In the lush forest, Yan Shang drew his bow, aiming directly at Meng Zaishi below. The arrow’s trajectory posed a clear threat.

Less than ten zhang away from where Mu Wanyao sat in the muddy pond, Yang Si and Meng Zaishi were locked in close combat, sending huge splashes of water into the air.

The early spring waters ran ice-cold, and the mountain winds blew especially fierce.

As the three faced each other, Meng Zaishi knelt in the pond water. His injured waist had struck the nearby rocks, and his chest ached from the sudden powerful blow dealt by this young man who had appeared out of nowhere. Seeing two people suddenly emerge, one of whom was the familiar Yan Shang, Meng Zaishi grew contemplative.

Far from being afraid, the fighting spirit in his bones was ignited.

Meng Zaishi coughed and laughed: “Young Master Yan, it’s only been two days, did you miss this prince so much? Ha, seeing you appear instead of the Princess Manor’s guards… it seems they truly were held up.”

Standing at the high ground, Yan Shang spoke coolly: “King of Wuman, if you stop now, we still have room for negotiation.”

Meng Zaishi sneered: “Stop?”

He suddenly turned to look at Mu Wanyao sitting in the water, staring at him with cold, gloomy eyes. She sat in the flowing water, her hands still bound by his belt, her clothes partially torn and pulled open. The water continuously surged around her, deep and shallow, apricot yellow and deep red – she was like a flower petal, stirring destructive desires in men.

Meng Zaishi looked at Mu Wanyao and mocked: “Why don’t you ask Princess Danyang if she wants to spare me?”

Before Mu Wanyao could respond with her sharp tongue, Meng Zaishi turned to the young man before him. He sighed with a smile at Yang Si, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth: “Young brother, your martial arts aren’t bad. But you still can’t kill me, perhaps in a few more years… May I ask your name? Think carefully – today you help Princess Danyang, but that woman betrays everyone. Even if you help change her situation, she’ll turn around wanting to kill you too…”

Mu Wanyao suddenly interrupted: “Why ask others? Don’t involve innocent people!”

“And don’t be so presumptuous! Making our cooperation sound so ambiguous! That day was mutual consent, today we’re enemies – that too is mutual consent! Even if I want to kill you, no matter how many people you try to turn against me, I still want to kill you… Standing before my Imperial Father, my answer would be the same!”

Yang Si: “Enough!”

He cut off everyone’s words, his eyes deep as still rivers, focused solely on Meng Zaishi before him. Yang Si spoke calmly: “I keep my name and stay true to myself – Yang Si, third son of the Hongnong Yang clan’s Chang’an branch! King of Wuman, today I intend to kill you. If I fail, seek your revenge directly on me in the future, there’s no need to involve others!”

Meng Zaishi praised: “Third Young Master Yang, is it? What spirit!”

Before his words fell, he suddenly struck out with a punch, sending huge waves splashing. Yang Si’s body twisted sharply, dodging the punch while his upper body held firm. In an extremely difficult backward-leaning position, Yang Si whirled out a saber from his waist. As he bent back, the blade already slashed toward Meng Zaishi who had suddenly stood up behind him.

Meng Zaishi shouted: “Excellent martial arts! Great Wei still has such talents!”

Empty-handed, he came to meet the blade!

Both men’s martial prowess was formidable. After exchanging just a few moves, they had already broken free of the water. Water splashed three to four zhang high as they fought in close combat. The blade Meng Zaishi had not used before was now drawn. In mid-air, their weapons clashed with a “bang” that shook leaves from the trees.

The two fought fiercely, their movements too quick for onlookers to follow!

Yet even in such intense combat, both Meng Zaishi and Yang Si spared a fraction of their attention for Mu Wanyao. Meng Zaishi was injured, and when he saw Mu Wanyao struggling to stand from the water, saw the strange look in her eyes as she stared up at this scene, his heart emptied.

That look… her hatred dripped blood.

At that moment, he began to doubt all his memories. Doubting whether the Mu Wanyao in his memories was false and whether this Mu Wanyao before him was real. All the beautiful past was just his wishful thinking. Mu Wanyao only had use for him, no genuine feelings…

His heart suddenly ached.

