Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

After Mu Wanyao helped Wei Shu submit his academic papers and secured the approval of the chief examiner for the upcoming imperial examinations, she was summoned by His Highness the Crown Prince.

Mu Wanyao was invited to the Eastern Palace, but the Crown Prince was late in arriving.

The main hall was exceptionally desolate, with only Mu Wanyao sitting there alone.

She sneered inwardly, knowing full well that the Crown Prince was trying to intimidate her with a cold reception.

However, the Princess Danyang of today was no longer the young girl of the past, who would be so ashamed she wished to die simply because someone gave her the cold shoulder.

As she was now, even if others pierced her heart with their words, she could calmly wipe the spit from her face and curse them right back.

The Crown Prince foolishly hoped to make her anxious and uneasy by ignoring her; that was impossible.

Naturally, Mu Wanyao also understood that to attach herself to the Crown Prince, she ought to appear a bit more obedient to earn his trust.

Yet, Mu Wanyao had no desire to be obedient, nor did she believe such an attitude held much political value.

After all, she had the Jinling Li clan backing her.

She was the only surviving descendant left by the late Empress. If it weren't for the death of her own full-blooded brother, with the Jinling Li clan’s support, how could the current Crown Prince be the heir?

The power the Li clan once wielded in Chang’an had been immense. Though they had since retreated to Jinling, a starving camel was still larger than a horse.

The Crown Prince would inevitably show restraint toward her out of caution.

Clearly aware of this, even though the master of the Eastern Palace was long in coming, Mu Wanyao remained composed, signaling her attendants to serve tea and melon seeds.

She casually picked up a book of paintings and sat in the hall in complete leisure, eating and reading, looking perfectly content.

This left the Crown Prince with no choice but to appear; he could not maintain his hold over her if he stayed away.

The Crown Prince’s voice came from behind the side door: "Has the Sixth Sister arrived?"

Mu Wanyao looked up to see the Crown Prince, dressed in casual robes, walking in from outside. While handing the cloak he had taken off to a maid, his eyes flickered toward the entire plate of melon seeds Mu Wanyao had finished snacking on.

The Crown Prince’s eyes twitched slightly as he watched Mu Wanyao stand up, bowing to him with a respectful, smiling grace.

He suppressed his displeasure at Mu Wanyao’s lax attitude and gestured for her to sit.

Once the maids in the hall had changed the tea sets and retreated, the Crown Prince rubbed his neck and sighed to Mu Wanyao: "I was just summoned by Father Emperor to discuss some matters regarding the Ministry of Personnel, which is why I kept you waiting, Sixth Sister."

The Crown Prince was full of sorrow: "Father Emperor’s illness has worsened again. My heart truly aches to see him in such a state."

Mu Wanyao sneered internally, thinking that he was likely hoping for the old man to die quickly so he could ascend to the throne.

But since the Emperor had refused to die for so many years, how could the Crown Prince not be frustrated?

Mu Wanyao pretended not to understand these implications. She joined her brother in feigning sorrow for the Emperor’s health before giving him a look of surprise and saying slowly: "Isn’t the Ministry of Personnel managed by the Third Brother? Why did Father Emperor ask you, Big Brother?"

The Crown Prince answered warmly: "It is indeed managed by the Third Brother. But there was a mistake in the Ministry recently, and the Third Brother and I argued for a few days, which is why Father Emperor stepped in to inquire."

Mu Wanyao gave an "Oh."

Seeing the Crown Prince staring at her unblinkingly, Mu Wanyao laughed softly: "I don't understand these things. As you know, Big Brother, I am not close to the Third Brother, and our relationship is not good. I have always avoided whatever he is doing."

The Crown Prince smiled and nodded.

It was precisely because this sister and the Third Brother were not on good terms that he could easily win her over... though recently...

The Crown Prince held his teacup, casually rubbing the rim with the lid.

His eyes were fixed on the tea leaves in the water as he spoke, as if discussing family gossip: "However, during my conversation with the Ministry of Personnel earlier, I learned that because of these academic papers, the Sixth Sister has been getting quite close to them lately. I heard that you even personally led people to meet with the new Vice Director of Merit Evaluations?"

