Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for all.
Within the imperial palace stood Qingning Palace, the former residence of the Empress. Since her passing, the palace had been sealed off, left uninhabited by anyone.
Yet tonight, upon returning from outside the palace, the Emperor unexpectedly made his way to Qingning Palace.
The palace servants hastily tidied up the place, and the Emperor seated himself in the main hall, where a board of black and white chess pieces lay before him on a table.
This chess game had been left untouched since the palace was sealed, and the Emperor had forbidden anyone from moving the pieces. Now, returning to this place and seeing the game exactly as it had been, he was overwhelmed with a mix of sorrow and nostalgia.
But when he lifted his gaze, the woman who should have been sitting across from him, engaging in the game, was long gone.
The Emperor propped his forehead with his hand and coughed softly.
A eunuch attending to the Emperor heard the cough and hurried in. Seeing the Emperor in such a state, he immediately understood that His Majesty was reminiscing about the Empress, stirred by the sight of familiar objects.
But why torment himself?
Hadn’t the Emperor himself been the cause of the Empress’s death?
The eunuch dared not mention the late Empress directly and instead cautiously suggested, "Your Majesty, Qingning Palace is rather chilly. Shall I have someone light the charcoal? It’s also time for your medicine."
The Emperor shook his head and said, "I am merely sitting here for a while. My health has long been failing. There’s no need for today’s medicine."
The eunuch tried to persuade him further, but the Emperor fell silent, staring blankly at the unfinished chess game.
The eunuch sighed inwardly. The late Empress had been a noble lady raised by the Jinling Li Clan, dignified and elegant, seemingly born to be an empress. Not only was she wise and graceful, but she also had a keen understanding of political affairs. And the Li Family behind her wielded immense power.
This had crossed the Emperor’s bottom line.
The Empress had to die.
For if she had lived, the one to perish... might have been the Emperor himself.
Yet after the Empress’s passing, the Emperor’s health declined year by year, as if his spirit had followed her in death, leaving him utterly exhausted.
Due to his poor health, the Emperor continuously delegated power. Now, the court affairs were largely managed by the three princes—the Crown Prince, Prince Qin, and Prince Jin. The Emperor held court only once every three days and had long ceased to review memorials.
It was precisely this extensive delegation of authority that fueled the intense rivalry between the Crown Prince and Prince Qin.
But was this truly a good thing?
The Emperor slowly remarked, "What do you think of Danyang’s rejection of the marriage proposal tonight?"
The eunuch looked up and saw that the Emperor’s eyes were fixed on the opposite side of the chessboard, as if he were speaking not to him but to the Empress who was no longer there.
Sure enough, the next moment, the Emperor murmured to himself, "Yes, from tonight onward, Yaoyao will understand that relying on anyone is unreliable. She must build her own power. The Crown Prince excels in strategy, Prince Qin in martial prowess, and Prince Jin is gentle by nature. Tell me, which of these three will ultimately claim the throne?"
The Emperor seemed puzzled as he added, "It’s strange to say, but perhaps I am too well-versed in the art of rulership. I always find it hard to tolerate others’ scheming. Every day, watching my children vie for power, I find it laughable and feel the urge... to discipline every one of them."
The Emperor fell silent for a long while, as if listening to a response from the other side.
He smiled faintly and said, "Rest assured, I only said I wanted to discipline them, but I never actually did, right? As long as Yaoyao doesn’t go too far, I won’t harm her. Erlang truly wasn’t killed by me. Why do you never believe me? Why do you always think I could be so heartless as to kill my own son?"After a pause, the emperor's expression turned slightly stern, as if provoked. He muttered to himself: "Indeed, within a certain scope. Rest assured, I don't have many years left anyway. Let's see how much they can grow. Before my death, I will surely eradicate all potential threats.
"Even if you accuse me of being ruthless, I will still do this."
The eunuch standing nearby broke into a cold sweat, thinking the emperor's condition was worsening. Now he was even experiencing delusions, talking to someone long dead for so long...
Fearing the emperor might descend into madness from constantly murmuring to the deceased, the eunuch interrupted the emperor's conversation with a non-existent person: "Your Majesty, you've delegated power so extensively. Aren't you worried about being sidelined one day?"
The emperor glanced at the eunuch.
He sneered: "I've held power for thirty years with the people's support. Do you truly believe the officials aligning with factions are loyal to those princes? It's only because I'm not intervening. This court chaos is merely an opportunity I've given them to muddy the waters.
"If I truly wished to reclaim power, it would be effortless. The majesty of an emperor, the direction of loyalty and trust, the faith of scholars—how could a mere eunuch like you understand?"
