Tigers Sniff the Rose

The tent was gilded with silver and gold by the outside light, and when the wrinkled gauze fluttered, it flowed like golden clouds.

Everything was shimmering with gold.

Mu Wan Yao's neck was drenched in sweat, the young lord's face pressed against hers, and she felt her cheeks warming and flushing along with his.

His long hair spilled over her neck, his trembling breath brushing against the back of her ear. The hand clutching her waist was so tight it seemed about to snap her in two, and when he lifted his gaze to look at her, his eyes were brimming with unshed tears.

Mu Wan Yao was already somewhat flushed with embarrassment—doing such things was her way of trying to please Yan Shang... but his intense reaction took her by surprise.

Staring blankly at him, Mu Wan Yao thought that the most primal desire in men was savage and brutal, truly ugly, and she couldn't imagine any words to beautify it. But Yan Shang was different. While other men became repulsive in the face of desire, he remained clear and pure, clean, and infinitely beautiful in her heart.

Even now... in this state, she didn't find him frightening or distasteful. Not only was she not repulsed, she even loved seeing the moisture in his eyes and the blush at their corners.

Mu Wan Yao lowered her eyelids, glancing down at her skirt. Her begonia-red dress, near her legs, had been stained a deep crimson. As her eyes drifted downward, Yan Shang, probably thinking she was about to cause more mischief, covered her eyes with his hand, flustered and angry as he said, "Don't look around randomly."

The young lady's thick, long eyelashes brushed against his palm like a feather duster, her voice both petulant and coquettish: "You got it on me!"

With her eyes covered, Mu Wan Yao imagined Yan Shang's face must be burning so hot he could scald himself.

She heard him mutter in a low, stammering voice, "I'm sorry... I'll clean it up."

As he spoke, he removed his hand from her eyes and propped himself up to deal with the aftermath of their mischief. Mu Wan Yao quickly pulled him back down to lie beside her, complaining, "You're such a workaholic—can't you just lie down and rest for a bit? Anyway, you got more on yourself. We can clean up later."

Yan Shang's mind was a chaotic, tangled mess: Is that really okay? Won't it dry by then? Won't the maids notice the stains?

But since Mu Wan Yao insisted he stay lying down, he reluctantly complied, thinking she must have a plan. Lying in bed with Mu Wan Yao in broad daylight, holding her in his arms, Yan Shang gazed at her upturned, snow-white face for a long moment before he couldn't resist cupping her chin and leaning in to kiss her gently.

A very tender, delicate kind of kiss.

Mu Wan Yao laughed again, nuzzling into his embrace. Yan Shang sighed helplessly as she burrowed into his arms. He adjusted his already loosened robe slightly—she didn't slip her hand inside, but she did wrap her arms tightly around his waist.

Just as Yan Shang was appreciating how pleasant the atmosphere was, Mu Wan Yao remarked, "Your waist is so slender—I noticed it earlier when we..."

Her mouth was covered by Yan Shang's hand.

Yan Shang's face flushed bright red again from her teasing: "Stop saying such things! Your Highness is always so unrestrained with your words."

Mu Wan Yao pulled his hand away from her mouth and rolled her eyes at him. As Yan Shang stared in shock at her audacity, she said, "You're too dishonest about your own body. What it is, is what it is—you neither dare to look nor speak of it. How are you going to play with me in the future?"Yan Shang was slightly taken aback, looking at her: "In the future... will Your Highness still... play with me?"

Mu Wan Yao widened her eyes: "Of course! What do you mean? You don’t really think I like someone else, do you? I’ve already... done this for you. Do you think it means nothing when a woman is willing to do such things for a man?"

Yan Shang said: "I also vaguely feel... that Your Highness treats me differently."

The two lay in bed, speaking intimately—Mu Wan Yao: "Have you noticed that when you’re close to me now, you’re not as tense as before? Although there’s still a little, you’re not as stiff as you used to be."

