Setting aside familial bonds, the Emperor had thoroughly begun using the Mu Wanyao couple as tools. Mu Wanyao couldn’t stay idle at home, needing to give the Yan family the false impression that she was very virtuous. She became as busy as she was before marriage, holding daily audiences with various ministers to discuss state affairs. Carriages came endlessly to the Princess’s mansion, with officials queuing out into the alley. Every envoy had people waiting to seek an audience with the Princess, leaving Yan’s father next door in awe of his princess daughter-in-law.

But Yan’s father couldn’t say anything, as his second son was approximately as busy as the Princess. In October, both Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang fell ill. The Yan family never figured out what illness the couple had contracted, but after they recovered, each became busy with their affairs.

As head of the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Personnel’s officials were known as Heavenly Officials, and Yan Shang’s position as Merit Evaluator earned him the title “Heavenly Official Lang.” He was summoned almost daily to the Central Secretariat and Imperial Study to report. Additionally, after his recovery, Yan Shang was given another position as Imperial Carriage Officer. Though also of the fifth rank, this was an imperial court position that not only allowed a daily audience with the Emperor but also managed some military affairs.

In November, Yan Shang received yet another position as a Hanlin Academy Scholar and concurrent Director of the Imperial Library.

While other positions were manageable, Yan Shang’s appointment as Director of the Imperial Library shocked Chang’an’s official circles. Yan’s father, having once served as a jinshi in Chang’an, deeply worried for his second son. As one knows one’s affairs best, while Yan Er’lang could certainly be called exceptional in practical matters, he was superficial and perfunctory in literary pursuits – how could he qualify to be Director of the Imperial Library?

What connection could Yan Shang have with the position of Director of the Imperial Library, Chang’an’s most richly stocked repository of books?

However, Chang’an officials well-versed in court rules knew that the Director of the Imperial Library position had always been concurrent with future prime ministers. The Emperor was paving the way for Yan Shang, but given his age, he wasn’t qualified. All previous Library Directors had been great scholars learned in the five classics, but Yan Shang was young and had no reputation in literary circles – how could he convince others?

Even Minister Liu came specially to question Yan Shang about the Emperor’s intentions.

The Emperor was simply making full use of resources, watching to see if Yan Shang could prove capable. If Yan Shang couldn’t handle it now, naturally there would be no need to discuss the future.

Thus during the Yan family’s half-year stay in Chang’an, they barely saw Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang. The couple each had their busy affairs – the Princess had it somewhat better, only needing to wait for officials to queue up to see her; Yan Shang was rarely seen all day, and when he occasionally had free time on rest days, the officials lining up at his residence to seek guidance on government affairs were no fewer than those at the Princess’s.

The Yan family was embarrassed by this extremely busy couple, wondering how many times they could meet in a day.

However, recently in Chang’an, aside from the Crown Prince becoming increasingly anxious, things were generally peaceful. But in Youzhou, a moderately significant event occurred.

Youzhou was vast and rugged, rich in resources but sparsely populated. Counting carefully, Yang Si had already been there for two months.

Over these two months, through correspondence, the Yang family in Chang’an had been discussing marriage arrangements with the Youzhou Military Governor of the Qin family. The Yang family’s Chang’an branch had become sacrificial pawns in the recent Crown Prince-Prince Qin struggle, their position becoming precarious and easily targeted by other noble families. Using a marriage alliance with the Qin family to stabilize their position in Chang’an was not only the Crown Prince’s intention but also the Yang family’s own need.

In this marriage arrangement, perhaps only the groom didn’t take it seriously.

No matter how the two families planned to discuss the marriage or when to hold it, when the Youzhou Military Governor questioned Yang Si, the Third Young Master Yang’s answer was always simple – do as you see fit.

Yang Third Master’s energy was focused on the border skirmishes with the northern nomadic tribes. He trained troops daily, leading his elite cavalry to quell border unrest. Yang Si even developed a vast horse farm specifically for breeding horses and conducting business with border merchants.

Yang Si often stayed at the horse farm without returning, his mind completely occupied with warfare, his entire energy focused on battle, causing his prospective father-in-law, the Youzhou Military Governor, to be quite dissatisfied with him.

However, Yang Si was handsome and imposing.

It was said that one evening at dusk, the Youzhou Military Governor’s daughter had seen Young Master Yang Third lazily riding past on horseback, with capable soldiers following closely behind. In the brilliant sunset, the young lady’s face flushed and her heart raced; from then on she couldn’t forget him, insisting on marrying this young general.

