The Yan family had come to Chang’an for Yan Shang’s wedding. After the wedding banquet, Father Yan, feeling both proud and melancholic, said it was time to return to Lingnan. Yan Shang felt reluctant – he hadn’t seen his family for years, and now after this brief reunion they were leaving again. He felt deeply ashamed.

Sometimes he would entertain a bold thought: what if his eldest brother could stay in Chang’an? If Big Brother stayed, Father would surely stay too. Since they hadn’t divided the family property, Third Brother’s family would naturally stay as well. His younger sister wasn’t married yet, so she was already with them.

But such thoughts would flash through his mind only briefly before he dismissed them. Chang’an was full of political intrigue, and he and Mu Wanyao were already treading carefully in this whirlpool. His family was accustomed to the straightforward ways of Lingnan and didn’t understand politics. If they stayed in Chang’an, they could easily become leverage in the hands of political enemies…

Big Brother’s nature was too honest for Chang’an. Although Third Brother held a jinshi degree, he only wanted to use it to conduct some quiet business, not pursue an official career. For Yan Shang to force them to stay would only harm them.

Thus, Yan Shang merely convinced his family to stay a few more days in Chang’an, saying they could return to Lingnan after some time.

As for Mu Wanyao, being Yan Shang’s new bride, regardless of how she usually conducted herself, she now had to play the role of a good daughter-in-law, ensuring Yan Shang’s family was comfortable in Chang’an and experiencing her meticulous care.

For the sake of keeping up appearances, Mu Wanyao hadn’t held many banquets at the residence lately, nor had she met with many officials – though Yan Shang’s family wouldn’t say anything openly, she still feared Father Yan would think she wasn’t properly behaved and unworthy of his son.

So by the tenth month, Yan Shang’s family was still in Chang’an.

It was during this tenth month that Yang Si, the third son of the Yang family, finally received his new assignment after half a year of waiting. The central government had dispatched him to the Youzhou border to fight and defend the frontier. Yang Si was given the rank of general and departed Chang’an for his post in Youzhou.

Compared to his previous modest departure when he went to serve in Longyu, this time he was accompanied by many attendants. But while his father had seen him off at the city gate last time, this time the Yang family was caught up in the political struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Qin, too preoccupied to spare anyone to bid him farewell.

Mu Wanyao wouldn’t see him off either – after the Ministry of Revenue incident, she and the Crown Prince stood on opposite sides, and someone as cold-blooded as Mu Wanyao wouldn’t give anyone reason for speculation.

Yet there was still someone who came to see Yang Si off at the city gate.

In the dim light of early morning, mist lingering in the air, Yang Si stood on the city wall with several young generals, all reeking of alcohol as they linked arms. The day before his departure, Yang Si had gotten completely drunk with them in the Northern Quarter, and today these generals had specially come to the city wall to see him off before their shift change.

With thick tongues, they beat their chests and assured Yang Si: “Don’t worry, Third Brother. We brothers will keep an eye on things for you. If anything happens to your family, we’ll send word immediately, won’t keep anything from you!”

“That’s right! You focus on fighting in Youzhou, we’ll watch over things in Chang’an for you!”

Yang Si smiled at them through bleary eyes, patting their shoulders and holding their hands while speaking at length. As the atmosphere on the city wall swayed between melancholy and sworn brotherhood, one of Yang Si’s attendants hurried up: “Third Young Master.”

Yang Si turned around, his handsome, cold face tinged with a very faint flush, appearing quite drunk, but when he looked back, his gaze was sharp and clear, showing no signs of intoxication.

The attendant hesitated before saying, “…A young lady has come to see Third Young Master off.”

Yang Si’s gaze emptied for a moment.

His drinking companions behind him excitedly grabbed his shoulder: “Third Brother, could it be your secret lover? Not fair, you never told us about this. Won’t you let your brothers meet her?”

Yang Si turned back with a smile: “It’s Second Master Yan’s sister – do you dare cause trouble?”

The drunken men sobered instantly, all falling silent. Yan Suchen’s reputation in Chang’an was… built on a series of cold-blooded incidents. Three years ago after the Ministry of Revenue case, the entire official circle had grown somewhat afraid of Yan Suchen. Now that Yan Suchen had returned to Chang’an… even Prince Qin, who had worked well with Yan Shang in the past, was somewhat wary.

After his marriage, Yan Suchen showed signs of leading the entire commoner faction. The noble families were all watching cautiously, not daring to provoke him. After all, Yan Suchen was now in the Ministry of Personnel… Known as the head of the Six Ministries, with someone like Yan Suchen in such an important department, everyone in Chang’an’s official circles had to carefully weigh their position before taking any action.

