Mu Wanshao stepped into Princess Imperial Luling’s manor.

In the night rain, everyone else in the Princess Imperial’s residence had retired. Only the Princess Imperial had changed clothes again, watching as Mu Wanshao, wearing her veil, led her guards into the main hall.

The Princess Imperial’s guards stood ready, while Mu Wanshao’s guards kept their hands on their sword hilts. Both sides faced each other across the rain, the tense situation ready to explode at any moment.

The Princess Imperial studied her niece carefully.

Once she had been a young princess raised with endless pampering – back then, if anyone so much as teased Mu Wanshao, she would cry with reddened eyes… How could Princess Imperial have imagined then that one day, Mu Wanshao would enter her manor with such a straight posture and bold steps, showing no fear at all?

Princess Imperial: “Shaoshao, you bring armed men into my manor – what are you planning to do?”

Mu Wanshao’s sharp chin tilted slightly upward. Muli lifted a corner of her veil, revealing the face hidden behind the gauze screen.

Mu Wanshao’s dark eyes fixed on the Princess Imperial: “Aunt, my cat is lost, I’ve come to find it. This cat is newly acquired and much beloved lately. Aunt has doted on me since childhood, so I ask Aunt to show me that love once more and let me find my cat.”

The Princess Imperial stared at her, smiling thoughtfully: “Your cat, how could it have run into my territory? Shaoshao didn’t look after her things well, and now comes searching afterward – it seems rather meaningless.”

Mu Wanshao said: “I don’t care about anything else, nor do I have that ability. I only want to find my cat. Aunt and I are family, blood is thicker than water. I don’t want to embarrass Aunt, and I ask Aunt to consider my face a bit as well.

“There’s no need for a great show of force, no need for brandishing weapons. Aunt and I can resolve this matter privately, best not to alarm others. It’s just a small cat, don’t you think, Aunt?”

The Princess Imperial stared at her for a long while, her gaze flickering slightly.

They spoke of a cat, but aunt and niece both knew well it wasn’t just about a cat.

Mu Wanshao didn’t wish to clash directly with the Princess Imperial, and how could the Princess Imperial wish to clash directly with Mu Wanshao? Her favor came from her royal brother, and Mu Wanshao had once been her royal brother’s most beloved daughter, and now… the Crown Prince also seemed quite favorable toward Mu Wanshao.

Originally the Princess Imperial hadn’t paid much attention to this, but the words Yan Shang had spoken to her tonight left her frightened and worried, making her anxious about where her path would lead if her royal brother were gone…

This hesitation made the Princess Imperial’s usual commanding presence much more subdued.

For a moment she felt relieved that Yan Shang had already left, that she hadn’t made a grave mistake.

The Princess Imperial asked Mu Wanshao: “Just looking for a cat?”

Mu Wanshao affirmed: “Just looking for a cat.”

The Princess Imperial gazed deeply at her niece for a moment, then nodded to her guards: “Assist Shaoshao’s guards, lead them to search for the cat together, you must find it. I want to see when my manor acquired an extra cat.”

She smiled at Mu Wanshao: “Shaoshao, come drink with me in the main hall while we wait for your cat?”

Mu Wanshao studied her aunt’s expression, seeing her aunt’s composed demeanor, but for the moment she couldn’t determine where her aunt had hidden Yan Shang.

However, it didn’t matter. As long as her guards searched, there would be traces to find. She didn’t expect to find Yan Shang here at the Princess Imperial’s place – even if she wanted to, the Princess Imperial wouldn’t allow it.

Mu Wanshao’s grand display was meant to pressure the Princess Imperial into releasing Yan Shang herself. To make the Princess Imperial wary of consequences, preventing her from harboring designs on Yan Shang both tonight and in the future.

While the two sides’ forces searched for a cat, Mu Wanshao followed the Princess Imperial to drink in the main hall. Though they spoke of drinking, aunt and niece said nothing to each other, the atmosphere stiff and cold.

The Princess Imperial was distracted, at times thinking about what kind of strategy Yan Shang had suggested to her and why; at times wondering where Yan Shang was now, if he might be working with Mu Wanshao to outmaneuver her. She sat restlessly, occasionally glancing at the rain outside, asking several times if the cat had been found.

Mu Wanshao was calmer than the Princess Imperial. Even though she was anxious inside, she sat steadily there keeping her aunt in check, allowing her guards to search for traces of Yan Shang, even if they couldn’t find him directly.

