In the thick fog of the deep forest where light and shadow intertwined, a young scholar carrying a horse lantern emerged from the darkness. His eyes were downcast, and with just a slight smile, his ethereal demeanor like flowing water and light smoke caused the rough guards following Princess Danyang to collectively stir—
This ability to captivate both men and women had no special reason behind it. It was simply because Yan Erlang’s ability to reach them meant he had broken through the “ghost wall” illusion.
Moreover, as a local of Lingnan, Yan Erlang could likely easily lead them out of the deep forest where the princess and her party had become lost.
Just as everyone felt encouraged, Yan Shisheng walked to Mu Wanyao’s side. He wasn’t truly taking a casual stroll—after all, he was just an ordinary scholar.
Under Mu Wanyao’s cold gaze, she saw that though the scholar approaching her appeared calm, his clothes and sleeves were covered in small pieces of grass and debris.
He had been struggling through the mountains just like them—he hadn’t had it any easier!
Mu Wanyao watched him coldly.
Yan Shisheng stared at her for a moment before bowing deeply: “This humble one pays respects to Your Highness!”
Your Highness!
The expressions of those around changed again.
Mu Wanyao changed as well, instantly becoming wary of Yan Shisheng. The dagger she had been gripping was suddenly drawn—just as Yan Shisheng straightened from his bow, he pushed back two stumbling steps, the princess’s dagger pressed against his throat.
Guard Fang and the others called out anxiously: “Your Highness!”
If they killed Yan Erlang, no one would be able to lead them out of here!
Mu Wanyao ignored them, pressing the dagger against Yan Shisheng while demanding harshly: “How did you know I was a princess?”
The horse lantern in Yan Shisheng’s hand fell to the ground, its dim flickering light illuminating the two of them. Mu Wanyao gripped Yan Shisheng, studying his features.
Long eyelashes, fair skin. His elegant bearing, face lit by firelight, carried a ghostly, mysterious beauty.
It made Mu Wanyao momentarily dazed.
She heard him give a bitter laugh and sigh: “Your Highness, surely you don’t think everyone remained unmoved during your long disappearance?”
Their gazes met again.
Mu Wanyao felt him grasp her hand, causing her to tremble slightly as he moved the dagger away. Her lips twitched, and through her sleeve, she gave him a push but didn’t trouble him further—
Yan Shisheng explained that everyone had come out searching for the princess, and he had simply been lucky enough to find her.
All the guards—those carrying the wounded, those holding tea trees—came to thank Yan Shisheng, feeling he was their savior on this night.
Only Mu Wanyao remained aloof, her face pale, expression cold. After dismissing her initial hostility, she wouldn’t even look at Yan Shisheng.
Such arrogance.
Behind her, Yan Shisheng called out helplessly: “Your Highness, please wait!”
Mu Wanyao’s body alternated between chills and fever, her head dizzy. She was feeling unwell and had no desire to waste time exchanging pleasantries with Yan Shisheng. When he called out to stop her as she walked ahead, approaching her, she remained expressionless.
Beautiful yet indifferent.
Like a gorgeous rose blooming before deep chasms and wild seas, self-admiring in its solitude, sharing its beauty with no one.
Yan Shisheng crouched before her. Mu Wanyao stepped back as she saw him reach out to pull up a plant she had been standing on. Not only that, but he continued crouching, systematically pulling up many similar plants from the surrounding area.
The plants reached knee height, neither purely grass nor tree, with leaves that spun like pinwheels of their own accord. No one in the forest had paid attention to these plants, but Yan Shisheng, crouching by Mu Wanyao’s feet, pulled them all up without hesitation.
Mu Wanyao asked curiously: “What are you pulling up?”
Yan Shisheng answered gently: “Soul-bewitching grass.”
He looked up at her, explaining: “Didn’t Your Highness mention encountering a ‘ghost wall’? I thought about it earlier and had a guess. Seeing this grass now confirms it. This ‘soul-bewitching grass’ can confuse people’s minds, making them walk in circles without being able to leave, yet unable to realize it themselves. The so-called ‘ghost wall’ is most likely caused by these plants.
“The elders in our area say that when encountering ‘soul-bewitching grass’ in the wild, one must never be careless. It must be cut down.”
Mu Wanyao was both surprised and skeptical, while those behind her marveled. They hadn’t expected Lingnan to have so many strange things—even a small, ordinary-looking plant could ensnare them.
Mu Wanyao glared hatefully at the grass Yan Shisheng had pulled up, her expression dark.
Yan Shisheng glanced up at her, then suddenly smiled: “We have another legend here—soul-bewitching grass only appears before beautiful women.”
Mu Wanyao froze.
He remained crouching by her feet, hands covered in soil, looking up at her: “Your Highness must be an incomparable beauty, for the ‘soul-bewitching grass’ to become so entranced, unwilling to let Your Highness go, insisting on following you.”
Mu Wanyao’s face had been icy, but after meeting his gaze and hearing him use the grass to compliment her beauty, she held out for a moment before finally breaking into a laugh.
