Liu Wenji now held the position of Chief Imperial Eunuch and Commander of the Northern Army, with the rank of Valiant Military General. His influence as a eunuch in court affairs had divided the court officials into two factions – those who, like Chief Censor Zhao, were despised yet still allied with the eunuchs; and those who, like regular officials, detested the eunuchs.

His imposing presence and fondness for cruel punishments made everyone in court tremble at the sight of him.

But Chunhua knew none of this.

On the night of the Princess’s wedding, when she crouched on the ground looking up at him, her eyes were misty with sorrow.

Nothing could be undone now, everything was finished. Fate had cast its cruel net without disguise, revealing its malice. People like them seemed to fall deeper the more they struggled.

Chunhua wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and stood up. She dared not look too long at Liu Wenji, fearing each glance would reveal too much.

She forced a smile at the small eunuch holding the horsetail whisk who had questioned her, her voice still trembling with tears: “In response to Your Grace, the two young princes from our manor have gone missing. This humble one cannot find them anywhere, and fearing to disturb the Princess’s wedding, became distraught with worry, making a spectacle of myself before Your Grace.”

As she spoke with a lowered head, she did not notice the small eunuch’s gaze darting back to look at Liu Wenji.

Liu Wenji suddenly spoke: “The Jin Prince’s two young princes are missing? This servant seemed to have seen them earlier. Let me help the lady look for them.”

Chunhua softly protested: “I dare not trouble Your Grace…”

Liu Wenji cut her off coldly: “Come.”

Chunhua’s heart seized up as she saw Liu Wenji brush past her through lowered eyes. She looked up as he glanced back at her. She was confused, unable to understand why he would volunteer to help. When he turned to look at her, the corner of his eyes curved slightly – under the palace lanterns, the recklessness of his youth had transformed into today’s ruthlessness as he waited for her.

Fearing the gossip of too many people and unable to explain herself, Chunhua could only take a deep breath and follow.

The two walked in silence, one behind the other, with the small eunuch pretending to be mute while holding a lamp in front. Chunhua stared at Liu Wenji’s back, waves of disorientation hitting her like scattered gold and jade. Her mind was in chaos, her thoughts drifting away, several times forgetting about the two children she was supposed to be looking for.

Liu Wenji said nothing to her and did not attempt to reminisce about old times. He treated her just like any ordinary eunuch would treat the secondary consort of the Jin Prince’s household, helping her search for her sons.

By a pond in the back garden of the Princess’s residence, two mud-covered children of three or four years were brought out by the eunuchs. Both children ran to Chunhua, calling out to her. Chunhua finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them, though she couldn’t help gently scolding them.

Though her eyes showed disapproval, she was such a gentle lady that neither child feared her, both still giggling: “Mother, I’m hungry! Take us to eat!”

Liu Wenji stared at Chunhua and spoke unexpectedly: “First, let’s get the young princes changed into clean clothes.”

Chunhua curtsied to him: “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Liu Wenji did not respond.

Afterward, the two stood in the cold wind, waiting until the small eunuch brought back the two clean children to Chunhua’s care. Chunhua thanked Liu Wenji again. Looking at his handsome yet sinister thin face, there was hesitation in her eyes, but not knowing what to say, she could only give him an awkward smile.

Chunhua’s cheeks flushed slightly: “I’ve made a fool of myself before Your Grace.”

Liu Wenji stared at her, suddenly feeling as if she had never changed. Though she was now a married woman, when she smiled, she was still like when he first met her in Lingnan – full of tender feelings, like spring water, flowing to his heart and into his long-frozen limbs.

Liu Wenji watched her graceful figure as she led the two children back toward the bright lights, listening to her soft voice fade into the distance as she gently admonished the two children.

The small eunuch following Liu Wenji had noticed how differently his master had treated this secondary consort of the Jin Prince. The eunuch’s mind stirred, thinking how Liu Wenji usually showed no interest in women, even while many other eunuchs in the palace sought relationships with palace maids, some even bold enough to secretly keep women outside…yet this Liu Wenji had never shown interest before.

Could it be that Master Liu was now interested?

