Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Mu Wanyao stepped into the residence of Princess Luling.

The night rain was continuous, and the other residents of the Princess’s estate had already retired for the night. Only Princess Luling had changed into fresh attire; she watched as Mu Wanyao, wearing a veil to obscure her face, led her guards in a bold stride toward the main hall.

The guards of the Princess’s estate stood at full alert, while the guards Mu Wanyao had brought rested their hands on the hilts of their swords. The two sides confronted each other through the rain, with the tension ready to snap at any moment.

Princess Luling studied her niece.

In years past, she had been a young princess raised under a thousand doting gazes; if anyone teased Mu Wanyao back then, she would cry with reddened eyes... How could the Princess have ever imagined that one day, Mu Wanyao would stand with a straight back, stride with such imposing momentum, and enter her residence without a hint of fear?

The Princess spoke: "Yaoyao, you have led troops to storm my residence; what is it that you intend to do?"

Mu Wanyao’s sharp chin tilted upward slightly. A corner of her veil lifted, revealing the face hidden behind the silk.

Mu Wanyao’s dark, fathomless eyes stared at the Princess: "Aunt, my cat is lost. I am here to find it. This cat is a new acquisition of mine, and I have grown quite fond of it recently. Since you have doted on me since I was a child, I ask that you dote on me one more time and allow me to find my cat."

The Princess stared at her, smiling thoughtfully: "Your cat? How could it have run into my territory? If you cannot even look after your own belongings, it seems quite pointless to come searching after the fact."

Mu Wanyao replied: "I care not for other matters, nor do I have the ability to deal with them. I am simply here to find my cat. You and I are family; blood is thicker than water. I do not wish to cause you embarrassment, and I ask that you, in turn, show some consideration for my reputation."

"There is no need for a great display of force, nor is there any need for blades to be drawn. Let us resolve this matter privately between us—it would be best not to disturb others. It is merely a small cat, what does my Aunt think?"

The Princess stared at her for a long moment, her gaze flickering slightly.

They were talking about a cat, but both aunt and niece knew clearly that it was about more than just a cat.

Mu Wanyao had no desire to clash head-on with the Princess, and where would the Princess find the desire to clash head-on with Mu Wanyao? Her favor was granted by the Emperor, her brother; Mu Wanyao had once been the Emperor’s most beloved daughter, and now... the Crown Prince also seemed to hold Mu Wanyao in high regard.

Initially, Princess Luling hadn't paid much attention, but the words Yan Shang had spoken to her that night filled her with terror and lingering fear. She couldn't help but worry about what would become of her own path if her brother were no longer there...

Such hesitation caused the Princess’s imposing manner to be much more restrained than it usually was.

For a moment, she actually felt a sense of relief that Yan Shang had already left and that she had not committed a grave mistake.

The Princess asked Mu Wanyao: "Is it truly just to find a cat?"

Mu Wanyao affirmed: "It is only to find a cat."

The Princess gazed deeply at her niece for a moment before nodding to her own guards: "Assist Yaoyao’s men. Lead them to search for the cat, and ensure it is found. I must see when a cat somehow appeared in my residence."

She looked at Mu Wanyao with a smile: "Will you go to the main hall to share a drink with me while we wait for your cat?"

Mu Wanyao observed her aunt’s expression. Seeing that the Princess remained composed, she could not immediately discern where she had hidden Yan Shang.

However, it did not matter. As long as her guards searched, there would eventually be traces. She did not expect to find Yan Shang at the Princess’s estate; even if she wanted to, Princess Luling would not let her have her way.

Mu Wanyao’s grand display was actually meant to pressure the Princess, to force the Princess to let Yan Shang go of her own volition. She intended to make the Princess fear the consequences, ensuring that tonight—and in the future—she would not dare to harbor designs on Yan Shang again.

While the two parties searched for a cat, Mu Wanyao followed the Princess to the main hall for a drink. Though they were there to drink, neither aunt nor niece spoke; the atmosphere was cold and stagnant.

The Princess was distracted, wondering why Yan Shang had offered her such advice, and where he might be now, or if he would cooperate with Mu Wanyao to turn the tables on her. She sat restlessly, looking at the rain outside from time to time, asking repeatedly if the cat had been found.

Mu Wanyao was calmer than the Princess. Even though she was anxious inside, she sat steadily, keeping her aunt in check so that even if her guards could not find Yan Shang, they might still uncover other clues.

