Mu Wanyao covered her face and exclaimed, “You dare to pinch my cheek? Do you have a death wish?!”

Usually, such outbursts would carry weight and make Yan Shang hesitate. However, now as she lay weak and soft in his embrace, with her delicate limbs and slight frame, her empty threats carried only the charming petulance of a girl putting on airs, unable to inspire any real fear.

A strange feeling arose in Yan Shang’s heart. This was something he often encountered with Mu Wanyao: she was always looking down on him, despising him, hitting and scolding him.

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

Though she could jump high, the control often lay in his hands.

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

This feeling made Yan Shang uncomfortable because while he could easily overpower her, that very fact meant he must not. He couldn’t use his physical strength to subdue her or force her. She was a delicate, lovable girl who should never be bullied.

Yan Shang lowered his face, brushed aside the messy strands of hair on her face, and softly kissed the corner of her lips.

That kind of tender, gentle kiss.

Mu Wanyao covered one eye and whimpered softly, secretly watching him. Meeting his gaze, her heart suddenly stilled, and the previous playfulness seemed to retreat somewhat. She had always loved this gentleness of his, the way he looked at her with such eyes, kissing her so softly and carefully… it all made her heart flutter.

She sat up from the bed and buried herself in his embrace, tilting her head up to kiss him. His heartbeat, body heat, and breath all surrounded her. The lantern light outside was dim, the gauze curtains hazy, faintly outlining their shadows. Mu Wanyao’s eyes reddened slightly, and she suddenly realized that as he kissed her tenderly, his breathing had quickened, and his body had awakened once more.

Before Mu Wanyao could react, she was gripped by the waist and pressed down. Yan Shang’s hand rested on her knee, gently caressing it. That motion made Mu Wanyao’s body tremble, the corners of her eyes instantly flushing red.

His gaze too was flickering, the corners of his eyes tinged with stimulated redness.

He lowered his head to her ear: “I… want one more time.”

Mu Wanyao knew how difficult it was for someone like him to actively express his desire. She wanted to comply with his wishes, but… Mu Wanyao hesitated: “But, but I’m tired…”

Yan Shang’s face reddened: “Can’t you let me be on top just once?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

He immediately regretted saying those words but having finally spoken them, he didn’t want to give up. He lowered his face, kissing her as if to please her, softly saying, “Don’t be afraid of me… if anything feels wrong, just tell me to stop, alright, Yaoyao?”

Mu Wanyao looked up at him.

She thought being pressed down by a man was frightening, but the candlelight outside was still burning, and as long as she kept her eyes open, what she saw was Yan Shang’s face.

She wasn’t afraid of Yan Shang at all.

Everyone in the world might hurt her, but Second Brother Yan never would. Second Brother Yan was such a convincingly good person.

He was good as a friend, good as an older brother, and naturally even better as a lover.

Mu Wanyao smiled, her thick black hair spread across the pillow. Without speaking, she wrapped her arms around him, letting him press down on her, letting him embrace her. She whispered, “Second Brother Yan, you must love me.”

Yan Shang’s voice was hoarse: “Of course.” —

The evening banquet had left everyone in high spirits.

Even deep into the night, music and song still drifted intermittently from the noble residences of Fan Chuan.

The music was threadbare and out of tune, not particularly pleasant to hear. But in the night, it was like a beautiful dream, allowing people to let down their guard.

In the sleeping quarters of the Princess’s mansion, the room was filled with fragrance, faces were covered in sweat, and the curtains were draped in misty moonlight, with chaotic breathing within.

The lady cried out like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, both agonized and pleasured; the gentleman would occasionally grunt softly, whispering a few words.

Mu Wanyao was held in Yan Shang’s embrace, his hand resting on her knee, their faces pressed together, and when covered in sweat, she felt as if she had met an entirely new Yan Shang.

He remained considerate, and though inexperienced, he constantly observed her, clumsily yet earnestly trying to give her a good experience. And he was so clever that when he set his mind to something, Mu Wanyao truly couldn’t escape, only trembling in his embrace, melting like spring water, softly whimpering.

