The examination results were announced and delivered to Princess Danyang’s residence. Mu Wanyao was satisfied with the outcome of her night’s efforts. She had neither offended Princess Imperial Luling nor achieved a poor result. It seemed Yan Shang was useful after all.

However, although the maid Chunhua had already known Liu Wenji would not be on the list, she still went out to inquire, clinging to a thread of hope. Learning there truly was no trace of Liu Wenji’s name, Chunhua sighed, growing concerned about her lover’s state.

As expected, not only had someone else passed the examination, but that person who achieved the prestigious rank of Tanhua was Yan Shang, who like Liu Wenji came from Lingnan. Since Liu Wenji had always considered Yan Shang inferior to himself, he must be feeling even worse now.

Worried about Liu Wenji, Chunhua requested leave from the household and went searching for him.

As she had feared, she couldn’t find Liu Wenji at his rented lodgings. Fortunately, since Yan Shang was also in Chang’an, Chunhua made her way to Yongshou Temple to ask if the Second Young Master Yan knew of Liu Wenji’s whereabouts.

Yan Shang was arranging his books in his quarters, preparing to attend a banquet. After achieving the rank of Tanhua, the biggest change was the sudden abundance of banquet invitations. While the greatest households didn’t participate, there were many middle-ranking families. To establish a foothold in Chang’an, Yan Shang would naturally need these people’s assistance, so he actively attended such gatherings.

That was simply how Chang’an worked.

Indeed, that was how officialdom worked.

Just as Feng Xianyu had previously attended banquets eagerly, only realized his wife had starved to death due to his obliviousness. Feng Xianyu understood the benefits of socializing, which was why he had acted that way. Unfortunately, he had neither succeeded in making connections nor kept his wife.

Chunhua explained her purpose to Yan Shang, expecting him to suggest a few places where Liu Wenji might have gone.

However, Yan Shang proved to be a better person than she had imagined.

Upon hearing Liu Wenji couldn’t be found, Yan Shang’s brows furrowed slightly as he said, “I’ll go with you to look for him. I should speak with Brother Liu anyway, to clear up some matters.”

Chunhua protested, “But that wouldn’t be right! You’ll miss your banquet…”

Yan Shang replied, “The banquet is just a trivial matter. It’s fine if I don’t attend.”

He immediately left with Chunhua, sending word through a servant waiting outside the temple that he wouldn’t be attending the banquet, and then departed with her. Chunhua was deeply moved, wondering what Liu Wenji could be dissatisfied about with such a friend.

After searching several places without finding him, by nightfall Chunhua was extremely anxious, and Yan Shang’s expression darkened slightly.

He said, “Let’s check the North Quarter.”

Chunhua started.

She forced a laugh, “Second Young Master must be joking. How could Young Master Liu be in such a place of rouge and powder…”

Yan Shang glanced at her, his eyes gentle. He didn’t say much, only softly remarking, “Perhaps I’m overthinking it.”

But Yan Shang hadn’t overthought anything.

They did indeed find Liu Wenji in a brothel in the middle section of the North Quarter.

Liu Wenji was completely drunk, his face flushed crimson.

He sat on the second-floor gallery, watching a courtesan dance atop a drum in the center below. The courtesan must have been dancing exceptionally well, for Liu Wenji clapped and laughed loudly, tossing prepared silk handkerchiefs down to her.

Liu Wenji shouted wildly, laughing, “For the lady to wrap her head!”

“A good omen for the lady!”

The expensive silk floated down from above, landing on the large drum beneath the veiled courtesan’s bare feet, startling her. Looking up and seeing Liu Wenji’s handsome face, her heart stirred, and she curtsied toward the upper floor, saying coquettishly, “Thank you, young sir.”

Liu Wenji took another drink, gesturing acknowledgment downward.

An incredulous female voice came from behind him: “Young Master Liu!”

Liu Wenji turned around, squinting through bleary eyes to see a beauty like spring standing together with his friend of many years.

