The Yan family had come to Chang'an solely for Yan Shang's wedding. After the banquet concluded, Yan Father, feeling both relieved and bittersweet, declared it was time to return to Lingnan. Yan Shang was reluctant to part; having not seen his family for years, he felt deeply ashamed that their reunion was so brief.
At times, a bold thought crossed his mind—that his Eldest Brother could stay in Chang'an. If Eldest Brother remained, their father would surely follow, and since the family was undivided, Third Brother’s household would naturally stay as well. Their younger sister, unmarried, would also remain with them.
Yet such thoughts were fleeting, quickly dismissed by Yan Shang himself. Chang'an was a treacherous place, and he and Mu Wan Yao were already treading carefully amidst the turmoil. His family, accustomed to the straightforward lifestyle of Lingnan, understood nothing of politics. Remaining in Chang'an would easily make them pawns in the hands of political rivals...
Eldest Brother, with his honest and simple nature, was ill-suited for Chang'an. Third Brother, though a jinshi, only sought to discreetly engage in trade under that title and had no desire for an official post. Forcing them to stay would only harm them.
Thus, Yan Shang merely persuaded his family to extend their stay in Chang'an for a few more days, reasoning that delaying their return to Lingnan a little longer would do no harm.
As Yan Shang’s new wife, Mu Wan Yao, regardless of her usual conduct, was determined to play the role of the devoted daughter-in-law at this time, ensuring Yan Shang’s family felt comfortable in Chang'an and experienced her meticulous care.
For the sake of appearances, Mu Wan Yao had recently refrained from hosting banquets at their residence and had limited her meetings with officials—though Yan Shang’s family would never openly comment, she feared Yan Father might deem her unfitting as a wife, unworthy of his son.
And so, by the tenth month, Yan Shang’s family was still in Chang'an.
In that same month, Yang Si, the third son of the Yang family, finally received the outcome of his half-year reassignment. The central authorities dispatched him to the Youzhou border to fight and defend the frontier. Appointed as a general, Yang Si left Chang'an to take up his post in Youzhou.
Compared to his humble departure for Longyou last time, this journey was accompanied by numerous attendants. Yet, while his father had seen him off at the city gates before, the Yang family was now embroiled in the political strife between the Crown Prince and Prince Qin, overwhelmed and unable to spare the mood to bid him farewell.
Mu Wan Yao would not see him off either—after the Ministry of Revenue incident, she and the Crown Prince stood on opposing sides. As cold-hearted as Mu Wan Yao was, she would not allow any room for speculation.
Nevertheless, at the gates of Chang'an, someone still came to send off Yang Si.
In the dim light of dawn, with a thin mist lingering, Yang Si stood on the city tower, arms slung over the shoulders of several young generals, all reeking of alcohol. Set to depart that day, he had caroused with them in the Pleasure Quarter until drunk the night before. Now, these generals, on duty rotation, had specially come to the tower to see him off.
Slurring their words, they thumped their chests and assured Yang Si, "Don’t worry, Third Lang. We’ve got your back. If anything happens at home, we’ll send word right away—we won’t keep you in the dark!"
"Exactly! Focus on fighting in Youzhou. We’ll keep an eye on things in Chang'an for you!"
Yang Si grinned blearily, patting their shoulders and holding their hands as he spoke at length. Just as the atmosphere on the tower swirled with melancholy and unwavering loyalty, one of Yang Si’s attendants hurried up the steps: "Third Lang."Yang Si turned around, his handsome yet stern face tinged with a faint flush, appearing heavily intoxicated. Yet when he glanced back, his gaze was sharp and clear, devoid of any drunkenness.
His attendant hesitated before speaking: "...A young lady has come to see off Sanlang."
Yang Si’s eyes momentarily went blank.
His rowdy friends behind him curiously slung an arm over his shoulder: "Sanlang, could it be your sweetheart? Not very considerate of you—we’ve never heard a word about her. Aren’t you going to introduce us?"
Yang Si turned and smiled: "Yan Erlang’s younger sister. Do you dare provoke her?"
