Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 1
Chapter 1
There is a woman, blossoming and fragrant, walking with delicate steps through the east chamber. Her moth-like eyebrows divide the green feathers, her bright eyes flashing clear and vivid... Her virtuous reputation crowns the white clouds, her fame spreading to the four corners of the land. How marvelous is this noble lady’s grace, worthy of being the match for a marquis or a king.
——“Song of Beauty: Chapter of the Woman”——
October, with rain falling for three consecutive days.
The Meiguan Ancient Road, a vital artery connecting the north and the south, was flooded by the rain, engulfed in a vast mist with faint smoke hanging low.
A young man named Yan Shisheng carried a wooden case on his back. Holding an oil-paper umbrella, he trudged through the mud and rainwater on the ancient road, his steps uneven.
The Lingnan region had been treacherous since ancient times, rugged and difficult to traverse. For Yan Shisheng, who had to travel to pursue his studies, there was no other route but this old path carved through the Dayu Mountains.
The green fields were lush, the rain rustled down, and the path ahead, usually clear, was blocked by several carriages. With large umbrellas shielding against the rain and shadows bustling about, Yan Shisheng paused in surprise, unable to stop himself from walking closer to investigate.
It turned out that the foremost of the carriages had become stuck in a muddy pit. Several servants, dressed in light, capable clothing, were gathered around the carriage, trying every method to push it out of the mire.
This was not particularly strange.
Yan Shisheng’s gaze, however, settled beside the carriage:
From somewhere, a pony had been brought out and placed by the side of the road.
A young lady sat upon the pony with graceful ease, a beautiful maidservant standing behind her to hold an umbrella.
The rain poured down in torrents, yet it seemed as if it had nothing to do with the lady sitting upon the pony.
She wore a simple coiled bun, her cloudy hair adorned with gold hairpins and ornaments that swayed with the wind. The trinkets in her hair and the necklace around her throat glinted, setting off the crimson silk dress that trailed across the ground.
The long dress dragged upon the earth, brilliantly eye-catching.
Her eye-tails were painted with a reddish hue, and a pearl was marked between her brows. The woman’s long eyes were half-closed, and she waved a feathered fan as if leisurely enjoying the rain.
The trapped carriage, the torrential downpour, the desolate mountain wilderness—none of these could diminish her opulent and elegant beauty.
Yan Shisheng felt as though his entire field of vision was occupied only by her resplendent red attire.
The beautiful maidservant, who was struggling to hold the umbrella, noticed the traveling youth appear, staring at her mistress. She could not help but scold, "You bold rogue! What are you staring at our young mistress for?"
The lady, who had been closing her eyes in leisure, lifted her face toward this direction. She did not withdraw the languid air about her; when she opened her eyes, her stunning beauty was instantly overwhelming.
Through the misty curtain of rain, she looked at the young man who had suddenly appeared on the path.
She stared at him:
This traveling scholar, carrying a wooden case and an umbrella, wore only a plain white robe with a rounded collar, his hair tied with a simple cloth band. His attire was crude and lowly. Yet, his eyebrows were clear, his eyes bright, and his features handsome and refined. Amidst the pouring rain, he looked somewhat like a celestial being.
Though this person was quite handsome, Mu Wanyao merely waved her feathered fan, thinking distractedly: Just a hick from the wilds of Lingnan.
Berated by the maid, Yan Shisheng blushed. He quickly bowed and apologized, "It was this student who was impetuous; please forgive me for disturbing you, my lady."
The lady sitting upon the pony was, in reality, the current Emperor's youngest daughter, Princess Danyang, Mu Wanyao. After the passing of her former husband, she had left the capital to recuperate.
Naturally, the hick youth was unaware of this.
Mu Wanyao rested her chin against her feathered fan and tilted her eyes slightly. Her gaze was as alluring as a hooked line, yet the expression deep in her eyes remained clear and cold.
She did not speak at all.
The maid holding the umbrella softened her expression slightly and said, "Since you know you disturbed our mistress, why not leave quickly?"
