Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 96

Chapter 96

The night in Beili was ablaze with light, the sound of singing ceaseless. The whispers of men and women, and the nocturnal releases, were all shut away behind a single wooden door.

A lady named Chunniang was helped upstairs by two elderly women. After entering the elegant room, while Chunniang was nervously bowing her head, she heard a clear, gentle male voice from above: "Many thanks. Could you please withdraw for a moment?"

The two women who had helped Chunniang, having received their reward, happily closed the door and left. The room was quiet. As Chunniang knelt on the ground, her lowered gaze caught the sight of a gentleman's robe hem stopping right in front of her.

He hitched up his robe and sat cross-legged on the floor opposite her.

Chunniang cautiously looked up, slightly stunned. The gentleman’s face was handsome, which was already rare, but even more exceptional was his refined air. In Chunniang’s experience, a man with such a bearing would not easily come to Beili to indulge in wanton pleasure. Even if he did, he certainly wouldn't choose a humble slave like her.

The gentleman sitting opposite her was, naturally, Yan Shang.

Yan Shang gazed at her for a long moment, then explained in a warm voice: "I am a fellow townsman and good friend of Brother Liu Wenji."

Chunniang, originally dull and wooden, suddenly widened her eyes. She couldn't help but cover her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears. Caught between grief and joy, she instantly recalled the reason she had fallen into this situation—

Over half a year ago, she had just arrived in Beili. Seeing that Liu Wenji was handsome and feeling moved by his lovesickness, she had taken the initiative to serve him.

Unexpectedly, a young master from the household of a Vice Minister of Revenue had tried to force himself upon her, but was stopped by Liu Wenji.

Liu Wenji was crippled on the spot. Terrified, she had wanted to flee overnight. Afterward, she was dragged back to Beili, Liu Wenji disappeared without a trace, and she was transferred from the middle quarters to the northern quarters, where criminal slaves were kept. For the past six months, she had lived a wretched life, constantly beaten and cursed. She had to be extremely careful, fearing that she might be disposed of at any moment by those nobles.

Now, nearly a year later, she had grown numb, only for a gentleman to pull her out of the northern quarters.

Yan Shang looked at her apologetically and handed a piece of paper back to her: "I have already cleared your slave status and arranged a new identity for you. In the future, you can return to the middle quarters. I had actually been wanting to save you, but the surveillance was strict, and it was quite troublesome. Recently, I found an opportunity during the Emperor's birthday amnesty to rescue you from the northern quarters. You have suffered, Lady."

Chunniang felt as if she were in a dream. When she saw that she truly had her slave status back, the tears that had been rolling in her eyes finally spilled over.

However, she grew nervous again: "I am a criminal woman personally ordered by the imperial court. If you save me like this, will it cause you trouble? The people I offended are not ordinary nobles..."

Yan Shang sighed: "These are not your faults. It is hard on you to be thinking of me even in your time of distress. However, since I dared to save you, I naturally have ways to handle other matters. You need not worry."

Chunniang was filled with gratitude. She retreated a few steps on her knees and kowtowed to him. Yan Shang hurriedly bent down to support her, saying he could not accept such a great gift. Chunniang insisted, tearfully saying that no gentleman had ever treated her so well. Yan Shang had no choice but to accept half the courtesy.

Afterwards, Chunniang hesitated: "I wonder how Brother Liu is now..."

Yan Shang said gently: "You need not worry about him. Only by knowing nothing of him now can you begin a new life."

Chunniang looked dim for a moment, then nodded.

She looked at the gentleman again, won over by his grace and bearing, and could not help but summon her courage: "Since you have saved me from slave status, why not let me follow you from now on..."

Yan Shang was startled.

He laughed: "I dare not, I dare not. I have a 'mother-tiger' at home; I dare not cause trouble outside."

