Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Heavy rain fell in Nanyang.

An imperial eunuch from Chang'an arrived through the downpour, heading straight for the magistrate's office in Rang County to proclaim an imperial decree.

However, the Magistrate of Rang County was not currently in Nanyang. The eunuch was bewildered upon arrival—if the magistrate was absent, did only the assistant magistrate handle the affairs of Rang County? Fortunately, the eunuchs did not have to wait long before Pei Qing arrived, escorted by a servant holding an umbrella, stepping up the stairs into the hall.

Pei Qing’s shoulders were dampened by the rain, and his wide sleeves were soaked through to his knees. He apologized to the eunuch who had come to proclaim the decree, offering a helpless smile: "...I am the local registrar; the administrative affairs of Rang County are currently being handled by me in the magistrate's stead. The magistrate is away on business, so if you wish to proclaim this decree, I fear you will have to make another trip."

The eunuch was shocked. "How can the local magistrate not be at the office? This... this... are you mocking me, young master? For a magistrate to leave his jurisdiction without permission is a crime. He has just been promoted by imperial decree; if the central government finds out, will he not be demoted again? Young master, this is no matter for jest."

Pei Qing did not know how to answer. Suddenly, another eunuch emerged from behind him, smiling brightly as he asked the one holding the decree: "Is it Yan Er-lang you seek? Then there is no trouble. Yan Er-lang... has been abducted by Princess Danyang. This is the Princess’s own doing; those in Chang'an will turn a blind eye, so do not go making more trouble for yourself, eunuch."

Pei Qing gestured for his servant to step forward and quietly slip a gold ingot into the sleeve of the decree-bearing eunuch. The eunuch's shifting complexion smoothed, and he sighed helplessly. "If it is the doing of a princess of the imperial house, Yan Er-lang must have been coerced. We can only blame the Princess."

"Indeed, indeed," the first eunuch agreed.

The eunuch who had arrived later asked curiously, "This fellow eunuch, why are you also in Nanyang? Were you also here to proclaim a decree to the Rang County magistrate before me?"

The first eunuch smilingly denied it. "No, no. I am carrying an imperial decree, first for young master Pei, and then for Princess Danyang. I had assumed the Princess was still in Nanyang, but once I arrived and heard young master Pei, I realized she had already gone to Jinling. Once the rain stops, I have no choice but to travel to Jinling to deliver the decree to Princess Danyang."

Under the subtle gazes of the two eunuchs, Pei Qing offered a strained smile, remarking that the rain was heavy and inviting them to have some wine. He then excused himself, leaving the space to the two eunuchs.

Once Pei Qing was gone and the wine was laid out, the eunuch who had arrived in Nanyang earlier spoke mysteriously to the newcomer: "The decree I carry is nothing that cannot be spoken of. The news should have spread through Chang'an by now, right? I have two decrees here; one is to strip young master Pei of his position as consort—naturally, he does not look pleased."

"The other is to announce the new consort. I must go to Jinling to personally deliver this imperial mandate into the Princess's hands."

The latter realized with a start: "So that is it! I heard while in Chang’an that Princess Danyang’s consort was truly to be replaced."

The former wore a knowing, tipsy smile, his tongue slightly thick from the wine: "His Majesty has long favored a union between Princess Danyang and Yan Er-lang; it is not news from today."

The latter was astonished: "The new consort is Yan Er-lang?! No wonder... no wonder."

The former asked curiously, "Of your two decrees, is one not regarding the marriage and naming Yan Er-lang as consort?"

The latter shook his head and laughed. "The decrees I brought were issued by the Secretariat. There are indeed two, but both concern official appointments and have nothing to do with the consort matter."

The former was puzzled but nodded, thinking that this eunuch likely served in the Secretariat, so he was there for bureaucratic promotions. The Secretariat would not care whom Yan Er-lang married or served. The former intended to ask about the changes to Yan Er-lang’s official position—whether it was good or bad news—but the latter, who served in the Secretariat, was tight-lipped and refused to say a word.

In short, the two eunuchs clinked their cups, enjoying the wine together: "In this case, we might as well be companions and travel to Jinling together to proclaim our decrees to the two noble persons."

