Tigers Sniff the Rose

Mu Wan Yao covered her face and cried out, "How dare you pinch my cheek? Do you have a death wish?!"

Normally, such a shout would carry great force and would surely make Yan Shang hesitate. But now, as she lay weakly pressed against his chest, her limbs delicate and her frame slender, her cries were all sound and no action, giving off only the charming, blustering timidity of a girl—nothing to inspire fear.

A strange feeling rose in Yan Shang's heart. This was something he often encountered with Mu Wan Yao: she always held herself high above, looking down on him, despising him, hitting and scolding him.

Yet every time he held her, he could feel how fragile she was.

Though she might leap and rage, the control often lay in his hands.

Because he was a man, naturally stronger in physique, he could hold her, restrain her with just one arm, rendering her immobile... She was so delicate. If he truly wished to do something, she would have no way to resist.

This feeling made Yan Shang uncomfortable, for precisely because he could easily overpower her, he could not bring himself to do so. He could not use his strength to suppress or force her. She was clearly a delicate, lovely girl who should not be bullied.

Yan Shang leaned down, brushed aside the disheveled strands of hair from her face, and gently kissed the corner of her lips.

It was a kiss filled with tenderness and affection.

Mu Wan Yao covered one eye and whimpered softly, stealing a glance at him. Meeting his gaze, her heart suddenly stilled, and the earlier playfulness seemed to fade. She had always adored this gentleness in him—the way he looked at her, the delicate, light kisses... all made her heart flutter.

She sat up from the bed, buried herself in his embrace, and lifted her head to kiss him. His heartbeat, warmth, and breath enveloped her. The lamplight outside the bed curtains was dim, the gauze hazy, faintly outlining their figures. Mu Wan Yao's eyes reddened at the corners, and she suddenly noticed that as he kissed her intently, his breathing grew somewhat rapid, and his body stirred anew.

Before Mu Wan Yao could react, she was grasped by the waist and pressed down. Yan Shang's hand rested on her knee, gently stroking it. The motion sent a shiver through her body, and the corners of her eyes instantly flushed crimson.

His gaze, too, flickered, a provocative redness rising at the edges of his eyes.

He lowered his head to her ear and whispered, "I... want one more time."

Mu Wan Yao knew in her heart how difficult it was for someone like him to admit he had desires. She wanted to indulge him, but... she stammered, "But... but I'm tired..."

Yan Shang's face reddened. "Can't you let me be on top this time?"

Mu Wan Yao: "..."

He regretted his words immediately after speaking them, yet having mustered the courage to say them, he didn't want to give up. He lowered his face, kissing her appeasingly, and murmured softly, "Don't be afraid of me... if it feels even slightly wrong, just tell me to stop, alright, Yao Yao?"

Mu Wan Yao looked up at him.

She thought being pinned down by a man was frightening, but the candlelight outside the curtains was bright. As long as she kept her eyes open, all she saw was Yan Shang's face.

She wasn't afraid of Yan Shang in the slightest.

Everyone in the world might hurt her, but Second Brother Yan would not. Second Brother Yan was such a trustworthy, good man.

A good friend, a good brother, and naturally, an even better lover.Mu Wan Yao revealed a smile, her dark tresses spilling across the pillow. Without a word, she opened her arms to embrace him, drawing him down to her, letting him hold her. She whispered, "Second Brother Yan, you must love me."

Yan Shang's voice was hoarse: "Naturally."—

The evening banquet had left everyone in high spirits.

Late into the night, intermittent songs and music still drifted from the private residences of the nobility along Fanchuan.

The music, faint and wispy, was out of tune and not particularly pleasant to the ear. Yet in the night, it felt like a beautiful dream, allowing one to relax and let go.

In the bedchamber of the Princess Residence, the air was thick with fragrance, sweat glistened on their faces, and the canopy was bathed in a hazy moonlight, the atmosphere within disordered.

A lady cried out like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, both agonized and ecstatic; the gentleman occasionally let out a muffled groan, murmuring a few soft words.

Held by Yan Shang, her knees resting against his, face to face and drenched in sweat, Mu Wan Yao felt as though she had come to know a completely new Yan Shang.

