Sudden and earth-shattering.

In an instant, Mu Wanyao was pressed into the bedding, her wrists pulled to either side of her body and pinned down.

Moonlight streamed in.

The light was behind them – when Yan Shang finally couldn’t resist pressing her down, a spot of light fell on Mu Wanyao’s face, but couldn’t reach Yan Shang’s.

The atmosphere had grown intimate since she’d teased his ear.

Yan Shang was usually composed, but he couldn’t withstand Mu Wanyao’s constant provocations. That “Second Big Brother” destroyed his reason – when he pressed her down, his breathing was uneven. For a moment, the taut string in Yan Shang’s mind snapped.

His mind was blank, devoid of thought.

Yan Shang looked down at the young woman beneath him, watching her every expression, graceful and alluring.

Never in his life had he seen anyone who could better embody the meaning of “vivid beauty” than Mu Wanyao.

Out of control, thoughts clouded, not even clear about what he was doing. Yan Shang stared straight at her, lowering his head and tilting his nose, about to kiss her moist, fresh, petal-like crimson lips.

Then at the same moment, Yan Shang noticed terror appearing in Mu Wanyao’s eyes as he held her down.

Her body completely froze.

The extreme fear in her eyes, as if seeing some terrible beast… Yan Shang felt as if he’d been doused with cold water.

The room was pitch black, their breaths intermingling, yet neither moved.

At first, Mu Wanyao couldn’t see Yan Shang. When he pressed her down when he pinned her wrists… the strength between men and women couldn’t be compared – before when Yan Shang had repeatedly let her push him down, it was only because he’d been letting her.

When Mu Wanyao struggled once and found she couldn’t break free, she instantly fell into a heart-wrenching state of terror.

Memories surfaced vividly.

Strong, frightening men, inescapable intimacy between man and woman. The beast-like burning gaze of men staring at her in the darkness, those murky breaths lurking in shadows, and the inescapable fate… made Mu Wanyao’s entire body rigid.

For a moment she was dazed, thinking she had returned to Wu Man.

She grew stiff, unable to control her trembling… until Yan Shang said softly: “Your Highness.”

The light in the young princess’s eyes, pinned to the bed, wavered slightly.

Yan Shang looked down at her, speaking gently: “Your Highness, don’t be afraid, it’s me.”

It was Yan Shang’s voice.

Mu Wanyao came back to herself.

She immediately struggled, and Yan Shang readily complied, releasing her wrists and sitting back. Mu Wanyao also sat up, clutching her heart as she looked at the young man leaning against the bedpost.

His still slightly damp hair clung to his face, the apricot-colored outer robe casting a soft, warm glow in the moonlight.

He sat there watching her.

Mu Wanyao immediately turned her head away awkwardly, falling silent.

She knew she had ruined it.

He had finally been provoked by her to the point he couldn’t resist, wanting to kiss her… He had been about to kiss her, but she had suddenly shown such fear – Yan Shang’s heart must have turned ice-cold in that instant.

Mu Wanyao sat stunned on the bed, regretful and bewildered, somewhat hating her hurtful reaction.

Why had she been afraid?

Was it such an easy thing for Yan Shang to soften his heart once, to be moved by her teasing?

Yan Shang watched Mu Wanyao sitting there lost in thought with lowered head. Someone like him was most empathetic to others’ feelings. Seeing her sitting there so blankly, head down and silent, Yan Shang’s heart suddenly ached slightly. He couldn’t bear to see the usually proud princess now sitting there alone and dazed.

So even knowing he shouldn’t, even though his reason had returned, Yan Shang still leaned over.

While Mu Wanyao was lost in confusion, she smelled that pure, calming scent of agarwood.

Yan Shang gently embraced her back, softly holding her.

He said softly: “Your Highness, don’t be upset. I won’t hurt you.

“Your Highness also need not call me ‘Second Brother.’ I am a man of my word. Having said I would be your retainer, I won’t easily change that. Your Highness need not worry that I help you with ulterior motives – even if I did have other intentions, I would never harm Your Highness.