Yan Shang: "You always surprise me from time to time, so I’ve gotten used to it. It’s just that today... it’s still not good during the day. Next time, let’s do it at night."

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him: "You’re already scheduling the next time with me? How greedy."

Mu Wan Yao then curiously cupped his face, observing his expression, shyly biting her cheek, and whispered: "Was it really that comfortable? Especially comfortable? You were so... excited. More excited than before."

Yan Shang flushed with embarrassment, annoyed that she dared to ask anything. But Mu Wan Yao pressed him for an answer, and he reluctantly nodded. Mu Wan Yao cheered, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. With that movement, he felt a little... Mu Wan Yao noticed too, glancing at him.

She was about to ask if he still wanted more, but Yan Shang covered her mouth, not wanting her to ask such things.

Yan Shang: "...Indulgence is not good."

Mu Wan Yao admired him: "What kind of indulgence is this?"

Yan Shang tensed up but ultimately refused. After all, it was him who felt uncomfortable, not Mu Wan Yao. Seeing him so shy, Mu Wan Yao let it go.

With the little princess in his arms finally settling down, Yan Shang closed his eyes, smiling helplessly. The smile was faint, gentle like still water.

He lowered his head as if thinking about something, and Mu Wan Yao paid no mind. Snuggling into his embrace, she found a comfortable position, reached out to gather a handful of his dark hair scattered on the soft pillow, and played with it in her hands. She couldn’t help but kiss his hair, still able to smell its faint fragrance and a hint of dampness.

Because he had just bathed.

Mu Wan Yao thought smugly that she had known he had bathed when she hugged him in the courtyard. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have done that for him. How clever she was—pleasing Yan Shang while also making him forgive her.

Just as Mu Wan Yao was feeling proud of herself, Yan Shang lowered his head and said to her: "It’s still not right for you to get so close to the Uman King."

Mu Wan Yao’s face instantly turned cold. She looked up expressionlessly: "What, are you still going to settle accounts with me?"

Yan Shang said helplessly: "That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying there are ways to handle it. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just... you never tell me anything. Can’t you at least put my mind at ease?"

Mu Wan Yao said coldly: "What do you want?"

Yan Shang: "I don’t want much. It’s just that when I’m not busy with official duties, I can go to the Court of State Ceremonial to help. When you’re dealing with the envoys and the Uman King, I want to be there with you."

Mu Wan Yao was stunned.

She said: "You want to supervise me up close?"

Yan Shang said: "Not supervise. Just want to protect you."

Mu Wan Yao: "Isn’t that still supervising me?"

Yan Shang fell silent and lowered his eyes.Yet his silence made Mu Wan Yao fear he was upset or angry, instantly softening her heart. She thought to herself that she had always been open and aboveboard—though having Yan Shang follow her would be a bit troublesome... but she couldn’t just stand by and watch him be sad.

Mu Wan Yao said slowly, "Come if you want. I don’t mind."

Yan Shang glanced at her, and Mu Wan Yao smiled. "So, let’s turn the page on this. You won’t hold it against me anymore, right?"

In truth, Yan Shang still had many doubts, but Mu Wan Yao’s behavior made it clear to him that it wasn’t appropriate to delve too deeply with her.

She was a rose with thorns, always extending them, warily watching everyone, afraid someone might come close and hurt her. She struggled to spread her leaves and branches, welcoming Yan Shang into her world. But he was, after all, an outsider. He couldn’t expect her to abandon her thorns entirely from the start and embrace him with complete trust.

Yan Shang lowered his head, brushed aside the bangs on her forehead, and gently kissed her there, saying, "I won’t hold it against you."

Mu Wan Yao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled again.

But then Yan Shang, setting aside those troubling thoughts, seemed to develop a rare curiosity about matters between men and women. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "What you did to me earlier… can I do the same to you?"

