After dealing with the commoners, Yan Shang returned to his quarters, his mind elsewhere. Since his eyes had become like this, whether or not to light a lamp at night no longer mattered, so he sat in darkness, lost in thought.

That fiancé, known as “Young Lord Pei,” must be Mu Wanyao’s future Prince Consort, Pei Qing.

Yan Shang’s mind wandered to that afternoon when she came to drape clothes over him after he descended from the platform. Her hand rested on the nape of his neck, gently caressing. She leaned into his embrace, her eyelashes lightly brushing against his neck.

His body seemed to remember her completely. It was as if whenever she drew near before he could even react, his body would awaken first.

Yan Shang also thought back to earlier times, when they reunited on the mountain path, wondering what kind of look was in her eyes when she saw him appear.

Yan Shang felt somewhat annoyed with Ru Yunshu, Han Shuxing, and the others – they must have known it was Mu Wanyao all along, but perhaps they were threatened by her, so no one told him.

So he never knew she was by his side all this time.

She stood beside him, watching him.

The more he thought about these things, the more distressed Yan Shang became. Supporting his forehead with one hand, he felt a violent pain in his heart. He sensed how Mu Wanyao had changed – three years ago, how could she have quietly watched him without coming over to tease him… She had changed, grown up, matured.

She now knew what she could approach and what she couldn’t.

And all of this came at a bloody price of growth.

Setting aside that momentary surge of joy and excitement when he recognized her that afternoon, by evening, Yan Shang was overwhelmed with grief. He tormented himself with these thoughts. The more he thought, the more he hated himself, the more he felt that her becoming so quiet and mature was all his fault.

If it weren’t for him, she would still be lively and mischievous, still proud and arrogant…

He had always hated himself for appearing in Mu Wanyao’s life, causing her to once again suffer the pain of human relationships. Especially on this night, he hated himself even more for his wickedness.

When she suddenly appeared, more than the joy filling his heart was Yan Shang’s self-denial and torment.

So he kept emphasizing to himself not to get close to her, not to influence her again.

Someone like him had no right to like a young lady, to feel any emotion, to receive any love. He shouldn’t have caused Mu Wanyao any heartache. Now that she had Prince Consort Pei Qing who was good to her, he should stay away from her—

Though Yan Shang had recognized Mu Wanyao, he said nothing, pretending he still didn’t know. Every day, Yunshu and the others worked hard putting on an act to keep from him that person was Mu Wanyao, and Yan Shang said nothing.

He did not need to say anything.

Because the next day he caught a cold, developed a severe fever, and fell ill.

While having breakfast with Pei Qing, Mu Wanyao heard him speak of leaving Nanyang.

Mu Wanyao was lost in thought and only heard after Pei Qing repeated himself twice. She said, “Didn’t you want to observe Yan Shang properly? You’ve only watched for two days, and now you don’t want to look anymore?”

Pei Qing’s mood was low as he said self-mockingly: “Yesterday, seeing Second Young Master Yan praying for clear skies in the rain, sitting there for three whole hours while all the commoners watched him, and Your Highness watched him too… I don’t want to watch anymore. I know I can’t compare, and if I stay longer, I might just be asking for humiliation.”

He said in a daze: “…Before coming here, I thought he was just seeking fame, I didn’t expect him to truly be such a person.”

Mu Wanyao lowered her head to take a sip of tea, thinking that someone she had liked couldn’t possibly be bad.

She had always been indifferent toward Pei Qing, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for him. She had always wondered what was wrong with herself, and would occasionally feel annoyed with Pei Qing… However, today when Pei Qing praised Yan Shang this way, Mu Wanyao surprisingly felt a rare moment of happiness towards Pei Qing.

Pei Qing urged Mu Wanyao again to leave Nanyang with him.

Mu Wanyao hesitated, saying nothing.