Who would dare provoke Yan Suchen’s sister?

Yang Si dismissed them and descended the wall with his attendant. His steps showed no sign of unsteadiness, and as he went down, his mind grew increasingly clear and his heart heavier.

Dawn had not yet broken, and the city gates remained closed. Yang Si stood at the bottom of the wall, watching as a young lady near the corner tower handed her horse’s reins to her maid and gracefully walked toward him. In the morning light, her apricot-colored skirt hem fluttered slightly, her eyes like glass beads, her lips tinged with peach red, her whole being as fresh as a valley orchid still covered in dew.

Yang Si silently watched as Yan Xiaozhou approached him with a gentle smile playing on her lips.

Her features were delicate, with a hint of girlish cleverness and spirit in her eyes. She clasped her hands and bowed to him, smiling: “I heard Third Young Master was being promoted and transferred to Youzhou to serve as a high official, protecting our homeland. A man’s ambition lies in the four corners of the world, and I greatly admire Third Young Master for this. But since you didn’t tell me when you were leaving, I had to guess the time to come see you off.”

She looked up with a smile: “I guessed right.”

The light in the young lady’s eyes was soft, secretly delighted, with a hint of expectation as she looked at him – seemingly waiting for his praise.

Yang Si thought of his late-night conversation with the Crown Prince and felt even more distressed.

He said flatly: “You’ve always been clever.”

Yan Xiaozhou looked at him in confusion, slightly furrowing her delicate brows, unable to understand why his attitude had changed so much from before. Could it be that he was upset she hadn’t told him her brother was Yan Shang? Could it be that he disliked her brother… just as Chang’an rumors said, that her brother had stolen the princess who was childhood sweetheart with Yang Si, and Yang Si deeply resented her brother?

Yang Si turned his face slightly, looking toward the red sun on the horizon, and said: “Did you have something to discuss with me?”

Yan Xiaozhou bit her lip, lowered her head, and took out a string of golden bells from the pouch hanging at her waist. Her ivory-white face flushed red in the morning sun as she held out the golden bells, head bowed as she softly said: “For you.”

Yang Si lowered his eyes, looking at the bells and her delicate white fingers.

Behind his back, his hand clenched into a trembling fist. Yet his face remained cold as usual as he looked down at the bells for a long time, not reaching out to take them.

The rosy flush faded from Yan Xiaozhou’s face, leaving her somewhat pale. She looked up at him with clear black eyes, but her hand stubbornly remained extended, not withdrawing the bells.

Yan Xiaozhou said softly: “You said that when we first met, after hearing my voice, you felt that only my voice could awaken you. Of course, I can’t give you my voice, so I’m giving you these bells… to remember me by.”

Yang Si looked at her for a long time.

There was no one else before the city wall, just the two of them standing there foolishly. The maid waiting for Yan Xiaozhou had already grown angry at Yang Si’s indifference and wanted to persuade her mistress to leave. However, Yan Xiaozhou still hadn’t withdrawn her hand.

Yang Si spoke slowly: “Sister Xiaozhou, I am going to Youzhou to get married.”

Yan Xiaozhou’s hand holding the bells trembled slightly, her face growing paler. She pressed her lips together and managed a forced smile, lowering her eyes as she said softly: “That’s… that’s wonderful… I wish you happiness. I didn’t mean anything else, please take the bells, just as a memento between old friends.”

Yang Si hardened his heart: “I cannot let my future wife misunderstand.”

Yan Xiaozhou kept her eyes lowered: “I don’t take back gifts once given, my feelings weren’t wrong, you were the one who led me to misunderstand. Take the bells – throw them away or break them if you wish. I’ve given them regardless, I did nothing wrong… I just want to see this through to the end.”

She suddenly grabbed his hand and forcefully pressed the bells into it. Yang Si stepped forward, but Yan Xiaozhou turned and walked away toward her maid. She didn’t look back, but with Yang Si’s keen eyesight, he saw the moisture welling up in her eyes as she turned… his heart felt as if pierced by thorns.

But Yang Si in Chang’an had no true freedom – all his willfulness came with conditions, with others backing him. Since he had contentedly accepted others’ kindness, he couldn’t evade his responsibilities. Moreover, his years of friendship with the Crown Prince… how could that be false?

Yang Si took a deep breath, clutching the golden bells tightly in his hand as he turned toward the city gate. His face cold and emotionless, he shouted at his attendants: “Open the gate! We’re leaving—”

Yan Xiaozhou rode back to the residence, heartbroken the entire way.

