The handsome youth's sincere demeanor and sharp words pierced her heart, leaving no trace of her affection intact.
Yet Yan Shang seemed somewhat perplexed. He looked at her in surprise, his meaning clear: he believed this was his most sincere way of repaying her.
But Yan Shang was clever.
The moment Mu Wan Yao showed an indescribable expression, he instantly realized what she had misunderstood.
Yan Shang froze, then fell silent.
After a moment, he asked softly, "What else?"
—Besides this method of repayment, what else could he possibly do?
Could he marry her? Or offer himself to serve her?
Did he even have that kind of qualification?
Mu Wan Yao met his gaze, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She felt both embarrassed and annoyed—embarrassed by her own presumption, and annoyed because there truly was no better solution... Her rejection of the marriage proposal had happened in March, and now it was only May.
Just two months had passed. Having refused the marriage back then, would Mu Wan Yao be willing to accept it now?
Impossible.
She had her own ambitions as well.
After much thought, she realized that Yan Shang's proposed method was indeed the best. He was always an exceedingly considerate person.
Yet sometimes, this very consideration, though clearly correct, still displeased her. Though she knew some things were impossible, the complete absence of hope still angered her.
Sitting on her bed, Mu Wan Yao fixed her clear, jade-like eyes on the youth kneeling before her.
She directed her misplaced anger at him, sneering, "What, just because you're willing to become my retainer, do you think I'll agree? Do I lack advisors or retainers?"
Yan Shang lowered his eyes. "Your Highness naturally does not lack retainers or advisors, but all the people in your residence have been dispatched to serve the Crown Prince. Your Highness is currently short-handed—why not make use of me?"
Mu Wan Yao: "What can you do for me?"
Yan Shang: "Your Highness, please tell me."
Mu Wan Yao blurted out: "The Crown Prince is in desperate need of funds. I need to help him raise money—can you come up with a way?"
Yan Shang: "Yes."
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
She was left speechless, watching as Yan Shang, who had kept his eyes lowered, lifted his head to look at her and gave a faint smile. His smile was gentle and subtle, yet filled with a reassuring strength... What could Mu Wan Yao possibly say?
Mu Wan Yao could only slap the bed, finding another excuse for her anger: "Who gave you permission to enter my room while I was asleep? I'll have the person who let you in beaten twenty times!"
Yan Shang promptly replied: "It was my fault. Your Highness, please do not involve others—punish me instead. I was merely anxious... When I heard that Your Highness had fallen ill because of me, I couldn't rest without seeing for myself... And if I didn't seize this opportunity to enter, I feared that once Your Highness awoke, you would refuse to see me again.
"Your Highness holds a high position and great authority. If you did not wish to see me, I would have no chance to express my loyalty."
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback. As he explained his reasons calmly, she gazed at him thoughtfully, her expression softening considerably, though a trace of hesitation remained.
...She truly couldn't tell whether Yan Shang's careful deliberation was genuine or feigned.
If it was feigned, he had acted so convincingly... Who could possibly find fault with him?
As for refusing Yan Shang as her retainer... Mu Wan Yao was willful, but she wasn't foolish enough to be reckless. She had few capable people at her disposal who would obey her. With Yan Shang offering his allegiance, would she refuse simply because she disliked him... What right did she have?
A person like Yan Shang, who wouldn't even pledge himself to the Crown Prince, had chosen to serve her... She ought to be celebrating.Mu Wan Yao felt displeased yet unwilling to refuse. She could only cling to the quilt as she lay back on the bed, sulking. "If you want to become a retainer, then do it. Suit yourself."
Only then did Yan Shang rise. Mu Wan Yao lay with her back to him and didn't hear his departing footsteps. Just as she grew puzzled, a voice came from behind: "Earlier, I noticed Your Highness's hand seemed injured. May I ask what happened?"
Mu Wan Yao was bewildered. She examined her own hand and saw three red scratch marks on her jade-white skin before remembering. "A cat scratched me."
Yan Shang said, "Then this subject will summon a maid to apply medicine to Your Highness's hand."
Hearing his footsteps, Mu Wan Yao's heart stirred. She suddenly flipped over and sat up, kneeling on the bed while facing his retreating figure. "Stop!"
Yan Shang turned back.
