On the night of Danyang Princess's wedding, the newly renovated Princess Residence opened its doors to the public, celebrating through the night. Both sides of the entire lane were adorned with lanterns, creating a magnificent spectacle.
Liu Wenji, who had come to Chang'an with Yan Shang for the imperial examinations, had failed alongside him in their first attempt. Fortunately, having Yan Shang as company eased his disappointment. However, Yan Shang later caught the princess's eye and became the Imperial Son-in-Law... For Liu Wenji, this meant he could frequently see Chunhua, the maid often sent by the princess to deliver messages.
That evening at the princess's wedding banquet, Liu Wenji indeed encountered the maid Chunhua. When their eyes met, she pursed her lips into a smile, turned her face away from him, and went to attend to the guests.
Clearing his throat, Liu Wenji followed her and whispered softly from behind, "Miss, I am the Imperial Son-in-Law's fellow townsman and close friend. We've met many times before. In the future, I may often visit the residence to see Yan Er... the Imperial Son-in-Law, but the Princess Residence is not easy to enter. I hope you could..."
Chunhua, with her back to him, felt her face grow warm and flushed.
She roughly understood what it meant when this handsome young man's eyes lit up at the sight of her.
Fearing others might notice, she whispered, "I understand. I will instruct the servants. Please go and take a seat, young master. I still have duties to attend to..."
Liu Wenji followed her without blinking, rolling up his sleeves. "Let me help you."
He trailed behind the maid all night, unwilling to leave.
Yang Si was drinking with the crown prince and others. When he stepped away to freshen up and returned, he bumped into a young girl carefully carrying a large jar of fine wine. She walked out from around the corner, head bowed, struggling under the weight of the jar.
Just as she was about to stumble from the burden, a gentleman's hand reached out to steady her shoulder, helping her regain balance.
She immediately murmured, "Thank you."
She lifted her face.
A beam of lantern light fell upon the face of this twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl—delicate, pale, with dark pupils. Her expression was timid and innocent, typical of a young girl from a remote area who had not seen much of the world.
Not yet grown.
Not yet worldly.
Yet Yang Si stared at her, momentarily stunned. The hand on her shoulder trembled slightly as he unconsciously felt a sharp, painful palpitation.
It was as if he had seen her in a dream.
His servant, catching up with the swiftly walking Yang Sanlang, saw his master holding onto the young girl. Worried that the third young master might act recklessly, the servant hurried over and whispered, "Third Young Master, this is Miss Yan, the Imperial Son-in-Law's younger sister."
He gave Yan Xiaozhou an ingratiating smile.
Yan Xiaozhou blushed and smiled back.
Yang Si stared at her face, trying to discern why she felt so familiar. Unwilling to let her go, he asked casually, "What is this jar of wine?"
Yan Xiaozhou's voice was clear and melodious like an oriole's: "It's wine I brewed myself, a specialty from our hometown called Lingxi Wine. My second brother is getting married, so I brought out the wine I made..."
Yang Si uttered an "Oh," then decisively reached out an arm, pressed against her, and effortlessly took the wine from her embrace.
Yan Xiaozhou exclaimed, "Hey..."
Yang Si took the wine and turned to leave. "I'm taking this wine."
Yan Xiaozhou stared wide-eyed, never expecting someone to be so overbearing.
Biting her lip, she chased after him and mustered her courage. "You... who are you? You can't do this! This wine is for my sister-in-law... not for you to drink!"
Yang Si scoffed derisively.He turned back with a roguish air, quirking his lips at her: "Once it's in my hands, it's mine."
With that carefree departure, he walked away. Yan Xiaozhou chased after him for a while but couldn't catch up, soon arriving at the seating area for distinguished guests. She stood dumbfounded outside the hall, unable to go inside and reclaim her wine. She watched as the young man who had taken her wine turned back to give her a smile, then opened the wine jar and began pouring for the entire table...
Tears welled up in Yan Xiaozhou's eyes, her heart full of grievance.
A servant nearby grew uneasy: "Young mistress..."
How could the third young master make the Imperial Son-in-Law's own sister cry?