She kept her head down, tears constantly falling, unable to dry them no matter how much she wiped with her handkerchief. This was her first time falling for a young man, and he had been the one pursuing her… Yet now, these months of joy and unspoken feelings seemed like lies.

Perhaps Yang Si had his reasons, perhaps he was just playing with her and stopped once he discovered she was Yan Shang’s sister… But whatever the reason, her love had withered.

Yan Xiaozhou returned to the alley where the Princess’s residence was located, hurriedly fixing her makeup with her maid. She needed to return to the residence where Yan Shang had previously lived, now occupied by the Yan family. She didn’t want her family to notice she had been crying – she couldn’t bear to worry them, so she had to wipe away her tears.

As Yan Xiaozhou dismounted at the gate, she encountered Mu Wanyao coming out of the Princess’s residence.

Mu Wanyao emerged from the residence holding a feather fan, waving it gently. She covered half her face with a round fan, her gaze alluring as she looked over, her cloud-like hair adorned with pearls and jewels, dressed in fine silks.

This sister-in-law of Yan Xiaozhou, the Princess, was forever exquisite and resplendent, shining like a bright pearl wherever she stood.

Yan Xiaozhou quickly composed herself and respectfully greeted her sister-in-law. She instinctively felt a kind of fear toward her sister-in-law, perhaps because Mu Wanyao was born a princess, or perhaps because Mu Wanyao had been fierce with her when she was young… In any case, Yan Xiaozhou wished she could worship her sister-in-law like a bodhisattva.

Mu Wanyao had been planning to go next door to chat with the Yan family and shamelessly join them for lunch. Since Yan Shang was working at the Ministry of Personnel and wouldn’t return, Mu Wanyao intended to spend quality time with his family.

Mu Wanyao glanced at Yan Xiaozhou and stopped: “Why were you crying?”

Yan Xiaozhou trembled: “…I wasn’t.”

Mu Wanyao frowned: “Your powder and rouge are all streaked from tears, yet you say you weren’t crying?”

Yan Xiaozhou was bewildered, not knowing how her sister-in-law had such keen eyes to notice. Her maid had assured her it wasn’t visible at all.

As Yan Xiaozhou was contemplating how to lie her way through her sister-in-law’s questioning, Mu Wanyao rested her chin on her feather fan, her heart-stirring slightly. Since Yan Xiaozhou was Yan Shang’s most beloved sister, wouldn’t showing herself to be an understanding sister-in-law earn her merit with Yan Shang?

Mu Wanyao immediately showed seven parts of genuine concern for her sister-in-law: “Quick, come back to my residence to wash your face and fix your makeup. If you return to the residence looking like this, you’ll worry Father-in-law and your brothers and sisters-in-law.”

Yan Xiaozhou hurriedly said it wasn’t necessary, but Mu Wanyao didn’t give her a chance to refuse. The maids coaxed and guided this young sister-in-law back to the Princess’s residence. Meanwhile, Mu Wanyao glanced at Yan Xiaozhou’s confused maid, then gave Qiusi a meaningful look, signaling her to extract information about why Yan Xiaozhou had been crying.

Thus, half an hour later, Mu Wanyao was firmly holding Yan Xiaozhou, sympathetically discussing relationship matters with her sister-in-law. At first, Yan Xiaozhou refused to admit anything, but after being tricked several times by Mu Wanyao, she yielded. After all, she was just a young lady who had never experienced love before – how could she match her sister-in-law’s wealth of experience?

Moreover, her sister-in-law gritted her teeth alongside her: “Yang Si is such a bastard! I had already warned him not to touch you, but he couldn’t control himself and didn’t even consult me! That bastard, I’ll curse him with you!”

Yan Xiaozhou had just composed herself, but Mu Wanyao’s words brought fresh tears. As Mu Wanyao probed indirectly, Yan Xiaozhou sobbed, unable to hold back.

She lifted her powder-white face, her wet eyelashes clumping together, looking lost: “Sister-in-law, was I just being played with?”

Mu Wanyao hesitated.

Yan Xiaozhou possessed the same sensitivity as Yan Shang – the slightest pause in Mu Wanyao’s eyes was enough for her to notice. Yan Xiaozhou said softly: “Sister-in-law, does Third Young Master have some difficulty he can’t speak of? Sister-in-law, please tell me. I won’t pursue him, I just want to understand where I went wrong.”

After a long silence, Mu Wanyao slowly explained in terms Yan Xiaozhou could understand: “Xiaozhou, you and your third brother have been in Chang’an for over half a year now. Do you understand that the situation in Chang’an is extremely volatile? Whether it’s me, your brother, or Yang Si… none of us are truly free to act as we wish. Every decision we make affects more than just ourselves.”