Chunniang was taken aback, but seeing how playfully he refused, without bringing her any shame or pressure, she relaxed and smiled sheepishly. Chunniang said: "Your wife must be as beautiful as a flower; you two are a perfect match."

Yan Shang smiled slightly and did not say more.

Clearly, he had developed some techniques for rejecting women and was no longer as panicked as he had been at the start.

Yan Shang continued, unhurriedly: "Let us not talk of gossip. I am not so selfless. I saved you, so I must be planning something. Would you be willing to help me?"

Chunniang replied softly: "My life belongs to you from now on; I will do whatever you command."

Yan Shang said: "You wrong yourself. Your life has nothing to do with me; you do not need to sacrifice your life for me. I only ask for some help... If one day you save enough money and want to leave Beili to make a living, that also has nothing to do with me, and I will not stop you. You should live for yourself, not for me."

He paused, then said slowly: "I only hope that you will cooperate with me and become a duzhi."

Chunniang looked up, surprised, wanting to see if the gentleman was joking.

A duzhi was the highest rank among famous courtesans.

The duzhi of a brothel held great power, often frequenting the mansions of high officials and aristocrats, accompanying them to various banquets and gatherings. Those who became duzhi were world-renowned courtesans. Proficiency in zither, chess, poetry, and painting was the most basic requirement; in Great Wei, the most valued trait for a duzhi was talent.

In other words, Yan Shang wanted an ordinary courtesan who previously only poured drinks for guests to be reborn as a talented woman, all for his own use—

Yan Shang naturally had his own considerations.

He needed a duzhi in Beili that he could easily utilize. He had been busy with the envoys for the past few months, but now that the alliance agreements were mostly settled and they were leaving Great Wei one after another, Yan Shang had the heart to insert his hand here.

In the officialdom of Great Wei, various banquets were often required. For someone like Yan Shang, who could not drink, he had been struggling to cope. Furthermore, frequenting brothels was the trend; if he did not conform, he would inevitably be excluded by the official circle. However, if he did, not to mention his own conscience, he feared Mu Wanyao would turn against him.

Moreover, as the most prosperous area in Chang’an, Beili saw countless high officials coming and going. If he had a duzhi as an inside agent, he would be able to perceive fluctuations in the court more sensitively.

Yan Shang increasingly realized that an official could not just stay in the court. He recognized the importance of balancing various connections and interacting with people from all walks of life.

After much thought, cultivating a duzhi inclined toward him was the best course of action.

Yan Shang explained kindly to Chunniang: "The assessment for a duzhi is twofold: one is banquet etiquette, the other is poetry. Regarding banquet etiquette, I cannot help you with the ability to drink and appreciate wine, but we can discuss the skill of observing others' reactions. As for poetry, I am ashamed to say I am quite poor at it... However, even if I am poor, teaching you the basics should not be a problem.

"But for poetry, in the end, you will have to rely on yourself; you cannot depend on me."

He hesitated: "I know someone proficient in this, but she likely will not help us, so we need not think of her for now."

Chunniang agreed to each point.

Yan Shang said gently: "In the future, when I visit Beili often, I will have to trouble you to serve me."

Chunniang said quickly: "I would not dare. If I become a duzhi, it will be of great benefit to me, and I will not have to be forced into a dead end as I was last year... Thank you for being willing to spend time teaching me."

She hesitated: "However, you wanting me to become a duzhi—is it just to have me shield you from drinks and help you investigate some news?"

Yan Shang paused inwardly, lamenting that these women were indeed incredibly perceptive.

He said in a low voice: "Perhaps I also want to keep you as a hidden chess piece... but whether it can be used is yet to be seen. You need not overthink it; in any case, your life will be safe."

Chunniang was relieved—

Afterward, Yan Shang held a book and taught her to read.

That night, Yan Shang stayed there.

Chunniang learned very diligently. She wanted to repay the kindness of him saving her life, fearing that she might appear too stupid and disappoint this gentleman. But as she watched closely, she saw that Yan Shang’s expression remained indifferent; whether she learned well or poorly, whether she made mistakes or not, he didn't say much to her, nor did he show any look of disappointment.

