Mu Wan Yao was brimming with enthusiasm as she took Yan Shang to tour the residence opposite the Princess Residence.
Yan Shang initially held some hope, thinking that perhaps this district where the Princess Residence was located might also have more ordinary houses. But as Mu Wan Yao led him through the tour, he realized his wishful thinking was in vain.
This courtyard was a standard three-section compound.
Its layout was exceptionally complete.
Upon entering, there was a Gatekeeper's Room, an entrance tower, and side rooms, followed by an extremely spacious main hall on the southern side without walls. This constituted the outer residence.
After passing through the "second gate," they entered the inner residence. The courtyard suddenly became rich with scenery, no longer as rigid and solemn as the front courtyard. The rear courtyard featured a lake, artificial hills, and pavilions by the pond. As Yan Shang and Mu Wan Yao walked along the lakeshore, they saw fish in the lake still happily blowing bubbles.
The inner residence first contained a two-story pavilion, known as the bedchamber hall, which served as the domain of the lady of the house for handling rear courtyard affairs. Further back were rows of side rooms...
Yan Shang's brow twitched slightly, feeling that a courtyard with such a complete layout, even including a Gatekeeper's Room in the outer residence, was something he had only seen once since arriving in Chang'an—Yan Shang said softly: "When I previously visited Chancellor Zhang, I saw his home had a Gatekeeper's Room. I didn't expect this residence to have one too."
Mu Wan Yao glanced back at him with approval in her eyes.
She said: "Correct. The Gatekeeper's Room is generally only found in the homes of prime ministers. Because prime ministers receive endless streams of visitors, with numerous people calling on them daily. Therefore, prime ministers' residences typically have a Gatekeeper's Room outside the main hall. Visiting guests first register at the Gatekeeper's Room, then wait in the side rooms of the entrance tower.
"When the prime minister has time, he will summon them to the main hall."
Yan Shang nodded: "I see."
He paused: "So this residence originally belonged to a prime minister?"
Mu Wan Yao smiled brightly: "Exactly. Opposite my Princess Residence was originally the residence of a chancellor. His entire family had lived here for over a decade, but some time ago he made some mistakes, and the Crown Prince demoted him to a local official post. This residence has been empty since, and no one has purchased it yet."
In the eyes of officials in Great Wei, only capital postings represented good prospects. Typically, when assigned to local positions, many officials would become dejected upon hearing the news, some even directly refusing to take up their posts.
Quite an amusing phenomenon.
Naturally, the chancellor Mu Wan Yao mentioned did go to take up his local posting.
As for Mu Wan Yao herself, she didn't really care whether the courtyard opposite her home was empty or not—what did it have to do with her? She had been neighbors with an old man for many years without developing any deep bond.
But wasn't Yan Shang asking her to help find a residence?
She immediately remembered the courtyard opposite that hadn't been empty for long.
And... Mu Wan Yao recalled what she had seen at Yongshou Temple—Yan Shang's "Prime Minister's Tablet." While still half-believing and half-doubting, she had connected this residence with Yan Shang.
Mu Wan Yao was extremely excited, feeling she had handled this matter exceptionally well. This courtyard wasn't as luxurious as her Princess Residence, but for an official, its specifications were already quite high.
She counted on her fingers for Yan Shang: "You complained your original residence was too small—this place isn't small at all, the courtyard is very spacious.
"You said you wanted convenience, not too far from the Institute for the Advancement of Literature. This courtyard isn't just close to the Institute—it's not far from the Three Departments and Six Ministries in the palace city either.
"You said you wanted more restrictions, to be further from commoners. The residences in this district are all quite distant from commoners—ordinary people can't even enter the district, perfectly meeting your requirements.
"So, isn't it excellent?"Mu Wan Yao turned to look at Yan Shang and saw him lost in thought. Noticing her gaze, he gave her a faint smile.
Her heart instantly turned cold.
It felt like a bucket of icy water had been poured over her.
She had known Yan Shang for more than just a day, and she was well aware that he was habitually polite, treating everyone with courtesy. That faint smile of his just now was exactly that kind of extremely polite, courteous, and shallow smile.
It didn’t reach his heart.
Mu Wan Yao’s face darkened abruptly. Without a word, she turned and strode out of the courtyard. While Yan Shang was still racked with a headache and indecision, he saw the previously cheerful and delighted Mu Wan Yao turn and leave. He noticed her small face cold and stern, her lips pressed tightly together.
