In the autumn garden, maple leaves danced above while lotus flowers floated on the water, creating an atmosphere both serene and romantic.

Mu Wanyao clutched her bitten cheek, glaring at Yan Shang with wide eyes.

She burrowed into his embrace, sharp-tongued: “You stink, you stink!”

The actor: “…?”

Yan Shang smiled gently.

Her eyes were filled with anger towards him, yet this was the first time in days she’d seen him sitting in the autumn sunlight, beside her couch. An unusual wave of emotion stirred in her heart.

Seeing him smile, Mu Wanyao came to her senses about their current situation and quietly retreated, refusing his embrace.

Yan Shang didn’t stop her. After calling her smelly, his gaze drifted almost imperceptibly to the actor kneeling on the ground, whose expression had become rigid upon realizing who this young man was.

Yan Shang bent slightly to face Mu Wanyao, his voice measured and gentle as always: “What made you think of coming home today?”

Mu Wanyao lifted her chin slightly: “I came back to get something. Do I need your permission?”

Yan Shang smiled: “No, you don’t.”

He inquired with apparent casualness: “Were you listening to opera?”

Mu Wanyao replied perfunctorily: “Mm.”

Yan Shang: “Did you fall asleep while listening? Why sleep outside? What if you got sick?”

Mu Wanyao thought to herself, why should I answer you?

Now fully awake, remembering that the issues between her and Yan Shang remained unresolved, she impatiently tugged at the blanket and pushed him away: “How rare for Second Young Master Yan to not be working in the imperial city today, returning home before sunset.”

Yan Shang’s eyes darkened slightly, his lips pressed together as he stared at her for a long moment.

She hadn’t answered his questions.

After mocking him, Mu Wanyao turned to look at him and realized he seemed strange today. He was usually this gentle, but recently, because of their arguments, he had been particularly humble towards her, trying to persuade her to move back to the residence.

But Yan Shang’s current demeanor was too calm.

Mu Wanyao suddenly noticed the actor kneeling on the ground. Just as her gaze was about to fall on him, Yan Shang shifted slightly, his shoulder perfectly blocking her line of sight.

Yan Shang pushed her: “Go bathe, I’ll have water prepared.”

Mu Wanyao: “Why should I bathe? I already told you I’m going out again. Zilin…”

Before she could finish giving instructions to the kneeling actor, Yan Shang gently interrupted: “No matter what you plan to do later, whether you’re going out or not, you should bathe first.”

He leaned in, turning his face slightly, almost touching hers. He held her hand, subtly rubbing her hand’s back with his fingertips.

The young lord’s breath was gentle as he spoke softly near her ear: “I’ll make you some lotus seed porridge. Don’t rush to leave, alright?”

Mu Wanyao’s ear tingled as his lips brushed against her earlobe. He seemed to bite her ear, then pulled away when it turned red. He held her hand, keeping it firmly in place.

Mu Wanyao’s heart fluttered with a numbing sensation, her eyes growing moist as she looked at him hesitantly.

Yan Shang smiled at her, a smile that made her dizzy. She loved his gentle, reserved manner, like a quietly flowing stream. When he didn’t laugh broadly but just smiled slightly, it made her want to push him down and tease him.

Mu Wanyao’s gaze flickered, and just as Yan Shang felt pleased that he still held an attraction for her, he saw the light in her eyes shift as she regained her composure, becoming cold and distant.

Mu Wanyao said carelessly: “I won’t drink anything you make.”

Yan Shang stared at her.

Mu Wanyao turned her face away, smiling slyly at him: “What? Angry?”

Yan Shang held her hand, his fingertips gently massaging her hand’s back. The sensation made her feel weak, and she quickly pulled her hand away.

Yan Shang looked down at her hand, no longer pressing the issue but making a concession: “Go bathe first.”

Mu Wanyao frowned.

She lowered her head, secretly sniffing her collar, wondering how strong the smell of alcohol must be for Yan Shang to repeatedly insist she bathe.

She had only had a couple of cups of wine, and the actor’s singing had been so soporific that she had merely dozed off on the couch for a moment… Why was Yan Shang so insistent about her bathing?

—

The actor knelt on the ground, his heart pounding anxiously.

