Chunhua did not need to explain herself. She had wanted to question the Princess, to ask why she was being so cruel to her. After that unsatisfactory conclusion, she returned to her palace chambers in a daze, spending the entire afternoon sitting alone in the empty hall. She ignored the Crown Prince’s crying, paid no attention to the probing gazes of the palace servants, and didn’t care to know which of the small eunuchs peering outside her palace gates were sent to spy on her.

She refused Mu Wanyao, without question.

As an imperial consort, her husband was the supreme Emperor and her son was her only concern, her sole purpose. She didn’t like these things, but she didn’t hate them either. She had grown accustomed to this place; she couldn’t leave.

When Mu Wanyao heard her refusal, she gave a faint smile. The Princess’s smile was so cold, yet her gaze held a touch of sorrow. Mu Wanyao grieved for the passing of time, lamented the resignation of her former maid, and most of all—something both Mu Wanyao and Chunhua knew—from now on, this former master and servant would walk separate paths, never to meet again.

Chunhua’s heart felt like it was pierced by countless needles, full of pain.

Liu Wenji said he looked down on her, and the Princess said she had become vulgar and dull… Had she become so terrible that she lost both love and friendship? If she couldn’t escape this cage, would she fade away, dying silently in this magnificent yet suffocating palace?

Any woman with her thoughts would want to possess a soul as resilient and brave as Mu Wanyao’s, to steadfastly pursue what she wanted, to maintain her identity even after marriage.

What woman truly wishes to become a plain housewife, a burden, despised by all as worthless?

Chunhua bathed in the evening sunlight for a long time. She gradually came to hate herself, yet also pitied herself. She understood some things, yet felt she had never understood anything at all. It wasn’t until late at night that the small eunuchs hovering outside her chambers finally couldn’t hold back, quietly informing her that Eunuch Liu would come to visit Her Highness tonight.

Chunhua was startled and quickly tidied her appearance.

Before Liu Wenji arrived, he had just left the Emperor’s presence. The Emperor had completely forgotten about Chunhua’s grievance until Liu Wenji reminded him, and only then did he perfunctorily bestow some gifts to compensate for her wrongful treatment.

The Emperor was deeply troubled by Yan Shang’s intention to resign. His tantrums and unreasonable behavior were useless. Yan Shang insisted on resigning, but the Emperor refused to approve it. The Emperor was panic-stricken—

He often felt that Yan Shang overstepped his bounds, interfering in too many matters, and leaving him with no dignity. But now that Yan Shang wanted to leave, the Emperor realized how much he relied on him. If Yan Shang left, he would once again be overwhelmed by administrative affairs.

And this time, there might be no one to help him organize these matters.

Even if other officials were willing to be such capable assistants, the Emperor didn’t trust them.

Only after becoming Emperor did he understand what it meant to be truly alone, to know that among all his court officials, none could be trusted. He had obtained this throne too easily through luck, yet he couldn’t sit securely upon it. Amid storms, the Emperor lay sleepless night after night. He had hidden his incompetence for years, and now that it had become real incompetence, he feared his officials would discover his inadequacy…

Did all newly ascended emperors feel as lost as he did?

For Liu Wenji, this day was also one of chaos and confusion.

Yan Shang’s interference had muddied the waters between the three previously distinct factions. Originally, the three factions had each sought to ally with one other to defeat the isolated third. Now all three were seeking opportunities to rebuild. The noble families had been weakened due to the Northern District incident, the eunuchs had become isolated again without the noble families’ support, and the commoner officials were at a loss without the support of Princess Danyang and Yan Shang.

All three factions had fallen from grace.

Was this what Yan Shang wanted?

After this disruption, Liu Wenji could no longer simply swallow up the power of either the noble families or the commoner officials. He had lost the Hai family and needed to find new allies. Facing the noble families led by the Wei and Liu clans, and an incompetent emperor who only knew how to hedge his bets and dared not help anyone, Liu Wenji had to regroup his forces.

No matter.

Liu Wenji thought, I still have the Zhao family under my control. With the Zhao family, we can gradually undermine the foundation of the noble families.

