“Chang’an is still debating the matter of official recusal. Not just for the same prefecture, but they’re discussing recusal requirements for the same county as well. This means officials cannot serve in their home districts,” Fang Tong explained to the Princess as they sat beneath a locust tree in the relay station’s back courtyard. He was updating her on the latest news from Chang’an.

Princess Mu Wanyao nodded while examining various letters and listening to Fang Tong’s explanation. “Hmm, official recusal… If Chang’an can truly decide on this, it would benefit the commoner families. We should advocate for this matter.”

She paused briefly, her tone suddenly turning peculiar as her gaze filtered through the locust leaves above, lost in thought.

It seemed the rise of commoner families was something the entire era and everyone was unconsciously pushing forward. This official recusal policy, which restricted aristocratic families, arose from the Southern Yang conspiracy against the Princess. But even when Mu Wanyao herself had planned this entire affair, her ultimate goal had merely been to gain control of the Ministry of Personnel.

She hadn’t anticipated that official recusal would become the focal point. Whether noticeable or not, the entire era was pushing for the rise of commoners and the decline of aristocratic families.

Her support of commoner families reaching this point today was both due to her father the Emperor’s backing and perhaps also because it aligned with the trends of the world.

Mu Wanyao couldn’t help but think more deeply about the relationship between commoner and aristocratic families, about the importance of the imperial examinations, and then more broadly about the various commoners she had seen on this journey south… When capable, one should work for the benefit of all under heaven. When she had been under pressure from all sides, she hadn’t had the energy to consider these matters. Now that she had escaped that situation, she could see things from a broader perspective.

This made her think of her father the Emperor.

How did her father, who had long been confined to the palace due to illness, view them all? Did he perhaps find their petty scheming utterly ridiculous? Were they all just pieces on her father’s chessboard, helping him achieve some predetermined goal?

Fang Tong continued: “There’s another matter – Chang’an has received vague news that Eunuch Liu has found a divine physician from overseas who can help slow His Majesty’s illness. It’s possible the Emperor could live another year or two.”

Mu Wanyao paused.

After a moment, she said, “Very well then.”

Fang Tong went on: “Also… the Crown Prince has finally made his move. After three years of silence in the Eastern Palace, his first action was to remove the Military Commissioner of Shannan and replace all the troops there with his men. The Prince of Qin naturally objects. The official recusal policy had already given the Prince of Qin a headache, and now with the Crown Prince taking advantage of the situation, the Prince of Qin has begun attacking the Crown Prince’s supporters in court.”

“For instance, the Yang family… All their court officials have been impeached and continuously sent to distant posts. Even Yang Sanlang is currently waiting for a new appointment order from the court, but due to the conflict between the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin, this order has been delayed.”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes trembled slightly.

She was about to speak when she heard a very soft “Father” call out. Fang Tong’s expression turned awkward as he saw his young son peering through the fence again, waving at him. Mu Wanyao’s ice-clear eyes glanced over, but surprisingly, the boy didn’t flee. Instead, he gave her a shy smile.

Before Fang Tong could scold him, the boy pattered over and carefully offered the Princess a butterfly wrapped in his handkerchief. He blinked expectantly at Mu Wanyao, hoping his butterfly would earn praise from the beautiful Princess.

Fang Tong’s face turned ashen at his son’s behavior, fearing Mu Wanyao might frighten the child with a stern look. But Mu Wanyao sat with her skirts arranged properly and gazed softly at the butterfly presented before her eyes. Without changing expression, she accepted it, and with a gentle movement of her index finger, the butterfly alighted on her jade-white slender finger.

The five-colored butterfly resting on the beauty’s finger was a delightful sight.

Just as the boy was about to exclaim in admiration, Mu Wanyao’s finger gave a slight flick, and the butterfly flew away. The boy froze, anxiously looking at the Princess. Mu Wanyao’s expression remained calm as she crumpled the handkerchief. She then extended both hands, placing them left and right over the boy’s ears, covering them.

Fang Tong stared in astonishment as Mu Wanyao tilted her head at him and said, “These matters aren’t suitable for children to hear. Please continue.”

Fang Tong glanced at his son, who was now blushing furiously while leaning against the Princess. Finding the situation both nerve-wracking and amusing, he cleared his throat and continued discussing official matters: “In short, the Yang family has become a sacrifice in the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin. Yang Sanlang remains in Chang’an, his future uncertain.”