The Vice Director of Merit Evaluations in the Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the imperial examinations.

Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu had indeed gone to see him.

There was nothing to deny.

Mu Wanyao simply smiled and said nothing.

The Crown Prince’s expression cooled. He set down his teacup, looked at Mu Wanyao, and asked: "You don't seem to play much with Yang Sangu anymore, do you?"

Mu Wanyao replied: "Our temperaments don't really match. I have a short temper, and so does he. We always end up fighting when we are together. We can't play well with each other."

The Crown Prince smiled.

He narrowed his eyes, as if recalling the past: "Yang Sangu has been a stubborn mule since he was a child—he always puts himself first and listens to no one. I remember that back then, you were the only one who could make him lose his temper and come back to you once you started crying."

Mu Wanyao was silent.

Then, she whispered: "...Everyone was very young then, and things are not the same as they are now."

The Crown Prince nodded: "That is true. Who would have thought that while Yang Sangu’s temper has remained the same, yours would change so much? The little girl who was once so fragile and only knew how to cry is now prone to insubordination and shows no respect to others."

She knew the Crown Prince was mocking her for helping Wei Shu even though she had officially aligned herself with his camp.

Mu Wanyao remained calm and replied: "Wei Qilang is my uncle’s student. He is young and is being bullied by the Wei clan. My uncle asked me to look after him, so I did it as a passing favor. Even if I hadn't stepped in, given the Wei family background, Wei Qilang would eventually get an official post after a few years of grinding. I’ve just sold a small favor."

The Crown Prince scoffed.

He said: "Forget him. When do you intend to marry Yang Sangu?"

Mu Wanyao: "..."

She suddenly looked up at the Crown Prince. Her eyes were like ice and snow, frozen into cold blades, stabbing forward with such suddenness that it felt like a knife piercing someone's heart.

It was almost enough to make one feel pity.

The Crown Prince sighed, his voice softening: "Sixth Sister, I am not forcing you; I am looking out for your best interests. The war in Wuman has been going on for a year, and I hear it may end soon. The barbarians lack propriety; it is common for a son to take his father's wife, not to mention that this current King of Wuman is a new figure."

The Crown Prince did not know that the current King of Wuman was the eldest son of the previous one.

He continued earnestly: "When the war in Wuman ends, the Great Wei, as their suzerain state, will surely have them send people to Chang’an to pay respects to Father Emperor. When that time comes, if you are not yet married, aren't you afraid that the King of Wuman will demand you from Father Emperor? Having been sent to marry into a foreign land once, do you want to do it again?"

Mu Wanyao’s face turned deathly pale. She did not speak, but her arms, resting on the armrest, tightened.

The Crown Prince continued: "If you marry Yang Sangu, with your childhood sweetheart bond and the protection of the Yang family and myself, the King of Wuman certainly won't be able to demand you again. I know that during that year you spent in Wuman, you must have experienced many terrible things that have caused your temperament to change so drastically, making you completely different from your former self.

"You have already had your temperament change once; do you really want to do it a second time?

"Yaoyao, you won't be able to climb out of the abyss every single time."

Mu Wanyao looked at the Crown Prince in silence.

She thought to herself: If I marry Yang Sangu, the Jinling Li clan will certainly be dissatisfied. They might abandon me. Without the support of the Li clan, what capital would I have left to remain in Chang’an without being at the mercy of others?

She had to please both sides without falling into their traps.

Everyone was quite dissatisfied.

How did it seem like she was the only one who was "anyone is fine" and had no personal thoughts?

Mu Wanyao laughed lightly.

She lowered her eyes, looking as alluring as spring water, full of charm.

She sighed miserably: "I understand, but I don't think Yang San likes me."

 

The Crown Prince laughed: "That’s just his temper; don't take it to heart. He has always been special toward you; otherwise, why hasn't he married yet? Isn’t he waiting for you?"

Mu Wanyao laughed slightly.

