Tigers Sniff the Rose

Yan Shang closed the study door and turned to look at Mu Wan Yao.

Mu Wan Yao was thoroughly committed to her drunken act, yet her tight grip on the wine jar—fearing it might break—made her motives perfectly clear to Yan Shang.

Yan Shang sighed. "Does Your Highness take me for a fool?"

Leaning against the bookshelf in her feigned drunkenness, Mu Wan Yao rested her forehead on the back of her hand, her eyelashes fluttering faintly. Unwilling to face reality, she continued to mumble, "I really am a bit drunk. It feels so hot in here. My head is spinning, Second Brother Yan—you don’t care for me at all."

Yan Shang smiled. "Weren’t you too drunk to recognize who I am?"

Mu Wan Yao: "..."

She covered her face and eyes with her hands, peeking at Yan Shang through the gaps between her fingers. She saw him sit on the other side of the long table and glance down at the wine cup she had placed there. Mu Wan Yao’s heart raced instantly—when Yan Shang had knocked earlier, she had been so startled that she spilled some wine, and traces might remain in the cup...

Before Yan Shang could examine it closely, a flash of moon-white skirts caught his eye as Mu Wan Yao stumbled over and threw herself across the table. Her arm bumped against the wine cup, and as she winced in pain, Yan Shang hurriedly steadied the cup, afraid she might knock it to the floor and shatter it.

Thus, Yan Shang had no chance to check whether there was wine in the cup.

Worried about Mu Wan Yao, he set the cup down and looked up to see the wine jar in the princess’s arms thud onto the table.

Mu Wan Yao had been stealing glances at Yan Shang through her fingers. As soon as she noticed him looking, she quickly lowered her head, rubbing her forehead and complaining incessantly about her headache.

Yan Shang disapproved. "Your Highness!"

How could she toy with him like this?

Mu Wan Yao insisted stubbornly, "I really am drunk, and my head really hurts!"

Yan Shang hesitated slightly. He didn’t quite believe her, knowing how well she could hold her liquor. Yet the young princess’s cheeks were flushed like rosy clouds, and as she covered her face, whining in discomfort, her delicate, fragile appearance made him worry she might genuinely be unwell.

Yan Shang asked, "Shall I massage your forehead for you?"

Mu Wan Yao lifted her face to him, a seductive glint in her eyes.

Yan Shang moved closer, his cool fingers resting on her forehead. Sitting beside her, he massaged gently while observing her closely. Mu Wan Yao lay sprawled across the table, moaning and groaning until Yan Shang’s cheeks flushed red. "Please don’t do that," he said.

His lowered gaze met her furtive, peeking eyes.

Yan Shang froze for a moment, then withdrew his hand. "I knew you weren’t drunk—you were just deceiving me."

Seeing him about to leave, Mu Wan Yao smiled sweetly, tugging at his sleeve and swaying it gently. "If I’d known you weren’t angry, I wouldn’t have pretended. I only just confirmed that you really aren’t upset."

Her grip on his sleeve was light, yet Yan Shang felt as if an immense force held him in place, rendering him unable to move. Resenting his own lack of principles, he said quietly, "I was never angry to begin with. It was you who insisted on swearing to me that you wouldn’t drink anymore. I never demanded that of you—I only asked you to drink less."

Mu Wan Yao pouted, "My memory isn’t very good. It’s all your fault for always saying drinking is bad. If you hadn’t kept lecturing me, why would I hide wine?"

Yan Shang glared at her, meeting her cat-like eyes. "So it’s my fault again?"

Mu Wan Yao bit her lip and blinked at him. Blushing, he murmured softly, "Alright, I won’t scold you. In truth, I never really did... because I’ve been secretly drinking too."Mu Wan Yao immediately looked up, eyes wide: "Huh?"

Yan Shang flushed even more at her surprise, coughing lightly: "Didn't you say my inability to drink was a flaw? I've been aware of it myself, so I've been secretly practicing. Sometimes I try a little alcohol at night. I figure with enough practice, at least I won't get dizzy immediately upon touching liquor."

Mu Wan Yao: "You really... even practiced drinking?"

Yan Shang didn't answer.

