Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Liu Wenji is currently the Prefect of the Yellow Gate as well as the General of Vigorous Martiality, commanding the Northern Barracks. The intervention of an eunuch of his stature in the imperial court has already split the court officials into two factions: one like the Censor-in-Chief Zhao, who is despised by others but remains close to the eunuchs, and the other like the conventional scholars, who detest the eunuchs.

He is majestic and imposing, and fond of using cruel punishments. Who in the court now does not shudder upon seeing him?

Yet, Chunhua is unaware of all this.

On the night of the Princess’s grand wedding, as she crouched on the ground and looked up at him, her eyes were filled with a misty haze, revealing a profound sorrow.

Everything had come to nothing; everything had already ended. Fate had opened its cruel net, unreservedly manifesting its malice. It seemed that for people like them, the more they struggled, the deeper they fell.

Chunhua wiped away the moisture from the corners of her eyes and stood up. She did not dare to look at Liu Wenji for too long, afraid that every glance would reveal another trace of the past.

She managed a strained smile at the small eunuch holding the whisk who had questioned her, her voice still trembling with the remnants of tears: "Reporting to the official, the two little princes from our Prince’s mansion have gone missing. I have searched everywhere but cannot find them. I was worried about disturbing Her Highness the Princess’s wedding, so I became anxious and wept. Please forgive this servant for the unsightly display."

She kept her head lowered as she spoke, unaware that the small eunuch she was addressing had swiftly cast a glance behind her, looking toward Liu Wenji.

Liu Wenji spoke abruptly: "The Prince of Jin’s two little princes are lost? I seem to have seen them just a moment ago. I shall take the Lady to find them."

Chunhua whispered: "I dare not trouble you, Official..."

Liu Wenji interrupted her indifferently: "Let's go."

Chunhua’s heart tightened violently. In her lowered line of sight, she saw Liu Wenji had already brushed past her. She looked up, and he turned his head to glance at her. She felt a bit confused, unable to understand why he would offer to help. He looked back at her, the corners of his eyes slightly curved. Under the illumination of the palace lanterns, the wild abandon of his youth had transformed into the cold, ruthless intent of today, waiting for her just like that.

Fearing that there were too many prying ears and that she would be unable to explain herself, Chunhua could only take a deep breath and follow.

The two walked in silence, one in front of the other, while the small eunuch in the lead held a lantern and played the mute. Chunhua stared at Liu Wenji’s back, a sense of trance hitting her like fragmented gold and jade. Her mind was in chaos; her thoughts had drifted away, and she forgot several times that she was meant to be searching for the two children.

Liu Wenji said nothing to her, and he had no intention of reminiscing about old times. He treated her as he would any ordinary eunuch, respecting her as the secondary consort of the Prince of Jin’s mansion, simply helping her find her sons.

Beside a pond in the backyard of the Princess’s mansion, the two three- or four-year-old children, covered in mud from their play, were brought out by eunuchs. Both children rushed forward to call out to Chunhua. Only upon seeing them did Chunhua heave a sigh of relief, though she could not help but softly scold them.

Though her expression showed disapproval, she was such a gentle woman that neither child feared her, instead laughing and joking: "Mother, I’m hungry! Take us to eat!"

Liu Wenji stared at Chunhua, speaking unexpectedly: "Take the two little princes to change their clothes first."

Chunhua curtsied to him: "Thank you, Official."

Liu Wenji did not reply.

Afterward, the two stood in the cold wind until the small eunuch handed the two cleaned-up children to Chunhua. Chunhua thanked Liu Wenji once more. Looking at his refined yet eerie, gaunt face, she hesitated, but not knowing what to say, she could only offer him an embarrassed smile.

Chunhua’s cheeks burned slightly: "I have made a fool of myself, Official."

Liu Wenji stared at her, suddenly feeling as if she had never changed at all. Even though she was already someone else’s wife, when she smiled, she was still as she had been when they first met in Lingnan—filled with a tenderness that was like spring water, washing over his heart and flowing into the limbs and bones that had been cold and rigid for so long.

Liu Wenji watched her graceful back, seeing her lead the two children back toward the brightly lit area, listening as the sound of her soft admonishments to the children faded into the distance.