Her face flushed a faint red, and her eyelashes fluttered. Like a young girl longing for love, she bit her lip, contemplating what kind of heroic stature her future husband might have.

Seeing that she did not reject the idea, the Crown Prince stopped while he was ahead and did not bring it up again.

Once Mu Wanyao left the gates of the Eastern Palace, the rosy flush of a girl in love vanished from her face.

By the time she reached the city gates of the palace, she had dropped even the pretense of an expression.

Mu Wanyao sat expressionlessly in the carriage, waiting for her maids to present the credentials for passage.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of galloping hooves. Surprised at who would dare to be so boisterous in front of the palace gates, she lifted the carriage curtain to look.

She saw a young man riding at full speed, dressed in black robes with red trim, wearing martial attire. He leaned low over the horse’s back, charging toward the palace gates at breakneck speed.

The guards turned pale, but the youth’s expression remained unchanged, and he did not slow down.

A red hair ribbon fluttered in the wind, and the sword at his waist clattered silently.

His features were stern and profound, and the one glance he cast as he approached was incredibly arrogant.

Truly, a noble youth with a fine horse, full of spirit!

In all of Chang’an, there was only one like him—Yang Sangu, Yang Si!

Yang Si only slowed his horse when he reached the palace gate. As he leaped from the saddle, he sensed someone watching him.

He turned his head to see Mu Wanyao’s shimmering, watery eyes looking at him from the carriage.

Mu Wanyao feigned curiosity: "Is Yang Sangu heading to the Eastern Palace again? If you go three times a day like this, if you were a girl, the position of Crown Princess would surely be yours by now, wouldn't it?"

Yang Si stared at her.

Slowly, he said: "Were you scolded by the Crown Prince?"

Mu Wanyao: "..."

Yang Si led his horse away, casting her a single glance before averting his gaze, saying calmly: "Of course, not like you, who gets scolded every time you visit the Eastern Palace."

Mu Wanyao offered him a hypocritical smile: "Isn’t that because the Crown Prince is concerned about when I will marry Yang Sangu?"

Yang Si replied slowly: "Whenever you want to marry, that’s fine with me. I don’t care."

Mu Wanyao covered her mouth in surprise: "Could it be that you love me?"

Yang Si was equally surprised: "Why would I have to love you? No one has ever decreed that a Princess Consort cannot take concubines, right?"

Mu Wanyao gritted her teeth: "If you marry me, you cannot take concubines."

Yang Si replied quite indifferently: "That is none of your concern."

Mu Wanyao stared at him through the curtain for a long time, then suddenly flung the door open and hurled a set of teacups and other utensils at him.

But Yang Si had been prepared; with a steady step back, he evaded her outburst.

Watching the Princess, fuming on the carriage, her chest heaving as she panted with rage and her beautiful eyes spitting fire, Yang Si’s eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and he looked away.

Yang Si said: "Since you have such a bad temper, you’d better focus on raising your Wei Qilang. To be a daughter-in-law of the Yang family requires the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues.' I don’t think you’re cut out for it."

Mu Wanyao retorted: "Then go tell the Crown Prince yourself that you hate me and don't want to marry me at all!"

Yang Si said: "I don't hate you, either. As I said, it doesn't matter whether I marry you or not—I can take concubines regardless."

Mu Wanyao glared at him in fury for a long time, but eventually fell silent, pulled down the curtain, and stopped repeating the same circular arguments with him.

Yang Si stood where he was, watching the carriage of Princess Danyang slowly drive into the distance. Only then did he turn his gaze away, retrieve his fish tally from the palace guards, and lead his horse into the city.

His servant followed behind the tall, slender young nobleman and asked in a low voice: "Why does the Third Young Master always feel the need to anger the Sixth Princess?"

Yang Si did not answer.

The servant continued: "The Sixth Princess must have been scolded by the Crown Prince again. If the Third Young Master could just smile at the Princess once, she would be in a better mood when leaving the palace.

"If you don't like the Princess, you should marry someone else early and put an end to the Crown Prince’s thoughts; if you do like her, you shouldn't keep angering her."

Yang Si lowered his eyes.

