Yan Shang propped himself up on one hand while drawing back the bed curtain with the other, gazing down at the princess who lay there catching her breath.

Her hair spread like seaweed, her cheeks flushed pink. She seemed bathed in clear moonlight, her skin like snow covering hills and lakes. Her eyes sparkled with a misty, watery glow, sensuality, and poetic charm dancing in her expression. Still catching her breath after everything had concluded, she furrowed her brows slightly as she gazed up at Yan Shang.

His heart pounded as he looked at her current state, both surprised and somewhat dazed.

This was the first time he had seen such languid, unrestrained allure from her. She seemed much more at ease than the previous two times. For the first time, he truly felt he had pleased Mu Wanyao.

The corners of her eyes were tinged with red, her body covered in a light sheen of sweat as she panted softly. Her sounds made him feel somewhat overwhelmed, but each time her cat-like breaths brushed past his ear, he wanted to please her even more, to hear more from her.

Yan Shang’s heartbeat was so loud he felt it might burst from his chest.

Lost in her beauty at this moment, he couldn’t help but lean down, wanting to kiss her lips.

Mu Wanyao raised her hand to block his approach, her voice still slightly hoarse but coquettish: “No! It’s dirty!”

Yan Shang responded helplessly in a low voice: “How can you call your essence dirty?”

Mu Wanyao glared at him.

With lowered eyes and a face flushed like the sunset clouds, his black hair falling loosely, when he smiled like that he stirred one’s heart like rippling mountains and waters. Just as Mu Wanyao found herself moved by the sight, Yan Shang had already lowered the bed curtain and left that side.

Yan Shang went to get tea for rinsing their mouths and found a handkerchief. Guessing that Mu Wanyao would be too lazy to clean up, he thought to wipe her down. After bustling about for quite a while, when he returned to the bed and knelt on the wooden board while opening the bed curtain, a delicate figure immediately threw her snow-white arms around him, surrounding him with a soft fragrance.

Mu Wanyao complained: “You were gone so long! I had some interest left, but you killed the mood going back and forth so much.”

Yan Shang felt somewhat shy and explained: “I just went to clean up a bit.”

Mu Wanyao asked with a bright smile: “Has little Yan Second calmed down yet?”

Yan Shang didn’t understand.

But she made him understand through action – her hand reached down to caress his lower abdomen, her fingertips brushing against him. Yan Shang stiffened, his blood immediately rushing as his body responded involuntarily. She gave a knowing smile, tilting her face to look at him with both teasing and amusement.

His face turned completely red: “Yao Yao!”

Mu Wanyao: “Oh, so you do understand?”

Yan Shang said helplessly: “After what you just did… I’m not an idiot.”

Mu Wanyao smiled, thinking how fun it was to play with someone clever. Just a small hint and he understood. But Yan Shang paused, gently moving her hand away as he said softly: “I need to return tomorrow… it’s not convenient.”

Mu Wanyao was surprised: “Could you last all night? You have that kind of ability?”

Yan Shang was slightly annoyed: “Can you not be so unrestrained with your words? I mean… I’m not comfortable in someone else’s territory.”

Mu Wanyao snorted with laughter: “When have you ever been comfortable? You’ve never been at ease. You complain the daylight is too bright to be discreet, complain that being alone at night will cause gossip; complain that anything but a proper bed is improper, complaint the carriage is too bumpy and frightening; complain that if it’s too short I won’t be satisfied, complain that if it’s too long we’ll be discovered; complain it’s not right before marriage, complain that I won’t agree to marriage… you’ve never once been truly comfortable.”

Yan Shang was speechless.

He couldn’t find words to respond, wondering if he had been that obvious.

Seeing Yan Shang holding a handkerchief and hesitating without moving, Mu Wanyao sighed and pulled him to sit down. She took the handkerchief from his hand to clean herself. She raised her knee, but after just a pause, saw Yan Shang hurriedly turn his face away, refusing to look in her direction.

Mu Wanyao wrinkled her nose at his back, disapproving of his inability to relax.