On this day, Yang Si had just returned on horseback from a border patrol. He had led his personally trained force of several thousand men in negotiations with an enemy force of ten thousand and had won a small victory. Upon returning, everyone was in high spirits, making crude jokes and idle chat while on horseback.

Yang Si was summoned by someone sent by the Youzhou Military Governor.

The men whistled and winked: “General Yang, hurry along! Must be the Qin family’s young lady has come to steal another look at our general, and the Military Governor was pressured by his daughter to summon you.”

Yang Si casually tugged at the corner of his mouth. He had always been passive about this marriage, but since his subordinate generals were all from Youzhou, he naturally couldn’t appear too perfunctory.

Yang Si went to report to the Youzhou Military Governor, mentally preparing himself, thinking the governor would surely have him accompany his daughter shopping for rouge and powder again. Yang Si didn’t understand these things, yet that young lady always asked him which colors looked good…

Yang Si gave a casual glance; among the messy colors of rouge and cream, he only recognized two: one was vermillion, the same color as the Great Wei military flag; one was white, which everyone could recognize.

Yang Si thought a lady’s face the same color as a military flag certainly wouldn’t look good, so he said: “White.”

Miss Qin cried and complained to the Military Governor: “Third Brother must think I’m too dark.”

Yang Si: “…”

He felt irritated inside, a wave of disgust welling up. He thought he didn’t like this kind of coquettish, affected young lady, but he thought even if she were a gallant heroine type, he would see her as a brother and still not like her. So no matter who it was, he found it hard to stir any emotion.

Because of anger, because of lingering unwillingness. He knew no one was at fault, but finding himself amid such fragmented daily trivialities, he couldn’t help but recall that maiden who had been like clear spring water in his heart.

Yang Si’s mind rang warning bells, telling himself to stop, not to think anymore.

But this time was different. When Yang Si met the Military Governor at his residence, he didn’t encounter his fiancée.

The Military Governor was opening a letter, telling Yang Si: “As the year’s end approaches, refugees from Ji Province have appeared around the borders of Chang’an. Ji Province is already handling it, and the Crown Prince wants us to coordinate with them. Ji Province is sealing off its counties and settling the refugees. On our side, we’ll go directly to Chang’an’s vicinity and work with local officials to first settle the refugees in Taiyuan Prefecture and Wannian County. The remaining matters of pacifying the refugees will be addressed after the year’s end.”

Yang Si frowned slightly.

As the Military Governor spoke thus, he instantly sketched a map in his mind and felt something was wrong. How could Youzhou help with Chang’an’s affairs? While Youzhou’s troops were certainly well-equipped, that was for dealing with border invasions. Pacifying refugees? How could such talent be wasted on minor matters?

But then Yang Si thought about how these were troops the Crown Prince could mobilize, so he silently listened on. The Crown Prince had fewer troops at his disposal than Prince Qin; being able to use Youzhou troops was already quite good.

The Military Governor said: “So, I’ll lead thirty thousand troops to handle this matter. You stay in Youzhou and guard the border. Those barbarians also know our Great Wei values this time around year’s end; you must not give them any opportunity to invade.”

Yang Si was slightly surprised inside.

He said: “The Crown Prince asked the Military Governor to go?”

Military Governor: “Yes.”

Yang Si: “No mention of me?”

Military Governor confirmed: “No.”

Yang Si’s lips sank slightly as he said: “This letter is wrong.”

The Military Governor was displeased: “This is the Crown Prince’s letter with the Eastern Palace’s seal. I’ve confirmed it multiple times – how could it be fake?”

Yang Si stood ramrod straight and said coolly: “The Military Governor has been in Youzhou for over ten years, neighboring these troublemakers, very familiar with them. At such a crucial time as year’s end, it should be someone like the Military Governor who knows Youzhou well staying to guard this place. While I am familiar with Wannian County and know the interior terrain well… I should be the one leading troops into the pass, not the Military Governor.”

Speaking thus, the Military Governor also felt something was strange.

Yang Si: “I fear there may be changes in Chang’an. Please, Governor, hold your troops and remain in Youzhou; I will lead troops to Wannian County in your stead to pacify the refugees. I will personally write to His Highness about this matter; he won’t blame me.”

Thinking of his son-in-law’s relationship with the Crown Prince, the Military Governor hesitated briefly before agreeing.