The small eunuch following behind Liu Wenji took in the unusual reaction of the Official toward the Prince of Jin’s secondary consort. His heart stirred, thinking that Liu usually didn't care for women; there were so many eunuchs in the palace who paired up with palace maids, and some bold ones even kept women on the side outside... yet he had never seen Official Liu show interest.

Could it be that Official Liu’s heart had finally stirred?

This was a good opportunity to curry favor.

The small eunuch whispered: "What kind of woman does the Official like? I recently acquired a new concubine who hasn't been touched yet. She is delicate and fair, very pleasing. If the Official likes her, shall I offer her to you as a sign of filial devotion?"

Those who had been deprived of their manhood could not sleep with women, but their unfulfilled desires only made them yearn to torment women all the more.

Liu Wenji looked at him, gave a sudden laugh, and said: "I like married women. Can you get me one?"

The small eunuch’s heart skipped a beat. He guessed the Official was talking about the secondary consort just now, but... he stammered: "But that is a woman from a Prince’s mansion."

The corners of Liu Wenji’s lips tilted up, his eyes deepening.

He did not dwell on the topic, but stepped into the banquet, moving toward the rows of officials, toward the likes of Censor Zhao and others who constantly flattered and depended on him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of his parents. He saw their longing, disbelieving gaze, and saw them standing with Yan Shang’s exceptionally handsome father. Liu Wenji knew it must have been Yan Shang’s father who had secretly brought his parents to Chang'an, to catch a quiet, distant look at him... After all, for a great eunuch like him, having neither parents nor family was the only way to reassure the palace.

Liu Wenji could secretly provide for his parents, but he could not afford to drop such a handle for the world to see; he feared even more that the Emperor, in order to keep him tethered, might strike at his parents.

For parents and children to reach this point, even just a single glance across the crowd was enough.

...So, the Yan family was better after all.

Liu Wenji felt a warmth in his heart. He didn't care for anyone in the entire court or the entire world, save for Yan Shang, whom he considered a friend.

And Chunhua... Liu Wenji thought, this was the woman he had never attained. Perhaps it was precisely because he had never attained her that she remained unforgettable, becoming the inner demon in his heart.

It just so happened that Chunhua was a person from the Prince of Jin’s mansion, and she had an indirect connection to something Liu Wenji wanted to do... Liu Wenji was lost in thought.

In the past, he had no power or influence, so he lost her; now that he held great power... he could rely on it to take her back. Perhaps only when he possessed her would he truly be able to let her go—

Some were sorrowful, others were happy. With bright fires and high candles, and stars across the sky, there was still an atmosphere of rejoicing.

In the inner residence of the Princess’s mansion, which had been renovated and doubled in size during the half-year Mu Wanyao was away, the new consort was called away to entertain guests after the nuptial wine had been drunk. Mu Wanyao remained in her chamber, accompanied by the noblewomen.

Minister Liu’s granddaughter, Liu Ruozhu, had been married for three years, though perhaps for some reason of the Liu family, she had not yet borne children. Even without children of her own, Liu Ruozhu still smiled brightly, joining the other noblewomen in wishing for the Princess to be "surrounded by children and grandchildren" and to have "great fortune and nobility."

Mu Wanyao was indifferent.

The noblewomen circled the Princess, speaking many auspicious words until they eventually ran out of things to say. Because, aside from women like Liu Ruozhu who were somewhat acquainted with the Princess, the rest of the ladies in the hall were just there to make up the numbers. Princess Danyang had always spent her time with men discussing politics; where would she find the time to chat about the private affairs of young ladies with them?

Liu Ruozhu was sharp and intelligent. Seeing that Mu Wanyao was uninterested in their topics, she smiled: "On this wedding night, it is boring for Your Highness to keep talking to us. Why doesn't Your Highness rest well and wait for the consort to return?"

Mu Wanyao became interested and smiled at her: "Very well."

Liu Ruozhu was stunned, then burst into a giggle and took the lead in taking the other noblewomen away. The young ladies gathered in the Princess’s chamber immediately cleared out, yet Princess Yuyang lingered, hesitant and unwilling to leave.

Mu Wanyao glanced at her with cold eyes. After a moment of thought, her fourth sister sat on the couch and began to lecture her earnestly: "Yaoyao, this is something I shouldn't say, but your birth mother passed away early, and I am your own sister. Since you are married, I must give you a word of warning.

"Yaoyao, now that you are married, don't be as self-willed as you were in the past..."

