Mu Wan Yao, surrounded by her maids, leisurely made her way toward the semi-open main hall.
In this era, the main halls of noble households typically lacked four walls. Instead, they were supported by pillars holding up a "roof eave," open on all sides to the breeze. As she walked along the corridor toward the hall, she caught sight of the young gentleman standing outside.
A maid curtsied to the waiting young man and said, "Sir, Her Highness has arrived."
Wei Shu looked up, his gaze falling upon the young princess approaching under the lush, shaded trees. At first glance, she appeared vivid and striking in crimson, her presence commanding attention. Meanwhile, Mu Wan Yao also noticed him in that same moment—
The young gentleman stood before the hall, his demeanor refined and noble, his aura lofty and serene.
As he lifted his head, sunlight bathed him, casting a shimmering, snow-like radiance around him, making him stand out brilliantly.
In all her life, Mu Wan Yao had never encountered someone so pure and coolly detached. He was like a layer of snowlight atop a pagoda, evoking not the slightest urge to tease or jest.
...Her uncle hadn’t deceived her. This young man’s qualities were undoubtedly among the finest she had ever seen among men.
Yet, the only issue was... Mu Wan Yao paused before the hall, setting aside her usual playful disdain, and asked earnestly, "Wei Juyuan, may I ask how old you are this year?"
Wei Shu met her gaze. "Fourteen."
Mu Wan Yao fell silent...
...No wonder her uncle hadn’t rushed their marriage, vaguely suggesting they get to know each other for a few years first.
Mu Wan Yao was already eighteen. Faced with a fourteen-year-old youth, no matter how handsome he might be... she couldn’t bring herself to take advantage.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she cleared her throat. "What brings you to Chang’an?"
Wei Shu’s voice was as clear and cool as snow. "I could no longer stay in Luoyang. My teacher sent me to Chang’an. I plan to take the imperial examinations next year. I hope Your Highness can assist me in finding lodgings and servants here. In the future, I will repay Your Highness."
Mu Wan Yao turned her face aside and smiled. "That can be arranged, certainly."
For a moment, both fell silent.
Mu Wan Yao stole a glance at Wei Shu and noticed that despite his youth, he carried himself with a calm and reserved composure.
As she discreetly observed him, he subtly averted his gaze, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. Clearly, he was aware of Li Zhi’s arrangements and felt somewhat awkward about them.
Mu Wan Yao then gracefully invited him to tea.
They spent the entire afternoon conversing, mostly about the customs and culture of Luoyang. Though young, Wei Shu’s speech and bearing unmistakably reflected the upbringing of an elite, well-bred family.
Setting aside matters of romance, host and guest enjoyed a harmonious and pleasant time together—
Li Zhi had his own considerations regarding the princess’s marriage, and naturally, the Crown Prince had his as well.
No sooner had Wei Shu left the Eastern Palace than the Crown Prince received a report.
The Crown Prince sat in quiet solitude for a long while, twirling a gilded cup in his hand, before issuing an order: "...Recall Yang Si to Chang’an. After all, he grew up with Sixth Sister as childhood friends. Does he have no reaction at all to her return to Chang’an?"
The troubled attendant smiled wryly. "Your Highness, you know how headstrong Yang Sanlang can be. It was you who arranged for him to gain experience with the border army in Longxi. Summoning him back so hastily might displease him."
The Crown Prince simmered with suppressed anger. "How dare he be so temperamental! Isn’t it natural for him to care about his childhood friend returning to Chang’an? Does he only care once the Jinling Li Clan is won over by the Wei Clan of Luoyang? Have him return to Chang’an. If he wants to train troops, I’ll assign him a position in the Imperial Guard.
"His primary task is to build a good relationship with Sixth Sister and secure the allegiance of the Jinling Li Clan for me!"Thus, swift horses were immediately dispatched from Chang'an to Longxi in search of Yang Sanlang.
The Crown Prince hoped to place his own trusted ally in the marriage arrangements for Danyang Princess.
Among his own people, Yang Sanlang (Yang Si), who had grown up with Mu Wan Yao as childhood friends and had long served as the Crown Prince's study companion and horse groom, was the most trustworthy candidate.
For an entire year, Mu Wan Yao found herself caught between the Crown Prince's schemes and the Li Family's machinations. On one side was Yang Sanlang, on the other, Young Master Wei the Seventh.
Letters from Lingnan still came and went, but due to the great distance and inconvenience of correspondence, Mu Wan Yao's initial concern for Yan Erlang gradually faded. As she became increasingly occupied with the Crown Prince's affairs, she completely forgot about the young man from Lingnan.
The youthful gentleman from that drizzly evening rain in Lingnan was merely a fleeting sentiment evoked by the atmosphere—hardly something of importance.
Mu Wan Yao progressed from occasionally inquiring about Yan Erlang's letters to eventually ignoring them entirely, even when they arrived.
Seeing that the princess had lost interest, Chunhua and the others ceased bothering her with Yan Erlang's correspondence.
However, the contents of Yan Erlang's letters remained fascinating, filled with tales of Lingnan's local customs and legends. Chunhua, Fang Tong, and others would read his monthly letters with great relish, eagerly passing them around.
In October of that year, Yan Shisheng secured the examination quota from Guangzhou to Chang'an, exactly as he had anticipated.
That same year, after the Yan family's eldest son married, the family converted all remaining valuable items from the wedding into gold ingots, packing them all into Yan Erlang's luggage.
Shortly after the New Year celebrations, they urged Yan Erlang to depart for Chang'an, ensuring he wouldn't miss the imperial examinations in February.
Yan Father, who typically spent his days drinking and never concerned himself with his sons' futures, summoned Yan Erlang to his room the night before his departure.
Since his father had once passed the imperial examinations himself, Yan Erlang naturally expected some advice about the upcoming tests.
