Who doesn’t know how to write poetry?
Yet the vastness of the world and the grandeur of one’s spirit—can they only be expressed through poetry?
Hai Sanlang was a prodigy from a young age, hailed as a child genius since childhood. But in Chang’an, geniuses were everywhere. Among them, Yan Erlang stood out with his line, “Observing mayflies across ten thousand years”—a verse so majestic that it left Hai Sanlang deeply resentful.
No matter how resentful he felt, he had lost today. He could craft elegant verses, employ refined modesty, or dismiss Yan Erlang’s poetry as mediocre and clumsy. But he could not produce a line that matched, let alone surpassed, the sheer grandeur of “Observing mayflies across ten thousand years.”
At the Apricot Garden banquet, the guests watched with pity as this young man was silenced by Yan Erlang. Hai Sanlang looked disheartened and pale, humiliated by his defeat at the hands of an examiner he deemed mediocre. Yet the officials of Chang’an had a different thought: if even the mild-tempered, broad-minded Yan Erlang had lost his patience, the Hai family was finished.
Before anyone could attempt to salvage the situation, Mu Wan Yao arrived. Seeing the whip in the princess’s hand, the guests grew fearful. Yet Mu Wan Yao remained calm, even offering them a faint smile, before walking toward her Imperial Son-in-Law.
When she first entered the building, she had been seething with rage, determined to avenge Yan Shang. Why should he endure their insults? But Yan Shang had already defended himself, and now she felt a bittersweet relief.
Standing before Yan Shang, Mu Wan Yao tightened her grip on the whip, her lips trembling slightly. Traces of pain lingered in her eyes as she gazed at him and said, “Let us go pay our respects to the Emperor.”
Yan Shang knew she wanted to curse the Emperor, so he smiled gently and said, “We are family. Why stand on ceremony?”
He turned and bowed to the guests seeing him off, claiming he had drunk too much and was returning home with Her Highness, the Princess.
The Emperor, observing covertly from the Purple Cloud Tower, had witnessed the Hai family’s disrespect toward Yan Shang, the chief examiner, yet refrained from intervening. When he heard that Princess Danyang had arrived, his scalp prickled with dread, expecting his sixth sister to storm in and confront him.
The Emperor believed that Yan Shang, despite his youth and high rank, could endure a few criticisms from noble families. After all, it served his purpose—pitting the aristocracy against the common-born officials was a spectacle he enjoyed.
Yet guilt gnawed at him. The moment he heard the princess had arrived, he grew restless. After drinking two cups of tea, a eunuch informed him that the princess and her Imperial Son-in-Law had already left. The Emperor was stunned, his face flushing red with humiliation.
He felt as though everyone saw through his schemes, merely laughing at his expense.
They were all laughing at him!
But he had feigned ignorance for so many years. As a prince, he had lived in suffocating repression, yet he truly wished to govern well. His talents had been eroded by time; now middle-aged and mediocre, he endured bullying from powerful ministers without daring to retaliate.
How had his father ruled the empire? Why did those ministers fear his father but not him? Must he resort to bloodshed? Yet he could barely command anyone now—if he executed them all, who would do the work for him?
...Ah, Yan Shang was truly better.
Free from desires and ambitions, he shared the sovereign’s burdens—
Under the dark night sky, lanterns cast their glow upon emerald waves and crimson lotuses, shimmering with enchanting beauty.Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang, surrounded by palace attendants, made their way toward the carriage waiting outside the Apricot Garden. Halfway there, a panting eunuch caught up with them, announcing that Yan Erlang had been wronged and the Emperor had gifted him fertile fields and fine residences, with the deeds already sent to the Princess Residence.
After Yan Shang dealt with the eunuchs, using their words to reassure the Emperor, Mu Wan Yao watched from the side with a faint, mocking smile and a cold gaze. The messenger eunuch dared not meet the princess’s eyes, fearing her ill temper might provoke harsh words and embarrass the Emperor.