His friend was as straight as bamboo, still carrying himself with exceptional grace. The woman, however, wore a devastated expression as she frowned at him.

Liu Wenji swayed drunkenly, waving his wine cup: “Sucen, Chunhua… it’s you! Come, drink with me!”

Yan Shang sighed softly, saying to Chunhua, “He’s had too much to drink. Let’s take him away first…”

His gentle words in the noisy hall were so soft that probably only Chunhua standing beside him could hear.

Liu Wenji couldn’t hear what Yan Shang was saying, only saw him turn his face with its refined features toward Chunhua.

Liu Wenji’s face suddenly flushed red as he lunged forward: “What are you doing, Yan Sucen? Not content with stealing my scholarly honors, you want to steal my woman too?!”

Chunhua stared in shock, her mind blank, watching this stumbling young man who seemed completely different from her usual lover.

Yan Shang stepped in front of Chunhua, catching hold of this unsteady drunk spouting offensive words, feeling slightly headache.

This was precisely why he disliked drinking.

Yan Shang glanced at Chunhua.

Chunhua nodded, suppressing her emotions as she came forward to support Liu Wenji, saying gently, “Young Master Liu, let’s leave first…”

Liu Wenji shouted, “What are you two whispering about behind my back? What kind of meaningful glances are you exchanging?!”

His voice was so loud that everyone around enjoying themselves looked over, pointing and gossiping.

Yan Shang frowned, making a quick decision to cover Liu Wenji’s mouth with his hand, preventing him from saying more nonsense.

Chunhua’s face alternated between pale and flushed, the surrounding prying and suggestive glances making her feel ashamed and angry, but she ultimately heeded Yan Shang’s words and didn’t argue with the drunk.

The drunk was half-supported, and half-carried by Yan Shang, but this only made him angrier. He suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Chunhua’s hand. Yan Shang failed to block him in time as Liu Wenji clutched at Chunhua: “Chunhua, you can’t abandon me, you can’t look down on me too…”

Chunhua’s eyes softened as she said quietly, “Young Master Liu, I would never look down on you.”

Liu Wenji stared at her through drunk, hazy eyes, but suddenly gave a cold laugh: “You may not look down on me, but you never took my side or helped me either!”

Chunhua urgently asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Liu Wenji pointed at Yan Shang behind him: “He got his Tanhua rank through the Princess’s influence, don’t think I don’t know what’s going on just because I keep my distance!”

Chunhua tried to reason, “…That was just presenting examination papers. Presenting papers doesn’t guarantee results…”

Liu Wenji looked at Chunhua and said in a low voice: “Then why didn’t you help me present my papers? Aren’t you a maid in the Princess’s household? Aren’t you one of the Princess’s most valued people? If you had just said a word for me, why couldn’t I have been Tanhua? Why couldn’t today’s glory have been mine?”

Chunhua stared at Liu Wenji in shock, never imagining he harbored such thoughts.

Seeing that Liu Wenji had demons in his heart that he had harbored for many days, only now expressing them under the influence of alcohol, Yan Shang sighed softly and directly pulled down the surrounding curtains, separating this space from the rest of the establishment so no one could peer in.

Yan Shang stared at Liu Wenji, curious about what Liu Wenji had always been thinking.

Was someone who had always been so arrogant truly never willing to bow his head?

Chunhua’s hand was gripped by Liu Wenji, his wine breath in her face, her hand aching from his grip. But she forgot all this, looking at her young master as if she didn’t recognize him, murmuring: “When I wanted to help present your papers, you said I was meddling and refused…”

Liu Wenji shouted: “But is a virtuous woman supposed to give up just because her man says no once? You see Yan Er at the Princess’s residence every day, you watch Yan Er fawning on your Princess like a dog every day, why couldn’t you, couldn’t you say even one word for me…”

Tears welled up in Chunhua’s eyes.

She said: “You told me not to.

“Besides, our Princess has a strong temperament – how could she help you just because of one word from me when you wouldn’t even ask yourself?