She pondered that Yan Shang needed to let go at least once… intimate relations between man and woman were natural and proper, yet he had never truly opened himself up, and thus could never fully enjoy the most pleasurable moments. Thinking of this, Mu Wanyao felt somewhat sorry for him.

After a while, Yan Shang asked in a low voice while facing away: “Are you finished cleaning?”

Mu Wanyao: “Mm.”

He turned his shoulder, and saw she had already put on her undergarments and hadn’t deceived him, only then did he let out a small sigh of relief before leaning over to take the used handkerchief. Seeing him about to get up to clean again, Mu Wanyao had enough. She snatched the handkerchief from his hand and threw it on the ground outside, pulled him down to lie with her, and said irritably: “Leave it! The maids will clean it tomorrow.”

Yan Shang was pulled down to lie on his side.

The golden bed curtains and candlelight fell across their bodies as Mu Wanyao lay face to face with him. Lying quietly, their eyes met, and the air became scorching hot.

His eyelashes trembled as his gaze fell, somewhat evasive.

Seeing him like this, looking at his disheveled black hair and the flush that hadn’t yet faded from his face, Mu Wanyao grew increasingly delighted. Her eyes fell to his waist and she asked: “Are you sure you don’t want my help? I can use my hands. Even though your back is injured, if we lie on our sides… it would work.”

Yan Shang shook his head and said: “It will settle down soon.”

Mu Wanyao deliberately said: “Other women make their lovers more aroused the more they look. But looking at me seems to cool you down. Are you doing this on purpose? Or am I just that unattractive?”

Yan Shang: “What do you mean by aroused and cooled down?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

After several attempts at testing, she confirmed he was still the same Yan Second she knew. Even though he had done such things for her, he still couldn’t quite grasp the suggestive jokes and flirtatious banter between men and women. Being with him made Mu Wanyao feel quite vulgar in comparison.

Mu Wanyao covered her face.

But Yan Shang came to pull her hands away, wanting to see her face. He said softly but firmly: “Don’t hide. I want to look at you.”

Mu Wanyao raised her round eyes to look at him through her fingers, saw his relaxed expression with a slight smile, and she too relaxed, letting him pull down her hands. As they gazed at each other this way, they both couldn’t help but smile. Mu Wanyao coquettishly called out “Second Brother Yan” as she nuzzled and snuggled her way into his embrace.

Her long hair brushed against his neck as she sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Yan Shang whispered in her ear: “Did I do well?”

Mu Wanyao: “What?”

Yan Shang was embarrassed for a moment but continued: “Just now, I mean.”

Mu Wanyao looked up, and after a while commented: “…You’ve changed.”

Yan Shang blushed, actually starting to stammer: “I-I was just asking, I didn’t mean anything else. If you don’t want to say, then forget it.”

Mu Wanyao said with a smile: “I’m not unwilling to say. I dare to say anything, it just depends on whether you dare to hear it.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, her gaze flirtatious. He felt both amused and happy. Before he could savor this bit of joy, Mu Wanyao in his arms had already started: “You tell me first what you thought?”

Yan Shang was stunned for a moment before stammering: “I thought… it was quite good.”

Mu Wanyao: “Do you think your technique was good?”

Yan Shang was shocked.

After taking a long time to process her boldness, he said: “I meant you were quite good.”

Mu Wanyao was confused.

He struggled for quite a while before leaning to her jade-like ear and softly bit out a few words: “Yao Yao is so sweet and soft.”

This time, it was Mu Wanyao’s turn to blush red.

She grew angry from embarrassment and hit his chest: “How can you say such things? You shouldn’t say things like that!”

Yan Shang’s face blazed red: “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it.”

Mu Wanyao put on a stern face: “Where did you learn all this from?”

Yan Shang: “I didn’t learn it from anywhere…”

Mu Wanyao: “Was it from that Chun Niang of yours?”

Yan Shang was stunned for a moment and said: “What does she have to do with this… Yao Yao, did you investigate her?”

Mu Wanyao immediately snorted.

She had half a mind to get angry, to argue with him about Chun Niang, to make unreasonable demands. She had Fang Tong investigate and already knew how Yan Shang had come to know this person. Knowing Yan Shang likely had some hidden strategy, Mu Wanyao wasn’t as angry.