He was still considerate, though inexperienced, constantly observing her, clumsily yet earnestly striving to give her a good experience. And he himself was so intelligent—when he set his mind to something, Mu Wan Yao truly could not escape, trembling as she melted into spring water in his embrace, softly sobbing.

Yet Yan Shang would inevitably lose control at times; his much-vaunted self-restraint, initially focused on her, would eventually falter. Only when Mu Wan Yao cried out would he snap back to awareness, then kiss her apologetically, soothing her.

He still dared not look at her, his gaze evasive, his hands hesitant to touch below her neck. Occasionally, when he accidentally did, his eyes would brighten, then flush with embarrassment. Mu Wan Yao would take his hand to guide it, but he would not dare, saying he could not.

Yan Shang had a clear understanding of his own self-control. After he repeatedly said he could not, Mu Wan Yao stopped pressing him. She even dared to close her eyes in his embrace, nuzzling his neck with soft murmurs, thinking to herself that after a few more times, he would surely dare.

Mu Wan Yao liked this version of Yan Shang—both composed and surrendered. It was unlike him, yet entirely him.

Her thoughts wandered: Was his surrender due to desire, or because of her?—

It was both because of desire and because of her.

Yan Shang looked down at her, always unable to resist the urge to hold her, to kiss her.

She was as beautiful as a peony unfurling its leaves, blooming alone in the night—petals blushing red, stems and leaves entwined, the milky moonlight filtering through the canopy to illuminate her.

Such allure, such beauty.

Her dark hair spread out, her skin like ice and bones like jade. Her eyes shimmered like water, her lips slightly parted.

She was not the type of lady who remained reserved in bed; on the contrary, she was exceptionally open, accommodating him. Not only did she accommodate him, she herself enjoyed it. Such boldness, such self-release... made Yan Shang fix his eyes on her, unable to look away for a moment.

Yan Shang was undoubtedly an extremely reserved person.

An extremely uninteresting person.

He held no yearning for romantic love; his thoughts on marriage and husband-wife relations were solely for procreation. He did not consider love to be anything particularly good; his admiration for women’s beauty was always due to their virtuous character and gentle grace. His mind was constantly occupied with what more he could do for the country and its countless people—the heart he devoted to love was pitifully small.

Mu Wan Yao shattered his narrow perceptions.She made him realize that a vibrant, living beauty blooming in his embrace could be so radiant and dazzling. Her every frown and smile, the charm in the corners of her eyes and brows—whether willful or coquettish—so self-absorbed and heedless of others, made someone like him, who was naturally inclined to care for others, unable to resist yielding to her.

She entered his world.

Full of spring vitality, brimming with life.

Like an entire spring, she illuminated his dull, monotonous, and barren world, leaving Yan Shang utterly defenseless, welcoming her with open arms—this proud, beautiful, and haughty Your Highness—

Compared to the brevity of the first time, wasn’t the second time the true embodiment of desire?

After it was over, both of them seemed as if they had been fished out of water. Mu Wan Yao lay listlessly, utterly unable to imagine Yan Shang could be so impassioned. Drowsy and exhausted, yet filled with the languid satisfaction that follows such intimacy, she lay on the bedding with her eyes closed, on the verge of drifting into sleep.

Yan Shang’s hand pressed against her waist, startling Mu Wan Yao into a shiver.

She scrambled to move away, refusing to let him touch her: "I don’t want any more! No more!"

Yan Shang quickly covered her mouth, urging her to keep quiet, his voice hoarse: "Keep your voice down. Don’t let the maids outside hear."

Mu Wan Yao pulled his hand away and scolded him: "Now you remember to tell me to be quiet? Why didn’t you say so earlier? You’ve had your fun and forgotten about me, haven’t you?"

Yan Shang flushed: "Nonsense."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and dragged her up from the bedding. As Mu Wan Yao came into contact with his scorching skin, she clung to his neck with a pitiful expression, about to plead, "No more," while inwardly grumbling about why he had to push himself so hard.

Yan Shang’s face reddened even more, feeling as though she regarded him as some lecherous rogue, as if he only cared about such matters. He coaxed her: "I won’t touch you, I won’t! I’m just taking you to clean up… Your Highness wouldn’t want to sleep drenched in sweat, would you?"

