The sun blazed dazzlingly, a bolt from the blue.
Yan Shang's words exploded beside Mu Wan Yao's ear.
On the waterside corridor leading to the library pavilion, Mu Wan Yao halted her steps, staring blankly at Yan Shang who had stopped a few paces behind her.
Her mind went blank for two breaths before she processed what he had said.
Mu Wan Yao: "...What did you just say?"
Yan Shang's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he lowered his gaze, remaining silent.
Mu Wan Yao sharply demanded: "What did you say!"
Yan Shang: "Did Your Highness not hear?"
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow.
His silent demeanor was the clearest indication of his attitude toward what he had just uttered.
Mu Wan Yao's eyes instantly brightened, as if brushed by starlight.
Before she could overthink it, before she could ponder why his attitude had shifted so abruptly, she was first struck by delight—
Had he finally decided to stop dragging this out between them?
It was impossible for Yan Shang to be unaware that his relationship with Mu Wan Yao was somewhat peculiar, but due to circumstances, both he and Mu Wan Yao had been pretending everything was normal.
Mu Wan Yao had some mischievous intentions, yet... wasn't the other party unwilling?
If he was reluctant, she, a princess of noble status, could certainly find other men—why force him?
What if Yan Shang pulled a Luling Grand Princess-style retaliation on her? Mu Wan Yao would lose more than she gained... Why bother?
But now... Yan Shang's attitude had changed—
Mu Wan Yao's lips curved slightly upward.
Her expression changed little, showing neither surprise nor confusion about the future. Her demeanor remained calm as she took a step toward him.
Mu Wan Yao: "What do you mean?"
Yan Shang: "Does Your Highness not understand?"
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow.
She leisurely approached him.
The distance between them was about three or four steps. As Mu Wan Yao advanced, the gap narrowed.
While walking toward him, she asked: "Have you finally recognized my worth and bowed to my charm?"
Yan Shang: "..."
Indeed, his decision to change their relationship had begun with being captivated by her spirit. He answered honestly, yet Mu Wan Yao's directness still caught him off guard.
He had decided to alter their relationship, but he clearly hadn't fully adjusted yet.
His face flushed slightly, uncomfortable with her assertive approach, and he instinctively stepped back.
Still, with lowered eyes, he slowly gave her a response: "...Mm."
Mu Wan Yao: "Do you know how our relationship will change after what you've said?"
Yan Shang sighed: "I have some idea."
He said: "Your Highness, please don't come any closer."
Because he was already backed into a corner by her.
Meanwhile, Mu Wan Yao thought: If you've admitted your feelings aren't pure, why are you still retreating?
Completely at ease, she continued advancing, watching as the back of his knees met the corridor railing, leaving him with nowhere to retreat.
Amusement glimmered in Mu Wan Yao's eyes as she teased: "You know I'm someone who acts recklessly, right?"
Yan Shang: "...I know."
Mu Wan Yao leaned in, causing him to tilt backward and sit down abruptly, creating a position where she looked down at him while he gazed up at her.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, slanting across his face. His robes, draped over the corridor railing, reflected layers of intense light that shimmered across his features like rippling lake water.
He appeared even more upright and handsome... and, with no escape route, carried an added aura of innocent bewilderment.Mu Wan Yao: "If I want to change our relationship, and I take certain actions, you'd be able to accept them all, right?"
Yan Shang: "...Mm."
Mu Wan Yao curiously: "If I forced you to stay at my Princess Residence during the day, would you be willing?"
Yan Shang, trying to remain composed: "It's fine."
Mu Wan Yao: "If outsiders say you're clinging to the powerful, that you're Danyang Princess's kept man, damaging your good reputation, would that still be fine?"
Yan Shang looked up at her and slowly said: "It's fine."
The smile in Mu Wan Yao's eyes deepened.
Her gaze toward him became much more lingering and affectionate. For someone as cautious as him in every word and action, it was difficult to adapt to a woman expressing her emotions so openly.
But Yan Shang only slightly averted his eyes, ultimately not pulling away.
Mu Wan Yao said casually: "Would sleeping with me be fine too?"
Yan Shang choked on her words.
