Wei Shu said, "But Second Brother Yan, didn't you say you had matters to attend to tonight?"
Yan Shang cast a faint, almost imperceptible glance toward Mu Wan Yao.
She sat perfectly at ease, her right hand propping up her chin, appearing completely unaware of his predicament.
Faced with such a question from Wei Shu, Yan Shang felt a pang of shame.
He clenched his hand into a fist, coughed lightly by his lips, and mumbled vaguely, "I just remembered that studying is more important. After all, it's been a long time since I've studied with Ju Yuan."
Wei Shu's eyes flickered slightly.
He looked at Yan Shang, then at the smiling princess beside them. Wei Shu lowered his gaze and gently brushed away a few leaf fragments that had scattered onto his book.
Though young, he was sensitive enough to detect the unusual tension between Her Highness and Yan Erlang. He had some suspicions... but didn't dare confirm them.
Wei Shu frowned slightly and glanced at them with concern. However, being naturally reserved and considering that the two likely understood the situation by now... he decided not to offer any further reminders—
That night, the three of them shared a room, and the atmosphere for studying was exceptionally intense.
At a long table, Wei Shu held a book and sat beside Yan Shang. Mu Wan Yao, dressed in a casual soft red silk dress with her long hair loosely tied up like clouds, sat opposite them, chin in hand.
While Wei Shu and Yan Shang were reading, Mu Wan Yao didn't even glance at the book.
Yet whenever Wei Shu brought up any content from the book, she could continue it after just hearing the beginning. Effortlessly reciting the text from memory, she played with her slender fingers while cheerfully elaborating on the material, citing references and explaining it to the two of them.
Yan Shang spoke the least.
But he glanced at Mu Wan Yao many times.
Admiring her knowledge inwardly.
Since he had met her, he had never seen her seriously study. On the rare occasions she picked up a book, it was usually light reading like legends or storybooks.
However, Yan Shang had always sensed that Mu Wan Yao must be a highly talented young woman. She could effortlessly point out pitfalls in the imperial exams and the preferences of the chief examiner. She could casually identify flaws in his poetry, and after just a glance at his calligraphy, she would scoff.
But these were all things Yan Shang had inferred from her daily words and actions.
It wasn't until tonight, seeing Mu Wan Yao recite the book's content without even looking at it, that he realized just how remarkable she was.
While taking notes on Mu Wan Yao's casual pointers, Yan Shang asked, "When did Your Highness read this book?"
Mu Wan Yao lifted her eyelids and thought for a moment. "When I was thirteen or fourteen."
Wei Shu looked up. "Your Highness hasn't read it again in the past two years? Yet you still remember the content?"
Mu Wan Yao said, "When I studied with my elder brother back then, I read very diligently to please my Emperor and others. That's why I can't forget it even after all these years... Actually, I'd rather not remember."
Her tone carried a hint of melancholy, and she fell silent briefly.
There were many things she couldn't remember.
Yet many of the books she read in the past remained etched in her mind like imprints of her history, impossible to forget.
Seeing Mu Wan Yao's expression, Wei Shu felt at a loss. He realized he might have touched a sore spot but sat there bewildered, unsure how to comfort her... Just then, Yan Erlang casually pushed a teacup toward her and smiled gently. "Your Highness must be thirsty? Have some tea."
Mu Wan Yao took a sip of tea, her brows curving in puzzlement. "Why does it taste a bit strange?"Yan Shang gently persuaded, "Bitter medicine is most effective. When I stepped out earlier, I added some medicinal herbs to your tea, thinking you might be thirsty after speaking all evening."
Mu Wan Yao shot him a sidelong glance. "I never said I wouldn’t drink it. Why are you explaining so much?"
Yan Shang shook his head with a smile, rolling up his sleeves again to pick up the brush.
Wei Shu watched silently from the side, observing the exchanged glances and cheerful smiles between the two.
Second Brother Yan’s skillful diplomacy could even coax Mu Wan Yao… Wei Shu felt a strange sense of being superfluous in their presence.
Suppressing his odd thoughts, Wei Shu lowered his head and returned to his book. Yan Shang joined him, quietly committing the text to memory.