Yet Yan Shang would also lose control at times, his prided self-restraint often starting with consideration for her, but later he couldn’t hold back; when Mu Wanyao would cry out, he would come back to his senses, apologetically kissing her again, comforting her.

He still didn’t dare look at her, his gaze flickering, hands barely daring to touch below her neck. Only sometimes would he accidentally touch, and his eyes would brighten, then grow shy. When Mu Wanyao took his hand to let him touch, he wouldn’t dare, saying he couldn’t.

Yan Shang had a clear understanding of his self-control, and after saying he couldn’t several times, Mu Wanyao stopped pressing him. She dared to close her eyes in his embrace, nestling against his neck and softly humming, thinking that after a few more times, he would surely become bolder.

Mu Wanyao loved this version of Yan Shang, both controlled and lost in passion. Both are unlike him, yet entirely him.

She thought randomly, 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 wanting to hold her, kiss her.

She was as beautiful as a peony blooming alone in the night, with red petals and trailing branches and leaves, the milky moonlight filtering through the curtains, illuminating her.

Such allure, such beauty.

Black hair spread out, skin like ice, and bones like jade. Eyes like water, lips slightly parted.

She wasn’t the type of woman who was reserved in bed, on the contrary, she was particularly uninhibited, able to accommodate him. She didn’t just accommodate him, she enjoyed this. Such boldness, such self-release… made Yan Shang stare at her, unable to look away for even a moment.

Yan Shang was undoubtedly an extremely reserved person.

An extremely uninteresting person.

He had no yearning for love between men and women, his only thoughts about marriage and couples were about continuing the family line. He didn’t think love was particularly good, his appreciation of female beauty was all because of good character and gentle beauty. His mind was always thinking about what more he could do for the country and countless common people, the heart he gave to love was pitifully small.

Mu Wanyao broke through his narrow understanding.

She made him realize that a beautiful woman full of vitality, blooming in his arms, was so brilliantly dazzling. Her every smile and frown, the charm in her brow and eyes, whether being willful or coquettish… that self-centered, disregard for others, all made him, someone who naturally liked to take care of others, unable to resist surrendering to her.

She walked into his world.

Full of spring spirit, full of vitality.

She lit up his dull, bland world like an entire spring, making Yan Shang’s world collapse in surrender, welcoming her with open arms, welcoming this proud and beautiful Princess Her Highness—

Compared to the brevity of the first time, wasn’t the second time truly about desire?

After finishing, both were like they had been pulled from the water. Mu Wanyao lay exhausted, truly unable to imagine Yan Shang could be so passionate. She was both sleepy and tired, still carrying the lazy satisfaction after the act, lying on the bedding with closed eyes, about to drift off to sleep.

Yan Shang’s hand touched her waist, making Mu Wanyao shudder in fright.

She hurriedly tried to escape, not letting him touch her: “No more! No more!”

Yan Shang quickly covered her mouth, telling her not to shout, his voice hoarse: “Lower your voice, don’t let the maids outside hear.”

Mu Wanyao pulled down his hand and scolded him: “Now you remember to tell me to be quiet? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Got your pleasure and forgot about me, right?”

Yan Shang’s face reddened: “Nonsense.”

He held her waist, pulling her up from the bedding. When Mu Wanyao touched his burning skin, she made a crying face and hugged his neck, about to beg “no more,” thinking to herself why he needed to show off.

Yan Shang’s face was extremely red, feeling she was treating him like a libertine as if he only liked this kind of thing. Yan Shang coaxed her: “I won’t touch you, won’t touch you! Just taking you to wash… Your Highness doesn’t want to sleep all sweaty, right?”

Mu Wanyao raised one eye to look at him, half-believing: “Just wipe it off casually.”

Yan Shang pressed his lips together, looking at the bedding, he awkwardly said: “No… we need to change the bedding too. Does Your Highness know where the clean bedding is?”

Mu Wanyao: “I don’t know! Ask Xia Rong.”

Yan Shang: “How can we ask the maids about… this kind of thing?”