Mu Wan Yao walked out of the courtyard and, after a few steps, entered her own Princess Residence.
She went straight into the inner quarters, her chest aching with suppressed anger. Pacing a few steps along a waterside corridor, she was so furious she could hardly keep from cursing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the maids timidly retreating. Yan Shang, after asking for directions, followed her over and spotted her.
Mu Wan Yao sat down expressionlessly.
Her heart was filled with deep grievance.
It was rare for her to help someone or consider their feelings, yet Yan Shang not only failed to appreciate it but also responded with such a hypocritical smile? Why wouldn’t he accept her kindness? Was the place she found not good enough? Was she bullying him?
Yan Shang approached Mu Wan Yao, crouched down, and watched her for a long while.
She turned her face away, ignoring him.
Yan Shang sighed, “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”
This time, Mu Wan Yao even turned her shoulders away, completely refusing to look at him.
Yan Shang had no choice but to stand up and crouch in front of her again. “Forgive my dullness, but this time I truly don’t know why Your Highness is angry. You must tell me so we can resolve the issue. Both of us are very busy—why waste time on such trivial matters?”
Mu Wan Yao had initially resolved to ignore him out of anger.
But what he said… made sense.
Why should she waste her time on him?
Mu Wan Yao then looked at him, her tone sharp, “You don’t know why I’m upset? You asked me to find you a place to live, and I helped you, but you clearly don’t appreciate it—you think the house isn’t good enough. And I know exactly why you think it’s not good enough!”
Yan Shang watched her.
He smiled faintly.
Softly, he said, “Oh? But I think you don’t actually know.”
Mu Wan Yao raised her eyebrows sharply, feeling he was looking down on her intelligence!
Fuming, she retorted, “What other reason could there be? You just don’t want to be my neighbor! You find me troublesome and want to keep your distance. You think meeting once every month or two is enough, but if you move here, you might see me every day, and you’d have to greet me constantly… and that gives you a headache.
“In your heart, you’re thinking, ‘This princess is so domineering and willful. With distance between us, I only have to coax her occasionally, but if I have to do it every day in the future, how could I possibly stand it?’”
Her expression was vivid as she mimicked his tone, still carrying a hint of fury.
Yet she was young and beautiful, and her angry demeanor, in Yan Shang’s eyes… came off as rather endearing.
It made him chuckle involuntarily.
Mu Wan Yao grew even angrier. She stood up abruptly, nearly on the verge of tears from frustration, “That was a genuine laugh! You’re laughing at me—I can tell!”
Yan Shang quickly stood up, wiped the expression from his face, and reached out to grasp her wrist through his sleeve.Yan Shang said, "How could I ever disdain Your Highness? I've reached this point entirely through Your Highness' support. With Your Highness being so kind to me, how could I be ungrateful? I am indeed dissatisfied with this residence, but it's absolutely not because of Your Highness. If fate allows me to be Your Highness' neighbor, it would be a blessing accumulated over a thousand lifetimes—how could I possibly be displeased?"
Mu Wan Yao hesitated for a moment, tilting her head to look at him.
Since this man always knew exactly what to say to please others, she couldn't immediately determine whether he truly meant it or was just being polite.
Her aggressive demeanor softened somewhat, though she still lifted her chin defiantly: "Then if it's not that you don't want to be my neighbor, why are you dissatisfied with this residence? What could possibly be wrong with such a fine house?"
Yan Shang replied, "It's precisely because it's too good that I'm dissatisfied."
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback.
Yan Shang guided her to sit down and explained: "Your Highness lives in lofty circles and has never known financial worries. Your Highness doesn't understand—while I agree this courtyard you've chosen is excellent in both feng shui and layout, I truly cannot afford it. I'm just a farm boy from Lingnan—how could I possibly afford a former minister's residence?"
Mu Wan Yao was stunned.
Clearly, in her experience, this was the first time she had ever heard someone use such an excuse.
She stammered: "C-can't afford it?"
Yan Shang: "Mm."
Mu Wan Yao grew somewhat anxious: "But this courtyard has excellent layout and feng shui—many people want it. If you don't buy it, someone else might snatch it up tomorrow. You'll never find another like it."
