Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao together planted the water lily she had brought into a pot. Since Yan Shang had never been one to spend time growing flowers before, he truly didn’t have any flowerpots in his room. Mu Wanyao paused for a moment – her water lily was kept in water, and she hadn’t known that Yan Shang didn’t even have a flowerpot.

Mu Wanyao stood up. “Then let’s go next door to find a lotus bowl.”

As she spoke, she moved to leave, but Yan Shang stopped her.

Yan Shang glanced at her thin, gauzy clothing that revealed much of her chest and midriff, thinking this was rather exposed… ah.

Though the Great Wei had liberal customs and Mu Wanyao often wore men’s clothing, wearing something this sheer wasn’t much different.

Yan Shang held back for a long while but finally couldn’t resist. He took one of his outer robes and draped it over her shoulders, saying softly, “It’s an old robe of mine. I haven’t worn it in a long time, so it won’t have my scent. Please don’t mind, Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

She didn’t mind.

But why suddenly give her a robe to wear?

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow, looking down at her clothes, then at Yan Shang’s properly buttoned round-collared robe that he wore even while sitting indoors in this heat. She seemed lost in thought.

“What, do you think I’m dressed too scantily, that it offends the eye?” Mu Wanyao asked.

Yan Shang replied gently, “It’s raining outside. I’m worried Your Highness might catch a cold, so I ask you to wear an extra layer.”

As he spoke, he had already opened the door and put up an umbrella, looking ready to head out.

Yan Shang turned back to look at Mu Wanyao, intending to tell her to wait for him there. But when he turned, he saw the delicate young woman standing there in his oversized white outer robe, with her dark lashes against fair skin, as graceful as jade – he was momentarily stunned.

His heart skipped a heated beat.

Mu Wanyao found it strange that he turned to look at her but said nothing. “What is it?”

Yan Shang came back to his senses, suppressing his wayward thoughts, and said softly, “It’s raining heavily outside. Your Highness, please wait here for me. I’ll go next door to find a lotus bowl.”

Mu Wanyao: “Ah…”

She wanted to say they could just send a servant, why did he need to trouble himself?

But Yan Shang had already pushed open the door and left, so she didn’t say more. After he left, she stood alone in his room, wearing his outer robe, feeling inexplicably strange.

Mu Wanyao stood there in a daze for a while, then lowered her head as her cheeks reddened.

This was her first time actively seeking out a man at night—

When Yan Shang pushed open the door and raised his umbrella to leave, he wanted to see what the situation was tonight.

When he went out, he saw Guard Fang and several servant girls standing under the eaves avoiding the rain. His eyes flickered slightly, understanding that Mu Wanyao had made thorough preparations tonight, with no other plans.

He felt somewhat embarrassed, with a hint of panic as things came to a head.

In his confusion, he thought that since she liked it, he would just go along with it. After all, men didn’t have any say about preserving their chastity.

But how exactly should they proceed? He was a bit… unclear.

For Yan Shang, who was used to keeping everything within his control, this was beyond his expectations. He could only steel himself and think that once they got to bed, it should come naturally. He would probably just have to muddle through.

Besides… Mu Wanyao had experience, didn’t she?

Thinking that she would know what to do made him feel somewhat uncomfortable, but he forced himself to suppress it. Recalling how Mu Wanyao had mentioned her former husband when in Lingnan, her tone suggesting dislike, their relationship probably wasn’t good. He should be careful not to provoke those memories.

Last time in bed was unavoidable… this time he should follow her lead—

When Yan Shang returned carrying the lotus bowl, Mu Wanyao had already been sitting there playing with her fingers for quite a while out of boredom.

She turned to see him enter, noticed some raindrops on his robes, and hurried to meet him.

They both crouched by the lotus bowl, holding small tools, studying how to transplant the water lily Mu Wanyao had brought.

