Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Yan Shang still did not leave.

He asked the maid remaining at the Princess’s mansion where the Princess had gone and when she would return.

This question was much easier to answer.

The maid left in charge, Qiu Si, curtsied to the young master and replied respectfully: "Her Majesty has gone to Fanchuan to recuperate, and our Princess has followed to serve her during her illness."

Perhaps realizing that it was a bit illogical for Mu Wanyao to have rushed off to attend to the Empress immediately after a severe illness, the maid named Qiu Si, who was quite young and unskilled at lying, stammered to amend her previous statement: "H-Her Highness was indeed very ill before, b-but she recovered quickly. B-because although that illness was fierce, it wasn’t quite that fierce..."

Yan Shang remained silent.

The other party could not lie, and he almost felt like helping her craft a more believable story.

Mu Wanyao likely had not expected him to return so quickly; she probably assumed he would return with the carriages escorting the criminal officials to the capital... Therefore, she had not yet taught the maids in the mansion how to fabricate lies.

Yan Shang provided a cover for the maid: "But even though the illness was fierce, it was not life-threatening?"

Qiu Si breathed a sigh of relief: "Y-yes!"

Yan Shang: "What kind of illness was it then? Was it something like headaches, nausea, vomiting, or body aches?"

Qiu Si: "Yes... that is exactly it."

Yan Shang stared at her quietly for a long time, saying nothing more.

Yan Shang bid the maid farewell, saying he was going to return to his residence to rest. He gave no specific instructions, feeling utterly disheartened and unsure of how to conduct himself. Yet, deep down, he still held a sliver of fantasy about Mu Wanyao, so when he encountered a chore maid while leaving the Princess’s mansion, he asked again about the Princess’s illness.

The chore maid wasn’t even privy to a lie as major as the Princess being ill; naturally, when Yan Shang asked, she looked completely bewildered.

If Mu Wanyao were truly seriously ill, the entire Princess’s mansion would have been in motion; how could it be as quiet as it was now?

Yan Shang sighed, knowing that his last remaining illusion had been shattered—

That night, at his own residence, he pondered how to write the memorial explaining the situation in Shuzhong. Since he had already come to an agreement with the officials in Shuzhong, he had to be careful with his wording in the memorial, not dragging everyone down with him. After all, Shuzhong still relied on those officials to govern... To move against all the officials of an entire province was no easy task.

Yan Shang had already drafted the outline for this memorial long ago.

But now, looking at this half-written memorial, the ink on the wolf-hair brush was thick and saturated; it seeped from the tip of his brush and dripped onto the paper, blooming into a pool of black ink.

This memorial was ruined just like that.

Yan Shang threw the paper away and restarted on a fresh page. However, he got stuck again, still not knowing how to begin writing.

Because he was thinking of Mu Wanyao.

He couldn’t help but suspect that if he were still in Shuzhong, he would definitely be monitoring the subsequent actions of the officials and would only return to Chang’an once the situation there was completely stabilized. But Mu Wanyao used the excuse of a fake illness to trick him into returning; was it possible that... this case implicated her, and she didn’t want him to continue investigating?

Yan Shang sat frozen, not daring to think too deeply.

He guessed that this case involved officials in Chang’an and the Ministry of Revenue. He had already been hesitating about whether to continue, and Mu Wanyao’s actions truly deepened his doubts.

Just how deeply involved was she... to be afraid of this investigation continuing?

Did she also have a hand in directing the officials who fleeced the people? Just like in the beginning, when dealing with the powerful clans... Mu Wanyao could discard the powerful clans because they were just that—powerful clans. But now that it involved court officials, Mu Wanyao wanted to protect them?

Yan Shang thought back to the persuasive words he had heard Mu Wanyao use to convince Concubine Zhao Ling. The way those words had moved him then was exactly how ironic they felt to him now.

That day, she was clearly moved by his concern for the common people; she had clearly been conquered by his integrity.

