Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

The azure-colored dress was spread across the floor. Liu Ruozhu squatted on the ground, picking up the fallen ash from the incense burner piece by piece, collecting it into her handkerchief.

When her personal maid came in, she didn't see the scene of a talented man and a beautiful woman standing together as a perfect match. Instead, she only saw her mistress squatting on the ground cleaning up charcoal ash.

Looking closely, that incense burner seemed to be the one Yan the Second had used previously.

The maid was bewildered: "Mistress, where is the Second Young Master? Didn't you look for an opportunity to speak with him?"

Liu Ruozhu replied: "He left."

The maid was stunned. She stamped her feet, hurried over, and urged her young mistress to get up, taking over the task of cleaning the ash herself. During this time, the maid carefully lifted her eyes and saw a look of loss surfacing on her mistress's face.

Liu Ruozhu’s long eyelashes were tangled together, her face a bit flushed, and upon closer inspection, there were even traces of having cried.

But she only pursed her lips and smiled at the maid who cared for her: "It turns out Grandfather was right. The Second Young Master has another young lady in his heart. Grandfather told me not to dwell on it. I refused to accept it... but today, on New Year's Eve, seeing the Second Young Master in such a rush to leave, I finally realized that he truly has someone else in his heart."

A month ago, Liu Ruozhu had urged her grandfather to ask whether he had mentioned the marriage to Yan Shang.

At that time, Minister Liu had stroked her hair and sighed: "It is Grandfather’s fault for involving you before asking clearly. But from what I can see, Su Chen already has someone in his heart, so do not get involved."

Back then, Liu Ruozhu did not believe it. However, being a well-bred young lady from a prestigious family, she couldn't bring herself to run out of the estate just to ask Yan Shang such a question. So, it was only until today, having seen it with her own eyes, that she could be certain.

The maid asked: "Then, Mistress, did you ask who the young lady is that the Second Young Master likes?"

Liu Ruozhu shook her head.

The maid became anxious: "Is the Mistress just going to give up like this? What if that young lady is not as good as you? Mistress, shouldn't you fight for it?"

Liu Ruozhu’s gaze was as gentle as a river, and she smiled with melancholy: "The young lady he likes must be very wonderful. Why should I invite humiliation upon myself?"

The maid was deeply confused; she really did not understand Liu Ruozhu’s thinking.

In the maid’s view, if one likes a person, and one’s own family has power and influence, even coercion would suffice. As the granddaughter of Minister Liu, how could the Second Young Master Yan be wronged by marrying into their family?

But Liu Ruozhu said: "Marrying into a Minister’s family is certainly good, but one cannot force others. Besides, he is my grandfather's junior disciple; how could I do such a thing and cause friction between him and my grandfather?"

The maid: "But a teacher is like a father. How can he not listen to his teacher’s words? That would be unfilial."

Liu Ruozhu’s voice was sweet and soft: "But why should I forcibly keep someone? I might keep the person, but I cannot keep their heart. Throughout history, in powerful families, how many have ended up in a life of emotional turmoil and mutual destruction for such reasons? Yan the Second and I are currently in the prime of our youth; why must we force each other to that point?"

"I do not wish to become a wicked woman who bullies others with influence."

The maid looked up at Liu Ruozhu.

She did not fully understand Liu Ruozhu’s thoughts. Such a young lady, with a temperament like bamboo and a calm, fragrant ease, raised personally by Minister Liu—how could the insight and demeanor of such a young lady be compared to that of ordinary girls? In the maid's eyes, that Second Young Master Yan was not even worthy of her mistress.

The maid said earnestly: "Mistress, your thinking is also correct. The area between your eyebrows is broad, the lines of your eyebrows are clear, curved, and long, your eyes are large and clear, your nose is full, and your earlobes are thick and large... according to the sayings of the old folks back home, you have the face of good fortune."

