The quiet alley was bathed in red from the lanterns. In the snow, a horse lay on the ground whinnying in pain, and the people of the princess’s mansion, hearing the commotion, hurried out to check on both horse and rider.

They saw the princess being held in Second Young Master Yan’s arms as he knelt on the ground, her hair and clothes completely covered in snow as if she had been dug out of it.

The mansion’s servants didn’t dare ask questions, hurriedly going to calm the horse. It was quite a while before Fang Tong and the others finally arrived. They all breathed slight sighs of relief seeing that the princess hadn’t ridden away in despair but had known to return to the mansion.

Yan Shang kept holding Mu Wanyao tightly, his heart pounding, which Mu Wanyao could hear clearly. She blinked, raising her head from his embrace.

Mu Wanyao coughed several times from choking on snow, and only then did Yan Shang come to his senses, helping her stand up from the ground. His arm encircled her back, supporting her up while holding her in an embrace. Normally Yan Shang would never be so intimate with Mu Wanyao in public; tonight was an exception, and the servants pretended not to see.

Yan Shang’s hand supported Mu Wanyao’s arm, his breath at her ear, her hair ornaments seemingly about to brush against his lips.

Mu Wanyao heard in the cold winter snow night, all sounds frozen still, only his voice as gentle as ever: “Are you hurt anywhere? Do your hands hurt, were your legs trapped? Your Highness, can you walk a few steps?”

Mu Wanyao had fallen from her horse and her head and back ached, but being held in his embrace, truly relying on his support, and listening to his words, she obediently took a couple of steps.

She swayed a little.

Mu Wanyao’s voice was very soft, almost plaintive: “My legs hurt.”

He immediately crouched down, wanting to look. Mu Wanyao looked down at him, and saw his hand already reaching toward the hem of her skirt, then as if suddenly remembering this wasn’t appropriate, he looked up at her, meeting Mu Wanyao’s pitch-black eyes.

Her heart had been desolate, ice and snow stretching endlessly, but seeing him like this, she couldn’t help but press her lips together, the corners of her eyes lifting as she secretly observed him.

Caught in her furtive gaze, Yan Shang blushed slightly, standing up while still supporting her, helping her walk toward the mansion, saying: “Would you let the court physician take a look?”

Mu Wanyao shook her head; she didn’t want to see anyone from the palace tonight. Yan Shang worried she was truly injured, his brows furrowed as he thought about how to persuade her to let someone examine her injuries, when suddenly something ice-cold touched between his brows.

Mu Wanyao had reached out, her finger touching his forehead. She said: “Why aren’t you scolding me?”

Yan Shang looked down at the path, helping her up the steps: “Scold you for what?”

Mu Wanyao lowered her head: “I rode so fast, then got distracted, and because I was distracted I fell and made you so worried. Why aren’t you scolding me, not even a few words? Why don’t you say my temper is terrible, that I don’t consider your feelings at all?”

Yan Shang looked at her, paused, and then said gently: “Your Highness is already hurt, why would I scold you? Your Highness must have some grievance. Would you like to tell me?”

Mu Wanyao looked at him, then slowly shook her head.

She didn’t want him to know her past; she hoped to remain pure and untainted in his eyes.

Yan Shang was quiet for a moment, then said softly: “Then I can only hope a thousand, ten thousand times that Your Highness never suffers grievances again.”

By now they had entered the mansion, and Mu Wanyao wasn’t sure how serious her injuries were. Probably not too serious? Since she could still walk. Moreover, with Yan Shang supporting her, her attention was truly drawn to his arm supporting her, to his slightly cool temperature as he stayed close to her back.

Mu Wanyao wondered in her heart why he was so cold, had he been standing outside in the heavy snow? What was he doing standing outside?

Mu Wanyao kept her head down, not even noticing all the lanterns hung throughout her mansion.

She just listened to him constantly saying “Your Highness” this and “Your Highness” that, and said dejectedly: “Why do you never call me ‘Yaoyao’ normally? Is it because I scolded you before not to call me that, so you never did again?”

Yan Shang was startled, then said: “I’m afraid if I get used to it, I won’t be able to change it when we’re in public… people might misunderstand.”

Mu Wanyao tilted her head to look at him, her black eyes fixed on his elegant, handsome features: “What misunderstanding? You don’t want your friends, your colleagues, to know about our relationship?”

Yan Shang looked at her and, after a while said: “…It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that you don’t want to.”

Mu Wanyao was startled, then lowered her eyes, thinking that’s how it was.