But in reality, was being conquered one thing, and taking action quite another?

Yan Shang was filled with immense confusion, not knowing how he should conduct himself.

Should he continue to investigate, and how deep was her involvement exactly?

Did she know this was wrong?

It was one thing to love power and status, but hadn’t she taken it a bit too far... She shouldn’t have been like this!

Was the Princess Mu Wanyao who recited "The Giant Rat" with him back in Lingnan non-existent, just a fantasy of his own, or had she simply drifted too far away and abandoned the version of herself from that time?

Yan Shang felt a bitter and heavy sorrow. He slumped over his desk, unable to continue writing the memorial under his brush—

Yan Shang’s inner conflict meant little to the outside world.

Ultimately, as he had finally decided, he placed the blame on the Prefect of Yizhou. However, after returning to the Ministry of Revenue, Yan Shang no longer had to hesitate about whether to investigate further, as the Ministry of Revenue immediately assigned him to the Warehouse Bureau to process杂 miscellaneous, long-accumulated documents, preventing him from involving himself in the Ministry’s important deployments.

And until the Prefect of Yizhou arrived in Chang’an, the Ministry of Revenue neither bothered with nor asked about Yan Shang, as if he had never handled this official mission at all.

Those Ministry of Revenue officials who had previously been on good terms with Yan Shang now began to avoid him.

Yan Shang knew full well that the suppression from the Ministry of Revenue had begun, and this was only the start; not until the Prefect of Yizhou arrived in the capital would the real conflict erupt.

Yan Shang currently had no access to the Ministry’s important deployments and could not specifically investigate the Ministry’s leadership regarding Yizhou matters. However, the documents that had accumulated for years... Yan Shang smiled bitterly, thinking there seemed to be quite a lot in there as well. Not knowing what else to do, he could only investigate them bit by bit.

He would try his best not to alert those people above—

The first snow of the tenth month fell, and Chang’an was covered in cold.

On this day, the Prefect of Yizhou was escorted into the Ministry of Justice prison upon his arrival in Chang’an.

Since Yan Shang’s return, Mu Wanyao, who had been following the Empress, had never returned to the Princess’s mansion, and the two had not met. But Yan Shang knew that with the Prefect of Yizhou’s arrival in the capital, all the storms were about to be stirred up.

Sitting in a refined study in the North Quarter’s South Melody district, Yan Shang was hunched over a desk by the window. This study was a room reserved for the most famous courtesans of South Melody; its merit lay in its tranquility and elegance, as no random people could easily enter to disturb him.

Yan Shang had been hunched over his desk here for a long time when the bamboo curtain outside emitted a "snap" of collision. Hearing the door creak open, rapid footsteps approached.

Yan Shang turned his head to look and saw a young, charming, and beautiful woman hurrying over, lifting her skirts.

It was Chun Niang.

Six months had passed, and Chun Niang had trained strictly according to the curriculum Yan Shang had left her before he left the capital; she was now a well-known top courtesan in South Melody. Although she had not yet officially become a "Duzhi" (head courtesan), it wasn’t far off. He believed that with another year or eighteen months of polishing, becoming a Duzhi would not be difficult.

Seeing Yan Shang’s gaze, Chun Niang, who had been in such a rush, hurriedly restrained her panic. Trying her best to remain calm and composed, she bowed to the young master sitting at the desk writing something: "Er-lang, did I disturb you?"

She stared at Yan Shang’s countenance, feeling anxious yet filled with longing and attachment. She felt that after only six months, Second Young Master Yan seemed even more handsome.

In her heart, she envied the lucky young wife in Yan Er-lang’s household. To have a husband so disciplined, handsome, and talented—that woman was truly fortunate.

Yan Shang asked her gently: "Why are you in such a rush?"

Only then did Chun Niang remember why she had run in in such a hurry. Chun Niang replied in a panic: "Er-lang, I just saw an acquaintance downstairs... Zhang the Eleventh Young Master has returned to Chang’an!"