Once the eunuchs departed, the two resumed their walk, only for another figure to rush after them—
"Lord Yan! Lord Yan!
"Minister Yan!"
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow, noticing Yan Shang’s slight frown—clearly displeased with the address.
Under the deep night sky, illuminated by splendid palace lanterns, Yan Shang, draped in a crane-feather cloak, turned and gently chided the approaching Hai Sanlang: "Hai Sanlang, do not address me so. If you refuse to regard me as your examiner, then I hardly merit the title 'Minister.'"
Young Hai Sanlang, his face still bearing the naivety and fervor of youth, flushed slightly as he caught his breath. Defending himself, he said, "Lord Yan holds the position of Tong Pingzhangshi, equivalent to a chancellor—calling you 'Minister' is not incorrect. Of course, I wish to address you as 'Teacher,' but I know I’ve made many mistakes before, and you likely wouldn’t accept such familiarity.
"I came to apologize! I shouldn’t have challenged you so boldly at the banquet. I just thought... thought..."
Yan Shang smiled. "Thought I lacked talent and virtue, was too young—what qualifications did I have to preside over the imperial exams? How could I possibly examine you?"
He sighed. "It’s fine. Many say such things behind my back; you were merely the bold one to confront me openly."
His gentle eyes rested on Hai Sanlang as he advised, "But you are still young, spoiled by your family since childhood. New to Chang’an, you’ve found a few companions who hail you as a 'genius,' and it’s easy to grow complacent, to think yourself extraordinary. Today, you’ve learned that if I wished to make things difficult for you, it would be effortless.
"Those who urged you to challenge me—did you consider whether they would lift a finger to help if I deliberately hindered your career later?"
Hai Sanlang froze. Born of a noble family, a moment’s reflection chilled his blood, and he realized his recklessness. Muttering, he asked, "So... you won’t obstruct my future career?"
Yan Shang chuckled.
He joked, "That depends on my mood."
Hai Sanlang grew uneasy.
Mu Wan Yao glanced at Yan Shang, surprised he wasn’t angered by the young man’s provocation—he even seemed in good spirits... he was joking.
Hai Sanlang muttered, "Very well... I just don’t understand. If you could compose such lines as you did tonight, why not teach me earlier? Why wait until today to reveal it? All of Chang’an says you lack literary talent, and I believed it too. But tonight, I see that if you applied yourself to poetry, you might not be inferior to me.
"Since you have such ability, why not dedicate yourself to it?"
Yan Shang gazed at him silently, lost in thought.
Hai Sanlang pressed again.
Yan Shang asked, "For whom are you posing this question?"Hai Sanlang was taken aback, then instantly understood what Yan Shang truly wished to ask. He felt both humiliated and indignant, trembling all over: "Even though I come from the Hai family, it doesn’t mean I must consult my family in every matter. It’s true that some members of my family instigated what I did tonight... but it was also my own recklessness. I will be more careful in the future and not let myself be used.
"Though I am from the Hai clan and may seem opposed to you, Sir Yan... I am not confined by the distinctions between noble families and common scholars! I am my own person, not a puppet of the Hai family!"
Mu Wan Yao interjected coldly from the side: "You can say such things in your youth. Go back and say them to your father and grandfather—see if they don’t break your legs."
Hai Sanlang declared boldly: "I know Your Highness holds a grudge against my family, but I have never harmed you. If Your Highness seeks to settle scores with my grandfather and father, that is your affair—I have done nothing to wrong you."
Mu Wan Yao curled her lips in mockery.
Yan Shang cut off her sarcastic remarks toward the young man and said gently, "If you are asking this question for your own sake, then I shall answer you. Do you know how much official business awaits me each day? Before the rooster crows, I must rise. Before dawn breaks, I go to the Secretariat to discuss the day’s court affairs with several ministers.
"While handling these matters, we attend the morning court assembly. Daily court deliberations, without exception. Before His Majesty even grasps what the officials will discuss at the morning assembly, I must already be clear. No mistakes can be made in court—I must both manage the ministers and observe His Majesty, ready to assist him when needed.