But there was also no sign of encouragement.

He did not give her the slightest possibility of reverie, letting her think she could use the tutoring to get close to him. When Chunniang felt disappointed, she once again envied his wife.

The night was deep. When Chunniang was about to withdraw, Yan Shang hesitated and called for her to stop.

Chunniang, at this point, did not at all think that this gentleman would ask her to serve him in bed, so she just looked at him in confusion. Seeing him sitting on the couch with his eyes downcast, surprisingly showing a bashful look, he said in a low voice: "I have one more matter; I wish to seek your advice on some matters between men and women."

Chunniang: "Ah?"

She was bewildered: What does that mean? Ask her to serve him? Had she misjudged this gentleman’s character?

Yan Shang looked down and said: "My wife and I... cough, cough, we are newly married, and in this regard, we are not quite, not quite..."

Chunniang: "Harmonious?"

Yan Shang breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes."

He furrowed his brows slightly: "I want to understand more about a woman's body, to prevent her from always being angry at me when I don't know the cause, making her even angrier. Moreover, her body is delicate and prone to illness, and I don't know what to be careful about. Also..."

Chunniang smiled and sat back down, full of confidence: "Then I can truly help you. In this world, who would know these things better than someone of our background?"

Yan Shang smiled slightly; this was exactly what he meant.

He understood very little from reading books, and when discussing with other men, the topics were too crude and disrespectful to women, which he disliked. After much thought, it was more convenient to consult a woman from a brothel—

The lamp flickered sparsely, and a curtain fell. Chunniang and Yan Shang spoke across the curtain.

Chunniang leaned in to ask: "May I ask how long you and your wife have been married?"

Yan Shang was blank for a moment, thinking what importance that had. He said: "Over half a year."

According to his muddled calculations, ambiguity was the same as being married. From the moment he told Mu Wanyao "my heart is not clean," he had already acknowledged her in his heart. Was this not the same as being married?

Chunniang did the math and felt that this was the period when a young couple was in the sweetest stage, so she asked: "Then you... um, the matters in the bedchamber, how is the experience?"

Yan Shang blushed instantly.

His large sleeves fell onto the couch; his fingers inside the sleeves could not help but curl in embarrassment, and his body suddenly became stiff.

Fortunately, because of the curtain, the woman outside could not see his embarrassment. She only heard his calm voice: "It's quite good."

Chunniang was confused, thinking if it was quite good, what did this gentleman want to ask?

She thought for a moment: "But... is it that you cannot last long? Or, the frequency is too low, and your wife is unsatisfied?"

Yan Shang was blank.

Then he understood the other person had misunderstood.

He hurriedly interrupted: "I am not asking about that. My wife and I... that aspect is quite good. What I want to know is, for example, some... positions, some... common knowledge, some... women's feelings. Also, also, whether she will become pregnant... whether the contraceptive soup is effective..."

He furrowed his brows and said: "My wife... seems not to like the contraceptive soup."

Chunniang: "How could there be a woman who likes contraceptive soup? Gentleman, since you are already married, why do you not like to let your wife conceive?"

Yan Shang was silent for a long moment, then said: "I do not dislike it. I would very much like for her to conceive my child... but the timing is not right, and I have some difficulties."

In reality, Mu Wanyao refused, which Chunniang naturally did not know.

Chunniang said in a low, ghostly voice: "Every medicine has its poison. You should still let your wife drink less of it."

Yan Shang: "But isn't the contraceptive soup for the purpose of contraception? If she doesn't drink it, how can we avoid pregnancy?"

Chunniang was somewhat angry: "Can you not be more considerate of your own wife? Do you have to do this? Is it not possible to wait for a period of time?"

Yan Shang was silent and speechless.

