Tigers Sniff the Rose

Under the warm autumn sun, dense shade blanketed the ground, with shadows of branches and leaves floating on the water, light and shadow flickering.

At Princess Danyang's residence, the Imperial Son-in-Law was unusually free from official duties and stayed home all day, which the servants found quite novel. Yet, staying home was not as dull as Yan Shang had imagined. Dragged by Mu Wan Yao to play, he had been almost inseparable from the princess for several days.

Afternoon light fell upon the warm pavilion at the lake's center, its windows open on all sides. Moisture condensed in the air but was veiled by the gauzy curtains inside, obscuring the view within.

Yan Shang had been pulled into this pavilion by Mu Wan Yao since noon, and an hour had already passed. Boats were tethered to the railings on all sides of the pavilion, and the maids had been dismissed to the lakeshore, leaving no one aware of what the two were doing inside.

They were, in fact, painting.

Mu Wan Yao's dress was gathered at her waist, her shoulders bared to reveal snow-white skin, her dark, lush hair cascading over the couch. With one hand holding back her elegant locks and the other propping herself up on the couch, she bit her red lips lightly, her watery eyes misty as she gazed down at the flowering vines winding and blooming from her heart. The wolf hair brush gently traced over her chest, its cool touch against her delicate skin causing the petals to tremble and the leaves to sway.

Mu Wan Yao frowned and let out a soft moan, like a sigh.

Her piled-up clothes resembled clusters of flowers and surging moonlight, while Yan Shang sat before her, brush in hand. At her soft hum, his hand paused slightly, and he lifted his gaze to look at her.

Mu Wan Yao blinked at him, her lashes dark and eyes clear, exuding a charming, playful allure.

Yan Shang's lashes fluttered, and he averted his gaze. His face flushed crimson, for even without looking at her face, his eyes had nowhere to rest—whether on her blushing brows and eyes, her jade-like skin, or the swaying flowers blooming from her heart.

Magnificent peonies, brought to life by Yan Shang's brush, swayed and trembled from Mu Wan Yao's chest, a sight of breathtaking grandeur.

Such overwhelming beauty made Yan Shang's hand, holding the wolf hair brush, tremble slightly. Yet, to paint, he had no choice but to look.

Yan Shang murmured as if chiding her, "It's just painting. Why are you moaning?"

As if he had done something to her.

Mu Wan Yao retorted sharply, "It's just painting. Why are you reacting so strongly?"

Without restraint, she reached out to rub below his waist, but he blocked her hand. Yan Shang lowered his eyes. "...We're painting. Don't mess around."

Mu Wan Yao stared at him and couldn't help but laugh. Others might consider painting a beauty a romantic affair, but for Yan Shang, it seemed like torment. He worried the painting might not turn out well, ruining her beautiful chest; he feared the pigments might be toxic, harming her body; he was anxious she might move recklessly, and that his hand might shake.

He had no talent for enjoying such pleasures.

Mu Wan Yao leaned forward and snatched the wolf hair brush from Yan Shang's hand. He looked up to find her already nestling against him. Yan Shang hurriedly wrapped her in a light silk cloth, saying, "Don't mess around. The painting isn't finished yet."

Mu Wan Yao draped one arm over his shoulder and with the other hand brought a golden cup of wine to his lips. She urged him with a smile, "Have a drink."

Yan Shang replied softly, "I shouldn't drink carelessly. I get drunk easily, and when drunk, I can't remember things."

Mu Wan Yao's eyes sparkled with amusement, thinking to herself that was exactly what she wanted.

Mu Wan Yao: "What does it matter if you get drunk?"

Yan Shang: "You're always reckless. If we both get drunk, with no one to control us, it'll be a disaster."

He had intended to dissuade her from drinking, but instead, his words made her eyes light up.

Mu Wan Yao said eagerly, "Would we both go wild together? Bring it on."

