When Yan Shisheng was sixteen, he learned from his uncle who came to visit their family in Lingnan that his deceased mother had been a young lady from a prestigious family. Years ago, she had been swept away by his father, who was then just a poor young man with a handsome face.

The past of Yan’s father and mother was another story altogether. The uncle’s visit was prompted by the scarcity of heirs in the mother’s family. Regretful of past events, he wished to reconcile with their family.

Yan’s father was a man so agreeable he bordered on being spineless, never having much opinion of his own. When the uncle saw his perpetually fair face, he was reminded of how this man had deceived his cousin years ago, and his anger flared. Among the Yan children, the uncle preferred the Third Young Master because of his outgoing nature.

He disliked the simple-minded First Young Master and the reserved Second Young Master. As for the Yan family’s youngest daughter, Yan Xiaozhou, being only eleven or twelve at the time, showed no distinguishing characteristics worth liking or disliking.

The uncle had initially wanted to properly cultivate Third Young Master, but he showed no interest in studies. Instead, it was Second Young Master who displayed scholarly inclinations.

Left with no choice, the uncle took charge and renamed Second Young Master Yan Shang. He then tutored Yan Shang in Lingnan. When the rather untalented Second Young Master finally passed the provincial examination at seventeen, the uncle breathed a sigh of relief and promptly took him to Chang’an, hoping Yan Shang could help restore the family’s former glory after passing the imperial examinations.

At this time, the Emperor’s youngest daughter, Princess Danyang, was barely seventeen and a half. A quiet and virtuous young lady, she was raised in seclusion by her doting imperial parents, maintaining her innocence and charm.

A princess could be married at fifteen.

However, neither the Emperor and Empress nor the Crown Prince could bear to part with their sister, forcibly keeping Princess Danyang until she was seventeen before reluctantly beginning to select a husband for the young princess.

The princess’s husband must come from a great family, excel in both civil and military arts, and possess an open-minded disposition. Most importantly, he needed to care for and protect the little princess throughout her life, and the princess herself had to approve of him.

After much consideration, they set their sights on Yang Si, the third son of the Yang family, who had grown up alongside the princess.

Yang Si was the same age as the princess and the Crown Prince’s study companion. Though he had an unruly temperament that knew no bounds, he had played with the princess since childhood. Perhaps they shared some tacit understanding?

Mu Wanyao and Yang Si did indeed share an understanding.

But it wasn’t what everyone imagined.

Their understanding was that Mu Wanyao would help speak well of Yang Si to the Crown Prince, especially after that time he stormed out after arguing with the Crown Prince. In return, Yang Si would help distract the princess’s attendants, allowing her to leave the palace and explore the marketplace.

At seventeen, Mu Wanyao was experiencing the common markets for the first time. Her imperial parents were so protective that she couldn’t even step outside the palace gates.

Now, in the East Market district, even while following the carefree Yang Si, she clutched his sleeve, her eyes darting everywhere, overwhelmed by the street scenes on both sides.

Her eyes sparkled with wonder.

Yang Si turned back to look at her and clicked his tongue: “You’re almost drooling!”

Mu Wanyao immediately wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. But her mouth was dry.

She widened her cat-like round eyes and said in a delicate voice: “Third Brother Yang, you’re teasing me again!”

Yang Si smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders: “Of course I’m teasing you. Who told you to be so gullible?”

With a casual pull, he drew her to his side, blocking the malicious gazes of those eyeing this innocent girl. Though he appeared lackadaisical, his narrowed eyes flashed with sharp intent, frightening away those who had been staring at them.

Mu Wanyao blushed and pushed him away. But her voice was soft and gentle, carrying no authority: “Don’t do this. If Father Emperor and Mother Empress see this, they’ll start matchmaking again.”

Yang Si snorted and put on a stern face: “So what if they see? Am I not good enough for you?”

Mu Wanyao pressed her lips together.

