The Emperor received everyone at the high tower. Mu Wanyao sat by the qin, plucking its strings. When she saw them coming up, she met their eyes briefly before lowering her gaze, not looking again.

The qin melody from the tower had captivated everyone. Yet seeing the Princess’s cold demeanor in person, the young men felt this was exactly how a princess should behave.

As the victor, the Wuman King naturally received lavish praise. As for the defeated young Wei commanders, the Emperor showed no anger. After the Wuman King received his rewards and the envoys left to distribute theirs, he asked them about their battle strategies.

As the young men spoke, Yan Shang and Yang Si’s talents stood out prominently.

Yang Si’s military talent needed no explanation. He had held back the Wuman King’s thousand men with just a hundred in the valley pass. While the terrain had helped, his ability was more crucial.

The Emperor looked at the Yang family’s third son standing below, spirited and straight-backed, and nodded: “Yang Si? Very good.”

The Crown Prince had maintained an expressionless face while listening to their merits and rewards being discussed. When he heard about Yang Si’s perilous moment in the valley, he couldn’t help but lean forward slightly, frowning. Yet when the Emperor praised Yang Si, though the Crown Prince’s expression remained neutral, his eyes couldn’t help but show a hint of a relieved smile as he settled back in his seat.

The Crown Prince and Yang Si exchanged a glance. Yang Si smiled at him, still maintaining that carefree, unrestrained manner.

The Emperor turned to Wei Shu, saying: “Minister Wei only defended the rear, somewhat wasting his talents. However, with your steady nature, everyone felt at ease leaving the rear to you.”

Finally, the Emperor looked at Yan Shang, his gaze growing complex.

Since the death of the Zheng family head, Yan Shang’s name has repeatedly reached his ears. Even without deliberately paying attention to this person, his talent could not be buried. A mere Director in the Central Secretariat, yet able to execute central command orders so perfectly in the military exercise.

This person… the Emperor glanced at his young daughter playing the qin nearby. The young princess coldly kept her head down, plucking strings, appearing completely indifferent to Yan Shang.

The Emperor didn’t quite believe her indifference.

When he had initially arranged their marriage, Mu Wanyao had refused. But after last month’s South Mountain incident, how could Mu Wanyao deny it anymore?

The Emperor fell silent for a moment, then sighed: “While Yang Third is undoubtedly a military talent, who could have guessed you would possess the talent of a commander-in-chief?”

A general leads troops, and a commander leads generals. Soldiers are easy to find, but commanders and generals are hard to come by.

Wei’s new generation of youth had already grown up… The Emperor couldn’t help thinking that perhaps after his passing, once he had thoroughly resolved the noble family issues, it would be time for these young people to show their capabilities regarding the frontier territories and surrounding small nations.

Mu Wanyao listened tensely from her side.

Prince Qin’s expression also tightened upon hearing this.

Military talent? Command talent?

This praise seemed excessive.

Prince Qin feared that as the Emperor praised Yang Si and Yan Shang, he might suddenly assign them to the Ministry of War, causing him trouble. Wouldn’t that just benefit the Crown Prince?

Fortunately, the Emperor only offered brief praise without showing any intention of making immediate appointments. However, everyone understood that Yang Si, Yan Shang, and Wei Shu would all be promoted soon. How they would be promoted would need to be studied by the Central Secretariat and Ministry of Personnel.

Prince Qin did consider creating obstacles in the Ministry of Personnel… but remained hesitant.

The Emperor rewarded them with good fields, fine residences, precious items, and wealth. Even Zhao Lingfei was asked about and rewarded generously. If Zhao Lingfei’s father knew what his daughter had done, he would likely faint from shock again—

After the Emperor’s feast, the palace servants noticed His Majesty’s tired expression and instructed the young people to leave, saying it was time for the Emperor’s medicine.

Mu Wanyao also found an excuse to leave. When she made to leave, she noticed the Emperor’s expression pause briefly, seeming to want her to stay. But Mu Wanyao pretended not to understand the Emperor’s hint, leaving without any reluctance, hearing a bitter sigh from the middle-aged man behind her.

