at him.
He said softly: "Don't worry about it anymore. Let it go, it's nothing."
Mu Wan Yao stared at him blankly, suddenly feeling guilty inside. She felt that by testing him like this, he had seen her inner turmoil and was instead comforting her. He must have the softest heart in the world.
Unable to restrain her emotions, she reached out to hold his hand, awkwardly wanting to discuss children with him and apologize... Yan Shang withdrew his hand, refusing to have a heart-to-heart with her.
He whispered: "I don't want to deal with you."
Mu Wan Yao: "...You've been angry for far too long!"
Yan Shang: "You show me so little respect, I cannot easily forgive you. If I forgive you easily, you'll dare to do this again next time."
Mu Wan Yao said angrily: "I'm a princess, is there anything I want that I can't get? Don't you know I'm a princess? What standards are you holding me to?"
Yan Shang looked up: "If you're with me, I'll devote my whole heart. I dare not say I'll always be right, but I'll try my best to restrain myself... At the same time, you must learn to respect me too. There are some things I can indulge you in, but you can't always have your own way and completely ignore my opinions."
Mu Wan Yao: "Who are you to demand that I consult you about everything?"
Yan Shang blushed but said firmly: "Your man. Isn't that right?"
"I don't demand you consult me about everything - you couldn't do that anyway. What I want is respect. You and I are two individuals - you can't force your will upon me."
Mu Wan Yao stared at him blankly, finally slumping her shoulders. Could she not have him? She refused to believe she couldn't have him!—
That night, when Mu Wan Yao carried a medicine bowl to visit Yan Shang's residence, under the lamplight, Yan Shang was sitting and talking with Fang Tong's son.
Mu Wan Yao knocked on the door from outside.
Yan Shang's gentle voice came from within: "I have important matters to attend to, please come back tomorrow."
Without waiting, Mu Wan Yao pushed the door open directly: "What 'please'? It's me, can't I just come in? Why the false courtesy?"
Yan Shang rubbed his temples and said softly: "Even with my false courtesy, I didn't stop you."
He spoke very casually.The boy sitting beside him was utterly astonished, never expecting the usually mild-tempered Yan Erlang to retort against Mu Wan Yao. Trembling, the boy glanced over and saw that Mu Wan Yao, who typically paid them no mind, merely raised an eyebrow at Yan Erlang's remark, showing no sign of anger.
Mu Wan Yao took her seat and scoffed at the child next to Yan Shang, "Why are you still here? You don't even realize you're being manipulated. Go find your father to play with."
Yan Shang's expression stiffened slightly. The boy, both timid and fond of the princess, scurried out the moment Mu Wan Yao spoke. Lowering her head, Mu Wan Yao placed the bowl of medicine Yan Shang was supposed to drink on the table in front of him. Taking advantage of his impaired vision, she didn't bother to hide her actions—right before his eyes, she added a few drops of liquid medicine to the bowl.
She casually stirred the medicinal porridge with a spoon, blending the added drops into the mixture.
Yan Shang murmured, "What 'manipulation'? Why are you spouting nonsense in front of the child?"
While stirring the medicine, Mu Wan Yao laughed carelessly, "I'm not a fool. I only let you meet Fang Tong's son this morning, and by evening, the child is in your room, calling you 'brother' so affectionately. I dare not underestimate Yan Erlang's charm that wins over everyone, young and old. Trapped as you are, unaware of outside news, even a child's words could be immensely useful to you."
She tilted her face toward him with a smile, "Am I right, Second Brother Yan?"
Yan Shang remained silent for a long time.
Mu Wan Yao chuckled softly, leaning gently against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Her light laughter made him turn his neck away, extremely uncomfortable, and he tried to push her aside. But she caught his hand, her fingers softly massaging his wrist. Yan Shang stiffened, instantly unable to bear it.
He bent his leg, shifting his sitting posture.
Mu Wan Yao, her forehead pressed against his shoulder, observed everything with downcast eyes. A sense of triumph filled her heart, and her voice was both husky and tender, "You're not even denying it. You're not trying to fool me by saying you just like children and have no ulterior motives."
Yan Shang whispered, "Even if I have other intentions, they're not malicious. I do genuinely like that child."
Mu Wan Yao said, "If there's anything you want to know, why manipulate a child? Why not just ask me directly?"
Yan Shang was taken aback, lowering his head to "look" at her, "You'd tell me?Mu Wan Yao closed her eyes, smiling faintly, "If you make me happy, I'll tell you.""
Yan Shang said softly, "So Your Highness is in the business of playing the benefactor."
Mu Wan Yao looked up at him, "In these past two days, you've insinuated things about me more times than in all the time we've known each other before."
Yan Shang blushed and tried to pull his hand away from hers, but she held on tight, so he let it be. He said, "I never like to speak ill of others, but Your Highness is too thick-skinned. I can't let it slide with you."
Mu Wan Yao smiled playfully, "So, am I very bad?"
Yan Shang replied, "Don't you know?"
Mu Wan Yao looked up at him as he bowed his head. She felt a pang of regret, thinking how much more fun it would be if he could see now. But since he couldn't, there were other ways to play. Indifferently, she pushed the medicinal porridge toward him.