The eunuch apologized in shame.
Yet he couldn't help asking: "Then why does Your Majesty allow the princes to wield power? Why let them muddy the waters? What does Your Majesty intend to achieve?"
The emperor said indifferently: "Nothing much. Just eliminating all threats before my death."
The eunuch didn't understand, but seeing the emperor's delusions had subsided, he made light remarks and attended the emperor back to his bedchamber for rest. No need to elaborate further—
That night at Princess Danyang's residence, when Yan Erlang entered, the maids sighed in relief, feeling that with Yan Erlang present, the night should proceed smoothly.
As for Yan Shang, he couldn't refuse a drunken princess.
He didn't drink himself, so he often ended up taking care of drunkards.
Yan Shang thought this night would be similar.
Based on his experience with drunkards, they were either extremely troublesome or exceptionally docile... Yan Shang thought Mu Wan Yao, who usually carried such haughty airs, would surely be more disruptive when drunk?
However, he was mistaken.
Mu Wan Yao was much more obedient than he imagined.
Apart from clinging to him and demanding to be held, she made no other excessive requests.
Eventually, unable to refuse, Yan Shang could only silently chide himself before reluctantly entering the princess's bedchamber and sitting on her bed.
With the bed curtains drawn, Mu Wan Yao was held in his embrace. Yan Shang's heart raced wildly, but he convinced himself to care for this young princess as he would his own sister. He needn't overthink—tonight was exceptional, and the princess would forget everything by tomorrow.
Continuously reassuring himself this way, Yan Shang's body gradually relaxed.
This change was clearly felt by Mu Wan Yao who leaned against him.
Buried in his embrace, she could distinctly hear his violently pounding heartbeat, thumping loudly in the night.
Mu Wan Yao secretly smiled, thinking this person who appeared so composed wasn't really that calm after all.
When Yan Shang made a move to rise,
Mu Wan Yao immediately looked up, glaring at him accusatorily for trying to leave.
She thought she was glaring fiercely, but with her misty eyes, flushed corners, and disheveled hair making her face appear even more delicate, she didn't look fierce at all—instead emanating an aura of pitiable vulnerability.Yan Shang's heart softened, and he whispered, "I just wanted to find someone to fetch a handkerchief to wipe Your Highness's face, so you'd feel better when you wake tomorrow."
Mu Wan Yao understood instantly.
Yan Shang thought she was drunk.
He believed he was humoring a drunkard, unaware that Mu Wan Yao had an exceptional tolerance for alcohol and seldom got intoxicated. Yet, treated so tenderly by him, she didn't want to expose the truth. She preferred to let him hold her like this, making her feel somewhat comforted.
Mu Wan Yao remained silent, merely clutching his sleeve and gazing at him.
As she continued to look, her gaze softened Yan Shang's heart.
He turned his head slightly and coughed softly. In the dim moonlight, Mu Wan Yao faintly noticed his ears turning red, instantly flustered.
Reluctantly, he sat back down and embraced her. "Alright, I won't leave. Your Highness will feel better once you fall asleep."
Mu Wan Yao: "You're not allowed to leave tonight."
Yan Shang: "...It's improper."
Mu Wan Yao: "You're not allowed to leave."
Yan Shang fell silent for a moment. She looked up at him again, and after meeting her clear, cool eyes for a while, he nodded.
Only then did Mu Wan Yao feel at ease.
She nestled back into his embrace. The faint scent of sandalwood from him lingered around her nose, and his embrace was so warm—not scorching, but just the right temperature that suited her perfectly.
Mu Wan Yao felt dazed, thinking to herself, So this is what it feels like to be held by someone.
It wasn't cold enough to frighten her, nor was it so hot that it suffocated her.
He was always different from the other men she had encountered.
Yet, Mu Wan Yao couldn't quite believe that the differences between men could be so significant.
Lost in these thoughts, she closed her eyes and murmured softly, "When my second brother was still alive, he would hold me like this all night whenever I was sick. But after he was gone, I've been alone ever since."
Yan Shang fell silent.
He recalled that the second brother Mu Wan Yao mentioned was the former Crown Prince—the legitimate son born to the late Empress.
A man of unparalleled talent, excelling in both literary and martial arts. Sadly, heaven envied his brilliance; he died from a fall from a horse at the age of fifteen, a life cut short too soon.
It was said that the Emperor and the late Empress were overwhelmed with grief.
Yan Shang said gently, "If the Princess regards me as an elder brother, that would be acceptable too."
