After the imperial city gates closed, the Ministry of Justice located in the right wing of the Department of State Affairs received Prince Qin.
The over-fifty-year-old Minister of Justice invited Prince Qin into the hall for discussions. Prince Qin walked with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression cold and grim. Only after entering the room, sitting down, and drinking a cup of water did the heat-induced sweat from the summer weather outside seem to gradually subside.
Prince Qin let out a long sigh and looked at the Minister of Justice, who stood bowing respectfully beside him.
He sneered coldly, "Uncle, tell me, what is the current situation?"
The Minister of Justice was Prince Qin's maternal uncle, but the distinction between ruler and subject remained clear. At this moment, he was deeply troubled.
He replied, "Simply put, according to the law, Yan Erlang, who killed someone in public, should be executed. However, it is said that in recent days, commoners have been gathering outside the imperial city to protest, and there are also scholars who neglect their studies—who knows what they are stirring up now—submitting memorials daily praising Yan Erlang's actions."
Glancing at Prince Qin's shifting expression, the Minister of Justice added, "According to their claims, Yan Erlang, having killed someone, has instead become a sage and should be revered."
Prince Qin said, "Given the current situation, isn't he already being revered?"
Prince Qin continued, "What grand ambition! By killing one person, he has won the hearts of scholars and commoners alike across the land. If we execute him now, both he and we will surely be remembered in history.
"However, he would be remembered favorably, while we would be branded as 'tyrannical officials.'"
The Minister of Justice said, "But if we do not execute him, how do we justify the law? Should the government office encourage such acts of killing? If in the future, anyone who claims to uphold justice draws a sword and kills whomever they please, wouldn't society fall into chaos?"
Prince Qin said, "Then execute him."
The Minister of Justice fell silent.
Prince Qin glanced at the old man and sneered, "What is it, Uncle? When I said not to kill him, you argued it violated the law. Now that I tell you to kill him, you hesitate?"
The Minister of Justice smiled bitterly.
He said, "Your Highness, you see clearly. We are all scholars by background. Besides serving the people, is not fame also what we seek as officials? If we execute Yan Erlang, that fame... will be lost. This old official is advanced in years and truly cannot bring himself to do it."
Prince Qin responded with an "Oh," "When I tell you not to kill him, you say it cannot be done. When I tell you to kill him, you dare not. It seems Uncle intends to leave this difficult problem to me."
The Minister bowed his head and whispered, "This old official serves at Your Highness's command. If Your Highness gives the order, even if I am unwilling, I will approve the execution."
Prince Qin fell silent.
Due to his maternal family's influence, he had easily taken control of the three major ministries—the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Personnel—since entering the court.
Among the Six Ministries of the Department of State Affairs, the Ministry of Personnel ranked first, followed by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue, which were under the Crown Prince's jurisdiction.
The Crown Prince's control over the Ministry of Revenue was the result of manipulations by the Yang family and others, while his control over the Ministry of Rites... was due to his inherent advantage as the Crown Prince—the imperial clan would inevitably entrust the Ministry of Rites to him.
Thus, the Crown Prince controlled finances, while Prince Qin controlled military affairs.
Prince Qin had never believed he would lose to the Crown Prince in the struggle for the throne.
But now, with matters having reached this point... Prince Qin secretly seethed with resentment.
Originally, he had planned to use a maidservant sent into Prince Jin's residence to corner Mu Wan Yao, driving a wedge between her and the Crown Prince, and even causing the Crown Prince to lose popular support by siding with the powerful families... Who could have expected that Mu Wan Yao, that girl, was no longer the same as before? She reacted immediately, severing her own ties and cutting off the powerful families behind her.
The Zheng clan!
That girl Mu Wan Yao actually had such resolve—not only did she cut her own losses, but she also submitted a memorial urging the Crown Prince to rectify the powerful families across the land.Although the powerful magnates were influential, they were ultimately not from established aristocratic families. Mu Wan Yao had not encroached upon the interests of these families, and over the years, the aristocratic clans had likely grown weary of the magnates' dominance... This was an opportune moment to collaborate from within and without, realigning power structures.
