Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Mu Wanyao hid behind the screen, clearly sensing that Chunhua outside was also feeling very nervous.

She coughed once, which finally brought Chunhua back to her senses, and she signaled for them to invite Second Master Yan into the room.

Chunhua had a slight suspicion in her heart; she felt that Yan Shang was looking for her purely because of Liu Wenji.

Chunhua’s heart was tangled and pained; she dared not tell anyone about her situation with the Prince of Jin. The Prince of Jin had not asked the Princess to hand her over, which made her breathe a sigh of relief. However, she did not know how to face Liu Wenji.

She felt that she had betrayed her lover. Although it was not of her own volition, she had become a woman in another man’s bed while she had not yet broken things off with Liu Wenji. Compared to this, what kind of mistake was it for Liu Wenji to just speak recklessly to her?

At the very least… even if he went to the Beili district, he did not sleep with other women; he did not betray her.

Instead, it was she who had become the betrayer.

Liu Wenji came to the Princess’s estate to find Chunhua every day, but Chunhua no longer had the face to confront him. And now that Yan Shang had come… if it were to plead for Liu Wenji, how could she bear it?

It was amidst this inner torment that Yan Shang knocked and entered, seeing Chunhua, who seemed to be standing in the room in a daze.

Both of them composed their moods and exchanged formal greetings.

Mu Wanyao leaned against the brocade screen inlaid with jewels and mica, listening to the two of them exchanging polite pleasantries outside—

Yan Shang said politely, "How has Her Highness been these past two days?"

Chunhua replied, "Her Highness has been attending banquets with the Crown Prince these past two days. Aside from coming back late every day, there is nothing else."

Yan Shang said in a low voice, "Since her health is not good, you should persuade her to drink less, and she need not attend the banquets so frequently. She should rest more."

Chunhua smiled, "This servant understands. Many thanks, Second Master, for your concern for our Highness."

Yan Shang coughed awkwardly.

Mu Wanyao, hiding behind the screen, curled her lips. Yan Shang was using her as a topic for polite small talk to build rapport with Chunhua; she felt that was actually quite nice.

However, as for his advice to drink less, she might as well ignore that.

First, her tolerance for alcohol was truly beyond what he could imagine; second, she had to drink if she attended banquets, and she had to attend constant banquets if she wanted to participate in state affairs.

She had to take the initiative to fight for it and participate in government affairs.

Because she was merely a princess sent for political marriage, the only value she had left was her status as a member of the Li family and the status left behind by the late Empress. The Crown Prince wanted to use her as a blade and needed her to step forward to do the killing. If she did not, she would be forced to marry again to squeeze out the last bit of residual value from her status.

Yan Shang could proceed step by step and plan at his own pace; he could become an official and rise through the ranks through normal study, and participate in state affairs. But Mu Wanyao had no time. If she did not stand out, she would be married off; if she was not the one wielding the knife, she would be the fish on the chopping block.

Although she had told her uncle that it didn't matter who she married, if she had a choice, right now... she really, really did not want to get married.

She already hated marriage to the bone, hated being bound to any man, and hated the feeling of lying in any man’s bed, inferior and powerless.

While Mu Wanyao was lost in thought, Yan Shang and Chunhua had indeed begun discussing the matter of Liu Wenji.

Chunhua originally did not want to listen, but Yan Shang’s style of negotiation, unhurried and unfolding slowly, was truly difficult to refuse. It made one listen until he finished without even realizing it, and then be persuaded by him.

Yan Shang said, "...In short, who doesn't make mistakes? Since Brother Liu has not committed any principled errors and he is willing to change for you, why not give him a chance?"

Chunhua lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

Yan Shang noticed her expression was different from usual and began to observe her carefully. He saw that while Chunhua’s face looked fine, her hands were unconsciously twisting her sleeves, circle after circle; she was clearly anxious to the extreme.

Yan Shang was thoughtful, thinking that Liu Wenji’s mistake shouldn't reach this point, right?

Yan Shang asked, "If you have some difficulty, why not say it out loud? I can help you think of a way together."

Chunhua pressed her lips together but shook her head firmly.

She did not want anyone to know about her wretched impurity.

Chunhua said softly, "Second Master, if I did something wrong, even if it wasn't my will, but it would hurt Brother Liu... what should I do?"

Yan Shang looked down at her and asked after a long while, "What kind of mistake is it?"

Chunhua replied, "I don't want to say."