Mu Wan Yao: "…"

She froze instantly, feeling Yan Shang’s hand around her waist subtly sliding downward. Panicked, she quickly pressed it to stop him. Yan Shang lowered his gaze to look at her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was up to no good. Mu Wan Yao’s face flushed crimson as she heard Yan Shang, his own face red, murmur softly, "I think people are all the same. If it feels good for me, it should for you too… I want to try."

Mu Wan Yao cried out, "How dare you! How dare you!"

She began to struggle, refusing to let him touch her. Her face was as red as dyed clouds, a mix of panic and embarrassment, writhing in his arms like a fish. Startled by her reaction, Yan Shang released his hold. Mu Wan Yao, flushed with anger and shame, declared, "If you dare treat me like this, I’ll never speak to you again!"

She could observe and control Yan Shang, but how could he observe and control her? He should be the one under her thumb, not the other way around!

Yan Shang withdrew his hand, disappointed. "Alright, alright, stop squirming."

Mu Wan Yao relaxed.

The two exchanged some idle chatter—the kind of repetitive, meaningless banter between lovers that only they could find amusing.

Later, Yan Shang was the first to lift the bed curtain and step out, his clothes disheveled. Avoiding looking too closely at the marks he had left on Mu Wan Yao’s dress earlier, he urged her to call her maids to bring water so they could freshen up. Yan Shang lamented, "Let’s not do this again next time… What about your dress?"

Mu Wan Yao replied, "What do you mean, ‘what about it’?"

Yan Shang stammered, "W-what if someone notices the marks?"

Mu Wan Yao said, "Look how worried you are. I’m a princess. If they notice, they notice. Who would dare question me?"

Yan Shang fell silent—

But when Mu Wan Yao went to bathe, her maid Xiarong hesitantly approached and asked, "Your Highness, should we prepare the Child Aversion Soup?"

Mu Wan Yao was taken aback for a moment, then turned to look at her and said, "No need."

Xiarong was astonished, her expression growing even more troubled. She thought to herself, did Her Highness mean that she was willing to bear a child for Yan Erlang?

But… wouldn’t it be improper to be pregnant before marriage?Xiarong heard Mu Wan Yao's icy voice: "I have no need for such things, nor will I ever. Do not ask me again whether I want the Child Aversion Soup. If you do, I will kill you."

Xiarong was both terrified and aggrieved, but could only withdraw.

The Princess Residence had its own separate bathing chamber with a hot spring pool. Steam rose in clouds. After the maidservants withdrew, Mu Wan Yao sat alone by the water's edge. Perched on the bank, she dabbled her slender, pale calves in the water for a while.

Her mind drifted emptily for some time before she gave a self-mocking laugh and finally entered the water to bathe—

In the days that followed, the envoys dealing with Princess Danyang noticed that an official would occasionally accompany her.

He was said to be from the Court of State Ceremonial, assigned to assist Princess Danyang in receiving envoys.

The envoys reluctantly accepted this.

When Meng Zaishi next went out with Mu Wan Yao and saw Yan Shang following, he narrowed his eyes in surprise.

Mu Wan Yao walked ahead, Yan Shang trailing behind. She subtly positioned herself between them, her gaze warning Meng Zaishi.

Her meaning was unmistakably clear: if he dared harm even a hair on Yan Shang's head, she would fight him to the death.

When Meng Zaishi met Yan Shang's eyes again, the latter offered a gentle, polite smile. But politeness was Yan Erlang's customary demeanor... Meng Zaishi vividly remembered how he had nearly fallen prey to this man's schemes at the Court of State Ceremonial.

Had Yan Shang submitted only the first register without preparing the second, although the misunderstanding would eventually have been clarified, the Black Barbarians would undoubtedly have suffered considerable complications.

Yan Shang could scheme with such subtlety... far more insidious than Mu Wan Yao's direct approach.

And recalling how Mu Wan Yao had hovered around Yan Shang in the Pleasure Quarter like a fool... Meng Zaishi snorted coldly, his displeasure reaching its peak.