“Pah—” With his spirit disturbed, his opponent showed no mercy. Yang Si seized the opportunity to strike with his blade, the force carrying inner power. Meng Zaishi was hit square in the chest, sent flying through the air to crash into the thickest tree.

The ancient tree shook violently!

As Meng Zaishi slid down the trunk, he saw Yang Si charging in again. Meng Zaishi stood up supporting himself with his blade, trembling yet determined: He could not lose!

He could not die here!

He didn’t want to see the relieved, liberated look on Mu Wanyao’s face after his death. He didn’t want to see her rejoice at his death…

His men were still in Great Wei, the issues between Wuman and Nanman remained unresolved, Wuman had not yet developed and grown strong, and their forces had not yet unified… With his ambitions unfulfilled, how dare he die?!

Long hair scattered, battle robes tattered, the scent of blood permeating heaven and earth, Meng Zaishi threw back his head and roared, shouting: “Excellent!”

He immediately whirled his blade out to meet the attack, his spirit soaring to the heavens!

Yang Si had drawn Meng Zaishi away, and Mu Wanyao struggled to climb out of the water, stumbling.

The next moment, Yan Shang came down from the high slope above, stepping directly into the water to reach her. Mu Wanyao’s face was expressionless as Yan Shang set his bow and arrows by the pond and stood in the rushing water, bending down to untie the cloth binding her wrists.

Mu Wanyao’s gaze remained fixed on the battle while Yan Shang looked down at her reddened wrists.

He glanced up at her, removed his outer robe, and wrapped it around her water-soaked clothes that Meng Zaishi had torn open in many places.

Yet this thoughtful gesture unknowingly stepped precisely on Mu Wanyao’s dignity, causing her to explode in an instant.

Mu Wanyao glared at him angrily: “Why did you come here? Did you hear everything Meng Zaishi and I said?”

Yan Shang’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he tried to choose tactful words that wouldn’t provoke her: “…Third Brother and I hurried to rescue you, thankfully his martial arts are good. I only heard a bit of what you said…”

Mu Wanyao sneered: “Yet from one word, the whole picture becomes clear! Who would dare underestimate Second Young Master Yan’s wisdom!”

Yan Shang’s pupils contracted slightly.

He moved to embrace her shoulders gently, saying: “People will come soon, let’s leave this place first…”

His hand had barely touched her shoulder when she trembled and dodged his fingers, stumbling on a stone in the pond in her effort to avoid him. Yan Shang watched painfully but dared not approach her.

Her current state – completely soaked, long hair clinging wetly to her face and draping over the clean male outer robe he had draped on her – he had never seen her like this… so disheveled, fierce on the outside but fragile within.

Mu Wanyao shouted: “What leave? Why miss such a good opportunity to kill? Where are the others? Didn’t you and Third Young Master Yang bring anyone else, just the two of you?! Get everyone here, kill Meng Zaishi!”

She trudged through the water trying to reach shore, and Yan Shang, afraid she might fall, followed about three steps behind, answering: “A battalion of troops has arrived, but the Princess Manor’s guards couldn’t handle it, so Third Brother’s men stayed to assist them… Your Highness, let’s leave quickly first.”

He almost pleaded with her: “We can discuss everything else later.”

Mu Wanyao ignored him completely, turning back to look at Yan Shang, urging him to take up his bow: “So Third Brother’s men came, huh, following quite closely. Those people were held up, but aren’t you a person too? Go on, take your arrows, and kill Meng Zaishi!”

Yan Shang froze for a moment.

Mu Wanyao immediately: “You won’t go, right? If you won’t go, I will!”

As they struggled, they reached the edge of the pond, about to climb ashore. Mu Wanyao bent down to grab Yan Shang’s bow and arrows that he had left by the water’s edge, bending to nock an arrow. Yan Shang finally couldn’t stand by any longer and came over to grab her wrist, his tone growing stern: “Stop this nonsense, come with me!”

“Slap—” His hand was knocked away.

Mu Wanyao turned to face him, looking up at him with glistening eyes, her voice trembling: “Finally can’t hold back, right? Think I’m being unreasonable, right? You heard everything, you heard it all, didn’t you?!”

Yan Shang’s tone was slightly taut: “Even if I heard everything… so what?”