The group of drunkards shuddered, falling silent at once. Yan Suchen’s reputation in Chang’an... was built upon one ruthless incident after another. Three years ago, after the Ministry of Revenue case, the entire officialdom of Chang’an had grown somewhat fearful of Yan Suchen. Now that Yan Suchen had returned to Chang’an... even Prince Qin, who had once collaborated well with Yan Shang, felt a twinge of apprehension.
Since his marriage, Yan Suchen had subtly taken on the role of leading the common-born officials. The noble families watched cautiously, not daring to provoke him. After all, Yan Suchen now served in the Ministry of Personnel—the ministry regarded as the foremost among the six. With such an important department helmed by a figure like Yan Suchen, officials in Chang’an lately found themselves weighing their own standing before taking any action.
Who would dare provoke Yan Suchen’s sister?
Yang Si dismissed them and descended the stairs with his attendant. His steps showed no sign of unsteadiness, and the further he went, the clearer his mind became, though his heart grew heavier.
Dawn had not yet broken, and the city gates remained closed. Yang Si stood beneath the gate tower, watching as a young lady, after handing her horse’s reins to her maid, gracefully approached from near the corner tower. In the morning light, the hem of her pale yellow skirt fluttered slightly. Her eyes sparkled like glass, her lips were tinted peach-red, and her entire being exuded a freshness akin to an orchid in a valley, still adorned with dewdrops.
Yang Si watched silently as Yan Xiaozhou, a gentle smile gracing her lips, stopped before him.
Her features were delicate and graceful, her eyes holding a playful, spirited glint of youth. She cupped her hands in a salute, smiling brightly: "I heard Sanlang is being promoted to a high position in Youzhou, to protect our homeland and defend our borders. A man’s aspirations lie in all directions—I deeply admire you for that. It’s a pity you didn’t tell me when you were leaving, so I had to guess the timing myself to see you off."
She looked up, smiling: "I guessed right."
The light in the young girl’s eyes was soft, secretly pleased, and tinged with expectation as she gazed at him—as if awaiting his praise.
Yang Si was reminded of that night’s conversation with the Crown Prince, and his heart grew even heavier.
He said tonelessly: "You’ve always been clever."
Yan Xiaozhou gave him a puzzled glance, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, unable to comprehend why his attitude had changed so drastically from before. Was he upset that she hadn’t told him her brother was Yan Shang? Did he dislike her brother... just as the rumors in Chang’an claimed—that her brother had stolen the princess, who was originally Yang Sanlang’s childhood sweetheart, and that Yang Sanlang deeply resented him?
Yang Si turned his face slightly, gazing at the crimson sun on the horizon, and asked: "What did you come to see me for?"
Yan Xiaozhou bit her lip, lowered her head, and retrieved a string of golden bells from the pouch hanging at her waist. Her ivory-white skin flushed under the morning sun’s glow. Clutching the golden bells, she extended them toward him, her head bowed as she said softly: "For you."
Yang Si lowered his gaze, looking at the string of bells and her slender, pale fingers.
He clasped his hands behind his back, his fingers curling into fists, trembling faintly. Yet his expression remained stern and cold as ever. He stared at the bells for a long time but did not reach out to take them.The blush on Yan Xiaozhou's face faded, replaced by a pallid hue. She lifted her dark, clear eyes to gaze at him, yet her hand remained stubbornly outstretched, refusing to withdraw the bell.
Yan Xiaozhou whispered, "You said that on the day we first met, you heard my voice, and ever since, you felt only my voice could awaken you. Of course, I cannot give you my voice, so I offer you this string of bells... as a keepsake."
Yang Si watched her for a long while.
Before the city gate tower, there was no one else, only the two of them standing there foolishly. The maidservant waiting for Yan Xiaozhou had grown angry at Yang Si's indifferent attitude and wanted to urge her mistress to leave. Yet, Yan Xiaozhou still did not retract her hand.
Yang Si said slowly, "Xiaozhou, this time I am going to Youzhou to get married."