After descending the tower, Mu Wanyao searched around. She walked under the willow trees, craning her neck to look around. Her servant Xia Rong gently tugged her sleeve, and Mu Wanyao followed the servant’s direction to see a young lord standing under a long weeping willow.

Seeing the handsome youth, her eyes immediately showed joy.

Xia Rong and the other servants waited several zhang away, keeping watch for the Princess. Mu Wanyao coughed once, then walked toward the weeping willow.

Yan Shang leaned against the tree trunk, looking up at the gaps between the leaves above. He seemed lost in thought, staring into space, pondering something unknown.

Like pine and bamboo, perfectly clean, calm, and pure, even sunlight dared not disturb him.

But Mu Wanyao pulled hard on his sleeve, nearly making him stumble and fall.

Yan Shang turned around, and seeing her appear, just as hints of a smile rose in his eyes, Mu Wanyao put on a stern face: “What are you thinking about again? Are you plotting against someone, planning to do something bad?”

Yan Shang lightly scolded: “Talking nonsense again.”

Earlier she had ignored everyone in the tower, but now she specifically came to find him, making his heart rise with slight joy. After not seeing each other for several days, Yan Shang couldn’t help but look at her longingly. He wanted to move closer to her, but mindful of passersby, he dared not be too bold.

So he just looked.

But just his lowered gaze and lashes, his slight smile as he looked at Mu Wanyao, his eyes full of tender affection, made Mu Wanyao’s heart pound. The little princess turned her face aside, her cheeks taking on a faint pink hue.

Yan Shang coughed.

Mu Wanyao glared at him: “Coughing again! Can’t bear to be seen?”

Yan Shang helplessly complained: “Why does Your Highness keep criticizing me?”

Mu Wanyao thought: Because I like you, see that you’re easy to bully, that’s why I always tease you.

Her expression remained normal as she pulled his sleeve to drag him behind the tree to talk. She forcefully pulled Yan Shang along, running her hands over him checking for injuries, repeatedly asking if the battlefield was fun and if he had been hurt.

When she saw a small cut on his neck, Mu Wanyao raised her eyebrows angrily, cursing Yang Si for not protecting people properly and the guards for being useless.

Yan Shang: “It’s fine, it’s just a small wound.”

Mu Wanyao looked back to see him covering his collar, straightening the robes she had messed up. She studied him, seeing him lower his head, his face slightly tense, a flush of red spreading across his ears and under his eyes.

Mu Wanyao looked askance: “You’re getting nervous again.”

Yan Shang sighed: “I’m sorry.”

Mu Wanyao pressed her lips together: “Don’t apologize for such things.”

She rolled her eyes, wanting to snuggle up to him, but saw him tense up and step back, glancing up at her once. Mu Wanyao was speechless for a moment, secretly fuming: One of these days she would deal with him outdoors, stop him from always being like this!

Mu Wanyao was indignant. Usually, she would have already turned cold and scolded him, but perhaps because she hadn’t seen Yan Shang for several days, she was too fond of him to scold him for being overly proper.

Mu Wanyao rolled her eyes, suddenly smiling and asking: “Did you hear me playing the qin earlier?”

Yan Shang nodded.

His eyes showed a trace of yearning as he said softly: “I only knew Your Highness played the konghou well, I didn’t expect Your Highness to be skilled at qin as well.”

Mu Wanyao snorted in amusement: “Not only am I good at qin, but I also sing folk songs well.”

Yan Shang’s eyelashes trembled once as he looked at her, his eyes like clear water.

Mu Wanyao asked: “Do you know how to play the qin?”

Yan Shang shook his head, saying quietly: “Just studying is already very difficult for me, how would I have the energy to learn qin to cultivate my temperament?”

Mu Wanyao smiled brightly, reaching out to grab his wrist. Mu Wanyao: “Then I’ll teach you?”

Yan Shang smiled once, saying gently: “Alright.”

Mu Wanyao said: “Come find me tonight.”

Yan Shang wasn’t prepared for her sudden change of topic, pausing for a moment: “Ah?”

Mu Wanyao used her beautiful eyes to entice him: “To teach you qin.”

Yan Shang: “…Teaching me qin isn’t so urgent. I have an appointment tonight…”

Mu Wanyao impatiently: “Cancel it!”

