Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Mu Wanyao led Yan Shang forward to pay her respects to her uncle.

Having not seen him for many years and relying solely on letters, Mu Wanyao felt that her uncle remained just as she remembered him—refined and scholarly. Were it not for the critical illness of her maternal grandfather, her uncle would never have returned to Jinling.

Li Gong sat on the couch draped in robes, looking at Li Zhi with an inquisitive smile. "How is it? Are you acquainted with Yaoyao’s consort?"

Li Zhi did not answer. Instead, Yan Shang spoke gently, "Several years ago, when I was in Chang’an, due to the threat from the Wuman, I requested the Princess’s assistance to ask the Governor to look after my family. I have admired the Governor’s bearing ever since that time."

Li Zhi smiled without a word. He stared at this mild-mannered, deliberate young gentleman, noting that he was neither haughty nor humble; he showed none of the timidity typically found in someone from a humble background. Only then did he let the matter go.

Li Zhi, however, explained to his father, "Yan Er-lang is being modest. The reason he sought my help while in Chang’an was because, even earlier than that, Yaoyao had been threatened by the Wuman King. Yan Er-lang, then a mere scholar in the wilds of Lingnan, presented a strategy to Yaoyao and me, calculating against the Wuman."

Li Gong became interested. "A strategy? You two have been dealing with each other for that long?"

Li Zhi looked coldly at Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao, who stood side-by-side. He saw Mu Wanyao unconsciously step forward by a fraction, clearly shielding the young man. Li Zhi said dryly, "In those days, Yan Er-lang had not yet entered government service; he was but a mere youth, and the strategy he presented was, in truth, crude and superficial. Looking back now, Yaoyao, do you find that you were too naive at the time?"

Mu Wanyao’s eyes flickered with displeasure, yet she smiled. "Indeed. I did not understand government affairs at the time and relied entirely on my uncle’s guidance. It was a great help to me."

Li Zhi sighed. "You need not say that. I agreed to that crude strategy of Yan Er-lang’s not entirely for your sake. In truth, I saw that a youth had the courage to present a plan to a Princess, and I found it interesting. Though the plan was shallow, I thought that with time, if he were to serve me, he might be molded."

"I sent that strategy directly to the border; I never truly expected it to succeed. Being demoted to Nanhai, I had no possibility of leaving, so I thought if I wanted Yan Er-lang to serve me, I would have to make him come to Nanhai to see me. I imagined that if the plan failed and angered the Wuman, causing them to attack Great Wei, someone would need to be held responsible."

"I would have pushed Yan Er-lang forward, yet as his liege, I would have taken the blame on his behalf. In this way, I would have made him convinced of my benevolence, grateful for my 'rebirth' of his career. For Yan Er-lang to be subdued by me and follow me in Nanhai would have been a viable path."

"It is a pity that the barbarians were even more foolish than I had imagined."

The room fell silent, and Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened slightly.

Back then, when she first entered the political arena, she had been green and inexperienced, not thinking much of it. She never imagined that her uncle’s casual "so be it" held so much malice behind it.

In truth, looking at it now, Yan Er-lang’s strategy at the time was indeed too simple, but Yan Shang had only been seventeen... Li Zhi was truly being a bully.

After a long moment, Yan Shang bowed with a smile. "I am ashamed. I thank the Governor for the instruction."

Li Gong watched the exchange, stroking his beard and laughing. He pointed at his son, Li Zhi, sighed for a long time, and finally said, "Then why don't you pour a cup of wine for the two juniors?" Everyone in the room laughed, and the awkwardness caused by Mu Wanyao’s sudden change of consort was selectively forgotten by all.

Yan Shang sighed internally at how much he still had to learn. Li Zhi could have chosen not to reveal the past, but he had chosen to do so. As he and Mu Wanyao matured, this old incident would inevitably become a thorn. It was better for Li Zhi to pull out the thorn himself, clearing away the gaps and suspicions between them.

Li Zhi was truly worthy of being the legendary figure of the Chang’an political scene.