Just as they endured this tension, in the deep night rain, a maid announced another visitor.

The Princess Imperial said irritably: “Don’t see them!”

The maid timidly said: “It’s Young Master Wei Seven, looking for Princess Danyang.”

The Princess Imperial was startled, unable to understand where Wei Seven had come from. Mu Wanshao had already spoken in surprise: “Why has Jushen come here to find me? Quickly let him in.”

Mu Wanshao turned to explain to the Princess Imperial: “Tonight I invited Jushen to my manor for dinner, but unfortunately my cat was lost, so I went out to search. I told Jushen to wait at the manor for me, I don’t know why he’s come.”

Princess Imperial Luling stared at Mu Wanshao, instinctively feeling something was wrong, but she had nothing to say.

In a moment, a cold wind wrapped with rain entered the room, the hall’s lanterns flickering slightly.

Wei Shu had stepped into the main hall of the Princess Imperial’s manor.

This beautiful youth like pure snow caught the Princess Imperial’s fixed attention, though not because she was attracted to his beauty, after all… Wei Shu was too young. The Princess Imperial was watching to see what game Wei Shu and Danyang were playing.

After Wei Shu paid his respects to the Princess Imperial, he told Mu Wanshao: “Why hasn’t Your Highness returned yet? His Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to escort Your Highness to the palace, he has some official matters to discuss with Your Highness.”

His Highness the Crown Prince.

The Princess Imperial’s eyelid twitched, her heart somewhat panicking as she shifted her sitting position.

Mu Wanshao looked at Wei Shu strangely: “The palace gates are closed now, how could His Highness the Crown Prince summon me to enter the palace so late? What official business is so urgent?”

Wei Shu answered: “Perhaps it’s about the Ministry of Revenue’s shortage of funds that was discussed last time. Didn’t Your Highness ask His Highness about the reason? His Highness the Crown Prince probably suddenly remembered some important information that he wants Your Highness to hear personally.”

Mu Wanshao’s long brows furrowed: “But I’m still looking for my cat…”

The Princess Imperial interrupted: “Shaoshao, what’s so important about one cat? Since the Crown Prince is looking for you, you should go to the palace. Don’t keep the Crown Prince waiting.”

The Princess Imperial was wary of the Crown Prince.

Because to keep the Emperor at ease, she didn’t touch political matters at all. But at the same time, regarding the heir apparent who might control her fate in the future, the Princess Imperial was instinctively somewhat afraid. Moreover, this Crown Prince was cunning, with many schemes… the Princess Imperial never dared to oppose the Crown Prince.

Before Mu Wanshao could speak.

Wei Shu remembered something else: “Your Highness should quickly come with me, the Crown Prince also wants Second Brother Yan to enter the palace, but when I just went next door to knock, Second Brother Yan wasn’t there. How strange.”

Mu Wanshao was surprised: “In such heavy rain, instead of staying at home, could he be wandering about? Let’s look for him. The Crown Prince wants to see him, I can’t help that.”

Second Young Master Yan!

The Princess Imperial’s eyelid twitched again.

Earlier when Mu Wanshao mentioned the Crown Prince it had already made her anxious, now Second Young Master Yan was also connected to the Crown Prince… The Princess Imperial uneasily stroked her teacup, giving a dry laugh: “Second Young Master Yan? Is that the Third Scholar?”

Mu Wanshao looked over: “Aunt remembers him?”

The Princess Imperial said vaguely: “That day at the banquet I barely glimpsed him, and then you refused his marriage… how could anyone forget Young Master Yan’s bearing.”

Mu Wanshao said: “When I refused the marriage that day, I hadn’t expected him to move in as a neighbor… The Crown Prince wants to see him, I can’t stop that.”

The Princess Imperial’s smile was very forced.

She could see that Mu Wanshao and Yan Shang’s relationship was probably not shallow, not just about refusing marriage. Tonight Mu Wanshao said she was looking for a cat, but she had just taken Yan Shang away… The timing of Mu Wanshao’s cat search was too coincidental.

However, some things lose their meaning once spoken plainly.

The Princess Imperial had already started urging: “Since the Crown Prince is looking for you both, I won’t keep you here.”

Mu Wanshao seemed reluctant, still deep in thought when a guard came in from the rain outside. Guard Fang held a snow-white kitten in his arms, telling the two princesses: “Your Highness, we found the cat!”