This could be a good opportunity to curry favor.

The small eunuch spoke softly: “Does Your Grace have a preference for certain types of ladies? I recently took a new concubine, still untouched. She’s delicate and quite charming. If Your Grace likes, I could offer her as a gesture of filial respect?”

Those who had been castrated couldn’t sleep with women, but their unfulfilled desires made them want to torment women even more.

Liu Wenji looked at him and suddenly smiled, saying: “I prefer married women. Can you get me one?”

The small eunuch’s heart skipped a beat. He guessed his master meant the secondary consort from earlier, but… he stammered: “But she belongs to the Prince’s household.”

Liu Wenji’s lips curved slightly, his eyes darkening.

He said no more on the topic, instead stepping into the banquet, walking toward the ranks of officials, toward Censor Zhao and others who constantly flattered and relied on him.

From the corner of his eye, he saw his parents, saw their lingering yet disbelieving gaze, and saw them together with Yan Shang’s strikingly handsome father. Liu Wenji knew it must have been Yan Shang’s father who secretly brought his parents to Chang’an, to catch a distant glimpse of him… after all, for someone of his position as a high-ranking eunuch, being without parents was what made the palace feel secure.

Liu Wenji could secretly support his parents, but he couldn’t let this weakness become known to others, and he especially feared the Emperor might target his parents to control him.

For parents and children to reach this point, even just catching a glimpse across a crowd was enough to satisfy them.

…That’s why Yan Shang’s family was better.

Liu Wenji felt warmth in his heart. He cared nothing for anyone else in the court or under heaven, only Yan Shang made him feel like a friend.

As for Chunhua… Liu Wenji thought she was the woman he had never possessed. Perhaps it was precisely because he had never had her that she remained unforgettable, becoming an obsession in his heart.

It was convenient that Chunhua belonged to the Jin Prince’s household, creating a vague connection to something Liu Wenji wanted to do… Liu Wenji pondered thoughtfully.

In the past, he had no power or influence, so he lost her; but now he wielded great authority… he could use his power to take her back. Perhaps only after possessing her could he truly let her go—

Some grieved while others rejoiced. Under bright fires and candles and countless stars, the atmosphere remained festive.

The inner chambers of the Princess’s residence had been renovated and doubled in size during Mu Wanyao’s half-year absence. After drinking the ceremonial wine, the new Prince Consort was called away to entertain guests, while Mu Wanyao remained in her chambers accompanied by the ladies.

Liu Xiangong’s granddaughter, Liu Ruozhu, had been married for three years, but perhaps due to some consideration of the Liu family, this lady had not borne children in those three years. Yet even without children of her own, Liu Ruozhu still smiled brightly, joining the other ladies in wishing Her Highness “numerous offspring” and “great fortune and nobility.”

Mu Wanyao was indifferent.

The ladies surrounding the Princess had said many auspicious words but eventually ran out of things to say. Among all the ladies in the hall, except for those like Liu Ruozhu who knew the Princess somewhat, the other ladies were just there to make up numbers. Princess Danyang usually discussed state affairs with the gentlemen – when had she ever discussed private matters with these ladies?

Liu Ruozhu was quick-witted, and seeing that Mu Wanyao had no interest in their topics, smiled and said: “On your wedding night, how boring it must be for Your Highness to just talk with us? Why don’t Your Highness rest well and wait for the Prince Consort’s return?”

Mu Wanyao became interested and smiled at her: “Very well.”

Liu Ruozhu was startled, then broke into a laugh, taking the initiative to lead the ladies away. The chamber quickly emptied of ladies, except for Princess Yuxiang who hesitated, unwilling to leave.

Mu Wanyao cast her a cold glance. After some consideration, this fourth sister of hers sat on the couch and spoke earnestly: “Yaoyao, these words shouldn’t come from me, but with your birth mother gone early and me being your elder sister, now that you’re married, I must give you some advice.

“Yaoyao, now that you’re married, you shouldn’t be as willful as before…”

Upon hearing her sister start lecturing about being a “virtuous wife and good mother,” Mu Wanyao retorted: “How am I willful? The Prince Consort won’t complain about me.”

