From the start of the drinking session, Yan Shang had conducted himself with perfect decorum, his words and actions making others feel as comfortable as a spring breeze. His sudden spit-take, choking as he hurriedly covered his mouth with his sleeve, startled his companions Feng Xianyu and Wei Shu.
Coughing, Yan Shang said, "My apologies, I've lost my composure..."
Feng Xianyu studied the flustered, red-faced Yan Erlang, then glanced at Wei Shu. Sure enough, the young man's expression had grown even more detached than before.
Wei Shu remarked, "Is the other party being Danyang Princess what shocks Brother Yan so much?"
Yan Shang's coughing subsided.
He looked down helplessly at the tea stains he had splattered on his lapel and sleeves, feeling somewhat distressed. After all, attending this renowned flower banquet tonight had cost him at least 500 wen, and now with his clothes soiled, he would have to change upon returning home.
Being more concerned about money than the princess helped Yan Shang regain his composure as he faced Wei Shu again: "I just thought that at your young age, Ju Yuan, that princess must be considerably older than you... It's quite surprising."
Unbidden, his mind conjured the image of that exquisitely beautiful lady.
Truly stunning.
Yet no matter how beautiful... wasn't that princess about to celebrate her nineteenth birthday? While Wei Shu appeared only fourteen or fifteen.
Calling it "an old cow eating tender grass" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Remembering how Mu Wan Yao had kissed him at their farewell, Yan Shang couldn't help wondering what peculiar quality he possessed that, like Wei Shu, might appeal to Danyang Princess in some way.
Yan Shang lowered his lashes slightly, observing Wei Shu. Because of his youth, the others at the table were careful not to let him drink too much.
Thus, apart from Yan Shang who never touched alcohol, both Liu Wenji who had excused himself and the now slumped-over Feng Xianyu had flushed faces, while Wei Shu remained clear and composed, his entire demeanor pure and transparent.
Wei Shu lifted his eyes to Yan Shang, paused for a moment, then said in a softer voice: "How do you know there's such an age gap between me and Danyang Princess? How do you know how old Danyang Princess is this year? Could it be... you know Her Highness?"
Yan Shang maintained his composure, answering naturally: "I'm but a commoner—where would I have met Her Highness? It's just that Danyang Princess is quite famous, I've merely heard of her."
His words convinced Wei Shu.
Indeed, His Majesty only had two princesses, and Danyang Princess was renowned—not for other reasons, but because she had undergone a Peace Marriage.
A princess who returned to Chang'an after a Peace Marriage naturally attracted everyone's attention. All eyes under heaven were fixed on her.
Wei Shu said, "...It was my teacher who hoped I would with Her Highness... but the specifics remain uncertain. The Peace Marriage was originally for Great Wei's sake, yet now upon returning she faces gossip. Regardless of what the future holds, currently, I find Her Highness somewhat pitiable."
Yan Shang remained silent.
After a long pause, he said: "Pitiable isn't quite the word—this is what she should bear as a princess. But when the fate of the nation rests on a woman's shoulders, it inevitably shames all men under heaven."
Wei Shu's eyes brightened slightly as he looked at Yan Shang: "Brother Yan speaks truth."
He continued: "If one day we both serve in court, I hope such things will never happen again."
Yan Shang smiled without responding, merely pouring tea again and rising to toast Wei Shu with tea instead of wine.
Feng Xianyu, who had been watching the scene unfold, felt a start of astonishment at these two men's lofty ideals.
These two were so like-minded, having progressed from discussing the peace-marriage princess to how to be officials...
This wasn't one oddity.
But two."What are you all discussing?" Liu Wenji returned to his seat just as Yan Shang and Wei Shu were toasting each other with tea instead of wine. He looked curiously at the unusual atmosphere around them.
Just as Feng Xianyu was about to explain in a casual tone, Yan Shang took over and said to Liu Wenji with a smile, "Nothing much. Wei Juyuan and I were just discussing some new drinking games."
Yan Shang knew that Liu Wenji was somewhat arrogant and looked down on those who curried favor with the powerful. He was afraid that if Liu Wenji heard about Wei Shu's involvement with the princess, he might make some sarcastic remarks.
He subtly changed the subject. Wei Shu glanced at him but said nothing, while Feng Xianyu simply smiled without contradicting him.
The evening breeze was cool under the hazy moon, and the wine's warmth was intoxicating. Feng Xianyu, with his sleeves tucked, hummed a little tune to himself: The young friends I met today are all quite interesting—
Over at Mu Wan Yao's side, the Princess Residence welcomed a guest with a sorrowful face—Princess Consort Jin.
Among the three surviving princes, Prince Jin was the most inconspicuous, and Princess Consort Jin naturally became a minor presence in Chang'an. Moreover, she was a second wife, which further diminished her status.
While other princess consorts had various amusements and admirers, Princess Consort Jin looked around and felt that only the recently returned Danyang Princess might understand her situation.
Princess Consort Jin held Danyang Princess's hand and wept for an hour: "...It's been three years since we married, and I still haven't been able to bear a single child for His Highness. Sister, I believe you can understand the pain of being a wife unable to bear children for her husband..."
Mu Wan Yao was amused.
Resting her chin on her hand, she smiled faintly, "Why would I understand? Just because I've been married, does that mean I must understand your desire to have children?"
Princess Consort Jin was taken aback.
She said, "Because you also have no children..."
Outside the curtain, maids like Chunhua exchanged glances, thinking to themselves: No wonder this princess consort isn't well-liked in Chang'an. How could she say such things? Was she deliberately stepping on their Highness's sore spots?
Their Highness had been married, but who said that being married meant one must want children? Their Highness would have preferred to castrate her former husband.
