Tigers Sniff the Rose

Yan Shang led Mu Wan Yao back into the carriage and instructed, "To the Southern District of the Northern Quarter."

Mu Wan Yao, who had been dragged back into the carriage without bothering to resist from start to finish, raised an eyebrow.

Since the Danyang Princess offered no objection, the servants outside naturally had no dissent. The carriage began moving again, heading toward the place Yan Shang had mentioned.

Meanwhile, Mu Wan Yao stared at Yan Shang and sneered coldly, "I never imagined Yan Erlang would be so composed. Even at this point, you still have the mind to go find a woman to sleep with."

The Northern Quarter was a well-known pleasure district in Chang'an. If a scholar or poet came to the capital but had never visited the Northern Quarter, they would be ridiculed.

The Northern Quarter was further divided into the Central, Southern, and Northern Districts. Among these three, the Southern District ranked second, housing courtesans of mid-to-upper tier.

It was evident what boldness Yan Erlang possessed.

Yan Shang shook his head helplessly and said, "We're going to the Southern District of the Northern Quarter to find someone. Allow me to explain in detail to Your Highness..."

Mu Wan Yao cut off his explanation: "I could have resolved this matter directly by going to my aunt's temple earlier. Who told you to come stop me?"

As the carriage moved, wind and rain intermittently beat against the ornate canopy along with the lantern light.

The carriage swayed gently, and Yan Shang looked at the princess across from him, lowering his long lashes: "Didn't I say already? I didn't want you to offend the Eldest Princess over this."

Mu Wan Yao said, "Are you overthinking it? What difference does it make if I offend my aunt compared to a commoner like you offending the Eldest Princess? What could my aunt possibly do to me? The cost is worth paying."

Yan Shang said, "It's not worth it."

Mu Wan Yao's eyes blazed with anger as she glared at this audacious scholar who dared contradict her.

His gaze didn't waver, meeting hers directly: "Why would Your Highness go this far for me? We've only met a few times, and our relationship is quite ordinary. Why are you being so kind to me?"

Flickering lantern light seeped through the window cracks, illuminating the young man's refined and elegant features in shifting patterns. This play of shadow and light, along with his unwavering direct gaze, made Mu Wan Yao momentarily stunned.

Mu Wan Yao lifted her chin slightly, with a touch of arrogance and nonchalance: "You think I'm doing this for you? Wrong. I simply won't tolerate being bullied and having to endure it meekly. Even if it were the Crown Prince today instead of the Eldest Princess, I'd still dare to confront and provoke him."

After a moment, Yan Shang's voice grew quiet: "Is that so?"

Mu Wan Yao's eyes looked up at the canopy overhead, the slight uplift at the corners of her eyes glowing golden in the firelight from outside the window, stunningly beautiful.

Yan Shang gazed at her as she declared arrogantly: "That's exactly it."

Yan Shang lowered his eyes.

A moment later, Mu Wan Yao heard Yan Shang's voice, clear and measured like jade pieces striking: "Then I'm the same. Even though I know Your Highness is also a princess, and even facing the Eldest Princess directly, she couldn't truly harm you, I still can't rest easy. The Eldest Princess is His Majesty's blood sister and has deeper roots in Chang'an than you. If something were to happen, I'd always worry that others might side more with the Eldest Princess."

Mu Wan Yao said expressionlessly: "What does that have to do with you? Do you think I don't understand this?"

Yan Shang looked at her gently and, after a quiet moment, said: "Even knowing Your Highness wouldn't be harmed by this, I still need to see for myself, to see that you're unharmed, before I can feel at ease."

Mu Wan Yao: "..."

What does it mean to "know how to speak"?

This is what it means to "know how to speak."With just a few words, Yan Shang made it impossible for Mu Wan Yao to maintain her icy demeanor toward him. She even felt somewhat embarrassed, her cheeks slightly warm, as she awkwardly turned her face away and coughed lightly.

Yan Shang continued, "So the best approach is not to use the Eldest Princess as the breakthrough in this matter. I still don’t wish for Your Highness to fall out with the Eldest Princess over such a trivial issue. Your Highness may not mind making clothes for the Crown Prince, but I don’t want to put you in a difficult position because of me."

Mu Wan Yao’s beautiful eyes turned back to him, sparkling like flowing water, seemingly carrying a hint of a smile as she gazed at him.