Princess Yuxiang used her own life as an example: “You need to learn to be considerate of your husband. I know you get along well with Yan Er, but he’s now a fifth-rank official at court, with his own daily affairs, everything is different from before. An unmarried lady is different from a married woman – before marriage you could be somewhat proud, but after marriage, for the sake of marital harmony, you should restrain yourself.

“You say the Prince Consort won’t complain about you, but will he never complain? A maiden’s pride is charming, but a married woman’s pride becomes ‘shrewish.’ Yaoyao… I’ve always felt it wasn’t good for you to handle political affairs outside. Now that you have a husband, why not let him handle these matters?

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay at home, bear and raise children, and have fewer troubles?”

Mu Wanyao’s beautiful eyes fixed on her fourth sister, instantly understanding that the Qin Prince must have sent her fourth sister as a messenger to persuade her to give up court politics. Mu Wanyao couldn’t help but laugh, thinking did the third brother believe Yan Shang would be easy to manipulate?

Princess Yuxiang became uneasy at her laughter: “What’s wrong with what I said?”

Mu Wanyao smiled at her: “Sister, do you remember the first time you met Yan Er? Back then when I was roughhousing with Yang San, you said you envied my unrestrained life.”

Princess Yuxiang was momentarily dazed, her expression stunned. After a while, she said with difficulty: “That was all so long ago…”

Mu Wanyao leaned forward to look at her, her beautiful and dignified face making Princess Yuxiang lean back, breathless. Mu Wanyao’s voice was hoarse, tempting her: “You live such a resigned life yourself, yet you envy me, while still trying to persuade me to live as meekly as you do. Sister, your experience doesn’t apply to me.

“You think after marriage, Yan Shang won’t care for me as devotedly as before. But that’s wrong. After marriage, he’ll truly treat me as his own… you have no idea how hard I worked to win him, nor do you know how safe it feels to be in his heart.

“I won’t live like you do. Whatever the consequences, good or bad, I’ll accept them.”

Princess Yuxiang was struck speechless, her face flushing red. The determined light in Mu Wanyao’s eyes was something she couldn’t understand. What Mu Wanyao pursued was also beyond her comprehension. She felt both envious and jealous. In her sister’s eyes, she glimpsed her ugly desires and immediately felt ashamed, rising to leave.

Princess Yuxiang hurried out of the Princess’s chambers, walking so fast that she collided with Yan Shang at the doorway curtain. She was startled, but before she could react, Yan Shang had already stepped back three paces to bow to her. Princess Danyang’s Prince Consort was as elegant as jade, his wedding attire making him appear even more refined, his features clear and bright. His eyes were clear and gentle as he looked at her, and Princess Yuxiang hesitated, wondering if he had overheard her conversation with Mu Wanyao.

But Yan Shang’s expression showed no sign of anything unusual, so Princess Yuxiang gave an awkward smile and left.

Yan Shang was always meticulous in his courtesy. He watched Princess Yuxiang until her figure disappeared around the corridor before withdrawing his gaze and lifting the door curtain to enter.

Mu Wanyao had heard his conversation with her fourth sister outside, so she wasn’t surprised to see him enter.

Still in her wedding attire, looking every bit the new bride, she sat on the couch, her henna-stained fingers peeling an osmanthus nut that had been thrown on the bed. Mu Wanyao cast him an alluring glance, asking in surprise: “Weren’t you supposed to be toasting guests in the front hall? Why did you come back?”

Yan Shang stood at the doorway, not coming closer, watching her for a moment. Seeing her natural expression and that she was leisurely eating osmanthus nuts, he finally smiled slightly and said softly: “I heard them saying things like ‘may you soon bear noble sons’ and ‘may you have many children and grandchildren,’ and worried these words might make you uncomfortable. I was concerned that after I left, the ladies would keep saying such things. I was worried, so I came back to check on you.”

He gazed at the nutshell in her hand and sighed: “It seems I was overthinking. You’re not affected at all.”

Mu Wanyao raised her eyes, staring at him in a daze.

Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she dropped the nutshell in her hand. She got up from the couch and walked toward him, her eyes brimming with tenderness: “Why should I mind? I’ve heard such words for many years and will continue to hear them. I told you before, if you don’t mind, I won’t mind, and won’t trouble myself with the same topics anymore. Did you think I was just saying that?”

Yan Shang smiled bitterly: “I overthought it.

“Since you’re fine, then I should…”

He was about to excuse himself to return to the front hall, but Mu Wanyao, who had walked over, grabbed his wrist. She said: “Since you’re already back, why go to the front hall? Don’t go, the wedding night isn’t meant to be spent entertaining them, is it?”

Yan Shang’s face suddenly reddened as he said: “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Mu Wanyao pushed him: “I don’t care, I won’t let my husband with his poor alcohol tolerance go outside to drink with others, only to return drunk.”

She nuzzled against his collar, taking a light sniff. Yan Shang’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he instinctively straightened his back, feeling his blood begin to boil just from her casual sniff. But she maintained an innocent expression, looking up at him with a smile: “The smell of alcohol isn’t strong, seems you’re not drunk, that’s good.”

She said excitedly: “Quick, go wash up.”

Yan Shang, thinking about her enthusiastic urging to wash up and its purpose, felt his entire face burning hot. He wanted to talk with his new bride for a while, but after struggling for a long time, he still couldn’t get a word out. He felt dejected at how weak his resistance was to her, but was already being pushed by Mu Wanyao toward the washing room—

When Yan Shang returned to the Princess’s chambers, he had already removed his wedding attire and changed into regular clothes. The maids had directly offered him his undergarments, but he felt that would be too forward as if he couldn’t wait to… so he insisted on being properly dressed when he pushed open the Princess’s chamber door again.

Mu Wanyao was in the inner chamber and called out when she heard movement: “Close the door!”

When Yan Shang entered the inner chamber and saw Mu Wanyao, he was slightly stunned. While he was fully dressed, his new bride was different. She had also washed up, her soft black hair half-pinned with a hairpin, still falling to her hips.

She wore a lotus-colored chest wrap and a rose-red high-waisted long skirt that swept to her ankles, leaving her arms, jade shoulders, and half her chest exposed, her skin snow-white and gleaming. Standing there like that, so lightly dressed, she made his thick clothing seem excessive by comparison.

Their styles were like two different seasons.

Yan Shang stared dumbfounded, his face growing hotter.

Not knowing what to say, Yan Shang watched as Mu Wanyao stood by the couch, staring at it in contemplation. Hearing Yan Shang’s cough, she glanced back at him, her eyes extremely dark and calm, but she didn’t acknowledge him further, turning her head back around.

Yan Shang saw Mu Wanyao pick up scissors and begin cutting the bed curtains. She knelt on the bed, throwing all the osmanthus nuts and walnuts hidden under the bedding onto the floor, then pulled off the bedding and threw it on the floor as well. Yan Shang watched her in confusion as she, still not satisfied, got a pot of tea and poured it over the bedding on the floor.

Mu Wanyao started pulling at the inner chamber curtains… Yan Shang followed behind her and finally spoke: “What are you doing? You’ve thrown the bedding on the floor, are you not planning to sleep?”

Mu Wanyao: “On the wedding night, who has time for sleep?”

Yan Shang: “…”

Yan Shang: “…Even for that, we still need blankets.”

Not understanding her intention, he watched as she reached out to mess up the inner chamber curtains, pulling down many of the gauze curtains, and creating chaos in the inner chamber. She was about to throw all the teacups and other items from the table down as well… Yan Shang grabbed her wrist and said: “At least tell me what you’re doing?”

Mu Wanyao: “Ah, you’re so slow!”

She said seriously: “On my wedding night, I definitely can’t let people look down on me. When the maids come to clean tomorrow, I must let them see that we tore apart the red curtains all night. And that’s not enough, I want the room to be messy enough to let people know how good my wedding night was…”

Yan Shang was confused for a moment, then after staring at her for a while, being experienced enough, he wasn’t completely clueless. When he suddenly realized her meaning, his face grew even hotter as he said: “…Isn’t this a bit excessive? How your wedding night go, is that something to show off? How can private matters be spread around everywhere?”