"After the morning court concludes, I proceed to the imperial study, then return to the Secretariat. Once that is done, I head to the Ministry of Personnel. At noon, I rush back to the Secretariat for a meal. Sometimes officials from the Institute for the Advancement of Literature come, or the imperial guards arrive—I must attend to them all... Occasionally, if His Majesty finds a certain minister unsatisfactory, he summons me for questioning and directly assigns me tasks.
"Which county has suffered a flood, which prefecture is requesting tax relief this year, which commandery has a militia uprising... all these are my concerns, keeping me busy until midnight before I can sleep.
"Hai Sanlang, tell me, where would I find the time to study how to compose poetry or write rhapsodies? The matters I handle all day—what do they have to do with poetry and rhapsodies?"
The young man listened, his expression shifting from embarrassment to contemplation. Yan Shang sighed and said, "You are still too young, spending your days writing poetry and rhapsodies, thinking that outstanding literary talent alone qualifies you to be an official, a good official. But what does being an official truly entail, and how much does it relate to poetry and rhapsodies? Last year, I discussed this with the Minister and proposed reforms to the imperial examinations. Unfortunately, with His Majesty’s ascension to the throne, the matter was delayed.
"Cherish this title of top graduate while you can. It might be the last one awarded."
Yan Shang, feeling the chill of the early spring weather, coughed twice before asking the stunned Hai Sanlang, "Since you have the talent of a top graduate, have you considered how you wish to serve as an official in the future?"
Hai Sanlang replied blankly, "I don’t know. I just have a knack for studies and found the exams easy, so I took them casually..."
Yan Shang smiled.
Hai Sanlang asked sheepishly, "Should I seriously ponder this question?"
Yan Shang sighed, "Yes, ponder it.
"Should being an official mean seeking benefits for your family, or serving the people and the realm? Is it about protecting those you cherish from harm, or realizing your personal aspirations and ambitions?""How the people of Great Wei live their lives, how to balance familial and personal interests, how to comport oneself when what one treasures is cast aside like worthless debris... these are all matters you must now begin to consider. Youth is a fine thing—full of passion and vigor, truly befitting one's young years. Let me offer you this advice: do not squander your precious youth."
Hai Sanlang flushed crimson from the words, yet gained profound insight from them. Yan Shang had refreshed his perspective, allowing him to view his future from an entirely new angle. After Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang departed, Mu Wan Yao glanced back several times at Hai Sanlang, noticing the young man gazing at their retreating figures with burning admiration.
Hai Sanlang's eyes brimmed with longing, torn between following them and lacking the courage to do so. He stared intently at Yan Shang, desperately wishing Yan Shang would turn back for a single glance—that would give him the nerve to cling on... Unfortunately, Yan Shang never looked back.
Mu Wan Yao thought mischievously: Another soul wounded by Yan Er's "heartlessness"—
Returning to the carriage, its cramped space immediately filled with warmth as Mu Wan Yao tucked the incense warmer into his sleeve. Leaning against the carriage wall, Yan Shang finally felt some warmth. Without pause, Mu Wan Yao brought over ginger tea that the maids had been keeping warm over the fire and began feeding it to Yan Shang.
She bustled about tirelessly, only feeling satisfied when she saw his complexion transition from pallid to rosy.
Yan Shang took her hand and urged her to sit, telling her not to fuss anymore. It was only when Mu Wan Yao saw his improved color that she felt inclined to settle down beside him.
As the carriage began moving, Mu Wan Yao linked arms with Yan Shang and smiled at him: "You truly carry the bearing of someone in authority now. That Hai Sanlang was completely won over—I suspect he'll be chasing after you from now on."
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm: "Your guidance of Hai Sanlang today reminded me so much of that night when your mentor instructed you. I was there that day, watching you kneel before Lord Liu and address him as 'teacher.' You declared you entered officialdom to serve the people, that no matter how difficult the path, you would walk it... My heart swelled listening to you then. How could I have imagined that just a few years later, you'd be guiding others yourself.