Yan Shisheng hesitated, not moving his feet.
After a moment of thought, he bowed again and spoke gently to the gorgeous lady on the pony: "May I ask, is your lady intending to cross the Dayu Mountains?"
Mu Wanyao still did not speak.
It was her maid who retorted, "What is that to you?"
Yan Shisheng did not mind the other party's cold face or suspicion. He still spoke with a gentle temperament: "My home is in Shawu Town, not far ahead. If you travel a bit further, my lady, you will be able to find a place to rest."
The maid was somewhat stunned, not knowing how to reply, and looked toward her mistress. Mu Wanyao, watching this scholar in white, suddenly revealed a smile, breaking the coldness that clung to her.
She spoke, her voice soft like sand: "In this desolate mountain wilderness, with a long road ahead, is the young gentleman trying to invite me to accompany him to his home?"
Mu Wanyao sighed softly and weakly, remaining steadily on the pony without changing her posture: "Are you seeing me alone, with my fragrant carriage and fine horses, and mistaking me for someone of power and status? And thus, the wolfish heart has arisen in you, wanting to… be friends with me?"
With the feathered fan hiding her face from the nose down, her eyes held a smile, yet her gaze turned suddenly cold and sharp, radiating a surging, piercing spirit: "Wild scholar, do you deserve to?"
At these words, if it were an ordinary person being humiliated to their face like this, they would either be angry or ashamed and turn to leave.
Yan Shisheng only paused, his expression stiffening for a moment, yet he still spoke gently: "My lady has misunderstood me. I am not a person of ill intent. Because the Dayu Mountain road is long, walking the Meiguan Ancient Road from dawn to dusk might not even reach the end. My home is in the nearby Shawu Town, which can accommodate travelers. Seeing that you are exhausted from your journey and trapped by the rain, I simply thought you might wish to go there to rest."
He lowered his eyes and added, "There are many households in Shawu Town, not just mine."
With these words, it was Mu Wanyao’s turn to raise her eyebrows.
She stared at him, probing: Could it be she had misunderstood him?
He was not a lecherous, impetuous man drawn by her beauty?
Yan Shisheng also knew that it was unsafe for a stranger to travel this ancient road alone, and that it was reasonable for the other party to misunderstand him. He suggested patiently: "Last month, other families traveling this path were attacked by wild wolves. My lady, you should not linger here for too long."
Yan Shisheng added, "I must continue to the academy, so I shall not disturb you further."
He cupped his hands in farewell. Apart from that one initial glance at Mu Wanyao, he had kept his eyes respectfully lowered, not taking another look at her.
Mu Wanyao watched him walk away with a cold expression.
She saw that his sleeve was splattered with mud.
The mud stains were filthy, dirtying his white robe. A slight flaw in the white jade, appearing somewhat glaring.
To see such a beautiful youth’s clothing stained with mud made one wish to wipe it clean and bring out new clothes for him to change into.
Moreover, the carriage held a wide variety of items; a set of clothes for a youth of his size could certainly be found.
Mu Wanyao watched the scholar depart with a calm expression, her eyes fixed on the mud spots on his sleeve.
Such an eyesore.
Yet she did not speak again, simply watching him gradually disappear into the vast, ancient road—
The rain rustled on.
The servants were still pushing the carriage.
The maids stood straight, still holding umbrellas for the Princess.
Mu Wanyao suddenly asked: "Is the town ahead called Shawu Town?"
The maid replied shamefully: "Lingnan is barren and remote; the maps are not very clear, and this servant does not know what town or village lies ahead."
Mu Wanyao said slowly: "Then let us continue our journey. Let us listen to that hick and head to that Shawu Town to stay the night."
The maid was worried: "What if that scholar is tricking us?"
The gold hairpins in Mu Wanyao’s hair swayed lightly; she waved her fan and smiled: "I simply want to see whether he is truly a lecherous man wanting to emulate those absurd ancient books, or if he is truly kind—a rare sort of fool."
