Yan Shang glanced at Meng Zaishi.
Meng Zaishi gave him a casual smile, the scar on his face twitching like a bulging vein, appearing ferocious and terrifying.
Yan Shang’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he walked toward Mu Wan Yao’s carriage.
Throughout this, Mu Wan Yao’s gaze remained fixed on Meng Zaishi, and he, in turn, watched her. Neither of them spoke.
The officials from the Court of State Ceremonial followed behind the Chief Minister, not daring to look up for long. Some minor officials, who might only have this one chance in their entire lives to see the exalted princess, couldn’t help but envy Yan Erlang for being the princess’s neighbor. They stole a glance at the magnificent carriage.
From a distance, they saw the radiant, pearl-like princess seated inside.
The low-ranking officials marveled inwardly at the princess’s beauty, yet an inappropriate thought surfaced in their minds: Why did she seem vaguely, perhaps, somewhat… familiar?
As if they had seen her somewhere before.
But how could they possibly have met the noble princess?
The officials lowered their heads, not daring to dwell on it further.
Only when the carriage door closed and the carriage began moving toward the palace gates did the people from the Court of State Ceremonial and the Black Barbarians exchange farewells before dispersing—
Seated inside the carriage, Yan Shang looked at Mu Wan Yao across from him.
Mu Wan Yao’s expression was somewhat cold and distant. He watched her for two breaths before the carriage passed through the palace gates. It was then that she seemed to remember there was another person in the carriage and turned her gaze to Yan Shang.
Their eyes met.
Mu Wan Yao forced herself to appear as composed as usual, offering a faint smile. “What is it?”
Yan Shang asked slowly, “Your Highness usually ignores me once you step outside. Why did you come to the Court of State Ceremonial to fetch me today? Aren’t you afraid of causing misunderstandings?”
He paused, his eyelashes lowering as his voice grew even softer. “Or perhaps Your Highness did not come for me, but for some other matter, or some other person?”
Mu Wan Yao was startled.
Then, gazing at the refined and gentle young man across from her, she fell silent, unsure of what to say.
Of course, she couldn’t resist coming to see what the Black Barbarians were up to. Of course, her heart had been in turmoil ever since she heard the Uman King had come in person.
Her excuse for visiting the Court of State Ceremonial was naturally for the Black Barbarian envoys. But she hadn’t expected to encounter Meng Zaishi at the entrance.
Memories from three years ago came rushing back, freezing her heart and burning it at the same time.
Yet these matters… she didn’t want Yan Shang to know. She didn’t want to tell him.
Meng Zaishi was bound to stir up trouble.
Mu Wan Yao did not want Yan Shang involved in any of it.
She was already tainted, her heart no longer pure. Only her feelings of admiration remained clean.
Her heart held a pure affection for this young man, and she did not wish for him to be hurt or to learn of her shameful past. She wanted to preserve some dignity in his eyes.
However… Yan Shang was far too perceptive.
Many things, many words—perhaps even she hadn’t noticed the flaws in her own words—Yan Shang could easily detect from the slightest clues. And he was not one to speak of uncertain matters, so dealing with someone like him required vigilance and was rather troublesome.
Mu Wan Yao believed she was not foolish, but she lacked the wit to deceive Yan Shang completely.
After a long silence, she said coldly, “If you’ve guessed something, just say it outright. Don’t play guessing games with me.”
Yan Shang lifted his gaze and looked at her.He asked softly, "That Black Barbarian gentleman from earlier—is he an old acquaintance of Your Highness? And... quite familiar with you?"
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow and nodded.
Yan Shang frowned, seeming to have many unresolved questions and contradictions. For instance, he couldn't figure out whether the person Mu Wan Yao had mentioned in Lingnan—the one she had some enmity with—was the same person they encountered today. If it were, their silent exchange without confrontation didn't seem like enmity; yet if there were no enmity, the other party wouldn't have asked "Who is Yan Shisheng?"
Yan Shang was utterly confused.
What connections existed here? Was the person Mu Wan Yao had wanted to deal with back then this Black Barbarian man today?
But seeing the cautious look in Mu Wan Yao's eyes, he paused, suppressed his doubts, and simply said, "I see. I'd like to ask Your Highness for a favor."
