Military exercises and martial prowess were not Yan Shang’s strengths.

Mu Wanyao naturally wanted to protect Yan Shang, unwilling to let him be bullied by Meng Zaishi.

However, since Meng Zaishi was challenging Yan Shang in his capacity as the Wuman King, refusing would suggest Great Wei’s incompetence, wouldn’t it?

Yan Shang gently pulled aside Mu Wanyao who was standing protectively in front of him and asked, “Does Your Majesty wish for me to serve as a soldier on the battlefield?”

Meng Zaishi revealed a smile.

He mocked, “Even if I wanted to, you couldn’t. If anything happened to you, wouldn’t the Little Princess eat me alive?”

He looked toward Mu Wanyao, and sure enough, her eyes were blazing as she glared at him fiercely. Meng Zaishi’s expression dimmed slightly, self-mockingly thinking how times had changed.

In his heart, he remembered that young princess who rode beside him across grasslands and cliff walls, the princess who would get dizzy when he made her drink, who would fall asleep on his shoulder, that powerless princess who would only hide away to cry… he had lost her.

He had trained her to become a fearless woman, and now that fearlessness… was precisely turned against him.

Yan Shang stepped slightly forward, subtly blocking Meng Zaishi’s line of sight to Mu Wanyao. Liu Ruzhu stood silently to the side, quietly observing the subtle atmosphere between the three of them, seemingly lost in thought.

Meng Zaishi came back to his senses and laughed heartily: “Of course, I won’t bully you. No matter how Great Wei arranges its people and soldiers, as long as they’re under twenty-five years old… after all, I’ll follow this principle too, and I won’t use my familiar Wuman people. Let’s have a competition between our sides, regardless of victory or defeat, we’re still friendly neighbors.”

At this point, refusing would appear cowardly.

Yan Shang could only agree first, planning to figure out how to deal with the military exercise later. After all, he had never been involved in such matters, only having frequently visited the Ministry of War previously to understand Wuman’s military strength… theoretical knowledge made him somewhat uncertain.

Mu Wanyao stood by, extremely displeased.

She wanted to object several times but knew that Meng Zaishi was targeting Yan Shang. Even if she objected once, Meng Zaishi would find new excuses to trouble Yan Shang.

After Yan Shang agreed, Mu Wanyao blurted out: “All you know is fighting and more fighting, like a brute, a barbarian! Wuman King, we’ve agreed to your military competition, but would you dare to compete with us in literary talent?”

Meng Zaishi, Yan Shang, and even Liu Ruzhu all looked at Princess Danyang with surprise.

Mu Wanyao collected herself and said: “This grand ceremony isn’t just for the New Year, but also because next month is my Imperial Father’s birthday. We can have the military exercise during my Father’s birthday celebration, and at the same time, all the envoys from neighboring small countries can participate in a competition of literary talent with us. Poetry, calligraphy, chess, or painting – choose as you like.”

Using the Emperor’s birthday celebration as a reason made it difficult to refuse.

Meng Zaishi narrowed his eyes: “Is the Princess making fun of us? We can barely speak the Great Wei language fluently, yet you want us to compete in your poetry, literature, chess, and painting?”

Mu Wanyao retorted: “It’s only you Wuman people who can’t speak Great Wei. I see other countries admiring our Great Wei culture, and quite a few of them can compose poetry. Great Wei has always welcomed envoys who come to learn our culture, such competition is still a friendly exchange.”

She deliberately imitated Meng Zaishi’s way of speaking, though her voice remained clear and sweet, making people smile: “Regardless of victory or defeat, we’re still friendly neighbors!”

Meng Zaishi remained silent.

After all, people from small countries couldn’t match the talents of the Great Wei people. As far as he knew, Great Wei officials were selected through examinations of poetry and prose – how could foreigners compete?

Mu Wanyao rolled her eyes slightly upward.

Yan Shang immediately disapproved: “Your Highness!”

How could she become increasingly unrefined? A proper princess might act casually in private, but how could she roll her eyes in public? Even if her eye-rolling looked charming, she shouldn’t do it.

