Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

After Yang Si heard his cousin describe him as the third-place scholar, he stared at Yan Shang, who was being surrounded by the crowd, and his opinion of him changed to the following:

First, he was sucking up to Princess Danyang, perhaps even offering himself—who knew?

Second, the sycophancy had succeeded; the Grand Princess had actually wavered and changed her mind, which meant Mu Wanyao was somewhat taken with this person.

Third, the night before the results were posted, he had still run off to the Northern Quarters to drink flower wine and had been caught red-handed.

In short, he was a man with a fickle heart who thought himself dashing and romantic, but whose true nature had long since been seen through by others.

Yang Si said to Zhao Lingfei, who was gazing obsessively in Yan Shang's direction, "A man like him is not worthy of you. Let's go."

Zhao Lingfei shook off Yang Si’s hand, uninterested in her cousin's opinion.

Yang Si watched as she abandoned her usual arrogant demeanor, brushing her hair aside, adjusting her attire, and even looking down at her own riding outfit with a look of annoyance.

She tapped her forehead in frustration: "A gentleman as refined as that must surely like ladies who are gentle, virtuous, and possess the temperament of a fairy, right? Oh, why did I wear this riding outfit? I should have come out in a long, flowing chest-high skirt."

Yang Si: "Tsk."

Before he could stop her, Zhao Lingfei purposefully moved toward the newly crowned third-place scholar with a coy, delicate air.

Yang Si’s face sank instantly: "Zhao Wuniang, get back here! If you continue to be so insensible, I won’t bring you out with me next time."

But Zhao Wuniang—Zhao Lingfei—seemed not to hear her cousin's words at all.

Of course, Yang Si would not indulge her; he stood where he was and refused to follow.

As for Yan Shang, he was adept at handling such situations; he had become quite skilled at dealing with these servants over the past few days.

Dozens of mouths buzzed around him, yet he found the time to answer every person, thank everyone for their good intentions, and express gratitude for every lady’s admiration. Yan Shang’s attitude was gentle, his speech unhurried, and he was able to engage with so many people at once without slighting anyone. Before long, the crowd quieted down.

One by one, they were placated and sent away by Yan Shang.

Yan Shang sighed, feeling a sense of relief now that his surroundings were finally empty.

Suddenly, a girl’s laugh came from behind: "Pfft."

Yan Shang turned back and saw a young girl of marriageable age, dressed in a riding outfit in the latest Chang’an fashion. She was hiding behind a column wrapped in green vines, looking at him with almond-shaped eyes filled with water. When he locked eyes with her, she blushed from embarrassment and quickly retreated behind the pillar.

Yan Shang remained silent.

He understood human nature all too clearly, especially the attitude of this young lady; it was the same one he had faced every day for the last two days. However, this lady was the boldest of them all—others had sent servants to pass messages, but this one had come herself.

Unfortunately, however.

Yan Erlang was not very interested in love or romance. When he left Lingnan, his father had hoped he would marry soon, but Yan Erlang felt there was no need for such urgency. He was still young and had only just arrived in Chang’an; his foundation was unstable. If he were to marry immediately after becoming a third-place scholar, he would inevitably block off his own path forward.

For the time being, he did not want to rely on any faction in Chang’an.

With these thoughts in mind, Yan Shang bowed slightly toward the pillar where the lady was hiding, turned, and prepared to leave.

Zhao Lingfei, who was peeking at him from behind the pillar, was stunned: "..."

In the usual script, shouldn't there be some words exchanged?

Seeing that Yan Shang was leaving without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Lingfei jumped out and called out: "Young Master!"

The other party did not look back, so Zhao Lingfei simply shouted: "This third-place scholar!"

Yan Shang sighed inwardly. Since he had been called out, he could no longer pretend not to know.

He turned back and smiled at her, feigning an appropriate amount of surprise: "Is this lady calling for me?"

Zhao Lingfei watched as he looked toward her, the sunlight outlining his soft facial contours, his elegant long brows, and his eyes clear as ice.