Mu Wanyao replied, “The Crown Prince will arrange things for him properly. We need not concern ourselves.”

Fang Tong smiled. He had only mentioned it because of the Princess’s good relationship with Yang Si. But such relationships, when it came to positions and principles, meant little. The Princess wouldn’t go easy on the Crown Prince for Yang Sanlang’s sake, nor would the Crown Prince show leniency to the Princess because of Yang Si.

After pondering for a while, Mu Wanyao smiled: “I originally feared the official recusal matter would cause the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin to join forces against the commoner families and target me. Unexpectedly, they’ve become entangled in their dispute over military power. This is good – it allows us to stay out of it and observe from the sidelines…”

She hadn’t finished organizing her thoughts and was about to say more when the boy whose ears she was covering snuggled against her side and called out: “Your Highness, I think I heard a little bit! What were you talking about? I heard you say ‘troops’ – is there going to be fighting?”

Mu Wanyao was startled, not expecting that even covering his ears hadn’t blocked the boy’s keen hearing. After some thought, she blamed Fang Tong for having his son start martial arts training so early. She lowered her hands from the boy’s ears and was about to glare at Fang Tong when she saw Yan Shang approaching from beyond the fence.

Yan Shang was being supported by a servant, with a dejected-looking Han Shuxing following behind.

Mu Wanyao immediately exchanged a glance with Fang Tong, signaling them not to discuss too many official matters in front of Yan Shang. She looked at Han Shuxing behind Yan Shang and said mockingly: “You’re bringing him out so soon? Did you consult me about this?”

Yan Shang entered the courtyard and, hearing Mu Wanyao’s voice, turned toward it and gave a slight bow. He said gently: “I’ve brought Han Shuxing to apologize to the Princess. He was ignorant before and made mistakes. He’s been confined for four or five days, and I thought he could be released now. After all, I need help by my side.”

Yan Shang had trained him well – while Mu Wanyao sat there composed, Han Shuxing knelt behind Yan Shang and kowtowed to her, saying sullenly: “I will follow Your Highness’s arrangements from now on and won’t act on my own again.”

Mu Wanyao gave a cold laugh: “How dare I arrange anything for you? In your eyes, there’s only Second Young Master Yan, not me as your Princess, right?”

As Han Shuxing was about to argue, Yan Shang’s hand pressed on his shoulder, indicating that saying more would only make things worse – someone unskilled in words shouldn’t try to debate with a talented Princess.

Mu Wanyao couldn’t bring herself to vent her anger on Yan Shang, as she always felt somewhat guilty toward him, and besides, he was always the one wronged – she couldn’t bear to add to it. Instead, she directed her anger at Han Shuxing, mocking and ridiculing him until not only was Han Shuxing red-faced, but even Fang Tong felt the Princess was being too harsh.

Fang Tong glanced over, thinking that Second Young Master Yan truly had an admirable bearing. Even when the Princess was indirectly scolding him, he acted as if he hadn’t noticed. Yan Shang tilted his head slightly and, during a pause in the Princess’s scolding of Han Shuxing, interjected: “I seem to hear a child’s voice – is there a child here?”

Mu Wanyao’s heart stirred.

She pulled Fang Tong’s son closer to herself. While the boy was enchanted that this ice-cold Princess would embrace him, Fang Tong watched in astonishment as Mu Wanyao smiled slightly and said to Yan Shang: “My son – are you surprised?”

Yan Shang, his eyes covered with white gauze: “…”

He froze, unable to speak for a long while. After his shock subsided somewhat, he said: “Is Your Highness joking? You… you are still an unmarried lady…”

Mu Wanyao spoke clearly: “The child’s father is you.”

Yan Shang: “…”

His lips opened and closed, and tried to speak again, but he remained speechless.

His mind was in chaos. After several attempts to calm himself, he began calculating times and dates… No matter how he calculated, the timing didn’t make sense. Back then, he had been imprisoned for just one month, and before that, with Mu Wanyao… but that time had been interrupted, he hadn’t actually… completed the act.

Before that time, they hadn’t seen each other for half a year.

How could she have become pregnant?

Moreover, Mu Wanyao had told him she had difficulty bearing children – how could she have given birth to such a big child… Yes, even the child’s age didn’t match…

Han Shuxing, kneeling beside Yan Shang and obediently accepting his scolding, couldn’t hide his shock as he raised his face to look at Second Young Master Yan. Seeing Yan Shang’s smooth chin, he suddenly understood the reason for the complex relationship between Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao –

These two had conceived a child in secret, openly showing hatred while secretly harboring love, deceiving him terribly.

