Mu Wan Yao’s gaze drifted past Wei Shu’s shoulder and landed on Yan Shang.
Yet the princess remained remarkably composed. While Yan Shang’s pupils involuntarily contracted upon seeing her, Mu Wan Yao merely continued leisurely flicking water droplets from her robes with utter nonchalance.
Her hair was still styled like drifting clouds, her face radiant as blossoms; her gown trailed with gilded embroidery, and her captivating eyes sparkled with vivacity—just as they had that day on the street when he saw her riding among a group of noble youths.
Wei Shu bowed to Yan Shang. “Brother Yan.”
Suppressing the turmoil stirred by the sight of Mu Wan Yao, Yan Shang returned the courtesy as politely as possible. “What brings Ju Yuan here?”
When he learned of Wei Shu’s connection to Mu Wan Yao, he had indeed considered the possibility of encountering her. But he had assumed that, rather than Wei Shu bringing her along, he would be the one to first visit the Princess Residence to pay his respects.
...Yan Shang thought to himself, if he called at the Princess Residence, perhaps Mu Wan Yao would refuse to see him or simply disregard him. Yet if he failed to visit and Danyang Princess suddenly remembered his existence, the fault would inevitably fall upon him.
As he spoke, Yan Shang’s eyelashes trembled faintly, and his posture stiffened slightly. Those familiar with him would have recognized the storm raging within.
However, neither of the two visitors knew Yan Erlang well. From their perspective, he was merely exceedingly courteous.
Wei Shu then stepped aside, revealing the dazzling young woman behind him who was idly wringing water from her sleeves, and introduced her: “Brother Yan, this is Danyang Princess.”
Mu Wan Yao’s beautiful eyes, tinged with a hint of mockery, turned toward Yan Shang.
Yan Shang bowed deeper. “So it is Your Highness. This humble scholar is fearful.”
Silence lingered.
Wei Shu prompted softly, with a trace of doubt. “Your Highness?”
Only then did Mu Wan Yao’s voice, clear and noble as jade yet languid, slowly drift forth. "You ought to be fearful."”
Yan Shang pressed his lips together. He knew what she referred to.
Yet without raising his eyes, standing amidst toppled books that littered half the floor and piled high on the desk, he sensed the peculiar weight in her gaze. A strange, unspoken tension unique to the two of them simmered in the air, entirely unnoticed by Wei Shu.
Wei Shu proceeded to introduce Yan Shang to the princess. “Your Highness, this is the senior I mentioned. He hails from Lingnan, is the second son in his family, bears the given name Shang, and his courtesy name is Suchen…”
Before Wei Shu could finish, Mu Wan Yao cut him off bluntly. “Your name is Yan Shang?”
Yan Shang thought: Here it comes.
Judging by her question, she must have long ceased reading his letters.
When they last parted, he was still Yan Shisheng; now he had changed his name to Yan Shang. If the noble and proud Danyang Princess remained unaware, it would be an offense to all under heaven.
Yan Shang explained quietly, “My teacher helped me change my name.”
Mu Wan Yao stared at him without a word.
Even Wei Shu finally sensed that the atmosphere had turned awkward. Assuming Mu Wan Yao looked down upon his non-aristocratic senior, the typically aloof youth unusually stepped in to defuse the situation: “The princess and I were discussing some matters when we were caught in the heavy rain. I recalled that Brother Yan resides nearby and brought Her Highness here to take shelter.”
What could Yan Shang say? “It is only right to welcome you with a swept couch.”
Mu Wan Yao let out a soft, derisive snort.
Wei Shu glanced back at her. Mu Wan Yao had turned her face away, her cheek still glistening with raindrops, her lashes misted, her jade-like complexion luminous, and her golden hairpins resplendent. When Wei Shu looked at her, she offered no response. She remained as dignified and elegant as ever—only no one knew what she was scoffing at.Wei Shu fell silent for a moment before steering the conversation back to Yan Shang: "When I knocked earlier, I heard some noise. What were you doing, senior brother?"
Yan Shang replied gently, "When you knocked, I was organizing the literary works for my submission. I had too many books out and couldn’t find what I needed right away. The pile of books on my desk toppled over, which is why Ju Yuan heard the noise. It was nothing serious."