Shifting his gaze, Meng Zaishi suggested with a laugh, "How about we go horseback racing at Leyou Plateau today, Your Highness?"

Mu Wan Yao replied, "Bring it on."

Meng Zaishi glanced at Yan Shang. "Surely a civil official like Yan Erlang won't insist on tagging along?"

Yan Shang responded amiably, "Although my equestrian skills are indeed inferior to Your Majesty's and Her Highness's, as an appointed court official, I have my duties to fulfill. I beg you not to make this difficult for me."

His words made it clear he intended to follow regardless.

Meng Zaishi turned and strode away. Mu Wan Yao glanced back at Yan Shang and secretly smiled.

Yan Shang returned a reassuring smile.

After these past couple of days, regardless of how Yan Shang felt, Mu Wan Yao rather enjoyed having him accompany her. It allowed her to stealthily tease and provoke him. His flustered reactions—often accompanied by visible tension—amused her.

Mu Wan Yao admitted to a certain mischievous streak; she delighted in watching Yan Shang engage in verbal sparring with envoys one moment, only to startle him into avoiding her gaze and retreating the next.

The complication was that Yan Shang's presence, to some extent, hindered Mu Wan Yao's original plan to gradually rekindle her relationship with Meng Zaishi.

In her initial scheme, she intended to alter her attitude through successive private meetings, feigning a "rekindled romance" with Meng Zaishi, then seizing the opportunity to take his life when his guard was down. But with Yan Shang observing—though he typically remained silent—her plan was forced into fragmentation.

Consequently, while Mu Wan Yao and Meng Zaishi no longer appeared openly antagonistic and could even chat and laugh together... it certainly didn't resemble anything akin to romance.Fortunately, while Mu Wan Yao was tangled in a hundred worries, one day Yan Shang told her that he had made an appointment with someone the next day for an extremely important matter and would not accompany her to meet Meng Zaishi. Mu Wan Yao’s heart leaped with joy, but she did not show it on her face, only responding with a cold and indifferent "Mm," in line with her usual perfunctory and casual attitude.

She had fooled Yan Shang—

That very night, Mu Wan Yao arranged with Meng Zaishi to invite the foreign envoys the next day for a group hunt on South Mountain.

A princess of Great Wei going hunting! Such elegance truly befitted the style of a great nation.

The envoys naturally agreed happily, and Meng Zaishi also consented.

However, that night, in his own quarters, studying Mu Wan Yao’s invitation, Meng Zaishi found it somewhat intriguing.

Meng Zaishi stroked his chin and murmured, "Hunting… that means wielding blades and spears… Can I trust her?"

His subordinates said, "This is on Great Wei’s territory. The Danyang Princess wouldn’t dare do anything rash, would she? One misstep could lead to conflict between the two nations."

Meng Zaishi pondered thoughtfully.

Then he said, "After all, she’s a ruthless and heartless little princess. I must be cautious. I need to make some preparations."—

That night, the Princess Residence was also brightly lit.

Sitting in the inner hall, Mu Wan Yao reclined before a long table, feigning rest with closed eyes, as she listened to Fang Tong report on the arrangements.

Fang Tong said, "Over this period, we have been discreetly transferring the Princess Residence’s guards to South Mountain. Now, all the guards have been relocated there. Although the Uman King is formidable in combat… with our advance preparations, we should still be able to eliminate him."

Mu Wan Yao nodded, then added, "Bring the person in."

Fang Tong withdrew and soon returned, leading a burly man.

Mu Wan Yao opened her eyes and looked at the silent man standing below the hall. In the dim lamplight, at first glance, his build somewhat resembled Meng Zaishi’s, and his facial contours were also somewhat similar. Strangely enough, this man also had a long scar on his face.

It was no waste of Fang Tong’s effort to have found this man in the Barbarian Market.

Fang Tong introduced, "This man was originally from the Black Barbarians, his mother a horse slave. His mother was trampled to death by the Black Barbarians’ iron hooves. He harbors hatred for the Black Barbarians and has clashed with their soldiers many times. When he was nearly killed, he was rescued by a Great Wei merchant doing business among the Black Barbarians. After many twists and turns, he ended up in the markets of our Great Wei and became a servant.