Mu Wan Yao remained guarded. "What favor?"
Yan Shang: "He asked me who Yan Shisheng is."
Mu Wan Yao was momentarily stunned, then let out a soft "ah," realizing Meng Zaishi had uncovered something, though it raised even more questions.
Mu Wan Yao looked at Yan Shang, who then briefly recounted what had happened at the Court of State Ceremonial. Yan Shang said, "He doesn't know I am Yan Shisheng... but since I'm from Lingnan, if he becomes suspicious, it won't be long before he finds out."
Sitting in the carriage, Mu Wan Yao leaned forward, placed her hand on Yan Shang's knee, and looking into his eyes, immediately assured him: "Starting today, I'll assign the covert guards from the Princess Residence to protect you. I absolutely won't let him harm you."
Seeing her so concerned for his safety, the unease in Yan Shang's heart eased slightly.
He shook his head gently and smiled with a hint of shyness. "I'm in Chang'an now, and I'm a court official. I made the stakes very clear to the Black Barbarian today. Even if they suspect I'm Yan Shisheng, they won't act against me in Chang'an.
"As a capital official, I can't leave Chang'an without special circumstances. So my safety isn't a concern, Your Highness need not worry about me.
"What troubles me isn't myself, but my family. I fear the Black Barbarians might target my family if they can't get to me, using them to threaten me."
Mu Wan Yao nodded, thinking this was indeed a possibility.
She asked, "How do you want me to help?"
Yan Shang: "I only ask that Your Highness assist me in contacting your uncle... the Magistrate of Nanhai County. Although Lord Li isn't the highest-ranking official in Lingnan, as a county magistrate, he has complete control over local governance.
"Considering my previous counsel, I'd like to ask Lord Li to discreetly deploy troops to protect my family. I'll also write a letter home, urging my elder brother to be more vigilant. If my family suffers because of me, I could never atone for it even in death."
Mu Wan Yao's fingers trembled slightly on his knee, feeling somewhat apologetic.
While she was only worried about what Meng Zaishi might do to her, Yan Shang was concerned about his family suffering. All because of her.
So she couldn't let Yan Shang become further entangled in her grievances with Meng Zaishi.
Mu Wan Yao comforted Yan Shang: "Don't worry. Since you've anticipated this, your family will surely be safe. After all, the Black Barbarians are within Great Wei's borders, and they can't freely communicate now. You should trust my uncle's capabilities."
Yan Shang nodded.Mu Wan Yao said, "Speaking of which, it's been a year since you left home. Do you miss your family?"
Yan Shang replied, "Of course I miss them. But what can be done about it?"
He sighed, lowered his eyes, and said with some melancholy, "From the day I left Lingnan, I knew that in this lifetime, I would likely have very few opportunities to see my father, elder brother, third brother, and youngest sister again. The bond between me and my family will probably have to be maintained through letters alone."
"Since I am not the eldest son in the family, I cannot bypass my Eldest Brother and bring my father to Chang'an. No matter how well I fare in Chang'an or how promising my future may be, I cannot override my Eldest Brother in fulfilling filial duties. And if I cannot see my father, how could I frequently see my younger brothers and sisters?"
"Mostly, they compensate me by constantly sending money and goods. All I can do in return is send money and goods back. No matter how much I miss them, there is no other way."
Hearing him speak like this, Mu Wan Yao also felt a sense of melancholy alongside him.
Mu Wan Yao said, "The two of us are truly pitiful."
Yan Shang turned his head to look at her.
Mu Wan Yao lifted her face, smiled at him, and said, "I see my family every day, but I have no desire to see them, and my feelings for them are gradually wearing thin day by day. You miss your family every day, yet you cannot see them, and your affection for them can only be sustained through material means. The two of us really are birds of a feather."
Yan Shang said softly, "Don't say that. I will stay by Your Highness's side. Your Highness will not be so pitiful."
Mu Wan Yao let out a short laugh.
She whispered, "Yes."
Lowering her eyes, she concealed the coldness and gloom within them.
Once she dealt with Meng Zaishi, everything would get better.
Yan Shang leaned against the carriage wall and remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he voiced a whimsical thought: "If one day I could leave Chang'an and take up an official post in Lingnan, that would be wonderful. Once in Lingnan, I could see my family and take care of them..."
