Mu Wanyao widened her beautiful eyes, raising her voice in an attempt to cover her embarrassment: “What do you mean ‘everyone’? Who exactly are you referring to?”

Indeed, Yan Shang was clever enough to know that she had always wanted him… but nothing had ever happened between them!

Weren’t they supposed to have an unspoken understanding?

Hadn’t they always avoided discussing such matters?

Why did he have to bring it up now? Did he think she was like her aunt, unable to control herself around handsome men?

Seeing the Princess’s flushed face and hints of anger, Yan Shang regretted his momentary slip of the tongue, unable to hold back.

He furrowed his brows and closed his mouth, his eyelashes trembling slightly, not even understanding why he couldn’t resist mentioning it earlier.

Perhaps it was because she had been talking all day, and even a clay Buddha would have three parts anger; perhaps it was because she seemed so compatible with Yang Sanlang, and then deliberately used her marriage prospects to provoke him…

Between men and women, some emotions were easily lost to control.

As Yan Shang was reflecting on his lack of composure, he began apologizing: “I was referring to previous matters. After coming to Chang’an and placing third in the imperial examinations, many people proposed marriage, didn’t they? I meant that I rejected them, and I don’t treat every lady the same way I treat the Princess Imperial.

“It’s natural for young men and women to admire each other. As long as they don’t resort to underhanded methods, simply liking me is my honor. Why would I shame someone just for having feelings for me?”

After his explanation, Mu Wanyao’s expression improved somewhat. However, hearing him openly admit that many ladies liked him, she raised her eyebrows again, feeling somewhat displeased.

She hated that he was too perfect, which was why so many people liked him!

That’s why men and women couldn’t help themselves around him!

Mu Wanyao’s face darkened as her eyes swept around the carriage. She took a grape from the fruit tray on the table and popped it into her mouth.

Yan Shang lowered his eyes to watch her, wondering why she was still unhappy, when suddenly the little princess raised her gaze, her star-bright eyes catching him off guard.

As Yan Shang was puzzled, Mu Wanyao suddenly broke into a smile.

Her enchanting eyes sparkled as she grabbed another grape from the tray and moved closer to him. Her jade-like fingers reached for his lips, attempting to feed him the grape.

Yan Shang stiffened and leaned back, while Mu Wanyao knelt on the low seat, leaning against his shoulder, her breath tickling his ear.

The back of Yan Shang’s head tingled as she insisted on feeding him the grape, threatening: “If you eat it, I won’t be angry with you anymore! Open your mouth!”

Yan Shang: “Your Highness…”

Mu Wanyao urged: “Eat it, eat it!”

Unable to resist her playfulness, and afraid of what might happen if she pressed closer, he found himself in a difficult position.

So in his dazed state, urged by her persistence, Yan Shang opened his mouth and accepted the grape from between her fingers.

Mu Wanyao looked down at him, and her fingertip at the corner of his lips suddenly hooked slightly, causing Yan Shang to accidentally take it in as well.

A moment of tingling sensation.

Yan Shang’s face flushed red as he quickly opened his mouth to release her hand, then took out a handkerchief to wipe her fingers.

In his confused state, he wanted to apologize, but when he opened his mouth, he realized he still had the grape she had fed him, and speaking with food in one’s mouth would be most impolite.

Yan Shang’s expression became troubled.

Meanwhile, Mu Wanyao wiped her own hands with a handkerchief, rarely seeing him so flustered, and couldn’t help but smile mischievously. But this wasn’t enough – she kept her eyes fixed on Yan Shang, and sure enough, in the next moment, Yan Shang suddenly frowned his face stiffening.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened with delight as she grabbed his shoulder, laughing: “Did you bite it? Did you bite the grape? It’s super sour, isn’t it? Your teeth are aching, aren’t they?”

By now, Yan Shang’s face was completely red, utterly embarrassed, and he quickly turned away. However, Mu Wanyao knelt beside him, leaning on his shoulder, patting it while leaning in to see his expression, determined to watch him suffer from the sour fruit.

The more embarrassed he became, the happier she grew, pulling him back when he tried to hide.