Yang Si also noticed the tears in Yan Xiaozhou's eyes. He froze, feeling somewhat at a loss, never expecting that a small joke could make a young girl cry. Just as his table was about to start drinking, Yang Si irritably shouted: "Stop drinking! Pour the wine back for me!"
He strode toward the hall entrance, frowning as he approached Yan Xiaozhou, wanting to say something.
Yan Xiaozhou's eyes shimmered with clear light, misty and glistening. She felt both wronged and angry, but she couldn't start an argument at her brother's wedding banquet. Besides, these noble youths were people she couldn't afford to offend.
Yang Si awkwardly said: "Hey, um..."
Yan Xiaozhou didn't even look at him, turning to leave and find her father and brother.
Yang Si: "..."
He just thought she seemed familiar and wanted to play with her - he truly didn't mean to make an enemy of her—
Setting aside irrelevant matters, Mu Wan Yao felt her marriage was extremely successful.
She had married her most beloved Imperial Son-in-Law.
She had the most magnificent wedding.
Though Second Brother Yan had hurt her at night, he had spoken with her several times, his tone as gentle as before their marriage. She felt she hadn't married the wrong person.
Moreover, starting tomorrow, she would have her own residence and wouldn't need to live in the palace anymore, no longer constantly watched by the Emperor, Empress, and her brothers.
Marriage was wonderful!
It's just... it really hurt.
Mu Wan Yao was utterly exhausted, and this was her first time sharing a bed with a man. She was both nervous about sleeping beside a stranger and afraid that Yan Shang would find her troublesome. So no matter how uncomfortable she felt, she endured it and drifted off into a muddled sleep.
She suddenly woke when she felt light falling on her eyelids. The light was gently swaying, making it impossible to sleep.
Mu Wan Yao opened her eyes to see the bed curtains drawn. Beyond the curtains, Yan Shang wore only his inner garments, his hair half-tied with some stray strands brushing against his cheeks.
The window curtains hadn't been opened. The light Mu Wan Yao felt came from the faint glow of the candlestick Yan Shang held. Frowning slightly, he sat by the bed, bending over as if examining something carefully by the light.
Though the young man usually carried himself with the dignified bearing of distant green mountains, in this private moment—perhaps because his hair was untied—he appeared simply as a handsome youth, his entire presence evoking nothing more than the words "beautiful" and "elegant."
As bright as jade.
Mu Wan Yao's heart began pounding again.
Seeing him continuously holding the candlestick to look at something, her curiosity grew—what was he looking at?
As Yan Shang bowed his head, he heard a soft, somewhat sticky-sweet young voice from within the curtains: "Second Brother Yan, what are you looking at?""
Yan Shang started violently, the candlestick's light wavering slightly in his hand. He abruptly lifted his face, revealing the embroidered bed curtains he had deliberately kept closed.A warm, fragrant breeze wafted in as a pair of charming, almond-shaped eyes peeked out from behind the bed curtains first. Mu Wan Yao knelt on the mattress, her long hair cascading like ink-spilled clouds, framing a snow-white, delicate face.
Her hair was tousled, and her fair arms slipped out from under the covers. She leaned closer, her cheeks soft and tender, lifting her gaze to reveal two rows of dense, long eyelashes as clear as fine brushes.
Yan Shang stiffened, his face flushing red. Instinctively, he leaned back, relying on sheer willpower to keep from turning away. He desperately reminded himself that this was his wife—he couldn’t remain unaccustomed to her presence.
Before Yan Shang could speak, Mu Wan Yao followed his gaze and immediately understood what he was examining so intently with the lamp in the early morning.
He was staring at the faint bloodstains on the bedsheet.
Mu Wan Yao suddenly recalled the events of the previous night, her face instantly flushing crimson. Embarrassed by the sight of the blood, she retreated back under the covers. Wrapped in the quilt, she sat on the bed but still lifted her glistening, watery eyes to look at him.
Yan Shang coughed awkwardly.
He said softly, "I am accustomed to waking early, so I rose sooner than usual... I did not mean to disturb Your Highness, but I noticed the stains and grew suspicious, so I took a closer look with the lamp. It was my fault for waking you."