He saw Mu Wan Yao, who had just been wearing an unhappy expression, now gazing at him with curved eyebrows and spring-like eyes shimmering with delight.
Her robes were disheveled, her hair flowed like ink, and she sat on the bed with captivating eyes smiling softly—a vision of delicate, ethereal beauty that seemed to breathe with life.
Yan Shang quickly lowered his gaze, though his arm stiffened and his hand clenched slightly within his sleeve.
Mu Wan Yao coquettishly complained, "Why summon a maid? Yan Erlang, you've already entered my room while I was sleeping. Why cling to propriety now? You might as well apply the medicine yourself."
Yan Shang replied stiffly, "I'm afraid that would be..."
Mu Wan Yao interjected, "My hand was scratched by a cat at the Eldest Princess's residence."
Yan Shang's eyes narrowed, and he immediately stopped refusing.
Mu Wan Yao snorted at him, knowing full well that once he learned she'd done this for him, his moral compass would compel him to comply.
Watching Yan Shang leave to fetch medicine, Mu Wan Yao sighed softly, her eyes staring vacantly into space. The alluring charm she'd displayed moments ago vanished, replaced by empty contemplation.
Yan Shang sat by the bedside, holding Mu Wan Yao's hand as he gently sprinkled medicinal powder over her scratches.
Perhaps from the sting, she flinched.
Yan Shang tightened his grip to prevent her from pulling away. Instead, he lowered his head and softly blew on her hand, surprising her. "Blowing on it will ease the pain," he murmured gently.
Mu Wan Yao burst into laughter.
"You fool," she said. "Are you treating me like a three-year-old child?"
Yan Shang looked up at her, meeting her smiling eyes. Though her words scolded him, her eyes laughed. His gaze drifted uncontrollably before he offered a faint smile in return.
The tension between them finally eased, giving way to harmony.
While tending to her wound, Yan Shang asked Mu Wan Yao, "Your Highness, might I ask which physician has been treating me these past two days?"
Mu Wan Yao glanced at him. "Why do you ask?"
Yan Shang replied, "Naturally, to express my gratitude."
Mu Wan Yao said, "...It was someone from the Palace Medical Bureau. They were merely doing their duty—no need for thanks."
Yan Shang spoke gently, "Thanks should still be given. If Your Highness could just provide a name, I'll find an opportunity to send gifts and gratitude through someone when I enter the imperial city. Nothing valuable—just a token of appreciation. Please don't worry."
Mu Wan Yao's tone turned peculiar. "...You want to thank an old man? What did he even do? He merely administered a few acupuncture needles. Meanwhile, I..."
Yan Shang looked up at her.
But Mu Wan Yao abruptly bit her tongue, swallowing her unfinished words.
Her cheeks flushed, her eyelashes fluttering like flowing water. She thought to herself—better he never learn that it was she who helped relieve his suffering that night.If he were to find out, how awkward that would be.
Actually, a ruler-subject relationship was quite good—at least it was safe.
Otherwise... with their ambiguous relationship, she and Yan Shang would eventually play with fire. Even if they did, who could extinguish it?
Yan Shang misunderstood Mu Wan Yao’s sudden silence, thinking she was referring to her care for him. He smiled and said, “So haven’t I repaid Your Highness by becoming your retainer?”
Mu Wan Yao hummed dismissively.
She said, “Then fulfill your duty properly and think about how to help me save face with the Crown Prince!”—
After that night, while Danyang Princess entered a period of feigned affection, her maid Chunhua experienced a world-shattering change.
Waking at dawn to find herself naked beside Prince Jin, Chunhua’s mind went blank as if struck by lightning, her face instantly turning deathly pale.
Panicked, she clutched her clothes and scrambled backward. The commotion woke Prince Jin.
Rising, he draped an arm over her shoulder, not immediately discarding the beauty he had cherished the night before. “What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”
Chunhua pressed against the wall, hugging her clothes, her face as pale as paper. As Prince Jin’s hand rested on her shoulder, she trembled even more violently.
Her disheveled hair clung to her face, her heart cold as ice. Suddenly, she thought of Liu Wenji.
Young Master Liu, Young Master Liu... She was still angry with him. Though he came daily to the Princess Residence seeking her, she refused to see him. She hadn’t forgiven Liu Wenji for his harsh words, nor had she intended to sever ties with her beloved. She was just... just still struggling...
Yet this had happened!