Mu Wan Yao grabbed his arm, excited as if sharing a little secret between them: "How much can you drink now? Can you avoid fainting?"

Yan Shang smiled: "I can take small sips of unfiltered wine, but I still can't touch clear wine. But in time, I should improve."

In this world, wine was divided into unfiltered and clear varieties. Unfiltered wine had lower alcohol content, was less clear, and less intoxicating. To Mu Wan Yao, such wine was like bland water, tasteless. Yet Yan Shang being able to handle unfiltered wine was progress worth encouraging.

Mu Wan Yao quickly pushed the wine cup and jar on the table away: "What I have here is all clear wine - I don't dare let you drink it."

Yan Shang smiled: "I know."

Mu Wan Yao thought for a moment, still wanting to test Yan Shang. She clapped her hands and instructed the maid outside to fetch some unfiltered wine from Yan Shang's residence. When the unfiltered wine arrived, Mu Wan Yao poured a small cup, secretly took a sip herself, and found it indeed flavorless, barely tasting like wine at all.

Mu Wan Yao wrinkled her nose in distaste, then pushed the cup toward Yan Shang.

Yan Shang stared at her in surprise.

Mu Wan Yao leaned over looking at the cup, urging: "Drink it. Let me see if you really can handle it."

Yan Shang hesitated: "But... didn't Your Highness just sip from this cup? Isn't this Your Highness's cup? How can I share a cup with Your Highness?"

Mu Wan Yao looked up, face darkening: "What, you dislike my saliva?"

Yan Shang: "Of course not. It's just improper..."

Mu Wan Yao grew impatient: "We've shared a bed countless times, and now you're afraid to drink from the same cup? Don't be so fussy. Drink!"

She held the cup to his lips, adopting a coercive stance. Under such pressure, Yan Shang could only grasp her arm and helplessly take a small sip.

Silence fell between them, Mu Wan Yao watching him nervously.

After sitting quietly for a while, Mu Wan Yao suddenly pressed against his chest: "Your heartbeat has quickened somewhat."

She felt his forehead, making a fuss: "Your face feels warmer too."

She waved her hand before his eyes: "Are you still conscious?"

Yan Shang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, taking her hand in his. He said he was fine, this small amount of wine was no problem. Mu Wan Yao continued observing him seriously while Yan Shang looked down at her. After watching her for a long moment, he couldn't help but smile.

That deeply restrained, yet comforting and gentle smile.

Mu Wan Yao wondered why he was smiling.

Yan Shang whispered: "It's just been so long since I've seen Your Highness, so long since I've seen Your Highness care for me like this. I just missed it a little."

As he spoke, his face reddened again.

Mu Wan Yao paused, then smiled along with him. Now certain he was fine, she relaxed, propping her chin on her hand and leaning against the long table: "Because you've been busy lately. I've been busy too."

Yan Shang murmured: "But we shouldn't be so busy that we barely see each other."Several times when he encountered Mu Wan Yao in the alley, they merely exchanged hurried glances and spoke only a few words.

This was only possible because they were neighbors and could often run into each other. If Yan Shang hadn't lived here initially, he truly didn't know how he would have been able to see Mu Wan Yao so frequently.

Yan Shang whispered softly, "I wish I could see Your Highness every day, and be with Your Highness."

Mu Wan Yao slowly turned her gaze toward Yan Shang, who was kneeling beside her. His eyelids lifted slightly, his dark pupils looking toward her with a gentle and focused expression. Like a stone tossed into a lake, it stirred ripples in Mu Wan Yao's heart, and her cheeks grew hot under his gaze.

She slightly turned her face away, stammering evasively like a quail, "You're a bit drunk, talking such nonsense. We already... we already see each other every day."

Yan Shang fell silent for a moment.

He knew she had once again sidestepped his hint—he wanted to discuss their future, but she kept avoiding it.

Seeing Yan Shang remain silent, Mu Wan Yao took the initiative to appease him, "What did you come to see me about today? Surely you didn't come specifically just to see me?"

Yan Shang's voice was soft and unhurried, "Can I not come to see Your Highness without a reason? Must I always have a purpose every time I seek Your Highness out?"

Mu Wan Yao was nearly driven to guilt by his words, her eyes widening, "So you came to see me without any particular matter?"