As he thought this, he felt Mu Wanyao gently squeeze his hand through his sleeve. Knowing he could not see, she used this method to comfort him. Warmth filled Yan Shang’s heart, and he squeezed her hand back gently, letting her know he did not care. Back then he had been so young, and Li Zhi had treated them as he would children...

But today, by being so open and honest with them, wasn’t Li Zhi simply proving that he no longer dared to underestimate them?

Yan Shang could not see Li Zhi’s expression, but judging by his voice, he presumed the man was cold-hearted. As he thought this, he drank the wine Li Zhi offered. However, it seemed Li Zhi was fixated on him today; after Yan Shang finished the wine, Li Zhi asked, "Since you are to be Yaoyao’s consort, in the future, you must assist her in leading the scholars from humble families."

Yan Shang thought to himself, what "consort"? Mu Wanyao had never discussed any such thing with him.

He simply bowed and smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Li Zhi stared at him. "The famous minister Yan Suchen—you have such a reputation, which shows the hardships you have endured, and I respect that. However, although Yaoyao is a noble Princess, she is also my niece. You must know that for Yaoyao’s marriage, I have worried for many years. It is a pity that Yaoyao is headstrong; she did not like the one I chose for her and even forced him out of Great Wei, placing him beyond my reach. I assume that since Yaoyao chose you, you must have exceptional qualities, so I will not ask further. Yet, as I understand, you were promoted to magistrate of Nanyang because you forced the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to his death."

"We are now aware of the Assistant Minister’s dying words. Given the grave error you committed against Yaoyao back then, I am genuinely curious: do you still have the face to ask for her hand in marriage?"

Yan Shang’s face paled.

Mu Wanyao immediately interjected, "Uncle! I do not blame him!"

Li Zhi looked at her indifferently and said, "You, of course, may choose not to blame him. But as your uncle, I must ask him for your sake."

After a long while, Yan Shang answered with a raspy voice, "The events of that year were due to my youth and my lack of comprehensive foresight. If it could happen again, I would not let the Princess fall into such a state; I would have consulted with her..."

Li Zhi interrupted, "Your positions were different; what was there to consult?"

Yan Shang fell silent instantly.

After a long pause, he said with difficulty, "Perhaps they were not entirely different. Deep down, Yaoyao is the same as I am, but there were too many trivial matters and she had no time to attend to them. As long as I sweep away the dust for her, my position is, in fact, consistent with hers."

Mu Wanyao immediately added, "That is right! I told my grandfather that very day that I, too, wanted to be a hero. It was not mere empty talk; does Grandfather not remember?"

She looked to Li Gong for help, not wanting her uncle to pressure Yan Shang any further. Yan Shang was suffering inside; he himself regretted it to death. Because of that event, he felt he was unworthy to love anyone, and he had only just gathered the courage to convince himself to walk toward her... why did her uncle have to force him back?

The room was quiet. A maidservant entered holding her breath, bringing a cup of medicine to Li Gong. As Li Gong drank his medicine, he gazed at them.

Seeing Mu Wanyao appealing to his father, Li Zhi smiled and stopped pursuing the matter.

He asked Yan Shang, "Yan Er-lang, do not take it to heart. Now that you and Yaoyao are wed, with your fame, Yaoyao’s power, and my Li family of Jinling, this represents the union of the Jinling Li family and the humble scholars, supporting their rise. My questions were only to understand you better."

Yan Shang said softly, "It is no matter. I should be frank with all of you."

Li Zhi asked, "Then tell me, Yan Er-lang, in your heart, who is more important: the ruler or the people?"

Yan Shang replied, "The people. The character for 'people' (民) has the character for 'mouth' (口) on top; the character for 'ruler' (君) has the 'mouth' on the bottom. This is a request for those who are rulers to listen more to the pleas of the people. And as we, the ministers, eat the ruler's grain, we should transmit the voices of the people to the Emperor’s ears. I became an official for the sake of the people’s livelihood, and this heart shall never change."

Li Gong raised an eyebrow slightly, unable to stop himself from looking at Mu Wanyao’s extraordinarily thin suitor. It had been many years since he had seen someone so pure; he found it both ridiculous and moving.