Mu Wanshao was delighted, taking her cat from Fang’s arms and happily kissing it for a long while. Only then did she turn back to face Princess Imperial, whose expression shifted between dark and light, to bid farewell, saying she had to enter the palace to see the Crown Prince.

Mu Wanshao left without hesitation as if she had just come to find her cat tonight.

The Princess Imperial called out: “Shaoshao.”

Mu Wanshao turned back, her face bright but her eyes cold, carelessly saying: “Hmm?”

The Princess Imperial said slowly: “You and I are aunt and niece, after all, we are blood relatives. Aunt asks you one question, hoping you’ll answer truthfully. You and Second Young Master Yan, what exactly is your relationship?”

Mu Wanshao’s eyes widened slightly, her cat-like enchanting eyes exactly matching the lazy kitten she held in her arms.

She seemed extremely surprised that the Princess Imperial would ask such a question, and after thinking for a long while, Mu Wanshao said: “I have no relationship with him, the Crown Prince favors him.”

The Princess Imperial pressed: “The Crown Prince truly favors him?”

Mu Wanshao paused, wondering if Yan Shang had spoken with Princess Imperial and if he had told her something.

Unable to judge, she merely nodded vaguely.

Seeing the Princess Imperial deep in thought, she waved them away—

After Mu Wanshao and Wei Shu left the Princess Imperial’s residence, as soon as they were out, Mu Wanshao threw the cat in her arms to Guard Fang.

She gritted her teeth: “This cat scratched me several times, it’s infuriating.”

Despite this complaint, she hadn’t forgotten the main matter.

Walking toward the carriage, Mu Wanshao quietly instructed Wei Shu: “Whatever happens with Yan Shang, after my scene just now, Aunt definitely won’t dare keep him in her manor. I also emphasized the Crown Prince multiple times, so Yan Shang’s crisis has been resolved.”

Wei Shu nodded, but said: “But hasn’t Your Highness made Second Brother Yan take sides without his knowledge?”

Mu Wanshao shook her head, saying dismissively: “It doesn’t matter, my aunt is very timid. She only plays with men, she doesn’t dare touch anything related to politics. She has no way to verify whether what I said was true or false.”

After a pause, Mu Wanshao said: “However, to prevent her from becoming suspicious, to make her firmly decide to let Yan Shang go, you take my carriage, take my token, and make an appearance at the palace gates. You don’t need to enter the palace to see the Crown Prince – just make a circuit, let my aunt believe the Crown Prince truly summoned me tonight, that’s enough.”

Wei Shu asked: “Then where will Your Highness go?”

Mu Wanshao bit her lip, saying softly: “I’ll go back to the princess manor to keep watch. If Aunt releases Yan Shang, I need to return to the princess manor to see if it’s true or false.”

Speaking thus, Mu Wanshao glanced at Fang Tong, signaling him to bring her horse. Standing in the heavy rain, her shoulders and clothes were already soaked with rain water, only her face remained dry behind the veil.

As Mu Wanshao was about to mount her horse and leave, Wei Shu gently pulled her hand once.

Mu Wanshao looked at him.

Wei Shu looked at her, saying softly: “Your Highness has become much calmer than before.”

Mu Wanshao froze, thinking how her calmness tonight was learned from a certain someone… but she only said: “I will grow up, you know.”

She mounted her horse, confirming once more with Wei Shu. Wei Shu got into her carriage, and the carriage and guards left the Princess Imperial’s manor. Halfway along, finding an opportunity, Mu Wanshao and Wei Shu split up, each carrying out their tasks.

To deceive the Princess Imperial, Mu Wanshao left all her people with Wei Shu, letting them make their grand circuit to the palace gates. She rode alone, quickly returning to the princess manor.

Even though she felt the Princess Imperial would let Yan Shang go after such a scene… Mu Wanshao still needed to confirm it personally to be at ease—

Her swift horse entered the alley, rain falling like frost-covered blades!

“Hya—” Mu Wanshao leaned over her horse’s back, suddenly pulling tight on the reins.

She had ridden into the alley where the princess manor was located, and through the pouring rain, she vaguely saw someone walking ahead.

That person walked in the rain, hair half-bound, robes completely wet. His sleeves dragged on the ground as if moving with great difficulty, walking very slowly. Looking closer, his steps were unsteady, his back even trembling slightly, appearing lonely and rigid…

Mu Wanshao immediately dismounted: “Yan Shang!”