Yan Shang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Then what degree of a mistake is it?"

Chunhua closed her eyes in shame, "...It is the kind that, once Brother Liu knows, he will collapse."

Yan Shang’s expression turned slightly solemn, and after a while, he asked, "Can you solve this problem by yourself?"

Chunhua said, "It has already been solved."

Yan Shang stared at her for a moment and repeated, "Can you solve this problem by yourself?"

Chunhua was surprised why he would repeat it, so she looked at him.

She heard Yan Shang’s voice grow even gentler, as if to deepen her memory, "You must be very certain: have you really solved this problem?"

Chunhua had originally felt she had solved it, but after Yan Shang asked this, she wasn't so sure.

Seeing Chunhua show a somewhat bewildered and uneasy expression, Yan Shang sighed and said, "I understand. In short, it seems you are facing some kind of dilemma. I suggest that you truly and thoroughly resolve this matter. Either you and Brother Liu face this together, or you completely resolve the trouble before reconciling with him.

"If you truly do not want him to know, then you must resolve it with absolute thoroughness. Since you do not wish to speak of it, I naturally will not pry further. I only want to tell you that your mistress is a Princess. Under normal circumstances, your mistress's status is already high enough within the entire Great Wei; she should be able to help you resolve your trouble."

Chunhua was startled and quickly thanked Yan Shang.

After saying this, Yan Shang did not leave immediately. Chunhua looked at him curiously, seeing this Yan Second Master, who was as clear as a breeze and bright as the moon, actually revealing an embarrassed and troubled look.

Chunhua watched him with interest.

After Yan Shang struggled for a long time, he said, "The one-month period has arrived. I should have done as I promised Her Highness before, which is to give my one month’s salary to Her Highness."

Mu Wanyao, who was eavesdropping behind, had just been pondering what Chunhua could have done when she heard this, and suddenly understood: that’s right, Yan Shang had promised to give her his salary because she had rented the neighboring house to him.

Because Mu Wanyao had never lacked money and had never taken the house seriously, she had forgotten about the matter entirely.

But listening to Yan Shang’s tone... he didn't want to give it?

Mu Wanyao raised her long eyebrows, thinking he was getting ahead of himself. However, she secretly reminded herself to remember to tell Chunhua later that from now on, Yan Shang’s monthly salary must be handed over to her personally for inspection.

Otherwise, she wouldn't even know if Yan Shang was paying her rent. She would foolishly let him live in her house and pay the monthly wages for the servants in his courtyard as well... Even if Princess Danyang was not short of money, she was not stupid, right?

Outside, Chunhua asked the very thing that was on Mu Wanyao’s mind: "Is the young master unwilling to pay the rent?"

Yan Shang hurriedly replied, "Absolutely no such intention! It is just that I have been a bit tight on funds lately, and money is tied up in other matters... Please give me another ten days, and I will definitely provide the money."

Chunhua thought about it and felt this was not a major issue; she could pay it for him first, so she nodded.

Little did she know that Mu Wanyao behind the screen was so angry she was stomping her feet. She almost wanted to rush out, push Chunhua aside, and point her finger at Yan Shang’s nose: Why are you stalling? Why are you dragging this out?

Chunhua was just too easy to talk to... she didn't even ask for the reason.

Why didn't Chunhua think about it... perhaps Yan Shang was using the money to visit prostitutes? This... this... was playing with women more important than rent?

And at this moment, Yan Shang actually hesitated for a moment, then asked Chunhua, "...Could you lend me some money?"

Chunhua: "..."

Mu Wanyao: "..."

Chunhua probably finally heard the internal voice of her Princess, who was on the verge of a breakdown, and asked one more question: "Young Master, I know that living in Chang'an is not easy, but Her Highness has even solved your housing issue. Even if your monthly salary isn't enough, you must have other income.

"You are a top-ranked scholar (Tanhualang); there must be no shortage of families in Chang'an inviting you to banquets or trying to build a relationship with you. Even if it's just for show, they would gift you money. Why is it that, even so, you are short on funds? Where exactly are you spending your money?"

Chunhua said seriously, "Second Master, if you want to live in Chang'an long-term, you should have a plan. I don't see you as someone who squanders money like dirt; why are you so poor at managing finances?"

Yan Shang was ashamed by these words.

He only said, "To tell the truth, my third younger brother is good at managing finances, and my family sends money every month. I don't usually lack money... it is just that I have been busy with something lately, so the funds were cut off. Once I finish this matter, I will be able to resume the payments.