He was so handsome and possessed such bearing; he was completely different from the aristocratic youths she saw every day.

No matter how much Zhao Lingfei pretended to be delicate, she was inherently bold.

Gazing at such a handsome youth, she was stunned once again. Before she even realized what she was doing, the words slipped out: "Young Master, I admire you."

Yan Shang: "..."

He was incredibly surprised, his eyelashes fluttering sharply; he clearly had not expected her to be so direct.

After speaking, Zhao Lingfei felt annoyed at being so forward, but since the words were out, she decided to be even more direct: "Young Master, my father is the current Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. I am the fifth daughter of the Zhao family, named Lingfei. Young Master, I admire you and would be very willing to marry you."

Yan Shang replied gently: "However, I have no official rank, and I fear it would be a grievance to you."

Zhao Lingfei: "My family values integrity over status; I do not mind the grievance."

Yan Shang: "I come from Lingnan, and my family background does not match yours."

Zhao Lingfei: "My family also started from humble beginnings; not all great clans are extremely wealthy. We are a perfect match."

Yan Shang: "You do not understand me..."

Zhao Lingfei looked at him thoughtfully and suddenly smiled: "Young Master, are you rejecting me?"

Yan Shang smiled slightly and said: "I am very grateful for your favor. A lady as radiant as the spring sun such as yourself is someone I am completely unworthy of. I fear wronging you, and I fear even more letting you down. Furthermore, I have no thoughts of starting a family at this time; you deserve a better husband."

Zhao Lingfei stared at him.

She sighed slowly: "You are so gentle even when rejecting someone, not wounding their pride at all."

She added: "I understand you a little better now, and I admire you even more. What should I do?"

Yan Shang was stunned.

He began to feel that this young lady was quite difficult to deal with.

While he frowned, Zhao Lingfei stared at him with interest and adoration. Just as the two were caught in a game of chase and avoidance, a cold female voice interrupted them: "Make way."

Both turned back at the same time to see Princess Danyang, her golden skirts shimmering like the evening glow, walking straight toward them. Her attendants were holding up her long train. When they saw Yan Erlang, their eyes brightened as if to greet him, but the Princess walked straight past, so they hurried to follow.

When Yan Shang suddenly caught sight of Mu Wanyao, his eyes shrank slightly.

Mu Wanyao walked straight ahead, not even looking at the young man and woman talking of love. But she did not veer off; her path was so straight that it looked as if she were about to collide with them. Zhao Lingfei and Yan Shang had no choice but to step back two paces, clearing a space for the Princess.

Mu Wanyao brushed past them. She did not walk fast, her expression and bearing as lazy and opulent as always, and she left behind a fragrant breeze.

Her passing forced the pair of "lovers" to be separated by the "Chu-Han Border."

Yan Shang’s heart missed a beat for no apparent reason.

Seeing the Princess walk past, Zhao Lingfei muttered: "She is still as difficult to talk to as ever. How could she not even look at people talking and just walk right between them?"

Zhao Lingfei turned back: "Young Master..."

Yan Shang gave her a short, apologetic smile, gentle yet firm: "Lady Zhao, I still have some matters to discuss with Her Highness. Excuse me."

"Hey..." Just as Zhao Lingfei was about to pursue him, Yang Si walked up from behind.

Yang Si: "Can't you see the man is avoiding you?"

Zhao Lingfei: "It’s clearly just the nature of a man playing hard to get!"

Yang Si scoffed, too lazy to argue with her—

"Your Highness, Your Highness..." Yan Shang caught up to Mu Wanyao in the corridor, but she acted as if she hadn't heard him and did not even wait for him.

He had no choice but to reach out and grab her wrist.

Mu Wanyao stopped and looked at his hand holding hers, a playful, inscrutable look in her eyes: "Yan Erlang, I forgot to tell you: in Chang’an, I am a princess of high standing. If I let people see you grabbing my hand, I can have you punished for 'offending your superior.'"