Just as this agonizing wait continued, amid the heavy midnight rain, a maid reported that someone was asking to see them.

The Princess was annoyed: "I will not see them!"

The maid said timidly: "It is Seventh Young Master Wei, here to find the Princess of Danyang."

The Princess was startled, unable to fathom where Wei Qilang had popped up from. Mu Wanyao had already spoken up in feigned astonishment: "How did Juyuan come here to find me? Quickly, let him in."

Mu Wanyao turned to explain to the Princess: "I invited Juyuan to my residence for dinner tonight, but unfortunately, my cat went missing, so I went out to look for it. I told Juyuan to stay at the mansion and wait for me; I do not know how he ended up here."

Princess Luling stared at Mu Wanyao, instinctively feeling that something was wrong, yet she had nothing to say.

In an instant, cold wind and rain rushed into the room, and the lamps in the hall flickered slightly.

Wei Shu had already stepped into the Princess’s main hall.

The sight of this beautiful young man, as crisp as clean snow, made Princess Luling stare at him intently—not because she was attracted to his beauty; after all... Wei Shu was too young. What Princess Luling was watching was what kind of game this Wei Shu and Danyang were playing.

After Wei Shu offered his greetings to the Princess, he told Mu Wanyao: "Your Highness, why have you not returned yet? His Highness the Crown Prince has sent people to pick you up; there is some government business he wishes to discuss with you."

The Crown Prince.

Princess Luling’s eyelids twitched. She felt a surge of panic and shifted her sitting posture.

Mu Wanyao looked at Wei Shu in confusion: "The palace gates are closed at this hour; why would the Crown Prince summon me to the palace in the middle of the night? What business is so urgent?"

Wei Shu answered: "It is likely regarding the Ministry of Revenue's lack of funds that was discussed last time. Did you not ask the Crown Prince for the reason? The Crown Prince must have suddenly recalled some important information and requires you to hear it in person."

Mu Wanyao’s long brows furrowed: "But I am still looking for my cat..."

Princess Luling interrupted: "Yaoyao, what is so important about a cat? Since the Crown Prince is looking for you, you should go to the palace. Do not keep him waiting."

Princess Luling was wary of the Crown Prince.

Because she wanted to put the Emperor at ease, she avoided government affairs entirely. But at the same time, because the Crown Prince might control her fate in the future, she felt an instinctive fear. Moreover, the Crown Prince was a man of many schemes and calculations... Princess Luling had never dared to oppose him.

Before Mu Wanyao could speak, Wei Shu recalled something else: "Your Highness, let us go quickly. The Crown Prince also wanted to see Second Young Master Yan, but when I went to knock on his door next door just now, he was not there. It is very strange."

Mu Wanyao was surprised: "In such heavy rain, he is not at home—could he be wandering around outside? Go look for him. The Crown Prince wants to see him, and I cannot stop it."

Second Young Master Yan!

Princess Luling’s eyelids twitched again.

A moment ago, Mu Wanyao’s mention of the Crown Prince had already panicked her; now, Yan Shang was also connected to the Crown Prince... The Princess stroked her teacup with unease and laughed drily: "Second Young Master Yan? Is that the top-ranked scholar?"

Mu Wanyao looked over: "Aunt remembers him?"

Princess Luling said vaguely: "A fleeting glimpse at the banquet, and you refused his marriage proposal... Who could forget the elegance of the Second Young Master of the Yan family?"

Mu Wanyao said: "When I refused the marriage that day, I did not expect him to move in as my neighbor... If the Crown Prince wants to see him, I cannot stop it."

The Princess smiled quite stiffly.

She could see that the relationship between Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang was likely not shallow, and certainly not just a case of a refused marriage. Tonight, Mu Wanyao claimed to be looking for a cat, yet she had taken Yan Shang away just before... the timing of Mu Wanyao’s search was simply too coincidental.

However, many things lose their meaning if spoken aloud.

Princess Luling had already begun to urge her: "Since the Crown Prince is looking for you, I will not keep you here any longer."

Mu Wanyao appeared reluctant, still lost in thought, when a guard rushed in through the rain. The guard held a small, snow-white cat in his arms and addressed the two princesses: "Your Highness, the cat has been found!"

