The Yan family’s eldest brother and his family and Father Yan were preparing to return to Lingnan. Third Brother Yan, taking advantage of Wei Shu’s return from his diplomatic mission and the court’s opening of trade routes with the Western Regions, planned to seek opportunities in Hexi and other regions. With Second Brother serving as an official, making travel arrangements was easier, but Third Brother had no intention of following in his second brother’s footsteps.

Unable to dissuade her husband, Third Brother’s wife had no choice but to take their children and return to Lingnan with the rest of the Yan family.

They entrusted only Yan Xiaozhou to Yan Shang, leaving her in Chang’an. The reason was obvious – to find her a good marriage match.

Yan Shang had learned from Mu Wanyao about his sister’s entanglement with Yang Third Young Master, leaving him shocked and conflicted, unsure how to discuss this matter with his sister. Since Yan Xiaozhou was exceptionally well-behaved and never showed any signs of emotional turmoil over this matter, and Yang Third Young Master was already engaged… Yan Shang could only keep his sister close while discussing with Mu Wanyao about waiting until she forgot about the Third Young Master before arranging any marriage.

Mu Wanyao naturally agreed with this.

She and Yan Shang could certainly afford to support a young lady – not to mention that she never lacked money, and even someone as honest as Yan Shang, having reached his current official position, couldn’t possibly be short of funds despite his integrity. Moreover, Mu Wanyao secretly suspected that Yang Si’s interest in Yan Shang’s sister stemmed from her frequent private discussions with Yang Si about their aesthetic preferences for the opposite sex.

Perhaps her repeated praise of Yan Shang had made Yang Si particularly desire a lady with Yan Shang’s temperament.

How innocent Yan Xiaozhou was in all this.

Thus, Mu Wanyao devoted herself to being a good sister-in-law, determined to make her sister-in-law comfortable in Chang’an.

This raised another question – with all the Yan family members leaving, should Yan Xiaozhou live in her brother and sister-in-law’s Princess Manor, or stay alone in the mansion next door? Now that Yan Shang no longer lived in the neighboring mansion, should they sell such a large, empty courtyard?

Yan Shang felt there was no need to waste money maintaining an empty courtyard, believing his sister should just live with them.

Mu Wanyao was indifferent about it.

Father Yan hesitated before saying, “Let’s keep the mansion.”

Seeing his second son’s confused look and the princess’s indifferent expression, he hesitated before explaining, “If you two have a disagreement and quarrel, keeping this mansion gives Second Son somewhere to go.”

Yan Shang was startled, then his face flushed red, feeling both amused and exasperated. What Father suggested seemed to imply that if he and Mu Wanyao quarreled, she would drive him out and not let him return home. However, although Mu Wanyao was a princess with a strong temperament, she had never treated him that way.

Indeed, Father Yan’s words had an immediate effect on Mu Wanyao, whose gaze suddenly became fixed.

Mu Wanyao grabbed Yan Shang’s arm and immediately declared her plans for the courtyard: “Sell it! We must sell it! Couples who quarrel at the head of the bed make up at the foot – no matter how badly Yan’s Second Brother and I fight, I would never allow him to sleep separately from me.”

Father Yan: “…There will be times when it’s inconvenient.”

Mu Wanyao: “There will never be inconvenient times!”

She threatened Yan Shang: “We can quarrel, but I’d rather die than let you sleep separately from me.”

As long as they didn’t sleep separately, problems could often be half-solved after one night’s rest, and completely resolved after several nights. She had discovered that physical contact was particularly important in resolving issues between men and women. Even during their worst arguments, once they had physical contact, both their attitudes would soften as a result.

And once attitudes softened, they would be in the mood to communicate.

When two people like each other, they naturally want physical contact. If Yan Shang got used to sleeping separately and didn’t want to touch her, showing no desire for her, that would be when they truly had problems.

Yan Shang felt embarrassed by Mu Wanyao’s resolute words. Although selling the courtyard was also his intention, they had different reasons in mind. He gently pushed Mu Wanyao, indicating she shouldn’t be too intimate with him in front of others.

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow: You consider your father an outsider?

Yan Shang cleared his throat softly.

Seeing the young couple’s meaningful glances, Father Yan couldn’t help but smile, no longer expressing any opinion about keeping or selling the residence.

