Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Yan Shang didn't know how long he had been unconscious, but he was jolted awake by Mu Wanyao, who relentlessly kept force-feeding him sobering soup.

He lay in a haze on the bed in his own sleeping quarters. Mu Wanyao sat at the bedside, cradling him and helping him sit up. He still felt as though his head were splitting apart, his eyes closed, brows furrowed. When he finally managed to pry his eyes open, he only saw the bed curtains still hanging low and the sky outside still shrouded in darkness.

Yan Shang held his head in his hands.

Mu Wanyao: "Does your head hurt badly? Drink a little more of this soup; you should feel better."

Yan Shang didn't speak, letting her press the bowl to his lips and force him to drink. As the curtains hung around them, Mu Wanyao gazed down at him. With his hair loose and wearing only his undergarments, leaning against her shoulder, his usually jade-white face looked haggard and pale. His eyelids and cheeks were still flushed a burning red, as if scorched by fire.

His mind remained clouded, his brows constantly knit as if his head were in a perpetual throb.

Yet, because he had such a gentle nature, no matter how uncomfortable he was, he wouldn't show it or lash out at others, only suffering in silence.

The sight of the beautiful youth suffering like this, with a vulnerability that exuded a sense of self-pity not seen in him before, held a fleeting, extreme, and exquisite beauty.

Mu Wanyao hadn't the heart to wake him halfway, remembering that the last time he was drunk, he hadn't stirred until noon. But Mu Wanyao had to be hard-hearted; she had to ignore his weakness and rouse him.

After finishing another bowl of soup, Yan Shang seemed a bit more conscious, though he felt so nauseated he could barely keep it down. He also felt wretched in his current state; the way Mu Wanyao looked down, observing him, made him feel profoundly uncomfortable. But he had no energy left to worry about that.

Enduring the urge to retch caused by the soup, Yan Shang let his long hair brush against Mu Wanyao’s neck, his voice slurred: "Is it... not yet dawn?"

Mu Wanyao replied ruthlessly: "No, it is not dawn, but you must get up. Go wash, eat something light, and you must leave. Today is the New Year’s Court Assembly; not just the central officials, but the capital officials and all local officials must attend.

"This is your first year as an official; naturally, you cannot make any mistakes today. I have already had your servants prepare your official robes. Today is one of the rare days in a year that you must wear them. You cannot afford even the slightest error.

"No matter how much your head aches, you must endure it."

Yan Shang kept his eyes closed, resting for a moment before saying: "I understand."

He braced his elbows against the bed frame and pushed himself up. The lingering effects of the alcohol made his hands tremble, and he swayed. Mu Wanyao quickly steadied him. Yan Shang gave her a grateful smile, then called for his servant, Yun Shu, to prepare for him to wash.

Mu Wanyao watched his lean, thin silhouette, watching as he kept rubbing his forehead with his hand, the redness around his eyes refusing to fade... Mu Wanyao’s heart softened again, and she hesitated: "Why don't you just stay behind and call in sick?"

Yan Shang said: "In my first year as an official, how could I make a mistake on such a major occasion? Do not worry, Your Highness, I am fine. I will be better in a moment."

Mu Wanyao secretly regretted: "I shouldn't have let you do as you pleased last night."

Yan Shang had already opened the door. The faint morning light spilled in from outside. He stood there, stunned for a moment, then turned to look at his lady, who remained inside, bowing her head in regret.

Yan Shang said: "If anyone is to be blamed, it is that I could not resist temptation; how could I blame Your Highness?"

Mu Wanyao was helpless. Since she had already gotten him up, and given Yan Shang’s nearly terrifying standards for himself, he would certainly brace himself to go to the assembly and ensure he did not make a single mistake. As Yan Shang went out to wash, Mu Wanyao stood in the room for a while. For once, she couldn't worry about her own affairs, only praying that the New Year’s Court Assembly would not last too long today.

At the same time, she was secretly astonished, thinking that Yan Shang’s constitution—where one drop of alcohol rendered him completely drunk—was simply too extreme.

Was he born this way?