Mu Wanyao was overjoyed; she took her cat from Fang Tong’s arms and kissed it happily for a long time. Only then did she turn to face the fluctuating expression of Princess Luling to bid her farewell, saying she had to enter the palace to see the Crown Prince.

Mu Wanyao left without hesitation, as if her only purpose tonight had truly been to find her cat.

Princess Luling called out to her: "Yaoyao."

Mu Wanyao turned back, her face radiant, her eyes cold and indifferent: "Hmm?"

Princess Luling said slowly: "You and I are aunt and niece, after all; we are blood relatives. Your aunt asks you one question, and I hope you will answer truthfully. What is your actual relationship with Second Young Master Yan?"

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened slightly; her seductive, cat-like eyes were identical to those of the lazy cat she held in her arms.

As if she were genuinely surprised by the Princess’s question, she thought for a long time before replying: "He and I have no relationship; the Crown Prince likes him."

The Princess pressed: "Does the Crown Prince really like him?"

Mu Wanyao paused, wondering if Yan Shang had chatted with the Princess, or if he had said something to her.

Unable to judge, she simply gave a vague nod.

Seeing the Princess lost in thought, she waved her hand to let them go—

As soon as Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu stepped out of the Princess’s estate, Mu Wanyao tossed the cat in her arms to Fang Tong.

She gritted her teeth: "This cat actually scratched me several times; it’s infuriating."

Despite complaining, she did not forget her main objective.

As she walked toward the carriage, Mu Wanyao whispered to Wei Shu: "Regardless of Yan Shang’s situation, after the scene I just made, my aunt certainly wouldn't dare keep him in her estate anymore. I emphasized the Crown Prince’s involvement so many times; Yan Shang’s crisis is resolved."

Wei Shu nodded, but said: "But hasn't Your Highness forced Second Brother Yan to take a side without his knowledge?"

Mu Wanyao shook her head and said dismissively: "It’s fine. My aunt is very timid. She only plays with men; she would never dare touch anything related to politics. She has no way to verify the truth of my words."

Pausing for a moment, Mu Wanyao added: "However, to prevent her from becoming suspicious and to ensure she is determined to let Yan Shang go, you should take my carriage and my token to make a trip to the palace gates. You don't need to actually enter the palace to see the Crown Prince; just circling around once is enough to make my aunt believe that the Crown Prince truly summoned me tonight."

Wei Shu asked: "And where will you go, Your Highness?"

Mu Wanyao bit her lip and whispered: "I will go back to the Princess’s residence to keep watch. If my aunt releases Yan Shang, I need to be back at my mansion to see if it is true or false."

With that, Mu Wanyao glanced at Fang Tong, signaling him to lead her horse over. Standing in the heavy rain, her shoulders and clothes were already soaked, yet shielded by the veil, her face remained dry.

As Mu Wanyao was about to mount her horse and leave, Wei Shu gently pulled her hand.

Mu Wanyao looked at him.

Wei Shu looked at her and said softly: "Your Highness is much calmer than before."

Mu Wanyao was stunned, remembering that her calmness tonight was something she had learned from someone else... but she only said: "I have to grow up eventually."

She mounted the horse and confirmed the plan with Wei Shu once more. Wei Shu boarded her carriage, and the carriage and guards departed the Princess’s estate. Midway, finding an opportunity, Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu split into two paths to carry out their own actions.

To lull the Princess into complacency, Mu Wanyao left all her people with Wei Shu, letting her contingent proceed in a grand procession to the palace gates. She herself rode alone, returning to the Princess’s residence at top speed.

Even if she felt in her heart that Princess Luling would let Yan Shang go after such a commotion... Mu Wanyao still had to confirm it in person to be at ease—

The swift horse entered the alley, the rain like knives and frost, sweeping down upon her!

"Hyah—" Mu Wanyao leaned low on the horse’s back and suddenly yanked on the reins.

She had already ridden into the alley where her mansion was located. Amid the pouring rain, she vaguely saw a figure walking ahead.

The man was walking in the rain, his long hair half-tied, his robes completely soaked. His sleeves dragged on the ground, and he seemed to be struggling, walking very slowly. Looking closely, his steps were unsteady, his back even trembling slightly; he looked fragile and solitary...

Mu Wanyao immediately dismounted: "Yan Shang!"

The person seemed not to hear her voice and continued walking.