Chunniang thought he was angry, and immediately reflected on how she dared to be angry with her savior. She softened her tone and said gently: "Actually, if you want to avoid pregnancy, there are also some methods that do not harm the body. For example, avoid this during the time around the monthly period... um, I see you are so inexperienced. Do you know what a monthly period is?"

Yan Shang stammered: "I... I know."

Chunniang sighed, listening to that, she knew the other person probably did not know very clearly.

Thus, Chunniang explained earnestly, and Yan Shang listened devoutly—an entire night passed—

The envoys from various countries left Great Wei one after another. By mid-March, the King of Wuman had also negotiated a new alliance with Great Wei and was set to leave Chang’an.

Officials of Chang’an sent Meng Zaishi out of the city. Because Yan Shang was deeply involved in the Wuman affairs, and many of the protocols had passed through his hands, he was among those seeing them off even though his official rank was still low. As Yan Shang turned his head, he saw, beside the officials seeing them off, Princess Danyang, Mu Wanyao.

Besides the King of Wuman explicitly requesting the Princess to see them off, Princess Danyang was also there representing the Crown Prince.

In the end, Great Wei sent a learned scholar to Wuman, leading three or four disciples to follow the King of Wuman to Wuman to help them research the Wuman script. The King of Wuman also exchanged furs with Great Wei for jewelry, books, and tools.

Finally, the King of Wuman wanted to borrow a path to conquer Guo. Seeing that they could sacrifice a small nation and support the development of Wuman, which was not a bad thing, Great Wei agreed. Wuman wanted to help the King of Nanman unify Nanman, but internally, Great Wei only hoped the King of Wuman and the King of Nanman would fight each other as chaotically as possible.

Naturally, a stable neighbor was best; but if the neighbors fought every day and had no time to mind them, that was also not bad.

Regardless of the reason, Great Wei continuing to support Wuman’s rise was the best choice.

Outside the city, beside the tall and sturdy figure of the King of Wuman, Great Wei officials released all the Wuman warriors who had been captured after the Nanshan incident. Led by Kelilu, the Wuman warriors shamefully bowed to their King.

Meng Zaishi helped them up casually and squinted at Mu Wanyao on the other side.

On Mu Wanyao’s side, Fang Tong and the other guards of the Princess’s estate were naturally also released at the same time. Looking at Fang Tong, seeing that the injuries he suffered on Nanshan had all healed, Mu Wanyao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that fortunately, she kept urging the Prince of Qin, making the Third Brother not dare to seek private revenge, and finally got her people back safely.

Just as Mu Wanyao was in a pleasant mood, she caught a glimpse of Meng Zaishi walking toward her with big strides after exchanging pleasantries with the officials.

She looked at him with a flat face, a sense of vigilance rising in her heart.

Mu Wanyao said: "The Crown Prince wants me to tell you that for the matter of Yang San-lang injuring you, he apologizes for San-lang hurting you on Nanshan, and has specially demoted Yang San-lang, sending him to be a minor captain. I wonder if you are satisfied?"

Meng Zaishi said with a half-smile: "You people of Great Wei are full of schemes; who knows where your true intentions lie. Whatever. I don’t care about those things anymore."

Meng Zaishi stood in front of her, stared at her for a long time, and said: "Sure enough, the climate of your Great Wei nourishes people. In the past three months, after experiencing so many things, I see that you have become much more beautiful."

Mu Wanyao said faintly: "Born with natural beauty, nothing can be done about it."

Meng Zaishi: "..."

He couldn't help but laugh, and the scar on his face seemed somewhat less terrifying. He pointed at Mu Wanyao and said with a half-smile: "You can actually joke. It seems that I am leaving, and you are very happy that I am not taking you with me."

Mu Wanyao’s gaze flew up lightly, and she glanced at him.

Naturally innocent, like clear spring water, how could it not make people’s hearts flutter?

