Yan Shang was puzzled about why a maid would be looking for him. Usually, when someone from the manor needed him, it was Yun Shu. He had only given Yun Shu his token, which could be presented at the imperial city gate to be led to the official temple to find him. How could there be a maid?

Had something happened at the manor? Was Yun Shu ill?

Though it probably wasn’t urgent, since the official who delivered the message seemed casual about it, showing no signs of urgency.

Yan Shang had already found a bottle of medicine powder and sat down, planning to apply medicine before meeting anyone. He smiled and shook his head in response to the young official’s teasing gaze: “Brother Wang, don’t joke around.”

The young official clicked his tongue: “You’re no fun.”

Still unsatisfied, while cleaning up the documents on his desk and preparing to leave the Court of State Ceremonials to return home, he continued probing: “Are you sure she’s not your sweetheart? That maid looks very beautiful.”

Yan Shang slowly pulled open his collar to look at the wound inside, sighing casually: “There aren’t many unattractive maids to begin with.”

The maids Mu Wan Yao sent to his manor were all young and beautiful. The nobles of this world all preferred to use beautiful maids, and Yan Shang, following Mu Wan Yao, had grown quite accustomed to seeing this.

The official said: “But she’s not just ordinarily beautiful. She’s the alluring, captivating kind.”

Yan Shang didn’t respond.

The official continued reminiscing: “And your maid was quite fierce. I just passed by and glanced at her, but her eyes stabbed at me like knives, giving me quite a fright. I didn’t even dare ask her how she dared to appear there. Only after I left did I realize – she’s just a maid, what was I afraid of? How did I let myself get scared away?”

Yan Shang started, his eyelashes trembling slightly. He had just opened the medicine bottle but hadn’t applied it yet when he heard the official’s words.

A maid with a fierce aura – there were none like that in his manor. But a lady with a fierce aura… he happened to know one.

His heartbeat quickened, and though it seemed impossible, that slight possibility still made his heart race.

Yan Shang’s dark, lustrous eyes stared at the other person, and seeing Yan Shang’s interest in his words, the young official became somewhat pleased.

Yan Shang: “What does she look like?”

The young official recalled: “Those eyes, like cat’s eyes, round and wide, glaring at people as if she would devour them. But such beautiful ‘enchanting eyes’, even when glaring are still lovely…”

“Crash—”

The young official looked over in surprise to see the normally composed Second Young Master Yan suddenly stand up, knocking over the books and scrolls on the desk beside him. The volumes scattered across the floor, but Yan Shang had no time to clean up. At this glance, the young official noticed Yan Shang’s face had suddenly turned red.

Yan Shang looked both confused and flustered.

There was no time to apply medicine.

Hastily tying his belt, Yan Shang’s face was burning red as he said to the official who was staring at him strangely: “I-I-I’ll go take a look—”

With that, Yan Shang left, leaving the young official very puzzled, shaking his head and thinking no more of it—

In the main hall of the Reception Department at the Court of State Ceremonials, Mu Wan Yao was standing before an antique shelf, looking up to admire the various treasures collected by the Court. Most were gifts from envoys of various countries, particularly interesting with distinct national characteristics.

For example glassware, a three-foot-tall agate lamp tree, ostrich egg cups, jewel-decorated jade wine vessel bottles…

Many items were also in the palace, and those kept at the Court of State Ceremonials were ones with flaws that weren’t suitable as gifts. But the flaws made them unique – at least Mu Wan Yao found them very appealing.

Mu Wan Yao tilted her head, seriously examining the antique shelf, already planning in her mind to have someone find the Minister of the Court tomorrow, to have him give her some of the treasures she had her eye on today…

Mu Wan Yao was enjoying these treasures while boredly waiting in the main hall, while in the eyes of the coming and going officials, Mu Wan Yao was also a peculiar sight.

As Mu Wan Yao expected, those still at the Court at this hour were all minor officials of no rank. They didn’t recognize Princess Danyang, truly believing she was a maid from Yan Er Lang’s household. They just felt this maid had quite an attitude, standing in their main hall admiring items on the antique shelf… this air of disdain for others was very unlike a maid.

However, she was beautiful.

Gentlemen always had more tender feelings toward beautiful maidens, unwilling to be harsh.

So Mu Wan Yao stood there brazenly waiting for nearly half an hour, and not a single official came to drive her out to wait elsewhere. But while some gentlemen had tender hearts for beautiful young maidens, some were inconsiderate.