With her laughter, the tension among the group dissipated.
After clearing the “soul-bewitching grass,” they set out again and discovered they were finally breaking free of the seemingly enchanted circle, beginning to find their way out. Everyone sighed in relief, knowing they were saved. They truly did need a local to guide them.
Now Yan Shisheng walked in front with the horse lantern, followed by the princess, then the guards.
Everyone’s mood had improved.
Mu Wanyao followed behind Yan Shisheng, watching as they escaped the endless circle they had been trapped in, her mood much better as well. In this moment of relief, fatigue overcame her, and as she followed Yan Shisheng, her legs weakened and she nearly fell.
Mu Wanyao internally cursed her weakness, but a hand reached out to support her.
Mu Wanyao trembled and withdrew when someone touched her hand.
Yan Shisheng didn’t pull his hand back, keeping his palm upturned. Seeing her withdraw, his face reddened slightly, but he only looked down at her.
The wild forest was silent, no one speaking.
The two gazed at each other.
Behind them, the unknowing guards called out curiously: “Young Master Yan, Your Highness?”
Mu Wanyao didn’t respond but extended her hand to be supported by Yan Shisheng. Then his hand slid up her arm to support her elbow. He helped her this way to prevent her from falling.
They both turned their faces away, walking in silence. Only their sweaty palms and bodies occasionally bumping together due to their lack of coordination revealed their inner turmoil.
Yan Shisheng kept his eyes on the uneven ground, deeply focused.
Mu Wanyao raised her gaze to study the fog permeating the void, intently observing.
The scenery ahead gradually became clearer as they escaped the maze of mist under Yan Shisheng’s guidance.
Seeing the flickering lights at the foot of the mountain, Mu Wanyao sighed in relief. Her eyes rippled like a clear lake, and she said lazily: “Daring to touch my hand—you’re guilty of disrespecting your superior.”
Yan Shisheng said quietly: “I was saving you.”
Her voice carried a hint of amusement: “That’s still disrespecting your superior.”
Yan Shisheng replied: “Then once we’re safe, Your Highness can punish me.”
Mu Wanyao smiled ambiguously: “You think I’m foolish? You’ve become my savior—what would others think of me if I said I wanted to punish you? Do you think it’s easy being a princess who’s returned from a political marriage?”
Yan Shisheng froze for a moment.
He lowered his eyes, saying softly: “Speaking deeply of private matters when barely acquainted is a great taboo. Your Highness shouldn’t share such intimate thoughts with me.”
Mu Wanyao turned her hand to firmly grasp his supporting one. He stiffened in surprise as she leaned close, her beautiful eyes bearing down on him, wisps of her fragrance drifting over.
Mu Wanyao gripped his hand, smiling: “But I insist on speaking. Yan Shisheng, don’t think you can escape anything.”
Yan Shisheng’s long lashes trembled, not understanding her meaning.
But before he could ask, he saw the princess’s body go limp, falling toward him. He was greatly startled—the lantern fell from his hand as he frantically tried to catch the collapsing princess.
He was too rushed and failed to catch her properly, instead holding her as they both fell sitting to the ground. Yan Shisheng only managed to support her shoulders to keep her from hitting the ground.
Calls came from all directions: “Your Highness!”
Through the multiple lights, Yan Shisheng looked up to see they had already left that desolate area. Below, several guards carrying lanterns were searching, and when the princess collapsed, everyone below saw and hurried toward them.
It was clear that Mu Wanyao had been following Yan Shisheng—while he focused on the path ahead, she had seen the rescue party. Upon seeing them, she felt safe enough to collapse.
The pitiful one was Yan Shisheng.
Yan Shisheng sat on the ground holding her, her face pressed against his neck, her breath brushing his Adam’s apple. Though he held this warm, soft jade in his arms, his entire body was rigid, his heart full of helpless resignation at being trapped.
Yan Shisheng: “Your Highness? Must you do this? Falling like this will make others think I did something to you. Isn’t this just inviting misunderstanding? Your Highness, where are you unwell? Can you hold on a bit longer?”
He shook her arm while urging her to wake. The crowd gathering around made Yan Shisheng extremely nervous.
But the Princess of Danyang, whom he held sitting on the ground as she contentedly rested against his neck with closed eyes, smiled at the corner of her mouth. The more he shook her, the more mischievous she felt, wanting to tease and torment him.
She scolded: “How noisy!”
Her forehead pressed against his feverishly hot throat, feeling warm breath brush the top of her head.
Her lips curved in a smile, her last words before fainting carrying a hint of bewitchment and teasing: “I insist on tormenting you. Who told you not to show me where the white bull tea trees were, making me search myself?”
“You deserve this!”
Pressed against her ear, Yan Shisheng finally burst out in exasperation: “I just saved you!”
Of course, he could use schemes against her, but the Princess of Danyang was naturally willful.
Mu Wanyao lay unconscious in his arms, unable to respond. Yan Shisheng looked up at the puzzled guards surrounding them from all directions, remained silent for a long moment, and then sighed deeply, knowing he had much explaining to do.