Yan Shang felt helpless: Wasn't this because she refused to wait for him at all?

Yan Shang let go and apologized, lowering his eyes to avoid looking at her face for fear of being distracted: "I have yet to find the time to thank you for your help in securing the third-place position that day. May I ask when you might be free..."

Standing in the corridor, the attendants wisely retreated several paces to avoid disturbing the Princess.

Mu Wanyao turned her face, looking at the lush green scenery of the Apricot Garden, and said nonchalantly: "No need. It was only a small effort on my part. You can't help me with anything right now; it won't be too late to repay me once you have achieved success."

Yan Shang fell silent.

He lifted his eyes and cast a swift glance at her.

Silence hung in the air.

Mu Wanyao grew impatient: "Anything else? If not, I am leaving."

Yan Shang said: "I have no relationship with Lady Zhao, and there will never be one."

Mu Wanyao, who had been impatient, suddenly looked toward him, her icy eyes piercing into him.

She said coldly, with a hint of warning: "Why are you telling me this? Do you think I care?"

Yan Shang looked at her, his voice calm and reassuring: "I simply feel that since I am on the same path as you, there is no need for unnecessary matters to affect the trust between us. I believe that if I were to marry now, it would be of no great value to you.

"To earn your trust, I should naturally let you know that I have no plans to marry at this time. When you discuss matters with me, you need not worry that I will be influenced by other unimportant factors."

Mu Wanyao stared at him.

Slowly, she broke into a smile, slightly mocking.

She leaned forward, her brows arching gently. When she repeated her words, they were no longer a biting interrogation, but a tender, lingering murmur: "Why are you telling me this?"

Yan Shang retreated, bumping into the pillar behind him, and stopped.

Mu Wanyao smiled brightly: "Very well, I have received your sincerity. But with so many beautiful ladies in Chang’an, are you truly not tempted? If you could marry into a wealthy family, you might rise to success instantly. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Yan Shang breathed a sigh of relief now that the misunderstanding was cleared, and smiled: "I have never thought of rising to success in that manner."

Mu Wanyao gave a dismissive scoff.

Mu Wanyao: "You truly don't love beauty?"

Yan Shang gave a wry smile: "Didn't I say when I was in Lingnan that my ambitions did not lie there?"

Mu Wanyao: "I don't believe you."

Suddenly, she leaned in playfully and said: "Give me your hand."

Yan Shang extended his hand, puzzled.

Her long fingers, tipped with bright red nail polish, suddenly grabbed his long, slender hand. As their palms touched, Yan Shang shuddered slightly and looked up at her with an indescribable expression.

She was looking down, her eyelashes like wings and feathers.

Just as Yan Shang was dazed, his palm suddenly tickled. Her fingers were slowly tracing a line across his palm, delicate and trailing, like a feather scratching against his skin; a numbing sensation instantly shot deep into his bones.

Yan Shang’s heart missed a beat once more.

Unable to control his emotions, he revealed his vulnerability. He reflexively gripped her hand back, but as Mu Wanyao looked at him, Yan Shang pulled his hand away instantly.

He stepped back two paces, his voice slightly unsteady: "Your Highness!"

Seeing his flustered state, Mu Wanyao covered her mouth and laughed.

She said: "If Zhao Wuniang had traced your palm like that just now, would you have been able to remain 'composed while holding a woman'?"

Yan Shang looked up, suppressing the fire in his eyes: "Does Your Highness think I am a frivolous and fickle man?"

Mu Wanyao stopped laughing.

She scoffed: "I am merely reminding you that you are a man as well; don't truly think of yourself as a saint. I only touched your hand, and you were so flustered you retreated. If seventeen or eighteen beauties stood before you completely naked, could you remain indifferent?"

Yan Shang retorted: "Why couldn't I?"

Mu Wanyao said seriously: "If you could, it would mean there is something wrong with you. You had better castrate yourself soon; my manor is currently short of a capable eunuch like you."

Yan Shang endured it; this was the second time she had encouraged him to become a eunuch.

