Heavy rain fell in Nanyang.

Court eunuchs from Chang’an braved the rain, carrying imperial edicts as they headed straight for the Rang County magistrate’s office to deliver orders from the capital.

However, the Rang County magistrate was not present in Nanyang. The newly arrived eunuchs were bewildered, unaware of his absence. Did the county normally operate with only the deputy magistrate in charge? Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long before Pei Qin arrived, ascending the steps under a servant’s umbrella.

Pei Qin’s shoulders were damp from the rain, his wide sleeves dripping down to his knees, thoroughly soaked. He apologized to the eunuchs who had come to deliver the edicts, smiling helplessly: “…I am the local Chief Secretary. I’m temporarily handling Rang County’s administrative duties. The magistrate is currently away on business. If you need to deliver the edict, I’m afraid you’ll have to make an extra trip.”

The eunuch was shocked: “How can the local magistrate be absent from his post? This… this… Young lord, are you making this up? A magistrate leaving his jurisdiction without permission is a punishable offense. He just received an imperial edict promoting him, and if the central government learns of this, won’t he face demotion? Young lord, this is no joking matter.”

Pei Qin didn’t know how to respond. A eunuch behind him emerged with a smile and asked the edict-bearing eunuch: “Are you looking for Young Lord Yan? Then there’s no problem. Young Lord Yan… was taken away by Princess Danyang. This was the Princess’s doing, and even if Chang’an learns of it, they’ll turn a blind eye. Sir, there’s no need to make an issue of it.”

Pei Qin had his servant step forward and quietly slip a gold ingot into the edict-bearing eunuch’s sleeve. The eunuch’s expression, which had been alternating between dark and light, improved slightly. He said resignedly: “Since it’s the imperial princess’s doing, Young Lord Yan must have been coerced. We can only blame the princess.”

The first eunuch agreed: “Indeed, indeed.”

The later-arriving eunuch asked curiously: “Sir, how is it that you’re also in Nanyang? Did you also come to deliver an edict to the Rang County magistrate before me?”

The first eunuch smiled and denied it: “No, no. I carry imperial edicts, first for Lord Pei, then for Princess Danyang. I originally thought the princess was still in Nanyang, but upon arriving, Lord Pei informed me she had already gone to Jinling. Once the rain stops, I’ll have to make a trip to Jinling to deliver the edict to Princess Danyang.”

Under the meaningful gazes of both eunuchs, Pei Qin managed a forced smile, mentioned the heavy rain, and invited them to drink. He then left, giving space to the two eunuchs.

After Pei Qin departed and wine was served, while drinking and eating, the eunuch who had arrived earlier in Nanyang mysteriously told the newcomer: “The edicts I bring, well, there’s no harm in telling. The news should have spread through Chang’an by now. I carry two edicts here – one is to strip Lord Pei of his position as Prince Consort, which naturally explains his poor mood.

“The other announces the new Prince Consort. Of course, I must go to Jinling to personally deliver this imperial edict to the Princess.”

The latter suddenly understood: “So that’s it! I heard about this in Chang’an, so Princess Danyang’s Prince Consort is being replaced!”

The former smiled cryptically, his speech slurred from drink: “His Majesty has long favored Princess Danyang and Young Lord Yan, it’s not news.”

The latter was shocked: “The new Prince Consort is Young Lord Yan?! No wonder… no wonder.”

The first eunuch asked curiously: “Among your two imperial edicts, isn’t one about the marriage arrangement, appointing Young Lord Yan as Prince Consort?”

The latter shook his head and smiled: “The edicts I bring are from the Department of State Affairs. There are two, but both concern official positions, truly unrelated to the Prince Consort matter.”

The former was puzzled but nodded, thinking this eunuch must work in the Department of State Affairs, hence his arrival concerning official appointments. The Department wouldn’t concern itself with whom Young Lord Yan would marry or serve. The former wanted to ask about changes to Young Lord Yan’s official position, whether it was good news or bad, but the latter from the Department of State Affairs kept his lips tightly sealed and wouldn’t say a word.

In any case – the two eunuchs clinked their cups, drinking merrily: “This way, we can keep each other company and travel together to Jinling to deliver edicts to both noble persons.”