Yan Shang tried to reason gently: “Your Highness, this isn’t appropriate. I already have an appointment…”

She suddenly glared at him: “I made plans with you first! If you’re keeping appointments, you should keep mine first! Other miscellaneous people can wait!”

Yan Shang was confused: “When did I make plans with Your Highness?”

Mu Wanyao gave him a look: “That day I promised you, after the military exercise I would give you a great gift, did you forget? You must come find me tonight, I’ll give you your gift.”

Yan Shang paused slightly: “…”

A moment of silence.

The atmosphere became strange.

Mu Wanyao thought that someone as innocent as him surely hadn’t understood. She worriedly stepped closer to him, shaking the wrist she was holding, emphasizing again: “You must come find me tonight! The offer expires after tonight!”

After a while, Yan Shang raised his eyes, giving her a gentle look.

In her urgency, Mu Wanyao met his gaze and her heart stilled. She instantly understood that Yan Shang had comprehended.

Ah… yes. He was very clever.

The tense atmosphere dissolved, becoming somewhat coy. Mu Wanyao wasn’t angry anymore and poked his arm with a sweet smile: “What’s wrong?”

Yan Shang was somewhat awkward, a bit rigid, and quite bashful. Sometimes he truly hated how perceptive he was, immediately understanding what Mu Wanyao meant. So this was the great gift she spoke of… Yan Shang said slowly: “…Must it be tonight?”

Mu Wanyao glanced at him: “What? Does Young Master Yan have any objections?”

Yan Shang: “…I haven’t prepared…”

Mu Wanyao found this incomprehensible: “What’s there to prepare? Are you going to bathe and burn incense? Or do you need to study? No need to study, I’m here.”

Yan Shang: “…”

He remained silent for a long while. As Mu Wanyao forcefully decided the time and place, Xia Rong called from outside that someone was coming. Mu Wanyao immediately let go of Yan Shang and ran. After running a few steps, Mu Wanyao looked back to see Yan Shang still standing there watching her, his gaze gentle—

Yan Shang, Wei Shu, and Yang Si went together to attend the evening banquet. The palace servants naturally seated all those involved with the military exercise together.

Interestingly, Zhao Lingfei also followed them, excitedly bouncing along behind them: “I just heard that His Majesty has commissioned a record, and the Hanlin Academy scholars have written ‘Records of Chang’an Heroes,’ specifically about recent events! I heard they’ve even set it to music, and soon this poem will spread across the realm!”

Yang Si impatiently: “What’s it got to do with you? Why are you so excited?”

Zhao Lingfei fantasized: “I haven’t seen the ‘Records of Heroes’ yet, but I heard about Princess Danyang’s dispute with the Hanlin Academy. I think I might be written into the poem too!”

Yang Si snickered: “Keep dreaming.”

Zhao Lingfei fumed: “You brute!”

She ignored Yang Si and caught up to Yan Shang: “Second Brother Yan? Second Brother Yan, what are you spacing out about? What do you think?”

Yan Shang came back to himself, his expression slightly contracting. Wei Shu beside him immediately noticed Yan Shang’s distraction and quietly helped out: “The lady was talking about the ‘Records of Chang’an Heroes.'”

Zhao Lingfei looked at Wei Shu, incredulous: “We’ve at least been acquainted, yet you call me ‘that lady’?”

Wei Shu was confused, pressing his lips together.

Yan Shang smiled and smoothed things over: “Juyuan, this is Fifth Miss Zhao, Yang Third’s cousin, given the name Lingfei.”

Zhao Lingfei clutched her chest, somewhat hurt: …After protecting young Lord Wei for several days, he hadn’t even remembered her name.

Could it be that all of Second Brother Yan’s friends were as insensitive as him?

Just as she was feeling resentful, a clear feminine voice nearby explained to them: “What Miss Zhao says about the ‘Records of Chang’an Heroes’ is true. You’ve all been written into it, and the Hanlin Academy is already setting it to music. I have the original manuscript here—would you young lords and ladies like to see it?”

Yan Shang turned to see Liu Ruozhu leading her maids, smiling at them.