“Do you know that even for Yan Er, it wasn’t so simple? Others tried to take Second Young Master Yan’s position…”

Liu Wenji loudly interrupted: “I don’t want to hear your excuses!”

He pushed Chunhua away and stumbled backward, crashing into a table and falling to the ground. Wine spilled from the table onto his robes, leaving a dark stain. His topknot was slightly disheveled, loose strands of hair falling across his face, giving him a desolate, haggard appearance.

He pointed at Yan Shang and laughed bitterly: “And Yan Er! Search your conscience – is your scholarship truly better than mine? Are your poems and prose superior to mine? Clearly not! Everyone knows they’re not! So why did you succeed? Why could you succeed?”

Leaning against the curtain, he spoke as if in a daze: “Is it wrong to want to rely on one’s abilities rather than connections? Because everyone presents examination papers, does it mean I’ll never have a chance if I don’t? Why are worldly affairs so unfair? Why are heaven and earth so unkind?

“Why must one bow to power, why must one break one’s proud bones bending and scraping? How many talented scholars fail to pass because they lack connections, and how many who do pass accomplish nothing for years and must leave Chang’an… Why are the great families always strong, why are we always weak?”

In his confusion, Yan Shang’s clear voice sounded behind him: “Because since ancient times, those who make the rules have always been the noble families in power. Not the rural strongmen, nor the common people. The left for the commoners, the right for the nobles, the rise and fall of the world – when has it ever been for Liu Wenji to decide?

“You look down on the power and nobility of the great families, yet today’s imperial examinations are the result of them yielding some of their power. Perhaps they didn’t yield willingly, but there must have been those who understood that society should improve and convinced others to yield together. The world belongs to everyone, the common people are its foundation. Who doesn’t understand this principle?

“The world is changing bit by bit, but unfortunately you were born at the wrong time – neither a hundred years ago when even reading was impossible for humble families, nor a thousand years hence in a truly equal society… You keep crying about unfairness, unfairness, but why can’t you be the one to change this unfairness, always waiting for your predecessors to change it for you?

“Liu Wenji, have you thought about why you wanted to pass the examination, why you wanted to become an official? If it’s for power, then bow your head. If it’s for reputation, then don’t bow. Such a simple principle – why must others explain it to you?”

Liu Wenji turned back in confusion, staring blankly at Yan Shang.

He held his head, seeming both to have heard and not understood.

Seeing him so confused, Yan Shang sighed and walked toward Liu Wenji: “This is what I’ve been pondering these past days, regarding Brother Feng’s situation. Brother Feng felt it was unfair, you feel it’s unfair – do you think I find it fair? You say my poetry and prose don’t match yours, but what about your practical abilities, strategies, and forethought – in what way do they match mine? When it comes to devising strategies and solving real problems, can you truly compete with me?

“I’ve long competed alongside you using my weaknesses, yet I never felt that gaining rank through poetry and prose was unfair to me, while you’ve always felt I was blocking your path. But in this world, who always gets what they want?

“You’re drunk today, and perhaps you’ll forget my words when you sober up. But I hope you’ll remember one thing… I usually don’t like to speak ill of others, but I must say, with such an unyielding temperament, if you don’t change, you’ll suffer greatly in Chang’an.”

Liu Wenji looked up to see Yan Shang crouching before him and opened his mouth: “Yan Er, I…”

Yan Shang said gently: “You’re drunk, so I won’t waste more words on a drunkard.”

With that, he struck Liu Wenji’s neck, knocking him unconscious.

Yan Shang turned back to look at the teary-eyed Chunhua.

Chunhua wiped away her tears and came to help him support the unconscious Liu Wenji. They carried him back together in silence.

As Chunhua was about to leave, Yan Shang called out to her: “Lady Chunhua.”

In the dark of night, Chunhua turned back.

Yan Shang said: “Don’t take his words to heart. Though this is his nature, he’s not a bad person. When he sobers up, he’ll apologize to you.”

Chunhua shook her head, tears nearly falling again.

