The sun blazed overhead, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

Yan Shang’s words exploded beside Mu Wanyao’s ear.

On the waterside corridor leading to the library pavilion, Mu Wanyao stopped in her tracks, staring blankly at Yan Shang, who had halted a few steps behind her.

Her mind went blank for two breaths before she processed what he had said.

Mu Wanyao: “…what did you just say?”

Yan Shang’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as he lowered his gaze, falling silent.

Mu Wanyao demanded sharply: “What did you say!”

Yan Shang: “Did Your Highness not hear?”

Mu Wanyao raised her eyebrows.

His silent demeanor was the clearest indication of his attitude toward what he had just said.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes suddenly brightened, as if brushed by starlight.

Before she could think too deeply or analyze how his attitude had changed so quickly, she first felt joy—

Had he finally decided to stop this mutual procrastination between them?

Yan Shang couldn’t possibly be unaware that his relationship with Mu Wanyao was somewhat strange, but due to circumstances, both of them had simply pretended everything was normal.

Mu Wanyao had some ulterior motives, but… hadn’t he been unwilling?

If someone was unwilling, she, as a dignified princess, wasn’t lacking for men. Why force someone?

If Yan Shang were to seek revenge as Princess Luling had, Mu Wanyao would lose more than she gained… why bother?

But now… Yan Shang’s attitude had changed—

Mu Wanyao’s lips curved slightly upward.

Her expression didn’t change much, showing neither excessive joy nor uncertainty about the future. With a calm demeanor, she took a step toward him.

Mu Wanyao: “What do you mean?”

Yan Shang: “Does Your Highness not understand?”

Mu Wanyao raised her eyebrows.

She walked toward him unhurriedly.

There were three or four steps between them, and as Mu Wanyao approached, the distance shortened.

As she walked toward him, she asked: “Have you finally seen my worth and decided to bow to me?”

Yan Shang: “…”

Indeed, his decision to change their relationship had begun with being moved by her spirit. He answered honestly, but Mu Wanyao’s directness still caught him off guard.

He had decided to change their relationship, but he hadn’t fully adjusted to it yet.

His face reddened, uncomfortable with her aggressive approach, and he couldn’t help but step backward.

Yet he still kept his eyes lowered, slowly giving her an answer: “…mm.”

Mu Wanyao: “Do you know what changes will occur in our relationship after you say this?”

Yan Shang sighed: “I roughly know.”

He said: “Your Highness, please don’t come closer.”

Because she had already backed him into a corner.

But Mu Wanyao thought, you’ve already admitted your heart isn’t pure, so why are you still backing away?

She watched him leisurely as she continued to advance, seeing his knees hit the corridor railing, unable to retreat further.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes held laughter, teasing: “You know I’m someone who acts willfully, right?”

Yan Shang: “…I know.”

Mu Wanyao leaned forward, and he leaned back, sitting down abruptly, creating an angle where she looked down at him while he gazed up.

Sunlight filtered through the tree shadows, falling diagonally across his face. His robes, scattered across the railing, were highlighted by the sun in layers of deep light, which then reflected onto his face like rippling lake water.

This made him appear even more upright and handsome… and because he had nowhere to retreat, he gained an air of innocent bewilderment.

Mu Wanyao: “If you want to change our relationship, you’ll accept whatever I do?”

Yan Shang: “…mm.”

Mu Wanyao asked curiously: “If I force you to stay in my princess manor during the day, you’d be willing?”

Yan Shang tried to remain calm: “That’s fine.”

Mu Wanyao: “If others say you’re climbing the social ladder, that you’re Princess Danyang’s kept man, damaging your reputation, would that be fine too?”

Yan Shang looked up at her, saying slowly: “That’s fine.”

The smile in Mu Wanyao’s eyes deepened.

Her gaze toward him became much more entangled and lingering. For someone as cautious as him in every word and action, it was very difficult to adapt to a woman’s open display of emotions.

But Yan Shang only showed slight hesitation in his gaze, without avoiding her eyes.