In Chang’an, the discussions about official recusal remained inconclusive. But subtly, as the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin reached a private reconciliation, no one seemed to care about official recusal anymore.

The Prince of Qin tacitly approved the Crown Prince’s takeover of Shannan Circuit’s military forces, and in return, the Crown Prince no longer opposed the reshuffling and reassignment of Nanyang’s Jiang family officials. The former leaders of the Nanyang Jiang clan fell from power, but new ones rose to replace them. Though their strength was somewhat diminished, it remained Jiang territory.

This left the Prince of Qin uneasy, though he reluctantly accepted the outcome.

However, given the current situation, the Prince of Qin could no longer convince himself. Various forces were closing in, and it was clear they intended to make an example of him and the Nanyang Jiang clan. The Crown Prince lost the Yang family, he lost the Jiang family. Looking at it now, it seemed as if the Emperor was making the brothers destroy each other.

Father Emperor wasn’t on his side.

Over these months, the Prince of Qin recognized this in dealing with the Nanyang Jiang clan case. Previously, when the Crown Prince’s Ministry of Revenue incident occurred, after the Crown Prince admitted guilt and confined himself to the Eastern Palace, the Emperor let the matter drop. Now that it was his turn, the Nanyang Jiang clan was trapped in the bandit suppression affair, unable to break free, and due to the transition between old and new, their support for the Prince of Qin was far weaker than before.

If His Majesty was reshuffling, then he was using the Prince of Qin as his target.

After several heartbreaking realizations, the Prince of Qin began secretly gathering troops in preparation. He couldn’t sit idly by while his power was stripped away to benefit others. He couldn’t wait for His Majesty to move against him… he had to seize the initiative!

In the palace, after drinking new medicine, the old Emperor’s mind grew hazy, and as he was about to drift off, he suddenly awoke from a nightmare. He called out: “Cheng’an.”

The aged Cheng’an, who had been following him, quickly approached His Majesty’s side.

The Emperor asked: “I dreamed that the one in Jinling passed away.”

Cheng’an said softly: “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, imperial dreams must have portents. This is an auspicious sign.”

The Emperor gasped for breath, seeming to want to laugh but lacking even the strength for that. He was extremely emaciated, his eye sockets sunken, his entire being almost consumed by illness. But in his heart, he knew he had finally outlasted the Li family patriarch… Fortunately, with that one’s death, he need not worry about the Li clan rising to power through Yaoyao after his passing.

Yes, he still needed to put a lock on Yaoyao.

Yan Suchen!

He wanted Yan Suchen to be this lock on Yaoyao, he wanted Yan Suchen and Yaoyao to check and balance each other… The Mu Dynasty must never return to an era dominated by great families!

Seeing him so exhausted yet still concerning himself with these matters, Cheng’an couldn’t help but feel grief. The imperial physician was barely keeping His Majesty alive, yet during this time, His Majesty suffered greatly. If not for these concerns, how could His Majesty have… But there simply wasn’t enough time! Far from enough time!

Cheng’an urged: “Your Majesty has arranged these matters very well, there’s no need for further worry. Your Majesty should focus on recovering…”

The Emperor shook his head.

With deep-set eyes, the Emperor said: “I… await Yan Suchen’s return to Chang’an. Just based on his current achievements…”

Cheng’an had also seen the edict from the Department of State Affairs, and said: “Young Lord Yan is truly remarkable. He forcefully changed Rang County’s situation.”

The Emperor said: “Once he returns to Chang’an, I will gradually place the commoner officials in his hands, let them check the great families, make the Crown Prince distance himself from the great families… then, kill Liu Wenqi… only then can I rest easy.”

Cheng’an was surprised, yet it was also within expectations: “Your Majesty wants to… eliminate Liu Wenqi?”

The Emperor’s consciousness grew dim, and he muttered these few sentences before closing his eyes and falling into unconsciousness. In his hazy state, he spoke as if in a dream: “Eunuchs can only be used as a transition, they cannot become too powerful… when eunuchs control the government, they will certainly throw the court into chaos. Once commoner officials have a leader, eunuchs will no longer be needed…”

The imperial family’s surname was Mu, the realm belonged to the scholars, nowhere was there a place for eunuchs to stand. When eunuchs controlled the government, their position was illegitimate and could not last.