She stared at the young man standing in the night wind and said miserably: “Second Young Master Yan, why couldn’t the man I love be you?”

Yan Shang was startled, his pupils contracting.

Chunhua pressed her lips together, wiped her tears again, turned, and left the courtyard on horseback.

How could Yan Shang understand the disappointment in her heart?

So deep in Liu Wenji’s heart, he had always resented Chunhua for not helping him. So in his heart, she already bore such a great flaw.

Chunhua rode back to the Princess’s residence in tears. Upon returning, fearing the Princess would ask questions, she told others she was unwell and retired early to her room. Her eyes remained swollen for two days, unable to see anyone, and she avoided the Princess for several days – but that’s a story for later.

When Liu Wenji sobered up, he learned from Yan Shang what he had said while drunk. Yan Shang omitted Liu Wenji’s dissatisfaction with himself, only mentioning the hurtful things Liu Wenji had said to Chunhua.

Liu Wenji panicked and hurried to the Princess’s residence to apologize to Chunhua.

However, because Chunhua kept claiming illness, she neither attended to the Princess nor went out to see Liu Wenji. After waiting several days, Liu Wenji gradually despaired.

When Chunhua’s eyes finally recovered and she returned to serving the Princess, she learned they would be attending the Qujiang Grand Banquet.

While arranging the Princess’s hair, Chunhua wondered: “Why are we attending the Qujiang Grand Banquet?”

Every year when the mists gathered over the waters, the Qujiang Banquet was a grand feast for that year’s successful examination candidates. The Emperor personally hosted a banquet at Qujiang, while the champion scholars and other top graduates held their feast in the Apricot Garden, funded by the court. Each year’s Qujiang Grand Banquet invited the nobility to attend.

Most nobles were eager to meet these new graduates, some seeking talent, others seeking sons-in-law.

These days were when the Zhuangyuan and Tanhua champions were at their most proud and successful.

However, Princess Danyang rarely attended such banquets. Since Mu Wanyao neither wanted to recruit a prince consort from among them nor could compete with other nobles for talent, what was the point in going?

So Chunhua hadn’t expected Mu Wanyao to solemnly announce that she would attend this year.

Chunhua held the Princess’s long, thick black hair, looking down at her thoughtfully, her heart-stirring: “Could it be that Your Highness is going for Second Young Master Yan…”

Unexpectedly, Mu Wanyao, playing with a white jade hairpin, lifted her eyes at these words and smiled: “Indeed I am going for him.”

Chunhua was so startled she nearly dropped her comb.

She thought Her Highness meant… about Second Young Master Yan… about Second Young Master…

But Mu Wanyao merely rested her powdered cheek on her hand, smiling at the corners of her eyes, saying sweetly: “Oh my, after all, these few days might be when our Tanhua Yan is at his most successful – if we don’t see him for a couple of days, we might never see him again.”

Chunhua was bewildered.

Seeing Mu Wanyao’s gleeful schadenfreude: “What’s so special about passing the examination? It’s just a few days of glory, they still can’t become officials, can they? Those who know how to curry favor will come fawning on me. Those with pride will suffer for a few more years until the court remembers these graduates and arranges positions for them.

“Just thinking about how our good-tempered Yan Er will have to struggle in Chang’an for many years, perhaps unable to endure like his useless father and rolling back to Lingnan, I feel both sympathetic and… somewhat expectant.”

Chunhua chided: “Your Highness, you’re too wicked!”

Princess Danyang spoke true.

This was how the Great Wei’s official system worked. The examination was one hurdle, but whether one could become an official after passing was another hurdle, and whether one could rise after becoming an official was yet another new hurdle.

How many died in Chang’an unable to pass the examination; how many successful graduates knocked their heads against walls seeking help everywhere, unable to become officials; and how many ninth-rank minor officials perhaps labored their whole lives just to rise to eighth rank…

However.

If one truly wanted to become an official, the court had provided a path – either wait a few years or continue testing. This next examination was countless times harder than the imperial examination, and no longer tested poetry and prose.

