Yan Shang’s mind was already full of thoughts about “warfare” and “peace marriages,” and he knew Mu Wanyao was busy dealing with various envoys. So even though he immediately noticed Mu Wanyao with that tall man, he truly didn’t think much of it.

But Mu Wanyao’s reaction left him stunned and uncomfortable—

He was here on official business, not to investigate her. Why was she deliberately avoiding him?

If she had nothing to hide, why avoid him?

As this discomfort grew, Yan Shang couldn’t help but notice more details.

He recognized that man – the one who had caused trouble at the Court of State Ceremonials that day.

Yan Shang had thought he was a general or similar official from Wuman.

However, seeing Mu Wanyao with this person, with all the Wuman people following behind them… Yan Shang immediately realized this wasn’t a Wuman general – he was the Wuman King.

Mu Wanyao was with the newly appointed King of Wuman.

Mu Wanyao had known this person before and had even wanted to kill him.

But now, looking at how Mu Wanyao stood by the vendor stall holding Mu Li, with her gauze veil floating toward the Wuman King, she lowered her head coyly as that man drew near to her. At such a close distance, it was like stealing a kiss in secret. After Mu Li moved away, her eyes flickered with natural charm.

Yan Shang’s heart suddenly felt empty.

His mind could barely process it.

Why was it like this? Did they have feelings for each other before, but they quarreled, so she wanted to kill him? And now looking at this, had they reconciled?

Then the Wuman King’s marriage proposal and what happened the night of the ceremony weren’t quite what Yan Shang had thought… No, he shouldn’t doubt Mu Wanyao. Because that night she was genuinely unhappy.

…So why was she with the Wuman King now, smiling so happily, and avoiding him?

Yan Shang’s heart ached in an instant—

After searching the West Market for a long time without finding Mu Wanyao and the Wuman King, he felt angry and heartbroken, knowing she must be deliberately avoiding him, perhaps having already left.

Yan Shang returned to his residence quarter and asked the Princess Manor’s people if Princess Danyang had returned.

The manor staff said Princess Danyang hadn’t returned. Yan Shang practiced calligraphy in the manor, waiting for two hours. Even after the lanterns were lit and night fell, Mu Wanyao still hadn’t returned.

His heart felt completely cold.

Originally he just wanted an explanation, but now her irresponsible attitude truly angered him. He also felt foolish – why was he waiting for her like this? What was he waiting for? For her to lie to him again?

She had clearly said she wasn’t lovers with the Wuman King, so what was that scene today?

Yan Shang was somewhat angry. He couldn’t focus on reading or practicing calligraphy anymore and felt rebellious. He thought Mu Wanyao was taking advantage of his good temper, knowing he rarely got angry, and deliberately treating him this way.

Was she planning to drag this out until he forgot about it, pretending nothing had happened?

Or perhaps use this excuse to break up with him, to be with the Wuman King?

While he spent his days busy with various government affairs, worrying about her, caring for her, researching Wuman materials… it all seemed like a joke.

Thinking of this, Yan Shang realized he might be overthinking. He had worked so hard on self-cultivation, yet today he couldn’t maintain his composure. But he truly couldn’t help it. Yan Shang simply got up and opened the door.

Outside, Yun Shu was pacing, seeming unsure whether to go in and serve Yan Shang’s evening meal. As soon as Yan Shang opened the door, Yun Shu approached: “Second Young Master…”

Yan Shang said: “Tonight I’m going to discuss some official business with Ju Yuan. I won’t be returning.”

Better than coming back to see someone avoiding him.

Yun Shu made a surprised sound and hurried to fetch Yan Shang’s horse. The young master was now an official, and occasionally wouldn’t return at night, so the servant was used to it.

Yan Shang went straight to find Wei Shu. When he arrived, Wei Shu was writing a memorial. The youth, pure as spring snow, raised his face from the desk by the candlelight. His pitch-black eyes fixed on Yan Shang, making Yan Shang’s face slightly redden, feeling foolish.

Fortunately, although Wei Shu didn’t talk much, he very much welcomed Yan Shang to stay over.

Yan Shang forced himself to forget about Mu Wanyao, sitting down to discuss official matters with Wei Shu. He asked Wei Shu: “Don’t you think Wuman’s climate and terrain must be different from the Central Plains, and this would affect horsemanship?”