Mu Wanyao pushed his face, trying to crawl out of his embrace to continue hugging her pillow and sleep. She mumbled that it was fine, she was too tired, she didn’t want to wash, if he wanted to change the bedding he could ask the maids himself, don’t disturb her anymore.

Yan Shang had no choice but to coax her, letting her sleep. However, he carried the half-asleep lady down from the bed, took her to the washroom, dutifully washing her himself. When Mu Wanyao teased him he would always blush, embarrassed; but when she quietly slept in his arms, Yan Shang could be a little bolder, secretly looking at her body.

Though he didn’t dare look too much.

Mu Wanyao vaguely felt Yan Shang’s hand pass over her chest, water pouring down, him washing her very properly and respectfully. Then he carried her back, searching everywhere for clean bedding, making the bed anew. The curtains rustled down, and he went to fold the blankets.

When Yan Shang covered her with the bedding, Mu Wanyao hazily opened her eyes to look at him once, and before completely falling asleep, her last thought was: This person must be born for labor, right?

Already so tired yet he still wants to wash, after washing he still wants to fold blankets… Fortunately, his character is good, only forcing himself, not using his standards to force Mu Wanyao to do anything. Otherwise, no matter how handsome this person is, she wouldn’t dare to get involved—

Probably hadn’t slept for long before Mu Wanyao felt Yan Shang getting off the bed.

She was somewhat terrified by him.

She desperately pulled back the covers: “What else do you want to do?”

The young man’s frame was tall and slender, wearing only his inner clothes, hair loose, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed with his back to the curtains, about to put on his clothes. Hearing the lady’s slightly hoarse angry voice behind him, he turned back in surprise, seeing Mu Wanyao had sat up, glaring at him accusingly.

Yan Shang was slightly startled, then said softly: “I… I’m going back. We can’t let people see me leaving Your Highness’s mansion when dawn breaks, right?”

Before Mu Wanyao could continue getting angry, he leaned over. Mu Wanyao thought he was going to kiss her, but he only came closer to pick up the blanket she had knocked off, wrapping her body in it again.

He lowered his eyelashes, saying gently: “Your Highness shouldn’t kick off the blankets, it wouldn’t be good to catch a cold.”

The fire in Mu Wanyao’s heart was immediately extinguished by him, she felt a bit depressed—when someone is so good, her anger seemed very unreasonable.

Mu Wanyao: “But I haven’t slept well all night, and you’re getting up so early.”

Yan Shang felt guilty: “I’m sorry, I won’t do this anymore. After I leave, Your Highness can sleep more… there shouldn’t be anything today anyway.”

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

She was so adorable that Yan Shang couldn’t help but smile, saying: “I still have official duties to attend to.”

Mu Wanyao looked at him seriously: “Working day and night without a moment’s rest, you’ll work yourself to death.”

Yan Shang smiled, coaxing her to lean against the bed as he went to get the clothes he had neatly folded and placed on the low table beside the bed last night, rustling as he began to dress. Mu Wanyao quietly hugged the bedding watching him, seeing him quickly transform from a deliciously beautiful young man into a proper and upright gentleman of jade-like quality, she couldn’t help but click her tongue.

Mu Wanyao’s heart filled with joy. If she weren’t so physically exhausted, she would have gone over to kiss him, strip off his proper attire, and make him lie back in bed.

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

When Yan Shang’s hand touched the jade pendant, his fingers hesitated slightly as he turned back to look at the bed curtains.

Mu Wanyao was no longer sleepy from his actions and was contentedly resting her chin on her hand, watching him dress. When he held the jade pendant and looked back at her, Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow.

She looked at the jade pendant in his hand with interest: “What’s wrong? This jade pendant seems to be of good quality. I feel like I often see you wearing it.”

She was just making casual conversation, as she had never really paid attention to what jade pendant he wore daily. But seeing Yan Shang’s expression, Mu Wanyao paused, knowing she had probably guessed correctly.