She coaxed him, "I love seeing you go wild with me. Stop holding back. Let's play."A princess of noble stature, yet she behaved like a rogue in private. Mu Wan Yao persistently pressed the wine cup to his lips, and Yan Shang helplessly took a small sip before continuing to resist, "I can't drink anymore. If I drink too much, my hands will tremble, and I won't be able to paint well."

Mu Wan Yao scolded him, "Is the painting what matters?"

Yan Shang stared at her chest, but after a moment, feeling his gaze was too direct, he averted his eyes, his heart pounding. He had already been forced to drink several times by Mu Wan Yao and was somewhat muddled, barely holding on. Yan Shang fretted, "Don't be reckless. You'll ruin the painting."

Mu Wan Yao grumbled, "All you care about is the painting!"

She tossed the wine cup aside. Yan Shang's brow twitched as his eyes followed the cup she had thrown out the window, but before he could react, she had already wrapped her arms around him, covering his face with messy, saliva-filled kisses. She kissed him like a child—unrestrained and chaotic. Yan Shang's heart softened, and he couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

He held her and lifted her slightly higher.

Yan Shang whispered, "Didn't you say you wanted me to paint peonies? I'm painting for you, and you're still not happy?"

Mu Wan Yao pouted, "Didn't we agree that I would teach you how to have fun? Why aren't you cooperating? Who told you to finish the painting so quickly... Second Brother Yan, are the flowers beautiful?"

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her chin gesturing toward the snow-white, jade-like skin below her neck. His face flushed deeply, likely from being forced to drink too much. Unable to form a proper response, he simply gazed at her and smiled, murmuring after a long pause, "Beautiful."

Mu Wan Yao's heart swelled with joy, and she pushed him down to lie on the floor.

Yan Shang propped his head up with his hand and said, "I think I'm a little drunk."

Mu Wan Yao coaxed him, "It doesn't matter if you're drunk. It's just you and me here—no one will see you in this state."

Yan Shang wrapped his arms around her waist, his cheeks burning as he looked at her with tender, watery eyes, full of affection. Handsome, gentle, and refined, he lay there like a jade tree leaning in the wind, easily toppled by a single push. And with those dazed, adoring eyes that seemed to drown in love, who could resist such a gaze?

Mu Wan Yao's heart raced, and she blushed under his gaze. Overflowing with happiness, she rested her chin in her hands and grinned foolishly back at him.

Like a child, she nestled into his embrace and puckered her red lips, saying, "Second Brother, kiss me."

Yan Shang chuckled, "Aren't we supposed to be painting?"

Mu Wan Yao insisted, "Kiss me first."

Yan Shang held her close and gently pressed his lips to hers. His kiss, like his demeanor, was gentle, warm, soft, and sweet. Mu Wan Yao's face burned crimson as she closed her eyes and smiled—innocent and pure, yet bold and unrestrained. She pointed to her chest, to the vibrant flower blooming against the snow-white skin.

Mu Wan Yao whispered, "Kiss the stamen."

Yan Shang remained still.

Without opening her eyes, Mu Wan Yao tilted her head, the red at the corners of her eyes trailing toward her temples. She was both charming and adorable, coaxing and demanding, "Kiss me here."

Yan Shang muttered, "If I kiss you, it'll ruin the painting."

Mu Wan Yao replied, "It's just you and me. What are you afraid of?"

Yan Shang protested, "The painting isn't finished yet."

Mu Wan Yao teased, "We can do both at the same time."

Yan Shang paused, confused, "What?"

Mu Wan Yao opened her eyes and glared at him, about to scold him for spoiling the mood, but he suddenly laughed and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Her dress bunched at her waist, their legs brushing lightly against each other. In an instant, Mu Wan Yao's joy returned as she melted into his embrace.

Disheveled begonia petals drifted in through the window, scattering in shades of deep and light red across the floor. Yan Shang's breath burned hot against her ear as he asked, "What about the painting?"Mu Wan Yao snorted, "Silly brother."

