After Mu Wanyao helped Wei Shu submit his examination papers and gained the approval of the chief examiner, she was summoned by the Crown Prince.

When Mu Wanyao was invited to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince kept her waiting. The main hall was deathly quiet, with only Mu Wanyao sitting alone.

She laughed coldly in her heart, knowing the Crown Prince was trying to intimidate her. However, today’s Princess Danyang was no longer the young lady who would be mortified to the point of wishing for death just because someone gave her the cold shoulder.

Now, even if others’ words pierced her heart, she could ignore the insult and return fire. The Crown Prince’s attempt to make her anxious by neglecting her was futile.

Naturally, Mu Wanyao knew that as someone affiliated with the Crown Prince, she should appear more docile to gain his trust. However, she neither wanted to be docile nor believed such an attitude would be politically effective.

After all, she had the Li family of Jinling backing her. Among the previous emperor’s descendants, only she remained. If it weren’t for the death of her full-blood brother, with the Li family’s support, how could the current Crown Prince have ever become Crown Prince?

In those days, the Li family’s power in Chang’an had been magnificent. Though they had retreated to Jinling in defeat, a lean camel was still larger than a horse.

The Crown Prince would tolerate her out of wariness.

Aware of this, even though the master of the Eastern Palace was late in arriving, Mu Wanyao remained composed, having the maids serve her tea and fruit.

She casually picked up a picture book and sat leisurely in the hall, eating and reading with evident satisfaction.

This forced the Crown Prince to make his appearance, as he couldn’t intimidate her.

The Crown Prince’s voice came from behind the side door: “Sixth Sister has arrived?”

Mu Wanyao looked up to see the Crown Prince, handsome in casual attire, entering from outside. As he handed his cloak to a maid, his eyes flickered to the plate of melon seeds that Mu Wanyao had completely emptied.

The Crown Prince’s eye twitched slightly as he watched Mu Wanyao rise and bow to him respectfully with a smile.

Suppressing his displeasure at Mu Wanyao’s casual attitude, the Crown Prince gestured for her to sit.

After the maids had replaced the tea cups and withdrawn, the Crown Prince rubbed his neck and sighed to Mu Wanyao: “I was just summoned by Father Emperor to discuss matters of the Ministry of Personnel, which is why I kept Sixth Sister waiting.”

The Crown Prince continued with apparent worry: “Father Emperor’s illness has worsened. Seeing his condition pains my heart deeply.”

Mu Wanyao laughed coldly inside, thinking he probably couldn’t wait for the old man to die so he could ascend the throne.

But the Emperor had survived for so many years without dying – how could the Crown Prince not be frustrated?

However, Mu Wanyao pretended not to understand these undertones. After joining her brother in expressing false concern about Father Emperor’s health, she looked at the Crown Prince with surprise and said slowly: “Isn’t the Ministry of Personnel under Third Brother’s control? Why did Father Emperor question you about it?”

The Crown Prince replied amiably: “Indeed, Third Brother’s people are in charge. However, there was a previous error in the Ministry of Personnel, and Father Emperor inquired after I had some disputes with Third Brother about it.”

Mu Wanyao responded with an “Oh.”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s fixed gaze, Mu Wanyao smiled sweetly: “I don’t understand these matters. I’m not close to Third Brother, and our relationship isn’t good, as you know. I’ve always avoided anything to do with his affairs.”

The Crown Prince nodded with a smile.

It was precisely because this sister didn’t get along well with Third Brother that he could easily win her over… although recently…

The Crown Prince held his teacup, casually grinding its lid against the rim.

His eyes fixed on the tea leaves in the water as he spoke as if making casual conversation: “However while discussing with the Ministry of Personnel earlier, I learned that Sixth Sister has recently been quite close to them due to the examination papers. I heard you led people to meet the new External Bureau Official of Merit Evaluation?”

The External Bureau Official of Merit Evaluation was responsible for the imperial examinations.

Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu had indeed met with him.