She was so bad.

Yan Shang’s hand gently patted her back twice, as if he knew what she was thinking, saying softly: “Your Highness, don’t blame yourself. Whenever you’re ready is fine. I will wait for Your Highness, I won’t leave Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao kept her head down without speaking.

Yan Shang could see her mood was very low, wondering in his heart what had happened at the palace. He wasn’t particularly anxious; even if Mu Wanyao didn’t tell him, he would know by tomorrow. Right now the most important thing was to make Mu Wanyao feel better.

But he was also at a loss, wondering how to make her feel better.

In his nineteen years of life, his most extensive experience with girls was with his sister Yan Xiaozhou. When they were young, their family traveled throughout Jiangnan, then later when their mother’s health declined and their father had to care for her, it was he who personally took care of his young sister.

Helping his sister brush her hair, telling her stories, sing songs, telling jokes, and carrying her on his back all over the mountains.

But Yan Xiaozhou was different from Mu Wanyao. Yan Xiaozhou was purely obedient, never resisting or arguing with him, never deliberately going against him… Mu Wanyao was different.

While Yan Shang was thinking about these things, he heard Mu Wanyao say softly: “Can you always be this good to me?”

Yan Shang was startled, and for some reason, felt a bit of heartache. He said: “This is nothing.”

Mu Wanyao looked up at him and saw guilt in his eyes. She didn’t even know what he was feeling guilty about… did he think he wasn’t being good enough to her?

Mu Wanyao stared at him blankly for a long time, her eyes reddening slightly, then suddenly stopped walking. She showed her first smile of the night, opening her arms to hug him. She sighed: “Second Brother Yan, you’re so cold.”

Yan Shang said softly: “Because I was standing outside for so long… let’s hug after we go inside?”

Mu Wanyao ignored him, standing on the lake corridor, hugging his waist, and burying herself in a tight embrace. She looked up at his downcast eyes, saying quietly: “You can tell, right? I’m not in a good mood right now.”

Yan Shang smiled, reaching out to brush away a few strands of hair from her face, brushing away the snow water from her eyelashes: “Yaoyao is being so good, not even losing your temper.”

Mu Wanyao said: “It’s because it’s you that I’m not angry. If anyone else had tried to pull me just now, I would have gotten angry, and no one would have slept tonight.”

Yan Shang said: “How could that be? I live right next door. If there was an all-night disturbance at the princess’s mansion, someone would surely come tell me.”

He blushed slightly, saying: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t get angry when you see me? I would come to see you.”

Mu Wanyao: “Will you always come to see me?”

Yan Shang gazed at her and, after a while said: “I may not always be able to, but I will try my hardest.”

Mu Wanyao couldn’t help but laugh, saying: “I didn’t even ask you to make a vow, why are you being so serious, even having to think about it? Second Brother Yan, you’re so cute. You took my spoiled words seriously.”

Yan Shang was slightly startled, then smiled sheepishly. He lowered his eyelashes, which were so long they were like brushes.

His face was handsome, but couldn’t compare to the beauty of his temperament.

He continued holding her, letting her hug his waist, his head lowered in this slight smile, and Mu Wanyao felt that all the gloom in her heart could be dispersed by him.

Mu Wanyao looked at him, murmuring: “You’re so cute, I want to kiss you.”

He turned his head away, saying somewhat uncomfortably: “Would… would kissing me make you feel better?”

Mu Wanyao nodded.

Yan Shang then lifted his eyelashes to look at her, showing no sign of resistance or refusal.

Seeing his tacit permission, Mu Wanyao leaned in. Warm breath flowed between them, the air slightly damp, snow falling on his light red lips, clearly visible. But just as their lips were about to touch, she seemed to remember something and sighed: “I can’t kiss you.”

Yan Shang was stunned.

Then asked: “Why?”

Mu Wanyao: “I drank a lot of wine tonight, if I kiss you, you’ll feel unwell again, and you’ll collapse again.”

Yan Shang made an “ah” sound, lowering his eyes, somewhat frustrated. He hesitated, but by this time, Mu Wanyao had already withdrawn from his embrace, walking on her own. Yan Shang hurriedly followed her, and as they entered the inner courtyard, they heard activity in the mansion.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes saw servants raising poles in the mansion, with maids hanging banners on the poles. Mu Wanyao stood outside the moon gate, looking on in confusion for a while, until Yan Shang who followed behind explained: “This is the New Year’s Eve custom of raising poles and hanging banners, praying for peace and long life in the coming year. We have this custom in Lingnan. Didn’t Your Highness know?”