Thinking Yan Shang might not be familiar with this person, she was about to explain who he was when she saw Yan Shang pause slightly and say: "The Eleventh Young Master of the household of the Ministry of Revenue official, Zhang, who harmed Brother Liu and you, previously fled Chang’an to avoid trouble, and now that the storm has passed, he has returned?"

Chun Niang was stunned for a moment and could only nod as if foolish, not expecting Second Young Master Yan to be so clear on the matter, and to have such a good memory.

Yan Shang pondered for a moment, then pushed open the window beside him to look down. Pushing open the study window, one saw the true debauchery and decadence of the North Quarter’s South Melody pavilions—red rouge and powder. The lascivious and frivolous sounds of singing and dancing drifted up from below, with women showing off their chests and stomachs as they danced and toasted... the scene was filled with lights, green wine, and singing birds.

A young gentleman was surrounded by women on both sides, laughing loudly as he tore open the coin pouches from his belt, throwing gold leaves into the air. The women surrounded him enthusiastically, and he was shouting arrogantly: "Bring all your top courtesans here! I am in a good mood today; everyone shall be rewarded heavily!"

Chun Niang stood on tiptoe behind Yan Shang, and together with him, peered through the window crack at the scenery below. She pointed with her finger to identify him for Yan Shang: "That is Zhang the Eleventh Young Master..."

The other party seemed to notice, and as he looked up, Chun Niang’s face turned deathly pale in panic. Yan Shang closed the window with absolute calm.

Yan Shang was lost in thought.

Chun Niang was just about to strike a fragile pose to seek Second Young Master Yan’s protection, but when she lowered her head and saw the content on the rice paper laid out on Yan Shang’s desk, she froze. The bit of infatuation she felt for Yan Shang was instantly shaken away.

Yan Shang looked at Chun Niang: "Do you dare to interact with him?"

Chun Niang paused, feeling fear in her heart, but thinking of the purpose for which Yan Shang had saved her, she nodded.

Yan Shang said: "Good. You don’t need to deliberately interact with him. If you encounter him in the pleasure house, and he still harbors some interest in you, just string him along. Men are always thinking of women they have not obtained, especially since he fled Chang’an last year because of you... Returning in such a glorious fashion today, he will surely have complex feelings toward you.

"But rest assured. I will send guards to follow you; I will not let your life be in danger."

Chun Niang felt uneasy, but she understood that this was likely the real reason Yan Shang had kept her for so long. Being a top courtesan was just a side effect. This Zhang the Eleventh Young Master was the real target of Second Young Master Yan.

Chun Niang: "What does Young Master want me to do?"

Yan Shang frowned, hesitant once again.

Thinking of the Ministry of Revenue official from last year, the Prefect of Yizhou from this year, the Vice Minister of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue Minister who managed nothing... everyone was tied to the thread of the Ministry of Revenue. Yan Shang didn’t necessarily have to do anything, but when he wanted to, he hoped this thread could be put to use.

Yan Shang whispered: "Just deal with this Eleventh Young Master superficially for now; no need for any extra actions. When I need you to do something, I will instruct you."

He remained silent for a long time.

Chun Niang stood before him, not daring to speak too much.

Yan Shang raised his eyes to look at her, paused for a moment, and said: "I will try my best to keep you safe. If I cannot..."

Chun Niang bowed through her tears, kneeling before him: "Young Master, my life was saved by you. I know you are a man who does great things; you are my savior, and I will certainly not fail your trust."

Yan Shang was silent, telling her to get up and leave so he could be alone.

When Chun Niang was about to leave, she turned back, looking at the rice paper on Yan Shang’s desk, and said: "Young Master, is the person you drew the lady in your household?"

Yan Shang paused and looked at the rice paper on his desk.