She said, "Drink your porridge and medicine."
Yan Shang frowned and said, "What exactly are you giving me to drink every day? It tastes strange. I'm not sick; I don't need this. After drinking your medicine, I always feel unwell."Mu Wan Yao thought to herself that these were all highly nourishing ingredients. If you weren't feeling any discomfort, I'd truly suspect you had kidney deficiency.
She laughed: "I just can't bear seeing you so thin. How about this—you drink this medicine, and I'll tell you some answers you've been wanting to know?"
After a moment's hesitation, Yan Shang reached for the medicine bowl on the table. Mu Wan Yao grabbed his hand to stop him from touching it randomly. Just as his fingers brushed the bowl, she snatched it first, scooped a spoonful herself, then brought it to his mouth with her lips. Yan Shang stiffened, keeping his lips tightly sealed for a long while. Mu Wan Yao tugged at his sleeve, rubbing against him while making soft, coaxing noises.
Yan Shang grew increasingly flustered by her antics.
Finally, he opened his mouth to accept the medicine from her lips.
As they kissed, their tongues gently brushing past teeth, waves of tingling sensations made Yan Shang tighten his grip on Mu Wan Yao's arm.
After swallowing, he grumbled: "Being mischievous again."
Mu Wan Yao: "Right, you're so noble and virtuous, completely unaffected."
She reached down to explore, but this time, though the blind man couldn't see, he immediately caught her descending hand. Mu Wan Yao laughed so hard she collapsed against his shoulder, while Yan Shang flushed with anger: "I knew you'd do this. This isn't something I can control, yet you always tease me like this. If you had such a troublesome thing on your body, would I ever play with you like this?"
Mu Wan Yao: "Since I have this thing on me, you're destined to be pinned down and fucked. What right do you have to struggle? You should be grateful I'm a girl."
Yan Shang: "..."
He was utterly speechless, never imagining the princess who never uttered a crude word when they first met would come to this. Her path had twisted so drastically that Yan Shang momentarily wondered if it was his fault. Was there something wrong with him? Otherwise, why would Mu Wan Yao become increasingly unrestrained in her speech around him day by day? The few times he scolded her only made her worsen.
Dazed and humiliated, Yan Shang no longer wanted to engage in verbal sparring with her. He grabbed the medicine bowl and, ignoring Mu Wan Yao's protests, downed it in one gulp. Mu Wan Yao stared wide-eyed in shock as Yan Shang drank the medicinal porridge, his face contorted as if nauseated by the murky taste.
Mu Wan Yao grew anxious: "Are you alright?"
Could the medicine she prepared be consumed in one go like that?
Yan Shang endured for a moment before speaking in his normal tone: "You said if I drank the medicine, you'd tell me what I want to know. Right now, I want to know the situation in Chang'an."
Mu Wan Yao: "You're just a county magistrate of Rang County. Why care about Chang'an?"
Yan Shang grasped her hand resting on his, preventing her from moving. His Adam's apple bobbed as he said: "Why should you mind? Just tell me what I want to know. I didn't break my promise—I drank your medicine, so you shouldn't break yours either."
Mu Wan Yao sighed.
Casually, she relayed to Yan Shang the news Fang Tong had told her during the day. Watching him frown slightly, she felt both captivated by him and wary. The young Yan Shang from three years ago already had remarkable cunning—the current Yan Shang could only be more formidable.
Mu Wan Yao still couldn't understand why he remained as magistrate of Rang County. She'd wait and see.
Yan Shang said: "So, while His Majesty is well, the Crown Prince and Prince Qin are fighting intensely? Your Highness, having driven Prince Qin to such desperation, you must guard against a cornered beast's desperate lunge."
Mu Wan Yao played with his fingers, murmuring softly: "With Second Brother Yan here to help me, what do I have to fear?"
Yan Shang's Adam's apple moved slightly.He ignored her words and said, "It seems Your Highness has your own plans. I was overthinking. It's just that the Crown Prince and Prince Qin are fighting fiercely... yet I believe the possibility of them joining forces is also very high. The matter of officials recusing themselves ultimately benefits the humble-born scholars more. This situation cannot be left unguarded against."
Mu Wan Yao said, "Yang San is currently being pulled in both directions."
Yan Shang paused and said, "What a pity for Third Lad."
He struggled to ignore Mu Wan Yao's effect on him, but she kept fiddling with his hair one moment, then slipping her hand into his sleeve the next, pulling out everything inside. Yan Shang felt restless and agitated, finding the air in the room growing warm. As he suppressed these sensations, he grew even more fearful of her proximity.
Yan Shang’s voice was hoarse: “Your Highness, aren’t you leaving yet?”
Mu Wan Yao looked up: “You get what you want to know and then drive me away? How heartless.”
Yan Shang countered gently: “It was merely a transaction—I drank the medicine, you told me the situation. How is that heartless?”
Mu Wan Yao chuckled softly, releasing his arm and standing up. As the lingering fragrance of the young woman faded from his senses, Yan Shang breathed a sigh of relief, discreetly wiping the sweat from his forehead. Suddenly, Mu Wan Yao turned back, leaned down, hooked his chin, and gazed at him.