"But you are right to lecture me. I will be mindful of this in the future."

Chunhua agreed to lend him the money.

This left Mu Wanyao, who was eavesdropping behind the screen, so angry she wanted to vomit blood: ...Why didn't she ask what the matter he was busy with was?

Was it visiting a prostitute?

Mu Wanyao was forcibly holding onto her dignity as a Princess and did not rush out to question Yan Shang. But she was really angered to no end by the two of them—one had a good temper, fine, but when two people with good tempers got together—

After Chunhua sent Yan Shang away, she returned to see Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao had changed back into her gorgeous robes and was sitting there drinking tea to soothe her mood.

However, the Princess sitting on the beauty couch, her magnificent robes trailing on the floor, had a face as cold as frost. As she drank tea cup after cup, the maid serving next to the Princess signaled to Chunhua, indicating that the Princess was unhappy and not to provoke her.

Chunhua bit the bullet and approached. Mu Wanyao glanced at her and suddenly asked, "Have you been slept with by someone of high power and status?"

Chunhua was shocked, her face turned pale as a sheet, and she fell to her knees with a thud.

She stuttered, "How, how does Your Highness know..."

Mu Wanyao twitched the corners of her mouth: "With that expression of yours, only someone like Yan Shang, who doesn't care about love affairs, would fail to see where your problem lies. If he can't see it, do you think I can't?"

Chunhua knelt on the floor, her whole body limp. Her lips trembled, wanting to beg the Princess, but she didn't know where to start...

Mu Wanyao looked at her like this, speechless for a long moment, and said, "What on earth are you afraid of? Just as Yan Er said, I am a Princess after all. You are just a maid, not some peerless beauty; who would specifically challenge me just to get to you?

"Get up. Go play however you want to play. No one can take you away from me."

She couldn't even be bothered to ask who the man who slept with Chunhua was.

Because, in any case, it was nothing more than those few people anyway.

And no matter what, Mu Wanyao was still a Princess. Chunhua was ultimately just a maid and did not want to add trouble to the Princess.

However, Chunhua did not understand that in Chang'an, while Mu Wanyao claimed to live an unsatisfying life, there were only a handful of people who could make her truly unhappy... Unless Chunhua had caught the eye of her Imperial Father, no one could force her if Mu Wanyao was not willing.

And as for her Imperial Father... Mu Wanyao thought with malice, she had heard that her father was now suffering from hysteria; how could he be in the mood to go out of the palace to sleep with women?

But thinking of her father, Mu Wanyao realized she hadn't entered the palace to pay her respects in several days. She gathered her spirits and made a temporary decision to visit the palace to show some filial piety in front of the Emperor.

It was just for show.

But neither the princes nor the princesses could forget this show of filial piety.

When Mu Wanyao suddenly entered the palace that night to pay her respects, it gave the Emperor a pleasant surprise.

In the vast imperial palace, the Emperor now lived alone in one palace and did not summon anyone. It was likely that because he was in poor health, he did not want any women from the harem to wait on him.

The Emperor had been lonely for a long time, and having his youngest daughter come into the palace to eat dinner with him made him unexpectedly happy; he even ate an extra half-bowl of soup, which made his personal eunuch grateful to the Princess.

When that eunuch sent Mu Wanyao out of the palace, he was so excited that the Emperor had eaten more food that he couldn't help but chatter to the Princess: "Since the late Empress passed away, His Majesty’s health has not been good. His Majesty has no spirit; at the beginning, he spent all day staring at the portrait of the late Empress... Fortunately, Your Highness is back in Chang'an now; you should enter the palace more often to keep His Majesty company."

Mu Wanyao finally couldn't hold it back and retorted: "Wasn't the Empress also torturing him? She died because she lost a game of chess, didn't she? And why is he happy to see me? Wasn't he always hoping that I would die of old age in Wuman and never come back?"

The eunuch was stunned and then stared at this Princess Danyang.

The eunuch said softly, "Your Highness seems to blame His Majesty? Among the several princes and princesses, His Majesty actually likes you the most..."

Mu Wanyao said coldly, "Anyway, he and the Empress only loved my second brother. When my second brother was gone, they were heartbroken to death. When I was married off to Wuman, not one of them felt reluctant."

The eunuch explained for the Emperor, "That is because..."