There was no point in denying this.

So Mu Wanyao just smiled without saying anything.

The Crown Prince’s expression cooled as he set down his teacup and looked at Mu Wanyao: “You don’t seem to spend much time with Young Master Yang anymore?”

Mu Wanyao replied: “Our personalities don’t match. Because I have a strong temper, and he has a strong temper. We always argue when we’re together. We can’t get along.”

The Crown Prince smiled.

He narrowed his eyes as if reminiscing: “Young Master Yang has always been stubborn as a mule, thinking himself second only to heaven, listening to no one. I remember back then, only when you cried would he become irritated enough to put aside his temper and come looking for you.”

Mu Wanyao remained silent.

Then softly: “…We were all very young then, things are different now.”

The Crown Prince nodded, saying: “Indeed. Who would have thought that while Young Master Yang’s temper hasn’t changed, your temperament has, Sixth Sister? That once fragile little girl who would only cry has now become someone who readily defies others and shows no respect.”

She knew the Crown Prince was mocking her for helping Wei Shu despite being aligned with him.

Mu Wanyao replied without changing expression: “Wei Seventh Young Master is my uncle’s disciple, still young, and ostracized by the Wei family. My uncle asked me to look after him a bit, so I helped casually. Even without my help, Wei Seventh Young Master has the Wei family background and would enter official service after a few years of effort. I merely did him a favor.”

The Crown Prince smiled sardonically.

He said: “Let’s not speak of him. When do you plan to marry Young Master Yang?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

She suddenly looked up at the Crown Prince. Her eyes were like ice and snow, frozen into cold blades that stabbed forth, like a knife piercing one’s heart.

It was almost pitiful.

The Crown Prince sighed, his voice softening: “Sixth Sister, I’m not forcing you, I’m thinking of your interests. The war with the Wu barbarians has gone on for a year now, and I hear it will end soon. The barbarians have no propriety – fathers and sons sharing the same wife is common, let alone with this newly emerged Wu barbarian king?”

The Crown Prince didn’t know that the current Wu barbarian king was the previous one’s eldest son.

He now earnestly advised Mu Wanyao: “Once the Wu barbarians end their civil strife, as their father state, Great Wei will surely receive their envoys in Chang’an to pay respects to Father Emperor. By then, if you’re still unmarried, aren’t you afraid that Wu barbarian king will request you from Father Emperor? Having been sent as a peace bride once, do you want to be sent again?”

Mu Wanyao’s face turned white as snow. She remained silent, her arm resting on the armrest tensed.

The Crown Prince continued: “If you marry Young Master Yang, with your childhood sweetheart bond, the Yang family’s protection, and my protection, that Wu barbarian king naturally couldn’t request you away. I know that during your year as a peace bride with the Wu barbarians, you must have experienced many terrible things to caused such a dramatic change in your personality, becoming completely different from before.

“You’ve already changed once dramatically – do you want to change a second time?

“Yaoyao, you won’t always be able to climb out of the abyss.”

Mu Wanyao quietly watched the Crown Prince.

She thought: If I marry Yang San, the Li family of Jinling will surely be displeased. The Li family might abandon me. And without the Li family’s support, what leverage would I have to stay in Chang’an without being at others’ mercy?

She needed to please both sides without getting herself trapped.

Everyone was quite dissatisfied.

How strange that she seemed to be the only one who could go along with anyone, without strong preferences.

Mu Wanyao gave a slight laugh.

She lowered her eyes, like spring water, full of charm.

She sighed sorrowfully: “I understand, but I feel Yang San doesn’t like me.”

The Crown Prince smiled: “That’s just his personality, don’t take it personally. He’s always treated you specially – why else would he still be unmarried? Isn’t he waiting for you?”

Mu Wanyao smiled.

Her face flushed slightly, her eyelashes trembling. Like a maiden in love, she bit her lip as if contemplating what kind of gallant figure her husband should be.