Mu Wanyao said: "So, your experience with the opposite sex is too shallow. You country bumpkin, you should practice a bit more."

Yan Shang replied after a long silence: "...Thank you for your instruction, Your Highness."

Mu Wanyao said as if it were only natural: "I taught you quite well, you should thank me."

She winked at him, full of teasing, playfulness, and a hint of hidden romantic allure. Then, ignoring his flushed face, she turned and walked away gracefully.

Yan Shang suppressed a laugh, watching her go; she still had that same utterly irresponsible attitude—she was truly wicked. Only when her silhouette was completely out of sight did Yan Shang collect his emotions and return to the banquet—

To the west of the Qu River was the Apricot Garden, where the top scholar and third-place banquets were held; to the south was the Furong Garden, which housed the Ziyun Tower—the destination for royalty.

After touring the Apricot Garden, Mu Wanyao heard that the imperial clansmen had all gone to the Furong Garden, so she decided to go over and greet them.

A great many royals had come to this year’s great Qu River banquet. Mu Wanyao ascended the Ziyun Tower to greet her relatives.

She chose to sit next to Princess Yuyang.

Princess Yuyang was her fourth elder sister, a gentle person married to the Governor of Jingzhao, Chen Shubai. Princess Yuyang and the Third Prince, the Prince of Qin, were siblings by the same mother. Mu Wanyao had a strained relationship with the Prince of Qin, so naturally, her relationship with Princess Yuyang was equally lukewarm.

Princess Yuyang’s husband had not come today. Sitting there alone, she felt a sense of familiarity when she saw Mu Wanyao and invited her to sit together.

However, Mu Wanyao sat with a hint of a smile on her lips, resting her chin on her hand, lost in her own thoughts. She did not bother to speak to Princess Yuyang, who was somewhat bored and kept stealing glances at her.

Mu Wanyao rubbed her own hand. At the memory of Yan Shang being tickled and startled by her just moments ago, she could not help but be filled with joy.

He deserved it!

She hated seeing Yan Shang’s calm, gentle demeanor, where everything seemed within his grasp, as if he could predict anything she said or did.

He could predict her?

In his dreams!

Mu Wanyao could never be controlled by him!

However, as she held his palm, his long, slender fingers had slightly curled, and as her hand rested on his, she had actually felt a moment of trance... "Bang," something hit her.

It struck Mu Wanyao right in the face.

Mu Wanyao: "Ouch!"

 

Her face throbbed with pain. Looking down, she saw that the object that had hit her was a chestnut. With eyes blazing with fire, she looked up and, past the trembling Princess Yuyang, saw Yang Silang, Yang Si, leaning lazily back against a pillar two tables away.

Yang Si looked at her with a smirk: "What are you thinking about, with such a look of longing in your eyes? Could it be that you went to the Apricot Garden just now and took a fancy to someone?"

Mu Wanyao was impatient: "What’s it to you?"

Yang Si chuckled: "You mimic me, and now you ask what’s it to me?"

Hearing Yang Si claim she was mimicking him, Mu Wanyao felt both guilty and furious at his directness. Looking left and right, she grabbed a plate of chestnuts from her table and threw them at Yang Si.

But Yang Si was highly skilled in martial arts. As she threw them, he reached out, caught one chestnut in the air, bit into it, looked up at her, and smiled: "Quite delicious, thank you."

Mu Wanyao: "Then why don't you eat them all?"

She threw them one by one, like a rain of bullets.

Princess Yuyang, caught in the middle, cried: "Hey, hey, stop fighting..."

The Crown Prince, the Prince of Qin, and the Prince of Jin entered, chatting and laughing. As soon as the Crown Prince arrived, he saw Yang Si and Mu Wanyao pelting each other with chestnuts, while Princess Yuyang hid in a corner like a frightened rabbit. The other royals had also ducked away; only Yang Si and Mu Wanyao had turned the place into a complete mess.

At the sight, the Crown Prince’s anger flared up, and he was so frustrated he felt like vomiting blood.