Mu Wanyao lifted her chin proudly and said: “I want to show off. I’ve asked around, and other married ladies all talk about this. If you don’t understand, don’t get in the way. Move aside.”

Yan Shang still followed behind her, saying softly: “If I don’t understand, you should explain it to me. I understand now, don’t I?”

He couldn’t agree with her behavior, but he didn’t plan to interfere either. However, there was some dissatisfaction and confusion in his heart, and after holding back for a long time, he still couldn’t help asking: “You want to show off about your man, right?”

Mu Wanyao carelessly responded to the man following behind her: “Mm.”

Yan Shang grabbed her wrist and turned her body to face him: “Then why don’t you… come to me?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened slightly.

Yan Shang was half dissatisfied, half embarrassed: “Why are you doing all this pointless work… Isn’t the wedding night supposed to be spent with me? Would you rather create a false impression for others to believe than come to me?”

Mu Wanyao: “Didn’t the Imperial Physician say you should abstain?”

Yan Shang lowered his head and wrapped his arms around her slim waist. He was both shy and eager. He complained softly: “It’s been two months already… I’m fully recovered.”

Mu Wanyao reached out to touch his eyes, still worried: “Are your eyes completely healed? Are you alright?”

Yan Shang said: “…I’m fine, I asked the Imperial Physician.”

Mu Wanyao reacted as if she’d heard something unbelievable: “You asked the Imperial Physician about this? Is this you?”

Yan Shang couldn’t bring himself to explain his inner struggle, not wanting Mu Wanyao to laugh at him, so he simply lowered his face to kiss her. He held her in his arms, her jade-like skin pressed against him, instantly arousing him. But just as he became excited, the woman in his arms began to struggle and push him away, not letting him touch her.

Yan Shang released her with a ragged breath, asking softly: “What’s wrong?”

Mu Wanyao was held in his arms, face tilted up, her cheeks pink. Her dark hair scattered in his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck, mumbling her request: “I don’t want to do it here, I want to do it on the antique shelf outside.”

Yan Shang stiffened slightly, and after a while said: “What’s the difference?”

Mu Wanyao smiled and kissed his lips, saying: “I like facing you, like being able to brush against your waist. Quick, quick, carry me there, or I won’t do it.”

Yan Shang sighed, knowing she wanted to see him struggling between restraint and abandon, wanted to see him trying to hold back yet unable to. His inner conflict was like an aphrodisiac to her, exciting her immensely. But she was his only one, and whatever she wanted, he could only fulfill with a red face.

Yan Shang carried her to the outer chamber, walking through the mess of scattered curtains and gauze—

Leaving Princess Danyang’s wedding feast, Yang Si walked together with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince looked back several times, seeing Yang Si lost in thought, a distracted smile playing on his lips. The Crown Prince knew Yang Si well and clearly understood what this expression meant. Moreover, throughout the entire evening, he caught Yang Si’s gaze countless times as he searched for Yan Xiaozhou.

The Crown Prince’s heart sank further.

Yan Shang was a political enemy, his greatest opponent. The things Yan Shang had done to the Ministry of Revenue could never be forgotten; the Crown Prince’s power had been greatly diminished because of Yan Shang, and he hated Yan Shang like a thorn in his eye – how could he accept Yang Si marrying Yan Shang’s sister? The Crown Prince had hoped Yang Si would leave this circle, but if Yang Si sought to marry Yan Shang’s sister… how could he stay away?

After leaving the alley, the Crown Prince sat in his carriage, then suddenly lifted the curtain and said to the young man mounting his horse: “San Lang, sleep at the Eastern Palace with me tonight.”

Yang Si looked back in surprise, staring at the Crown Prince in the carriage.

The Crown Prince said: “Brothers like us haven’t slept together in a long time. You’ve had too much to drink tonight, perfect timing for your sister-in-law to make you some hangover soup.”

The Crown Princess in the carriage sighed inwardly, thinking ‘Here we go again.’ Over these years, she had become numb to this. She had accepted that her husband didn’t love anyone except for his singular care for Yang Si. The Crown Princess smiled at Yang Si outside the carriage: “Come back to the palace with us, San Lang.”