And there was still the Emperor. As long as the Emperor remained as he was now, the eunuchs would continue to dominate the court. What did it matter if they seized good houses and fields, or if they bent the law for profit… People needed to survive, and couldn’t remain pure or only think of themselves. The expansion of power required some sacrifices, and what Liu Wenji sacrificed… was merely private virtue and reputation!

It mattered not!

Liu Wenji contemplated these court affairs, thinking he should actively encourage Yan Shang to leave Chang’an. Only with Yan Shang’s departure would he have a chance to rise. If Yan Shang remained in Chang’an, he would constantly find ways to suppress him… Liu Wenji never underestimated Yan Suchen’s abilities!

Yan Shang wanted to return to Lingnan to recover from illness… what a perfect opportunity!

Let him go! Better if he stayed in Lingnan for life and never returned to Chang’an!

When Liu Wenji came to pay respects to Imperial Consort Xian, his mind was filled with these administrative matters. He had boldly broken laws and even coveted the Emperor’s woman—what did he have to fear? However, when he saw Chunhua, he paused slightly, his expressionless face showing small cracks.

Liu Wenji stood with his hands down, pretending to have the eunuchs leave the Emperor’s precious gifts. After the eunuchs left, Liu Wenji looked at Chunhua and saw that she wore a light gauze robe, her black hair styled simply in two side buns. The golden and emerald hairpins at the ends of her hair reflected her rouge-tinted eyes and brows. In the dim candlelight, she stood gracefully, her appearance like that of an eighteen-year-old maiden.

She was shy and nervous, wallowing in anxiety and fear.

Liu Wenji asked, “…What does Your Highness mean by this?”

Chunhua lowered her head: “Do I… look beautiful like this?”

Liu Wenji didn’t tell her she was as beautiful as peach and plum blossoms, making his heartburn. He just stared at her and mocked: “Did Princess Danyang teach you to be like this?”

Chunhua said softly: “No, from now on, Her Highness probably won’t care about me anymore.”

She sighed dejectedly: “Her Highness has gotten her beloved Second Young Master Yan, she’s excited and spirited, her path gets better and better, her future becomes clearer and clearer. As for me, her heart no longer shows me mercy. I’m a palace woman full of grievances, daily speaking only of my son, mistresses, wives and concubines…

“She has already become very impatient and unwilling to hear these things.

“Just like you, Sir.”

Chunhua looked at Liu Wenji, lost and dazed. Through the billowing curtains, she tried to see in this unperturbed man who held great power before the Emperor, traces of the youth who had once been captivated by her. She couldn’t find any trace of that youth—how tragic.

Chunhua said sadly: “I’ve become someone you all dislike, haven’t I? But you’ve all become terrifying too, you’ve gone… too far ahead. I don’t recognize you anymore either.”

Liu Wenji remained silent.

After a long while, he turned his face away, his voice slightly hoarse: “What’s the point of saying all this.”

Chunhua stepped forward and said: “Her Highness said today she could take me away, but I refused. I can’t leave the palace, but I’m also startled and afraid. His Majesty doesn’t love me, Her Majesty the Empress despises that my Yue’er is the Crown Prince, blocking her son’s path. Other consorts find me useless; they used to treat me well because I was the Princess’s person, but that will probably change in the future.

“Looking back, I realize I’ve lost everything. I want to make some changes, within my limited scope, make some changes…”

She choked up more: “Sir, now, you’re all I can rely on.

“I’m a palace woman full of grievances, with nothing. If you also want to abandon me, please tell me in advance, so I can prepare my heart.”

Liu Wenji turned to face her, looking down. The shadows of the phoenix tree leaves on the ground were sparse and fluttering, like spreading water weeds, engulfing the two of them.

Things change, people change, love fades.

He hated that Chunhua had become his weakness, become Mu Wanyao’s leverage. He wanted to torment Chunhua, but when he saw this woman, there were still countless tender feelings in his heart, making him hate himself.

Those past moments of love and time both made him hate and made him unwilling to let go.

Perhaps he no longer loved Chunhua.

But Chunhua wasn’t just Chunhua.

Liu Wenji slowly curved his lips into a smile. Hatefully, lovingly, disgustedly, joyfully, he reached out his hand to her and said softly: “Rest assured, Your Highness, this servant will never abandon you.