Mu Wan Yao did not hinder the process.
As for the Crown Prince, whom Prince Qin viewed as inherently cunning and treacherous, he too did not falter at this stage.
Thus, at this point, Mu Wan Yao had lost a maidservant and appeared entangled with Prince Jin... yet her sacrifices for the Crown Prince were far greater. Considering that Mu Wan Yao had severed the strong support of the Zheng clan, the Crown Prince would not allow this incident to create a rift between them.
After all, a mere maidservant could not compare to the importance of a regional magnate.
Prince Qin sighed, bewildered at how the situation had escalated to this point. Not only had he gained no advantage, but the Ministry of Justice was now thrust into a precarious position by the Crown Prince, with the entire realm watching how the ministry would adjudicate this case...
After a long silence, Prince Qin sneered, "The Crown Prince wants the Ministry of Justice alone to bear the infamy? Such a favorable outcome is hardly possible."
He devised a plan and instructed the Minister of Justice, "Tomorrow, submit a memorial to the central government stating that Yan Erlang acted for the nation and its people, embodying universal righteousness. The Ministry of Justice dares not adjudicate alone. We must convene... a joint trial by three courts. Only after such a trial can Yan Erlang's merits or faults be determined."
Prince Qin mocked, "These scholars seek to elevate Yan Shang to sainthood? Hah! I wish to see when this manufactured saint will turn against them... This time, Yan Erlang aligns with their desires, but I refuse to believe his actions will always suit their whims."
A joint trial by three courts referred to the collaborative adjudication by the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review.
The Ministry of Justice was controlled by Prince Qin's maternal uncle, naturally aligning with him. The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was from the Yang family, thus belonging to the Crown Prince's faction.
As for the Censorate, it exercised supervisory authority and was not part of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system. However, this time, the central government directly assigned personnel to the Censorate, transferring officials from the Secretariat of the Three Departments. The Secretariat dispatched individuals to the Censorate with the aim of observing how the case would be tried.
The official system of Great Wei consisted of the Three Departments, Six Ministries, and One Terrace.
The Terrace referred to the Censorate, while the Six Ministries fell under the Department of State Affairs within the Three Departments. The Three Departments comprised the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs.
In the central administration of Great Wei, the standard procedure was for the Secretariat to deliberate and draft edicts, followed by review from the Chancellery. After Chancellery approval, the emperor would endorse the decision, and the orders would then be passed to the Department of State Affairs. The Six Ministries under the Department of State Affairs were responsible for executing central directives. The Department of State Affairs held executive power but no decision-making authority.
Under this system, Great Wei also practiced a collective chancellorship.
The result was that the chancellors of Great Wei all originated from the Secretariat and the Chancellery. No one from the Department of State Affairs was qualified to serve as chancellor. This time, the Secretariat's transfer of personnel to the Censorate was driven by several chancellors who wished to observe the proceedings and see how the case would be adjudicated.
After the proposal for a joint trial by three courts was submitted to the Secretariat, it was swiftly approved, and the Crown Prince raised no objections. Scholars and students across the realm had been closely following the case, and upon learning that the court had opted for a joint trial rather than leaving it solely to the Ministry of Justice, they collectively breathed a sigh of relief, reassured of the court's prudence.
At the Imperial Academy, students gathered to discuss the matter.Someone climbed onto a stone table, waving his arms and shouting to the scholars gathering from all directions: "Yan Erlang cannot die! If Yan Erlang dies, wouldn't that mean the people's will is meaningless? Have we studied all these years merely for fame and profit, disregarding heavenly principles?"
"Among Chang'an's scholars, I foremost recommend Yan Erlang! Just for his courage in killing that Zheng Family Head! Had I been there, I would have killed him too!"
Below, someone sneered, watching the shouting man above spraying saliva everywhere, thinking that had he been present, he would likely have been scared out of his wits, hardly daring to kill anyone. But overall, the man above wasn't wrong—Yan Shang's actions aligned with the universal values of the era, and everyone believed he had done right.