Yan Shang’s fingertips caressed the jade pendant. He lifted his robe to sit on the edge of the bed, turned back to look at her, and said softly: “This jade pendant was given to me by my father when I left home last year. My father said it’s our family’s hereditary token of betrothal. He said if I liked someone and wanted to get engaged to a lady in Chang’an, I could give this pendant to that lady.”

Mu Wanyao froze.

Her heart fearfully thought: Marriage! Marriage again!

She looked at the jade pendant in Yan Shang’s hand with some terror, then raised her head to look at him once more. Her whole body stiffened as she thought about his demeanor – he wasn’t going to give her the pendant, was he?

Was that necessary? After just one night together, he wanted to marry her.

Yan Shang saw that panicked look in Mu Wanyao’s eyes, and his shyness and joy, his hesitation and anticipation, instantly retreated.

He was quiet for a moment, his heart growing subtly cold.

Fortunately, this process was extremely brief. Within a few breaths, Yan Shang had withdrawn his emotions, reattaching the jade pendant to his waist without offering it to her. Mu Wanyao sighed in relief, looking up at him, feeling somewhat guilty.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Yan Shang had already smiled gently: “I’ll go now.”

As he rose to leave, Mu Wanyao tugged at his sleeve, making him turn back. She looked up at him pitifully: “Second Brother Yan, there’s nothing wrong between us, right? You’ll still pay attention to me in the future, right?”

Yan Shang looked down at her, was quiet for a moment, then said: “Of course.”

But he added softly: “However, Yaoyao, I’m also human, with feelings and desires. There will also be times when I give up… do you understand?”

At this point, pretending to be confused would likely truly disappoint Yan Shang. Mu Wanyao didn’t want him to give up on their relationship the day after sleeping with her.

She hurriedly nodded: “I will, will try hard. Won’t let you wait in vain… I will give you an answer. Brother, can you wait for me a while longer?”

Yan Shang smiled, and this time he bent down, brushed aside the hair on her forehead, and kissed her there, showing his attitude—

After Yan Shang left, Mu Wanyao lay in bed for a while, thinking about some things, when she heard two knocks on the door and Yan Shang’s voice outside.

She was startled, wondering why he had come back.

Yan Shang pushed open the door, holding a bowl in his hands with steam rising from it. Mu Wanyao thought he had brought her porridge, but this smell… wasn’t it a bit too unpleasant?

Mu Wanyao hesitated: “Did you… make this porridge yourself?”

If the porridge that smelled this bad was made by Yan Shang himself, would she have to force herself to drink it?

Yan Shang saw her expression and knew what she was thinking. He smiled and said: “Your maids gave it to me, I didn’t make it. They said you probably wouldn’t want to drink it and were hesitating and muttering about it. I happened to pass by and heard what they were saying. Since that was the case, I might as well bring it to you myself.”

He was also a bit hesitant.

Lowering his eyelashes to look at her: “Will you… be angry with me?”

Mu Wanyao was bewildered: “You’re bringing me porridge, being so kind, why would I be angry with you? Bring it here.”

Yan Shang sat on the edge of the bed, head lowered for a long while, but didn’t hand over the bowl in his hands. After quite some time, he raised his eyes and said softly: “It’s not porridge.”

Mu Wanyao: “Hm?”

Yan Shang said quietly: “It’s contraceptive medicine.”

Mu Wanyao’s mind went blank, staring at him dumbly.

He knew nothing, so he just frowned at her, worried for her and regretting his rashness: “Last night, last night… I’m sorry. You should drink this, right? Why did your maids say you wouldn’t want to drink it?”

Mu Wanyao was quiet for a moment, then smiled. He was too perceptive; she couldn’t let him see any hints from her expression, didn’t want him to despise her.

She said lightly: “It’s not that I don’t want to drink it. I was just being temperamental as usual.”

She smiled at Yan Shang: “Give it here, I’ll drink it.”

Yan Shang looked at her for a while, finally unable to detect anything, and handed over the foul-smelling medicinal bowl. Mu Wanyao drank it down in one go with great boldness. Seeing him still lowering his head to observe her, she raised an eyebrow at him.