Mu Wanyao held the boy and sighed softly: “Brother Yan Er, are you now refusing to acknowledge your son?”

Yan Shang’s brows furrowed slightly, and after a while, he hesitantly said: “You’re talking nonsense again.”

Seeing his expression, Mu Wanyao knew he was half-believing it. Intentionally teasing him, she mixed truth with fiction in her story: “He is your child. Do you think I have other men? Back then, when things were good between us, what haven’t we done?”

As she spoke, she cast a glance at Han Shuxing, letting the shocked man hear that she and Yan Shang had a past relationship – there was no need for him to play matchmaker.

Mu Wanyao continued: “I became pregnant then, but we were arguing at the time, and I was so angry I didn’t want to tell you. I suffered greatly to secretly bear your son, enduring years of hardship unmentioned, only to find that upon our reunion, you don’t even ask about it – how heartless.”

Yan Shang’s face reddened.

He had been half-believing it at first, wondering if he truly had a child somewhere. But hearing Mu Wanyao tell it this way, he knew it was false. Likely some child was playing near her, and she was using this to test him.

He said somewhat helplessly: “Stop playing around.”

As he was helped to a seat by the servant, Han Shuxing felt his behavior was excessive and couldn’t help saying: “Second Young Master, I’ve always been on your side, as you know. I believe you must have your difficulties, but… how can you abandon wife and child?”

Mu Wanyao covered her mouth and giggled: “Yes, yes! He abandoned his wife and child, living freely outside while not caring that I wash my face with tears daily – how pitiful.”

Yan Shang said to Han Shuxing: “The Princess and I couldn’t possibly have a child.”

Then turning toward Mu Wanyao, he said softly: “Stop teasing Han Shuxing.”

When his “gaze” fell on her, Mu Wanyao’s expression gradually cooled. His words had been too definitive, making her unhappy. As her displeasure showed, Yan Shang said: “Yaoyao, come here.”

Mu Wanyao didn’t move. She was a princess – did he think she would come just because he called? Did someone forget his status as a prisoner?

Yan Shang said quietly: “I have something to tell you that others shouldn’t hear.”

Mu Wanyao hesitated, still moved by his promise of private words. She said aloud: “Fang Tong, all of you withdraw.”

After everyone had left the back courtyard and it was empty, she went to sit before Yan Shang. After a moment of silence, he said: “I hadn’t wanted to say much, but… are you still concerned about the matter of children?”

Mu Wanyao looked at him.

He said softly: “Don’t worry about it. Let it go, it’s nothing.”

Mu Wanyao stared at him blankly, suddenly feeling guilty, realizing that when she tested him this way, he had seen through her inner conflict and was instead trying to comfort her. He must have the softest heart in the world.

Unable to contain herself, she reached out to take his hand, wanting awkwardly to discuss children with him, to apologize… but Yan Shang withdrew his hand, refusing to have a heart-to-heart.

He said quietly: “I don’t want to deal with you.”

Mu Wanyao: “…Isn’t your anger lasting rather long!”

Yan Shang: “You show me so little respect, I cannot easily forgive you. If I forgave easily, you would dare to act this way again.”

Mu Wanyao fumed: “I am a princess, what can’t I get if I want it? Don’t you know I’m a princess? What standards are you using to judge me?”

Yan Shang tilted his head back: “If you were good to me, I would give you my whole heart. I dare not say I would always be right, but I would try my best to constrain myself… At the same time, you must learn to respect me. There are some things where I can accommodate you, but you cannot always act willfully, completely ignoring my views.”

Mu Wanyao: “Who are you to demand I consult you on everything?”

Yan Shang blushed but said firmly: “Your man. Am I not?

“I don’t demand you consult me on everything – you couldn’t do that anyway. What I want is respect. We are two different people, you cannot force your will upon me.”

Mu Wanyao stared at him blankly, finally dropping her shoulders. Could she not have him? She didn’t believe she couldn’t have him!

That night, when Mu Wanyao visited Yan Shang’s quarters carrying a bowl of medicine, she found him sitting with Fang Tong’s son under a single lamp, talking.

Mu Wanyao knocked at the door.

From inside came Yan Shang’s gentle voice: “I have important matters to attend to, please come back tomorrow.”