Mu Wanyao said casually: “Would sharing a bed with me be fine too?”

Yan Shang choked for a moment.

Though he knew she had always… but still, she was too…

Embarrassed yet composed, he said softly: “Mm.”

Mu Wanyao: “Can you accept me being on top?”

Yan Shang wondered what she meant.

He responded vaguely: “Mm.”

Mu Wanyao: “Let me play as I wish, without you lecturing me about propriety?”

Yan Shang sighed: “What kind of person does Your Highness think I am?”

Despite the summer heat making Mu Wanyao feel dizzy from the sun, she didn’t feel hot at all now. Her interest had been piqued by him, and she looked him over with delight, finding him more appealing with each glance.

Not wanting marriage was one thing, but a spring encounter was another matter entirely.

Of course, what she feared most was having to take responsibility.

Thinking of this, she asked worriedly: “You won’t cry and demand I take responsibility after we sleep together, right?”

Yan Shang’s heart paused, sensing something: “…”

He didn’t think too deeply about that feeling, assuming she mistook him for someone seeking official positions through her.

He reproached slightly, his face showing hidden anger: “What does Your Highness take me for?”

After a pause, Yan Shang added: “But I believe that between men and women, spiritual connection should be emphasized more.”

He explained carefully: “I currently don’t hold any official position and am not thinking about other matters.”

Mu Wanyao completely ignored his detailed explanations, focusing only on his earlier answers, her eyes widening in surprise.

What shock had Yan Shang experienced to accept all this?

Princess Luling shouldn’t have succeeded with him, right? If he couldn’t handle that, how could he… be fine with this now?

Mu Wanyao coughed once.

The two fell into an awkward silence—

As they entered the library pavilion, neither spoke further.

Yan Shang felt that having expressed such an attitude, he should maintain proper boundaries and not pressure Mu Wanyao further.

He didn’t know how men and women should interact, but he knew how to interact with anyone—gradually, without rushing.

Meanwhile, after her excitement, Mu Wanyao began to wonder why Yan Shang’s attitude had suddenly changed.

She had more experience in matters of love, unlike Yan Shang who was completely blank, ready to be painted upon.

After much thought, Mu Wanyao believed it must have been her words when dismissing Zhao Lingfei that had moved him… Mu Wanyao froze, thinking that those were just words she had made up.

She would be moved by his aspirations and his ideological realm, but who she was was another matter. Admiring certain qualities in others didn’t mean she wanted to become that type of person herself.

Yan Shang clearly… had misunderstood. He hadn’t fallen for her as a person, but for something that didn’t exist? He had maintained his composure through all their ambiguous interactions, yet just because of those few words, he couldn’t anymore.

After a moment’s stupor, Mu Wanyao felt somewhat angry, biting her lip resentfully. She wondered if she should clarify this misunderstanding.

If she clarified, it would be awkward for both of them and how could they step back after moving forward?

But if she didn’t clarify… if she didn’t clarify, she could sleep with Yan Shang.

Then she wouldn’t clarify.

While Mu Wanyao was lost in thought, Yan Shang stood beside her, examining the books on the shelves.

This was his first visit to the library pavilion in Princess Danyang’s manor, and looking around, he saw many rare volumes not found in the Imperial Library, along with numerous other books.

Yan Shang couldn’t help but feel impressed and somewhat inferior.

He thought about how far he was from Mu Wanyao’s level. The path he wanted to walk toward her would likely be very long.

But he quickly adjusted his mindset, telling himself that a gentleman’s actions should either progress or retreat; if there are faults, correct them, if there are none, strive harder. Once something is decided, one should plan carefully rather than hesitate.

A Confucian scholar entering the world shouldn’t be overly cautious.

While Yan Shang was contemplating this, he spotted the book Wei Shu was looking for on the shelf behind Mu Wanyao.

So he walked over.

Mu Wanyao, still lost in thought, was startled to see his robes flutter as he walked in her direction.