He watched as the handsome consort, whose grace even men had to acknowledge, coaxed the tipsy princess to rise. Yan Shang supported Mu Wanyao’s hand, pushing the swaying princess away.

Mu Wanyao resisted Yan Shang’s touch, so he let go and allowed the maids to support her instead. Regardless, the actor could see there was love between the princess and her consort.

After Yan Shang had coaxed Mu Wanyao away and turned back to look at the actor, the actor’s face turned deathly pale.

He struggled: “Consort, you can’t kill me… I was brought back by Her Highness, Her Highness praised my looks…”

Yan Shang’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He had originally planned to deal with this actor first and explain to Mu Wanyao later, but now he suddenly changed his mind, his voice strange: “She praised your looks?”

The actor, afraid the consort wouldn’t believe him, hurriedly swore: “It’s true! The first time I met Her Highness, she said I looked good, as delicate as a lady. She even praised my small frame, saying I looked good whether in makeup or not.”

Yan Shang stared at the actor, his gaze sweeping inch by inch over the other’s features.

His chest felt as heavy as if pressed by a great stone. Originally, he had only suspected this actor of having some improper thoughts, but now Yan Shang’s suspicions grew stronger.

He almost resented Mu Wanyao.

And felt an anger he could barely suppress.

Yan Shang lifted his robe to sit, speaking gently to the actor: “Tell me in detail how you came to know Her Highness.”

—

The actor was panicked, afraid of death yet also afraid the consort would become jealous and drive him away.

Her Highness was so far above him, and she wouldn’t miss just one person like him. But if he were driven out by Her Highness, which opera troupe would dare take him in?

The actor was just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth; even though Yan Shang’s manner was gentle, he was so frightened that he began to cry.

Yan Shang rarely felt agitated when dealing with others, wanting to lose his temper.

He looked at this person with cold eyes, not wanting to say a single word of comfort. After the other had cried enough, Yan Shang suppressed his anger and tried to speak gently: “Stop crying. Just tell me properly.”

Meanwhile, Mu Wanyao walked along the corridor, supported by Qiusi. As the cool breeze blew, Mu Wanyao felt increasingly that something wasn’t right.

She asked Qiusi: “When I was sleeping earlier, had Yan Shang already arrived? Did he see anything?”

Qiusi lowered her head: “The consort was standing at the courtyard entrance, and this servant was behind him. This servant doesn’t know what the consort saw, but this servant saw that actor Your Highness brought back secretly kiss Your Highness’s hand while you were sleeping.”

Mu Wanyao suddenly raised her eyebrows.

She looked down at the back of her hand, the delicate white skin that Yan Shang had nearly rubbed red.

First feeling disgust that her hand had been secretly kissed by an actor, then thinking of Yan Shang’s strange reaction… Mu Wanyao let out a mocking laugh, suddenly feeling pleased.

So someone was jealous.

How rare, how rare.

He was usually like a saint, without desires or demands, but it turned out he could be jealous too.

Mu Wanyao muttered: “At least he’s still human after all.”

Qiusi worried: “The consort might have misunderstood…”

Mu Wanyao’s lips curved in a smile as she said lazily: “Ignore him.”

—

Mu Wanyao went to the washroom to bathe.

The washroom was connected to the bedchamber and had been recently renovated. Mu Wanyao had ordered a bathing pool to be dug, fed by hot spring water from the nearby mountain. Soaking here daily improved blood circulation and nourishing the skin – its health benefits were countless.

Mu Wanyao knew how to enjoy life, and since she loved this bathing pool, whenever she was at the princess’s residence, she indulged in it daily.

She had wanted Yan Shang to enjoy it too, to soak in the hot springs and take care of his health. But when Yan Shang first saw the large bath pool she had created in the washroom, he turned red-faced and refused to get in no matter what.

Mu Wanyao had teased him for being shy, unable to relax even in his own home.

Now, after being away from the princess’s residence for a month, returning to enjoy her bath, Mu Wanyao leaned against the pool wall, letting water pour over her arms, sighing contentedly.

Steam rose in swirling clouds, the beautiful lady sitting in the hot spring, her black hair like silk spreading over snow-white shoulders. The snowy peaks and red pearls, pristine and glistening, were breathtakingly beautiful.