In her heart, she thought she should leave, because yesterday when she draped clothes over Yan Shang, when she drew close to him, her heartbeat was louder than the sound of rain. That heart of hers that had been calm for three years was beating so violently again. Mu Wanyao was terrified then, afraid that if she stayed longer, she wouldn’t be able to let go of Yan Shang.

She could still control herself now, but she truly feared that in a few days, she wouldn’t be able to control herself anymore.

But Mu Wanyao was also unwilling to leave. Because she was concerned about Yan Shang’s eyes.

If she couldn’t see his eyes recover, her heart would be filled with self-blame. Three years had passed, and she began to think back on the damage the prison ordeal had done to his body. She always felt she bore some responsibility for allowing it to happen… As Mu Wanyao remained silent this way, Pei Qing’s heart couldn’t help but grow cold.

Mu Wanyao hesitated: “Let me write a letter to find a famous doctor to come here, then we can leave first…”

Just as Pei Qing was about to be happy, the maid Qiusi came running in from outside. From behind the curtain, Qiusi anxiously said: “Miss, Second Young Master Yan has fallen ill.”

Mu Wanyao stood up immediately, and so, there was no more talk of leaving, no more packing of luggage, as Mu Wanyao was escorted by her maids to see Yan Shang. Pei Qing stood up, watching her leave so quickly, and after standing there dazed for a long while, his heart sank into complete despair—

When Yan Shang woke up, he felt his whole body was covered in sweat. But he was so exhausted that he didn’t want to move even a finger, just wanting to wait until he felt better before getting up to bathe.

So he just lay there quietly. After all, whether his eyes were open or closed, all he could see was darkness.

He wasn’t one to give up on himself; over the past month, he had learned to get used to keeping company with darkness. Besides, not being able to see allowed him to calm his mind and think about more things…

Yan Shang was just spacing out like this.

Suddenly, he caught the scent of a lady’s perfume. His heart was startled, his whole body tensed, and in the next moment, he felt the bed frame sink slightly as someone sat down. Yan Shang was stunned, beginning to feel that not being able to see was not good.

Mu Wanyao had been sitting here for who knows how long, and he had only just noticed… As Yan Shang’s emotions surged, he suddenly felt his fingers being held by someone.

He stiffened, struggling for a moment, thinking he might as well let her be, he would pretend not to know—

Mu Wanyao had been sitting here watching Yan Shang for an hour.

By evening his fever had subsided, and the servants had fed him some porridge, with Mu Wanyao watching the whole time. After the servants left, Mu Wanyao just watched Yan Shang as he slept. She sat by the bed watching him sleep and surprisingly didn’t feel the least bit bored.

He was truly so still. When he slept, he didn’t move at all and didn’t even turn over, always making Mu Wanyao wonder if he had fainted or was sleeping.

Even the most beautiful person would become tiresome to look at after an hour.

Mu Wanyao struggled internally for a long while, thinking that since he was asleep anyway, she still wanted to touch him. As soon as she made this decision in her heart, Mu Wanyao inwardly cheered herself on and sat down on the bed. She reached out toward his slender fingers, first thing, taking his hand in hers, playing with his fingers one by one.

Yan Shang thought resignedly: Well… it’s just hands after all.

But Mu Wanyao quickly became unsatisfied.

Yan Shang’s waist stiffened slightly because he felt the girl’s soft fingers rest on his waist through the thin inner clothes. Mu Wanyao stretched out her thumb and middle finger to measure a length, her fingers lingering around his waist…

A peach-colored blush rose to Yan Shang’s face, his waist growing increasingly stiff as she touched it, while he had to try hard to pretend to be asleep… He heard Mu Wanyao’s tiny voice: “Such a slim waist.”

Yan Shang was stunned as if struck by a sudden blow.

Her voice was soft and slightly raspy, something he hadn’t heard for three years.

Mu Wanyao said disapprovingly for a second time: “Even slimmer than before. You’ve gotten so much thinner.”

She then satisfied herself, gloating: “But my waist is still slimmer than yours.”

