After Mu Wan Yao helped Wei Shu submit his literary works and gained the recognition of the chief examiner for the imperial examination, she received a summons from the Crown Prince.
Mu Wan Yao was invited to the Eastern Palace, but the Crown Prince was long in coming.
The main hall was exceptionally quiet, with only Mu Wan Yao sitting alone.
She sneered inwardly, knowing that the Crown Prince was trying to intimidate her.
However, the current Danyang Princess was no longer the young girl who would feel so ashamed and wish for death just because someone gave her a cold shoulder.
Now, even if others' words stabbed at her heart, she could endure the humiliation and retort with insults.
It was impossible for the Crown Prince to make her anxious and uneasy by neglecting her.
Naturally, Mu Wan Yao also knew that to rely on the Crown Prince, she ought to appear obedient to gain his trust.
Yet Mu Wan Yao neither wanted to be obedient nor believed that such an attitude held much political value.
After all, she had the Jinling Li Clan backing her.
Among the surviving descendants, she was the only one left. If her own full brother hadn't died, with the Jinling Li Clan's support, how could the current Crown Prince even be the Crown Prince?
In the past, the Li Clan's power in Chang'an was immense. Although they had now declined and retreated to Jinling, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
The Crown Prince would tolerate her out of caution.
Fully aware of this, even though the master of the Eastern Palace was long in coming, Mu Wan Yao remained composed, having her maids serve tea and fruits.
She casually picked up a picture book and sat leisurely in the hall, reading while eating, utterly at ease.
Thus, since the Crown Prince couldn't intimidate her, he had no choice but to appear.
The Crown Prince's voice came from behind a side door: "Has Sixth Sister arrived?"
Mu Wan Yao looked up and saw the Crown Prince, with his proper appearance and dressed in casual attire, entering from outside. As he handed his cloak to a maid, his eyes glanced at the plate full of melon seeds that Mu Wan Yao had cracked.
The Crown Prince's eyes twitched slightly as he watched Mu Wan Yao rise and bow to him respectfully with a smile.
Suppressing his displeasure at Mu Wan Yao's casual attitude, the Crown Prince motioned for her to sit down.
After the maids in the hall had replaced the tea cups and everyone had withdrawn, the Crown Prince rubbed his neck and sighed to Mu Wan Yao: "I was just summoned by the Emperor to discuss some matters regarding the Ministry of Personnel, which is why I kept Sixth Sister waiting."
The Crown Prince was full of worry: "The Emperor's illness has worsened again. Seeing him like this truly pains my heart."
Mu Wan Yao sneered inwardly, thinking that you probably can't wait for that old man to die quickly so you can ascend the throne.
But with the Emperor clinging to life for so many years, how could the Crown Prince not be frustrated?
Pretending not to understand any of this, Mu Wan Yao feigned concern with her brother over the Emperor's health before giving the Crown Prince a surprised look and saying slowly: "Isn't the Ministry of Personnel under Third Brother's control? Why would the Emperor ask you, Eldest Brother?"
The Crown Prince replied amiably: "It is indeed under Third Brother's control. But there was a mistake in the Ministry of Personnel recently, and Third Brother and I argued over it for a few days, which is why the Emperor intervened."
Mu Wan Yao said "Oh."
Seeing the Crown Prince staring intently at her, Mu Wan Yao smiled brightly: "I don't understand these matters. Third Brother and I aren't close, and our relationship isn't good—you know that, Eldest Brother. I always steer clear of whatever he's involved in."
The Crown Prince nodded with a smile.
It was precisely because this sister had a poor relationship with Third Brother that he could easily win her over... but recently...
The Crown Prince held his tea cup, casually rubbing the lid against the rim.His gaze fixed on the tea stains in the cup, his tone casual as if making small talk: "However, just now while speaking with the Ministry of Personnel, I learned that Sixth Sister has been interacting rather closely with them recently due to your submission of literary works. I heard you even personally led someone to meet with the newly appointed evaluation bureau vice director?"
The evaluation bureau vice director of the Ministry of Personnel was responsible for imperial examinations.
Mu Wan Yao and Wei Shu had indeed gone to see him.
