When the maids came to lift the bed curtains, they were surprised to find the princess already awake so early.
No one knew when she had woken. She sat on the bed, wearing only her inner garments, her long hair cascading loosely over the bedding. In the dim light of the room, as Chunhua lifted the curtain, she saw the princess’s skin so pale it seemed translucent, her gaze vacant as she stared into the air, lost in thought.
Mu Wan Yao, with her brows furrowed, seemed vaguely displeased.
The maids exchanged silent glances, reminding each other to be extra careful while serving the princess today, who was clearly in a foul mood for reasons unknown.
After washing and dressing, Mu Wan Yao stepped outside and stood under the corridor eaves, watching the guards practice martial arts in the small courtyard of the Yan residence. She observed for a long while until she noticed a side room near the fence gate open, and Yan Shisheng, dressed in a blue robe with wide sleeves, emerged holding a book.
Yan Shisheng looked up and spotted Mu Wan Yao standing beneath the corridor eaves. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "You’ve risen quite early today, my lady."
Mu Wan Yao’s distant gaze, which had been fixed on the guards practicing in the courtyard, shifted back to the young scholar bowing to her at the foot of the steps.
Yan Shisheng thought she was probably still upset with him for mentioning her husband yesterday. He could neither explain himself nor offer comfort, silently reflecting that this lady likely had a strained relationship with her husband, which was why she disliked others bringing it up.
Seeing that her anger had not subsided, Yan Shisheng prepared to take his leave discreetly.
Unexpectedly, Mu Wan Yao fixed her gaze on him, sharp as a blade, causing Yan Shisheng to stiffen as he looked up, feeling as though she might grind his bones to dust.
As Mu Wan Yao looked at Yan Shisheng’s face, she recalled the dream she had the previous night. And with that dream came the memory of her ex-husband, whom she had inexplicably replaced with Yan Shisheng in her dream.
Immediately, Mu Wan Yao projected all the grievances she had endured with her ex-husband onto Yan Shisheng.
She imagined Yan Shisheng’s handsome face bearing the identity of her ex-husband, showing no respect befitting a princess of Great Wei.
He had mocked her recklessly, looked down on her, allowed his clansmen to insult and slander her. He had walked hand in hand with other women, and let his concubines flaunt their status in front of her…
The fifteen-year-old Mu Wan Yao, who could only hide in her room and weep… Her once majestic and glorious days had died at the hands of her ex-husband, her pride as a princess withering like a plant buried in barren soil.
When the envoys of Great Wei came to see her, her ex-husband had threatened her, and she had not even dared to seek help. She knew it would be futile—a single envoy could not change her fate. The one who held the power only wished for her to remain there forever, never to return. And once the envoys left, her ex-husband had resumed tormenting her…
How despicable!
Standing beneath the corridor eaves, Mu Wan Yao’s expression grew increasingly grim and icy.
Yan Shisheng, who had merely bowed to her, was rendered speechless by her cold stare, bewildered by the intensifying murderous intent in her eyes the longer she looked at him…
Hastily, Yan Shisheng spoke up to interrupt her train of thought: "You seem unwell, my lady. Did you not sleep well last night?"
Mu Wan Yao’s thoughts were cut short. She looked down at Yan Shisheng for a long moment, snorted coldly, ignored him entirely, and turned to go back inside.
Yan Shisheng: "…"
He naturally had no way of knowing that Mu Wan Yao’s dream the previous night should have been tender and beautiful, but she possessed none of the romantic sentiments of a young maiden. Instead, she had gone against the very essence of her own dream.Regarding Yan Shisheng as her husband did not bring Mu Wan Yao any joy. Instead, the more she dwelled on it, the angrier she became, to the point that when she saw him, all her goodwill vanished, replaced by an ever-deepening aversion.
One day, while Mu Wan Yao was playing cards indoors with her maids, she heard that Yan Shisheng had arrived.
She sneered, "Why does he come so eagerly every day? The sight of him is tiresome."
Chunhua, one of her maids who had recently grown familiar with the Yan family, smiled apologetically on behalf of Yan Erlang. "Yan Erlang holds the lady in high regard. This humble maid will go out and see."
Mu Wan Yao pursed her lips, neither approving nor objecting.
Chunhua immediately understood that the princess wished to speak with Yan Erlang but was too proud to admit it.
A short while later, Mu Wan Yao glanced toward the window and saw Chunhua exchange a few words with Yan Shisheng at the door. To her surprise, Chunhua then turned and led Yan Shisheng into the room.
Mu Wan Yao: "……?"
Flustered, she ordered her maids, "Lower the bamboo curtain! I refuse to receive an unrelated man!"
The maids exchanged uncertain glances but rose to lower the bamboo curtain in front of the princess.