"Although he is a Black Barbarian, he has lived in Great Wei for ten years and even gave himself a Great Wei name. This man is loyal to Great Wei and despises the Black Barbarians, so he should be a reliable collaborator."

Mu Wan Yao lifted her chin.

The man standing below bowed and performed a folded-hand salute to the noble, breathtakingly beautiful princess, speaking in fluent Great Wei language: "This humble commoner, Han Shu Xing, pays respects to Your Highness. Your Highness’s people paid my master a thousand strings of cash, and since Your Highness aims to eliminate the Black Barbarians, this humble commoner will naturally spare no effort to serve Your Highness."

Mu Wan Yao said coldly, "If I asked you to die, would you be willing?"

Han Shu Xing appeared very indifferent, the scar on his face shifting like a swimming dragon as he spoke: "It doesn’t matter. This humble commoner’s life is worthless, and there is no hope left in this lifetime. If I can take a few Black Barbarians with me to death, it would be my honor."

Mu Wan Yao was silent for a moment, then asked the man a few more questions. Seeing that he was indeed reliable, she had Fang Tong take him away.In the tranquil inner hall, Mu Wan Yao sat alone for a while, her heart racing at the thought of what she was about to do.

Yet, she had no choice—

Meng Zaishi had actually treated her quite well all along.

But she refused to accept the Peace Marriage!

Killing him was the only way to end this once and for all!

He represented her shameful past, and she could not bear to have that past constantly looming before her... Such was her ruthlessness—

The next day, Meng Zaishi came to escort the princess to Leyou Plain.

The Black Barbarians' entourage, as usual, wore bronze masks. The masked Uman King, mounted on a tall steed bred in Longyou, nodded to the dazzling and radiant Danyang Princess.

Mu Wan Yao leisurely swept her gaze over their party and signaled to Fang Tong on her side.

A smile graced Mu Wan Yao's lips. As she tilted her head, her beautiful eyes sparkled with charm, her elegance as refined as jade, drawing sighs of admiration from the onlookers. Suddenly, she tightened her grip on the reins, called out "Giddyap!" and spurred her horse into a gallop, leaving a trail of dust in her wake, her sleeves fluttering like wings as she rode ahead.

The Uman King and his men gave chase!

On the streets of Chang'an, the nobility's splendor was on full display. As the commoners made way, they witnessed Mu Wan Yao riding out with the Uman King, heading straight out of the city toward the Southern Mountains!—

Meanwhile, Yan Shang was entertaining the Hu merchants he had previously hired, who had returned with great difficulty from the Black Barbarians.

Unable to wait for them to seek him out, he went directly to the West Market to find them upon hearing of their return.

Yan Shang had visited multiple times to inquire about the Hu merchants' safety, and after their return, he paid them once more—this time offering a commission greater than what had been agreed upon initially.

The Hu merchants were deeply moved. When they had left Chang'an, Yan Erlang was still a student; yet upon their return, he had already become an official in the court.

Despite his official status, Erlang treated them as equals, just as he had in the past, without any disdain.

Naturally, the Hu merchants felt compelled to repay Yan Erlang to the best of their ability.

Yan Shang cut straight to the point: "We can discuss other trivial matters later. First, tell me what I most want to know. Do any of you know what the relationship is between the current Uman King and the Danyang Princess who went for the Peace Marriage?"

The Hu men exchanged glances, then broke into knowing smirks, the kind only men understand.

Yan Shang's heart sank.

One of the Hu men replied, "You've asked the right person, sir! There are rumors all over the Uman grasslands that when the current Uman King was still a prince, he had an improper relationship with the then-queen—the Peace Marriage princess. Their relationship was far from ordinary. When the old Uman King was alive, such rumors were suppressed, but now that this Uman King has taken the throne, no one holds them back. Many on the grasslands have heard these rumors!"