He would not let eunuchs monopolize power…

Seeing the Emperor fall asleep again, Cheng’an sighed. He painfully wiped tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and quietly withdrew.

In a corner by the palace hall doors, a young eunuch who had been secretly listening to the conversation inside saw Cheng’an walk out with hunched shoulders and quickly hid in the corner—

Liu Wenqi sat in a dark room, his eyes glinting as he turned a tall wine cup in his hand, listening to the eunuch informer relay every detail of the Emperor and Cheng’an’s secret plot to kill Liu Wenqi from the Emperor’s chambers.

The Emperor was gravely ill, and Cheng’an devoted himself entirely to serving the Emperor. Liu Wenqi came and went between the inner court and the royal court. Unknowingly, the entire palace no longer listened to Cheng’an, but followed Liu Wenqi’s every command. Unfortunately, Cheng’an’s heart was solely with His Majesty, and he completely failed to notice that he, the Grand Director of the Palace, had already been marginalized by his former disciple.

The young eunuch mimicked the words from the imperial chambers perfectly: “This humble servant heard it clearly! His Majesty spoke of not letting eunuchs throw the court into chaos, not allowing Your Excellency to grow too powerful, wanting to kill Your Excellency…”

Liu Wenqi showed a kind expression to this young eunuch: “You’ve done very well, go collect your reward silver.”

The young eunuch immediately left joyfully to be led away. But as soon as he departed, Liu Wenqi summoned another eunuch and said flatly: “Find some excuse in the next couple of days to dispose of that person just now. Do it cleanly, don’t let him contact anyone or spread rumors.”

The commanded eunuch’s face turned pale with shock, momentarily unable to respond.

Liu Wenqi gave him a cold look and said: “He gossiped about His Majesty’s words, how could we let him live?”

Only then did that eunuch breathe a sigh of relief and accept the order, going to prepare a reason for the killing. Meanwhile, Liu Wenqi sat alone in the inner chamber, set down the tall wine cup, and lightly tapped his fingers on the table.

Tap, tap, tap.

One after another.

If His Majesty wanted to kill him, it would certainly be before the new emperor’s ascension. Because eunuchs were too close to the emperor, they could easily manipulate him. Someone as deeply calculating as His Majesty naturally wouldn’t leave such a troublesome legacy for his descendants.

But… Liu Wenqi smiled coldly.

Elevate when desired, kill when desired… In the past, when others held the cleaver and he was the fish on the chopping block, being controlled by others was unavoidable, but now Liu Wenqi’s influence in court ran deep – what right did the old emperor have to kill him at will?

By heaven-mandated imperial authority?!

But wasn’t this imperial authority also using him, Liu Wenqi, as a watchdog? And in this world, who would willingly remain forever just a watchdog? Who would willingly be manipulated by others forever?!

Liu Wenqi pondered in his heart, concealing murderous intent. He was cultivating a new conspiracy, and the beginning of it all was nothing more than seeking self-preservation. Self-preservation, self-preservation, in the end, it was nothing more than—fighting others for survival! Your death means my life!

The time came for the Ghost Festival when the gates of the underworld opened wide.

Jinling was in mourning white due to the passing of the Li family patriarch, sinking into depression. But the soon-to-be-installed new head of the Li family quickly had word spread, telling the whole city not to panic. On the day of the Ghost Festival, people should simply enjoy the lanterns and flowers, and if anyone felt grateful to the Li family, they could burn a paper lantern for Lord Li.

The Li family did not prohibit the activities set up throughout the city to celebrate the Ghost Festival.

The whole city, though still in an atmosphere of grief, began to grow lively again.

As for the Li family, after Lord Li’s passing, letters regarding the Li family’s change of patriarch were sent to Chang’an, seeking His Majesty’s approval. The letter was written personally by Lord Li before his death, painstakingly begging His Majesty to allow his son Li Zhi to return to Jinling to observe three years of mourning, fulfilling his filial duty.