Once someone called for action, scholars gathered one by one, signing their names and jointly petitioning the court to plead for Yan Shang.
Their arguments revolved around principles like "mercy beyond the law" and "rule by humanity."
After all, as Imperial College students, they wielded their pens with scholarly fervor and were among those most connected to the common people below.
Students gathered one after another to sign, seeking to clear Yan Shang's name. Wei Shu, who had just arrived at the Imperial College, was startled by the intense public sentiment, initially thinking they were gathering to cause trouble. When he learned they were petitioning the court to plead for Yan Erlang's life, he quietly sighed in relief.
Had they truly been gathering to riot, Wei Shu would have turned and left immediately.
Wei Shu had come here thinking that the Imperial College had the right to petition the court directly... Unable to see Princess Danyang and unwilling to seek help from the Wei family, he wanted to try this method. Unexpectedly, upon his arrival, someone had already thought of this idea before him.
Now, watching them excitedly sign the petition... Wei Shu thought for a moment, then slowly blended into the crowd, intending to add his name.
The person above, loudly advocating and rallying everyone, seemed to have an extremely close relationship with Yan Shang.
Wei Shu thought distractedly that perhaps they really were close friends—he wasn't sure.
Wei Shu's page followed his young master into the crowd. Wei Shu stood quietly in a corner, aloof and silent, not mingling with the others.
The page returned, excitedly sharing with his young master: "Seventh Young Master, I've found out. That person up there shouting for everyone to save Yan Erlang has hardly spoken a few words to Yan Erlang. Probably, after Yan Erlang went to the Institute for the Advancement of Literature, he once returned to the Imperial College to visit his teacher, smiled at that person, and the other immediately considered Yan Erlang a close friend... Isn't that just ridiculous?"
Wei Shu: "Hmm."
He murmured softly: "Second Brother Yan has always had good interpersonal relationships."
Perhaps it wasn't ridiculous—perhaps the other person was genuinely won over by Yan Shang.
The page didn't believe it; he felt his young master was Yan Erlang's true friend. But seeing such a good opportunity for fame taken by some random student, while his young master merely blended into the crowd to make up the numbers... he anxiously said: "Seventh Young Master, you should step forward and lead as Yan Erlang's friend! Instead of just leaving your name here and leaving... If Yan Erlang gets out of prison, he'll only remember those who led the effort to save him. How would he remember you, just one among the crowd?"
Wei Shu said: "Second Brother Yan isn't that kind of person."
He paused, then added with clear reluctance: "This is fine as it is. I don't wish to be in the spotlight."
The page: "..."He scolded with exasperation, "Seventh Young Master, you're afraid of talking to people, aren't you?! What's there to fear? Everyone is human—why be scared of exchanging a few words with them?"
The fourteen-year-old youth, Wei Shu, suddenly flushed, as if his page had struck a nerve.
Yet he maintained an aloof and unperturbed demeanor, stubbornly retorting, "I'm not afraid of talking to people. I simply don't wish to mingle with the rabble."
The page said, "Young Master, you're destined to become an official, yet you have hardly any friends..."
Wei Shu replied, "Forming cliques for personal gain is the true crime. My way is not. And who says I have no friends? Isn't Second Brother Yan one? Isn't the Princess one? My relationship with the Princess is quite good."
The page: "..."
Was that really a good relationship?
The truth was, Danyang Princess only smiled at him because he was handsome. If anything, wasn't her relationship with Yan Erlang even better?
Ah, such worries.
The page thought to himself: Seventh Young Master's teacher was Lord Li, the maternal uncle of Danyang Princess. Lord Li had long expressed hope that Seventh Young Master would marry Danyang Princess... Hadn't his own young master come to Chang'an with precisely this goal in mind?
But as for this marriage prospect... judging by his young master's current attitude, it seemed increasingly difficult—
During these days, the Crown Prince was vigorously cracking down on local despots, while noble families more or less conducted self-inspections to cooperate with him. Suddenly, the entire capital buzzed with activity, with urgent dispatches galloping to the Eastern Palace daily for the Crown Prince's review.