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
Even feigning drunkenness, she couldn't help but sneer. "Have you forgotten that I'm half a year older than you? Little Brother Yan Er?!"
Yan Shang: "..."
He said, "Your Highness is truly difficult to appease."
Mu Wan Yao: "You're the one who said the wrong thing. If you keep this up, I'll start calling you 'little brother'."
Yan Shang: "Yes, it's all my fault. I was in the wrong."
Mu Wan Yao chuckled, the corners of her lips curling upward. She stealthily stretched her arms and held his waist even tighter.
It wasn't her fault.
Tonight, she had intended to endure it alone, but he was the one who came over and said those words that made her feel wronged. It really was all his fault. She just wanted to be willful for once, temporarily setting aside the matters outside, and do whatever she pleased.
And at this moment, what she wanted was to lie on the bed like this with him. Even if he wasn't entirely willing.
But who asked him to be so good-natured?
If he had a good temper, he deserved to be bullied by her—
Moonlight streamed in, its chill shifting across the floor tiles.
Yan Shang gradually felt his body stiffening from sitting too long, unsure whether the princess in his arms had fallen asleep.
He leaned back slightly, resting against the wall behind him, but paused when he realized the princess was holding his waist so tightly that he couldn't break free. He tried to move his arms and found himself immobilized from the waist down, completely unable to shift.Yan Shang frowned, somewhat troubled, pondering how to move Mu Wan Yao back to the bed without disturbing her and free himself.
As he was lost in thought, Mu Wan Yao suddenly spoke—it turned out she was not yet asleep. "Actually, marrying you would be quite nice."
Yan Shang was taken aback. He lowered his head and saw a glimpse of her snow-white cheek peeking out from beneath her dark hair.
He sighed. "Your Highness, why are you still awake?"
Mu Wan Yao, with her eyes closed, continued as if talking to herself, "Marrying you really would be quite nice. Although you have many thoughts, with a few more years of tempering, you’ll likely become flawless. But you are upright and treat everyone well. Whether you are truly noble or just pretending, from what I’ve seen, you intend to keep it up for a lifetime. Even if you’re only pretending, if you pretend for a lifetime, you’ll become truly noble.
"And with your moral standards, once you marry me, whether you like me or not, you will treat me very well, dote on me specially, and always have my best interests at heart. I’ve never met anyone who would wholeheartedly care for me, but I feel that if we were to marry, you would be that person. Your morality restrains you—it ensures you won’t betray me or make me sad. You won’t visit brothels like other young men in Chang’an, nor will you follow their bad habits. You don’t even drink alcohol, all to remain clear-headed at all times.
"Although I think you live too exhaustingly. But your exhaustion would work in my favor—what reason would I have to be dissatisfied? If we were to marry, you would agree to every request of mine, try your best to fulfill whatever I ask. You would help me paint my eyebrows, mix my rouge, and attend to me.
"And your temper is so good. I don’t know who could truly make you angry. You wouldn’t scold me, wouldn’t get angry with me, wouldn’t turn away and ignore me, wouldn’t make me cry. If I were too willful, you would surely just sigh and give me a helpless look. With you gazing at me so dotingly, what wouldn’t I like…"
As she spoke, her voice gradually softened, as if she had lost herself in the words. It was as though she could truly imagine their life after marriage.
Slowly, she lifted her head from his embrace and looked up at Yan Shang, who was silent and gazing down at her.
Yan Shang’s eyes held complex emotions as he quietly watched her, saying nothing.
An inexplicable, suppressed sentiment gently swayed between their exchanged glances.
Tender and lingering, bewildered and lost. Wanting to draw closer but not daring, wanting to retreat but unwilling.
They simply watched each other in silence.
After a long while, Yan Shang finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "Yet you refused the marriage."
Mu Wan Yao smiled faintly.
She lowered her eyes again, her eyelashes veiling all expression within them.
In a somewhat desolate and faint voice, she said, "Because I simply can’t accept it. My fate being controlled by others—back then, if I was told to marry, I had to marry; now, if I’m casually assigned, I still have to nod. Then my life would always be at the mercy of others. I’ve only just returned to Chang’an for a short while, and the Emperor already wants to send me away again.
"I can’t accept it. I would rather seek balance between the Crown Prince and the Li family than be forced out of the game. I want to protect everyone around me; I want every person by my side to never have to sacrifice again. I want power, so I cannot be eliminated now, cannot marry."
Yan Shang remained silent.
