Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 120

Chapter 120

For the first time in three years, Mu Wanyao entered the estate next door.

The gardens were overgrown with wild grass, the trees withered and bare. The water in the pond had become stagnant, with light, fluffy catkins drifting on the surface like the shadows of days long past.

Standing there, watching Yan Sanlang and his sister Yan Xiaozhou, hearing the two of them speak, Mu Wanyao felt a dizzying sensation of time flowing backward. But clearly, time had not turned back, for Yan Sanlang had said that Yan Shang was getting married…

Mu Wanyao felt a hollowness in her heart. For a moment, she did not know what she was thinking.

She only felt as though she were lost in a trance, as though her soul had wandered far away.

By the time she snapped back to reality, she was already standing in Yan Shang’s former living quarters. The furniture in the room remained as it had been; aside from a layer of dust and spiderwebs in the corners, nothing had changed.

But that was not what Mu Wanyao was looking at. Standing beside a desk, her eyes lowered, she was staring at a pot of water lilies that had withered long ago.

As she gazed at the flower pot, she suddenly recalled the heavy rain of that night. When he opened the door and saw her, his eyes had shimmered bright and clear, like a shooting star streaking across the sky.

Staring at the silt in the pot, she vaguely saw the curtains fluttering and the candlelight flickering softly. She remembered leaning over his back, watching him, and he asked her, "Have the water lilies bloomed yet?"—

The water lilies had not bloomed.

The water lilies were already dead—

When Pei Qing arrived at the Princess’s residence and saw a carriage that did not belong to the estate parked in the alley, he felt that something was wrong. He quickly learned that Mu Wanyao had gone next door. Pei Qing hurried over, passing through without obstruction, only to see all the servants and two strangers—a man and a woman—standing outside a room.

Using the convenience of his status, Pei Qing squeezed into the crowd. Through the window, he saw Mu Wanyao standing before the flower pot.

She stood there just like that, the setting sun casting light upon the side of her face from behind. With her long lashes lowered, her expression was cold and detached.

Yet, in that instant, Pei Qing caught a glimpse of a profound sadness radiating from her.

A torrent of words stuck in his throat, and his heart felt as if it were soaked in bitter, sour water… Pei Qing could not help but feel a sense of despair, thinking that three years of companionship could not compare to the way her heart ignited in that moment at the sight of shadows from the past.

In the eyes of the Princess, what exactly was he? —

Mu Wanyao was not in the mood to spend time with Pei Qing that day; instead, she invited Yan Xiaozhou and her brother to stay at the Princess’s residence. After returning to his own estate and calming himself in his study, Pei Qing found that the jealousy in his heart refused to subside.

He could not help but mock himself.

It had only been three years, yet he was already a sixth-rank official in the imperial court. Even if he could not compare to the way Yan Erlang had climbed several ranks in a single year, this achievement was already highly promising.

Yet, everyone around him would inevitably bring up "Yan Erlang" or "Yan Suchen."

Because Yan Suchen was a famous official throughout the realm; because, even though Yan Suchen was not in Chang'an, the two major events he had orchestrated while he was there made it impossible for anyone to forget him; because Yan Suchen was so young, and because Yan Suchen had once shared an ambiguous relationship with Princess Danyang.

And because, at first glance, Pei Qing and Yan Suchen looked so much alike.

Only Mu Wanyao never mentioned Yan Suchen.

Pei Qing had thought that with Yan Shang in Nanyang, people would eventually forget him over time. Unfortunately, the longer Yan Shang stayed in Nanyang and the more outstanding his administrative achievements became, the more rumors flowed into Chang'an… and everywhere, there were stories about Yan Suchen!

Pei Qing sat in his study, his handsome face distorting for a brief moment. He refused to accept it… he could not accept where he had lost.

He was about to marry the Princess, but she could never forget another man… what kind of marriage was this?

Yan Suchen had merely appeared before him. He had merely left earlier.

That was why Mu Wanyao’s heart was filled with only the good points of that man, unable to remember his faults. But as a man, Pei Qing did not believe that the "white moonlight" in the Princess’s heart could truly be flawless. Perhaps only by shattering the image of that white moonlight in the Princess’s heart could he… truly draw closer to her.

Otherwise, he always felt that this marriage would end in disaster—

Two days later, with continuous rain falling over Chang'an, Mu Wanyao entered the palace to see the Emperor.

