Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Yan Shisheng had been pelted by Mu Wanyao with chess pieces, and his sleeves were splattered with muddy water. Not only that, but Mu Wanyao had also decided to stay at their home for two more days.

For the Yan family, whose house had been usurped, encountering such a situation was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.

Because his clothes were soiled, Yan Shisheng had no choice but to change. When he emerged from his room, he was carrying a stack of old clothes in his arms, clearly intending to wash them.

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” Just as he stepped outside, the old clothes in Yan Shisheng’s arms were snatched away by his younger sister, Yan Xiaozhou, who had been guarding the door.

She flashed her brother an uneasy yet ingratiating smile: “Second Brother’s clothes are dirty; let me wash them for you. Second Brother still has to study, so you shouldn't be doing such trivial chores.”

With his clothes snatched away, Yan Shisheng did not attempt to take them back. Looking down at his younger sister who was clutching his old garments tightly, Yan Shisheng gave a gentle smile: “Then I shall thank you, little sister.”

Having said that, he turned and went back into the room.

Yan Xiaozhou stood stunned for a moment. She bit her lower lip and pushed the door open to follow him inside. She saw Yan Shisheng’s slender, refined back turned toward her; he seemed to be rummaging for something in the room.

Yan Xiaozhou assumed her second brother was angry with her and did not want to speak to her. Feeling aggrieved, she went up to him and whispered: “Second Brother, please don’t ignore me. It’s my fault that you got hit by Lady Mu with those chess pieces.”

Yan Shisheng said: “It is of no consequence.”

He sighed: “In the future, even if you wish to share secrets with me, you should not sit under a guest’s window to do so. It is not only impolite but easily discovered. Furthermore, I do not know how Lady Mu has offended you, that you would chase after her just to speak ill of her?”

He was still looking for something.

Yan Xiaozhou became anxious: “That Lady Mu occupied our house; shouldn’t I be allowed to speak of her?”

Yan Shisheng turned back, his mild, clear eyes gazing at his young sister.

He spoke softly: “Do you know that her status is prestigious?”

Yan Xiaozhou: “I, I know.”

Yan Shisheng: “Then do you know that there is a distinction between the nobility and the commoners, and that people of high status are born to enjoy more benefits than we ordinary folk? Do you know that our very lives hang upon their whims? Do you know that if Lady Mu were truly angered and demanded our family’s lives in retribution, we would perhaps have no power to resist?”

Yan Xiaozhou was left speechless.

She stammered: “But… this isn’t right.”

Yan Shisheng spoke gently: “That is the way of the world. What does ‘right or wrong’ have to do with you? You cannot shake the foundations of authority. If you wish to seek justice, wait until you possess the capability to do so. Only when you can stand as an equal to Lady Mu can you challenge her; that way, you will not be throwing your life away in vain, nor will you have to trouble me with worry.”

The young lady held her brother’s clothes, sinking onto the floor mat in a state of utter panic. After a long while, she lowered her head: “I know I was wrong, Second Brother.”

Only then did Yan Shisheng walk over, reaching out to pat his sister’s head. He sighed: “You, Father, Eldest Brother, and Third Brother should all be mindful of these words. Since we cannot afford to be slighted or slight others, do not crowd around Lady Mu. As she wishes to stay in our home for two more days, I will look after her; you must not get into disputes with her people.”

Yan Xiaozhou nodded in shame.

Perhaps it was because her second brother had read so many books that he saw the world more clearly than they did. Household matters had always been decided by Second Brother.

Yan Xiaozhou had already decided to repeat her second brother’s words to the others, especially Third Brother. Third Brother had a hot temper, and he must not cause trouble. If they waited steadily for Lady Mu to leave, perhaps they might even receive some benefits. Even if it was just some money, that would be wonderful…

As Yan Xiaozhou thought this, she watched Yan Shisheng retrieve a bottle of medicinal powder hidden beneath layers of bedding on the bed. Taking the powder, he prepared to leave.