Yan Xiaozhou's hand trembled slightly as she held out the bell, her face turning even paler. She forced a faint smile, lowering her eyes, and murmured, "Then... that's wonderful... I wish you happiness. I mean nothing else by this. Please take the bell, consider it a memento from an old friend."
Yang Si hardened his heart. "I cannot let my future wife misunderstand."
Yan Xiaozhou kept her eyes downcast. "I do not take back what I give. My feelings are not wrong; it is you who led me to misunderstand. Take the bell, throw it away, smash it—do as you wish. I have given it, and I have no regrets... I only seek to see things through to the end."
Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and thrust the bell fiercely into his palm. Yang Si stepped forward, but Yan Xiaozhou turned and walked away toward her maidservant. She did not look back, yet Yang Si, with his keen sight, saw the mist of tears welling in her eyes as she turned her face aside... His heart ached as if pierced by thorns.
But Yang Sanlang of Chang'an had no true freedom; every indulgence came with conditions and someone to bear the consequences. Since he had accepted others' kindness with a clear conscience, he could not shirk his responsibilities. Moreover, his years of camaraderie with the Crown Prince... how could they be false?
Yang Si took a deep breath, clenched the golden bell in his hand, and turned toward the city gate. His expression cold and unfeeling, he barked at his attendants, "Open the gate! Let's go—"
Yan Xiaozhou rode back to the residence, her heart heavy with sorrow all the way.
She bowed her head, tears streaming ceaselessly, her handkerchief unable to wipe them dry. It was the first time she had liked a young man, and it was he who had pursued her... Yet now, the joy of these past months, the unspoken understanding and ambiguity, felt like a lie.
Perhaps Yang Si had unavoidable reasons; perhaps he had merely been toying with her and dared not continue once he discovered she was Yan Shang's sister... Whatever the reason, her love had withered.
As Yan Xiaozhou entered the lane where the Princess Residence was located, she hastily tidied her appearance with her maidservant. She was returning to the residence where Yan Shang had previously lived, now converted for the Yan family, and she feared her family would notice she had been crying and worry about her. Of course, she had to dry her tears.
When Yan Xiaozhou dismounted at the residence gate, she encountered Mu Wan Yao emerging from the Princess Residence.
Mu Wan Yao held a feather fan, swaying gracefully as she stepped out. She covered half her face with a round fan, her gaze soft and alluring, her hair styled like clouds and mist, adorned with pearls and emeralds, draped in silks and satins.
This princess sister-in-law of Yan Xiaozhou's was always exquisitely radiant, shining like a bright pearl wherever she stood.Yan Xiaozhou quickly straightened up and respectfully greeted her sister-in-law. She instinctively felt a sense of awe toward her sister-in-law, perhaps because Mu Wan Yao was a princess, or perhaps because Mu Wan Yao had been strict with her when she was young... In any case, Yan Xiaozhou wished she could treat her sister-in-law like a revered Bodhisattva.
Mu Wan Yao had been planning to wander over to the neighboring residence to chat with the Yan family and shamelessly stay for lunch. Since Yan Shang was working at the Ministry of Personnel and wouldn't be back, Mu Wan Yao intended to make the most of getting along with Yan Shang's family.
Mu Wan Yao glanced at Yan Xiaozhou and stopped in her tracks: "Why are you crying?"
Yan Xiaozhou trembled: "...I'm not."
Mu Wan Yao frowned: "Your makeup has smeared from crying, and you still say you're not?"
Yan Xiaozhou was bewildered, unsure how her sister-in-law had detected it with such sharp eyes. Even her maid had assured her it wasn't noticeable.
As Yan Xiaozhou was contemplating how to lie and evade her sister-in-law's questioning, Mu Wan Yao rested her cheek on her feather fan and had a sudden thought. As Yan Shang's most beloved younger sister, if she played the role of a considerate sister-in-law, wouldn't she be able to claim credit with Yan Shang?