But thinking about him teaching a beautiful courtesan to read and write, sharing a room with her… When they were apart before, Mu Wanyao had no right to interfere; now, of course, she had to argue about it.

However, the current mood was too good, and Mu Wanyao couldn’t bring herself to argue.

Yan Shang had already started explaining in detail: “Chun Niang is the lady Brother Liu saved before… The Ministry of Revenue’s Secretary Zhang’s eleventh son would always return to Chang’an, I thought Brother Liu’s matter couldn’t end like that… and I needed a spy in the North Ward…”

Mu Wanyao impatiently: “Alright, alright! I already know, I don’t want to hear it again!”

Yan Shang asked helplessly: “Then what do you want to hear?”

Mu Wanyao: “Did you sleep in the same room with her at night? When teaching her to write, did you guide her hand? Did you get as close to her as we are now? Did you smile at her, did you play along with her…”

Yan Shang smiled slightly.

Mu Wanyao: “What are you smiling about!”

Yan Shang came to cover her mouth, saying softly: “Using crude words again. A princess shouldn’t learn such bad habits. I’m just happy that you care about me… Don’t worry, I know my boundaries, I won’t put you in a difficult position.”

He threatened her: “If from now on you only have me, I’ll also only have you.”

Mu Wanyao felt she could do that and immediately agreed with a smile.

The topic returned to the beginning: “But if you didn’t learn it from Chun Niang, where did you learn such skills? Don’t be afraid, I just want to know who corrupted you. I’ll kill them!”

Yan Shang said softly: “I learned it from you. Do you want to kill yourself?”

Mu Wanyao froze: “Ah…”

Yan Shang’s eyelashes fluttered as he looked at her. His face was red: “The first time you did this for me, I wanted to do the same for you… but you struggled so much then, wouldn’t let me touch you at all. I just thought, whatever sensations I could feel, you should feel the same. The difference between men and women shouldn’t be that great.”

Mu Wanyao was still dazed: “You…”

Yan Shang: “What?”

Mu Wanyao said dejectedly: “You’re too clever, it makes me worried. If I don’t have more abilities, I won’t be able to keep you in check…”

Yan Shang smiled slightly: “Not at all.”

Mu Wanyan raised her face, her hand caressing his delicate brows and eyes as she said softly: “But Second Brother Yan, this must be quite tiring for you. Could you try to relax a little? At least when you’re with me, learn to put down your burdens and not always think about so many things.

“You think too much, and excess brings harm. If you don’t have a place where you can rest a little, you’ll eventually break down. Second Brother Yan, try to relax when you’re with me.”

Yan Shang looked down at her, his eyes sparking with both enchantment and tenderness.

Without a word, he lowered his head to kiss her.

Everyone in the world praised his grace, loved his attentiveness, and admired his proper conduct. Only Mu Wanyao, again and again, hoped he could relax, could find relief. She repeatedly complained he was too tense, and repeatedly told him not to push himself too hard.

The world loved him as a gentleman, a sage, but only she loved him as Yan Shang.

Yan Shang said softly: “I’ll try.”

Mu Wanyao, her teeth still entangled with his, said with a muffled giggle: “Good, then shall we continue our bedroom pleasures?”

Yan Shang smiled gently and said, “Alright.”

The two of them were like inexperienced young lovers, hiding behind the bed curtains speaking such words. Both curious about each other’s bodies, curious about each other’s feelings. Mu Wanyao said she wanted to look at his, but he refused, saying “there’s nothing worth seeing.”

They wrestled like they were fighting, the lady trying to slide down while the young lord held her to prevent her from moving. He used his shoulder wound as an excuse, hissing in pain a few times to trick her into staying still. But Mu Wanyao enthusiastically invited him to look below her neck. She was willing to open her collar for him to look and touch, boldly displaying a lady’s allure.

Yan Shang trembled as he leaned down to kiss her several times. He was somewhat intoxicated, his face redder than before. But he quickly regained control, covering her collar back up.

Mu Wanyao giggled at him from within his embrace.