Yan Shang paused, his tone less firm, "...This time, I do actually have something."

Mu Wan Yao immediately shot him a teasing glance, regaining her confidence, "See? I knew it."

Yan Shang felt helpless, annoyed at himself for always needing to find some pretext. This self-imposed compulsion had precisely given Mu Wan Yao the impression that he "never visited without a specific purpose."

Internally, Yan Shang reminded himself to pay attention to this issue in the future, but for now he had to focus on the main matter, "Regarding the previous matter at South Mountain, didn't Your Highness say you had a backup plan—that you found someone who closely resembles the Uman King, almost indistinguishable? Is this person still at the Princess Residence?"

Mu Wan Yao explained, "He's not that similar—he needs some minor disguise to achieve the resemblance. However, his build and height are identical. He's still at the residence because I can't easily send him away now, in case something else happens with the Uman King. But why are you asking about this person?"

A slight smile touched Yan Shang's lips, his eyes showing some delight, "Your Highness, please lend this person to me. The military exercise begins tomorrow, and perhaps he can play a significant role."

Mu Wan Yao replied, "As you wish."

She answered him so casually because his serious attitude toward official matters reminded her that she too had several letters left unanswered.

With the military exercise beginning tomorrow, the scholarly duel would naturally commence as well. The "Merit Stone" she had requested the Jinling Li Clan to transport from the south had already arrived in Chang'an and could be displayed tomorrow. She ought to reply to the Jinling Li Clan, updating them on the situation in Chang'an.

Mu Wan Yao pulled out letter paper and began writing.

After finishing his own thoughts, Yan Shang turned his attention back to Mu Wan Yao and couldn't help but become somewhat distracted. The young woman sat right beside him, yet since he had sat down today, she hadn't leaned close to him as she usually did, hadn't actively nestled into his embrace.

She neither held his arm nor wrapped her arms around his neck, and even more... she hadn't kissed him.

Yan Shang felt somewhat dejected, gazing at her profile in a daze. Wondering why she hadn't come to kiss him.Perhaps the lingering effects of the earlier wine had just kicked in, as Yan Shang felt his heart racing wildly. His fingers tingled with numbness, and he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from her charmingly upturned red lips.

Mu Wan Yao was practicing calligraphy when she sensed his stare. Tilting her head to look at him, her eyes shimmered like water, her lips crimson against her fair skin. As she turned toward him with nonchalance, Yan Shang’s heart pounded fiercely, his throat growing dry.

Fearing he might lose control, Yan Shang lowered his gaze.

But Mu Wan Yao rolled her eyes playfully and cooed, "Second Brother Yan, look at me!"

Yan Shang glanced over, his eyes involuntarily drifting back to her lips. His voice came out slightly hoarse: "What is it?"

Mu Wan Yao rubbed her own wrist, complaining, "My hand hurts from writing. I don’t want to do it anymore."

Yan Shang paused before replying, "Then don’t write anymore."

Mu Wan Yao: "No. This letter must be sent out before tonight."

Yan Shang drifted into a daze.

Mu Wan Yao nudged him, glaring at him for spacing out again.

He hardly dared to look at her, his gaze flickering uncertainly as he kept his eyes downcast, embarrassed. "Then what does Your Highness wish to do?"

Mu Wan Yao grinned mischievously: "Second Brother Yan, you write it for me."

Yan Shang: "How can that be…"

But Mu Wan Yao abruptly stood up, pushed him into her seat, and thrust the brush into his hand, insisting he reply to the letter on her behalf. She knelt behind him, her hands resting on his waist, her chin propped on his shoulder, her feminine fragrance brushing against his flushed ear.

Mu Wan Yao drawled lazily, "I’ll dictate the letter’s content, and you write it for me…"

Her hands on his waist—Yan Shang glanced down, unsure whether she was doing it intentionally or not. As he wrestled with whether he was being overly indecent, Mu Wan Yao urged him to start writing.

Yan Shang’s heart thumped wildly. Struggling to suppress it, he steadied himself, his head feeling somewhat dizzy—whether from her proximity or the earlier wine, he couldn’t tell. He felt as though he had written many characters, his palm sweating where he gripped the brush.