Seeing she wasn’t opposed, the Crown Prince knew when to stop and didn’t pursue the matter further—

As soon as Mu Wanyao left the Eastern Palace gates, that maiden-in-love flush disappeared from her face.

By the time she passed through the palace city gates, even her expression had vanished.

Mu Wanyao sat expressionlessly in her carriage, waiting for the maids outside to handle the passage tokens.

Suddenly hearing hoofbeats, she wondered who dared make such a commotion before the palace gates and lifted the carriage curtain to look.

She saw a young man riding at full gallop, wearing black clothes with red trim, dressed in martial attire. He lay low over his horse’s back, approaching the palace gates at great speed.

The guards turned pale, but the young man’s expression didn’t change, nor did he slow his horse.

His red hairband fluttered in the wind, the sword at his waist giving off a weighty presence.

His features were cold and profound, his glance carrying boundless arrogance.

Truly a magnificent sight of youth in fine clothes on a spirited horse!

In all of Chang’an, only Yang Si, Young Master Yang the Third, carried himself with such distinction!

Yang Si only slowed his horse at the palace gates. As he leaped down from his horse, he sensed someone watching him.

He turned his head and met Mu Wanyao’s enchanting watery gaze from the carriage.

Mu Wanyao feigned curiosity: “Is Young Master Yang going to the Eastern Palace again? You go to the Eastern Palace three times a day – if you were a woman, I fear the position of Crown Princess would be yours by now.”

Yang Si stared at her.

He drawled: “Got scolded by the Crown Prince?”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Yang Si led his horse, glancing at her before looking away, saying coolly: “Naturally not like you, getting scolded every time you go to the Eastern Palace.”

Mu Wanyao gave him a fake smile: “That’s just because the Crown Prince is concerned about when Young Master Yang and I will marry.”

Yang Si said slowly: “Marry whenever you want, I don’t care.”

Mu Wanyao covered her mouth in surprise: “Could it be that you like me?”

Yang Si was equally surprised: “Why would I need to like you? No one said that being your consort means I can’t take concubines, right?”

Mu Wanyao gritted her teeth: “As my consort, you won’t be allowed to take concubines.”

Yang Si was rather indifferent: “You can’t control me.”

Mu Wanyao stared at him through the carriage curtain for a long while, then suddenly flung open the door and hurled a string of tea cups and other vessels at him.

But Yang Si was prepared – he simply took one steady step back to avoid her outburst.

He watched as the princess collapsed against the carriage in anger, her chest heaving like trembling snow, her beautiful eyes blazing with fire.

Yang Si’s eyelashes quivered ever so slightly, and he looked away.

Yang Si said: “With such a bad temper, you’d better keep nurturing your Wei Seventh Young Master. To be a Yang family bride requires the three obediences and four virtues. I can see you’re not up to it.”

Mu Wanyao said: “Then go tell His Highness the Crown Prince yourself that you hate me and don’t want to marry me at all!”

Yang Si replied: “I wouldn’t say I hate you. Didn’t I say it doesn’t matter whether I marry you or not? I can still take concubines anyway.”

Mu Wanyao glared at him furiously for a long while, but eventually fell silent, pulling down the curtain, no longer willing to go back and forth with him.

Yang Si stood in place, watching until Princess Danyang’s carriage slowly drove away before turning back to retrieve his fish tally that the palace guards had checked, and led his horse into the city.

His servant followed behind the tall, slender young master, saying softly: “Why must the Third Young Master anger the Sixth Princess every time?”

Yang Si remained silent.

The servant continued: “The Sixth Princess must have been lectured by the Crown Prince again. If Third Young Master could just smile at her, she would be in a better mood leaving the city.

“If Third Young Master doesn’t like the princess, you should marry early and end His Highness the Crown Prince’s hopes; if Third Young Master does like the princess, you shouldn’t keep angering her.”

Yang Si lowered his gaze.