Outside the chamber, shadows of bamboo and cypress fell on the ground like waterweeds; lantern light from the corridor shone through the tree shadows like sparks. The wind rustled softly, and the rain had completely stopped—

Before dawn the next day, Yan Shang needed to return to Chang’an. Mu Wanyao was unhappy and made a fuss with him, mocking that even if he returned now it would be too late: “Your superior won’t be happy just because you return today, but if you leave now, I’ll be unhappy too.”

So Yan Shang stayed with Mu Wanyao at the post station until noon. During this time, he finally got his wish to discuss her journey to Jinling with her. He listened to what she had to say and added his analysis and suggestions. Though nothing too important was discussed, Yan Shang felt joy just being able to participate a little in her affairs.

But his joy was so subtle that no one noticed.

By noon, Fang Tong finally urged Mu Wanyao, saying if they didn’t get moving, they wouldn’t make it to the next post station to rest that day. Only then could Yan Shang part with Mu Wanyao, promising to wait in Chang’an for her return.

Mu Wanyao was now somewhat regretting her decision to go to Jinling. Originally, a large part of her reason for going to Jinling was to avoid Yan Shang, but now that they had reconciled, the distance between Jinling and Chang’an had become a major obstacle between them.

It would take at least a month before she could return to Chang’an and see Yan Shang again… Mu Wanyao resented that Yan Shang was an imperial official. If he were still Yan Shisheng from Lingnan before, she could have ignored his wishes and forcefully taken him along to Jinling, and no one could have said anything.

But now, Mu Wanyao could only say: “I won’t stay long in Jinling, I’ll try to return within a month. Be good and wait for me to return, understand?”

Being watched by all the guards and maids, Yan Shang felt very uncomfortable, but under Mu Wanyao’s intense stare, he softly said “All alright.”

He watched her carriage leave, and when the beauty sitting inside was no longer visible, Yan Shang felt an inexplicable melancholy rise in his heart. He was reluctant to part with her, but since she had already shown such reluctance to part, he couldn’t show his reluctance too. If both of them gave in to their sorrow, this journey would never begin—

Yan Shang returned to Chang’an that day and apologized to his superior the next day. He had expected to be scolded for his unexplained absence, but when he returned to the Ministry of Revenue, he found everyone busy, with no time to care about his one-day absence. Yan Shang hurriedly asked what had happened and received the answer—

“Sixteen counties in the north experienced an earthquake, and some rivers immediately dried up. With continuous lack of rain, drought has appeared in some areas, and the masses are rioting…”

Yan Shang muttered: “Whenever heaven sends great disasters, there must be rebellion and refugees…”

The official he had stopped to question nodded perfunctorily and continued rushing to handle the matter.

Yan Shang also hurried to help.

At this time, the Ministry of Revenue’s top priority changed from sending envoys to visit various countries to disaster relief and helping the people. For half a month straight, news kept arriving at the Ministry about rivers drying up and drought areas increasing. The Ministry allocated batch after batch of grain and money, but the disaster showed no signs of lessening. It was said that in some places, there were already instances of cannibalism…

Yan Shang was called to meet with the Minister and Vice Minister of Revenue, with the Crown Prince also in attendance.

The Minister of Revenue was nominally the head of the ministry, but due to his advanced age, he would retire from office in a few years. So although Yan Shang had been at the Ministry for over two months, he hadn’t seen this minister manage many affairs. The one truly in charge of the Ministry was the Vice Minister sitting beside him.

This Vice Minister was very familiar to Yan Shang.

Because this Vice Minister of Revenue had once been Mu Wanyao’s advisor. After leaving the Princess’s residence to become an official, he had risen quickly with the Crown Prince’s support. Having reached such an official position, this Vice Minister was now the most powerful among the ministers Mu Wanyao had befriended.

Moreover, this Vice Minister was utterly loyal to Mu Wanyao and had been taking good care of Yan Shang since his arrival at the Ministry.

Now as Yan Shang met these three people, he bowed to them, and only the Vice Minister showed him a friendly smile.