“Your Highness, can you trust me just once?”

Mu Wanyao pressed her lips together.

In her heart, she said she didn’t trust.

She didn’t trust anyone’s promises, especially not men’s.

But Yan Shang held her, comforting her gently, his hand resting on her back through the thin spring clothing, his presence enveloping her.

So perhaps she truly had lost her senses.

Mu Wanyao said softly: “You are a gentleman, more true to your word than even my Imperial Father, more unwavering.

“I’m willing to trust you once.”

Yan Shang was about to smile when he heard Mu Wanyao’s voice grow cold again: “But if I find you untrustworthy, I will kill you. If you choose a different stance from me, I will move against you.

“If that day truly comes, we’ll each rely on our abilities – neither needs to show mercy to the other.”

Yan Shang sighed, seeing how stubborn she was.

He held her as they sat on the bed. Having said what needed to be said, the atmosphere between them grew stiff, becoming awkward again…

Yan Shang’s arm resting on Mu Wanyao’s back grew rigid. He began to frown, troubled about what to say next. Despite usually being skilled at guiding conversations, Mu Wanyao never followed his lead, instead forcing him to follow hers… Now Yan Shang was troubled even trying to guide Mu Wanyao’s emotions to calm down.

Fortunately, at this moment, a timid servant’s voice came from outside: “Young Master, Young Master… the horse has been brought, it’s time for you to leave.”

Inside the room, both Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao inwardly sighed in relief.

Because if no one had come to break this strange atmosphere between them, they both would have become at a loss.

The servant calling outside for Second Young Master was also extremely conflicted.

Because Princess Danyang had burst in earlier.

Night had fallen, and the lanterns in the courtyard were gradually being lit.

If the two were talking inside, why weren’t any candles lit? If no candles were lit, with a man and woman alone in a room, who knew what might happen?

But if something did happen between a man and woman in the dark room, and they as servants called out, disturbing those inside… Second Young Master’s temper was good, so that was fine; but if Princess Danyang became angry, what then?

Yet if they didn’t call out, Young Master would miss his appointment time.

While the servants were struggling with this dilemma, they heard Second Young Master Yan’s clear, gentle voice from inside: “Alright, I’ll be right out.”

The servants breathed sighs of relief.

Inside the room, Yan Shang also released Mu Wanyao and stood up. He explained again to Mu Wanyao about his appointment and need to leave, but seeing her condition, suggested she sit a while longer and compose herself before returning to the Princess’s Manor.

Mu Wanyao glanced at him: “If I wait until after you leave and then go out later, wouldn’t that just make people misunderstand, thinking we did something in the room, that as a woman I couldn’t resist you and need to rest before leaving?”

Yan Shang was stunned.

He hadn’t considered this aspect.

Mu Wanyao gave him a look of disdain and stood up: “Let’s go together.”

They straightened their clothes slightly and went out. Seeing them emerge so quickly, after Mu Wanyao’s earlier reminder, Yan Shang looked around and noticed the servants’ expressions, leaving him rather speechless.

He thought: So the servants all assumed he must have done something with the princess? And they were relieved that he and the princess came out so quickly?

Neither Mu Wanyao nor Yan Shang spoke. The little princess who had shown moments of vulnerability in the room earlier was now completely gone.

Passing from the back courtyard to the front, Mu Wanyao saw a servant holding a horse and lantern, waiting there. She suddenly turned to look at Yan Shang, surprised: “You’re going out on horseback?”

Yan Shang paused, not understanding why her expression was so astonished: “…Time is running short, riding is faster. Is something wrong?”

Mu Wanyao: “I thought you were too weak to lift a finger, but I didn’t expect you could ride a horse.”

Yan Shang: “…”

He said helplessly: “When I first rode in Lingnan, I admittedly wasn’t good at it, making Your Highness laugh. But I’ve practiced since then, and I’m quite good now.”

Mu Wanyao responded indifferently: “Oh.”

Looking at her proud profile, Yan Shang felt somewhat defiant. After all, he was still a young man – even though he tried to make himself into a sage, he hadn’t truly achieved that level of cultivation.