“Love each other and never forget, strive to love Chunhua.

“This servant keeps it all in his heart. This servant will keep it in his heart for a lifetime, never daring to fail Your Highness. This servant supports Your Highness, only hoping Your Highness will stand with this servant in the mire, and not give up on this servant.”

His eyes were sinister and strange as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her before him. His face was pale and stern, but his eyes contained a blizzard, fierce and terrifying. Chunhua summoned her courage to look at him, to see him darkly smile against her lips: “You’ve abandoned me once before, if you dare betray me again, I…”

Chunhua trembled: “Will you kill me, or make me wish I were dead?”

Liu Wenji smiled gently: “What’s the point of those things?”

He lovingly caressed her face. The beautiful lady was the Emperor’s woman, yet she was in his embrace—how satisfying.

Liu Wenji said: “Your Highness doesn’t care about life and death, what use would it be for me to threaten Your Highness with that? Your Highness, if you betray me… I will grind your son, your Yue’er’s bones to dust and scatter them to the winds! Would Your Highness like to know how miserable life would be for a Crown Prince who is neither liked by the Empress nor cared for by His Majesty?”

After discussing Chunhua and Liu Wenji with Yan Shang, Mu Wanyao said nothing more.

With leverage over Liu Wenji, he wouldn’t dare be too arrogant. Only after putting this tight restraint on him did Yan Shang dare to leave Chang’an.

The Emperor wouldn’t allow Yan Shang to resign, so Yan Shang first took leave, submitting petitions requesting it again and again. Meanwhile, both Liu Wenji and the noble families hoped Yan Shang would leave. Only when the commoner officials lost their leader would there be a chance for power balance among the factions?

The Emperor probably knew what they were planning, and said angrily: “Yan Suchen holds the fifth rank, he is Our Imperial Secretary and an important official in the Ministry of Personnel! How can he resign? He’s so young yet wants to resign, making the world say We cannot tolerate capable officials! If there’s blame, blame Yan Suchen for being too famous, We cannot allow him to resign!”

Minister Liu spoke for his disciple: “Suchen truly needs to rest and recover his health…”

The Emperor retorted: “Can he not rest in Chang’an, must he return to Lingnan? Lingnan has always been a place of exile, if he goes there, others will think We have grown tired of him. Before the ancestors, how can We account to Our Imperial Father? Imperial Father left Us a talent worthy of being Prime Minister, and We drove him to Lingnan? Yan Er is only twenty-five this year, in his prime, and already a Joint Manager of Affairs. A Joint Manager of Affairs is also a Prime Minister! How can a Prime Minister resign so easily?

“We know what you’re all thinking! You think that with Yan Suchen gone, it will be easier for you to control Us!”

The officials immediately knelt, crying out their innocence. Who would dare control the Emperor, who would want to be a treasonous subject?

Minister Liu was so angry his face turned red. He was advanced in years and had always been quick-tempered. Even the Late Emperor had treated him with courtesy and asked him to take a seat, yet now he was about to be angered to death by the Emperor’s willfulness.

Liu Wenji spoke from the side: “Young Master Yan has the reputation of being a famous minister throughout the realm. Whether in Guanzhong or Chang’an, his fame is so great that Your Majesty cannot easily let him resign.”

The Emperor’s eyes brightened, thinking someone supported him.

However, Liu Wenji continued: “Why not give Young Master Yan the position of Governor of Guangzhou? A rank of Senior Fourth Grade—it wouldn’t be beneath Young Master Yan, would it? Didn’t he want to return to his hometown in Lingnan? It would be perfect for him to go back and govern Guangzhou. Last year, because Director Wei opened up trade in the Western Regions, Guangzhou also opened up maritime trade.

“But in the beginning, it was chaotic. Earlier this year, the Governor of Guangzhou was killed by pirates, and the central government still hasn’t found someone to replace him.

“When court officials hear about going to Guangzhou, they all shake their heads, valuing their lives. But surely a pillar of state like Young Master Yan wouldn’t refuse such a task because of its difficulties? That’s his hometown after all—surely he wouldn’t ignore his homeland? A Joint Manager of Affairs becoming the Governor of Guangzhou—how perfect.”