She spoke of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel, intending to give her father a heads-up in advance. She wanted to have a say in the Ministry of Personnel, but fearing the Qin Prince’s wariness, she planned to feign interest in the Ministry of War to make the Prince believe that was where she sought power.

Speaking of this, Mu Wanyao’s heart still raced, fearing the Emperor would not permit it: "The Li family recommended a military genius to me and wants him to take a post in Chang'an… I want to use this person to attract my third brother’s attention."

In truth, this person was also a move by the Jinling Li clan to probe the circles of Chang'an.

No one knew if the Emperor would allow it.

From behind the bed curtains came the sound of the Emperor’s weak cough. After he coughed for a long while, Mu Wanyao heard the Emperor’s faint voice: "…Very well."

Mu Wanyao pondered for a moment, then added: "Also… the Li family sent word that my maternal grandfather is likely failing; he is about to pass away. Your daughter… wishes to make a trip to Jinling. Firstly, to… to see him one last time; secondly, to discuss my marriage; thirdly, to meet with them in person to confer regarding the Ministry of War; and fourthly… the leadership of the Li family is about to change, and I wish to make contact with them."

The Emperor’s voice was weak: "I trust in your capabilities now. Cough, cough, Yaoyao, whatever you wish to do… cough, go ahead and do it."

Mu Wanyao said: "Can I use the Li family to bring troops into Chang'an? I see that my third brother has been riding a wave of success lately, and I fear, just in case…"

The Emperor chuckled dryly: "You fear that just in case I haven't arranged everything properly, I might die first?"

Mu Wanyao hurriedly said: "Father…"

The Emperor sighed wearily: "It is fine, do as you wish. Rest assured, Yaoyao, I will pave the way for you. I only hope to see you dressed in red, married off in splendor. Cough, cough, you must return from Jinling early; do not let it delay your wedding."

"I have always wanted you to marry the one you like best. Now, cough, cough, see for yourself. Whatever you wish, cough, just do it."

Tears welled up in Mu Wanyao’s eyes. Appearing overcome with grief, she threw herself at the side of the bed, weeping as she clutched the hand the Emperor extended from behind the curtain, begging him to take care of his health—

Half an hour later, Mu Wanyao washed her face and stepped out of the Emperor’s bedchamber, which was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs. Standing beneath the night sky, she let out a long breath.

Yet, her heart was not particularly light.

She could clearly feel that the Emperor’s health was failing rapidly.

Liu Wenji stood quietly behind her, calling out softly, "Princess," and said, "This servant will escort Your Highness out of the palace."

Mu Wanyao’s face was expressionless; she did not even glance at the powerful eunuch who commanded the court.

Liu Wenji now held the military power of the Northern Barracks, and with scholar-officials like Zhao Gong fawning over him and throwing their support behind him, he was no longer a person to be trifled with at court. Yet, back within the imperial palace, Liu Wenji remained a servant waiting upon the Emperor, still required to respectfully refer to himself as "this slave" in front of Mu Wanyao.

Liu Wenji personally escorted Mu Wanyao out of the palace, keeping other palace attendants at a distance. Bowing his head, he spoke a few words in a low voice: "The imperial physician says that His Majesty will not live past this year."

Mu Wanyao remained expressionless, as if she had not heard him at all.

But she had already obtained the most important piece of information.

Indeed.

As the Emperor’s health deteriorated, Liu Wenji needed a powerful ally, and Mu Wanyao needed someone to relay the most discreet details of the Emperor’s condition to her. The cooperation between Mu Wanyao and Liu Wenji was very low-key; both had their own agendas, merely using the Emperor as a stepping stone to plot their own futures.

Of course, all of this had to be kept from the Emperor.

After seeing the Princess off, Liu Wenji returned to the Emperor’s side. Upon receiving word from a young eunuch that the Prince of Jin was once again bringing his family to visit the Emperor, he could not help but fall into thought.

A piece of trash who only knew how to show filial piety… would it be better for him if such a piece of trash became Emperor?

Liu Wenji’s eyes were cold and filled with dark, heavy resentment as he let out a stifled breath.

After all, his relationship with the Crown Prince was poor, and Mu Wanyao’s relationship with the Crown Prince was also poor. That was why he and Mu Wanyao could cooperate… but the Emperor had no intention of deposing the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince was showing great restraint. If the Crown Prince really managed to endure until the Emperor passed away and ascended the throne as a matter of course, would Liu Wenji’s current glory be affected?