There was nothing to deny about this.
Mu Wan Yao simply smiled faintly without saying anything.
The Crown Prince's expression cooled. He set down his teacup and looked at Mu Wan Yao: "You don't seem to spend much time with Yang Sanlang these days?"
Mu Wan Yao replied: "Our temperaments don't align well. I have a fiery temper, and so does he. We always end up arguing when we're together. We can't get along."
The Crown Prince smiled.
He narrowed his eyes as if recalling the past: "Yang Sanlang has been as stubborn as a mule since childhood, thinking himself second only to heaven and listening to no one. I remember back then, only when you cried would he grow impatient enough to control his temper and come back to find you."
Mu Wan Yao remained silent.
Then she said softly: "...We were all very young back then. Things are different now."
The Crown Prince nodded: "Indeed. Who would have thought that while Yang Sanlang's temper remains unchanged, Sixth Sister yours has transformed. That once delicate little girl who only knew how to cry has now become someone who often pays lip service while acting contrary, showing no regard for others' face."
Knowing the Crown Prince was mocking her for ostensibly supporting him while still helping Wei Shu.
Mu Wan Yao maintained her composure: "Young Master Wei the Seventh is my maternal uncle's disciple, still young, and marginalized by the Wei family. My uncle asked me to look after him occasionally, so I simply obliged. Even without my intervention, with the Wei family's backing, Young Master Wei would secure an official position after a few years of grinding. I was merely building goodwill."
The Crown Prince scoffed.
He said: "Let's not discuss him further. When do you plan to marry Yang Sanlang?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
She abruptly looked up at the Crown Prince. Her eyes were like ice and snow, frozen into cold blades that stabbed sharply, as if piercing straight through one's heart.
It actually made one somewhat reluctant to continue.
The Crown Prince sighed, his voice softening: "Sixth Sister, I'm not pressuring you. I'm considering your wellbeing. The war with the Black Barbarians has lasted a year now, and I've heard it will soon conclude. Those barbarians lack propriety—it's common for fathers and sons to share the same wife, let alone that the current Uman King is newly emerged?"
The Crown Prince didn't know the current Uman King was the eldest son of the previous one.
The Crown Prince now spoke to Mu Wan Yao with sincere concern: "When the Black Barbarians' war ends, Great Wei, as their suzerain state, will certainly send envoys to Chang'an to pay homage to the Emperor. If you remain unmarried by then, aren't you afraid the Uman King might demand you from the Emperor? Having undergone one Peace Marriage already, do you truly wish to experience another?"
Mu Wan Yao's face turned pale as snow. She said nothing, but her arm resting on the armrest tensed visibly.
The Crown Prince continued: "If you marry Yang Sanlang, with your childhood bond, the Yang family's protection, and my support, the Uman King naturally wouldn't be able to claim you again. I know that year of Peace Marriage must have exposed you to many terrible experiences among the Black Barbarians, which caused your temperament to change so drastically from before.
"You've already undergone one complete personality transformation—do you really wish to experience another?
"Yao Yao, you can't always climb back from the abyss every time."
Mu Wan Yao gazed quietly at the Crown Prince.She thought to herself: If I marry Yang Sanlang, the Jinling Li Clan will surely be displeased. The Li Clan might even abandon me. Without the support of the Li Clan, what leverage would I have to remain in Chang'an without being manipulated by others?
She needed to please both sides without getting herself entangled.
Everyone seemed quite dissatisfied.
Why did it seem like she was the only one who could adapt to anyone, without any strong opinions of her own?
Mu Wan Yao let out a soft laugh.
She lowered her eyes and brows, gentle as spring water, exuding endless charm.
With a sorrowful sigh, she said, "I understand, but I feel that Yang San doesn't like me."
The Crown Prince laughed. "That's just his temperament; don't take it to heart. He's always been different with you. Otherwise, why hasn't he married yet? Isn't he waiting for you?"
Mu Wan Yao smiled faintly.
Her face flushed slightly, her eyelashes trembling delicately. Like a maiden in the throes of spring longing, she bit her lip, pondering what kind of heroic figure her future husband should be.
