Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Mu Wanyao was nearly frightened by Yan Shang’s silence.

What did his silence mean? Tacit agreement?

Fortunately, just as Mu Wanyao felt her scalp tingling with dread, he seemed to finally snap out of it. With a smile, he smoothed over the situation: "Her Highness is joking again."

Mu Wanyao let out a huge sigh of relief: It was good he didn’t tacitly agree.

Admittedly, she had always wanted to spend a night of passion with Yan Shang. Even now, she still wanted to; her original intention had never changed.

However, she did not want any relationship with Yan Shang other than "in bed."

Mu Wanyao fanned herself, stood up with a feigned air of ease, and muttered that the weather was getting hotter and hotter.

Then, as if changing the subject or finally remembering the matter, she ordered someone to fetch Fang Tong.

Mu Wanyao said with slight anger: "Who told him to bring Yan the Second here? Is my Princess’s Mansion a place that any random person can come and go as they please? Is it a place where any random person can eavesdrop on me whenever they want? And you few! You all saw it, yet none of you said a word! If one day an assassin sneaks into my Princess’s Mansion, are you all just going to stand there like corpses too?"

This was a case of "pointing at the mulberry to scold the locust tree," criticizing Yan Shang indirectly.

The handmaidens were confused and at a loss. Blushing from the princess’s reprimand, they bowed their heads to admit their fault.

In truth, they felt wronged, as they fundamentally could not understand the princess’s attitude toward Yan Shang.

The princess often said she wouldn't see Yan the Second, but if they really blocked him and he didn't come, she would get angry and vent her rage on the handmaidens. When Yan the Second did come, she didn't blame the handmaidens. This had happened several times... so the servants tacitly assumed that Yan Shang was different in the Princess’s Mansion.

Others could not come and go as they pleased, but Yan the Second should be an exception.

Who knew that the princess would now claim that Yan the Second couldn't come and go as he pleased either?

Yan Shang sighed softly. Seeing the servants being punished because of him, he stepped forward to plead for them. In truth, when he first came over, he had anticipated that Mu Wanyao might punish Fang Tong and the others. It was just that he had been preoccupied with Mu Wanyao’s conflict with Consort Zhao Ling, so he hadn't pointed it out. Or perhaps he had harbored a bit of wishful thinking, hoping Mu Wanyao wouldn't care.

But Mu Wanyao cared now.

Naturally, it was his fault.

Yan Shang said: "...It was all my own impatience; I forgot the distinction between superior and inferior. Your Highness, please punish me if you must. Fang Tong and the others are implicated because of me; please do not punish them too harshly."

Mu Wanyao shot him a glare and scolded coldly: "So you finally remember the distinction between superior and inferior now!"

Right in front of Yan Shang, Mu Wanyao sternly re-established the rules for her household. The rules were essentially for Yan Shang to hear, with every word in and between the lines scolding him. Clearly, to cover up the lingering implications of that previous eye contact with him, she was being exceptionally merciless.

Yan Shang saw it all, but acted as if he knew nothing.

If it had been anyone else, being mocked by the princess like this would have caused them to flee in shame. Yan the Second, however, was exceptionally courteous. When the princess ordered Fang Tong to copy characters as punishment, he even offered to help, leaving Fang Tong feeling immensely grateful.

There is no need to elaborate on the rest of such an ordeal—

After leaving the Princess’s Mansion, Yan Shang did not return to the Hongwen Academy, but went straight home, continuing to read into the night.

Although he had many friends, he was selective about meeting them and did so very infrequently. Everyone knew he was busy with his studies, so they did not disturb him easily. At the same time, his friends sent Yan Shang many books and materials from their predecessors, all to help him achieve a high ranking in the Bo Xue Hong Ci examinations.

Late that night, when Yan Shang finished his day’s reading, he sat at his desk and meditated for a moment.

Then, with a steady hand, he picked up his brush and wrote down everything he had read, done, said, and seen that day.

Persisting in practicing calligraphy daily, and with pointers from friends born into families of calligraphy masters, Yan Shang’s handwriting was now unrecognizable from what it had been a few months ago. His current style was archaic and simple, with a calm and dignified momentum. The writing reflected the person; just by looking at these strokes, one could glimpse the steadiness of Yan Shang’s character.

Furthermore, Yan Shang not only practiced calligraphy every day, but before going to sleep, he would also reflect on everything he had done throughout the day, just as he had done today, to see if there were any oversights.