It was like heaven and hell combined.

On one side was the sourness that made him wish for death, on the other was the intoxicating softness of her closeness.

The sourness in his mouth was extreme – Yan Shang had never eaten anything so sour before. He couldn’t help but admire how Mu Wanyao had eaten it earlier without changing her expression at all.

But she had played a trick on him, insisting he experience the grape’s taste as well.

Even someone as good-natured as Yan Shang was teased until his forehead broke out in a sweat, internally wondering who had dared to give such sour grapes to the Princess… weren’t they afraid of Princess Danyang’s anger?

Normally, Mu Wanyao would indeed have been angry, but right now she was too pleased with these grapes.

She lay against Yan Shang’s shoulder, admiring him for a long while.

He was uncomfortable, brows furrowed, face completely red, moisture clinging to his thick dark lashes, body trembling slightly, hands searching for something to grab but finding nothing… and Mu Wanyao loved seeing him in this weak yet enduring state!

But after watching for a while, seeing him so helpless, wanting to spit it out but unable to do so properly, Mu Wanyao finally felt some pity for him. She held the handkerchief to his mouth, saying softly: “Go ahead and spit it out, if you really can’t eat it, just spit it out. You’re too weak… you can’t even handle this much sourness.”

In the end, Yan Shang didn’t spit out the grape. He closed his eyes and, after enduring for a long while, swallowed it. Mu Wanyao handed him a cup of tea, and only then did he recover, leaning against the carriage wall with a soft sigh.

Yan Shang opened his eyes to find Mu Wanyao watching him teasingly.

Her small face was flushed pink, her eyes bright, looking at him with a smile.

His moment of suffering was her moment of joy.

Yan Shang couldn’t help but say: “Your Highness is too cruel.”

Mu Wanyao snorted: “You’re just too weak! You’d better practice, I’d say. What if something happens in the future and enemies give you something sour? You might confess everything before they even start torturing you.”

Yan Shang reflected: “Your Highness speaks truly. Would you be willing to give me these grapes?”

Mu Wanyao was stunned, not expecting him to want to practice… wasn’t he being too hard on himself?

Mu Wanyao disliked people who demanded too much of themselves, finding it boring, and waved her hand to let him have his way—

After being teased by Mu Wanyao for so long, by the time they arrived at the Princess Imperial’s residence, Yan Shang had recovered his composure. After dismounting, just as he was about to bow and bid Mu Wanyao farewell, the carriage didn’t even wait for his courtesy, departing almost as soon as his feet touched the ground.

Yan Shang was left speechless.

This was indeed Mu Wanyao’s typical style.

No matter how well they got along one moment, the next moment she would always turn her face away without a word.

This wasn’t something to dwell on – thinking too much would be useless and only disturb his heart. Yan Shang turned with a sigh, composed himself, and approached the gate. Taking out Princess Danyang’s calling card, he went to visit the Princess Imperial—

The Princess Imperial of Luling received Yan Shang.

After letting Yan Shang leave that night, the Princess Imperial had been wavering. On one hand, she felt this person’s nature was dangerous, and it would be better to kill him and eliminate future troubles, especially since he currently held no official position, making it easier to dispose of him. On the other hand, after Mu Wanyao’s visit, her words implicitly connecting Yan Shang with the Crown Prince made the Princess Imperial hesitate.

The Princess Imperial had been pondering for several days about Yan Shang’s suggestion to humble herself before the Crown Prince.

Originally, she had worried that currying favor with the Crown Prince might be noticed by her imperial brother, who would then deal with her. But after several days of silence from the Crown Prince’s side, Princess Imperial began to worry whether Yan Shang had deceived her, or if the Crown Prince simply disdained to use her.

As the Princess Imperial was anxiously fretting, Yan Shang’s visit brought her some relief.

Yan Shang understood his enemy’s psychology deeply – the more eager one appears, the more the other side hesitates; the longer one delays, the more anxious the other becomes.

So when Yan Shang visited Princess Imperial again, he used even more relaxed negotiation skills than their previous bedroom encounter, easily putting Princess Imperial at ease.