In the quiet rainy night, the young princess shared the carriage with him and cast him a playful glance. Her pupils were dark and clear, the whites of her eyes pure, and her gaze held both reproach and delight. Yan Shang felt a burning sensation inside, a tingling warmth creeping up his spine.

It was too hot.

He turned his face away, not daring to meet her gaze.

Now, the composed one was Mu Wan Yao. She leisurely shifted her posture, reached out a finger, and gently poked Yan Shang’s shoulder. "Hey, you."

Yan Shang turned to look at her.

She smiled brightly. "Even so, while you may help me avoid offending the Eldest Princess, you still owe me a favor."

Yan Shang smiled. "Naturally, that should be the case."

Seeing that he had no intention of bargaining—this man, clearly full of schemes yet appearing so upright—Mu Wan Yao snorted, feeling a bit bored and no longer wanting to tease him.

She turned her face away and ignored him, acting willful and unreasonable.

Only then did Yan Shang share what he intended to do. "Your Highness may not know, but Feng Xianyu often spends his nights in the Northern Quarter Southern District. He enjoys drinking and merrymaking. When I went out today, I ran into a few friends who said they had arranged to drink with Feng Xianyu in the Northern Quarter. If we go there, we can find him."

Mu Wan Yao immediately turned her face back to him, both surprised and gleeful.

She covered her mouth. "Oh? Didn’t he latch onto my aunt? How dare he still go to a place like the Pleasure Quarter? Isn’t he afraid my aunt will find out?"

Yan Shang replied, "It’s probably just drinking, nothing romantic involved."

Mu Wan Yao shot him a glance. "If he’s fooling around with women, he’s fooling around with women. Dressing it up so elegantly doesn’t change that, does it?"

Yan Shang looked at her helplessly. "Does Your Highness still want to hear what I have to say?"

Mu Wan Yao clamped her mouth shut, resisting the urge to comment further.

Yan Shang continued, "Your Highness likely doesn’t know, but Feng Xianyu has a wife and daughter."

Mu Wan Yao’s eyes widened. Restrained by Yan Shang’s annoyance at her chattiness, she covered her mouth, but her eyes grew exceptionally round, giving her a somewhat endearing look.

Yan Shang avoided her gaze, his hands gripping the table tightly to calm his emotions and not be affected by her.

He spoke gently, "His wife passed away a year ago. I saw his daughter not long ago. But the day before yesterday, when I went to Feng Xianyu’s home to look for him, he said his daughter had gone to stay with her maternal uncle. That’s rather unusual."

Mu Wan Yao rested her chin on her hand, listening to him unravel the details as if hearing a story. She thought, It seems he really doesn’t want me entangled in the Crown Prince’s schemes—

"...So, after deciding to attach himself to the Eldest Princess, he was afraid she would trouble his daughter, so he sent her away from Chang’an? But even that didn’t seem secure enough, so he split into two groups—openly sending her to her uncle’s house, while secretly having others take her to a safe place?

"Tsk, he’s quite cunning."

So remarked the Danyang Princess.The carriage arrived at the Northern Quarter Southern District. When the door opened, Yan Shang stepped out first. Holding an umbrella, he turned back to see Mu Wan Yao lifting her skirts, preparing to descend as well.

Yan Shang froze: "...I could handle this matter alone. Why has Your Highness come down too?"

Mu Wan Yao shot him a sidelong glance with her beautiful eyes. As she jumped down from the carriage, he had no choice but to hold the umbrella and steady her. She said casually, "Such an interesting affair—I must witness it with my own eyes."

Yan Shang felt slightly uncomfortable.

He said, "But this is the Pleasure Quarter..."

Rakes, wandering knights, courtesans, worldly guests... Just standing here, one could smell the thick scent of rouge and powder in the air.

And this was during a rainy day when there were fewer patrons.

Normally, the Pleasure Quarter's lanterns burned through the night, far livelier than now.

Mu Wan Yao pushed aside the stammering scholar blocking her path, who thought she shouldn't be wandering the Pleasure Quarter: "Step aside! Don't block the way!"

She strode forward.

After two steps, she turned back, biting her lip as she looked at Yan Shang: "Which gate are we heading to?"

Yan Shang sighed and had to step forward, leading Mu Wan Yao to their destination.