This was something he had learned from his teacher.

However, his teacher’s original intent had only been to encourage him, never imagining that someone would actually practice such daily self-reflection with such persistence.

After Yan Shang finished writing down the day’s events and readings, he crossed them out one by one, then added notes and corrections to the improper parts, deepening his impression. Finally, with his ink brush suspended in mid-air, he fell into deep thought, hesitating for a long time before letting the brush fall.

The ink pooled at the tip of the brush and dripped onto the paper, leaving erratic, broken stains.

After a long while, Yan Shang lowered his wrist slightly and wrote a few characters in the blank space on the paper: Mu Wanyao.

He set the brush down and, sitting upright, stared at the name. His gaze became complex.

Danyang Princess Mu Wanyao, indeed...

Before this, he would occasionally write her name during his nightly self-reflection. But never before had he stared at this name for so long, unsure of how to think or how to proceed.

He thought again of the words he had heard Mu Wanyao use to rebuff Consort Zhao Ling during the day.

He did not know that Mu Wanyao had merely been spouting nonsense, nor did he know that Mu Wanyao herself might not have thought much of what she had said. But she was too eloquent.

She not only moved Consort Zhao Ling, making her retreat in the face of difficulties... she also moved Yan Shang, who was standing behind the screen, listening quietly, unable to step out for the longest time.

When he looked at her from behind the screen, he felt that her image in his eyes had become so vivid, so resilient and powerful.

To be able to speak of the people’s livelihood, to be able to hit upon the thoughts in his own heart... Yan Shang’s heart was struck by Mu Wanyao in that instant. He could not speak; he only felt as if he had finally found someone who understood what he sought.

"Those who know me say my heart is troubled; those who do not know me ask what I seek."

How rare it is to find a kindred spirit?

This shared ambition was far more moving to Yan Shang than mere physical beauty or temperament. He had been charmed by her beauty and loveliness, but he was even more captivated by her broad-mindedness.

Yan Shang closed his eyes, suppressing the surge of emotion in his heart. He had originally had no thoughts of romance, and even when he couldn't help but want to care for and get close to the princess, he had tried very hard to restrain himself... yet in this life, a soulmate is hard to find.

Only at this moment did he realize: if he could be with such a kindred spirit, how lucky would he be?

Peace and prosperity, a few friends, and a beloved woman by his side... this was all Yan Shang sought in this life.

A thousand thoughts raced through Yan Shang’s mind. When he opened his eyes again, Yan Shang let out a long breath and rubbed his neck, which was sore from a day of reading.

He stood up and held the pages he had written for his self-reflection up to the candle flame, burning them bit by bit. He was indeed a cautious person; even if he hadn't done anything wrong, he wouldn't leave any traces behind.

When the flame reached the three characters for "Mu Wanyao," Yan Shang’s eyes grew tender, and he smiled slightly.

He had already made a decision in his heart: for such a young princess who shared his aspirations, he would not only assist her, but if he could truly "serve the princess" (marry her)... how fortunate he would be.

He should adjust his attitude when interacting with Mu Wanyao.

Once the paper was burned and he had washed up, Yan Shang went to his trunk to pick out his clothes for the next day. As he organized his robes, a jade pendant fell out. The jade was lush green, cool to the touch.

Seeing this pendant, Yan Shang paused for a moment. He held the jade in his hand, turning it over, and pondered for a long while.

This was a family heirloom, a token of betrothal that his father had given him when he left Lingnan, telling him to give it to any woman he favored.

However, because Yan Shang had no interest in such matters and was not in a suitable position to marry for various reasons, he had tossed it into the trunk a few days after arriving in Chang’an and never looked at it again. Seeing it by chance tonight, his heart stirred.

He didn't know what he was thinking, but his face flushed slightly.

He took the jade pendant out of the dark, airless trunk, placed it with the clothes he intended to wear the next day, and then extinguished the lamp and went to bed.

Presumably, starting from tomorrow, this pendant, which carried the deep hopes of his father, would finally appear on Yan Shang’s person—

After daybreak, Mu Wanyao finished her breakfast in a leisurely manner, flipped through some musical scores, and looked over the reports submitted by her staff the day before.

Estimating that the morning court session had ended and the time was about right, she set out comfortably, intending to go to the Eastern Palace.

Upon leaving the outer courtyard, before the gatehouse of the mansion, Mu Wanyao saw a slender figure, elegant as bamboo, talking with Fang Tong and two or three handmaidens.