Yan Shang: “…”

He couldn’t help but press his lips together, holding back a smile. His face grew redder as he wondered what she was thinking… No, he shouldn’t think like that, he should be thinking about how she could play with him like this.

She already had a fiancé, how could she stay so long in another young man’s room, still playing around with him?

As Yan Shang was caught in such a struggle, Mu Wanyao leaned down and embraced him. His fingers couldn’t help but twitch as he felt the lady’s delicate, water-like body melt into his embrace. Yan Shang was at a loss, beginning to regret why he had pretended to be asleep.

He should find an appropriate time to wake up… He couldn’t let Mu Wanyao act so recklessly anymore.

But under this struggle, Yan Shang’s eyes widened beneath the white gauze, a hint of longing welling up in his heart. He wanted to look at her… He wanted to know what she looked like now.

But his eyes couldn’t see anymore, he couldn’t even look at her once. And by the time his eyes recovered, she would surely have left.

He would never be able to look at her once.

Mu Wanyao buried her face in Yan Shang’s embrace, her arms wrapped around his waist holding him, she breathed in his scent, feeling somewhat contentedly happy. Everyone had their unique scent, and Yan Shang’s was so light and clear, like sunlight, like seawater…

Mu Wanyao suddenly paused.

She heard the violently beating heart beneath her face.

Each beat faster than the last, each beat stronger.

Mu Wanyao raised her face in disbelief, seeing Yan Shang still lying there motionless, but the redness that had risen to his face… He was pretending to be asleep!

Mu Wanyao frowned, suddenly feeling displeased.

He… had such a strong reaction to a strange woman’s proximity?

Lustful!

Filthy!

Disgusting!

Unfaithful!

Wasn’t he about to get married? How could his body react so strongly to a lady other than his fiancée?

Mu Wanyao abruptly stood up, letting go of him. She stood coldly by the bedside, glaring at the man pretending to sleep for a long while before turning and leaving—

Mu Wanyao didn’t go to see Yan Shang again after that.

But she still wrote a letter to Chang’an, asking an eye specialist from among the imperial physicians to leave Chang’an for Nanyang, coming in her name to treat his eyes.

The rain in Nanyang had stopped, and because she was angry with Yan Shang, Mu Wanyao irritably began calling for people to pack the luggage, preparing to leave Nanyang. Pei Qing was naturally overjoyed, while Yan Shang’s side didn’t try to stop them, even sending someone to ask if the two noble guests needed any local specialties from Nanyang, offering to send some to them.

His goodwill was delivered to the door of their quarters but was all sent back by Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao said coldly: “We don’t need his false kindness!”

That night, due to inexplicable low spirits, Mu Wanyao sat in the garden lost in thought. She didn’t know how long she had been sitting there, watching as the sky gradually darkened, lanterns were lit in the manor, and a layer of cold night mist enveloped the residence. The fog was thick, clouds drifting over the corridor.

After sitting for a very long time, her attending maid Qiusi, who had been standing behind her until her body was becoming numb, was just about to persuade the princess to return when the seated Mu Wanyao’s eyes moved slightly, looking in one direction.

Mu Wanyao and her maid saw Yan Shang walking over from the other end of the corridor.

He had no servant accompanying him, just making his way along by holding onto the walls and pillars. His light spring clothes floated gently in the night breeze, his countenance as always gentle and refined, even though he frequently stumbled on the steps.

Yan Shang walked very carefully, but in such a large courtyard, having been blind for only a month, he truly wasn’t familiar with every place. Just as he was about to trip on another step, his left hand was suddenly supported, steadying his arm, a palm facing upward, delicate fingers pressed against his wrist.

Yan Shang stiffened, then tried to retreat.

Mu Wanyao wouldn’t let him withdraw, gripping his arm. She gave Qiusi a look, and Qiusi spoke for her: “Young Master, don’t be alarmed, it’s just us. Our Miss was resting in the courtyard and happened to see Young Master coming, seeing you were about to fall, we came to help.”