That person seemed not to hear her voice, continuing to walk.

Mu Wanshao was surprised, jumping down from her horse, not even bothering to tie it up, and quickly walking toward the person facing away from her. She caught up from behind, grabbing his hand to stop him: “Yan Shang!”

He turned his head.

It truly was Yan Shang.

But… Mu Wanshao was shocked.

Because Yan Shang’s eyes were downcast, thick black eyelashes dripping with rain. His entire body was soaked through, his long hair not neatly bound as usual, but half fallen loose, several strands stuck to his face. He was normally proper and courteous, measured in his movements, but this time he only came to his senses when Mu Wanshao grabbed his hand.

He lifted his eyelids, his eyes black as ink only now looking over, fine red threads visible in their depths. Even his lips trembled slightly, terribly pale.

He looked utterly haggard, his condition very wrong.

He focused for a moment as if only now recognizing Mu Wanshao.

Under the curtain of rain, Yan Shang stared at Mu Wanshao for a long while, managed a forced smile, his voice hoarse: “…Your Highness?”

Mu Wanshao frowned in shock, noticing that the young man’s hand she held was burning hot.

She pressed her lips together, briefly explaining the situation: “Wei Shu said you were in trouble, he and I went to the Princess Imperial’s manor to find you. But it seems you’re more capable, you got yourself out first. Well done.”

Yan Shang stared at her, dazed and surprised.

His condition was already very poor, haggard, and weak, but with Mu Wanshao standing before him, she only noticed he seemed distracted, unable to tell exactly what was wrong with him.

After a while, she finally heard him say softly: “You went to the Princess Imperial’s manor to find me? Why would you go there to find me?”

Mu Wanshao said: “…Naturally because the Princess Imperial had designs on you. Did you want to fall into her hands?”

Yan Shang lowered his eyes to look at her.

He asked in confusion: “But what does that have to do with you?”

Mu Wanshao: “…”

She suddenly felt something was very wrong with him, that he would use such a tone with her… Normally, shouldn’t he be thanking her for saving him? Why did his tone sound so questioning? Stripped of that polite, courteous outer layer, Yan Shang seemed not to understand why she would meddle in his affairs.

After all, this was his business, why should she wade into troubled waters?

Yan Shang said: “You can’t afford to offend the Princess Imperial, have you forgotten what I told you?”

Mu Wanshao’s face grew cold.

She said: “It was Wei Shu who wanted to help you, not me.”

Yan Shang stood in the rain, rainwater falling on his face, silent and lost in thought again.

Mu Wanshao began to feel angry and embarrassed, growing uncomfortable. It was as if she had done a good deed but he was ungrateful, instead looking at her as if she were some strange creature… and not just looking, but becoming lost in thought while staring at her…

Mu Wanshao suppressed her anger, thinking that she had only done this tonight at Wei Shu’s urging, normally she wouldn’t have bothered with him at all.

Mu Wanshao let go of Yan Shang’s hand, and turned her back, facing her princess manor’s gate.

Very coldly she said: “Since you’re fine now, go rest. I’ll have someone notify Wei Shu…”

She walked forward, about to enter her manor. But from behind, a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. She was pulled around to face Yan Shang again.

Mu Wanshao angrily: “What are you doing… Yan Shang!”

He fell toward her.

In her shock, Mu Wanshao opened her arms to catch him, but fell with him, sitting in the rainwater holding him. As his body slid down, his burning lips brushed her neck. Mu Wanshao’s whole body shuddered as his forehead pressed against her neck, his eyes closing.

He only managed to murmur: “I can’t… Shaoshao.”

Mu Wanshao sat on the ground, dazedly catching his body that had grown rigid and collapsed to the extreme. His forehead pressed against her neck, his eyelashes brushing the delicate skin of her neck, making her face flush red in confusion and helplessness.

Mu Wanshao was angry, yet anxious: “Who said you could call me ‘Shaoshao’? You… what’s wrong with you?! What did Aunt do to you, why is your body so hot… Yan Shang, Yan Shang!”

Rain poured down, darkness all around. In the silent alley, Yan Shang had already fallen unconscious against her.

His lips were pale, clear red threads visible in his closed eyes. He lay in her arms, both ice cold and burning hot.