Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Wei Shu asked: "But Second Brother Yan, didn't you say you had something to attend to tonight?"

Yan Shang’s gaze flickered subtly toward Mu Wanyao.

She sat composed, resting her chin on her right hand, as if completely oblivious to his predicament.

Facing such a question from Wei Shu, Yan Shang felt a sense of shame.

He balled his hand into a fist, pressed it to his lips to cough, and said vaguely: "I just remembered that studying is more important. After all, it has been a long time since I last studied with Juyuan."

Wei Shu’s eyes flashed slightly.

He looked at Yan Shang, then at the smiling Princess beside them. Wei Shu lowered his eyes, gently brushing away a few leaf fragments that had fallen onto the book.

Although he was young, he was sensitive enough to detect that the atmosphere between the Princess and Second Brother Yan was not quite right. He had some suspicions... but he dared not be certain.

Wei Shu knitted his brows, looking at the two of them with concern. However, he had always been a distant person, and having spoken to this extent, he assumed those two must be aware of it themselves... Wei Shu decided not to offer any more warnings—

That night, the three of them stayed in the same room, the atmosphere for studying exceptionally intense.

At a long desk, Wei Shu held a book and sat together with Yan Shang. Mu Wanyao wore a casual, soft, red silk skirt, her long hair loosely tied up like a cloud, sitting across from them with her chin in her hands.

Wei Shu and Yan Shang were reading, but Mu Wanyao didn't look at a book at all.

Yet, whenever Wei Shu mentioned something from the content, Mu Wanyao could continue the thought after hearing only the beginning. She could easily recite the book’s contents from memory; while playing with her slender fingers, she smiled and provided extensive citations and explanations for the two of them.

Yan Shang was the one who spoke the least.

However, he looked at Mu Wanyao many times.

He admired her knowledge in his heart.

Since he had known her, he had never seen her read a book seriously. Whenever she occasionally picked one up, they were always idle volumes like legends or storybooks.

Yet, Yan Shang had always known that Mu Wanyao must be a woman of great talent. Because she could easily offer him advice, pointing out traps in the imperial examinations and the preferences of the chief examiners. She could casually comment on why his poems were subpar, or snort in derision after glancing at his calligraphy.

But those were all things Yan Shang had guessed from Mu Wanyao’s daily words and actions.

It was only until tonight, seeing Mu Wanyao recite the book's content without needing to look at it, that he realized just how formidable she truly was.

As Yan Shang used his brush to record the points Mu Wanyao made in passing, he asked: "Your Highness, when did you read this book?"

Mu Wanyao lifted her eyelids and thought for a moment: "When I was thirteen or fourteen, I suppose."

Wei Shu looked up: "Has Your Highness not read it in the last two years? Yet you still remember the content so clearly?"

Mu Wanyao said: "I used to study with my brother, and to please my father and the others, I studied very earnestly. That’s why I haven't been able to forget it even after so many years... Actually, I would rather not remember it."

Her tone was slightly melancholic, and she fell into a brief silence.

There were many things she couldn't remember.

Yet, many of the books she had read in the past were like marks of her former self, and to this day, she could not forget them.

Seeing Mu Wanyao’s expression, Wei Shu felt a moment of awkwardness. He felt he had likely touched upon a wound in her heart, but he sat there blankly, not knowing how to comfort her... until he saw Second Brother Yan casually push a tea cup over with a gentle smile: "Your Highness must be thirsty, right? Have some tea."

Mu Wanyao took a sip of tea, her brows curving, and asked puzzledly: "Why does it have a strange taste?"

Yan Shang gently urged her: "Good medicine is bitter to the taste. When I went out earlier, I added some medicinal herbs to the tea. I was thinking that Your Highness would be thirsty after talking all evening."

Mu Wanyao slanted a glance at him: "I didn't say I wouldn't drink it, so why are you saying so much?"

Yan Shang shook his head and smiled, rolling up his sleeves to take up his brush again.

Wei Shu watched silently from the side, seeing the way the two of them exchanged glances and smiles.

With Second Brother Yan’s such smooth and skillful means, being able to coax Mu Wanyao... Wei Shu had a strange feeling that he was very much in the way here.

Wei Shu pushed those strange thoughts from his mind and lowered his head to continue reading. Yan Shang followed him, continuing to memorize the text.