Mu Wan Yao was standing there properly when an official came in from outside carrying a stack of books, and without a word, upon seeing Mu Wan Yao, shoved all the books he was carrying into her arms.

Mu Wan Yao was stunned: “…”

Suddenly having arms full of items, she hadn’t even looked at them when some books fell out because her arms were too small.

Mu Wan Yao’s eyes widened as she saw the person who had shoved the books at her was about to brush past her and leave, instructing as he went: “These are documents needed tomorrow, take them to Master Han at the Department of Protocol, have him find fifteen people to translate the documents and memorize them overnight…”

What what?

What Master Han? What Department of Protocol?

Seeing that the official who had dumped the books on her was about to leave, Mu Wan Yao shouted sternly: “Stop right there!”

The official’s back stiffened at the shout, and he turned around, just about to rebuke how dare a maid yell at him when he saw that young maiden who had yelled at him walking toward him with a stern face.

“Bang—”

Mu Wan Yao shoved the books the person had dumped in her arms right back at him, and under his bewildered gaze, Mu Wan Yao said icily: “Do your work, am I part of your Court of State Ceremonials that you’re assigning me tasks? Who takes responsibility if something goes wrong? Don’t shirk your duties! You’re in a hurry to return home, am I not?”

The official stared at this maid wearing a man’s robe missing its back panel, thinking what could a mere maid like you be in a hurry for?

This maid continued lecturing him: “Is this how you work when the court pays you a salary? What’s so great about troubling others? Go find people yourself! The Department of Protocol is just a few steps from the Reception Department but you’re too lazy to go, your official authority must be impressive!”

As Mu Wan Yao was lecturing, other passing officials saw, stopped to watch, and whispered among themselves, paying attention to this matter.

The official being lectured was surrounded by onlookers while being scolded by a young girl. His face was completely red, and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He wanted to get angry and scold her but was steadily overpowered by this maid’s presence. Several times he tried to speak but was blocked by the maid’s rapid-fire words.

Official: “I…”

Mu Wan Yao: “What about you? Do you still think you’re right? Do you even know who I am that you’d give me documents? What if I were an enemy spy? Do you just trust me like that? How do you usually conduct your duties? Why are you staring with such big eyes, you’re not convinced? What are you, a ninth-rank minor official, not convinced about?”

The official shouted in his heart: I’m a ninth-rank minor official not convinced by you, a maid who doesn’t even have a rank!

But being lectured by Mu Wan Yao until his face and ears were red, with colleagues watching the excitement around them, some unable to hold back their laughter, he was made even more embarrassed. This official could only say: “I was wrong, I shouldn’t have assigned work to you, I should do it myself. But whose maid are you, to be so bold?”

Mu Wan Yao: “…”

Only then did she remember her role.

She coughed once, slightly guilty. Not wanting to cause trouble for Yan Shang, she said coldly in a loud voice: “Why are you asking whose maid I am? Want to complain to my master? How can you have so little accountability, wanting to complain about such a small matter?”

The official didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He looked at her and smiled: “I wouldn’t dare. Little miss is sharp-tongued, how would I dare complain to your master? I want to ask your master to give you to me, such an eloquent little maid, I need to hear your teachings daily, so I won’t go astray…”

His eyes looked at her.

Mu Wan Yao’s heart skipped a beat. She understood men’s expressions of interest all too well. That kind of half-smiling gaze clearly showed he had taken an interest in her…

Mu Wan Yao’s face stiffened slightly.

At this moment, Yan Shang finally ran breathlessly to the main hall entrance, clearly seeing the scene of Mu Wan Yao lecturing that official and that official smilingly responding. Yan Shang saw the maid’s back and heard the maid’s voice, his heart both startled and joyful, yet also shocked.

Yan Shang: “…Yao Yao!”

Mu Wan Yao was still standing there proudly in a stalemate when she heard the familiar gentle male voice from behind. She turned around, saw Yan Shang standing in the doorway, and immediately relaxed, showing an obedient yet guilty smile.

Yan Shang met her eyes.

His feelings were hard to describe.

He calmed his emotions, planning to first resolve this mess Mu Wan Yao had created for him before anything else. He stepped into the main hall, and the official who had been lectured by Mu Wan Yao looked at him in surprise, seeing that the little maid’s master was Yan Shang, this official couldn’t help but smile. Finding it amusing that while the maid had such a fierce temperament, her master was so good-natured – this pairing was quite interesting; also thinking that since Yan Shang was so good-natured, it would be easy to ask him for a maid.