Mu Wanyao was a princess who had never touched menial work; she had always watched others work without doing any herself. Yan Shang did have farming experience, but he had always been frail and scholarly, and his father and elder brother never let him work in the fields, only allowing him to watch from the side.

So when it came to planting water lilies, both Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang felt they had theoretical experience, yet neither had actual hands-on practice.

The two of them traded suggestions and methods, fumbling around until they somehow managed to plant the water lily in the pot.

Mu Wanyao tilted her head and saw Yan Shang’s large sleeves dragging on the ground, not only wet from the rain but now also stained with muddy water. She frowned and froze, wondering why she was crouching here with him studying how to plant flowers.

Hadn’t she come here to sleep?

It was all because his demeanor was too harmless – he had somehow led her astray into crouching here planting flowers!

Yan Shang carefully examined the water lily in the pot, seeing only a small bud. He felt anxious, unsure whether the flower hadn’t bloomed when her royal uncle gave it to her, or if they had done something wrong and killed it…

Yan Shang turned his head, wanting to discuss this with Mu Wanyao, only to see her crouching there with a stern face, looking very unhappy.

He paused. “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

Had he done something wrong again?

Mu Wanyao turned her head, her dark eyes fixed on the mud spots on his long, jade-white fingers, her brow furrowing deeper. She pushed him, scolding, “Weren’t you going to wash up? Why haven’t you gone yet? Do you plan to plant flowers all night?”

Yan Shang’s face immediately reddened.

He understood her implied meaning.

Yet he still hesitated, glancing at the water lily in the pot that may or may not have been killed by their handling: “But…”

Mu Wanyao urged him: “Go on, go! I’ll watch the flower, it won’t die!”

So Yan Shang was urged away by Mu Wanyao.

Once Yan Shang left, Mu Wanyao stood up and abandoned the flower pot. Earlier she had been bewitched into crouching there with Yan Shang watching flowers for half the day, but now that she was alone, she couldn’t be bothered to look at any flowers.

What was there to look at?

If the flower died, they could just plant another one.

Of the white tea trees she had brought back from Lingnan before, half had died, and only one or two had survived.

Princess Danyang quite had the attitude of discarding things that weren’t good.

Now that she wasn’t foolishly studying flowers anymore, Mu Wanyao curiously and somewhat boredly looked around Yan Shang’s chambers. Who knew when he would return from washing up, so she simply started wandering around his room to pass the time.

A man’s chambers – Mu Wanyao wasn’t particularly curious. Moreover, Yan Shang’s chambers were spotlessly clean, and everything was arranged clearly and neatly. One glance showed nothing worth noting, completely lacking in detail.

He didn’t even hide any secrets in his room.

Just like the person himself – smooth and transparent, giving people no opportunity for criticism.

Mu Wanyao yawned, kneeling at Yan Shang’s desk and lying down for a while. Compared to other places, perhaps where he read books might have a few more details. Mu Wanyao was too bored, so she casually picked up the books piled on his desk and started flipping through them.

Various books, some she had read, some she hadn’t. But since Mu Wanyao wasn’t planning to take exams like him, she had no interest in increasing her knowledge of the books she hadn’t read.

However, while flipping through, a piece of paper fell out of one book, floating to the ground—

Mu Wanyao curiously picked up this paper filled with writing, discovering it wasn’t his study notes, but rather a… sort of plan, a self-reflection?

Densely written with whom he had met, what books he had read, what words he had spoken, where he hadn’t done well enough, where he could improve…

Mu Wanyao was shocked, thinking about what kind of monster was he.

What shocked her more was that at the end of his dense self-reflection, her name appeared. The character for “marriage” following the three characters of “Mu Wanyao” frightened her, not to mention there wasn’t just one mention of marriage.

There were notes about when to see her, and what official rank he needed to reach to develop their relationship further… all pointing to one conclusion—

Marry the Princess—

Mu Wanyao’s expression fluctuated as she tucked the paper back into the book. She stood up and paced around the room, her heart somewhat troubled.