"You've become as formidable as your mentor!"
Yan Shang said softly: "It's been nearly ten years."
Mu Wan Yao objected: "What ten years? It's only been seven."
The carriage jostled slightly, unsettling its occupants. Yan Shang mused: "So many years have passed... My mentor is about to retire, and now I'm being called 'teacher' by others."
Though she had started the conversation, seeing his melancholy mood now displeased her: "Why speak with such discouragement and world-weariness? As if you're already in your seventies or eighties. You're only in your twenties... and already plagued with illnesses!"
By the end, she was practically gnashing her teeth.
Yan Shang gazed at her with his characteristically gentle, lake-like eyes.
Mu Wan Yao lifted her chin: "What? Am I wrong? It's the third month of spring, yet you're bundled up so heavily, coughing after just a few words—if that's not being ill, what is? The imperial physician told you to rest, said if you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll die young. You don't seem to take it seriously, as if you're prepared to leave me behind first, letting me raise handsome young men in this world and live in endless pleasure."
Yan Shang smiled: "How wonderful."
Mu Wan Yao's eyes blazed: "I said I'd keep a harem of male companions and you call that wonderful?!"
Yan Shang took her wrist gently: "I meant that just now—bringing me tea, draping clothes over me—it felt so surreal, as if you weren't the Your Highness I know. Now that you're angry, I can see you're still yourself."Mu Wan Yao stared at him coldly, "Do you enjoy being mistreated? Do you only feel I haven't changed when I scold you?"
She pointed at his nose and berated him, "If it weren't for you earlier, I would have resolved everything with a single whip. Just the Hai family—do you think I'd dare not offend them?"
She began complaining about Yan Shang's temperament, saying he was too mild-mannered. She then spoke of how poorly the Emperor treated them, describing him as cunning and narrow-minded, keeping Yan Shang constantly busy to the point of exhaustion... She spoke for a long time, tightly clutching his arm, trembling with rage when her resentment peaked.
She truly believed these were all humiliations, that heaven was unfair to Yan Shang. He was such a good person—why should he endure the Emperor's oppression, the disrespect from juniors, and the probing from others?
Yan Shang watched her and suddenly said, "Perhaps I should resign from my official post."
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
She froze for a moment, looking up at him.
Yan Shang: "My health... has worried you for so long. Lately, official duties keep piling up, and His Majesty cannot spare me for even a moment. I feel I can't hold on much longer. Moreover, the tasks the Emperor assigns me are all trivial matters. Others could handle them, yet he insists on me doing them—simply because he finds me trustworthy and without demands. While His Majesty's trust is a good thing, treating me like an on-call tool has become overwhelming.
"The noble families, the common-born officials, and the eunuchs—these three factions are at odds. I stand among them, and whether it's the nobles or the eunuchs, they all want to win me over. I have to deal with these matters daily... They're too tedious and dull.
"And you, Yao Yao, are so unhappy. For a moment, I thought... I want to resign and return to Lingnan, spend more time with my father and elder brother, and recuperate in the countryside."
He lowered his gaze, then suddenly retracted his words with embarrassment, "I know you grew up in Chang'an and love it here. But if I resign and return to Lingnan... I don't know if you'd be willing to come with me to the countryside. If you're not willing, then forget it."
Mu Wan Yao immediately grasped his hand, her eyes shining like stars, "I am willing."
Yan Shang looked up.
She murmured softly, "I already hold great power, but I cannot delve deeper into the path of authority—any further and I risk becoming a target. Now that I can rely on my status to ensure no one bullies me, I wish to pursue other things. I've always admired Second Brother Yan's world...
"Second Brother Yan's world is different from mine. It's always filled with birdsong and gardens, an idyllic paradise, full of unrealistic ideals and dreams, almost like a fantasy. Yet, this dreamlike idealism captivates me... Wherever Second Brother Yan goes, I will follow."