Mu Wan Yao couldn’t help but feel irritated. "Why aren’t you answering?"Yan Shang said, "I originally thought that when Your Highness rejected the marriage, part of your intention was to worry that marrying me now would affect my official career. You feared His Majesty would suppress you and incidentally suppress me as well. I didn't expect it was just me overthinking—Your Highness never considered me at all."
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback and looked up at him.
There was a hint of a smile in his eyes.
She immediately realized he was only joking, trying to cheer her up.
Mu Wan Yao let out a soft "ah" and couldn't resist reaching out to cup his face.
He stiffened slightly, but she knelt upright, not letting him retreat, and said gently, "You're making excuses for me again... You're so kind. I truly hadn't thought of you earlier, but since you said that, I'll allow you to look back on this in the future and believe I did it for your sake."
Mu Wan Yao spoke earnestly, "You should think of me as a good person who cares for you. Forget all the grievances I mentioned earlier—just remember I did it for your good."
Yan Shang suppressed a laugh and said, "As you command, Your Highness."
Mu Wan Yao then smiled along with him, her brows softening. He was truly remarkable, able to ease her distress with just a few words. Yet she was still worried and couldn't help asking again, "You really don't blame me for rejecting the marriage? You don't blame me for saying those things about you?"
Yan Shang shook his head patiently.
He said, "If you hadn't rejected it so firmly, His Majesty might have continued to pressure you. The more you made me sound unworthy, the more His Majesty would believe in your determination."
Mu Wan Yao lowered her eyes, a few stray strands of hair falling across her cheeks.
She rarely felt guilty toward him.
Biting her lip, she said uneasily, "But after I spoke of you like that, once it spreads tomorrow, those noble families in Chang'an who wanted to form ties with you might reconsider. No one would rush to marry someone who was just harshly rejected by a princess and made to sound so despicable."
Yan Shang replied, "It doesn't matter. I already told you, I have no plans to marry in the near future. My elder sister-in-law is already pregnant. I'm the second son in the family, and my third brother hasn't even started studying seriously yet, while my younger sister is still very young. They're all far from marriageable age.
"Even if I don't marry for a year or two, it won't affect my third brother or younger sister much."
Hearing this, Mu Wan Yao felt somewhat relieved.
She looked up at him again, clinging to his waist and snuggling closer, showing a hint of intimacy.
She asked softly, "Why have you always been reluctant to marry?"
Yan Shang hesitated.
Mu Wan Yao said unhappily, "I'm drunk—tomorrow I won't remember anything. Can't you tell me the truth?"
Yan Shang said, "It's not that I won't tell Your Highness, but I haven't figured it out myself."
He frowned slightly, a bit self-doubting, and said, "I'm genuinely not very interested in romantic love. Marriage, to me, is merely a responsibility. Since it's a duty, it's just about fulfilling it. Before I must take on that responsibility, I have no interest in romance, so naturally, I've always been reluctant to marry."
His face flushed slightly.
He seemed a bit embarrassed.
He whispered, "Is that strange of me?"
Mu Wan Yao nodded.
Yan Shang: "..."
He couldn't help but glare at her.
Mu Wan Yao burst out laughing.She coquettishly said, "Your way of thinking is just so strange. What's wrong with me nodding in agreement? Other eighteen-year-old young men are all at that age of admiring youthful beauty. When they see a lovely maiden, don't their eyes glaze over and their feet refuse to move? And isn't loving someone such a wonderful thing? Kissing, hugging, rolling around with the one you love—aren't these the happiest things?
"Yet you show no interest. If you're not strange, then who is?"
Yan Shang smiled politely.
Clearly just being courteous.
He respected others' views, though he himself couldn't share the interest.
A mischievous glint surfaced in Mu Wan Yao's eyes.
Even without smiling, she naturally carried a hint of playful reproach: "If you're not interested in feminine charms, it must be because you've never truly experienced them. No matter—I'll teach you."
Without waiting for Yan Shang to react, she lunged forward. He had merely been leaning against the wall, but her forceful sideways tackle abruptly pressed him down into the bedding.
Yan Shang's heart skipped a beat.
He immediately grabbed her hand, his voice slightly tense: "Your Highness!"
But it was too late.
Mu Wan Yao's lips curved in a smile, her eyes half-lowered as if drowsy, the corners tinged with a wine-flushed rosy hue. Pinning him down, she began tugging at the sash around his waist.
Yan Shang, startled, resisted her, but his collar was pulled open, revealing his long, jade-smooth neck.
With her other hand, she yanked off his hair ribbon, and his raven-black hair cascaded over the pillow like ink dispersing in water.
The young man's neck arched slightly, the snow-white skin taut over sinews and bones stretched like strings.