Mu Wanyao stared at her skin, somewhat entranced.

A male voice suddenly spoke: “Are you entranced by your beauty, admiring yourself?”

Mu Wanyao was startled, but she didn’t move from her position against the pool wall, only turning her head toward the voice. As the steam cleared slightly, she saw Yan Shang in his fine robes, crouching by the pool’s edge, looking down at her.

His eyes were as quiet and dark as midnight, his wide sleeves falling naturally, dipping into the milky water. The water soaked his robes, but he paid no attention, just crouching there watching her.

Mu Wanyao glared at him: “You’re appearing like a ghost now, without making any sound. You scared me to death.”

Yan Shang raised an eyebrow slightly.

He lowered his long lashes, speaking softly: “Scared you to death? How could I have scared you to death? The entire residence is yours, only servants come and go, and in your chambers, only maids can enter. Among men, it should only be me.

“How could you be startled? Would I frighten you? Or… did you think there were other men around?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes curved slightly.

She immediately understood what he was probing for.

She smiled ambiguously: “How would I know? Haven’t I been away from the residence for a long time? Aren’t you the only one living here? Whether there are other men in the residence, shouldn’t you know better than me?”

She was particularly relaxed, leaning slightly forward, the hot spring water rising and falling, the traces of snow-white skin visible through the water.

Yan Shang’s eyes fixed on her, Mu Wanyao’s cheeks flushed from the steam, her glancing eyes even more crafty and alluring.

Water droplets rolled down her eyelashes like rain, falling onto her long hair that clung to her cheeks, then together with her hair, caught between slightly parted red lips.

She was a natural temptress.

Yan Shang stood up and gracefully walked into the pool. He hadn’t removed his clothes, his wide robes all soaked in water that crept up his legs and waist.

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow: “Wow.”

She admired him entering the water, and he had already waded over to her. Yan Shang said nothing, just bent down to embrace her slippery-smooth form.

She had been smiling, but seeing his strange look, when his lips were about to touch hers, Mu Wanyao suddenly raised her hand to cover his mouth.

His teeth bit into her palm.

Mu Wanyao cried out in pain.

She became angry at once: “Are you a dog? Biting me twice in one day? Do you think I won’t get angry?”

Yan Shang lowered his eyes.

Instead of answering, he asked: “Why did you praise an actor’s looks?”

Mu Wanyao glanced at him.

She smiled: “So you’ve inquired about this? Couldn’t it be that he simply is good-looking?”

Yan Shang: “Is he better looking than me?”

Mu Wanyao tilted her head back to look at him: “Are you that good-looking? I didn’t know. Wei Shu is better looking than you, you know?”

Yan Shang paused. He wondered why Wei Shu was suddenly brought into this.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, closing her eyes and deliberately said: “You’re old.”

Yan Shang moved closer to her, pressing against her, whispering: “I’m not old. I’m still half a year younger than you, Elder Sister Yao. If I’m old, Elder Sister Yao is even older. You’ll always be half a year older than me.”

Mu Wanyao’s waist was held in his embrace, pressed tightly against him.

She was held by him, steam rising around them, the water surrounding their bodies, his face close to hers, and she felt her mind wandering from his teasing.

She loved his young body, his handsome face, his slim waist, his jade-like temperament. After a month of anger between them, with him so close now, she really felt… hungry.

Until he ruined the mood.

Usually refusing to call her “Elder Sister” even in death, now he said it.

Mu Wanyao gritted her teeth: “Well, there are still people who admire and love me, I’m very beautiful, very powerful, no need for your concern!”

Yan Shang caught her hand, asking in return: “Are there no people who admire me?”

Mu Wanyao’s smile vanished instantly as she looked at him coldly.

Yan Shang softened his tone: “We agreed, I only have you, and you only have me. You can’t be with anyone else, not even an actor.

“I know princesses tend to be open-minded. But you can’t be. Since you’ve entangled me, you can’t abandon me halfway, can’t go back on your word.”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes curved as she said sarcastically: “Who goes back on their word more than you? You couldn’t even get a month’s leave after requesting it, yet you have the face to make demands of me?”