The servant kept prattling on with sympathy for Mu Wanyao. After a long while, Yang Si finally spoke: "The Crown Prince is too impatient. Anuo, there are some things that it is not convenient for me to do. I cannot be too kind to Yaoyao."

The servant was startled.

He asked: "Are you helping the Princess?"

Yang Si gave a brief smile.

Then, he said lazily: "Regardless, I am on the side of the Crown Prince. As for everything else, let’s just leave it for now."

The servant naturally had no objections to this.

Yang Sangu was the Crown Prince’s companion and attendant; his natural stance was with the Crown Prince, and the Yang family’s stance followed the Third Young Master in supporting the Crown Prince. Since the Third Young Master and the Crown Prince were on good terms, he naturally should help the Crown Prince.

It was just that... there were some things... that the Third Young Master wasn't entirely willing to do—

The Princess of Jin was looking for Mu Wanyao again.

This time it was for good news, as a concubine in the Prince of Jin’s household had become pregnant after the Princess had sought help from the temple.

The Princess of Jin was overjoyed and brought the pregnant concubine with her to visit, begging Mu Wanyao to accompany her to Yongshou Temple once more to offer thanks for the answered prayers.

The Princess of Jin prattled on: "I never expected the Bodhisattva at that temple to be so effective! I had only been praying for a few days, and someone in our household is pregnant. This is the first time in three years! Sister, you accompanied me that day; won't you come with me today to offer thanks?"

Mu Wanyao was incredibly annoyed.

Just as she was about to lash out and curse this sister-in-law away, she caught a glimpse of a faint sorrow lingering in the Princess of Jin’s eyes. Even though the concubine was pregnant, the Princess seemed happy, but not as happy as she was pretending to be.

Mu Wanyao paused.

Of course.

The Princess of Jin hoped for an heir for her household, so naturally, she was happy whenever someone became pregnant; however, this child was ultimately not from her own womb. Had she not been constantly taking concubines for the Prince of Jin and sending women to her husband's bed year after year, all for the sake of an heir?

The nobles in Chang’an all thought this Princess was eccentric and disliked dealing with her, but as a second wife, was it easy for the Princess of Jin?

Mu Wanyao remained silent for a moment, her heart softening in a rare display of empathy.

She felt that the Princess of Jin, who was ignored by everyone, was a bit pathetic.

Mu Wanyao coughed: "Just this once, and never again. I am not going with you to pray for children anymore."

The Princess of Jin was immediately delighted, saying repeatedly: "Thank you, Sister! Sister is truly kind-hearted, completely different from what others say about you. Don't worry, Sister; the Bodhisattva at Yongshou Temple is truly effective. After I offer my thanks this time, I will pray with you for a good marriage!"

A good marriage?!

Mu Wanyao was terrified!

She was currently most afraid of a marriage falling onto her head... balancing precariously between the Crown Prince and the Li clan, this Princess understood nothing of her suffering!

Mu Wanyao quickly said: "It is enough that you pray for an heir for your household; you don't need to worry about me. I don't want to marry."

The Princess of Jin asked: "How can there be a young lady in this world who does not wish to marry..."

Mu Wanyao smiled: "To be honest, Sister-in-law, I once had an ambition to become a Taoist nun. It was only because my Father Emperor stopped me that I didn't do it."

The Princess of Jin was stunned, not knowing whether the Princess was serious or not—

Upon arriving at Yongshou Temple, the Princess of Jin piously dragged Mu Wanyao to worship the Buddha. The concubine she brought followed timidly behind, kneeling and bowing.

Mu Wanyao became impatient after bowing a few times. She was baffled, watching her sister-in-law kneeling on the prayer mat with her eyes closed for a long time; she truly could not understand where the Princess of Jin found so much to say to the Bodhisattva.

Mu Wanyao had nothing to ask of the Bodhisattva.

While the two women knelt endlessly, Mu Wanyao waited outside.

When they finally came out, they saw the Princess squinting at the sun and watching the endless stream of people in the temple today.

Mu Wanyao turned back to the two of them and said: "I have finished praying. You two take your time; I’m going to go play for a while and will find you later."