Yan Xiaozhou seemed to grasp something: “Sister-in-law means someone told Third Young Master to stay away from me? Is it…”

Suddenly she understood: “Sister-in-law, do you and brother both want me to keep my distance from Yang Si?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened, inwardly marveling at how quick Yan Shang’s sister was to understand.

Mu Wanyao frowned and said: “I just learned about you and Yang Si – your brother probably doesn’t even know yet. Our attitude… is not too bad. While marriage alliances are one expression of political stance, they’re not everything. And someone like your brother probably cares more about whether you’re happy than anything else.

“But Xiaozhou, most people in Chang’an aren’t like your brother, do you understand?

“I grew up with Yang Si, so I should speak fairly for him. He’s not the type to toy with young ladies carelessly. His inconsistent attitude can only mean either the Yang family refuses to ally with us through marriage, or the Crown Prince ordered him to refuse. Either way, problems arising from political stance become issues between two families, not just between two people.”

Yan Xiaozhou lowered her eyes.

She said softly: “Then did brother and you marry for political alliance, to form an alliance?”

Mu Wanyao immediately stood up, exclaiming: “Of course not!”

Yan Xiaozhou was startled by her reaction.

Mu Wanyao softened her manner and said gently: “Your brother married the Princess because he truly loves me. We’re different from others, of course.”

Yan Xiaozhou was stunned, watching Mu Wanyao speak without blushing about how her brother was infatuated with her. While the Princess was so frank, Yan Xiaozhou blushed on her sister-in-law’s behalf, unable to speak for a long while.

After some time, Yan Xiaozhou returned to the topic of Yang Si, saying wistfully: “He didn’t wrong me, I won’t blame him anymore.”

After thoroughly consoling her sister-in-law and seeing her mood improve, Mu Wanyao linked arms with her, suggesting they go next door for lunch together. Though Yan Xiaozhou felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing her sister-in-law so eager to build relationships with them, she still composed herself, planning to help her sister-in-law.

At the Yan residence, when Father Yan and the others heard that Princess Danyang was coming again, they smiled wryly – ah, a princess.

But naturally, they couldn’t refuse.

So the family had lunch together, except for Yan Shang. Though there was a natural barrier between Mu Wanyao and them, today with Yan Xiaozhou helping to make witty remarks, the atmosphere at the table was passably good.

However, during the meal, there was a small incident.

Mu Wanyao choked on a bite of food and turned aside, covering her cough with a handkerchief. Her maids stood guard outside the room, and when the Princess started coughing, the Third Brother’s wife sitting next to Mu Wanyao was startled and anxiously poured wine for the Princess.

Still coughing, Mu Wanyao forgot who was beside her and spoke harshly as if to her maids: “What wine? Can’t you see I’m coughing? Remove this dish, it can’t be eaten anymore.”

The eldest brother’s wife hurriedly complied and began bustling about.

The third brother’s wife came to pat Mu Wanyao’s back, while the eldest brother’s wife took the handkerchief the Princess naturally handed over and offered her a fresh one. Yan Xiaozhou cleverly jumped up to brew tea for her sister-in-law.

The other men of the Yan family all stood up, awkwardly surrounding the Princess with anxious concern.

When Mu Wanyao finally recovered, she let out a breath, wiped the tears from her eyes, and turned to face everyone… she found her two sisters-in-law kneeling at her feet serving her like maids, the three men standing like servants waiting for her orders, and Yan Xiaozhou holding a pot of tea waiting to help her rinse her mouth.

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Her face flushed deep red, deeply mortified at having treated Yan Shang’s family like servants.

The Yan family also belatedly realized the situation, the sisters-in-law awkwardly returning to their seats, the men unable to speak, until Father Yan stiffly asked: “Your Highness, this meal… shall we continue?”

Mu Wanyao, frustrated at failing to be a good daughter-in-law, could only grit her teeth and say: “Yes!”

While Mu Wanyao was struggling to be a good daughter-in-law, Yan Shang was summoned to the palace by the Emperor. Since his return to the capital, he had frequently been called for royal audiences. The Emperor used him as a tool, deploying him wherever needed, and Yan Shang had grown accustomed to it.

But on this day, Yan Shang hadn’t even had time for lunch before being summoned to the palace, and the Emperor didn’t see him immediately.

Yan Shang waited for about half an hour until the Emperor awoke from his afternoon nap and allowed him to enter the hall.

After being granted a seat, the Emperor finished drinking his medicine for the day while coughing. Yan Shang sat below while the Emperor reclined in his chair, turning his face to look at the autumn maples rustling outside the window, and slowly said: “Another year is almost over. When the leaves have all fallen, we’ll have reached the end again. Life’s hurried decades are probably about the same.”