When he first came to Chang’an, he had been full of worries, fearing either that his second son had married the princess for promotion, or that he had been forced into the marriage by the princess.

Though typically timid and hesitant to question or express opinions about many things, he couldn’t help but pray to his late wife for the courage to intervene in this matter that would affect his child’s entire life.

He had stayed in Chang’an for half a year, living next to the Princess Manor, wanting to observe the daily interactions between his second son and the princess. If his second son had been coerced, he would have taken his children and fled overseas rather than let them suffer. After half a year of observation, he could see that his second son and this proud princess were indeed, as Yan Shang had said, truly compatible.

How proud and willful a lady the princess was, yet whenever she was with his second son, her gaze would unconsciously follow him, inadvertently revealing her possessive heart toward Yan Second – her every word and action told everyone: Yan Shang is mine, my possession, my exclusive property.

Mine, mine, mine!

No one can take him away from me!

Though his daughter-in-law’s possessiveness and his son’s gentle, acquiescent nature left Father Yan with complex feelings, he was nevertheless relieved.

Thus, after Yan Shang decided to have his sister live in the Princess Manor and sell the mansion across from it, Third Brother Yan departed for Hexi, while Father Yan, the eldest brother’s family, and Third Brother’s wife boarded ox carts to return to Lingnan.

Sitting in the ox cart as the sun set and red clouds filled the sky, Father Yan looked back at the majestic Chang’an city, his heart filled with nostalgia as he recalled many memories of days past-

Such as the year he took the imperial examinations to become a jin shi, which was the first year the Great Wei Dynasty held examinations;

He had been lucky, passing on his first try as that year’s third-ranked scholar, with princesses and noble ladies of Chang’an all extending their olive branches;

Though peaceful and weak, even timid, the bravest thing he had done in his life was to give up his imminent official position to elope with that lady, thereafter wandering north and south with their children…

Thinking of his late wife, Father Yan let out a gentle sigh, his handsome face showing traces of both sorrow and tenderness.

The spring wind was bitingly cold, and he drew his sleeves closer, turning his head away, no longer looking back at Chang’an or his old memories. Like those old days, he was now growing old, and Chang’an’s future lay in the hands of young people like Second Son and Her Highness.

No need to think more-

At the Luling Princess Manor, upon hearing that Yan Shang’s father had left, the Princess sat up from her couch, letting out a light snort, though her eyes showed complex emotions.

Feeling that Chang’an had been unstable lately, the Princess had grown cautious. Though she avoided politics, she had people gather information about recent events. News about Mu Wanyao was her top priority, which was why even news of Father Yan’s departure was reported to her.

The Princess felt uneasy, wondering if Father Yan’s departure might indicate that Yan’s Second Son was having his family leave before planning something in Chang’an.

And Father Yan…

The Princess’s eyes filled with reminiscence, recalling that long ago, when her brother first held the imperial examinations, that year’s third-ranked scholar had also been surnamed Yan. At that time, all the princesses had been captivated by him. The young and pure Yan Scholar of that year had caused far more sensation than today’s courteous and proper Yan Second Son.

After more than twenty years, another cycle had begun.

After contemplating, the Princess instructed her servants: “From today onward, I will pray for my late husband’s blessing. Invite Taoist priests and shamans for sacrifices and prayers. I will seclude myself for a month, and we will not participate in any outside matters.”-

When the March imperial examination results were announced, the gates of the Danyang Princess Manor were almost worn down by visitors, either seeking Mu Wanyao’s recommendations or brazenly approaching Yan Shang with their examination papers.

As Yan Shang was the Personnel Evaluation Official in the Ministry of Personnel, he was naturally in charge of examination matters. In his first year handling this, he made some changes to both the rules and the types of examination questions. Those candidates who had previously thought success was certain became somewhat anxious, and noble families all came to inquire about the situation.

Fortunately, Yan Shang’s reputation preceded him, and people dared not be too excessive.

Yan Shang was merely trying to reform the examination system – he had once mentioned to his teacher during a casual conversation that focusing solely on poetry and prose for selecting candidates wasn’t entirely fair.

At that time, Minister Liu had said they needed to compromise with the noble families.