Mu Wanyao teased: “If you keep looking at me with such deep affection in your eyes, I won’t be able to resist kissing you.

“If I can’t resist kissing you, you won’t be able to leave now.”

Yan Shang’s face immediately turned bright red from her teasing. He hurriedly took the medicine bowl and stood up hastily, not daring to get too close to her. He awkwardly bid her farewell, saying he would come to see her later, then rushed out the door.

This time Yan Shang truly left.

As soon as the door closed, Mu Wanyao leaned over the edge of the bed and started vomiting. She pressed her throat, throwing up all the contraceptive medicine she had just drunk.

The black medicine dripped everywhere, making a mess of dirty water in front of the bed. Mu Wanyao lay weakly at the head of the bed, vomiting violently until she was almost throwing up stomach acid.

Her body truly rejected it, her mind truly couldn’t accept it… she rejected and resisted all topics related to children, to the point where even an optional bowl of contraceptive medicine could be completely thrown up by her, not a drop remaining—

Mu Wanyao lay on the edge of the bed, breathing heavily, closing her eyes in dejection.

How could someone like her marry, how could she consider marriage?

She could give Yan Shang nothing… would only drag him down.

Yet knowing she would drag him down, she was still so willful, unwilling to let go.

She would rather keep dragging on like this… why did he have to insist on marriage?—

After the results of the military exercises and literary competition at Le You Yuan were announced, the Emperor’s birthday celebrations concluded successfully, and everyone returned to Chang’an.

After celebrating the Emperor’s birthday, the various foreign envoys gradually began preparing to return to their countries, and the Great Wei court became busy with these matters.

The Crown Prince was in high spirits these days.

Recently, no matter what matter it was, he ended up benefiting. Whether it was Mu Wanyao’s successful hosting of the literary competition, or Yang Si and Yan Shang gaining recognition from the central government during the military exercises… they were all on his side. Back in court, the Crown Prince keenly felt that his influence had grown much greater than before.

Those old fox-like ministers were slowly inclining toward him.

How could this not be exciting?

However, extreme joy begets sorrow, and someone always had to spoil his happiness.

In the evening, after the Crown Prince had met with various ministers in the Eastern Palace, a palace maid said Yang Third Young Master had been waiting outside.

Having just finished reading the last memorial, the Crown Prince washed his hands and wiped them with a towel, tilting his face: “It’s rare for him to be so patient today, waiting for so long. Alright, let him in.”

Soon, the young man in black martial robes casually removed the sword from his waist and entered the hall barefoot.

The Crown Prince was sitting and smiling as he watched him, but his expression suddenly froze, because Yang Si lifted his robe and knelt straight before him.

Crown Prince: “…”

When Yang Si knelt to him, he instinctively felt that Yang Si must have caused some trouble again.

The Crown Prince rested his elbow on the table, took several deep breaths to adjust his mood, and said calmly: “Tell me. Did you beat someone again, or kill someone, or get beaten by your father, or make enemies with someone, requiring me to meditate?”

Yang Si raised his eyes: “None of those. I haven’t done anything recently.”

The Crown Prince made a sound of acknowledgment: “I guess you haven’t done anything. The military exercises just ended, how could you have the energy to cause trouble for me so quickly… So why are you kneeling to me?”

Yang Si answered: “I want to join the frontier army.”

The Crown Prince’s eyebrow twitched: “…!”

Yang Si paid no attention to the Crown Prince’s dark expression and continued: “Before the military exercises, Su Chen and I visited many old generals in Chang’an. Their teachings made me realize that our Great Wei’s military strength is too weak. During those days of combat at the military exercises, Su Chen and I studied both sides and compiled much military data, which I believe Your Highness has already seen.

“You know what I did during the military exercises, Your Highness. The exercises made me realize that I shouldn’t stay in Chang’an living aimlessly. My world should be at the frontier, on the battlefield. Please allow me to leave Chang’an and join the frontier army!”

The Crown Prince immediately said: “Nonsense!”