He couldn’t help adding: “Besides, I’m not too weak to lift a finger. I follow my elder brother’s words and practice martial arts every morning.”

Mu Wanyao snorted dismissively.

Seeing her in such disbelief, Yan Shang was frustrated. But he had no way to prove to her that he wasn’t weak.

Mu Wanyao walked out of his residence at a leisurely pace. At the Princess Manor’s entrance, Fang Tong and the others had already returned, and seeing the princess finally emerge from across the street with Yan Shang leading a horse, everyone relaxed.

Yan Shang gave them a slight nod and smile, and they immediately returned polite smiles. They thought that since Second Young Master Yan still appeared as gentle as jade, Princess Yan must not have tormented him.

Mu Wanyao saw the barely suppressed smiles on her people’s faces, and she naturally knew these smiles weren’t meant for her, but for the person behind her.

She humphed, and the servants quickly controlled their expressions. Mu Wanyao turned back, standing on the steps, looking at Yan Shang who was now mounted in the lane.

Mu Wanyao spoke with cold dignity: “Yan Shang.”

Yan Shang looked toward her.

She said: “If you have any questions about Wu Man, just ask me directly. Whatever you ask, if I know, I’ll tell you. I’m not as fragile as you think, making you afraid to ask anything. There’s nothing in my life I can’t tell others. As long as you dare to ask, I dare to answer.”

Princess Danyang’s imposing manner made the servants who had come out to see their young master off admire her deeply.

Fang Tong, Chunhua, and the others remained composed, knowing that since returning from Wu Man, the princess had forged herself an iron heart – she could endure minor matters.

The princess wasn’t evasive about her past in Wu Man. It was just that those around her assumed she was.

Looking into Mu Wanyao’s eyes, Yan Shang smiled slightly: “Yes, I thought too narrowly of Your Highness. Your Highness is more remarkable than I imagined.”

Mu Wanyao made a sound of acknowledgment and said: “I know your capabilities are strong, your ability to handle matters even stronger than your scholarly abilities. But what’s more important now is the Boxue Hongci examination in the tenth month. You should focus your attention there – if you don’t pass, another year will be wasted. I don’t have time to wait year after year for my retainer.”

She showed no mercy to his face in front of so many servants.

The servants all felt somewhat embarrassed on Second Young Master Yan’s behalf.

But Yan Shang just smiled: “Thank you for Your Highness’s guidance.”

Such consummate composure.

It couldn’t help but command admiration—

As Yan Shang rode to his dinner engagement, his mood was far less peaceful than he showed.

He kept thinking of earlier that evening, of the terror in Mu Wanyao’s expression as she lay on his bed.

Her expression had been so afraid… as if he were about to force himself on her.

At that moment when Yan Shang’s heart turned cold, he also felt a heart-wrenching hatred for whoever had hurt her.

A princess should never have been bullied like that. Before, Yan Shang had always guessed she had a very difficult time in Wu Man, but he’d only thought it was because a teenage princess who had grown up in Great Wei couldn’t adapt to the barbarians’ savage lifestyle.

But Mu Wanyao’s reaction told him… it was more than that.

She had some fear of male domination.

Just him instinctively pressing down on her had frightened her. In Wu Man, how badly had she been treated… to be afraid even of this? Was she only able to initiate play herself, not letting others take the initiative?

Hooves clattered on the bluestone pavement as Yan Shang held the reins, lost in thought.

The proud Mu Wanyao, the teasing, and laughing Mu Wanyao, the Mu Wanyao who would embrace and hug him, who would try to kiss him when her emotions ran high… the Mu Wanyao who could be coquettish one moment and ruthlessly cold the next.

A thousand versions of Mu Wanyao floated through Yan Shang’s mind.

He thought of her in a daze, his heart filled with both tenderness and affection. He couldn’t help wanting to get closer to her, yet was angry at her capriciousness… She was both contradictory and adorable, both good and bad.