Now Yan Shang wanted to gradually break this monopoly, trying different approaches. He didn’t need to fight the noble families to the death; testing the waters bit by bit would suffice.

This year’s examination saw the number of commoners passing increase by thirty percent compared to previous years, a proportion the noble families could still accept while greatly encouraging the commoners. Everything was proceeding as Mu Wanyao had initially planned – only by controlling the Ministry of Personnel could commoners have a chance.

Yan Shang wasn’t denying noble families their opportunities or forcing them into a desperate situation. The noble families also felt that since commoners were destined to rise, having someone as harmonious and elegant as Yan Second Son as their leader was better than facing a strict and severe commoner leader.

Everyone understood the situation – those who needed to compromise did so, those who needed to rise did so, and everywhere maintained an appearance of harmony.

After the examinations, during the court official transfers, Wei Shu was assigned to the Ministry of Rites, promoted to Section Chief, managing Great Wei’s trade routes with neighboring countries and putting his years of diplomatic experience to use.

In April of that year, military unrest broke out in Taiyuan Prefecture, with the Northern Capital’s Taiyuan Governor being killed by rebels, shocking the central government. The central government hurried to send officials from Chang’an to suppress the rebellion, but Chang’an officials were unwilling to go to the provinces, and upon hearing of Taiyuan’s current chaos, they all declined, fearing they might not return.

Yan Shang voluntarily requested imperial orders to go to Taiyuan to quell the unrest and pacify the people. He would return to Chang’an once a new Taiyuan Governor was selected.

Since no one else wanted to go, Yan Shang’s transfer order was issued particularly quickly. He went to Taiyuan as an Inspector, with the court giving him ten thousand troops to suppress the rebellion.

After Yan Shang’s arrival, Taiyuan affairs began to stabilize. Officials in Chang’an had complex feelings as they received continuous reports of victory from Taiyuan, describing how Yan Second was stabilizing the situation, visiting households one by one, establishing government offices where officials lived and ate alongside the people, reforming policies… During this period, Yan Shang only deployed troops once, and no one died in Taiyuan after his arrival.

Court officials had to admit that when it came to practical matters, Yan Shang had never failed.

By June, Chang’an was no longer concerned with Taiyuan affairs. The central government sent a new Taiyuan Governor to take over, recalling Yan Shang to court. That month, the Emperor went to the summer resort to recuperate as he did every year. The Emperor made this arrangement annually without fail, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.

Before leaving Chang’an this time, the Emperor again had the Crown Prince oversee court affairs.

Mu Wanyao was summoned by the Emperor – people said the Emperor favored this youngest daughter who had married, always liking to take her to the summer resort to spend time together. However, only Mu Wanyao herself truly knew the inner circumstances-

At the summer resort at the foot of Bell Mountain, after one night, at daybreak, Mu Wanyao went to pay respects to her Imperial Father. However, the serving eunuchs said His Majesty was unwell and needed rest, so he wouldn’t see the Princess.

Mu Wanyao’s expression faltered slightly: “Is Liu Gonggong not here?”

The young eunuch bowed: “Liu Gonggong is handling matters in Chang’an and didn’t accompany us this time.”

Mu Wanyao impatiently: “Then have Cheng’an see me. I should at least ask about my Imperial Father’s health, shouldn’t I?”

The young eunuch continued smiling apologetically: “Gong-gong Cheng is seriously ill and also didn’t accompany us this time. Only humble servants like us came along.”

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow.

The eunuch secretly glanced up to see the Princess giving him a meaningful half-smile. The young eunuch’s heart pounded, almost thinking the Princess had seen through everything. But Mu Wanyao didn’t ask further, turning to return to her quarters, allowing the young eunuch to breathe a sigh of relief.

Mu Wanyao chatted briefly with the accompanying ministers before returning to rest. Without her husband by her side, she felt somewhat listless and bored. Reading books held no interest, and playing the qin had no audience to appreciate it, so Mu Wanyao sat before her dressing mirror and began to do her makeup again.

Now that Xia Rong had married, Qiu Si had officially become Mu Wanyao’s most capable lady-in-waiting. After returning from gathering information outside, Qiu Si worriedly said to the Princess: “The summer resort is under such strict control this year. Your servant couldn’t go anywhere, and the eunuchs wouldn’t let anyone pass no matter how many bribes were offered.”