As soon as Mu Wanyao heard this sister harping on about the "virtuous wife and mother" routine again, she retorted: "How am I self-willed? The consort does not complain of me."

Princess Yuyang used her own life as an example: "You must learn to be considerate of your husband. I know you and Yan Er-lang are very close, but he is a fifth-rank official in court now, and he has his own daily affairs to attend to. This is all different from before. A girl before marriage and after marriage are not the same. When unmarried, you can be arrogant, but for the sake of marital harmony after marriage, you must restrain yourself.

"You say the consort won't complain, but can you be sure he will never do so? Pride is cute in a young girl, but when a young woman is still arrogant, that is an 'evil wife.' Yaoyao... I have always felt it is not good for you to be constantly involved in politics outside. Since you have a consort now, why not let your husband take over?

"Would it not be better to sit at home, raise children, and have fewer troubles?"

Mu Wanyao stared at her fourth sister with her beautiful eyes, and in an instant, she understood. It was likely the Prince of Qin who had again asked her fourth sister to act as a lobbyist, hoping to get her to give up her hold on politics. Mu Wanyao couldn't help but laugh, thinking to herself, does Brother Three truly believe Yan Shang is someone easy to deal with?

Princess Yuyang felt apprehensive because of her laughter: "What did I say wrong?"

Mu Wanyao smiled as she looked at her: "Sister, do you still remember the first time you met Yan Er? Back then, when I was bickering with Yang San, you said you envied the life I lived, doing whatever I pleased."

Princess Yuyang was momentarily dazed, her expression lost. After a long while, she said with difficulty: "That was a long time ago..."

Mu Wanyao leaned forward to look at her, her beautiful, majestic face causing Princess Yuyang to lean back, unable to catch her breath. Mu Wanyao’s voice was hoarse, enticing her: "You lived your life in misery while envying me, and now you want to persuade me to be as miserable as you are. Sister, your experience does not apply to me.

"You think that after I marry, Yan Shang will no longer be as attentive as he once was. But that is wrong. Only after marriage will he truly consider me one of his own... You have no idea how much effort it cost me to obtain him, nor do you know how safe it is to be the person in his heart.

"I will not live according to your mold. I will accept whatever the results, good or bad."

Princess Yuyang was struck speechless, her face flushing red. The persistent light in Mu Wanyao’s eyes was something she could not understand. What Mu Wanyao pursued was also beyond her comprehension. She felt both envious and jealous. Peering into her sister’s eyes and seeing her own ugly desires reflected there, she was instantly overcome with shame and stood up to leave.

Princess Yuyang hurried out of the Princess’s chamber. She was walking so fast that she bumped into Yan Shang at the door curtain.

She was startled, but before she could react, Yan Shang stepped back three paces and bowed to her. Princess Danyang’s consort was like a jade tree in the wind, his wedding robes making his face appear as pure as polished jade, his brows and eyes clear and bright. As he looked at her with clear, moist eyes, Princess Yuyang hesitated, wondering if he had heard what she and Mu Wanyao had said.

But there was not a trace of unusual emotion on Yan Shang’s face, so Princess Yuyang offered an awkward smile and left.

Yan Shang’s manners were always impeccable. He watched Princess Yuyang until her back disappeared around the corridor before he withdrew his gaze and lifted the curtain to enter the chamber.

Mu Wanyao had heard his conversation with her fourth sister from inside earlier, so she was not surprised to see him come in.

She had not yet removed her formal wedding attire and remained the picture of a new bride, sitting on the couch. Her hands, painted with henna, were in the process of peeling a betel nut she had taken from the bed. Mu Wanyao looked toward him with flowing, autumn-like eyes, surprised: "Aren't you supposed to be at the front courtyard offering toasts? Why have you returned?"

Yan Shang stood at the entrance, not moving closer, and stared at her for a moment. Seeing that her expression was natural and she was even in the mood to eat a nut, he smiled slightly and whispered: "I heard them mentioning things about 'bearing children early' and 'having many descendants,' and I was afraid those words would make you uncomfortable. I feared that once I left, the noblewomen would gather around you and keep saying such things. I was worried, so I came back to see you."

He gazed at the fruit shells in her hand and sighed: "It seems I was overthinking. You were not affected."

Mu Wanyao looked up, staring at him blankly.