Yang Si returned to his own residence, initially planning to write a letter, but then stopped his brush. Though he wasn’t as brilliantly intelligent as Yan Shang, his keen intuition developed from years of military service told him something must have changed. He didn’t believe the Crown Prince trusted the Youzhou Military Governor more than him.

Yang Si planned to return to Chang’an personally-

At the end of the twelfth month, the Great Wei diplomatic mission that had been visiting neighboring countries for four years returned to Great Wei.

Common people lined the streets to welcome them, the Chang’an official circles were also delighted, and the central government specially held a feast to receive these people who had wandered for four years. When they had left the pass years ago, there were over a hundred people, all pillars of talent selected by the court, but now upon returning, barely several dozen remained, causing people to sigh with emotion.

They not only brought back complete maps of the surroundings and news that various small countries wanted to reattach themselves to Great Wei, but they also brought back intelligence about the Southern Barbarians-

The Southern Barbarians were too formidable an enemy, always keeping a covetous eye on Great Wei. After the Crow Barbarian King Meng returned to the Southern Barbarians, Great Wei only knew that the Southern Barbarians were in constant civil war, but the news brought back by the diplomatic mission told Great Wei: as soon as the Southern Barbarians subdued the last tribe, the entire Southern Barbarian territory would be unified.

The Crow Barbarian King who had left Great Wei that day was now a trusted minister of the Southern Barbarian King, accompanying him in campaigns north and south.

These matters were all reported to the central government by the Chief Envoy Vice Envoy Wei Seventh Young Master Wei Shu. The Chief Envoy had intentions to cultivate Wei Seventh Young Master, not claiming any of Wei Shu’s achievements for himself. As such, the central government’s attention fell on Wei Shu, suddenly realizing: that youth Wei Juyuan who had become the top scholar at merely fourteen years old was now a young man of twenty.

That youth on the pagoda, like pure snow, elegant and beautiful, brilliantly radiant, had already leaped out of the cage Wei family had set for him, incomparable to the past.

When Wei Shu was drawing the central government’s attention at court, Imperial Consort Zhao stood before her family mansion’s gate, looking up at the plaque above her family gate with confusion in her heart. The character “Zhao” made her deeply emotional, yet feeling homeward timidity, unable to take a step forward for a long while.

She stood dazed at the gate for a long time when suddenly the gate opened, and her father was stepping out of the mansion, their eyes meeting.

Lord Zhao stared at her, his stern face suddenly trembling, his voice shaking: “Wu… Wuniang?”

Imperial Consort Zhao’s eyes shimmered with tears. In the past, everyone had called her “Consort Ling,” but no one remembered she was Zhao Wuniang. But returning to Chang’an, the Zhao Wuniang ingrained in her bones returned, and she discovered she didn’t seem to despise this name so much after all…

Imperial Consort Zhao’s voice trembled: “Father…”

Lord Zhao stepped forward: “Wuniang, is it you? You’ve come back? You, you, you… Come let your father have a good look at you!”

Imperial Consort Zhao’s throat tightened; she wanted to smile, but tears fell from her eyes instead. She looked at the white at her father’s temples, the wrinkles at his eyes, seeing how he had aged so much, become so much more solemn. But when he was grumbling, he was still her father.

Imperial Consort Zhao threw herself forward, embracing her father as tears flowed down. Like all daughters in the world acting spoiled with their parents, free from any pressure: “Father, where’s Mother? I’ve missed you both so much…”

While the Zhao family’s father and daughter were reuniting, Chang’an’s main streets were sparsely populated. Yan Xiaozhou was going to the East Market with her third brother to buy some New Year’s goods.

Originally, Yan Xiaozhou was going with her two sisters-in-law, but Third Young Master Yan had insisted on tagging along. Her third brother wanted to secretly make money, so he was interested in market prices. Understanding her brother’s thoughts, Yan Xiaozhou didn’t refuse. Walking the streets with her brother, the Yan siblings were in excellent spirits.

Walking in the cold wind, Third Young Master Yan shouted in his loud voice: “This is my first New Year in Chang’an, but it looks no different from our Lingnan. Second Brother said winters here are especially cold, but I don’t think it’s anything special.”

Yan Xiaozhou tilted her head, seeing her second brother’s cheeks red from cold yet still so stubborn, she couldn’t help but smile.

She said softly: “The best part is being able to spend New Year with Second Brother.”

Third Young Master Yan spoke frankly: “How could we possibly spend New Year with Second Brother? Ah, you don’t understand, important officials like Second Brother all attend the palace feast on New Year’s Eve, they don’t celebrate with us at all. We might as well close our doors and celebrate on our own, just like in Lingnan… Achoo!”