Mu Wanyao thought she had seen wrong; she blinked and stopped in her tracks.

"Your Highness!" The servants’ greeting made the man turn his head. He smiled, his brows and eyes gentle, and greeted her along with the servants.

Mu Wanyao looked him up and down. He was as elegant and handsome as ever, but she always felt something was different. Oh, perhaps it was the spray of pink apricot blossoms he held in his hand, still wet with morning dew.

Seeing Mu Wanyao staring at the flowers in his hand, Yan Shang looked down, smiled, and explained: "The apricot tree in a friend’s home was originally dying. I researched it with him for two months; I didn't expect his tree to bloom again. He was overjoyed and came over early this morning to gift me the flowers."

Yan Shang shook the apricot branch in his hand.

Dew droplets splattered lightly onto his robes and hands.

The pink color reflected on him, making his features look even more refined and graceful.

He shook the flowers casually. Seeing Mu Wanyao staring, he extended them forward: "If Your Highness likes them, feel free to take them and enjoy them. Flowers as fresh and delicate as these naturally belong to someone like Your Highness. Keeping them with me would be a waste."

He always spoke beautifully, and Mu Wanyao had grown very used to it.

Mu Wanyao: "...You came over early in the morning just to give me flowers?"

Although her tone was harsh, Mu Wanyao still gave a wink to Xia Rong behind her, letting the handmaidens step forward to take the dew-kissed apricot blossoms. She did indeed like the flowers at first sight... actually, she liked even more the leisurely way Yan Shang was shaking them.

A man holding flowers without looking effeminate—this showed how excellent Yan Shang’s temperament was.

Yan Shang smiled and replied to the princess: "It is because Fang and the others were punished yesterday because of me, so I came to visit."

Mu Wanyao looked at Fang Tong and the others, and sure enough, she saw them looking deeply moved. It was clear that before she had even appeared, Yan Shang had been very successful in winning their hearts.

Mu Wanyao sniffed in disdain, not wanting to deal with him, and walked out.

Unexpectedly, she heard footsteps following behind her.

She glanced sideways at Yan Shang, who was following her.

Yan Shang followed her and took out a folder from his sleeve: "I should have given this to Your Highness together with the other staff members yesterday, but I was too busy and forgot. I felt anxious and uneasy, so naturally, I had to make a personal visit today."

Mu Wanyao took his folder, flipped through it, and let the handmaiden nearby take it.

The staff were meant to offer her ideas, and she usually made the big decisions herself. However, because Yan Shang was busy reading, he rarely submitted folders to her on usual days. She hadn't expected him to do so now.

Mu Wanyao muttered a few things in her heart, but didn't take it to heart. Yet, who knew Yan Shang still hadn't left.

When she was about to get on her carriage, she saw Yan Shang standing at the gate of the mansion, watching her go.

Mu Wanyao: "..."

Only then did she find it strange: "Aren't you usually at the Hongwen Academy by this time? Why are you still at home so late today?"

Yan Shang said shamefully: "I read too late into the night yesterday."

Mu Wanyao: "Oh."

She paused, stared at him for a long time, and thought of a guess, though she felt it was unlikely. But she still hesitated to test him: "Are you suggesting you want me to give you a ride?"

Yan Shang showed a look of surprise and said: "That would trouble Your Highness, then. I happen to have some political matters I would like to consult with Your Highness."

Mu Wanyao was stunned, but when she saw the scratch on his face caused by her hairpin, she felt a pang of guilt and agreed to his request—

Because Yan Shang had voluntarily gotten into Mu Wanyao’s carriage that morning, Mu Wanyao had been distracted all day.

When she was discussing politics with the Crown Prince at the Eastern Palace, she had spaced out several times, thinking of Yan Shang’s smile in the morning. She always felt his smile was much more genuine than usual, and that the distance between him and her had shortened... She wasn't wrong, was she?

"Yaoyao, are you listening to me?" The Crown Prince helplessly put down a report and looked at this distracted younger sister.

Mu Wanyao snapped back to reality and said nonchalantly: "I’m listening. Big Brother is saying that you don't have your own people by Father’s side, but the Noble Consort is Third Brother’s mother. You’re afraid the Noble Consort will whisper in Father’s ear, so you want me to spend more time with Father and put in a good word for you."

The Crown Prince nodded.