On the paper stood a young woman, possessing the beauty of spring, a youthful spirit, and an atmospheric grace, yet with a hint of craftiness hidden in her eyes, adding much liveliness and charm to her appearance.

Yan Shang smiled bitterly.

He looked at the paper and whispered: "She told me to learn to paint well, saying it would... be useful later. Naturally, I must learn to paint, but I paint poorly; I fear I am still very far from her requirements."

As he spoke, he crumpled up the rice paper and was about to throw the portrait away. Chun Niang felt it was a great pity and hurriedly asked to keep the painting for herself. Chun Niang said: "The lady is so beautiful; wouldn’t it be a shame if you threw it away, Young Master? Leave it with me; it will serve as a keepsake."

Chun Niang thought that only a woman with such looks could be worthy of Second Young Master Yan.

Yan Shang felt the drawing was very clumsy, but since Chun Niang wanted to keep it, he said nothing more and let her be—

Since the Prefect of Yizhou had arrived in the capital, the contents of the memorial Yan Shang had submitted were not something that could be easily glossed over. The Emperor, who was recuperating in Fanchuan, summoned Yan Shang.

Because the Emperor was recuperating in Fanchuan, the area had recently become very lively; many important figures had rushed over to stay in their private gardens, finding excuses to await the Emperor’s summons.

For example, Prince Jin.

When Yan Shang arrived at the imperial gardens in Fanchuan and was led by a eunuch to see the Emperor, he saw Prince Jin, who had brought his entire family along, holding his eldest son as they just entered the gardens. Yan Shang’s gaze swept over the heavily pregnant Princess Jin by the Prince’s side, and landed on Chun Hua, who was following behind them.

He bowed to His Highness Prince Jin and nodded in acknowledgment to the old acquaintance.

Chun Hua only dared to follow the others in returning the salute, secretly taking another look at Er-lang—although she didn’t know how good Yan Er-lang’s official position was now, an official who could be summoned by the Emperor must be very remarkable.

For Chun Hua had heard from Prince Jin that only high-ranking officials of the fifth rank and above could attend court every day and frequently see the Emperor. For officials below the fifth rank, wanting to see the Emperor was as difficult as reaching heaven—

Yan Shang was brought to a warm pavilion. When he offered his greetings to the Emperor, his gaze paused, seeing Mu Wanyao sitting next to the Emperor.

Mu Wanyao sat sideways by the Emperor’s side, her shoulders slender and her waist delicate, her lips red and skin snow-white, her chest half-hidden and half-revealed beneath the silk gauze, inciting wild thoughts.

She tilted her face to look at him, graceful and elegant, yet radiating splendor. Her golden, brilliant beauty and the affectionate eyes with which she softly gazed at him caused Yan Shang’s cheeks to flush instantly, and he looked away.

He had been resentful because of her for nearly half a month, but upon seeing her in person, he still made a fool of himself.

Yan Shang lowered his eyes and offered his greetings to the Princess as well.

Mu Wanyao’s eyes swept up in a captivating curve, charming yet not lacking in innocence: "Rise!"

The Emperor acted as if he hadn’t noticed this scene of Mu Wanyao teasing Yan Shang, bowing his head to read the memorial Yan Shang had submitted, and said slowly: "Yan Suchen, in your memorial, you say the fault in Shuzhong lies entirely with the Prefect. Is this true?"

Yan Shang paused and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I did not tell the complete truth."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. Originally feeling disappointed, with Yan Shang like this, he finally felt a little interested.

Yan Shang whispered: "Your Majesty, I could not report truthfully in the memorial. Because if I had told the truth, I fear this memorial would never have reached Your Majesty and would have been intercepted halfway. The situation in Shuzhong is complex and cannot be fully written out in a memorial."

Mu Wanyao’s expression faltered; she leaned forward, feeling a bit nervous.

The Emperor looked at Yan Shang and said slowly: "What is the situation in Shuzhong? There are no outsiders here; you can speak truthfully now."