While Mu Wanyao was pondering this, the door was knocked, and a maid came to report. After the maid spoke a few words, Mu Wanyao’s expression turned surprised and thoughtful. She said: "I will go out and take a look." —

Mu Wanyao descended the steps and ran into a young lady from the Liu family, who had just stepped down from a carriage at the gate, wearing a muli (veiled hat).

As the maid helped Liu Ruozhu down, Ruozhu was looking up at the gate of Yan Erlang’s residence, only to see the Princess of Danyang emerging from within.

Liu Ruozhu was startled and quickly curtsied in greeting. The snow-white veil draped all the way to her feet, entwined with the plain-colored hem of her skirt. As Ruozhu bowed, the morning breeze blew a corner of the veil, revealing her refined and elegant face—she was the very image of the finest young lady one might find in an ancient painting.

Mu Wanyao stared at Liu Ruozhu, knowing she was the granddaughter of Yan Shang’s teacher, and thus someone she couldn't afford to offend. But she was exceptionally sensitive to any woman coming to find Yan Shang, so she asked: "Is Lady Liu here to find Yan Shang? Did Minister Liu send you?"

Liu Ruozhu was surprised that the Princess of Danyang was coming out of Yan Erlang’s home; a vague, fleeting thought made her heart skip a beat, though she dared not dwell on it.

Liu Ruozhu answered obediently: "Because Yan Er-ge bid a hurried farewell last night, saying he had others to see. He was in such a rush that I was worried, so I came early today to check on him. Also... also... now that the 'Fire City' is煌煌 (bright and magnificent), and the Prime Minister is traveling, the whole city is illuminated. I thought Yan Er-ge might not have seen it, and fearing he would miss such a rare sight, I wanted to invite him to go see it together."

Every New Year in Great Wei, before the morning bell, all the ward gates of Chang'an were opened early. The Prime Minister, the Three Ministers, and the Metropolitan Commandant, surrounded by court officials with torches, would travel the entire city to drive away illness for the commoners.

The light of the fires illuminated the city, shining for ten thousand miles. The Prime Minister, who usually worked deep within the palace, rarely appeared before the common people. This was the only day of the year the average citizen had a chance to catch a glimpse of the "head of all officials."

This was what Liu Ruozhu called the "Fire City."

Hearing this, Mu Wanyao remembered the tradition. With Minister Liu as his teacher, Yan Shang might well be able to follow behind him and witness the Prime Minister’s majesty and the glory of the "Fire City" firsthand.

But Mu Wanyao only felt a flicker of interest before thinking of Yan Shang’s current state... She refused: "He is ill and feeling unwell; I fear he cannot accompany you to see any 'Fire City'."

Liu Ruozhu immediately asked with concern what kind of illness he had. Mu Wanyao brushed it off, saying only that he would not miss the court assembly.

Mu Wanyao remained cold throughout, speaking in clipped, short sentences. Her face was icy, betraying a hint of impatience, as if she were ready to snap at any moment—only holding back because she didn't want Yan Shang to offend his teacher.

Fortunately, Liu Ruozhu was gentle. Seeing the Princess’s poor expression and being reassured that Yan Shang would not miss the assembly, she didn't ask further.

Just then, the servant Yun Shu came out of the residence and whispered behind the Princess: "Your Highness, Er-lang heard someone was visiting and asked who it was."

Mu Wanyao: "..."

She stood at the gate, unwilling to let Liu Ruozhu inside.

Regarding Zhao Wuniang and Zhao Lingfei, Mu Wanyao hadn't actually been very worried.

Zhao Lingfei was vivacious and unrestrained, while Yan Shang was exceptionally introverted and low-key. Lingfei simply didn't fit Yan Shang’s aesthetic for women. With Lingfei constantly pestering him, Yan Shang would likely be anything but happy, wishing only to avoid her at all costs.

But Liu Ruozhu was different.

Mu Wanyao felt a vague sense that, based on Yan Shang’s own tastes, Liu Ruozhu’s temperament and cultivation would likely be highly compatible with his, and he would appreciate her. Yan Shang loved those with similar interests; she wasn't one of them, but Liu Ruozhu was.

With such a dangerous young lady standing at her gate, Mu Wanyao truly couldn't force a pleasant expression.