She looked at him with a cold laugh: “You heard so now you pity me, right? I don’t need your cheap sympathy! Why sympathize with me? Is this my shame? This is all of your shame! You men, you only see the bigger picture, only see your great causes. Tell me to be reasonable, tell me to mediate… serving both father and son, in your eyes, that’s normal too, right?”

Yan Shang gritted his teeth: “I never thought…”

Mu Wanyao interrupted hoarsely: “Of course it’s normal! Just a princess, after all, trading for peace between two countries – in the eyes of you men, what’s wrong with that? Who will remember my sacrifice, who will care about my sacrifice?”

Yan Shang: “You could have sought help from Great Wei…”

Mu Wanyao shouted: “When the new King of Wuman wanted me as his queen, I did seek help from Great Wei’s border army! Great Wei’s response was to ask the princess to consider the bigger picture.”

She laughed bitterly: “It’s me being unreasonable! Me being too demanding! Knowing Father Emperor only sees the empire, Mother Empress is too ill to handle state affairs, the two of them fighting to the death… who would care about someone married off to distant lands!”

Looking into the void, watching the still-battling figures of Meng Zaishi and Yang Si leaves falling steadily, the wind seeming to grow colder.

Mu Wanyao looked at Yan Shang, her expression grief-stricken, the lake light in her eyes trembling on the verge of falling.

Her thin, delicate frame swayed slightly in the wind as she demanded: “Must beautiful women throughout history only be objects to be taken?!”

Yan Shang stared at her, the empathetic pain in his eyes… such gentleness was like making Mu Wanyao witness her scars.

Such gentleness was, in fact, somewhat cruel.

Mu Wanyao suddenly turned away, no longer wanting to see his eyes, wanting to understand his emotions through his eyes, wanting to see through to her wounds.

She murmured: “It doesn’t matter. If no one in this world will protect me, I’ll protect myself. I don’t need any of you.”

Behind them, the water flow grew stronger, the waterfall’s roar louder.

Suddenly, as she was about to climb ashore, her body froze – she had been embraced from behind.

She struggled, but unlike in the past when Yan Shang would release her at the slightest resistance, this time he held her tightly. Mu Wanyao cried sharply: “Let go, let go!”

Yan Shang’s cold face pressed against her cheek as he embraced her from behind, speaking softly: “How can you say no one in this world will protect you?”

Mu Wanyao shouted: “Are you going to lecture me again? I don’t want to hear it, let me go. If you won’t act, I’ll kill Meng Zaishi myself!”

Yan Shang: “I will protect you!”

Mu Wanyao froze, no longer struggling. Held in his embrace, she turned slightly to look at him.

He lowered his eyes: “As long as I live, I will protect you for life.”

He released his embrace and took two steps through the water to retrieve the bow and arrows he had previously left on the shore. Nocking an arrow to the bow, he placed it in Mu Wanyao’s hands.

Resolute, the two stood in the pond as spray from the waterfall soaked them both. Yan Shang’s hands gripped Mu Wanyao’s, helping her hold the bow and arrow.

Word by word, he declared: “Throughout history, no one can take what belongs to a beautiful woman!”

He said: “I still oppose you killing the King of Wuman, but you must walk out of the past, walk out of the shadows—”

The next moment, he stood behind her, helping her draw the bow, aiming up at the battle above. Watching the fight silently, the wind blowing past, brushing her cheeks and his quiet eyes.

Yan Shang called out: “Third Brother—”

Twang—

The arrow flew!

The mid-air battle paused for a moment. Though this was Yang Si’s first time cooperating with Yan Shang, they had developed a certain tacit understanding since earlier when Yan Shang had shot his arrow and Yang Si had dismounted. Now, with just Yan Shang’s call of “Third Brother,” Yang Si immediately twisted away.

The black arrow flew from the bow in Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang’s hands toward the figures above—

The glistening in Mu Wanyao’s eyes fell, dripping down. Tears flowed down her cheeks, not stopping for a long while—

Meng Zaishi immediately retreated in mid-air, but the arrow had anticipated his escape route, with Yang Si blocking his path. In that split second, there was no way to dodge completely. In that flash of lightning, Meng Zaishi could only desperately twist his shoulder to avoid it, but the arrow still struck his chest.