The Princess Imperial no longer treated Yan Shang as merely a beautiful youth who could please her in bed, but rather asked with the respect due to a strategist: “…Then in your view, should I take the initiative to donate money to the Crown Prince?”

Yan Shang spoke gently: “If you take the initiative, in others’ eyes, Your Highness might be overly sensitive to political matters.”

Princess Imperial: “Please teach me, Master Yan.”

Although she had her advisors, over the years, their main function had become searching for beautiful men for her. Those advisors had been spoiled useless by the Princess Imperial herself, and rather than trouble two masters with one matter, the Princess Imperial simply asked Yan Shang directly what she should do.

Yan Shang’s eyes flickered subtly, somewhat surprised that she would ask him about such a simple matter. Could this Princess Imperial trust him so much?

Impossible.

It could only mean that the Princess Imperial had no one else to rely on.

Yan Shang understood in his heart, but maintained a gentle smile on his face: “Your Highness’s residence houses so many beautiful men. Simply let one of them commit some minor offense, let the Crown Prince catch hold of the weakness, and then Your Highness can go apologize – isn’t that simple?”

The Princess Imperial nodded. She indeed didn’t dare touch politics, fearing that any involvement might lead to her brother stripping away her power. Yan Shang’s suggestion seemed reasonable, and she figured it would be just this once, never to be repeated.

Of course, the Princess Imperial could see that Yan Shang’s suggestion carried a hint of wanting to make her lose face.

The Princess Imperial laughed, thinking he was still young, assuming she would care about this small loss of money and face. Very well, if he wanted this small revenge, she would consider it as making amends.

However, she didn’t understand that Yan Shang’s scheme wasn’t about the present – he was planning for the future.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t let go of such a useful “money bag” as Princess Imperial; not only would he not let go, but with prolonged use, greed would grow.

Once something happens for the first time, after that initial step, it becomes difficult to turn back.

The Princess Imperial watched Yan Shang’s pleasant demeanor, finding him as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Even after how she had treated him before, this Young Master Yan showed no sign of it on his face. If they didn’t both know what had happened, no one could tell she had drugged Yan Shang before.

This man… the Princess Imperial felt somewhat unwilling to let go.

She asked: “Young Master Yan, I’m not trying to humiliate you, but I truly admire your talents. Would you consider working in my Princess Imperial’s residence?”

Yan Shang said: “Today I came on behalf of the Crown Prince to inquire.”

The Princess Imperial felt disappointed, knowing this was his polite way of refusing her. She reluctantly let Yan Shang leave, having her servants escort him. Watching his graceful bamboo-like figure pass beneath the window corridor, the Princess Imperial drooled with desire, but could only let him go…

As the servant was escorting Yan Shang out, Feng Xianyu came by, gave some instructions to the servant, and offered to escort Yan Shang out himself.

Feng Xianyu was now a regular guest at the Princess Imperial’s residence, currently her most favored person, so the servants naturally dared not refuse this young master’s words.

Yan Shang had no objection either way.

When they were alone, Yan Shang quietly thanked Feng Xianyu: “…Regarding Brother Feng’s warning last time, I hadn’t thought it through, and wasted Brother Feng’s kind intentions.”

Feng Xianyu remained silent.

After a while, he said: “You giving such advice to the Princess Imperial only works because she has no advisors to consult.”

Yan Shang smiled without speaking. In his heart, he thought if the Princess Imperial had someone to consult, he wouldn’t have given such advice.

Feng Xianyu continued: “After she suffers a few losses at the Crown Prince’s hands and realizes what’s happening, she might go cry to His Majesty, possibly adding a charge of ‘forming factions for personal gain’ against the Crown Prince. At that time, the Crown Prince might push you out to take the blame.

“Yan Er, how could you give such advice just to get revenge?”

His tone revealed slight disappointment in Yan Shang, feeling he had overestimated Yan Shang’s intelligence.

Yan Shang smiled in surprise, not expecting Feng Xianyu would warn him.