As the servant continued sympathizing with Mu Wanyao, Yang Si finally spoke after a long while: “The Crown Prince is too rushed. Ah Nuo, there are some things I cannot do. I cannot be too kind to Yaoyao.”

The servant was stunned.

He asked: “Are you helping the princess?”

Yang Si gave a brief smile.

Then said lazily: “In any case, I stand on His Highness the Crown Prince’s side. As for the rest, let’s leave it for now.”

The servant naturally had no objection to this.

Young Master Yang was the Crown Prince’s study companion and official aide – his natural position was on the Crown Prince’s side, and the Yang family’s position followed the Third Young Master in supporting the Crown Prince. Third Young Master and the Crown Prince had a good relationship, so of course he should help the Crown Prince.

However, some things… Third Young Master wasn’t entirely willing—

The Prince of Jin’s wife wanted to see Mu Wanyao again.

This time it was for good news – after the Princess of Jin’s previous prayer for a child, one of the palace concubines had become pregnant.

The Princess of Jin was overjoyed and brought the pregnant concubine to visit, begging Mu Wanyao to accompany her to Yongshou Temple again to fulfill her vow.

The Princess of Jin rambled on: “Who would have thought the temple’s Bodhisattva would be so effective! It’s only been a few days since I prayed, and someone in our household is already pregnant. This is the first time in three years! Sister, you accompanied me that day, won’t you come with me again today to fulfill the vow?”

Mu Wanyao was extremely annoyed.

Just as she was about to harshly rebuke her royal sister-in-law, she suddenly noticed a trace of slight sorrow in the Princess of Jin’s expression. It seemed that while the princess was happy about the concubine’s pregnancy, she wasn’t as happy as she appeared.

Mu Wanyao paused.

Of course.

The Princess of Jin longed for her prince’s household to have children, so naturally, she was happy when anyone became pregnant; however, this child ultimately wasn’t from her womb. Hadn’t she been taking concubines for the Prince of Jin year after year, sending women to her husband’s bed, all for the sake of offspring?

The nobles in Chang’an all thought this princess was frivolous and disliked dealing with her, but as a second wife, how could the Princess of Jin have it easy?

Mu Wanyao fell silent for a moment, showing rare sympathy.

She felt the Princess of Jin, whom no one paid attention to, was somewhat pitiful.

Mu Wanyao coughed: “Just this once, and never again. I won’t go with you to pray for children anymore.”

The Princess of Jin was immediately delighted, saying repeatedly: “Thank you, sister! Sister truly has a kind heart, completely different from what others say. Don’t worry, the Bodhisattva at Yongshou Temple is effective. After I fulfill my vow this time, I’ll pray for your good marriage too!”

Good marriage?!

Mu Wanyao was terrified!

She was most afraid of a marriage falling on her head right now… struggling to maintain a balance between the Crown Prince and the Li family, this princess didn’t understand her difficulties at all!

Mu Wanyao quickly said: “Sister-in-law should just pray for your prince’s household to have children, no need to worry about me. I don’t want to marry.”

The Princess: “How can there be a young lady who doesn’t want to marry…”

Mu Wanyao smiled: “To be honest with my sister-in-law, I once had an aspiration to become a Daoist priestess. Father Emperor stopped me, that’s why I didn’t do it.”

The Princess was stunned, unsure whether the princess’s words were true or false—

At Yongshou Temple, the Princess of Jin devoutly pulled Mu Wanyao along to worship Buddha. The delicate concubine she had brought followed behind the princess, kneeling together.

After paying respects at several halls, Mu Wanyao grew impatient. She watched puzzled as her sister-in-law knelt on the prayer cushion with closed eyes for quite a while, truly not understanding how the Princess of Jin had so much to say to the Bodhisattva.

Mu Wanyao had nothing to ask of the Bodhisattva.

While the two kept kneeling endlessly, Mu Wanyao waited outside early on.

When the two came out, they saw the princess squinting at the sun, watching the endless stream of people in the temple today.