Though not a vital spot, the arrow made Meng Zaishi cough up great mouthfuls of blood as he fell from mid-air.

With the enemy weakened, Yang Si moved forward to deliver a finishing blow, but the sound of iron hooves arrived just in time.

A commander shouted: “Stop! Who dares to kill here…”

Yang Si completely ignored the warning, his blade already falling toward Meng Zaishi, when a small knife flew at his vital points from behind. Forced to dodge, Yang Si had to move aside, only then seeing waves of horsemen surrounding them – Great Wei’s army had arrived.

Immediately two soldiers dismounted, one on each side, restraining Yang Si’s arms to prevent him from striking again.

Two more dismounted to help up Meng Zaishi, who lay collapsed on the ground, still laughing. The commander dismounted and cupped his hands to Meng Zaishi: “Your Majesty, please forgive us. We came on Prince Qin’s orders to assist, but arrived a step too late, allowing Your Majesty to be injured.”

With an arrow in his chest, Meng Zaishi was in such pain that cold sweat covered his brow. Though he couldn’t speak, he still laughed while coughing blood, looking toward Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang who were similarly surrounded.

But after all, she was Princess Danyang.

Even surrounded, no one dared lay hands on those two.

Seeing Meng Zaishi drenched in sweat, the commander hurriedly said: “Your Majesty should quickly come with us to treat your wounds.”

Meng Zaishi: “But they—”

Commander: “We will naturally give Your Majesty an explanation!”

Meng Zaishi pointed a finger, vaguely gesturing at Yan Shang with clear “you just wait” intent. His gaze swept past Mu Wanyao standing beside Yan Shang, paused for a moment, then looked away.

He had heard Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang’s conversation earlier too.

Supported by guards, Meng Zaishi still gritted his teeth and called out hoarsely to Mu Wanyao: “Meeting arrow with an arrow, has Your Highness’s hatred for me lessened somewhat?”

Mu Wanyao, wearing Yan Shang’s outer robe, didn’t even acknowledge him. With Yan Shang’s arm around her shoulders, he said something to the nearby guards, and surprisingly they made way, allowing Yan Shang to help Mu Wanyao ashore.

From Meng Zaishi’s direction, he could only see Mu Wanyao’s pale profile, extremely thin and fragile. She leaned weakly in Yan Shang’s embrace, almost having to be half-carried, half-dragged by him to climb ashore. She continued leaning on Yan Shang, lowering her eyelashes, completely ignoring everything else.

The air grew cold.

Meng Zaishi smiled self-mockingly, thinking that she truly hated him to such an extent.

For a woman to hate him to such a degree… their fate together had essentially run its course.

Even for Meng Zaishi, who had emerged from pools of blood and survived countless battles large and small, his heart couldn’t help but grow cold, thinking perhaps to just let it go. She wasn’t something he had to have at all costs, and he didn’t want her to hate him as she hated his father.

The commander finally persuaded the dejected King of Wuman to leave.

Turning back, wiping his sweat, the commander had to steel himself to question Princess Danyang about what had happened—

However, the commander didn’t see Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao had been helped onto a horse by Yan Shang, and it was Yan Shang who came to communicate with the commander.

Yan Shang bowed to the commander. Though without his outer robe, Second Young Master Yan remained refined and cultured. After stating his official position and identity, the commander, hearing it was the renowned “Second Young Master Yan,” also returned the courtesy with a bow.

Yan Shang said: “Commander, were you sent by Prince Qin? Please hear me out – today’s events in the Southern Mountains should be explained simply as a hunting trip where the Princess and the King of Wuman had a few words of argument. There must be no mention of drawn weapons or attempts at killing or injury.”

The commander said: “But Prince Qin’s orders were not like this.”

Yan Shang said gently: “I can guess what Prince Qin would say. His Highness surely hopes today’s events will escalate, forcing the Princess to obediently accept the marriage alliance. However, commander, consider this: what if that’s not how this ends? If the Princess doesn’t agree to the marriage, she will naturally hold you accountable for today’s pressure against her.”

“I suspect Prince Qin’s orders weren’t very detailed, were they? Because His Highness wouldn’t dare be too specific, fearing it would leave evidence. If Prince Qin fears leaving evidence, why should this troublesome task fall to you? And going even further – even if the Princess does agree to the marriage because of this, would the Crown Prince let you off, or would the Yang family?”