Before he could finish speaking, Mu Wan Yao slapped his knee hard.
Mu Wan Yao scolded him sharply, "Don't talk nonsense!"
Her expression turned cold and stern as she spoke harshly, "Capital officials and local officials are not the same, especially in a place like Lingnan. Unless one has committed a grave mistake, once you are a capital official, you will not easily be sent to local prefectures or counties. Let alone a remote and desolate place like Lingnan."
"Capital officials are the true officials. Many scions of noble families, once they are no longer capital officials, simply do not take up their posts in local prefectures or counties. In the Great Wei bureaucracy, although official transfers are frequent, those who are demoted often remain stuck in lower positions and rarely rise back to higher ranks. The distinction between prestigious and lowly posts in Great Wei is clear—once you go down, it's not easy to come back up! Don't speak such nonsense!"
"I understand that you want to take care of your family. But only by staying in Chang'an, even if you cannot see them in person, can you better look after them. Forget about anything else."
Yan Shang did not entirely agree with Mu Wan Yao's perspective. If everyone only wanted to be capital officials, what would become of the local prefectures and counties? If everyone is dissatisfied, who will govern them?
However, what Mu Wan Yao said was the commonly accepted understanding. Moreover, her urgency stemmed from her fear that he might bring misfortune upon himself or jinx his own official career... So, Yan Shang did not refute her words and instead gently reassured her, "Alright, I understand. I won't speak recklessly anymore. I will focus on doing my job well and not cause any trouble. You can rest assured."
Mu Wan Yao narrowed her eyes, looking at him with a mix of belief and doubt.With her present, what could possibly happen to Yan Shang? Comforted by this thought, she relaxed, a hint of smile flickering in her eyes.
The carriage continued its journey. Mu Wan Yao gently lifted the curtain to check how far they were from the residence. Seeing they still had some distance to cover, she let the curtain fall back into place with a reassured heart.
She raised one eyebrow slightly at Yan Shang, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile. Lifting her eyelids just a fraction—a barely perceptible movement—her focused gaze made her seemingly hesitant eyes appear vividly expressive.
Under her intense stare, Yan Shang stiffened, a shiver running down his spine.
Sure enough, the next moment she shifted closer, kneeling on his lap, cupping his face as she leaned down to kiss the corner of his mouth. Her voice was soft: "Did you miss me?"
Yan Shang’s face burned hot as he lowered his eyelids to evade her teasing: "...Your Highness, we’re still in the carriage."
Mu Wan Yao chuckled lightly: "So what? A kiss won’t kill you."
She nibbled delicately at his lips, her fingers brushing over his face like feathers. He retreated until his back met the carriage wall, finally wrapping his arms around her.
Yan Shang murmured quietly: "...You’re tormenting me again."
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean? Don’t you enjoy it? Don’t you want to be close to me? Second Brother Yan, open your mouth."
After all, it was always Yan Shang who yielded to her, indulging her whims. But in the confined space of the carriage, with the residence so near and their arrival imminent... once she had her way, she would leave him to deal with the aftermath, leaving him in discomfort.
Yet, helpless under Mu Wan Yao’s pressure, Yan Shang reluctantly gave in.
As she kissed him, Mu Wan Yao could hear his racing heartbeat and feel the heat of his fingers gripping her waist... She glanced down discreetly and noticed his dampened temples, the faint blush at the corners of his closed eyes. His robes were rumpled from her touch, one hand resting on her waist, the other bracing against a nearby table.
She saw his knuckles whitening as he gripped the table, trembling slightly.
Filled with affection, Mu Wan Yao kissed the corner of his eye again. Her voice softened, tinged with melancholy: "Brother, I know you brought up your family to distract me from my dark mood. I know you’re letting me have my way, letting me tease you like this."
Yan Shang froze.
That single word—"Brother"—sent heat rushing to his ears.
He opened his eyes and looked up at her.
As his lashes fluttered, her kiss landed on his eyelids, forcing them shut again.
When he opened his eyes once more, she was blushing and beaming at him, overjoyed.
Yan Shang turned his face away and murmured: "Your Highness, please don’t call me that. It wouldn’t be proper if others heard."