What was he coming over for?

Mu Wanyao stepped back.

Yan Shang paused his steps.

But he continued forward.

Mu Wanyao backed up against the bookshelf, finally remembering she was a princess—what was there to fear from him? She raised her head in confusion to look, seeing him raise his arm, reaching above her head to take a book from the shelf.

Mu Wanyao saw the cover of the book he took—it was exactly the one Wei Shu wanted.

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Yan Shang looked down at her.

His eyes held laughter.

He said: “What did Your Highness think I was going to do?”

Mu Wanyao’s face reddened.

Embarrassed and angry: “…How would I know!”

She glared at him.

Yan Shang had originally found her reaction amusing and couldn’t help teasing her, but now that she glared at him, he withdrew his smile.

He averted his gaze, slowly stepping back twice to give Mu Wanyao space.

Mu Wanyao sighed in relief; she indeed disliked being pressured. Yan Shang’s conscious act of giving her an escape route quite suited her preferences.

Mu Wanyao leaned against the bookshelf, crossing her arms as she watched Yan Shang lower his head to read.

He probably wanted to see what was in the book Wei Shu wanted, so he began skimming through it. Mu Wanyao stared at him for a while before saying slowly: “Yan Shang.”

Yan Shang, still reading: “Mm?”

Mu Wanyao: “What are your plans going forward?”

Yan Shang started.

He slowly raised his gaze from the book to look at Mu Wanyao. Mu Wanyao looked at him with an ambiguous smile, and Yan Shang immediately understood she was asking about his plans for their relationship.

Yan Shang answered: “Naturally, my current position is lowly and unworthy of Your Highness, nor do I dare ask for Your Highness’s attention. I want to study first, hoping for results in October. Meanwhile, if Your Highness has any questions about government affairs, I can also…”

Mu Wanyao grew frustrated.

She thought, how was this any different from before?

Was her expectation of him just as an advisor?

She said concisely: “Come to my chambers tonight.”

Yan Shang paused slightly.

Meeting Mu Wanyao’s gaze, he understood her meaning.

Yan Shang coughed once, turning his face away, his ears reddening.

He gave a soft “mm,” and Mu Wanyao laughed, walking over to hold his arm, quite pleased with his acquiescent attitude—

When they returned to the main hall with the book, Wei Shu was still waiting for them.

However, seeing the snow-like youth look their way, both Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Mu Wanyao handed the book to Wei Shu, wanting to quickly send him away. She needed to properly arrange tonight’s matters.

As they sat down together, Mu Wanyao couldn’t help glancing at Yan Shang several times.

Seeing him sit so calmly as if nothing had happened.

His manner… was simply setting himself up, waiting for her to make her move.

Wei Shu flipped through the book a couple of times, his eyes brightening slightly as he looked toward Yan Shang: “This book has become a rare copy now, others who want to read it can’t. Since Second Brother Yan will be taking the same examination as me, why not spend tonight reading this book together and discussing academics? It’s been a long time since I’ve slept with Second Brother Yan.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Yan Shang: “…”

Mu Wanyao’s gaze glared at Yan Shang.

Under the princess’s intense stare, Yan Shang’s face burned red, but he just smiled slightly and declined: “I’m afraid I have some matters tonight, it’s not convenient.”

Wei Shu nodded.

He then looked at Mu Wanyao: “Then what about Your Highness? This is Your Highness’s book, if I discuss academics with Your Highness, you won’t refuse me, right?”

Yan Shang: “…”

Mu Wanyao froze: “…”

When Wei Shu looked at her this way, his eyes clear and dark, lips red and teeth white, how could Mu Wanyao bear to refuse him anything when she found him so likable?

Unable to resist the young boy’s pleading gaze, Mu Wanyao said tenderly: “Of course that’s fine.”

Yan Shang frowned slightly: “…”

She had trapped him, but was leaving herself?

Yan Shang: “Then I’ll join as well.”

Mu Wanyao: “…?”

Wei Shu: “…”