Yan Shang came over and looked at Mu Wan Yao with a stern face: “…Why did you come here?”

Mu Wan Yao lowered her head, acting obedient: “I missed you.”

She tilted her head coquettishly, casting a glance at him that rippled with light-like waves, making Yan Shang’s face grow hot. He stiffened, somewhat uncomfortable with so many people watching as she dared to flirt with him so openly with just her eyes, but what could he do?

Yan Shang could only stand there with a red face, pulling her behind him, lightly scolding: “Stop being mischievous.”

Yan Shang clasped his hands and said apologetically to that official: “My maid was being playful earlier, brother, please don’t take offense. I will punish her later.”

The official laughed heartily.

He said: “No need, no need. Your little maid is very interesting. We hit it off immediately – could you give her to me?”

Yan Shang suddenly turned to look at Mu Wan Yao behind him. Mu Wan Yao was also startled and hurriedly waved her hands: “We didn’t hit it off! I didn’t!”

Yan Shang gave her a small glare, then turned back to smile and explain to the official: “She’s been spoiled by me and dares to say anything. I’m afraid my brother has some misunderstanding – I’ll apologize on her behalf. However, I… care for her deeply, so I cannot give her away.”

When he said “care,” his voice paused slightly, and he felt Mu Wan Yao’s finger gently poke his lower back.

The poke made his waist go weak.

But with so many officials watching the scene in the main hall, Yan Shang didn’t dare show any reaction at all. He didn’t even dare grab her hand to stop her from moving. Since Mu Wan Yao was secretly poking him from behind, others couldn’t see… but if he dared to grab her hand, everyone would see.

She was truly… too naughty.

Seeing that Yan Shang wouldn’t give her away, the official was very disappointed and asked: “What if I buy her contract? However much it costs, I can pay several times over!”

Yan Shang forced himself to continue: “Please forgive me, brother.”

The official sighed and had to accept it. He regretfully wanted to look at Mu Wan Yao one more time, but she was hidden behind Yan Shang, and he couldn’t get even a glimpse.

After the official left and others had no more drama to watch, they naturally dispersed.

Only then did Yan Shang grab Mu Wan Yao’s hand and quickly lead her away from there. In the sunset, their figures passed under the dappled light and shadow of the windowed corridor, their shadows stretching long behind them.

Yan Shang held her hand tightly, her soft, delicate small hand in his grip, making him once again feel confused and joyful, his heart skipping beats.

His steadfast iron heart, being repeatedly toyed with in her palm like this, could no longer bear it—

Returning to the side room where Yan Shang worked, seeing no one else there, he finally felt safe closing the door. Yan Shang turned to look at Mu Wan Yao, trying to keep a stern face: “You went too far!”

But as soon as he turned around, Mu Wan Yao slipped into his arms like a fish, nestling against him, her arms around his neck. With the door behind him, he had nowhere to retreat, so he pushed her slightly, and Mu Wan Yao raised her face with a smile.

Though he tried to keep a stern expression, he truly never got angry, and even when trying to appear angry, he lacked conviction. Seeing him like this, Mu Wan Yao just found him adorable and wasn’t afraid of him at all. She lifted her head and kissed his chin, giggling: “I just missed you.”

After her sweet words, she raised an eyebrow with amusement, as it was visible how quickly her Second Brother Yan’s face reddened.

He simply couldn’t stay angry.

Yan Shang also realized Mu Wan Yao was taking advantage of his tendency to blush. He glanced at her, and she hugged him affectionately, continuously calling him “Second Brother Yan.” One “brother” after another, until Yan Shang felt his soul melting at her calls.

He wasn’t very angry to begin with, and now not only could he not be angry, but his heart was pounding rapidly. He helplessly said in a low voice: “Don’t be like this. I can’t take it.”

Mu Wan Yao looked up at him, light dancing in her eyes, acting coy: “I came to see you, aren’t you happy?”

Yan Shang looked at her: “So you came to see me. Yet the moment I took my eyes off you, I saw you flirting with another man.”

Mu Wan Yao became embarrassed, her face also reddening: “That was an accident… he still liked me even after I scolded him, what can I do if my charm is so great?”

Yan Shang paused for a moment, then said softly: “Are you implying something about me?”

Mu Wan Yao tilted her head.