Mu Wan Yao watched Yan Shang thoughtfully, noticing that throughout, it was Wei Shu who turned the pages while Yan Shang merely observed without uttering a word.
Her eyes flickered with curiosity.
Wei Shu, a young master from a noble family, was not one to consider others’ needs. It wasn’t surprising that he didn’t consider whether Yan Shang’s reading pace differed from his own. But Yan Shang had followed Wei Shu’s rhythm the entire time without speaking up… either he didn’t want to reveal any inadequacy, or he could genuinely keep up with Wei Shu’s speed.
Based on Mu Wan Yao’s understanding of Yan Shang, the latter seemed more likely.
Could he really match Wei Shu’s pace?
Wei Shu was, after all, a scion of the prestigious Luoyang Wei clan. His reading speed was far beyond that of ordinary scholars from humble backgrounds. If Yan Shang could keep up… it suggested his ability to retain vast knowledge was remarkable. In truth, this wasn’t entirely unexpected—if Yan Shang were as mediocre as he claimed, even with Mu Wan Yao’s guidance, it would have been nearly impossible for him to achieve the rank of Tanhualang in his first year.
Yet, his habitual modesty and frequent self-deprecation about his scholarly abilities had given Mu Wan Yao the impression that he was truly lacking.
Mu Wan Yao pursed her lips into a smile, feeling as though she had uncovered a hidden secret of Yan Shang’s, and her heart leaped with delight.
Playfulness stirred within her. Abandoning her idle finger-twirling, she rolled up her sleeves, took up a brush, and wrote a line of characters on a piece of paper. Crumpling it into a ball, she lifted her gaze toward Yan Shang, who was bent over his writing, and the quietly studying Wei Shu beside him.
Seizing a moment when Wei Shu was distracted, Mu Wan Yao tilted her chin forward, leaning in to toss the paper ball at Yan Shang.
The ball struck him between the eyebrows. His eyelashes fluttered slightly as he looked up to see the crumpled paper roll into his lap. Glancing across, he found Mu Wan Yao propping her chin in her hands, smiling playfully at him.
Yan Shang’s cheeks flushed faintly. He glanced at Wei Shu, and seeing him unaware, discreetly picked up the paper ball to read what Mu Wan Yao had written.
The note said: "Does it feel thrilling to sneak around with me behind Ju Yuan’s back?"
Yan Shang: "…"
He looked over at her. The hairpin in Mu Wan Yao’s locks swayed gently, shimmering under the golden light as she blinked at him. Her eyes, brimming with charm and allure, were utterly captivating and soul-stirring.
Yan Shang fell silent, his hand holding the paper ball growing numb.
He gave a faint, wry smile, never expecting Mu Wan Yao to be so bold. As he struggled internally, Wei Shu spoke up: "Your Highness, what note did you and Second Brother Yan exchange?"
Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang both started, turning to see Wei Shu looking up at them.
As if caught red-handed, their faces stiffened in unison.It was Yan Shang who reacted quickly. As Wei Shu leaned in to look, he casually crumpled the note back into a ball and told Wei Shu, "Her Highness asked me about an allusion in the book, wondering if I remembered it."
Wei Shu asked with interest, "What allusion?"
Yan Shang then proceeded to spin some tale, successfully diverting Wei Shu's attention.
Mu Wan Yao breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest. When she saw Yan Shang flipping through the book with Wei Shu, he suddenly looked up and gave her a light glare.
Mu Wan Yao coughed, straightened her posture, and stopped teasing him.
Yet the thrill akin to a secret affair lingered in her heart, making Mu Wan Yao feel utterly captivated.
She truly enjoyed this kind of interaction with Yan Shang—how he responded to her and covered for her... She genuinely felt he was such a wonderful person, flawless in every way, so much so that she couldn't wait to share an intimate moment with him.
Mu Wan Yao somewhat regretted having Wei Shu stay. If Wei Shu hadn't remained... that night should have been her and Yan Shang's special time—
Yet it seemed fate was not on their side.
That night, Wei Shu stayed at the Princess Residence, not only missing the opportunity but also leaving the next day.
Mu Wan Yao eagerly awaited the next chance.