Speaking for herself out of curiosity, Qiusi asked: “But Young Master, where are your servants? Is it all right for you to be out alone? It’s so late, where are you going?”

Mu Wanyao supported Yan Shang’s arm, giving Qiusi an approving look: Good questions. These were what she wanted to know too.

Yan Shang adjusted his emotions, knowing it was Mu Wanyao supporting him, he became even more uncomfortable, also doubting whether his clothes were properly arranged, if anything was amiss. But he quickly dismissed these distracting thoughts, inwardly ashamed of his lack of composure.

Yan Shang replied gently: “It’s nothing major, I just suddenly remembered some official business and wanted to go to the county office. It’s not far from here, and I sent Yunshu to deliver some messages, so I thought I might try to make it to the county office myself.”

He said shamefully: “It seems I overestimated myself, and have disturbed the lady. I should return to my room.”

Under Mu Wanyao’s signal, Qiusi quickly said: “No need! Young Master, since it’s not far, we can accompany you to the county office.”

Yan Shang tried to decline, but Mu Wanyao insisted, and Yan Shang couldn’t refuse, so he had to accept.

And so he was led by Mu Wanyao holding his arm, walking toward the manor gates.

No matter how strange the expressions of the servants they passed were, Qiusi just followed behind the two with a grin, glaring away anyone who tried to disturb the princess and Second Young Master Yan. She was at the most lively and youthful age of fifteen, and seeing her princess supporting Young Master Yan, their shadows falling on the long corridor, Qiusi found it extremely pleasing to the eye.

The princess was graceful and elegant, and Young Master Yan was clear and refined.

How could they let others disturb such a perfect match?

Qiusi was different from the previous Chunhua and Xiarong, she hadn’t seen the princess during her most difficult times, only seeing the princess’s power and influence grow increasingly stronger. So in Qiusi’s eyes, the princess didn’t need to care about anyone’s opinions, the princess could do whatever she wanted.

She never thought having a Prince Consort would restrict the princess in any way. The princess was the most important, even if the princess married, she could keep male companions without regard for the Prince Consort. Besides, the princess wasn’t even married yet!—

Each lost in their thoughts, they strangely made their way out of the manor.

Yan Shang’s arm, supported by Mu Wanyao, was becoming numb, and he continued pretending not to know it was her while wracking his brains for how to persuade her to leave. However, Mu Wanyao was very happy, perhaps finding it fun to guide a blind person, and so she guided him with particular attention, falling in love with this feeling.

Noticing that Mu Wanyao was having fun, Yan Shang smiled helplessly, feeling that his blindness seemed to have provided her with something amusing.

Letting her pretend to be mute, not acknowledge knowing him, and secretly tease him.

As they were about to leave the manor, Qiusi was humming a tune, her eyes casually looking around, signaling the bothersome servants to make way and not block the princess’s path. Unexpectedly, as Qiusi looked around so casually, she saw on the wall by the manor gate, among the swaying shadows of grass and trees, a snake flicking its tongue as it climbed higher and higher.

Qiusi immediately let out a sharp scream, jumping in fright: “Snake! There’s a snake! Help—”

Mu Wanyao hadn’t seen any snake, but she was startled by her maid’s terrible scream. She also screamed, her whole body trembling, gripping Yan Shang’s hand tightly. Her scream had a hint of a sob as she jumped up along with Qiusi.

Qiusi could only hide far away in fright, but Mu Wanyao had Yan Shang beside her.

Mu Wanyao screamed as she threw herself into Yan Shang’s embrace, holding him tight, sobbing and screaming.

The explosion of screams from the girls one after another made Yan Shang’s ears tingle. Then Mu Wanyao threw herself into his arms, trembling in his embrace, crying out: “Snake! Snake!”

Yan Shang held her, his arms around her back, gently stroking it, saying softly: “It’s alright, it’s alright, don’t cry…”

He turned his face slightly, knowing there must be servants nearby, and asked: “There’s a snake in the grass?”