The Emperor was greatly displeased, furrowing his brow. No matter what was said, it all came down to getting Yan Shang out of Chang’an.

However, the court officials appeared thoughtful, and even Yan Shang’s teacher Minister Liu stroked his beard and nodded, thinking this was excellent. Though he would be recovering his health, he could still handle some affairs on the side.

The noble families and eunuchs exchanged glances, deciding to cooperate to get rid of Yan Shang together. The Emperor struggled to object, but the outcome likely wouldn’t be good—

Since firmly deciding to resign, Yan Shang hadn’t gone to the imperial city to handle daily affairs for several days. At first, he wasn’t used to it, but with his strong will, he endured, forcing himself not to ask about or manage things.

Mu Wanyao was overjoyed. Since he stopped handling affairs, Yan Shang could finally sleep until dawn, instead of being woken in the middle of the night to deal with various troubles. Although he was preoccupied and not quite used to such a leisurely life, he would eventually adapt.

The imperial edict hadn’t come down yet, and the Emperor was still stubborn, but she was already happily bustling around their residence, packing their luggage for Lingnan.

Yan Shang watched her rushing about, even turning away court officials who came seeking an audience and couldn’t help but smile.

Mu Wanyao was a princess who, except for those two or three years of her diplomatic marriage, had never left Chang’an for long. However, she had been to Lingnan before, and this time she was determined to stay there with Yan Shang for an extended period. Yan Shang had worried she wouldn’t be happy, afraid she wouldn’t be willing to give up the power in her hands, but Mu Wanyao treated this resignation as a long-term journey.

She was as happy as a child playing house, excited to experience the joy of moving.

However, the couple’s peaceful life was interrupted one night.

Early in the fourth month, shortly after Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao had retired for the night, someone knocked at the Princess’s residence—officials from the Ministry of Justice had come seeking an audience with Joint Manager of Affairs Yan Er.

Mu Wanyao was very unhappy but could only light the lamps and watch as Yan Shang was called away in the middle of the night. After all, his resignation hadn’t been approved yet, so he still had to handle these matters. Tonight’s visit from the Ministry of Justice officials was because Hai Sanlang, who was imprisoned, was attempting suicide and wanted to see Yan Shang one last time.

Mu Wanyao protested: “What’s the point of seeing him? If you do this, won’t anyone who threatens suicide saying they want to see Young Master Yan get to see you? Do you have no official dignity? Are you that easy to meet?”

Yan Shang sighed: “After all, I selected him as the top scholar, and I used him in my plans regarding the Hai family. Now that the entire Hai family is imprisoned, I do owe Hai Sanlang something. Let’s just meet once—he probably has some grievances he wants to question me about.”

Mu Wanyao was worried about him, so she accompanied him out the door and into the carriage, heading to the Ministry of Justice—

Late at night during questioning, Hai Sanlang had hidden a bowl from the day’s meal when the questioning officials weren’t paying attention. He had broken it and used the sharp porcelain to attempt suicide, threatening to see Yan Shang. He hadn’t been hopeful, but unexpectedly, Yan Shang came to see him.

Yan Shang took his seat as the prison door opened, lanterns blazing. He looked at Hai Sanlang in the cell, who was thoroughly bound to prevent further suicide attempts. In just one month of imprisonment, Hai Sanlang had lost half his weight. The young man’s eyes no longer held their former spirit and vigor; his bloodshot eyes contained only numbness and exhaustion.

This reminded Yan Shang of his own two months in prison years ago.

Prison wore people down.

Yan Shang sighed and asked: “You wanted to see me—what do you have to say?”

Hai Sanlang, his hands bound in chains and kneeling on the straw, looked up and said hatefully: “Now that I’ve been ruined like this, are you satisfied, teacher?”

Yan Shang paused before saying: “Why would I be satisfied?”

Hai Sanlang said excitedly: “People at court talk about how formidable you are, but I haven’t seen it. All I’ve seen is you eliminating those who differ from you! Those whose voices differ from yours, you have them killed. At court, you only allow voices that agree with your principles! Though I haven’t entered court service yet, my father has already explained everything clearly to me… The Hai family’s current situation is all because you didn’t want us to stay in Chang’an!