Yan Shang's face paled slightly.

But he remained composed, showing no outward reaction.

Besides, this had been his suspicion all along... He had always felt that Mu Wan Yao was deceiving him!

Yan Shang asked, "Your words confuse me. What do you mean by the current Uman King being a prince?"

The Hu man expressed surprise: "Does Great Wei not know? Although the current Uman King rose to power through warfare, he is the eldest son of the previous Uman King! He was originally the former king's son, but the throne wasn't passed to him at the time.

"Everyone says that the current Uman King and the Peace Marriage princess conspired to kill the old Uman King and the young Uman Prince who hadn't yet ascended the throne, which is how the current Uman King managed to take power! The Black Barbarians don't care about such things, so these rumors spread far and wide without anyone bothering to verify their truth."Another Hu person added, "Though we don't know if it's true, it's probably close to the mark. Otherwise, how could the Peace Marriage princess return to Great Wei after only two or three years of marriage? She must have made a deal with the current Uman King!"

They all began chattering, sharing various pieces of information.

Until they noticed Yan Shang's complexion had turned rather unpleasant, and he suddenly stood up.

For someone like Yan Shang to show such a poor complexion was truly rare... The others fell silent, uneasy: "What's wrong, sir? Did we say something inappropriate?"

Yan Shang forced a smile at them, reassuring, "It's nothing. I just remembered something. I'll ask you the remaining questions next time. There's an urgent matter I must attend to now... Please forgive my abrupt departure!"

Perhaps what Yan Erlang had suddenly recalled was exceptionally important, for even his usual composure seemed flustered, his departure unusually hasty—

Once out of the shop, Yan Shang mounted his horse and rode back to his residence without hesitation, then immediately headed for the Princess Residence.

He had suddenly realized he had overlooked a critical possibility.

He had always speculated that Mu Wan Yao and Meng Zaishi maintained an unresolved attachment, their affections wavering between deep and shallow.

But it never occurred to him that Mu Wan Yao might harbor seething hatred.

Perhaps her smiles toward Meng Zaishi weren't signs of rekindled romance but rather... a means to lull him into complacency, concealing another motive.

What if Meng Zaishi was the son of the old Uman King!

If Mu Wan Yao had been closely involved with Meng Zaishi while the old Uman King was still alive... serving both father and son—the father who married her, and the son now in Chang'an seeking to wed her.

Serving both father and son!

What an unspeakable humiliation for Mu Wan Yao!

It couldn't be love—then it must be hatred!

Hatred to the extreme would inevitably drive her to kill... But what if she came to harm in the process?—

Rushing to the Princess Residence, Yan Shang found it just as he feared: the guards had been completely withdrawn.

Ignoring the bewildered maids of the Princess Residence—unlike his usual self, he didn't even pause to explain—he came and went in haste. Yan Shang's own residence had no guards, so he thought of his friends and immediately scrambled to gather men, heading for South Mountain.

As Yan Shang rode urgently through the streets, his mind racing over whom to borrow troops from, a contingent appeared ahead, advancing toward him at high speed.

Their horses were galloping fast!

Yet just as they were about to pass him, the lead horse halted.

Banners fluttered sharply as the riders drew rein. Yang Si, on horseback, turned to look at him: "Yan Suchen?"

Yan Shang looked over and saw Yang Sanlang, whom he hadn't met in a long time, leading a group of riders swaggering into Chang'an. Yang Si's handsome face had tanned slightly since their last encounter.

On this narrow path, amid the clamor of the city, the young man reined in his horse, raising an eyebrow lazily as he regarded Yan Shang. Dressed in black robes with a red collar, his hair lightly brushing his cheeks, Yang Si cut a dashing figure—radiant in fine clothes and spirited on horseback, exuding unrestrained charm.

Yan Shang immediately declared: "Sanlang, I need your help with something. Come with me to South Mountain at once!"