Liu Ruozhu, reading the situation and seeing the Princess’s displeased expression—having failed to receive an "invitation inside" after a long time—smiled and said: "I have already delivered my message. Knowing that Yan Er-ge is doing well after his hurried departure yesterday, I am relieved. Please, Your Highness, just tell him I came by. I am off to see the 'Fire City', so I shall not disturb you further."

Mu Wanyao looked at her and said: "Minister Liu has had a hard time teaching Yan Shang. Since Lady Liu is here, it is better to handle it all at once. Xiarong, prepare a generous gift for the teacher and let Lady Liu take it back to Minister Liu."

Mu Wanyao nodded to the surprised Liu Ruozhu, her eyes and brows softening with a faint smile: "Lady Liu, you may not know, but Yan Shang is newly appointed as an official and is currently renting the place next to my estate. He is quite impoverished right now; the gift he prepared for Minister Liu surely isn't enough to express his feelings. Naturally, I must help him handle this gift properly.

"Lady Liu is kindhearted, so please don't tell your grandfather the truth. Just say it was a gift from Yan Shang."

Liu Ruozhu nodded hesitantly, watching Mu Wanyao’s relaxed expression, and couldn't help asking: "Your Highness... why would you help Yan Er-ge send a gift to his teacher?"

Mu Wanyao turned her shoulder, already intending to return inside. Her eyes flowed like water as she looked at the young lady on the steps.

Her gaze was mesmerizing, enough to stun even Liu Ruozhu with her beauty.

The Princess of Danyang said, with feigned nonchalance: "You can find any reason to convince yourself."

Leaving Liu Ruozhu standing in the alley, Mu Wanyao returned to her estate. Watching Xiarong lead the maids out with the gifts, a burst of excitement fluttered in her chest; she patted her cheeks to encourage herself.

Although she had initially felt overshadowed by Liu Ruozhu’s poise, she had carried herself with nobility and grace, both casual and sincere. Her aura had firmly dominated the other girl... She was very satisfied with her performance.

She had not lost this round!

She was not unworthy of Yan Shang! —

Yan Shang missed the "Fire City" ritual before dawn, but fortunately, he did not make any mistakes during the court assembly.

For the first time all year, Yan Shang saw all the officials of Great Wei wearing their formal robes and attending court together. Standing outside the Hanyuan Hall, among the ranks of the Secretariat, bitten by the cold winter wind, Yan Shang endured his headache while watching the various colors of the robes out of the corner of his eye.

Aside from a few officials like his teacher, who wore purple robes with gold and jade belts, the other officials were arranged neatly in red, green, and cyan according to their ranks, kneeling and bowing to the Emperor above, following the lead of the Prime Minister.

After the great ceremony last night, today was the New Year’s Court Assembly to continue the celebrations. Foreign envoys also participated.

However, the envoys were all outside the Hanyuan Hall, stretching their necks alongside local officials to pay respects to the Son of Heaven. Only those officials of the fifth rank and above, who attended court daily, stood within the Hanyuan Hall. The Emperor on the throne looked weary; clearly, the previous night’s grand ceremony had drained his energy, and he lacked the spirit for today’s assembly.

Afterward, Minister Liu, as the head of all officials, read the celebratory memorial and led the officials in bowing to the Emperor.

As Yan Shang struggled with his headache, he felt the world go silent, hearing only his teacher’s grand, resonant voice emanating from within the Hanyuan Hall. He followed the other officials, guided by the master of ceremonies, kneeling, bowing, and pacing.

Banners fluttered, their robes rustling and creasing against their bodies.

Yan Shang looked toward the Hanyuan Hall, barely managing to focus his mind on his teacher’s voice.

Other officials of the same rank, who could not enter the Hanyuan Hall, looked up with envy, thinking that if they could enter the Hanyuan Hall to attend court even once in their lives, they would have no regrets. Yan Shang, meanwhile, listened to the content of his teacher’s words. Beyond the perfunctory congratulatory remarks, the speech cited the wisdom of the sages to advise the civil and military officials.

"Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, and rebellious ministers and traitors trembled."

The way of the sovereign and the subject, the way of the people’s livelihood.

It was all written in the thousand-character memorial.