Mu Wanyao was annoyed and interrupted: "Enough, I know. It’s because of political choices, right? He wanted to pacify the world and avoid wars at the borders, and my mother wanted to stabilize the Li family’s status in Chang'an... I already know all that! Since the Emperor is in poor health, you should hurry back and wait on him. Stop walking me out."

Her tone was harsh; at first, she was just cold-faced, but later, her chest was heaving with a sense of grievance.

Mu Wanyao turned her eyes to the side; she had only servants behind her, and nobody by her side. When she looked up again, she saw the sparkling Milky Way and the deep, dark palace. She was in the middle of it, so insignificant, not knowing where her home was.

Mu Wanyao showed a bewildered and helpless expression. When she came back to her senses, she looked at the eunuch next to her. The eunuch saw the empty look on this Princess’s face and couldn't help but feel a sour ache in his heart, yet there was nothing more he could say.

The family affection of the imperial family was never a private family matter; it was a matter of state. Princess Danyang was just unlucky; she was the pawn who had been sacrificed...

The eunuch stood on the imperial platform, watching the Princess board her palanquin and head outside the palace under the reflection of rows of bright red lanterns.

And who knew how long it would be before the Princess would think to enter the palace to see His Majesty again—

Mu Wanyao’s temper came quickly and went quickly. She was a bit unhappy in the palace, but only a night passed before she forgot about it, and she was still naturally following the Crown Prince’s side.

The relationship between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin was quite interesting. On one hand, the forces behind the Prince of Qin were strong and should have been able to suppress the Crown Prince; however, the Crown Prince was cunning, and even if the aristocratic families supporting the Crown Prince were not as numerous as those of the Prince of Qin, the Crown Prince currently held a firm lead over him.

This day, Mu Wanyao was set to discuss government affairs with several officials. According to their usual habits, they would either meet at the Princess’s estate, at an official’s home, or go directly to the Beili district.

Mu Wanyao changed into men’s clothing, already prepared to go to the Beili district with them. Who knew that halfway there on horseback, the few men temporarily decided to go to the West Market.

They carefully persuaded the Princess, "We heard recently that several beautiful Hu women have arrived at the taverns in the West Market, and you can watch them dance and sing without even having to pay. They say that if you sit in the main hall to drink, every time you buy a jar of wine, a Hu woman will come to serve you... Of course, Her Highness certainly doesn't care about some Hu women. But Her Highness surely hasn't seen them, so why not go and experience it together?"

Mu Wanyao heard their words and suddenly remembered that next door, it was said that Yan Shang often went to the West Market, and she had been whispering to herself for a long time about what he was doing there.

Mu Wanyao’s heart stirred, and she nodded, "Then let’s go to the West Market. I also want to see how alluring these Hu women are, that they have you all so mesmerized."

The men felt awkward.

Fortunately, the social climate of the Great Wei was open. They only felt embarrassed for a moment before they started discussing it enthusiastically, and Mu Wanyao did not show any attitude of annoyance or unwillingness to listen. The Princess being so accommodating made the several officials feel much more at ease.

After all, working with a young lady was always inconvenient... If this young lady was a bit more open-minded, everyone would feel more at ease.

Mu Wanyao went with them to a tavern and saw those beautiful Hu women. Perhaps because she was present, the few young masters just enjoyed it purely. However, Mu Wanyao quickly felt it was boring. The dancing of the Hu women, with their chests and bellies exposed, only made her blush for a moment before she felt there was nothing that great about it.

The dances they performed were just a bit more passionate and uninhibited; in fact, what was so difficult about it?

There wasn't a single high-difficulty move.

They were just twisting their waists and lifting their legs... Mu Wanyao could do it herself.

Mu Wanyao saw that the group of men liked it so much, but she herself was bored. After drinking two cups of wine and finding no interest, she stood up and left.

Mu Wanyao arrived at the counter downstairs and, after having the maid beside her, who was also dressed in men’s clothing, pass on a few words, she followed the shopkeeper to the backyard.

Only then did Mu Wanyao ask the shopkeeper, "My maid said that your shop has hosted Yan Shang before? Was it really him? Are you sure you didn't mistake him for someone else?"

The shopkeeper apologized with a smile, "Young lady, with the looks your maid described, there is absolutely no possibility of a mistake. A handsome young man is naturally attention-grabbing. If he often came to my shop, even if it were to do nothing, everyone would still pay extra attention. How could I mistake him?"

Mu Wanyao nodded.

The maid behind her gave the shopkeeper a silver ingot.