Qiu Si: “Your Highness, do you think something might happen?”

Mu Wanyao gazed at her beauty reflected in the dressing mirror, saying languidly: “I’m not afraid of something happening. It would be strange if nothing happened.”

Qiu Si immediately tensed up: “Ah?!”

Mu Wanyao lowered her head, the ivory comb gently brushing through her dark hair at the temples, remaining silent in contemplation, not engaging with her maid. Just then, sudden chaos erupted outside, arousing the curiosity of both mistress and servant in the chamber.

Fang Tong burst into the outer chamber without announcement, her voice tense: “Your Highness, something’s happened! The Prince of Qin has surrounded the summer resort with troops, claiming to ‘clear out the emperor’s inner circle’ and ‘eliminate treacherous officials’!”

Qiu Si, a fifteen-year-old girl, hurriedly lifted the curtain. Seeing the blood on Fang Tong’s body, her face turned pale with fright, looking helplessly toward the Princess.

Mu Wanyao’s ivory comb paused, and she sneered.

Mu Wanyao murmured: “So they’ve finally taken this step.”

The Prince of Qin’s rebellion… she and her Imperial Father had forced this outcome. From last year until now, they had finally forced the Prince of Qin to rebel.

Because they needed to eliminate the Jiang family, because they couldn’t let the Jiang family rely on the Prince of Qin’s power, the Emperor had to contain the currently most powerful noble family, the Jiang clan, in his final years. How could the Prince of Qin not resent this, how could he not rebel? The noble families, noble families, had become like an obsession to the Emperor-

During his lifetime, the Emperor was determined to suppress the noble families until they had no chance of rising again.

Before his death, he was determined to have the commoners suppress the noble families.

Before the servants could ask more, with a “bang,” Mu Wanyao set her comb down on the table and stood up. She strode outward, her robes flying, her aura fierce and murderous. Walking to Fang Tong’s side, she casually drew the sword from Fang Tong’s waist. The gauze curtain brushed past the sword’s edge and instantly split in two.

Qiu Si and the other women, following such a commanding lady, felt their hearts steady.

While walking outward with a sword in hand, Mu Wanyao ordered: “Climb the corner tower, change the flags! Announce the Prince of Qin’s rebellion, summon the regional lords to Chang’an to protect the Emperor!”

“Have all the ministers on guard here come see me! Tell them the Prince of Qin has rebelled, there’s no need for restraint. Let them temporarily serve as generals, and mobilize troops and commanders. If they can ensure His Majesty’s safety, they won’t lack for rewards!”

The orders were issued one after another, methodically, and people gradually found their bearing, no longer in panic.

Fang Tong closely followed Mu Wanyao: “Your Highness, where are we going now?”

Mu Wanyao raised her eyes, revealing traces of mockery in her ice-cold gaze. Looking toward the direction of the Emperor’s sleeping quarters, her voice strange: “We’re going to my Imperial Father’s chambers to see… what purpose he had for this year’s summer resort visit, how severely ill he must be, that he doesn’t dare to see me.”

Now there was no father-daughter relationship, only that of ruler and subject. Mu Wanyao wanted to see if the Emperor was as she suspected!-

Dust clouds billowed on Bell Mountain as troops that had been hidden there for days and months kicked up dirt, following their generals’ lead to attack the summer resort below. These soldiers belonged to the Southern Command, not much different from the Prince of Qin’s private army.

With the Jiang family’s borrowed troops and passage, they were naturally unstoppable!

As troops thundered downward, the Prince of Qin wore armor and mail, holding a long sword, mounted on a fine steed. Since the Li clan’s retreat, the Prince of Qin had taken control of the Ministry of War, managing it for nearly ten years until it was as tight as a drum, following only his orders, not the emperor’s. With the Emperor pressing step by step, who would be willing to keep retreating?

The Prince of Qin waved his sword, leading the charge toward the resort. His personal guards killed the resort’s outer guards, and he shot an arrow killing the scout on the corner tower, his voice thundering like lightning: “Fellow soldiers, you are all heroes of Great Wei! In recent years, my Imperial Father has grown old and confused, showing excessive favor to my Sixth Sister. My Sixth Sister is but a woman, and has been deceived by that treacherous Yan Second.