Mu Wanyao turned to tell them: “I’ve finished paying respects. Take your time worshipping, I’ll go play for a while and come find you later.”

The Princess of Jin knew it was already good enough that the princess had accompanied her here, and really couldn’t expect the princess to worship as she did, so she nodded.

As Mu Wanyao left her servants and attendants with the princess, she turned and melted into the crowd, disappearing in an instant.

Seeing how calm the princess’s servants were, seemingly not at all worried about the princess’s safety – this wasn’t the first time the princess had ditched her servants – the Princess of Jin could only anxiously continue worshipping with these servants—

When Mu Wanyao ditched her servants, it wasn’t to go find Young Master Yan.

Although she knew Yan Shang lived in Yongshou Temple, she was just wandering around casually – what did that have to do with him? She hadn’t thought about finding him at all.

But Yongshou Temple wasn’t large, and Mu Wanyao did run into Yan Shang.

While wandering in the temple, Mu Wanyao saw a group of scholars gathering to compose poems on the wall.

Yan Shang stood among the group of literati like a jade tree in the wind – Mu Wanyao spotted him from far away.

In Great Wei, writing poems on temple walls was considered refined, and admired by countless people. In guest houses and temples, there were often poetry boards prepared for travelers to write on.

These scholars would usually write their poems on the boards first, then hang them on the walls for others to appreciate.

Many scholars and literati gained their reputation from these wall poems.

Such elegant activities were quite popular in temples. For those famous literati, monks would even prepare special boards treated with pine soot and Wu glue, begging for poems.

At this moment, young novice monks were bringing many ordinary poetry boards, letting these scholars and literati write on the walls.

Many commoners were attracted to gather around, observing from a distance.

The common people naturally couldn’t read, but this didn’t stop them from admiring and looking up to the scholars.

Mu Wanyao mixed among these commoners, and interestingly saw Yan Shang being pulled along by others.

Yan Shang said helplessly: “Let me pass… I don’t need to…”

The others pulled at him: “Yan Suchen, why so reserved? Everyone is writing on the wall, how can you alone hide away? This might be passed down through the ages, don’t be so modest.”

Yan Shang was forcibly pulled to the wall.

Mu Wanyao slowly walked through the crowd, step by step getting closer to him. After all, she didn’t know these other scholars, only knew him, so naturally she just watched him.

She saw that after he couldn’t refuse anymore, he took a poetry board and found the most secluded corner of the wall to write his poem.

While the other scholars gathered together to discuss great affairs, displaying their talent freely, Yan Shang wrote timidly, his characters tiny, as if afraid of taking up space, afraid of leaving his masterpiece on the wall.

He was forced to write a poem.

But he didn’t want to write one.

However, this was at his companions’ invitation – refusing would seem unsociable, so naturally, he couldn’t refuse.

Yan Shang just huddled in the corner, trying his best to write the characters small enough, blurry enough, striving to take up as little space as possible on the wall, hoping a single leaf could hide his poem.

He was already being so careful, yet behind him, a young woman slowly read out his written poem, then giggled and commented: “…What nonsense are you writing? No wonder you dare not write bigger characters, afraid of taking up space – you’re afraid of embarrassing yourself, right?”

Yan Shang turned around and saw Mu Wanyao leaning against the wall with wide eyes and upturned lips.

When he first saw her, his gaze brightened slightly, as if light was flowing out. But Yan Shang was also slightly confused for a moment, actually failing to recognize her at first.

Because the Mu Wanyao he saw… was leaning against the wall with folded arms, looking at him like a wastrel.

She was wearing men’s clothes.

Yan Shang looked her over and smiled: “…Your Highness snuck out to play? Dressed as a man?”

Mu Wanyao retorted: “You’re the one dressing as a woman!

“What does a country bumpkin like you know? In Chang’an it’s very popular for young ladies to wear men’s clothes – it’s convenient for going in and out of the palace too. Everyone knows I’m a woman! Only you’re blind.”