She curved her eyes into a smile, eagerly wrapping her arms around Yan Shang's waist and nuzzling against his chest. Just moments ago, she had been domineering and arrogant, but now she acted like a silly, sweet little girl, "I'm willing to go back to the Lingnan countryside with you and farm the land! I love the idea of farming with you! Once you resign, I'll take care of you.
"I'll pamper Second Brother Yan until you're plump and fair, with excellent health, so we can both live to a hundred together!"
Yan Shang blushed crimson and couldn't help but laugh.
He gently pushed Mu Wan Yao, who kept nuzzling him—her rubbing made him somewhat uncomfortable, yet he simply held her and chuckled. Once she had finished her daydreaming, he whispered, "But before I resign, I must first resolve the conflict among the three factions—the noble families, the common-born officials, and the eunuchs. I need to stabilize these three forces. Only then, after I step down, will they not plunge the world into chaos."Mu Wan Yao nestled against his neck with her eyes closed, her voice sweet: "I'll listen to whatever Second Brother Yan says."
Yan Shang gripped her shoulders to stop her from rubbing against him. He coughed lightly and joked, "Then I'll have to collaborate with Sister Yao Yao."
Mu Wan Yao paused and looked up.
She saw him blushing fiercely for having called her "sister" in a normal context, his eyelashes fluttering away after speaking. She watched him teasingly, and after a long moment he grew somewhat annoyed: "Why are you looking at me like that? Can't I call you that? I just meant I want to work with you to resolve the three factions—Yao Yao, it seems we've never collaborated like this since our marriage."
Mu Wan Yao corrected him: "Not just since marriage—even before marriage, we never seriously collaborated. We often fought side by side, but never through strategy, relying entirely on our spiritual connection and understanding of each other."
"So... Second Brother Yan, are you joining forces with me today?"
Yan Shang: "Mm."
Mu Wan Yao gazed at their clasped hands, her lips curving into a smile filled with excitement. What would it be like for her and Yan Shang to collaborate again after each had grown so much?—
Ever since Hai Sanlang heard Yan Shang's words that night, he had been pestering him. Yan Shang paid him little mind, but the youth's stubborn determination insisted on becoming Yan Shang's student. No matter how Yan Shang protested his youth and unwillingness to take students, preferring only an examiner-candidate relationship, Hai Sanlang wouldn't listen.
Since Hai Sanlang refused all advice despite Yan Shang's attempts, Yan Shang decided to make use of him.
When the Hai family hosted an apology banquet in the Pleasure Quarter for Hai Sanlang, Yan Shang turned the tables, transforming the feast into a trap. While the Hai family remained oblivious, Yan Erlang was poisoned at the banquet. The Hais naturally distanced themselves from the incident, anxiously investigating who had administered the poison.
After Yan Shang's antidote took effect, he began investigating the Pleasure Quarter.
The Pleasure Quarter was Chang'an's marketplace of fame and fortune where high officials and nobles mingled. It concealed too many secrets, too many unspoken underground transactions. When the court didn't investigate, all was well—but once they did, evidence was everywhere. Yan Shang's investigation naturally faced strong opposition from many quarters.
But Yan Shang had his justification—"If someone in the Pleasure Quarter dares poison a fifth-rank official, wouldn't someone dare poison His Majesty tomorrow? Or perhaps the problem isn't the Pleasure Quarter—maybe the Hai family tried to poison me?"
The Hai clan leader had no choice but to step forward and declare support: "Our Hai clan would never dare harm Yan Suchen! The Pleasure Quarter's corrupt atmosphere truly deserves thorough investigation!"
To clear themselves of suspicion, the Hais even had to run errands for Yan Shang.
Hai Sanlang watched in confusion: "Father, why are we so afraid of Lord Yan?"
The clan leader shook his head with a bitter smile. His naive son still thought this was a personal matter—Hai Sanlang had the talent to be a top scholar, yet remained unaware this had become inter-faction court strife.