Li Zhi asked, "Can you truly keep your initial intent unchanged?"

Yan Shang replied, "At the very least, it remains unchanged to this day."

Li Zhi probed, "If one day Yaoyao were to stand against your people’s livelihood, on whose side would you stand?"

Yan Shang was quiet for a long while before saying, "The world is murky, and the political scene is volatile; there is no clear distinction between black and white. Positions can change at any moment, and maneuvering is but a means to an end. Yaoyao and I will not reach that point. She... is not that kind of person."

Li Zhi did not let it go. "What if she is? What if, for her own selfish desires, she would see millions of people buried with her? Would you kill her?"

Yan Shang’s face turned even paler.

Mu Wanyao looked at him, feeling that he exuded a trace of profound sorrow. She held Yan Shang’s hand and felt his palm was ice-cold. Her heart could not bear it; she wondered why her uncle had to be so oppressive.

Just as Mu Wanyao was about to answer on Yan Shang’s behalf, Yan Shang said softly, "I would kill her."

Mu Wanyao trembled and intended to let go of his hand. Yan Shang, however, gripped her back and looked at her. With his eyes covered in gauze, no one could see his expression, yet they could still feel the loneliness and sorrow radiating from him. He said gently to Mu Wanyao, "If it truly came to that point, I would pay for it with my own life."

Mu Wanyao was silent for a moment, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. She gently squeezed his hand to indicate that he should not worry; they would not reach that point.

She did not want his life in compensation. It would be enough for her and Yan Shang to live well together.

Li Zhi said calmly, "Oh, that is acceptable as well. However, as a minister, one must be loyal to the ruler. I have one more question: if the Emperor you serve is contrary to your intentions, constantly suppressing you, preventing you from exercising your talents, and instead trapping you, what would you do?"

His question was not without malice.

However, this question was far easier than forcing Yan Shang to choose between the people and Mu Wanyao. After a moment of thought, Yan Shang gave his answer: "The ancients said: 'If the state follows the Way, serve; if not, wrap it up and keep it in your bosom.' If the Emperor is unworthy of trust, one naturally wraps it up and leaves."

He meant that if their principles aligned, he would serve; if they differed, he would not be an official. It was that simple.

Li Zhi nodded and prepared to ask more, but Mu Wanyao, now thoroughly impatient, interrupted: "How much more do you intend to ask, Uncle? We have just arrived and haven't spoken many words to Grandfather, yet we have been subjected to your questions all this time. Even as an elder, you are being too much of a bully."

Li Zhi laughed, bowed his hands, and said he was being rude, clearly intending to stop.

Mu Wanyao breathed a sigh of relief, but this time, although Li Zhi let them go, Yan Shang pressed the issue. "Regarding the union of our two families, it is right for the Governor to be cautious and ask me so many questions. However, I have questions of my own I would like to ask the Governor. I wonder if the Governor would deign to answer?"

Li Zhi’s brows arched as he looked at the young man who bowed to him with neither arrogance nor sycophancy. He thought to himself that Yan Suchen was not someone who would simply take abuse.

Li Zhi did not mind and laughed. "You may ask whatever you wish."

Yan Shang said, word by word, "Years ago, due to the strife between the Li family and the Emperor, it led to the Princess being sent away for a political marriage, and the people suffered years of hardship. Your court struggles benefited neither the common folk nor the Princess. But because you were fighting for power, the border armies had no commander to deploy, leading to successive defeats for Great Wei, and the Princess was forced into the marriage to resolve the calamity between the two nations."

"To pull the people of the world into your struggle, and to have your own relative suffer the consequences of your man-made disaster for the sake of an alliance... I wonder, Governor, have you ever felt regret?"

In an instant, the hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Not only was Li Zhi stunned into silence, even Li Gong, who was lying on his sickbed, suddenly opened his eyes wide, his sharp gaze piercing the reckless madman who dared to question them.

Mu Wanyao pulled gently on Yan Shang’s sleeve. "Do not say any more."

Yan Shang turned back and said to her softly, "The Princess has been wronged for many years and has never received an apology from any of you. You utilized her marriage, utilized her value, and she was tossed between the Crown Prince and the Jinling Li family. Have you ever thought about how a young girl in her teens survived those years?"

