Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Yan Shang braced one hand against the bed and opened the bed curtains with the other, looking down at the Princess as she lay there catching her breath.

Her hair was spread out like seaweed, and her cheeks were flushed a vibrant, enticing crimson. It was as if a clear, white moonlight shone upon her, covering her hills and valleys in ice and snow. Her eyes flickered with a hazy, water-mist light, and the poetry of spring passion swirled between her brows and eyes. After everything had concluded, she was still somewhat dazed, narrowing her eyes as she gazed up at Yan Shang.

Yan Shang’s heart thumped; he looked at her current state with a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

It was the first time he had seen such lazy, uninhibited allure on her, and she had been in better form than the two previous times. For the first time, he felt that he had truly made Mu Wanyao comfortable.

The corners of the lady’s eyes were flushed, her skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat, her breathing delicate and shallow. He was driven to a state of near-distress by the sounds she made, but every time that cat-like breath brushed past his ear, he wanted to work harder to please her, wanting to hear more of it.

Yan Shang’s heartbeat was so loud he felt it was about to burst through his chest.

Immersed in her beauty at this moment, he couldn't help but lean down, wanting to kiss her lips.

Mu Wanyao reached out to block him. Her voice was still a bit hoarse, yet coy: "No! It’s dirty!"

Yan Shang helplessly whispered: "You consider your own things dirty, too?"

Mu Wanyao glared at him.

He lowered his lashes, his face also dyed in a rosy blush, his black hair cascading down. When he smiled like this, it was as gentle and stirring as ripples on water. Just as Mu Wanyao felt her heart swaying, Yan Shang had already let down the curtains and moved away.

Yan Shang went to fetch tea to rinse his mouth and found a clean handkerchief. Guessing that Mu Wanyao was certainly too lazy to wash up, he wanted to wipe her down. After fussing back and forth for a long time, when he returned to the bed and knelt on the wooden board to open the curtains, a dainty little person unfolded her snow-white arms and embraced him, letting him enjoy her warmth and softness.

Mu Wanyao complained: "You were gone for so long again! I was in the mood, but you've managed to ruin it by coming and going."

Yan Shang was a bit shy, explaining: "I only went to tidy up."

Mu Wanyao smiled brightly: "Did you manage to get 'Little Yan' to calm down yet?"

Yan Shang didn't understand.

She made him understand through action—reaching out to rub below his waist and abdomen, her fingertips grazing him. Yan Shang stiffened; his blood rushed backward, and his reaction was uncontrollable. She revealed a knowing smile, turning her face away, looking at him with a mix of teasing and amusement.

His face turned beet red: "Yaoyao!"

Mu Wanyao: "You understood?"

Yan Shang sighed helplessly: "You've already done this... I'm not a fool."

Mu Wanyao smiled gleefully, thinking that playing with a smart person was truly interesting. With just a slight hint, he understood. But Yan Shang paused, gently pushed her hand away, and whispered: "I still have to go back tomorrow... it’s not convenient."

Mu Wanyao was surprised: "Could it be that you still have the energy to continue all night? Do you still have that kind of ability?"

Yan Shang was slightly annoyed, saying: "Can you stop speaking so indiscriminately? I mean... on someone else’s turf, I don't feel at ease."

Mu Wanyao scoffed: "When have you ever felt at ease? You never are. You complain the daytime light is too bright to avoid suspicion; you complain that being a man and a woman alone at night will invite gossip; you complain that the bed doesn't follow ritual; you complain that the carriage bumps make you afraid; you complain the time is too short and I’m not satisfied, or that the time is too long and we’ll be discovered; you complain that before marriage is never good, or that I delay in granting the marriage... You’ve never felt at ease once."

Yan Shang was speechless.

Unable to argue, he thought to himself, am I really that transparent?

Seeing Yan Shang holding a handkerchief, hesitating for a long time, Mu Wanyao sighed and pulled him to sit down. She took the handkerchief from his hand to wipe herself, but as she lifted her knee, she paused to see Yan Shang hurriedly turn his head away, refusing to look.

Mu Wanyao wrinkled her nose at his back, despising his lack of openness.

