Yan Shang kept his promise. After the imperial examinations, he invited Wei Shu to his home as a guest. Mu Wanyao felt somewhat embarrassed because she had forgotten her uncle’s request to look after this young man. Upon seeing Wei Shu at their door, she displayed an elegant smile. Wei Shu lowered his head and paid his respects. Yan Shang stood to the side with a peculiar expression.

During the evening feast, the married couple both busied themselves encouraging Wei Shu to eat more dishes, taking care of him. Wei Shu was embarrassed, keeping his head down and remaining silent. His jade-like profile already showed traces of the future brilliance to come.

Although Mu Wanyao was married, she couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances at the beautiful young man. These additional glances were all caught by Yan Shang’s eyes.

They arranged for Wei Shu to stay at the manor for the night. Mu Wanyao personally went to check the guest room the maids had prepared. When she returned to her chambers satisfied, Yan Shang was waiting for her at the corridor entrance to walk with her.

Yan Shang spoke with a hidden meaning: “Juguan hasn’t yet purchased a residence in Chang’an. He came hurriedly for the examinations with no one to care for him. Juguan doesn’t like to speak much either, making things quite difficult.”

Mu Wanyao replied: “That’s why my uncle asked me to look after him!”

She expressed some regret: “Indeed, Juguan is too reserved, unwilling to trouble others. Since he never visited, I naturally forgot about this matter.”

Yan Shang turned to look at her: “Your Highness need not worry. Since we are husband and wife, your matters are my matters. I will help you take good care of Juguan.”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes curved and lips lifted as she held his arm: “Second Brother Yan is a good person. I never worry about such things.”

Yan Shang said softly: “But I’m not a saint either.”

Mu Wanyao blinked, looking up at him in confusion, not understanding his meaning.

Yan Shang suddenly asked: “Let me ask you if Wei Qiang wasn’t good-looking, would you have remembered to care for him and let him stay at our manor?”

Mu Wanyao was stunned, then her gaze became evasive.

Yan Shang gripped her wrist, his tone growing heavier: “Yaoyao!”

Mu Wanyao stammered quietly: “I… I haven’t done anything wrong… When people see beautiful things or people, wanting to look a few more times isn’t wrong, is it?”

Yan Shang bent down to look at her: “Then have you thought about possessing all beautiful people or things?”

Mu Wanyao’s clear eyes stared at him: “Everyone wants to possess beautiful things. I’m no exception. I don’t understand Second Brother Yan’s meaning.”

Yan Shang pressed his lips together.

A hint of irritation rose in his heart.

His tone remained characteristically gentle as he reached out to brush away strands of hair the wind had blown across her cheeks.

Yan Shang: “Then let me be more clear, Your Highness. Do you want to possess Wei Juguan?”

Mu Wanyao: “What kind of possession?”

Yan Shang: “Do you want him to become your subordinate?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened in shock. How could she have thought so far ahead? She had no such intentions.

She merely found Wei Shu handsome and wanted to look a few more times!

Mu Wanyao: “No!”

Yan Shang lowered his eyes: “Then do you have any intention of having him replace me?”

Mu Wanyao immediately gripped his arm tightly. She had been fine with all the previous questioning, but this question made her bristle like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Mu Wanyao: “No one can snatch Second Brother Yan away from my side!”

Yan Shang was startled.

Mu Wanyao shouted: “Second Brother Yan is mine! Mine! Whoever tries to steal you from me, I’ll kill them!”

Yan Shang stared at her dumbfounded.

He saw the young girl’s eyes were pitch black and crystal clear, but her expression was completely serious, not joking at all.

Yan Shang had always known Mu Wanyao had an inexplicably strong fondness for him, perhaps because his temperament suited her preferences, or perhaps some quality he didn’t understand had moved her… Yan Shang had always known Mu Wanyao liked him very much.