Her nature was gentle, and she disliked speaking ill of others, but she always felt her future husband shouldn’t be like this. She had been dominated by everyone since childhood, and even the gentlest young lady harbors a trace of rebellion in her heart.

Why couldn’t she have a consort who was more submissive than her?

Must she be controlled by everyone for her entire life?

Seeing Mu Wanyao only blush without speaking, Yang Si lost interest and stopped teasing her. He let go and walked ahead, allowing her to continue following behind him. Yang Si said flatly: “Follow closely, I won’t turn back to look for you if you get lost.”

Mu Wanyao obediently agreed—

But Mu Wanyao and Yang Si still got separated.

Because Mu Wanyao was distracted by street performers while Yang Si became interested in a martial arts competition, he strode off assuming she would follow, not realizing she hadn’t. When Yang Si turned back to look for her, Mu Wanyao had already been swept away by the crowd to parts unknown.

Standing in the chaotic crowd without Yang Si by her side, Mu Wanyao was terrified. Though her palms were sweaty with fear, she tried to encourage herself. They were all just people, what was there to fear? Everything would be fine once she found Third Brother Yang.

Mu Wanyao called out softly, her voice as quiet as a cat’s mew: “Third Brother Yang… Third Brother Yang…”

She wandered through the crowd searching for him. Yang Si had worn a snow-blue scholar’s robe when they left, which she had secretly laughed at for trying to appear refined. Now she could only search the vast sea of people for that clothing. After searching for who knows how long, outside a bookshop, Mu Wanyao suddenly spotted the familiar snow-blue color.

She was exhausted, and even with her good temperament, resentment arose. She ran over and, as she did when most upset, struck his back, tears welling in her eyes.

Mu Wanyao choked up: “You’re so mean! How could you abandon me? I’m going to tell Big Brother about this, you… ah.”

She stopped short, stepped back while looking up, and stared dumbfounded at the young man who had turned to face her.

In the flickering lantern light, waves rippling shadows. A jade coronet adorned his fair face, eyes like starry rivers, the young man who turned around was beautiful as jade, with a clear and bright demeanor. His lips were red, teeth white.

He was extremely handsome and appeared kind, but he wasn’t Yang Si, Third Young Master Yang.

Face to face with this stranger, she froze for a moment, utterly embarrassed, that tear still clinging to her eyelashes.

The young man who turned around was Yan Shang, who had come out to buy books. When his back was suddenly struck and he heard a young woman’s choked sobs, he turned to find an elegant young lady standing behind him with tears in her eyes.

She wore a high-waisted dress, two pink ribbons flying, the young lady had fine eyebrows and beautiful eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips. She was graceful and endearing, standing there in the lamplight, even the teardrops on her eyelashes seemed adorable.

If only her eyes didn’t reveal such panic and embarrassment when looking at him, it would have been even better.

Yan Shang put down his book and cupped his hands in greeting.

Mu Wanyao lowered her head and returned the courtesy.

Yan Shang could see her predicament at a glance, and spoke gently: “Has the young lady been separated from her friend? Perhaps it would be better to return to where you started and wait for your friend to find you. Your friend must be very worried about your separation.”

His voice was clear and mellow, flowing like a gentle stream, making Mu Wanyao’s cheeks burn.

She had very little experience interacting with unfamiliar people, especially a handsome young man her age.

Mu Wanyao nodded in confusion, remembering her second brother’s warnings. He had said all men outside were bad people who would trick young ladies, and she shouldn’t get close to them. Fearing this young man might also be evil, she dared not tell him she had forgotten how to get back.

Mu Wanyao whispered a thank you and hurriedly turned to squeeze back into the crowd as if being chased by fierce wolves.

Yan Shang gazed thoughtfully at her retreating figure.

After a while, he gave a bitter smile and still followed her.

One look at her manner told him she was probably out playing away from home for the first time. Such innocent young ladies were the most naive and easily deceived. Having noticed this, Yan Shang couldn’t pretend he hadn’t. Seeing that the young lady seemed somewhat afraid of him, he dared not follow too closely, lest he frighten her.