Yet, observing the expressions of the officials around him, Yan Shang sighed inwardly, thinking, How many of them have truly listened to the content of this memorial?

...This memorial had been written by Yan Shang himself.

But this was internal to the Secretariat and not something to be boasted about abroad —

After participating for half a day and enjoying the song and dance, Yan Shang originally intended to ask what had happened during the ceremony the night before once the assembly ended. But he couldn't hold on any longer, fearing he would make a spectacle of himself, and hurried away after the court dispersed, only managing to apologize briefly to Minister Liu in his haste.

Having not eaten for a day, upon returning to the estate, Yan Shang threw up, expelling only sour bile.

But he felt better after vomiting.

Forcing himself to wash up, he sprawled out on the couch, gasping for breath and closing his eyes, hoping to rest for a while. In his haze, feeling a bit better, he drifted into a fitful sleep.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt a cool hand rest on his forehead.

He opened his eyes and saw Mu Wanyao leaning over him. She had one hand on his forehead and was leaning to the side, consulting with a physician about his condition.

As soon as he opened his eyes, she noticed. Turning back to look at him, the worry in her eyes faded, replaced by a touch of pleasant surprise: "You’re awake? Yun Shu said you vomited the moment you got back and haven't eaten all day. Do you feel any better?"

Yan Shang blushed with shame, apologizing to Mu Wanyao and insisting he was fine and recovered. Mu Wanyao didn't believe him, forcing the physician to take his pulse. Only when the physician hesitantly said, "The young master was likely just intoxicated earlier," did she reluctantly let him leave.

Then, she had the servants bring porridge. Watching Yan Shang eat, seeing the color return to his pale, sickly face, she finally relaxed.

Yan Shang set down the bowl and looked apologetically at Mu Wanyao. He gently placed his hand on her sleeve: "It is my fault for making Your Highness worry."

Mu Wanyao remained angry: "If I had known you would end up like this, I would rather have asked for a leave of absence for you than let you attend some assembly. What is so important about it? Once you are a fifth-rank official, you will have to attend court every day; it is not even worth noting."

Yan Shang said gently: "I am grateful that Your Highness woke me up. At the New Year’s Court Assembly, I even made a few more friends at the banquet; it was not a wasted trip. I fear I only caught a chill from the wind today, which made me feel unwell, but I am better now."

Seeing him like this, Mu Wanyao kept a cold face: "Regardless, counting yesterday and today, officials get seven days off. I want you to stay in the estate and properly recover for the next five days. If you dare to go walking around, I will... I will..."

Because such a scene had occurred over a little bit of wine, Yan Shang was both happy for Mu Wanyao’s concern and deeply embarrassed, feeling it was childish and ridiculous to take leave for such a thing.

Yan Shang negotiated with her: "I will recover in three days; I still have to pay New Year’s visits to other officials, no? There are banquets among friends, and I can at most claim to be unwell and leave early... but I cannot keep refusing to go. Your Highness, please do not be angry."

Mu Wanyao widened her eyes: "You are trying to negotiate with me? No, listen to me!"

She grew forceful, lifting her chin as if ready to argue. Yan Shang watched her with his dark eyes for a long time, then sighed and conceded: "Then let me write some letters to explain the situation to others; that will suffice, right?"

Mu Wanyao smiled and nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Mu Wanyao forced Yan Shang back to bed to sleep. Driven back to bed, Yan Shang found he couldn't sleep. Opening his eyes, he saw her lying at the bedside; as soon as she saw him open his eyes, she glared at him, looking like she’d "caught him in the act."

Mu Wanyao said sternly: "I told you to rest; why aren't you sleeping?"

Yan Shang lowered his eyes and whispered: "With Your Highness here, how can I sleep?"

Mu Wanyao paused, then blushed and burst into laughter. She said beamingly: "Then I will stay and keep you company."

She reached out and took his finger. As she bowed her head to play with his fingers, Mu Wanyao hooked her pinky against his, over and over again. Yan Shang felt his face flush and his breath catch from her teasing. He coughed, but Mu Wanyao grabbed his hand to prevent him from moving it.

She asked with her head bowed: "It is very strange; usually, even if a person drinks for the first time, they wouldn't be like you. Why is your tolerance so terrible?"

