Mu Wan Yao stepped into the residence of Luling Grand Princess.
The night rain drizzled incessantly, and the rest of the occupants in the Grand Princess's palace complex had already retired. Only Luling Grand Princess had changed her attire and stood watching as Mu Wan Yao, wearing a face-covering veil, led her guards striding into the main hall.
The guards of the Grand Princess's residence stood ready for action, while the guards brought by Mu Wan Yao rested their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists. The two sides confronted each other across the rain, the tension palpable and ready to erupt at any moment.
Luling Grand Princess studied her niece.
Once a young princess coddled and adored by all, in those days Mu Wan Yao would tear up and sniffle at the slightest jest... Back then, how could the Grand Princess have imagined that one day Mu Wan Yao would stand tall and stride boldly into her residence without a trace of fear?
Grand Princess: "Yao Yao, what do you mean by barging into my residence with armed soldiers?"
Mu Wan Yao's chin tilted sharply upward. She lifted a corner of her veil, revealing her face hidden behind the gauze.
Her dark, penetrating eyes fixed on the Grand Princess: "Aunt, my cat is missing. I'm here to look for it. This cat is newly acquired, and I've been quite fond of it lately. Since you've always doted on me since childhood, I beg you to indulge me once more and allow me to find my cat."
The Grand Princess stared at her, smiling thoughtfully: "How could your cat possibly wander into my territory? It seems rather pointless for Yao Yao to come searching after failing to keep proper watch over her belongings."
Mu Wan Yao replied: "I care not for other matters, nor do I possess such capabilities. I merely wish to find my cat. We are family, aunt and niece bound by blood thicker than water. I neither wish to embarrass you, nor should you disregard my dignity.
"There's no need for grand confrontations or drawn weapons. Let us resolve this matter privately between us, preferably without involving others. It's merely a small kitten, don't you agree, aunt?"
The Grand Princess watched her for a long moment, her gaze flickering slightly.
Though they spoke of a cat, both aunt and niece understood perfectly well it wasn't just about a cat.
Mu Wan Yao had no desire for a direct confrontation with the Grand Princess, but neither was the Grand Princess eager to clash with Mu Wan Yao. Her imperial favor was granted by the Emperor, and Mu Wan Yao had once been His Majesty's most beloved youngest daughter. As for now... the Crown Prince also seemed rather fond of Mu Wan Yao.
Originally, Luling Grand Princess hadn't paid much mind, but after hearing Yan Shang's words earlier that evening, she felt a chilling dread, worrying about where her own path would lead should the Emperor pass away...
This hesitation caused the Grand Princess to restrain her usual imposing demeanor considerably.
For a moment, she felt grateful that Yan Shang had already departed, preventing her from committing a grave mistake.
Grand Princess asked Mu Wan Yao: "Is it truly just about finding a cat?"
Mu Wan Yao affirmed: "It is only about finding a cat."
After deeply contemplating her niece for a moment, the Grand Princess nodded to her guards: "Cooperate with Yao Yao's guards and lead them in searching for the cat. Make sure it is found. I wish to see when a cat appeared in my residence."
She smiled at Mu Wan Yao: "Shall Yao Yao join me in the main hall for some wine while we await your cat?"
Observing her aunt's composed expression, Mu Wan Yao couldn't immediately determine where her aunt had hidden Yan Shang.
But it mattered not. As long as her guards conducted the search, clues would inevitably surface. She didn't expect to actually find Yan Shang in the Grand Princess's possession - even if she wished to, Luling Grand Princess wouldn't allow her to succeed.Mu Wan Yao's grand display was actually meant to pressure the Eldest Princess into letting Yan Shang go voluntarily. She wanted the Eldest Princess to hesitate and refrain from targeting Yan Shang tonight or in the future.
While both sides of the residence sent people to search for a cat, Mu Wan Yao accompanied the Eldest Princess to the main hall for drinks. Though they were supposedly sharing wine, neither the aunt nor her niece spoke, creating a stiff and chilly atmosphere.
The Eldest Princess was distracted, one moment pondering why Yan Shang had given her such advice, and the next wondering where Yan Shang was now and whether he might be collaborating with Mu Wan Yao to outmaneuver her. She fidgeted restlessly, frequently glancing at the rain outside and repeatedly asking if the cat had been found.