The light in her eyes flickered, and she let go of the shells in her hand. She stepped off the couch and walked toward him, her gaze soft and overflowing: "Why should I mind? I have heard such words for many years, and I will continue to hear them in the future. I have already said, if you do not mind, I will not mind either, and I will not let the same topic distress me again. Did you think I was just saying that lightly?"

Yan Shang laughed bitterly: "I was the one who overthought it.

"Since you are fine, then I..."

He turned to excuse himself to return to the front courtyard, but his wrist was caught by Mu Wanyao, who had already walked over. She said: "Since you’ve returned, why go back to the front courtyard? Don't go. Is the wedding night meant to be spent with them?"

Yan Shang’s face flushed suddenly: "What nonsense are you saying again?"

Mu Wanyao pushed him: "I don't care. In any case, I will not allow my husband, whose tolerance for alcohol is not great, to go out and drink with others, only to have him returned to me drunk."

She leaned into his collar and sniffed lightly. Yan Shang’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he instinctively stiffened, feeling as if his blood were being turned to fire by her casual sniff. She, however, wore an innocent expression, tilting her head to smile at him: "Not much smell of alcohol. It seems you aren't drunk. That’s good."

She was full of excitement: "Go wash up quickly."

Yan Shang thought of the purpose behind her enthusiastic urging for him to wash, and felt his entire face burning. He wanted to pull his new bride aside for a chat, but after struggling for a long time, he couldn't squeeze out a single word. Frustrated by his own weak resistance to her, he was nevertheless pushed by Mu Wanyao into the bathing chamber—

When Yan Shang returned to the Princess’s chamber, he had shed his wedding robes and changed into casual clothing. In reality, the maids had handed him undergarments directly, but he felt that would be too presumptuous, as if he couldn't wait to do "that"... so he didn't open the door to the Princess’s chamber again until he was fully and properly dressed.

Mu Wanyao was in the inner chamber and, hearing the movement, raised her voice: "Close the door!"

When Yan Shang entered the inner chamber and saw Mu Wanyao, he was slightly startled. Because he was fully dressed, his new bride was different. She had clearly washed as well; her soft, dark hair was half-pinned up with a hairpin, the rest falling to her hips.

She was wrapped in a lotus-colored corset, with a rose-red, high-waisted long skirt tied at her waist, dragging to her ankles. Her arms, jade-like shoulders, and half her chest were all exposed, her skin as snowy and translucent as crystal. Standing there in such cool attire, she contrasted sharply with his own heavy dress.

The two of them looked as if they belonged to two different seasons.

Yan Shang stared dumbfounded, his face heating up even more.

Yan Shang didn't know what to say. Mu Wanyao was standing before the couch, staring at it in deep thought. Hearing Yan Shang’s cough, she looked back at him, but her eyes remained dark and still. Ignoring him, she turned her head away again.

Yan Shang saw Mu Wanyao lift her hand to grab a pair of scissors and begin cutting the bed curtains. She knelt on the bed, throwing the betel nuts and walnuts hidden under the mattress onto the floor, and pulled the bedding off the bed, tossing that onto the floor as well. Yan Shang looked at her in confusion, seeing that she wasn't satisfied, she took a teapot and poured it onto the bedding spread on the floor.

Mu Wanyao started tearing at the inner chamber curtains... Yan Shang followed behind her and finally spoke: "What are you doing? You’ve thrown the bedding on the floor—do you not intend to sleep?"

Mu Wanyao: "It’s our wedding night. Who has time to sleep?"

Yan Shang: "..."

Yan Shang: "...Even for 'that,' we need a quilt."

He did not understand her intention, and seeing her reach out and tear the inner chamber curtains into a mess, with many strips of gauze torn down and the room in chaos. She was even about to smash the teacups and other items on the table... Yan Shang grabbed her wrist and said: "You must tell me what you are doing, at least."

Mu Wanyao: "Ugh, you are so stupid!"

She said seriously: "My wedding night must not be looked down upon by others. When the maids come to tidy up tomorrow, I must let them see that we tossed the red curtains for the entire night. This isn't enough; I want the room to be chaotic enough for people to know how good my wedding night was..."

Yan Shang was lost in confusion for a moment, then met her gaze for a long time. After all, he had experienced the world; he wasn't entirely oblivious. Once he suddenly realized what she meant, his face burned even hotter: "...Isn't this a bit exaggerated? Why must you show off how your wedding night went? How can you spread private matters everywhere?"