The commander was shocked, suddenly looking toward Yang Si who had stood up on the other side, watched by two soldiers but coldly staring back at him.

Though Yang Si’s robes were stained with blood, his gaze was frighteningly cold. These sons of Chang’an’s great clans, even if arrested now, would have to be released later… offending Third Young Master Yang would not end well.

The commander smiled bitterly, finally realizing how difficult this task was.

Facing Yan Shang, his tone grew noticeably more cordial as he actively sought advice: “According to Young Master’s opinion, how should I handle this matter? Please instruct me!”

Yan Shang said softly: “Seal off the Southern Mountains, take all the envoys back, and silence everyone. Afterward, when reporting to Prince Qin, the commander, you can tell the truth. As long as this doesn’t spread and become known throughout Chang’an, then the private discussions between Prince Qin and the King of Wuman, or even the Crown Prince and the Department of State Affairs, won’t be a major issue.”

“Prince Qin won’t blame you. Other factions won’t blame you either.”

“As long as the commander… seals off today’s events, no one will know.”

The commander considered this and realized that this way, he could indeed extract himself from the situation. Let the Princess and King of Wuman’s conflict be settled by the powerful players… The commander bowed: “Many thanks, Second Young Master! If this matter truly settles well, when the opportunity arises, I must treat you to a drink!”

Yan Shang smiled gently, returning the bow: “I don’t drink alcohol, commander can treat me to tea instead.”

The commander wasn’t sure if he was serious or not but didn’t say more, turning to attend to his duties.

Yan Shang rubbed his forehead, starting to consider: whether this matter would be best resolved within an extremely small circle.

Everyone had been thinking of the marriage alliance as a negotiation between two countries. Great Wei’s side had been discussing and arguing among themselves, but Yan Shang now thought, if Meng Zaishi didn’t want the marriage alliance anymore, wouldn’t that solve everything?

After today’s events… Yan Shang began to contemplate how to compensate Meng Zaishi, how to get him to relent.

A cold sensation touched his forehead.

Yan Shang reached up to touch it, seeing that snow had begun to fall—

In early spring, as evening approached, a light snow fell steadily.

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was reviewing official documents. An internal servant entered and whispered something in his ear, causing the Crown Prince’s expression to change drastically as he suddenly stood up. Not even taking time to put on his shoes properly, he strode quickly out, yanking open the hall doors.

He saw Yang Si kneeling in the corridor outside the courtyard.

Yang Si knelt on the ground in narrow-sleeved black clothes, the scent of blood overwhelming. The sky had grown dark, lanterns in the corridor illuminating Yang Si. As he looked up, the Crown Prince’s gaze contracted violently, seeing the blood stains on the young man’s face.

The Crown Prince’s body tensed as he gritted his teeth after a long moment: “Who did you kill?!”

Yang Si: “Didn’t succeed in killing anyone.”

The Crown Prince let out a small sigh of relief, then heard Yang Si’s next words: “Almost killed the King of Wuman. Yan Suchen also took action.”

Crown Prince: “The King of Wuman didn’t die?”

Yang Si made a sound of agreement, causing the Crown Prince to step back twice, catching his breath.

The Crown Prince was furious: “You’re always causing me trouble! Not a single day of peace!”

Yang Si kept his head lowered.

After steadying himself, the Crown Prince walked down the steps, snatched a whip from a nearby guard, and struck Yang Si with it. Yang Si didn’t dodge, steadily taking the blow. The whip cracked in the air, making all the corridor maids tremble.

The Crown Prince cursed loudly: “Fool! Have you gone mad?! Didn’t you think of the consequences when you tried to kill someone? Just acting on momentary satisfaction, not thinking about what comes after?”

He kicked Yang Si to the ground.

The Crown Prince shouted: “Kneel back up!”

Yang Si gritted his teeth, spat out the blood in his mouth, and knelt back up, whereupon another whip strike fell. Yang Si steadily lowered his head and took it, allowing the whip to knock off his hair crown, his long hair falling loose.

No one in the courtyard dared to intervene as the Crown Prince, face cold, beat and cursed and kicked Third Young Master Yang. After venting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he finally stopped.