When the two ladies screamed one after another, servants had been startled and came running over to look. Qiusi had fled several yards away, and one servant carefully entered the grass to investigate, reporting after a while with resignation: “Young Master, it’s just a tree branch.”

Qiusi, hugging a pillar and peering out from behind it, shouted: “You must be seeing wrong! I saw a snake.”

So Mu Wanyao in Yan Shang’s arms clutched his clothes even tighter, trembling again.

Yan Shang’s hand continued stroking her back, seeing she was still afraid, he couldn’t help but suppress a smile: “How could there be a snake? Don’t be afraid, it’s nothing… I’m here.”

The servants looked at each other, seeing their young master embracing someone else’s lady and comforting her softly, their expressions became strange. But they couldn’t say anything, so they could only retreat awkwardly. Only Qiusi remained hiding behind the pillar, still clutching her fragile heart, muttering: There must have been a snake.

Yan Shang held Mu Wanyao standing at the manor gate, softly comforting her for a long while before she finally raised her face from his embrace. She had been crying for so long, and now as she raised her face, just as she was about to say something to Yan Shang, she noticed his body suddenly stiffen, his expression becoming unnatural.

Mu Wanyao belatedly realized: Oh right, he was holding her.

Yan Shang’s arms holding her became rigid as he said softly: “I’ve been improper.”

He returned to his proper manner, about to gently push her away. Mu Wanyao remained silent, gripping his arm and refusing to let go. Yan Shang turned his face toward her, though he couldn’t see her, he could imagine her suddenly becoming stubborn again.

He said quietly: “I know, I know you’re frightened and need someone with you… but, but this is… improper, I’ll find your fiancé for you right away…”

Mu Wanyao was irritated: She didn’t want Pei Qing!

If Pei Qing appeared now, she would be so annoyed!

Just as the two were in this struggle, Pei Qing’s voice came from the direction of the manor gate, containing suppressed anger: “What are you doing?”

Pei Qing had come in from outside and saw Yan Shang holding the princess, bending down to speak with her. Such intimacy, what propriety was this!—

Yan Shang came to his senses, turning to “look” blankly toward the gate.

Mu Wanyao was still holding his arm, and for some reason, she didn’t move at all. Yan Shang heard her seem to sob again, as if she hadn’t recovered from her earlier emotions at all.

Hearing Pei Qing’s footsteps approaching, Yan Shang instantly became nervous, his heart filling with panic.

He grabbed Mu Wanyao’s arm and pulled her behind himself. Facing the approaching Pei Qing, Yan Shang’s lips stiffened slightly, his voice low and conciliatory: “Young Lord Pei, please calm down first. Things aren’t as you saw them… The lady was frightened by a snake, I saw she was startled and instinctively comforted her, this matter has nothing to do with the lady…”

Mu Wanyao was pulled behind Yan Shang in a daze, hearing him suddenly change from calling her “madam” to “lady,” she blinked her eyes.

Pei Qing was furious: “Get out of the way!”

Yan Shang stepped back but refused to let Mu Wanyao be taken away by Pei Qing. He heard the anger in Pei Qing’s voice and was only worried that he might hurt Mu Wanyao because of what he had seen.

Yan Shang felt utterly ashamed but firmly persuaded: “It truly has nothing to do with the lady, as they say, seeing isn’t always believing…”

Mu Wanyao had come to her senses.

Hidden behind Yan Shang, held by his arm, she listened as the more Yan Shang spoke this way, the angrier Pei Qing became. Mu Wanyao couldn’t help but smile at the corners of her lips, mischievously peering out from behind Yan Shang, curious to watch one man trying to take her away while the other refused to let her be taken.

Pei Qing: “Second Young Master Yan, how could I possibly harm her?”

Yan Shang was stunned.

Then he heard Mu Wanyao’s teasing laugh against his back.

Immediately after, Yan Shang suddenly realized what he had done.

Indeed, what could Pei Qing do to Mu Wanyao? Mu Wanyao wasn’t an ordinary lady. She was a princess. What could a Prince Consort who hadn’t even married… be married… enter the palace due to the princess, no matter how angry he was about the princess’s interactions with another young man?