Yang Si shrugged, naturally indifferent.

That night, Yang Si and the Crown Prince slept in the same room. Yang Si had no worries; years of military life had taught him to fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, right on schedule. The Crown Prince lay beside him on the same bed, turning to stare at this handsome young man whom he had treated as both brother and son, unable to sleep for a long time.

The Crown Prince lifted the blanket and got out of bed, sitting at the writing desk, turning his head to gaze absently at the bright moon outside the window.

When Yang Si suddenly woke in the middle of the night, he noticed he was alone on the bed. He quickly sat up, startled to see through the gauze curtains that the Crown Prince sat fully dressed, having not slept at all.

Yang Si sat in silence.

The Crown Prince turned his face toward the bed curtains. After a sleepless night, his eyes were filled with red blood vessels. Looking at Yang Si behind the curtains, he said quietly: “I’ll arrange a position for you, to be a general in Youzhou, repairing the Great Wall. The Youzhou Military Governor’s daughter is fifteen this year, just coming of age. I’ve cooperated with him for many years but still need an opportunity… You’re also of marriageable age, why not marry his daughter?”

Yang Si stared at him. In the darkness, he glimpsed the Crown Prince’s anxiety and unease, instantly understanding what he was worried about.

Yang Si lowered his gaze, looking at his palm, thinking of Yan Xiaozhou’s clear, pure smile. It all seemed like a dream that would scatter upon waking. He was deeply mired in the quagmire; if he wanted to help the Crown Prince, he shouldn’t yearn for fresh vine tendrils and green meanings.

Yang Si closed his eyes and said slowly: “Alright.”—

The tall candles in the Princess’s chambers had burned halfway down. They sputtered once, the flame flickered, and the room went dark for an instant before brightening again.

This change in light woke Mu Wanyao from her dream. She found herself sleeping in Yan Shang’s arms, their long hair tangled together. His face was slightly lowered, his eyelashes like a thin shadow covering his eyes. He was especially quiet in sleep… and surprisingly, tonight he was holding her instead of turning his back to her.

Mu Wanyao stared at him for a while, then suddenly reached out and pushed him.

Yan Shang woke at her push, his eyelashes trembling as he opened his eyes. His gaze was somewhat unfocused as he stared at her blankly, his eyes clear and black, as if not quite understanding what was happening.

Mu Wanyao: “I had a nightmare and can’t sleep anymore.”

Yan Shang was still tired and confused. Fighting his drowsiness, he looked down at the woman in his arms, his voice soft in the darkness: “Shall I keep you company and talk for a while?”

Mu Wanyao frowned: “I don’t want to sleep anymore, I want to go out.”

Yan Shang remained calm, showing no disapproval at her sudden whim. He asked: “Go out for what?”

Mu Wanyao thought for a moment: “To find something to make me feel better.”

Yan Shang: “Like what?”

Mu Wanyao: “Like… I want to watch the sunrise from Bell Mountain.”

Yan Shang said: “It’s so late, the city gates won’t be open. Bell Mountain seems quite far.”

Mu Wanyao had just said it casually, and she also felt it was impossible, it was just that having a nightmare on her wedding night had put her in a bad mood. She was about to say forget it when she saw Yan Shang prop himself up on his arm. He covered his mouth, stifling a small yawn.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened as she looked at him in confusion. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Though drowsy and struggling to get up in the night, he muttered: “I’ll go get ready, you sleep a bit more. When I’m ready, I’ll take you to watch the sunrise, alright?”

Mu Wanyao’s black, gleaming eyes looked at his face, her heart fluttering at his kiss on her forehead. She obediently agreed and closed her eyes, feeling Yan Shang lift the curtain and get out of bed. She felt a bit guilty about troubling him like this, but his indulgence made her happy.

Mu Wanyao told herself not to trouble him like this next time, yet still contentedly enjoyed Yan Shang’s kindness—

The newlyweds quietly left the Princess’s residence in the late night, sharing one horse, leaving through the back door into the alley.