Not only had the Zheng clan been imprisoned, but local bullies across the countryside grew fearful, seeking help everywhere. Yet the noble families who had previously tolerated them now shut their doors, unwilling to court disaster.
Government offices conducted investigations: some directly confessed and sought redemption, some reluctantly surrendered seventy percent of their assets to ensure safety, others were imprisoned outright, and some were beaten to death.
Common people actively reported to the authorities, and government offices that previously delayed and evaded now handled cases with unprecedented speed.
The most impactful event during this period was the Crown Prince personally investigating Luling Grand Princess.
The Crown Prince memorialized the Emperor, accusing Luling Grand Princess of failing to control her subordinates who repeatedly caused trouble over the years. Moreover, since she had become a female Taoist priest and resided in a Taoist temple, why did she not abstain from male company, instead collecting handsome men everywhere?
Many matters were overlooked when not scrutinized, but under investigation, they all became crimes.
It was said the Emperor spoke a few words in Luling Grand Princess's defense, so her temple wasn't confiscated and she continued residing there. However, half of her Princess Residence's assets were seized. Though the Grand Princess wept and begged to see the Emperor, the Crown Prince prevented her from disturbing him, citing the Emperor's need for quiet during summer retreat.
By now, perceptive observers in Chang'an could see that Luling Grand Princess's influence had been personally suppressed by the Crown Prince. With the Emperor offering no rescue, she could no longer act as arrogantly as before in the capital.
Meanwhile, scholars who considered themselves handsome collectively sighed in relief—regardless of whether the Grand Princess would ever notice them—feeling they had narrowly escaped the clutches of a feminine demon.
Amid this bustling crackdown, the entire Chang'an seemed revitalized. Ten days later, on the day of the joint trial, Yan Shang was invited out from the Ministry of Justice.
Fearing accusations of mistreating Yan Shang, the Ministry officials considerately allowed him to wash up and change clothes first.However, even so, the Imperial College students and commoners outside the imperial city remained gathered there, shouting phrases like "A true scholar should be like Yan Suchen" and "The court must not execute Yan Erlang."
The clamor of the crowd outside the imperial walls seeped through the palace gates. The Ministry of Justice officials escorting Yan Shang glanced at him, expecting him to either feel ashamed and uneasy or moved to tears upon hearing the people's cries. Yet when they looked... the elegant young man seemed lost in thought.
Yan Shang was indeed distracted.
He remained distracted until he entered the main hall and saw the various officials presiding over his case.
Representatives from the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice—at a single glance, the divisions were clear as day, easily distinguishable.
Here, Yan Shang spotted an acquaintance—Yang Sanlang, Yang Si.
Ten days earlier, when Yan Shang had been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice dungeons, Yang Si had come to the ministry, caused a scene, and essentially demanded that Yan Shang be treated well, warning that if they mistreated him, the Court of Judicial Review would take over the case. Yan Shang had naturally expressed his gratitude to Yang Si.
But today... Yang Si sat imposingly in the leading position for the Court of Judicial Review, having placed his sheathed sword on the table with the blade facing outward, sharp and intimidating.
His posture suggested that if the outcome displeased him, Yang Sanlang would not hesitate to resort to force.
The Ministry of Justice officials secretly scorned Yang Sanlang's lack of decorum but wondered why such a martial-minded person wasn't aligned with their Prince Qin instead of serving the Crown Prince.
With the Crown Prince's constant scheming and cunning tactics... could Yang Sanlang truly adapt?
Besides the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, Yan Shang encountered Censorate officials for the first time. What surprised him slightly was the universal respect everyone showed toward the Censorate representative.
Yang Si, arms crossed, said impatiently, "What are we waiting for? Let's proceed with the trial. The Crown Prince sent me today to oversee this, so none of you better try any tricks."
An elderly voice chuckled and sighed, "Sanlang, after all these years in the Eastern Palace, haven't you cultivated a bit more patience? Does His Highness usually manage you like this?"