“My sister never plotted to harm the prince! Our Hai family has been wronged! You collaborated with Chief Eunuch Liu Wenji—you both want us dead! Teacher, when you taught me before, you spoke so righteously about how to be a proper official… but is this how you behave? How can I trust you?”

Yan Shang said quietly: “Court factions fighting brings no benefit to the people’s livelihood. I still think this way, and never deceived you about it.”

Hai Sanlang: “Then you…”

Yan Shang looked at him: “You want to say you’re innocent? Then wasn’t the Second Prince who died a sacrifice to the noble families and imperial power also innocent? If no one had cleared her name, wouldn’t Consort Xian, who was used by your sister, have died an innocent death? The Hai family worked with Liu Wenji, gaining so much wealth from it! Weren’t the people who were exploited innocent?

“Am I not innocent? As your teaching official, you challenged me publicly—how many people were waiting to laugh at me? I may be good-natured and not easily angered, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get angry. Hai Sanlang, am I not innocent?

“Over these years in the Northern District, how many laws have been broken by officials’ private dealings? Behind those laws lie how many wronged souls. The lives that can’t even be seen… are they not live too?

“For the Hai family to rise, others must fall. When noble families ally with others, people must die in court struggles. Factional struggles are most cruel and pointless—once crimes are fabricated, who knows how many innocent officials get caught up in it… and if you had continued cooperating with Liu Wenji, this was the path you were on! The distinguished officials at court, sucking the marrow from bones—if I had let you continue, who knows how many invisible lives would have been lost.

“In this world, human life is held cheapest!”

The prison fell silent. Yan Shang’s voice wasn’t loud, his tone was even calm, but towards the end, his eyes grew intense and his voice slightly rushed, showing his obvious agitation. Yan Shang began to cough, while Hai Sanlang stared at him blankly, forgetting what he wanted to say.

After a while, when Yan Shang had calmed down, he rubbed his forehead: “If I don’t do some things, this confused world cannot be held in check. Since I have the ability, why should I stand by and do nothing? Before my wife’s maternal grandfather passed away, he said ‘Who would willingly sit in mud and filth, rather than dwell in the autumn moon’s reflection in an ice jar?’ No matter how much I despise certain methods, as long as they benefit the realm, I will use them.

“Now, is there anything else you don’t understand and want to ask me?”

Hai Sanlang’s shoulders slumped in defeat. His questioning seemed like a child facing a mature adult, so shallow it made him ashamed. He couldn’t ask anything more; he muttered in despair: “So I must be destroyed because of this? I was the top scholar! I could have entered court service, could have had a bright future, could have…”

Yan Shang interrupted: “You still can.”

Hai Sanlang: “I’m about to be exiled! Our Hai family is finished! I…”

Yan Shang smiled slightly and said calmly: “So what? You were born and raised by heaven and earth, you have decades of life—if you can’t endure a few years of setbacks, you might as well end it all tonight.”

Hai Sanlang: “…”

Yan Shang stood up, no longer saying anything more to the young man. He walked out of the prison, knowing Mu Wanyao was waiting for him outside. His conversation with Hai Sanlang had also served to vent some of the grievances and resentment in his own heart.

Everyone has things they must do, everyone has their aspirations. And life’s path is so long—just walk it and see!—

At the end of the fourth month, though Yan Shang’s resignation wasn’t approved, his appointment came down. The central government transferred him to be Governor of Guangzhou, letting him recover his health in Lingnan while managing maritime trade and piracy issues. As long as the central government would let him leave, Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao accepted these tasks.

Traveling with them was Zhao Lingfei.

Zhao Lingfei had come to ask the Yan couple if she could travel with them. She disagreed with her father’s principles and couldn’t bear that the Zhao family had become the eunuchs’ lackeys. She wanted to travel with the Yan couple, though not to Lingnan but to Jiannan.

Zhao Lingfei wanted to find her cousin, Yang Sanlang Yang Si.

She was trying to seek more possibilities in life, trying to distance herself from her parents. She had given up her marriage and love; thinking of her cousin’s misfortunes, she wanted to travel north and south—the first step being to see Yang Si.

Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao agreed.