Mu Wanyao watched Yan Shang thoughtfully, noticing that from beginning to end, it was Wei Shu who turned the pages while Yan Shang just watched from the side, never opening his mouth.

Mu Wanyao’s gaze flickered.

Wei Shu was a young aristocrat who didn't know how to look after others; he simply wouldn't think that Yan Shang’s study progress might differ from his own, and that was that. But Yan Shang only followed Wei Shu’s pace from start to finish without offering a single word of his own... Either Yan Shang didn't want to reveal his own shortcomings, or Yan Shang could perfectly keep up with Wei Shu’s speed.

According to Mu Wanyao’s understanding of Yan Shang, the latter was more likely.

He could actually keep up with Wei Shu?

Wei Shu was a son of the prestigious Wei clan of Luoyang. Wei Shu’s reading speed was completely different from that of an ordinary scholar from a humble background. If Yan Shang could keep up... it meant his ability to learn and retain information must be very strong. Actually, this was normal... If Yan Shang were truly as poor as he claimed, it would be impossible for him to have become the third-ranked scholar in his first year, even with her guidance.

It was just that he was used to being humble and often kept words about his own poor scholarship on his lips... which gave Mu Wanyao the impression that he was truly exceptionally poor.

Mu Wanyao pursed her lips and smiled, feeling as though she had discovered a secret Yan Shang was hiding, and her heart couldn't help but leap with joy.

Feeling playful, she stopped fiddling with her fingers. She rolled up her sleeves, took up her brush, and wrote a line of characters on rice paper. Rolling the note into a paper ball, Mu Wanyao lifted her eyes to look at Yan Shang, who was writing on the opposite side, and at Wei Shu, who was studying quietly beside him.

Taking advantage of when Wei Shu wasn't paying attention, Mu Wanyao lifted her chin, leaned forward, and threw the paper ball she was holding at Yan Shang.

The ball struck Yan Shang between his brows. His eyelashes trembled slightly, and he looked up to find the paper ball had rolled into his lap. He looked across at her, and Mu Wanyao rested her chin on her hand, smiling at him brilliantly.

Yan Shang’s face flushed slightly as he glanced at Wei Shu beside him. Only after seeing that Wei Shu hadn't noticed did he calmly pick up the paper ball to see what Mu Wanyao had written.

On the paper ball was written: "Is it thrilling to commit adultery with me behind Juyuan’s back?"

Yan Shang: "..."

He looked over; the ornaments in Mu Wanyao’s hair jingled softly. Under the brilliant golden light, she winked at him. Her eyes were alluring and moist like spring water, truly stirring his heart and soul.

Yan Shang remained silent, but the hand holding the paper ball began to feel numb.

He smiled bitterly, truly not expecting Mu Wanyao to be this bold. He struggled for a long while before Wei Shu asked: "What was written on the note between Your Highness and Second Brother Yan?"

Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang were both startled at the same time and looked over to see Wei Shu looking at them.

Like being caught red-handed, their faces stiffened.

Yan Shang was the one who reacted quickly. As Wei Shu leaned in to take a look, he crumpled the note back into a ball very casually and said to Wei Shu: "Her Highness was asking me about a classic allusion in the book, wondering if I remembered it."

Wei Shu said with interest: "What allusion?"

Yan Shang then fabricated a story, glossing over the matter and successfully fooling Wei Shu.

Mu Wanyao let out a sigh of relief and patted her chest. When she saw Yan Shang look up while flipping pages with Wei Shu, he gave her a light glare.

Mu Wanyao coughed, sat upright, and stopped teasing him.

But this joy, like that of an illicit affair, lingered in her heart, making Mu Wanyao’s heart race with excitement.

She truly loved this feeling of interacting with Yan Shang—that he would respond to her and cover for her... She truly felt he was a wonderful person, wonderful in every way, so much so that she couldn't wait to have a night of pleasure with him.

Mu Wanyao regretted letting Wei Shu stay behind. If Wei Shu hadn't stayed... tonight would have been a perfect moment for her and Yan Shang—

However, it seemed fate was not on their side.

Wei Shu stayed at the Princess’s Mansion that night, which was bad enough, but he left the very next day.

Mu Wanyao waited eagerly for the next opportunity.

But the next afternoon, when Mu Wanyao woke from her nap, she heard the handmaidens say that Second Young Master Yan had arrived. Mu Wanyao thought Yan Shang had come to find her to play, so she had them bring him in. Yan Shang, however, said his teacher had asked him to go live in the mountains for ten days to visit a great Confucian scholar.