Yan Shang said gently: “Your Majesty, why such melancholy? Your Majesty is blessed by heaven, and with the overseas divine physician’s care, you will surely enjoy longevity.”

The Emperor said self-mockingly: “Many are eager for my death.”

Yan Shang continued to offer gentle consolation.

He always spoke this way, and even though the Emperor knew this man likely held no real feeling for him, one’s speech reflects one’s cultivation. Yan Shang’s pleasant way of speaking made the Emperor’s expression much more relaxed. The Emperor smiled lightly: “I understand what Yaoyao sees in you.”

As Yan Shang sat quietly, his eyelashes trembled slightly.

The Emperor said: “Anyone would like someone who’s good-looking and knows how to be clever and obedient, wouldn’t they?”

The Emperor spoke as if Yan Shang were just a pet Mu Wanyao kept, only needing to wag his tail and beg for a favor.

Yan Shang’s expression remained unchanged as he expressed his shame.

The Emperor’s thoughtful gaze moved from his face, and Yan Shang remained impassive, inwardly impressing the Emperor. When the Emperor had been in better health, he might have been interested in crossing swords with such a young man. But now… the Emperor feared someone like Yan Shang.

He needed to use this man, yet feared this man wouldn’t be under his control.

The Emperor smiled slightly and, gazing out the window at the scenery, fell into reminiscence: “I don’t have many children, and Yaoyao is my most beloved daughter. Until she was fifteen, she grew up in a honey jar, spoiled by her mother and me. We raised her to be innocent and naive, ignorant of worldly matters. If possible, we would have wished for her to remain that way forever.

“But as a princess, when the country has a need, she must make her contribution.”

Yan Shang listened in silence.

The Emperor’s expression changed from tender to cruel: “I sent her in a political marriage, and I’ve never regretted that decision. She made a sacrifice for Great Wei, and all of Great Wei will be grateful to her. This was her duty as a princess – even as the daughter of an empress, what must be done must be done.

“My only heartache is that the Wuman are uncivilized, crude, and barbaric. In the two years and more that Yaoyao spent there in marriage, her body was ruined. My daughter can never bear children again. She is no longer a complete woman!”

Yan Shang slowly raised his eyes to look at the grief-stricken Emperor.

As the Emperor spoke with agitation, he began coughing violently again. The palace eunuch beside him hurriedly patted his back, anxiously telling the Emperor not to get so emotional. But the Emperor wouldn’t listen, lamenting to Yan Shang about his daughter’s inability to bear children, his face streaked with tears… then the Emperor looked at Yan Shang again.

Seeing Yan Shang’s calm expression.

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed: “You knew?”

Yan Shang felt weary in his heart, silently sighing.

He could see through the Emperor’s coldness and cruelty. The Emperor’s pretense seemed ridiculous to Yan Shang. However, this was the Emperor – even though Yan Shang didn’t care about these matters, he could hardly question an emperor… Yan Shang only felt that bone-deep exhaustion in each brief interaction with the Emperor.

Yan Shang answered: “This subject knows Her Highness cannot bear children.”

The Emperor was stunned, not expecting that Mu Wanyao would even tell Yan Shang this. He couldn’t understand for a moment – if Mu Wanyao had told Yan Shang even this, why would these two still marry? Did Yan Shang need Mu Wanyao’s power? Could he endure all this for the sake of power?

The Emperor’s expression grew cold: “Since that’s the case, I won’t waste words. I love Yaoyao most dearly and cannot bear to see her wronged. You are her consort, bound to share her glory and her shame. She cannot bear children, but you can – I fear you might keep concubines outside, secretly have children, and come back to torment my Yaoyao.

“As a father, I must look after Yaoyao’s interests.”

After a long moment, Yan Shang asked: “What would Your Majesty have this subject do? Swear to have no other woman but Her Highness for life?”

The Emperor gave a cold smile.

He said: “I don’t believe in such things. I will have the Imperial Physician bring a bowl of sterilization medicine – drink it, and I will believe you.”

Yan Shang remained silent for a long time.

He said: “Very well.”

Liu Wenji was returning from the palace training grounds, his body covered in sweat. While changing clothes in a palace chamber, a young eunuch whispered a few words in his ear. Liu Wenji’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately headed back out.

The old Emperor’s illness must be getting worse.

To make Yan Shang sterile!

Because his daughter couldn’t bear children, he would make others childless too?

Was this the way of their royal family?

Liu Wenji stood under the blazing sun, anxious for a long while before deciding to try speaking with Mu Wanyao – if she could be so heartless toward her husband, then there was nothing more to be said.