Wei Shu was confused, and then answered: “…Maybe.”

Of course, Yan Shang wasn’t asking Wei Shu for answers, but rather trying to recapture the inspiration he had when he saw the horse behind Mu Wanyao that afternoon. He thought about that horse, struggling to remove Mu Wanyao from the scene in his mind.

Yan Shang thought to himself that he should still go to the Ministry of War tomorrow to ask someone.

Having cleared up what he needed to do next, Yan Shang’s anxiety finally eased somewhat. Watching Wei Shu write his memorial, he asked: “Is Ju Yuan planning to impeach someone?”

As a Censorate Inspector, it was Wei Shu’s duty to freely impeach officials without consequence.

As far as Yan Shang knew, Wei Shu had offended quite a few people at court. He was truly worried for Wei Shu.

Wei Shu made a sound of agreement, glanced at Yan Shang, and said sheepishly: “Those officials who want His Highness to arrange a peaceful marriage – I need to find ways to impeach them all. Finding their faults is much easier than finding their merits.”

Yan Shang’s eyes flickered, seeing that Wei Shu was also helping Mu Wanyao within his official capacity.

However, Yan Shang thought defiantly, perhaps while he and Wei Shu were so busy, Mu Wanyao had already agreed to leave with the Wuman King.

Wei Shu looked at him: “Second Brother seems troubled.”

Yan Shang smiled and said it was nothing, then added: “Tomorrow I’ll take Ju Yuan to dine with some officials.”

Wei Shu was confused at first, then saw Yan Shang staring at the memorial he was writing. Wei Shu suddenly understood – Yan Shang felt he had offended too many court officials and wanted to help him smooth things over to avoid future career problems.

Wei Shu was grateful for Yan Shang’s help, but thinking about having to dine with a group of people he disliked… Wei Shu said: “No need.”

How could Yan Shang not be perceptive? He immediately said gently: “Don’t worry, Ju Yuan. I’ll do the talking at the banquet, you just need to follow behind me. I guarantee you won’t have to speak more than ten sentences all evening.”

Wei Shu raised an eyebrow and said: “Second Brother Yan is quite confident.”

Yan Shang smiled. He thought indeed, when not dealing with Mu Wanyao’s matters, his mind was still clear—

After parting with Mu Wanyao, the Wuman King Meng Zai Shi secretly met with the Prince of Qin.

The Prince of Qin prepared a banquet at his manor, openly inviting some officials while secretly having Meng Zai Shi enter the inner quarters.

Meng Zai Shi sat down with bold swagger, his tall frame stretched out like a male leopard, carelessly languid yet alert, smiling as he watched the Prince of Qin close the door and sit opposite him. Though his whole body was relaxed, he maintained the sharp readiness to spring up and kill at any moment.

The Prince of Qin said: “Previously when Wuman was at war with Great Wei, the Ministry of War wasn’t under my control, and Wuman wasn’t Your Majesty’s territory either. So although the Ministry and Wuman were at odds, neither you nor I were involved. This shows we still have the possibility of negotiating cooperation.”

Meng Zai Shi gave a casual laugh: “Of course. Wuman and Great Wei are originally in a cooperative relationship. I wholeheartedly support peace and don’t wish for war between our nations. I just became king and personally came to Great Wei – I thought I had already clearly shown my desire for peace.”

The Prince of Qin cursed the other’s craftiness in his heart, speaking so carefully without revealing anything.

Speaking of cooperation with Great Wei, but not cooperation with the Prince of Qin.

So the Prince of Qin also made scattered small talk, asking about Wuman customs, asking Meng Zai Shi’s views on Great Wei, and whether he liked Chang’an. Meng Zai Shi also put on an act, engaging enthusiastically with the Prince of Qin’s back-and-forth conversation.

In the end, the Prince of Qin’s skill was inferior – while Meng Zai Shi was still eagerly describing to the Prince of Qin how the streets of Chang’an captivated him, the Prince of Qin’s face grew increasingly rigid as he gripped his wine cup.

“Enough!” The Prince of Qin cut him off coldly.

Meng Zai Shi asked in surprise: “Has Your Highness become angry? Weren’t we having a pleasant conversation?”