This letter would almost certainly be approved by His Majesty. Mourning one’s father was a foundational principle of Great Wei’s governance. Even if Li Zhi had been demoted, with Lord Li’s pleading letter, he would return to Jinling. This path that Lord Li paved for the Li family was righteous and beyond reproach.

On the afternoon of the Ghost Festival, Yan Shang sat alone in his room while the old imperial physician applied medicine, rambling on about precautions to take.

Mu Wanyao was not present, having been called away by other Li family children to pray for Lord Li at a temple in the city, and then to release Kong Ming lanterns for Lord Li by the Qinhuai River. Due to his limited mobility and lack of direct relationship with the Li family, Yan Shang was not included.

Mu Wanyao only said she would return in the evening, and they could take a casual stroll together then. Yan Shang didn’t mind in his heart, but with everyone gone, leaving him alone to stare at Han Shuxing, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat lost and lonely.

Although he spent his days constantly bickering with Mu Wanyao, unwilling and discontent, when she was present, his surroundings were at least lively. She gave him emotions and feelings, a sense of being alive. Without her, unable to read books or handle official duties, he found it extremely dull.

In the evening, a torrential rain began to fall.

The old imperial physician applying medicine to Yan Shang looked at the rain outside and said: “It always tends to rain at this time of year.”

Yan Shang kept his eyes closed, feeling a slight burning sensation. Hearing this, he turned his face toward the direction of the physician’s voice and said: “Is the rain very heavy? If it truly is, Yaoyao… Her Highness… should have to return, right?”

The old physician couldn’t help but smile. He looked at this young man with scholarly features, noting how his face reddened slightly at his slip of the tongue, yet still tried to maintain composure. This lovesick, distracted appearance was something the old physician had seen many times. Having treated Young Lord Yan’s eyes for so many days, how could he not see the relationship between the Princess and Young Lord Yan?

The physician teased: “Does Young Lord miss Her Highness?”

Yan Shang insisted firmly: “…It’s not that. It’s just that with my vision impaired, human nature is simply weak.”

The old physician shook his head. Sitting by the couch, he casually tossed Yan Shang’s used bandages into the brazier and began searching through his medicine box for new medicine: “This new medicine I’ve prepared for Young Lord might sting the eyes a bit, but it’s nothing to worry about, it’s all normal…”

Yan Shang kept his eyes closed, feeling more stinging than usual. He was typically good at enduring pain, but now, listening to the persistent rain outside, he felt irritable and somewhat impatient. He couldn’t help but open his eyes, facing toward the window. He glanced casually, then suddenly froze.

The old physician was tidying his medicine box when he heard a teacup fall behind him. He turned to see Yan Shang standing up, having hurriedly swept the teacup off the table. Yan Shang looked down at the teacup that had fallen onto the carpet, then at his hand.

He seemed to be contemplating something.

The old physician reassured him: “It’s just a dropped teacup, Young Lord needn’t panic…”

Yan Shang opened his eyes and looked toward the old physician. His eyes had red veins at the corners, but his pupils were clear and black, his gaze as pure as clear water, flowing and rippling. He looked at the old physician and, after careful consideration, said: “I pushed the teacup down myself. I wanted to prove whether I could push it down.”

The old physician’s eyes widened in amazement.

Yan Shang seemed to be trying to control his emotions, but still couldn’t help as his lips curved slightly upward. His smile was very faint, gentle, and quiet, but it was a genuine smile.

Yan Shang bowed deeply to the old physician: “I can see. Thank you for saving my life…”

The old physician was full of praise, not having expected his new medicine to work so well.

He stroked his beard and smiled, accepting Yan Shang’s deep bow. But seeing Yan Shang turn to leave after expressing his thanks, the old physician couldn’t help but stop him: “Young Lord, where are you going? You’ve just regained your sight, you shouldn’t go out yet. Please sit down and let me examine your eyes properly…”

Yan Shang stood at the doorway and looked back.

He had always carried himself well, and now with his eyes open, his features clear and beautiful, it added even more to his appearance. Those eyes seemed to bring a jade statue to life, no longer giving Yan Shang that cold, distant, unreachable quality.