Mu Wanyao lifted her chin, proudly: "I want to show off to them. I’ve asked around; other wives talk about this. If you don't understand, don't stand in my way. Move aside."

Yan Shang still followed behind her, whispering: "If I don't understand, you should explain it to me clearly. Don't I understand now?"

He could not agree with her behavior, but he had no intention of interfering. He was just filled with a bit of unwillingness and confusion, and after holding it in for a long time, he could not help but speak: "You are actually trying to show off the man, right?"

Mu Wanyao responded carelessly to the man following her: "Yes."

Yan Shang grabbed her wrist and turned her body to face him: "Then... you should come to me."

Mu Wanyao’s eyes widened slightly.

Yan Shang was half-unwilling, half-shyly annoyed: "Why are you doing all this useless work... Isn't it your wedding night with me? You would rather create a fake image for others to believe than come to me?"

Mu Wanyao: "Didn't the imperial physician say you must refrain from carnal pleasures?"

Yan Shang lowered his head, coming to embrace her slim waist. He was both shy and filled with desire. He complained as if in a whisper: "It’s been two months already... I have long since recovered."

Mu Wanyao reached out to touch his eyes, still worried: "Are your eyes completely healed? Are you really alright?"

Yan Shang said: "...It’s fine, I have asked the imperial physician."

Mu Wanyao sounded as if she had heard a tall tale: "You went to ask the imperial physician about this kind of thing? Is this really you?"

Yan Shang could not voice his own conflict. He did not want Mu Wanyao to laugh at him, so he lowered his face and simply kissed her. He held her in his arms, her jade-like bones and icy skin pressed against him, making him instantly excited. But just as he became excited, the girl in his arms began to struggle and push him away, refusing to let him touch her.

Yan Shang let her go with a messy breath and whispered: "What’s wrong?"

Mu Wanyao was held in his arms, lifting her face with pink cheeks. Her dark hair was scattered in the crook of his arm. She draped her arms around his neck and whispered her request: "I don't want to be here. I want to do it on the antique shelf outside."

Yan Shang stiffened slightly, and after a while, he said: "What’s the difference?"

Mu Wanyao smiled and kissed his lips, saying: "I like being face-to-face with you. I like that I can just touch your waist. Hurry, hurry, carry me there, or I won't do it."

Yan Shang sighed, knowing she actually wanted to see him sink into desire while forcing himself to restrain it, wanting to see him let go while still being unable to. His inner conflict was like a fine aphrodisiac to her, filling her with excitement. But he had only her; no matter what she wanted, he could only satisfy her with a blushing face.

Yan Shang carried her toward the outer chamber, walking across the ground littered with torn curtains and gauze—

Leaving the Princess’s wedding banquet, Yang Si walked alongside the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince looked back several times, seeing that Yang Si was deep in thought, with an absent-minded smile on the corners of his lips. The Crown Prince knew Yang Si well and understood exactly what that expression meant. Moreover, throughout the entire night, Yang Si’s gaze had been captured by him countless times as he searched for Yan Xiaozhou.

The Crown Prince’s heart sank deeper.

Yan Shang was a political enemy, a formidable rival. What Yan Shang had done to the Ministry of Revenue back then could never be overturned. Because of Yan Shang, the Crown Prince’s strength had been greatly diminished, and he hated Yan Shang like a thorn in his eye; how could he accept Yang Si marrying Yan Shang’s sister? The Crown Prince hoped Yang Si would leave that circle, but if Yang Si asked to marry Yan Shang’s sister... how could he stay away?

After leaving the alley, the Crown Prince sat in his carriage and suddenly lifted the curtain, saying to the young man mounting his horse: "San-lang, come back to sleep in the Eastern Palace with me tonight."

Yang Si was surprised and turned to gaze at the Crown Prince in the carriage.

The Crown Prince said: "As brothers, we haven't slept together in a long time. You’ve had too much to drink tonight; it would be good for your sister-in-law to brew you some sobering soup."

The Crown Princess in the carriage sighed internally, thinking, here we go again. Over the years, she had become numb to this. She had already accepted that her husband did not love anyone, only caring for one Yang Si. The Crown Princess showed a smile to Yang Si outside the carriage: "San-lang, come back to the palace with us."