Mu Wan Yao remained calmer than the Eldest Princess. Even though she was anxious inside, she sat steadily, keeping her aunt occupied so her guards could uncover clues even if they couldn't locate Yan Shang directly.
Amid this tense standoff, deep in the rainy night, a maid announced that someone was requesting an audience.
The Eldest Princess snapped irritably, "No visitors!"
The maid timidly replied, "It's Young Master Wei the Seventh, here to see Princess Danyang."
The Eldest Princess was startled, unable to fathom why Young Master Wei would appear here. Mu Wan Yao had already exclaimed in surprise, "Why would Ju Yuan come looking for me here? Let him in at once."
She turned to explain to the Eldest Princess, "I invited Ju Yuan to my residence for dinner tonight, but unfortunately my cat went missing, so I came out to search. I told him to wait for me at my residence—I don't know why he's here."
Luling Grand Princess stared at Mu Wan Yao, instinctively sensing something amiss, but she had nothing to say.
Moments later, a cold wind swept rain into the room, causing the lantern lights in the hall to flicker slightly.
Wei Shu had already stepped into the main hall of the Eldest Princess' residence.
The ethereal youth, pure as snow, made Luling Grand Princess fix her gaze on him—not out of admiration for his beauty, since... Wei Shu was too young. What she was watching for was what game this Wei Shu and Danyang were playing.
After paying respects to the Eldest Princess, Wei Shu informed Mu Wan Yao, "Your Highness, why haven't you returned yet? The Crown Prince has sent someone to escort you into the palace to discuss some government affairs."
The Crown Prince.
Luling Grand Princess' eyelids twitched, her heart fluttering with unease as she shifted her sitting position.
Mu Wan Yao looked curiously at Wei Shu, "But the palace gates are locked for the night. Why would the Crown Prince summon me so late? What government matter could be so urgent?"
Wei Shu replied, "It's likely regarding the Ministry of Revenue's funding shortage we discussed last time. Since Your Highness inquired about the reasons, the Crown Prince probably recalled some crucial information and needs you to hear it personally."
Mu Wan Yao frowned, "But I'm still looking for my cat..."
Luling Grand Princess interrupted, "Yao Yao, what's so important about a cat? Since the Crown Prince is summoning you, you should go to the palace. Don't keep him waiting."
The Eldest Princess was wary of the Crown Prince.
To reassure the Emperor, she deliberately avoided all involvement in government affairs. Simultaneously, regarding the heir apparent—who might control her fate in the future—Luling Grand Princess instinctively felt some fear. Moreover, the Crown Prince himself was cunning and calculating... She never dared to oppose him.
Before Mu Wan Yao could respond,
Wei Shu remembered something else, "Your Highness, come with me quickly. The Crown Prince also wants Yan Erlang to enter the palace, but when I knocked on his door earlier, he wasn't there. How strange."Mu Wan Yao expressed surprise: "In such heavy rain, instead of staying home, could he be out wandering? Let's search for him. The Crown Prince wants to see him, and I have no choice in the matter."
Yan Erlang!
Luling Grand Princess felt her eyelid twitch again.
Earlier, Mu Wan Yao mentioning the Crown Prince had already unsettled her, and now Yan Erlang was connected to the Crown Prince... The Eldest Princess nervously stroked her teacup and forced a dry laugh: "Yan Erlang? Is that the Tanhua scholar?"
Mu Wan Yao looked over: "Aunt, you remember him?"
Luling Grand Princess replied vaguely: "I caught a brief glimpse of him at the banquet that day, and you rejected his marriage proposal... Who could forget Yan Erlang's elegance?"
Mu Wan Yao said: "When I rejected the proposal that day, I never expected he would move in next door... Now that the Crown Prince wants to see him, I can't very well stop him."
The Eldest Princess's smile was strained.
She could tell that Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang's relationship was likely more complicated than just a rejected proposal. Though Mu Wan Yao claimed to be looking for her cat tonight, she had arrived right after she herself had taken Yan Shang away... The timing was far too coincidental.
Yet some things were better left unspoken.
The Eldest Princess began urging them: "Since the Crown Prince is summoning you, I won't keep you here."
Mu Wan Yao seemed reluctant, still lost in thought, when a guard rushed in through the rain. Guard Fang held a snow-white kitten in his arms and reported to the two princesses: "Your Highness, the cat has been found!"