That great Confucian scholar had just arrived in Chang’an; back then, the examination rules for the Great Wei had been set by that very scholar and some other prestigious families. Noble families would not easily divulge examination rules, and that scholar had traveled across the world teaching. Now that he had arrived in Chang’an for a temporary stay, it was highly likely he would impart some experience and knowledge.

Yan Shang’s teacher had asked Yan Shang to go with him to pay a visit.

Since they were going to pursue their studies, Mu Wanyao certainly couldn't hold him back and forbid him from leaving.

She could only suppress her displeasure and let him go.

However, it wasn't until after Yan Shang had left that Mu Wanyao witnessed what kind of thoughtful person Yan Shang was.

She had always envied Yan Shang’s friends, envying them for being able to receive his concern. Now that Yan Shang was gone, he sent letters every day to chat with Mu Wanyao about daily life, sometimes even sending small items along with the letters, which gave Mu Wanyao many pleasant surprises.

For example:

"There is rain in the mountains today. I played chess with my teacher for half a day and hid a white piece away. I wonder when I can play against Your Highness? Your talent would surely be something I look up to."

"The climate in the mountains is cool, but I couldn't help but recall the days of studying at Your Highness’s mansion. In that kind of stuffiness, Your Highness must have suffered quite a bit."

"I saw camellias in the mountains, lush and lovely, and couldn't help but think of Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness likes flowers?"

"I drank tea for half a day, tossed and turned all night, and had a stomachache, unable to sleep. Your Highness, do not follow my example and drink cold tea."

"At the first glimmer of dawn, I saw the misty fog in the mountains and a songstress picking mulberry leaves. In my confusion, I mistook her for a moment, thinking it was Your Highness. While sighing at how ridiculous I was, I also felt a deep sense of longing."

Mu Wanyao read his letters one by one, feeling happy in her heart. The content of Yan Shang’s letters was quite casual and imaginative; often he would write a word or two, and after a long pause in his brushwork, he would start the next line.

And this habit of changing brushwork allowed Mu Wanyao to see that whenever he was free, or whenever he thought of her, he would write her a word or two.

It wasn't just blindly worrying about how she was, but also frequently mentioning his own situation. Saying what books he had read today, and what arguments he had had with his teacher the next day. He was a person who spoke appropriately by nature, and his chatty style had no hint of pandering.

It was as if he treated her like a friend, simply talking and chatting with her casually.

Reading the letters he wrote felt exactly the same as talking to the person himself. He was neither haughty nor humble; he neither made things difficult for her nor gave her any hints. His chatty way of speaking... yet it revealed his concern at every turn.

This way of speaking... anyway, Mu Wanyao knew she couldn't learn it.

But she could feel the goodness of Yan Shang toward her.

Mu Wanyao began to enjoy reading Yan Shang’s letters, counting on her fingers how many days he had been gone and how many more letters she could still receive from him. This reminded Mu Wanyao of the time before Yan Shang had arrived in Chang’an, when he had written her letters monthly for over half a year.

Only, back then, Mu Wanyao had always let the handmaidens read his letters, and she had never looked at them herself.

Thinking about how she had never actually looked at the letters Yan Shang had written, Mu Wanyao felt deeply regretful. She slapped the table and called out: "Chunhua! Chunhua! Find all the letters Yan Shang wrote last year; I want to go through them properly."

Chunhua entered from outside and answered the Princess. She looked a bit haggard, but Mu Wanyao, who was happily reading Yan Shang’s letters, assumed Chunhua had just been sick for a few days and didn't pay much attention—

Chunhua wasn't sick.

She was pregnant.

Ten days ago, she began to feel unwell, feeling exhausted and sleepy.

Back then, Chunhua had also assumed she was sick and had asked for leave to rest. Afterward, Chunhua started vomiting and felt nauseous at the sight of food; only then did Chunhua vaguely sense that something was wrong.

Yesterday afternoon, while the Princess was being served by other handmaidens, Chunhua could finally no longer suppress the panic in her heart. She secretly went to the West Market to find a village doctor, wanting to see what was wrong with her.

The doctor didn't give her a roundabout answer; the other party directly congratulated her on being pregnant. Chunhua’s face went pale, and her head felt like it was exploding.