The Crown Prince roared: "Yang San, what are you doing again?!"

He had only meant to send Yang Si and Mu Wanyao to spend time together, but in the short time he had taken his eyes off them, they were already at each other's throats. Looking at how lively their "interaction" was, did this look like the sign of an impending marriage?

Judging by the look in Princess Danyang’s eyes as she glared at Yang Si, she probably wanted to tear him to pieces.

Yang Sanlang was covered in chestnut shells tossed by the willful princess. He had been teasing Mu Wanyao in a cavalier manner, but the Crown Prince’s roar froze him. He turned his head and saw the Crown Prince glaring at him in fury.

Yang Si paused for a moment and said: "What? I’m just cultivating a relationship with the Sixth Princess. Didn't you say that since we haven't seen each other in a long time, we should sit down and exchange feelings?"

Crown Prince: "..."

He feared that the more they "exchanged feelings," the more likely his desired marriage would fall through.

The Third Prince, the Prince of Qin, watched the Crown Prince’s expression—looking as if he were about to be angered to death by Yang Si—and suppressed his hysterical laughter. Fortunately, he did not have someone beside him who specialized in holding him back and could not be reprimanded. The Crown Prince was calculating and capable, but because he lacked a strong power base, he could not afford to discard Yang Sanlang.

The Third Prince, a man of martial background, remarked: "If my subordinates were this disobedient, I would have beaten them to death long ago."

Yang Si’s eyes still held a hint of a cavalier smile, but upon hearing this, he looked at the Third Prince, and the cold, rebellious defiance in his eyes was not concealed in the slightest...

The Crown Prince sighed: "Chengzhi, today is the great Qu River banquet, and His Majesty will be arriving shortly. Can you not cause trouble today?"

Chengzhi was Yang Si’s courtesy name.

The Crown Prince rarely used it; once he did, Yang Si knew he had crossed the line and was testing the Crown Prince’s patience. Yang Si withdrew his rebellious gaze from the Prince of Qin before the fire could truly ignite.

The Crown Prince helplessly gestured to Yang Si: "Clean yourself up and come with me to the Apricot Garden to meet the new scholars."

Yang Si: "I still have to cultivate a relationship with Yaoyao..."

Crown Prince: "You don't need to cultivate anything anymore, get out here!"

Mu Wanyao watched as Yang Sanlang was dragged out by the Crown Prince, followed by the other two princes. Knowing full well that they were going to recruit the new scholars, she could not help but laugh.

The Crown Prince usually acted so mature and was always lecturing Mu Wanyao on obedience; it was rare to see him so frustrated by Yang Sanlang... it was quite satisfying.

Princess Yuyang moved back, looking at Mu Wanyao with some admiration.

She whispered: "Sixth Sister, you are so amazing, I envy you."

Mu Wanyao froze.

She turned to look at her fourth sister, who was always gentle and lacked presence, and suspected she had heard wrong: "What do you envy me for?"

Princess Yuyang: "When Yang San pelted you with chestnuts, you dared to throw them back. I wouldn't dare; I’m afraid of causing trouble for my brother. But you dare—it’s so good to be able to be so willful."

Mu Wanyao looked at this sister with disbelief.

Princess Yuyang sighed in a low voice: "Before you went to be married off, everyone pampered you and let you have your way; even now that you’ve returned, you can still do whatever you want. It’s so good that you can always remain unconstrained."

Mu Wanyao opened her mouth to speak but stopped.

She was unconstrained?

If she were truly unconstrained, why did she not throw chestnuts at Princess Yuyang, but threw them at Yang San? Was it not because Princess Yuyang had the Prince of Qin behind her, while Yang San was backed by the Crown Prince—whom she herself was loyal to—so she was unafraid?

Her selective willfulness actually made Princess Yuyang envious.

...What kind of life did her fourth sister usually live?——

The Crown Prince’s party went to the Apricot Garden. Yang Si tidied himself up, becoming once again the obedient follower of the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince told him to shut up and not say a word, Yang Si just tilted his head, intending to play along.