Mu Wan Yao complained from behind, "You’re spacing out again! What’s wrong with you?"

As if punishing him, she turned her head, and the gold leaf-shaped earring on her ear swung sharply, smacking Yan Shang across the face.

The crisp "smack," accompanied by the flickering candlelight on the desk, rippled through both their hearts like a wave.

Yan Shang set down the brush and sat motionless. Suddenly, he turned around, pulling Mu Wan Yao—who had been secretly watching him—into his embrace, his arms encircling her waist.

His grip was somewhat forceful as he dragged her from behind into his lap, seating her facing him. Mu Wan Yao, held tightly against him, felt her slender waist bump against the edge of the desk behind her. As she was nearly pressed down by Yan Shang, her eyes widened in surprise, but he buried his face against her, holding her close.

Mu Wan Yao cried out, "Yan Shang, what are you doing?"

She thought to herself: He’s so worked up.

Yan Shang lowered his face to look at her. He probably didn’t realize how intensely his gaze held her. His fingers brushed her cheek as he whispered, "Your Highness, do you want to… do you want to…"

Mu Wan Yao: "Want what?"

Yan Shang stammered for a moment, forcing down his embarrassment: "Do you want to kiss?"

Mu Wan Yao stared in astonishment, then shot him a sidelong glance from her slightly reddened eyes, declaring, "No!"

Yan Shang: "…"

His disappointment was palpable as he stared at her blankly. Still hesitant, he murmured, "Weren’t you teasing me?"Mu Wan Yao: "Are you 'seeing indecency through indecent eyes'? When did I ever flirt with you?"

Mu Wan Yao shouted loudly, teasing him in her heart while maintaining a righteous tone. She lifted her eyelids to see how he would react. Did he think he would give up just because she said no?

Yan Shang seemed to have calmed down a bit and said, "I'm sorry."

Mu Wan Yao was astonished.

She watched as he actually released her and helped her up. He no longer looked at her, instead picking up a brush to write a letter.

Mu Wan Yao: "..."—

Yan Shang spent an hour at Mu Wan Yao's place but gained nothing by the time he left the Princess Residence.

When he was about to leave, he wanted to say something to her, but Mu Wan Yao only smiled and waved at him. Yan Shang had no choice but to leave.

Returning to his own residence, he washed his face, and his thoughts became slightly clearer. After planning for the next day's military exercise, he went to bed early.

In the middle of the night, while he was sleeping soundly, he suddenly sensed some rustling sounds. Moonlight streamed through the bed curtains. Yan Shang opened his eyes and was nearly frightened out of his wits by Mu Wan Yao kneeling beside the bed, looking down at him.

In his daze, he sat up, and Mu Wan Yao put a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.

Yan Shang, confused: "Am I... dreaming?"

In the darkness, without lighting a lamp, the bed curtains glowed pale under the moonlight. Mu Wan Yao leaned over the bedside and whispered in a hushed tone, "I thought of something I hadn't told you, so I came specifically to say it."

Yan Shang: "What is it?"

Mu Wan Yao said seriously: "I wish you a triumphant victory and the fulfillment of your wishes. May tomorrow's military exercise achieve the results you desire."

Yan Shang propped himself up on his elbows, looking at her puzzled, unable to comprehend why she had sneaked over in the middle of the night just to say this.

Mu Wan Yao urged: "Aren't you going to wish me well too?"

Yan Shang, still bewildered: "Then I... also wish Your Highness success in the Scholarly Duel you're presiding over?"

Mu Wan Yao nodded in satisfaction. After saying this, she moved her knees away from the bedside, lowered the curtains for him, and prepared to leave.

Yan Shang: "..."

He was going crazy from her torment!

As Mu Wan Yao turned her back, the bed curtains were flung open again. Yan Shang grabbed her, pulling her into the bed. She exclaimed "no," but Yan Shang gritted his teeth and dragged her back onto the bed. Pressed beneath him, his long hair spilled over her face, tickling her.

Yan Shang: "Your Highness is leaving just like that? Again? Are you deliberately tormenting me?"