However, in the afternoon, when Mu Wan Yao woke from her nap, her maid informed her that Yan Erlang had arrived. Thinking Yan Shang had come to spend time with her, she had him brought in. But Yan Shang explained that his teacher had asked him to accompany him to the mountains for ten days to visit a great scholar.
That great scholar had just arrived in Chang'an. Back in the day, the imperial examinations of Great Wei were jointly determined by that scholar and other prominent noble families. Noble families rarely disclosed examination rules, but this scholar, who traveled far and wide spreading teachings, had come to Chang'an for a temporary stay and was likely to share some insights and knowledge.
Yan Shang's teacher thus asked him to join the visit.
Since he was going for studies, Mu Wan Yao could hardly insist on keeping him from leaving.
She had no choice but to suppress her displeasure and let him go.
Yet after Yan Shang left, Mu Wan Yao came to realize just how considerate he was.
She had always envied Yan Shang's friends, admiring how they received his care. Now that Yan Shang was away, he sent daily letters to Mu Wan Yao, chatting about everyday matters and occasionally including small surprises, which delighted her greatly.
For example:
"Rain fell in the mountains today. Spent half the day playing chess with my teacher and secretly kept a white piece. I wonder when I might play against Your Highness? Your Highness's talent would surely earn my admiration."
"The mountain climate is cool, yet I couldn't help recalling the days reading at Your Highness's residence. In such stifling heat, Your Highness must have suffered."
"Seeing the camellias in the mountains, so vibrant and endearing, I thought of Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness enjoys flowers?"
"Drank tea for half the day and struggled through the night with a stomachache, unable to sleep. Your Highness, do not follow my example of drinking cold tea."
"At dawn, I saw the misty mountain scenery and a songstress picking mulberry leaves. In my daze, I mistook her for Your Highness. Laughing at my own foolishness, I felt a deep sense of longing."
Mu Wan Yao read his letters one by one, her heart filled with joy. Yan Shang's letters were written casually, leaping from topic to topic, often jotting down a word or two before pausing for a long time before continuing to the next line.
And this habit of his changing penmanship allowed Mu Wan Yao to see that whenever he had a free moment or thought of her, he would write a word or two for her.It wasn't solely about inquiring after her wellbeing; he often shared updates about his own life as well. He would mention what books he had read that day or what philosophical debates he had with his teacher the next day. His words were always thoughtful, delivered in a casual, conversational tone without the slightest hint of flattery.
It was as if he regarded her as a friend, simply chatting with her freely.
Reading his letters felt exactly like conversing with him in person—neither subservient nor presumptuous, neither imposing nor hinting at hidden meanings. His chatty manner of speaking... yet it was imbued with care in every word.
This way of speaking... Mu Wan Yao knew she could never master it.
But she could feel Yan Shang's kindness toward her.
Mu Wan Yao began to enjoy reading Yan Shang's letters, counting on her fingers how many days he had been gone and how many more letters she might receive from him. This made her recall the period before Yan Shang arrived in Chang'an, when he had written to her monthly for over half a year.
Back then, however, Mu Wan Yao had always had her maid read his letters aloud—she never read them herself.
The realization that she had never once read Yan Shang's letters herself filled Mu Wan Yao with deep regret. She slapped the table and called out, "Chunhua, Chunhua! Find all the letters Yan Shang wrote last year—I want to go through them properly."
Chunhua entered from outside and acknowledged Her Highness's order. She looked somewhat haggard, but Mu Wan Yao, absorbed in her joy over Yan Shang's letters, assumed Chunhua had merely been ill for a few days and paid no further attention—
Chunhua was not ill.
She was pregnant.
Ten days earlier, she had begun feeling unwell, experiencing fatigue and drowsiness.
At first, Chunhua also thought she had fallen ill and requested leave to rest. Later, she started vomiting and feeling nauseated at the sight of food, which made her vaguely suspect something was wrong.
Yesterday afternoon, while the princess was being attended by other maids, Chunhua could no longer suppress her anxiety. She secretly went to the Western Market to consult a folk physician, hoping to find out what was truly wrong with her.
The physician did not give her an evasive answer—he directly congratulated her on her pregnancy. Chunhua's face turned pale, and her mind went blank.
She thought of the medicine her sister-in-law had given her... Had it been ineffective?
It wouldn't be surprising if the medicine hadn't worked.