Currently, among those at the Princess Imperial’s side, all those male favorites were clinging to her for wealth and glory. Perhaps only Feng Xianyu was truly educated, talented, and interested in taking the imperial examinations…

Yan Shang had always been one to return kindness with kindness. Since the other had warned him, he was inclined to give Feng Xianyu a helping hand.

Yan Shang said softly: “But isn’t this precisely Brother Feng’s opportunity to rise?”

Feng Xianyu was startled and looked at him: “…What do you mean?”

As the two walked together, leaving the Princess Imperial’s palace gates, to outsiders they appeared to be merely friends bidding farewell. No one knew what Yan Shang was saying.

Yan Shang explained: “When Princess Imperial realizes I’ve deceived her into repeatedly suffering losses with the Crown Prince, and she wants to report to the Emperor, that’s when Brother Feng should stop her. Because her power is indeed too great, she truly needs to prepare for His Majesty’s eventual passing. But those around her are all pleasure-seekers – seeing the Princess Imperial suffer losses, they’ll surely all urge her to escape this situation.

“At that time, Brother Feng should persuade the Princess Imperial, analyzing for her what constitutes a long-term strategy. How can serving with mere beauty last long? With Brother Feng proving more useful, you can stay longer by the Princess Imperial’s side and gain more opportunities.

“Of course, I offer this suggestion assuming Brother Feng intends to rely on the Princess Imperial to seek an official position and reputation. If Brother Feng plans to break away from the Princess Imperial midway, then consider my words unsaid.”

Feng Xianyu stood frozen in place.

Yan Shang smiled as he watched him.

By now they had left the Princess’s residence, and as Feng Xianyu observed this young lord’s bearing, his heart filled with mixed emotions and a sense of inferiority.

He had thought he’d seen through Yan Shang’s scheme… but never expected Yan Shang had left him a lifeline within it.

If he hadn’t come to escort Yan Shang today, perhaps Yan Shang wouldn’t have warned him at all. He would have simply missed a good opportunity…

Feng Xianyu thought to himself, though he was several years older than Yan Er, and had believed he understood the Chang’an situation better, but now it seemed… what did those extra years of life matter?

He was no match for Yan Shang, simply no match at all.

Great favors need no words of thanks.

Feng Xianyu remained silent, merely standing before the Princess’s gate, clasping his hands and bowing deeply to Yan Shang with the utmost solemnity.

Yan Shang stepped aside to avoid it, naturally unwilling to accept such a formal bow.

They spoke no more but regarding that day’s conflict about the Third Place Scholar’s substitution… Feng Xianyu sighed, thinking that the small conflict would likely be resolved by Yan Shang—

After Yan Shang handled matters with the Princess Imperial, a few days later, an incident where one of her male favorites whipped commoners while drunk in the street was reported to the Prefecture Chief of Chang’an.

The Prefecture Chief was Prince Consort to Princess Yuyang.

Princess Yuyang’s older brother was the Third Prince, Prince of Qin, so by rights, the natural alignment of Chang’an’s Prefecture Chief should have been with the Prince of Qin’s faction.

But before the Prince of Qin could realize there was anything worth noting about the Princess Imperial’s favorite beating people, the Crown Prince had already brought people from the Court of Judicial Review and seized the case. The Prince of Qin didn’t know what the Crown Prince was doing, but as political rivals, their stance was that whatever the other side wanted to do, even if one didn’t understand it, one should oppose it.

One case exhausted both the Court of Judicial Review and the Prefecture Chief’s office, letting the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin clash once again, with the Crown Prince ultimately gaining the upper hand.

There was too much to consider behind this case.

Mu Wanyao followed behind the Crown Prince, witnessing this matter from beginning to end, helping him handle it, and helping him mediate in various ways.

She wondered privately whether Yan Shang knew he had dragged everyone into this, and whether he had done it intentionally.

But this was now between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin.

Yan Shang naturally returned to his daily routine at the Imperial Academy, focusing on his studies, and showing no interest in the aftermath of this affair. Seeing him pay no attention to it, Mu Wanyao felt relieved.

However, Yan Shang specifically wrote her a note saying: “Your Highness, don’t become too addicted to power.”