Yan Shisheng took an hour to get to the academy and another hour to return.
The heavy rain did not cease, and darkness fell early. By night, he finally returned to the village, carrying a lantern, and headed toward his home.
It was a normal journey, but today, before he even reached the fence of his courtyard, he could see from a distance that several groups of people were waiting outside, arguing with someone.
Yan Shisheng’s face changed, fearing something had happened at home, and he hurried his pace.
When he reached his gate, he saw the house brightly lit, guarded by maids, servants, and guards. They were moving gold and silver treasures in and out of the house, while his father and brothers were being driven out of the courtyard. Villagers were gathered outside, pointing and gesturing; those who wanted to enter were thrown out by the guards.
"How can you do this?! This is my house, how can you just say you're taking it away?" Before Yan Shisheng even arrived, he heard his third younger brother roar.
The third Yan brother, Yan Musheng, had no other skills, but he had a powerful voice. Once he spoke, people within ten miles would have their ears ache.
The eldest Yan brother tried to persuade him: "Third brother, let it go, let it go..."
Third brother Yan Musheng wanted to keep arguing, but turned his head and saw Yan Shisheng approaching quickly, holding an umbrella and a lantern.
Third brother’s loud voice rang out: "Second brother!"
Yan Shisheng’s ears buzzed from the shout.
The rest of the Yan family, seeing Yan Shisheng return, swarmed toward him.
Father Yan’s face was bitter: "We don't know what's going on. They went around the village, took a liking to our house, said they wanted to stay here, and kicked us all out."
The eldest brother said shamefully: "Those guards are burly; I couldn't beat them."
Third brother shouted: "I tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't even listen!"
His youngest sister said uneasily: "Second brother, will we ever get our house back? Where will we live?"
The village head squeezed out from the crowd and whispered, "Second brother, you're back! Let me tell you, these people look very powerful, either wealthy or noble. You’d better swallow this bitter pill and don't stir up trouble..."
Third brother roared: "This is our house!"
The village head’s ears buzzed: "Second brother, tell your third brother to stop yelling at me. I'm a man of great age..."
"Second brother..."
"Second brother..."
Everyone was speaking at once, all grabbing at Yan Shisheng.
Surprisingly, Yan Shisheng did not show impatience and comforted them one by one:
"I understand. Thank you for your advice, sir."
"It will be alright. Father, eldest brother, third brother, younger sister, do not be anxious. I will go in and see what the situation is."
"Do not panic. If we truly cannot stay there, I will find a way. You will not be sleeping on the streets tonight, so set your hearts at ease."
He answered them one by one, neither hurried nor slow, and the emotions of the chaotic crowd finally began to settle.
Watching Yan Shisheng step out from the crowd and walk toward the guards at the gate, bending to bow and offer a salute—
Inside the house, the maids were hanging curtains to arrange the inner chamber, while the outer hall was temporarily covered with magnificent rugs.
In the center, the beautiful Princess Danyang sat on a couch, sipping a cup of clear tea.
A maid came in to report that the second brother of this house had returned, and unlike the others, he was not being loud or boisterous, and had asked for an audience with the Princess.
Mu Wanyao was somewhat impatient; she scoffed, but did not refuse.
A moment later, Yan Shisheng walked in from outside, and his eyes met Mu Wanyao's.
He was stunned, and blurted out: "It’s actually you?!"
Mu Wanyao held her teacup in one hand, her chin supported by the other.
Seeing him, she was also quite surprised.
But the next moment, she curved her eyes and smiled.
Mu Wanyao said softly: "Do you regret your lecherous intention now, or do you regret your rash kindness?"
"Inviting a malicious wolf into the house, and having the wolf seize your home without the intention of giving it back—may I ask, young gentleman, do you regret your behavior from earlier today?"
Inside the house, the incense in the burner curled, the fragrance winding around the beams. Princess Danyang was in high spirits, blatantly bullying him, simply waiting for him to regret his actions.