She pondered that she must get Yan Shang to let go one day... Matters between men and women, the joys of the boudoir, were only natural. Yet he had never truly opened himself up and could never enjoy the peak of pleasure. Mu Wanyao felt it was a pity for him.

After a long while, she heard Yan Shang, still with his back to her, whisper: "Are you done wiping?"

Mu Wanyao: "Mm."

He turned his shoulder and, seeing she had already dressed in her undergarments and hadn't been tricking him, he breathed a sigh of relief and leaned over to take the used handkerchief. Seeing him about to get up to tidy up again, Mu Wanyao was truly defeated by him. She snatched the handkerchief from his hand, threw it onto the floor, and pulled him down to lie beside her, saying unhappily: "Forget about it! The maid will tidy it up tomorrow."

Yan Shang was pulled by her to lie on his side.

The golden curtains and candlelight shone upon them as Mu Wanyao and he lay facing each other. Quietly lying there, eyes meeting, the air became hot enough to ignite.

His eyelashes trembled, his gaze lowered, slightly evasive.

Seeing him like this, observing his messy dark hair and the red hue yet to fade from his face, she found herself growing more delighted the more she looked. She lowered her gaze further to his waist and asked: "Do you really not need me to help you? I can use my hand. Even though you hurt your back, if you lie on your side... that would work too."

Yan Shang shook his head: "It will pass in a moment."

Mu Wanyao deliberately provoked him: "Other ladies make their lovers feel hotter the more they look. But I make you lose your fire the more you look. Are you doing this on purpose? Or am I just that unappealing?"

Yan Shang: "What fire? Lose your fire?"

Mu Wanyao: "..."

After testing him several times, she realized he was still the same Second Brother Yan she knew. Even though he had done this for her, he still couldn't quite grasp the dirty talk or ambiguous banter between men and women. Being with him, Mu Wanyao felt she was the one who was truly obscene.

Mu Wanyao covered her face.

Yan Shang reached over and pulled her hands away, wanting to see her face. He said softly but firmly: "Don't hide. I want to look at you."

Mu Wanyao lifted her round eyes from between her fingers to look at him, and seeing his brows relaxed and a faint smile on his lips, she relaxed as well and let him pull her hands down. As they looked at each other, they both couldn't help but reveal a smile. Mu Wanyao called out a spoiled "Second Brother Yan," nuzzling into his arms.

Rubbing her long hair against his neck, she hugged his waist with a sigh.

Yan Shang whispered in her ear: "Did I do well?"

Mu Wanyao: "What?"

Yan Shang was bashful for a moment but continued anyway: "Just now."

Mu Wanyao raised her eyes, and after a while, she evaluated: "...You’ve changed."

Yan Shang blushed, actually stuttering: "I—I was just asking, there’s no other meaning. If you don't want to say, never mind."

Mu Wanyao smiled gleefully: "I don't not want to say it. I dare to say anything; it just depends on if you dare to listen."

She arched a brow at him, her gaze alluring. He felt like laughing, yet he was also happy. Before he could savor this joy, Mu Wanyao in his arms began: "You say first, how do you think it was?"

Yan Shang paused for a long time before stammering: "I think... it was quite good."

Mu Wanyao: "Do you also think your technique was quite good?"

Yan Shang was aghast.

After digesting her boldness for a long time, he said: "I meant that you were quite good."

Mu Wanyao was confused.

He struggled for a long time before leaning close to her jade-red earlobe and whispering a few words: "Yaoyao is so sweet, so soft."

This time, it was Mu Wanyao’s turn to flush a deep red.

She was embarrassed into anger and hit his chest: "Are those the kinds of things you should be saying? You shouldn't say such things!"

Yan Shang’s face turned bright red: "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."

Mu Wanyao put on a stern face: "Where did you learn all of this?"

Yan Shang: "I didn't really learn it from anywhere..."

Mu Wanyao: "Is it that Chun Niang of yours?"

Yan Shang paused and said: "What does that have to do with her... Yaoyao, have you been investigating her?"

Mu Wanyao snorted immediately.