The shopkeeper was pleasantly surprised, and just as he was about to hide the silver, Mu Wanyao said with a smile, "But does he come here alone?"

The shopkeeper looked at Mu Wanyao, "Young lady, what is your relationship with him? I’m sorry, even if the lady pays generously, we should not disclose a guest’s itinerary."

Mu Wanyao said idly, "I am his lover."

The maids and guards following the Princess looked at the Princess in unison: "..."

Watching Mu Wanyao weave a lie in a distracted manner without blinking, the people behind her were full of admiration. "I suspect he is flirting with other women behind my back, so I came here to investigate."

The shopkeeper was stunned, then stared at Mu Wanyao for a long time, and became somewhat enlightened. He laughed, "Young lady, you’re overthinking, right? With looks like yours, who would come to contact other women behind your back?"

Mu Wanyao gave a perfunctory smile; the smile did not reach her eyes, and her gaze remained fixed on the shopkeeper.

Seeing that this young lady was extremely stubborn and insisted on getting to the bottom of the matter, the shopkeeper was troubled for a long time. After Mu Wanyao had someone give him another silver ingot, the shopkeeper surrendered.

He said in a low voice, "Young lady, please follow me."

By evening, the West Market was soon closing. Mu Wanyao followed the shopkeeper as they shuttled through the West Market and saw many shops closing their stalls and preparing to shut their doors.

The shopkeeper led Mu Wanyao into a shop and called out inside, "Han Laoqi, guests are here!"

A loud voice boomed from the shop, "What guests? It's almost closing time, what are you doing here? If you want to buy horses or hire people, you should have come early in the day!"

Mu Wanyao was stunned. She was so dignified and noble that even in common men’s clothing, her peerless beauty could not be concealed. She did not fit in at all with this pitch-black shop. Standing here, seeing traces of lampblack and burn marks from sparks everywhere... Mu Wanyao stood there for a moment and felt dirty smoke drifting toward her.

She couldn't stand it and retreated a bit, standing at the door unwilling to go in, feeling somewhat lost.

Her speech became hesitant, "...Yan Er comes here to find women? That’s impossible..."

Yan Shang did not seem like the type of person who would be this unrefined.

The shopkeeper who led Mu Wanyao was just about to explain when a curtain in the shop was lifted, and a burly man with a scar on his face walked out. He emerged like a great mountain, cursing and swearing, his face full of impatience, as if he were grumbling about why there were still guests when it was almost closing time.

However, as soon as this man looked up and saw the person standing at the shop entrance, he stopped.

The young lady was wearing men’s clothing, yet she shone like a bright pearl.

The man’s expression softened immediately, and his voice became lighter, for fear of scaring such a beauty: "Young, young lady, what is this young lady doing here? I am afraid this place doesn't have what you are looking for."

Mu Wanyao asked, "Who are all of you?"

The guide shopkeeper explained, "This is the largest place in the entire West Market for horse trading and merchant operations. Many Hu merchants and Hu people come here to accept business. Whether it’s hiring someone for a hit or delivering grain, as long as the money is enough, there is someone here who will take the job."

Mu Wanyao nodded. By now, she already knew that what Yan Shang was doing in the West Market had nothing to do with women.

She had nothing left to hide, "I want to know what Yan Shang is here to ask you to do."

The person behind her held up a box of silver ingots, and seeing it, the man’s eyes glowed.

Since this young lady was so generous, there was nothing that couldn't be discussed. The man, as tall as a mountain, led Mu Wanyao inside to meet several other men of similar build.

He was concise and to the point: "Actually, there is nothing that cannot be said. Business is business. I know the Yan Er you speak of. He has indeed been discussing a deal with us recently. He paid enough, and the brothers have been busy being vetted by him lately. Once the right people are chosen, the brothers will naturally set off."

Mu Wanyao’s heart pounded like thunder.

Her palms were covered in sweat that she had squeezed out herself.

She listened to this person speak of setting off, of running away... She stood stiffly, a silent answer appearing in her heart.

That answer was leaping in her chest, restless and ready to move.

She felt she had guessed what Yan Shang was planning to do.

Mu Wanyao’s mutterings, and the answer given by the other party, were mixed together with different male and female tones: "...Finding people to go to Wuman."

"Bang."

Fang Tong, who was following the Princess, let his hand tremble, and the wooden box he was holding, filled with silver ingots, fell to the ground. Everyone in the room looked over, staring at the silver rolling on the floor. Fang Tong stood dazed for a long time and looked at Mu Wanyao.