Mu Wanyao’s palms were sweating. Hearing the Emperor say this, her expression stiffened slightly, fearing Yan Shang would amplify the matter and push it onto the Ministry of Revenue. Her thoughts were in a chaotic spin, thinking of how the Vice Minister of Revenue had told her that Yan Shang had been sent to a remote deployment upon his return to the capital and would not be involved in important affairs... However, how could one underestimate Yan Shang’s capabilities!

If he denounced everyone... no, it was impossible for him to have evidence.

Yan Shang’s gaze met Mu Wanyao’s for a moment.

The nervousness and stiffness in her eyes made him pause slightly.

It confirmed her stance to him once again.

Yan Shang was silent for a while; the Emperor did not urge him. Just like a multiple-choice question, the Emperor handed it to them and never intervened. After a long while, Yan Shang began to answer the Emperor. He reported truthfully what he had seen in Shuzhong and said what he had to say...

Yan Shang said: "Officials and merchants in Shuzhong colluded and should have been punished. However, when I was in Shuzhong, I had already reported to the imperial court and adjusted their official positions, so the impact has already been minimized. If all their official positions were stripped away, I fear it would cause too much turmoil, and the imperial court would not be able to arrange so many officials at once. And with vacancies in official positions, Shuzhong, having just experienced a disaster, would very easily fall into chaos. It would be better to proceed slowly..."

As Yan Shang explained his opinions, Mu Wanyao gradually relaxed from her initial unease.

He did not extrapolate, nor did he deliberately lead the conversation to the officials in Chang’an.

That was fine; letting the matter end in Shuzhong was the best result.

If the death of one Prefect of Yizhou could end this matter, it couldn’t be better—

Night had fallen, and the Emperor invited Yan Shang to stay in Fanchuan.

After Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao successively withdrew, the Emperor sat in the quiet room and sighed after a long while.

Cheng An served the Emperor a bowl of medicine. The Emperor glanced at the black liquid but had no mood to drink it.

The Emperor murmured: "Yan Suchen truly didn’t dare to offend the Ministry of Revenue after all. A pity."

Cheng An bowed: "Yan Er-lang perhaps did it to protect the Princess and was unwilling to act against the Ministry of Revenue. Since Yan Er-lang has feelings for the Princess, isn’t that something Your Majesty can be reassured by? If Yan Er-lang completely abandoned the Princess for the sake of the public interest, Your Majesty might be happy, but would you dare entrust the Princess to him?"

The Emperor said calmly: "His current attitude is not very good either. Yaoyao was already wrong; to abandon one’s own principles to protect Yaoyao—this kind of person, how can I be reassured?"

Cheng An: "Your Majesty’s requirements for the human heart are too harsh."

The Emperor was silent.

Slowly, he said: "Let’s wait and see."

After another long time, the Emperor’s voice was weary: "Cheng An, my requirements for the human heart were originally the least harsh. But Yaoyao... although I pity her and want Anuan and my bloodline to have infinite glory after I am gone, I am unwilling for her to become an unscrupulous Princess, controlling court affairs and rendering the Emperor a mere puppet... If no one can constrain her, I am not reassured about Yaoyao."

Cheng An whispered: "Your Majesty cannot arrange everything; you cannot calculate every human heart."

The Emperor murmured: "I have paid so much for this world. If we repeat the same mistakes, what is the significance of my sacrifice? I have failed everyone, yet never failed the world; I always hope that the world, in turn, will not fail me."

Tears welled up in Cheng An’s eyes, thinking of how the Emperor was still holding up such a body, laboring for the Great Wei. Left all alone to this extent, besides the Great Wei dynasty, what else did His Majesty have left?

The Emperor closed his eyes and suddenly remembered: "Has Liu Wenji not returned yet?"

Cheng An said: "He led the Northern and Southern Imperial Guards out to hunt today; he should be returning soon. Liu Wenji... Your Majesty, this old slave still feels that using eunuchs to balance court officials... is somewhat, somewhat..."