She intended to throw a tantrum, to quarrel with him over Chun Niang, to make an unreasonable scene. She had already had Fang Tong investigate and knew how Yan Shang had met the person. Knowing that Yan Shang likely had some secret strategy, Mu Wanyao wasn't that angry.

But thinking of him teaching a beautiful courtesan to write and read, and sharing a room with her... before, when they were split up, Mu Wanyao had no standing to manage him; now, of course, she had to quarrel.

However, the atmosphere was too good, and she couldn't bring herself to start a fight.

Yan Shang explained in a rambling manner: "Chun Niang is the lady that Brother Liu rescued before... the eleventh son of the family of Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue is always coming back to Chang'an, and I was thinking that Brother Liu’s business cannot be left like that... and I need a spy in the Northern District..."

Mu Wanyao was impatient: "Alright, alright! I already know, I don't want to hear you say it again!"

Yan Shang was helpless: "Then what do you want to hear?"

Mu Wanyao: "Did you sleep in the same room as her at night? When you taught her to write, did you hold her hand? Was the distance between you as close as we are now? Did you smile at her, and did you flirt with her..."

Yan Shang smiled.

Mu Wanyao: "Stop smiling!"

Yan Shang reached out to cover her mouth, whispering: "You used dirty words again. A Princess shouldn't learn bad habits like this. I’m just a little happy that you care about me... rest assured, I know where to draw the line; I won't make things difficult for you."

He threatened her: "If you only have me from now on, then I will only have you."

Mu Wanyao felt she could do that and immediately agreed with a smile.

Returning to the earlier topic: "But if you didn't learn it from Chun Niang, where on earth did you learn such skills? Don't be afraid, I just want to see who taught you wrong. I’m going to kill them!"

Yan Shang whispered: "I learned it from you. Do you want to kill yourself?"

Mu Wanyao froze: "Ah..."

Yan Shang’s eyelashes lifted slightly as he looked at her. He blushed: "When you first did that for me, I wanted to do the same for you... but you struggled so violently then, refusing to let me touch you. I just felt that if I could receive that feeling, then you should too. It shouldn't be that different between men and women."

Mu Wanyao was stunned: "You really..."

Yan Shang: "What?"

Mu Wanyao said dejectedly: "You are too smart, it makes me panic. If I don't have a bit more skill, I won't be able to keep you suppressed..."

Yan Shang smiled: "Not at all."

Mu Wanyao raised her face, stroking his delicate brows, and whispered: "But Second Brother Yan, it is actually quite exhausting for you to be this way. Can you try to relax? At least when you are with me, try to put down your burdens; don't always overthink things.

"You worry too much—too much is as bad as too little. If there isn't a place where you can rest, you will collapse sooner or later. Second Brother Yan, try to relax here with me."

Yan Shang looked down at her; his eyes were filled with sparks, charming and tender.

He said not a word but lowered his head to kiss her.

People in this world praise his demeanor, love his meticulousness, and admire his ability to handle matters appropriately. Only Mu Wanyao hopes time and again that he can relax and find relief. Time and again, she despises how tightly wound he is, time and again, she tells him not to push himself so hard.

The world loves him as a gentleman and a sage; only she loves him as Yan Shang.

Yan Shang whispered: "I will try."

Mu Wanyao clicked her teeth against his, smiling vaguely: "Good, then shall we continue our boudoir joy?"

Yan Shang smiled and said okay.

The two of them, like shy youngsters, hid in the curtains saying such things. It was all curiosity about each other's bodies and each other's feelings. Mu Wanyao said she wanted to see his, but he refused, saying, "What’s there to see?"

They tussled as if fighting, the lady trying to slide down, the gentleman holding her so she wouldn't make a fuss. Relying on the excuse of his shoulder injury, he let out a few hisses, using the trickery to make her settle down. But Mu Wanyao enthusiastically invited him to look under her collar. She was willing to pull her collar open for him to see and touch, openly showcasing the allure of a lady to him.

Yan Shang trembled, leaning down to kiss her a few times. He was a bit intoxicated, his face even redder than before. But he quickly regained control, helping her cover and tuck in her collar.

Mu Wanyao chuckled in his arms at him.