Thinking of the medicine her sister-in-law had given her... could it be that it didn't work?

That medicine didn't work... actually, that was normal.

In the current world, the highest level of medical skill was all in the palace. The contraceptive medicines in the countryside were nothing more than hit-or-miss. Chunhua guessed she had encountered the same situation the Princess had had years ago.

Men’s debauchery made women suffer, and women’s weakness aroused men’s tyranny. After the absurd, sweaty nights, not every child in the world was wanted. Women endured humiliation and torture, and if they didn't want the child afterward, they had no choice but to take medicine. However, what if the medicine didn't work?

What was the next step?

Her brain was in a whirl, and her vision was blurry. Vaguely, it seemed she saw the Princess of the past, sitting alone in the tent, hugging herself and dazed for half the day. Afterward, the Princess had asked for another kind of medicine...

Facing the village doctor, Chunhua’s voice trembled. Crossing through time and space, she said the same words as the Princess had: "...Then give me a dose of abortion medicine."

Vaguely, she was repeating the same path as the Princess—

That entire night, after serving the Princess to sleep, Chunhua returned to the room she shared with other handmaidens.

Everyone else was asleep, and only she sat at the desk, staring blankly at the dose of abortion medicine.

In her mind, Liu Wenji appeared for a moment, then Prince Jin appeared.

She knew clearly who the child’s father was.

For the sake of her peaceful life, she shouldn't let this child exist.

But... this was Prince Jin’s child.

It was royal blood.

How could a servant like her decide the fate of royal blood? If it were found out by the Ministry of Rites or the Royal Family that she had dared to abort Prince Jin’s child... even the Princess wouldn't be able to protect her.

Not to mention, would this medicine from a village doctor... really work?

Would it be as useless as the medicine her sister-in-law had given her before... or as vicious as the medicine the Princess had used back then, almost killing her without leaving a scrap of defense?

Chunhua sat in the dark night weeping, staring blankly at the medicine, not knowing what choice she should make. She was originally just a handmaiden who had been freed from servitude thanks to the Princess’s affection, but under the weight of power, did she really have a choice? —

The next day, when dawn broke and Chunhua got up, her eyes were puffy.

Other handmaidens asked about her recent state, and she only brushed them off, saying her illness hadn't fully recovered.

Chunhua felt tormented, not knowing who she could discuss this matter with. She stood under the corridor dazed, waiting for the Princess to wake up, when she saw a second-class handmaiden running over, lifting her skirt, and saying joyfully: "Is Her Highness up? Second Young Master Yan has returned and has come to visit our mansion."

The handmaidens were all very happy to hear that Second Young Master Yan had come. Not to mention that Second Young Master Yan was graceful and handsome, just looking at him was pleasing to the eye; not to mention that whenever Second Young Master Yan came, the Princess’s temper would be better for a long time. In such a case, who wouldn't like Second Young Master Yan to visit their mansion more often?

Seeing everyone so happy, Chunhua couldn't help but smile slightly and said: "Go ask Her Highness if she has woken up; I’ll go welcome Second Young Master Yan."

Mu Wanyao heard the sounds outside and coughed. The handmaiden outside then hurriedly lifted the curtain to go in and serve her. Hearing that Yan Shang had arrived, Mu Wanyao wasn't in a hurry to see him, but first washed and dressed slowly.

As she sat before the dressing mirror having her hair combed by handmaidens, she heard Yan Shang’s voice outside. His voice was as clear as flowing water, and that unique speed of speaking made one feel calm... Mu Wanyao couldn't help but look out the window, seeing a hazy silhouette.

She pursed her lips to suppress a smile. Under the gaze of the handmaidens, she forcibly suppressed her joy and instead moved even slower while washing and dressing.

However, Mu Wanyao stretched her ears, listening to what Chunhua and Yan Shang were saying outside—

Yan Shang said: "These are some tea snacks I brought. I said in my letter that I would ask Your Highness to try them."

Chunhua happily had people pack them away and said: "The Young Master is truly good to our Princess."

Yan Shang sighed.

He said: "This is nothing, just a bit of courtesy. By right, I should be more concerned about Your Highness... but the young lady also knows I am busy with my studies now and truly have no leisure time to attend to anything else. So I have neglected Your Highness, and in all matters, I have let Your Highness suffer grievances. I can only ask the young lady to take care of the Princess."

Chunhua: "..."