"You will live a life without worry for food or clothing, cherished by your parents; rich, noble, and safe; with both sons and daughters, and live to be a hundred. Those around you will also follow you, free from illness and disaster, enjoying your blessings. With such a good face, finding a marriage is an easy matter. Mistress, there is no need to be hung up on one Second Young Master Yan."

Liu Ruozhu had been melancholic about her own feelings, but after the maid's earnest analysis, her face instantly turned red, and she revealed a look of confusion and helplessness.

Liu Ruozhu was both shy and amused. She stamped her feet in place and said with a flushed face: "What nonsense are you talking about! How old am I, and you are already talking about 'both sons and daughters' and 'living to a hundred'. I... I’m ignoring you!"

Liu Ruozhu turned and ran out of the corridor. Outside, she paused, feeling something wet on her forehead. She reached out and spread her hand; a snowflake landed on her palm.

It turned out that in the evening, it had begun to snow softly.

A timely snow promises a good harvest.

Liu Ruozhu prayed with such joy, but couldn't help but let her thoughts wander: I wonder who the young lady is that Second Young Master Yan likes? What kind of girl could make someone like him love her so much?

Although she had decided to let go... she was still very curious.

Yan Shang left Minister Liu’s estate and went to find Wei Shu.

He wanted to see in the New Year with Mu Wanyao, but he also knew that Mu Wanyao was presiding over the grand ceremony in the palace; she would likely return very late tonight. And as a lone man and woman... he felt that if it were just the two of them, it might not be appropriate.

It was too full of suggestive meaning; perhaps Mu Wanyao would not like it.

He thought to himself that, after all, she was not very serious about relationships, and he feared that his unnecessary actions would frighten her into retreating again.

Thus, he thought of Wei Shu.

Although Wei Shu came from the Luoyang Wei family, he was spending the New Year in Chang'an this year, and since Wei Shu was not going to his elder brother’s estate, he must also be all alone. And Wei Shu was still so young.

Yan Shang thought of a fifteen-year-old boy alone, having just offended a bunch of people after becoming a Censor, and still having to spend the New Year by himself. He felt a sense of reluctance in his heart. Yan Shang planned to go check on him; if Wei Shu was truly alone, he would invite Wei Shu to go to the Princess’s estate together to see if they could stay there and wait for Mu Wanyao to return.

As the snow fell in the evening, the palace banquet officially began.

This was the first time Mu Wanyao had presided over such a grand feast. She had entered the palace early in the morning and had been tensely busy until now.

Seeing the court officials taking their seats one by one and the envoys from various countries being led in, the string pulled taut in Mu Wanyao’s heart began to loosen little by little.

When the imperial relatives arrived, it was the Crown Prince leading a group of his younger brothers and sisters.

The Crown Prince nodded at Mu Wanyao, encouraging her that she had done well.

Only upon seeing the Crown Prince’s smile did Mu Wanyao feel slightly relaxed. The Crown Princess held her two children in her hands, leading one of the Crown Prince’s favorite concubines, and stood behind the Crown Prince, also smiling at Mu Wanyao in a friendly manner.

After Mu Wanyao exchanged formal greetings with them, she felt as if someone was missing. She looked behind the Crown Prince and, sure enough, did not see Yang Si’s figure.

Mu Wanyao whispered in surprise: "Is Yang San sitting with the Yang family tonight?"

What a thing to say.

The Crown Princess was speechless for a moment on the side: The Sixth Princess felt as if Yang Si lived in the Eastern Palace; that Yang Si would sit with the Yang family had become a strange thing in the Sixth Princess’s eyes.

The Crown Prince coughed and said: "It doesn't matter who he sits with; he isn't here tonight."

The Crown Prince said: "He was supposed to be back, but he encountered a snowstorm on the way. According to his letter, he was trapped. I waited all day today, and now I am certain he cannot make it back to Chang'an. He will probably return in a few days."

Mu Wanyao nodded.

The Crown Prince looked behind him and sighed to himself: "Usually, I find him annoying and complain that he causes me trouble. Now that he is not here, I actually miss him a bit."