After Yan Shang and Liu Ruozhu exchanged greetings, they introduced everyone to each other. While Zhao Lingfei was very interested in the poem Liu Ruozhu mentioned, Yang Si was indifferent: “It’s just flattery in verse, how good could it be? No need to recite it to me.”

Liu Ruozhu frowned slightly. Yang Si’s disdain only made her more determined, saying: “How can my lord judge it without hearing it? Isn’t that dismissing the Hanlin Academy’s efforts as worthless? My lords and ladies, please wait—I’ll find someone from the Hanlin Academy to explain it to you.”

A curious young voice cut in: “May I listen too?”

They turned to see the Wuman King Meng Zaishi, who had been standing nearby listening to their conversation without them noticing.

Liu Ruozhu smiled at Meng Zaishi, saying gently: “The poem mentions Your Majesty as well, so naturally you may listen.”—

Half an hour later, several young people who had met during the military exercise were dining at separate tables in an open-air banquet. A circle was cleared in the middle where a bonfire burned.

Liu Ruozhu had busily brought over a young scholar from the Hanlin Academy.

Before Liu Ruozhu could introduce him, Yan Shang bowed: “Yanzi, is it you?”

The Hanlin Academy scholar Lin Dao’s expression was indifferent, having been somewhat reluctantly dragged over by Liu Ruozhu, showing little interest in the military exercise participants. After all, scholars and warriors have looked down on each other since ancient times. However, when Lin Dao saw Yan Shang at the table, he broke into a smile and quickly cupped his hands: “Su Chen is here too?”

Liu Ruozhu was surprised: “Second Brother Yan, you know each other?”

Yan Shang smiled: “I met Brother Lin when borrowing some materials from the Hanlin Academy.”

Liu Ruozhu nodded with partial understanding, while Wei Shu turned his head to look. He watched Yan Shang politely converse with the other man and introduce him to them. But after watching for a while, Wei Shu felt his relationship with Second Brother Yan was still closer. Wei Shu turned away indifferently and sat quietly.

Zhao Lingfei felt stifled nearby, gloomily looking from Wei Shu on her left to Yang Si on her right. After some thought, she still went over to chat with Yang Si.

Liu Ruozhu hadn’t just invited the Hanlin Academy scholar—she’d also brought court musicians and singing girls. The musicians and singers sat to the side with their instruments, preparing to perform.

Everyone was surprised.

The Hanlin Academy’s Lin Dao glanced at Liu Ruozhu, then, out of regard for Yan Shang, explained with a faint smile: “Miss Liu said you wanted to hear the ‘Records of Chang’an Heroes’—we’ve just finished setting it to music. This will be its first performance—listen and see if you have any suggestions.”

Liu Ruozhu added softly: “Young Master Lin’s talent is exceptional, so the music must be exceptional too.”

Lin Dao gave a proud smile and stood with hands behind his back, signaling the musicians to begin.

The melodious music began with strings and woodwinds. The young lords were initially just listening politely without much interest, but then drums joined in, followed by bronze bells, suddenly giving the melody a resonant, determined quality. Someone like Yang Si immediately stopped raising his wine cup and turned to look at the musicians.

Before the singing girls beside the musicians began, Lin Dao recited the Emperor’s inscription in an indifferent voice:

“In spring of the twenty-third year of Youhe, with favorable wind and rain, a hundred envoys came to court to congratulate my birthday.

Praises continue without cease, histories record without pause, now sing and now chant… merits and faults through a thousand autumns, especially recording three books: The Ballad of Daughters, The Ballad of Youth, and Records of Heroes. May our great Wei, blessed with the Mandate of Heaven, bestow grace for ten thousand generations!”

Yan Shang’s gaze was calm as he said softly: “Truly magnificent, the spirit of heroes comes forth.”

After that, the singing girl began her song.

Yang Si’s fingers rested on the table as he lowered his head to listen, his profile extremely cold. The singing girl’s voice was not as gentle as usual, but extraordinarily clear, rising higher with each sustained note. As the music quickened, the song grew more passionate… all the men and women stopped their drinking to listen to the melody.

When the first movement ended, Yang Si said coolly: “What a spirited poem.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly stood up, drew the sword from his waist like a white rainbow, and leaped into the cleared space in the center.