When Zhao Lingfei met the couple at Chang’an’s city gate, not only was the Princess’s traveling carriage and retinue magnificent, but Wei Shu stood on the city tower to see her off.

Zhao Lingfei sat on her horse and looked back at Wei Shu. He stood on the high tower, calm and serene, refined and elegant.

Mu Wanyao lifted the carriage curtain to look at Zhao Lingfei and said with a knowing smile: “If you’re reluctant to leave, then don’t go.”

Zhao Lingfei came back to her senses, suppressed the emotions in her eyes, and proudly gripped her reins, saying: “Brother Juyuan has already made a promise to me! When the situation stabilizes, when he can overcome my father, he will wait for me in Chang’an. We can’t be together now… but that doesn’t mean we can’t be in the future!

“Brother Juyuan and I have made our promise!”

Mu Wanyao smiled maliciously: “What’s a verbal promise worth? Promises between people are just empty words, love changes in an instant. You’re going far away while Juyuan faces the storms alone in Chang’an. Seeing all the beauties of Chang’an, how can he not be moved? Men are all like that.”

Zhao Lingfei called out loudly: “Brother Juyuan is like pure snow on the pagoda’s peak! He’s different from other men… and even if Brother Juyuan’s heart changes and he falls for another woman, what does it matter? I would still wish him well!”

Mu Wanyao was stunned.

This proud young woman lowered her head, showing rare tenderness in her eyes. Her eyes rippled with emotion as she repeatedly looked back at the young man seeing her off from the city tower, and she smiled sincerely: “As long as Brother Juyuan is happy, I won’t feel resentful.”

Mu Wanyao bit her lip in secret hatred, momentarily speechless.

She thought that if Yan Shang were happy without her by his side, she would cause trouble. Yan Shang could be happy, but only if he was happy together with her!

Sitting in the carriage, having watched his wife and Zhao Lingfei’s verbal sparring for half the day, seeing Mu Wanyao lose a round, Yan Shang couldn’t help but smile, reaching out to pat Mu Wanyao’s hand, indicating she shouldn’t mind.

But when Mu Wanyao turned back to see Yan Shang’s clear and innocent expression, she became angry at once. He was too refined, making her seem wicked by comparison.

Mu Wanyao grabbed Yan Shang’s hand and said: “Are you still thinking about Fifth Lady Zhao, is that why you’re not angry when she bullies me?”

Yan Shang: “…”

He was stunned: “When were you bullied?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

He changed the focus so innocently, so clever and hateful… how could someone so gentle also be so good with words?

Mu Wanyao saw him smile and couldn’t help but smile along. Her spirits rose as she thought about how they were now free from Chang’an, free at last, a divine couple. Suddenly full of vigor, Mu Wanyao called for the carriage to stop, wanting to pull Yan Shang out: “Let’s go ride horses with Zhao Lingfei!

“Fifth Lady, let’s see whose horsemanship is better!”

Yan Shang: “You two compete—I’ll pass…”

Mu Wanyao: “No! Brother Yan Er, we’ll ride together. Even carrying you, I can still beat Fifth Lady Zhao!”—

On the vast, boundless plains, at first, there were two horses riding side by side, then more horses and young people joined in.

Under the bright moonlight, shadows spilling across the ground, Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao rode together while Zhao Lingfei rode alone.

Fang Tong and other guards followed behind, and Qiusi and other maids also rode horses in pursuit. The sound of hoofbeats mingled with the young men and women’s laughter and conversation, spreading fragrance across the land.

The wind rose for thousands of miles, everything bright and clear. The young men and women rode their horses, their clothes flying in the wind, traveling south together, riding fast and singing.

The song rose high and free-spirited—it was the poem the Emperor had written in “Chronicles of Chang’an Heroes”—

“Heaven covers me, Earth carries me,

Did Heaven and Earth have a purpose in creating me?

If not, why not rise grain-less to the celestial road,

Or drive jade-decorated carriages through the imperial capital?

How can one not value yet not depart,

Merely playing at being a proud man?

A true man, ah, a true man indeed,

A thousand lives’ worth of spirit makes a worthy plan.

Please look at the affairs of a hundred years,

Achievement comes floating five lakes in a simple boat!”