He would just follow at a distance.

Mu Wanyao truly had no experience. When she gathered her courage again to ask a passing woman where the street performers were, gesturing extensively, the beautiful woman looked her over carefully.

Following behind, Yan Shang sighed, immediately recognizing the woman’s heavy makeup as characteristic of a brothel madam from the Northern Quarter’s entertainment district.

The beautiful woman smiled sweetly, trying to entice Mu Wanyao: “Little sister, have you been separated from someone? Are you hungry or thirsty? Why don’t you come sit with sister at the tavern for some wine while we wait together?”

Mu Wanyao was indeed hungry and thirsty and nodded obediently.

Just as she was about to go, Yan Shang stepped forward from behind and put an arm around her shoulders. Mu Wanyao stiffened in surprise, looking up bewildered to meet the eyes of the handsome young man from before as he looked down at her and sighed softly: “Little sister, how did you get lost again? Brother has been looking everywhere for you.”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes flickered.

She was both foolish and clever, so she remained silent. She allowed Yan Shang to exchange a few pleasant words with the beautiful woman, who gave her another calculating look, smiled slightly, and turned away fanning herself.

Yan Shang led Mu Wanyao away and said quietly: “That woman was likely someone who deceives young ladies from good families. While it’s good that you’re cautious around men, you shouldn’t only be wary of males and not females. Are there only evil men in the world and no evil women?”

Mu Wanyao stared at his robes, lost in thought.

He held her sleeve gently as they walked, polite, not touching her body at all, clearly maintaining proper etiquette. He wore an extremely faint incense that Mu Wanyao sniffed at curiously, unable to identify the fragrance.

She just found it pleasant.

He quietly asked where she wanted to go, but Mu Wanyao couldn’t explain clearly. Yan Shang then suggested going to the highest tavern in this district, where they could look down from above to search more easily. To prevent her from doubting him, he specially asked three passersby in succession about which was the highest tavern in the area.

Mu Wanyao thought to herself, I didn’t distrust you. Why are you being so careful?

But this young man was the most cautious person she had ever met.

He took her to the tavern and only ordered tea for her to drink. He took a sip first to show her the tea wasn’t drugged.

Mu Wanyao stared at him blankly.

He smiled: “It’s not that I’m unwilling to treat the young lady to better fare, I just don’t know your preferences. Please order whatever you’d like.”

Mu Wanyao, very much showing her princess-like bearing, casually ordered a large array of dishes.

The waiter was bewildered.

Mu Wanyao looked at Yan Shang.

Yan Shang looked at her thoughtfully, something flashing in his eyes, and casually gave the waiter a modified order. The waiter withdrew.

Mu Wanyao sat by the window, contentedly resting her chin in her hands as she watched the scenery outside. She didn’t realize that her unconscious behaviors had revealed too many details, leading Yan Shang to start suspecting her uncommon background.

Yan Shang didn’t probe those matters, only softly telling this young lady what she needed to be careful about when outside.

Mu Wanyao turned back and whispered: “Aren’t you a bad person?”

Yan Shang turned to her, his eyes smiling: “You can consider me a bad person too. Don’t trust my words either. It’s always good for a young lady to be cautious.”

Mu Wanyao was slightly dazed.

Then she firmly shook her head and said softly with certainty: “Brother, you’re not a bad person.”

Yan Shang smiled and joked: “Thank you for the young lady’s high praise.”

Mu Wanyao’s face instantly reddened, and she turned away awkwardly, no longer daring to meet the young man’s warm, smiling eyes.

While Mu Wanyao was eating snacks and drinking tea in the tavern, Yang Si had nearly mobilized the guards in his search. Half an hour later, as Yang Si was about to lose his temper, a waiter from a tavern came to greet him. He ascended the stairs with a dark face, only to find that foolish girl sitting with a young man, blushing as she kept stealing glances at him.

Looking every bit like someone experiencing first love.

Yang Si contained his anger: While he was nearly going crazy with worry outside, she was here falling in love.