She knew exactly what she was doing, whispering lightly: “Your face is terribly red. What’s wrong with you?”
Yan Shang was silent for a moment: “...Perhaps it’s a bit hot.”
Mu Wan Yao gave a light laugh.
Yan Shang suddenly realized something, hesitating slightly: “You... did you put something in the medicinal porridge?”
In response, Mu Wan Yao gently brushed her nose against his.
As she moved away, his face flushed even deeper, nearly crimson. He braced his hands on the table, his arms trembling slightly. He scolded her: “Give me the antidote! This is reckless!”
Mu Wan Yao looked surprised: “For something like this, what antidote is there?”
Yan Shang grabbed her arm, his head bowed as sweat beaded more densely on his forehead. After enduring for a while, his voice grew even hoarser as he spoke: “Get out.”
Mu Wan Yao sat down beside him, pressing against his arm. She, too, felt somewhat confused, her face heating up. She narrowed her eyes and smiled, saying: “If I leave, would you bear it?”
She added: “You should say, ‘Come here.’”
Yan Shang reached out to touch her face, his own temperature so high he could hardly feel it, his voice slightly hurried: “Your voice sounds off... What’s wrong with you?”
Mu Wan Yao closed her eyes, leaning against his shoulder, surprised that his self-control was so strong he could still detect the change in her voice. Feeling stifled and restless, she let out a soft whimper, like a sob, and buried her face in his neck, kissing the sweat there.
His veins throbbed violently, his grip on her arm tightening.
Struggling to compose himself, he heard Mu Wan Yao murmur: “The drug was in the medicinal porridge.”
Yan Shang understood instantly: “So... you drank it too?”
He was exasperated: “Why drag yourself into this when you were just toying with me?”
Mu Wan Yao cooed: “I was afraid the medicinal effect would be too strong for you, so I kindly shared a bit. Besides, if you were the only one affected and you took it out on me... I’d definitely be in agony, I’d cry. I don’t want that.
“If you won’t touch me, just let me die.”
Yan Shang was momentarily speechless.
Mu Wan Yao kept her eyes closed but could hear his breathing growing heavy.
After a long while, she felt a kiss on her lips and opened her eyes. A drop of sweat fell on her cheek as she looked up to see the elegant gentleman leaning down to embrace her. He held her in his arms, gently kissing her face and her lips.
His features, bathed in the dim lamplight, appeared almost sacred.
He pressed his face to hers, his lips flushed red, and whispered: “Come here, Yao Yao.”
—
The moon hung high in the sky, its light shining everywhere.
That night, in a post station on the way to Jinling, spring passions flowed like wine, while far away, over eight thousand li from Chang’an, in the ancient kingdom of Gu Hu, a wedding was taking place.
It was the wedding of a king.He married a foreign woman named Zhao Lingfei.
The King of Guhu received the envoys from Great Wei. While openly meeting with Great Wei's diplomats, they had secretly contacted the Southern Barbarians and pledged allegiance to them. The King of Guhu launched a military coup in the city, imprisoning all the Great Wei envoys, intending to send them as gifts to the Southern Barbarians.
One of the Great Wei envoys, exceptionally brave and skilled in combat, left a deep impression on the King of Guhu. He wanted to persuade this warrior to abandon Great Wei and remain in Guhu to serve him. However, he soon discovered that this warrior was not a man, but a woman named Zhao Lingfei.
Thus, he naturally decided to force her into marriage.
Late at night, Guhu was adorned with red silk, filled with joyous celebrations. Zhao Lingfei was dressed as a princess consort and seated in a palace deep within the royal court. All her weapons had been confiscated, yet she sat there unperturbed, waiting for an opportunity.
The palace doors opened, and footsteps approached from afar.
Zhao Lingfei waited until the person stood by the bedside and lifted the red veil covering her face. Clenching her fists, she mentally prepared herself to endure humiliation for the greater cause, to use this marriage to help the Great Wei envoys escape—but when she looked up, she froze.
The person wearing royal robes before her was not the King of Guhu, but the familiar Wei Shu. After three or four years of relying on each other through life and death, how could she not recognize him?
Wei Shu, who should have already fled Guhu and returned to Great Wei to seek help.
Red candles burned brightly, wax dripping like tears. Outside the hall, palace attendants came and went, while inside, the vast space remained quiet and empty. Sitting by the bed, Zhao Lingfei stared at him in disbelief, lowering her voice and urgently asking, "Didn't we agree that you would go to Great Wei for help? How dare you..."
Wei Shu looked down at her and said, "I left, but I came back.
"As a citizen of Great Wei, how could I watch my compatriots suffer while I alone escape? As a man, how could I stand by and let a woman sacrifice her marriage just to buy me a chance?
"Especially you... You traveled thousands of miles to escape a marriage alliance—was it just to marry someone else?
"Let's escape together. This place is eight thousand li from Chang'an, beyond Great Wei's reach... Lingfei, we must rely on ourselves."
OpenNovel