He had a premonition that he couldn’t continue getting closer to Mu Wanyao like this – she would destroy his peaceful life, disrupt his life plans and rhythm… Yan Shang felt it increasingly difficult to maintain that safe distance between them.

This left him troubled and confused.

The best solution would be to retreat to a safe distance, to avoid getting too close to Mu Wanyao.

So Yan Shang told himself.

When he reached his friend’s residence and dismounted, handing the reins to the approaching servant, he was still trying to convince himself of this.

Someone called out happily from behind: “Second Brother Yan, you’re here!”

Yan Shang’s body suddenly stiffened, and he turned to look back.

He saw that his friend had grown impatient waiting and had come out personally to greet him.

Seeing the blank expression on Yan Shang’s face, his friend asked with concern: “Second Brother Yan, what’s wrong?”

Yan Shang: “…Please don’t call me ‘Second Brother’ anymore.”

Just then, hearing someone call “Second Brother” instantly reminded him of Mu Wanyao’s coquettish “Second Big Brother.”

His friend looked at Yan Shang strangely, but Yan Shang came to his senses, waving his hand and smiling wryly, asking the other not to mind—

Over the next few days, Yan Shang dutifully studied at the Hongwen Academy, leaving early and returning late, trying his best to avoid Mu Wanyao.

He didn’t know if Mu Wanyao was also avoiding him.

They hadn’t seen each other for several days.

Meanwhile, after the princess casually told her it was fine, Chunhua made up her mind to forget about Prince Jin and planned to reconcile with Liu Wenqi.

When Liu Wenqi received her letter, he had been studying but immediately went out to find her. Chunhua had arranged to meet him at a tavern, but Liu Wenqi was too eager, hurriedly riding to meet her.

Just as Chunhua was leaving the Princess Manor with a worried heart, about to lead her horse out of the lane, she heard Liu Wenqi’s anxious yet joyful voice from behind: “Chun-Chunhua.”

Chunhua turned around to see the handsome young man leading his horse, standing there nervously. He took a step forward but, fearing she might step back, stopped.

Chunhua was startled – it had been a long time since she’d seen him.

Liu Wenqi gazed at her lovingly, only knowing how to stare dazedly, not daring to move for a long while.

Chunhua slowly smiled, pressing her lips together. Shy about the Princess Manor’s people seeing her like this, she turned her face aside and chided: “Didn’t we agree on a place to meet? Why did you come here?”

Liu Wenqi stared at her unblinkingly, stammering: “Because you haven’t seen me for so long, I was afraid you wouldn’t come… I really couldn’t help myself, wanted to see you, I’m sorry.”

Chunhua lowered her head: “What’s there to apologize for?”

She lowered her gaze to see her lover take another step forward.

His tone slightly excited: “Chunhua, have you truly forgiven me, are you willing to reconcile with me?”

Hearing him speak of “forgiveness,” Chunhua smiled bitterly inside, thinking it was she who had done wrong. She nodded vaguely, trying to avoid the topic, but Liu Wenqi suddenly took a large step forward, releasing his horse’s reins.

He suddenly lifted her in his arms.

Chunhua let out a small cry as her feet left the ground. Her face flushed red as she patted his shoulder: “Young Master Liu put me down quickly!”

Liu Wenqi held her, refusing to let go, looking up at the young woman he held high, his eyes sparkling like stars.

He smiled: “I won’t! Chunhua, you’ve truly forgiven me, truly reconciled with me, right? You don’t blame me anymore, right? This isn’t a dream, right?”

Chunhua’s face turned completely red.

Because the guards at the Princess Manor’s gate were all looking over curiously. The servants at the manor gate opposite were also looking over.

Chunhua’s face was burning red as she patted Liu Wenqi’s shoulder, but he still wouldn’t put her down. He looked up at her with bright eyes, making Chunhua unable to resist being infected by his emotions.

She couldn’t help but smile, pressing her lips together, her hand resting on his shoulder as she looked down at him: “Do you like me that much?”

Liu Wenqi said: “Of course. I liked you tremendously from the first moment I saw you, but you were so shy, always following your Princess, making it impossible for me to find a chance to talk to you.