The clan leader explained: "We don't fear Yan Erlang himself—we fear the charge of 'conspiracy to murder.' Last time the accusation came from a prince, this time from a court-appointed official... People say our Hai family's standing is illegitimate because we conspired against a prince. Bearing that charge, our entire clan has no chance to rise! To secure our future, we must completely dissociate ourselves from any 'conspiracy' charges here in Chang'an, no matter what!""Now that we have offended Yan Erlang, if we wish to avoid being charged with conspiring against a court official, we must obey him. Yan Erlang's target isn't us... You can rest assured, his true aim is the forces behind us."
Whether it's the Pleasure Quarter or the Hai Clan—at this stage... Yan Shang intends to reform the entire bureaucracy and purge the officialdom of corruption!
The Hai Clan patriarch gazed intently at his son, placing a hand on Hai Sanlang's shoulder as he solemnly declared: "Sanlang, mark my words! You are our family's rising star... No matter what happens, we must elevate you to prominence!"—
Yan Shang was cleansing the Pleasure Quarter, using this operation to investigate all aristocratic families' unlawful activities. This shake-up struck at fundamental interests, involving the conflict between noble houses and common-born officials. The Emperor kept his distance, daring not to intervene or assist either side.
Lord Liu's son, Gong Liu, came to plead with Yan Shang, but Yan Shang remained impartial and unyielding, not even sparing his own teacher's face. When Gong Liu tried to persist, his father scolded him harshly, and he reluctantly complied with Yan Shang's demands.
The Emperor watched with trepidation, constantly fearing that the conflict between the two sides might escalate to the point of bloodshed. Meanwhile, unrest simmered in the Emperor's harem.
Consort Huo, whom Mu Wan Yao had sent into the palace, had become pregnant. Chunhua, now known as Xian Fei, visited her out of their shared connection from the Princess Residence. Chunhua was deeply melancholic, and Consort Hai, who had been sent into the palace by the Hai family, noticed Xian Fei's despondency and invited her for a conversation.
Consort Hai's intention was to sow discord between Chunhua and Consort Huo, using this to target the Princess.
At heart, Chunhua remained loyal to the Princess and refrained from saying much. Yet, she was puzzled and uncertain, unable to understand why the Princess treated Consort Huo so well—Consort Huo was pregnant, and the Princess visited the palace daily, sending precious items to her quarters to safeguard the pregnancy.
In contrast, Mu Wan Yao hardly ever saw Chunhua.
Could it be that years of camaraderie were no match for the Princess's interests?
Just as Chunhua was grappling with these thoughts, something happened to Consort Huo. Mu Wan Yao was in Consort Huo's palace, speaking with her calmly, when Consort Huo suddenly cried out in abdominal pain. After summoning the imperial physician, the child was lost.
Mu Wan Yao was furious and demanded an investigation into who had harmed Consort Huo. The Emperor, moved by the weeping beauty's distress, ordered a thorough inquiry into the harem.
The investigation eventually pointed to Chunhua's son—
A young child, unaware of the consequences, had secretly added substances like saffron to Consort Huo's medicine. How could a child know such things unless an adult had spoken of it in their presence?
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow, watching coldly as the Emperor hesitated and Chunhua stood stunned. Chunhua had served the Emperor for years; though he did not love her, he pitied her gentle nature. Moreover, Chunhua had come from the Princess Residence—why was Mu Wan Yao being so heartless toward her?
In her own palace, Consort Hai heard that Chunhua had been implicated and couldn't help but smile faintly. She had intended to create friction between Chunhua and Consort Huo, to drive a wedge between Chunhua and Mu Wan Yao, and to weaken Mu Wan Yao's control over the Emperor—the Hai family could not harm the imperial heir directly, but they could use others to achieve their ends.
Yet in this world, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Until the final moment, it is unclear who is the player and who is the pawn.
Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang sat in the bedchamber of the Princess Residence, playing a game of chess, each holding their own pieces. They presided over the board, observing all sides, waiting for the various players to enter the stage.
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