She had two guesses:

The first possibility was that Yan Shang’s current kindness to her was all for the goal of marrying the princess. And his desire to marry the princess was for his career advancement.

Because in Great Wei, there were quite a few prince consorts who had risen through marrying princesses. Great Wei’s prince consorts’ official positions were not restricted; they wouldn’t be deliberately suppressed for marrying a princess. Many noble families disliked Great Wei princesses for their strong temperaments and didn’t want to form marriage alliances with the royal family, but many noble sons wanted to marry into the royal family – after all, whispering in a princess’s ear might earn them an official position.

Yan Shang came from a humble background, and advancing upward was extremely difficult. After experiencing the Feng Xianyu incident, he must have realized the hardships of his lowly birth… Someone like him was quite likely to connect marrying a princess with his career prospects.

The second possibility was that Yan Shang had no such intentions; he simply liked making plans, just as that paper showed plans not only for her but for other matters as well.

This would match Yan Shang’s demonstrated character of not coveting power and status.

But this also presented a major problem – was he taking their relationship too seriously?

He wanted to form a proper relationship with her.

He wanted to work step by step toward a proper relationship.

But that day when she asked him if they could proceed without taking responsibility, hadn’t he said he wasn’t the type to make her take responsibility?

The first possibility made Mu Wanyao angry, wanting to never speak to Yan Shang again and completely fall out with him.

The second possibility frightened Mu Wanyao, making her afraid to associate with him.

She had simply wanted to relax, and happened to find him whom she liked… she truly had no further plans.

She also couldn’t make such plans.

Either don’t marry, or if marrying then maximize the benefits of marriage… she would be foolish to have any outcome with Yan Shang—

Yan Shang had frightened Mu Wanyao, causing her to pace about the room with an unsettled expression, several times wanting to push open the door and flee.

Just as Mu Wanyao was about to try escaping again, the door opened and Yan Shang returned.

She looked up at him, her eyes brightening slightly.

Probably because he felt bad about leaving her alone in his room, Yan Shang had returned very quickly. But though he could be quick, his long hair couldn’t dry so quickly, nor could his clothes be as proper as usual.

Returning in such haste, his body carrying the cool scent of rain, with clear eyes and red lips, his black hair half-tied. The wind and rain blew at his robes from behind, making him appear like an immortal banished from the clouds.

He had quite an elegant, romantic air.

Yan Shang closed the door while holding a lantern, and as he turned, his gaze met Mu Wanyao’s. He smiled slightly, his face still having some water droplets, his eyelashes also carrying traces of moisture.

Mu Wanyao’s feet seemed fixed to the ground, unable to leave—

Such a beautiful young man.

How could she bear to go?—

While hesitating, Mu Wanyao decided to test Yan Shang.

As he stood hesitating at the door, she approached with a bright smile, took his arm, and pulled him inside. She gave him a small glare and said teasingly, “I never thought someone like you would be so eager. Men, heh heh.”

Yan Shang: “…”

As he was pulled to sit down by Mu Wanyao, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, he noticed her mocking tone, as if looking down on men’s natural tendencies.

Yan Shang couldn’t help but defend himself: “I rushed back because I felt it wasn’t right to leave Your Highness alone in the room, not for any other reason.”

Mu Wanyao glanced at him: “Aren’t you back to join me in bed?”

Yan Shang was speechless.

Through his clothes, Mu Wanyao poked his arm: “If that’s the case, don’t deny your lustful thoughts. Who says their heart isn’t pure?”

Yan Shang pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

He wasn’t denying it, was he?

He just sometimes didn’t know how to interact with her.

Just like now…

However, at this moment, Mu Wanyao had her little schemes. Without Yan Shang having to think of conversation topics, she actively moved closer to talk with him.

She pulled him to sit down together, her hand resting on his knee, leaning close, chatting casually while pressed against his stiff shoulder: “Today when Royal Uncle brought the water lily, I met Aunt in the Eastern Palace.”