Although he knew she was always like this... but still, she was too...
He replied awkwardly yet calmly, softly: "Mm."
Mu Wan Yao: "Would you accept me being on top?"
Yan Shang wondered what she meant by that.
He vaguely responded: "Mm."
Mu Wan Yao: "Letting me try different things, without you putting on a stern face to lecture me about impropriety?"
Yan Shang sighed: "What kind of person does Your Highness think I am?"
The summer heat was so intense that Mu Wan Yao felt dizzy from the sun. But at this moment, she didn't feel hot at all - her interest had been thoroughly piqued by him. She looked at Yan Shang delightedly from left to right, growing fonder with each glance.
Not wanting to marry was one thing, but a spring encounter was another matter.
Of course, what she feared most was having to take responsibility.
Thinking of this, she asked uneasily: "After sleeping with me, you won't cry and demand that I take responsibility, will you?"
Yan Shang's heart skipped a beat, sensing something: "..."
He didn't dwell on that sense of something, only thinking she misunderstood him as someone who wanted to gain official position through her.
Slightly reproachful, with hidden anger on his face: "What does Your Highness take me for?"
After a pause, Yan Shang added: "But I believe that between men and women, more emphasis should be placed on spiritual connection."
He explained carefully: "I don't have an official position yet, so I'm not thinking about other things."
Mu Wan Yao completely ignored his lengthy explanations, focusing only on his earlier responses. She couldn't help but widen her eyes.
What kind of stimulation had Yan Shang experienced to accept all this?
Luling Grand Princess shouldn't have succeeded with him, right? Back then he couldn't even handle that, but now... he's fine with it?
Mu Wan Yao coughed.
Silence fell between them, creating an awkward atmosphere—
Then they entered the library, neither speaking further.
Yan Shang felt that having expressed such an attitude, he should maintain proper boundaries and not put more pressure on Mu Wan Yao.
He didn't know how men and women should interact, but he knew how to interact with anyone—progress step by step, shouldn't rush things.
Meanwhile, after her excitement subsided, Mu Wan Yao began to wonder why Yan Shang's attitude had suddenly changed.
After all, she had more experience in matters of love, unlike Yan Shang who was completely blank, ready to be painted on by others.
After much thought, Mu Wan Yao concluded that it must have been the words she used to coax Zhao Lingfei away that moved him... Mu Wan Yao paused, thinking that those were just words she made up.
She could be moved by what he sought and his ideological realm, but what kind of person she was herself was another matter. The kind of people she admired didn't mean she wanted to become that kind of person herself.Yan Shang had clearly... misunderstood. He wasn't drawn to her as a person, but to something about her that didn't exist? After maintaining restraint through all their ambiguous interactions, how could he lose composure over just a few words from her?
Mu Wan Yao froze momentarily, then grew irritated. She bit her lip in frustration, wondering whether she should clarify this misunderstanding.
If she clarified, it would create awkwardness between them. Moreover, how could they retract the step they'd already taken forward?
But if she didn't clarify... if she didn't clarify, she could sleep with Yan Shang.
Then she wouldn't clarify.
As Mu Wan Yao stood with bowed head, lost in chaotic thoughts, Yan Shang stood beside her surveying the books on the shelves.
This was his first time in the library of Danyang Princess Residence. Looking around, he noticed many rare editions and unique volumes not found in the Institute for the Advancement of Literature, with an impressive collection overall.
Yan Shang couldn't help but feel admiration, mixed with a hint of inferiority.
He realized the distance between himself and Mu Wan Yao remained considerable. The path to gradually closing that gap would likely be long.
But he quickly adjusted his mindset, reminding himself that a gentleman must either advance or retreat; he should correct his faults and cultivate his virtues. Since he had already set his mind on something, he should plan carefully rather than hesitate.
A scholar entering the world shouldn't be overly cautious.
While pondering this, Yan Shang spotted the book Wei Shu had been searching for on the shelf behind Mu Wan Yao.
He walked over.
As Mu Wan Yao stood with lowered head, her thoughts in disarray, she was startled to see his sleeves fluttering as he approached her.
What was he doing?