Mu Wanyao immediately burned the note: “Who is he to manage me?”

She was somewhat afraid Yan Shang would compete with her for credit, compete for attention before the Crown Prince.

His focus on his studies was best.

To show her support for Yan Shang’s studies, Mu Wanyao even took the trouble to move many books from her princess’s residence to the house across the street, saying they were gifts for Yan Shang.

This left Chunhua wanting to speak but holding back.

Feeling the Princess was too good for Yan Shang.

However, Mu Wanyao was riding high on success – how could she care about such things?

Because of the Princess Imperial affair, she had begun to catch the Crown Prince’s eye, and he started assigning her tasks.

Those officials no longer saw her as just a princess who had returned from a diplomatic marriage but would consider her opinions. Sometimes when Mu Wanyao spoke up, they would contemplate the stance of Princess Danyang.

The carriages before Princess Danyang’s residence were finally no longer just those of her few household advisors who had become officials.

Mu Wanyao thus became even more actively involved in government affairs, increasing her influence. She not only wanted the Crown Prince to find her useful, but she also wanted more people to be wary of her.

Meanwhile, on Yan Shang’s side, Liu Wenji came to visit.

While busy with his studies, Yan Shang naturally still cared about his old friends.

But in March, when he and Chunhua had heard Liu Wenji’s heartfelt words at the Northern Quarter, learning that Liu Wenji had strong opinions about him, Yan Shang had distanced himself from Liu Wenji somewhat.

Liu Wenji felt troubled, with both lover and friend having formed opinions about him, and he finally began to reflect on himself.

This time when Liu Wenji came to see Yan Shang, he formally apologized for his words that day and also sought Yan Shang’s help in arranging a meeting with Chunhua, wanting to apologize to her.

Yan Shang welcomed Liu Wenji into his residence, showing no anger over Liu Wenji’s previous contempt, instead suggesting amiably: “I don’t mind about myself, I truly am less talented than you, so your dissatisfaction was natural. Moreover, you’ve apologized to me, and I naturally accept your apology.

“However, regarding Chunhua, I have some concerns. If you want to use me to see Chunhua, I fear that as an intermediary, if I arrange your meeting only for you to hurt Chunhua’s heart again, I would feel guilty. I can’t help but ask Brother Liu, what are your plans?”

Liu Wenji bowed to Yan Shang.

After three months without a meeting, Liu Wenji looked very different from his previous proud demeanor.

His aura had become much more subdued, no longer looking down on everyone in the world. Liu Wenji was originally handsome, and with his subdued manner, standing there in plain clothes, he had something of the beautiful luster of fine jade.

Liu Wenji said: “Yan Er, you speak truly. I previously looked down too much on people in this world. I thought my talent was supreme and didn’t take others seriously. But after wasting a year in Chang’an, I’ve finally understood. I should focus on the examinations and no longer reject seeking recommendations. Even if I fail again next year, I should maintain a balanced mindset…

“To be honest with you, in this past year and more in Chang’an, my family’s money can no longer support me. I feel ashamed and plan to learn from other poor scholars, selling my poetry and writings for money, and seeking fame and profit. I’ve also been thinking… if I fail the examination again next year, I cannot let Chunhua wait for me any longer.

“I will propose marriage to her, propose to the Princess’s residence. I hope that when the time comes, Suchen, you will put in good words for me with Princess Danyang.”

Yan Shang hurriedly congratulated him: “Then I offer my early congratulations to Brother Liu. This mindset of Brother Liu’s is indeed the best… but it’s only been three months, has Brother Liu truly come to understand?”

Liu Wenji met Yan Shang’s smiling, gentle eyes.

Liu Wenji’s face reddened, and he said awkwardly: “Suchen, you know my temperament… even if I try hard to control it, you can’t expect me to completely change my nature and become a different person in just three months, can you?”

Yan Shang smiled and said: “I certainly wouldn’t demand that of you. This is already very good. As long as Brother Liu is willing to change, I will naturally help you.”

He sighed: “How can one’s nature be changed in a day or two? In a hundred years of life, one needs daily self-reflection to avoid making mistakes.”