Mu Wan Yao stammered, "What... what is there to see about that?"
Yan Shang hesitated for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth and asking, "Has Your Highness... been injured?"
Mu Wan Yao widened her eyes, staring at him in a daze.
Yan Shang’s face flushed as red as blood, and she watched as even the tips of his ears, barely visible beneath his hair, turned crimson like little red beans.
Suppressing his embarrassment and shame, he asked in a low voice, "I... your servant was too rough last night and may have hurt Your Highness somewhere... I wanted to check, but... but I thought it might be improper.
"Since Your Highness is awake now, could you tell me where you are injured..."
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
She was too embarrassed to lift her head.
After a long pause, she whispered, "Does Second Brother Yan not know?"
Yan Shang remained silent.
He shared her embarrassment, feeling even more awkward than she did. But as a man, he felt responsible. He stammered, "I have a vague idea, but I cannot be sure... Your Highness, is it... there?"
Mu Wan Yao: "...Mm."
Both were too embarrassed to speak.
After a while, Mu Wan Yao heard Yan Shang’s tense, low voice: "Then... what should we do? Do you need medicine?"
Mu Wan Yao whispered that the palace matrons had instructed her before the wedding, explaining that this was normal and that they had prepared ointment. Yan Shang breathed a sigh of relief—at least she knew what to do.
He could only manage an awkward reply: "Then... should I call the maids to assist Your Highness..."
Mu Wan Yao immediately protested, "No!"
She lifted her face: "How could I let anyone see me there!"
Yan Shang stammered, "Then... then should I..."
Mu Wan Yao: "I... I can manage on my own."
Yan Shang turned away awkwardly: "Oh... oh."
Following her instructions, he fetched the ointment for her, handed it over, and turned his back, refusing to look. Mu Wan Yao clutched the ointment nervously but made no move to use it. Overwhelmed with shame, she tentatively shifted her legs and let out a soft hiss.
Yan Shang, sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed with his back to her, was startled by the sound: "Wh-what happened?"
His mind raced with chaotic thoughts—could it be that the noble princess didn’t even know how to apply medicine?
Mu Wan Yao: "I’d like to bathe first, then apply the ointment."
Yan Shang: "That... that would be fine."Mu Wan Yao sobbed, "But it hurts so much when I move, I can't get up, Second Brother Yan."
Yan Shang remained silent.
Slowly, he turned around to face Mu Wan Yao, who sat curled up on the bed. Her inner garments were disheveled, revealing a glimpse of her jade-white shoulder and delicate collarbone. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes misty as she gazed at him pitifully. After a moment of eye contact, she let out a soft sob, a teardrop clinging to her eyelashes.
Yan Shang's heart suddenly raced, reminded of their first meeting.
He leaned in and embraced her.
Softly, he said, "Don't cry. It's my fault for hurting Your Highness. Shall I carry you to the bathing chamber?"
Perhaps physical closeness truly could bridge the distance between two people quickly. Mu Wan Yao couldn't let her maids see her in this state, yet she was willing to let her newlywed husband see. With another sob, he placed one hand on her shoulder and the other beneath her slender, pale knees, lifting her from the bed.
Mu Wan Yao buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck.
She whispered, "Am I heavy, brother?"
Yan Shang chuckled, "Your Highness is as light as a kitten. How could you have any weight?"
Reassured by his gentle tone, her morning nervousness around him faded. He carried her through the gauze curtains toward the bathing chamber. After setting her down inside, he hesitated and looked down at her.
Mu Wan Yao kept her head lowered.
Yan Shang bent to meet her eyes. "Can Your Highness manage alone?"
His breath brushed her face, making her blush instantly. She tensed and said, "I can!"
But Yan Shang frowned, worried that a princess might not know how to wash herself. Yet he felt too embarrassed to accompany her inside, so he pressed a jar of ointment into her hand and murmured, "Then I'll wait outside for Your Highness. Call me if anything is wrong. Don't be afraid."