After taking three deep breaths, the Prince of Qin looked at this Wuman King, secretly alarmed. He hadn’t expected the other’s Great Wei speech to be so good, nor had he expected that the king of a small barbaric nation could be so composed… But while Meng Zai Shi wasn’t anxious, the Prince of Qin was very anxious.

The Prince of Qin stated his true purpose: “I wish to cooperate with you, hoping Your Majesty will take Princess Danyang away. Having Princess Danyang remain in Chang’an strengthens the Crown Prince’s power, which I don’t wish to see. While Your Majesty needs Great Wei’s culture and technology – these things, if Princess Danyang enters Wuman, Great Wei will give to Wuman. You and I cooperate, each getting what we need.”

Meng Zai Shi lowered his eyelids, swirling the wine cup in his hand, and said lazily: “Since Your Highness is so sincere, I can also tell you something truthful. Whether or not to marry Princess Danyang isn’t that important to me. As Your Highness said, what I want is Great Wei’s knowledge and technology… These things, even without Princess Danyang, I think Great Wei will still compensate me with.”

He raised his face, the abrupt scar on it like a poisonous snake, striking at the Prince of Qin: “Tell me, why should I cooperate with Your Highness?”

The Prince of Qin gave a cold laugh.

The Prince of Qin said: “Wuman is merely a small country. You, as their king, staying in Chang’an… if Great Wei truly had any intentions, how could tiny Wuman protect you?”

Meng Zai Shi: “What, you dare to kill me?”

The Prince of Qin laughed: “How could Great Wei kill the ruler of a neighboring country? Wouldn’t that discourage all small nations that rely on Great Wei? However, if we invite Your Majesty to stay as our guest in Chang’an for a few more days – Great Wei being so hospitable – Your Majesty couldn’t well refuse, could you? And while Your Majesty remains longer in Great Wei, perhaps Wuman’s situation among the Southern Barbarians might… change.”

At these words, Meng Zai Shi’s face suddenly turned cold, his gaze piercing like a blade. In that instant, the Prince of Qin felt a chill sweep over him – the man seemed ready to strike… The Prince of Qin gripped the sword at his waist but then saw Meng Zai Shi suppress his killing intent, showing an unconcerned smile instead.

Meng Zai Shi sighed: “You Great Wei people are truly cunning.”

The Prince of Qin said: “So, are you willing to cooperate with me now? At least I command the Ministry of War and can ensure Your Majesty’s safe departure from Chang’an.”

Meng Zai Shi was silent for a moment, then said: “Cooperation is possible. But first I need a ‘pledge of allegiance.'”

The Prince of Qin was surprised: “You even know the term ‘pledge of allegiance’… Very well, what do you want me to do?”

Meng Zai Shi said casually: “Nothing too troublesome. I saw a Great Wei official called ‘Yan Shang the other day, and I suspect he’s an old acquaintance I once knew. That acquaintance was named Yan Shi Sheng. I heard Prince Qin oversees the Ministry of Personnel, which manages your Great Wei’s talent selection examinations. Pass the exam and you can become an official.

“Your examination system must require various documents from candidates, right? I’d like Prince Qin to help me check if that official called Yan Shang is Yan Shi Sheng.”

The Prince of Qin stood up in shock, his tone strange: “You mean Yan Shang? Second Young Master Yan? Yan Su Chen?”

Meng Zai Shi looked up thoughtfully: “Oh? Is this person famous?”

The Prince of Qin said: “Second Young Master Yan’s name, Second Young Master Yan’s bearing… heh.”

He gritted his teeth, remembering how Yan Shang had ruined his plan to drive a wedge between Mu Wanyao and the Crown Prince. After that incident, Chang’an’s scholars had elevated Yan Shang’s reputation very high, and the Prince of Qin had been waiting for Yan Shang to make a mistake, to be drowned in the contempt of those proud scholars.

Yet half a year had passed, and the Prince of Qin hadn’t seen Yan Shang stumble.

And now… The Prince of Qin stared at Meng Zai Shi, suddenly smiling: “You want to inquire about Second Young Master Yan – I suspect you have a grudge against him? But I don’t mind… The Ministry of Personnel indeed has all candidates’ records, though they’re not easy to access. But since we’re cooperating, I’ll naturally find a way to help Your Majesty.

“Your Majesty, please await good news.”