Liu Wenji: “…”

After a long silence, Liu Wenji said: “There’s no need to be so harsh on yourself like you are.”—

Having agreed to Liu Wenji’s matter, Yan Shang naturally came to the Princess’s residence to find Chunhua, helping the two reconnect.

But Yan Shang had many matters to attend to.

Not only was he studying, attending the Imperial Academy daily without fail; he also had numerous friend gatherings, and being so well-liked, he was invited to all sorts of banquets, needing to be selective while not offending anyone; furthermore, he was busy with something unknown, going to the Western Market daily.

Chang’an was divided into Eastern and Western Markets, with the Eastern Market frequented more by officials and nobles, while the Western Market had more foreign merchants and travelers.

Given Yan Shang’s current residence location, the Eastern Market was much closer. But his frequent trips to the Western Market were somewhat intriguing.

Mu Wanyao couldn’t care less about him.

She was currently immersed in political affairs, and even though she didn’t see Yan Shang next door during her daily comings and goings, she didn’t think of him.

When she suddenly thought of him again, it was already June. A month had passed, and the servants next door, holding contracts from the Princess’s residence, naturally came to collect their monthly wages.

As the household manager was distributing the monthly wages, the servants’ chat was overheard by Mu Wanyao, who had just returned to the residence.

She heard them discussing the neighbor’s affairs: “Young Master Yan goes to the Western Market daily, who knows what he’s busy with.”

Mu Wanyao remembered something, stopped her steps, and interjected: “Today I heard an official say that many Western Region beauties have recently arrived at the Western Market. They’ve opened a tavern, and these Western Region beauties, instead of going to the Northern Quarter, dance and sing in the shop.

“They’re beautiful and uninhibited! These beauties have recently driven all of Chang’an mad. Many officials go to see them.”

In Great Wei, there was no rule against officials visiting courtesans. Not only was there no such rule, but being favored by the ladies of the Northern Quarter was considered something to boast about.

If any court official had never been to the Northern Quarter, Great Wei wouldn’t praise him as upright and proper but instead would call him a coward, hypocrite, and country bumpkin.

Thinking of this, Mu Wanyao declared with certainty: “I bet Yan Shang is going to the Western Market to see those foreign beauties.”

As she spoke, frost gathered in her eyes, full of killing intent.

Everyone: “…”

Just then, someone came to report: “Your Highness, Young Master Yan has come to pay a visit.”

Mu Wanyao was startled, and then her expression became spring-like as she looked back. Hearing of his arrival, she couldn’t help but feel joy.

But the joy lasted only a moment. Mu Wanyao quickly thought of Yan Shang possibly embracing those foreign women in the Western Market tavern, and her expression turned cold.

Mu Wanyao: “Don’t see him.”

The reporting servant: “Uh…”

Mu Wanyao cast a cold glance.

The servant lowered his head and said softly: “Young Master Yan said if Your Highness won’t see him, Miss Chunhua would do.”

Mu Wanyao laughed coldly: “…He’s quite prescient, knowing I wouldn’t want to see him! He even gave you instructions in advance!”

Her eyes blazed as she glared at Chunhua standing beside her. Her gaze contained not only anger but also grievance and unwillingness.

Chunhua had been watching the drama unfold, but when the Princess’s eyes turned to her, she was startled: “Huh? Looking for me? Why is he looking for me?”

Chunhua hurriedly explained to the Princess: “Your Highness, there is absolutely nothing between Young Master Yan and me… I’ll send him away right now…”

Mu Wanyao grabbed Chunhua’s hand, smiling sweetly: “Why send him away? Let him in! I want to hear what he has to say to you, Chunhua… I want to see what you two have been doing behind my back!”

So Mu Wanyao forced Chunhua to let Yan Shang in, and fearing they wouldn’t speak freely, she specially arranged an empty room for them.

After pacing for a while, Mu Wanyao simply changed into a maid’s clothes and hid behind a screen.

Princess Danyang leaned against the screen, very curious to hear why Yan Shang wanted to find Chunhua.