In this day and age, the highest level of medical expertise was concentrated in the palace. Contraceptive remedies from the countryside were often hit-or-miss. Chunhua guessed she must have encountered the same situation the princess had faced years ago.
Men's recklessness made women suffer; women's vulnerability incited men's cruelty. After the sweaty, absurd indulgence, not every child in this world was welcomed. Women endured humiliation and torment—if they did not want a child afterward, they could only resort to medicine. But what if the medicine failed? What then?
What should she do next?
Her mind in turmoil, Chunhua's vision blurred. Hazily, she seemed to see the princess of years past, sitting alone in her tent, hugging her arms and staring blankly for half a day. Afterward, the princess had requested another dose of medicine...
Facing the folk physician, Chunhua's voice trembled as she echoed the princess's words across time: "...Then give me a dose of abortifacient medicine."
Faintly, she was retracing the same path the princess had once walked—
That entire night, after attending to the princess until she fell asleep, Chunhua returned to the quarters she shared with the other maids.
Everyone else was asleep. Only she remained seated at the table, staring blankly at the dose of abortifacient medicine.
Her mind alternated between images of Liu Wenji and Prince Jin.
She knew exactly who the child's father was.For the sake of her peaceful life, she shouldn't allow this child to exist.
But... this is Prince Jin's child.
A child of royal blood.
How could a mere maid like her decide the fate of royal blood? If the Ministry of Rites or the imperial family were to discover she dared to abort Prince Jin's child... not even Her Highness the Princess could protect her.
Moreover, would this medicine prescribed by some country doctor even work?
Would it be as ineffective as the medicine her sister-in-law had given her before... or as potent as the medicine the Princess had once used, which nearly claimed her life without leaving a trace?
Chunhua sat weeping in the darkness, staring blankly at the medicine, unsure of what choice to make. She was just a maid who had been freed from the Slave Registry thanks to the Princess's affection, but under the weight of power, did she truly have any choice at all?—
By the next morning, Chunhua's eyes were swollen when she rose.
The other maids expressed concern over her recent state, but she brushed it off, claiming her illness hadn't fully recovered.
Tormented inside, Chunhua didn't know whom to confide in. She stood dazedly in the corridor, waiting for the Princess to wake up, when she saw a second-tier maid hurrying over, her skirt lifted, joyfully announcing, "Has Her Highness risen? Yan Erlang has returned and is visiting our residence."
Upon hearing that Yan Erlang had come, the maids were all delighted. Not only was Yan Erlang elegant and pleasing to the eye, but whenever he visited, the Princess's temper would improve for a long time. Who wouldn't wish for Yan Erlang to visit their residence more often?
Seeing everyone so cheerful, Chunhua couldn't help but smile slightly and chide, "Go check if Her Highness has woken up. I'll go greet Yan Erlang."
Hearing the commotion outside, Mu Wan Yao coughed lightly, and the maids hurried in to attend to her. Learning that Yan Shang had arrived, Mu Wan Yao wasn't in a rush to see him. Instead, she took her time washing and dressing.
As she sat before the dressing mirror, having her hair combed by a maid, she heard Yan Shang's voice outside. His voice was clear as flowing water, his unique pacing soothing... Mu Wan Yao unconsciously glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of a faint silhouette.
Pressing her lips together to suppress a smile, under the maids' watchful eyes, she forced down her joy and deliberately slowed her grooming even more.
Yet, Mu Wan Yao strained her ears to listen to what Chunhua and Yan Shang were discussing outside—
Yan Shang said, "This is some tea and pastries I brought. I mentioned in my letter that I'd like Her Highness to try them."
Chunhua laughed and instructed someone to take them, saying, "You're so kind to our Princess, sir."
Yan Shang sighed.
He said, "It's nothing, just a small courtesy. In truth, I should be more attentive to Her Highness... but as you know, I'm currently occupied with my studies and have little time for anything else. Thus, I've neglected Her Highness and allowed her to endure grievances. I can only ask you to take good care of Her Highness on my behalf."
Chunhua: "..."
Regardless of how Chunhua reacted, Mu Wan Yao, eavesdropping from inside the room, was stunned.