Mu Wan Yao smiled without replying, idly massaging the nape of his neck. "I know there’s something you want to ask me. I’ll answer just this once, so ask whatever you wish. I’ve watched you hold back since we got in the carriage. Though you’re always like this, it pains me to see it, so I’ll answer you now. Go ahead."
Yan Shang stared at her.
Countless questions had swirled in his mind, but in the end, only one truly mattered—
After a long silence, he asked: "That Black barbarian at the Court of State Ceremonial gate—the one with the scar on his face, the one who locked eyes with you—was he your lover?"
Mu Wan Yao’s eyes shifted slightly as she looked down at him.
They gazed at each other in silence for a long moment.
Finally, Mu Wan Yao leaned down and kissed his lips once more before answering: "No."Yan Shang let out a relieved breath, the tension that had been coiled within him finally easing.
He gazed at her and said, "If you say it isn't true, then I believe you. Don't deceive me."
Mu Wan Yao stared back at him, her eyes suddenly growing warm with unshed tears, but she blinked them away. With a playful grin, she leaned in and pestered him for a kiss. Helpless, he gave in, indulging her with a gentle kiss. Just as their lips were locked in tender intimacy, Fang Tong coughed from outside the carriage and announced, "Your Highness, Erlang, we've arrived at the residence."
Yan Shang's face flushed crimson instantly, and he pushed Mu Wan Yao away.
Mu Wan Yao glanced at his flustered state and chuckled softly, taking a sip of tea as if nothing had happened, then stepped out of the carriage with composure. Yan Shang, however, remained inside for a long while before alighting, hurrying back to the residence to avoid Fang Tong's gaze.
Upon returning to the Princess Residence, Mu Wan Yao summoned Fang Tong.
She asked him, "It's Meng Zaishi, isn't it? He survived against all odds and became the new Uman King. I wasn't mistaken today, was I?"
Fang Tong nodded. "Yes, Your Highness is correct."
Mu Wan Yao remarked, "But he has new scars on his face."
Fang Tong nodded again.
After a moment of silence, Mu Wan Yao sneered, "What do scars matter? I'd recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes."
Fang Tong asked anxiously, "Your Highness, what should we do? If he tries to use your past relationship to threaten you..."
Mu Wan Yao replied firmly, "I won't let him affect me."
She motioned for Fang Tong to lean closer and whispered instructions for him to find men in the Barbarian Market who resembled Meng Zaishi in build and appearance. She outlined her plan in detail, then ordered the guards of the Princess Residence to intensify their martial training and strengthen the residence's defenses.
Fang Tong was startled.
He guessed her intention.
He wanted to say it was risky and that the princess might be implicated.
But when he looked up and saw Mu Wan Yao's ice-cold profile, he was reminded of that night when they had emerged from the Uman inferno—
Flames roared and crackled behind them, consuming tents and stone peaks.
As dawn broke, Mu Wan Yao, dagger in hand, had led their small group to escape, while most others perished in the chaos of war.
Stumbling and staggering, Mu Wan Yao had rushed into the border army of Great Wei, weeping and pleading, "I want to see my mother! I heard she passed away from illness, is that true? I must pay my final respects—I can't stay in Uman any longer!
"General, I beg you! Let me see my mother one last time! Let me see my father! Uman is in turmoil—they'll kill me... Let me return—let me go back—please let me go back!"
Her voice grew hoarser and more desperate with each cry. Overnight, Uman had been engulfed in flames and war; the fate of the new king was unknown, and the old Uman King was dead beyond doubt. The young princess's ragged sobs echoed through the Great Wei border camp—a dignified princess of Great Wei, kneeling at the feet of a border general, lifting a dirt-streaked, pitiful face.
Her long hair was disheveled, her robes singed and tattered from the fire. The few remaining servants trailed behind her, bewildered and helpless.
The noble princess, humiliated to the core, pleaded with her misty, captivating eyes, clutching the hem of a general's battle robe with her delicate hands.
She wept and wept, kneeling under the breaking dawn, until a compassionate Great Wei general finally helped her to her feet—and through her tears, she secured a future.
Those tears were false.
The princess had long since stopped crying.
But the heart-wrenching hatred in her sobs was real.
Never again would she stay in Uman—
She would never return to Uman—After Yan Shang left, Meng Zaishi returned to the residence arranged for him and his entourage by Great Wei.