"You have questioned me for her sake today, so I will ask you one thing for her—have you ever felt regret?"

He stepped forward, his long sleeves fluttering, facing the entire gathering of the Li family, facing the terminally ill Li Gong.

Yan Shang stood tall, elegant as jade, his tone slightly strained. Even his voice, which was usually not loud, rose with a slight tremor: "Do you not owe her an apology?!"

"Since you have asked me for her sake today, why not return to her an apology?!"

No one in the hall spoke. Li Gong’s gaze, which had initially been sharp, became complex, and he sighed softly. Li Zhi looked at Yan Shang without speaking, while beneath him, the other Li descendants glared furiously at this Yan Er-lang, wishing they could kill him.

They also felt a tooth-aching regret—he was truly worthy of being the "famous minister" who made the Chang’an officialdom tremble. With such a reputation, how had they dared to provoke him? How had they failed to realize that a scholar from a humble family who achieved such renown would naturally have an extraordinary way of speaking and would never bow to power?

As for Mu Wanyao, she no longer looked at the Li family. Without Li Gong’s instruction, no one dared to speak. Even her uncle looked at Yan Shang with a complex expression, wanting to speak yet holding back. Mu Wanyao did not care about those people; she had not cared about them for a very long time.

She stood behind Yan Shang, looking at his back with tenderness and longing. Her eyes welled with tears, sparkling and limpid, and she stared at Yan Shang unblinkingly. In her heart, only he remained.

Only he spoke up for her.

Only he cherished her.

If even this entire hall of people did not care for her, as long as there was one person like Yan Shang who did, why should Mu Wanyao bother with them?

On the day of the confrontation in the hall, Mu Wanyao did not wait for an apology, but it did not matter. From that day on, as they resided in the Li household, the members of the Li family could not help but walk around Yan Shang whenever they saw him.

It was clear that they were all afraid of Yan Er-lang, and they dared not underestimate him as they had at the beginning, believing that a scholar from a humble background was unworthy of standing in the Li household.

As for Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang, regardless of their private relationship, once they were on Li territory, the two could not help but discuss important matters in private. For instance—

Yan Shang sat on the couch while the old imperial physician examined his eyes and applied medicine.

After the physician finished, Yan Shang kept his eyes closed. He heard Mu Wanyao speak to the physician outside before she entered and said calmly, "I asked the physician to see my maternal grandfather. My grandfather initially declined, but after I was firm, he had no choice but to receive treatment. The physician just told me that my grandfather’s illness is said to be acute, but in reality, if he recovers properly for two or three years, he might well live to be a hundred."

Yan Shang turned his face toward her and said softly, "But your grandfather claimed to be terminally ill. He used this as an excuse to get you to Jinling to see him one last time. If the physician is not mistaken, then... is it your grandfather himself who does not wish to live?"

Mu Wanyao fell into deep thought.

Yan Shang whispered, "Your uncle was demoted to Nanhai and is not allowed to return to Jinling. However, your uncle is an outstanding figure of the Li family, and your grandfather needs your uncle to return to preside over the family. The Li family has been disgraced, and only if your grandfather passes away can he shamelessly submit a memorial to the Emperor, begging for your uncle to return to Jinling to observe the period of mourning."

"Observing mourning for three years—even without an official position, it would not matter to your uncle. And what will the situation be after three years? The world knows that your imperial father’s health is poor... Your grandfather is gambling that your father will not live beyond three years. After three years, your uncle can remain in Jinling and support the Li family’s resurgence."

"Furthermore, you have been growing in influence in Chang’an these years, and now you have persuaded the Li family to marry into a humble house; this means you want the Li family to support the humble scholars. However, the Li family has a past, and the Emperor will not be at ease with the Li family’s rise. Therefore, your grandfather can only choose to die, allowing your uncle to take the position... through this succession, he tells the Emperor that the Li family has changed its head, and a new person has taken office. The new head can implement new policies. If the Li family supports the humble scholars, the Emperor will not turn to suppress the Li family again."