Liu Wenji only gave it a passing thought; for now, the Emperor was still alive, and Liu Wenji did not have the nerve to do anything under the old Emperor’s nose. The more sensitive the period, the more one needed to remain calm.

Just as Liu Wenji was about to enter the hall, he saw the Princess of Jin in the outer chamber. Using stern language, the Princess of Jin was reprimanding a woman standing behind her. The woman stood trembling in the shadows, her replies sounding as if they were choked with tears.

The Princess of Jin fumed: "Why are you crying? Can I not even say a few words to you? You only know how to put on a pitiful act to poison my husband’s mind against me. If it hadn't been for the fact that I pitied you and helped you back then, could you have become a side consort? You and your son would have been killed by those other women in the back courtyard long ago! You useless thing…"

Liu Wenji said coldly: "Your Highness, could you refrain from such loud shouting within the inner palace? What if you disturb His Majesty’s rest?"

The Princess of Jin gave a start and hurriedly smiled apologetically at this eunuch who was now so highly favored by the Emperor, asking after the eunuch’s health and if the Emperor was well enough to receive visitors. In the dark corner, Chunhua quietly raised her eyes, casting a grateful glance at Liu Wenji.

Liu Wenji did not turn back; he did not look at her—

Hearing that Mu Wanyao was going to Jinling, Pei Qing felt even more strongly that she did not value their marriage at all.

They were to be married in half a year, and she still had time to go to Jinling?

It was as if… the marriage were merely an afterthought, not affecting her daily life in the slightest.

Although Pei Qing knew that the Princess had agreed to marry him to help him rise in rank, for her to behave like this—wasn't that treating him as if he were nothing? How was he supposed to survive at court?

Pei Qing immediately came to the Princess to plead, but Mu Wanyao was hard-hearted; for the sake of her power, she would not give way to his emotions. Having no other choice, Pei Qing said: "It is fine if Your Highness wishes to go to Jinling, but as the future consort, you cannot keep casting me aside—I have no prestige at all. Please, let me accompany you to Jinling."

"F-furthermore! Since it is the Princess’s maternal home, I should have the right to pay my respects, should I not?"

Mu Wanyao was indifferent: "As you wish."

Seeing that she did not care, Pei Qing became happy all at once and began to busily arrange the itinerary for the trip to Jinling. He had only been testing to see if Mu Wanyao would allow him to intervene, and seeing that she did not mind, he became even more delighted.

The interesting thing was that while some people wanted to accompany Mu Wanyao to Jinling like Pei Qing, others did not want to go.

That person who did not want to go was Fang Tong.

When Fang Tong came to request leave, Mu Wanyao was immediately displeased. Over the years, from Wuman to Chang'an, almost everywhere she went, Fang Tong, the head of her guards, would follow. She was accustomed to Fang Tong’s presence, and Fang Tong was familiar with her habits, working in tacit understanding with the Princess to avoid many unexpected incidents.

If Fang Tong didn't go, and Mu Wanyao made a mistake in the process, no one would have that level of rapport to help her handle it—what would be the point of that?

Seeing the Princess unhappy, Fang Tong was also in a difficult spot. He gave a wry smile: "Your Highness, I am no longer a young man. I am always dragging my family along, and going away for months at a time is truly inconvenient. Recently, my eldest son returned from my wife’s family, and I haven't spoken to the boy in a year. If I go to Jinling again, when I return, the boy will surely be sent away by my wife to practice martial arts again."

"I just… I just want to spend a few more days with him. Our father-son relationship is quite distant. I do not want it to always remain that way."

Mu Wanyao finally understood.

A sudden thought occurred to her: "Ah, I remember. I’ve seen your son. Isn't he still quite young? Only four this year, right? You’ve already sent him to practice martial arts? You can have your son come with us. He hasn't been to Jinling, has he? It would be perfect to play along the way."

Fang Tong was stunned.

He said: "Your Highness does not like children, do you?"

Mu Wanyao paused for a moment.

Thinking of some past events, she smiled faintly: "I don't dislike them that much."

"In fact… I stopped caring about those things a long time ago."

"It's fine, let him come along. I won't be bothered." —

In the magistrate’s office in Rang County, Nanyang, it was already late at night, yet the lights were still burning bright.

The rain had been drizzling continuously since the beginning of the month; it had been on and off for half a month now.