As the second movement of the “Records of Chang’an Heroes” began, Yang Si started dancing with his sword to the music.

The young lord’s sword intent was sharp and unstoppable, matching the singing girl’s voice—how magnificent!

Meng Zaishi immediately shouted: “Excellent!”

He laughed heartily: “A fine tune, a fine feast! This king shall join in your entertainment—”

Meng Zaishi sprang forth, drawing his sword, its cold light like snow, thrusting toward Yang Si. Yang Si turned to parry, and Meng Zaishi attacked again! The two danced with their swords among the seats, fighting and singing, dancing and reveling… Everyone cheered: “What excellent swordplay! Rarely seen!”—

Mu Wanyao sat beside the Emperor at his feast but heard the clamor and merriment from below. She couldn’t help but send someone to inquire, and after learning what was happening below, Mu Wanyao couldn’t sit still.

She took a jar of wine from the Emperor’s feast and made some excuse to go down and drink with the young lords.

The Emperor couldn’t stop her—she’d slipped away again. Seeing the Emperor’s gloomy expression, the palace chamberlain hurriedly arranged for Liu Wenqi to follow her and find out what the young lords were laughing about. How had they managed to lure the princess away from such a distance?—

Yang Si and Meng Zaishi’s sword dance was unrestrained, their momentum like a rainbow.

More and more people gathered around their feast.

Yan Shang sat quietly, watching them dance with their swords with the faintest smile when he suddenly heard a graceful, languid female voice behind him: “What are you all doing? Why so lively?”

Yang Si and Meng Zaishi both stopped and looked at her.

They saw a lady with a willow-like waist, moving gracefully with the wind, both dignified and alluring.

The singing girl’s song continued. Mu Wanyao listened for a moment, then said thoughtfully with a smile: “Are you listening to the ‘Records of Chang’an Heroes’? You should also hear ‘The Ballad of Daughters’ and ‘The Ballad of Youth.'”

The Hanlin scholar Lin Dao said from the side: “We haven’t set those to music yet.”

Mu Wanyao raised her eyebrows: “What’s so difficult about that? I’ll compose it for you right now. Bring brush and ink.”

Everyone was immediately delighted.

Even Lin Dao was overjoyed: “I’ve heard that Princess Danyang was learned in talent, skilled in music, and peerless in beauty, but never had the fortune to witness it. Do we have such honor today?”

Mu Wanyao smiled with curved lips and sat down. She deliberately sat beside Yan Shang, handed him the wine jar, and added unnecessarily: “No sneaking drinks.”

Yan Shang smiled and shook his head.

After the brush and ink were brought, he knelt beside her and personally ground the ink for her. Mu Wanyao glanced at him, then seeing all the young lords and ladies waiting expectantly, she simply smiled slightly and lowered her head to begin composing—

The strings and pipes played anew, and “The Ballad of Chang’an Daughters” and “The Ballad of Chang’an Youth” were witnessed that night.

The singing girls and musicians tried playing and singing while Yang Si danced with his sword in the clearing, Meng Zaishi accompanying him.

Wei Shu sat quietly to the side.

Zhao Lingfei and Liu Ruozhu had somehow ended up sitting together, whispering to each other. An empty seat was added at the table, with Lin Dao sitting nearby, watching to ensure the two ladies didn’t drink too much.

Mu Wanyao leaned against Yan Shang, and amid the laughter and chatter, she secretly extended her sleeve, the hand within it grasping his.

He gazed straight ahead, as if completely unaware.

Mu Wanyao softly laughed, pretending to be affected by the wine, and gently leaned against his shoulder—

The songs and melodies of the cold night were moving, the feast unmatched in splendor.

Cups were exchanged, the young people’s laughter and chatter unending, floating above the clear wine, the night’s warm breeze gentle—

Standing in a corner where darkness met lamplight, Liu Wenqi stared dazedly at the young men and women’s abandon.

Watching their grace, their uninhibited nature.

Seeing the brilliant future, the scroll of a prosperous age, unfurling under these young men and women’s hands.

They had a beautiful future to look forward to, while he had only endless darkness consuming him.