Meng Zai Shi nodded.

He lowered his eyelids, looking at the wine cup in his hand. In one moment he thought of Yan Shang at the Court of State Ceremonials, in another of the dim lantern light as Mu Wanyao held Yan Shang’s arm, laughing so freely, and in yet another of the first time he heard Yan Shi Sheng’s name, heard that it was Yan Shi Sheng’s strategy that had sparked the war…

A cruel smile appeared in Meng Zai Shi’s eyes.

A grudge?

If Yan Shang was indeed Yan Shi Sheng, the grudge between them would be enormous—

Mu Wanyao hadn’t expected her luck to be so bad, encountering Yan Shang on her very first visit to the Hu Market with Meng Zai Shi.

She immediately hid.

Later that evening, she dawdled at the Crown Prince’s palace, delaying until very late before returning to her manor. Mu Wanyao asked the gate guard of the opposite manor: “Has your young master not returned?”

The servant answered: “The young master returned and left again, saying he was discussing official business with Seventh Young Master Wei and wouldn’t return tonight.”

The servant saw the noble princess’s tense face slightly relax as if letting out a sigh of relief.

Before the servant could look more carefully, Mu Wanyao had already turned and returned to her manor.

Mu Wanyao thought she had avoided it for tonight.

However, she was still anxious, afraid that while she could avoid today, she couldn’t avoid tomorrow. If she met Yan Shang tomorrow, what should she do?

Mu Wanyao secretly berated herself for losing composure – why did she run? If she hadn’t run, given Yan Shang’s tolerant and magnanimous nature, he might not have thought much of it. But by hiding, she’d only drawn more attention to it, and Yan Shang would surely notice something was wrong.

Troubled and restless, another day passed like this.

The next day she continued dealing with various envoys, and in the afternoon didn’t dare go to the West Market with Meng Zai Shi, only casually talking with him in the palace. Meng Zai Shi noticed her distraction but pretended not to know. Meng Zai Shi wasn’t just waiting for her in Great Wei – he was also busy discussing alliance treaty terms with Great Wei alongside other countries.

Mu Wanyao returned to her manor in the evening and asked the opposite house: “Is Little Yan Er in the manor?”

The servant answered honestly: “Second Young Master hasn’t returned.”

Mu Wanyao returned to her manor relieved, but as the sky gradually darkened, her maid Xia Rong, who had gone out several times, told her Yan Shang hadn’t returned to his manor. Mu Wanyao began to feel uneasy, guilt welling up endlessly, and she started to worry.

She wondered if he had business keeping him away, or if he was angry with her and didn’t want to see her. But Yan Shang had such a good nature – others might get angry, but how could he?

Or were the servants lying to her?

The Princess Manor had a three-story pavilion. Before she and Yan Shang had cleared things up, Mu Wanyao often sat here watching the lights of the opposite manor, using them to judge if Yan Shang had returned or was reading late into the night again. But since that snowy night when Yan Shang had seen the pavilion’s lights, Mu Wanyao hadn’t sat here watching him for a long time.

Tonight, suspicious, Mu Wanyao once again climbed to the third floor of the pavilion to see if there were lights opposite.

Opposite, there were only a few sparse starlike lights, very dim, very dark. The master hadn’t returned, and the manor wasn’t lighting lamps.

Mu Wanyao suddenly felt dejected and even more panicked.

She bit her lip, secretly worrying about what to do if he was truly angry—

Yan Shang didn’t return all night. The next day when Mu Wanyao woke up and received Xia Rong’s report, she lay face-down on her bed, utterly dejected.

Heavens.

Little Yan Er hadn’t returned to his manor for two consecutive days – he must be angry, right?

She just… just… ran away a little bit. How could he be so angry?

Mu Wanyao listlessly waited for her maids to help her up and assist with washing and dressing, then went out to socialize. When she returned to her manor again, it was already the evening of another day.

Now when Mu Wanyao returned to her manor, she was full of inner conflict and grievances. Outside the carriage, Fang Tong announced their arrival, but Mu Wanyao hesitated in the carriage for a while before getting out.

Standing at her manor gate, Mu Wanyao coldly asked the opposite house: “Is Yan Shang in the manor?”