Mu Wan Yao was delighted. She took her cat from Fang Tong's arms, happily kissing it repeatedly. Only then did she turn back to face the Eldest Princess, whose expression was shifting between light and shadow, to bid farewell, saying she needed to enter the palace to see the Crown Prince.
Mu Wan Yao left without hesitation, as if her sole purpose tonight had indeed been to find her cat.
The Eldest Princess called out to stop her: "Yao Yao."
Mu Wan Yao turned back, her face radiant but her eyes cold and indifferent: "Hmm?"
The Eldest Princess spoke slowly: "We are aunt and niece after all, bound by blood. Let me ask you one question, and I hope you'll answer truthfully. What exactly is your relationship with Yan Erlang?"
Mu Wan Yao's eyes widened slightly. Her charming, cat-like eyes were the spitting image of the lazy kitten she held in her arms.
She appeared genuinely surprised by the question. After thinking for a long while, Mu Wan Yao said: "There's nothing between us. The Crown Prince likes him."
The Eldest Princess pressed further: "The Crown Prince truly likes him?"
Mu Wan Yao paused, wondering if Yan Shang had spoken with the Eldest Princess and revealed something.
Unable to determine the answer, she merely gave a vague nod.
Seeing the Eldest Princess lost in thought and waving them off—
Mu Wan Yao and Wei Shu left the Eldest Princess's residence. Once outside, Mu Wan Yao immediately tossed the cat from her arms to Guard Fang.
She gritted her teeth: "This wretched cat scratched me several times. It's infuriating."
Despite this complaint, she didn't forget their main objective.
While walking toward the carriage, Mu Wan Yao quietly instructed Wei Shu: "Regardless of Yan Shang's situation, after my little performance just now, my aunt certainly won't dare keep him at her residence any longer. I emphasized the Crown Prince's involvement multiple times, so Yan Shang's crisis has been resolved."
Wei Shu nodded but said: "But hasn't Your Highness unknowingly made Second Brother Yan take sides in this?"
Mu Wan Yao shook her head disdainfully: "It's fine. My aunt is terribly timid. She only dabbles with men and wouldn't dare touch anything related to politics. She has no way to verify the truth of my words."Pausing for a moment, Mu Wan Yao said, "But to prevent her from growing suspicious and to make her resolve to release Yan Shang, you should take my carriage with my waist token and make a trip to the palace gates. There's no need to actually enter the palace to see the Crown Prince—just circle around so my aunt believes the Crown Prince did summon me tonight."
Wei Shu asked, "Then where will Your Highness go?"
Mu Wan Yao bit her lip and whispered, "I'll return to the Princess Residence to keep watch. If my aunt releases Yan Shang, I must return to see whether it's true or not."
As she spoke, Mu Wan Yao glanced at Fang Tong, signaling him to bring the horse to her. Standing in the heavy rain, her shoulders and robes were already soaked, with only her face-covering veil keeping her face dry.
Just as Mu Wan Yao was about to mount the horse and leave, Wei Shu gently tugged her hand.
Mu Wan Yao looked at him.
Wei Shu gazed at her and said softly, "Your Highness has become much calmer than before."
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback, thinking that her composure tonight had been learned from someone... but she merely replied, "I have to grow up, after all."
She mounted the horse and confirmed the plan once more with Wei Shu. Wei Shu boarded her carriage, and the carriage along with the guards departed from the Eldest Princess's residence. Midway, seizing an opportunity, Mu Wan Yao and Wei Shu split up to carry out their respective tasks.
To deceive the Eldest Princess, Mu Wan Yao left all her attendants with Wei Shu, allowing her entourage to make a conspicuous trip to the palace gates. She herself rode alone, swiftly returning to the Princess Residence.
Even though she felt that Luling Grand Princess, after all the commotion, would release Yan Shang... Mu Wan Yao needed to verify it personally to set her mind at ease—
Galloping into the alley, the rain fell like blades and frost, pouring down relentlessly!
"Hyah—" Mu Wan Yao leaned low over the horse's back, suddenly tightening the reins.
She had already ridden into the alley where the Princess Residence was located. Through the pouring rain, she vaguely spotted a figure walking ahead.
The person walked in the rain, his hair half-tied, his robes and sleeves completely drenched. His sleeves drooped to the ground as if he were struggling greatly, moving very slowly. Upon closer look, his steps were unsteady, his back trembling slightly, appearing frail and solitary...