There is a woman, blossoming and fragrant, walking with delicate steps through the east chamber. Her moth-like eyebrows divide the green feathers, her bright eyes flashing clear and vivid... Her virtuous reputation crowns the white clouds, her fame spreading to the four corners of the land. How marvelous is this noble lady’s grace, worthy of being the match for a marquis or a king.
——“Song of Beauty: Chapter of the Woman”——
October, with rain falling for three consecutive days.
The Meiguan Ancient Road, a vital artery connecting the north and the south, was flooded by the rain, engulfed in a vast mist with faint smoke hanging low.
A young man named Yan Shisheng carried a wooden case on his back. Holding an oil-paper umbrella, he trudged through the mud and rainwater on the ancient road, his steps uneven.
The Lingnan region had been treacherous since ancient times, rugged and difficult to traverse. For Yan Shisheng, who had to travel to pursue his studies, there was no other route but this old path carved through the Dayu Mountains.
The green fields were lush, the rain rustled down, and the path ahead, usually clear, was blocked by several carriages. With large umbrellas shielding against the rain and shadows bustling about, Yan Shisheng paused in surprise, unable to stop himself from walking closer to investigate.
It turned out that the foremost of the carriages had become stuck in a muddy pit. Several servants, dressed in light, capable clothing, were gathered around the carriage, trying every method to push it out of the mire.
This was not particularly strange.
Yan Shisheng’s gaze, however, settled beside the carriage:
From somewhere, a pony had been brought out and placed by the side of the road.
A young lady sat upon the pony with graceful ease, a beautiful maidservant standing behind her to hold an umbrella.
The rain poured down in torrents, yet it seemed as if it had nothing to do with the lady sitting upon the pony.
She wore a simple coiled bun, her cloudy hair adorned with gold hairpins and ornaments that swayed with the wind. The trinkets in her hair and the necklace around her throat glinted, setting off the crimson silk dress that trailed across the ground.
The long dress dragged upon the earth, brilliantly eye-catching.
Her eye-tails were painted with a reddish hue, and a pearl was marked between her brows. The woman’s long eyes were half-closed, and she waved a feathered fan as if leisurely enjoying the rain.
The trapped carriage, the torrential downpour, the desolate mountain wilderness—none of these could diminish her opulent and elegant beauty.
Yan Shisheng felt as though his entire field of vision was occupied only by her resplendent red attire.
The beautiful maidservant, who was struggling to hold the umbrella, noticed the traveling youth appear, staring at her mistress. She could not help but scold, "You bold rogue! What are you staring at our young mistress for?"
The lady, who had been closing her eyes in leisure, lifted her face toward this direction. She did not withdraw the languid air about her; when she opened her eyes, her stunning beauty was instantly overwhelming.
Through the misty curtain of rain, she looked at the young man who had suddenly appeared on the path.
She stared at him:
This traveling scholar, carrying a wooden case and an umbrella, wore only a plain white robe with a rounded collar, his hair tied with a simple cloth band. His attire was crude and lowly. Yet, his eyebrows were clear, his eyes bright, and his features handsome and refined. Amidst the pouring rain, he looked somewhat like a celestial being.
Though this person was quite handsome, Mu Wanyao merely waved her feathered fan, thinking distractedly: Just a hick from the wilds of Lingnan.
Berated by the maid, Yan Shisheng blushed. He quickly bowed and apologized, "It was this student who was impetuous; please forgive me for disturbing you, my lady."
The lady sitting upon the pony was, in reality, the current Emperor's youngest daughter, Princess Danyang, Mu Wanyao. After the passing of her former husband, she had left the capital to recuperate.
Naturally, the hick youth was unaware of this.
Mu Wanyao rested her chin against her feathered fan and tilted her eyes slightly. Her gaze was as alluring as a hooked line, yet the expression deep in her eyes remained clear and cold.
She did not speak at all.
The maid holding the umbrella softened her expression slightly and said, "Since you know you disturbed our mistress, why not leave quickly?"