His voice was stern as he slammed the table hard, frightening the palace servants outside so much they hurriedly retreated, not daring to approach the hall.

But Yang Si was unfazed and continued: “It’s not nonsense. I am determined this time to leave Chang’an for the frontier to fight. I just hope Your Highness will agree.”

The Crown Prince gritted his teeth, about to explode in anger, but remembered how this young man was impervious to persuasion. The more forceful he was, the more Yang Si would resist.

So the Crown Prince tried to reason with him earnestly: “I had such difficulty getting you transferred back to Chang’an from the Longxi frontier army, and now you tell me you want to go again? Have you thought about your parents, about me? The battlefield is such a place, swords and blades show no mercy – you, the third son of the Yang family, why must you go to such a place… what are you seeking? If something happens to you, even if you don’t think of me, what about your family?

“Third Young Master, your father’s line has only you as the sole son! How can you bear it!”

Yang Si raised his head and said coolly: “A true man’s ambition lies in all four corners of the world, how can one fear death and cling to life? I returned once before because I couldn’t bear it, but now I’ve thought it through clearly, I still must leave. Now is the time I should leave… Chang’an is drunk on luxury, peaceful scenes everywhere. It’s a good place, but not suitable for me.

“I have nothing to be sorry about to my father and mother. They should be proud of me, and if they can’t be proud… then they might as well not have me. I can’t possibly do things I don’t like forever for the sake of others. I can force myself temporarily, but I can’t constrain myself for a lifetime!”

Crown Prince: “Impudent!”

He stood up and said sternly: “When I had you return to Chang’an that day, it was for you to marry Sixth Sister. Fine, you were unwilling. I temporarily put this matter aside. Later, Sixth Sister also showed promise, and the marriage became less urgent… but I always saw you two as a pair. Now I understand, you never had any such intention…

“Don’t you like Mu Wanyao? Haven’t you always sympathized with her situation? Staying in Chang’an, didn’t you want to protect her? Are you not protecting her now? Have you given up on her now?”

Yang Si lifted his chin: “She has someone more suitable than me to protect her, I have indeed set my mind at ease, indeed can leave single-mindedly without worrying about her being bullied by you all. Second Young Master Yan is far better at this than me and is better liked by Yaoyao. In this world, things should be done by those who are good at them! Those who aren’t good at something should go find what they’re good at, don’t force each other!”

The Crown Prince gnashed his teeth, laughing from anger: “So it turns out I’ve been forcing you all along?”

Yang Si lowered his eyes and remained silent.

The Crown Prince walked over and struck Yang Si’s head and face with the scroll in his hand. But Yang Si remained motionless, his kneeling form not swaying at all, allowing the Crown Prince to vent his anger.

The Crown Prince said angrily: “If you won’t marry Mu Wanyao, then don’t marry anyone!”

Yang Si: “Fine!”

The Crown Prince then tried to persuade him gently: “You’re already so grown up, about to come of age, yet you want to run so far away… at least leave an heir, give your parents something to remember you by?”

Yang Si raised his head, looking at the Crown Prince with a half-smile: “Your Highness shouldn’t think I’m a fool. All this talk about leaving an heir is just to trick me into staying in Chang’an, then slowly arranging a marriage, taking a year or half to pick a bride. After I’m married, you’ll start persuading me to have children. When my wife is pregnant, you’ll persuade me to wait until after she gives birth before leaving. And after having a child, it becomes ‘the child is so young, how can you bear to leave’…”

Yang Si’s eyes were crimson, his face gaunt with sharp features.

He pressed his brows together and said coldly: “I won’t listen to your excuses anymore. I am determined to join the army, and if Your Highness doesn’t agree, I’ll just keep kneeling here until Your Highness agrees.”

The Crown Prince raged: “Then keep kneeling!”

The Crown Prince turned and left the hall without looking at him. The palace servants carefully lit the lamps and glanced at Third Young Master Yang kneeling in the hall, clicking their tongues but not daring to ask more. Yang Si knelt in the hall as the shadows of the phoenix trees outside fell upon him, light and shadow like flowing water.