Mu Wan Yao stepped backward.
Yan Shang paused mid-step.
But continued forward.
Pressed against the bookshelf, Mu Wan Yao finally remembered she was a princess - why should she fear him? She lifted her head in bewilderment and saw him raise his arm, reaching above her head to retrieve a book from the shelf.
Mu Wan Yao saw the cover of the book he took - it was indeed the one Wei Shu wanted.
Mu Wan Yao: "..."
Yan Shang looked down at her.
Amusement in his eyes.
He said: "What did Your Highness think I was going to do?"
Mu Wan Yao flushed crimson.
Flustered and angry, she retorted: "...How should I know!"
She glared at him.
Yan Shang had initially found her reaction amusing and couldn't resist teasing her, but when she glared, he suppressed his smile.
He averted his gaze and slowly retreated two steps, giving Mu Wan Yao space.
Mu Wan Yao relaxed. She truly disliked feeling pressured. Yan Shang's considerate gesture of giving her an exit pleased her.
Leaning against the shelf with crossed arms, Mu Wan Yao watched Yan Shang flipping through the book.
He seemed to be skimming through to see what content Wei Shu wanted. After staring at him for a long moment, Mu Wan Yao slowly said: "Yan Shang."
Yan Shang responded while reading: "Hmm?"
Mu Wan Yao: "What are your plans next?"
Yan Shang was taken aback.
He slowly lifted his gaze from the book to look at Mu Wan Yao. She looked back with a faint, ambiguous smile, and Yan Shang immediately understood she was asking about his plans for their relationship.
Yan Shang replied: "Naturally, my current position is too humble to be worthy of Your Highness, and I dare not ask for your regard. I wish to focus on my studies first, hoping for results by October. Meanwhile, if Your Highness has any questions regarding government affairs, I could..."
Mu Wan Yao grew impatient.
She thought this was no different from before.
Were her expectations of him really just for an advisor?
She said succinctly: "Come to my chambers tonight."
Yan Shang paused slightly.
Meeting Mu Wan Yao's gaze, he understood what she meant.Yan Shang coughed lightly, turning his face away with slightly reddened ears.
He gave a low hum of acknowledgment, and Mu Wan Yao chuckled, walking over to tug at his arm, pleased with his implicit agreement—
After the two retrieved the book and returned to the main hall, Wei Shu was still waiting for them.
Yet when the snow-pure youth glanced their way, both Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang felt somewhat uneasy.
Mu Wan Yao handed the book to Wei Shu, eager to send him off quickly. She needed to properly arrange tonight’s affairs.
As they sat down together, Mu Wan Yao couldn’t resist stealing several glances at Yan Shang.
He sat there so composedly, as if nothing had happened at all.
That demeanor of his… it was practically an open invitation, waiting for her to make a move.
Wei Shu flipped through the book a couple of times, his eyes lighting up slightly as he looked at Yan Shang and said, “This book has become a rare edition now, something others can’t easily get to read. Since Second Brother Yan is preparing for the same imperial exams as I am, why not join me tonight to study this book and discuss scholarly matters? It’s also been a long time since we last shared a room.”
Mu Wan Yao: “…”
Yan Shang: “…”
Mu Wan Yao shot a glare at Yan Shang.
Under the princess’s intense gaze, Yan Shang’s face burned, though he merely smiled faintly and declined, “I’m afraid I have some matters to attend to tonight, so it may not be convenient.”
Wei Shu nodded.
He then turned to Mu Wan Yao: “What about you, Your Highness? This book belongs to you. If I seek your guidance on its contents, you wouldn’t refuse me, would you?”
Yan Shang: “…”
Mu Wan Yao froze: “…”
Wei Shu looked at her with clear, dark eyes, his lips red and teeth white. Mu Wan Yao had always been fond of him—how could she bear to refuse him anything?
Unable to resist the young man’s pleading gaze, she said sympathetically, “Of course, it’s no trouble.”
Yan Shang frowned slightly: “…”
She had trapped him, only to walk away herself?
Yan Shang: “Then I’ll join as well.”
Mu Wan Yao: “…?”
Wei Shu: “…”
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