Mu Wanyao pondered thoughtfully, remembering the Minister’s tablet she had seen at Yongshou Temple that day, wondering whether that prediction would prove accurate, whether Yan Er could overcome this new challenge.

Thinking of Liu Wenji’s accusation that she hadn’t helped him, Chunhua sighed and said softly to the Princess: “Your Highness knows Second Young Master Yan faces new difficulties, why not help him directly instead of making him come to beg?”

Mu Wanyao’s expression instantly darkened.

She said unhappily: “I want him to beg, is that not allowed?”

The maid dared not say more—

After passing the examination, Yan Shang sent a letter to Lingnan informing his family of his news. He also asked about his elder brother and sister-in-law’s situation, wondering when he might hold a nephew; then seriously urged his third brother to study well and come to Chang’an for the examinations when ready, rather than still playing at being a countryside king with others children, running around with bamboo poles at sixteen or seventeen.

Finally mentioning his little sister, Yan Shang grew much gentler. Besides the unmentioned gifts he sent to his family, he specially sent his sister many cosmetics and fine silks from Chang’an. Though Yan Shang didn’t understand such things himself, he bought whatever looked nice for his sister in a spree.

In the end, he only stopped when he had nearly spent all his money, still somewhat reluctant to cease.

As for the Qujiang Grand Banquet, Yan Shang, being the Tanhua, naturally had to attend. He also wanted to explore what he should do next, and with luck, if he could gain an audience at the Purple Cloud Tower in Qujiang and receive the Emperor’s favor for direct appointment, wouldn’t that be fortunate?

The Qujiang Grand Banquet might be these new graduates’ only chance to see the Emperor again after their audience on examination day.

After all, last time His Majesty had been high above, casually dismissing them with a few words; but this time, His Majesty might come to attend the banquet at Qujiang. This was a rare opportunity—

At the Apricot Garden by Qujiang, the misty waters were beautiful. That day, colorful canopies and green curtains adorned the scene, with fine carriages and strong horses.

The graduates and nobles’ carriages stopped at the garden gate as they entered one by one to attend the banquet.

When Princess Danyang’s carriage stopped at the Apricot Garden gate, this year’s Zhuangyuan Wei Shu alighted first, then turned back to help Mu Wanyao down. The servants who had been watching the Zhuangyuan didn’t dare approach to trouble the Princess when they saw the champion scholar was with her.

Seeing so many carriages and people, Mu Wanyao exclaimed: “My, what a crowd!”

Wei Shu asked her: “Shall we go directly to the banquet?”

Mu Wanyao gave him a sidelong glance: “You’re following me so closely, it’s very inconvenient, you know?”

Wei Shu lowered his eyes.

Mu Wanyao felt some pity seeing his youthful clarity, but being a princess of poor temper, she urged him: “I know you’re following me because you’re afraid those wolf-like people will pester you. Go find Yan Er then, with him protecting you, those people won’t be able to eat you alive.”

Thinking of the crowd that would surround him, Wei Shu’s face grew slightly pale.

Somewhat embarrassed but forcing himself to say: “Your Highness is mistaken, I’m not afraid of people approaching me.”

Mu Wanyao gave him a scoffing glance.

A cold sneer sounded from behind.

A male voice rang out: “At this age, still clinging to Princess like an unweaned child, Seventh Brother, you’re regressing.”

At these words, Wei Shu’s expression instantly cooled as he pressed his lips together.

Mu Wanyao turned to see a proper young man in red official robes walking toward them, who bowed in greeting as she fixed her gaze on him.

Mu Wanyao glanced over – the red official robes, likely indicating a fourth or fifth-rank position. The man’s expression was stern, his brows tightly knit as if perpetually frowning, his features somewhat similar to the young Wei Shu… Mu Wanyao asked: “From the Wei family?”

The man nodded: “Wei Kai pays his respects to Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao: “Never heard of you.”

The man’s expression changed slightly, showing traces of anger.

Mu Wanyao lazily looked at Wei Shu: “Who is he?”