Meng Zaishi instructed his subordinates: "Over the next few days, investigate that Yan Shang thoroughly. I suspect he might be the same person as Yan Shisheng... If that's true, this becomes extremely interesting."
Ke Li Lu, who had received two rounds of caning at the Court of State Ceremonial, was supported by others in a half-dead state to apologize to the king.
Meng Zaishi gripped Ke Li Lu's shoulder firmly, preventing him from kneeling.
Meng Zaishi smiled faintly: "You were testing Great Wei's officials on my behalf - what crime have you committed?"
Ke Li Lu: "I... I tested the wrong person..."
Meng Zaishi said coldly: "Not necessarily the wrong person. That Yan Erlang suddenly switched to writing in a different notebook while speaking with me... The first notebook was problematic. Either he originally intended to outmaneuver us, or he acted on impulse to test us.
"Regardless of which scenario, this person cannot be underestimated. He's not an opponent you can handle. From now on, be careful around him and don't reveal our true intentions."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Meng Zaishi then looked at the man who had been impersonating him as the "fake king" and said lazily: "Great Wei emphasizes the 'crime of deceiving the emperor.' Since we're in their territory, we should naturally follow their rules. For now, let's switch our identities back. When I need it, you can resume playing this 'king' role again."
The "fake king" acknowledged the order.
But he hesitated: "However, that Luo Xiu sent by King Ale has seen your appearance, Great King. If you suddenly disappear, or if he sees your true appearance after we restore your identity, wouldn't he become suspicious?"
Meng Zaishi said leisurely: "Don't worry. Once we reach Great Wei's capital Chang'an, just send that Luo Xiu away. He'll be more than happy to leave us and act freely. Did King Ale send him to monitor me? What about me would warrant King Ale's surveillance?
"That Luo Xiu's ambitions and schemes... likely lie within Great Wei, within Chang'an.
"Let's just watch what he ultimately intends to do. As long as he doesn't cause major trouble, we won't interfere."
His subordinates nodded.
They then asked: "Should we also follow the example of other states that have submitted to Great Wei and use this ceremony opportunity to renegotiate various treaties with Great Wei? After all, the Peace Marriage happened quite some time ago... our treatment should be improved, shouldn't it?"
Meng Zaishi nodded.
Everyone discussed their objectives for this visit to Great Wei.
After much deliberation, the conversation eventually returned to Danyang Princess Mu Wan Yao.
Meng Zaishi suddenly asked: "If I wanted to bring the Peace Marriage princess back, what do you think? The Great Wei Emperor should be quite eager, shouldn't he?"
Everyone looked at each other: "Bring the Peace Marriage princess back... what do you mean?"
Meng Zaishi looked at them with a half-smile: "How about making her my queen?"
They exchanged glances again, realizing Meng Zaishi was actually serious. Everyone was astonished, thinking that this princess had previously schemed against their king and nearly caused his demise... However, having lived under Meng Zaishi's intimidation for years, they ultimately yielded: "We will all follow the Great King's wishes.""
——
Luo Xiu, an envoy among the Black Barbarians, turned out to originally be from Great Wei and could speak the Great Wei language. The Great Wei officials were naturally pleased to see such a person.
Luo Xiu seized the opportunity to request tours of various government offices. Great Wei, always generous and accommodating toward surrounding states, warmly welcomed his request.Luo Xiu heard they were writing some articles for the ceremony and curiously went to the Hanlin Academy. During his few days there, he saw a eunuch named Liu Wenji every day. This eunuch quietly copied books in a corner each day, and throughout those days, the Hanlin officials treated him quite well.
Luo Xiu was surprised because his father was from Great Wei, and he had heard from his father how much Great Wei looked down upon those who became eunuchs.
This Liu Wenji struck him as rather intriguing—
On this day, Liu Wenji left the Hanlin Academy and returned to the palace. At the palace gate, he encountered an anxious servant.
Having seen such scenes often, Liu Wenji recognized this person as the servant of the godson adopted by the Grand Eunuch Duke Cheng, who served closely by the Emperor’s side. That godson of Duke Cheng outside the palace frequently sent people to seek favors from Duke Cheng in the palace, and each time, many eunuchs would rush to flatter him.