Yang Si shrugged; it was, naturally, all the same to him.

That night, Yang Si and the Crown Prince slept in the same room. Yang Si had no worries; years of military life allowed him to fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, with perfect punctuality. The Crown Prince shared the couch with him, but turned on his side, staring at the handsome young man he had always treated as both a younger brother and a son, unable to sleep for a long time.

The Crown Prince pushed back the quilt, got out of bed, sat at the desk, and turned his head to stare at the bright moon outside the window in a daze.

When Yang Si suddenly woke up in the middle of the night, he realized he was alone on the couch. He flipped himself up and sat, stunned, to see the Crown Prince sitting by the window in his night robe outside the bed curtains, having not slept at all.

Yang Si sat in silence.

The Crown Prince turned his face toward the direction of the bed curtains. Having not slept all night, his eyes were bloodshot. He looked at Yang Si behind the curtains and said faintly: "I will manage a position for you. Go to Youzhou and serve as a general, and repair the Great Wall. The daughter of the Youzhou Jiedushi is fifteen this year, in the bloom of her youth. I have worked with him for many years and still need an opportunity... You are also of marriageable age; why not marry his daughter?"

Yang Si stared at him. In the darkness, he glimpsed the Crown Prince’s anxiety and unease, and in an instant, he realized what the Crown Prince was worried about.

Yang Si lowered his eyes, looking at his own palms, and thought of Yan Xiaozhou’s bright, clean smile. All of that was like a dream, one that scattered upon waking. He was mired in a swamp; to help the Crown Prince, he should not long for the fresh green of vines.

Yang Si closed his eyes and said slowly: "Very well."——

The tall candles in the Princess’s chamber had burned halfway. With a pop, the candlelight flickered, and after a moment of darkness in the room, it brightened once again.

Mu Wanyao, awakened by the shift in light, stirred from her dream. She found herself sleeping in Yan Shang’s arms; his long hair was tangled with hers, and his face was slightly lowered, his eyelashes like a thin shade covering his eyes. He was exceptionally quiet while asleep... hmm, it was just that tonight, he was actually holding her, rather than sleeping with his back to her.

Mu Wanyao stared at him for a long time, then suddenly reached out and gave him a push.

Woken by her push, Yan Shang’s eyelashes trembled, and he opened his eyes. His gaze was somewhat unfocused, and he looked at her blankly, his eyes clear and black, as if he hadn't reacted to what was happening.

Mu Wanyao: "I had a nightmare and can't sleep anymore."

Yan Shang was still weary and muddled. Enduring his drowsiness, he lowered his eyes to look at the girl in his arms, his voice soft in the darkness: "Shall I stay and talk with you for a while?"

Mu Wanyao frowned: "I don't want to sleep; I want to go out."

Yan Shang remained quiet, showing no sign of disagreement at her sudden whim. He asked: "Go out to do what?"

Mu Wanyao thought for a moment: "Find something to make me feel better."

Yan Shang: "For example?"

Mu Wanyao: "For example... I want to go to Zhongshan to see the sunrise."

Yan Shang said: "It’s so late; the city gates won't be open, right? Zhongshan seems quite far."

Mu Wanyao had only said it off the cuff; she also felt it was impossible, just that the nightmare on her wedding night had made her unhappy. She was about to say never mind, but saw Yan Shang brace his arms and sit up. Covering his mouth, he gave a tiny yawn.

Mu Wanyao widened her eyes, staring at him in confusion. She saw him lean over and kiss her on the forehead. Both tired and yet forcing himself to get up, he said vaguely: "I will go prepare. You sleep a little longer. When I’m ready, I’ll take you to see the sunrise, alright?"

Mu Wanyao watched his face with her dark, shining eyes, and feeling his kiss on her forehead, her heart swayed. She responded obediently and closed her eyes, feeling Yan Shang actually lift the curtain and get out of bed. She felt guilty for troubling him so much, but the fact that he pampered her like this also made Mu Wanyao happy.

Mu Wanyao warned herself in her heart not to bother him like this next time, yet she still comfortably enjoyed the way Yan Shang treated her—

The newlyweds quietly left the Princess’s mansion in the latter half of the night, riding on the same horse, exiting the alley from the back gate of the mansion.