The Crown Prince offered his condolences to the new scholars, winning their hearts as a crown prince should. Everyone gave him face, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

But as for what would happen in the future, that would have to wait until they reached the official courts.

The Crown Prince also knew that these were all aristocratic children with their own agendas; until they reached the official post, it was hard to say who would side with whom, so he just did the superficial work. However, after making his rounds and returning to the third-place scholar, Yan Shang, the Crown Prince’s eyes flickered, and he toasted him once more.

Yan Shang used tea instead of wine.

The Crown Prince bypassed the young top scholar, Wei Shu, sitting next to Yan Shang. He knew that even if Wei Shu did not serve the Wei family, he would represent the Jinling Li clan; such a person could not be recruited, so there was no need to waste effort.

As the Crown Prince stared at Yan Shang, he thought to himself: This was the man for whom the Grand Princess of Luling had spent an entire night causing trouble, yet who had ultimately succeeded. This was the person Princess Danyang had mentioned in front of him.

A man like this, with no background—if he were capable, he would be very suitable to work for him.

When the Crown Prince spoke to Yan Shang, his attitude was even more intimate than it had been with the others: "Yan Suchen, is it? Although you placed third, the imperial court cannot distribute so many offices all at once; I fear you will have to wait a few years. What are your plans for the future?"

Yan Shang said: "I will simply study and continue to take examinations. I have no other plans."

The Crown Prince nodded: "Would you be willing to enter my Eastern Palace as a staff member?"

Yang Sanlang, who was standing behind the Crown Prince, lost in his own thoughts, came back to reality and looked at Yan Shang. Yang Si frowned and bumped the Crown Prince’s arm from behind, signaling the Crown Prince not to let this person into the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince acted as if he did not notice Yang Si’s antics, continuing to wait gently for Yan Shang’s reply.

Yan Shang was stunned, then revealed the look of a normal person upon hearing such an invitation—a mix of excitement and prudence. After feigning it for a moment, he cupped his hands with a hint of joy: "I am willing to serve Your Highness."

Wei Shu, standing next to Yan Shang, gave him a surprised look, feeling that this did not sound like something Yan Shang would say.

The Crown Prince, however, was very satisfied.

The Crown Prince said with interest: "Then let me test you."

He named a book and asked a question based on an ancient policy, requesting Yan Shang’s analysis.

Yan Shang: "..."

Yan Shang looked ashamed: "This... I have only just begun to read this book, and I have not yet reached the part Your Highness mentioned. My insights are likely crude."

Crown Prince: "..."

The Crown Prince was stunned and looked back at Yang Si. Yang Si raised his eyebrows, signaling: I told you this person was unlearned, but you insisted on asking.

The Crown Prince truly had not expected someone recommended by Princess Danyang to be so talentless!

Could it be... that he only excelled in poetry?

The Crown Prince lost interest in Yan Shang and gave a perfunctory encouragement: "When you have the opportunity, read this book carefully... read it more."

He did not intimately address him as "Suchen" again, nor did he mention the next step of "entering the Eastern Palace as a staff member."

After a few perfunctory words, Yan Shang watched with a sense of loss as the Crown Prince’s party left.

Yan Shang sat down, and those around him comforted him one after another.

When Yan Shang had finished dealing with everyone’s kindness and poured himself a cup of tea, Wei Shu, sitting next to him, looked at him: "Weren't you reading this book five days ago? You haven't finished it yet?"

Yan Shang raised his eyes and smiled: "There have been too many banquets lately, which delayed my reading."

Wei Shu turned his eyes away and said: "The Crown Prince is no fool."

Yan Shang appeared innocent: "But I truly have been reading that book, and I truly haven't finished it. Everyone can testify that I borrowed this book from you, Ju-yuan."

Yan Shang smiled again: "It seems that just a moment ago, when I first entered the Apricot Garden, I blocked someone for you, Ju-yuan..."