But at this moment, looking at this young girl whose eyes reflected the lamplight, who spoke of “killing” with such innocent confusion, he truly realized just how strong his attraction was to Mu Wanyao.

Incomparable.

Irreplaceable.

Never letting go.

Such words would sound ridiculous and shameful if he said them about himself – what virtue or ability did he have to evaluate himself so highly? But this was how Mu Wanyao felt about him.

Shock and joy rose in Yan Shang’s heart. He suddenly felt very embarrassed, suddenly felt very shy. He had only wanted to ask about Wei Shu’s situation; he hadn’t expected to suddenly receive such a shocking love confession.

To Yan Shang, Mu Wanyao’s words were no different from a passionate declaration of love.

He turned away his gaze and said softly: “What talk of killing is this? When holding a sharp blade and controlling others’ lives, one should keep the scabbard secure. Would Your Highness take someone’s life over such trivial matters?”

Mu Wanyao remained innocent: “You say I hold a sharp blade and control others’ lives, that I should keep my scabbard secure. Then Second Brother Yan, why don’t you become my scabbard?”

Yan Shang coughed.

Her words were innocent, without other meaning. But to others, it was as if his heart had been lightly brushed with a feather. Her unconscious flirtation was most vexing.

Looking down at the little princess, Yan Shang wanted to pull her into his arms and squeeze her.

The rational and restrained Yan Shang straightened up. Afraid of showing an unseemly appearance, he gave Mu Wanyao one last look before returning to his chambers alone.

Mu Wanyao was bewildered at being abandoned halfway by her husband.

She didn’t know why she was suddenly left behind… Weren’t they just talking normally?

Ah, could this be… jealousy?

Mu Wanyao chased after him: “Second Brother Yan, wait for me. Were you jealous just now? Let me explain. Brother…”

Yan Shang was caught up to by her, his sleeve grabbed. He turned his face away, not looking at her. She was extremely anxious and simply bent down, ducking under his arm.

The lanterns swayed in the wind, light flowing like seaweed across the ground.

Yan Shang was startled, forced to raise his arm, only to see a delicate beauty emerge from his embrace, smiling at him.

Mu Wanyao’s voice was soft: “Second Brother Yan, let me explain…”

Yan Shang sighed gently: “No need to explain. I understand what happened.”

Mu Wanyao became confused: “Then why are you running away? I thought you were angry.”

Yan Shang leaned against the corridor pillar. Whether it was the red light from the lanterns or his actual blush, Mu Wanyao pressed against him and felt his whole body become rigid as stone as he turned his face away, not looking at her.

Yan Shang said softly: “Must I be angry to leave? Quick, stand up, don’t be like this.”

His hands properly rested on her shoulders, trying to gently push her away. Mu Wanyao refused to budge. He was always pushing her away, constantly pushing her away – why did he have to do that?

Mu Wanyao cleverly concluded: “Brother, you must still be angry. Look, you won’t even look at me. Though I don’t know why brother is angry, I’ll make you happy.”

She insisted on ducking under his gaze, making faces at him, sticking out her tongue. She pulled at her cheeks, making all sorts of strange, ugly expressions. Her eyes were like a cat’s, the corners curving up again and again.

Lantern light layered upon lantern light, the lake a single shade.

Yan Shang watched her various attempts at being cute and watched her different ways of trying to make him happy. The ripples in his heart had long since begun circling in waves, while she, this little cat secretly stirring the water, kept reaching out with her paw to test him…

And she thought he felt nothing at all!

Mu Wanyao’s face was starting to grow stiff. Seeing his pitch-black eyes look over without speaking, she immediately felt discouraged. Just as she was internally complaining about how difficult he was to please, Yan Shang suddenly bent down and pulled her into his embrace.

He turned his head, his long hair intertwining with hers. His entire body was burning hot, trembling all over. Unable to control himself, unable to restrain his emotions, he finally succumbed to the desire deep in his heart and gently kissed the tip of her ear.