He sighed: "The grand ceremony at the end of this year coincides with Father’s birthday. I want to organize it well and have countries from all over come to celebrate. The expenses will be high. I’m afraid some people might be dissatisfied, so I need Yaoyao to speak up for me before Father more often."

The Crown Prince had a poor background, holding only the title of eldest son, which allowed him to become Crown Prince after the death of the second prince, who was born to the Empress.

Suffering from having no one to speak for him by the Emperor’s side, the Crown Prince pinned his hopes on Mu Wanyao. In any case, there were only two princesses under the Emperor.

Moreover, Mu Wanyao was so pitiable—being both a legitimate daughter and the youngest. The Emperor should feel a sense of pity every time he saw Mu Wanyao, if only for the fact that she was the only bloodline left by the late Empress.

Mu Wanyao felt a bit unhappy in her heart. She really didn't want to play the pitiable one in front of others just to make people sympathize with her. But now, for the sake of the Crown Prince, she had no choice but to act a bit more obedient in front of the Emperor, making him feel indebted to her.

Mu Wanyao agreed to the Crown Prince, saying she would cooperate, and afterward went to perform her filial duties to her father.

The Crown Prince instructed: "Keep your temper in check and play the part of your former self."

Mu Wanyao paused and said calmly: "I understand."

It was truly ridiculous.

She actually had to play her former self in front of the Emperor, just to feign pity and win his sympathy. Her former self had died long ago... but what everyone missed and hoped for was that former self.

They wanted Mu Wanyao to play the role of Mu Wanyao well, so they wouldn't have to feel guilty—

Yan Shang spent the whole day reading at the Hongwen Academy.

He kept running into friends.

Every time his friends saw him and exchanged pleasantries, they would notice his face: "Suchen, what happened to your face?"

Yan Shang touched the scratch on his left cheek, having answered the same question countless times over the past two days.

He said concisely: "A cat scratched me. Someone else’s cat, and it’s gone now. I’ve already used medicine, and it will be better in a couple of days. There’s no need to help me catch the cat."

Seeing that the always-polite Yan the Second was so annoyed by the same question that he answered so simply, his friend paused, laughed, and bowed before leaving.

Then another friend came and was shocked to see his face;

Then yet another friend asked worriedly if this counted as disfigurement;

Then another friend stared at his face for a long time, and Yan Shang had to take the initiative to explain...

In short, throughout the whole day, everyone who saw Yan Shang was concerned about the injury on his face. After all, it was too obvious. And every time someone asked, Yan Shang had to think of the ferocity with which Mu Wanyao had thrown the hairpin at him.

Reliving it over and over, he ended up spacing out several times, leaving Yan Shang to smile bitterly. He felt he couldn't stay at the Hongwen Academy... He had come to read, not to be asked about his face all day long.

It seemed that until the wound on his face was completely healed, he didn't want to go to the Hongwen Academy—

Having spent half the day in the Imperial Palace and visiting a sick official’s mansion in the afternoon, Mu Wanyao was already exhausted by the time she returned to the deep alley where the Princess’s Mansion was located at dusk.

She rested for a while in the carriage. When she got off to return to the mansion, she saw Yan Shang carrying a bamboo case of books, just returning as well. He returned in the evening breeze, doing this every day, which made Mu Wanyao’s depressed mood much better.

Having pretended all day, she could stop disguising herself now.

Mu Wanyao stopped and looked at him for a few moments. He saw her and bowed in greeting.

As Mu Wanyao watched him bow, she saw sweat covering his neck, glistening and damp, and even the white shirt inside his round-collar robe was soaked through. When he raised his face, Mu Wanyao saw the scratch, and her gaze flickered.

Seeing him drenched in sweat, carrying so many books... Mu Wanyao asked: "Did they kick you out of the Hongwen Academy? Are you planning to move all your books back?"

Yan Shang naturally didn't say that the scratch on his face was the reason he couldn't stay at the Hongwen Academy.

He was the kind of person who always gave others face.

He smiled: "It is just too hot. There are too many people at the Hongwen Academy, and the air is stuffy every day. I feel dizzy in my head reading there, so I plan to move my books home. For these next month or two, I won't be going to the Hongwen Academy for the time being."

Mu Wanyao said strangely: "You’re moving your books home to read? Do you have ice at home?"

Yan Shang paused slightly.

He said: "Even if there is no ice, it is still better than being crowded with a group of people."

Mu Wanyao stared at his embarrassed appearance for a long time and chuckled, suddenly realizing he was poor and couldn't afford ice.