The Vice Minister said: “Suxin, you must already know the importance of the northern drought and refugee situation. According to protocol, the central government will send an imperial official to supervise local disaster relief efforts. Officials have been arranged for other provinces, but only Shu Prefecture’s counties remain. The local customs there have always been fierce, and the land is poor. No one in the court is willing to go.

“After much consideration, among all the secretaries in the Ministry, only you are both meticulous and brave, yet cautious enough that we need not worry about local officials outmaneuvering or controlling you. I’ve suggested to His Highness the Crown Prince to let you handle disaster relief in Shu, would you be willing?”

Yan Shang didn’t hesitate: “Of course I’m willing.”

The three were stunned by his decisiveness before praising him.

Most officials in Chang’an didn’t want to go to the provinces. They complained about provincial poverty, troublesome governance, and the people’s lack of education. Going to Shu was an especially difficult assignment – since ancient times, how many court officials had been demoted to Shu Prefecture? Although the Ministry arranged people to go, most court officials were from prominent families, and couldn’t be forced to go… After much consideration, only Yan Shang remained.

Yet Yan Shang’s decisive agreement still surprised them.

The Crown Prince sat to the side, listening to Yan Shang ask the Vice Minister about matters requiring attention. The Crown Prince slightly furrowed his brows, feeling something was strange.

Because Yan Shang wasn’t his choice for disaster relief.

The Crown Prince needed Yan Shang in court. Yan Shang’s handling of the diplomatic mission was already of great merit for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince believed Yan Shang’s role in the central government was far more useful than disaster relief. With Yan Shang’s talents, disaster relief was using great talent for minor tasks.

However, it was the Emperor who specifically named Yan Shang to go to Shu.

The Emperor had shown complex emotions regarding Yan Shang, at times mentioning how Yan Shang had disrupted Mu Wanyao’s marriage alliance, at times speaking of Yan Shang’s unexplained absence, and then saying Yan Shang’s official rank had risen too quickly, causing dissatisfaction among the ministers… In short, the Crown Prince understood the Emperor’s hints.

The Emperor wanted the Crown Prince to suppress Yan Shang.

This assignment of sending Yan Shang to the provinces for disaster relief was the Crown Prince’s response to the Emperor. The Emperor said no more, seemingly satisfied. Yet the Crown Prince still felt something was very strange… Did the Father Emperor want to suppress Yan Shang? Why?

The Emperor’s given reasons seemed very perfunctory—

At the same time, the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Personnel finally settled on the list of court officials for diplomatic missions to various countries.

Wei Shu was prominently included.

Wei Shu was appointed as deputy envoy, to accompany the chief envoy to Great Wei and other countries.

When the central government’s official transfer list came down, the Wei family fell silent. Wei Shu would leave Chang’an for at least a year, possibly several years. Their plans to use Wei Shu for a marriage alliance with the Li family… were essentially finished.

Because who knew when Wei Shu would be able to return to Chang’an?—

At the end of May, before Yan Shang was to depart for Shu and Wei Shu was to leave Great Wei, upon learning of each other’s news, they arranged to meet at a tavern in Chang’an’s North Ward to bid each other farewell.

When Yan Shang went to the North Ward, he encountered the Northern Command troops returning to Chang’an in the street.

The soldiers stood in formation, the troops stern and orderly. The leader was not a general, but rather the eunuch Liu Wengi. Liu Wengi sat on horseback, dressed in attendant’s clothes, yet unable to hide the frost between his brows and his subtle satisfaction.

The watching commoners whispered:

“How can they let a eunuch lead? How can His Majesty use a eunuch as an official?”

“Using his master’s power! A eunuch daring to walk in front of generals… Such lack of propriety.”

Liu Wengi coldly looked toward the crowd, and immediately soldiers stepped out to bind those talkative commoners. Just as Liu Wengi was about to order their tongues cut out and have them beaten to death, he unexpectedly saw Yan Shang in the crowd. Yan Shang watched him with a smile in his eyes, seeming somewhat happy for him.

Their eyes met, and Yan Shang clasped his hands and nodded.

A nearby eunuch quietly asked Liu Wengi: “Should we kill them?”