Wei Shu said, "Let me help you look."
Yan Shang expressed gratitude, "Thank you."
From behind, Mu Wan Yao remarked coolly, "That Yan something."
Yan Shang: "…"
He sighed helplessly and turned to look at Her Highness, who had finally stepped into his humble dwelling.
Wei Shu glanced at Mu Wan Yao in surprise. While Mu Wan Yao was not known for having a gentle temperament, she was usually not so discourteous as to forget a name she had just been introduced to and embarrass someone like this. How had Brother Yan managed to offend Her Highness?
Mu Wan Yao lifted her chin toward Yan Shang. "Yan something, is this how you treat your guests?"
Yan Shang paused briefly, unable to suppress a smile at her deliberate provocation. He hesitated, "I only have cold water here, as I’ve been busy… I’m afraid I have no hot tea to offer Your Highness."
Mu Wan Yao twirled a few damp strands of hair near her ear and drawled, "I’ve been drenched in the rain for so long—my hair is wet, my clothes are soaked. What if I fall ill tomorrow? Yan something, do you really not know how to treat a guest?"
Yan Shang was astute enough.
As soon as she challenged him, he understood what she wanted.
He turned to Wei Shu, who was frowning disapprovingly at the princess, and said, "Ju Yuan, could you please help me review the manuscripts first? I’ll take Her Highness to the inner room to freshen up."
Yan Shang entered the inner room, with Mu Wan Yao following closely behind.
Once inside, he fetched a clean towel and went to fetch water, intending for the princess to wash up. With his back to her as he busied himself, he murmured softly, "Please bear with the humble conditions, Your Highness. This towel is new and unused. I have no women’s clothing here for you to change into, so you’ll have to make do with drying yourself with the towel. I’ll also prepare a bowl of ginger soup for you…"
Mu Wan Yao watched him intently.
He had grown taller since they last parted.
Mu Wan Yao was a tall young woman herself. Before, she had reached his chin, but now, standing behind him, she realized she only came up to just above his shoulder.
His face and demeanor had also changed slightly.
He appeared more refined and gentle, exuding an air of serene elegance.
He wore only a simple scholar's robe, his hair tied back with a wooden hairpin, yet when he fixed his gaze on someone, it could make younger women blush. This was only natural—he had always been handsome. Even in a remote place like Lingnan, Mu Wan Yao had found herself stealing glances at him, let alone now in a bustling metropolis like Chang’an.
While Yan Shang continued to chatter, Mu Wan Yao, growing impatient, interjected sharply, "Stop pretending."
Yan Shang halted. He set down what he was doing and turned to face Mu Wan Yao, who stood so close their shoulders nearly brushed. He stiffened, hearing the rustle of bamboo scrolls outside and knowing Wei Shu was still at work.
The more Wei Shu was helping, the less appropriate it was for him to be in the inner room with the princess, their backs turned to whatever might transpire.
Yet it was clear Mu Wan Yao had deliberately sent Wei Shu away to confront him.
She took a step forward.
Yan Shang retreated.
Mu Wan Yao advanced gracefully toward him.
Yan Shang had no choice but to step back again.
Lowering his long lashes, he whispered, careful not to be overheard by Wei Shu outside, "I wrote to the Princess Residence to inform you of my name change to Yan Shang. Your Highness must have been too busy to take note of the matter."Mu Wan Yao practically matched his steps, pressing forward one step at a time as she advanced toward him.
Yan Shang continued to retreat, his words quickening: "I only arrived in Chang’an two days ago. The reason I haven’t visited the Princess Residence is that I wanted to prepare for the exams first. Once the imperial exams are over, I will definitely pay a visit. It’s not that I disrespect Your Highness—I truly have my plans."
Mu Wan Yao gazed at him with a smile, playful yet icy.
"Thud—"
Yan Shang bumped into the wall behind him, with no further room to retreat. Mu Wan Yao pressed forward relentlessly, forcing Yan Shang to reach out and seize her wrist to prevent her from coming closer.