“Chunhua, I may have many faults, may make many mistakes, but I truly like you… like you so much. When I first saw you, I felt that in this life I could marry no one but you – if I couldn’t be with you, how dull my life would be.”

He looked up at her, pleading: “So Chunhua, don’t leave me, alright?”

Chunhua smiled, her eyes full of emotion, her face growing even redder at his directness.

When she first saw him too, even though she had already turned to report back to the princess, she couldn’t help but turn back to look at him one more time. That backward glance had stirred her heart – she had fallen for that refined young man. How fortunate that Liu Wenqi liked her too, taking the initiative to talk to her, to seek her out.

Her luck was extremely good.

Chunhua said softly: “Put me down first.”

After a while, fighting her shyness, she said quietly: “If you don’t betray me, I won’t leave you.”

Liu Wenqi was naturally overjoyed. He took Chunhua’s hand and together they rode out of the lane, naturally going out to play after reconciling. Chunhua asked about his studies, and he said it didn’t matter, it was all fate.

Seeing that Liu Wenqi’s outlook had broadened considerably, Chunhua was happy for him and accompanied him for an entire day. When lovers are together, even a moment feels too short, needless to say more—

Having drunk several cups too many, Mu Wanyao had ridden out on horseback but was returning in a carriage.

As she dozed off against the carriage wall after leaving a banquet, she heard Fang Tong say softly outside: “Your Highness, I see Second Young Master Yan.”

Mu Wanyao remained silent.

That night Yan Shang had seen her in such a vulnerable state, and he had almost kissed her… Her mood was strange, so she hadn’t wanted to see him for several days. And since she didn’t see him, he didn’t come either, which made Mu Wanyao even angrier.

Hearing Fang Tong say she saw Yan Shang, normally Mu Wanyao would certainly have been too lazy to care, just letting the carriage pass by, preferably letting Yan Shang see that she was ignoring him.

But today, perhaps because she had drunk a couple extra cups of wine, Mu Wanyao’s head was slightly dizzy. When she heard Fang Tong mention Second Young Master, her heart stirred, and she lifted the carriage curtain.

She saw Yan Shang’s tall, slender, dignified figure, with a servant boy beside him.

He was struggling to carry a box of books, his servant also carrying one.

Mu Wanyao reached out and knocked on the outside of the carriage, saying mockingly: “Only rode for two days, and now not riding anymore. What’s wrong, did riding hurt you? Did your delicate skin get chafed by the horse, making you unable to ride?”

In Great Wei, both men and women prized unrestrained elegance, and naturally, horseback riding was the nobility’s favorite way to travel.

Yan Shang was struggling with his books when he heard that cool, mocking voice and knew it was Mu Wanyao. He sighed he had seen Princess Danyang’s carriage earlier but thought that, like the previous times, she would completely ignore him.

Who knew she would lift the curtain to speak to him?

Yan Shang raised his eyes to look at her, ignoring Mu Wanyao’s mockery and good-naturedly greeting her.

Mu Wanyao’s gaze flickered slightly.

It was already getting hot in the sixth month, and there was some sweat on Yan Shang’s forehead and neck. Sweat on other men would surely be stinking, but on this beautiful youth, it was different.

The servant beside Yan Shang greeted the princess and then, unable to resist, spoke up for his young master: “Your Highness’s words are wrong. On our way back, my master saw a family coming into the city to trade, their old horse died on the road. The family was heartbroken, so our master gave them his horse.

“Our master did a good deed, it’s not that he can’t ride!”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes turned to the servant speaking for Yan Shang.

Yan Shang said softly: “Yunshu, don’t be presumptuous before Her Highness.”

Mu Wanyao’s gaze returned to Yan Shang’s face and said: “Unexpected, you even have a personal servant now. Have you cleared your rent debt to me?”

Yan Shang replied good-naturedly: “It’s already paid.”