Yan Shang then pinched her cheek, smiling, "Wicked sister."

The jumbled terms of address didn't matter, as it was just the two of them. Their painting session was abandoned halfway, ink and colored pigments splattered across the floor—yet it mattered not. Their clothes stained with vibrant hues, as dazzling as the world reflected in their eyes.

Yan Shang, having drunk too much, felt his usual restraint unravel strand by strand. His gaze grew hazy as he watched her; each time she smiled at him, his eyes darkened further. When she tugged at him, he yielded effortlessly, tumbling down with her.

It felt like drowning—or drifting through a half-awake dream.

A kaleidoscope of surreal confusion—

The princess and her Imperial Son-in-Law wreaked havoc in the pavilion, whiling away the entire afternoon within. The maids dared not inquire, only observing as the pair emerged briefly to fish before retreating back into the bedchamber. Soon after, the bathing room behind the chamber fell victim to their antics.

First, they demanded paints, then fresh clothes, followed by food.

When Qiu Si placed newly mixed pigments by the chamber door, she saw the Imperial Son-in-Law's slender fingers reach out, his fair wrist already stained with color. Blushing, Qiu Si averted her gaze, inwardly scolding the princess for her mischievous play.

The two were simply creating delightful chaos.

Yan Shang had always held his liquor poorly; even years of practice left him weaker than most. Yet Mu Wan Yao, whose tolerance surpassed ordinary limits, feigned drunken folly—demanding he carry her, kiss her, feed her, teasing him relentlessly.

His temperament, always gentle, grew even more pliant when intoxicated. He indulged her every whim, stirring secret delight in Mu Wan Yao. Were it not for his flushed cheeks and her concern for his health, she would have poured him far more wine.

Alcohol was meant to enhance pleasure.

And in their private quarters, it was no ordinary enhancement. Yet Yan Shang's fervor eventually gave Mu Wan Yao pause—his weakened constitution made her regret overindulging him.

So she coaxed him gently, daring not to exhaust him. When his face burned and eyes glazed over, she sat in his lap, pausing intermittently. When weary, she'd pull him into conversation or share a meal, resuming only after resting.

Both now burdened with governmental duties, their casual chatter inevitably drifted toward official matters. No matter how drunk Yan Shang became, though his speech slowed, his reasoning remained sharp—never beyond Mu Wan Yao's comprehension.

Mu Wan Yao: "...So you don't actually like our new Emperor?"

Yan Shang held her close, his hand slipping inside her robe. He kneaded absently, her jade-like skin soft and pliant as dough beneath his touch. Carefree and languid, his refined features—usually temperate—now bore desire. Hair clung to his damp temples, lips parted slightly, breaths escaping like sighs.

This was unlike his usual self, but Mu Wan Yao maintained composure, pretending unaware of his provocation.

After a long pause, Yan Shang replied offhandedly, "Not particularly. His abilities fall short of his ambitions. When virtue fails to match position, it becomes sorrow for both ministers and commoners—sooner or later, others will suffer."

Mu Wan Yao: "In truth, Fifth Brother wishes to be a good emperor... but he's been suppressed too long. To gain the trust of the late Crown Prince and my Third Brother, he restrained himself for years. A man might not be foolish by nature, but pretending to be a fool for over a decade... he may have convinced even himself.""He must be utterly bewildered now... but what does that have to do with me? I won't bother with him."

Yan Shang sighed: "We can't just ignore it. When those in power are incompetent, the world will surely fall into chaos. If we can lend a hand, we should."

Mu Wan Yao's beautiful eyes filled with worry, thinking to herself—what if they can't support him? Would Yan Shang have to work himself to death?

The imperial physician said he...

Mu Wan Yao immediately dismissed the thought from her mind, telling herself not to overthink. She resolved firmly in her heart—she was someone exceptionally determined for a certain goal. No matter how poor Yan Shang's health became, she would nurse him back... by any means necessary, she would make him well again.