Yan Shang, standing in the center of the hall, looked over and saw that as soon as the old man spoke, everyone in the hall rose and turned to welcome him from outside.
Even the brash and arrogant Yang Si, who relied on the Crown Prince's backing, stood up and went to support the elderly man entering. Though his hair and beard were white, the old man was vigorous, striding into the hall without any sign of frailty.
Yang Si said awkwardly, "Lord Liu, what brings you here?"
Yan Shang's brow twitched slightly. Hearing Yang Si address him as "Lord Liu," he realized this was a chancellor in person. He straightened with solemn respect, surprised that his case had drawn a chancellor's attention.
Someone brought a stool for Lord Liu to sit. After taking his seat, Lord Liu looked Yan Shang up and down.
Lord Liu smiled at Yan Shang with some approval.
Yan Shang hurriedly bowed in greeting.
Only then did Lord Liu casually reply to Yang Si, "While working in the Administrative Hall today, several of us chancellors discussed the joint trial and became curious. In Chang'an these days, Yan Erlang's reputation thunders far and wide. We old men wondered what kind of extraordinary figure could earn such admiration."
"Since official duties were light today, I came to observe. Proceed with your trial—pay me no mind."The Hall of State Affairs, located within the Secretariat, was the place where several chancellors of the Great Wei dynasty conducted governance.
Although the Great Wei dynasty claimed to have a system of multiple chancellors, the number of chancellors never exceeded ten at its peak. Currently, there were merely five chancellors.
Aside from Chancellor Zhang, whom Yan Shang had visited when submitting his literary works, today he encountered another—Lord Liu. Combined, Yan Shang had already met half of the chancellors.
Yan Shang understood clearly that he was now thrust into the spotlight, where the slightest misstep could lead to complete failure. Yet, if he succeeded... this would be the best possible start before his official entry into the court.
Today’s situation was of utmost importance.
Despite the gravity of the moment, as Yan Shang scanned the people in the hall, his mind wandered, adding to his gloom.
Ten days had passed.
Everyone had come to observe this unusual figure. Whether from the Ministry of Justice or elsewhere, people visited him daily, questioning him, trying to clarify the specifics of the conflict with the Zheng clan.
Over these ten days, it could be said that aside from the Emperor, whom he had not seen, even the Crown Prince had met with him once. The Crown Prince told him not to worry, claiming that fate was on his side and that he would be released in a few days. Naturally, the Crown Prince was trying to win him over, and Yan Shang pretended to be moved by his words.
Both sides were satisfied.
Yet... with so many people visiting, why had Mu Wan Yao shown no concern for him?
According to Yang Sanlang, she was not ignoring the matter. She had actively entered the fray, supporting the Crown Prince by proposing measures to curb the powerful clans. Not only did she cooperate with the Crown Prince and distance herself from the Zheng clan, but she also reorganized all the powerful clans aligned with her, pledging allegiance to the Crown Prince.
Yang Sanlang impatiently remarked that Mu Wan Yao submitted over ten memorials to the Eastern Palace daily, annoying everyone.
In Chang’an, rumors began to spread about Danyang Princess’s wisdom and virtue.
If she was so actively involved, why had she not asked about him or even glanced his way? Even if, as a princess, it was inconvenient for her to visit him personally, why had she not sent a servant to convey a single word of concern? He was imprisoned, and even the Crown Prince had put on a show of concern—why hadn’t she even bothered with superficial gestures?
Had she abandoned even the propriety between ruler and subject?
Even if she was angry at him for acting on his own, scolding or reprimanding him would have been understandable. But this utter indifference... was the most disheartening.
Yan Shang closed his eyes.
Someone in the hall called out, "Yan Erlang, it’s starting. Repeat your actions from that day."
Yan Shang snapped back to attention, forcing himself to stop thinking about Mu Wan Yao and focus on the present. Once again, he patiently recounted the events of that day...
The joint trial lasted an entire day.
