Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Rain drummed against the eaves.

The maidservant Chunhua stood behind Mu Wanyao, quietly sizing up the Yan family’s second son who had blocked their path.

Seeing him emerge, Chunhua actually felt a sense of relief. After all, riding on horseback and following the Princess through the rain was hardly a pleasant experience.

Behind her veil, Mu Wanyao let out a cool laugh.

She mocked, “Second Brother Yan, do you even know what I came out for? And you dare say you are here to help me?”

Yan Shisheng sighed.

In truth, it was the guard, Fang, who had pleaded with him to go find Lady Mu. Guard Fang was busy punishing the bold maidservants but was terrified that the Princess would get lost wandering about, so naturally, he had to drag a local out to help. Moreover, in Guard Fang’s eyes, this Yan Shisheng seemed remarkably capable.

Yan Shisheng was indeed quite capable.

He advised the Princess: “I heard from Guard Fang that the items ruined by the rain were mementos left to you by your mother. Since the face creams and hand lotions were ground personally by your mother, they are naturally of great importance to you. It does not surprise me that you ventured out into the rain; you must be hoping to recreate them, correct?”

Mu Wanyao fell silent.

She detested this feeling of being seen through, of having her intentions laid bare with a single remark.

Yan Shisheng understood, of course, that this lady was not easy to get along with, so he dared not flaunt his intelligence too openly. After hinting at it slightly, he said with a touch of bashfulness: “Actually, I know how to make face cream and hand lotion.”

Mu Wanyao: “…?”

Her eyes widened.

Even Chunhua let out an “Ah,” exclaiming in astonishment: “What? You know how?”

Chunhua muttered to herself, wondering if this Second Brother Yan was overstepping by stealing her tasks.

Seeing their reactions, Yan Shisheng could not help but smile, his bashfulness fading somewhat.

He gave a dry cough and explained: “Although our family is better off than our neighbors because my father is a local squire, this place in Lingnan is remote and desolate; many things are simply unavailable. I have a younger sister still waiting to be married; when she was younger, it was I who helped her make her face creams.”

Yan Shisheng continued: “My father collects all sorts of curious, ancient books, and that is where I learned how.”

Mu Wanyao studied him for a long moment before saying: “However, the creams made by different people are never the same.”

Yan Shisheng bowed to her, sighing: “This student merely wishes to give it my best effort, and I hope you will grant me that chance. You have been in the rain for quite some time, and it is, after all, a cause for concern.”

The words “a cause for concern” fell into Mu Wanyao’s ears like a pebble dropped into an ancient, abyssal pool, causing her to waver. Her heart of ice and snow was unexpectedly touched.

Mu Wanyao no longer wore a cold expression; instead, she narrowed her eyes, a hint of a smile appearing: “Are you concerned for me?”

Yan Shisheng lifted his gaze.

She stood on the steps, leaning down slightly to look at him. Beneath her graceful neck, accompanied by wisps of fragrance, the swell of her chest seemed to press forward. Yan Shisheng’s body stiffened, and he took a half-step backward.

Fearing that this lady might again misunderstand and think he had improper intentions, he replied respectfully: “As a guest staying in our humble abode, you have traveled from afar. Naturally, I am concerned about your comfort, and I do not wish for you to fall ill from venturing out into the rain due to the roughness of our lodgings.”

Mu Wanyao’s face darkened instantly: “Hmph!”

To think he would use the ‘host and guest’ excuse to brush her off.

If she were not a guest, would he not be concerned for her?

Mu Wanyao strode past Yan Shisheng, and Chunhua hurried to follow. Yan Shisheng looked on, baffled, wondering where he had gone wrong. He had been so polite and respectful—why did her temper only grow worse the more he spoke?

“My lady!” Yan Shisheng called out behind her, his robes dampened by the rain, his headband and sleeves tangled together.

Mu Wanyao was already standing before her white horse, preparing to mount. She looked back to see Yan Shisheng standing in the distance, his green robes fluttering, his features like mountains and water—quite handsome indeed.

A flicker passed through Mu Wanyao’s eyes. She smiled playfully, curling her lips as she teased: “Weren’t you asking me to return so you could help me make the cream? Why are you still standing there?”

Yan Shisheng was pleasantly surprised, never expecting that he had successfully persuaded her.

However, just as she grasped the reins to mount, he hurriedly called out: “Wait!”