Yan Shang hesitated for a moment.

Mu Wanyao looked up at him, eyebrow raised: "What, can't tell me?"

Yan Shang sighed and shook his head: "It is nothing. It is all just trivial matters; since Your Highness wishes to know, then you shall."

Leaning against the bed frame, he lowered his eyes, his lashes trembling like feathers, and spoke of the past: "It was when I was a child, about seven or eight years old, when my mother began to fall ill. My father was busy taking care of her, traveling everywhere to seek medical help for her condition. My eldest brother was interested only in dancing with knives and guns, and my third brother was heartless. At that time, my little sister was only three or four years old. In order to help share the burden for my father, I was the one who looked after her.

"Perhaps I didn't know how to look after others back then, and I was so afraid that my little sister would be poorly cared for that I constantly forbade her from doing this or touching that. One time, Xiaozhou was very unhappy, and while we were playing, she accidentally pushed me into a vat of wine.

"Every household brewed wine there, and the vats were more than half the height of an adult. I don't know how I fell in, but the wine went straight over my head, and I couldn't struggle out."

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened instantly, and she gripped his wrist tightly. He lifted his gaze to give her a reassuring smile and continued his recollection:

"Later, my eldest brother saved me. According to what he said afterward, Xiaozhou had cried until she fainted. I was ill for a month after that. Afraid that Xiaozhou would be scolded by my parents, I made a pact with her not to tell anyone, saying only that I had fallen in by accident."

Mu Wanyao said: "Your sister seems so obedient now, but she was so excessive when she was young; she was too bad!"

Yan Shang laughed: "It was actually a good thing. Since then, my little sister has been exceptionally obedient to me, saving me a lot of trouble in caring for her.

"It is a pity, however, that even though my father led us children in seeking medical care for my mother, she passed away early. And as for me... ever since I nearly drowned in the wine, I could never touch alcohol again. It is likely a physical repulsion, and there is nothing I can do."

Mu Wanyao immediately took his hand and shook it, both annoyed and guilty, and promised him: "I will never drink again in the future."

Yan Shang smiled: "...An occasional small drink is fine. I..."

He hesitated: "Being unable to touch even a drop is, after all, not a good thing. I should still strive to overcome it... I should be able to overcome it."

Mu Wanyao was awestruck by his self-imposed requirements, which were akin to torture, but since he could not change them, she said no more. Only, when he mentioned his little sister, Mu Wanyao remembered something and said: "But when I was in Lingnan, your sister sent me wine, saying it was brewed by your family. Since you can't drink, does your sister still brew wine?"

Yan Shang sighed: "How could I let Xiaozhou be left with a lifelong shadow just because I cannot touch it? Naturally, I coaxed and tricked her into forgetting the events of our childhood, making her think that my inability to touch alcohol was something that developed later. Besides, it is only I who cannot touch it; how could I forbid everyone else in the house from doing so?"

Mu Wanyao looked up. In the candlelight, her gaze was glistening as she looked at him with infatuation.

Yan Shang’s face flushed under her burning gaze. After a moment of self-reflection, he asked: "...Did I say something wrong?"

Mu Wanyao took his hand and murmured with her head tilted: "I really want to be your little sister."

Yan Shang couldn't help but laugh.

He scolded teasingly: "Talking nonsense again."

Mu Wanyao took his hand and placed it against her own chest, letting him feel her heartbeat and her sincerity: "It’s true, it would be wonderful to be your little sister. I am so jealous of how you cherish Yan Xiaozhou."

Yan Shang pulled his hand away instantly, tucked her collar in, and moved his hand away. His movements were extremely flustered, which made Mu Wanyao look at him in confusion. She saw him shift a few steps toward the inside of the bed, his cheeks redder than before.

Mu Wanyao stared blankly at him. He looked up at her and said after a long while: "You... you just now... your hand, your chest touched my hand."

Mu Wanyao: "..."

She looked down at her own exposed, soft jade-like skin and partially covered shoulders, then back at Yan Shang’s shifty, evasive eyes. Mu Wanyao remained silent for a long while.

Finally, she scoffed: "You really don't have a bone in your body that knows how to enjoy things."