Mu Wan Yao cracked one eye open to look at him, half-convinced and half-doubtful: "Just a quick wipe will do."

Yan Shang pursed his lips, glanced at the bedding, and said awkwardly: "That won’t do… the bedding needs to be changed too. Does Your Highness know where the clean bedding is?"

Mu Wan Yao: "I don’t! Ask Xiarong."

Yan Shang: "How can I ask a maid about such things?"

Mu Wan Yao pushed his face away, trying to climb out of his embrace and return to hugging her pillow to sleep. Mumbling indistinctly, she said it didn’t matter, she was too tired, she didn’t want to wash, and if he wanted to change the bedding, he could ask the maid himself and not disturb her.

Yan Shang had no choice but to coax her into sleeping. Still, he carried the half-asleep young woman out of bed and took her to the bathing chamber, dutifully washing her himself. Whenever Mu Wan Yao teased him, he would blush and feel embarrassed; but when she lay quietly asleep in his arms, Yan Shang could be a bit bolder, stealing glances at her body.

Though he still didn’t dare look too much.

Mu Wan Yao vaguely felt Yan Shang’s hand brush past her chest. Water poured down as he conscientiously washed her, very proper and restrained. Then he carried her back, searched around for clean bedding, and remade the bed. As the bed curtains rustled into place, he went to fold the quilts.

When Yan Shang covered her with the bedding, Mu Wan Yao hazily opened her eyes to glance at him. Just before falling completely asleep, her final thought was: Is this man born to be a workhorse?Even this exhausted, he still had to wash up, and after washing up he still had to fold the blankets... Fortunately, he had good character and only imposed these demands on himself, never forcing Mu Wan Yao to meet his standards. Otherwise, no matter how handsome he was, she wouldn’t dare provoke him—

She probably hadn’t slept long when Mu Wan Yao sensed Yan Shang getting out of bed.

His actions were starting to alarm her.

Frustrated, she threw off the covers: “What else are you going to do?”

The young man, tall and slender, wore only his inner robe, his long hair cascading loosely. With his back to the bed curtains, he sat carefully on the edge of the bed, about to dress. Hearing the girl’s slightly hoarse, angry voice behind him, he turned in surprise and saw Mu Wan Yao sitting up, glaring at him accusingly.

Yan Shang was momentarily taken aback, then said softly, “I… I’m going back. I can’t let anyone see me leaving Your Highness’s residence after daybreak, can I?”

Before Mu Wan Yao could unleash her anger, he leaned in. She thought he was going to kiss her, but instead, he simply picked up the quilt she had kicked off and wrapped it snugly around her again.

His lashes lowered as he murmured gently, “Your Highness, don’t kick off the covers. It wouldn’t be good if you caught a chill.”

The fire in Mu Wan Yao’s heart was instantly doused by his words. She felt a bit frustrated—he was so considerate, and her outburst seemed utterly unreasonable.

Mu Wan Yao: “But I barely slept all night, and now you’re getting up so early.”

Yan Shang looked guilty: “I’m sorry. I won’t do this again. After I leave, Your Highness can sleep a little longer… There shouldn’t be much to do today anyway.”

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him: “Will you go back to catch up on sleep too?”

Her adorable tone made Yan Shang smile involuntarily. “I still have official duties to attend to.”

Mu Wan Yao gazed at him seriously: “Working day and night without a moment’s rest—you’ll exhaust yourself to death.”

Yan Shang gave a faint smile and coaxed her to lean back against the bed. He then reached for the clothes he had neatly folded and placed on the bedside table the night before, rustling softly as he began to dress. Mu Wan Yao quietly hugged the quilt, watching him. She couldn’t help but marvel as he swiftly transformed from a delectably handsome youth into a dignified, polished gentleman.

A wave of delight washed over Mu Wan Yao. If not for her lack of energy, she would have loved to lean over and kiss him, to strip off his proper attire and coax him back into bed.

After fastening his belt, only a jade pendant remained on the bedside table.

As Yan Shang’s fingers brushed the pendant, they hesitated slightly. He turned to look toward the bed curtains.

Mu Wan Yao, no longer sleepy thanks to him, was propping her chin in her hands, watching him dress with keen interest. When he turned with the jade pendant in hand, she raised an eyebrow.