He should have known earlier. The customs of Great Wei were open, and Chang'an was especially so. That famous Danyang Princess had likely visited the Pleasure Quarter in men's clothing many times before... He had been narrow-minded.

However, tonight was about avoiding attention—neither of them wanted the Eldest Princess to trace this matter afterward. So upon arriving at the Pleasure Quarter, they sent the princess's carriage back, parking it outside, and Mu Wan Yao brought not a single attendant.

Yan Shang and Mu Wan Yao entered the Northern Quarter Southern District and knocked on a door. But they didn't enter through the main gate; instead, they calmly slipped in through the back door.

To Mu Wan Yao's surprise, as soon as Yan Shang knocked on the back door, it opened from the inside. The person who opened it for them was none other than Fang Tong, the captain of her Princess Residence's guards.

After cupping his hands in salute, Fang Tong said to Yan Shang, "Erlang, rest assured. I've already tied up that scoundrel Feng Xianyu. Your Highness and Yan Erlang, please follow me."

Mu Wan Yao glared at Yan Shang: "You used my people to help you? Did you ask for my permission?"

Fang Tong grew uneasy, wanting to explain for fear that Yan Erlang would be scolded. Unexpectedly, Yan Shang directly admitted, "It was my mistake."

Mu Wan Yao stared at Yan Shang for a long moment before walking past him: "Don't let it happen again."

Yan Shang chuckled softly and followed her: "Understood."

Fang Tong, who had opened the door, stood dumbfounded, thinking that Yan Erlang... was truly formidable—

Entering the building through the back door, the three wound their way through the garden ponds. Due to the rain, they encountered no one. But just as they were about to enter the building, a courtesan drowsily opened a window and was startled to see three people walking in the backyard.

The men were one thing... but why was there a woman? Her makeup and attire didn't resemble those of their establishment.

Fang Tong tensed immediately, wondering if he should knock the woman unconscious.

Yan Shang turned toward the suddenly opened window and politely inquired, "We three have lost our way here. May I ask, madam, which room is the 'Pavilion of Honeyed Fragrance'?"

The courtesan, somewhat dazed, actually pointed them in a direction.

Yan Shang said courteously, "Thank you."

The courtesan blushed, stammered as she lowered her head, repeatedly saying it was nothing, and closed the window.

Mu Wan Yao looked at Yan Shang: "Hah."

Yan Shang: "What does Your Highness wish to say?"

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him lazily: "Nothing. Just thinking how useful that face of yours really is."The woman had clearly given them directions because she found Yan Shang handsome, and then closed the window out of shyness. Yan Shang could make even a woman from the pleasure quarters blush... truly befitting him.

Yan Shang had no choice but to pretend he didn’t understand the sarcasm in Mu Wan Yao’s words.

Halfway there, Mu Wan Yao spoke again: “Do you come here often?”

Yan Shang sighed helplessly: “I’ve only just arrived in Chang’an and have been too busy studying. Does Your Highness think I’m the kind of person who enjoys visiting such places?”

Mu Wan Yao stared at him for a moment: “Indeed, you don’t seem like it.”

She said leisurely: “Others come here for pleasure, but you seem like the one being pleasured. Hmm, I misunderstood you.”

Fang Tong stifled a laugh beside them, while Yan Shang could only pretend not to hear.

They entered the “Honey Fragrance Pavilion,” where a man was already tied up with a cloth gag stuffed in his mouth. Thrown into the pitch-dark room, he was utterly panicked.

When Fang Tong lit a candle and removed the gag, the bound man looked up and saw Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang entering. After a moment of surprise, he actually calmed down.

This man was naturally Feng Xianyu, whom Fang Tong had captured earlier.

Feng Xianyu had been drinking alone in the Pleasure Quarter tonight when, for some reason, he was knocked unconscious. Now it seemed Yan Shang had come to settle scores with him.

Mu Wan Yao sat down, sizing up Feng Xianyu. He was indeed somewhat good-looking.

She said coldly: “We tied you up to ask for a favor. Before dawn, you must go knock on the Eldest Princess’s door. No matter what method you use, you must make my aunt reverse the examination rankings. If the title of Tanhua isn’t yours, then it will never be yours.”

Feng Xianyu, sitting on the floor, had been frightened at first but now laughed in anger: “Your Highness makes it sound so simple. How could I possibly influence the Eldest Princess’s decisions?”