Standing in the hot water, Yan Shang looked at her seriously and said: “If I take leave, will you cut off all those messy relationships?”

Mu Wanyao immediately furrowed her brows: “Are we talking about the same thing? I’m doing this for your own good, what are you doing it for?”

Yan Shang: “Why don’t you explain that you don’t have any messy relationships?”

Mu Wanyao: “If you believe I’m that kind of person, you’re the biggest fool in the world, the easiest to deceive. Second Young Master Yan can’t be fooled by court matters, yet you’d believe such gossip?”

Mu Wanyao blinked: “And Pei Qing, do you remember?”

Yan Shang tensed his jaw: Pei Qing!

Mu Wanyao deliberately provoked him: “Weren’t you the one who sent Pei Qing to my side? How could you send him then, but now can’t handle a few rumors?”

Now when Pei Qing was mentioned, Yan Shang felt extremely uncomfortable.

He said: “I’m not believing rumors, I just can’t judge anymore.”

Mu Wanyao paused slightly.

Yan Shang held her hand, his clothes below the waist completely soaked, clinging uncomfortably to his body. Mu Wanyao was impatient with his meaningless talk, but he wouldn’t let her go.

Yan Shang said softly: “Yao Yao, I am the world’s biggest fool. I just can’t judge… I can’t understand what you want with an actor, why you praised his looks.

“Why don’t you praise me, why don’t you stare at me anymore? I think I’m better than an actor, better than Pei Qing, better than Wei Shu, better than Yang Si. What do you think?”

Mu Wanyao twisted away through the water, humming: “I can’t be bothered with you!”

Yan Shang hugged her waist: “Don’t go, you have to deal with me!”

Mu Wanyao was lifted up by him, forced to raise her face to look at his black eyes, which held a hint of pleading.

Her heart stirred, but she pulled at the corner of her mouth and turned away, not wanting to discuss this with him: “You fool!”

He held her hand: “I’m not a fool!”

Yan Shang was unusually stubborn: “I’ve read more books than an actor, have a better temper than an actor, I look better than him, I’m also taller than him. I’ve known you longer than he has, I’m a fifth-rank official in court, equal to a minister, he’s just an actor.

“I’m better than Pei Qing, Wei Shu, Yang Si, and better to you than all of them! You married me because I’m good.”

As he compared himself to others, Mu Wanyao tried to keep a stern face, but still found his adorableness moving.

But, ahem, she had to control herself. To discipline Yan Shang, she couldn’t soften her heart.

Mu Wanyao held back her laughter, her eyes flickering: “I didn’t marry you because you’re good, I married you because you’re easy to bully.”

Yan Shang paused, then said: “That’s still because I’m good.”

Mu Wanyao blinked: “Whatever you say.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he said softly: “Yao Yao, I’m sorry.”

Mu Wanyao was confused about why he suddenly apologized, when she was suddenly lifted up through his wet robes. The cloth pressed against her, making her legs weak as she started to fall, but Yan Shang caught her.

He held her slender ankles, placing them around his waist.

Mu Wanyao’s upper body almost flipped backward, leaving her breathless.

She coughed in fright, hitting his shoulder: “What are you doing?! You’re crazy, crazy!”

He ignored her, lowering his head to her neck, his lips following.

His sudden dominance made Mu Wanyao resist, whimpering in refusal, angrily hitting him. When he kissed her, she bit him too, biting until his mouth was full of blood, but he still wouldn’t let go.

He carried her to sit at the pool’s edge, Mu Wanyao’s eyes red from choking on water, turning back to glare at him hatefully. He had only removed his belt, his robes still spreading like spilled ink on the water, his palms supporting her delicate body upward, though his hand was slapped by Mu Wanyao again.

Mu Wanyao: “No! I’m still angry with you!”

Yan Shang had developed a temper: “I want to.”

Mu Wanyao tilted her neck back, both aroused and angry. Her pink cheeks held a pout, her anger seeming more like coquetry: “You’re forcing me…”

Yan Shang said: “Then hit me.”