Princess Luling.

Yan Shang’s eyelashes lifted slightly as he looked at her.

Mu Wanyao smiled mischievously: “It’s because the Eastern Palace wants to build a garden for Father Emperor, but they don’t have enough money, so they asked Aunt for money again. Aunt was very angry, and while she was in the palace visiting my father, she went to argue with the Eastern Palace.”

Yan Shang smiled slightly.

He said: “It’s fine for Princess Imperial to argue with the Crown Prince. As long as they argue, it means they aren’t forming a faction. His Majesty won’t suspect Princess Imperial and her position will remain secure.”

Mu Wanyao: “But Aunt has to pay out another large sum of money! I saw her fuming with anger, almost unable to hold back. I’m worried she might lose control one day and go complain to Father Emperor…”

Yan Shang said softly: “It’s alright, Brother Feng will stop her and explain things to her. Brother Feng will let Princess Imperial know that only by enduring now will there be a chance to rise in the future.”

When she heard him mention Brother Feng, Mu Wanyao paused, then realized he must be referring to Feng Xianyu.

Mu Wanyao glanced at him gently.

She said: “Actually when Aunt entered the palace today, it was to ask Father Emperor to give your Brother Feng an official position. By the time I learned of it, Lord Feng had already been given the position of Proofreader. Although it’s only a ninth-rank minor official position, at least it’s an official post. He doesn’t need to take part in next year’s imperial examinations anymore… He’s already a ninth-rank Proofreader in the Imperial Library. The Imperial Library is close to the central government, it’s a good place. And the position of Proofreader just involves reading books in the library, it’s leisurely and relaxed, and everyone likes it.”

Yan Shang’s eyelashes lifted slightly, surprised at first, then nodded in understanding.

He said: “Then I should find an opportunity to congratulate Brother Feng.”

The imperial examinations weren’t the only path to becoming an official anymore.

Feng Xianyu had originally attached himself to the Princess Imperial hoping to take next year’s examinations… but now that the Princess Imperial had directly secured him an official position, that was quite good too.

Mu Wanyao observed Yan Shang’s expression, seeing that he was genuinely happy for Feng Xianyu. Although he was momentarily stunned, he showed no signs of dejection or envy.

Mu Wanyao spoke frankly: “Do you want me to go ask Father Emperor to directly give you an official position too? Working hard to take the examination in October, you might not even pass, and if you don’t pass you’ll waste another year, not to mention lose face. Wouldn’t it be better if I just get you a position now, then you won’t need to study hard anymore, you can just go be an official directly.”

She used these words to test whether Yan Shang wanted to use her to advance his position. Whether the promise of an official position was the reason for his change in attitude and current kindness toward her.

Yan Shang was stunned, his expression becoming slightly solemn.

He explained carefully: “I don’t know why Your Highness keeps thinking I want to use your connections to advance… If I had such intentions, while my several refusals of Your Highness could be explained as playing hard to get, wouldn’t the number of refusals be too many? I have known Your Highness since Lingnan, and after coming to Chang’an, our relationship has always been good. If I wanted to use Your Highness to advance… why would I wait until now?”

Mu Wanyao looked at him.

He said gently: “Whatever official position I take, it doesn’t need Your Highness to plan for me. Please rest assured… how I treat Your Highness now has nothing to do with those things, Your Highness shouldn’t overthink it.”

He looked into her eyes, speaking softly: “Your Highness is such a wonderful lady, isn’t it normal to receive a man’s affection? Why must you always suspect my intentions aren’t pure?”

Mu Wanyao looked at him.

She thought about how she wasn’t wonderful at all, and how was it normal for someone to like her. It had never been normal.

However, Yan Shang’s words warmed her heart, making her feel that her testing him was her problem… but she felt uneasy, repeatedly speaking to him this way, yet he always patiently explained again and again that he didn’t mean it that way… not once did he feel she was humiliating him or get angry with her.