Mu Wanyao didn’t wait at all, pushing the door open directly: “What ‘please’? It’s me – can’t I come indirectly? Why the false courtesy?”

Yan Shang rubbed his brow, saying softly: “Even my false courtesy couldn’t stop you.”

He spoke very casually.

The boy sitting beside him was extremely surprised, never expecting the usually gentle Yan Er to retort to Mu Wanyao this way. The boy trembled as he looked over, seeing that Mu Wanyao, who habitually paid them little attention, merely raised an eyebrow at Yan Er’s words, showing no signs of anger.

Mu Wanyao sat down and snorted at the child beside Yan Shang: “What are you still doing here? You don’t even realize when you’re being pumped for information – go play with your father!”

Yan Shang’s expression stiffened slightly. The boy, both timid of and fond of the Princess, scurried away as soon as she spoke. Mu Wanyao lowered her head and placed the bowl of medicine Yan Shang was to drink on the table before him. Taking advantage of his poor eyesight, she didn’t even need to hide as she added several drops of medicine into the bowl right in front of him.

She casually stirred the medicinal porridge with a spoon, mixing in the added medicine.

Yan Shang was still speaking softly: “What do you mean ‘pumped for information’? What nonsense were you saying in front of the child?”

While stirring the medicine, Mu Wanyao smiled carelessly: “I’m not a fool. This morning I let you meet Fang Tong’s son, and by evening the child is in your room, calling you ‘brother’ so intimately. I wouldn’t dare underestimate Second Young Master Yan’s charm that works on men and women, young and old. In your current confined state, without news from outside, even what a small child says could be extremely useful to you.”

She turned her face to smile at him: “Am I right, Brother Yan Er?”

Yan Shang didn’t speak for a long time.

Mu Wanyao laughed softly, gently leaning against him, her head resting on his shoulder as she chuckled. Her laughter made him turn his neck, extremely uncomfortable as he tried to push her away, but she caught his hand, her fingers gently massaging his wrist. Yan Shang stiffened, instantly becoming somewhat overwhelmed.

He bent his leg, changing his sitting position.

Mu Wanyao pressed her forehead against his shoulder, lowering her eyes to take everything in. Feeling triumphant inside, her voice was both husky and soft: “You’re not even denying it. Not even trying to coax me by saying you just like children, with no ulterior motives.”

Yan Shang said quietly: “Even if I had other purposes, I harbor no ill intentions. I do quite like that child.”

Mu Wanyao: “If there’s anything you want to know, why question a small child? Just ask me directly.”

Yan Shang started, lowering his head to “look” at her: “Would you tell me?”

Mu Wanyao closed her eyes, smiling faintly: “If you make me happy, I’ll tell you.”

Yan Shang said softly: “So Your Highness wants to conduct business through favors.”

Mu Wanyao looked up at him: “You’ve made more indirect criticisms of me in these two days than in all our previous acquaintances combined.”

Yan Shang blushed, trying to pull his hand from hers, but she wouldn’t let go, so he gave up. He said: “I usually never speak ill of others, but Your Highness is too thick-skinned – I cannot be lenient with you.”

Mu Wanyao smiled sweetly: “So I’m very bad?”

Yan Shang: “Don’t you know?”

Mu Wanyao tilted her head back to look at him as he kept his face down. She felt regretful, thinking it would be more fun if he could see now. But even without sight, there were other ways to play. Mu Wanyao carelessly pushed the medicinal porridge toward him.

She said: “Drink the porridge and take your medicine.”

Yan Shang frowned, saying: “What have you been giving me to drink every day? The taste is strange. I’m not even ill, this isn’t necessary. After drinking your medicine, I always feel somewhat unwell.”

Mu Wanyao thought to herself that these were all tonics – if he didn’t feel the effects, she would truly suspect his vitality.

She smiled: “I just can’t bear to see you so thin. How about this – if you drink this medicine, I’ll tell you several answers you want to know?”

After some hesitation, Yan Shang reached out to feel for the medicine bowl on the table. Mu Wanyao caught his hand, not letting him touch it randomly. When he found the bowl, she quickly took it first, scooping up a spoonful herself, then opened her mouth to feed it to him. Yan Shang stiffened, pressing his lips together for a long while, refusing to open them. Mu Wanyao grabbed his sleeve and rubbed it, whimpering and nuzzling against him.

Yan Shang was burning up from her actions.

Finally, he opened his mouth to accept the medicine from her lips.