He saw that the Princess had tears in her eyes, with a brilliant, flowing radiance.

With Mu Wanyao putting it this way, even Fang Tong guessed what Yan Shang was going to do—

He was sending people to Wuman to gather information.

Wuman was so far from Chang'an, so he had to spend a large amount of wealth to be able to move people to go there.

The people in this shop said, "He arranged for a few of our brothers to go to Wuman to stay for at least half a year, to let us find out about the current situation in Wuman and what the situation of the Southern Barbarians is currently... Because we have Hu people here, they are relatively safer than the Great Wei people. So he only asked Hu people to take on this job."

The person in the shop asked suspiciously, "Is that Yan Er young master some high-ranking court official? Why is he inquiring about Wuman?"

The person in the shop looked at Mu Wanyao and asked uneasily, "Young lady, is Great Wei going to war with Wuman again? Isn't, isn't there a princess sent for marriage? Since there is already a princess married over there, why is there still going to be a war?"

Another person said, "Your information is outdated! I heard Wuman seems to be in chaos, and the princess we married over there has already returned... Maybe it’s because the princess returned that there is going to be a war."

The people in the shop became more terrified as they spoke.

Fang Tong reprimanded, "Do not guess randomly! The Imperial Court is not going to war; you should just go about your business."

Mu Wanyao seemed not to have heard them. Her face was as white as snow, and her eyelashes drooped like feathers. She was dazed for a long while before suddenly turning and running outside. She mounted her horse and decisively left this place—

"Giddy-up—"

Mu Wanyao first rode her horse to the Hongwen Pavilion in the Imperial City, but the pavilion was already closed. She turned her horse around and returned directly to her Princess estate.

When she reached the alleyway, she jumped off the horse, which was taken by the guards of the Princess estate. Mu Wanyao looked at the residence across the street: "Has Yan Shang returned?"

The estate staff replied immediately, "We just saw Second Master Yan return. Does Your Highness want to find him? I will have someone invite him over; Your Highness, hey, Your Highness..."

Mu Wanyao, hearing that Yan Shang was there, stepped forward and climbed the steps of the residence across the street.

The estate where Yan Shang lived, strictly speaking, was all organized by Mu Wanyao. But after Mu Wanyao rented the house out, she had never managed it even once and had never stepped inside.

Mu Wanyao broke in directly, giving the servants in the courtyard a jump. Fortunately, many of them had occasionally seen this Princess when they went to the Princess estate, so no one dared to block her path.

However, not daring to block the Princess was one thing, but not being able to let the Princess barge in was another.

A servant quickly followed the Princess, saying anxiously, "Your Highness, are you looking for the Second Master? Perhaps Your Highness could wait in the main hall for a moment, and I will go and invite the Second Master..."

Mu Wanyao: "Move aside!"

Servant: "Your Highness! Your Highness! You cannot just barge in like this, this is not very good..."

However, no one could defy the Princess.

The servants closed their mouths, watching Mu Wanyao push open the door to Yan Er young master’s room and step inside. The servants opened their mouths to speak, but only watched with a sense of loss as the Princess didn't give them a chance to speak at all...

Mu Wanyao entered the room, scanned it once, and saw a figure behind the screen.

She walked around to the back of the screen and said, "Yan Shang, why are you inquiring about Wuman? That is my business; who gave you permission to meddle in others’ affairs..."

Her words stopped abruptly.

Because the person she saw was standing in the room, and when he turned around upon hearing her voice, he immediately and somewhat frantically covered his robe.

However, he had just finished bathing and was only wearing a single layer of inner garments, his long hair draped down, and damp moisture pressed a mark on the thin inner garment. He reached out to cover it, but he didn't cover much...

Mu Wanyao saw a flash of snowy light, clear and soft, like flowing moonlight. Water dripped down; it turned out that beneath the young man’s scholarly and gentle exterior, there was such beauty.

She was instantly rendered speechless.

She locked eyes with Yan Shang.

Staring at each other.

Both of their faces turned completely red, but Mu Wanyao looked at him as if she were stupid, not even knowing to turn around and face away.

Yan Shang’s slender fingers, holding onto his belt, trembled slightly. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and then opened them again: "...You first close the door."

Mu Wanyao, her face flushing, hurriedly and obediently left the screen to close the door: "Oh.”