As soon as he spoke, Mu Wanyao knew what Yan Shang meant. She snorted, slightly moderating her expression, but her eyes were still fixed on Meng Zaishi as she said, “Alright, alright, we’ll add conditions then. All of you small countries can unite to compete, while only our Great Wei ladies will compete against you. Moreover, only unmarried ladies.”

“This way both sides have their disadvantages, that should be fair enough, right?”

Meng Zaishi looked at her for a long while, then laughed heartily: “Fine, once I’ve discussed it with the other envoys, I’ll accept the challenge. Princess has said this much, if we don’t accept, wouldn’t we men be lacking in spirit?”

He announced loudly: “Your Highness, please await my response!”

With that, he showed no lingering attachment, turned, and mounted his horse, gallantly riding away.

As the people at the Princess’s residence watched Meng Zaishi’s departing figure, amid the silence, they heard Liu Ruzhu say worriedly: “So this is the Wuman King? He truly has some heroic spirit. Having such a figure leading Wuman as Great Wei’s neighbor is always unsettling.”

Yan Shang said gently: “Though the Wuman King has a heroic spirit, our Great Wei’s men aren’t necessarily inferior. My lady need not worry.”

Liu Ruzhu nodded, laughing at herself for thinking too much, as this wasn’t something she should worry about. What concerned her more was: “Second Brother Yan, you’ve agreed to the Wuman King’s military exercise challenge, but what can be done? You’ve never even been to the training grounds, have you?”

Yan Shang smiled bitterly, rubbing his forehead, and said: “…I don’t mind, but I need to first find commanders under twenty-five years old, to see if any talented ones can help me.”

But in his heart, he already knew there weren’t many such people.

When he had previously researched the documents, he had already gotten a good grasp of the situation in the Ministry of War. As he had told his teacher, the old generals were declining, and new ones hadn’t yet emerged… Great Wei currently lacked military talent.

In any case, he would go look first.

Meanwhile, Mu Wanyao listened from the side, very unhappily. She turned her face away, watching Liu Ruzhu and Yan Shang chat back and forth, her heart twisting like a rope. She didn’t know where those two found so many things to talk about.

She also secretly resented herself for being a step too late: Liu Ruzhu showed concern for Yan Shang, she… she could show concern too! She just hadn’t thought of it at first, falling one step behind Liu Ruzhu…

Liu Ruzhu was so annoying.

While Mu Wanyao was feeling unhappy in her heart, not interrupting Liu Ruzhu and Yan Shang’s conversation, Liu Ruzhu suddenly turned to her with a smile and asked: “Is Your Highness planning to organize this literary competition that you made the Wuman King agree to?”

Mu Wanyao responded carelessly: “Mm.”

How could she miss the chance to organize this event and gain a good reputation?

Liu Ruzhu also worried: “As Your Highness said, there are quite a few envoys skilled in our Great Wei culture. If we field only young ladies without any gentlemen… we should be careful. Victory isn’t certain.”

Mu Wanyao said impatiently: “I know something about the abilities of noble ladies.”

Liu Ruzhu startled, then blushed and bowed: “If Your Highness says so, then I shouldn’t decline. When Your Highness is selecting people, you can include me.”

Mu Wanyao turned to face her: “What are you good at?”

Liu Ruzhu answered softly: “Everything.”

Mu Wanyao thought disapprovingly: How immodest!

Yan Shang smiled from the side: “The two ladies seem to be having quite an enjoyable conversation.”

Mu Wanyao immediately glared at him: …Which eye of his saw her having an enjoyable conversation with Liu Ruzhu? They were rivals! She was maintaining a distance from Liu Ruzhu!

Were all men who kept multiple women so blind? Did they all fantasize about their wives and concubines living harmoniously, not fighting at all over them?

Yan Shang turned his face away, pretending not to see Mu Wanyao’s brightly glaring round eyes. He very much liked seeing her eyes when she was angry – they were round and bright, like stars, like lakes, and endlessly enchanting. Like a raging fire, making his heart race.

But Yan Shang couldn’t show it, couldn’t keep staring at her eyes.

His face burning hot, he lightly coughed twice—

Yan Shang said he planned to return to the Department of State Affairs, letting Mu Wanyao and Liu Ruzhu browse the East Market. In his imagination, after he left, it would give Mu Wanyao and Liu Ruzhu a chance to spend time together. With him always between them, both ladies acted strange, making him very uncomfortable.