It was Yan Shang himself who had become confused, treating Mu Wanyao as an ordinary lady, afraid Pei Qing would scold or hit her, so he protected her and wouldn’t let Pei Qing touch her.

This sentiment was too ridiculous.

Yan Shang was too ashamed to speak, standing frozen in place. Seeing him finally realize, Pei Qing’s heart also filled with bitterness as he sighed.

Pei Qing couldn’t help but think: How deep must the feelings between Second Young Master Yan and Her Highness the Princess have been in the past, for Yan Shang to forget Mu Wanyao’s status as a princess?

For Yan Shang to instinctively treat a princess with the attitude one would show an ordinary lady?

Wouldn’t the princess accuse him of disrespect? Would the princess allow Yan Shang to be so close to her?—

Pei Qing couldn’t help but think, his marriage to the princess… probably, wouldn’t happen—

Back in her quarters, Mu Wanyao sat down to drink tea, lost in thought.

Pei Qing stood beside her, softly advising her not to be so close to Second Young Master Yan.

Mu Wanyao said impatiently: “Annoying. Shut up.”

Her fingers rested on her forehead, feeling something wasn’t quite right. Pei Qing had been chattering in her ear the whole way, constantly interrupting her thoughts, preventing her from remembering what felt wrong.

Now that Pei Qing was quiet, Mu Wanyao could think carefully.

Yan Shang’s attitude toward her… was strange.

She hadn’t thought about it carefully before, but now thinking back, his willingness to embrace her tonight, to instinctively comfort her… this was his attitude toward Mu Wanyao, not his attitude toward an ordinary lady.

Looking back further… his subtle avoidance of her, yet inexplicable attention. When he was sick, the violent beating of his heart when she embraced him… Even earlier, on the day he prayed for clear skies in the rain when she draped clothes over him, he held her in his embrace.

Mu Wanyao let out an “Ah!” as she suddenly understood: So his “strangeness” had appeared so early.

So… Yan Shang had recognized her!

Mu Wanyao suddenly stood up, startling Pei Qing. She walked out with a stern face, Pei Qing following behind: “Your Highness, where are you going now?”

Mu Wanyao said menacingly: “To find Yan Shang!”

Pei Qing: “…”

Pei Qing was nearly going crazy: “Didn’t you just finish being intimate with him in front of me? Your Highness, why are you going to find him again?”

Mu Wanyao hesitated, also feeling she might be going too far, she stopped at the door to explain: “It’s just that I discovered he deceived me…”

Pei Qing’s eyes brightened slightly as he said: “Then Your Highness should go find him quickly.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”—

Yan Shang had intended to go to the county office, but because of the evening’s incident involving Mu Wanyao, he hadn’t made it there and had returned to his quarters instead.

He was restless, and although he convinced himself that Mu Wanyao, being a princess, wouldn’t be affected, he still couldn’t help worrying about her being scolded by Pei Qing. She liked Pei Qing so much, if Pei Qing refused to marry her because of him, how sad she would be…

“Bang!” The door was pushed open.

Mu Wanyao said sternly: “Yan Shang!”

Yan Shang raised his head, standing up with furrowed brows, he said softly: “I’ve thought about it, why don’t you put the blame on me, say that I behaved improperly, forced you, wanted to embrace you, then he won’t blame you. Better not mention the snake at all, too many factors would make people suspicious…”

He rambled on for a while, belatedly realizing something was wrong, gradually stopping his words.

He heard Mu Wanyao’s cold laugh.

Yan Shang was quiet for a while, then said softly: “What did you say?”

Mu Wanyao sneered: “Why pretend? Didn’t you recognize who I was?”

Yan Shang was immediately speechless.

He lowered his eyes, thinking he hadn’t spoken, but his extremely soft murmur, his loving whisper, melted into Mu Wanyao’s ears, making them burn: “…Yaoyao.”