Mu Wanyao shook her head in bewilderment.

Then she suddenly realized something, turning back to look at Yan Shang behind her, her heart stirring: “Come to think of it, I just realized, it must be midnight now. Why were you at the alley entrance, and why did you follow me all the way here? What were you planning to do?”

Yan Shang was stunned.

Her confusion made him confused as well: “…Staying up for the New Year. What else would I be doing?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

She had overthought again.

She’d thought he came to find her in the middle of the night… Yan Shang examined her, and just as he was about to guess what she was thinking, Mu Wanyao felt momentarily annoyed, feeling she was too impure before Yan Shang. She coughed heavily, bringing his thoughts back: “So all these banner hangings in my mansion, you arranged them? Weren’t you worried it would be too much trouble?”

Yan Shang said: “Because I wanted to stay up for the New Year with Your Highness, is that not allowed?”

Mu Wanyao was stunned for a moment, saying: “…It’s allowed.”

Then she touched her face, unconsciously giving him a sidelong glance, saying again: “You’re really cute.”

Just as she was saying this, walking two more steps into the inner hall, she saw Wei Shu’s figure. She thought she was seeing things, seeing Wei Shu standing under a lamp tree, watching the servants arrange things. The servants paid their respects to the princess, and Wei Shu also turned around, clear and cool.

Wei Shu: “Your Highness, you’re back?”

Mu Wanyao smiled at him, then looked toward Yan Shang.

Yan Shang explained: “…I was afraid you wouldn’t want to stay with me tonight, so I called for Juyuan. Don’t you like Juyuan very much?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Mu Wanyao said: “I take back what I said before, you’re not cute anymore.”

Before Yan Shang could understand the reason for her contradiction, Mu Wanyao had already walked toward young Wei Shu standing under the lamp tree in the inner hall. Seeing the youth standing under the tree like a tree of silver flowers, Mu Wanyao turned back again, looking at Yan Shang standing under the moon gate like an orchid and jade tree.

Snow swirled between heaven and earth.

But Mu Wanyao’s heart gradually warmed.

She thought what did the coldness of that palace banquet matter, when she returned to her mansion, Yan Shang and Wei Shu were waiting for her.

This mortal world isn’t always cold—

Mu Wanyao had been tense throughout the palace banquet, afraid someone would make a mistake in protocol, so she had only drunk wine, barely eating.

Returning to her mansion, she sat with Wei Shu and Yan Shang in the inner hall staying up for the New Year, and naturally, the servants brought out fruits and pastries. However, Mu Wanyao wasn’t in the mood to eat now either, but urged Wei Shu to eat more, saying he was still young and needed to grow taller.

Meanwhile, Yan Shang sat on the other side, telling Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu about New Year customs in Lingnan.

Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu sat side by side, listening to Yan Shang tell stories. Mu Wanyao propped her chin up, not hiding her curiosity, while Wei Shu’s gaze was cool, trying hard to hide his curiosity… the two of them made Yan Shang feel awkward several times, yet also amused.

Yan Shang coughed.

Mu Wanyao said impatiently: “Cough cough cough, how many times have you coughed while telling a story? Can’t you hold it in?”

Yan Shang: “Sorry.”

Wei Shu said softly: “Your Highness shouldn’t be so fierce with Second Brother Yan…”

Mu Wanyao smiled at Wei Shu, her voice softening: “It’s alright, I won’t be fierce with you. Don’t be afraid.”

Wei Shu looked at her once, thinking to say he was grown up now, he wasn’t afraid anymore. But when the words reached his lips, Wei Shu said: “If Your Highness has any difficulties, I can help.”

Mu Wanyao was startled, guessing Wei Shu’s perceptive mind had noticed she was a bit unhappy tonight. She smiled awkwardly, glossing over it—

The hall was filled with lamplight, and after some more idle chat, they heard explosions outside, startling all three of them, knowing the new year had arrived.

Mu Wanyao, Wei Shu, and Yan Shang looked at each other, and then she and Wei Shu both looked toward Yan Shang.

Yan Shang: “…”

Yan Shang had to say: “We should also ‘burst the poles.'”

Bursting the poles meant burning a long bamboo pole section by section, making explosive sounds. In this earth-shaking noise, they would drive away plague spirits and welcome the new year.

Mu Wanyao suddenly understood, hurriedly having the maids make arrangements. When the crackling of bursting poles started in the courtyard, Mu Wanyao was startled, she shrank back, and in the next moment, Yan Shang reached out to cover her ears, blocking out the sound.