Mu Wanyao smiled: "However, I think Yang San must be very happy right now."

The Crown Prince could not help but laugh as well, saying: "Away from my jurisdiction, he is like a wild horse off its tether; naturally, he is happy now. Chang'an is prosperous, but he doesn't like it much here."

Mu Wanyao said: "Then Big Brother should also consider his opinions. Always keeping a wild horse tied to your side—the wild horse will naturally be obedient, but it will also be ruined, will it not?"

The Crown Prince looked at Mu Wanyao thoughtfully, unable to judge for a moment if her saying this was purely for the sake of Yang Si, or if she had other motives—such as wanting to reduce the Crown Prince's leverage in Chang'an... The Crown Prince only said: "It is evident that you and he still share a good relationship, caring for him so much."

Just as they were speaking, a cold scoff sounded from the side, cynical and snide: "The bond between you siblings is truly intimate."

The Crown Prince, Mu Wanyao, and the others all turned back to see the magnificently dressed Princess Luling walking over. Her skirt trailed behind her, and her maids carefully held the length of the Princess’s dress. Princess Luling turned her gaze toward this side, her makeup gold-traced and red-hooked, her features beautiful.

Although she was nearly forty years old, she was well-maintained and no worse than a girl in her twenties.

The Crown Prince led Mu Wanyao and the others to offer a salute: "Aunt, long time no see."

Princess Luling sneered: "Thanks to your kindness, it is naturally long time no see."

The Crown Prince stopped responding.

Princess Luling had disappeared from Chang'an for half a year; now, taking advantage of the grand ceremony to appear in public, it was evident she intended to use this opportunity to return to Chang'an.

Neither the Crown Prince nor Mu Wanyao intended to bicker with this aunt. After the previous events, Princess Luling had been severely damaged and was now merely putting on a bold front. If Princess Luling wanted to come back, then let her come back.

Just as they were talking, the Great Inner Eunuch had arrived, and his chanting voice rose after the sound of drums—

"His Majesty arrives—"

In an instant, all the Great Wei people chatting in the banquet hall, and the envoys of the small nations who had been muttering in foreign languages beside the Court of State Ceremonial officials, all looked toward the Imperial Way, the empty space between the two rows of seats.

They looked toward the crimson-yellow palanquin.

On the palanquin, the Emperor was dressed in the court robes rarely worn except for important sacrificial rituals. A gold-plated square-topped crown, a dark robe with a gold dragon pattern and overlapping collars, and crimson gauze knee-covers.

Over the formal dress, he wore a crane-pattern cloak, and outside the palanquin, the world was flying with snow.

Under the pitch-black sky, two rows of eunuchs carried lanterns in front, with the Imperial Guards following with swords at their sides. Everyone’s gaze looked up at the middle-aged man sitting on the palanquin.

That was the Emperor of the Great Wei.

The sovereign of the Great Wei, whom the surrounding small nations called "Sovereign Father."

The surroundings fell into silence; the densely packed crowd knelt in a single sweep, their voices covering the universe—

"Respectfully welcome Your Majesty—"

The palanquin stopped, and black boots stepped onto the carpet. The Emperor stepped out, his eyes cold and indifferent, looking at all the court officials, concubines of the inner palace, the children of the outer palace, and the foreign envoys.

Before everyone, he was the sole sovereign.

The Emperor said indifferently: "All officials, rise."

The gate of the Danyang Princess’s estate was knocked open, and the manager led Yan Shang and Wei Shu inside.

The maids of the inner residence hurried out to greet them. Seeing the two arrive, they were momentarily dazzled.

Yan Shang was elegant; Wei Shu was refined.

The two came from the snow, walking one after the other along the long corridor of the Princess’s estate. The proud posture of the youths stirred yearning in people’s hearts. Looking at their profiles, their eyes were dark and clear.

