Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Mu Wanyao’s gaze swept past Wei Shu’s shoulder and landed on Yan Shang.

Yet, the Princess remained unfathomably calm. While Yan Shang’s pupils contracted uncontrollably upon seeing her, Mu Wanyao merely continued to flick droplets of water from her clothes with effortless leisure.

She was as lovely as ever, her cloud-like hair adorned with flowers, her golden-threaded skirt trailing behind her. Her beautiful eyes darted with vibrant spirit, reflecting the same grace she had displayed that day on the streets while riding alongside the young nobles.

Wei Shu bowed to Yan Shang: "Brother Yan."

Suppressing the turmoil within him at the sight of Mu Wanyao, Yan Shang returned the bow with as much courtesy as he could muster: "Juyuan, what brings you here?"

When he had first learned of the relationship between Wei Shu and Mu Wanyao, he had indeed contemplated the possibility of encountering her. However, he had assumed that he would be the one to visit the Princess’s estate first, rather than Wei Shu bringing her to him.

...Yan Shang thought to himself, if he were to call at the Princess’s estate, Mu Wanyao might not see him or might not care for him. But if he failed to visit, it would surely be his fault the moment Princess Danyang happened to recall his existence.

As Yan Shang spoke, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and his posture was somewhat rigid. Anyone familiar with him would have recognized the stormy waves crashing within his heart.

However, the two who had arrived were not familiar with the Second Young Master Yan. From their perspective, he was simply exceptionally polite.

Wei Shu turned slightly, ushering forward the resplendent young woman who had been standing behind him, absent-mindedly wringing water from her sleeves, and introduced: "Brother Yan, this is Princess Danyang."

Mu Wanyao looked at Yan Shang with a half-smile in her beautiful eyes.

Yan Shang continued to bow low: "So it is Your Highness; this humble scholar is terrified."

The room fell silent. No one spoke.

Wei Shu asked softly, a trace of confusion in his tone: "Your Highness?"

Mu Wanyao’s voice, clear, noble, and languid like polished jade, slowly resonated: "You ought to be terrified."

Yan Shang pursed his lips, fully aware of what she meant.

Yet, he did not raise his eyes. Standing behind the half-collapsed pile of books on his desk, he felt the strange, heavy weight of her gaze. An eerie, private emotion bloomed between the two of them, completely unnoticed by Wei Shu.

Wei Shu continued his introduction: "Your Highness, this is the senior I mentioned. He is from Lingnan, the second-born in his family, with the given name Shang and the courtesy name Suchen..."

Before Wei Shu could finish, Mu Wanyao interrupted mercilessly: "Your name is Yan Shang?"

Yan Shang thought to himself: Here it comes.

Listening to the question, he feared she had stopped reading his letters long ago.

When they parted last, he was still known as Yan Shisheng; now he had changed his name to Yan Shang. That the noble and proud Princess Danyang was unaware of this was, apparently, a grave sin against the common people.

Yan Shang explained in a low voice: "My teacher helped me change it."

Mu Wanyao stared at him, saying nothing.

Even Wei Shu finally sensed that the atmosphere had turned sour. Assuming that Mu Wanyao looked down on his senior—who was not a scion of a noble family—the usually cool-headed youth proactively tried to defuse the tension: "I was discussing matters with the Princess when we were caught in a downpour. I remembered that Senior Brother Yan lived here, so I brought Her Highness to take shelter."

What could Yan Shang say but: "I am honored to welcome you."

Mu Wanyao let out a scoff.

Wei Shu looked back. Mu Wanyao had turned her face away; water still clung to her cheeks, her lashes were damp with mist, her skin was as white as jade, and her golden hairpins shimmered. When Wei Shu looked at her, she did not respond. She remained as noble and elegant as ever; he simply did not know what she was humming about.

Wei Shu remained silent for a moment, then shifted the topic back to Yan Shang: "I heard a noise when I knocked just now. What was Senior Brother doing?"