Liu Wengi was unwilling to let Yan Shang see this side of him, so he frowned slightly and said: “Just teach them a lesson, then release them.”

He thought that he could kill them later when Yan Shang couldn’t see.

The Northern Command troops… the Emperor subtly intended to let eunuchs take control, and he needed to seize this opportunity.

Yan Shang only watched Liu Wengi’s glorious return to the city for a moment, feeling glad for his former friend. He didn’t watch long before hurrying away to meet Wei Shu in the North Ward—

In the imperial palace, the Emperor listened to news from various sources.

The Emperor laughed once: “So it seems Yan Shang is going to Shu…”

Cheng’an stood beside him: “This slave doesn’t understand. If Your Majesty wants to promote Yan Second, why send him to do such a thankless task?”

The Emperor said: “To clean up the Ministry of Revenue.”

The Emperor smiled coldly: “The Ministry has been under the Crown Prince’s management for several years, and the more he manages it, the more money they lack, every year without funds… I just don’t understand, he’s issued funds several times, how can they still be so strapped for money? The Ministry needs to be cleaned up.”

Cheng’an said: “Your Majesty letting eunuchs get involved with the Northern Command is to weaken Prince Qin’s background support. This old slave doesn’t understand, why doesn’t Your Majesty eliminate Prince Qin’s forces in one sweep. Why still divide attention with the Crown Prince? If Yan Suxin doesn’t follow Your Majesty’s plan…”

The Emperor said lightly: “So isn’t that why I’m testing Yan Suxin? I’m testing to see exactly what kind of person Yan Suxin is.”

He spoke meaningfully, muttering: “To see who he will serve, which side he will stand on.”

Cheng’an: “The whole court knows Yan Second belongs to the Crown Prince.”

The Emperor said softly: “Not necessarily.

“That day when he shot and killed the head of the Zheng family, it seemed to help the Crown Prince, but perhaps it was just coincidence. But regardless… this time, it’s unlikely to be a coincidence. I want to find Yao Yao a good supporter but first must know if this supporter is worthy. I can allow temporary self-interest, but not lifelong self-interest.”

Cheng’an thought that it seemed His Majesty was gambling that this time Yan Second would oppose the Ministry and the Crown Prince.

But… would Yan Shang do this?

Having already aligned himself so well, would Yan Shang abandon the Crown Prince?

The Emperor suddenly said: “Yao Yao should be in Jinling by now, right?”

Cheng’an hurriedly replied: “Yes, Your Majesty need not worry. The Princess has become much wiser now, she will surely pacify the Li family well and return safely to Chang’an.”

The Emperor nodded and closed his eyes—

Mu Wanyao was indeed in Jinling at this time.

She was anxious to resolve her marriage matter and return to the capital to reunite with Yan Shang.

But the Li family in Jinling was playing hard to get and refusing to see her.

After giving them face for two days, Mu Wanyao grew impatient. Her guards cleared the way, coming to blows with the Li family guards, while Mu Wanyao carried her sword and directly broke into the study to meet her maternal great-grandfather.

Mu Wanyao got straight to the point: “Great-grandfather only wants the Li family to prosper, insisting on my marriage alliance. But before that, doesn’t Great-grandfather wonder if the Li family can even survive?”

Looking at the old man standing with his back to her before the bookshelf, Mu Wanyao’s expression frosted over as she pressed step by step: “Does Great-grandfather think my Imperial Father will watch the Li family grow strong, watch the Wei family grow strong? Fang Tong, bring the news I just received from Chang’an, let my Great-grandfather see— who my Imperial Father is dealing with now!

“My Third Brother’s backing was second only to the Li family, which is why he could be so aggressive in Chang’an for so many years. Now Third Brother is confined at home, and the Northern Command troops are beginning to be taken over by eunuchs… Great-grandfather surely doesn’t think this is a coincidence. Does Great-grandfather think my Imperial Father’s arrangements could be a coincidence?

“Now both sides should unite to deal with my Imperial Father! Imperial Father wants the Li family dead… you’ve stayed in Jinling too long, so long that you’ve lost your keen political sense… Now is the time for us to cooperate, don’t be caught up in others’ schemes!”