Mu Wan Yao replied indifferently: “That’s why you have the next few hours. I only want to see the rankings I desire when the list is posted.”

Feng Xianyu: “What if I refuse?”

Yan Shang said: “Do you see who she is?”

He signaled to Fang Tong with his eyes. Under Feng Xianyu’s astonished gaze, Fang Tong went out and soon dragged in a burly, middle-aged woman, also gagged, and threw her to the ground. When Feng Xianyu saw her, his expression instantly turned panicked.

Not daring to face Danyang Princess, he glared venomously at Yan Shang: “Yan Suchen!”

The gag was removed from the woman’s mouth, and she frantically kowtowed on the floor: “Honored guests, I’ll tell you everything, I won’t hide anything, please don’t kill me! This Feng gentleman saved my life three years ago, and since then I’ve been helping him with tasks. A couple of days ago, he asked me to escort his daughter out of Chang’an, so I quietly arranged for someone to help him with it…”

Having mingled with all sorts of people, she could tell at a glance that the young woman seated gracefully in her flowing dress was stunningly beautiful, the guard standing beside her was imposing and tall, and the young scholar possessed an elegant, refined demeanor. She knew immediately these were people she couldn’t afford to offend.

Since she couldn’t afford to offend them, she naturally spilled everything.

As she spoke, she kowtowed to Feng Xianyu: “Feng gentleman, this old woman has wronged you! But I have to survive too—they’ve taken my granddaughter, I had no choice…”

Feng Xianyu was furious: “Yan Suchen, how despicable of you! Involving the innocent—what kind of tactic is that!”Yan Shang ignored his questioning, speaking gently instead: "I've already sent people out of the city overnight, following this auntie's clues to find your daughter. If the list cannot be amended before dawn, you might never see your daughter again."

Upon hearing this, Mu Wan Yao glanced at Yan Shang in surprise: Huh? Did he really send people to find this man's daughter?

She looked toward Fang Tong, who shook his head in confusion.

Mu Wan Yao then understood: Oh, Yan Shang is lying again.

Feng Xianyu, bound tightly and sitting on the ground with his robes and hair in disarray, glared at Yan Shang. Seeing Yan Shang's gentle face yet such a ruthless heart, he felt a chill run through him.

Softening his attitude, he pleaded: "Yan Er, Yan Er! We were once friends. I never wronged you before, why must you push me to this point? You're still so young, with someone like Danyang Princess backing you, why can't you let me off just this once? If you spare me this year, you might even become the top scholar next year!

"Isn't the top scholar better than the third-ranked graduate? Why must you compete with me for this third rank?!"

Yan Shang watched him quietly.

Seeing him in such a wretched state, Yan Shang felt somewhat reluctant. He said slowly: "I never competed with you for the third rank—you were the one who insisted on competing with me. Had you discussed it properly with me beforehand, I might have helped you. Yet you chose to climb into The Eldest Princess's favor and snatch what was originally mine.

"If I wish to pursue this matter, is that really wrong?"

Feng Xianyu laughed bitterly: "Discuss with you? How could I discuss with you? Would you really help me with my scholarly honors? If I had spoken, would you have yielded to me? Fine, even if Yan Suchen you're truly noble and upright, a rare gentleman in this world, then I, Feng Xianyu, have misjudged you! But when it comes to imperial examination rankings, can you simply yield if you want to?

"What do you know? You understand nothing! You just arrived in Chang'an and managed to win over someone like Danyang Princess. Do you know how many cold shoulders I've endured during my four years in Chang'an? Do you know how many rejections I suffered just to secure a nomination?"

He grew increasingly agitated and furious.

Speaking with deep emotion, even tears glistened in his eyes: "I know you look down on me, thinking I used despicable means to steal your rank. But did I want it this way? If I had accepted the princess's affection from the start like you did, why would I have come to this?"

Mu Wan Yao said discontentedly: "Hey, what are you talking about."

She had never shown him any affection.

Yan Shang, meanwhile, stared at Feng Xianyu in contemplation: "Are you complaining to me about your hardships?"

Feng Xianyu sneered.

Then he slumped in defeat, murmuring: "Yan Er, do you know, four years ago when I first came to Chang'an, I had just gotten married, and my wife was pregnant. I was so proud and satisfied. At a banquet back then, when The Eldest Princess made advances at me, I arrogantly refused her. How proud I was, thinking how could I betray my wife? And what did I get in return?