The servant opposite stammered: “Though Second Young Master isn’t in the manor, he… he has returned.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

Everyone saw Princess Danyang’s charming eyes suddenly widen, showing a moment of panic. She nearly jumped as if startled, but due to her good upbringing, she struggled to remain calm. Under everyone’s surprised gaze, Mu Wanyao very casually said “Oh” and then climbed the steps back to her manor.

The servant at the gate of the opposite manor watched in confusion.

They didn’t know that after entering her manor gate, Mu Wanyao immediately turned around somewhat furtively, pressing against the door to secretly observe the main gate behind the stone lions opposite. Fang Tong and the others wore strange expressions as the princess blocked them outside the door, not knowing that after Mu Wanyao had been watching for a while, she patted her chest in relief.

Mu Wanyao thought with relief that fortunately she had hidden quickly. Otherwise, if Yan Shang had suddenly appeared while they were talking, what would she have done?

Well, she would wait and think… and consider how to face him later.

As Mu Wanyao was encouraging herself while patting her chest, suddenly someone poked her back.

Mu Wanyao: “Don’t bother me!”

That person poked her back again.

Mu Wanyao was already troubled, and immediately turned around furiously, about to scold the inconsiderate servant. But when she turned, she saw the elegant jade-like young man, tilting his head to look at her, his eyes as still as a deep lake. He looked at her, reaching out his hand.

Mu Wanyao stepped back in fright, stepping on her skirt hem and getting tangled in her silk wrap. Yan Shang stepped forward, his arm catching her back, and with a push, she lost control and fell forward, crashing right into his embrace.

“Ah!” She gave an annoyed cry, her nose hurt from the collision.

Before Yan Shang could speak, Mu Wanyao said self-righteously: “What are you doing hiding by the door to scare people? You’re going to make my nose bleed!”

Yan Shang’s hands steadied her shoulders as he lowered his head to examine her, asking her to move her hands so he could look at her nose.

Yan Shang frowned in concern, but she just covered her nose and refused, starting to act coy. As Yan Shang worried, he suddenly saw her secretly raise one eye to observe him, her eyeball rolling. Meeting his lowered gaze, she quickly looked away, shouting again: “It’s all your fault!”

Yan Shang: “…”

For convenience in dealing with the envoys, Mu Wanyao wasn’t wearing her usual elaborate makeup. She wore only a begonia red long dress, with lotus-colored light silk wrapped around her, her hair loosely coiled. She covered her nose, raising her face, her bangs blown messily upward.

She was so lovable and pretty, like the first dewdrop of the morning, crystal clear and fresh, and also like an innocent, approachable girl next door.

But Yan Shang thought: What kind of approachable girl next door?

She was a troublesome bad girl!

Knowing her nose was fine, Yan Shang lowered his hands, his expression a bit cold. But as soon as he let go, Mu Wanyao snuggled over to hug his waist, embracing him coquettishly: “What are you doing? You won’t even apologize for hurting my nose. Fine, fine, I’m good-tempered, I forgive you. You should be magnanimous like me, you know?”

Her words had a double meaning.

Yan Shang said: “The one with the big temper is now accusing me of having a big temper.”

His voice was clear and smooth, and very soft. Hearing his voice, Mu Wanyao’s heart skipped a beat. Just three days without seeing him, and she had missed him. She looked up at him, observing his expression. Yan Shang pressed his lips together and said: “I was indeed busy with official business. I heard you kept asking if I had ‘returned’?”

Mu Wanyao said plaintively: “Yes.”

Yan Shang’s expression softened slightly, seeing that she still cared about him, and he felt a bit happy. But he was always reserved with his happiness and didn’t show it, only telling himself not to relax and be led along by her.

He was most helpless against Mu Wanyao. It was always her jumping up that would confuse him, her startling behaviors drawing away his attention, making him forget his original purpose.

He had been unhappy outside for two days, constantly magnifying the way he had seen Meng Zai Shi look at her that day. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable and distressed he became. He needed to resolve this matter… he couldn’t let Mu Wanyao muddle through this.

Yan Shang said: “Shall we go inside to talk?”

Mu Wanyao: “Whatever you have to say, isn’t it nice to walk outside and talk while walking?”

Yan Shang said gently: “I’m afraid there’s too much to say, it wouldn’t be convenient.”