Not mentioning how Chunhua reacted, Mu Wanyao, who was eavesdropping on their conversation in the room, was already dumbfounded.

She had originally been slowly picking up a jade comb from a handmaiden’s hand to comb her own hair, and the handmaidens were helping her choose earrings and hairpins. As a result, when Mu Wanyao heard Yan Shang say this, the comb in her hand slipped and fell directly onto the rug.

She felt stunned, almost unable to believe her own ears:

What? Yan Shang said he neglected her? Said he let her suffer grievances? Said that him treating her like this was nothing more than courtesy. That he hadn't cared for her enough yet? That he still felt he hadn't treated her well?

This, this... he had already reached this extent, and this was still called "busy with studies, no leisure to attend to anything else."

Then what would it look like when he truly treated someone well? That must be... how good?

Mu Wanyao swallowed, a bit frightened by Yan Shang, even reflecting on whether she had miscalculated; how did she dare to play games with such a smart person... A smart woman should play games with a fool. How could she play games with a smart person?

Had she perhaps overestimated herself too much?

Outside a door, courtyard flowers dripped with jade-like dew.

Chunhua looked at Yan Shang’s clear, calm, and beautiful eyes, and her heart stirred. She thought that since Second Young Master Yan was so wise and had always kept his mouth shut, never making things difficult for anyone... could she perhaps ask him for help in consulting about her own predicament?

Chunhua was about to muster her courage to ask Second Young Master Yan to step aside and speak, but saw Yan Shang’s brows flicker slightly, as if he had heard some movement. The jade comb had landed on the rug with a "thump," and although the sound wasn't loud, it was still heard by Yan Shang, who had been focused on the room all along.

A smile played on his lips. Although he couldn't see the scene inside, his gaze turned toward the window, and he said softly: "Has the Princess awakened?"

Inside the room, Mu Wanyao glared resentfully at the two handmaidens behind her, as if the dull sound of the comb falling on the rug were the fault of the two handmaidens.

Then, Mu Wanyao coughed and said unpleasantly: "What is it?"

She truly had not a single good word to say.

Outside the house, Yan Shang smiled slightly and said: "Is it convenient for the Princess to meet?"

Mu Wanyao acted coy and said: "It is not convenient."

After saying this, she regretted it.

Yan Shang remained silent.

He could only say: "Then I will go to the Hongwen Academy first and come to pay my respects to Your Highness in the afternoon."

Mu Wanyao said aloofly: "Hm." —

However, a rainstorm started that afternoon.

Mu Wanyao was trapped in the Eastern Palace and couldn't return, drinking cup after cup of wine, which caused Yang Si, who was bored and solving a nine-link puzzle on the side, to look at her several times.

Yang Si: "What’s wrong, do you have a date with a little lover?"

Mu Wanyao glared at him. Just then, the Crown Prince entered, and Mu Wanyao immediately filed a complaint: "Big Brother, look at what he said about me! He framed me for having a lover!"

The Crown Prince looked at Yang Si.

Yang Si: "...I just said it casually; what kind of Princess is one who doesn't keep a few little lovers?"

The Crown Prince: "Chengzhi..."

Upon hearing the Crown Prince call him Chengzhi, Yang Si’s face stiffened, and he sat upright: "Fine, I was wrong. But why are you listening to that little tattletale?"

Mu Wanyao: "Pah, you’re the tattletale!"

She grabbed a cushion from behind the couch and threw it at Yang Si, and Yang Si also threw a handful of melon seeds at her without showing any mercy. Watching these two start fighting again, the Crown Prince sighed, walked toward the window, and stared at the rainstorm outside, acting as if he hadn't heard the commotion caused by the two people behind him.

The Crown Prince frowned, thinking to himself that Father had said he wanted to go to the suburbs to escape the summer heat, so should he send someone to follow them to test Father’s health?

And the grand ceremony at the end of the year was only a few months away, so he had to arrange for people to speed up the process... If the grand ceremony went well this year and Prince Qin was firmly suppressed, his prestige in the imperial court would surely rise a step higher.

Only if Father supported him would those fickle noble families lean more toward him.

Thinking of those noble families, the Crown Prince exhaled slightly, thinking he should not be impatient.

The noble families in the south were led by the Li clan of Jinling; as long as Mu Wanyao was still a card in his hand... the variables should not be large—

The rain poured down.