Yang Si: “Mu Wanyao!”

Mu Wanyao jumped in fright and looked up.

Yan Shang, sitting across from Mu Wanyao, leisurely sipped his tea, stood up, and turned to bow to the young man striding towards them.

Yan Shang thought to himself: Surname Mu?

The imperial surname.

Combined with all the details the young lady had revealed along the way, Yan Shang had already guessed she was likely of imperial lineage.

Yang Si pulled Mu Wanyao to his side and carefully sized up Yan Shang before asking in a deep voice what had happened. Mu Wanyao tried to explain, but one glare from Yang Si silenced her. She looked worriedly at her savior.

Her savior, however, remained perfectly gentle and showed no fear of Yang Si. He explained the situation clearly and concisely, causing Yang Si’s expression to soften slightly.

Mu Wanyao thought to herself: He’s so articulate.

Mu Wanyao tugged at Yang Si’s sleeve, desperately trying to catch his eye. Yang Si pretended not to notice and perfunctorily said what he needed to: “Thank you for saving my sister. Where do you work? I’ll visit another day to properly thank you.”

Yan Shang knew the other suspected him of coveting his sister and couldn’t let such accusations stand.

He smiled: “It was nothing, no thanks necessary. This humble one has urgent matters to attend to and must take leave.”

Mu Wanyao: “Ah…”

Before she could say anything, she took one step forward only to be pulled back by Yang Si. After the young man had left the tavern and Yang Si was leading Mu Wanyao out, they learned he had even paid for the wine. Only then did Yang Si feel surprised, wondering if the other might truly be a good person.

Outside the tavern, Mu Wanyao complained: “Look what you did!”

Yang Si snorted: “What did I do? I haven’t even scolded you yet! If you do this again, I won’t bring you out to play anymore.”

Mu Wanyao gazed dejectedly at the crowd: “You didn’t even ask my savior’s name!”

Yang Si: “You have a mouth, you sat with him for so long, why didn’t you ask?”

Mu Wanyao’s face turned bright red.

She stamped her foot: “I’m a young lady, I must maintain my dignity, how could I ask?!”

She said despondently: “I don’t know anything about him, not his name, not his age, not where he lives…”

Yang Si stared at her with a strange look.

Mu Wanyao blinked.

Yang Si said slowly: “Why do you want to know all these things?”

Mu Wanyao was speechless for a long while.

After a good while, she lowered her head and sighed: “That brother was so handsome…”

Yang Si: “…”

He immediately said: “Is this love at first sight? I’m going to tell your Second Brother…”

Mu Wanyao grew furious: “No! Don’t make things up! Third Brother Yang, how could you…”—

After Yang Si extracted many unequal promises from Mu Wanyao did he agree not to tell her Second Brother. Mu Wanyao was dejected; she really didn’t want her father, mother, and brothers controlling everything in her life… Couldn’t she have some time to herself?

Having grown up under her family’s protection until seventeen, the young lady had developed some rebellious thoughts.

And in their family, the most rebellious person she knew was her aunt, Princess Imperial of Luling.

When Mu Wanyao went to visit her aunt, she happened to catch the Princess Imperial of Luling about to go out to play. The Princess Imperial had originally planned to gather some handsome young men, but in front of her innocent niece, she couldn’t behave too outrageously. The Princess Imperial of Luling slightly restrained her nature and listened to the young lady’s troubles.

Princess Imperial of Luling: “I understand, you feel your father, mother, and Second Brother control you too strictly, you can’t even leave the house, and you feel you’ve grown up now, don’t want to be your mother’s little treasure anymore, want to be bad for once.”

Mu Wanyao blushed.

She defended herself: “It’s not that extreme! It’s just that I’m already seventeen, and my palace maids only listen to my father, mother, and Second Brother, not to me. I have no freedom at all!”

The Princess Imperial of Luling looked her over teasingly, thoughtfully: “Indeed, you’re already seventeen. When your Fourth Sister was your age, she already had children. You’re not even married yet… It’s all because my brother and the others have held you back.”