Yan Shang said: "Then there's nothing to be done."
Mu Wan Yao pressed her lips together, visibly displeased.
She had originally chosen this residence with the specific thought of having Yan Shang as her neighbor. Now that Yan Shang wouldn't be living nearby, it would surely be some old man becoming her neighbor instead. The Danyang Princess was greatly displeased. After all, the difference between a decrepit old man and a handsome youth was rather significant.
Originally she wouldn't have minded, but now... with Yan Shang as comparison...
Mu Wan Yao considered buying the residence for Yan Shang, but knew he wouldn't take advantage of her generosity.
So she proposed a compromise: "Then I'll pay for it, and you can repay me gradually."
Yan Shang said: "I'm still awaiting appointment at the Institute for the Advancement of Literature. The Erudite and Eloquent Examination isn't until October, and there's no guarantee I'll pass. Even if I do, the official position assigned to me would be no higher than eighth rank at best. As an eighth-rank official, when would I ever be able to repay Your Highness?"
Mu Wan Yao: "But you won't remain a minor eighth-rank official forever! I believe you'll rise quickly. Capital officials are quite valuable—they're never short of money."
Yan Shang smiled faintly: "Thank you for Your Highness' confidence in me. But I cannot be blindly optimistic, can I? When I clearly cannot afford such a fine courtyard, why should I live in it prematurely?"
He continued pragmatically: "Moreover, with such a large courtyard, how would I maintain it alone? Wouldn't I need to purchase servants? I originally planned to acquire servants only after securing an official position. Now, with nothing settled yet, if I were to buy both a residence and servants... I truly cannot manage it."
Mu Wan Yao fell silent.
She lowered her eyes, her dark lashes thickly veiling her expression.
Yan Shang said gently: "Therefore, thank you for Your Highness' kind intention, but I should seek other accommodations."
He rose and bowed to Mu Wan Yao, preparing to take his leave.
Then he heard Mu Wan Yao's voice from behind: "What if I were to rent this residence to you temporarily instead?"
Yan Shang turned back to look at her.Having made up her mind, Mu Wan Yao smiled and persuaded him, "Since you don't want this house, yet I don’t wish to have anyone else as a neighbor, I might as well buy it myself. Not only will I purchase it, but I’ll also add servants to maintain the courtyard.
"I’ll rent the house to you. Whenever you have the means and wish to buy it from me, I’ll sell it to you then. How does that sound?"
Mu Wan Yao stood up, took his hand, and pulled him back. She placed her hand on his shoulder, guiding him to sit on the railing beneath the corridor.
Standing before him, she leaned in to tempt him, "After all, this courtyard truly is excellent. From here to the imperial city, it’s only a half-hour ride on horseback. In the future, when you become an official and look for other suitable houses, are you certain you’ll find one?
"And do you really lack such ambition, thinking you’ll never have a day at court? When the time comes for you to attend court, consider how far it would be from other districts compared to how close it is from here. You’ll need to study daily and handle many matters—shouldn’t you save time on such trivialities?
"Moving back and forth in Chang’an is hardly that easy."
Pushed into sitting by her, Yan Shang felt her hand on his shoulder, her fingers lightly brushing his neck. He turned his face away uncomfortably, his back stiff and straight against the corridor pillar, unable to hide his surprise.
He fell silent for a moment.
Somewhat taken aback by how eager Mu Wan Yao seemed to be his neighbor.
Yan Shang said softly, "Even if Your Highness rents the house to me, with such a large courtyard, I likely couldn’t afford it."
A glimmer of triumph flickered in Mu Wan Yao’s eyes.
She knew he was relenting.
She pressed on, "It’s about what you have, not what you give. Do I look like someone in need of money? Would I rely on your meager rent to get by? How about this—you pay whatever you see fit. After all, this courtyard is truly wonderful. If you miss it, it’s gone."
She recalled another point, "Moreover, this was once the residence of a former prime minister. He likely left behind many books he couldn’t take with him. Wouldn’t they all be passed on to you?"
Yan Shang pondered, genuinely swayed.
Yet one thing still gave him pause...
Yan Shang avoided looking at Mu Wan Yao, but even with his eyes lowered, he could still see her standing before him—her slender waist, the hem of her skirt pooling on the ground. Her fragrance enveloped him.