Mu Wan Yao bit her lip and laughed, pinned beneath him. Covering her eyes, she giggled incessantly, her expression lively and her cheeks flushed. He leaned down to kiss her face and her eyes. His breathing grew uneven, while she continued to laugh without pause.

Mu Wan Yao sighed: "You're such a strange person. When I get close to you, you get all tense, but when I don't, you complain that I'm ignoring you. You're so troublesome—how am I supposed to know what you really want?"

Yan Shang's face turned red with frustration as he retorted, "I've never disliked you getting close to me! Don't you know that?"

He was truly driven mad by her, or perhaps the night granted him some private courage, allowing him to say things he normally wouldn't dare.

She lay beneath him, so soft and fragrant. Just a few kisses made him lose his senses, unable to resist wanting more.

Mu Wan Yao squinted and exclaimed loudly: "But you've never said you liked it either!"

Startled by her volume, Yan Shang covered her mouth, his face reddening as he said, "Don't be so loud. Do you not care about Your Highness's reputation?"

Mu Wan Yao rolled her eyes.In the pitch blackness, Yan Shang seemed to truly perceive her movements as he kissed her eyelids. "Young lady, you shouldn't make such unrefined gestures."

Mu Wan Yao hadn't blushed earlier, but now her cheeks flushed at his kiss. With a soft murmur, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down against her. Yet he resisted, still bracing his arms to avoid crushing her. Touched and delighted, Mu Wan Yao leaned in to kiss the tip of his nose.

Mu Wan Yao said, "I want to tell you—if you wish to be close to me in the future, take the initiative. If you don't, I won't pay you any mind."

Yan Shang: "...I can take the initiative?"

Mu Wan Yao replied with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "Yes, whenever I'm not annoyed."

Hearing this, he seemed unsure when she would be displeased and when she would welcome it.

Yan Shang hesitated, "Then now...?"

Mu Wan Yao put on a stern face. "Now, it's time to sleep."

Yan Shang: ...Oh.

He released her wrist and reluctantly rolled over, a hint of reluctance in his movement. His mind churned with confusion, wondering if she intended to stay the night instead of returning to her residence. But he didn't dare voice it; whenever he drew near her, he couldn't help but... Yan Shang sighed softly and turned his back to her.

In the darkness, neither spoke.

After a while, Mu Wan Yao stared at his rigid back. "You sleep as if you're dead. With a girl beside you, you don't make a single move."

Yan Shang remained silent, his back turned.

Mu Wan Yao's eyes shifted, and she roughly guessed his thoughts—he feared losing control. Gently, she pressed closer, resting her head against his back.

His body was as stiff as stone. Mu Wan Yao chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, her forehead pressed to his back as she closed her eyes.

With a smile in her voice, she said, "Second Brother Yan, once the military exercise is over, and the Uman King and those envoys have left Chang'an, I'll give you a grand gift, alright?"

Yan Shang: "What kind of gift? Are you sure I'll like it?"

In the dark confines of the bed curtains, Mu Wan Yao gazed at his back with solemnity. "You will definitely like it."

Thus, they drifted into a night of sweet dreams—

The next day, the military exercise and scholarly duel began.

Before dawn, Mu Wan Yao was nudged awake as Yan Shang reminded her to return to her Princess Residence to sleep before anyone noticed. Mu Wan Yao wanted to argue that it hardly mattered—the servants of both households were well aware of their relationship. But concerned for her reputation, Yan Shang insisted. With a sigh, she obediently followed his advice, yawning as he escorted her back for a second round of sleep.

By the time Mu Wan Yao woke again, Yan Erlang had long since left the residence, and the scholarly duel had already commenced.

The scholarly duel and military exercise were held simultaneously, each spanning three days. For convenience, both events took place in the suburbs: the scholarly duel at Leyou Plateau, while the military exercise was backed by South Hill, with nearly ten li allocated for both sides.

As Mu Wan Yao rode to Leyou Plateau, she could feel the ground trembling.

Upon dismounting, she found Leyou Plateau crowded with nobles. Many aristocrats had private estates along the nearby Fanchuan River, and during the scholarly duel, those unable to attend the military exercise gathered here. Hearing of the Emperor's arrival, Mu Wan Yao went to greet him personally and casually asked a noblewoman beside her, "The ground is shaking so much—could they be using horses in the military exercise?"