Mu Wanyao: …Just how many accounts did he want to settle with her?

Mu Wanyao pushed him away, saying mockingly: “You’ve become bold now! Daring to enter my chambers in broad daylight, aren’t you afraid of rumors spreading!”

Yan Shang was startled, his face reddening, but he persisted: “It’s not like I haven’t before… As long as I have nothing to hide, why can’t I speak with Your Highness in your room during the day? I have nothing to hide, I just don’t know if Your Highness can say the same.”

Mu Wanyao: “…”

For a moment she felt timid, almost wanting to flee through the door. But meeting Yan Shang’s eyes, Mu Wanyao just smiled faintly, as if she were completely justified and unafraid of his investigation.

However, when she turned her back to lead the way, her face fell—what should she do?—

After closing the door and dismissing the servants, Mu Wanyao sat down and poured herself a cup of tea.

Yan Shang leaned against the door, looking at her twice before walking over. He didn’t sit, standing ten steps away from her to observe all her expressions. Mu Wanyao let him look, even casting him a charming glance.

He was startled, blushing as he looked away.

Then he looked back: “That man at the Court of State Ceremonials before wasn’t just a Wuman general, but the Wuman King, right?”

Mu Wanyao thought to herself that he wasn’t just the Wuman King—that night when he first arrived in Chang’an, he had even shot an arrow to deliver her a clay figurine.

She rested her chin in her hand, saying listlessly: “Mm.”

Yan Shang paused, then said: “When you said before that you weren’t old lovers with him, you were lying to me, weren’t you?”

Mu Wanyao quickly put down her teacup, widening her eyes to look at him, seriously denying: “Absolutely not! He was pursuing me… I never liked him. Brother Yan Er, you must believe me.”

Yan Shang said: “How can I believe you? If you had no romantic relationship with him, then why did you run when you saw me that day?”

Mu Wanyao: “…I was afraid you’d be jealous. Look, aren’t you jealous now?”

Yan Shang pressed his lips together.

He said: “I wasn’t before… It’s all because of your behavior.”

It was all her making his heart flutter, making him think over and over, making him toss and turn unable to sleep at night!

Mu Wanyao looked at him bewildered, not understanding. He suddenly turned his face away, seeming quite frustrated, though it wasn’t clear whether at her or himself.

Yan Shang turned back to look at her, asking: “You’re hiding many things from me. That day with the Wuman King, you seemed very familiar with him. He bent down to look at you, touched your face, and you didn’t even dodge. That day, did he, did he… kiss you?”

Mu Wanyao found it laughable.

She said: “Of course not! We’re familiar because we knew each other before.”

Yan Shang lowered his eyes: “Yet you admit he’s pursuing you, but you still go shopping with him in the market.”

Mu Wanyao: “I have no choice. That day at the ceremony I said they could court me, so I can’t deny them the opportunity.”

Yan Shang: “You said whoever wins your heart, you’ll go with them in a peaceful marriage. But! Do you want to leave? Want to go in a peaceful marriage? If you do this… what about me?”

Mu Wanyao was stunned, raising her head to look at him. A ray of sunlight filtered through the window lattice, clear as snow, falling between Yan Shang’s furrowed brows. He lowered his head, not looking at her, seeming lost in thought. He didn’t realize his words had shocked her, didn’t realize that his “what about me” had stirred waves in her heart.

Mu Wanyao looked at him for a long while, saw him raise his eyes to look at her again, and said: “You can’t be like this. From what you’re saying, you’re not just often shopping with the Wuman King, you’re doing this with other envoys too.”

While he was busy, her days were so free and easy!

Mu Wanyao stared blankly: “Ah.”

Yan Shang frowned, beginning to slowly and tactfully tell her she didn’t need to be like this. He said that Meng Zai Shi was from Wuman, and his daily habits were different from hers. He understood she needed to negotiate, she surely didn’t want to enter a peaceful marriage, so that being the case, she shouldn’t get so close to the Wuman King.

Mu Wanyao listened to him speak, nodding at first, humbly accepting his teaching. But perhaps her agreeableness unconsciously encouraged Yan Shang, and he said even more.

He went on and on, talking for a long time about how she should be a little more careful, and not give people so many opportunities.

Mu Wanyao grew impatient: “I know, I know! You’re so annoying!”