Yan Shang spoke gently: "When you knocked, I was organizing my 'hanging scrolls' for the exams. I was using too many reference books and couldn't find what I needed for a moment, so the books piled on the desk tumbled over. That is why you heard the noise. It is truly nothing."

Wei Shu said: "I will help you look."

Yan Shang feigned gratitude: "Thank you."

Mu Wanyao remarked coldly from behind: "That... Yan-what’s-his-name."

Yan Shang: "..."

Helpless, he turned back to look at the Princess, who had finally stepped into his humble dwelling.

Wei Shu looked at Mu Wanyao in surprise. Mu Wanyao was certainly not a woman of submissive temper, but she was never usually so rude as to forget a name she had just been introduced to, nor would she typically deny someone face. How had Brother Yan... offended Her Highness?

Mu Wanyao lifted her chin toward Yan Shang: "Yan-what’s-his-name, is this how you treat guests?"

Yan Shang paused, unable to help but smile at her deliberate provocation. He hesitated: "There is only cold water here, as I have been quite busy... I fear I have no hot tea to offer Your Highness."

Mu Wanyao wound a few damp strands of hair dangling by her ear around her finger, speaking slowly: "I have been soaked in the rain for so long—my hair is wet, my clothes are wet. What if I fall ill tomorrow? Yan-what’s-his-name, are you truly so inept at hospitality?"

Yan Shang was sharp.

The moment she attacked, he knew exactly what she wanted.

He turned to Wei Shu, who was frowning in disapproval at the Princess, and said: "Juyuan, please help me look through the manuscripts first. I will take Her Highness to the inner room to refresh herself."

Yan Shang entered the inner room, and Mu Wanyao followed close behind.

Once inside, he found a clean towel and scooped some water, intending for the Princess to wash her face. He worked with his back to her, whispering: "Please bear with this, Your Highness. This towel is new and unused. I have no women’s clothing for you to change into, so you must make do with the towel. I will go and brew a bowl of ginger soup for you..."

Mu Wanyao stared at him.

He had grown taller since they had parted.

Mu Wanyao was also a woman of tall stature. In the past, she had only reached his chin; just now, following him, she noticed her head barely cleared his shoulder.

His appearance and temperament had changed slightly, too.

He seemed even more refined and harmless, possessing a quiet, elegant air.

He wore simple scholar’s robes and held his hair with a wooden pin, yet when he fixed his gaze on someone, it was enough to make younger women blush. This was only natural; he had been handsome to begin with. Even in a place like Lingnan, he had caught Mu Wanyao’s eye, let alone here in the prosperous metropolis of Chang’an.

As Yan Shang rambled on, Mu Wanyao, standing behind him, said impatiently: "Who are you trying to impress?"

Yan Shang paused. He set down his work and turned to face Mu Wanyao, who was standing nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with him. He felt stiff, hearing the sound of bamboo slips being rustled outside, knowing Wei Shu was busy at work.

The more Wei Shu helped him, the less he should be doing anything with the Princess in the inner room behind his back.

Yet, it was clear that Mu Wanyao had intentionally steered Wei Shu away to cross-examine him.

She took a step forward.

Yan Shang stepped back.

Mu Wanyao strolled toward him.

Yan Shang retreated helplessly.

He lowered his lashes and kept his voice low so that Wei Shu would not hear: "I sent a letter to the Princess’s estate regarding my name change to Yan Shang. Your Highness must have been too busy to notice."

Mu Wanyao seemed to step into his very footprint, forcing him back with every stride.

Yan Shang continued to retreat, speaking faster: "I only arrived in Chang’an two days ago. I did not visit the estate because I wished to prepare for the examinations first. Once the examinations are over, I will certainly come to pay my respects. I do not disrespect Your Highness; I do have plans."

Mu Wanyao looked at him with a playful, cold smile.

Thump.

Yan Shang hit the wall behind him; there was nowhere left to retreat. Mu Wanyao moved to press closer, forcing Yan Shang to reach out and catch her wrist to keep her at bay.