At times, high-ranking officials sternly questioned whether Yan Shang’s actions were for fame or to win popular support; Yan Shang responded with neither humility nor arrogance.
Some superiors offered comforting words but set traps in their questions; Yan Shang answered calmly and steadily, unprovoked.
Members of the Zheng clan were brought in for questioning, initially shouting accusations at Yan Shang, but he refuted them so effectively they were left speechless and ashamed.
Some confronted Yan Shang, while others spoke in his defense...
Lord Liu stroked his beard, quietly observing. He glanced at Yan Shang, then at those opposing him. Without taking a stance, the others acted as if he weren’t there.
By evening, most were exhausted, and half had begun to lean in Yan Shang’s favor.
In truth, they had already been inclined toward him... but duty compelled them to conduct the trial.After concluding that the verdict would be announced the following day, the three-court trial came to an end. Everyone escorted Lord Liu out, and Yan Shang was taken back to his prison cell—
The entire day of mental strain had left Yan Shang utterly exhausted.
None of the court officials were easy to deal with. Among them, Yang Sanlang stood out as refreshingly simple and straightforward, almost like a fool.
Yan Shang had no choice but to muster all his energy to handle these people. Regardless of the outcome, he believed he had done his best.
Returning to the cell, the door was locked once more. A jailer eagerly brought food, but Yan Shang, exhausted from mental strain, had no appetite and politely asked for the meal to be taken away.
The jailer advised, "Sir, there's no need to panic. From what I gather of our Prefect's intentions, you'll likely be released tomorrow—provided the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate raise no objections. The Court of Judicial Review certainly won’t object... and the Censorate probably won’t either.
"I heard Lord Liu didn’t seem displeased when he left. Sir, please eat a little. Who knows, you might face another interrogation tomorrow?"
Yan Shang replied gently, "I truly cannot eat. Let me rest for now. I can have a meal tomorrow. Thank you for taking care of me these past days."
The jailer quickly waved off the thanks and kindly added, "Sir, you should sleep first. When my shift changes later tonight, I’ll bring you another meal."
Yan Shang said, "There’s no need..."
But the other insisted, "People like you, Erlang, who speak up for us common folk, are rare these days. Erlang, you must get out of here. If you become an official in the future and remember this humble meal, remember us commoners... it would be our great fortune."
A flicker of emotion passed through Yan Shang’s eyes. He nodded with a faint smile and stopped refusing.
After all, it was still a prison cell. Even if the Ministry of Justice wished to accommodate Yan Shang, they couldn’t exactly move a mansion in for him.
The privileges were modest: while other prisoners went unfed, he received meals on schedule; while others slept directly on straw, he had a thin mattress beneath him; while others alternated between sleeping and staring blankly, he had candles and books to read while awake.
Essentially, everyone tacitly assumed Yan Shang would be released, and no one went out of their way to make things difficult for him.
Yan Shang rinsed his face with clean water, then lay down, draping his outer garment over himself to sleep. He knew he needed to conserve his energy, anticipating another round of verbal battles the next day.
He didn’t know how long he had been asleep when he felt something nudging his hand.
In his drowsiness, he shifted closer to the wall, but the thing followed, stepping lightly again on the hand he used as a pillow.
A faint rustling sound persisted without pause.
Bleary-eyed, Yan Shang opened his eyes and vaguely made out a young woman dressed in fine silks and embroidered brocades.
A magnificent gown of gold and red, adorned with colorful phoenixes, spilled over the prison straw, the hem revealing the upturned toes of pearl-encrusted shoes. It was these very shoes that were lightly stepping on his hand.
Yan Shang looked up and met Mu Wan Yao’s teasing, half-smiling eyes.
He sat up abruptly. Though not in prisoner’s garb, he wore only his inner robes. Fortunately, it was summer, so the cold wasn’t an issue.
Leaning against the wall, his hair slightly disheveled with strands brushing his face, he gazed up at her. His eyes held a glimmer like scattered starlight on water, strikingly captivating.