The Princess Imperial rarely showed such care for younger generations, and she declared grandly: “Come, aunt will take you out and teach you how to be bad… hmm, you’re already a princess but haven’t seen many men, aunt should take you to broaden your horizons…”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Despite her many refusals, the Princess Imperial got her into a carriage and took her out to teach her about drinking wine.

Noble ladies, especially princesses, naturally knew how to drink wine. But what the Princess Imperial taught Mu Wanyao was wine appreciation. Mu Wanyao found it fascinating, and perhaps she had always liked such things but never dared show it, only now able to indulge herself with her aunt.

However, the tavern where the Princess Imperial had brought Mu Wanyao today wasn’t particularly peaceful. The Princess Imperial hadn’t revealed her identity, leading her niece upstairs to drink wine like ordinary people. As many fine wines were brought to the table and Mu Wanyao remained nervous, the Princess Imperial frowned slightly.

It was now the first month of the year, with the new year’s imperial examinations to be held next month, and Chang’an was now flooded with scholars from all corners of the realm. These scholars most often gathered in taverns and the Northern Quarter, discussing poetry and politics, critiquing current affairs.

They all waited for the moment when their romantic freedom might catch a noble’s eye, gain their support, and achieve sudden fame.

This wasn’t unusual in itself.

But today, this group of talented scholars in the tavern had drunk too much wine, were somewhat drunk, and their critiques had become quite exaggerated. They began criticizing Great Wei’s openness and permissiveness toward women, and when they mentioned the notorious Princess Imperial of Luling, the group of scholars sneered even more.

They said disdainfully: “We scholars would never become her courtiers, submit to her, enter her red silk chambers!”

Mu Wanyao felt uncomfortable hearing this, and angry at their mockery of her aunt.

The Princess Imperial turned back, looked them over, and said disdainfully: “Wanting to enter the Princess Imperial’s mansion, with such sorry appearances, how presumptuous. As if the Princess Imperial would even want you.”

Her voice wasn’t low, immediately making the scholars upstairs who had been speaking so freely feel quite embarrassed.

One scholar said maliciously: “Who are you to speak for that princess? Could it be you’re also…”

The Princess Imperial said lazily: “Just assume I am. When men rise in rank and make money to keep women, it’s fine, but when women do the reverse, they become notorious?”

Mu Wanyao said softly: “Aunt, let’s go, don’t argue with them anymore.”

Another scholar said: “Forget it, young women are the hardest to deal with, let’s not stoop to their level. Those without talent or virtue aren’t worthy of discussing with us.”

The Princess Imperial became instantly angry.

Because they had hit upon the truth—without talent or virtue.

She looked around and suddenly pulled her dazed niece Mu Wanyao over: “You say only those with talent and virtue are worthy of speaking with you? Then let’s have a competition. My niece will sit here, and you can test her in music, chess, poetry, and painting. If you can surpass her in even one area, we’ll admit defeat today. If not, tomorrow you’ll all line up at the Princess Imperial of Luling’s mansion to apologize!”

The scholars naturally agreed.

Mu Wanyao made a bitter face as her aunt forced her to participate—

Yan Shang, ascending the tavern with a friend to buy wine for his uncle, encountered exactly this scene.

The upper floor was packed tight, with many young men resentfully surrounding a young lady examining scrolls. They brought out poems they had written over many days, and the surrounding young lady reviewed their scrolls, her brush flying as she made corrections, flowing smoothly and confidently.

She looked adorable and gentle, yet uniquely self-assured in this, utterly defeating the group of men.

Making the Princess Imperial of Luling watching from behind feel delighted.

As Yan Shang watched from the side, Mu Wanyao looked up and suddenly saw him. He started slightly, then smiled faintly.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes instantly brightened: “…Brother!”

The Princess Imperial of Luling, who had been leisurely enjoying her wine, went: “…?”