The noblewoman, her face alight with fascination, smiled and replied to the princess, "Yes. I've heard both sides have deployed cavalry."

Mu Wan Yao was taken aback, then understanding dawned.The use of cavalry indicates that both the allied forces of Great Wei and other nations attach great importance to this Military Exercise—it is not merely a mix of infantry and archers. Cavalry is nearly invincible on the plains, and since both sides deploy them, it is clear that both are determined to win.

The Emperor descended from his carriage and saw his young daughter speaking with a woman nearby. The Emperor waved to Mu Wan Yao, and she went over to support him.

The Emperor took the initiative to ask, "I heard you've created something called the 'Merit Stone'?"

Mu Wan Yao was taken aback for a moment before nodding. She hadn't expected the Emperor to show interest in her activities without her having to lay extensive groundwork to pique his curiosity.

Yet, the Emperor had shown interest immediately upon arrival: "Accompany me to see it."

He paused, looking at his youngest daughter, and sighed. "Was it you who presided over this Scholarly Duel? You've worked hard, Yaoyao."

Mu Wan Yao felt somewhat uncomfortable with the Emperor's display of affection and responded with a perfunctory smile. She didn't bother masking her expression, prompting the Crown Prince behind her to cough warningly. However, the Emperor glanced back at the Crown Prince with an indifferent expression.

The Crown Prince hesitated briefly and said no more about Mu Wan Yao.

As Mu Wan Yao and the Emperor went to see the Merit Stone, a palace attendant arrived on horseback to report on the situation at the Military Exercise: "Both sides have delineated their spheres of influence and are preparing to engage in battle."

The Emperor nodded. "Hmm... Is Yaoyao worried?"

He noticed Mu Wan Yao gazing toward the Military Exercise grounds with a concerned expression. Thoughtfully, the Emperor asked, "Is Yaoyao worried about something, or perhaps someone?"

His intention was to show concern.

But Mu Wan Yao instantly became wary. "I'm merely curious about the Military Exercise. I'm not concerned about anyone."

The Emperor fell silent for a moment. With a faint, self-deprecating smile, he recognized his daughter's wariness toward him and said no more—

Meanwhile, within the main tent of the Great Wei's Military Exercise grounds, several generals were discussing offensive strategies when a minor incident occurred.

Yan Shang and Yang Si stood speechless, watching as a soldier was brought in by another guard.

The soldier was forced to wipe his face clean and remove his helmet, revealing the delicate features of a young woman—Yang Si's cousin, Zhao Lingfei, also known as Zhao Wuniang.

Yang Si looked up at the sky. "...How did you get here?"

Zhao Lingfei stood cheerfully before the young officers, greeting her cousin before shyly glancing at Yan Shang. Then she declared boldly, "I'm not skilled in the Scholarly Duel, but I'm very interested in what you're doing here. Second Brother Yan, don't blame my cousin; he didn't know I wanted to come. I sneaked in."

Yang Si, facing the disapproving looks from the generals, crossed his arms. "I truly had no idea."

Zhao Lingfei patted her chest confidently. "Don't worry about me. Just let me go to the battlefield. My martial arts are quite good—ask my cousin if you don't believe me."

Yang Si snorted. "Why ask me? I don't know."

Zhao Lingfei fumed. "You! So disloyal!"

Yan Shang felt both a headache and amusement at Zhao Lingfei's audacity.

Zhao Lingfei insisted she could be treated as an ordinary soldier, but who would dare mistreat a young girl like that?

As Yan Shang pondered this, the tent flap was pushed open, and Wei Shu entered. Wei Shu was holding a ledger and intended to discuss military provisions with the others.

The handsome young man hadn't even looked up when Yan Shang assigned him a task: "Ju Yuan, you're in charge of the rear; your responsibilities are heavy. I'll assign someone to protect you. Lingfei, you follow Ju Yuan and ensure his safety."

Zhao Lingfei protested, "Why? Why won't you let me go to the battlefield? I don't want to protect anyone. Second Brother Yan, how could you do this? Cousin, aren't you going to speak up for me?"

Wei Shu slowly looked up, confused: ...Had he just heard a girl's voice in here?