In Chang’an, the discussion regarding the officials’ withdrawal remained without result. But faintly, as the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin reached a private reconciliation, no one cared about the official withdrawal issue anymore.

The Prince of Qin tacitly allowed the Crown Prince to take over the troops in the Shannan Circuit, and the Crown Prince’s reciprocation was to cease blocking the reshuffling and transfer of officials within the Nanyang Jiang family. The former leaders of the Nanyang Jiang family fell from grace one after another, but new people rose to replace them. Although their vitality was somewhat damaged, it remained the Jiang family’s territory.

This allowed the Prince of Qin to reluctantly accept this outcome, despite his unease.

Yet, in the current situation, the Prince of Qin could no longer convince himself. With various factions pressing in, it was clear that they intended to cut him down, to cut down the Nanyang Jiang family. The Crown Prince lost the Yang family, and he lost the Jiang family. It now seemed as if their imperial father was letting them kill each other.

Their father did not favor him.

Over the past few months, in the case of the Nanyang Jiang family, the Prince of Qin had clearly come to this realization. Previously, during the Crown Prince’s Ministry of Revenue affair, the Emperor let the matter drop after the Crown Prince apologized and confined himself to the Eastern Palace. But now, when it was his turn, the Nanyang Jiang family was trapped in a counter-insurgency operation, unable to free themselves, and because of the succession, their support for the Prince of Qin was far weaker than before.

If the Emperor was reshuffling the deck, he was definitely targeting the Prince of Qin.

After being chilled to the bone several times, the Prince of Qin began to secretly raise troops in preparation. He could not sit back and watch all the power in his hands become a dowry for others; he could not wait for the Emperor to cut him down... he had to seize the initiative!

In the imperial palace, after finishing a new dose of medicine, the aging Emperor’s spirit was dim and sleepy. Suddenly, he woke up from a nightmare. He called out: "Cheng’an."

Cheng’an, an elderly man who had been following him for a long time, hurried to the Emperor’s side.

The Emperor asked, "I dreamed that the one in Jinling passed away."

Cheng’an said softly, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven; a dream of the Son of Heaven must be a sign. This is an auspicious omen."

The Emperor gasped for breath, as if wanting to laugh, but he lacked the strength even for that. He was extremely withered, his eye sockets deeply sunken, his very life force almost entirely consumed by illness. Yet, in his heart, he knew he had finally outlived that head of the Li family... fortunate, very fortunate. With that person dead, he no longer had to worry that after he himself was gone, the Li family would rise again through Yaoyao.

Yes, he still had to put a lock on Yaoyao.

Yan Suchen!

He would make Yan Suchen this lock for Yaoyao; he would make them keep each other in check... The Mu dynasty must never return to the era of the great clans’ prosperity!

Cheng’an saw how exhausted he was, yet he still persisted in laboring over these matters, and his heart was filled with grief. The divine physician was prolonging the Emperor’s life, but the Emperor was also enduring immense suffering during this time. If not for these matters, how could the Emperor be in such a state... but there simply was not enough time! Time was far from enough!

Cheng’an advised: "Your Majesty has already arranged these matters so well; there is no need to overwork yourself. Your Majesty should focus on recovering..."

The Emperor shook his head.

His gaze was deep as he said: "I... await Yan Suchen’s return to Chang’an. Based on his current administrative record..."

Cheng’an had also seen the decree from the Secretariat and said: "Yan Er-lang is truly extraordinary. He single-handedly changed the situation in Rang County."

The Emperor said: "When he returns to Chang’an, I will slowly hand the humble scholars into his hands, letting them check the great clans, forcing the Crown Prince to draw a line with the great clans... and then, kill Liu Wenji... only then can I rest in peace."

Cheng’an was surprised, yet it was within his expectations: "Your Majesty intends to... eliminate Liu Wenji?"

The Emperor’s mind was muddled. He muttered these words to himself, then closed his eyes and fell back into a coma. In his delirium, he mumbled as if in a dream: "Eunuchs can only be used for transition; they cannot be allowed to hold power... Eunuchs in power will inevitably corrupt the government. Once the humble scholars have someone to lead them, eunuchs will no longer be needed..."