Mu Wan Yao, dazed, bit her lip lightly, a faint frown between her brows as if in pain, yet also in delight.
Kneeling before him like a seductive spirit, her eyes shimmered with springtime ripples. The bed curtains swayed, layer upon layer of drapes billowing like moonlight. Amid ragged breaths, he gripped her hand to stop her mischief, but her struggles had already exposed his shoulder, his robes clearly in disarray.
Yan Shang's voice lost its usual calm: "Your Highness... Mu Wan Yao!"
Her cheeks flushed, she pressed her lips to his face. He turned his head away sharply, but she paid no mind, her breath trailing down his neck like moonlight spilling, meandering lower. Yan Shang's breathing grew ragged, his loose hair brushing his face as he grew agitated, losing control.
Sensing his tension and heat, Mu Wan Yao flashed a knowing, mischievous smile and buried herself beneath the covers. Teasing him like this, she realized his lean, sturdy frame had been hidden by his usually loose robes.
Seeing the situation deteriorating, Yan Shang wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against his chest to halt her advances.
Forced to press her face against his chest, Mu Wan Yao remained unfazed, lightly flicking out her pink, nimble tongue for just a touch. Yan Shang's gaze scattered, he let out a sharp, stifled groan, his body arching slightly as he trembled, sweat beading on his forehead.
Just as Mu Wan Yao prepared to provoke him further, she heard him—aside from helplessly calling out "Your Highness"—finally speak:
"Did you act this way with Your Highness's former husband as well?"
Instantly, the atmosphere chilled.
Mu Wan Yao lifted her head, looking at his slightly flushed, sweat-beaded handsome face and his jet-black pupils.
Not a trace of expression remained on her face.
She said, "You're truly remarkable.
"As expected of Yan Shang.
"You really know exactly where my weak spot is, hitting it unerringly. Not only do you know how to comfort me with words, but you also know how to anger me with them. Yan Shang, you really... know precisely how to speak."
Yan Shang fell silent.She ceased her fiery advances, allowing him to slowly sit up. He bent his legs to conceal the change in his body, but she had long seen through it and scoffed disdainfully at his hypocritical pretense.
Ignoring her mocking gaze, Yan Shang straightened his robes after sitting up. His long hair cascaded over his face and shoulders, and in that moment, even with disheveled clothing, he maintained an elegant and untouchable dignity.
Yan Shang said slowly, "Your Highness is drunk."
Mu Wan Yao retorted coldly, "You're so clever—you know whether I'm drunk or not."
After another moment of silence, Yan Shang continued, "Your Highness simply wishes to cast aside propriety, to act without restraint, to amuse yourself with me. You desire no future with me, no discussion of possibilities. You're merely too unhappy tonight and seek entertainment at my expense."
Mu Wan Yao did not deny it.
She said, "Is that not allowed?"
Yan Shang replied, "It is not."
Mu Wan Yao fumed, "You—!"
He looked toward her, his gaze as clear as snow, instantly silencing her. He said, "I am not that kind of person. If Your Highness seeks amusement, there are plenty of male entertainers in Chang'an, and many who would gladly offer themselves to you. I am not among them. I do not serve with my body—I thought Your Highness knew this."
Mu Wan Yao stared at him, fury threatening to erupt while her face flushed crimson with shame and indignation.
She had been rejected... She had vaguely guessed his character before, but she thought she was different to him, that he wouldn't refuse...
It felt as if her most filthy and repulsive side had been exposed to him, dissected by his gaze.
She couldn't accept it immediately.
Burying her face in her knees, she snapped, "Get out."
Yan Shang replied gently, "Your Highness should rest. I will keep watch outside and not disturb you further."
With her face still hidden, Mu Wan Yao didn't want to see anything. Hearing him rise from the bed and his footsteps, she felt a hollow emptiness in her heart.
Then his footsteps paused, and he said softly, "Your Highness merely had a momentary lapse in judgment. You'll feel better tomorrow. Please rest well."
Mu Wan Yao: "I'm fine."
Feigning composure, she suppressed her shame and let out a languid laugh: "I rejected you once tonight, and you rejected me once tonight. We're even."
Yan Shang: "Mm."
He left the inner chamber.
Mu Wan Yao lifted her head, seeing the empty room, and let out a silent wail. Burying her burning face in the pillow, she was filled with utter vexation—
She had actually been rejected!
A peerless beauty like her, actually rejected!
All her previous lovers had been quite infatuated with her body... What exactly went wrong? Yan Shang actually refused her?
She began to doubt her own allure.
OpenNovel