Yan Shang spoke even faster: "It’s true that I met Wei Shu a couple of days ago and learned about his relationship with Your Highness from him, but I haven’t used that information or sought any advantage from it! I merely know about it… Is knowing a crime?"
Wei Shu called out doubtfully from outside: "Brother Yan?"
Yan Shang raised his voice: "It’s nothing! A bucket fell."
It was unclear whether Wei Shu believed him or not, but he neither spoke again nor approached.
Yan Shang let out a long sigh of relief. In just that short moment, sweat had already beaded on his forehead, and his heart was racing. He looked down at the princess whose wrist he held, preventing her from advancing further—Mu Wan Yao watched him with a half-smile.
She chuckled softly: "Does this feel like the thrill of sneaking around behind your dear junior’s back?"
Yan Shang: "…"
His expression darkened slightly.
He murmured: "Your Highness, please watch your words."
Mu Wan Yao’s face instantly turned cold as she glared at him: "What right do you have to show me that expression? I’ll say whatever I please."
Yan Shang sighed inwardly.
He murmured again: "Your Highness is right to admonish me."
Then added: "Please lower your voice."
After saying this, he felt awkward himself, as if he were confirming Mu Wan Yao’s words—the strange sensation of sneaking around behind his junior’s back.
Yan Shang quickly shook off these thoughts. A gentleman in this world should act with integrity and stand upright—how could he let Mu Wan Yao drag him down and tie his own hands?
Mu Wan Yao smiled.
She asked Yan Shang: "Since you’ve come to Chang’an, why haven’t you visited me?"
Yan Shang replied: "As I said, I planned to pay a visit after the exams."
Mu Wan Yao’s beautiful eyes lifted lightly, like spring ripples gently sweeping toward him: "That’s not what I meant. I’m asking whose patronage you sought for the submission of your literary works?"
Yan Shang answered honestly: "It was under Chancellor Zhang."
Great Wei did not have a dedicated position of prime minister; instead, it employed a collective leadership system. There was no official title of prime minister in the court, but several officials performed the duties of one. The Chancellor Zhang that Yan Shang referred to was among those several chancellors and was known for being the most enthusiastic about promoting newcomers.
Clearly, Yan Shang intended to try his luck.
Mu Wan Yao pondered for a moment and quickly connected the dots. Her face darkened: "If you’re willing to submit your works to that old man Zhang, why not present them to me?"
Yan Shang slowly lifted his gaze, his calm eyes resting quietly on her.
Mu Wan Yao tilted her chin, signaling him to explain.
Yan Shang’s hand still held her wrist, and through her sleeve, he could feel the delicate softness of her bones. She appeared fragile and pitiable, but that was merely an illusion.
Yan Shang spoke slowly: "If I submitted my works to you, would you help me?"
Mu Wan Yao gave him a surprised glance.
Then she burst out laughing.
Her beautiful eyes sparkled with amusement: "...Indeed, I would not."
She broke free from his grip, rubbed her wrist, bit her lip, and glanced sideways at him: "I’d make sure to give you a hard time."Yan Shang thought, I knew it.
As he remained silent, Mu Wan Yao furrowed her brows and said, "However, if you submit your literary works through Chancellor Zhang, you should know that he and the chief examiner this time have had past grievances. Though they maintain a facade of civility, there is underlying discord. The chief examiner might harbor biases against any submissions forwarded by Chancellor Zhang, which could hinder your objective."
Yan Shang inquired, "May I ask who the chief examiner is?"
Mu Wan Yao replied, "Even Wei Shu doesn’t know yet. Why would I tell you first?"
Yan Shang: "..."
Mu Wan Yao: "Aren’t you supposed to be remarkable? Wait until I inform Wei Shu, then you can slowly ask your dear junior brother for details."
At that moment, Wei Shu called from outside, "Your Highness, your maids have come looking for you."
Mu Wan Yao did not respond.
She and Yan Shang exchanged a glance.
Surprisingly, they both tacitly dropped their confrontational stance.
Wei Shu waited outside for a moment before lifting the curtain to enter the inner room. He saw Mu Wan Yao sitting on a low stool drying her hair, while Yan Shang was boiling water. It seemed as though the faint murmurs he had overheard were merely an illusion.