Mu Wanyao instantly bristled and jumped, wanting to cover her kissed ear. She stared with wide eyes as she was pulled into his embrace again. It was him – his hands wrapped around her back, he was actively embracing her… and he had kissed her!

Mu Wanyao: “You embraced me in public!”

Yan Shang was extremely embarrassed and lowered his voice: “This isn’t public. We’re in our own home, and it’s already dark.”

Mu Wanyao looked up, accusing him in a somewhat smug tone: “You even stole a kiss.”

Yan Shang couldn’t argue.

His eyes fixed on her moving red lips, forcing himself to look away, trying not to think too much. Meanwhile, Mu Wanyao, extremely happy, pulled Yan Shang back to their chambers.

The hand that Mu Wanyao held felt burning hot to Yan Shang.

He smiled bitterly inside, knowing he definitely wouldn’t sleep well again tonight.

—

Yan Shang was beginning to become a little afraid of Mu Wanyao.

He found it difficult to explain his thoughts.

He had long known she liked him, but that night’s Mu Wanyao made him realize that what he thought was like and what was like were vastly different in degree.

And when she held his hand, when she kept making faces to amuse him, Yan Shang’s heart became chaotic.

He feared these feelings of his.

At night he began to toss and turn, his wife sleeping beside him, the torment he had to endure greater than ever before. Sometimes when she was asleep, he would lie beside her and look at her, thinking how beautiful she was.

Yan Shang was no longer the perfectly composed Second Young Master Yan who handled all social interactions with ease. How should he interact with Mu Wanyao?

Yan Shang was awkward and embarrassed, yet couldn’t let anyone notice. He could only try to avoid her while maintaining his dignity.

Fortunately, with the imperial examinations over, he soon became busy and had little time to dwell on matters of the heart.

—

At the end of that year, because of the Emperor’s birthday, diplomatic envoys from various countries came to Chang’an.

Yan Shang was temporarily assigned by the Crown Prince to help at the Court of State Ceremonials, and he was overwhelmed with work every day. With the arrival of the envoys, Chang’an became much more lively.

This was also Mu Wanyao’s first time seeing such a grand gathering, and she was delighted. To demonstrate Great Wei’s grace, the Empress had her, as a princess, lead the foreign women in entertainment, which Mu Wanyao agreed to.

Great Wei valued poetry and prose.

The title of Princess Danyang suddenly became famous among the various diplomatic envoys.

Writing poetry and prose were things Mu Wanyao excelled at; she could casually produce works better than what Yan Shang would achieve after days of painful contemplation. Mu Wanyao was also very happy to use her talents to help the country gain prestige…

Sitting in the Empress’s palace, Mu Wanyao enthusiastically spoke about the interesting aspects of this year’s ceremony. Mu Wanyao pouted: “Second Brother’s ceremony arrangements are perfect everywhere, except that Second Brother Yan is so busy, I barely get to see him.”

The Empress said: “You young couple will have plenty of time to see each other. Let’s get through the ceremony first.”

The Empress looked back at her daughter sitting obediently, her eyes lifting as she suddenly smiled: “Yaoyao, do you know that the envoys are all asking about who Princess Danyang is? According to your father, many small countries have seen your grace and are asking Great Wei to marry a princess to their kings.

“It’s good you married early. Otherwise, who knows how many would come seeking your hand.”

Mu Wanyao blushed and lowered her head, saying she hadn’t done anything.

As mother and daughter were talking, a palace maid came to report, her expression troubled: “Your Highness, for the polo match scheduled this afternoon, Chen Liuniang suddenly injured her leg and cannot participate.”

The Empress’s expression also darkened.

Empress: “We’ll need to find a replacement then…”

Her gaze, along with the palace maid’s, fell on Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao was stunned, quickly jumping up and waving her hands: “I-I-I-I can’t! Mother, I can handle poetry and literature, but how can you ask me to play polo? I’ll be scared!”