Yan Shang’s eyes held a smile, and Wei Shu was as solemn as snow; both caused the maids to blush slightly, their hearts pounding.

Qiushu, one of the Princess’s personal maids, walked up, performed a salute, and said: "Sister Xiarong has entered the palace with Her Highness. I am responsible for the matters of the Princess’s estate tonight. My Princess is not here tonight; I don't know why the two gentlemen have come?"

Yan Shang performed a gentle salute and said: "...I and Juyuan came here, perhaps being a bit presumptuous. However, both of us have received grace from Her Highness, and tonight, with us having nothing to do, we wanted to come to the estate to pay a visit to Her Highness."

Qiushu was startled: "But my Princess is not here!"

Yan Shang lowered his eyes: "So... we shall wait."

Without waiting for Qiushu to continue her refusal, he said: "On the way here, I saw that nothing had been prepared in the Princess’s estate; it was quite desolate. Even if Her Highness is in the palace, you all must see in the New Year in the estate. Why not decorate it a little? Perhaps when Her Highness returns and sees a brand-new estate with a festive New Year atmosphere, she will be very happy."

Qiushu was bewildered, thinking that their estate had never needed any decorations during the New Year.

Previously, before the Princess’s political marriage, the Princess’s estate was built in a hurry to allow the Princess to be married off. Afterward, the Princess had only lived here for a few months before marrying into Wuman; and when the Princess returned here again, although she had spent two New Year’s here, the Princess had to enter the palace on New Year’s Eve, so the estate had never been decorated.

Qiushu stammered: "We never decorate... Her Highness likes quiet."

Yan Shang was speechless.

After a long while, he said: "Look at Her Highness’s usual preferences... do they look like someone who likes quiet?"

These words left everyone speechless.

Mu Wanyao usually wore crimson long dresses, her makeup was complex and exquisite, and she was either wearing gold or silver... She was like a glorious, brilliant palace; indeed, one could not see any hobbies for loneliness.

The people in the Princess’s estate were bewildered, but because of the tacit relationship between Yan Shang and their Princess over the past few months, coupled with Yan the Second’s extreme eloquence, they were easily persuaded by him to decorate the estate and wait for the Princess to return.

If the Princess returned and was angry... wouldn't Yan the Second be the one taking the blame?

Wei Shu watched Yan Shang interacting with the maids; he did not speak.

With Brother Yan the Second here, Wei Shu naturally did not speak. He merely observed the familiarity between Brother Yan the Second and the maids of the Princess’s estate. Wei Shu’s gaze flickered, as if he realized something—

At the palace banquet, the envoys of various countries offered congratulations and well-wishes, presenting treasures sent by their respective nations.

With the Court of State Ceremonial present, the congratulatory messages of the small nations that did not know the etiquette were written with extreme reverence, full of adoration for the Great Kingdom. It was nothing more than "Heavenly Dynasty" or "We, the barbarians"—words that the Great Wei people understood, but the envoys of the small nations did not understand what they themselves were saying.

In any case, after the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial finished reading their messages aloud, the Emperor on the high seat ordered rewards to be given.

And the treasures bestowed by the Great Wei Emperor were several times more valuable than what the small nations had offered.

Great Wei wanted the reputation; the small nations wanted the profit. Thus, both sides were happy.

By the time the last small nation finished offering its congratulations and the dancers in the palace took the stage to perform songs and dances, Mu Wanyao, who had been watching all the procedures from the side, finally let out a sigh of relief and had time to sit back in her assigned seat.

Up to this point, her mission was basically complete. The subsequent technical performances and exchanges between the small nations and Great Wei were always much easier than the previous prostrations.

The officials and the imperial concubines began to dine and watch the dancing.

A eunuch whispered a few words into Mu Wanyao’s ear. Mu Wanyao tilted her head and saw Princess Luling, taking advantage of everyone watching the singing and dancing, leading her people toward the Emperor. Knowing what this aunt intended to do, Mu Wanyao just curled her lips and whispered: "Ignore her."