As Mu Wan Yao's thoughts wandered, Yan Shang gently pinched her chin and looked down at her: "Did you raise those performers just for His Majesty's sake?"

Once in bed, what couldn't be said? Mu Wan Yao responded vaguely: "Matters of the inner palace are none of your concern."

Yan Shang said helplessly: "Then why are there both female and male performers? I've never heard of His Majesty having such preferences."

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him coyly, half-smiling: "That's because you've never played these games. Among nobles..."

Yan Shang covered her mouth: "Alright, you don't need to tell me. I can probably guess."

Seeing his strange expression, Mu Wan Yao suddenly became exhilarated, giggling with delight. She hugged him, kissing him repeatedly, adoring every feature of his face down to her bones, finding him utterly adorable. In her impulsive nature, there were moments when she loved him so intensely that she would push him down, kissing him with desperate passion.

Her fierce emotions met his gentle, water-like demeanor—his calmness soothed her inner restlessness, making her press against his heart and hold him tightly.

Mu Wan Yao: "Second Brother Yan, you're mine. No one can take you away from me."

Yan Shang propped himself up halfway, teasing her: "Weren't you just saying two days ago that I'm old and fading? Now you're afraid I'll be stolen?"

Mu Wan Yao lifted her face, gazing at him softly: "Some people are so wonderful that appearances don't matter at all. Someone like you, Second Brother Yan—everyone wants to steal you from me."

She half-joked: "Relatives want to steal you, friends want to steal you, siblings want to steal you. Ministers want to steal you, rivals want to steal you, even the Emperor... wants to steal you from me. But you're mine, and I won't give you to anyone. I'll build you a golden house, and we'll hide you away secretly, alright?"

Yan Shang looked down at her, unable to suppress his amusement. He felt both shy and delighted. Mu Wan Yao was someone who loved constantly confessing her feelings to him, and he often felt her affection. While he wondered how someone could so freely speak of love without embarrassment, he was simultaneously happy to be loved by her.

His hand hidden in his sleeve clenched slightly as he turned his face away, the smile curling at his lips impossible to contain.

After a long while, Yan Shang whispered: "Didn't I tell you long ago that you would have me?"

Mu Wan Yao looked confused, then met his slightly embarrassed gaze. Her memory was poor, and only after he watched her for a long time and gave a helpless reminder did she remember—oh, when Yan Shang got drunk in front of her for the first time, he had said: May you obtain me.

Mu Wan Yao stared at Yan Shang in a daze.

She crawled over, pressing her cheek against his. She murmured dreamily: "Then have I obtained you?"

Yan Shang reached out to embrace her, chuckling softly: "You obtained me long ago.""You long ago took possession of my body, deceived my heart, and stole away my soul.

"You're no princess. You're a thief. A heart-stealing thief who has utterly beguiled me. My person and my heart are both yours—what other path could I possibly take?"

He cupped her face, his words seeming like drunken ramblings yet also like emotions unleashed by wine. He said: "Yaoyao, I am yours."

Mu Wan Yao: "You wouldn't yield me to anyone?"

Yan Shang: "Mm."

Mu Wan Yao: "Then divide your heart in two—one half for your friends, family, the common people, the ministers and Emperor. The other half, the complete half, give it all to me. I alone will occupy a full half of your heart, that half entirely mine, only me! Alright?"

Yan Shang laughed.

She pushed him: "Alright? Please!"

Yan Shang: "Alright."

His eyes filled with tenderness, delighted to see her so happy she blushed with excitement. Yan Shang felt guilty, thinking he hadn't treated her well enough, but Mu Wan Yao already felt it was sufficient. Because his love was too good, too abundant—even giving her a complete half was more than others' entirety... let alone that half being entirely hers.