He said: “I just want this. We haven’t… for so long, so long…”

Mu Wanyao lay on his shoulder, she really wanted to hit him, but her toes gently brushed his waist, and as that flowing sensation rushed over her, she was overwhelmed as if drowning.

Hair like ink, skin like jade.

His long eyelashes caught her face, tickling her heart like feathers.

Her eyes were completely red, glistening with moisture.

This was broad daylight, this was a muddled affair.

She was furious with Yan Shang, he actually dared to force her against her will. How was Yan Shang forcing her any different from those detestable men in the world?

She should have firmly refused, should have scolded him harshly.

But Mu Wanyao only scolded at first, then stopped scolding.

Passion like the tide, desire like a flood. Before these, who could remain pure, who could remain unmoved?

—

The washroom was left in complete disarray, water from the pool spilling outside.

The water meandered, flowing all the way to the bedchamber. The wooden clogs made pattering sounds on the wet wooden floor, the water reflecting the harsh sunlight from outside the window.

The water rippled and shimmered.

Mu Wanyao lay wrapped in bedding, sprawled on the bed in the chamber.

The lady’s cheeks glowed with a pink-white softness, her fair shoulders slightly curved. Her ink-black hair spread across the bed, her eyes closed, her whole body radiating a lazy, satisfied allure.

Well-fed and content, now neither angry nor sarcastic.

Completely comfortable in body and soul.

She couldn’t help thinking how true it was that couples who quarrel at the head of the bed make up at the foot.

And for the usually gentle man to occasionally show dominance, Mu Wanyao admitted to herself her own shallowness. She actually liked Yan Shang being forceful like this. Love needed such passion.

She didn’t feel at all inconsistent: if she could look at Yan Shang’s body and feel nothing, then this marriage would truly be meaningless.

Mu Wanyao looked at the young man who had become refined and elegant again after leaving the bed.

As if the passionate person had never been him at all.

Yan Shang sat at the bedside putting on his clothes, his brows slightly furrowed. He was like a clear breeze and bright moon, and a person’s noble bearing had nothing to do with whether they were dressed or not.

Yan Shang had only put on his white undergarments when Mu Wanyao embraced him from behind, hugging his waist, her hands slipping inside. Yan Shang’s face reddened, but he didn’t stop her, letting her fingertips caress him.

He so loved her teasing.

Mu Wanyao lightly scolded him, her voice slightly hoarse: “How was it?”

The light slanted across the jade-like face of the young man. Yan Shang was very reserved: “What do you mean ‘how was it’?”

Mu Wanyao lay on his shoulder, her jade fingers like bamboo shoots, sliding across his cheek: “Do you believe now that I don’t have other men? It’s all because of those rumors outside, making our little Yan Er lose confidence.”

Yan Shang blushed, hesitating for a long while before saying: “Was what I did inappropriate?”

Mu Wanyao clicked her tongue.

She said: “Now you’re being boring. Why always reflect on yourself afterward? Just enjoy it. You haven’t felt this good in a long time, right?”

Her fingers hooked under his belt, kneading.

Yan Shang couldn’t help but smile.

He said softly: “I’ll go ask for leave from my superior today, come back to rest.”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes lifted slightly.

Her cheeks flushed, she turned to kiss his face, joking: “You must go. I sacrificed my complexion, how can you not repay me somehow?”

Yan Shang smiled, but said: “This isn’t repayment. I know you mean well for me, I just, just…”

Mu Wanyao: “You just like being busy, like worrying. You don’t feel tired at all, you feel good when you can do things, can help people, feel that you’re worthwhile.

“Little Yan Er, have you ever felt that you’re too fond of sacrificing yourself for others? Is your life others’, is it meant to be completely devoted to others? This world isn’t yours, you’re not a god.”

Mu Wanyao looked at him: “Don’t always sacrifice and devote yourself to others. Think more about yourself.”

Yan Shang was bewildered.

He pressed his lips together: “I know… but if I’m not busy with these things, what should I do? I don’t have many interests, Yao Yao.

“Doing these things makes me feel needed. I’m also good at doing them. But if I don’t do these things, what else can I do? If I spend all day with you, won’t you find me boring?”

He lowered his eyes: “I can’t play the zither, can’t truly appreciate antiques, can’t distinguish between fine and common tea. I’m not good at painting, and know even less about music.