She saw Yan Shang lower his eyes, his thick long eyelashes covering them like curtains, rustling softly. He said quietly: “You often scold me too.”

After a pause, he added with a slight complaint: “And I like you too.”

Mu Wan Yao’s cheeks reddened.

She said softly: “That’s different.”

Yan Shang: “How is it different?”

Mu Wan Yao: “Because I like you.”

Yan Shang raised his eyes to look at her, and as their gazes met, he finally couldn’t hold back anymore and wasn’t angry about her causing trouble in the main hall. He just said “Don’t do this again” and decided not to dwell on it further. With her arms around his neck, he stood by the wooden door, a hint of a smile in his expression.

His gentle demeanor made Mu Wan Yao’s heart race faster, even though she had been trying to tease him.

She asked softly: “Does your head still hurt? Are you sober now?”

Yan Shang became embarrassed.

He must be the first person to get drunk from just a kiss.

Yan Shang said: “Thank you for Your Highness’s concern, I’m fine now.”

He paused, then said: “Could Your Highness please not drink in the future?”

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him teasingly: “Why, afraid you’ll end up unconscious in my bed again?”

Yan Shang said: “Drinking isn’t good to begin with.”

Mu Wan Yao snorted.

Yan Shang: “Then between me and alcohol, which would Your Highness choose?”

Mu Wan Yao looked at him sideways and said: “What do you think?”

Yan Shang: “You’d choose alcohol, right? You would never choose me.”

He continued: “I don’t even rank as high as alcohol in your heart. How dare I hope for anything more?”

Mu Wan Yao said impatiently: “Stop complaining. I came all this way to see you, why are you frowning and complaining? Can’t you be a little happier? Act surprised? Be good and let me hug and kiss you?”

Yan Shang wanted to say “Am I just someone you can summon and dismiss at will?” but after a pause, he held the words back.

At the same time, he felt a chill in his heart.

For someone like him who never offended others with his words, he almost couldn’t help but complain just now… When had he become so unable to maintain his composure? He shouldn’t be someone who blurts out his true feelings like that.

Yan Shang’s heart was in turmoil, wondering how he had changed, and whether the change was good or bad. He frowned, his expression distant, and when Mu Wan Yao hadn’t heard him speak for a while, she thought he was angry. She secretly looked up at him and saw him frowning as if deep in thought.

Mu Wan Yao elbowed him lightly.

The nudge happened to hit his chest.

Yan Shang immediately hissed in pain, his body half-stiffening as he backed against the door.

Mu Wan Yao instantly became worried: “What’s wrong, what’s wrong?”

Yan Shang held her hand and smiled at her: “It’s nothing, just a small injury.”

Mu Wan Yao naturally didn’t believe him – in his words, everything was always a small matter. She insisted on looking, and he couldn’t stop her—

So leaning against the door, with Mu Wan Yao blocking his way, Yan Shang had no choice but to sit down against the door, gradually allowing Mu Wan Yao to open his collar.

He turned his head away somewhat awkwardly, still uncomfortable with undressing in front of others. Especially since this wasn’t in his chambers, but in an official temple… He was so nervous he started sweating, his turned neck flushed red, while Mu Wan Yao straddled his legs, lowering her head to open his collar.

Mu Wan Yao had only meant to tease him, but when she saw the long red mark down his chest, she immediately became furious.

Mu Wan Yao demanded harshly: “Who did this?”

She immediately jumped up, looking ready to go out and settle accounts. Yan Shang hurriedly got up too, hugging her from behind to keep her from leaving.

His clothes disheveled, he held her tight from behind, his breath brushing her cheek as he constantly reassured her: “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! It wasn’t intentional! I just got accidentally hit by a whip during archery practice this afternoon, they didn’t mean it, and they even gave me medicine for it.”

Mu Wan Yao was outraged: “If it’s archery then it’s archery, why use a whip? No, I’m going to whip them back!”

Yan Shang: “Don’t be like this, don’t be like this. I’m fine… if Your Highness retaliates, how can I face anyone? It’s just a small injury, no need to make such a big deal of it.”

Mu Wan Yao still wouldn’t listen, struggling to break free from Yan Shang’s embrace. Looking at her turned face and cold expression, she intended to go hit them back.