Mu Wanyao looked up at Yan Shang in a daze, her clear water-like eyes fixed on him.

Wei Shu beside them also looked over: “Second Brother Yan?”

Yan Shang’s face grew hot under their gazes, lowering his hands, saying: “I was just a bit close to Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao also blushed, meeting Wei Shu’s eyes looking over, she put on a stern face: “What are you looking at? We’ve finished staying up for the New Year, isn’t it time to go to sleep? Xia Rong, quickly take Juyuan to wash up.”

Wei Shu was led away for moments, and Mu Wanyao also stood up, planning to return to her room to sleep. They had stayed up for the New Year, troublesome things could wait until tomorrow after waking to worry about.

She didn’t acknowledge Yan Shang, but when she stood up, Yan Shang also stood up with her. When she was about to leave, her hand was caught from behind, her body turned to face him. He bent down, his lips lightly brushing against hers.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened, for a moment thinking he meant to force something, stepping back against a corridor pillar.

Yan Shang stepped forward, one hand on her shoulder, one hand cupping her face. He looked down at her, his gaze clear, starlight scattered like a clear lake.

Yan Shang bent down to kiss her, taking her lips, and pressing against her teeth.

Mu Wanyao’s whole body trembled, her hands suddenly on his shoulders, wanting to push him away. She wanted to resist, murmuring: “No, no… I drank wine, you can’t kiss me. You won’t be able to handle it.”

Yan Shang raised his eyes to look at her once, saying: “Then we’ll make the most of our time.”

He held her wrist, lowering his head to kiss the inside of her wrist once more. Mu Wanyao shuddered, feeling her whole being might jump at his kiss. His tenderness made her body tremble, her cheeks crimson, yet still dodging and evading.

Yan Shang looked at her saying: “Didn’t you say a kiss would make you feel better? I want to make you feel better.”

He hesitated for a moment, pressing his lips together: “Sister Yaoyao.”

Mu Wanyao suddenly gave up struggling, staring blankly at this person who called her “Sister Yaoyao.” He pressed against her chin, kissing her lips again. The distance between lips and teeth, the sensation of sweetness and warmth. The ice and snow cities in her heart retreated layer by layer, flower buds hidden under the snow peeking out their heads.

He kissed her again and again.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes gradually became like flowing water.

Snow flew behind them, she seemed to lose all strength, held in his embrace, and kissed. She closed her eyes, never before had there been a moment like this, feeling that a kiss could be like this, could make soul and spirit tremble together, rejoice together.

Wanting their souls to merge as one.

Wanting to hold on until death.

His moist breath brushed her face, pressed against her ear. In her daze, Mu Wanyao closed her eyes, feeling him speaking by her ear. His lips touched her earlobe, her face burning unbearably, her whole being almost trembling to collapse, barely holding on.

Mu Wanyao took quite a while to gather her wits, before finally hearing what his low voice was saying.

Yan Shang was probably quite drunk already, pressed against her ear, his speech already somewhat broken: “Yaoyao, you… you said last time, that you liked me more than I liked you… I, I felt very sad hearing that.

“I’m not as passionate as you, I probably won’t ever be as passionate as you in my whole life. But I am serious, I’ve, I’ve always been very serious.

“I’ve always wanted to explain to you, but couldn’t find the chance, couldn’t find the reason. Yaoyao, you know, I am… an especially, especially self-tormenting person.

“Zhao… Fifth Lady… was just an excuse I used to move toward you. It was me choosing to abandon self-reflection, willingly sinking.

“I thought back and forth, struggled endlessly. I reminded myself daily not to indulge and forced myself daily to self-reflect. I’m, I’m different from you, just moving toward you, deciding to move toward you… that was already my most indulgent moment.”

Mu Wanyao was stunned, opening her eyes to look at him.

He had already closed his eyes, his head resting on her shoulder, most of his body weight pressing on her. Mu Wanyao naturally couldn’t bear his weight, she opened her arms to embrace him, sliding down along the corridor pillar, holding the already drunk Yan Shang in her arms.

The tears in her eyes fell intermittently as if they couldn’t be taken back.

When leaving Wuman she had told herself not to cry anymore, not to shed tears anymore. That was too weak, too pitiful.

…But she really couldn’t hold back—

Snow flew everywhere in the sky.

The lady sat against the corridor pillar, holding her lover in her arms, choking with sobs—

What had she done right, to meet such a person, to have such a good life?