Utterly satisfied, Mu Wan Yao pushed him down, pouncing to knead and bite him. Making him break through emotions and thoughts, making his flawless jade develop slight flaws, making him fall from heaven to the mortal world, stained with human desires, never to leave her again—

During the third watch, when Yan Shang was sleeping deeply, Mu Wan Yao shook him awake.

Lying beneath the blankets, Yan Shang gazed drowsily at Mu Wan Yao leaning beside him. Remaining silent, she smiled with sparkling eyes: "Second Brother Yan, I'm hungry."

Yan Shang smiled wryly.

Propping himself up, he sighed and habitually asked what she wanted to eat. Mu Wan Yao knelt beside him, watching him without speaking. When Yan Shang looked at her curiously, she finally said cheerfully: "Aren't you very tired?"

Yan Shang paused.

He countered: "Aren't you tired too?"

Mu Wan Yao watched him with a smile. After a moment, she said: "If you're tired, why don't you say so? Is refusing me that difficult?"

Yan Shang mumbled: "What?"

Mu Wan Yao: "You're clearly tired, yet when I say I'm hungry you immediately get up to find food. When I say I had a nightmare you get up to chat with me. Didn't we agree you'd learn to relax? How can this be called relaxation when you always indulge me? Don't you have any temper of your own? Can't you ever refuse me?"

Yan Shang was stunned: "...You want me to refuse you?"

Mu Wan Yao fumed: "I want you to pay attention to your own feelings! Stop always caring for others over yourself! Anyone could summon you from my bed—how can this be acceptable?"

Yan Shang gazed at her, gentle ripples stirring in his eyes.

After venting, Mu Wan Yao softened her tone, coaxing him: "Now let's start over—I'm hungry, what should you say?"

Yan Shang watched her for a moment, unable to suppress a laugh.

Mu Wan Yao pushed his shoulder, scolding: "What's so funny!"

Yan Shang: "Don't use crude language."

Mu Wan Yao: "Never mind that. What should you say?"

Yan Shang: "You want me to not indulge you, to say 'I'm tired too,' right?"

Delight sparkled in Mu Wan Yao's eyes as she was about to nod, but he embraced her instead. He chuckled casually, pinching her cheek: "But what can I do—I just want to take care of you, to treat you well. Asking me to resist my true feelings, to neglect you... that's just too difficult."

Mu Wan Yao stared in astonishment.Her face instantly flushed crimson, torn between anger and fluster as she stammered, "Y-you're just saying sweet things on purpose to amuse me... Y-you're always so smooth-tongued, I-I don't believe you."

Yan Shang lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Mu Wan Yao: "I don't believe you."

Yan Shang kissed her again.

Her eyelids fluttered slightly as she whispered, "...Still don't believe you."

He simply looked at her and smiled, and this time, it was Mu Wan Yao who pushed him down and kissed him. After pressing him down and kissing for a while, she had already forgotten why she had initially called him to get up. Mu Wan Yao remained joyful for a long while until she noticed his physical reaction. She scrambled up, her cheeks flushed, clapped her hands and laughed, teasing him, "You lecher!"

Yan Shang: "..."

Feeling embarrassed, he pulled her up and said softly, "Shall we, as husband and wife, go find something to eat together?"

So in the dead of night, the couple left their bedchamber without disturbing the maids. The next day, when the cook was preparing meals in the kitchen, she suspected there were rats in the mansion and spent half the day muttering worriedly—but that's another story.

Yan Shang had been pulled by Mu Wan Yao to rest at home for five days, allowing him to relax both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, he couldn't afford to rest like that for long.

Many people were waiting to see him, and many matters required his approval. Ministers were waiting to see him, and the Emperor was waiting to see him.

The aristocratic families were waiting for him, the eunuchs were waiting for him, and the common-born officials were waiting for him.

After just five days of absence, many in the court were growing restless.

On the evening of the fifth day, the leader of the aristocratic families came to visit, paying respects to the princess and Yan Erlang. This leader, surnamed Liu, was the son of Yan Shang's teacher, Lord Liu.