She studied the pendant in his hand with curiosity: “What’s wrong? This jade looks like fine quality. I feel like I often see you wearing it.”

She had only said it offhand—in truth, she’d never paid attention to which jade pendants he wore daily. But judging by Yan Shang’s expression, Mu Wan Yao paused, realizing she had likely guessed correctly.

Yan Shang rubbed the pendant with his thumb. Lifting the hem of his robe, he sat on the edge of the bed, turning to face her. Softly, he explained, “This jade pendant was given to me by my father when I left home last year. He said it’s our family’s ancestral token of betrothal. My father told me that if I ever fell for someone and wished to become engaged to a young lady in Chang’an, I could give this pendant to her.”

Mu Wan Yao froze.

A wave of dread washed over her: Marriage! It’s always about marriage!She stared with some trepidation at the jade pendant in Yan Shang’s hand, then lifted her gaze to meet his. Her entire body stiffened as she thought, with this posture, he wouldn’t actually intend to give the pendant to her, would he?

Was it really necessary? Just because they had spent one night together, did he have to marry her?

Yan Shang caught the panic in Mu Wan Yao’s eyes, and the shyness, joy, awkwardness, and anticipation in his heart instantly receded.

He remained silent for a moment, a faint chill creeping into his heart.

Fortunately, the moment was brief. After a few breaths, Yan Shang regained his composure, reattached the jade pendant to his waist, and made no mention of giving it to her. Mu Wan Yao breathed a sigh of relief, looked up at him, and felt a twinge of guilt.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Yan Shang smiled gently and said, “I’ll take my leave now.”

As he stood to go, Mu Wan Yao tugged at his sleeve, making him turn back. She lifted her face pitifully and said, “Second Brother Yan, there’s nothing wrong between us, right? You’ll still care for me in the future, won’t you?”

Yan Shang looked down at her, paused briefly, and replied, “Of course.”

But then he added softly, “But Yao Yao, I’m human too, with emotions and desires. There may come a time when I give up… Do you understand?”

Feigning ignorance now would surely disappoint Yan Shang. Mu Wan Yao didn’t want to risk him abandoning their relationship the very day after they had been intimate.

She quickly nodded and said, “I’ll… I’ll work hard. I won’t make you wait in vain… I’ll give you an answer. Brother, can you wait for me a little longer?”

Yan Shang smiled. This time, he leaned down, brushed aside the hair on her forehead, and kissed her brow—a gesture that conveyed his stance.

After Yan Shang left, Mu Wan Yao lay in bed for a while, lost in thought, when she heard two knocks on the door and Yan Shang’s voice outside.

Startled, she wondered why he had returned.

Yan Shang pushed the door open, holding a bowl from which steam rose. Mu Wan Yao assumed he had brought her porridge, but the smell… was it particularly unpleasant?

Hesitantly, she asked, “Did… you make this porridge yourself?”

If this foul-smelling porridge was Yan Shang’s own cooking, would she have to endure drinking it out of courtesy?

Yan Shang could tell what she was thinking from her expression. He smiled and said, “Your maids gave it to me; I didn’t make it. They said you’d probably refuse to drink it and were hesitating and muttering. I happened to overhear them as I passed by. So, I decided to bring it to you myself.”

He seemed a bit hesitant himself.

Lowering his gaze, he asked, “Will… you be angry with me?”

Mu Wan Yao was puzzled. “Why would I be angry with you for bringing me porridge out of kindness? Hand it over.”

Yan Shang sat by the bed, head bowed, but made no move to pass her the bowl. After a long moment, he looked up and said quietly, “It’s not porridge.”

Mu Wan Yao: “Hmm?”

Yan Shang whispered, “It’s Child Aversion Soup.”

Mu Wan Yao’s mind went blank as she stared at him in a daze.

Unaware of her thoughts, he merely frowned at her, worried for her sake and regretting his own impulsiveness. “Last night… I’m sorry. You should drink this, right? Why did your maids say you were unwilling to?”

Mu Wan Yao remained silent for a moment, then forced a smile. He was too perceptive; she couldn’t let him detect anything from her expression, nor did she want him to resent her.

She replied calmly, “I’m not unwilling. I was just throwing a tantrum like I usually do.”