Mu Wan Yao immediately dismounted: "Yan Shang!"
The man seemed not to hear her, continuing to walk.
Puzzled, Mu Wan Yao jumped off her horse, not bothering to lead it, and hurried toward the person with his back to her. Catching up from behind, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to a stop: "Yan Shang!"
He turned around.
It was indeed Yan Shang.
But... Mu Wan Yao was startled.
For Yan Shang hung his head, his thick, dark lashes dripping with rainwater. His entire attire was soaked through, and his hair, usually neatly tied, was half-loosened, with several strands clinging to his face. Normally poised and proper, he seemed to regain his senses only when Mu Wan Yao took his hand.
He lifted his eyelids, his ink-black eyes finally focusing on her, faint bloodshot lines visible in their depths. Even his lips trembled slightly, deathly pale.
He looked utterly haggard, his condition clearly dire.
It took him a moment to collect himself, as if only then recognizing Mu Wan Yao.
Under the curtain of rain, Yan Shang stared fixedly at Mu Wan Yao for a long while before forcing a faint smile, his voice hoarse: "...Your Highness?"
Frowning in bewilderment, Mu Wan Yao noticed that the young man's hand she held was burning hot.She pursed her lips and briefly explained the situation: "Wei Shu said something happened to you, so I went with him to the Eldest Princess' residence to look for you. But it seems you're more resourceful than we thought—you managed to get out on your own. Quite the skill."
Yan Shang stared at her, dazed and astonished.
His condition was already poor—haggard and weak—yet as Mu Wan Yao stood before him, she could only tell he seemed distracted, unable to discern how he truly was.
After a long pause, she finally heard him murmur softly: "You went to the Eldest Princess' residence to look for me? Why would you go there?"
Mu Wan Yao said, "...Naturally because the Eldest Princess has designs on you. Would you willingly fall into her hands?"
Yan Shang looked down at her.
He was stunned: "But what does that have to do with you?"
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
She suddenly felt he was completely off—how could he speak to her in such a tone? Normally, shouldn't he be thanking her for saving him? Why did his voice sound so questioning? Stripped of that layer of politeness and courtesy, Yan Shang seemed not to understand why she would meddle in others' affairs.
Clearly this was his business—why should she trouble herself?
Yan Shang said: "You can't afford to offend the Eldest Princess, have you forgotten what I told you?"
Mu Wan Yao's expression cooled.
She said: "It was Wei Shu who wanted to help you, not me."
Yan Shang stood in the rain, water streaming down his face. Quiet and still, he began spacing out again.
Mu Wan Yao grew increasingly irritated and uncomfortable. It was as if she had done a good deed, yet he showed no gratitude—instead, he looked at her as if she were some strange creature... And if that wasn't enough, he kept zoning out while staring...
Suppressing her anger, Mu Wan Yao thought to herself: Anyway, I only did this tonight because Wei Shu asked me to. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't bother with you.
She shook off the hand that had been holding Yan Shang's, turned her back to him, and faced the gate of her own Princess Residence.
With extreme coldness, she said: "Since you're fine, go back and rest. I'll have someone notify Wei Shu..."
She stepped forward, intending to enter her residence. But a hand reached out from behind, grabbing her wrist. Pulled around, she found herself facing Yan Shang again.
Mu Wan Yao snapped: "What are you doing... Yan Shang!"
He stumbled toward her.
Startled, Mu Wan Yao opened her arms to catch him, but they both fell to the ground, sitting in the rainwater as she held him. His body slid downward, his burning lips brushing against her neck. Mu Wan Yao shuddered all over as his forehead pressed against her neck and his eyes closed.
He only managed to murmur: "I can't hold on anymore... Yao Yao."
Sitting on the ground, Mu Wan Yao blankly held his rigid, utterly broken body. His forehead rested against her neck, his eyelashes brushing the delicate skin of her throat, making her blush in confusion and fluster.
Furious and anxious, Mu Wan Yao cried: "Who said you could call me 'Yao Yao'? You... what's wrong with you?! What did my aunt do to you? Why is your body so feverish... Yan Shang, Yan Shang!"
Rain poured down, darkness enveloping the surroundings. In the silent alley, Yan Shang leaned against her, having completely lost consciousness.
His lips were pale, and behind his closed eyelids, distinct red veins were visible. He lay in her arms—both icy cold and burning hot.
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