The Emperor said calmly: "Who forced me to? No one is supporting the common-born officials. Since the common-born are not yet a force to be reckoned with, only eunuchs can rise to power. These scions of noble families... someone must lock them up and chain them. Cheng An, never underestimate these noble families... The moment we relax even a little, their power will return like a tide. So I can only keep them chained."

Cheng An: "But the Crown Prince, Princess Danyang... are all biased toward the noble families."

The Emperor sighed and said no more—

Liu Wenji leading the soldiers to hunt was nothing more than using the name of hunting to have the Northern and Southern Imperial Guards test their strength, hoping to overwhelm the Southern Guards.

And the reason for the delay in his return was that, besides this public task, he had a selfish motive.

The General of the Right Guard, Luo Xiu, finally couldn’t help but contact Liu Wenji privately.

Relying on the fact that he had previously helped Liu Wenji handle two eunuchs and helped Liu Wenji rise to power, Luo Xiu came to threaten Liu Wenji, wanting him to continue providing intelligence from the Great Wei. Liu Wenji thought to himself that this person was indeed a hidden danger; if His Majesty knew what he had done, his current glory would certainly cease to exist.

Liu Wenji developed the intent to kill Luo Xiu and thus made use of this hunt.

During the hunt, Liu Wenji’s side specifically brought along the General of the Right Guard. His excuse to Luo Xiu was to find a private place to discuss personal matters. Luo Xiu brought some guards and followed the troop led by this eunuch.

The hunting party walked further and further off into the mountains in the south.

The sky grew darker, and the sunset clouds filled the horizon.

Luo Xiu began to grow vigilant. When he refused to continue walking with Liu Wenji’s troop, he discovered that these eunuchs, riding their horses, began to surround him with malicious intent. Luo Xiu shivered and looked up, meeting Liu Wenji’s icy gaze.

He looked like he was seeing a poisonous snake, clutching a deadly toxin as it stared at him.

Luo Xiu was terrified.

He immediately turned his horse’s head and fled blindly out of the forest: "Stop him! He wants to kill me! Help—"

And on Liu Wenji’s side, everyone immediately chased: "Chase! Don’t let him escape!" —

This murderous hunt in the southern mountains slaughtered every guard protecting Luo Xiu. These eunuchs led the soldiers, holding knives, each of them excited yet cruel; the sight of blood allowed the perverse cruelty hidden deep in their bones—due to their castration—to be released.

These men now followed Liu Wenji completely, obeying his orders. The first major task Liu Wenji led them on was to claim that this Luo Xiu was very inconspicuous in the court and that killing him wouldn’t matter; Liu Wenji would find a reason to deal with the corpse and the consequences.

After all, he was just a Southern barbarian.

Killing him was just killing him.

The Wuman tribe would not go to war with the Great Wei over one person, and as for Liu Wenji, there were simply too many accidental death excuses he could fabricate.

It was just a pity... Luo Xiu’s guards were unexpectedly loyal. When the last guard exhausted all his strength—at the moment Liu Wenji was chasing and hacking at Luo Xiu, who was rolling on the ground—that guard pounced over to grab Liu Wenji’s leg, jumping up to fight these eunuchs and soldiers.

This guard shouted: "Young Master, run!"

Luo Xiu was struck with extreme horror and rolled down the hillside. The forest was dense, and the group chased for a stretch, only reaching the turbulent waters below the hillside and a few bloody footprints, but they did not find Luo Xiu.

Liu Wenji was filled with murderous rage, instructing these men: "You must find him for me and kill him! If he dares to spout nonsense, we will all be dead!"

The subordinates knew this matter was of utmost importance and knew that Liu Wenji had to go back to report to the Emperor, so the task of killing the witness needed to be done by them. The subordinates immediately agreed and went to capture Luo Xiu overnight, swearing to make Luo Xiu lose his life—

And Liu Wenji returned to Fanchuan, covered in such blood.