As they kissed, when their soft tongues traced over their teeth, the tingling sensation made Yan Shang grip Mu Wanyao’s arms tightly.

After swallowing, he cursed: “Playing tricks again.”

Mu Wanyao: “Yes, and you’re so noble, not react at all.”

Her hand went down to explore, but this time, though the blind man couldn’t see, he instantly caught her descending hand. Mu Wanyao laughed, leaning crookedly against his shoulder. Yan Shang’s face reddened in annoyance: “I knew you would be like this. This isn’t something I can control – you’re always teasing me. If you had such troublesome parts, would I play with you this way?”

Mu Wanyao: “If I had what you have, you’d be the one getting pinned down, with no chance to struggle. You should be thankful I’m a girl.”

Yan Shang: “…”

He was speechless, never expecting that the princess who wouldn’t say a single crude word when they first met had come to this point. Her path had become so crooked that Yan Shang momentarily wondered if it was his fault. Was there something wrong with him? Otherwise, why would Mu Wanyao become increasingly unrestrained before him day by day? The more he reproached her, the more excessive she became.

Yan Shang was dazed and embarrassed-angry but didn’t want to speak further or continue their verbal sparring. He grabbed the medicine bowl, ignoring Mu Wanyao’s attempts to stop him, and drank it all in one gulp. Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened in shock as Yan Shang downed the medicinal porridge. He frowned, seeming nauseated by the murky taste.

Mu Wanyao grew anxious: “Are you alright?”

Was this medicine meant to be consumed all at once like that?

Yan Shang endured for a moment, then spoke in his usual tone: “You said if I drank the medicine, you’d tell me what I want to know. Now I want to know about the situation in Chang’an.”

Mu Wanyao: “You’re just a county magistrate of Rang County, why concern yourself with Chang’an?”

Yan Shang caught her hand that was pressing on his hand’s back, preventing her from moving it around. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he said: “Why do you need to manage that? Just tell me what I want to know. I haven’t gone back on my word – I drank your medicine, so you shouldn’t go back on yours either.”

Mu Wanyao sighed.

Carelessly, she repeated to Yan Shang the news that Fang Tong had told her during the day. She watched Yan Shang’s slight frown, her heart both infatuated with him and wary of him. The young Yan Shang from three years ago had already been remarkable in his thinking; the mature Yan Shang of three years later could only be more formidable.

Mu Wanyao still didn’t understand why he kept his position as Rang County’s magistrate, but she would watch and see.

Yan Shang said: “So, with His Majesty well, the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin are fighting fiercely? Your Highness, you’ve pushed the Prince of Qin to such a state – be careful he doesn’t become desperate.”

Mu Wanyao lowered her head to play with his fingers, saying softly: “With Brother Yan Er here, Brother Yan Er will help me – what do I have to fear?”

Yan Shang’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

Ignoring her words, he said: “It seems Your Highness has your plans – I was overthinking. But with the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin fighting so fiercely… I feel there’s also a great possibility they might join forces. The official recusal matter ultimately benefits commoner families more. In such a situation, we must be cautious.”

Mu Wanyao: “Yang San is being pulled from both sides.”

Yan Shang paused, saying: “Poor Third Brother.”

He tried hard to ignore Mu Wanyao’s effect on him, but she kept touching his hair, then slipping her hand into his sleeve, feeling everything inside. Yan Shang felt restless, finding the room’s air somewhat hot. As he suppressed these feelings, he became more fearful of Mu Wanyao’s proximity.

Yan Shang said hoarsely: “Is Your Highness not leaving?”

Mu Wanyao looked up: “After getting what you wanted to know, you’re sending me away – you’re truly heartless.”

Yan Shang gently refuted: “It was just a transaction – I drink the medicine, you tell me the situation. How is that heartless?”

Mu Wanyao giggled, releasing his arm and standing up. As the fragrance of the young lady that had been filling his nose moved away, Yan Shang sighed in relief, discreetly wiping the sweat from his brow. Suddenly, Mu Wanyao turned back, bending to hook his chin, looking at him.

Knowing full well, she said softly: “Your face is very red. What’s wrong with you?”

Yan Shang was silent for a moment: “…Perhaps it’s somewhat hot.”

Mu Wanyao laughed lightly.

Yan Shang suddenly realized, hesitating slightly: “Did you… put something in the medicinal porridge?”

Mu Wanyao’s answer was to gently brush his nose tip.