“They control state affairs, and nowadays the court only knows of the renowned minister Yan Suchen, and not my Imperial Father! Today we shall clear out those around the throne and rescue my Imperial Father from the hands of these treacherous villains! Men, if you trust me, then join me in charging in!

“When we succeed today, you will all be rewarded!”

The soldiers were inspired, their momentum growing stronger. Their eyes gleamed with fierce excitement as they stared intently at the summer resort. Believing the Prince of Qin’s words, they felt they were carrying out righteous deeds. Led by the Prince’s guards, supporting voices rose from all directions-

“Long live the Prince of Qin!

“We won’t fail Your Highness’s command!”

The summer resort erupted in terror and chaos, watching them conquer territory like a plague of locusts sweeping in. The ministers accompanying the Emperor panicked, hurrying to find His Majesty, to find the Princess of Danyang who could take charge here-

Less than ten li from Bell Mountain, Yan Shang had been hiding with his troops in the wasteland for over a month. He had left the capital under the pretext of the Taiyuan rebellion, but his true imperial order was to guard against the Prince of Qin’s rebellion.

The Emperor, Mu Wanyao, and Yan Shang all knew that under such pressure, the Prince of Qin would be forced to rebel. But to eliminate the noble families, this move was necessary.

Scouts climbed the corner tower daily to watch Chang’an, and on this day, as soon as they climbed up, they saw the change in flags in Chang’an. The scouts immediately rode to report to their lord, dust flying as several horses galloped across the plain. Yan Shang took a deep breath, having already guessed the situation.

He mobilized troops and mounted his horse, having made his decision.

At the same time, a messenger came riding frantically to Yan Shang’s camp. The messenger, panting heavily: “My Lord, this is from His Majesty for you – it’s a letter from ten days ago! Please read it personally, my Lord!”

Yan Shang tore open the letter, and after reading it, his expression didn’t change. He handed the letter to Han Shuxing, letting him keep it safe. Yan Shang continued organizing the troops, having the soldiers follow him to Bell Mountain to rescue the Emperor.

Han Shuxing nervously asked: “Second Young Master, has the situation changed? What new orders did His Majesty give you?”

Yan Shang’s eyes curved slightly.

His subtle expression went unnoticed by most, but if Mu Wanyao were present, she would have seen his emotional changes – mockery, exhaustion. But he was also prepared and had anticipated this.

Yan Shang told Han Shuxing: “His Majesty didn’t give me any new orders. He just told me that my wife is at the summer resort below Bell Mountain.”

Han Shuxing didn’t understand: “Hasn’t Her Highness been with His Majesty all along? We already knew that. Why would His Majesty specifically mention this?”

Yan Shang smiled while gazing at the rolling dust clouds below Bell Mountain, saying: “He fears I might deliberately delay the rescue, deliberately stall for time. In military matters, every moment is crucial – each breath of delay can cause the situation to change instantly. He just wants to ensure I won’t find excuses to delay, he just thinks… I might find excuses to delay, unwilling to properly carry out the rescue.”

Yan Shang said mockingly: “His meaning is, at the summer resort, there is only Yao Yao. If I don’t rescue them, Yao Yao will die. He wants to see if I will rescue them or not.”

Han Shuxing: “…Your Great Wei Emperor is too suspicious. Second Young Master has worked so hard for him, yet he still distrusts you like this.”

Yan Shang remained silent.

He thought to himself that it wasn’t like this before – even three years ago, the old Emperor wasn’t like this. It only showed that as the old Emperor’s health deteriorated, he increasingly distrusted everyone… it seemed only benefits could last.

Yan Shang stopped thinking about these matters, tired of court struggles, tired of the psychological warfare with the Emperor. He would only do what he should do… if this ruler couldn’t be relied upon, they could pack up and leave!

Yan Shang ordered his troops to drive toward Bell Mountain to rescue the Emperor!-

The rebel army invaded, killing and looting without restraint. The ministers hiding in the resort found Mu Wanyao and anxiously followed the Princess: “Your Highness, the Prince of Qin’s army is like a plague of locusts, we cannot hold them back!”

Mu Wanyao spoke coldly while walking: “Whether you can hold them or not, you must. You only need to hold for a few moments, someone will come to save us.”