A man with a stern expression disregarded the guards' attempts to stop him and broke into the magistrate’s office, pushing open the door. He saw the room lit by a single lamp, with Yan Shang sitting behind a desk piled high with documents, still reviewing official business. As he burst in, Yan Shang raised his head from the desk, looking at him thoughtfully.

Yan Shang’s lips curled into a faint smile as he said, "Brother Ziwang."

He was like clear, gentle moonlight, elegant and composed. His polite smile toward the man who had intruded served to smooth over the man’s ruffled feathers.

Yan Shang nodded to Han Shuxing, who was following behind the man, and said, "You may withdraw first."

Han Shuxing nodded and retreated. The man who had broken in felt his expression soften, thinking that Yan Shang’s dismissal of his own guards was a sign of respect. But Han Shuxing, with his head bowed as he walked, thought that the people of Great Wei were treacherous, and this Yan Erlang was the most treacherous person he had ever met.

Yan Erlang was clearly working here, just waiting for this man to come to him, yet he had specifically let them try to block him, putting on a show of being in a difficult position.

This person who had broken into the magistrate’s office in the middle of the night was the sixth son of the Jiang family. Born of the direct line of the Jiang clan, he relied on his own talents and now served as the Jiedushi of Shannan Circuit, meaning he was in charge of military affairs in the Nanyang area.

This Jiang Liulang had broken in at night because Yan Shang had just issued an official document to suppress the eighty bands of mountain bandits around Nanyang. This matter involved military affairs, so naturally, this Sixth Son was indignant, feeling that Yan Shang was overstepping his authority, and had come to have a heated argument with him—

Jiang Liulang paced the room, suppressing his anger: "Fine, you Yan Erlang have quite the ability. Ever since you arrived in Rang County as magistrate, you’ve promoted education, encouraged agriculture, maintained law and order… Where has the Jiang family not cooperated with you? Everything has been for the good of Nanyang, and you have come to the Jiang family several times to beg my grandfather to emerge from seclusion and have the major aristocratic families vote to support your establishment of schools… Out of consideration for the fact that you truly act for the sake of the millennium-long stability of the nation, we have cooperated all along."

"But now you want to suppress the bandits! Yan Erlang, you are merely a magistrate! This kind of thing should be my duty! I am not even in a hurry, so why are you so anxious? You…"

Yan Shang watched him with a smile, thinking to himself that the Jiang family had agreed to let him do this only because they expected to split the credit with him in the end. It certainly wasn't for the sake of any millennium-long stability.

Only when the other party had finished speaking did Yan Shang say gently: "Brother Ziwang, as far as I know, you are from the direct line of the Jiang family, but the current Prefect of Nanyang is not from the direct line. Over these years, you should have been seeking opportunities to accumulate merit. Why would you refuse something that is both good for the people and beneficial to your own career?"

Jiang Liulang said earnestly: "Because you don't understand how difficult these mountain bandits are to suppress. It’s like a wildfire that can never be extinguished… it cannot be wiped out without spending years on it. I’m doing just fine as a Jiedushi; why should I take on such thankless work?"

"Besides, if I agree to your proposal, I would clearly be stealing credit from the Prefect. The man we are currently backing is him, and for me to so openly oppose him… sigh, I know you might not understand the affairs of us great families, but I really cannot afford to be so disrespectful to him."

Yan Shang said softly: "Do you know the current level of administrative affairs in Rang County?"

Jiang Liulang was puzzled: "Rang County is only a medium-sized county; what level could it reach?"

In Great Wei, prefectures and counties were graded as high, medium, or low based on the number of households. Nanyang was considered a medium prefecture, and Rang County, the seat of Nanyang, was also a medium county.

Now that Yan Shang had suddenly brought this up, Jiang Liulang’s eyelids twitched, and he said with a dry laugh: "Don't tell me the number of households in Rang County has changed significantly…"

Yan Shang said softly: "If all goes as expected, when the census is recalculated this year, I will leave Nanyang, and the Prefect of Nanyang will also be promoted… But with the Jiang family’s influence in Nanyang, how could you be willing to leave? As you said, bandit suppression is not a task for a single year; my duties cannot be set aside, but if you take on the bandit suppression, it would be a reasonable excuse to remain in Nanyang without being promoted."