She smiled at Yan Shang and said, “Give it here. I’ll drink it.”Yan Shang studied her for a long moment but ultimately discerned nothing unusual. He handed over the foul-smelling medicine bowl. Mu Wan Yao drank it down with unflinching boldness. Noticing he still watched her with lowered gaze, she arched an eyebrow at him.

Mu Wan Yao teased, "If you keep looking at me with such tender affection, I won't be able to resist kissing you."

"And if I can't resist kissing you, don't even think about leaving right now."

Yan Shang instantly flushed crimson, flustered as he retrieved the medicine bowl and scrambled to his feet, not daring to stay too close. He bid her an awkward farewell, promising to check on her later, before hurrying out the door.

This time, Yan Shang had truly left.

The moment the door closed, Mu Wan Yao slumped over the bedside and began vomiting. Digging her fingers into her throat, she forced out every drop of the Child Aversion Soup she had just swallowed.

Black medicinal liquid splattered messily, staining the floor before the bed with filthy puddles. Gasping weakly over the bedside, Mu Wan Yao retched until her stomach acid threatened to come up.

Her body utterly rejected it, her mind could not accept it... She felt such revulsion and resistance toward anything related to children that even a supposedly optional Child Aversion Soup could be entirely expelled, leaving not a single drop behind—

Mu Wan Yao lay panting over the bedside, closing her eyes in defeat.

How could someone like her ever marry or consider matrimony?

She had nothing to offer Yan Shang... would only drag him down.

Yet knowing she would burden him, she remained willful, unable to let go.

She would rather linger like this, dragging things out... Why did he have to insist on marriage?—

After the Military Exercise and Scholarly Duel at Leyou Plateau concluded, the Emperor's birthday celebrations wrapped up smoothly, and everyone returned to Chang'an.

Following the imperial festivities, envoys from various states gradually began preparing to return to their homelands, and the Great Wei court busied itself with these arrangements.

The Crown Prince had been in high spirits lately.

Recently, every matter seemed to end in his favor. Whether it was Mu Wan Yao's success in presiding over the Scholarly Duel or Yang Si and Yan Shang gaining central approval during the Military Exercise... all were aligned with his faction. Back in the court, the Crown Prince keenly felt his influence had grown significantly compared to before.

Those cunning, fox-like ministers were slowly leaning toward him.

How could this not be exhilarating?

Yet extreme joy begets sorrow—there was always someone determined to spoil his mood.

That evening, after the Crown Prince had met with various officials in the Eastern Palace, a palace maid informed him that Yang Sanlang had been waiting outside all along.

Having just finished reviewing the final memorial, the Crown Prince washed his hands and dried them with a towel, tilting his head slightly. "He's unusually patient today, waiting this long. Fine, let him in."

Soon, a young man in dark martial robes swaggered in, casually unbuckling the sword at his waist and removing his shoes before entering the hall.

The Crown Prince sat smiling at him, but his expression abruptly stiffened when Yang Si swept his robes aside and knelt straight-backed before him.

The Crown Prince: "..."

Whenever Yang Si knelt to him, he instinctively suspected some new trouble.

Leaning his elbow on the desk, the Crown Prince took several deep breaths to steady himself before speaking calmly, "Go on. Did you beat someone up again? Kill someone? Get thrashed by your father? Or picked a feud requiring my mediation?"

Yang Si looked up. "None of that. I haven't done anything lately."

The Crown Prince hummed in acknowledgment. "I assumed as much. The Military Exercise just ended—you couldn't possibly have the energy to cause trouble so soon... So why are you kneeling before me?"Yang Si replied: "I wish to join the army at the frontier."

The Crown Prince's brow twitched: "...

Yang Si paid no heed to the Crown Prince's darkened expression and continued: "Before the military exercise, Su Chen and I visited many veteran generals in Chang'an City. Their teachings made me realize how weak Great Wei's military forces truly are. During those days of duels in the military exercise, Su Chen and I studied both enemy and allied forces, compiling extensive military data which I believe Your Highness has already reviewed."

"'Your Highness knows what I did during the military exercise. It made me realize I shouldn't stay in Chang'an wasting my days. My place should be at the frontier, on the battlefield. I beg Your Highness to grant me permission to leave Chang'an and join the frontier army!'"