Immediately, Mu Wan Yao showed seven parts genuine concern for her sister-in-law by marriage: "Quick, come back to my residence with me to wash your face and redo your makeup. If you return home looking like this, your father-in-law and your brothers and sisters-in-law will worry."
Yan Xiaozhou hastily declined, but Mu Wan Yao gave her no chance to refuse. The maids coaxed and escorted the young lady back to the Princess Residence. Meanwhile, Mu Wan Yao glanced at Yan Xiaozhou's confused maid and signaled Qiu Si with her eyes, instructing her to extract information and find out why Yan Xiaozhou had been crying.
Thus, half an hour later, Mu Wan Yao was firmly embracing Yan Xiaozhou, sympathetically discussing matters of the heart with her sister-in-law. At first, Yan Xiaozhou refused to admit anything, but after Mu Wan Yao tricked her a few times, she finally relented. After all, she was a young lady who had never experienced romance—how could she compare to her sister-in-law's wealth of experience?
Especially when her sister-in-law gritted her teeth alongside her: "Yang Si is such a scoundrel! I warned him long ago not to lay a hand on you, yet he still couldn't control himself and didn't discuss it with me! That scoundrel—I'll help you curse him together!"
Yan Xiaozhou, who had just calmed down, was stirred to tears again by Mu Wan Yao. Mu Wan Yao probed indirectly, and Yan Xiaozhou, sobbing and choking, couldn't hold back any longer.
She lifted her pale, powdered face, her eyelashes sticking together, and asked in confusion: "Sister-in-law, was I truly played with?"
Mu Wan Yao hesitated.
Yan Xiaozhou possessed a sensitivity similar to Yan Shang's, and she noticed the slight pause in Mu Wan Yao's expression. Yan Xiaozhou whispered: "Sister-in-law, does Third Brother have some unspeakable difficulty? Sister-in-law, please tell me. I won't cling to him—I just want to understand where I went wrong."
Mu Wan Yao remained silent for a long while before slowly explaining in terms Yan Xiaozhou could understand: "Xiaozhou, you and your Third Brother have been in Chang'an for over half a year now. Can you understand that the situation in Chang'an is extremely volatile? People like me, your brother, and Yang Sanlang... all of us are caught in circumstances beyond our control. Every decision we make affects more than just ourselves."
Yan Xiaozhou seemed to grasp something: "Sister-in-law, are you saying someone told Third Brother to stay away from me? Is it..."
Suddenly, she understood: "Sister-in-law, do you and my brother both wish for me to keep my distance from Yang Sanlang?"Mu Wan Yao widened her eyes in amazement, thinking to herself that Yan Shang’s sister was truly quick-witted.
Frowning, Mu Wan Yao said, “I’ve only just learned about you and Yang San. Your brother probably doesn’t even know yet. Our attitude… is actually quite accepting. While marriage alliances are often a reflection of one’s stance, they aren’t entirely so. And someone like your brother—he likely cares more about your well-being than anything else.
“But Xiaozhou, you must understand, most people in Chang’an are not like your brother.
“Yang San and I grew up together, so I must speak fairly on his behalf. He is not the type to toy with a young woman’s affections. If his attitude has been inconsistent, it can only mean one of two things: either the Yang family refuses to form a marriage alliance with us, or the Crown Prince has ordered him to refuse. In either case, issues arising from political stances are problems between two families, not just between two individuals.”
Yan Xiaozhou lowered her gaze.
She whispered, “Then, did you and my brother marry solely because your stances aligned, for the sake of an alliance?”
Mu Wan Yao immediately stood up and exclaimed, “Of course not!”
Startled, Yan Xiaozhou flinched.
Mu Wan Yao softened her tone and said gently, “Your brother married me—a princess—because he adores me deeply. We are naturally different from others.”
Yan Xiaozhou was taken aback. Seeing Mu Wan Yao declare without a hint of embarrassment that her brother was infatuated with her, the princess’s frankness made Yan Xiaozhou blush with secondhand embarrassment, leaving her speechless for a long while.