The eunuch retreated.

And where the Emperor sat, Princess Luling paid her respects to her older brother with extreme grievances. She looked at the Emperor carefully; seeing his cheeks were thin and his expression cold, but tonight he looked... physically okay?

After Princess Luling paid her respects, seeing that the Emperor only looked at her indifferently, she panicked. Princess Luling hurriedly had someone present the one-person-tall red coral tree she had worked so hard to collect.

This red coral tree was carved into the likeness of a singing girl with flowing sleeves. The red cloth covering it was pulled away; once it was unveiled, it attracted everyone’s attention.

The Emperor also looked at it and said: "Such a tall red coral... it must not have been easy to get, right?"

Princess Luling’s nose turned sour, and she fell onto the Emperor’s knees, starting to tell him about her difficulties, saying she wanted to prepare a birthday gift for the Emperor but had no one to use, and how hard it had been for her over the past six months.

She looked up, lying on the Emperor’s knees, and pleaded: "Imperial Brother, it was Jiaojiao who did wrong before; Jiaojiao already knows she was wrong. Please cherish Jiaojiao one more time. I don't even dare to go out now; no one has invited me to any banquets in Chang'an for half a year... I am a dignified Princess; how is it like being in prison?"

The Emperor looked down at her.

A moment later, he sighed and said: "Alright, get up. It hasn't been easy for you either. In the future, do not go around scraping up good-looking men indiscriminately; those young men have dignity—who would willingly be beaten and scolded by you all day? This time when you fell, who knows how many of your former male favorites have worked against you behind your back. You, you are already so old, and yet you don't let me worry less. Just like this, if I were gone, who would take care of you?"

The previous words were nothing, but upon hearing him say this, Princess Luling’s eyes turned red, and tears instantly filled them.

It was actually a feeling of shame and betrayal.

She had secretly exchanged conditions with the Crown Prince behind the Emperor’s back and had been grounded for half a year, but once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she could at least be guaranteed peace. Imperial Brother did not know about these things; Imperial Brother was still worried for her...

Princess Luling choked with sobs: "Little sister hopes for Brother to live for a hundred years."

The Emperor said: "That is unnecessary. If I truly lived for a hundred years and became a withered old man, when I reached the underworld, Ah Nuan wouldn't even recognize me."

"Ah Nuan, don't you think?"

The Emperor looked at the empty space beside him.

On the other side, the Great Inner Eunuch Cheng An had long been accustomed to the Emperor’s hysteria and stood there with his sleeves folded.

Princess Luling saw the Emperor’s state during his illness for the first time; she looked in horror at the empty space beside the Emperor, unable to imagine that the passing of the Empress could strike the Imperial Brother so hard.

Just then, the singing and dancing below stopped. The singers and dancers retreated, but an envoy from a small nation came out from the banquet, stood in the center, and imitating the etiquette of the Great Wei, bowed to the Emperor on high.

Mu Wanyao, sitting in the banquet, was holding silver chopsticks; the meatball she was about to pick up slipped between the chopsticks. She looked up at the man walking to the center.

That person looked toward her.

It was Meng Zaishi.

Meng Zaishi used not-very-proficient Great Wei language and said loudly to the Emperor on high: "Sovereign Father, I am the new Wuman King. Wuman and Great Wei have a treaty; Great Wei married a daughter of the Emperor to Wuman, and Wuman ceased its war with the frontier army, both sides agreeing to peace for a hundred years."

"I stand here today representing that even if Wuman has a new King, this agreement, Wuman is still willing to abide by, honoring Your Majesty as 'Sovereign Father'."

"But there is a clause in the contract: a Great Wei Princess must be the Queen of Wuman; only then is it a true alliance."

"And my Wuman has always had a tradition: upon succeeding as the Wuman King, one unconditionally inherits all the heritage left by the previous King, including the wife."

"Therefore, I request Sovereign Father to marry the Danyang Princess to me once again. I ask Danyang Princess to return with me to Wuman and forge a hundred-year bond between our two sides!"