Wei Shu’s lips curved slightly, somewhat appreciating how the Princess refused to give face to the other party. He said: “This is my eldest brother, currently Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, a fifth-rank official. Not counting the previous generation’s officials at court, my eldest brother holds the highest position among our generation.”

Simply put, Wei Kai was the heir being groomed by the Wei family.

Completely different from Wei Shu, who was raised in a side household with no one to love or care for him.

Mu Wanyao said: “A fifth-rank official? I thought the Wei family was more impressive, but I guess not. Wasn’t what’s-his-name, Yang Si, also a fifth-rank official as the Crown Prince’s Companion?”

Wei Shu nodded: “The Crown Prince’s Companion and Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat are both upper fifth-rank positions.”

Mu Wanyao clapped her hands, lifting her eyes upward in a thoughtful pose, smiling as she rested her chin on her hand: “Let me think, how old is Yang Si again? Eighteen or nineteen? Although his position was completely given to him because of the Crown Prince’s favor, it’s still an official position.

“I notice Yang Si doesn’t put on such airs in front of me, but the Wei family’s eldest son certainly has more of the dignity befitting a fifth-rank official than him.”

Wei Kai stared at the Princess.

After a while, Wei Kai contained his imposing manner and cupped his hands: “Your Highness’s instruction is correct. Out of brotherly love, I was merely disciplining my brother, but ended up offending Your Highness.”

Seeing him know his place, Mu Wanyao snorted and said no more.

Wei Kai turned to Wei Shu and said coolly: “You’ve been away from home for a year, isn’t that enough? The family has arranged an official position for you, come find me tomorrow.”

Wei Shu replied: “Don’t trouble yourself. I don’t need the family to arrange positions for me. Just as I could achieve Zhuangyuan, I can achieve other things.”

Wei Kai coldly stared at this troublesome half-brother for a long while before leaving with a sweep of his sleeves: “Suit yourself. You’d better have the backbone to be an honest official your whole life without relying on the Wei family.”

Watching his eldest brother’s retreating figure, the usually cold youth stubbornly retorted: “I’ve always wanted to be an honest official for life. I never wanted to rely on the Wei family!”

Wei Kai glanced back at him, his mouth twitching, not even bothering to comment.

Mu Wanyao watched the brothers’ quarrel thoughtfully, thinking that Wei Shu truly seemed to be an unloved child at home. Yet Wei Shu was still fortunate – he was born into the Wei family, carrying the label of the Wei clan of Luoyang.

However, Mu Wanyao was worried.

If Wei Shu’s relationship with the Wei family was this poor, would her uncle’s plan to form marriage ties with the Wei family through Wei Shu be of any use?

But… Mu Wanyao looked at Wei Shu, thinking how the youth was a full four years younger than herself… her expression cooled.

Mu Wanyao impatiently shooed Wei Shu away: “Hurry up and go, stop clinging to me.”

Perhaps Wei Kai’s earlier comment about him being like an unweaned child had stung Wei Shu, for this time he truly left, no longer hovering around Mu Wanyao—

But at today’s banquet, familiar faces kept appearing one after another.

Mu Wanyao had barely taken two steps when another voice came from behind: “Sixth Sister.”

Mu Wanyao turned to see a young couple approaching and smiled slightly: “Oh, it’s Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law.”

The Fifth Prince, Prince Jin, and his Princess Consort had come to attend the banquet. Among the three living princes, the Fifth Prince was the least conspicuous and had the gentlest temperament. Compared to their last meeting, the Princess Consort had grown much thinner, her brows clouded with worry.

This slightly gentler Prince Jin had been greeting his sixth sister when he suddenly noticed the maid behind her. Startled, a flash of admiration crossed his eyes: “Sister, this maid of yours…”

Mu Wanyao glanced at Chunhua, who was trying to shrink back after being observed by Prince Jin: “The previous Runhua died, this one is Chunhua. Runhua died because a man tried to take her from me and she was tortured to death. Is Fifth Brother interested?”