Afterward, the Crown Prince, breathing heavily, handed the bloodied whip back to the guard behind him and looked down at Yang Si. The Crown Prince’s gaze was icy, his facial muscles tense, and after a moment of anger, he sighed and helped Yang Si up.

Yang Si endured the pain, grinning as he looked up with a smile: “They’re all minor injuries, I’m fine.”

He knew this meant he had passed the test.

The Crown Prince stared at the blood on his face for a long while, his face still tense: “You still have the nerve to smile! This King of Wuman, killing him would be trouble, and letting him live is also trouble… but since you didn’t kill him, there’s still room to maneuver in this matter. It’s fine… I can handle it.”

The Crown Prince stared at him: “Was it because of Sixth Sister… heh, I knew it.”

Yang Si lowered his head, remaining quiet for a while: “Did I cause you trouble again?”

Crown Prince said coldly: “Willing to apologize properly to the King of Wuman?”

Yang Si sneered: “Of course not! Even if you beat me to death today, I won’t apologize!”

Crown Prince shouted: “Stubborn mule!”

But the Crown Prince hadn’t expected otherwise.

Having vented his anger, the Crown Prince’s tone grew rather desolate: “Just returned to Chang’an and already causing me trouble… what do you say? You might as well not have come back! Fine, if you won’t bow your head then don’t… since Suchen was involved in this matter… if someone like Suchen took action, your problem isn’t the main problem anymore… Tell me specifically, what exactly happened?”

He pushed Yang Si into the hall, patting his back twice. Seeing Yang Si didn’t react, the Crown Prince finally confirmed he wasn’t seriously injured. Slightly relieved, the Crown Prince sighed: “First go wash off all this blood and change your clothes.”

Yang Si: “Mm.”

As he was about to leave the hall, he looked back at the Crown Prince, hesitated, and said: “I’m sorry.”

The Crown Prince was deep in thought, raising his eyes to look at the young man standing in the doorway, waving his hand impatiently: “Copy characters later as punishment, now just get out of here.”—

At Princess Danyang’s manor.

After washing up, Mu Wanyao was applying makeup and dressing formally when Yan Shang came to visit.

Entering the chamber, seeing her so formal, Yan Shang paused and asked: “What is Your Highness planning to do?”

Mu Wanyao sat before her dressing mirror, saying coldly: “Meng Zaishi didn’t die, I need to handle the aftermath. I must go out.”

Yan Shang said: “I will handle this matter, Your Highness has… already been hurt today, there’s no need to worry about these things. Such minor matters truly don’t require Your Highness’s attention.”

Mu Wanyao sat motionless as her maids fearfully combed her hair. Suddenly, she stood up, pulled out the hairpin the maids had just secured, and threw it at the mirror.

She directly tore off her earrings and jade bracelet, her hair loose, face pale, and wordlessly turned to leave.

Judging by the direction she left, she was going straight back to her sleeping chambers.

Yan Shang saw the maids standing anxiously and shook his head at them, softly reassuring them not to worry.

Yan Shang said: “Take good care of Her Highness. I must go out to meet some people.”

The maids asked anxiously: “Second Young Master won’t stay?”

Yan Shang shook his head, deep in thought.

However, after leaving and standing in the deep dusk, watching the falling snow for a long while, though he had already left the Princess’s manor and horses were prepared for him at the opposite mansion, just as he was about to leave, Yan Shang suddenly turned back, returning to the Princess’s manor.

He went directly to Princess Danyang’s sleeping chambers—

The chambers were dark and quiet.

Yan Shang knocked from outside and had the maids announce him, but there was no answer from within.

The door opened, and Yan Shang entered and closed it behind him. He carried a lantern toward the inner chamber.

Placing the lantern on a low table, he lifted the bed curtain, bending down to look at the quilt-covered form on the bed.

Knowing she was hiding under the covers.

Yan Shang sat on the edge of the bed, leaning down to embrace her through the quilt. Through the bedding, he could hear her soft, choking sobs.

His heart ached beyond measure.

Yan Shang just held her tightly through the quilt, pretending not to hear her crying as he said softly: “It’s alright. However, Your Highness feels is alright.”

“Just please don’t push me away, alright?”