Yan Shang smiled slightly, somewhat embarrassed: “Of course, I should let you examine my eyes further, but I’m burning with impatience. Having just regained my sight, there’s someone I must find. When I return, I’ll let you examine my eyes again. Please understand.”

The old physician called out in concern as Yan Shang left the room.

The old physician leaned out the window and saw Yan Shang in his white robes and gold crown take an umbrella from a servant in the corridor as he prepared to descend the steps.

The old physician called out: “The red veins in your eyes haven’t cleared yet…”

Yan Shang looked back, smiling: “It’s fine.”

The old physician: “It’s still raining heavily!”

Yan Shang: “It’s fine.”

The old physician: “Be careful you don’t lose your sight again mid-journey!”

Yan Shang still smiled: “It’s fine.”

He was in excellent spirits as he descended the steps with his umbrella, walking toward the courtyard exit guided by servants. Yan Shang was typically such a steady person that the old physician had never seen him appear so light-hearted. But on this rainy evening, Yan Shang’s white-robed figure holding an umbrella, walking unhurriedly outward, appeared to the old physician to truly have something of a young man’s spirit.

The old physician clicked his tongue: “Love makes even the wise lose their heads.”

Even someone as steady as Yan Shang couldn’t escape this common fate—

But how could Yan Shang not be anxious?

He had reunited with Mu Wanyao in the third month, and now it was already the seventh month.

In these four months of being with her, he thought daily of what she must look like now, his fingers repeatedly tracing her features… His heart was full of longing, but he simply couldn’t see her.

The Yan Shang that Mu Wanyao saw was always calm and composed. But Yan Shang’s heart also knew panic and anxiety. He often feared he would remain blind forever, often feared he would never see her again. If he remained unable to see, all he would have in his memory would be that final image of her cold departure.

He wanted to see her face!

He wanted to see her eyebrows as long as green mountains, wanted to see those eyes always full of playful mischief, wanted to see her small nose wrinkle at him, wanted to see her red, slightly upturned lips… She had grown up, she shouldn’t look like the young girl in his memories anymore.

But he just couldn’t see! Just couldn’t see!

How could he not be anxious?—

Yan Shang rode out on horseback, and halfway there, the rain stopped. He reached the market street by the Qinhuai River in Jinling, where after the rain stopped, crowds had gathered again, making it impossible for horses to pass through. Fortunately, Yan Shang was no longer blind, and facing the crowds no longer left him helpless.

He collected himself, gave the reins to Han Shuxing who had dismounted to follow him, and walked into the crowd.

When it rained in the evening, Mu Wanyao and the various Li family sisters-in-law, aunts, and cousins had scattered to seek shelter. After the rain stopped, the market became lively again, the night deepened, and lanterns gradually brightened. With time thus delayed, the banks of the Qinhuai River were brilliantly lit, but Mu Wanyao had been delayed from returning by the rain.

She was somewhat unhappy.

A sister-in-law who had invited her to release Kong Ming lanterns tried to comfort her: “Let’s return after we release the river lanterns. The Prince Consort can’t see anyway, so day or night makes no difference to him. Even if Your Highness returns a bit late, the Prince Consort surely won’t mind.

“Your Highness is a princess, why should you worry about the Prince Consort’s mood? Even if Your Highness doesn’t return at all, would the Prince Consort dare to be angry with Your Highness?”

Mu Wanyao frowned, her brow furrowing deeper.

She gradually stopped walking, feeling these people were wrong. Yan Shang wasn’t just the Prince Consort she had chosen, he was also her lover. He had asked her to respect him… She could disrespect her Prince Consort because a Prince Consort to her was merely a “subject,” but a lover was not a “subject.”

She had imprisoned Yan Shang, and he was already very unhappy. Though she wouldn’t apologize to him verbally, she had been thinking about his words…

Mu Wanyao said to the sisters-in-law: “You go ahead and release the lanterns. I’ll let Qiusi stay with you, she can help release mine. The Elder Lord has passed away, he won’t mind such small matters. I have something to attend to first.”

A sister-in-law watched as the princess said she would leave and turned away, calling after her: “Your Highness… where are you going?”