Yan Shang was a bit angry.

But seeing her displeased, he fell silent.

When he stopped talking, Mu Wanyao secretly looked at him again. She saw him lowering his head, brows constantly furrowed, looking quite dejected.

Seeing the beautiful youth, pure as jade bamboo, so troubled yet forcing himself to endure, made Mu Wanyao wonder if she had been a bit too harsh. For a moment she felt tender towards him, thinking how he had so many thoughts but held them in… but if she let him speak, she would just be lectured again.

Mu Wanyao softly tested: “Yan Shang?”

Yan Shang didn’t make a sound.

Mu Wanyao tried again: “Brother Yan Er?”

He still kept his head down, not responding.

Mu Wanyao thought it seemed he was a bit unhappy.

She stood up and walked towards Yan Shang. When Yan Shang looked up in surprise, Mu Wanyao had already embraced him, tilting her face up to kiss the corner of his mouth. She was especially passionate, her tongue tip nimble. When Yan Shang opened his mouth, she invaded, making his heart suddenly pound twice heavily.

He grabbed her shoulders, turning his face trying to avoid her, but she wouldn’t let go.

Yan Shang was pushed by her, steadily backward, until she pushed him onto the bed. Falling onto the bedding, the bed curtains were pulled by Mu Wanyao’s hand, layer upon layer, covering all light before their eyes.

She knelt before his knees, knelt on his wide sleeve, reaching out to hook his chin, kissing him continuously.

Yan Shang’s breathing became irregular, grabbing her shoulders to push her away, his eyelashes trembling, his voice urgent and somewhat angry when he spoke: “You’re doing this again, using this trick again… Do you think this will work? Can’t you just talk to me properly… mmph.”

Mu Wanyao ignored him, focused on kissing him, her breath moving downward, brushing past his reddened, tense neck, biting his Adam’s apple.

His body tensed, suddenly trembling.

Yan Shang was getting angry: “Mu Wanyao!”

He said: “You’re just taking advantage of me, taking advantage that I…”

Mu Wanyao giggled, finally speaking: “I’m just taking advantage of the fact that you don’t like to get angry. But I’m not bullying you, this time is to make it up to you.”

She thought for a moment: “Actually, I like seeing you in your official robes… but we’ll skip that this time.”

Yan Shang propped himself up: “Then let me get up… let’s talk properly…”

Mu Wanyao gave a humming laugh, thinking who wants to talk with you? When you’re calm, you have a whole bunch of principles, saying this isn’t good about me, that isn’t right; only at times like this are you under my control.

Mu Wanyao raised her face from between his slightly wrinkled clothes, giving him a playful smile, her body sliding downward.

He frowned, looking at her in confusion, not knowing what she planned to do. But as his collar was pulled open, her breath brushing his waist yet still not stopping, he suddenly panicked, pulling her again: “Mu Wanyao!”

Mu Wanyao hooked her eyes to glance at his slightly sweating face, her voice muffled as she laughed—

Like an ancient tree’s green vine, growing well underwater, unchanging for ages.

Yet a spirit snake came to disturb it.

Entangling that green vine, forcing it to reveal its essence. That playful snake was wicked, specifically targeting others’ weaknesses.

Sharp teeth extended, opening to bite down.

Biting the green vine.

As satisfying as drinking blood and flesh—

Yan Shang’s waist involuntarily arched upward, hearing Mu Wanyao’s teasing laugh. Such shame, such embarrassment, her boldness making his heart stop. He couldn’t bear it, his fingers resting on the bedboard, veins pulsing. His long fingers gripped the bed edge, so hard they nearly turned white.

He suddenly grabbed Mu Wanyao, pulling her up. Just as Mu Wanyao felt his excitement, he lifted her, immediately pressing down, lowering his head to kiss her recklessly.

All was burning hot, all were wildly beating hearts.

Outside the curtains, the sun was dim and hazy, the heavy curtains rolling again and again.

He was trembling violently, and for the first time so emotionally unstable, almost frightening Mu Wanyao. But before she could recall the terrible memories of being pressed down by men, he collapsed onto her, falling on top of her, his head buried in her neck, his already disheveled hair brushing against her face.

He coughed twice, and when he raised his face, the corners of his eyes still held unfaded red.

He finally said: “You… are too much.”