Unexpectedly, Mu Wanyao grabbed him, her face cold: “You better wait obediently until I finish my business and escort you back to the Department of State Affairs.”

Yan Shang: “There’s no need to trouble Your Highness so…”

Mu Wanyao: “If you dare leave, never come to my residence again.”

So Yan Shang could only stand in place waiting for her.

Watching the Princess enter a shop in the East Market, Yan Shang helplessly stood by the carriage waiting. Liu Ruzhu, who had been quietly waiting to the side, burst out laughing. Yan Shang turned to look, and Liu Ruzhu hurriedly covered her mouth, blushing.

Liu Ruzhu: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh at Second Brother Yan. But seeing Second Brother Yan being spoken to like this by Her Highness, and only being able to listen to Her Highness, I find it really… really… interesting.”

“Second Brother Yan doesn’t seem like the Second Brother Yan I know anymore.”

The Yan Shang she knew was always so calm and composed, unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

Perhaps only Princess Danyang could disrupt his plans?

Liu Ruzhu thought a bit mischievously: It was indeed quite enjoyable to see Second Brother Yan at a loss.

Yan Shang looked helplessly at Liu Ruzhu, expressing embarrassment, smiled, and returned to his usual peaceful demeanor.

After Mu Wanyao finished asking when her “merit stone” would arrive in Chang’an, she had Yan Shang and Liu Ruzhu get in the carriage together, to send them each back to their respective places.

Liu Ruzhu’s heart stirred, thinking that Her Highness wasn’t as cold as she appeared. Though Her Highness seemed to dislike her on the surface, she took the initiative to send her home.

Meanwhile, after Mu Wanyao calculated the days and confirmed that the “merit stone” would arrive in Chang’an before her father’s birthday, she finally relaxed. Looking at Yan Shang and Liu Ruzhu in the carriage together, Mu Wanyao’s heart was full of smiles: the reason for letting Liu Ruzhu into the carriage was hoping Liu Ruzhu would see her interaction with Yan Shang and give up.

However, the three of them in the carriage together was rather strange.

Mu Wanyao wanted to talk with Yan Shang to let Liu Ruzhu face reality; yet Liu Ruzhu kept talking to her, asking about this and that, making Mu Wanyao very annoyed, with no chance to talk to Yan Shang.

Yan Shang sat to the side watching the two ladies talk, watching Mu Wanyao having to patiently deal with Liu Ruzhu despite herself. He smiled slightly, seeing for the first time Mu Wanyao being cornered by another lady with no way out.

The carriage entered the Imperial City, and it was time for Yan Shang to get off.

Mu Wanyao seized the opportunity, struggling to break free from Liu Ruzhu’s discussion about zither strings. She grabbed her veil and bent down to push open the carriage door, her voice chasing after Yan Shang: “Hey!”

Yan Shang got off the carriage and stood beside it, turning back to look at her. He saw her bending down, one hand holding the carriage door, the jewel-adorned white gauze veil in her hand floating slightly.

She bent forward looking at him, her complexion gorgeous, skin like congealed cream. Just this casual movement, with her clothes half-concealing half-revealing, exposed a small delicate curve between the snow-white hills below her neck.

Yan Shang immediately went to pull her clothes, covering her chest. His ear tips reddened: “…Your Highness’s clothes aren’t properly arranged.”

Mu Wanyao was slightly startled, casually looking down, and her face filled with smiles. She raised her chin at him, her eyes enchanting, gesturing him to come closer.

Behind the curtain, Liu Ruzhu sat properly holding her book in the carriage and saw the Princess kneeling by the carriage door, leaning forward to let Yan Shang come close, whispering in his ear, who knows what they were saying. Just those two… Liu Ruzhu’s face reddened and her heart raced, thinking: they’re so close!

If Grandfather saw this, he would say the Princess was “frivolous.”

Mu Wanyao was smiling at Yan Shang: “I specially escorted you back to the Imperial City, yet you turn and leave without any gesture of appreciation?”

Yan Shang met her eyes, his expression flickering before lowering his head.

Mu Wanyao knew that with his keen perception, he only needed one look at her to guess her meaning.