Yan Xiaozhou was slightly startled: “Second Brother, what are you doing with medicine? Were you injured by the chess pieces? Quickly, take off your clothes and let me take a look.”

She anxiously grabbed her second brother’s sleeve, urging him to undress.

Yan Shisheng was both embarrassed and helpless; his face flushed slightly as he said: “I am not injured. It is just that last night, one of Lady Mu’s guards was given twenty strokes because of us; I am going to deliver some medicine to him.”

Yan Xiaozhou: “Ah…”

…This was exactly the kind of thing her second brother would do.

Fang Tong was the captain of Princess Danyang’s guards.

He followed the Princess on all her travels, north and south, swearing to protect her with his life regardless of the location. Last night, because he had failed to properly arrange the accommodation for the Yan family, the Princess had ordered him to be given twenty strokes, and he harbored no resentment.

Twenty strokes were not enough to end his life; they were merely flesh wounds. However, he was spending the day recovering in his room, unable to fulfill his duties by the Princess’s side in his current state.

Fang Tong was lying flat on a long couch in the room, bored, staring into the void and wondering how to endure the time spent recuperating. Two knocks sounded on the door, unhurried and steady.

Fang Tong was impatient: “Enter.”

He assumed one of the guards had returned and couldn't even be bothered to move. But upon lifting his eyes, he discovered that it was the young scholar in the black turban and green robe who had come.

Fang Tong was startled and sat up, bare-chested. Remembering that this was the person whose situation had caused his punishment, he spoke with a foul tone: “What business do you have?”

Yan Shisheng first offered a salute, then set down the medicine bottle in his hand and said warmly: “This is an ointment treasured by my family for many years. Usually, when my eldest brother is injured by a tiger while cutting firewood on the mountain, this medicine takes effect in just one night.”

Fang Tong scoffed: “No need.”

Serving by the Princess’s side, what high-quality medicine had he not seen?

Yan Shisheng read the situation and said: “Naturally, it cannot compare to the fine medicines you possess, but it is a token of my sincerity. This student is ashamed; a mere dispute of words has caused you injury, and not knowing how to apologize, I could only offer some healing ointment.”

Fang Tong: “…”

Yan Shisheng added: “Staying in the room alone must be quite dull for you. Why don’t I stay and keep you company?”

Fang Tong was indifferent: “I have nothing to say to you.”

Yan Shisheng looked at him with an expression of absolute tolerance and gave a faint smile: “I have read a few folktales; I could tell you some legendary stories to help you pass the time.”

Fang Tong was utterly baffled: “…Do you have nothing better to do?”

Yan Shisheng said: “I am simply expressing my apologies. You may refuse to accept them, but I must offer them.”

Fang Tong: “…”

He coughed dryly.

The young man’s dark, stern face twitched slightly under Yan Shisheng’s breeze-like, gentle gaze.

He even began to feel a sense of bashfulness.

He felt that the other person hadn’t done it on purpose, and besides, he was the one who had occupied the other man’s house; the man was now bringing him medicine and offering to chat… had he been too defensive against him?

Thus, a strange atmosphere lingered in the room until Yan Shisheng truly began to recount a folktale to Fang Tong.

With a mix of embarrassment and oddity, Fang Tong, swayed by Yan Shisheng’s earnest persuasion, used the ointment he had brought. By the time Yan Shisheng left, Fang Tong’s perception of the scholar had completely changed; he felt this person was exceptionally kind.

It was he who had previously measured a gentleman with the heart of a petty man.

Especially the next morning, when Fang Tong woke up and was pleasantly surprised to find that his injuries had indeed healed, he admired the man even more.

Regardless of the fact that the injuries were never severe to begin with, the guard captain Fang Tong, who held a very favorable view of Yan Shisheng, completely attributed his ability to get out of bed so quickly to the miracle cure provided by Yan Erlang.

Since his injuries were healed, Fang Tong naturally had to report for duty to the Princess.