The imperial house is surnamed Mu, and the world belongs to the scholars. No matter where, there is no place for eunuchs to stand. Eunuchs who hold power have obtained their positions improperly and will not last long.

He would never let eunuchs take charge of the big picture...

Cheng’an sighed as he saw the Emperor fall asleep again. He painfully wiped the tear stains from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and quietly withdrew.

In the corner of the palace doorway, a young eunuch who had been secretly listening to the conversation inside saw Cheng’an hunched over as he walked out, and he quickly hid himself in the corner—

Liu Wenji sat in the dark room, his eyes turning gloomily as he played with a stem-cup in his hand. He listened to the eunuch who had come to report, relaying the message about the Emperor’s secret plot with Cheng’an to kill Liu Wenji in the imperial bedchamber.

With the Emperor gravely ill, Cheng’an was wholeheartedly serving him, and Liu Wenji traveled between the inner court and the court all day. Without realizing it, the entire palace no longer listened to Cheng’s but instead looked only to Liu Wenji. Unfortunately, Cheng’an had only the Emperor in his heart and never realized that he, the Grand Superintendent of the Inner Court, had been bypassed by his former apprentice.

The young eunuch mimicked the words from the bedchamber vividly: "The servant heard it clearly! Your Majesty said that eunuchs must not be allowed to corrupt the government, that one cannot sit by and watch the eunuch grow too powerful, that he must kill the eunuch..."

Liu Wenji showed a kindly expression to the little eunuch: "You have done very well. Go down and collect your reward."

The little eunuch was overjoyed and was led away. But no sooner had he left than Liu Wenji summoned another eunuch and said coldly: "Find some excuse in the next two days to dispose of that person. Do it cleanly; do not let him contact anyone or go spreading nonsense."

The eunuch who received the order turned pale and did not respond at first.

Liu Wenji looked at him coldly and said: "He chewed over the Emperor’s words; how could I let him live?"

The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief, accepted the order, and left to find a reason to kill. Liu Wenji sat alone in the inner room, put down the stem-cup, and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.

Tap, tap, tap.

One beat after another.

If the Emperor wanted to kill him, it would inevitably be before the new Emperor ascended the throne. Because eunuchs were too close to the Emperor, it was very easy to manipulate him. Someone as shrewd as the old Emperor would naturally not leave problems behind for his descendants.

However... Liu Wenji sneered.

He could be raised up at a whim, and he could be killed at a whim... In the past, others were the knife and chopping block, and he was the fish and meat, having no choice but to be controlled by others. But now, Liu Wenji held deep power at court; how could the old Emperor still say he would kill him?

By the mandate of Heaven?!

But was this imperial power not also using him, Liu Wenji, as a watchdog? And in this world, who is ever willing to be a watchdog forever? Who is willing to always be manipulated by others?!

Liu Wenji pondered, murder lurking in his heart. He was brewing a new conspiracy, and the beginning of it all was merely a desire for self-preservation. Self-preservation, self-preservation—in the end, it was nothing more than fighting for one’s life against others! If you die, I live!

When the Ghost Festival arrived, the gates of the underworld were thrown open.

Jinling was dressed in plain white, plunged into grief by the death of the Li family head. However, the new head of the Li family soon sent word that the whole city need not panic; on the day of the Ghost Festival, people should simply enjoy the lanterns and flowers. If anyone felt gratitude toward the Li family, they could burn a paper lantern for Li Gong.

The Li family did not prohibit the activities organized in Jinling for the Ghost Festival.

Amidst the grief, the entire city became lively once more.

For the Li family, after Li Gong’s death, the letter regarding the change of the family head was sent to Chang’an, requesting the Emperor’s approval. The letter was written by Li Gong himself before he passed away, painstakingly pleading with the Emperor to allow his son, Li Zhi, to return to Jinling for three years of mourning to fulfill his filial duty.