Mu Wanyao grew impatient with this dithering scholar: “What is it now?”

Yan Shisheng stepped toward them holding his umbrella. He asked the confused Chunhua to hold it for him, then set down the wooden crate he had been carrying on his back to rummage through it.

Mu Wanyao was suspicious: “Don’t tell me you’re giving me an umbrella? I don’t need it! I’m wearing a veil. Stop your nagging…”

Her impatient voice died in her throat. Behind the veil, her eyes widened slightly. She saw clearly that Yan Shisheng had pulled a snow-fox fur cloak from the small wooden crate on his back.

If she wasn't mistaken, such a large crate could only hold that single garment. And Yan Shisheng had carried it on his back the entire way.

Yan Shisheng moved to drape the cloak over her.

Mu Wanyao took a step back.

Yan Shisheng paused, then explained: “Before I left, I borrowed this cloak from Guard Fang. It belongs to you, my lady, not my family. You need not worry that it has been worn by others, or that I would bring you something inappropriate.”

Through the veil, Mu Wanyao watched him quietly.

She said: “You even prepared for this.”

Yan Shisheng explained: “I have always been this way; I never set out without being fully prepared… I was afraid you would fall ill in the rain.”

Seeing that she no longer avoided him but did not move forward either, standing calmly, he felt a moment of hesitation. He could not see her expression through the veil, but after a beat, he stepped forward and pulled the cloak over her shoulders. Since she remained perfectly still, Yan Shisheng had no choice but to help her tie the sash himself.

He figured that being pampered and spoiled, she was likely accustomed to others doing things for her, even tying her own sashes.

Mu Wanyao watched him stand within arm’s reach, lowering his eyes to help her fasten the cloak. Separated by the thin layer of gauze, Mu Wanyao watched this handsome scholar with a curious, strange, and complex gaze.

Watching him, her hazy thoughts drifted far away, wandering through many things… until Yan Shisheng stepped back and said in a clear, gentle voice: “There, my lady, you may mount your horse.”

Mu Wanyao gave an absent-minded “Oh.”

She mounted her horse, followed by Chunhua. Mu Wanyao looked down at Yan Shisheng, who stood alone on the ground holding his umbrella, following behind them.

Mu Wanyao said: “Chunhua, get down and ride with me. Give your horse to Second Brother Yan.”

As if fearing they might read too much into it, she quickly added: “I am only worried that Second Brother Yan walks too slowly and will get lost.”

And so, the two horses carrying the riders made their way back.

Chunhua sat behind the Princess, looking back and secretly studying this Yan Shisheng. The Princess had made many exceptions for this person; though they appeared subtle, since the Princess’s temperament had undergone such a change, she had shown patience toward no one—yet for this man… this scholar was truly something else.

Mu Wanyao spoke in a leisurely tone: “Yan Shisheng.”

Yan Shisheng was currently focused on controlling his horse. Being a Lingnan bumpkin, he was not like the Princess, who traveled by horse daily. He was anxious, terrified of falling. Hearing Mu Wanyao’s sudden address, he replied stiffly: “Hmm?”

Because his entire focus was on the horse, he had even forgotten to respond with the respectful “My lady.”

Mu Wanyao chatted with him: “How old are you?”

Yan Shisheng: “This student is seventeen this year.”

He paused, thinking that if she asked this, perhaps she intended to reward him?

If so, it would be worth all the effort he had spent serving her.

Yan Shisheng added: “This student has been preparing for the provincial exams since I was fourteen, but perhaps because my talent is shallow, I have yet to pass.”

In this era, passing required the patronage of those in power. Clearly, Yan Shisheng had none. By saying this, he was subtly hinting to this Lady Mu, who seemed to be of extraordinary status.

Mu Wanyao failed to notice his hint entirely. She only looked back with a surprised smile: “I am seventeen this year as well. My birthday is in the third month; what about you?”

Yan Shisheng: “My birthday is in the tenth month.”

Mu Wanyao: “Then you are just seventeen, half a year younger than me… Are you betrothed?”

Yan Shisheng: “…?”

He was concerned about his official career, not marriage! What was this lady thinking? But then again… if this lady were willing to act as a matchmaker for him, he would have accomplished one of the two great milestones of his life.

Yan Shisheng could only say: “I have been busy with my studies and have not yet met a suitable person.”