Her sudden appearance felt like a dream. For a moment, Yan Shang couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or if she had truly come to see him.
But seeing her suddenly—as noble and beautiful as ever, her dark eyes peering down at him through lowered lids—stirred a wave of tender affection in his heart, mingled with a trace of resentment.
His heart pounded like a drum. He murmured, "Your High—"
Mu Wan Yao crouched down, positioning herself directly in front of him so he no longer had to look up. She brought a finger to her red lips and softly whispered, "Shh." Moonlight streamed through the small window above, illuminating her face.
There she was before him—both pure and alluring, detached yet filled with emotion.Mu Wan Yao's eyes, like spring waters, slowly flowed into Yan Shang's heart: "Don't speak loudly. I slipped in quietly and don't want anyone to know. By all rights, I should still be at the mountain retreat, accompanying my father the Emperor to escape the summer heat. Someone as insignificant as you shouldn't even warrant a glance from me."
Yan Shang stared at her.
At this moment, her biting words confirmed she wasn't a dream but real.
He said: "Then why did you come?"
Mu Wan Yao: "To admire how miserable you are right now."
She watched him unblinkingly: "Seeing Yan Erlang imprisoned isn't something one gets to witness often. Seeing you disheveled isn't common. Seeing how humiliated you are, how you're being scrutinized, guarded against like a thief... this isn't ordinary."
Yan Shang remained silent.
After a long while, he finally whispered: "So you've been refusing to see me because you're angry with me? Are you unhappy because you think I didn't listen to you?"
Mu Wan Yao sneered.
She reached out, her cold hand gripping his chin, forcing him to look at her.
She said: "Do you know how I felt when I heard you killed the Zheng Family Head? If you had been before me then, I would have slapped you right across the face."
Yan Shang: "...So Your Highness doesn't want to slap me now?"
Mu Wan Yao looked at him, murmuring: "Did you do this on purpose? Thinking I was ignoring you, so you used this method to force me to pay attention to you?"
Yan Shang countered: "Are the common people oppressed by the Zheng family completely unimportant in Your Highness's eyes? Do you really think I'm just throwing a tantrum with you?"
Mu Wan Yao retorted: "Haven't you been throwing a tantrum with me?"
Yan Shang's eyes drifted slightly.
Mu Wan Yao repeated: "Haven't you been throwing a tantrum with me?"
He pressed his lips together without answering.
Mu Wan Yao then laughed, leaning in until their faces were almost touching, making him stiffen against the wall, not daring to move.
Listening to her speaking cheek-to-cheek with him, scrutinizing him: "So Yan Shang, you're not completely selfless either. You're angry that I ignored you, angry that I turned and left, angry that I didn't read your letters... You want to champion the people's cause, but you also want to get back at me a little, forcing me to follow your lead... You've manipulated me, and you still think I was wrong to ignore you all these days?"
Her breath brushed against him, carrying a light fragrance.
His face had reddened, fingers curling within his sleeves.
Yet he lowered his eyes and said: "If you're angry, you should have come to see me, questioned me, scolded me instead."
Mu Wan Yao looked at him, letting out a subtle laugh: "At first I thought about that, but I deliberately refused to give you what you wanted. You want to see me? Then I won't see you. What can you do about it?"
He suddenly raised his eyes to look at her, a flicker of anger in his gaze that he struggled to suppress.
He took a deep breath, calming himself: "Your Highness..."
Mu Wan Yao interrupted: "I came tonight to punish you."
Yan Shang froze, looking at her strangely.
She lowered her eyes, her slender fingers still caressing his chin, her downturned gaze fixed on his long neck, the jade-like skin beneath it, looking again and again.
Mu Wan Yao smiled: "Yan Shang, you just need to be fucked."
Yan Shang: "..."
He was momentarily stunned, wondering if he had misheard. How could Mu Wan Yao say such words? Though hot-tempered, she was still an elegant and refined princess, how could she possibly... As he was lost in thought, Mu Wan Yao suddenly lifted her eyes to glance at him.
She leaned down and kissed his lips.
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