This letter was almost certain to be approved by the Emperor. Observing mourning for one’s father is the cornerstone of Great Wei’s governance. No matter how much Li Zhi had been demoted, with Li Gong’s plea, he would return to Jinling. This path that Li Gong had paved for the Li family was righteous and beyond reproach.

On the afternoon of the Ghost Festival, Yan Shang was alone in his room as the old imperial physician applied medicine, rambling about precautions.

Mu Wanyao was not there; she had been called away by other members of the Li family, saying they were going to pray for Li Gong at a temple in the city and would together go to the banks of the Qinhuai River to release sky lanterns for him. Yan Shang, due to his inconvenience and the fact that he was not directly related to the Li family, was not included.

Mu Wanyao had only said they would stroll around together when she returned in the evening. Yan Shang did not mind, but with everyone gone, leaving him alone to stare at Han Shuxing, he could not help but feel a bit lost and lonely.

Although he constantly bickered with Mu Wanyao, when she was around, his surroundings were vibrant. She gave him emotions and a sense of being alive. With her gone, unable to read or handle administrative matters, he found it very dull.

By evening, a torrential rain began to fall.

The old physician applying medicine for him looked at the rain outside and said: "Every year at this time, it is always easy for it to rain."

Yan Shang kept his eyes closed, feeling a slight burning pain. Hearing this, he turned his face toward the direction of the physician and asked: "Is the rain very heavy? If the rain is truly heavy, Yaoyao... the Princess... should have to return, right?"

The old physician could not help but laugh. He looked at this refined-looking young man and saw him blush at his own slip of the tongue, yet still trying to appear natural. The old physician had seen this look of a young person distressed by love and distracted many times. Having applied medicine for Yan Er-lang for so many days, how could he not see the relationship between the Princess and Yan Er-lang?

The physician teased: "Is Er-lang missing the Princess?"

Yan Shang insisted stubbornly: "...That is not it. It is just that my vision is impaired, and human nature is inherently cowardly."

The old physician shook his head. He sat on the edge of the couch, casually threw the gauze that Yan Er-lang had replaced into the stove, and rummaged through his medicine chest for new medicine: "This new medicine I have concocted for you might sting your eyes a bit, but it is nothing, it is all normal..."

Yan Shang kept his eyes closed, feeling a sting in his eyes greater than usual. He was accustomed to enduring, but listening to the rain outside, he grew irritable and somewhat impatient. He could not help but open his eyes and turn toward the window. He glanced casually and was suddenly stunned.

The old physician was cleaning up his medicine chest when he suddenly heard the sound of a teacup hitting the ground behind him. He turned and saw Yan Er-lang had stood up. In his haste, Yan Shang had swept the teacup off the tea table. Yan Shang lowered his head to look at the teacup shattered on the carpet, then looked at his own hand.

He seemed to be contemplating something.

The old physician comforted him: "It was just an accidental spill, Er-lang need not panic..."

Yan Shang opened his eyes and looked at the old physician. The corners of his eyes were bloodshot, but his pupils were clear, dark, and clean, like water in a pond. He looked at the old physician, pondered for a long while, and said: "The teacup—I pushed it off myself. I wanted to prove whether I could truly push it off."

The old physician opened his eyes wide in astonishment.

Yan Shang seemed to try to control his emotions, but he could not help it, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly. His smile was very faint, gentle, and quiet, but he was truly smiling.

Yan Shang bowed deeply to the old physician: "I can see. Thank you for saving my life..."

The old physician marveled, having never expected the new medicine he had concocted to be so effective.

He stroked his beard and smiled, accepting Yan Er-lang’s deep bow. But seeing Yan Shang turn and walk out the door immediately after thanking him, the old physician could not help but stop him: "Where are you going, Er-lang? You have just recovered your sight; you should not go out yet. Sit down and let me take a good look at your eyes..."

Yan Shang stood at the doorway and turned back.

He already possessed a refined demeanor, and now, with his eyes open, his features were even more clear and delicate, adding to his charm. Those eyes seemed as if they had brought a jade figurine to life, making Yan Shang’s entire being lose that cold, unreachable quality.