Mu Wanyao sat in front of Yan Shang, held in his arms, her face against him. He wrapped her tightly in his cloak. In the early autumn night, as they galloped on horseback, though the cold wind whipped their faces, Mu Wanyao didn’t feel cold at all. The streets were quiet, the city gates slightly open, and as they traveled through the pitch-black world, it felt as if they were the only two people left.

Reaching Bell Mountain, they continued searching for the peak. Bell Mountain stretched for thousands of li, the mountain path difficult to traverse. Yan Shang led the horse in front while Mu Wanyao, wrapped in his cloak, followed behind him with a smile, watching his tall figure.

Finally securing the horse, they sat together at the mountain peak, looking up at the grey sky and down at the vast clouded valleys below.

The mountain slumbered, all creatures silent, only the two of them sitting quietly.

Mu Wanyao looked up at the floating clouds in the sky, heavy clouds pressing down, the light dim, the mountain wind blowing strong against them, yet she felt no fear at all.

Mu Wanyao suddenly turned to look at Yan Shang and commanded: “Ask me what I dreamed about.”

Yan Shang obliged: “What did you dream about?”

Mu Wanyao: “I dreamed about when I was sent in a political marriage, my first marriage. It was like a nightmare.”

Sitting before the cliff, the bitter wind whipping their faces, Yan Shang watched her quietly.

Mu Wanyao worried whether she shouldn’t speak of such things on their wedding night, but she had always told Yan Shang whatever was on her mind. Just as she wondered if she had ruined his beautiful wedding memories, he suddenly leaned forward to cup her face, gazing at her.

Yan Shang: “Yaoyao, you’re the bravest person I’ve ever met.”

Mu Wanyao was startled.

She said: “What do you mean?”

Yan Shang: “When you have a nightmare, you must dispel it immediately, without waiting. When someone schemes against you, you must get up and take revenge. When you encounter setbacks, you remember them to avoid next time. When your memories aren’t beautiful and you can’t forget them, you face them. When your experiences in Wuman were bad, you changed your personality to adapt.

“You’re a very fragile person, but fate has never defeated you. You’ve always been fighting, always moving forward. Even when we separated… we let go of each other’s hands together, but while I was struggling in Nanyang, you in Chang’an never stopped the gentlemen’s pursuit of you. You were… always afraid, yet always facing it. Always resisting, yet always forcing yourself forward.

“You’re such a brave person, I feel so timid before you. I’m always thinking too much about everything, and thinking too much makes me hesitate to take a step. You are… so admirable, I envy you.”

The sky brightened with a fish-belly whiteness, thousands of golden rays pierced the clouds, the eastern sky a patch of red as dawn gradually broke.

Mu Wanyao gazed at him: “Why think so much? I know what you’re worried about, but I haven’t thought that far. I know we still have many problems between us, like how to balance my power with your concern for the common people, like how imperial power and commoner families can coexist harmoniously. These problems can’t all be solved at once, but I can’t wait anymore…

“Yan Shang, if we wait longer, we’ll miss each other. Why don’t we first hold onto each other tightly, not letting go, and then solve those problems together?”

She held his face, tempting him: “Isn’t that good?”

Yan Shang smiled.

Red clouds stretched thousands of li across the sky as the sun slowly rose. All things bathed in the morning light, the vegetation fresh, the world bright.

He held her in his arms, lowering his head to touch her forehead: “Yes.”

He said adoringly: “I’ve always thought too much, missing many opportunities. But I don’t want to miss you… I just want to be with you, I will try very hard…”

He said entranced: “We must be together. Together ascending to the ninth heaven, descending to eternal night prison.”

Mu Wanyao closed her eyes, murmuring with him like making a vow: “We’ll be immortal lovers together, demons and asuras together.

“We’ll… start our new life anew.”

The morning sun burst forth, rising from the vast sea and green mountains. Thousands of rays of light spread across the sky, the mountain’s green sea rippling, rolling mists churning below the cliff. The young man and woman sat at the cliff edge watching the red sun together, listening to the mountain temple bells, watching distant Chang’an awaken—

In this mortal world.