No specific advice was offered.
However, Yan Father had made arrangements for his son: "...I've been away from Chang'an's circles for too long to be of much help. But I have an old friend who now serves as a Taixue Doctor. Though it's only a sixth-rank minor position with limited prospects, it happens to be advantageous for you.
"I've long since written to my old friend, asking him to take you as his disciple. When you reach Chang'an, seek him out.
"Erlang, among all my children, you're the one with the strongest will—the one I worry about least, yet also the most. I only hope that whatever fortune or misfortune comes your way, you won't forget your family and try to bear everything alone. If you encounter difficulties, such as lacking funds, let us know."
Yan Erlang's eyes grew warm with emotion. Without speaking, he knelt and formally kowtowed to his father.
Yan Father sighed, "Your teacher has already agreed to take you as his disciple. However, he says your current name is unsuitable and wishes to change it for you. Are you willing?"
Yan Erlang replied softly, "I shall defer to my teacher and father's judgment."
Yan Father nodded, watching his son kneel before him. He felt deeply sentimental, uncertain what the future held for Yan Erlang after his departure. Having failed to secure an official position in Chang'an during his own youth, he wondered if his son would meet the same fate.
After this moment of reflection, Yan Father suddenly produced a jade pendant from his robes with great care, mysteriously handing it to Yan Erlang.
Yan Erlang looked completely bewildered.Yan Father said mysteriously, "This was something your mother entrusted to me before she passed away. It's our family's ancestral token of affection for proposing marriage. But with so many children, I couldn't decide who to pass it to... After much thought, I've decided to give it to you."
Yan Erlang was slightly stunned. "...Eldest Brother just got married, and even Sister-in-law has never seen this jade pendant. I'm going to Chang'an for the imperial exams, yet you're giving me a token of affection?"
Yan Father said anxiously, "I'm urging you not to focus solely on exams and career—hurry up and get married! When you reach Chang'an, ask your teacher to arrange a good match for you. Surely it'll be better than here in Lingnan. Those fine maidens in Chang'an might look down on other things, but our family heirloom token won't disgrace us, right?
"Anyway, you're already eighteen! It'd be best if you married this year and gave me a grandson next year! You're the second son—your eldest brother is already married. Don't delay your younger siblings' marriages."
Yan Erlang reluctantly accepted the jade pendant.
But inwardly, he paid it no mind.
Clearly, his heart was set on pursuing an official career, with no regard for marriage matters—
In the first month of that year, the maids and guards at the Princess Residence received Yan Erlang's latest letter.
The princess was away from the residence that day, and she had long ceased to care about Yan Erlang. Naturally, everyone read the letter without waiting for her.
Chunhua and Fang Tong were surrounded by the others as Chunhua read the letter's contents in her gentle voice: "...Erlang says he has arrived in Chang'an and will visit us when he gets the chance."
Everyone cheered. A year of correspondence had made them all fond of Yan Erlang.
Chunhua made a surprised sound. "Yan Erlang says his teacher has given him a new name. From now on, he won't be called Yan Shisheng, but Yan Shang..."
—
As the spring waters broke through the ice, Chang'an grew warmer under the sun.
Yan Erlang, now renamed Yan Shang by his teacher, stood on the streets of Chang'an.
The capital was filled with noble carriages and bustling traffic. Initially stunned by Chang'an's prosperity, he felt somewhat out of place.
But after entering the city with a caravan of Hu merchants and witnessing more commoners and street performances like "musical contests," he found it quite entertaining.
Yan Shang bought a freshly baked Hu pastry called "Gulouzi," took a few bites, then stored the rest in his bundle. He strolled through the streets with keen interest, his eyes feasting on the bustling scenes.
Suddenly, several riders galloped from the distance. Pedestrians hurriedly made way, and Yan Shang naturally followed suit.
He glanced casually at the spectacle and noticed that among the brightly dressed noble youths riding through the street, the leader was a young woman.
Her splendid robes and tinkling hair ornaments chimed clearly as she rode beside a young man in brocade robes and sturdy attire. Though his horse was a step faster, she showed no hurry.
The wind blew aside her veil, revealing the maiden's face.
Her vibrant skirts cascaded over the horse's back, swaying gracefully. Her lovely, snow-white complexion resembled spring waters rippling to life, with a slender jade-like neck and cloud-like dark hair.
Such vivid, enchanting beauty.
It was as if the clouds had parted, brightening the entire dreary street. As Yan Shang watched her ride forth amid the splendor of silks and satins, the observing commoners murmured, "That must be Danyang Princess. What magnificent presence."
As Mu Wan Yao passed by the pedestrians, she suddenly heard someone call from behind—
"Yan Suchen!"
Another voice, gentle as jade, responded: "Brother Liu, you've come."
The latter's clear, mellifluous voice was like pearls striking bamboo, rustling through bamboo leaves. Mu Wan Yao reined in her horse and abruptly turned to look back.
She saw the bustling crowd, where one man stood with his back to her—as elegant as green mountains and jade bones—walking into the throng with another person, soon disappearing from view.The young gentleman beside her reined in his horse and waited, asking in a light tone, "An acquaintance?"
Mu Wan Yao snapped out of her thoughts, her beautiful eyes glancing at the utterly indifferent Yang Sanlang, Yang Si, as she replied with a smile, "How could that be? I must have misheard."—
Meanwhile, at the Princess Residence, the maid Chunhua read out clearly and distinctly—
"His name has been changed to Yan Shang, styled Suchen.
"Shang means to revere, to honor. Suchen refers to being a minister of the Suwang. Suwang is an honorific title for Confucius. My teacher gave me this name and style to encourage me to cultivate the Way of Confucius, transmit the classics throughout the world, and refine culture across past and present."
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