She had been leisurely taking a jade comb from a maid to style her hair, while the maids helped select earrings and hairpins. But upon hearing Yan Shang's words, the comb slipped from her hand and fell directly onto the ground covering.
She sat in a daze, hardly believing her ears:What? Yan Shang said he had neglected her? That he had let her suffer grievances? That treating her this way was merely a matter of basic courtesy? He still didn’t think he had cared enough for her? He still felt he hadn’t treated her well?
This... this... He had already gone to such lengths, and he still called it "too busy with studies to spare time for anything else."
Then what would it look like when he truly treated someone well? How... how good would that be?
Mu Wan Yao swallowed hard, somewhat frightened by Yan Shang, and even began to reflect on whether she had thought too little of the situation. How dare she play games with such a clever person... A clever young lady should play games with fools. How could she play with someone as sharp as him?
Had she overestimated herself a little too much?
Outside the door, dew dripped from the courtyard flowers like jade beads.
Chunhua gazed into Yan Shang’s clear, composed, and beautiful eyes, and her heart stirred. She thought to herself, Yan Erlang was so intelligent and had always been tight-lipped, never causing trouble for anyone... Could she ask him to help her ponder her own dilemma?
Just as Chunhua mustered the courage to ask Yan Erlang to speak privately, she noticed his brows twitch slightly, as if he had heard some movement. A jade comb fell onto the ground covering with a soft "thud." Though the sound was faint, it was caught by Yan Shang, who had been attentively listening to the room.
A faint smile touched his lips. Though he couldn’t see inside, his gaze turned toward the window as he asked softly, "Your Highness, are you awake?"
Inside the room, Mu Wan Yao shot a resentful glare at the two maids behind her, as if the dull sound of the comb falling on the ground covering were their fault.
Then, Mu Wan Yao coughed lightly and said displeasedly, "What is it?"
She truly had not a single kind word to offer.
Outside, Yan Shang smiled slightly and said, "Is Your Highness available for a meeting?"
Mu Wan Yao put on airs and said, "No."
The moment she spoke, she regretted it.
Yan Shang fell silent.
He had no choice but to say, "Then this subject will first go to the Institute for the Advancement of Literature and return in the afternoon to pay respects to Your Highness."
Mu Wan Yao replied indifferently, "Hmm."—
But that afternoon, a heavy rainstorm began.
Mu Wan Yao was trapped in the Eastern Palace, unable to return. She drank cup after cup of wine, drawing several glances from Yang Si, who was idly solving a nine-linked puzzle nearby.
Yang Si said, "What’s wrong? Got a date with your little lover?"
Mu Wan Yao glared at him. Just then, the Crown Prince entered, and Mu Wan Yao immediately complained, "Eldest Brother, look at what he’s saying about me! He’s accusing me of having a lover!"
The Crown Prince looked at Yang Si.
Yang Si said, "...I was just saying it casually. What kind of princess doesn’t keep a few little lovers?"
The Crown Prince said, "Chengzhi..."
Hearing the Crown Prince call him by his courtesy name, Yang Si stiffened and sat up straight, saying, "Fine, I was wrong. But why are you listening to that tattletale?"
Mu Wan Yao retorted, "Bah! You’re the tattletale!"
She grabbed a cushion from behind the sitting couch and threw it at Yang Si, who retaliated by tossing a handful of melon seeds at her without holding back. Seeing the two of them starting to fight again, the Crown Prince sighed, walked to the window, and gazed out at the torrential rain, pretending not to hear the commotion behind him.
The Crown Prince frowned, thinking to himself: The Emperor said he wanted to go to the outskirts to escape the summer heat. Should he send someone to follow and test the Emperor’s health?
And the year-end ceremony—there were only a few months left. He needed to arrange for people to speed up the preparations... If this year’s ceremony went well and he could firmly suppress Prince Qin, his own prestige in the court should rise another step.Only with the Emperor's support would those opportunistic noble families lean more toward him.
Thinking of those noble families, the Crown Prince let out a soft sigh and told himself not to be impatient.
With the southern noble families led by the Jinling Li Clan, as long as Mu Wan Yao remained a card in his hand... variables should be minimal—
Torrential rain poured down.
After Yan Shang returned to his residence in the afternoon, he did not go out again, immersing himself in studying within his chambers.