Mu Wanyao was startled. She jumped off her horse, not bothering to lead it, and hurried toward the figure with his back to her. She caught up from behind, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to a stop: "Yan Shang!"

He turned his head.

It was indeed Yan Shang.

But... Mu Wanyao was shocked.

Because Yan Shang’s eyes were cast down, and raindrops fell continuously from his thick, dark eyelashes. His entire body was soaked through, and his long hair was not properly tied back as usual, but half-loose, with several strands of hair sticking to his face. He was usually proper and courteous, moving with measured grace, but only when Mu Wanyao grabbed his hand did he return to his senses.

He lifted his eyelids, and his ink-black eyes only then focused on her, bloodshot veins showing. Even his lips were trembling slightly, appearing deathly pale.

He was utterly haggard, and his condition seemed very wrong.

He steadied himself, seemingly only now recognizing Mu Wanyao.

Under the curtain of rain, Yan Shang looked fixedly at Mu Wanyao for a long time before offering a forced smile, his voice dry and hoarse: "...Your Highness?"

Mu Wanyao frowned, stunned, and noticed that the hand of the young man she was holding was burning hot.

She pursed her lips and stated the situation briefly: "Wei Shu said something had happened to you, and we went to the Princess’s estate to find you. But it seems you are more resourceful than us, having already gotten out yourself. You have quite the methods."

Yan Shang stared at her, dazed and surprised.

His state was already very poor, haggard and weak, but as Mu Wanyao stood before him, she could only see that he seemed to be lost in thought; she couldn't tell what was truly wrong with him.

After a long while, she heard him whisper: "You went to the Princess’s estate to find me? Why did you go there to look for me?"

Mu Wanyao said: "...Naturally, it was because the Princess had designs on you. Did you think I would just let you fall into her hands?"

Yan Shang looked down at her.

He was stunned: "But what does that have to do with you?"

Mu Wanyao: "..."

She suddenly felt that he was completely off. How could he speak to her in such a tone... under normal circumstances, shouldn't he be thanking her for saving him? Why did his tone sound so questioning? Stripped of his usual courteous, polite exterior, Yan Shang seemed not to understand why she would meddle in his affairs.

Clearly, this was his own business; why did she feel the need to wade into these muddy waters?

Yan Shang said: "You cannot afford to offend the Princess, did you forget what I said?"

Mu Wanyao’s expression fell.

She said: "It was Wei Shu who wanted to manage you, not me."

Yan Shang stood in the rain, the downpour drenching his face. He was quiet, drifting into a daze again.

Mu Wanyao began to feel angry out of embarrassment, feeling uncomfortable. It was as if she had done a good deed and he didn't appreciate it; instead, he looked at her as if she were a monster... and if that weren't enough, he kept drifting off while looking at her...

Mu Wanyao restrained her anger, thinking that she had only done this because of Wei Shu’s words—in normal times, she wouldn't have bothered with him at all.

Mu Wanyao shook off her hand that had been holding Yan Shang’s, turned her back, and faced the gate of her own residence.

She said with extreme indifference: "Since you are fine now, go back and rest. I will have someone notify Wei Shu..."

She walked forward, intending to enter her estate. But a hand reached out from behind, grabbing her wrist. She was pulled around, forced to face Yan Shang once again.

Mu Wanyao was angry: "What are you doing... Yan Shang!"

He collapsed toward her.

In her shock, Mu Wanyao opened her arms to catch him, only to fall to the ground with him, hugging him as they sat in the rain. His body slid downward, his scorching lips brushing against her neck. A chill went through Mu Wanyao’s body as his forehead pressed against her neck and he closed his eyes.

He could only manage a murmur: "I can't go on... Yaoyao."

Mu Wanyao sat on the ground, blankly catching his body, which was taut to the point of breaking. His forehead rested against her neck, his eyelashes brushing against the soft skin of her throat, making her face flush with heat, leaving her confused and at a loss.

Mu Wanyao was angry, yet anxious: "Who gave you permission to call me 'Yaoyao'? You... what on earth is wrong with you?! What did my aunt do to you, why is your body so hot... Yan Shang, Yan Shang!"

Rain poured down, and the world was pitch black. In the quiet alley, Yan Shang had already leaned against her and completely lost consciousness.

His lips were pale, and there were clear, bloodshot veins in his closed eyes. He collapsed in her arms, both icy cold and scorching hot.