Then, rolling her eyes, she smiled: "Should your 'sister' help you get a taste of the world?"

Yan Shang: "Do not talk nonsense. Who is my sister?"

Mu Wanyao widened her charming eyes and said: "You really are someone who turns around and denies everything. Who called me 'Yaoyao-jiejie' before? Now that you're off the bed, you're denying it?"

Yan Shang flushed crimson: "...Do not talk nonsense, we were not on the bed."

Mu Wanyao said nothing, kicked off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed. Without even lowering the curtains, she leaned over and pressed him underneath her. She kneaded his neck, kissed softly behind his ear, and whispered things like letting him touch her.

He simply refused, so Mu Wanyao bit her lip and laughed: "If you don't even dare to touch me, how will you ever dare to help me paint 'peonies' on my chest in the future?"

Yan Shang was stunned: "You... really want to paint them? You aren't teasing me?"

Seeing him like this, Mu Wanyao suddenly felt it was pointless. She threw open the curtains and said on a whim: "Forget it, I’ll just find someone else... ah."

She was pulled back by the gentleman behind her, who wrapped his arms around her waist. Yan Shang hugged her from behind and whispered against her neck: "...I will try my best, please don't find someone else."

Mu Wanyao lowered her head and laughed, her beautiful eyes swirling as she pressed her fingers against his hand: "Don't just talk, act on it, Yan Er Gege."

The red candles flickered, the curtains were lowered, and the room was filled with fragrance and warmth, intoxicating to all who entered—

Yan Shang soon learned what had happened at the New Year’s ceremony.

Before the seven-day holiday for officials had ended, he frequently went to Minister Liu’s residence to seek guidance from his teacher. When the Central Secretariat finally reopened its seals, Yan Shang returned to work and immediately discussed the matter of the Wuman King wanting to propose a marriage alliance with the Princess of Danyang with his teacher.

While browsing through the records in the Secretariat, Yan Shang took the books to find Minister Liu.

As the two walked through the courtyard chatting about the marriage alliance, Yan Shang said: "Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent for a princess to marry into an alliance twice. This does not accord with ritual and law, and it surely brings shame upon the Great Wei."

Minister Liu gave an "Hmm" and said: "But since ancient times, there has also never been a precedent for a princess married into an alliance to return halfway through. If we were to truly follow ritual and law, the Princess of Danyang should be in Wuman right now, not in Chang'an, and certainly not participating so actively in government affairs, let alone discussing her own fate at the grand ceremony."

Yan Shang said: "Does Teacher mean that the Princess should indeed go to marry into the alliance? Wuman is a small country; having a true princess go to marry into an alliance back then was already ridiculous, let alone that this princess is a primary-born princess. I do not know the details of what happened back then, so I will not mention it for now. I only know that if we allow the Princess to marry into the alliance this time, it is a sign of our Great Wei’s incompetence—the incompetence of our monarch and subjects. Great Wei cannot accept this humiliation."

Minister Liu looked at the locust tree in the courtyard and said thoughtfully: "It cannot be called a humiliation either. Wuman has always had the tradition of 'shared wives' and 'inheriting the queen.' Their traditions are simply like that. I fear that welcoming the princess back to Wuman is, to Wuman, a matter of course. If you talk to them about ritual and law, they will not understand."

Yan Shang was silent for a moment and said: "I will check the books and ask around these few days to understand exactly what their traditions are."

Minister Liu looked at him: "And then?"

Yan Shang said slowly: "And then, I will convince everyone that the Princess cannot go to marry into an alliance."

Minister Liu looked at his elementary student with a cold, stern face.

Slowly, he said: "Why do you care so much about this matter? This is not something you should be involved in... Do you have a secret affair with the Princess of Danyang?"

Yan Shang raised his eyes.

He said: "Yes."

Minister Liu’s pupils contracted, and his gaze instantly turned cold and sharp. He had actually suspected this for a long time but hadn't been sure. Yet, now that Yan Shang had admitted it himself... Minister Liu could only smile bitterly after a long time: "Suchen, your courage is truly too great. To dare to have a secret affair with a princess meant for a marriage alliance, and to dare to admit it to me... I truly don't know whether you are low-key, or high-profile."