He was so good.

Mu Wanyao pressed her lips together, looking at him in the candlelight, her heart both joyful and afraid.

Joyful that he wasn’t trying to use her, afraid that if he wasn’t trying to use her, then he truly wanted to be with her…

This was too frightening.

Mu Wanyao was terrified by him.

But… with such beauty before her, having longed for so long without getting anything, she really couldn’t resign herself.

So Mu Wanyao gathered her courage, still wanting to stay… at least get some benefit before running away?

Besides, if the benefit wasn’t good and she didn’t like it, wouldn’t she have a legitimate excuse to completely separate from Yan Shang and tell him not to bother her anymore?

After turning these thoughts over in her mind for a while, seeing Yan Shang looking at her gently, she suddenly smiled broadly, opening her arms to him, and said coquettishly: “Give me a hug.”

Yan Shang was stunned.

Then, red-faced, he leaned forward to embrace her, his arms encircling her body.

As he held her, he smelled her fragrance, felt her softness and slenderness… his heart pounding so hard it might jump out of his chest, Yan Shang’s arms holding her were slightly stiff, but he didn’t let go.

However, Mu Wanyao wasn’t satisfied.

She looked up at him.

Yan Shang was particularly sensitive.

He asked softly: “What’s wrong?”

Mu Wanyao smiled ambiguously: “Not this kind of hug.”

Yan Shang’s face reddened further.

He really couldn’t keep up with her, so he had to ask quietly: “Then what kind of hug?”

Mu Wanyao thought, is this person an idiot?

She smiled sweetly: “I mean carry me to bed.”

Yan Shang was stunned, realizing he had made himself look foolish. He coughed awkwardly, turning his face slightly.

Mu Wanyao teased deliberately: “What can’t lift me?”

Yan Shang helplessly: “Your Highness!”

Somewhat awkwardly, he put one arm around her neck and the other under her knees, lifting her horizontally into his arms as he stood up. His inexperience was completely visible to Mu Wanyao. She looked up laughing, kicking her legs playfully as she laughed in his arms.

Her smile was like flowers, arms around his shoulders, face buried in his neck. Her ornamental steps swayed with each step—

Mu Wanyao sat on the bed, sitting with Yan Shang for a while.

He said stiffly: “Then let’s rest.”

Mu Wanyao looked at him with a smile.

She had something of a mocking intention, so Yan Shang could only stand up to extinguish the lamps and candles himself, thinking that once the room darkened, everything should be fine.

Who knew that when she saw him about to blow out the candles, Mu Wanyao’s heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly grabbed his wrist, not letting him leave the bed?

She blurted out: “Don’t blow out the candles!”

Yan Shang paused for a moment, turning his head to look at her. Mu Wanyao turned her gaze away, her face somewhat pale, unwilling to meet his eyes, but he seemed to understand suddenly.

Yan Shang smiled slightly, saying gently: “I was just going to lower the bed curtains. I’m not used to blowing out candles at night either. It’s nice to have some light in the room.”

Mu Wanyao didn’t believe him at all.

Sometimes when she couldn’t sleep at night, sitting in the third-floor tower of her mansion looking at the residence opposite, she could see it was pitch black. He wasn’t afraid of the dark at all; like normal people, he had no habit of keeping candles lit at night.

He said this just for her sake.

Mu Wanyao felt both moved and endeared.

She said teasingly: “Then how many candles will you waste? You’re so poor, can you afford it?”

Yan Shang replied: “I’m not that poor, am I?”

Mu Wanyao hugged the quilt, looking up at him just as he lowered his head to look at her.

He sat before her with his hair loose, his eyes dark, his demeanor pure and harmless.

The candlelight flickered outside, and occasionally one could hear the gentle sound of rain from beyond the walls.