The Empress smiled: “Just try it. Yaoyao, you hardly exercise anyway. Wouldn’t it be nice to play on the polo field?”

Mu Wanyao’s face reddened, still waving her hands saying she couldn’t.

The Empress said: “I vaguely remember that Second Young Master Yan is helping the Court of State Ceremonials manage these events, right? Didn’t you say you haven’t seen your husband for a long time? Isn’t this a perfect chance to see him?”

Mu Wanyao pouted and fell silent.

—

The polo match was held at Leyou Plains.

As the Empress had said, Yan Shang was in charge of affairs here. The nobility’s entertainments were numerous, and such events, with the addition of foreign men and women, were even more popular among Chang’an’s elite.

Many drove their carriages to Qujiang and Leyou Plains specifically to watch the polo match.

The more people there were, the more they feared something going wrong.

Naturally, Yan Shang couldn’t leave for even a moment, keeping watch over everything.

As Yan Shang was lowering his head to instruct a subordinate about some matters, he suddenly heard gasps from around him, and foreign envoys shouting in broken Wei official language: “Danyang! Danyang!”

Yan Shang started and immediately raised his head.

He was currently at the outskirts of the event, with crowds of people blocking his view. Yan Shang’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly dismissed the official and entered the crowd, wanting to see if it was her.

But how could it be her?

Wasn’t she a scholar?

How could she be here?

Yan Shang made his way through the crowd and accidentally bumped into a tall, strong man. Yan Shang immediately cupped his hands in apology, seeing it was the Wuman King Meng Zaishi.

Yan Shang finally reached the front of the crowd. He placed his hands on the railing, looking toward the field. The moment he looked, his heart nearly leaped out.

It was Mu Wanyao!

She wore black and red men’s riding clothes, holding a long polo stick, chasing the white ball on horseback. Yang Si’s cousin Zhao Lingfei coordinated with her, and the two women showed excellent teamwork. The small ball moved quickly under their long sticks, never once losing control.

The foreign envoys cheered for their countries’ ladies.

The Great Wei side was no less enthusiastic.

The clamor was deafening, banners fluttering – how unrestrained!

Yan Shang watched his wife intently, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter, the dead water of his emotions stirring into huge waves.

He could never remain unmoved by someone so gorgeous, flamboyant, proud, and forward-charging.

Meng Zaishi stood beside Yan Shang, also watching Mu Wanyao intently as she rode on the field.

To think Great Wei had such a vibrantly colorful woman, moving his heart… Meng Zaishi had only arrived recently; he had only heard the title of Princess Danyang but didn’t know who she was.

—

Mu Wanyao was covered in sweat. When she was on horseback, she spotted Yan Shang. With his refined manner and flowing robes, such excellent bearing, she could spot him at a glance.

She felt nervous, afraid he wouldn’t like her this way.

But having already entered the field, naturally winning came first, everything else could wait.

The match ended with Great Wei’s victory, thanks to Mu Wanyao and Zhao Lingfei’s coordination. After dismounting, Mu Wanyao eagerly ran toward Yan Shang.

Meng Zaishi stood beside Yan Shang, watching as that passionate, vibrant young woman rushed over and threw herself into Yan Shang’s arms.

Yan Shang bent down to catch Mu Wanyao as if catching a fireball. He stroked her sweaty face and asked: “Are you thirsty? Let’s go get some water.”

Mu Wanyao wheedled: “Feed it to me.”

Yan Shang coughed once and pulled at Mu Wanyao, reminding her to notice there were still others around. Yan Shang placed his hand by his lips and coughed twice, then introduced Mu Wanyao to Meng Zaishi: “This is Princess Danyang, also my wife.”

Meng Zaishi was stunned.

He looked at Mu Wanyao.

Just as Mu Wanyao looked back at him.

This must be… what the Wei people meant by “Luofu already has a husband”?