Mu Wan Yao suddenly lifted her gaze and glanced at Wei Shu. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she gave him a radiant, flower-like smile.
Wei Shu was taken aback, his face flushing crimson. Without another thought, he turned and hurried out.
Yan Shang let out a sigh.
Mu Wan Yao snapped immediately, "What are you sighing about? Focus on boiling the water! What does it have to do with you?"
Yan Shang glanced back at her with a smile, only to be met with a glare.
Wei Shu felt as though he heard arguing from inside again and lifted the curtain once more.
Inside, everything remained peaceful and serene.
Mu Wan Yao sat gracefully drying her hair, while Yan Shang silently tended to the boiling water, looking up to offer Wei Shu a gentle smile.
Wei Shu fell silent.
Still, he felt... something was amiss—
After the princess’s maids arrived, Mu Wan Yao did not linger.
Before the maids could enter and joyfully reunite with Yan Erlang, Mu Wan Yao stepped out. With Chunhua holding an umbrella for her, the group of women departed in a grand procession to the temple’s front courtyard to meet Princess Consort Jin.
Wei Shu, however, decided to stay behind, planning to leave once the rain stopped.
Though unaccustomed to such humble lodgings, Wei Shu, with his aloof demeanor, showed no signs of aristocratic fussiness and seemed to adapt quite well.
That night, the two men shared a bed, as need not be detailed—
The rain continued through the night.
After leaving Yongshou Temple, Princess Consort Jin grew anxious, worrying whether the rain on the day she came to pray for a child was an auspicious or ominous sign. Mu Wan Yao offered a few perfunctory words of comfort before seeing the princess consort off. Once the gates of the Princess Residence were closed, she immediately began interrogating the household servants.
Seated in the main hall, with the rain pattering across the heavens and earth, only the lamplight flickered heavily. The ancient paintings of beauties on the "Suspended Li Screens" placed around the room shimmered vaguely in the firelight, ethereal and hazy.
Mu Wan Yao ordered the servants to bring out the letters Yan Erlang had sent.
She slammed the table and demanded of the household, "So, all of you knew he had come to Chang’an, knew he had changed his name, yet not one of you thought to inform me?"
Among the women, Chunhua mustered the courage to retort, "Your Highness, hadn’t you... already forgotten him? Didn’t you say you never wanted to hear news of him again?"
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback.
She suddenly turned her face away, gazing at the raindrops dripping from the eaves.
It was true—she had already forgotten him.
If not for their reunion today.
Yet, upon seeing him in the temple, watching him rise slowly from behind the desk, revealing his face... countless indescribable emotions surged back into her heart.Amidst the continuous patter of rain in Lingnan, the memory resurfaced—of her pulling him into the carriage and forcibly kissing him...
She was thinking of him again.
Observing the princess’s detached expression as she turned her face away, Chunhua cautiously gauged her mood and said, “Perhaps Your Highness could summon Yan Erlang to visit?”
Mu Wan Yao paused briefly before replying indifferently, “No need. Since he is such a fickle-hearted man, there is no need for him to set foot in my Princess Residence.
“Dismissed.”
The princess’s words left everyone baffled, unable to comprehend how Yan Erlang could be considered fickle-hearted... After all, it was Her Highness who couldn’t even be bothered to read his letters.
But no one dared to say so—
Yan Shang truly knew how to handle people.
The next day, once the skies cleared, he personally visited the Princess Residence with a letter of apology.
Unfortunately, Mu Wan Yao was not in.
Yan Shang left only the apology letter behind. By the time Mu Wan Yao returned, he had long since departed.
Chunhua, watching the princess’s expression, remarked, “Since Yan Erlang has already come to Chang’an, there will surely be plenty of opportunities for him to visit our residence in the future.”
Mu Wan Yao reclined on the daybed, propping her chin lazily with her hand, and said, “He’s just a minor scholar. Stop bothering me with talk of him all day.”
Chunhua: “...”
Thus, the people at the Princess Residence truly could not decipher the princess’s attitude toward Yan Erlang.
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