But this Second Young Master Yan, who had already guessed her intention, inconspicuously took a step back, head lowered as he spoke slowly: “Does Your Highness want me to give you a gift?”

Mu Wanyao: “No need for gifts, just a kiss.”

Yan Shang: “…”

He kept his head down as if this would somehow make him unable to see her. Mu Wanyao saw the flush beneath his eyes, his eyelashes trembling violently, and she couldn’t help but feel sympathy, thinking he had become slightly rigid from her frightening him.

Yan Shang: “In public…”

Mu Wanyao kindly said: “I’ll cover it with my veil, others won’t see.”

Yan Shang: “How much can that cover? Everyone would know… we can’t do that! Your Highness…”

He raised his eyes to look at her pleadingly, but the moment he lifted his gaze, Mu Wanyao quickly leaned forward and kissed his lips.

He retreated in shock, his heart pounding wildly, the redness at the corners of his eyes instantly spreading across his entire face and even his neck. His hand gripped the door frame, and he looked around self-consciously, checking if anyone had seen.

Mu Wanyao laughed so hard she almost couldn’t stand up straight against the door.

Then she heard Yan Shang say softly, slightly dissatisfied: “Your Highness!”

Mu Wanyao looked up, smiling slightly, her eyes still carrying starlight-like scattered light.

Yan Shang couldn’t stay angry anymore. After a while, he said softly: “Then I’ll go.”

Mu Wanyao waved to him.

Back in the carriage, as Mu Wanyao covered her slightly warm cheeks, still laughing to herself, she saw that Liu Ruzhu’s face was also flushed red. The scene just now might not have been visible to people far away, but Liu Ruzhu, sitting in the carriage, must have seen it.

Mu Wanyao lazily brushed back her hair, giving Liu Ruzhu a sidelong glance, meaning Liu Ruzhu knew when to give up.

Liu Ruzhu said softly: “…Your Highness is so bold.”

Mu Wanyao said leisurely: “What’s wrong with that? It’s not easy being a woman in this world, we should learn to make ourselves happy.”

Liu Ruzhu stared at the Princess, and after a long while, when Mu Wanyao had already forgotten about these words, she saw Liu Ruzhu nod, as if understanding something.

Mu Wanyao nervously looked away: Control, control. She couldn’t corrupt Minister Liu’s granddaughter.

If Liu Ruzhu was corrupted, wouldn’t Minister Liu come after her life?—

There was still more than half a month until the Great Wei Emperor’s birthday. Only after the birthday celebration would these envoys from various countries leave with Great Wei’s rewards.

Currently, people are mainly busy with two things: the literary competition and the military exercise.

Seeing the Wuman King fully invested in the military exercise, possibly giving up on marrying Princess Danyang, the Prince of Qin specifically sought out the Wuman King once, but returned disappointed.

At the same time, Princess Danyang’s reputation reached its peak during this month.

There was no other reason, except that the Hanlin Academy’s poetry competition open to scholars across the land had “political marriage” as its theme.

Speaking of distant political marriages aside, for recent ones, wasn’t Princess Danyang the only one?

Princess Danyang’s name was constantly mentioned, with scholars writing poems about her, praising her contributions to Great Wei, and celebrating the friendship between Great Wei and neighboring countries. Some people used the occasion to speak of the present, discussing the historical hardships of princesses in political marriages.

Among these poems, one was particularly outstanding and memorable. By the time Mu Wanyao learned of it, the poem had already spread among the common people.

However, regarding the poem’s author—Mu Wanyao was bewildered for a moment: “Feng Xianyu? He had such talent?”

But thinking again, writing poetry, well, it could just be “a fortunate stroke of genius,” nothing too remarkable.

What Mu Wanyao cared more about: “However if Feng Xianyu submitted this poem without Aunt’s support, he might be suspected of trying to break free from Aunt’s control. He gained fame, but perhaps Aunt won’t spare him.”

Since Fang Tong was still being held by the Ministry of War, Mu Wanyao could only have people take extra care of him and change the guards around him.

A guard asked: “If Your Highness doesn’t want to fall out with Princess Imperial, shouldn’t we suppress Feng Xianyu’s poem and not let him take first place?”