After Yan Shang returned to his mansion in the afternoon, he didn't go out and kept reading in his room.

Time had reached late June, and there wasn't much time left until the exam in October. He seized this time, heart and mind focused. Leaving aside not keeping any other business for himself, he even declined all the various banquets that friends had invited him to.

He read until the night grew deep and heavy.

The rain seemed to have eased a bit, dripping down from the eaves of the house, gathering into a babbling stream.

Yan Shang finished the day’s study coursework and began his customary self-examination of his daily words and deeds, his customary recording, and his customary reflection.

He wrote many words densely on paper, and when he finally added the three characters "Mu Wanyao," his brush paused; he continued to write his plans and arrangements after the Princess of Danyang’s name. He wanted to have a good relationship with the Princess; naturally, it required planning step by step, and it could not be achieved overnight.

How long would it take from a friendship to a marriage relationship, combined with his official career path... Yan Shang needed to have an idea in his heart.

He was just setting a plan for himself as usual. When he was immersed in writing, he heard a knock on the door. The knocking sound rang twice, yet no one spoke.

Yan Shang assumed it was a servant with something to attend to, so he set down the brush in his hand absentmindedly, tucked the paper he had written into a book, and got up to open the door.

In his distraction, the door opened, and the wind and rain from outside the window blew directly into his face. Unexpectedly, Yan Shang saw a pretty woman standing in front of him with her hands behind her back.

She was wearing a veil, but her clothes were light and thin; in the black night, the glowing firelight shone on her slightly exposed, fragrant shoulders and jade-like neck.

A beauty in a rainy night, with skin like ice and bones like jade, stood smiling at the door of his room like this.

When Yan Shang saw her, his eyes brightened slightly: "Your Highness?"

He hadn't seen her for a long time, so he couldn't help but stare at her twice, and it took a moment’s delay before he reacted and stepped aside to welcome her into the room.

And Mu Wanyao, her cheeks burning, also looked up at him.

Seeing that the scar on his face from where she had pricked him before was gone, she felt relieved; fortunately, she hadn't truly disfigured a handsome youth.

Regarding Mu Wanyao’s light, fragrant, half-exposed gorgeous attire, Yan Shang didn't dare to look too much, trying his best to keep his gaze on her face. Letting her enter the room, he couldn't even help but look around to see if there was an outer garment he could drape over her.

Cough.

But there was only his clothing here.

Just as Yan Shang was shyly struggling, Mu Wanyao lifted her hand, and he discovered that he had only been staring at her face and hadn't noticed that she was actually carrying a bamboo basket. As soon as she entered the room, the bamboo basket began to drip water.

Mu Wanyao said mischievously: "Oh my, I’ve dirtied your floor. What to do, will you be angry?"

Yan Shang couldn't help but smile: "Your Highness is joking again."

How could he be someone who easily got angry?

Mu Wanyao: "Hmph, sooner or later, I will know what it takes to make you angry."

Yan Shang said casually: "There is plenty of time in the days ahead, why is Your Highness in such a hurry?"

Mu Wanyao froze, thinking it strange where this "plenty of time in the days ahead" came from. As she hesitated, he had already taken the bamboo basket from her hand and asked her if she was tired.

And before Yan Shang could ask what was in the bamboo basket, Mu Wanyao had grabbed his arm and leaned in to look at what was inside with him.

Mu Wanyao smiled brilliantly: "Today at the Eastern Palace, a royal uncle came over to give the Crown Prince a water lily. I thought it looked very good, so I hid some and secretly brought it back for you to admire. Do you like it?"

Her arm pressed against him, her cool skin gently brushing against the back of his warm hand.

Yan Shang paused for a moment but didn't pull away. He said softly: "To come over in the rain for such a small thing, Your Highness, come and dry your hair."

Mu Wanyao glanced at him: "Do you know what I mean?"

Yan Shang was silent for a moment. Seeing her being so circuitous and cute, he couldn't help but be amused. If it were anyone else, who could possibly think of anything else from a water lily?

He said gently: "I know... hm, I haven't washed up yet. Can Your Highness wait for me for a while?"

Seeing him being so accommodating, Mu Wanyao then giggled and followed him into the inner room. She quietly clenched her fists, encouraging herself.

Hm, she had come tonight to fulfill the thing she and Yan Shang had long agreed upon, but had yet to do. Aside from "sleeping," she had no other intentions.