She became instantly nervous, thinking Mu Wanyao’s actual brother had arrived and would criticize her for corrupting Mu Wanyao. The Princess Imperial stiffly raised her head, following Mu Wanyao’s gaze, and was immediately entranced—

What a gracefully beautiful young man!

A face of gold and jade, young and elegant.

His appearance was secondary; most exceptional was his bearing…

The Princess Imperial felt a sudden itch in her heart, feeling that all the handsome young men in her mansion would appear common and vulgar compared to this young man’s refined bearing.

The Princess Imperial whispered: “Yaoyao, you know him?”

Mu Wanyao nodded.

The Princess Imperial saw her niece’s foolish manner and had a thought, wanting to meet this handsome young man through her niece. If she could share a spring night with a willing handsome youth… The Princess Imperial smiled: “Then Yaoyao, shouldn’t you go greet him?”

The Princess Imperial smiled at Yan Shang.

Yan Shang started slightly and returned the greeting.

The Princess Imperial was even more pleased and quietly told Mu Wanyao with dignity: “Looking at your friend, he seems to be a scholar too. But he must be different from those others. I appreciate talent; bring him over, and I’ll help promote his examination scroll and help him become a good official in this year’s examinations.”

Mu Wanyao was surprised: “Aunt wants to actively help promote someone’s scroll?”

The Princess Imperial nodded.

Mu Wanyao lowered her head and thought for a long while, then said slowly: “But if aunt can do it, I can too, right?”

Princess Imperial: “…”

She stared in shock at her foolish niece, who had suddenly become clever, giving that handsome young man a pursed smile, her eyes shining.

Princess Imperial: This is bad.

Could it be that her stimulation had awakened the little girl’s first feelings of love?—

At this point, Mu Wanyao became very distracted as people continued to surround her. She saw Yan Shang only watch for a moment before a servant reminded him the wine was ready. He made a slight bow in their direction, then said something quietly to his friend before heading downstairs.

Mu Wanyao became very anxious.

She began perfunctorily reviewing others’ poetry and prose, wanting to finish quickly so she could chase after him. She agonized internally for a long while but still felt that if she let that brother leave, who knew when they would meet again?

Mu Wanyao pushed away the person in front of her and, blushing, told her aunt a lie: “I- I have something to do… I need to go first.”

Princess Imperial: “Yaoyao… Ah, you silly girl!”

Mu Wanyao clattered down the stairs, but Yan Shang was already gone from below. She went out the tavern door and stared dejectedly and disappointedly at the empty street. She gazed absent-mindedly for a long while, then dropped her shoulders and turned to go back upstairs when she suddenly saw Yan Shang standing in the corner by the tavern wall, thoughtfully watching her with a smile.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes brightened, and she ran over to stand before him. Just as Yan Shang was about to explain why he hadn’t left, Mu Wanyao interrupted: “What’s your name, how old are you this year, where do you live? I- I… after all, you’re my savior, I need to repay your kindness.”

Yan Shang’s eyes flickered, both surprised and strange.

He said softly: “We met by chance, why need to know each other?”

Mu Wanyao: “My name is Mu Wanyao.”

Yan Shang: “…”

He sighed, defeated by her simple thinking.

He stepped back, bowed deeply, and performed a formal greeting: “This humble one is Yan Shang, paying respects to Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao was so shocked her mouth fell open: “…You knew I was a princess?”

Yan Shang sighed: “I was also hesitating whether to tell Your Highness that I had guessed. But when Your Highness suddenly came running out, I felt… I shouldn’t deceive Your Highness. Your Highness, you cannot be so simple, so trusting of people. You’ve only met me twice, yet I’ve already gotten you to reveal your identity, how can this be good?”

Mu Wanyao said softly: “How could others be as clever as Brother Yan?

“Brother Yan, tell me how you guessed it.

“Oh right, Brother Yan, are you also taking the imperial examinations? Do you want me to help promote your scroll? I can help.

“Brother Yan…”

She thought to herself, that Brother Yan was not only handsome and beautiful but also incredibly clever, and his temperament was so good.

She liked such a brother.