Mu Wanyao paused for a moment, shook her head, and said softly: “It’s not easy for these scholars without background to advance, and it doesn’t harm my interests. Even if I won’t help them, there’s no need to block others’ paths. Let it be.”

The guard said: “However, even if Your Highness doesn’t interfere, the Princess Imperial might not be so forgiving.”

Mu Wanyao said: “Let’s see Feng Xianyu’s fate then. Princesses… are all rather difficult to appease. It’s easy to get involved with them, but hard to get away.”

Thus, the matter was dropped—

The court had arranged the procedures for both the literary competition and military exercise fairly well, and the troops stationed around the capital began frequent movements.

Since the Wuman King had specifically named Yan Shang, regardless of how others were arranged, Great Wei’s side had to include Yan Shang. The officials only sympathized with Yan Shang, thinking it was his fault for provoking the Wuman King.

When the Crown Prince heard that the Ministry of War had begun moving troops and that the Wuman King insisted on Yan Shang’s participation, after some thought, he sent Yang Siling, the Third Young Master Yang.

The Crown Prince wanted to use this opportunity to seize some military power from the Prince of Qin. At least with Yang Siling participating in the military exercise, and the Crown Prince’s other people following Yang Siling, once this exercise was over, if the Crown Prince could get even a small hold on the capital’s military power, he didn’t plan to let go.

The Prince of Qin naturally knew this, and both sides fought fiercely behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Jin’s residence remained as peaceful as ever, as if the power struggles among various factions in Chang’an had nothing to do with the Prince of Jin. Apart from going to the palace daily to be a filial son, the Prince of Jin just stayed in his residence accompanying his concubines.

Chunhua’s child was about to be born, and it was now a crucial time. The Prince of Jin’s residence was about to welcome its first child, and everyone was excited and nervous, hoping for the child’s safe delivery.

The Prince of Jin’s wife both carefully cared for Chunhua and felt melancholy. Seeing all the concubines in the Prince of Jin’s residence becoming pregnant one after another, while she couldn’t conceive… now watching Chunhua about to give birth, the Princess Consort’s feelings were naturally complex—

Over this month, Yan Shang’s name was frequently mentioned by the Ministry of War—

Mu Wanyao’s name was mentioned by scholars across the land, and it was said that someone had submitted a memorial suggesting erecting some kind of monument for Princess Danyang, commending the princess’s merits in political marriage. The court naturally didn’t pay attention to such trivial opinions, but during casual conversations, they would use these things as topics for jokes.

After setting the procedures for the literary competition and military exercise, since both were planned to be held on the same day as the Emperor’s birthday, they naturally had to ask His Majesty if he had any objections.

The Emperor, seeing how they had turned things into this state, pondered for a long while before expressing his thoughts.

The Emperor said: “Summon the Wuman King for an audience.”—

When the Wuman King had his audience, the Emperor was in Xingqing Palace.

Dragon saliva incense burned in the hall as Meng Zaishi followed Great Wei’s etiquette to kowtow to the Emperor. When he rose, he discreetly glanced at the Emperor.

Different from the dignified and solemn Emperor he had seen at the grand ceremony that night, in private, the Emperor was just a thin, middle-aged man with slightly sunken cheeks from his thinness. His temples were graying, his expression weathered.

The Emperor wore casual clothes to meet him, casually arranging his robes as he sat by the bright hall’s window reading books. After Meng Zaishi arrived, the palace servants changed the tea, and the Emperor gestured for the Wuman King to sit down and talk without standing on ceremony.

The entire hall was quiet.

When two palace maids accidentally spilled something while setting down fruit plates, their faces immediately changed drastically. They were about to kneel and beg for forgiveness when a quick-witted eunuch pulled them by their collars and pushed them out.

That eunuch calmly took away the fruit plates and replaced them with new ones. After changing the incense in the burner, as he stepped back, he inadvertently met Meng Zaishi’s eyes.

Meng Zaishi thought carelessly: this eunuch who handles things so methodically is surprisingly handsome.

Liu Wenqi finished changing the incense and retreated behind the beaded curtain, not disturbing the Emperor and Wuman King’s conversation. His back was already sweating from the commotion the palace maids had caused earlier, but fortunately, he had handled it smoothly without disturbing the Emperor.