It was already late June, and not much time remained before the October examinations. Seizing this period, he focused wholeheartedly, not only refraining from taking on other tasks but also declining all invitations to banquets from friends.
He continued studying until deep into the night.
The rain seemed to have lightened, dripping steadily from the eaves outside the window, merging into a murmuring stream.
Having completed his day's reading and studies, Yan Shang began his usual routine of reviewing his words and actions throughout the day, habitually recording and reflecting.
He had densely covered the paper with characters, and when he finally added the three characters "Mu Wan Yao," his brush paused briefly before continuing to write his plans and arrangements after Danyang Princess's name. He wanted to improve his relationship with the princess, but of course, it required step-by-step strategizing—it couldn't be achieved overnight.
How long would it take to transition from friendship to a marital relationship, and with his official career path added to the mix... Yan Shang needed to have a clear idea in his mind.
He was merely setting plans for himself as usual, deeply engrossed in writing when he heard a knock at the door. The knock sounded twice, but no one spoke.
Assuming it was a servant with some matter, Yan Shang absentmindedly set down his brush, casually tucked the paper he had written into a book, and rose to open the door.
In his carelessness, as the door opened, the wind and rain from outside swept in. Unexpectedly, he saw a charming beauty standing before him with her hands behind her back.
She wore a face-covering veil, but her attire was light and thin. In the darkness, the faint glow of firelight illuminated a glimpse of her fragrant shoulders and jade-like neck.
A beauty in the rainy night, with skin like ice and bones like jade, stood smiling at his doorstep.
When Yan Shang saw her, his eyes brightened slightly: "Your Highness?"
It had been a long time since he last saw her, and he couldn't help but gaze at her a moment longer. It took him a moment to react before he stepped aside to welcome her into the room.
Mu Wan Yao's cheeks burned as she looked up at him.
Seeing that the scars she had previously inflicted on his face were no longer visible, she felt relieved. Thankfully, she hadn't truly disfigured such a handsome youth.
Yan Shang hardly dared to look at Mu Wan Yao's revealing, elegant attire and tried hard to keep his gaze fixed on her face. After letting her into the room, he even found himself glancing around, searching for an outer garment to drape over her.
Ahem.
But there were only his own clothes here.
As Yan Shang struggled with embarrassment, Mu Wan Yao raised her hand, and he realized that he had been so focused on her face that he hadn't noticed the bamboo basket she was holding. As she entered the room, the basket dripped steadily, leaving puddles on the floor.
Mu Wan Yao teased playfully, "Oh dear, I've made a mess of your floor. What should we do? Are you angry?"
Yan Shang couldn't help but smile. "Your Highness is joking again."
Since when was he someone who got angry easily?
Mu Wan Yao: "Hmph, one day I'll find out what it takes to make you angry."
Yan Shang replied casually, "There's plenty of time ahead, Your Highness. Why the hurry?"
Mu Wan Yao was taken aback, wondering where this "plenty of time" came from. As she hesitated, he naturally took the bamboo basket from her hand and asked if she was tired.
Before Yan Shang could inquire about the contents of the basket, Mu Wan Yao grabbed his arm and leaned in to look at what was inside with him.
Mu Wan Yao grinned. "Today at the Eastern Palace, an imperial uncle brought water lilies for the Crown Prince. I thought they were lovely, so I hid a few and secretly brought them back for you to admire. Do you like them?"
Her arm brushed against his, her cool skin lightly touching the warmth of the back of his hand.
Yan Shang paused for a moment but did not pull away. He said softly, "For something so trivial, you came through the rain? Your Highness, come and dry your hair."
Mu Wan Yao glanced at him. "Do you understand what I mean?"Yan Shang remained silent for a moment. Seeing her so roundabout yet endearing, he couldn't help but be amused. If it were anyone else, who could possibly associate a water lily with anything else?
He said gently, "I understand... Well, I haven't washed up yet. Could Your Highness wait for me a moment?"
Mu Wan Yao, pleased by his quick understanding, grinned and followed him into the inner chamber. She secretly clenched her fist in self-encouragement.
Yes, tonight she had come to fulfill the long-agreed-upon yet long-delayed matter between her and Yan Shang. Beyond the word "sleep," there was no other implication.
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