"The Crown Prince immediately snapped: 'Nonsense!'"

"His voice was stern as he slammed the table, startling the palace attendants outside who quickly retreated from the hall."

"Yang Si remained unfazed and insisted: 'This is no nonsense. I'm determined to leave Chang'an for the frontier. I only hope for Your Highness' approval.'"

"Gritting his teeth, the Crown Prince was about to erupt in anger when he remembered this young man's stubborn nature. The more forceful he became, the more Yang Si would resist."

"So the Crown Prince tried to persuade him earnestly: 'I went through great trouble to transfer you back from the Longxi frontier army to Chang'an, and now you tell me you want to leave again? Have you thought about your parents? Have you thought about me? The battlefield is unpredictable - blades have no eyes. As the third son of the Yang family, why must you go to such a place... What do you hope to gain? If anything were to happen to you, even if you don't care about me, what would become of your family?'"

"'Third Young Master, your father's branch has only you as their sole heir! How can you bear to do this?'"

"Yang Si looked up and said calmly: 'A true man's aspirations span the four seas - how can I cling to life and fear death? I returned once before because I couldn't bear it, but now I've thought it through clearly - I must leave. Now is the time I should depart... Chang'an with its extravagant pleasures and peaceful scenery is a fine place, but it's not for me.'"

"'I've done nothing to wrong my parents. They should be proud of me, and if they cannot take pride in me... then they might as well consider me gone. I cannot forever do things I dislike for others' sake. I can force myself temporarily, but I cannot compel myself for a lifetime!'"

"The Crown Prince shouted: 'Impudent!'"

"He stood up and said sharply: 'When I brought you back to Chang'an, it was for you to marry my sixth sister. Fine, you refused. I temporarily set the matter aside. Later, Sixth Sister proved capable, making the marriage less urgent... but I've always considered you two a pair. Now I understand - you never had any such intention...'"

"'Aren't you fond of Mu Wan Yao? Haven't you always sympathized with her plight? Didn't you stay in Chang'an to protect her? Are you abandoning her now? Giving up on her?'"

"Yang Si lifted his chin: 'She has found someone more suitable than me to protect her. I'm truly reassured and can leave without any distractions, without worrying about her being bullied by any of you. Yan Erlang is far more skilled at this than I am, and he's more liked by Yao Yao. In this world, those who are capable should take on the tasks! Those who aren't suited should find what they're good at, rather than forcing each other!'"

"Gnashing his teeth, the Crown Prince laughed in anger: 'So it turns out I've been forcing you all along?'"

"Yang Si lowered his eyes without responding."

"The Crown Prince walked over and struck Yang Si's head and face with a scroll. Yet Yang Si remained unmoved, his kneeling form not wavering in the slightest as he let the Crown Prince vent his anger."

"The Crown Prince said furiously: 'If you won't marry Mu Wan Yao, then you won't marry anyone!'"

"Yang Si replied: 'So be it!'"

"The Crown Prince then softened his tone to persuade: 'You're already grown, soon to be crowned as an adult, yet you want to run off so far away... At least leave behind an heir to give your parents something to remember you by?'"Yang Si looked up at the Crown Prince, his expression caught between a smile and a sneer. "Your Highness, don't think I'm truly a fool. You spoke of leaving behind an heir, luring me to stay in Chang'an, then dragged out arranging my marriage—spending a year or more just to select a bride. Once I was wed, you began urging me to have children. When my wife became pregnant, you pressed me to wait until after she gave birth before leaving. And now that there is a child, you claim the child is too young for me to bear leaving..."

Yang Si's eyes were bloodshot, his face gaunt with sharp, angular lines.

He furrowed his brows and said coldly, "I won't listen to your excuses anymore. I am determined to join the army. If Your Highness does not agree, I will kneel here until you do."

The Crown Prince snapped, "Then kneel as you wish!"

He turned and strode out of the hall without so much as a glance back. A palace attendant cautiously lit a lamp and glanced at Yang Sanlang kneeling in the hall, clicking his tongue in sympathy but not daring to ask further. Yang Si knelt in the center of the hall, the shadows of the wutong trees outside falling over him, light and shadow flowing like water.