“I…”

Mu Wanyao said indifferently: “I like it.”

Yan Shang turned his head.

Mu Wanyao turned her face, looking at him with curved eyes, seeming to captivate his soul yet also appearing careless—

“I just want to play with you. You’ve been like this since the beginning, why do you always panic when facing me? Why do you always want to be a perfect person? A perfect son, a perfect brother, a perfect official, a perfect lover… you also want to be a perfect husband.

“But Second Brother Yan, I didn’t marry you for your vague excellence. You just feel you must be good enough for me. You think you need talent to match me, a temperament that suits me, to make yourself completely customized for me… I’ve said many times, I like you as you are now. You don’t need to be so tired. If marrying me is so tiring, I’d rather you didn’t marry me.”

She hooked his neck, pressing her forehead against his, her voice carrying a hint of seduction: “Brother, you say I married you because you treat me well. But you married me also because you can’t leave me.”

Mu Wanyao covered her cheek, looking at him lovingly: “Second Brother Yan, in front of me, you don’t have to be excellent.

“I don’t love you for your excellence.

“I love you because you are Yan Shang.”

Yan Shang was silent for a long while, then said: “…Are you trying to seduce me?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Pretending not to hear Yan Shang’s sharp observation.

She lifted her chin, proud and confident: “I just want you to relax, to be happy. I especially, especially… want to see you at ease. Want to see you unconsciously lean towards me when you sleep, want to see you muddled and calling for me when you’re sick. I’m even happy when you get angry at me, I like it when you raise your voice… because that’s when you seem to have a temper.

“Do you know what look you give me?”

Yan Shang gazed at her with a red face, his hand caressing her soft, fragrant cheek.

The thin light outlined his profile, and after relaxing, his eyes carried a smile as he pretended not to understand: “What look?”

Mu Wanyao: “You push me away, tell me not to touch you, but your eyes beg me not to leave, your hands grab me begging me to touch you.”

Yan Shang was provoked into laughing: “Talking nonsense again.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, speaking softly: “Yao Yao, can I really be the not-excellent me?”

Mu Wanyao firmly: “You can.”

Yan Shang: “I’ve never relaxed before…”

Mu Wanyao: “Try it. This time, really try seriously.”

Yan Shang: “Alright, I’ll try… don’t look down on me.”

Mu Wanyao threw her arms around him happily: “It’s alright, Second Brother Yan, follow me, I’m the best at relaxing, the best at being lazy, the best at having fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re clumsy, I just like you when you’re silly.”

Yan Shang smiled.

He said: “Alright, then I’ll go ask for leave in a while. Um, I’ll ask for… five days, is that okay?”

Mu Wanyao wanted to say five days was too short, but thinking that this was the first time the court-loving, workaholic Yan Shang had proposed it himself, she should encourage him.

Mu Wanyao quickly nodded and said okay.

Yan Shang smiled somewhat happily.

But Mu Wanyao hesitated again, muttering: “Better go ask for leave tomorrow.”

Yan Shang puzzled: “Why’s that?”

Mu Wanyao didn’t speak, just hooked her hand around his waist. His body stiffened, and she looked up at him with moist eyes, smiling.

She radiated allure, her smile making one’s soul flutter and bones soften.

Yan Shang’s long fingers gripped the bed frame, his eyelashes trembling as he turned his face away.

Mu Wanyao: “It felt too good just now, I want more. Can you still fight?”

Yan Shang: “In broad daylight…”

Mu Wanyao hummed, teasing him: “In broad daylight, when I told you to stop earlier, you didn’t stop. Now listen to me, I want Little Yan Er, I like Little Yan Er.”

Yan Shang was speechless.

She opened her cat-like innocent eyes, yet pushed him down, pressing him to lie back.

She hadn’t forced him like this for so long, suddenly becoming particularly excited. Yan Shang had no choice but to follow her force and lie back, though he grabbed her hands, tremblingly advising her not to go too far.

The afternoon light was warm, the room full of fresh fragrance.

As the sun slanted west, the water on the floor tiles dried, then quickly became wet again.

Patches of water, like post-rain marshland, clear and bright, the moment just right.”