Surrounded by her maids, Mu Wan Yao leisurely made her way to the semi-open main hall. In this era, most noble households’ main halls lacked four walls, instead using pillars to support an “eaved roof,” allowing ventilation from all sides. Walking along the corridor toward the main hall, one could see the young gentleman waiting outside.
A maid curtseyed to the waiting young man: “My lord, our princess has arrived.”
Wei Shu looked up toward the young princess approaching under the lush shade. At first glance, he was struck by her crimson brilliance and commanding presence. Meanwhile, as Mu Wan Yao approached, she too caught sight of him—
The young lord stood before the hall, his bearing elegant and refined, his presence noble and distinguished.
When he looked up, sunlight fell upon him, his entire being reflecting a snow-like radiance, standing out remarkably.
Never in her life had Mu Wan Yao seen someone so pure and cool. His whole being was like a layer of snow atop a pagoda, inspiring not the slightest inclination to tease.
…Her uncle hadn’t lied; among all the men Mu Wan Yao had met, this one’s qualities were certainly superior.
But the only problem was… Standing before the hall, Mu Wan Yao dropped her scornful expression and asked seriously: “Wei Ju Yuan, may I ask your age?”
Wei Shu looked at her: “Fourteen.”
Mu Wan Yao fell silent: “…”
…No wonder her uncle wasn’t rushing their marriage, vaguely suggesting they should get to know each other for a few years first.
Mu Wan Yao was already eighteen; faced with a fourteen-year-old young lord, no matter how beautiful he might be… she couldn’t bring herself to act.
Her cheeks slightly flushed, Mu Wan Yao coughed and asked: “What brings you to Chang’an?”
Wei Shu’s voice was as clear as snow: “I could no longer stay in Luoyang, so my teacher sent me to Chang’an. I plan to participate in next year’s imperial examinations and hope the princess can help me find lodging and servants in Chang’an. I will repay Your Highness in the future.”
Mu Wan Yao turned her face aside, smiling: “That can be arranged, certainly.”
For a moment, both fell silent.
Mu Wan Yao secretly glanced at Wei Shu, noting that despite his youth, he appeared calm and composed.
As Mu Wan Yao observed him quietly, he discreetly averted his gaze, his cheeks reddening slightly. Clearly, he understood Li Zhi’s arrangements and felt somewhat awkward.
Mu Wan Yao calmly arranged for tea to be served.
She chatted with Wei Shu for the entire afternoon, discussing only Luoyang’s customs and culture. Though young, Wei Shu’s manner and cultivation clearly showed his noble upbringing.
For the moment, avoiding romantic topics, the host and guest enjoyed a pleasant, harmonious conversation—
While Li Zhi had his considerations regarding the princess’s marriage, the Crown Prince naturally had his plans.
In the Eastern Palace, no sooner had Wei Shu left than the Crown Prince received word.
The Crown Prince sat alone quietly for a while, turning a gilt cup in his hand before ordering: “…Recall Yang Si to Chang’an. Having grown up as childhood friends with Sixth Sister, how can he show no reaction to her return to Chang’an?”
The troubled servant smiled bitterly: “Your Highness, you know Young Lord Yang’s proud nature. You arranged for him to gain experience with the Longxi border army – recalling him so hastily, won’t he be displeased?”
The Crown Prince suppressed his anger: “His temper! Isn’t it normal to care when a childhood friend returns to Chang’an? Is he only going to be happy when the Li family falls under the influence of the Wei family from Luoyang? Tell him to return to Chang’an – if he wants military experience, I’ll give him a position in the Imperial Guards.
“His primary task is to maintain good relations with Sixth Sister and bring the Jinling Li family to our side!”
Thus, swift horses galloped from Chang’an toward Longxi to find Young Lord Yang.
The Crown Prince hoped to arrange someone of his choosing for Princess Danyang’s marriage.
Among his people, Yang Si, the Third Young Master Yang who had grown up with Mu Wan Yao and had always been the Crown Prince’s study companion and aide, was most trustworthy—
And so for an entire year, Mu Wan Yao found herself caught between the Crown Prince’s and the Li family’s schemes. On one side was Third Young Master Yang, and on the other was Seventh Young Master Wei.
Letters still came and went from Lingnan, but due to the great distance and inconvenience of correspondence, though Mu Wan Yao had initially shown concern for Yan Er Lang, she later grew busy following the Crown Prince and completely forgot about Yan Er Lang in Lingnan.
The young lord from that rainy twilight in Lingnan had been merely a feeling born of the atmosphere – what importance could it hold?
Mu Wan Yao went from occasionally asking about Yan Er Lang’s letters to later neither asking about nor reading them when they arrived.
Knowing the princess’s interest had passed, Chun Hua and the others no longer troubled her with Yan Er Lang’s letters.
However, Yan Er Lang’s letters contained interesting content, sharing stories and customs from Lingnan. Chun Hua, Fang Tong, and others read his monthly letters with great interest, passing them around eagerly.
In October of that year, as he had planned, Yan Shi Sheng received Guangzhou’s nomination to participate in the imperial examinations in Chang’an.
That year, after the eldest Young Master Yan’s wedding, the family converted all remaining valuables into gold ingots, packing them all into Yan Er Lang’s bundle.
Just after the New Year, they urged Yan Er Lang to leave for Chang’an, not to miss the February examinations.
On the night before Yan Er Lang’s departure, his father, who usually spent his days drinking and never questioned his son’s future, called Yan Er Lang to his room.
Since his father had once passed the imperial examinations, Yan Er Lang naturally wanted to hear if he had any advice about the examination.
There was no advice to give.