Mu Wanyao was held in Yan Shang’s arms, sitting before him with her face resting against him. He wrapped her tightly in his large cloak. In the early autumn night, the two galloped on horseback, the cold wind blowing against their faces, yet Mu Wanyao felt no cold at all. The streets were quiet, the city gates slightly open. Traveling between the dark sky and earth, they felt as if they were the only two people left in the world.

Arriving at Zhongshan, they spent time searching for the mountain peak. Zhongshan stretched for a thousand miles, and the mountain paths were difficult to traverse. Yan Shang led the horse in front, while Mu Wanyao, wrapped in her cloak, followed behind him with a smile, staring at his slender back.

Finally, after securing the horse, the two sat together on the peak, looking up at the gray sky and down at the ten thousand miles of clouds in the ravine.

The mountains slept, all things were silent, and only the two of them sat so quietly.

Mu Wanyao looked up at the floating clouds in the sky; the clouds were heavy and thick, the light very dim, and the mountain wind blew hard against them, yet there was no fear in their hearts at all.

Mu Wanyao suddenly turned to look at Yan Shang, ordering him: "Ask me what I dreamed."

Yan Shang followed suit: "What did you dream?"

Mu Wanyao: "I dreamed of when I was sent for a marriage alliance, of the first time I was married. It was like a nightmare."

Sitting before the cliff, the biting cold wind blowing on their faces, Yan Shang watched her silently.

Mu Wanyao wondered if she shouldn't have said these things on her wedding night, but she had always been one to say whatever she wanted to Yan Shang. Just as she felt she might have ruined his beautiful memory of their marriage, he suddenly leaned over to hold her face, gazing at her.

Yan Shang: "Yaoyao, you truly are the bravest person I have ever met."

Mu Wanyao was startled.

She said: "What do you mean?"

Yan Shang: "If you have a nightmare, you must dispel it immediately, without waiting. If someone schemes against you, you must climb up and take revenge. If you encounter setbacks, you keep them in your heart and make sure to take a detour next time. Your memories are not beautiful, and when you cannot forget them, you face them. Your experiences in Wuman were bad, so you changed your own personality to adapt.

"You are clearly a very fragile person, yet fate has never defeated you. You have always been resisting, always moving forward. Even when we separated... we clearly let go of each other’s hands, yet when I was struggling desperately in Nanyang, you didn't cease the pursuit of noblemen in Chang'an. You just... are always afraid, yet always facing it. Always resisting, yet always forcing yourself forward.

"You are such a brave person; standing before you, I feel so cowardly. I am always thinking too much, and because I think too much, I delay taking a step. You are like this... it makes me admire and envy you."

The sky began to lighten with the white of a fish’s belly. Ten thousand golden rays pierced the clouds, the east was a bright crimson, and the sky gradually brightened.

Mu Wanyao gazed at him: "Why think too much? I know what you are worried about, but I actually haven't thought that much. I know there are still many problems between us, such as how to balance my power with your people’s livelihood, or how to maintain harmony between imperial authority and common scholars. These problems are difficult to solve all at once, but I can no longer wait...

"Yan Shang, if we wait any longer, we will miss each other. Let us hold onto each other tightly first, do not let go, and then solve those problems together—would that not be better?"

She cradled his face, asking temptingly: "Would that not be better?"

Yan Shang smiled.

Red clouds spread across the sky for ten thousand miles, and the sun rose slowly. All things were bathed in the morning glow; the grass and trees were fresh, and the world was bright.

He took her into his arms, lowering his head to touch his forehead to hers: "Yes."

He whispered with lingering attachment: "I have always been caught in thought, missing many opportunities. But I do not want to miss you... I just want to be with you, and I will try very hard..."

He said with intensity: "We must be together. Together to the Ninth Heaven, together into the Prison of Eternal Night."

Mu Wanyao closed her eyes, murmuring as if to swear a vow along with him: "Together, we shall be a divine couple; together, we shall be wicked demons and vengeful spirits.

"We... begin our new life anew."

The morning sun gushed out, emerging from the vast sea, emerging from the green mountains. A myriad of rays spread across the sky; the green sea of the mountains surged, and rolling smoke billowed beneath the cliff. The young man and woman sat on the cliff’s edge watching the red sun, watching the bells in the mountains ring, watching Chang'an wake up in the distance—

The mortal world.