Mu Wanyao nodded slowly.

She thought as she spoke, "The Li family now depends on me. I came to Jinling because I was instructed by my father to have troops pass through the Li family’s private forces on their way to Chang’an. Because the south honors the Li family, under the cover of these great clans, the imperial court in Chang’an will not know that the border armies have not been mobilized. Since my father seeks help from the Li family, the Li family naturally has its own ambitions."

"My uncle recommended two Li family youths to return to Chang’an with us, and he asked me to arrange official positions for them as I see fit. As my relationship with the Li family is at its most harmonious, I naturally will not refuse such a thing."

Mu Wanyao walked to the side of Yan Shang, who was sitting on the couch, and rested her hand on his shoulder.

He could feel the breeze from the window against his cheek and hear the faint sounds of people in the corridor. Yan Shang moved aside without changing his expression, seemingly indifferent. "Then what do you think? Do you want the physician to treat your grandfather?"

Mu Wanyao pondered for a moment and said softly, "He does not wish to live; why must I force him to? He will not thank me. Since he does not wish to live himself, I shall act as if I know nothing."

Yan Shang lowered his head and remained silent.

Mu Wanyao suddenly leaned down to look at him, moving close to his face. He felt her breath and, caught off guard, leaned backward. "What are you doing?"

Mu Wanyao asked, "Why are you blushing?"

Yan Shang replied, "..."

He stiffened slightly. "The window is open, and people are coming and going outside. This is your grandfather’s house! You ask why I am blushing?"

Mu Wanyao found this curious. She rubbed her fingertips against his burning cheek, looking down at him with a half-smile. "What are you afraid of? Did you not admit that you are my consort in front of my grandfather and uncle? Since you have already admitted it, why are you afraid of people seeing us being intimate?"

Yan Shang said, "Who is being intimate with you? I was merely sparing your grandfather’s face since he is critically ill, and I did not wish to refute you. Who is your consort? Where is the official documentation? Where is the public notice? Who consulted with me, and who asked for my opinion? You acted on your own authority without ever asking me. I’m no one’s consort."

Mu Wanyao laughed. "The news of this 'consort' won't arrive for a while. Perhaps the imperial decree from Chang’an has already changed anyway? What if I didn't consult you? Having come this far, do you truly think you could refuse?"

Yan Shang asked in return, "Why do you think I wouldn't refuse?"

Mu Wanyao’s expression darkened suddenly.

She gritted her teeth. "You are just stubborn."

She pushed him, and Yan Shang, thinking she wanted to sit, moved aside to make room. But just as he shifted, a fragrant wind entered his embrace; Mu Wanyao sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Yan Shang, whose face was already flushed, turned an even deeper shade of red.

Under his dark hair, his ears were as red as red beans, looking incredibly cute. Mu Wanyao loved it immensely and heard him whisper, "What are you doing again?"

Mu Wanyao leaned down to brush her lips against his, smiling and chirping, "Brother Yan, do you feel very hot?"

Yan Shang adjusted his sleeves, which were wrapped tightly even in the heat of summer. He was naturally cool-tempered and had not been sweating, but with Mu Wanyao sitting on his lap and teasing him like this, he was indeed starting to feel hot. He hesitated for a long while before realizing, "...You didn't drug me again, did you?"

Mu Wanyao laughed triumphantly.

Yan Shang’s face turned bright red. "This is too reckless! How can you... how can you... this is a study! A study!"

Mu Wanyao’s eyes crinkled in laughter; she licked him like a kitten stealing cream. He felt both repulsed and fond; he pushed her away and then held her close. He was like a contradiction—hating this troublemaking little kitten to death, but the moment she threw herself into his arms, he couldn't bear to cast her out.

Holding her tightly as if to cherish her, he had to endure being pressed and kissed by her.

As Yan Shang pushed and struggled with her, Mu Wanyao forcibly led him to the round shelf where the flower vase had been placed. She knocked the vase to the ground; the crisp sound made Yan Shang nervous and stiff. However, she embraced him passionately, her bare feet gently rubbing against his waist, and Yan Shang could only fall step by step.