Jiang Liulang muttered: "In this way, the Jiang family will support me…"

He bowed to Yan Shang to express his thanks. There was no need for more words; Yan Shang had given his branch a way out and left the Jiang family with nothing to say. Wondering to himself why Yan Shang would help him like this… Jiang Liulang guessed it must be because many years ago, when Yan Shang first arrived to take office, the Prefect had tried to coerce Yan Shang into marriage to win him over, so Yan Shang must have held a grudge against the Prefect—

After sending off Jiang Liulang and handling the matter, Yan Shang continued his work.

Although he had a residence in Rang County, and it was not far from the magistrate’s office, Yan Shang usually spent most of his time living in the office, just as he was that night.

Yan Shang sat in the darkness, lost in thought.

He was silently considering matters in Chang'an.

The Emperor had just given him a secret edict, ordering him to keep the Jiang clan tied up in Nanyang, unable to leave for at least a year.

Upon receiving such a secret edict, Yan Shang knew that the situation in Chang'an had changed, and the Emperor wanted him to control the situation in Nanyang. After much consideration, bandit suppression was the best way to keep the Jiang clan occupied. And if the bandits were truly cleared out, the people would benefit from it as well.

It was just… did this imperial decree mean that the side in Chang'an was going to move against the Qin Prince?

Yan Shang furrowed his brow, wondering if this would affect Mu Wanyao’s marriage.

He drifted into a daze in the darkness, thinking that everyone in Chang'an said she and her husband were inseparable, and that her husband treated her extremely well… had she finally met someone she truly loved?

Yan Shang felt both sad and happy for her. How he hoped she could move past the influence of the past, be a happy princess, have a blissful marriage, and have a husband who was devoted to her, who had only her in his heart.

Given her status, if she was willing to marry, then it must mean she truly loved him, right? Only once she was married could he truly set his heart at ease.

Yan Shang sat with his head bowed in silence. In the darkness, he groped his way to his feet, leaning against the wall, and took a black sandalwood box from a space hidden behind a mechanism in the wall. When he sat back down, he opened the box.

The rain dripped from the eaves outside, and the lamplight flickered inside the room, illuminating a small pouch inside the box.

Yan Shang reached out and took the pouch, his fingers stroking the patterns he had traced countless times over the years. He lowered his gaze to the pouch; even now, he could not guess what she had embroidered.

It looked like water plants, but also like a great insect.

And perhaps… what she had embroidered back then was actually a pair of mandarin ducks.

Mandarin ducks returning in pairs—that must have been what she was thinking of back then.

He slumped over the desk, his shoulders trembling slightly, then propped his forehead with his hand to soothe his troubled heart.

Yan Shang closed his eyes, suppressing the bitter, withered feeling in his heart. He just sat in the darkness, looking at the pouch, just as he had done countless times before.

But she was getting married now.

He had promised to let her be well.

Then he should never disturb her again, and remain forever removed from her life.

Besides, he, too, would be getting married one day… constantly pining for someone in his heart would be unfair to anyone else.

Like a cloud of white mist sitting in the dim light, Yan Shang’s fingers stroked the pouch. He closed his eyes, as if he were trying to convince himself, or perhaps someone else. He murmured softly: "Yaoyao, you must be well."

"From now on, I will no longer concern myself with you."

"You must, you must be well." —

He thought to himself, Yaoyao was a person with so many distracting thoughts.

He was afraid that the moment she thought of him, she would become angry; afraid that the moment she thought of him, she would begin to doubt the meaning of marriage and love.

He was also afraid that the moment she thought of him, she would feel nostalgic; afraid she would remain trapped in the past, unable to move on.

That was why he had sold all his properties in Chang'an, why he could not appear before her in the slightest.

That was why he had to make a clean break—

Love was like a raging fire, and also like cold water.

The raging fire was endless, and the cold water deepened into ice.

He wanted to be with her, but he was such an unworthy person; helping her to forget him was the best thing he could do for her—

On Mu Wanyao’s side, the traveling party left Chang'an.

At noon, while the others were having their meal outside, Mu Wanyao sat in the carriage and did not descend. She was flipping through a music score, studying ancient music in her heart, when the carriage door opened. Xia Rong’s expression was strange as she whispered a few words into her ear.

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow, still looking down at her book: "Have Pei Qing come over."

After Pei Qing arrived, he paid his respects to Mu Wanyao. Seeing Mu Wanyao flipping through the music score, he thought of what a talented woman she was. He had heard that Princess Danyang was unsurpassed in both talent and music; how could he ever hear her play the konghou or the guqin?