Yan Shang smiled wryly.
He asked, "Why must Your Highness insist I stay?"
Mu Wan Yao replied, "Because neighborly relations are important; we can look out for each other. Given the choice, I prefer someone like you as my neighbor."
Yan Shang fell silent.
After a long pause, he slowly said, "Then I’ll give you my entire monthly salary as rent. Is that acceptable?"
Before Mu Wan Yao could respond, he coughed, embarrassed, "Of course, the salary is rather modest. If by October..."
Mu Wan Yao chuckled, "It’s fine. I don’t mind."
She leaned closer.
Yan Shang instinctively leaned back, distancing himself from her approaching face.
Her hand remained on his shoulder, her little finger grazing his neck, "Now, how about sharing a cup of tea with me?"
Yan Shang still kept his eyes downcast, his body completely rigid, "...Alright."
Afterward, Yan Shang began contemplating the move.Speaking of which, it was rather lamentable. Since he had passed the imperial examination, his relationship with Wei Shu remained passable, but Liu Wenji spent his days drowning in alcohol, depressed and despondent. Two days earlier, when their group had met with Feng Xianyu, they learned that Feng had moved out of his former residence.
Feng Xianyu had directly relocated to the residence of Luling Grand Princess, which invited gossip behind his back. Liu Wenji, in particular, openly disdained to associate with him. As for Wei Shu, he had always been aloof by nature, so Feng Xianyu’s affairs were of no concern to him.
Thus, on the day Feng Xianyu moved, only Yan Shang and a few others showed up. Seeing that Yan Shang’s attitude remained unchanged, the matter of Feng Xianyu replacing him as the Tanhua (Third-Ranked Scholar) remained unknown to others. Feng Xianyu felt conflicted—despite how he had treated Yan Shang, Yan Shang had never mentioned it to anyone.
Serving the Eldest Princess had already tarnished his reputation. If others were to learn that he had once replaced Yan Shang... his standing among the scholars of Chang’an would be utterly ruined.
For a scholar, reputation was of utmost importance.
Yan Shang accompanied Feng Xianyu as he packed his belongings, and the two shared a silent meal with wine. Before parting, Yan Shang wished Feng Xianyu a promising future. Feng Xianyu forced a smile and cupped his hands in gratitude. Despite the vast difference in their circumstances now, Yan Shang had still come to see him off.
After downing a cup of wine, Feng Xianyu called out to Yan Shang, "Yan Suchen."
Yan Shang replied courteously, "Brother Feng, is there something you wish to advise me on?"
After struggling internally for a long moment, Feng Xianyu said, "Be careful of Her Highness, the Eldest Princess."
Yan Shang was taken aback, puzzled by the warning. For Feng Xianyu, this reminder was already the utmost he could offer. He feared that saying more would incur the Eldest Princess’s wrath.
After Feng Xianyu left, Yan Shang still couldn’t grasp the meaning behind his words. He wondered if it was because of the Tanhua replacement incident that Luling Grand Princess had developed a grudge against him.
Yet, he had handled the matter through Feng Xianyu himself, and his approach had been so gentle—why would the Eldest Princess be displeased?
Yan Shang pondered this repeatedly but could find no answer, so he set the matter aside for the time being. No matter how astute he was, he could never guess the Eldest Princess’s intentions toward him.
Putting that aside, Yan Shang was relieved to notice that Zhao Wuniang had not come to Yongshou Temple to pester him for several days. Had she finally realized he was not a suitable match and decided to give up on him?
This was good news.
Yan Shang hurried to the temple to burn two sticks of incense, praying that Zhao Wuniang would soon find her destined marriage and cease clinging to this mistaken one.
As for Zhao Lingfei, her absence was not due to a sudden change of heart but because her father had confined her.
The reason was that Yang Sanlang, Yang Si, had gone to the Zhao residence and boasted loudly that his cousin had taken a fancy to Tanhua Yan Shang.
Upon inquiring about Yan Shang’s background, Duke Zhao, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, was displeased with the prospect of such a match. Duke Zhao had long wanted to marry off his youngest daughter, who spent her days brandishing swords and spears, which was why he constantly urged her to attend banquets.