While gasping and tilting his head to negotiate with her, he asked, "...Can we not go to the bedroom?"

Mu Wanyao, coquettish and deliberate, said, "No! I have wanted to do this with you in the study for a long time... Mmh..."

With a soft groan from her, his blood surged like a collapse; he could not control himself.

In his intoxication, Mu Wanyao embraced him, resting her chin on Yan Shang’s shoulder. She turned her face to rub gently against his sweat-dampened cheek. Her vision blurred, and pleasure came in waves. Mu Wanyao hooked her fingers over Yan Shang’s shoulder and suddenly bit his ear: "I have a secret I want to tell you."

In his trance, Yan Shang’s ear was bitten by her, a sensation that was both prickly and comfortable. He couldn't help but hold her tighter, and after a while, he whispered helplessly, "What is it now?"

Mu Wanyao whispered, "I didn't give you any medicine."

Yan Shang: "...Mu Wanyao!"

She laughed loudly, patting his shoulder as she leaned over it, amused to the point of collapse by his reaction, only to be scooped into his arms by the nervous Yan Shang. He reached out to cover her mouth, telling her not to laugh—laughing as if she were so indifferent!

It was as if she were terrified that others wouldn't know what they were doing!

A few days later, Li Gong held a banquet on the Qinhuai River, inviting Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao. When the two arrived, they saw the Li family members were all present. Li Gong had rarely left his bed, wearing casual clothes and smiling kindly at them. The two juniors naturally offered their respects, and Li Zhi sat by his father’s side, yielding his seat so that Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang could sit next to Li Gong.

Li Gong first had someone pour wine for them. "Yan Er-lang’s question the other day brought me sudden enlightenment. Yaoyao, this cup is offered by all of us to you. We owe you an apology, and today, as the head of the Li family, I offer it to you. I hope you can forgive us."

Mu Wanyao accepted the wine and smiled. "I do not mind."

The political marriage had been many years behind her; she had endured the bitterness and hardship on her own. She did not value or care about a late apology. Accepting Li Gong’s wine today was merely to clear the air on the surface so that both sides could continue to cooperate without resentment.

Li Gong also offered a cup to Yan Shang. "Thank you, Yan Er-lang, for your words, which served as a wake-up call for this old man."

Yan Shang said he did not deserve the praise and respectfully consumed the wine.

Li Gong sighed.

Seeing the two of them so composed, Li Gong felt even more deeply that the young were truly limitless, while he himself was old and dying. Yet even though he was dying, he still had to pave the way for the Li family’s descendants.

Li Gong smiled and invited everyone to eat. The atmosphere at the banquet was excellent, and in their conversation, they inevitably touched upon some old events. Li Gong’s voice was aged. "I know that you, Yaoyao, have always blamed us, but I must defend myself—we were trapped in this situation and had no choice but to think of the family."

"We were all pushed forward. If there had been another way, who would not have wanted to be a good person? Who would be willing to sit quietly in the mud and filth, rather than live elegantly in the pure moon’s glow?"

Mu Wanyao smiled and said softly, "I have already said that I do not mind."

Li Gong said, "I know, you are a sensible and good child. Your appearance now is exactly the same as your mother’s back then... when your mother was sixteen or seventeen, she was just like you. I am merely dazed, so I keep thinking of the past; seeing you reminds me of your mother."

Mu Wanyao looked at Li Gong and slowly asked, "Mother passed away due to illness; Grandfather must have been very sad?"

Li Gong’s face darkened.

He was genuinely heartbroken. He turned his head to look at the gray sky outside the cabin and muttered, "I have five children, and your mother was my only daughter. Reaching middle age, to see a white-haired person bury a black-haired one—how could I not be sad? You can ask your uncle and the others; among all their siblings, she was the one I loved the most."

Mu Wanyao looked at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi also seemed lost in memory and said, "Third Sister... was indeed very beloved by Father."

Li Gong choked up. "The glory of the Li family rested on her alone; do you think I was willing? I had one such daughter, held in the palm of my hand daily. Thinking back now, I regret it. When she was in her teens... I should not have let her run wild. If she had not met your imperial father... not met the Emperor! Everything would have been completely different!"