Seeing that she wasn’t resistant, the Crown Prince knew when to stop and didn’t press further.
Once Mu Wan Yao stepped out of the Eastern Palace gates, the maidenly blush on her face vanished.
By the time she left the palace city gates, even her expression had faded away.
Mu Wan Yao sat expressionlessly in the carriage, waiting for her maids outside to present their tokens for entry and exit.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of galloping hooves. Surprised that anyone would dare make such a commotion in front of the palace gates, she lifted the carriage curtain to look.
She saw a young man riding toward her on horseback, dressed in black robes with a red collar, clad in martial attire. Leaning low over his horse, he charged toward the palace gates at breakneck speed.
The guards turned pale with fear, but the young man’s expression remained unchanged, and he did not slow his horse.
A red hair ribbon fluttered lightly in the wind, while the sword at his waist hung silently.
His gaze was cold and profound, sweeping over the scene with unparalleled arrogance.
Truly, he was a dazzling sight—a vibrant youth on a spirited steed, radiating exceptional grace!
In all of Chang'an, there was only one such person: Yang Sanlang, Yang Si.
Yang Si did not slow his horse until he reached the palace gates. As he leaped down from his horse, he sensed someone watching him from the side.
He turned his head and met the captivating, shimmering eyes of Mu Wan Yao, who sat in the carriage.
Feigning curiosity, Mu Wan Yao said, "Is Yang Sanlang heading to the Eastern Palace again? If you visit three times a day like this, were you a woman, the position of Crown Princess would surely be yours by now, wouldn’t it?"
Yang Si stared at her.
Slowly, he replied, "Did the Crown Prince scold you?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
Yang Si led his horse, glanced at her briefly, then averted his gaze and said indifferently, "Naturally, I can’t compare to you. Every time you go to the Eastern Palace, it’s to be scolded."
Mu Wan Yao gave him a feigned smile. "It’s just that the Crown Prince is concerned about when I’ll be able to marry Yang Sanlang."
Yang Si replied languidly, "Marry whenever you want. I don’t care."
Mu Wan Yao covered her lips in feigned surprise. "Do you fancy me, then?"
Yang Si mirrored her surprise. "Why would I need to fancy you? There’s no rule that says an Imperial Son-in-Law can’t take concubines, is there?"
Mu Wan Yao gritted her teeth. "If you become my Imperial Son-in-Law, you cannot take concubines."
Yang Si remained unperturbed. "You have no say over me."
Mu Wan Yao stared at him through the carriage curtain for a long moment before suddenly throwing the door open and hurling a string of teacups and other objects at him.
But Yang Si was prepared. He took a steady step back and easily avoided her outburst.
Watching the princess fume, leaning against the carriage, her chest heaving like trembling snow, her beautiful eyes blazing with anger.
The curve of Yang Si’s eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and he averted his gaze.
Yang Si said, "With such a terrible temper, you’d be better off nurturing your Young Master Wei the Seventh. To be a daughter-in-law of the Yang family, one must adhere to the three obediences and four virtues. I’m afraid you’re not cut out for it."Mu Wan Yao said, "Then go tell the Crown Prince yourself that you despise me and have no desire whatsoever to marry me!"
Yang Si replied, "It's not that I despise you. As I've said before, whether we marry or not makes no difference to me—I can always take concubines anyway."
Mu Wan Yao glared at him furiously for a long moment before finally falling silent. She yanked the carriage curtain shut, putting an end to their circular argument.
Yang Si remained standing where he was, watching the carriage from the Danyang Princess Residence gradually disappear into the distance. Only then did he withdraw his gaze, retrieve his fish-shaped tally from the palace gate guards after they verified his identity, and lead his horse into the city.
His servant followed behind the tall, slender young master and whispered, "Why must you always upset the Sixth Princess, Third Young Master?"
Yang Si remained silent.
The servant continued, "The Sixth Princess must have been lectured by the Crown Prince again. If you could just smile at her, she might be in better spirits when leaving the city.
"If you don't like the princess, you should marry soon to dissuade the Crown Prince. If you do like her, you shouldn't constantly provoke her."
Yang Si lowered his gaze.