"Four full years of suppression! Four full years!"

Hatred surfaced in his eyes: "How did my wife die? It was because I couldn't attain an official rank, our household funds were insufficient, and everything was spent on socializing and studying. My wife came from a wealthy family, yet in this prosperous city of Chang'an, she starved to death... starved to death alive!""After my wife's death, I finally understood. What use are reputation and integrity? As a scholar, I only want official rank! Only with official rank could I at least... support them. Do you think I don't feel ashamed clinging to the Eldest Princess? Do you think I wanted to send away my only daughter?"

"My heart is broken, but what good does that do?"

Feng Xianyu collapsed to the ground, his eyes flickering with dying embers, tears threatening to fall but not quite.

He finally looked up at the lofty Danyang Princess. Her radiant beauty was dazzlingly brilliant, so noble—exactly what he desired.

He murmured: "Chang'an... Chang'an. What a wonderful place, how many people want to stay here, but in the end, how many truly manage to remain?"

The room fell silent.

No one spoke.

Fang Tong sighed, his eyes showing pity. Coming from a military background, he knew Chang'an valued both literary and martial arts, looking down upon pure warriors like himself. Seeing Feng Xianyu so broken moved him to sympathy.

When he looked again, he saw Yan Shang's eyes flickering, staring blankly at Feng Xianyu as if moved; while Her Highness remained expressionless, as if she hadn't listened to a word this man said.

Mu Wan Yao said coldly: "You've been complaining for nearly half an hour. Your time is running out. If I don't see the list by dawn, you'll never see your daughter again."

Feng Xianyu: "Your Highness! Can't Your Highness spare me this once?"

Mu Wan Yao said: "I understand your suffering well, but you're blocking my path. I cannot yield."

Feng Xianyu immediately laughed bitterly, collapsing to the ground, thinking how could a princess possibly understand him?

Then, Yan Shang slowly spoke: "As humble scholars throughout history, seeking knowledge and fame has never been easy. Yet in this lifetime, a gentleman reflects nine times. As a scholar, how could you abandon even a scholar's integrity? Some things may be done, others should not.

"I have much to say to you, but considering you might think I'm speaking without understanding your position, I'll refrain. The world is hard for everyone. You could blame the entire world for pushing you to this point, but search your conscience... if when your wife was ill, you had set aside your studies to beg for a bowl of porridge for her, taken her to seek famous physicians, perhaps she wouldn't have died?"

Feng Xianyu's mind went blank, his face pale as he recalled his wife's final sickly appearance.

Yan Shang said quietly: "Go remedy your mistakes. If you fail the imperial exams this year, there's next year, and the year after... What does it matter if you never pass? You could become an advisor, a strategist, even join the army at the frontier... You have so many paths available. You're not at a dead end—you're just unwilling to accept alternatives."

He turned away, indicating he would say no more.

Mu Wan Yao signaled Fang Tong to untie Feng Xianyu, letting him go find the Eldest Princess immediately. Seeing Yan Shang in low spirits, she surprisingly felt rare compassion, reaching out to gently stroke his back in a comforting gesture.

Yan Shang glanced at Mu Wan Yao somewhat despondently, giving her a smile to indicate he was fine.

This scene fell upon Feng Xianyu's eyes as he staggered to his feet. Feng Xianyu sneered: "You speak so righteously, but what difference is there between your relationship with Danyang Princess and my situation? Aren't you also becoming the princess's subordinate, kneeling to flatter her, currying favor with her, offering yourself to her?"Yan Shang abruptly turned his head: "Shut up!"

His usually elegant countenance rarely showed such solemnity. He said: "Her Highness and I are of pure standing—how dare you use your filthy conduct to speculate about Her Highness and me?"

He addressed Mu Wan Yao: "Your Highness, this man speaks recklessly. There's no need to listen to his mad words!"

Feng Xianyu stared blankly at the two of them, then his expression turned peculiar.

Mu Wan Yao cast a lazy glance at Yan Shang, recognizing that his actions were still meant to plead for Feng Xianyu, not wanting her to punish him.

Mu Wan Yao couldn't be bothered with them; all she wanted was for the quota to be reverted.

She said coldly, "Guard Fang, personally take this Feng... whatever his name is to the Eldest Princess's residence."