But Father Yan did indeed make arrangements for his second son: “…I’ve been away from Chang’an’s circles too long to be of much help. But I have an old friend who is now a Professor at the Imperial Academy. Though only a sixth-rank minor official with little prospect for advancement, he could be beneficial to you.
“I wrote to my old friend long ago, asking him to take you as a disciple. When you reach Chang’an, seek him out.
“Er Lang, you’re a child with stronger opinions than anyone – among all my children, you’re the one I worry about least and most. I only hope that whether in fortune or misfortune, you won’t forget your family, and won’t bear burdens alone. If you face any difficulties, such as needing money, just tell us.”
Yan Er Lang’s eyes grew warm, and without speaking, he knelt and formally kowtowed to his father.
Father Yan sighed: “Your teacher has already agreed to take you as his disciple. However, he says your name is not suitable and wants to give you a new one – are you willing?”
Yan Er Lang spoke softly: “I will naturally follow my teacher and father’s wishes.”
Father Yan nodded, watching his son kneeling before him, his heart sighing, wondering what future awaited Er Lang after this departure. He himself had failed to secure an official position in Chang’an years ago – would Er Lang follow the same path?
After his sighing, Father Yan suddenly pulled out a jade pendant from his breast pocket, carefully handing it to Yan Er Lang with an air of mystery.
Yan Er Lang was somewhat confused.
Father Yan said mysteriously: “Your mother had me keep this while she was still alive. It’s our family’s traditional betrothal token for taking a bride. But there are so many of you children, I didn’t know who should inherit it… After much thought, I’ll pass it to you.”
Yan Er Lang stiffened slightly: “…Big Brother just got married, and his wife has never seen this jade pendant. I’m going to Chang’an for the examinations, yet you give me a betrothal token?”
Father Yan urged anxiously: “Your father just wants to remind you not to focus solely on examinations and career – hurry and find a wife, have children! When you reach Chang’an, have your teacher find you a good match – it will surely be better than in Lingnan. Though Chang’an’s fine ladies might look down on other things, our family’s traditional betrothal token surely won’t shame us.
“In any case, you’re already eighteen! Best to marry this year and let me hold a grandchild next year! You’re the second son – your elder brother is already married, don’t let your younger brothers and sisters be unable to arrange their marriages.”
Yan Er Lang reluctantly accepted the jade pendant.
But in his heart, he dismissed it.
His mind was set on pursuing an official career, with no regard for marriage—
In January of that year, the maids and guards of the princess’s mansion received Yan Er Lang’s latest letter.
The princess wasn’t at the mansion today, and she had long since lost interest in Yan Er Lang, so naturally, everyone read the letter without waiting for her.
Surrounded by others, Chun Hua and Fang Tong sat in the middle as Chun Hua’s gentle voice read the letter’s contents: “…Er Lang says he has already arrived in Chang’an and will meet with us when the opportunity arises.”
Everyone cheered. A year of correspondence had made them all fond of Yan Er Lang.
Chun Hua made a surprised sound: “Yan Er Lang says his teacher has given him a new name. From now on, he won’t be called Yan Shi Sheng, but Yan Shang…”—
Spring waters broke the ice as Chang’an grew warmer.
The Second Young Master Yan, now Yan Shang, renamed by his teacher, stood on Chang’an’s streets.
In Chang’an, official caps and carriages were as numerous as clouds, vehicles, and horses converging from all directions. Initially, he was startled by Chang’an’s prosperity, feeling somewhat out of place.
But after entering the city with a Hu merchant caravan, seeing more common people and street activities like “competing singers,” he found it interesting.
Yan Shang bought a freshly steamed “ancient tower” Hu-style pastry, took a few bites, and stored the rest in his bundle. He walked the streets with great interest, taking in the sights, his eyes unable to rest.
Suddenly, several horses galloped from the distance. Street pedestrians hurriedly made way, and Yan Shang naturally followed suit.
He had merely glanced over casually to see the excitement, but among the brightly dressed noble young men and women riding in the street, he saw that the leader was a young lady.
Her magnificent dress swayed with tinkling ornaments as she rode alongside a young man in brocade hunting clothes. Though his horse was a step ahead, she showed no urgency.
The wind lifted her gauze veil, revealing the face of the lady on horseback.
Her bright skirts billowed across the horse’s back, her beautiful snow-white face like rippling spring water. A slender jade-like neck, cloud-like black hair.
Such vibrant, living beauty.
Like clouds parting in the desolate street, Yan Shang watched her approach on horseback, her silks rustling.
Onlookers whispered: “That must be Princess Danyang – what elegant bearing.”
As Mu Wan Yao passed the pedestrians, she suddenly heard someone call from behind—
“Yan Su Chen!”
Another voice, gentle as jade: “Brother Liu has arrived.”
The latter’s clear voice was like jade striking bamboo, bamboo leaves trembling. Mu Wan Yao reined her horse to a stop, suddenly looking back.
Through the bustling crowd, she saw someone with his back to her, like jade in the green mountains, walking into the crowd with another person until they disappeared from view.
The young lord beside her stopped his horse to wait, asking coolly: “An acquaintance?”
Mu Wan Yao came to her senses, her beautiful eyes glancing at the utterly indifferent Yang Si, the Third Young Master Yang, as she smiled: “How could it be? I must have misheard.”—
Meanwhile, in the princess’s mansion, the maid Chun Hua read clearly—
“Renamed as Yan Shang, styled Su Chen.
“Shang means respect and reverence. Su Chen means minister of the uncrowned king, referring to Confucius’s honorary title. By giving me this name and style, my teacher wishes me to cultivate Confucian principles, spread the classics throughout the world, and refine culture past and present.”