He treated her like a helpless little sister, giving her endless instructions. Mu Wan Yao felt both shy and happy, nodding as he guided her in.
Just as Yan Shang was about to leave, Mu Wan Yao called out to him.
Thinking she needed something, he turned back, only to find her gripping the wooden door, looking up innocently as she asked, "Have I charmed Second Brother Yan so much that he's dizzy and head over heels for me?"
Yan Shang: "..."
Despite his constant tension and the distance he maintained with his new wife, her silly, upward gaze and such a question made him burst into laughter.
Mu Wan Yao stared blankly as she saw genuine amusement in his eyes for the first time—not polite or reserved, but teasing. "Does Your Highness not know the answer yourself?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
Submerged in the warm water, Mu Wan Yao buried her face until her cheeks turned red from holding her breath. She then emerged, hugging her arms. The young princess sat curled up in the wooden tub, bewildered—what did his sudden laugh mean? What did he mean by asking if she knew the answer?
Had she not charmed him?
Her father, mother, and brother had all told her she was a beauty!—
Mu Wan Yao felt her life had been unusually smooth.
Doted on by her family since childhood, and after marriage, her Imperial Son-in-Law was the kindest person she had ever met. He accompanied her during meals, cared for her health, and reminded her three times a day to apply her medicine.
Because of the ointment application, it felt as though they shared a unique secret between them, drawing them much closer.In truth, the pain wasn't unbearable, and after resting for two days, Mu Wan Yao had already recovered. However, she enjoyed Yan Shang's attentive care and continued to complain of pain, making him feel even more guilty.
Overall, Mu Wan Yao was quite satisfied with her newlywed life. What dissatisfied her was that Yan Shang had to attend to his duties at the Crown Prince's residence during the day and study upon returning, which was tolerable. But when it came to sleeping, Yan Shang didn't even share the same room with her.
The number of times Mu Wan Yao could see Yan Shang in a day was few and far between.
This was because the etiquette matron from the palace had decreed that the Imperial Son-in-Law must not take the initiative to see the princess without her summons, let alone stay overnight in her quarters. The Imperial Son-in-Law had his own courtyard and bedchamber in the Princess Residence, separated from the princess's quarters to avoid disturbing her.
Mu Wan Yao was dumbfounded.
When the Princess Residence was being renovated, she had known that there was a separate courtyard and bedchamber for the Imperial Son-in-Law, as every princess residence was designed this way, so she hadn't paid it much mind. What she hadn't realized was that without her summons, Yan Shang wasn't required to see her.
Since their marriage, aside from mealtimes, Mu Wan Yao hardly ever saw Yan Shang.
Sometimes, in her anxiety, when she heard that the Imperial Son-in-Law had returned to the residence, she would want to send a maid to summon Yan Shang. But the matron from the palace would sternly say, "Your Highness, how can you summon the Imperial Son-in-Law to attend you every night? A young lady must be reserved."
Mu Wan Yao felt deeply wronged: When had she summoned him every night? She hadn't summoned him even once!
Every time she thought of summoning him, that matron would start lecturing about self-cultivation and avoiding licentiousness... frightening away Mu Wan Yao's courage.
She detested these matrons from the palace—
As for Yan Shang, his heart was as calm as still water. Every day, he either studied or worked as an advisor, learning and gaining experience alongside the Crown Prince.
He had never been driven by desire and had always practiced restraint. On their wedding night, when Mu Wan Yao had been in such pain and later injured, the little interest he had felt was dampened, and he found the situation somewhat dull.
As for Mu Wan Yao herself, unsure of how to interact with her, Yan Shang simply treated her like a younger sister. Fortunately, he was quite experienced in caring for his own sister, and now applying that to Mu Wan Yao didn't feel much different.
His biological sister, Yan Xiaozhou, had returned to Lingnan with their family not long after his marriage. Yang Si had specifically inquired about it, but under Yan Shang's thoughtful gaze, he hadn't dared to admit that he had made the sister cry.
However, Yan Shang would soon learn that a wife is not a sister.