As the servant chattered on sympathetically about Mu Wan Yao, Yang Si finally spoke after a long pause: "The Crown Prince is too impatient. Ah Nuo, there are certain things I cannot conveniently do. I cannot treat Yao Yao too well."
The servant was taken aback.
"Are you helping the princess?" he asked.
Yang Si gave a brief smile.
Then he said lazily, "In any case, I stand with the Crown Prince. Other matters can wait."
The servant naturally had no objection to this.
Yang Sanlang was the Crown Prince's study companion and horse groom—his natural allegiance lay with the Crown Prince. The Yang family's stance also followed the third young master in supporting the Crown Prince. Given their close relationship, of course Yang Sanlang should assist the Crown Prince.
It was just that regarding certain matters... the third young master wasn't entirely willing—
Princess Consort Jin was seeking out Mu Wan Yao again.
This time it was for a happy occasion, as after Princess Consort Jin's previous prayer for children, one of the prince's concubines had become pregnant.
Overjoyed, Princess Consort Jin brought the pregnant concubine to visit, begging Mu Wan Yao to accompany her once more to Yongshou Temple to fulfill her vow.
Princess Consort Jin chattered incessantly: "Who would have thought the temple's bodhisattva would be so efficacious! Just days after I prayed, someone in our residence became pregnant. This is the first time in three years! Younger sister, since you accompanied me last time, won't you come with me again to fulfill the vow?"
Mu Wan Yao was thoroughly annoyed.
She was about to sharply rebuke and send away this imperial sister-in-law when she suddenly noticed a faint shadow of sorrow between Princess Consort Jin's brows. It seemed that while the princess consort was happy about the pregnancy, her joy wasn't as complete as she pretended.
Mu Wan Yao paused.
Of course.
Princess Consort Jin had been hoping for an heir for the princely household—naturally she would be happy as long as someone became pregnant. Yet this child ultimately wouldn't come from her own womb. Year after year she had selected concubines for Prince Jin and sent women to her husband's bed—wasn't it all for the sake of an heir?
The nobility in Chang'an considered this princess consort unreliable and avoided dealing with her. But as a second wife, was Princess Consort Jin's position truly easy?
After a moment's silence, Mu Wan Yao felt an unusual softness in her heart.
She thought this ignored princess consort seemed rather pitiful.
Mu Wan Yao cleared her throat. "Just this once, and never again. I won't accompany you to pray for children anymore."Princess Consort Jin was immediately overjoyed and repeatedly said: "Thank you, sister! You truly have a kind heart, completely different from what others say. Rest assured, sister, the Bodhisattva at Yongshou Temple is truly efficacious. After I fulfill my vow this time, I will also pray together for your good marriage!"
Good marriage?!
Mu Wan Yao was terrified!
What she feared most now was marriage being arranged for her... Struggling to maintain balance between the Crown Prince and the Li family, this princess consort didn't understand her suffering at all!
Mu Wan Yao quickly responded: "Sister-in-law should just pray for heirs for your princely household, no need to concern yourself with me. I don't wish to marry."
The princess consort said: "How could there be a maiden in this world unwilling to marry..."
Mu Wan Yao smiled: "To be honest with sister-in-law, I once had an aspiration to become a female Taoist priest by cutting my hair and leaving secular life. It was only because the Emperor stopped me that I didn't do so."
The princess consort was stunned, uncertain whether the princess's words were true—
Upon arriving at Yongshou Temple, Princess Consort Jin devoutly pulled Mu Wan Yao along to worship the Buddha. The delicate concubine brought by the princess consort followed behind them, kneeling together in prayer.
After worshipping at several shrines, Mu Wan Yao grew impatient. She watched with utter bewilderment as her sister-in-law knelt on the prayer cushion with closed eyes for a long time, completely unable to understand how the princess consort had so much to say to the Bodhisattva.
Mu Wan Yao had nothing to request from the Bodhisattva.
While the two women continued kneeling incessantly, Mu Wan Yao had long been waiting outside.
When they emerged, they saw the princess squinting at the sun and observing the continuous stream of visitors in the temple that day.