When Chunhua brought Yan Shisheng over, all he could see was the bamboo curtain, with only the faint silhouettes of Mu Wan Yao and her maids seated quietly behind it.
Though puzzled by the princess's unnecessary precaution, Chunhua merely curtsied and said, "My lady, Yan Erlang has something to discuss with you."
Mu Wan Yao sat primly, studying her cards with feigned indifference. "What do you wish to say to me?"
The cards in her hand were leaf-shaped, a novel sight. Yan Shisheng glanced at them through the curtain, intrigued by the unfamiliar objects.
Collecting himself, Yan Shisheng replied, "I came to bring you some tea."
Mu Wan Yao scoffed. "What fine tea have I not tasted? I have little interest in your rustic local brews."
Yan Shisheng smiled. "Since I am offering it to you, it must have its merits. Please, give it a try."
He called out, and his younger sister, Yan Xiaozhou, entered carrying a teapot.
Yan Xiaozhou sat behind her brother, timidly stealing glances at Mu Wan Yao through the curtain.
Every time she saw Mu Wan Yao, Yan Xiaozhou felt so awed by her noble bearing that she hardly dared to look. She glanced at her second brother and saw that he remained perfectly composed.
Yan Shisheng sat across the curtain and asked Chunhua and the others to bring teacups. He poured the freshly brewed tea into each cup with practiced ease, showing no sign of nervousness.
He first offered a cup of clear tea, gesturing for a maid to pass it to Mu Wan Yao behind the curtain.
Mu Wan Yao took the tea and noticed the bright, emerald-green leaves floating delicately on the surface. Her heart lifted, recognizing it as fine tea.
Yet she betrayed no emotion. After drinking a cup, she closed her eyes to savor it. The tea had a clear, rich aroma, a sweet and mellow taste, and a lingering aftertaste.
But were not Mingqian Longjing and Yuqian Longjing superior to this tea?
Mu Wan Yao shook her head and sighed, thinking that Yan Shisheng, having grown up in the rural south, had never tasted truly exceptional tea and mistakenly believed this ordinary brew would impress her.
He had miscalculated.
Seeing her shake her head, Yan Shisheng merely smiled. "What? Is it not to your liking?"
Mu Wan Yao, touched by his initiative to bring her tea, felt the resentment she had harbored toward him over the past few days begin to fade. Reflecting further, she realized how unreasonable she had been—blaming Yan Shisheng over a mere dream.
Out of goodwill, she offered her critique of his tea: "It is merely passable. In the future, you should refrain from flaunting this tea to others."Upon hearing Mu Wan Yao's words, Yan Shisheng remained composed, but Yan Xiaozhou, seated behind him, flushed red with embarrassment.
Yan Shisheng insisted, "Then the taste of this tea can still be considered above average, right?"
Mu Wan Yao, pitying his limited experience, nodded in agreement.
Yan Shisheng smiled and said, "Then take another look."
Instead of drinking the tea, he turned sideways and took a tea leaf from the square handkerchief held by his younger sister.
He placed the tea leaf in his mouth. As Mu Wan Yao watched in surprise, she saw him retrieve a copper coin from a worn, faded pouch hanging at his waist and place it in his mouth as well.
He chewed the tea leaf and the copper coin together.
The room fell into silence. Except for Yan Xiaozhou, everyone stared at Yan Shisheng in astonishment. Then, they heard a faint "crack" as Yan Shisheng spat the contents onto the square handkerchief in his hand.
Chunhua, who was standing closest to him, exclaimed in shock, "Mistress, the copper coin has split in two—it's broken!"
Mu Wan Yao abruptly lifted the curtain and finally stepped out from behind it.
She rushed to Yan Shisheng's side, leaning down to examine the shattered copper coin on the handkerchief. Meanwhile, Yan Shisheng took another handkerchief and spat out the tea leaves.
When Yan Shisheng turned around after finishing, he froze. Mu Wan Yao stood before him, her face leaning so close it was almost touching his.
Then, Mu Wan Yao reached out and gripped his chin, commanding, "Open your mouth. Let me see."
Yan Shisheng's eyelashes trembled violently, and his gaze wavered.
Yan Xiaozhou was stunned.
This lady was so bold! Not only had she rushed out from behind the curtain, but she had also grabbed her second brother's chin and ordered him to open his mouth...
Yan Xiaozhou lowered her head. While Mu Wan Yao showed no sign of embarrassment, she herself blushed with awkwardness.
Yan Shisheng was only slightly better than his sister.
The tips of his ears turned red. After steadying himself for a moment, he opened his mouth. A fragrant breeze wafted over him as he held his breath, her face magnified before his eyes.
Knowing she was inspecting his mouth, Yan Shisheng couldn't help but let his thoughts wander—had he rinsed his mouth thoroughly today? Were there any remnants of the tea leaves? Was the color of his tongue coating normal? Were his teeth straight?