Mu Wanyao said softly: "Forget it. Considering how pitiful you are, come to my mansion to read your books. On such a hot day, don't let yourself get heatstroke and waste time recovering from an illness."

Yan Shang thanked her.

He looked at her again and said gently: "Since the weather is so hot, Your Highness should also go out less and rest more in the mansion. Your Highness is delicate; how can you handle going out every single day?"

Mu Wanyao was stunned.

Then she lowered her head and smiled, pressing her lips together.

She was pleased by his concern, but unwilling to show it, so she only said vaguely: "As if I need you to tell me?"

Her speech was always so prickly, but Yan Shang just smiled helplessly and said nothing more—

On a scorching afternoon, in the outer hall of the Princess’s Mansion, only one screen remained, and the other three sides were open, allowing a view of the clear lake and pavilion in the courtyard.

Before the screen, there was a cage containing ice shavings to cool the room. The handmaidens all hid far away, not wanting to disturb their master.

The sound of cicadas accompanied the sound of page-turning; it was extraordinarily quiet.

Yan Shang sat at a desk, looking through his books and occasionally taking notes. It was a long desk; besides the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, there were also cut fruits that had been chilled with ice.

And slightly behind Yan Shang, there was a beauty’s couch.

Mu Wanyao had originally been leaning on the couch, reading a book in her hand. But the day was drowsy, and the sun was too dazzling. She used a round fan to shield her eyes, closing them for a rest.

Resting like this, she felt it was quite comfortable.

Yan Shang finished a section of the book, stretched his arms, and looked back. He saw Mu Wanyao leaning askew on the couch pillow, the round fan covering her face, a stretch of snow-white wrist exposed, her fingers resting loosely on a book. The handmaidens saw that Her Highness was likely asleep and came over to check.

They leaned over and pulled the fan covering Her Highness’s face slightly downward, seeing a bead of sweat on her forehead. The handmaidens looked back and saw that the ice in the cage had already melted, so they busied themselves with getting more ice. After the ice was replaced, they wanted to pull the ice cage closer to the couch where the princess was lying.

Mu Wanyao, eyes closed, vaguely heard Yan Shang and the handmaidens talking.

Yan Shang stopped them in a low voice: "The ice is too cold; do not put it too close to Her Highness."

The handmaiden said: "But Her Highness is sweating."

Yan Shang hesitated for a moment and said gently: "I will fan her for a while."

The handmaidens quickly said: "How could we dare to trouble you, Second Young Master..."

Yan Shang smiled and said: "It’s no trouble. I’m just tired from reading, and it’s time for a rest."

Mu Wanyao, with eyes closed, smiled, rolled over, and let them fuss over her—

Yan Shang sat on the edge of the couch and called her name softly twice. Mu Wanyao heard him, but didn't want to acknowledge him.

He likely thought she was truly asleep. He carefully removed the book from her hands and took out a thin quilt to cover her. Just as Mu Wanyao was about to open her eyes in annoyance to ask if he was trying to smother her, she felt the round fan she had been using to block her face being taken away, and a breeze of cool air washed over her.

Mu Wanyao was startled in her heart but did not open her eyes.

The cool breeze blew intermittently, and a moment later, a handkerchief brushed against her forehead, gently wiping away the beads of sweat.

He was extremely meticulous and thoughtful. He even reached out and gently brushed a small leaf fragment off her face.

Mu Wanyao felt almost creeped out.

She no longer felt the heat, as Yan Shang had blocked the sun for her. He was fanning her, and fanning her was one thing, but his hand had actually landed on her face to wipe something off. His fingertips were slightly warm, grazing her face little by little. Mu Wanyao was blushing furiously from his touch.

She had to try her absolute hardest to keep her eyelashes from moving and to resist opening her eyes.

She felt that if she opened her eyes now... both of them would be terribly embarrassed.

Yan Shang rested his hand on hers, using the handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her palms. He murmured: "Why does Her Highness clench her fists even while sleeping? Aren't you tired?"

Mu Wanyao thought, if you weren't sitting right there, I wouldn't have to clench my fists to resist you.

She had been wiped of sweat, but because he was sitting right in front of her, so close, and kept touching her here and there, and then adjusting her clothes, Mu Wanyao was stiff and on the verge of a breakdown.

Her face was getting redder and redder, yet Yan Shang was still fussing over her at a slow pace.

Just when she was about to open her eyes, a handmaiden came to report: "Your Highness, Seventh Young Master Wei has arrived."