Yan Shang blushed slightly and smiled gently: "Naturally, I should let you look at my eyes more, but I am burning with anxiety. I have just regained my sight, and I want to find someone. When I return, I will ask you to examine my eyes again. Please excuse me."

The old physician sighed and watched Yan Er-lang leave.

The old physician peered out the window, watching Yan Shang in his white robes and gold crown take an umbrella from a servant at the veranda, ready to walk down the steps.

The old physician shouted at the top of his lungs: "The bloodshot traces in your eyes haven't even faded yet..."

Yan Shang turned back, smiling: "It is fine."

The old physician: "It is still raining heavily."

Yan Shang: "It is fine."

The old physician: "Be careful you don't go blind again halfway there!"

Yan Shang still smiled: "It is fine."

He was in such a great mood, holding the umbrella and walking down the steps, heading out of the courtyard under the guidance of the servants. Yan Shang was such a steady person; the old physician had never seen him appear so lighthearted. But on this rainy evening, the back of Yan Shang in his white robes, walking away slowly with an umbrella, really did seem to have some of the spirit that only a young man possesses.

The old physician clicked his tongue: "Lust blinds the wit."

Even someone as steady as Yan Shang could not be an exception—

Yet, how could Yan Shang not be anxious?

He had reunited with Mu Wanyao in the third month, and now it was already the seventh month.

For four months, he had been with her, imagining her appearance every day, his fingers tracing her cheeks again and again... his heart was filled with longing, yet he could not see her.

The Yan Shang she saw was always calm and self-possessed. But Yan Shang was also fearful and anxious in his heart. He was often afraid he would go blind, often afraid he would never see her again. If he could never see, what would remain in his memory would always be her cold, departing back.

He wanted to see her face!

He wanted to see her eyebrows like green hills, her eyes always filled with mischief and playfulness, her small nose wrinkled at him, her crimson, slightly upturned lips... She had grown up; she should no longer be the young girl in his memory.

Yet he could not see her! He could not see her!

How could he not be anxious?

Yan Shang rode out on horseback, and halfway there, the rain stopped. He reached the market street by the Qinhuai River in Jinling, where people had gathered again after the rain. Horses could not get through. Fortunately, Yan Shang was no longer blind and did not need to be helpless in the face of the crowd.

He steadied himself, handed the reins to Han Shuxing who was following on foot, and stepped into the crowd.

The rain fell at dusk. Mu Wanyao and a group of Li family wives, aunts, and cousins scattered to seek shelter. After the rain stopped, the market became lively again. As night fell, the lanterns lit up. With the time wasted, the banks of the Qinhuai River were brilliant and bright, but Mu Wanyao had been delayed by the rain.

She was somewhat unhappy.

One of the sisters-in-law who had taken her to release sky lanterns comforted her: "We will go back once we finish releasing the river lanterns. The consort cannot see, so it makes no difference to him whether it is day or night. Even if the Princess goes back late, the consort surely would not mind."

"As a Princess, why should you care about the consort’s expression? Even if you truly do not go back, would the consort really dare to be angry with you?"

Mu Wanyao frowned, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

She gradually stopped walking, feeling that what these people said was wrong. Yan Shang was not just the consort she had chosen; he was also her lover. He had asked her to respect him... She might not respect her consort because a consort is merely a "subject" to her, but a lover is not a "subject."

She had imprisoned Yan Shang; he was already very unhappy. Although she did not apologize to him in words, she had been contemplating Yan Shang’s words...

Mu Wanyao said to the sisters-in-law: "You all go ahead and release the lanterns. I will have Qiusi follow you and release my lantern for me. My maternal grandfather has already passed away, so he will not care about such small matters. I have business, so I will return first."

A sister-in-law watched the Princess leave just like that, and within a blink of an eye, she brushed past them. She couldn't help but look back: "Princess... where are you going?"

Mu Wanyao had already merged into the bustling crowd, placing herself among the common people. She was not dressed in exquisite makeup or gorgeous clothing as usual; she looked like an ordinary young woman out to play, simple and soft. She turned back to wave at the women and said softly: "To find Yan Shang."