The shadows of the bamboo and cypress trees outside the house fell onto the ground like green duckweed; the lanterns on the veranda shone among the tree shadows like sparks. The wind rustled past, a light drizzle fell, and the rain stopped completely—

The next day, before dawn, Yan Shang had to return to Chang'an. Mu Wanyao was unhappy and made a scene with him, mocking him that even if he went back now, it was already too late: "Your boss won't be happy just because you go back today, but if you leave now, I won't be happy."

Yan Shang ended up staying with Mu Wanyao at the post house until noon. During this time, he finally got his wish and discussed her Jinling trip with her. He listened to what she planned to say and analyzed and polished it for her. It wasn't anything vital, but Yan Shang felt he could finally participate in her affairs, and his heart was filled with joy.

However, his joy was so shallow that no one noticed.

By noon, Fang Tong urged Mu Wanyao, saying if they didn't get on the road, they wouldn't reach the next post house to rest. Only then could Yan Shang part from Mu Wanyao, promising to wait for her in Chang'an.

By then, Mu Wanyao was already regretting her decision to go to Jinling. A large part of why she had originally gone was to hide from Yan Shang, but now that she had reconciled with him, the distance between Jinling and Chang'an became a huge obstacle for them.

It would take at least a month to return to Chang'an and see him again... Mu Wanyao hated that Yan Shang was a capital official. If he were still the Yan Shisheng from Lingnan, she could have ignored his wishes and forcibly taken him to Jinling, and no one could have said a word.

Now, Mu Wanyao could only say: "I won't stay in Jinling long; I’ll try my best to return in a month. Be a good boy and wait for me to return, you hear?"

Watched by the guards and maids, Yan Shang was very uncomfortable, but under Mu Wanyao’s piercing gaze, he softly said okay.

He watched her carriage depart, and as she sat inside, he could no longer see her. A feeling of inexplicable desolation rose in Yan Shang’s heart. He couldn't bear to part with her, but seeing that she had already shown such reluctance, he couldn't wallow in sadness as well. If they both sank into tragedy, this road would be impossible to travel—

Yan Shang returned to Chang'an that day and went to apologize to his superiors the next. He had expected to be scolded for his unauthorized absence, but upon returning to the Ministry of Revenue, he found everyone busy, with no time to care about the day he had missed. Yan Shang hurriedly asked what had happened and received the answer—

"An earthquake occurred in the sixteen northern counties; the rivers dried up instantly. And with no rain for a long time, drought has appeared in some places, and the masses are rioting..."

Yan Shang murmured: "Every time a great disaster falls from the heavens, there are rebellions and refugees..."

The official he had stopped to ask gave a perfunctory nod and went back to being busy with the matter.

Yan Shang also hurriedly went to help.

At this moment, the Ministry of Revenue’s top priority shifted from sending envoys to various nations to providing disaster relief and saving the people. For half a month, news from various regions flowed into the Ministry. As the rivers dried up and the drought-stricken areas multiplied, the Ministry approved funds and grain shipment after shipment. Yet, the disaster seemed not to have eased at all, and it was said that in some places, cannibalism had already begun to occur...

Yan Shang was summoned to see the Minister of Revenue and the Vice Minister of Revenue, and accompanying them was the Crown Prince.

The Minister of Revenue was the head of the ministry, but because he was old and would be retiring in a few years, although Yan Shang had been at the Ministry for over two months, he had never seen the Minister take charge of much. The person truly in charge of the Ministry was the Vice Minister sitting next to him.

Yan Shang was very familiar with this Vice Minister.

Because this Vice Minister had once been a strategist for Mu Wanyao. He had left the Princess’s residence to become an official and had risen steadily with the Crown Prince’s support. Having achieved such a position, this Vice Minister was already the most accomplished official among those who associated with Mu Wanyao.

Moreover, this Vice Minister was fiercely loyal to Mu Wanyao, and since Yan Shang arrived at the Ministry, he had been looking after him.

Seeing the three of them, Yan Shang bowed, and only the Vice Minister offered him a friendly smile.

The Vice Minister said: "Suchen, you should already know the importance of the northern drought and the displaced people. According to regulations, the central government will dispatch an imperial official to the local regions to supervise disaster relief. Other provinces already have officials arranged, but the counties of Shu, whose people have been fierce and brave since ancient times and whose land is barren, have no one in the court willing to go.