Yan Shang looked over, hesitating whether to ask Wei Juyuan to wait, when he sensed movement behind him. He looked back and saw Mu Wanyao covering her mouth to yawn, sitting up. As she sat up, the thin, gauze-like sleeve of her dress brushed against his hand.

The beauty after her afternoon nap was panting slightly, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes, clear as water, looked at him in surprise.

Yan Shang stiffened.

His face turned red as he met her gaze.

He said dryly: "Your Highness was asleep, so I was fanning you."

The two looked at each other for a moment.

Then they each turned their gazes away, acting as if nothing had happened.

Mu Wanyao said: "Oh." —

Wei Shu was led over by the handmaidens.

Mu Wanyao impatiently fanned herself with the fan, feeling suffocated by the heat. But when she saw Wei Shu approaching, the youth walked beneath the courtyard trees in the summer heat like a handful of snow, cool and refreshed, without a single drop of sweat.

Seeing him walk over like this, one immediately felt it wasn't as hot as before.

Mu Wanyao was happy to see the handsome youth and smiled: "Juyuan, how do you have time to go out in such hot weather?"

Yan Shang couldn't help but look at Mu Wanyao, seeing her eyes fixed intently on Wei Shu. She was happy whenever she saw a refined and handsome youth, let alone someone with a quiet personality like Wei Shu.

Basically, every time Wei Shu came to see Mu Wanyao, Mu Wanyao was in a very good mood.

Wei Shu was also used to this.

However, Yan Shang looked at Mu Wanyao a few extra times, his brows knitted slightly.

He thought, could it be that she is this direct whenever she sees a handsome gentleman?

It wasn't just that she smiled when she saw him; she smiled whenever she saw any handsome gentleman?

Wei Shu noticed Yan Shang was also there and asked in surprise: "Why is Second Brother Yan here?"

Yan Shang was startled, not knowing how to answer.

Wei Shu’s inquisitive gaze landed on the princess and Yan Shang, deep in thought: "I have long suspected that Your Highness and Second Brother Yan..."

Mu Wanyao was horrified.

She quickly interrupted: "Juyuan, don't talk nonsense! Second Brother Yan and I are as innocent as can be!"

Wei Shu: "Then why is Second Brother Yan here?"

Mu Wanyao said: "He is my retainer. What is strange about him being here?"

Wei Shu thought, but you clearly look like you just woke up... and you let Second Brother Yan sit on the edge of your couch watching you sleep?

Wei Shu’s expression was peculiar.

He was naturally intelligent, and Mu Wanyao, fearing he would overthink, quickly asked: "What did you come to find me for, Juyuan?"

Wei Shu replied: "I came to borrow a rare book from Your Highness. I asked around, and people said that Your Highness should have this book here."

Mu Wanyao said: "Alright, I’ll go find it for you."

Her handmaidens clearly wouldn't be able to find the book, so Mu Wanyao had to get up and go to the library herself. Before leaving, fearing that Yan Shang and Wei Shu would stay together and Wei Shu would ask about their relationship again, Mu Wanyao glanced at Yan Shang. Yan Shang, being so quick-witted, immediately reacted.

Yan Shang stood up as well and explained to Wei Shu: "I will help Her Highness go find the book for you."

Wei Shu watched them stand up together, his dark eyes clear and cold, and remained silently unspoken—

Walking along the long corridor toward the library, Mu Wanyao was followed by Yan Shang.

She lost her temper: "Why didn't you speak just now when Wei Shu asked, and let me do all the talking?"

Yan Shang: "What?"

Mu Wanyao was furious: "He misunderstood our relationship. I explained that we were innocent, why didn't you explain? Juyuan usually holds reservations about my words, but he trusts you very much. If you had spoken up to explain, he definitely would have believed you."

Yan Shang was silent for a moment.

Mu Wanyao pushed him impatiently: "Speak!"

Outside, sunlight shone through the fine gaps in the lattice, casting mottled shadows on the corridor floor like layered pondweed.

The sound of cicadas was incessant, and the afternoon was stiflingly hot.

Mu Wanyao heard Yan Shang’s voice, low and cool: "How was I supposed to explain? Are you and I really innocent?"

Mu Wanyao froze and turned her head to look at him sharply.

He stopped in his tracks and looked at her quietly.

He said: "Perhaps in your heart, Your Highness, we are innocent. But in my heart, I am not.”