At night, after practicing his calligraphy and routinely reflecting on whether his words and actions that day had been appropriate, Yan Shang extinguished the lamp and went to sleep. He hadn't been asleep long when he heard a very soft knocking at the door.
A young girl's voice, barely above a whisper, called from outside, "Second Brother Yan, Second Brother Yan..."
Yan Shang was startled. Sitting up in bed, he recognized Mu Wan Yao's voice. Surprised, he lit the lamp, hastily threw on his outer robe, and went to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, his young wife rushed in, throwing herself into his arms and wrapping her arms around his waist. Mu Wan Yao whispered urgently, "Close the door, close the door!"
Yan Shang complied without hesitation.
For a moment, he couldn't figure out what was happening. After closing the door, he politely placed his hands on Mu Wan Yao's shoulders and gently pushed her away from his embrace. He led her to sit down and poured her a cup of tea. Observing her expression, he saw that she looked frightened, but her eyes were narrowed and sparkling as she gazed at him.
Yan Shang couldn't guess what had happened.
Yan Shang: "Shouldn't Your Highness be asleep at this hour?"Hearing this, Mu Wan Yao pouted.
She huffily set down her teacup and said, "Yes, I should be asleep. That's why I sneaked past the matrons' watchful eyes and had Chunhua distract them so I could come see Second Brother Yan. They watch me all day long, constantly teaching me feminine virtues—I'm too embarrassed to summon Second Brother Yan..."
"How annoying!"
Yan Shang understood and smiled gently.
He said softly, "The matrons are here to teach Your Highness proper decorum. They mean well."
Mu Wan Yao studied him for a moment, growing even more aggrieved. "And you never request an audience with me. Never!"
Yan Shang paused, then said, "I... it wouldn't be proper..."
Mu Wan Yao said, "They must have stopped you too, teaching you not to be lustful or something... How annoying! I only have one Imperial Son-in-Law—how could I be lustful?"
Yan Shang smiled faintly.
He asked, "Does Your Highness wish to see me?"
Mu Wan Yao pressed her lips together.
Understanding her unspoken wish, he said, "Then I'll try pleading with the matrons, perhaps bribing them with some silver so they'll allow me to visit Your Highness."
Though delighted inwardly, Mu Wan Yao feigned concern. "But they'll lecture Second Brother Yan and accuse you of being lustful..."
Yan Shang reassured her gently, "It's alright. As a man, such remarks won't harm me."
Mu Wan Yao frowned. "But I don't want your reputation tarnished."
After a moment's thought, Yan Shang proposed, "Then how about this—next time Your Highness and I visit His Majesty and Her Majesty in the palace, I'll find a way to have them recall the matrons so they won't bother you at the residence. Would that do?"
Mu Wan Yao's eyes widened instantly, sparkling with hope. "Really?"
Yan Shang: "Of course."
She immediately broke into a smile and leaned in to hug his waist. Yan Shang stiffened as a warm, fragrant softness filled his arms. Struggling to adapt, he mused how fond Her Highness was of physical contact, always leaning against him so readily.
Burrowing into Yan Shang's embrace, Mu Wan Yao lightly sniffed his scent. After a while, she tilted her head to look up at him, blinking her eyes.
Yan Shang was too perceptive, too adept at reading people's eyes. After a hesitant pause, he couldn't help but smile.
He said, "It's quite late now... Would Your Highness be willing to stay the night and let me take care of you?"
Mu Wan Yao demurred, "But if the matrons don't find me in my bed tomorrow morning, they'll scold me again..."
Yan Shang: "I'll wake you when I rise to study before dawn and escort you back."
Satisfied, she murmured against his chest, "You're so good to me."
Yan Shang smiled wryly.
He thought to himself that she might consider him good, but with a beauty lying beside him tonight, how was he supposed to endure...—
Yan Shang prepared the bed for Mu Wan Yao, fetching fresh bedding. As he busied himself back and forth arranging the bed, Mu Wan Yao propped her chin in her hands and watched him from behind, thoroughly entertained. Whenever he glanced back, she'd reward him with a brilliant, slightly shy smile.
Flustered by her gaze, Yan Shang averted his eyes.