This was the first time Liu Wenji had run into this servant on his way into the palace.
His heart skipped a beat as he cautiously bowed and greeted the other, asking, “Are you looking for Duke Cheng? Recently, Duke Cheng has been on duty, constantly attending to His Majesty, so I’m afraid he won’t have any free time. If there’s something urgent, perhaps this humble servant could assist on his behalf?”
The servant, extremely agitated, felt reassured upon seeing a eunuch, thinking eunuchs were all on their side.
The servant said, “Could you please help me pass on a message? My young master got into a dispute with a steward from Scholar Guo’s household over a farmhouse and accidentally struck that steward. My young master is begging Duke Cheng to save him…”
Liu Wenji raised an eyebrow.
He asked, “Scholar Guo—is that the Scholar Guo from the Hanlin Academy?”
Seeing that the other actually knew, the servant grew excited: “Exactly!”
Liu Wenji then smiled and said unhurriedly, “As I mentioned earlier, Duke Cheng has been unavailable these days. Even we lowly servants can’t get an audience with him.”
Noticing the despair on the other’s face, Liu Wenji guessed the servant had been waiting here for a long time, and most other eunuchs had likely given the same reply. That was why such an opportunity had fallen into his lap.
Liu Wenji said, “However, I happen to know this Scholar Guo. If you can wait, why don’t I help connect your two families? We could share a meal and drinks and resolve this matter over them? It’s just a farmhouse—who can’t afford one? Let’s treat it as a minor misunderstanding.”
The servant was overjoyed: “That’s exactly the right approach! Thank you, sir! How should we address you, and how can we contact you later?”
Liu Wenji then gave a detailed explanation and sent the man on his way.
After the man left, Liu Wenji silently continued on to the Internal Affairs Office to report the day’s affairs.
The weather was bitterly cold.
Hunched over, he curled up, lowered his head, and walked slowly along the palace path.
He thought it would probably snow soon.
He needed to stock up on more charcoal.
Yesterday, he heard from someone in the Internal Affairs Office that a young eunuch hadn’t survived the cold and had died here, wrapped in a straw mat and carried away.
Liu Wenji had no desire to die like that.
It was nothing more than putting on a smiling face to flatter the powerful, nothing more than seeking favors and currying favor everywhere… He was growing increasingly accustomed to it.
Only… it was truly so cold.
Shivering, Liu Wenji quickened his pace—
On New Year’s Eve, Mu Wan Yao entered the palace early in the morning to prepare for that evening’s grand ceremony.
Envoys from various countries entered the palace, guided by officials of the fifth rank and above from the Court of State Ceremonial. All officials of the fifth rank and above were required to attend the court ceremony, while those below the fifth rank began their long holiday.
Yan Shang first visited the mentor his father had arranged for him, then went to Lord Liu’s residence to pay respects to his true mentor in the meaningful sense.
Lord Liu, pitying Yan Shang for being alone in Chang’an with no family to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with, instructed him to stay at the Liu residence for the day and celebrate the New Year with the Liu family before Lord Liu himself entered the palace for the grand ceremony.
In the evening, Yan Shang stood alone in the courtyard of the Liu residence, gazing at the dimming twilight.Liu Ruozhu quietly approached from behind and saw Yan Shang standing under the corridor, motionless for a long time. She gave a light cough, and Yan Shang snapped out of his reverie, smiling at her.
Blushing, Liu Ruozhu asked, "Why is Erlang standing here alone? Are you uncomfortable?"
Yan Shang replied, "No, your mother has been very considerate. But since you're here, I suddenly remembered something. I wish to bid farewell to your mother, but I feel embarrassed to say it directly. Could you please convey my message for me?"
Liu Ruozhu was stunned.
She flustered, "You're leaving? Why? Did we do something wrong that made you feel lonely?"
Naturally, Yan Shang said it wasn't the case, explaining, "I just suddenly remembered someone. I... want to spend the New Year with another person."
He had merely been standing under the corridor at dusk, watching the sky darken, when a certain person came to mind.
He recalled her saying, "In the twilight glow, the small boat sways gently."
Every thought was of Mu Wan, and Mu Wan was all he yearned for.
...So he couldn't wait to see her, to welcome the New Year together with her.
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