Mu Wan Yao turned to them and said: "I've finished my prayers. You take your time worshipping, I'm going to wander around for a while and will come back to find you later."
Princess Consort Jin understood that having the princess accompany her this far was already an achievement, and didn't dare expect her to worship Buddha with the same devotion. She simply nodded.
Leaving her maids and attendants with the princess consort, Mu Wan Yao turned and disappeared into the crowd in an instant.
Seeing how composed the princess's remaining maids appeared, seemingly unconcerned about their mistress's safety—clearly this wasn't the first time the princess had dismissed her attendants—Princess Consort Jin had no choice but to anxiously continue her worship with these servants—
Mu Wan Yao hadn't dismissed her attendants to look for Yan Erlang.
Although she knew Yan Shang was staying at Yongshou Temple, she was merely wandering casually—what did it have to do with him? She hadn't even considered looking for him.
But Yongshou Temple wasn't large, and Mu Wan Yao indeed encountered Yan Shang.
While strolling through the temple, Mu Wan Yao spotted a group of talented scholars inviting each other to compose poems on the walls.
Yan Shang stood tall and graceful among the literati, and Mu Wan Yao spotted him from afar.
In the Great Wei dynasty, composing poems on temple walls was considered an elegant practice pursued by refined scholars and admired by many. Inns and temples often provided poetry boards for travelers to inscribe their verses.
These scholars would typically write their poems on poetry boards first, then hang them on walls for public appreciation.
Many talented scholars gained their fame through these wall poems.
Such refined activities were quite popular in temples. For particularly renowned literati, monks would prepare Chinese fir tablets brushed with Wu gelatin powder, respectfully requesting their poetry.
At this moment, young novices were bringing many ordinary poetry boards for these scholars to inscribe on the walls.
Many commoners had gathered around, observing from a distance.
Though ordinary people were generally illiterate, this didn't diminish their admiration and yearning for talented scholars.
Blending in with these commoners, Mu Wan Yao watched with great interest as Yan Shang was pulled along by others to participate.Yan Shang said helplessly, "I'd better not... I really don't need to..."
Those people pulled him along: "Yan Suchen, why be so reserved? Everyone is inscribing poems on the wall—how can you hide alone? This might be passed down through the ages, so don't be modest."
Yan Shang was forcibly dragged before the wall.
Mu Wan Yao moved slowly through the crowd, step by step drawing closer to him. After all, she didn't know any of these talented scholars—she only recognized him, so naturally, she watched him.
She saw that, unable to refuse, he took a poetry slate and went to the most secluded corner of the wall to write his poem.
The other talented scholars gathered together, pointing out landscapes with great literary flair. Yan Shang, however, wrote hesitantly, his characters so tiny as if afraid of taking up space, afraid of leaving his ink treasure on the wall.
He had no choice but to inscribe a poem.
But he clearly didn't want to.
Yet this was an invitation from his companions; refusing would seem unsociable, so naturally, he couldn't decline.
Yan Shang huddled in the corner, doing his best to write the characters small and blurry enough, striving to occupy as little space as possible on the wall, ideally where a single leaf could cover his poem.
Just as he was being so cautious and avoiding attention, a young woman behind him leisurely recited the poem he had inscribed and chuckled, adding a comment: "...What kind of mess is this? No wonder you didn't dare write bigger, afraid of taking up space—you're scared of embarrassment, aren't you?"
Yan Shang turned around and saw Mu Wan Yao leaning against the wall, eyes wide and lips curled upward.
At the sight of her, his gaze brightened slightly, as if light flowed from it. But Yan Shang also seemed a bit confused for a moment, not recognizing her right away.
Because the Mu Wan Yao he saw... was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, glancing at him like a rogue.
She was dressed in men's clothing.
Yan Shang studied her and smiled: "...Your Highness sneaked out to have fun? Disguised as a man?"
Mu Wan Yao rolled her eyes at him: "You're the one disguised as a woman!
"What do you, a country bumpkin, know? It's all the rage in Chang'an for girls to wear men's clothing—it makes entering and leaving the palace easier. Who doesn't know I'm a woman? Only you are blind."
OpenNovel