The two struggled intensely, with Yan Shang unable to calm her anger. He felt both moved and helpless. He could only let out a hiss, pretending her arm had hit his wound, and staggered back two steps. Sure enough, Mu Wan Yao turned to look at him, and seeing him like this, she anxiously said: “Did I hit your wound? Let me help you apply medicine.”

Yan Shang seized the opportunity to grab her wrist, pleading: “Your Highness, please don’t go hit anyone.”

Mu Wan Yao was silent for a long while.

Looking up at him, she said softly: “You’re always like this, willing to take a loss yourself rather than offend anyone.”

Yan Shang paused, then smiled gently: “Isn’t that good?”

Mu Wan Yao thought for a moment and said: “It’s not bad. I’m not afraid of you causing me trouble.”

But after thinking again, she said softly: “But it hurts my heart. You always swallow all grievances alone, never blaming anyone… how exhausting must it be for you? In this world, is there not one person before whom you can let down your guard, rest a while, and not always force yourself to maintain perfect courtesy?”

Yan Shang raised his eyes, looking at her steadily.

Mu Wan Yao said softly: “I hope you won’t be so tired, hope you have moments when you can truly relax. I have such a bad temper, why do you still hold back in front of me? Can’t you just do what you want? I’ll be the same either way, sometimes… you really can get angry at me.”

He stared at her dazedly as she looked up and kissed his lips lightly, saying tenderly: “Yan Shang, let yourself go a little.”

She turned to get the medicine, but Yan Shang grabbed her wrist.

Mu Wan Yao looked back.

Yan Shang lowered his eyes, very seriously asking: “What you just said, were you teasing me, or were you sincere?”

Mu Wan Yao winked playfully, saying sweetly: “You guess.”

He released her wrist, watching her turn to get the medicine. His heart couldn’t figure it out at all. Yan Shang sat down with a bitter smile, watching her slender figure busy at the desk, and slowly covered his face with his sleeve—

Mu Wan Yao sat back in Yan Shang’s lap, lowering her head to carefully apply medicine.

Both were silent.

Yan Shang looked down at her with complex emotions, still thinking about her words about letting himself go. Mu Wan Yao was being extra careful, afraid of hurting him. The golden sunset light shone through the small window above them, falling on the ground three inches before them.

The golden light was misty and soft.

After finishing with the medicine, Mu Wan Yao finally felt relieved, silently reminding herself to pay attention to Yan Shang’s injury in the coming days. Her memory was poor, but she couldn’t forget this.

With that done and the medicine bottle set aside, Mu Wan Yao had time to notice other things. She looked down at him and suddenly exclaimed in surprise: “Oh, you have abs now?”

Yan Shang stiffened.

After speaking, Mu Wan Yao reached out: “I want to touch them.”

Yan Shang grabbed her wrist to stop her from misbehaving, but Mu Wan Yao wouldn’t listen. She playfully touched all over his abdomen, making Yan Shang’s breathing irregular as he leaned against the door, head tilted back. His face was flushed and sweating as he gritted his teeth: “Don’t do this… like this, it makes me feel like I’m serving you with my looks.”

Mu Wan Yao snorted a laugh: “How old-fashioned.”

After a long while, Yan Shang looked like he’d been pulled from the water. Catching his breath, he complained: “Do you just like physically strong men? Like powerful, mighty gentlemen…”

Mu Wan Yao held back her laughter, coaxing him: “However Second Brother Yan is, that’s what I like. I just like Second Brother Yan as he is, a little muscle is enough… too much and I’d be afraid of getting beaten.”

Yan Shang glared at her: “Talking nonsense again.”

Mu Wan Yao said seriously: “No, I only look at you. But if you want to practice martial arts, you could find Third Young Master Yang. His martial arts are good, and with your talent, he’d be happy to teach you how to build a good physique.”

Yan Shang suddenly went quiet.

Mu Wan Yao remained oblivious.

She heard Yan Shang ask softly: “…Are you and Third Young Master Yang really that close?”

Mu Wan Yao answered casually: “We grew up together.”

Yan Shang fell silent.

He felt somewhat troubled, wanting to ask for some assurance from her, but he also felt his worry was laughable. Her hand was still moving randomly across his waist and abdomen, completely unaware of how difficult this was for him. The inner turmoil made Yan Shang slightly irritable, and he grabbed her hand, firmly trying to stop her actions: “Stop it.”

He said quietly: “This is still my workplace. I don’t want this.”

Mu Wan Yao looked up, noticing he seemed somewhat dejected. She was surprised, not knowing why he had suddenly become unhappy when everything had been fine just moments ago.