Fang Tong led Feng Xianyu away, and the old woman who had been tied up was also released. However, Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang left directly without paying any attention to the old woman.

Yan Shang seemed somewhat distracted. After leaving, he walked aimlessly, clearly not heading toward the back door but instead entering the building.

Mu Wan Yao stared at his desolate back for a long time, knowing that Feng Xianyu's words tonight had given Yan Shang much to ponder. After a moment's thought, she decided not to leave alone and instead followed Yan Shang to see where he was going.

Suddenly, the area before them was brightly lit, and the sound of seductive music filled their ears. Yan Shang, standing at the entrance of the main hall, snapped back to reality and abruptly realized he had unconsciously wandered into the main hall.

Mu Wan Yao's teasing voice came from behind: "Snapped out of it?"

Yan Shang turned and saw Mu Wan Yao still following him. He immediately felt embarrassed—how could he have led the princess to such a place?

He said, "I was lost in thought. Let's go back and wait for news from Feng Lang."

Mu Wan Yao replied, "No, I've been tired all evening. I want to watch some singing and dancing. You'll accompany me."

What could Yan Shang say? He had no choice but to suppress the myriad thoughts in his mind and follow the princess as they ascended the stairs.

As soon as they entered the main hall, everything felt different. Two attendants standing at the entrance stared wide-eyed as a young woman strode into their establishment with an air of arrogance—clearly not one of their ladies. Yet, the young woman was so self-assured that she made others feel insecure, too embarrassed to stop her.

Yan Shang, following behind, quickly slipped some copper coins to the stunned doormen before entering.

But as soon as Yan Shang entered and before he could fully regain his composure, he saw the previously haughty Mu Wan Yao suddenly turn around and stride toward him in a panic.

In his confusion, Mu Wan Yao rushed over, wrapped her arms around his waist, and turned so that her back was against the wall, shielded by Yan Shang. Yan Shang stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden warmth and softness pressing against him. When he finally registered what was happening, his face flushed red, and he struggled slightly.

Mu Wan Yao, her head buried against his chest, whispered, "Don't move, don't move! There's someone I know!"

Yan Shang: "...Another acquaintance?"

Mu Wan Yao didn't answer him anymore, clearly because the acquaintance was approaching.

She clung tightly to Yan Shang, her face buried in his chest. Yan Shang remained rigid for a moment but eventually cooperated, hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder. The two stood in a corner, with people coming and going behind Yan Shang. A casual glance would have mistaken them for a patron indulging with one of the establishment's beauties.

Footsteps sounded steadily behind them.

While holding Mu Wan Yao, Yan Shang composed himself and said softly, "Have you missed me, little lady?"

Mu Wan Yao lifted her face from his chest.

Still holding his waist, she looked up at his slightly flushed face, struggling to hold back her laughter. "If you don't know how to act, don't try. Just keep quiet and don't make me laugh."

Yan Shang: "..."

So Yan Shang had no choice but to play the part of a silent patron.

However, as his gaze swept casually across the room, he spotted a tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome young man leading several warrior-like figures striding in from the back. Yan Shang's heart skipped a beat, vaguely feeling he had seen this person before.

As he pondered, his eyes met the other man's—

Yang Sanlang, Yang Si, glanced expressionlessly at Yan Shang.The other party calmly withdrew his gaze. Yang Si glanced over and saw the man holding a woman in the corner, immediately understanding what this lustful individual was doing.

Yang Si curled his lips, turned on his heel, and brushed past Yan Shang.

Yet with downcast eyes, Yang Si felt the person he had just seen looked familiar—where had he encountered him before? Suddenly, a scene flashed in his mind: he recalled seeing Mu Wan Yao walking with a young gentleman at Yongshou Temple.

Just as Yan Shang, holding Mu Wan Yao, was about to breathe a sigh of relief, footsteps halted behind him—Yang Si had returned.

Yang Si stood behind him and said coolly, "We've met before. Turn around."

Mu Wan Yao was extremely tense, digging her fingers tightly into the flesh at Yan Shang's waist. Panicked, she frantically rubbed against him in his embrace, hinting that he should find a way to avoid Yang Si.

Yan Shang’s waist was being fiercely pinched by Mu Wan Yao, his handsome face slightly contorted—he nearly choked from the princess's grip.

...He knew she was hiding from someone.

But he was human too. If she strangled him to death, who would help her then?