Yan Xiaozhou frowned: “Third Brother, have you caught a cold?”

Third Brother stubbornly insisted: “No!”

As Yan Xiaozhou was about to persuade him further, a cold wind swept past from the right. Following a sudden intuition, Yan Xiaozhou looked over. She saw someone wearing a hood, completely wrapped in a night-colored cloak, galloping past on horseback.

The person was crouched low on the horse’s back, riding at extreme speed, not slowing at all even on Chang’an’s streets, yet their horsemanship was excellent. Just as pedestrians began to panic, the horse and rider had already passed like black lightning.

When Yan Xiaozhou looked toward that person, she caught a glimpse of indifferent eyes beneath the hood looking back at her.

Their eyes met, and the person started, looking away.

Yan Xiaozhou took a step in that direction, but the rider had already gone. Their passing encounter lasted no longer than a breath. The wind swept past Yan Xiaozhou’s cheeks as she turned her head, her clothes billowing, her eyes rippling as she watched the horse and rider disappear around a corner into an alley.

Third Young Master Yan was puzzled: “Xiaozhou, what’s wrong?”

Yan Xiaozhou slowly shook her head, pressing her lips together.

That person was Yang Si.

She had been uncertain at first, but when that person met her eyes and then quickly looked away, Yan Xiaozhou was sure she hadn’t mistaken him.

But Yang Si should be in Youzhou. How could a general commanding tens of thousands of troops secretly return to Chang’an without orders?

Yan Xiaozhou feared speaking up might cause trouble for Yang Si. Faced with Third Young Master Yan’s questioning, she fell silent for a moment before saying she had mistaken someone else for him. But in her heart she felt uneasy, sensing this New Year might not be peaceful-

On New Year’s Eve, Yan Shang attended the palace feast for the first time as a fifth-rank official.

As the beloved disciple of Minister Liu who was about to retire, he now held multiple positions and was familiar to the Emperor. At the feast, various officials came to socialize with him. After dealing with these ministers in his gentle manner, Yan Shang seized the opportunity to find Wei Shu sitting alone in a corner.

Yan Shang smiled: “Juyuan still likes to be alone, I see.”

Wei Shu looked up to see Yan Shang standing before him. This youth, bright as jade, looked at him and cupped his hands in greeting.

In the palace lantern light, Yan Shang’s figure was rather thin, his features clear and bright, his complexion slightly pale, but when he smiled at others, his excellent bearing balanced out his fatigue, instantly making others feel as if touched by the spring breeze.

Wei Shu stood and respectfully offered Yan Shang a cup of wine.

Though happy to see him after several years, Wei Shu had become even more reserved in speech. Fortunately, Yan Shang didn’t mind; even with Wei Shu being so sparing with words, he could guide the conversation without awkwardness, encouraging Wei Shu to speak. Thus, after sitting with Yan Shang for a while, Wei Shu recovered their old friendship, his expression relaxed, willing to say more.

Wei Shu looked at Yan Shang: “I haven’t yet congratulated Second Brother Yan on finally joining Her Highness.”

A faint smile appeared in Yan Shang’s eyes as he offered a toast: “Thank you.”

Wei Shu said: “How come I don’t see Her Highness with Second Brother?”

Yan Shang replied gently: “Her Highness is with the ladies in the inner palace, while I’m here with the officials, naturally we’re not together. Does Juyuan want to see Her Highness? I can have someone fetch her?”

Wei Shu shook his head: “I just think you two as husband and wife are both so busy. Can you see each other normally?”

Yan Shang sighed: “We can only steal moments when we’re not busy.”

Wei Shu frowned, examining Yan Shang. He saw Yan Shang’s pale complexion, his spirit not as bright as in his youth, only held up by his good bearing. In less than half a month since returning to Chang’an, he had heard of Second Young Master Yan’s reputation. The reputation was deserved, but he was too busy… His Majesty was using Second Brother Yan as if he were three people.

Wei Shu advised: “Second Brother should still take care of his health. No matter how busy court affairs are, you shouldn’t stake your life on them.”

The smile in Yan Shang’s eyes deepened as he sighed with a laugh: “I never expected Juyuan would give such advice now. I know my limits, don’t worry. Hmm… is Juyuan returning to your eldest brother’s home for the night watch tonight?”

Having been at court long, he naturally knew how the Wei family of Luoyang had changed their attitude toward Wei Shu.

But Wei Shu shook his head: “No. I’ll spend it alone.”