However, a prestigious family like the Zhaos sought to elevate their status further. Duke Zhao had been tirelessly currying favor with the powerful, so much so that he was pulling out his beard in frustration. He lamented that the most influential relative his family had was merely the Yang family, another aristocratic clan. How could he allow his daughter to stoop so low?
Thus, Zhao Lingfei was confined.
Through a closed door, father and daughter hurled insults at each other.
Duke Zhao fumed, his beard bristling, "If you must marry, it must be to someone of equal status. Yan Suchen is absolutely out of the question!"Zhao Lingfei was stomping around the room: "You've never even met him, how can you say he's no good? Father, people say never despise a youth for his poverty—how can you not understand such a simple truth?"
Duke Zhao sneered coldly: "Yang San has already told me everything! That Yan Erlang is nothing but a dissolute wastrel who spends all his days drinking and carousing! He only became the Tanhua by sheer luck! If I'd known you had your eyes on him, I would never have let you go to Xing Garden."
Zhao Lingfei crossed her arms and spat: "You old man make no sense at all. On one hand you urge me to marry, yet on the other you forbid me from marrying whom I like. You're so obsessed with wealth and status you've gone mad! Father, our family isn't lacking in money—why must you be so determined to climb among the great families? Look at my elder sisters—is any of them truly content?"
Duke Zhao said: "This is simply your fate as a daughter. Lingfei, you must be obedient. I'll find you a proper young man another day..."
No matter what else he said, Zhao Lingfei in the room paid him no further heed. Duke Zhao left with a sigh, while inside the room Zhao Lingfei paced back and forth, contemplating how to deceive her father and leave home early. Their values were too incompatible—further argument would be pointless.
She was absolutely frantic!
If she didn't go to Yongshou Temple for so long, would Yan Erlang have forgotten all about her?—
Mu Wan Yao sat in the three-story pavilion of her residence's inner courtyard, fanning herself as she gazed at the distant scenery.
This three-story pavilion in the Princess Residence practically overlooked all surrounding structures, offering a clear view of the entire area. Naturally, this included the courtyard across the alley.
Today, Mu Wan Yao noticed servants moving back and forth in the opposite courtyard.
Resting her chin on her fan, Mu Wan Yao watched the scene across the alley while her thoughts wandered.
She had long purchased servants for that property, acquired the land deed, and prepared the rental agreement for Yan Shang's residence. Everything was ready, waiting only for Yan Shang to move in.
Judging by today's activity over there, were they finally moving?
Squinting, Mu Wan Yao thought: Why... does it seem... vaguely... that I don't see Yan Shang anywhere?
Chunhua approached carrying a plate of fruit, noticing Her Highness had been sitting here for two hours already. Following the princess's gaze into the distance, she asked: "Can Your Highness see clearly from here?"
Mu Wan Yao: "...Not really."
She glared at Chunhua.
Then realizing: "I was just daydreaming. Who said I was looking at anything?"
Chunhua suppressed a smile: "Of course. Your Highness has been particularly fond of this three-story pavilion lately. This maid has already had it properly cleaned. With summer approaching and the weather getting hotter, it's more comfortable for Your Highness to sit here enjoying the cool breeze than downstairs."
Mu Wan Yao glared at her again.
Another maid entered and announced: "Your Highness, Princess Consort Jin has arrived."
Mu Wan Yao: "...Why is she here again?"—
Princess Consort Jin, in her desperation to bear a son for Prince Jin's household, had probably gone mad with longing.
Her purpose in visiting Mu Wan Yao this time was to go worship at Yongshou Temple again. Ashamed to go alone, she wanted to drag Mu Wan Yao along.
Bored in the afternoon and encouraged by her maids, Mu Wan Yao half-resistantly allowed Princess Consort Jin to pull her out to Yongshou Temple.
At Yongshou Temple, Mu Wan Yao merely went through the motions of paying respects to the Buddha before leaving the main hall. Wandering randomly through the temple grounds, Chunhua called from behind: "Your Highness, Yan Erlang's residence is to the south, not the west. You're going the wrong way."
Mu Wan Yao: "..."Flushed with anger, she felt the maids had misunderstood her entirely: "Who said I was going to see him? Can't I simply stroll around the temple on my own?"
The maids stared in astonishment as Mu Wan Yao strode decisively in the opposite direction. Clearly, even the princess herself didn't know where she was heading—but it certainly wasn't to see Yan Erlang.