After much effort, Yan Shang hesitantly folded her removed outer robe before reluctantly lying down on the bed. He lay flat for a moment before feeling a warm body press against him—she had wrapped her arms around his. Seeing he didn't pull away, Mu Wan Yao relaxed contentedly, resting her cheek against his shoulder and closing her eyes.
She whispered, "Why are you so stiff? Are you nervous?"
In the darkness, Yan Shang finally replied after a long pause, "Your Highness... aren't you nervous?"
Mu Wan Yao: "Not at all."She revealed a somewhat innocent smile, her eyelashes brushing against him as she yawned: "Second Brother Yan is so good to me, I'm not nervous at all."
Yan Shang remained silent.
He didn't know what to say or what to do, feeling too embarrassed. Slowly turning to face her in the darkness, his fingers trembled slightly as they yearned to reach for her. Pressing his lips together, he finally managed to utter after a long pause: "Have... have your injuries healed?"
Mu Wan Yao was delighted that he still remembered her wounds. Though fully recovered, she wanted to prolong his concern and replied: "Not yet."
Yan Shang fell silent.
Suddenly feeling she might have missed something, Mu Wan Yao asked in confusion: "Why do you ask, Second Brother Yan?"
Yan Shang smiled faintly: "It's nothing. Your Highness should rest."—
Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang returned to the palace to visit her parents.
Seeing their youngest daughter remain as naive as before after marriage, the Emperor and Empress shook their heads with amusement yet felt relieved. Hearing from the matrons that Yan Shang treated their daughter well further eased their minds. While most princess marriages were political alliances, they had chosen to build their youngest daughter's union on genuine affection, hoping they hadn't made a mistake.
Mu Wan Yao clung to the Empress, acting spoiled and chattering endlessly before her mother. When they stepped out, the Empress noticed Yan Shang waiting outside the palace gates, a woman's cloak draped over his arm.
Spotting Yan Shang, Mu Wan Yao dashed over: "Second Brother Yan!"
The Empress observed coldly as Yan Shang gently draped the cloak over her daughter and placed a hand warmer in her arms. Watching to see if this was mere performance, she realized it was their daily routine when she saw how accustomed her daughter appeared.
The Empress felt reassured.
She had always worried that Yan Shang's universal gentleness might be hypocritical.
If he was truly virtuous, that would be ideal.
As Mu Wan Yao left the palace with Yan Shang, she discovered he had already sent the matrons from the Princess Residence back to the palace. After learning this from her mother's maid, she caught up with him in surprise.
Walking beside Yan Shang, she stole glances at him. When no one was watching, she tugged at his sleeve. Yan Shang lowered his head to look at her.
Mu Wan Yao suddenly grasped his hand.
Yan Shang stared in astonishment at their joined hands.
Battling embarrassment, Mu Wan Yao blinked at him with a smile. Yan Shang coughed and averted his gaze, allowing her to keep holding his hand. Thrilled that he didn't pull away, she moved closer and asked: "Second Brother Yan, did you send the matrons back?"
Yan Shang replied softly: "Indeed. Did I not promise Your Highness?"
Mu Wan Yao wondered: "You're amazing. But how did you convince my father? They sent those matrons to monitor me at the Princess Residence and wouldn't easily recall them. I struggled just to remove Nong Hua... What did you tell them?"
Yan Shang remained silent.
Mu Wan Yao whispered: "Can't you say?"
Yan Shang sighed: "It's not that..."
Turning to her, he asked: "Does Your Highness truly wish to know?"
Mu Wan Yao nodded: "Yes!"
Leaning close, Yan Shang whispered in her ear: "I told the Emperor that those matrons constantly prevent Your Highness and me from sharing chambers. Without consummation, we cannot produce heirs, leaving us vulnerable to criticism. Compared to this, having matrons monitor Your Highness becomes trivial."
Mu Wan Yao instantly flushed crimson.