Yan Shisheng hesitated, not moving his feet.
After a moment of thought, he bowed again and spoke gently to the gorgeous lady on the pony: "May I ask, is your lady intending to cross the Dayu Mountains?"
Mu Wanyao still did not speak.
It was her maid who retorted, "What is that to you?"
Yan Shisheng did not mind the other party's cold face or suspicion. He still spoke with a gentle temperament: "My home is in Shawu Town, not far ahead. If you travel a bit further, my lady, you will be able to find a place to rest."
The maid was somewhat stunned, not knowing how to reply, and looked toward her mistress. Mu Wanyao, watching this scholar in white, suddenly revealed a smile, breaking the coldness that clung to her.
She spoke, her voice soft like sand: "In this desolate mountain wilderness, with a long road ahead, is the young gentleman trying to invite me to accompany him to his home?"
Mu Wanyao sighed softly and weakly, remaining steadily on the pony without changing her posture: "Are you seeing me alone, with my fragrant carriage and fine horses, and mistaking me for someone of power and status? And thus, the wolfish heart has arisen in you, wanting to… be friends with me?"
With the feathered fan hiding her face from the nose down, her eyes held a smile, yet her gaze turned suddenly cold and sharp, radiating a surging, piercing spirit: "Wild scholar, do you deserve to?"
At these words, if it were an ordinary person being humiliated to their face like this, they would either be angry or ashamed and turn to leave.
Yan Shisheng only paused, his expression stiffening for a moment, yet he still spoke gently: "My lady has misunderstood me. I am not a person of ill intent. Because the Dayu Mountain road is long, walking the Meiguan Ancient Road from dawn to dusk might not even reach the end. My home is in the nearby Shawu Town, which can accommodate travelers. Seeing that you are exhausted from your journey and trapped by the rain, I simply thought you might wish to go there to rest."
He lowered his eyes and added, "There are many households in Shawu Town, not just mine."
With these words, it was Mu Wanyao’s turn to raise her eyebrows.
She stared at him, probing: Could it be she had misunderstood him?
He was not a lecherous, impetuous man drawn by her beauty?
Yan Shisheng also knew that it was unsafe for a stranger to travel this ancient road alone, and that it was reasonable for the other party to misunderstand him. He suggested patiently: "Last month, other families traveling this path were attacked by wild wolves. My lady, you should not linger here for too long."
Yan Shisheng added, "I must continue to the academy, so I shall not disturb you further."
He cupped his hands in farewell. Apart from that one initial glance at Mu Wanyao, he had kept his eyes respectfully lowered, not taking another look at her.
Mu Wanyao watched him walk away with a cold expression.
She saw that his sleeve was splattered with mud.
The mud stains were filthy, dirtying his white robe. A slight flaw in the white jade, appearing somewhat glaring.
To see such a beautiful youth’s clothing stained with mud made one wish to wipe it clean and bring out new clothes for him to change into.
Moreover, the carriage held a wide variety of items; a set of clothes for a youth of his size could certainly be found.
Mu Wanyao watched the scholar depart with a calm expression, her eyes fixed on the mud spots on his sleeve.
Such an eyesore.
Yet she did not speak again, simply watching him gradually disappear into the vast, ancient road—
The rain rustled on.
The servants were still pushing the carriage.
The maids stood straight, still holding umbrellas for the Princess.
Mu Wanyao suddenly asked: "Is the town ahead called Shawu Town?"
The maid replied shamefully: "Lingnan is barren and remote; the maps are not very clear, and this servant does not know what town or village lies ahead."
Mu Wanyao said slowly: "Then let us continue our journey. Let us listen to that hick and head to that Shawu Town to stay the night."
The maid was worried: "What if that scholar is tricking us?"
The gold hairpins in Mu Wanyao’s hair swayed lightly; she waved her fan and smiled: "I simply want to see whether he is truly a lecherous man wanting to emulate those absurd ancient books, or if he is truly kind—a rare sort of fool."