After a moment, Yan Xiaozhou steered the conversation back to Yang Si and said wistfully, “He didn’t betray me. I don’t blame him anymore.”
Mu Wan Yao comforted her sister-in-law thoroughly and, seeing her spirits lift somewhat, linked arms with her to head next door for lunch. Though Yan Xiaozhou felt slightly overwhelmed by her sister-in-law’s eagerness to build a good relationship, she composed herself and resolved to help her sister-in-law as much as she could.
Back at the Yan residence, when Yan Father and the others heard that Danyang Princess had come again, they exchanged wry smiles—ah, a princess.
But of course, they couldn’t refuse.
Thus, the family gathered for lunch, with the exception of Yan Shang. Though there was a natural distance between Mu Wan Yao and the others, Yan Xiaozhou’s witty remarks helped lighten the atmosphere, making the meal somewhat bearable.
However, a minor incident occurred midway through the meal.
Mu Wan Yao choked on a bite of food and turned aside, coughing into her handkerchief. Her maids were stationed outside the room, and as the princess coughed, the wife of the third son, seated beside her, panicked and hurriedly poured wine for her.
Still coughing, Mu Wan Yao forgot who was beside her and snapped as if speaking to her own maid, “Why offer wine? Can’t you see I’m coughing? Remove this dish—it’s inedible now.”
The wife of the eldest son promptly complied and busied herself with the task.
The wife of the third son then patted Mu Wan Yao’s back, while the wife of the eldest son took the handkerchief the princess handed over as a matter of course and offered a fresh one. Yan Xiaozhou cleverly jumped up to brew tea for her sister-in-law.
The other men of the Yan family stood up as well, hovering around the princess in a fluster, anxiously expressing their concern.
When Mu Wan Yao finally recovered, she sighed in relief, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and turned to face the group… only to find the two sisters-in-law kneeling at her feet like maids attending to her, the three men standing like servants awaiting her instructions, and Yan Xiaozhou holding a pot of tea ready for her to rinse her mouth.
Mu Wan Yao: “…”Her face flushed crimson, deeply mortified by her own behavior of treating Yan Shang's family members as servants.
The Yan family, belatedly realizing the situation, grew equally flustered. The sisters-in-law awkwardly returned to their seats while the men remained speechless. It was Yan Father who finally broke the silence with a stiff question: "Your Highness, shall... shall we continue with this meal?"
Mu Wan Yao despaired at failing to be a good daughter-in-law, yet could only grit her teeth and say, "We shall!"—
While Mu Wan Yao struggled to fulfill her role as a good daughter-in-law, Yan Shang was summoned to the palace by the Emperor. Since returning to the capital, he had frequently been called for imperial audiences. The Emperor used him as a tool, deploying him wherever needed, and Yan Shang had grown accustomed to this.
But on this day, Yan Shang hadn't even managed to eat lunch before being summoned. Yet upon his arrival, the Emperor didn't receive him immediately.
Yan Shang waited approximately half an hour until the Emperor finished his afternoon nap before being admitted to the hall.
After being granted a seat, the Emperor finished his daily medicine with intermittent coughs. Yan Shang sat in the lower position while the Emperor reclined in his lounge chair, gazing sideways at the rustling autumn maples outside the window. Slowly, the Emperor remarked, "Another year approaches its end. When the leaves have all fallen, it will be over. Life's fleeting decades likely follow a similar pattern."
Yan Shang responded gently, "Why such melancholy, Your Majesty? With heaven's favor and the care of overseas physicians, Your Majesty is destined for long life and enduring reign."
The Emperor smiled wryly, "Many can't wait for my demise."
Yan Shang offered further gentle consolation.
His manner of speaking remained consistently gracious. Though the Emperor knew this man might not harbor genuine affection for him, speech reflected one's cultivation. Yan Shang's eloquent words gradually softened the Emperor's expression. The Emperor chuckled lightly, "Now I understand what Yao Yao sees in you."
Yan Shang sat silently, his eyelashes fluttering faintly.