The Princess of Jin knew that it was already a blessing that the Princess had been willing to come with her; she dared not expect the Princess to pray with her, so she nodded.

Mu Wanyao left her maids and attendants with the Princess, turned, and blended into the crowd, disappearing in an instant.

Seeing that the attendants left behind by the Princess remained quite calm, as if they were not at all worried about her safety—evidently, this was not the first time the Princess had cast off her attendants—the Princess of Jin had no choice but to uneasily lead these servants to continue praying to the Bodhisattva—

Mu Wanyao moving away from her servants was not to find Yan Erlang.

Although she knew Yan Shang was staying at Yongshou Temple, she was just strolling around aimlessly; what did it have to do with him? She hadn't even thought about looking for him.

But it could not be helped that Yongshou Temple was not a very large temple, and Mu Wanyao did indeed run into Yan Shang.

While wandering through the temple, Mu Wanyao saw a group of scholars inviting one another to write poetry on the walls.

Yan Shang, looking as elegant as a jade tree, stood among the group of literary men, and Mu Wanyao spotted him from afar.

In the Great Wei Dynasty, writing poems on the walls of temples and monasteries was a refined act practiced by scholars and pursued by countless people. In post stations or temples, there were often wooden boards provided for passing travelers to write on.

These scholars usually wrote their poems on the boards first before hanging them on the wall for appreciation.

The fame of many talented scholars spread from these poems inscribed on walls.

Such refined acts were quite popular in the temples. For the more famous scholars, monks would provide boards made of water pine, brushed with Wu glue powder, to beg for their poetry.

At this moment, a young novice monk was carrying many common poem boards, letting these literary men write on the walls.

Many commoners in the vicinity were attracted, observing from a distance.

The common people were naturally illiterate, but that did not stop them from admiring and longing for the talented scholars.

Mu Wanyao mingled among these commoners and found it interesting to see Yan Shang being pulled along by others.

Yan Shang said helplessly: "Let’s skip me... I really don't need to..."

Those men pulled at him: "Yan Suchen, why be so reserved? Everyone is writing on the wall; how can you hide away alone? This might be passed down for a thousand years; don't be so modest."

Yan Shang was forced toward the wall.

Mu Wanyao walked slowly through the crowd, approaching him step by step. After all, she didn't know these other scholars, only him; naturally, it was only fitting that she watch him.

Watching him find himself unable to refuse, he took a poem board and found the most remote corner of the wall to write his poem.

The other scholars gathered together to point at the landscape, their talent overflowing. Yan Shang, however, was timid; his characters were minuscule, as if he were afraid of taking up space or leaving his brushwork on the wall.

He was forced to write poetry.

But he clearly didn't want to.

However, this was an invitation from his companions; refusing would seem unsociable, so he could not decline.

Yan Shang huddled in the corner of the wall, trying his best to write the characters small enough and blurry enough, striving to take up as little space on the wall as possible—it would be best if a single leaf could block his work from sight.

He had been so careful and hidden, but he did not notice a young lady leaning over his shoulder, reading out the poem he had inscribed. She then chuckled and added her commentary: "...What kind of mess have you written here? No wonder you didn't dare write them large, fearing you'd take up too much space—you’re afraid of losing face, aren't you?"

Yan Shang turned his head and saw Mu Wanyao leaning against the wall with wide, bright eyes and a curled lip.

Upon seeing her, his eyes lit up slightly, as if light were flowing out of them. But Yan Shang was also momentarily bewildered, failing to recognize her at first.

Because the Mu Wanyao he saw... was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, eyeing him like a rake.

She was wearing men’s clothing.

Yan Shang looked her over and smiled: "...Is Your Highness sneaking out to play? Dressed as a man?"

Mu Wanyao glared at him: "You’re the one who looks like a man dressed as a woman!

"You country bumpkin, what do you know? It’s very popular in Chang’an for women to wear men’s clothing; it’s convenient for entering and exiting the palace. Who doesn't know I’m a woman? It’s just you who’s blind.”