As she moved away, his face grew even redder, almost dripping blood. His hand supported himself on the table, his arm trembling slightly. He scolded her: “Bring the antidote! This is outrageous!”

Mu Wanyao was surprised: “For this kind of thing, there is no antidote.”

Yan Shang grabbed her arm. As he lowered his head, the sweat beads on his forehead grew denser. After enduring for a while, when he spoke, his voice was hoarser: “Get out.”

Mu Wanyao sat down, leaning against his arm. She was also somewhat confused, her face heating up. She smiled with narrowed eyes, saying: “If I leave, could you bear it?”

She said: “You should say, ‘Come here.'”

Yan Shang reached out to stroke her face. His body temperature was too high to probably feel properly. His voice was slightly rushed: “Your voice isn’t right… what’s wrong with you?”

Mu Wanyao closed her eyes, leaning against his shoulder, surprised that his self-control was so strong that even now he could hear the change in her voice. Feeling hot and restless, Mu Wanyao let out a soft moan, almost like crying. She buried her face in his neck, kissing the sweat there.

His veins throbbed violently, his grip on her arm tightening.

He barely maintained his composure, hearing Mu Wanyao murmur: “The medicine was in the porridge.”

Yan Shang instantly understood: “So… you drank it too?”

He said angrily: “Why bring yourself into it when you’re trying to tease me?”

Mu Wanyao acted coquettishly: “I was afraid the medicine’s effect would be too strong on you, so I kindly helped take some of it. Besides, if you were the only one affected and you did things to me, then I… I would surely die of pain, I would cry. I didn’t want that.

“If you don’t touch me, just let me die.”

Yan Shang was momentarily speechless.

Mu Wanyao kept her eyes closed but could hear his breathing had become very heavy.

After a long while, she felt a kiss on her lips and opened her eyes. A drop of sweat fell on her cheek as she looked up to see the elegant young man bending down to embrace her. He held her in his arms, gently kissing her face, and her lips.

His face in the dim lamplight appeared sacred.

His face pressed against hers, his lips red as he said: “Come here, Yaoyao.”

The bright moon hung in the sky, visible for thousands of miles.

That night, while spring passion intoxicated a post station on the way to Jinling, in the ancient Guhu Kingdom, eight thousand li from Chang’an, a wedding was being held.

It was a king’s wedding.

He was marrying a foreign woman named Zhao Lingfei.

This Guhu King had received envoys from Great Wei, meeting with them openly while secretly communicating with and submitting to the Southern Barbarians. The Guhu King had initiated a military coup in the city, imprisoning the Great Wei envoys, intending to send these people as gifts to the Southern Barbarian nation.

Among the Great Wei envoys was one person skilled in martial arts who had left a deep impression on the Guhu King. He wanted to persuade this warrior to leave Great Wei and stay in Guhu Kingdom to serve him, but he soon discovered this warrior was a woman called Zhao Lingfei, not a man.

Naturally, he decided to force her into marriage.

Late at night, the Guhu Kingdom was covered in red silk, full of wedding joy. Zhao Lingfei had been dressed as a royal consort, sitting in a palace deep within the royal court. Though all her weapons had been taken away, she sat there with an unchanged expression, waiting for an opportunity.

The palace doors opened, and footsteps approached from afar.

Zhao Lingfei waited for the person to stand beside the bed, where the red gauze covering her face was lifted. She clenched her fists, telling herself to endure humiliation for a greater purpose, to use this marriage to help the Great Wei envoys escape — she looked up and froze.

The person she saw wearing royal garments wasn’t the Guhu King, but Wei Shu, whom she knew well. How could she not recognize him after three or four years of life-and-death dependency?

The Wei Shu who should have already escaped from Guhu Kingdom returned to Great Wei for help.

Red candles burned high, wax dripping. Palace servants came and went outside the hall, while inside was spacious and quiet. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Zhao Lingfei stared at him blankly, lowering her voice anxiously: “Didn’t we agree you would go to Great Wei for help? How dare you…”

Wei Shu looked down at her and said: “I left, but I came back.

“As a Great Wei citizen, how could I watch my compatriots in trouble and escape alone? As a man, how could I watch a woman sacrifice her marriage to create an opportunity for me?

“Especially you… you fled thousands of li from an arranged marriage, was it to marry someone else?

“Let’s escape together. This place is eight thousand li from Chang’an, beyond Great Wei’s reach… Lingfei, we must rely on ourselves.”