Wei Shu said: "What books you read and to what extent you read them, how would I know? This matter has nothing to do with me, and I am not concerned with it."

Yan Shang smiled: "Then I must trouble you to cover for me, Ju-yuan."

Wei Shu let out an "En" and let the matter drop—

When the Emperor arrived, the group returned to Ziyun Tower.

The Crown Prince and Yang Sanlang separated from the others.

The Crown Prince asked Yang Si: "Yan Suchen’s behavior just now—did it look like an act, a way of rejecting me?"

Yang Si: "I think he is just a man of fickle heart and no talent; don't overthink it. You spend all day dealing in schemes—aren't you tired?"

The Crown Prince stared at him for a long time: "...I wish you would use your brain at least once. If the Sixth Sister recommended this person, yet this person does not stand on my side, or if there is someone else guiding him from behind?"

Yang Si was silent for a long time.

He said: "But he is only a third-place scholar."

The Crown Prince looked thoughtful.

He said: "That is true. In the end, he is only a third-place scholar. Whether it is true or false, it does not matter at this moment."

The Crown Prince set the matter aside, gathered his spirits, and ascended Ziyun Tower to pay respects to his father. As for the Apricot Garden side, upon hearing that His Majesty had arrived, the scholars were incredibly excited. After discussing it for a moment, they tentatively approached, hoping to see if they could ascend the tower to pay respects to His Majesty—

The Emperor was a thin and lonely middle-aged man. He possessed the aura of an emperor, yet he looked weary. Today, he had moved his carriage to Ziyun Tower simply to meet the newly selected scholars.

However, the event at Ziyun Tower felt more like a family banquet.

It was rare to see all his children present and the royal relatives all in attendance: the Grand Princess of Luling, Princess Danyang, Princess Yuyang, the Crown Prince, the Prince of Qin, and the Prince of Jin... The Emperor sat in a high place, his expression exhausted, and sighed.

The Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin were arguing about some financial matters; hearing the Emperor’s sigh, they both paused and looked toward him.

The Emperor said with annoyance: "You two fight the moment you meet. Can you not let me have a moment of peace for two days?"

The group paused.

Mu Wanyao laughed: "I also have no patience for listening to your talk of state affairs; I don't even understand them. Father, we had an agreement today: we only talk of wind and moon, not state affairs. Whoever breaks the rule must be punished with three cups of wine!"

The Emperor looked at his youngest daughter, his expression momentarily dazed, as if he saw the shadow of another person in her. His young daughter was slender, and already eighteen...

The Emperor hid the sadness in his eyes and nodded.

The Prince of Qin sat to the side: "Talk only of wind and moon? Does Sixth Sister intend to talk to us about men?"

Mu Wanyao retorted: "That is all your brain is filled with!"

The Prince of Qin: "You certainly have a sharp tongue as always..."

The Emperor had a headache: "Enough, enough, you two stop arguing... Yaoyao, I remember you used to be well-behaved and cute; why is your temper so fierce now?"

Mu Wanyao went quiet.

She smiled: "Is there anything wrong with having a fierce temper?"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly stagnated; everyone thought of what had caused her to become this way.

The Crown Prince bridged the awkwardness: "Yaoyao is actually still very well-behaved and obedient; let's treat today as a family banquet and not argue anymore. Yaoyao, I remember your konghou playing is peerless; we haven't heard it in many years. Are you willing to play a piece for everyone today?"

Mu Wanyao looked at her father, nodded with a faint smile—

Wei Shu, Yan Shang, and the other scholars were led to the tower by the eunuchs, where they heard the sound of music. The eunuchs led them to stand at the entrance, telling them not to disturb. Yan Shang looked in and saw that the candles in the hall had been extinguished; in the darkness, moonlight streamed in from outside the pavilion.

Only Mu Wanyao was kneeling in the gloom, her hands caressing the konghou, her delicate brows and eyes drooping.

Like a goddess, distant and elegant, remarkably serene and beautiful.