Yan Shang was slightly startled.

Wei Shu looked at him, his gaze clear and focused.

Yan Shang raised an eyebrow slightly, guessing Wei Shu’s thoughts, and smiled in invitation: “Then why doesn’t Juyuan come to the Princess’s mansion and keep the night watch with Her Highness and me?”

Wei Shu immediately smiled: “Alright.”

The officials’ feast ended earlier, and after the palace banquet, Yan Shang invited Wei Shu to share his carriage. Originally Yan Shang wanted to wait for Mu Wanyao, but she was summoned by the Emperor, so Yan Shang had to return first with Wei Shu.

Mu Wanyao’s delay was because the Princess Imperial and Noble Consort had gotten into an argument at the feast, neither willing to yield to the other, and both went to the Emperor for judgment. The Emperor was quite troubled by their trivial matters and called Mu Wanyao over to mediate. After inquiring, Mu Wanyao quickly realized that Princess Luling was probably being deliberately provoked this time and was innocent.

Recently Prince Qin had been very anxious at court, causing the Noble Consort in the inner palace to become anxious as well, wanting to use this to test the Emperor’s attitude.

Mu Wanyao naturally had to comfort the Noble Consort, thus wronging Princess Luling. The Princess Imperial, having been angered, said they were bullying her, had a huge argument with Mu Wanyao, and left the palace.

Mu Wanyao was also tired of these troublesome matters, having been scolded by Princess Luling while trying to handle this situation, and was in a bad mood. Light snow was falling, drifting ethereally cool. Mu Wanyao left the palace with a dark expression, but when her carriage arrived at her mansion’s gate, thinking of Yan Shang being there, her mood improved.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t had a proper conversation with Yan Shang while awake for several days.

Looking up at the snow in the sky, Mu Wanyao’s mood lifted, and she quickened her pace-

Yan Shang was talking with Wei Shu in the mansion when a maid reported that Her Highness’s carriage had returned, so he stood up to go receive Mu Wanyao.

Wei Shu hadn’t seen Mu Wanyao for a long time and was also excited, so he stood up to follow Yan Shang.

When Yan Shang walked out of the mansion gate, he met Mu Wanyao coming over. He appeared first at the gate, in his jade crown and long robes, pure and dignified, while Wei Shu behind him hadn’t yet been noticed by Mu Wanyao. When Mu Wanyao saw Yan Shang, her heart fluttered.

In front of their own home, there was no need for formality.

The wine from the feast made her steps unsteady, and Mu Wanyao hurried over, embracing Yan Shang’s neck. Before Yan Shang could tell her Wei Shu was there, Mu Wanyao leaned forward and kissed his lips, lightly pressing to make him open his mouth.

The surrounding maids and guards all lowered their heads in unison.

Yan Shang was startled; his hand supporting her waist had been calm and collected, but now he immediately raised his hand to cover her mouth and push her away. Yan Shang maintained one hand supporting her waist to prevent her from falling, while the other covered her mouth, pushing her face away.

He calmly looked down at Mu Wanyao with a smile: “Your Highness must have drunk too much, your steps are unsteady and you nearly fell. Don’t let Juyuan laugh at us.”

Wei Shu behind him cupped his hands and lowered his eyes, pretending he hadn’t seen anything: “Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

She slowly pulled away Yan Shang’s hand covering her mouth, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She glanced at Yan Shang, seeing his face wearing a polite smile, but his ears were completely red, clearly more uncomfortable than she was. Mu Wanyao glared at him, blaming him for speaking too slowly and making her lose face in front of Wei Shu.

Mu Wanyao coughed once, her voice gentle: “Why is Juyuan here?”

Wei Shu kept his head lowered: “Second Brother Yan invited me to keep the night watch with you both, I hope Your Highness doesn’t mind.”

Mu Wanyao said teasingly: “I don’t mind, but you don’t need to keep your head down afraid to look up.”

The Crown Prince was not in the Eastern Palace tonight.

He appeared at the Yang mansion, in Yang Third Young Master’s chambers, leaning against the wall as he watched the youth before him pull back his hood, revealing his true face.

The Crown Prince stared at him: “Returning to Chang’an secretly – such boldness.”

Yang Si said: “If I hadn’t returned to Chang’an, I wouldn’t know what you planned to do. Your Highness, were you planning to cut me loose?”

He stepped forward, his eyes suddenly reddening, his voice suppressed: “So forcing me to marry, forcing me to stay in Youzhou… it was all to sever ties with me?!”