Now that Lord Liu was advanced in years and nearing retirement, after the new Emperor ascended the throne, the aristocratic families in Chang'an had a new leader—this Gong Liu.

No sooner had Gong Liu been selected as the spokesperson for Chang'an's aristocratic families than he eagerly came to see Yan Erlang and the princess.

The couple invited him to have tea in the hall. Before the tea was even served, Gong Liu got straight to the point: "Suchen, you've taken sick leave to rest at home, and we shouldn't disturb you, but the court affairs are heavy. I hope you can understand."

Yan Shang exchanged pleasantries with a smile.

Mu Wan Yao sat nearby, blowing on her tea, lost in thought.

Sure enough, after asking about many unimportant court matters, the man revealed his true purpose: "...Now the eunuchs are growing too powerful. His Majesty only listens to the eunuchs and neglects us scholars. I've heard that Liu Wenji is urging the Emperor to allow the Hai clan to enter the capital and is also encouraging Duke Zhao's daughter to marry the seventh son of the Luoyang Wei family... The eunuchs are so restless, clearly aiming to create a rift between the aristocratic families and the common-born officials, to drive a wedge between us.

"Whether from aristocratic families or common backgrounds, we are all scholars by origin. How can those eunuchs sit as equals with us!

"I represent the aristocratic families in meeting with Your Highness and Suchen to propose cooperation between our families and the common-born officials... Let us stop fighting each other for now. What's more important at present is to join forces to overthrow the eunuch faction! His Majesty must not be misled by petty men! The eunuchs will surely bring chaos to the government!"

He spoke eloquently about cooperation, and both Yan Shang and Mu Wan Yao received him politely.

After he left, Mu Wan Yao returned to the inner chambers and found Yan Shang sitting at his desk, deep in thought. Her heart ached for him—he hadn't had a moment of rest, and after just two days of relaxation, he had to deal with these matters again. But when affairs reached this point, even Mu Wan Yao couldn't tell him to let go and play, ignoring his official duties.Mu Wan Yao sat down and said, "The cooperation between noble families and commoners to expel the eunuchs is the righteous path, yet you don't seem pleased. That is your teacher's son, and you won't even give him face or agree. What are you thinking?"

Yan Shang lifted his gaze.

Yan Shang said: "The current tripartite balance among the noble families, common-born officials, and palace eunuchs is the most stable arrangement. Whether it's Liu Wenji or the noble families, they all seek to either win us over or suppress us. Everyone wants to reduce the three forces to two, each claiming righteous justification... Yet these struggles benefit neither state affairs nor the common people. These conflicts involve imperial authority, and because His Majesty is incompetent, they will only grow more chaotic.

"The entire Great Wei will be dragged into this vortex. Therefore, I cannot agree."

Mu Wan Yao responded indifferently: "If you refuse, the other two factions will join forces against us. If you refuse, the common-born officials will also grow restless, stirring trouble below and questioning why you and I would reject such an advantage for their rise. When that time comes, what shall we do?"

Yan Shang's brow lifted slightly: "We should devise a method... to give everyone something else to focus on."

Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Yan Shang: "What is it?"

Mu Wan Yao looked at him with a smile, casually reminding him: "You're increasingly acquiring the demeanor of a chancellor... Not merely a leader of common-born officials, but a leader of scholars, a leader of the realm. You'll spoil our esteemed emperor. Be careful he becomes dependent on you, unable to let go. The more capable you are, the more you highlight his incompetence.

"But don't forget—this Great Wei ultimately belongs to the Mu family."

Yan Shang paused briefly, then fell into deep thought.

Mu Wan Yao frowned, both annoyed by his heavy contemplations and uncertain how to ensure his peace and recovery during such turbulent times without these concerns. Trapped in this vortex themselves, she wondered how they could escape—biting her lip, she too sank into reflection.