Yan Shang’s voice grew urgent: "I did meet Wei Shu two days ago, and I did learn of his relationship with Your Highness from his own lips, but I have not used that knowledge to my advantage, nor have I sought any benefit from it! I only know of it... knowing is not a crime, is it?"

Wei Shu asked suspiciously from outside: "Brother Yan?"

Yan Shang called out: "Nothing! I just knocked over a wooden bucket."

It was unclear if Wei Shu believed him, but he neither spoke again nor approached.

Yan Shang exhaled a long breath. In that brief moment, he was already sweating, his heart pounding rapidly. He looked down at the Princess whose wrist he held to prevent her from advancing—Mu Wanyao looked back at him with a smirk.

She chuckled: "Does it feel thrilling to engage in an affair behind your good junior brother’s back?"

Yan Shang: "..."

His face darkened slightly.

He whispered: "Your Highness, be careful with your words."

Mu Wanyao’s expression shifted instantly, her gaze cold: "Why the sour face? I will say whatever I please."

Yan Shang sighed inwardly.

He whispered again: "Your Highness is right to reprimand me."

He added: "But please, lower your voice."

As he said this, he felt embarrassed, realizing he was essentially validating Mu Wanyao’s claim—the eerie sensation of having an illicit tryst behind a junior brother’s back.

Yan Shang hurriedly told himself not to overthink. A gentleman of the world should be upright and honest; how could he let Mu Wanyao pull him into such a web and bind his own hands and feet?

Mu Wanyao smiled.

She asked Yan Shang: "You came to Chang’an—why didn't you visit me?"

Yan Shang replied: "Did I not say? I intended to visit after my exams."

Mu Wanyao arched her beautiful eyes, like ripples on a spring stream, washing over him wave after wave: "That is not what I am asking. I want to know whose gate you are submitting your scrolls to?"

Yan Shang answered honestly: "Minister Zhang’s."

Great Wei did not have a specific title for "Prime Minister"; it used a collective cabinet system. There was no official title, but several individuals performed the duties of a Premier. The "Minister Zhang" Yan Shang spoke of was known for being the most willing to promote newcomers among all the cabinet members.

It was clear Yan Shang was trying his luck.

Mu Wanyao pondered this and understood. She darkened her expression: "If you can submit scrolls to that old man Zhang, why not submit them to me?"

Yan Shang slowly raised his eyes, his gaze steady and quiet as he looked at her.

Mu Wanyao tilted her chin, gesturing for him to explain.

Yan Shang’s hand still held her wrist; through her sleeve, he felt the delicate, soft bone of her arm. She appeared soft and fragile, evoking pity, but that was merely a facade.

Yan Shang said slowly: "If I submitted them to you, would you even help me?"

Mu Wanyao looked at him in surprise.

Then, she burst into a laugh.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled with delight: "You are right... I certainly wouldn't."

She pulled her hand away, rubbed her wrist, bit her lip, and tilted her head: "I would have a grand time tormenting you."

Yan Shang thought: I knew it.

As he remained silent, Mu Wanyao’s brow furrowed again: "However, Minister Zhang and the chief examiner for this year have had a grudge for years. They are not on good terms. I fear that if Minister Zhang submits your scroll, the chief examiner might take issue with it, which would be detrimental to your goal."

Yan Shang asked for counsel: "May I ask who the chief examiner is?"

Mu Wanyao said: "Even Wei Shu does not know—do you expect me to tell you first?"

Yan Shang: "..."

Mu Wanyao: "Are you not very capable? Once I tell Wei Shu, you can slowly ask your good junior brother about it."

Just then, Wei Shu’s voice came from outside: "Your Highness, your attendants are looking for you."

Mu Wanyao said nothing.

She and Yan Shang locked eyes.

By some tacit agreement, the two of them shed their confrontational attitudes from moments before.

Wei Shu waited outside for a while, and when he pulled back the curtain to enter, he saw Mu Wanyao sitting on a small stool wiping her hair, and Yan Shang boiling water. It was as if the hushed, rustling conversation he had heard just now had been nothing but a hallucination.