Deep in her heart, she thought this was a good opportunity to take control of the Ministry of War… no one could stop her from gaining merit for rescuing the Emperor!

The ministers: “Who? Has Your Highness already sent someone to Chang’an for help? Or are there regional lords coming to rescue the Emperor? Your Highness…”

Mu Wanyao spoke harshly: “What does that matter to you? You only need to be loyal to your ruler! The Prince of Qin’s army has reached the gates, why are you following me? Why aren’t you mobilizing troops, why aren’t you organizing all the soldiers in the resort?

“If I have to personally handle everything, what use are you?

“The Prince of Qin has already rebelled! Do you want to be traitors alongside him?”

After dismissing the ministers, Mu Wanyao, protected by Fang Tong and other guards, reached the Emperor’s chambers. Eunuchs outside still blocked Mu Wanyao from entering. However, this time, Fang Tong and others took direct action, and Mu Wanyao charged into the palace without hesitation.

She assumed the full bearing of a filial child, declaring: “The rebels have arrived! This child will escort Imperial Father to escape this place. Whoever dares to obstruct is part of the rebel faction, seeking to kill the Emperor and seize the throne!”

The eunuchs panicked: “Your Highness, Your Highness you cannot charge in…”

Despite their protests about not charging in, Mu Wanyao had already entered.

Amidst the chaos and noise, Mu Wanyao pushed open the great doors to her Imperial Father’s sleeping chamber. The hall was thick with medicinal fragrances, plain gauze curtains billowing everywhere. Mu Wanyao stepped toward the inner chamber, sweeping her sword through the flying curtains-

The chamber was empty!

The entire room was devoid of people!

The Emperor wasn’t here at all!

The old Emperor had never come to the summer resort! He had only used her as bait, only used her as a dagger!

Mu Wanyao laughed coldly, having seen through the Emperor’s intentions. The eunuchs who had been blocking outside chased in. Seeing that the Princess had discovered the secret, they turned pale with fright and fell to their knees. Mu Wanyao turned back, ordering Fang Tong: “Give them weapons, take them to join the resort’s troops in meeting the Prince of Qin’s army.

“You were following my Imperial Father’s orders, so I won’t kill you. But since you let me go to my death, I won’t spare you either… go to the battlefield, let fate decide! If you die, I’ll richly reward your families for your loyalty to the Emperor and country. If you live, I won’t pursue today’s matters.

“Let us all submit to heaven’s will!”

Her sword pressed against the smooth floor tiles, her long robes blown by the wind, her slender figure containing limitless strength, her eyes burning with wildfire.

She showed no fear of the current chaos, listening to the rebels pouring in outside as if suddenly returning to that night she escaped from the Wu Man. But today was different from the past – today she knew she wasn’t fighting alone. Mu Wanyao raised her sword, pointing it toward the window-

“Men, fight with me!”-

Tens of thousands of troops, tens of thousands of voices!

The entire Bell Mountain was engulfed in dust clouds, Chang’an trembled at the sound, and the Northern Command began mobilizing troops! The Northern Command mobilized but did not leave the capital!

From Youzhou, Jizhou, to within the passes, across the vast plains, everything was visible. Yang Si led tens of thousands of troops, charging toward Chang’an like black lightning! Mountains and rivers for thousands of li lay beneath their feet, a streak of white lightning flashed across the horizon, the world suddenly illuminated-

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince quietly gazed at the chess board before him, lost in thought.

In the Qingning Palace of Chang’an’s imperial palace where the former Empress resided, the Emperor sat accompanied by the Chief Eunuch Cheng’an, waiting for news from all directions-

In Chang’an city, dark clouds gathered densely, covering thousands of li.

Yan Xiaozhou walked through the streets with several close female friends, all chatting and laughing. Hearing thunder overhead, they couldn’t help but look up;

At Minister Zhao’s mansion, Lord Zhao asked in detail about Consort Zhao Ling’s experiences over the years, then said after pondering: “Let Father make arrangements for you – how about letting Wei Juyuan propose? You’ve spent so many years together, he should take responsibility.”

Consort Zhao Ling blushed, then smiled while pressing her lips together. Suddenly hearing rolling thunder, lightning illuminated her snow-white face as she turned to look outside-

The storm had arrived, and none could escape!