She stammered: "For... for having children?"She suddenly recalled the pain of their wedding night and grew conflicted. Seeing this, Yan Shang reassured her: "Your Highness, rest assured, it's merely an excuse. It's not truly, truly..."—
Since the matrons had left the Princess Residence, Mu Wan Yao finally gained freedom. With no palace informants in the residence, no one constantly reporting her affairs to her parents and brothers in the palace, she contentedly began arranging the residence to her liking.
She ordered servants to move the Imperial Son-in-Law's belongings into her bedchamber—she refused to sleep in separate beds and rooms from Yan Shang all day. After touring his study, she took the initiative to relocate Yan Shang's books and memorials into her own study. She cleared space for him by tidying her own belongings aside.
After a day of bustling happily, Mu Wan Yao felt immensely virtuous.
When Yan Shang returned at dusk, he found the courtyard where he resided locked. As he stood contemplating before the lock, a delicate female voice came from behind: "Second Brother Yan, Second Brother Yan..."
Yan Shang turned and habitually placed his hands on Mu Wan Yao's shoulders to prevent her from crashing into his embrace.
Mu Wan Yao eagerly asked: "Second Brother Yan, are you hungry? Do you need to wash up? Would you like some water? Second Brother Yan, I composed a new melody today—would you listen and give me your opinion? I also tried making Hibiscus Cake—it's sweet and particularly delicious. I specially saved plenty for you, and also..."
Yan Shang gazed at her intently.
She chattered incessantly. Whatever she said stemmed from her affection for him. How could he break the heart of a girl who loved him?
Yan Shang patiently listened until she finished, answered each of her questions, then pointed at the lock behind him and inquired about its meaning.
Mu Wan Yao cheerfully explained: "Second Brother Yan will move in to sleep with me from now on. I've moved your books too, so whatever Second Brother Yan does, we can be together always."
After speaking, she suddenly felt she might have been presumptuous and looked up anxiously: "Are... are you angry that I did this without telling you?"
Yan Shang replied gently: "Anger isn't the issue. But when Your Highness wishes to do something in the future, could you consult this subject's opinion? This subject knows Your Highness is a princess, accustomed to prioritizing yourself in all matters. But between husband and wife, we shouldn't only consider ourselves, isn't that right?"
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback—this was the first time she'd heard such reasoning, finding it quite novel. But his words made sense, so she nodded in agreement. Yan Shang couldn't resist touching the top of her head.
This action made him pause momentarily.
Mu Wan Yao suddenly glanced up at him.
The corners of her eyes lifted slightly, carrying a playful hint.
She said: "This is the first time you've actively touched me.""
Yan Shang froze, looking at her, then at his own palm.
But Mu Wan Yao didn't dwell on it.
That evening, Yan Shang was pulled by Mu Wan Yao into her study. She insisted he sit and read while she leaned against him, vowing to be Accompanied by a beautiful woman.
Yan Shang facepalmed and chuckled.
Mu Wan Yao: "What are you laughing at? Do you think I can't do it?"
Yan Shang politely said: "I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare."
Mu Wan Yao, unwilling to concede, stubbornly tried to play the role of the little beauty accompanying him. But she quickly realized she truly couldn't manage—she lacked the ability to read subtle cues, failing to immediately discern what Yan Shang needed. Watching him pore over memorials beside her, she found it dull and soon drifted off in thought.When she came to her senses, Mu Wan Yao had already slumped down. Her head drooped as she leaned against Yan Shang's shoulder, beginning to doze off.
Yan Shang was stalling for time, unwilling to share the bed with her while she was awake. He feared he might lose control, worried she might get hurt, and felt that doing so would make him no different from a beast... The area where she leaned against him, from his shoulder down to his arm, remained stiff throughout.
Yan Shang whispered softly, "Your Highness should go to sleep. My review of memorials is quite tedious—there's no need for Your Highness to keep me company."
Mu Wan Yao kept her head lowered and ignored him. Suddenly, she tugged at his sleeve as if she had thought of something she wanted to do. Yan Shang had always treated her gently; when she pulled at him, he lowered his head to listen to what she had to say. But as he lowered and then raised his head, his lips accidentally brushed against her moist, slightly parted lips.
A brief touch, soft and warm.
Both of them froze instantly, their heartbeats quickening in unison.
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