Liu Wenqi suppressed the jealousy, despair, resentment, and envy surging in his heart, turned around, and carried his lantern back to report—

The feast remained lively until deep in the night before everyone finally stopped. Being noble young men and women, they all had residences in Fanchuan. As for Yan Shang… he had just been granted a residence by the Emperor.

However, Yan Shang didn’t need to return to his newly granted residence. Upon reaching Fanchuan, after bidding farewell to everyone, Yan Shang went to the Princess’s private residence, keeping his appointment with Mu Wanyao.

He was led into the bedchamber by maids, where he saw Mu Wanyao wearing only a thin inner dress, her long hair reaching the floor, face free of powder, smiling brightly at him.

She sat at the bedside brushing her beautiful hair, the air fragrant with the scent of her bath.

Yan Shang was momentarily stunned, for he had never seen Mu Wanyao so unguarded. Mu Wanyao stood and pushed him: “Go bathe, hot water has been prepared for you.”

Yan Shang hesitated, but before he could voice his opinion, Mu Wanyao shooed him away, completely ignoring whatever thoughts he might have had.

When Yan Shang returned, his feet stopped before the bedchamber, almost unable to step inside. It all felt somewhat improper.

Red-faced, he thought that last time he had been completely ignorant, let Mu Wanyao hold him while sleeping on lotus flowers and lure him to bed, though nothing much happened afterward, at least he had been led astray. But today was different from before—if last time he had been confused, this time he knew much more.

He kept wondering if this wasn’t quite right… shouldn’t they marry first?

At the threshold, hesitation arose. As he struggled to take that step inside, Yan Shang heard the tinkling of a qin from within. He paused in surprise, listened to the music for a while, and drawn by the sound, pushed open the door and entered.

He saw curtains flying, Mu Wanyao in only a white inner dress with an orchid-colored sash at her waist, her hair falling like a waterfall, kneeling before a qin, head lowered as she plucked the strings.

Moonlight shone in from outside, making the curtains dance more wildly.

Mu Wanyao looked up, seeing Yan Shang standing at the door, staring at her. She gave him an alluring smile, beckoning him over.

Yan Shang went over stiffly, and Mu Wanyao pushed him to sit before the qin. She took his hand, kneeling behind him, her face against his shoulder, her breath like orchids as she taught him how to pluck the strings.

The qin sounds came intermittently, sometimes sharp, sometimes halting.

Just like Yan Shang’s heart, tormented and caught between fire and water.

A fine layer of sweat appeared on his neck, whether from her pressing against him from behind or because his playing was truly awful. The sound was too unpleasant—Yan Shang moved his hand away, no longer plucking.

Mu Wanyao didn’t mind, laughing as she bit his ear, her voice husky: “Have you learned?”

Yan Shang shook his head.

Mu Wanyao laughed and pulled him up, leading him into the inner chamber, taking down the konghou leaning against the wall. She pulled him to sit down again, placing his hand on the strings, lowering her head to teach him.

Mu Wanyao: “Have you got it?”

Yan Shang knelt stiffly, saying softly: “Who could learn from just one lesson?”

Mu Wanyao lowered her head and laughed, reaching past his hand, her delicate jade fingers casually plucking the konghou strings a few times, making the music particularly pleasing.

Mu Wanyao: “I learned it immediately back then. But don’t worry, with me teaching you, you’ll learn something. Do you want to learn from me?”

Yan Shang lowered his eyes with a smile: “Of course.”

He tentatively plucked the strings lightly, and this time the sound wasn’t as sharp and unpleasant as before. Yan Shang’s expression relaxed, and he turned to look at her. His dark, gentle eyes looked at her as if asking her opinion.

What opinion could she have?

Mu Wanyao leaned in and kissed him.

Yan Shang made a low “mm” sound and opened his mouth. Still holding the konghou, afraid of dropping her instrument, he only leaned back slightly, controlling his force, keeping it light. But Mu Wanyao didn’t care at all if the konghou fell—she pushed him, embracing him and entangling with him intimately—

“Thud!”