Mu Wanyao was silent for a long while before saying, "I thought Mother and Father married because of an alliance between the great clans and the royal family."

Li Gong said, "No. When she was fifteen, she dressed as a man and traveled throughout Jinling."

A dazed smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. "At that time, everyone knew the Third Son of the Li family, but who knew the Third Daughter? Perhaps it was because she played around all day that she met your father, who was visiting the common people in private. Your father became brothers with her, and only later did he find out she was a woman. Your father was overjoyed and came to me overnight to ask for your mother’s hand. I refused at the time, thinking your father was just a wild boy. My Li family had been hibernating in Jinling for a hundred years; how could I marry my daughter to a poor scholar from the wilds?"

"That day, your mother went out to watch a play... when she returned, she told me she would marry your father. She went on hunger strikes and fought against me. Your father came to our door and knelt for a long time, and only later was his imperial identity revealed."

"They truly loved each other; they truly resisted me, truly wishing to be husband and wife. Your mother had grand ambitions, saying your father was the great hero in her heart. She and your father were of one mind and wanted to do something great for the people of the world together."

"Their hearts were filled with the people! I laughed at them for being ridiculous, but they remained defiant. I was moved by them... but Yaoyao, look at the outcome now. The gates of the royal family truly should not be entered. My beautiful A-Nuan was destroyed in your father’s hands. And does your father love the people? How ridiculous; he loves Great Wei, and the people are merely a part of it."

"Yaoyao, Yan Suchen, the love for the people that Yan Suchen spoke of that day reminded me of Yaoyao’s parents back then... one cycle after another, thirty years have passed. Who can turn back? Who has the heart to look back?"

The atmosphere at the banquet grew heavy.

Li Gong, trembling, was helped to the window of the cabin. He sat under the window, and all the juniors looked at him. He did not turn around, gazing at the rushing water outside the cabin, as if watching the surging long river of time passing by.

Everyone heard him mumbling a small tune, the voice extremely faint. It was likely a Jinling folk song, and the Li children listened with expressions of deep sorrow; some could not help but sob. Amidst the intermittent sobbing at the banquet, Yan Shang heard it clearly, yet he could not understand the Jinling melody.

Mu Wanyao told him softly, "He is singing this—"

"'Heroic spirit in youth, mingling with the heroes of the five capitals. Hearts and gall connected. Hair standing on end. In the midst of standing and talking, life and death are the same. A promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Pushing for bravery. Proud and indulgent. Riding with light canopies. Riding side-by-side. East of the capital of the fight. Drinking loudly in the taverns, the spring colors floating in the cold urns. Sucking the sea and hanging rainbows. Casually calling eagles and urging dogs, white feathers plucking carved bows. The cunning lair is suddenly empty. Joy is hurried.'"

Yan Shang whispered, "He is singing about your parents, and also about the departure and aging of that generation."

Mu Wanyao felt a sense of sadness in her heart and said a soft "Mm."

The old man’s singing grew weaker until it could no longer be heard. The entire banquet was silent. Li Zhi stood up and walked toward the window. He placed his hand under the old man’s nose, and after a moment, said softly, "Father has departed."

He turned back to look at his wife, smiling faintly at her. "From now on, I have no father."

His wife had been clutching her handkerchief the entire time, worried that the Princess would cause a scene at the banquet. But she never imagined that the banquet would have such an ending. Tears rolled down her face in large drops, and she walked toward her husband through her blurred vision.

All the descendants of the Li family left their seats, throwing themselves in grief toward Li Gong.

The full moon hung in the sky, and the boat drifted on the Qinhuai River. The shimmering, brilliant gold water, the sounds of laughter and singing drifting from afar. But close by, in one room, there was the sound of weeping, the hall filled with sorrow.

Yan Shang gathered Mu Wanyao into his arms and whispered, "Even if one dislikes them, they are, after all, kin. They say death is a common occurrence, but when the moment arrives, who can look through it without emotion?"

Mu Wanyao buried her face in his embrace, closed her eyes, and shed a single tear.