The moment his words fell, the main hall, which had still been murmuring, became deathly silent.

The Crown Prince stiffened, unable to help but look up at his Imperial Father.

A string of jade beads hung before the Emperor’s crown, blocking all prying gazes from below, but the Emperor was observing them from above.

Seeing Wuman King Meng Zaishi’s tall and upright posture and his straightforward speech—this request had likely been considered by Wuman for quite some time.

The ministers whispered to each other; the ministers who had been close to the Danyang Princess over the past year were unable to sit still, their eyes filled with worry.

On the side of the imperial family, Princess Luling was indifferent, her attitude like one watching a show; the Prince of Jin lowered his head and expressed no opinion on this; the Prince of Qin showed a somewhat excited expression; the Crown Prince’s eyes flickered, slightly hesitant.

The Emperor looked at Mu Wanyao again.

Mu Wanyao’s gaze was icy, staring at Meng Zaishi.

She looked ready to flip the table and eat Meng Zaishi.

The Emperor curled his lips, feeling that this was interesting—

The snow of the world lay on the ground, as cool and refreshing as silver moonlight.

In the Princess’s estate, maids went in and out, beginning to prepare the pastries and sacrificial items that should be prepared for the New Year.

The guards were busy in the front, and together with Yan and Wei, they hung red lanterns on the estate. For things the Princess’s estate didn't have, Yan Shang made a special trip back to his own estate next door to bring things over. All of them were items prepared for the New Year in Lingnan, sent from afar by his family, and now they had all arrived at the Princess’s estate.

The two estates merged into one tonight, and the servants from Yan Shang’s side came and went, helping decorate the Princess’s estate.

For a time, the Princess’s estate truly took on a brand-new look, having the air of celebrating the New Year.

Yan Shang and Wei Shu led people again to hang lanterns in the alley. According to his words, the moment the Princess returned to the alley, there should be lanterns lighting the way. From the entrance of the alley, everything should have become different.

Standing in the alley, Wei Shu held a lantern, watching Yan Shang climb a ladder to mark lines on the wall to ensure the distance between each lantern was the same.

Yan Shang stood on the ladder and asked Wei Shu below: "You see more clearly from below; is this position accurate?"

Wei Shu suddenly said: "Do you like the Princess?"

Yan Shang stiffened; he suddenly turned and looked down at Wei Shu below. With such a large movement, the bamboo ladder became unstable; his sleeves flew up, and he fell from the ladder.

Wei Shu’s eyes shrank; when he heard the thump, both the person and the ladder fell together, landing on the snowy ground.

The snow on the trees was also shaken off, drifting down from the branches, sprinkling into the alley like rain.

Wei Shu hurriedly placed the lantern on the ground and went to dig out the person buried in the snow, both bewildered and panicked: "Brother Yan the Second? Are you okay?"

Yan Shang’s voice was muffled under the snow, gentle: "I'm okay."

A slender hand supporting the ladder emerged from beneath the snow; Yan Shang sat on the ground, shaking the snow off his face and shoulders.

Wei Shu saw he was fine and breathed a sigh of relief. The boy squatted to the side, looking at Yan the Second’s disheveled state, and said slowly: "...Are you panicked because you feel sorry for me?"

The entrance of the alley was quiet; the lanterns swayed in the snow, a sea of crimson. Sitting on the ground, Yan Shang looked up, meeting Wei Shu’s pitch-black eyes—

At the palace banquet, Meng Zaishi’s words stirred up a thousand waves.

The Crown Prince held a wine goblet, secretly observing.

Among the ministers, one stood out, bowed his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, our Great Wei absolutely has no precedent of a princess being married off in a political marriage twice! A barbaric land—what 'new king inherits everything from the previous king'? It is truly ridiculous, the greatest joke in the world! If the Danyang Princess is sent to marry again, and to a new Wuman King, this would be a true disgrace for our Great Wei!"