Prince Jin: “…”

He realized his sister was warning him not to have designs on Chunhua.

Prince Jin forced a laugh: “Sister, why speak of such unpleasant things?”

Well then, Mu Wanyao would speak of pleasant things.

Mu Wanyao turned to the Princess Consort, smiling: “I haven’t congratulated Fifth Brother yet – I heard Fifth Brother is about to have his first child?”

Unexpectedly, at these words, the Princess Consort’s face turned pale, showing signs of grief.

Mu Wanyao was bewildered.

Prince Jin’s voice also grew faint: “The pregnancy wasn’t stable. The child died in the womb, and she didn’t make it either.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

She suspected Fifth Brother’s offspring must be cursed—

Meanwhile, Yan Shang had just arrived when Wei Shu hurriedly approached him. He was still confused when he saw the string of people following behind Wei Shu.

Yan Shang: “…”

Seeing him, Wei Shu’s eyes brightened. The usually terse youth rushed over, grabbed his arm, and said quietly: “Brother Yan, I’m sorry to offend you!”

Before Yan Shang could react, Wei Shu had already called out loudly: “The Tanhua is here—”

All eyes turned toward Yan Shang.

Yan Shang stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as crowds of people rushed toward him. Meanwhile, Wei Shu ducked down and slipped away into the shrubbery behind him.

Yan Shang was surrounded by enthusiastic crowds – after all, an eligible bachelor who was both handsome and talented was rare indeed.

At the garden entrance, Yang Si leaped down from his horse with perfect grace. His companion on horseback today wasn’t some random friend, but rather a delicate young lady.

This young lady was Yang Si’s cousin, Zhao Lingfei. Dressed in riding clothes, she was pretty and endearing, with bright eyes and fair cheeks, yet her dismounting was barely slower than Yang Si’s.

Zhao Lingfei, helped down from her horse by her cousin, complained: “It’s all because Father insisted on sending me to this banquet to choose a husband. Choose, choose, choose – what’s there to choose? I don’t like these poets and scholars who spend all day composing verses, looking all weak and refined, aren’t they just pretentious? I prefer real heroes who can wield swords and spears!”

Zhao Lingfei exclaimed dramatically: “Especially the Tanhua – to think they chose based on looks! Chang’an is truly beyond saving!”

Yang Si warned her: “Uncle asked me to look after you today, don’t cause trouble for me.”

Zhao Lingfei: “Bah, you think I want to follow you? You’re the most boring…”

Yang Si sneered: “You may want to find a great hero skilled with weapons, but that’s not what Uncle has in mind. When have you ever gone against your father’s wishes? We’ll see about that.”

She immediately kicked him from behind.

Yang Si turned to discipline his cousin, but Zhao Lingfei immediately ran away giggling. As Yang Si strode forward to catch her, someone greeted him from behind, and he turned to respond with a somewhat casual attitude.

After finishing his greetings and entering the Apricot Garden to look for Zhao Lingfei, Yang Si found she hadn’t gone far.

He walked over puzzled, seeing his cousin standing there with flushed cheeks, staring dazedly in one direction. Yang Si followed her gaze to where a crowd surrounded someone.

He snapped his fingers in front of his cousin’s face: “Wake up!”

Zhao Lingfei blinked, instantly turning coquettish as she grabbed his arm: “Cousin, that’s this year’s Tanhua, isn’t it? Help me find out who he is – I think marrying him wouldn’t be bad at all.”

Yang Si felt a chill at her affected sweetness and shook off her hand: “…”

He immediately mocked: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t marry someone who’s just a pretty face?”

Zhao Lingfei sighed: “But he’s just too handsome.”

Yang Si wondered just how handsome someone had to be to make the usually forthright Zhao Lingfei suddenly turn so coy.

He looked over, just as the youth being surrounded turned his face. Yan Shang wore a helpless smile, his brows slightly furrowed, truly as clear and bright as the moon, deceiving the world—

It was the frivolous youth Yang Si had seen drinking at the North Quarter that day.