Chunhua lifted her pallid face to Prince Jin. “Why... why am I like this with Your Highness...?”
Prince Jin fell silent.
A strange smile appeared as he said, “You should ask your family.
“They were the ones who delivered you to my bed. Did you think I, however enamored, would stoop to such baseness?”
Chunhua’s face grew even whiter, her eyes widening.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
She shut them tightly, overwhelmed by shame.
Weeping bitterly, she knelt for her family, gritting her teeth and pleading through tremors, “They were wrong... Please don’t punish them, Your Highness. They didn’t mean to scheme against you...”
Rustic commoners, ignorant and naive, foolishly believed a single scheme could control a lofty noble... Having served the princess for years, Chunhua understood the pride of these princes.
They could take what they wanted, but no one could force them.
Seeing the beauty weep so pitifully, Prince Jin sighed inwardly, his pity for her deepening.
He said, “Chunhua, why must you do this? You are my woman now. Even your family... well, I will spare them for your sake.”
Chunhua bit her lip so hard she tasted blood.
Knowing the odds were slim, she still looked up desperately, begging Prince Jin, “Could Your Highness... possibly let me go? I... I have a beloved... I don’t wish to... I cannot...”
Prince Jin froze, falling silent.
He was reluctant, for this beauty had captured his heart. But Chunhua wept so bitterly... Prince Jin, by nature soft-hearted—or, less charitably, indecisive—hesitated, torn between choices—
In the end, under Chunhua’s tearful assault, Prince Jin left in displeasure.Returning to his own princely manor, Prince Jin was barged into by a hastily exiting servant the moment he stepped through the gate. Furious, he lashed out with his whip, feeling as though no one held him in any regard.
Prince Jin retreated to his study, where his advisors, having heard of his return, hurried over to placate His Highness. "Your Highness, you must not give in to anger. You must endure... Only by maintaining a gentle and compliant disposition can you hope to survive the pressures from the other two princes."
Prince Jin slumped in despair.
His elder brothers were all men of capability.
The former second prince, peerless in both civil and military arts, had suffocated all his brothers under his shadow—but at least he was gone now. The current Crown Prince was cunning and ruthless, scheming at every turn. Prince Qin’s maternal family wielded immense influence, his own princess consort was powerful, and he commanded military authority... Under the weight of such figures, if Prince Jin were not more restrained and pliant, he would have been crushed long ago.
Sitting down, Prince Jin recalled how even a lowly maid had dared to refuse him. And to preserve his image, he had actually acquiesced.
He sighed. "When will this life of constant suppression ever end...?"
His advisor urged him again, saying the Emperor favored his obedience and that he must not stray from it.
After such reassurances, Prince Jin gradually regained his composure, reverting to his humble and mild demeanor. Once the advisors had left, Princess Consort Jin came to inquire why he had lost his temper and whipped the servant.
Prince Jin shared a good rapport with his current princess consort. Both were oppressed, and their shared plight fostered mutual understanding and affection.
Prince Jin confided in her about his encounter with Chunhua the previous night.
Upon hearing that her husband had taken a woman to bed, Princess Consort Jin felt a pang of sorrow but suppressed it. "Is she that maid of Danyang Princess? I believe I’ve seen her before."
Prince Jin replied, "Yes, that’s her! She’s the prettiest of them all—I was captivated at first sight."
Though inwardly jealous, Princess Consort Jin thought of her husband’s lack of an heir. Gritting her teeth for the sake of succession, she urged him to take more women despite her discomfort.
Hiding her displeasure, she said, "Why don’t I approach Danyang Princess and ask for that maid? She’s just a servant. If I make the request, Your Highness won’t tarnish your image."
Prince Jin was tempted.
But then he recalled how Mu Wan Yao had given him a faint, mocking smile while mentioning her deceased maid. A chill ran down his spine, and he shook his head...
He muttered to himself, "Better not. Ever since Danyang returned from the Black Barbarians, I’ve felt there’s something different about that girl. She seems much fiercer now... Best not to provoke her."
Princess Consort Jin inwardly cursed him as a coward but maintained a smiling facade, acquiescing to his decision.
Meanwhile, Prince Jin pondered: Perhaps it was time for him to have an heir... Surely his two elder brothers wouldn’t mind.