The Crown Prince looked over and saw that this minister, who was the first to speak for the Danyang Princess, was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue had once been Mu Wanyao’s aide and had come from the Danyang Princess’s estate. Of course, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was now loyal to the Crown Prince, but before the Crown Prince, he was also Mu Wanyao’s man.

As the Princess’s former aide, it was only natural for the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to be the first to speak for Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao raised her eyes, looking at the middle-aged official who had stepped out among the ministers.

With the first, the next minister stepping out became much easier: "Your Majesty, we must not agree to Wuman’s request for a political marriage. Even if we were to have another, it should not be the Danyang Princess. A princess should not be married to Wuman twice!"

But the next minister to step out scoffed: "Your way of speaking is the truly ridiculous one. The alliance treaty established between Great Wei and Wuman was indeed the Danyang Princess being married off. Since Wuman has Wuman’s traditions, we should respect them. You are being pedantic; you are unwilling to let a woman remarry! A princess has the right to remarry!"

The Crown Prince looked over, knowing that this speaker was on the Prince of Qin’s side.

The Prince of Qin naturally hoped for Mu Wanyao to leave, cutting off the Crown Prince’s arm.

Another military official stood up and said loudly: "The Princess should not be married off! The Danyang Princess’s mission has already been completed; the treaty of marriage to Wuman referred to the former Wuman King; there is absolutely no reason for her to be remarried."

Yet another official opposed: "The fact that the contract between Wuman and our Great Wei could be fulfilled to this point is because we have kept our word. The Wuman King has already put forward the request; for the sake of the country, the Danyang Princess should be married off!"

The two sides quarreled inextricably.

The Emperor above observed, thinking that it seemed Mu Wanyao’s status in the court was not what it used to be.

There were actually so many ministers standing on Mu Wanyao’s side.

It was evident that Mu Wanyao’s jumping around this past year had truly produced results.

Seeing the disagreement and that the two sides were evenly split, the Crown Prince knew he could join the fray. He gave a glance to the side, and a eunuch quietly left the banquet to go among the envoys.

Just as the Crown Princess sat beside the Crown Prince, trembling, she saw, among the seats of the small nation envoys, another small nation envoy stand out and laugh loudly:

"Since Wuman requests to marry the Danyang Princess! Although our country is small, we also admire the Princess’s youth and beauty; we request Your Majesty to grant the marriage!"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes—

On the snowy ground outside the Princess’s estate, Yan Shang looked at Wei Shu and said slowly: "Yes, I like her, I adore her."

"Juyuan... I am sorry to you, but I want to marry her."

Wei Shu was stunned, not expecting someone as restrained as Yan Shang to say such words to him.

Wei Shu whispered: "Marrying her is very difficult."

Yan Shang’s eyelashes veiled his eyes: "I do not fear those difficulties. What I fear is only that she is not willing to marry me."

At the palace banquet, each held their own argument.

The ministers were divided into two factions, with those in the middle, like Minister Liu, expressing no opinion.

Wuman King Meng Zaishi once again emphasized that he wanted to marry Mu Wanyao.

Three or four more small nation envoys joined the ranks, requesting the Danyang Princess for their own sovereigns.

For a time, all eight directions were fighting; it was extremely lively.

Bang— Amidst the argument, a glazed cup fell, not landing on the carpet, but rolling on the blue bricks.

The sound was crisp; everyone looked at the Danyang Princess, Mu Wanyao, who had knocked the cup over and stood up.

Mu Wanyao looked at all of them and smiled slightly: "Wanting to marry me is also easy. What you all say has its points; I am only a princess who has been married off once; what is difficult about marrying again? It depends on your abilities, that is all."

"Just come and pursue me. Whoever I like, I will marry."

Her gaze was cold yet smiling, piercing through the crowd toward Meng Zaishi: "If you want to marry me, come and pursue me, come and win my heart. Does the Wuman King dare to come?"