Today was Liu Wenqi’s shift, and he knew that in serving the Emperor, besides being observant, maintaining composure was also extremely important—

The Emperor flipped through the memorial in his hand, casually asking Meng Zaishi: “I hear this military exercise was suggested by the Wuman King?”

Meng Zaishi cupped his hands and said loudly: “Yes.”

The Emperor continued flipping through the memorial, with an ambiguous smile: “I seem to frequently see Yan Shang’s name, and people say you specifically chose him? What’s this, has one of my Great Wei’s officials offended the Wuman King?”

Meng Zaishi carefully answered: “Just some private disputes.”

Unable to gauge the Emperor’s attitude, he naturally wouldn’t be arrogant.

The Emperor said with interest: “This past month, it’s not just Yan Shang’s name that I’ve frequently heard. Yaoyao’s name has also frequently reached my ears. At the Hanlin Academy’s poetry competition, everyone wants to write about Yaoyao… Yaoyao’s reputation now is quite substantial.”

Meng Zaishi listened for a while before understanding that “Yaoyao” in the Emperor’s mouth referred to Princess Danyang.

Meng Zaishi could only praise the Princess’s grace and charm that won people’s hearts.

The Emperor lowered his eyes: “If she’s won your heart, why don’t you want to marry her anymore?”

Meng Zaishi suddenly raised his head, knowing that Great Wei’s protocol forbade raising one’s head to the Emperor, yet he truly couldn’t help it, wanting to see what the Emperor meant.

The Emperor smiled mockingly: “I heard about the South Mountain incident. Wuman King, look at how you, one person, have pushed my court officials and princess to such a state. One is forced by you into military exercises, one’s reputation has soared, about to become known across the four seas…”

The Emperor continued slowly: “You see, if you had directly married Danyang, wouldn’t there have been far fewer complications?”

Meng Zaishi’s face tensed slightly, emanating a chilling air.

As a king, he did not fear this decaying Emperor of Great Wei. His gaze was sharp as he slowly said: “Does Your Majesty think I handled the South Mountain incident inappropriately?”

The Emperor said: “Yaoyao lost her patience, attacked you, and you were severely injured. You could have used this to pressure Great Wei, to demand marriage to the Princess. Yet it ended up like this. I’m curious, what conditions did you and Yan Shang agree upon that made you give up on pursuing Danyang?”

Meng Zaishi was shocked.

Meeting the Emperor’s profound eyes.

He instantly understood that none of their schemes had escaped the Emperor’s eyes. Though the Emperor didn’t intervene, he had always known what they were doing. And… perhaps the Emperor saw through all their respective goals as well.

But with the Emperor speaking in this tone, was he suspicious of Yan Shang?

Ordinarily, Meng Zaishi wouldn’t mind giving Yan Shang a warning look. The Great Wei Emperor disliking Yan Shang would be good for Wuman. However, currently, Meng Zaishi was negotiating conditions with Great Wei’s court officials through Yan Shang… if Yan Shang were to be demoted by the Emperor or face other troubles at this time, it would be disadvantageous for Wuman.

So Meng Zaishi smiled: “This subject doesn’t understand Your Majesty’s meaning. This subject’s abandonment of pursuing Danyang naturally has its reasons. Great Wei and Wuman are allied nations, the two countries’ friendship can be maintained through other means. After much consideration of matters disadvantageous to my Wuman, even if this subject still admires Princess Danyang, I should give up.”

The Emperor asked curiously: “What reasons?”

Meng Zaishi raised his head, and after a long silence, he said: “She cannot bear children.”

In that instant, Meng Zaishi caught a blank expression on the Emperor’s face. This Emperor seemed to not understand his words, staring at him: “Say that again.”

Outside the beaded curtain, Liu Wenqi’s pupils contracted, secretly shocked: Princess Danyang cannot bear children?

Then… what about Yan Shang?—

After Meng Zaishi left, Liu Wenqi suppressed the thousands of thoughts in his heart and went in to serve. However, he saw the Emperor collapse over his desk, suddenly opening his mouth and spitting out a large mouthful of blood.

The Emperor’s condition became critical, and Xingqing Palace instantly became busy, staying awake through the night.