Yan Shisheng took an hour to get to the academy and another hour to return.
The heavy rain did not cease, and darkness fell early. By night, he finally returned to the village, carrying a lantern, and headed toward his home.
It was a normal journey, but today, before he even reached the fence of his courtyard, he could see from a distance that several groups of people were waiting outside, arguing with someone.
Yan Shisheng’s face changed, fearing something had happened at home, and he hurried his pace.
When he reached his gate, he saw the house brightly lit, guarded by maids, servants, and guards. They were moving gold and silver treasures in and out of the house, while his father and brothers were being driven out of the courtyard. Villagers were gathered outside, pointing and gesturing; those who wanted to enter were thrown out by the guards.
"How can you do this?! This is my house, how can you just say you're taking it away?" Before Yan Shisheng even arrived, he heard his third younger brother roar.
The third Yan brother, Yan Musheng, had no other skills, but he had a powerful voice. Once he spoke, people within ten miles would have their ears ache.
The eldest Yan brother tried to persuade him: "Third brother, let it go, let it go..."
Third brother Yan Musheng wanted to keep arguing, but turned his head and saw Yan Shisheng approaching quickly, holding an umbrella and a lantern.
Third brother’s loud voice rang out: "Second brother!"
Yan Shisheng’s ears buzzed from the shout.
The rest of the Yan family, seeing Yan Shisheng return, swarmed toward him.
Father Yan’s face was bitter: "We don't know what's going on. They went around the village, took a liking to our house, said they wanted to stay here, and kicked us all out."
The eldest brother said shamefully: "Those guards are burly; I couldn't beat them."
Third brother shouted: "I tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't even listen!"
His youngest sister said uneasily: "Second brother, will we ever get our house back? Where will we live?"
The village head squeezed out from the crowd and whispered, "Second brother, you're back! Let me tell you, these people look very powerful, either wealthy or noble. You’d better swallow this bitter pill and don't stir up trouble..."
Third brother roared: "This is our house!"
The village head’s ears buzzed: "Second brother, tell your third brother to stop yelling at me. I'm a man of great age..."
"Second brother..."
"Second brother..."
Everyone was speaking at once, all grabbing at Yan Shisheng.
Surprisingly, Yan Shisheng did not show impatience and comforted them one by one:
"I understand. Thank you for your advice, sir."
"It will be alright. Father, eldest brother, third brother, younger sister, do not be anxious. I will go in and see what the situation is."
"Do not panic. If we truly cannot stay there, I will find a way. You will not be sleeping on the streets tonight, so set your hearts at ease."
He answered them one by one, neither hurried nor slow, and the emotions of the chaotic crowd finally began to settle.
Watching Yan Shisheng step out from the crowd and walk toward the guards at the gate, bending to bow and offer a salute—
Inside the house, the maids were hanging curtains to arrange the inner chamber, while the outer hall was temporarily covered with magnificent rugs.
In the center, the beautiful Princess Danyang sat on a couch, sipping a cup of clear tea.
A maid came in to report that the second brother of this house had returned, and unlike the others, he was not being loud or boisterous, and had asked for an audience with the Princess.
Mu Wanyao was somewhat impatient; she scoffed, but did not refuse.
A moment later, Yan Shisheng walked in from outside, and his eyes met Mu Wanyao's.
He was stunned, and blurted out: "It’s actually you?!"
Mu Wanyao held her teacup in one hand, her chin supported by the other.
Seeing him, she was also quite surprised.
But the next moment, she curved her eyes and smiled.
Mu Wanyao said softly: "Do you regret your lecherous intention now, or do you regret your rash kindness?"
"Inviting a malicious wolf into the house, and having the wolf seize your home without the intention of giving it back—may I ask, young gentleman, do you regret your behavior from earlier today?"
Inside the house, the incense in the burner curled, the fragrance winding around the beams. Princess Danyang was in high spirits, blatantly bullying him, simply waiting for him to regret his actions.