Mu Wanyao had already merged into the bustling crowd. Among the common people, she wasn’t elaborately dressed and adorned as usual, but rather like an ordinary young woman out for entertainment, simple and gentle. She waved back at the ladies and said softly: “To find Yan Shang.”

No one could stop her as they watched her slip into the crowd and quickly disappear—

By the Qinhuai River, light and shadows danced.

Brilliant lanterns and silvery lights abounded. Colorful oil-paper umbrellas decorated with landscapes hung high on poles, adorning the night market; beautiful men and women walked close together through the sea of people, looking up at lantern riddles.

Mu Wanyao moved through them, waves of light washing over her as she walked toward the edge of the market.

People brushed past her, lanterns illuminating her profile.

Various sounds exploded around her ears, bustling and boiling with common revelry. This revelry belonged to others, not to her. Mu Wanyao walked purposefully outward, growing increasingly urgent. Suddenly, she heard a voice calling her from behind.

At first, she paid no attention, but that clear, gentle voice pierced through the sea of people and lantern light, reaching her ears again—

“Yaoyao!”

Mu Wanyao whirled around to see, through the flowing crowds and swaying lanterns, a young man in white standing beyond the sea of people, looking toward her. When she turned, his clear eyes noticeably brightened. He smiled and waved slightly, then quickly withdrew his hand, constrained by his reserved nature.

But his gaze, rippling like water, remained fixed on her.

That flash of light was brighter than all the lanterns Mu Wanyao had seen that entire evening—

Mu Wanyao stared dazedly at Yan Shang across the crowd.

He struggled to make his way toward her, with no servants following. His gaze remained on her, various lantern lights reflecting in his eyes as he raised his sleeve somewhat uncomfortably to shield them. But clearly—

He could see!

He could see her!

Mu Wanyao’s round eyes widened: His eyes… were healed?—

Mu Wanyao stood staring, then suddenly strode toward Yan Shang.

Yan Shang moved carefully, avoiding bumping into those around him. Mu Wanyao was heedless of others; as she walked toward him, everyone made way for her.

She stopped before him, looking at him.

Mu Wanyao: “Your eyes are healed?”

Yan Shang softly: “Yes.”

He blinked, his eyes watery, though the red veins seemed more pronounced.

Mu Wanyao frowned.

Yan Shang was exceptionally observant of others’ expressions, and he said: “It’s just not quite adjusted to light yet… the physician said it’s nothing to worry about.”

He held a small, happy joy in his heart, wanting to share it with Mu Wanyao. Just as his desire to share became tenderly apparent in his gentle gaze, as he was about to speak more with her, Mu Wanyao grabbed his wrist.

Mu Wanyao decided instantly: “Come with me.”

Puddles covered the ground, reflecting golden light and shadows.

Mu Wanyao led Yan Shang through the crowd, running in one direction. Their robes fluttered in the wind as Yan Shang, his wrist in her grip, unconsciously followed her—

Mu Wanyao brought Yan Shang to an alley corner where various colored oil-paper umbrellas were displayed by merchants. She didn’t stop to buy an umbrella but directly pulled Yan Shang to crouch in the corner. This way, with the umbrellas blocking, the flowing light from outside dimmed somewhat.

Mu Wanyao crouched with Yan Shang under the umbrellas, looking at him.

His eyes were clear, reflecting various golden lights. The light lingered in his eyes, which also reflected her image. He had followed her lead the whole way, crouching here with her.

Mu Wanyao looked at his eyes, and when his golden-lit eyes met her gaze, he smiled slightly again. His smile was beautiful and gentle, as usual; but somewhat more open than usual… a bit foolish.

Mu Wanyao’s face grew warm at his smile, her heart shy despite her persistence: “Is it better now? Do your eyes hurt less? Can you still see me?”

Yan Shang: “I can’t see.”

Mu Wanyao was shocked, her eyes widening.

In the next moment, he reached out to caress her face.

One hand cupped her chin, the other cradled her snow-white cheek.

He leaned closer, and beneath his long, thick lashes, his clear eyes were gentle. His soft voice merged with his tender gaze, flowing like spring water into Mu Wanyao’s heart: “Let me look at you properly.”