"I have thought about it thoroughly; among all the officials in the Ministry, only you are careful, bold, and prudent, so we don't have to worry about you being sidelined or taken hostage by local officials. I recommended to the Crown Prince that you go to Shu to provide disaster relief. I wonder if you are willing?"

Yan Shang did not hesitate: "Naturally, I am willing."

The three of them were taken aback by Yan Shang’s decisiveness before they praised him.

Most of these capital officials in Chang'an were unwilling to go to the local regions. They found the local areas poor, the administration troublesome, and the people uneducated. Going to Shu was a particularly bitter task; throughout history, Shu had been the place where many capital officials were demoted. Although the Ministry had arranged for people to go, most court officials were from noble families, and one could not force them... after much thought, there was only Yan Shang.

However, that Yan Shang nodded so decisively was still surprising.

The Crown Prince sat to the side, listening to Yan Shang ask the Vice Minister about the details. The Crown Prince frowned slightly, feeling that something was strange.

Because it was not he who had recommended Yan Shang for disaster relief.

The Crown Prince needed Yan Shang in the court. Handling the diplomatic mission appropriately was a great merit for the Crown Prince. He believed that the role Yan Shang played in the central government was far more useful than disaster relief. With Yan Shang’s talent, disaster relief was using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Yet, it was the Emperor who named Yan Shang to go to Shu.

The Emperor had shown complex emotions regarding Yan Shang—sometimes mentioning that Yan Shang had disrupted Mu Wanyao’s marriage alliance, sometimes that Yan Shang had taken unauthorized leave, and sometimes that Yan Shang’s promotion was too fast, which would make the other ministers dissatisfied... In short, the Crown Prince understood the Emperor’s implication.

The Emperor wanted the Crown Prince to suppress Yan Shang.

This dispatch of Yan Shang to disaster relief was the explanation the Crown Prince gave to the Emperor. The Emperor said nothing more, seemingly satisfied. Yet, the Crown Prince still felt something strange... Did his Father Emperor truly want to suppress Yan Shang? Why?

He always felt the reasons the Emperor gave were very perfunctory—

At the same time, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Personnel finally settled on the list of court officials to be sent as envoys.

Wei Shu was explicitly on the list.

Wei Shu was appointed as a deputy envoy to follow the chief envoy out of Great Wei to the various nations.

When the list of official transfers from the central government came down, the Wei family fell silent. Wei Shu would be leaving Chang'an for at least a year, at most several. Their plan to use Wei Shu to marry into the Li family... was essentially broken.

Because who knew when Wei Shu would be able to return to Chang'an?— 

At the end of May, Yan Shang was to go to Shu, and Wei Shu was to leave Great Wei. Upon hearing of each other’s news, they arranged to meet at a tavern in the Northern District of Chang'an to see each other off.

When Yan Shang headed to the Northern District, he encountered the Northern Garrison army returning to Chang'an on the street.

The soldiers were in ranks, the army strictly disciplined. The leader, surprisingly, was not a general, but the internal eunuch Liu Wenji. Liu Wenji rode on a horse in his attendant’s uniform, yet it could not hide the cold, biting chill between his brows, nor his hidden triumph.

The onlookers whispered:

"How can they let a eunuch lead? How can His Majesty use a eunuch as an official?"

"Borrowing the Emperor's power to act like a bully! A eunuch dares to walk in front of a general... such lack of protocol."

Liu Wenji looked coldly at the crowd, and soldiers immediately stepped out to bind the gossiping commoners. Just as Liu Wenji was about to order their tongues pulled out and for them to be beaten to death, he suddenly saw Yan Shang in the crowd. Yan Shang looked at him with a smile in his eyes, seemingly a little happy for him.

Locking eyes with him, Yan Shang cupped his hands and nodded.

A nearby eunuch whispered to Liu Wenji: "Should we kill them?"

Liu Wenji didn't want Yan Shang to see this side of him, so he frowned and said: "Teach them a small lesson and let them go."