She reached up to cup his face, studying his expression, but he turned away, not letting her look. Now Mu Wan Yao became anxious. Thinking she had truly made him uncomfortable, she felt guilty and offered compensation: “You can touch me too.”

Yan Shang froze for a moment.

Mu Wan Yao kept watching him, seeing him look down at her. His face was somewhat red, his eyes not daring to meet hers, and he even stammered: “W-where can I touch?”

Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself that his dejection had disappeared quickly. She normally wasn’t shy, but his gaze made her feel shy now.

She bit her lip and said generously: “Anywhere. You can touch wherever you want.”

She pushed out her chest slightly, but then felt this might be too forward. She carefully looked at Yan Shang but saw that he was looking down, completely missing her small gesture. He kept his head down, struggling internally for a while before looking up at her.

He said softly: “I want to touch your waist.”

His gaze flickered.

Even more quietly: “I’ve never touched it before.”

Mu Wan Yao: “…It’s just a waste, why are you blushing?”

She bit her lip and sighed with a smile: “You’re such a fool… I’m right here, and you only want to touch my waist?”

Yan Shang asked confused: “…Where else can I touch?”

Seeing how clueless he was, Mu Wan Yao had to lean in, press against his ear, and whisper a few words. His previous blush was nothing compared to how his entire body turned red now.

He stiffened, stammering terribly: “Th-that’s not p-possible!”

Mu Wan Yao looked at the ceiling: “I’ve always thought it was too plain, wanting to paint a peony on my chest. Haven’t found a good artist yet.”

Yan Shang kept his head down.

After a while, he said: “…You’re so bold.”

He hadn’t even thought about it.

Mu Wan Yao glanced at him, bursting into laughter: “What would someone with such poor imagination like you understand? I just want to paint a flower, can you do it? Looking at you, I know you can’t.”

After a while, Yan Shang said: “…I’ll practice.”

Mu Wan Yao: “Practice what?”

Yan Shang glanced at her, and smiled a little, somewhat shyly: “Practice painting.”

Mu Wan Yao laughed and threw herself into his arms, and his hand gently held her waist. His palm against her waist made Mu Wan Yao stiffen for a moment before relaxing. She realized that Yan Shang was touching her waist for the first time. Before, he had always hugged her back, properly avoiding touching anywhere else.

But gradually, he was still human, he still had desires.

Mu Wan Yao buried herself in his embrace, held at the waist by him.

She heard him whisper near her ear: “Your waist is so narrow.”

“So thin, so small, so soft.”

Being praised by her beloved gentleman about her waist, Mu Wan Yao felt shy but still hit him, scolding: “Is that all you can say? So uncultured!”

Mu Wan Yao let out a soft moan near his ear, the sound entering his ear, and felt Yan Shang suddenly stiffen and hold her tightly. Mu Wan Yao cried out again, this time from being squeezed too hard.

He came to his senses and quickly loosened his arms, not holding her so tightly. But his hands remained on her waist, unwilling to move away.

Yan Shang: “I’m sorry… I couldn’t control myself.”

Mu Wan Yao didn’t speak, just buried her face in his chest and smiled—

Yan Shang told Mu Wan Yao he needed to go to the North District tonight.

Mu Wan Yao: “What for, to play with women? Have I not satisfied you after letting you play for so long?”

Yan Shang gently rubbed her forehead, smiling: “Your Highness is joking again.”

He said: “I’m meeting someone.”

He paused, seeming to hesitate whether to tell Mu Wan Yao what he was going to do. Mu Wan Yao glanced at him and said she didn’t care, he didn’t need to tell her. However, after spending this time with him, Mu Wan Yao didn’t want to leave him.

After struggling for a while, she said: “I’ll take you to the North District, and leave after you go in.”

Yan Shang also didn’t want to part from her, but what needed to be done had to be done, so he nodded—

Great Wei had a curfew.

But it only applied to the West and East Markets; the wards themselves were still lively.

Especially in a famous entertainment district like the North District.

Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang took a carriage there, different from their previous visit together. That time had been a rainy night with fewer people. Tonight the place was brilliant with lights, with many vendors in the streets and alleys.

Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang walked among the crowd.

A tall man wearing a mask brushed past them.

For a moment, just a shoulder’s width apart—

Wearing a mask, Meng Zai Shi turned his head, looking at the little princess and her new love with an ambiguous smile.