He returned from hunting; even if there were some bloodstains on his body, no one would ask too many questions. Liu Wenji, with his gloomy aura, entered the royal gardens and asked where His Majesty was. Liu Wenji planned to change out of the blood-stained robes before going to meet His Majesty to reply about the struggle between the Southern and Northern Imperial Guards.

A young eunuch ran to follow Liu Wenji’s pace: "His Majesty is preparing for an evening banquet and has summoned Prince Jin to go over. His Majesty is in excellent spirits..."

Liu Wenji frowned: "Prince Jin has arrived? What is he running over here for again?"

He needed to figure out every detail to avoid mistakes before the Emperor.

However, Liu Wenji suddenly stopped his footsteps and suddenly closed his mouth, saying nothing. He suddenly didn’t need to ask anything; he suddenly understood what Prince Jin had come for...

The sunset sank into the deep lake water; the evening mist was gloomy, the whole garden was quiet, and the lanterns were just lighting up.

A woman crouched by the lakeside, holding a small child, softly and gently coaxing the baby to play. The night wind moved her sleeves and brushed her cheeks.

She was like clear water.

She was like dew.

Standing by the lakeside with a charming smile, Liu Wenji’s heart grew stunned and blank; the world turned empty and silent because of her.

When she heard the commotion, thinking she had offended a noble person, she hurriedly hugged the baby in her swaddling clothes, stood up, and looked this way. Her first reaction was to bow and apologize, but then she saw the person arriving and stood frozen—

Chun Hua stared blankly at Liu Wenji.

The suddenly appearing Liu Wenji, the caught-off-guard Liu Wenji.

Separated by eunuchs, separated by palace servants, separated by pavilions and ponds, she held her child, the maternal glow on her face fading like blood draining away.

She looked at Liu Wenji, who was wearing eunuch clothes, and even forgot that the baby in her arms was suddenly crying—

"Gonggong?" The young eunuch asked Liu Wenji in confusion.

Waking everyone up.

The night birds perched on the lake flapped their wings and flew off in a fright. Chun Hua hurriedly lowered her head to coax the baby who had started crying, while Liu Wenji abruptly turned his back and walked quickly toward another direction.

Liu Wenji walked extremely fast; the night grew exceptionally cold, and he walked faster and faster.

Dark clouds pressed down heavily on the top of the sky, and thunder rumbled in the sky. Liu Wenji walked fast in the suffocating stillness; he lowered his head to look at his eunuch clothes, to look at the bloodstains on his robes.

He thought again of the Chun Hua he had just seen, holding her child by the lake playing. Happy, carefree.

She was still as beautiful and perfect as ever, while he had already fallen into the abyss, sinking deeper and deeper.

Walking in the darkness, Liu Wenji’s tears fell from his eye sockets.

Silently, the tears increased, blurring his vision—

Thunder rumbled in the sky.

Yan Shang was kept in Fanchuan by the Emperor; he did not attend the Emperor’s banquet but was bathing in his room, preparing to rest early.

As he was putting on his clothes behind a screen, he did not hear the "creak" of the door being pushed open from the outside. He was burdened with heavy thoughts and sighed softly.

Then a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind. Mu Wanyao pressed against him from behind, her body—clothed only in an undergarment—pressed seamlessly against his.

Yan Shang stiffened slightly.

Mu Wanyao hummed, pressing against his neck: "You are sighing gloomily by yourself again... where do you get so many sighs?"

He was left flushed from her breath. He was clearly conflicted in his heart, yet every time she actively sought him out, it made his heart fill with joy.

Secretly liking it for a while, Yan Shang managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Princess... you must not do this."

Mu Wanyao felt wronged: "I am clearly in Fanchuan, yet you won’t come to see me. Have you gone back on your word, and don’t want to be with me anymore?"