He thought that once Yan Shang couldn't see, killing them wouldn't be too late.

The Northern Garrison army... the Emperor was vaguely intending to have the eunuchs take control, and he must seize this opportunity.

Yan Shang only watched Liu Wenji’s glory in entering the city for a moment on the street, feeling relieved for his former friend. He didn't watch long, hurrying away to meet Wei Shu in the Northern District—

In the imperial palace, the Emperor listened to reports from all sides.

The Emperor gave a laugh: "It seems Yan Shang is truly going to Shu..."

Cheng An stood by: "This servant doesn't understand. Since Your Majesty wants to promote Young Master Yan, why send him to do such a thankless job?"

The Emperor said: "To clean up the Ministry of Revenue."

The Emperor sneered: "The Ministry has been under the Crown Prince’s management for several years, and the more he manages, the more short of funds they are; year after year there is no money... I simply don't understand; he has struck it rich several times, how can he still be so strapped? The Ministry of Revenue needs a cleaning up."

Cheng An said: "Your Majesty’s letting the eunuchs get their hands on the Northern Garrison is to weaken the influence behind the Prince of Qin. This old servant doesn't understand, why doesn't Your Majesty wipe out the Prince of Qin’s influence entirely, and why must you still be distracted by the Crown Prince? If Yan Suchen doesn't follow Your Majesty’s plot..."

The Emperor spoke calmly: "Isn't that why I am testing Yan Suchen? I am testing what kind of person Yan Suchen truly is."

He said meaningfully, murmuring to himself: "To see whom he serves and which side he stands on."

Cheng An: "Everyone in the court knows Young Master Yan is the Crown Prince's man."

The Emperor said calmly: "Not necessarily.

"The day he shot and killed the head of the Zheng family, it seemed to help the Crown Prince, but perhaps it was just a coincidence. However, regardless... this time, it is unlikely to be a coincidence. I want to find a good backer for Yaoyao; first, I must know if this backer is worthy. I can tolerate private intentions for a moment, but I cannot tolerate them for a lifetime."

Cheng An thought, it seems the Emperor is gambling that this time, Yan Suchen will clash with the Ministry of Revenue and clash with the Crown Prince.

But... will Yan Shang truly do this?

He had clearly chosen his side so well; would Yan Shang really abandon the Crown Prince?

The Emperor suddenly said: "Yaoyao should be in Jinling by now, right?"

Cheng An hurriedly replied: "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. Her Highness the Princess is much wiser now; she will definitely be able to pacify the Li family and return to Chang'an safely."

The Emperor nodded and closed his eyes—

Mu Wanyao was already in Jinling.

She was burning with anxiety, wanting to resolve her marriage and return to the capital to reunite with Yan Shang.

However, the Li family here in Jinling was putting on airs and refusing to see her.

After Mu Wanyao gave them two days of face, she lost her patience. Her guards opened the way, clashing with the Li family’s guards, and Mu Wanyao, sword in hand, broke directly into the study to see her Great-Granduncle.

Mu Wanyao went straight to the point: "Great-Granduncle only wants the Li family to flourish, so you insist on my marrying into another family. But before that, has Great-Granduncle thought about whether the Li family can even survive?"

Looking at the old man standing with his back to her in front of the bookshelf, reading a book, Mu Wanyao’s eyes were like frost, pressing step by step: "Does Great-Granduncle think my Father Emperor will sit by and watch the Li family grow strong, watch the Wei family grow strong? Fang Tong, take the news I just received from Chang'an and let Great-Granduncle see—whom my Father Emperor is cleaning up now!

"The force behind my Third Brother is second only to the Li family, which is why he has been so arrogant in Chang'an for so many years. Now, Third Brother is confined to his home, and the Northern Garrison's strength is being taken over by internal eunuchs... Does Great-Granduncle really think this is a coincidence? Does Great-Granduncle think my Father Emperor’s arrangements could be a coincidence?

"Now, we should join forces to deal with my Father Emperor! My Father Emperor wants the Li family dead... You all have just stayed in Jinling for too long—too long, to the point where you have lost your keen political sense... Now, the time for our cooperation has arrived; do not let yourself be led by another's layout!"