Mu Wan Yao was indeed wandering aimlessly. During her idle walk, she noticed a courtyard within the temple and curiously approached it.
In Chang'an, major temples not only provided lodging for travelers but also established Convalescence Centers dedicated to caring for homeless orphans. During disaster relief efforts, aid distribution often took place directly within these temple-run centers.
Mu Wan Yao inadvertently entered the Convalescence Center operated by Yongshou Temple. As soon as she pushed the door open, a young novice monk came forward to greet her. Upon realizing it was a Convalescence Center, she immediately intended to leave. Just as she turned to go, a familiar male voice called from behind: "Your Highness?"
Turning back, Mu Wan Yao's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Yan Shang. Dressed in a blue robe, he knelt among a group of children while holding a bowl of porridge. Some child with grimy hands had left a black smudge on his snow-white collar, making Mu Wan Yao frown unconsciously.
Besides Yan Shang, there were other scholars she didn't recognize, all tending to the children. After Yan Shang's greeting, the scholars rose to bow to the princess, but Mu Wan Yao quickly waved them off when she noticed the children's confused stares.
Yan Shang set down his bowl, exchanged a few words with his companions, and approached the princess. Standing at the entrance of the Convalescence Center, he gazed at her gently: "Your Highness is truly compassionate to visit the Convalescence Center and care for these homeless children. Had I not witnessed it myself, I wouldn't have believed it."
Mu Wan Yao flushed. She had merely been wandering aimlessly and never intended to volunteer. But under Yan Shang's assumption... she cleared her throat and said, "I do help occasionally."
Her maidservants like Chunhua watched silently until the princess shot them a warning glance. Fighting the heat in her cheeks, Mu Wan Yao quickly changed the subject: "Weren't you supposed to move today? Why are you here?"
Yan Shang looked surprised. "How did Your Highness know about my move?"
"I saw carriages in the alley when I went out," she explained.
Understanding dawned on him as he clarified that his friends had sent servants to assist with the relocation. Since he was moving out of the temple, he decided to donate some unused belongings. While making donations, he encountered these unfortunate children and ended up contributing all his rice and flour supplies.
Thus, the scholars joined him in cooking porridge and teaching the children basic literacy—exactly what Mu Wan Yao had witnessed upon entering.
Mu Wan Yao nodded. As she suspected, while some scholars might genuinely want to help, many were likely here to build their reputations. Seeking fame through philanthropy was common among scholars. She wondered which category Yan Shang belonged to.
"Since Your Highness is here, would you care to stay awhile?" Yan Shang offered.
The idea sparked in Mu Wan Yao's mind—occasionally cultivating a benevolent image could enhance her political standing. Smiling, she accepted his invitation and entered the center.
After observing for a while, she confidently entered a tent, picked up a book, and began teaching the children to read. She thought to herself with conviction: If she couldn't cook porridge, surely she could teach literacy!
Half an hour later...
Sitting grim-faced among the children with puffed cheeks, Mu Wan Yao glared at them in frustration: She couldn't teach them!
These children were hopelessly dull!
She simply couldn't teach such dim-witted children how to read!Mu Wan Yao's face was dark and stormy. With her princessly aura, whenever she kept a stern face without speaking, the attendants in her residence would tremble with fear, let alone these children who were only a few years old.
After Mu Wan Yao had been sitting there for just a short while, the room erupted with the sound of children beginning to cry.
Mu Wan Yao grew even angrier in an instant, slapping the book onto the table with a sharp thud: "Cry, cry, cry! I hate it when people cry the most! It's just about recognizing a few characters, how hard can it be? If you keep crying, I'll have someone beat you!"
At her words, the children cried even louder.
And the more the children cried, the more Mu Wan Yao's head ached from the noise, fueling her anger further.
Just as she was boiling with rage, Yan Shang entered and asked, "What's going on?"
As soon as they saw him appear, the children wailed and rushed toward him: "Brother, that sister is so fierce!"
"Brother, we don't want to learn characters anymore. Can you make her leave?"
"She even said she'd hit us!"
The children tugged at Yan Shang's sash and clung to his legs. He soothed them gently with soft words, then lifted his gaze to look at Mu Wan Yao.
Mu Wan Yao immediately felt guilty.
She said, "I didn't hit anyone... I just, just slapped the table. I didn't lay a finger on them!"