The konghou fell to the ground, the sound was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Mu Wanyao held Yan Shang’s chin, pressing him down as if to push him over. He firmly resisted being pushed down, but when he turned his face aside, his cheeks were flushed red, his lips moist, his breathing uneven: “Not… not here.”

Mu Wanyao tilted her head back, spreading her arms coquettishly: “Carry me.”—

The flowered hangings flew about, layer after layer falling.

The bedding is in disarray.

Yan Shang lowered his head to kiss Mu Wanyao, somewhat urgent himself. Even in her breathless state, Mu Wanyao didn’t forget to say: “I… I want to be on top!”

Yan Shang’s mind was a mess, his breathing already particularly difficult. Hearing this, he was somewhat tormented, but still let her push him down obediently. Covering his eyes with the back of his hand, he clenched his jaw, sweat thick at his temples. The enchantress above him came to pull his hand away, not caring whether he could handle it or not.

She was extremely domineering: “No closing your eyes, no covering them, look at me!”

Yan Shang’s hand was caught by her, and he quickly glanced once, saying with difficulty: “Maybe we should stop…”

Mu Wanyao glared at him: “We can’t stop… I’ve wanted this for so long, it’s all your fault… you can’t retreat now!”

Seeing him so nervous, sweating so much, his eyelashes constantly fluttering, obviously uncomfortable as he clenched his fists, Mu Wanyao paused, her heart tender. She lowered her face and kissed his lips gently.

She held his face, kissing him repeatedly, finally making him raise his eyes to look at her, brows furrowed in endurance.

Mu Wanyao said softly: “Don’t panic, I’m loving you.”

Yan Shang looked at her without speaking, then suddenly pulled her shoulders down, unable to resist gently biting her cheek. Mu Wanyao let out a small “ah” like a kitten.

He held her tight, letting out a muffled gasp, his whole body shuddering, his waist aching—

His neck was wet with sweat, everything ending hastily in an instant.

Mu Wanyao was dumbfounded.

Silence fell all around.

She looked down at him, seeing his closed eyes, his breathing still chaotic, the corners of his eyes like peach blossoms. He held her as they lay in the darkness, his closed lashes bearing drops of moisture. Strong desire had made him collapse, leaving him powerless afterward.

Mu Wanyao began to laugh, brushing aside his damp black hair, kissing his brows and eyes, his face, patiently waiting for him to recover—

After a good while, Yan Shang finally opened his eyes, looking at Mu Wanyao who was secretly kissing his chin in his arms.

Mu Wanyao coughed once.

She deliberately assumed a serious tone: “Second Brother Yan, I need to tell you something.”

Yan Shang said softly: “Mm?”

Mu Wanyao: “Did you notice you finished very quickly?”

Yan Shang hadn’t reacted. He might not have even understood what she was saying: “What?”

Mu Wanyao’s finger traced circles on his chest, her voice coy but mischievous: “Of course, I don’t mind at all. It’s just… I have a guess… could it be that you’re not capable?”

Yan Shang froze.

Then his face hardened: “Nonsense!”

Mu Wanyao put on a serious expression, her eyes wide: “I’m telling the truth! Many men are like this, it’s called ‘kidney deficiency,’ do you know? You’ve never done this with anyone, so of course you don’t understand. But if it’s kidney deficiency, you need to see a doctor early, if it’s not treated, it could be a lifelong problem.

“Fortunately, I’m a princess, and the palace has many secret prescriptions for this. I can secretly get you some medicine to strengthen you.”

Yan Shang lightly scolded: “Talking nonsense again.”

Mu Wanyao giggled.

He held her in his arms for a long while, and Mu Wanyao loved him so much she kept raising her head to kiss his chin. Mu Wanyao had already forgotten what she’d said earlier, and as she was getting drowsy, she heard Yan Shang say softly: “…Do I really need to take medicine?”

Mu Wanyao was suddenly wide awake.

She stared at Yan Shang with wide eyes.

Then burst into laughter.

She rolled out of his embrace, laughing so hard her legs kicked wildly, clutching her stomach and shaking, nearly fainting from laughter—she had never met such a gullible young lord!

Yan Shang immediately realized he’d been tricked again and pinched her face in annoyance: “Mu Wanyao! Is there not a single true word in your mouth?”