As his face grew increasingly red, Mu Wan Yao exclaimed in amazement, "You really bit through the copper coin!"
She was as delighted as a child.
She released his chin and turned to examine the shattered copper coin on the handkerchief. Mu Wan Yao had never seen such a strange thing. Unable to believe it, she reached out to touch the coin and verify its authenticity.
In a moment of urgency, Yan Shisheng grabbed her slender, outstretched fingers.
Mu Wan Yao, her hand held by his, was taken aback.
Yan Shisheng said, "Mistress, that is dirty. Do not touch it!"
It was only then that Mu Wan Yao remembered this was something he had held in his mouth... She angrily pulled her hand away and snapped, "I already knew that! You didn't have to tell me!"
Yan Shisheng looked at her helplessly.
Mu Wan Yao's eyes flickered, avoiding his gaze as she lowered her head and rubbed the hand he had touched.
A short while later, everyone had tried chewing the tea leaves, confirming that the tea could indeed shatter copper coins. All were amazed.
Yan Shisheng explained, "This is the White Ox Tea produced in our region. People don't pay much attention to this tea—the tea trees grow wild and untended. I find it a pity. There are many fine teas in the world, but only this one can shatter copper coins."
Mu Wan Yao nodded repeatedly. "You've put much thought into this. If you take this tea to Chang'an to sell, the nobles will surely adore it."Yan Shisheng said, "It's merely a gift for you, my lady."
Mu Wan Yao instantly thought of the political advantages she could gain if this tea fell into her hands. She wondered if this Yan Erlang understood... but never mind, she would seize the tea regardless.
While scheming inwardly about how to monopolize the tea, she gazed at him with tender affection, her cheeks slightly flushed.
She whispered softly, "I understand. Thank you. Is there anything you wish for in return?"
Yan Shisheng replied, "There is indeed one matter."
Mu Wan Yao's face immediately darkened.
With a displeased, mocking smile, she said, "What? You've barely given me some tea leaves and already seek favors in return? Aren't you afraid such practicality would make me despise you?"
Yan Shisheng explained, "I merely wished to ask what game you were playing. I've never seen it before and was curious."
Mu Wan Yao stared at him for a long moment before smiling again.
She said gently, "This game is called 'Wandering Peace,' a type of card game found only in the Chang'an court. The imperial consorts and princesses, bored with their idleness, spend their days playing 'Wandering Peace.'"
Yan Shisheng's eyebrows twitched: the court, imperial consorts and princesses... He could roughly guess this Lady Mu's identity.
Then Mu Wan Yao continued softly, "My lord, come closer. Not only will I give you this deck of cards, but I'll also teach you how to play."
Yan Shisheng declined, "...This humble scholar must go study. Playing cards is unnecessary."
He had only come to probe Mu Wan Yao's identity, and now that he had succeeded... having achieved his goal, Yan Shisheng had no intention of staying.
Mu Wan Yao gazed at him seductively, "But I insist on teaching you."
"Sit down! Keep me company playing cards!"
Yan Xiaozhou, who had been watching from the sidelines, saw her second brother being dragged by Lady Mu behind the bamboo curtain. It rather resembled "a wicked woman seizing a husband."
Mu Wan Yao forced Yan Shisheng to sit. When he refused several times, she finally said helplessly, "As you wish then."
Yan Shisheng stood up and put on his shoes, preparing to leave.
Mu Wan Yao drawled, "My lord ah..."
Yan Shisheng's back stiffened as he faced away from her, "...Could you please not call me that?"
Ignoring his preference, Mu Wan Yao continued, "My lord ah, after all these years of studying, do you know your ancient pronunciation is incorrect? With flawed ancient pronunciation, even if you pass the regional examinations, you'll have no hope of becoming a jinshi. Then what use is leaving Lingnan?"
Yan Shisheng turned back and silently looked at her. This was indeed the first time he learned about his poor ancient pronunciation. His father had provided him with education, but never cared about ancient pronunciation.
And Mu Wan Yao had watched him study for so many days, only mentioning it now...
How utterly detestable!
The detestable Mu Wan Yao leaned against the doorframe, her eyes sparkling with charming waves.
So Yan Shisheng rolled up his sleeves and walked back, "Then I shall accompany you in cards this afternoon. I only ask that you teach me ancient pronunciation."
Mu Wan Yao made things difficult for him, "That depends on how well you play. If I lose, I'll be unhappy. If I win, I'll still be unhappy. You figure it out."
Yan Shisheng smiled as he took his seat, "Then see if I can please you."
Yan Xiaozhou: "..."
Yan Xiaozhou and Mu Wan Yao's maids exchanged glances, then withdrew from the room.
Feeling completely superfluous.
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