Sure enough, the maids heard their princess's cool voice: "Sorry, sister-in-law. I truly don't understand you. I have no intention of bearing children for anyone in this lifetime. But if you'd like, I can send some beauties to my fifth brother's bed to help him have children."
Princess Consort Jin: "..."
Princess Consort Jin's tears fell even harder, and she sobbed repeatedly, "Isn't it all for the sake of the royal lineage? Why must you wound me like this, sister?"
Mu Wan Yao thought she had been too harsh.
Unexpectedly, the princess consort said, "I've sent many concubines to your fifth brother's bed over the years, but our residence still has no heirs. I suspect, I suspect..."
Mu Wan Yao began to suspect something too.
She asked curiously in a low voice, "Is my fifth brother incapable? Does he have some physical problem?"
Princess Consort Jin cried, "The imperial physician examined him and said there's no issue. Yet our residence still has no heirs."
With no secret gossip to hear, Mu Wan Yao grew impatient.
She changed her sitting position and lazily yawned, "Well, I'm not the Child-Giving Guanyin. Why are you telling me all this?"
Princess Consort Jin looked up, her eyes shimmering with hope, "I've heard that the Child-Giving Guanyin at Yongshou Temple is very efficacious. I was hoping you could accompany me there."
Mu Wan Yao refused, "Why don't you go yourself?"Princess Consort Jin said, "I don't wish for our princely household's affairs to become common knowledge. Come with me, younger sister—I shall pray for a child, while you seek blessings for marriage!"
Thoroughly annoyed by Princess Consort Jin's incessant chatter, and having nothing better to do anyway, Mu Wan Yao agreed to accompany her to Yongshou Temple—
That afternoon, Yan Shang sat alone in his quarters. The weather outside was gloomy and cold, with dim light filtering through. Inside, he worked by candlelight, compiling writings as thick scrolls piled mountain-high upon his desk.
In this era, candidates seeking success in the imperial examinations had two paths: the formal examination route, or compiling their usual poetry and essays into volumes to be submitted—through recommendations by high officials—to the chief examiners.
This allowed examiners to evaluate candidates based on their consistent literary talents.
This method was called "submission of literary works."
Liu Wenji had always despised this approach and never participated in it.
But Yan Shang knew his own circumstances well. With no strong preference either way, both he and Feng Xianyu showed keen interest in the "submission of literary works."
They agreed to visit a certain high minister's residence to submit their volumes, with the primary task being to first produce an outstanding compilation.
Yan Shang had holed up in his room all day, busy organizing, revising, and compiling his old writings.
When a light drizzle began outside, he rose to close the windows and door—
Mu Wan Yao grew bored shortly after accompanying Princess Consort Jin to Yongshou Temple. While the princess consort devotedly prayed to the Buddha, Mu Wan Yao contemplated leaving. Just then, a maid announced that Wei Shu had come to see her.
Seizing this excuse, Mu Wan Yao escaped Princess Consort Jin's side, claiming she needed to speak with Wei Shu in the small bamboo grove behind the temple.
As they strolled through the serene green woods, Wei Shu brought up the submission of literary works: "I've prepared my volume. I hope Your Highness can help recommend me another day."
Mu Wan Yao gave a noncommittal "Hmm."
Candidates couldn't recommend themselves to chief examiners—they needed guarantees from high-ranking officials.
Wei Shu pressed further: "Does Your Highness know which official the Ministry of Rites has appointed as this year's chief examiner?"
Just as Mu Wan Yao smiled and prepared to answer, a "plink" sounded from the sky as a raindrop fell—
Mist rose in the bamboo grove. As the rain began, Mu Wan Yao and Wei Shu retreated from the woods. Halfway out, the rain intensified into a heavy downpour, pounding noisily against the leaves.
Through the rain curtain, Wei Shu suddenly said: "Your Highness, I just remembered—one of my senior classmates is staying at Yongshou Temple. The attendants are likely taking shelter in the front courtyard during this heavy rain. Shall we seek refuge in my senior's quarters?"
Mu Wan Yao chided: "Why so much talk? Lead the way!"
Wei Shu's face flushed suddenly. Muttering "pardon me," he grasped Mu Wan Yao's sleeve and hurried her out of the bamboo grove.
After several twists and turns through the woods, they emerged to find the rain falling even harder. Fortunately, Wei Shu's senior lived right beside the bamboo grove.
Wei Shu pulled Mu Wan Yao through the pouring rain. While she stood under the eaves wiping rainwater from her face and clothes, Wei Shu knocked on the door: "Brother Yan!"
No answer came from within, only a sudden crash as if something had fallen.
Wei Shu paused, then pushed the wooden door open, repeating: "Brother Yan, are you alright?"
A gentle male voice cut through the evening rain, rising from behind the mountain-like pile of scrolls on the desk: "I'm fine."
Hearing this voice, Mu Wan Yao—who stood behind Wei Shu straightening her appearance—vaguely found it familiar.
Absentmindedly smoothing the wet hair clinging to her cheek, she glanced toward the desk.She saw the person who had been kneeling by the desk, head bowed as he sorted through books, slowly rising from behind the layered stacks of scrolls.
Distant long brows, dark and gentle eyes, a tall and straight nose, delicate facial contours... Time slowed as he gradually revealed his elegant brows and eyes, and smiling vermilion lips.
The evening breeze chills the sunny shore, jade-like bones slender against the green hills.
Raindrops pattered against the eaves, bamboo leaves rustled and swayed in the wind, and for a moment, heaven and earth fell silent.
The cold rain fell densely, drip by drip, winding years flowing like a river—how many chilly evenings had come and gone?
Standing on the corridor steps at the entrance of the house, a cool breeze brushed past, caressing her black hair and robes. Mu Wan Yao, caught off guard and unable to look away, saw Yan Erlang.
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