The Emperor continued, "Who wouldn't appreciate someone with pleasing appearance and agreeable manners?"
The Emperor's words implied Yan Shang was merely a pet kept by Mu Wan Yao, expected to wag his tail and beg for favor.
Without changing expression, Yan Shang modestly said, "I am unworthy of such praise."
The Emperor's contemplative gaze shifted from Yan Shang's face. The young man's unwavering composure earned the Emperor's silent admiration. In his healthier days, the Emperor might have enjoyed sparring with such a youth. But now... regarding someone like Yan Shang, the Emperor felt apprehension.
He needed to use this man, yet feared he couldn't control him.
The Emperor smiled faintly, his eyes drifting to the window as he fell into reminiscence: "I haven't many children, and Yao Yao has always been my most beloved daughter. Until she turned fifteen, she grew up immersed in honey, cherished by me and her mother. We raised her in naive innocence, unacquainted with worldly affairs. If possible, we would have wished her to remain so forever.
"But as a princess, when the nation requires, she must contribute her share."
Yan Shang listened in silence.
The Emperor's expression shifted from tenderness to sternness: "I never regretted sending her for Peace Marriage. She sacrificed for Great Wei, and the entire empire shall remember her gratitude. This is her duty as princess—even as the Empress's daughter, what must be done shall be done.
"My only heartache is that the Black Barbarians remain uncivilized, crude and savage. During her over two years of Peace Marriage, Yao Yao ruined her health there. My daughter can no longer bear children. She is no longer a complete woman!"
Yan Shang slowly lifted his gaze to observe the heartbroken Emperor.As the Emperor spoke with growing agitation, he was once again seized by violent coughing fits. The chief eunuch at his side hurriedly patted his back, anxiously urging His Majesty to remain calm. But the Emperor paid no heed, sighing as he confided to Yan Shang about his daughter's inability to bear children, tears streaming down his face... The Emperor then turned his gaze to Yan Shang.
He saw Yan Shang's expression remained tranquil.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes: "You know?"
Yan Shang felt weary, sighing softly in his heart.
He could clearly see the Emperor's cold indifference and cruelty. The Emperor's hypocritical posturing seemed utterly ridiculous in Yan Shang's eyes. Yet this was the Emperor—even though Yan Shang cared little about these matters, he could never question an emperor... He merely felt bone-deep exhaustion during every brief encounter with the sovereign.
Yan Shang replied: "Your servant knows that Your Highness cannot bear children."
The Emperor was stunned, never expecting Mu Wan Yao would confide even this to Yan Shang. He couldn't comprehend why these two would still marry if Mu Wan Yao had revealed such intimate matters. Did Yan Shang need Mu Wan Yao's influence? Could he endure this for the sake of power?
The Emperor's expression turned cold: "In that case, I'll skip the pleasantries. I dote on Yao Yao most and cannot bear to see her wronged. As her Imperial Son-in-Law, you should share both her glory and disgrace. She cannot bear children, but you can. I fear you might keep a mistress outside, secretly father children, and return to torment my Yao Yao.
"As a father, I must stand up for Yao Yao."
After a long silence, Yan Shang said: "What does Your Majesty require of me? To swear I'll only have Her Highness as my woman for life?"
The Emperor smiled faintly with indifference.
He declared: "I don't believe in oaths. I'll have the imperial physician bring a bowl of sterilization soup. Drink it, and I'll trust you."
Yan Shang remained silent for a long time.
He said: "Very well."——
Liu Wenji returned from the military training grounds outside the palace, drenched in sweat. While changing clothes in a palace chamber, a young eunuch whispered a few words in his ear. Liu Wenji's expression shifted, and he immediately headed back out of the palace.
—It seemed the old Emperor's illness was worsening.
To sterilize Yan Shang!
Just because his own daughter couldn't bear children, he'd make others heirless too?
Was this the royal family's logic?
Standing under the blazing sun, Liu Wenji wrestled with anxiety before deciding to try approaching Mu Wan Yao—if she could be so heartless toward her own husband, then there was nothing more to say.
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