Mu Wanyao suddenly raised her eyes and cast a glance at Wei Shu. Her beautiful eyes danced, and she offered him a radiant, blossoming smile.

Wei Shu was stunned, then his face turned bright red. Without thinking, he spun around and retreated.

Yan Shang let out a sigh.

Mu Wanyao immediately snapped: "What are you sighing at? Tend to your water! What does it have to do with you?!"

Yan Shang turned to look at her with a smile, only to be glared at in return.

Wei Shu felt as though he had heard an argument inside, so he pulled back the curtain once more.

Inside, all remained peaceful and quiet.

Mu Wanyao sat elegantly wiping her hair, and Yan Shang boiled water in silence, looking up to offer him a faint smile.

Wei Shu stood silent.

He still felt... that something was not quite right—

After the Princess’s attendants arrived, Mu Wanyao did not linger.

Before the attendants could enter and have a joyful reunion with Second Young Master Yan, Mu Wanyao departed. With Chunhua holding her umbrella, the group of women marched grandly away to find the Princess of Jin in the temple’s front courtyard.

Wei Shu, however, deliberated and ultimately decided to stay, planning to leave once the rain stopped.

It was rare for Wei Shu to stay in such crude lodgings, but he lacked the typical airs of a young nobleman; he remained cold and aloof, appearing to adapt quite well.

The two slept side-by-side that night, a detail that needs no further elaboration—

The rain continued through the night.

Leaving Yongshou Temple, the Princess of Jin was filled with anxiety, worried whether the rain falling on the day she prayed for a child was a good omen or a bad one. Mu Wanyao offered a few perfunctory words of comfort, sent the Princess away, closed the gates of the Princess’s estate, and turned back to begin interrogating her servants.

Sitting in the main hall, the rain pattered incessantly against the world, the heavy light of the lamps illuminating the ancient beauties painted on the "Xuanli Screen," casting a hazy, ethereal glow.

Mu Wanyao ordered the servants to bring out the letters Second Young Master Yan had sent one by one.

She struck the table, questioning the staff: "So, you all knew he had come to Chang’an, you all knew he had changed his name, yet not one of you thought to tell me?"

Among the women, Chunhua dared to retort: "Did Your Highness not... forget him already, saying you never wanted to hear news of him again?"

Mu Wanyao froze.

She abruptly turned her face toward the rain dripping from the eaves.

She had indeed forgotten him.

Had they not met again today.

Yet, seeing him in the temple today, watching him stand up from behind his desk to reveal his face... a thousand unspeakable emotions surged into her heart once more.

The sound of the drizzling rain in Lingnan, the moment she pulled him into the carriage and forced him to kiss her... all of it resurfaced.

She was thinking of this person again.

Chunhua observed the indifference on the Princess’s face as she turned, cautiously gauging her mood, and said: "Perhaps, Your Highness, you should summon Second Young Master Yan to visit?"

Mu Wanyao paused, saying coolly: "There is no need. Since he is such a fickle person, he need not call at my estate.

"You are all dismissed."

The staff were left scratching their heads, utterly confused as to how the Second Young Master was fickle... the one who couldn't even be bothered to read the Second Young Master’s letters was clearly the Princess herself.

But no one dared to say a word—

Yan Shang was indeed very adept at social graces.

After the weather cleared the following day, he brought a letter of apology and personally visited the Princess’s estate.

Unfortunately, Mu Wanyao was not there.

Yan Shang left only his letter of apology, and by the time Mu Wanyao returned, he was long gone.

Chunhua observed the Princess’s expression: "Since the Second Young Master has already arrived in Chang’an, there will surely be many opportunities for him to call on our estate in the future."

Mu Wanyao lay on her chaise lounge, resting her chin on her hand, and said languidly: "He is but a small-time scholar; stop pestering me with him every single day."

Chunhua: "..."

Thus, those in the Princess’s estate truly remained at a loss regarding the Princess’s stance toward the Second Young Master Yan.