Inside the bed curtains, there were just the two of them sitting like this. Mu Wanyao’s face reddened, and she rarely felt her heart speed up, her cheeks burning hot.

After sitting for a moment, Mu Wanyao asked: “Don’t you want to do anything?”

Yan Shang lowered his eyes.

His fingers resting on the bed trembled slightly, and Mu Wanyao saw his throat bob.

She heard him say softly: “I want to kiss Your Highness, may I?”

Mu Wanyao was both exasperated and amused. Hugging the pillow, her face completely red, she hit his arm with the pillow: “Fool! Have I ever not let you kiss me? What’s there to ask about?”

He then leaned forward, his lips meeting hers.

Mu Wanyao trembled, her hands still clutching the pillow, but her fingertips began to go numb, unable to continue hitting him—

Just that light touch already left her dazed.

Of course, he wasn’t so foolish as to think that merely touching lips constituted a kiss.

After all, even if he truly didn’t know… Mu Wanyao had kissed him before, and Yan Shang already knew that kisses between lips and teeth weren’t just lips touching lips.

So lips parted and tongues met, so jaws aligned, breath intertwining.

Fragrant and gentle, at first like light rain, then becoming a thorough exploration.

His long hair spread across the bedding, and as he leaned forward, those slightly damp strands fell across Mu Wanyao’s hand. Black strands and snow-jade fingers, the stark black and white colors entwined together, creating an intimate tenderness that spoke volumes yet left more unsaid.

“Mm…”

Mu Wanyao secretly opened one eye to look at him, seeing his eyes closed, slightly red beneath. His eyelashes lay against his eyes, and she heard his breathing become uneven – so he wasn’t always composed after all. As her thoughts wandered, he reached out, suddenly embracing her shoulders and pulling her into his arms.

Mu Wanyao: “Ah!”

He drew her into his embrace, suddenly pressing down.

Mu Wanyao hit his shoulder, struggling indistinctly: “No… don’t press on me!”

Yan Shang’s breathing was already uneven, his breath becoming hot. His emotions were no longer under control, he couldn’t help but embrace her. While she struggled in his arms with mumbled protests, her strength was so tiny, like a kitten’s scratch. Yan Shang’s face was red to his ears, and he barely managed to focus enough to hear what she was muttering.

He moved away with some difficulty, lying on his side instead of pressing on her. With this change in position, the kissing stopped. As he felt regretful, he saw Mu Wanyao open her eyes and look at him mischievously.

She pounced on him, pinning him down and kissing him again.

And her playfulness, like a storm, was particularly different from his gentle superficiality and fear of hurting her—

Inside the curtains, there was rustling.

Yan Shang gradually became uncomfortable, lightly brushing against her, instinctively reaching out to gently squeeze her neck, with a slight tendency to trace downward. Mu Wanyao was soft as spring water, yet remained vigilant.

She grabbed his hand, eyes wide: “What are you doing?”

Yan Shang was carried away yet embarrassed.

He said: “Isn’t this how it should be?”

Mu Wanyao: “I just wanted to kiss you, what are you thinking? Are you so disrespectful that you only want to sleep with me?”

Yan Shang: “…”

He was extremely helpless, very uncomfortable, and yet being blamed by her. Any other man would have been driven mad by Mu Wanyao’s back and forth by now.

But Yan Shang’s temperament was so good.

When she said this, he started reflecting on whether he had truly been disrespectful to her. He simply sighed, drawing her back into his embrace, saying softly: “Then let’s just kiss.”

Mu Wanyao was stunned.

She could feel his body burning hot, yet he still… he was content with just kissing?

As he held her mouth with his, her mind became muddled, and after stammering for a while, she forgot what she had been thinking—

Mu Wanyao lay in Yan Shang’s embrace, listening to his heartbeat.

Finally feeling somewhat guilty, thinking she was too cruel, she said: “Shall I help you?”