They could not stop her, only watching as she slipped into the crowd and was soon lost to sight—

On the banks of the Qinhuai River, light and shadow flickered.

Lanterns, layers of silver light. Oil-paper umbrellas embroidered with landscapes, colorful and vibrant, hung high on suspension poles to decorate the night market; beautiful men and women, coupled together, threaded through the sea of people, looking up to see the lantern riddles.

Mu Wanyao wove through them, layers of light shining upon her. She did not linger in the splendor, but walked toward the outskirts of the market.

Person after person brushed past her, light after light shone on her cheek.

All sorts of sounds exploded in her ears, boisterous and boiling; it was all the bustle of the common people. These bustle belonged to others, and had nothing to do with her. Mu Wanyao walked outward single-mindedly, becoming increasingly anxious. Suddenly, she heard a voice calling her from behind.

She did not pay attention at first, but that clear, gentle voice traveled through the sea of people, through the lights, and resonated in her ears again—

"Yaoyao!"

Mu Wanyao turned around abruptly. Seeing the surging crowd and the flickering lights, a young man in white robes stood across the sea of people, looking toward her side. When she turned back, his clear eyes brightened significantly. He smiled and waved toward this side, and then, hindered by his reserved temperament, he quickly withdrew his hand.

But his gaze was filled with water-like warmth, still watching her.

That ray of light was brighter than all the lanterns Mu Wanyao had seen all night—

Mu Wanyao looked at Yan Shang, who was separated by the crowd, in a daze.

He was striving to come toward her, with no servants following him. His gaze was fixed on her, and the light from various lanterns shone in his eyes; he felt a bit uncomfortable and covered them with his sleeves. But he was clearly—

Clearly able to see!

He could see her!

Mu Wanyao’s round eyes widened: His eyes... were healed?

Mu Wanyao watched blankly, then suddenly strode toward Yan Shang.

Yan Shang was careful and cautious not to bump into anyone nearby. Mu Wanyao, however, had no scruples. She walked toward him, and everyone had to give way to her.

She walked up to him and looked at him.

Mu Wanyao: "Are your eyes healed?"

Yan Shang whispered softly: "Mm."

He blinked; there was moisture in his eyes, though the bloodshot traces seemed even more numerous.

Mu Wanyao frowned.

Yan Shang was incredibly observant; he said: "I am just not quite used to the light yet... the physician said it is fine."

In his heart, he held a small, happy joy that he wanted to share with Mu Wanyao. And how gentle was his heart that wanted to share; he was just gazing at her with soft, moist eyes, wanting to say a few more words to her, when his wrist was seized by Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao decided immediately: "Come with me."

The ground was covered with puddles, reflecting golden light and shadows.

Mu Wanyao led Yan Shang through the crowd, running in one direction. Her robes fluttered in the wind; Yan Shang, held by the wrist, followed her unconsciously—

Mu Wanyao brought Yan Shang to a corner alleyway filled with various oil-paper umbrellas. She did not buy an umbrella but pulled Yan Shang to crouch in the corner. In this way, shielded by the umbrellas, the flickering light outside dimmed.

Mu Wanyao squatted under the umbrella with Yan Shang and looked at him.

His eyes were clear, reflecting various golden lights. The light lingered in his eyes, and his eyes also reflected her shadow. He had been led by her the whole way and squatted here with her.

Mu Wanyao looked at his eyes, and after his golden-lit eyes met her gaze, he revealed a smile again. It was a very handsome, gentle smile, just as he usually was; but it was more open than usual... a bit silly.

Mu Wanyao felt her face heat up from his smile, and she couldn't help but feel shy, yet she insisted: "Is it better now? Do your eyes hurt less? Can you still see me?"

Yan Shang: "I cannot see."

Mu Wanyao was startled, her eyes wide.

The next moment, he reached out to stroke her cheek.

One hand supported her chin, and the other cupped her snow-white cheek.

He leaned in, his thick, long eyelashes lowered, his clear eyes soft, mixing with his gentle voice, flowing like spring water into Mu Wanyao’s heart: "Let me take a good look at you."