When Fang Tong went to pay his respects, Mu Wanyao was leaning against a low table, sitting before a wooden desk, watching her maidservant Chunhua organize her books.

Chunhua looked at the relentless rain outside and asked the Princess with concern: “My lady, the heavy rain has lasted for days; this is heaven hindering our path. Do we truly intend to remain in Lingnan to visit Lord Li?”

What Chunhua spoke of was the very purpose of Princess Danyang’s long, arduous journey to Lingnan—

To visit Mu Wanyao’s uncle, Li Zhi, who was currently serving as the magistrate of Nanhai County.

The passing of the Empress represented the defeat of the Queen’s own Li clan in their power struggle against the Emperor. The entire family had been relocated to Jinling, while the most capable of the Li clan—the late Empress’s brother and Mu Wanyao’s uncle—had been summarily demoted by the Emperor to the barren, mountainous wasteland of Lingnan.

The maidservants felt uneasy in their hearts, thinking that with the Empress dead and the Li clan driven from Chang’an, was the Princess not afraid that her grand arrival in Lingnan to visit Li Zhi would invite the Emperor’s suspicion?

Mu Wanyao said lazily: “Rest assured. I returned to Chang’an after my former husband passed away; in our current situation, if I showed complete indifference toward my uncle, that is when my Father would suspect me. By coming to visit him, my Father might even consider me filial and mindful of my roots.”

Listening to the Princess’s words, Chunhua felt a sense of sorrow beneath her contemplative expression.

She knew better than anyone how difficult it had been for the Princess to return to Chang’an, and now, to dispel the Emperor’s suspicions, she had to run thousands of miles to Lingnan to visit Lord Li… the Princess was also a branch of gold and a leaf of jade; why did His Majesty treat her this way?

It had not been like this before.

She whispered in her heart, in the past, the Emperor and the late Empress had not treated the Princess this way—

Princess Danyang, the youngest daughter of the Emperor, had been the most cherished child of the Emperor and Empress until the age of fifteen.

Back then, the Empress was still alive, and the gaze the Emperor cast upon Mu Wanyao was one of profound affection.

Every year on Mu Wanyao’s birthday, her Imperial Father would personally craft hairpins or engrave books for her, while her Mother would personally grind face creams and mix powders and rouges to send her.

The hairpins her Father gave her were of all sorts—from insects and birds to flowers—lifelike and exquisite. The rouge and powder her Mother gave her filled her private chambers, those vivid colors making countless people envious…

Suddenly, a noisy commotion filled with weeping came from outside, startling Mu Wanyao from her memories.

Mu Wanyao arched an eyebrow.

Chunhua, who was following her, felt uneasy, knowing the Princess hated being disturbed by noise most of all.

Chunhua said: “This servant will go and look.”

Mu Wanyao did not respond. After Chunhua left, she flipped through the scrolls Chunhua had been organizing, wondering if any of them contained the rare editions her Father had once given her… Amidst her meandering thoughts, the sound of Chunhua’s hurried, anxious footsteps returned.

Mu Wanyao looked up.

She saw the beautiful maidservant with a pale face and a shattered expression.

Chunhua knelt down before Mu Wanyao with a thump, her voice trembling: “My lady, it is this servant’s failure to manage things well… the rouge and powder in the chests we brought, the casket of face cream and hand lotion that the late Empress once gave you—I know not why, but it was rained upon and stained. It is already ruined and cannot be used…”

Mu Wanyao stood up abruptly.

She said sharply: “Who did it?”

Chunhua trembled: “The servants say it is the Yan family…”

Before the maid could finish her sentence, Mu Wanyao let out a cold laugh. She rose and stepped forward; as she passed the guard, she snatched the sword from Fang Tong’s waist.

Yan Erlang, Yan Shisheng, who had rushed over upon hearing the situation, stood in the rain with his umbrella—suddenly, he lifted his eyes—

He saw the young maiden who had stepped out of the house holding a sword, her sleeves fluttering in the rain, filled with murderous intent!