Mu Wanyao: “Oh.”

There was nothing more said after that.

Yan Shisheng stretched his neck for a long while, but he never received a promise from Mu Wanyao to act as his matchmaker.

He could not help but feel a bit disappointed.

He mused that she was indeed far too difficult to please.

Thus, Yan Shisheng successfully persuaded Mu Wanyao to return. Once back at the Yan residence, Mu Wanyao was naturally surrounded and whisked away by her attendants, and Yan Shisheng heaved a sigh of relief.

He sought out his brothers and sister, setting his face sternly to remind them once more: avoid her whenever possible, and do not provoke that lady.

Moreover, Yan Shisheng now began to foster a fantasy: “…If I can successfully win her favor, perhaps I might gain some benefits.”

Mu Wanyao’s question about his marriage was clearly an indication that she intended to arrange a union for him. In a remote place like Lingnan, Yan Shisheng indeed lacked good marriage prospects.

If Lady Mu were willing… that would, of course, be excellent.

Mu Wanyao, however, had never intended to act as his matchmaker.

She slept soundly, only to be awakened the following day by noise in the courtyard.

When she pushed open the window, feeling quite displeased, she realized the rain had ceased the night before. The day had cleared, and the sun was blazing bright.

Yet, that was not the point. The point was that she saw the courtyard ringed with a crowd of maidservants and guards, all gathered to watch the scene as if it were a performance.

Mu Wanyao leaned against the window frame and focused her gaze, nearly falling over in sheer astonishment.

She saw that it was none other than Yan Shisheng running laps in the courtyard, with everyone watching.

Yan Shisheng had changed into a tight-sleeved tunic, and with sandbags tied to his legs, he was being urged on by his eldest brother: “Second Brother, give it more effort! Run another lap! Reading books every day is certainly important, but you cannot be so frail that you lack the strength to truss a chicken. Eldest Brother is doing this for your own good… run another lap!”

Meanwhile, Guard Fang and the others shouted: “Don’t worry, Second Brother Yan! A few laps won’t kill you. If you run a few more every day, you’ll be as robust as we are…”

Yan Shisheng panted, smiling bitterly: “I never asked to be robust…”

The maidservants, meanwhile, blushed as they whispered: “Second Brother Yan looks so handsome with sweat beading on his forehead and his face all flushed. Could we ask the lady…”

Mu Wanyao scoffed inwardly, sneering at their poor taste—what could possibly be handsome about a bumpkin?

Mu Wanyao held her chest proudly, but suddenly, she caught the gaze of Yan Shisheng—who was being encouraged by the crowd—drifting toward her window. Perhaps he wasn't looking at her at all, but Mu Wanyao, feeling as guilty as a thief, slammed the window shut with a bang.

After closing it, Mu Wanyao could not help but bite her lip in annoyance, hating herself for feeling guilty. She did as she pleased, and that was that!

However, as she stood there with downcast eyes, deep in thought, she ultimately did not push the window back open.

Yan Shisheng finally finished the laps his eldest brother had demanded. Exhausted, he slowed to a walk, found a secluded wall, and sat down against it, supporting himself.

Over there, the eldest Yan brother and Guard Fang were discussing in all seriousness how to train Yan Shisheng for the next session.

The eldest brother felt that even if his second brother could not master both the pen and the sword, he could not be dragged down by his physical weakness; he had to exercise every day. Guard Fang, being of military background, had many methods they could refer to.

Seeing them discussing it with such enthusiasm, Yan Shisheng sat beneath the wall, feeling quite melancholy.

Being cared for too much was not necessarily a good thing…

As he sat there dejected, a window above his head opened, and a maiden’s smiling voice rang out from above: “Hey, Yan Shisheng, I’ll do you a favor and help you improve your constitution.”

She added, with an air of seriousness: “Do you prefer boundless wealth, or a beauty as fair as jade?”

Yan Shisheng froze. He tilted his head back, and there he saw Mu Wanyao looking down at him. Her waist was slender and delicate, her face like a blossoming peach, her brows and eyes inherently overflowing with allure.

Like spring scenery in full bloom—there was not a single feature that was not beautiful, not a single aspect that was not radiant.

Yan Shisheng’s mind went completely blank. He was so stunned by this vibrant, breathtaking beauty that he could not recover his wits, and he quite forgot to pay his respects.