The Emperor’s health was deteriorating day by day—who knew when the end might come? If he remained without an heir, the struggle for the throne would have nothing to do with him. After all, one who aspired to the highest seat of power could not be without a successor—
As for Chunhua, after Prince Jin departed, she changed into clean clothes.
Her face was icy as she confronted her elder brother and sister-in-law, who shifted uneasily under her gaze.
Her elderly mother tried to mediate, "Entering the prince’s manor is such a fine opportunity. Chunhua, why can’t you appreciate it? How can you blame your brother and sister-in-law now..."
The ones who hurt the most are always those closest to you.Chunhua felt a sharp pang in her heart, forcing down the pain as she sneered coldly, "Do you think entering the prince’s manor is something good? Do you find it normal that Prince Jin still has no heir to this day? Her Highness told me that Prince Jin deliberately avoids having children to avoid drawing attention. Otherwise, how could he possibly...
"Do you truly believe Prince Jin’s manor is such a wonderful place?"
At her words, her uneducated family members grew panicked.
Her brother flustered, "You don’t mean to say Prince Jin killed his own children, do you? That can’t be, right?"
Chunhua stamped her foot in fury, "Brother! How can you say such things carelessly? Uttering those words is a crime punishable by death!"
Her brother immediately shut his mouth in fear.
Her sister-in-law, too, was at a loss. Though she had wanted her sister-in-law to climb the social ladder, if Prince Jin’s manor was such a place... Trembling, the sister-in-law said, "Then... then what should we do now? Chunhua, it was only one night—you couldn’t be pregnant, could you?"
Chunhua froze, then tears welled in her eyes once more.
She said, "Then I must trouble you, sister-in-law, to brew me a potent dose of medicine... I cannot be pregnant."
As the only educated person in her family, the others naturally deferred to her.
Her sister-in-law hurried out, but Chunhua, remembering something, rushed after her.
Grasping her sister-in-law’s hand, Chunhua repeatedly urged, "Make sure the medicinal effect is strong... or else, like our princess..."
She abruptly fell silent.
Her thoughts turned to the hardships Danyang Princess had endured among the Black Barbarians, her eyes shadowed with sorrow.
She ached for Her Highness, yet feared facing the same ordeal the princess had years before. Afraid that if one attempt to terminate the pregnancy failed, she would suffer even more... If given a choice, what woman would be so cruel to herself?—
The day was clear and bright.
Having finally settled her own affairs, Chunhua convinced herself that as long as Prince Jin said nothing, no one would know.
Returning to the Princess Residence, her heart pounded as she went to see Mu Wan Yao, fearing that Prince Jin had already come to demand her from the princess.
Yet when she arrived, she found Mu Wan Yao absent.
A maid said, "Her Highness went to the palace with Yan Erlang to seek an audience with the Crown Prince. It must be some political matter—we wouldn’t understand."
Chunhua was taken aback, "Her Highness... has she reconciled with Yan Erlang?"
The maid nodded firmly, "They must have. Yan Erlang has been visiting our residence frequently these days, and Her Highness hasn’t driven him away."
Chunhua felt a sense of loss. Setting aside her own troubles, she began to worry for Mu Wan Yao...
Staying away from someone for a long time makes it easier to grow accustomed; but if constantly in their company, can one truly control their feelings?—
Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang rode in the same carriage.
Though sharing the carriage, they sat at a distance from each other.
Mu Wan Yao was contemplating how to address the Crown Prince later, while Yan Shang used the time to read, head bowed.
The carriage first entered the imperial city, then proceeded to the palace grounds. Upon arrival, it halted as guards outside went to inspect the fish-shaped tally. At that moment, the carriage door was lightly tapped twice from the outside. The sound was faint, the force gentle, yet both inside heard it clearly.
Yan Shang lifted his gaze, his reading interrupted by the knocking.
He saw Mu Wan Yao, face stern, lift the curtain and lean out the window. Without even seeing who was outside, she began scolding, "Yang Si, have you nothing better to do? Was it you throwing stones at my carriage?"
Outside stood the young man in narrow-sleeved crimson robes—it was indeed Yang Si.He casually stroked the mane of the horse he was leading, then turned back to look at the carriage, revealing a handsome and indifferent smile.
He said, "Entering the palace so early? Are you hoping to have lunch with the Crown Prince?"