Mu Wanyao, who was looking at her book, said: "It is said that the itinerary you arranged has deviated slightly from our route to Jinling. This doesn't seem to be the shortest path."

Pei Qing pursed his lips.

He said: "That is true."

Mu Wanyao said coolly: "Why is that?"

Pei Qing: "This is not the shortest road to Jinling, because we will pass through a certain place halfway. We will pass through… Nanyang."

He stared at the Princess in the carriage, not blinking once.

Mu Wanyao slowly raised her eyes, her attention finally shifting from the book to him.

Mu Wanyao said coldly: "You are looking for death."

Pei Qing said: "Your servant feels that Your Highness’s inability to forget the past is perhaps just because your memories have overly beautified it. I am about to be your consort; I truly wish to help Your Highness remove that thorn. Once Your Highness sees that person again, you will realize that the past is the past."

Pei Qing emphasized: "Some people can change."

Mu Wanyao was indifferent: "He will not change."

Pei Qing: "No one is as good as they are in memory."

Mu Wanyao just looked at him without speaking.

Pei Qing felt nervous, terrified that she might become enraged. After all, she was the Princess, she was the ruler, and he was the subject. If she were determined not to go to Nanyang, he would have no way to stop her.

Mu Wanyao said slowly: "As you wish."

"But you had better be prepared… some people are not the way you think they are." —

In the middle of the third month, Mu Wanyao’s party entered the borders of Nanyang.

For the past month, it had been raining constantly, drizzle after drizzle, which had hindered the progress of the carriages. The rain was relentless, making people feel irritated and restless.

Fortunately, there were carriages.

However, Princess Danyang and her future consort did not sit in the same carriage, because the Princess said she liked quiet and wanted to read, not wanting to hear anyone breathe. And the future consort, always submissive, naturally sat in a separate carriage.

As the carriage traveled along the mountain road and reached the territory of Nanyang, Pei Qing nervously came to inform the Princess. Pei Qing was far more nervous than Mu Wanyao herself, but she remained inside her carriage, quietly reading her book, completely unconcerned about where they were.

Sometimes she could not help but feel, but most of the time she could control her inability to not feel.

Suddenly, the carriage thumped and lurched, giving Mu Wanyao a start. Her head bumped against the carriage wall, and the pain made her eyes well up with tears—

The line of carriages had become stuck in a muddy, cratered mountain road.

Everyone held up umbrellas, struggling to rescue the Princess from the carriage. Mu Wanyao was furious; clutching her skirt and supported by Xia Rong, she glared at the carriages trapped in the large pits on the road.

Mu Wanyao suppressed her rage: "What is going on? The road was fine; where did such large holes come from?"

She looked ahead and saw that the entire mountain road had been dug out into pits; even if the carriages didn't get stuck now, they would soon.

The crowd was confused; no one knew what Nanyang was doing.

While the party was trapped, Xia Rong held an umbrella for the Princess, Pei Qing led men to study how to dig the carriages out of the mud, and Fang Tong stood beside the Princess, suddenly saying: "Huh."

Mu Wanyao turned her head: "What is it?"

She followed Fang Tong’s gaze, and in an instant, she grew still—

On the winding path ahead, a group of people, apparently hearing the commotion, were approaching. Most of them were dressed in the uniforms of petty officials; they were clearly local functionaries.

But their leader, wearing a tattered white robe, did not look like an official.

His face was elegant and refined. Although a servant held an umbrella over him, his robes were still splattered with mud. A white veil covered his eyes, and the ribbon that fastened the veil behind his head fluttered lightly in the wind and rain.

He was guided by a young servant, being pointed in the right direction as he walked toward them.

His voice was clear and soft: "Honored guests, I am sorry I have not come to welcome you sooner upon your arrival in this place, and I am truly ashamed that you have met with such hardship—" —

Mu Wanyao stood with her shoulder turned, quietly watching Yan Shang being guided toward her. Before even seeing her, he bowed to pay his respects first, apologizing before anything else.

She watched his eyes covered by a white veil; she watched his demeanor, upright and composed.

She watched the smile on his lips; she watched the misty rain shroud his brows and eyes, obscuring his vision—

Countless flakes of snow-like light flew down from beneath the pine trees; the world was like a loom, the mountain forests like smoke.

Everywhere she looked, she stood in the silt, while he was as pure and white as jade.

Upon reuniting with him, it was precisely at the moment when the rain came like a flood, descending from the heavens.