Mu Wanyao wanted to find more fault, but seeing a drop of sweat fall from his forehead, trailing down his nose bridge to his lips, her expression wavered and she softened, saying: “Is it really hot? You’re heading home, right? Get in the carriage, I’ll give you a ride.”

Yunshu, standing beside Yan Shang, thought his ever-courteous young master would surely decline repeatedly, but unexpectedly Yan Shang didn’t refuse, only saying: “Then I’ll trouble Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes showed delight as she happily had the carriage stopped, personally opening the door and helping Yan Shang up.

Yan Shang didn’t refuse because he naturally knew that Mu Wanyao greatly disliked being refused – the more he refused, the angrier she would become, and she would force him anyway. Since he would end up being forced anyway, better to give in to her from the start—

Once seated in the carriage, Mu Wanyao enthusiastically pushed the covered ice chips in Yan Shang’s direction and took out a handkerchief for him to wipe his sweat.

She rested her chin on her hand, sitting casually, her clear black eyes quietly appreciating how he wiped his sweat. She was both radiant and aloof, just staring at him for a long while.

She stared until Yan Shang’s neck reddened and he turned his face aside, avoiding her gaze.

Neither had anything to say.

After a while, Yan Shang finally managed to find a topic: “Where is Your Highness returning from?”

Mu Wanyao said lazily: “Skip such courteous talk. No matter how much more you say, it won’t improve my impression of you.”

Yan Shang said softly: “People talking to each other isn’t just about making good impressions. Could it not be that I simply care about Your Highness?”

He looked at her, somewhat reproachful.

Unconsciously, under his gaze, Mu Wanyao felt that being so casual wasn’t quite right. She coughed once, sat more properly, and honestly answered his question: “I didn’t do much. Oh right, these days, I’m going to host a banquet for the Vice Minister of Revenue. Since you’re my person, come to my manor and meet them all, so you can help each other in the future.”

Yan Shang nodded.

But said: “I’m not Your Highness’s person.”

Mu Wanyao smiled sardonically: “Whatever you say.”

After this casual chat, the strange atmosphere between them dissipated somewhat, and they could talk freely about idle matters. However, both carefully maintained boundaries, avoiding topics that might lead in uncontrollable directions.

When the carriage reached the entrance of the lane and stopped, the people outside didn’t call them to get down for a long while.

After some time, Yan Shang’s servant Yunshu said in amazement: “Young Master, there are… so many people in front of our gate.”

Yan Shang laughed: “How could they be looking for me? They must be looking for Your Highness, right?”

Mu Wanyao thought the same – while her Princess Manor could have many visitors, how could anyone be looking for Yan Shang, who was still just waiting for an appointment at the Hongwen Academy?

Yunshu stammered outside: “N-no… Young Master, you’ll understand when you look.”

Opening the carriage door, Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang curiously looked out together.

They saw the manor gate piled with goods, a charming young lady standing before it, her voice like an oriole’s, directing servants to carry things into Yan Shang’s manor. The curious onlookers from the Princess Manor had been watching for a while, and the servants from Yan Shang’s manor were being directed by that young lady to help move things.

Everyone was bewildered.

Hearing movement from the carriage, the young lady suddenly turned to look.

Her complexion was like spring dawn, full of spirit.

She saw Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang sitting in the carriage, first showed surprise, perfunctorily paid respects to Mu Wanyao, then waved joyfully to Yan Shang.

When she spoke to Yan Shang, she unconsciously blushed: “Second Young Master, you’re here! I heard you moved house, really now, why didn’t you tell me? I’ve come to celebrate your housewarming.”

Mu Wanyao recognized this young lady.

Because she was Yang Si the Third Young Master Yang’s cousin, the Fifth Lady Zhao, Zhao Lingfei.

Zhao Lingfei’s gaze was both shy and bold as she stared at Yan Shang – who didn’t know what she meant?

Sitting in the carriage, Yan Shang’s entire body instantly stiffened.

Mu Wanyao’s gaze shot toward him like daggers as she grabbed his hand: “What’s going on?”

Yan Shang looked at her.

No longer composed, he stammered: “I- I don’t know either.”