The children whimpered, "She scolded us..."
Mu Wan Yao felt terribly wronged: "I don't even know how to scold people, okay!"
Instantly, both sides felt aggrieved in their own ways.
The children thought Mu Wan Yao was too fierce and wanted to beat them; while Mu Wan Yao felt that she had been exceptionally gentle and found it all too difficult to handle.
Just as both sides were overwhelmed with their grievances, Yan Shang sighed and had no choice but to step in, sitting down beside Mu Wan Yao.
Mu Wan Yao sat huffily behind him, watching as he picked up the book she had slapped on the table and said softly, "This sister is just a bit impatient by nature. She doesn't mean to scold or hit you. She came with good intentions to teach you how to read... Her knowledge is far greater than mine. You should learn as much as you can from her. How can you ask her to leave?"
The children, still sniffling, were pulled by Yan Shang to apologize to Mu Wan Yao.
Mu Wan Yao's expression softened, but she still had no idea what to do with these children. So she hid behind Yan Shang, watching how he taught these seemingly hopelessly clumsy children to read.
She simply couldn't stand seeing anyone this clumsy.
And it was a whole group of clumsy people.
Yan Shang comforted everyone from all sides, calming them down until they obediently followed him in recognizing characters. In just half an hour, Mu Wan Yao had only managed to teach them one character, while Yan Shang had already guided them through reading a complete sentence smoothly.
And it was clear that the children adored Yan Shang.
When Mu Wan Yao had been there earlier, they had wanted to stay as far away from her as possible. But now, with Yan Shang present, even though that fierce and terrifying young princess was sitting right beside him, the children pushed and pulled, forming a circle around them, looking up at Yan Shang with hopeful eyes as he read to them.
Finally, Yan Shang said quietly, "...Alright, any more and you won't remember it. Just memorize these few characters for today. I'll test you on them another day when I have time."
The children looked up and asked, "But Brother Yan, aren't you moving away?"
Yan Shang was taken aback, then a look of pity surfaced in his eyes, realizing that once he left, there would likely be no one to oversee these children's studies. He could only say, "I'll come back to see you when I have time."
Hearing that he was indeed leaving, the children held back their tears, reluctant to let him go, pleading with him not to leave.Mu Wan Yao watched from behind with growing curiosity, then paused to ponder that Yan Shang must genuinely be very good to these children.
A person can maintain a facade among peers for a long time if they have ulterior motives; but if he's this kind even to a group of children with whom he has no vested interests... then perhaps he truly is this good-natured.
A little girl with tear-reddened eyes cried out loudly, "Brother, are you married?"
Yan Shang: "..."
His expression turned peculiar, feeling he'd been asked this question rather frequently lately.
He replied, "Not yet."
The little girl exclaimed delightedly, "Then when I grow up, can I marry you?"
Yan Shang: "Uh..."
Mu Wan Yao immediately grabbed his wrist.
Without waiting for Yan Shang's response, the bold little girl leaned in, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek: "Brother, I like you so much."
Mu Wan Yao: "In your dreams!"
The little girl burst into loud sobs, frightened into sitting on the ground.
Seeing Mu Wan Yao about to stand up and continue her outburst, Yan Shang quickly held her hand to prevent her from scaring the children—
Fifteen minutes later, Yan Shang finally managed to shoo the children out.
Mu Wan Yao sat beside him with a dark expression.
Yan Shang looked at her wordlessly.
He asked softly, "Why are you getting angry with a bunch of children?"
Mu Wan Yao said, "She kissed you!"
Yan Shang: "...They're just children."
Mu Wan Yao: "She said she wants to marry you!"
Yan Shang: "...They're just children."
Seeing his nonchalant attitude only made Mu Wan Yao more frustrated. She blurted out, "But I haven't even kissed you!"
As these words fell, the room instantly fell silent.
Yan Shang turned his face away, avoiding her gaze.
His lips moved as if to speak, but he swallowed his words, his throat working.
After two such false starts, he still couldn't voice anything.
Mu Wan Yao felt the air grow warm, making her restless.
His silence became increasingly unbearable.
She asked displeased, "What do you want to say?"
After a long while, she finally heard Yan Erlang's low voice from where he sat with his back to her: "...You really haven't kissed me?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
They sat together in shared silence.
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