Mu Wan Yao retorted, "You have the nerve to say that about me? It seems you’re the one hoping for lunch, aren’t you?"
Yang Si grinned, his white teeth dazzling under the sunlight, without a trace of gloom.
The young man, charming and unrestrained, swung his riding whip, nearly hitting the guard beside him. After studying Mu Wan Yao for a moment and noting her pleasant appearance and calm demeanor, he took two steps forward, leaned on the carriage shaft, and snapped his fingers at her.
He drawled, "The weather is so fine, yet you’re cooped up in a carriage—isn’t it stifling? Come down and walk with me."
Mu Wan Yao said, "I’m not alone in the carriage."
Yang Si froze, his expression darkening slightly. He abruptly leaned forward and pushed open the carriage door. In that instant, he saw that besides Mu Wan Yao sitting upright, there was another person inside.
That person sat in the dim light, exceptionally serene and elegant. Remaining silent the entire time, they had led Yang Si to believe Mu Wan Yao was alone.
The person cupped their hands in a salute to Yang Si, their voice gentle and refined: "Yang Sanlang."
Yang Si stared at the person, scrutinizing their refined features for a long moment before recalling, "...Yan Tanhua!"
Mu Wan Yao laughed, "What nonsense—his name is Yan Shang... Why are you making up names for him?"
Her laughter was like blooming flowers, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Yang Si, embarrassed by her teasing, flushed red to his neck. Yet he feigned impatience, glaring coldly at her.
Yang Sanlang scoffed, "I’ve always been bad with names."
With a neutral expression, Yang Sanlang looked at Yan Shang, displeasure in his eyes: "What is he doing here?"
Mu Wan Yao replied, "Of course, it’s for a matter, but why should I tell you?"
Yang Si’s gaze fell on Mu Wan Yao’s face. He paused briefly, then glanced once more at the young man in the carriage. His probing eyes lingered for a moment.
After that, without any further reaction, Yang Si casually stepped back a couple of paces, paying them no more mind.
The young man stood by his horse, lazily waving to Mu Wan Yao: "Well, I’ll be off then. See you at the Eastern Palace later. Should I ask the Crown Prince to save you some lunch?"
Mu Wan Yao quickly responded, "No need! I’ll only be saying a few words and then leaving. I won’t be dining at the Eastern Palace."
Yang Si mounted his horse and rode off. Mu Wan Yao leaned out the carriage window, calling after him, unsure if he heard. The young man’s retreating figure was sharp and cold, exuding a carefree charm, and he did not look back.
After closing the carriage door, Mu Wan Yao turned to Yan Shang, who sat quietly inside.
Noticing he seemed lost in thought, she coughed lightly and explained, "That’s Yang Si, the Crown Prince’s shadow. I’ve been avoiding him a few times lately to keep the Crown Prince from knowing where I’ve been... Well, you’ve met him a couple of times before—I don’t know if you remember."
Yan Shang looked at her.
After a long pause, he said, "Your Highness, you seem to speak with Yang Sanlang very freely, without overthinking."
Mu Wan Yao replied, "Because he’s a simple person. If you speak indirectly, he won’t get it. So it’s best to say things plainly."
Yan Shang said, "That’s not what I meant."
Mu Wan Yao asked, "Hmm?"
Yan Shang frowned, then slowly said after a moment, "...What I meant was, Your Highness, you and Yang Sanlang seem to have a lot to say to each other."Mu Wan Yao was puzzled and looked at him with a questioning gaze, wondering what he meant by that. She and Yang Si had known each other for many years, so what harm was there in exchanging a few more words?
Yet Yan Shang said nothing more.
He thought to himself, His Highness never seemed to have this much to say to him. When he was with His Highness, they often fell into silence, frequently at a loss for words. Yet between His Highness and Yang Sanlang... they went back and forth effortlessly, never fearing awkward pauses.
As the carriage started moving again, Yan Shang lowered his gaze and quietly flipped through the book in his hand.
Meanwhile, Mu Wan Yao seemed to suddenly recall something. With a hint of malice yet also genuine curiosity, she asked with a smile, "I don't believe I've ever mentioned this to you—you already know the Li Family hopes for me to marry Wei Juyuan, while the Crown Prince actually wishes for me to marry Yang Si.
"Since you are my retainer, why don't you give me some advice? Which one should I marry?"
Yan Shang: "..."
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