After all, it wasn’t like she hadn’t…

But Yan Shang mumbled: “It’s fine, don’t worry about it. It will pass soon. I just want to hold Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao was shocked: “…It will pass soon?”

Yan Shang: “Mm.”

Mu Wanyao gave him a strange look, thinking this person truly wasn’t destined for pleasure. However, she also enjoyed the feeling of being held by him; nestled in his embrace, she had a sense of being cherished and protected.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes held a smile as she buried herself in his embrace, arms wrapping around him. She dared not touch him carelessly, afraid of making him more uncomfortable. She lifted her face, meeting his downward gaze.

He reached out, lightly touching her face.

Yan Shang said softly: “Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao: “Mm?”

Yan Shang smiled: “Has the water lily bloomed?”

His slightly warm fingers rested on her face as he leaned down to look at her, his gaze tender and lingering, yet intensely focused. Mu Wanyao was slightly stunned, then realized he was using the flower as a metaphor for her. She pulled up the quilt to cover her face, gradually shrinking down.

Like a retreating turtle.

And hidden under the covers, she couldn’t help but smile secretly—

Of course, the water lily had bloomed—

A night of gentle rain.

Sharing a pillow and sleep.

The inner chamber’s bed curtains hung low, screening the view. Outside in the lotus bowl, beneath the exposed flower bud, a faint red color slowly seeped out, with flower buds secretly testing their opening in the night.

The room was filled with fresh fragrance.

Mu Wanyao carefully rose, leaning over to look at Yan Shang. She carefully pulled her long hair from under his arm, and by the candlelight, reluctantly gazed at him for a long while. His sleeping face with closed eyes was particularly endearing.

However, his intention to marry her truly terrified her.

No matter how reluctant, Mu Wanyao had to steel her heart and cut off his thoughts.

In his confused sleep, Yan Shang seemed to sense Mu Wanyao rising. He opened his eyes slightly, voice hoarse: “Your Highness…?”

Mu Wanyao quickly said: “I’m returning to my mansion, you continue sleeping.”

Yan Shang paused, then moved to get up: “I’ll escort Your Highness…”

Seeing him still confused, Mu Wanyao quickly pressed him back down. Her heart was pounding, afraid he would discover her thoughts. She said teasingly: “It’s just next door, what’s there to escort? You sleep, don’t get up.”

Her rare gentleness and consideration persuaded Yan Shang back to bed—

The next day, Mu Wanyao entered the palace, discussed matters with the Crown Prince, returned to her mansion to pack, and followed the Emperor to the Summer Palace.

Half of the Princess’s mansion was emptied by her.

Before Chun Hua could decide whether or not to terminate the pregnancy, she was taken by Mu Wanyao to the Summer Palace to spend time with the Emperor daily.

On the third day at the Summer Palace, while Mu Wanyao accompanied the Emperor fishing, Chun Hua hid alone in her room.

After being lost in thought for an hour, she brewed the medicine and, fighting her fear, steeled herself to drink it—

Just praying she could truly end the pregnancy!

And that the royal family wouldn’t notice!—

Yan Shang came to the Princess’s mansion seeking an audience for three consecutive days, but Mu Wanyao wouldn’t see him.

At first, when she made excuses for being busy, Yan Shang didn’t think much of it.

By the third day, Yan Shang felt something was wrong.

For any couple, after spending a night together, this shouldn’t be the situation. He used some verbal traps, easily getting information from the mansion’s remaining servants, learning that Mu Wanyao had gone to attend the Emperor at the Summer Palace.

The Princess’s mansion’s people said she would stay at the Summer Palace for at least a month.

The Princess wouldn’t return during this month.

Standing before the Princess’s mansion, though it was June, Yan Shang felt as if ice and snow had been poured over his head.

From top to bottom, his heart instantly turned cold.

He stood dazed for a long while, guessing why she would treat him this way.

…Was it because that night wasn’t good?

Did she no longer like him?

Could it be that she… looked down on his kissing?