Meng Zaishi paused before saying hoarsely in a joking tone: "Since our relationship is like this, won’t you offer me a cup of wine?"

Mu Wanyao showed a trace of impatience; she was here representing the Crown Prince today, giving the King of Wuman enough face. But her original short temper clearly had no intention of being restrained. Mu Wanyao very perfunctorily took a cup of wine from the internal eunuch beside her, drank it in one gulp, and toasted the King of Wuman: "A smooth journey."

Meng Zaishi: "However, in your heart, you wish I would encounter trouble, right?"

Mu Wanyao: "Some things are fine to know; it’s meaningless if spoken out."

Meng Zaishi: "Just like some people are best left in the past and should not appear again, right?"

Mu Wanyao looked at him for a long while before saying: "I was grateful to you for helping and saving me back then. But the customs and cultures of our two countries are different, in the end..."

Meng Zaishi continued casually: "One cannot force each other."

Mu Wanyao lowered her eyelashes and did not speak.

The internal eunuch nearby reminded in a low voice that the King of Wuman should toast the Princess back.

Meng Zaishi took the wine cup filled with clear wine casually and looked at Mu Wanyao. His gaze shifted inch by inch over her face, and all he thought about was the past they had when she abandoned him. He lowered his eyes, smiled slightly, and said: "In this life of mine, the one I like the most is still you.

"According to the customs of our Wuman, I should have forcefully taken you back. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do; since you are unwilling, I also don't want a wife who is unwilling and ready to assassinate me in my sleep at any time.

"After returning to Wuman this time, I will marry a wife. I will not stay for you, but the one I like the most will always be you."

Mu Wanyao was silent for a moment.

She said: "No need."

Meng Zaishi laughed loudly: "You are truly cold-blooded. I thought this remark could make you say one or two pleasant words."

Meng Zaishi drank the wine in the cup in one gulp and said: "You wish me a smooth journey, then I will wish you a good husband and a good marriage."

Mu Wanyao raised her eyes in surprise at him, not expecting him not to hold a grudge for her repeated attempts to kill him and be able to let it go.

Meng Zaishi drank another cup of wine and leaned over. Mu Wanyao tilted backward, but was held down by her shoulders. He looked into her eyes, leaned down to look at her, extremely serious, and said in Wuman: "I wish that for the rest of your life, you will never see me again, and never see your nightmares again.

"I wish you will forget the two bastards, father and son, forever and ever. I wish you peace all your life, get the happiness you deserve, and be a truly proud princess."

Mu Wanyao’s eyes went blank as she stared at him blankly.

Her eyes flickered; she knew he was showing mercy to her after all, and he truly liked her... All his actions were not wrong from the perspective of Wuman, it was just that she was a Great Wei person, not a Wuman person.

And he finally decided to let go and give her freedom.

Mu Wanyao lowered her eyes and said in a low voice: "...Thank you."

A trace of mischief floated in Meng Zaishi’s eyes.

Just as Mu Wanyao was about to retreat with vigilance, she heard him quickly say in Wuman: "I just happen not to wish you and Yan Shang will have a successful conclusion. I wish he cannot have you."

He leaned over and kissed her right on the forehead.

The voice of the internal eunuch nearby rose sharply: "King of Wuman—! What are you doing—"

How could he kiss their Princess in public!

Meng Zaishi laughed loudly, and after kissing her, he released Mu Wanyao’s shoulder. Her beautiful eyes were spitting fire, and she aggressively reached out to push, but he had already retreated quickly. Mu Wanyao hurriedly took the handkerchief handed over by the maid to wipe her forehead, and guiltily glanced at someone in the ranks of the court officials.

Meng Zaishi had already mounted his horse. Without waiting for the reaction of the Great Wei court officials to his kissing their Princess, he waved his hand and led his column of horsemen away. His loud laughter came from the wind—

"Yan Shisheng! I have sent you a gift from Great Wei; you will know when you return. Tit for tat, no need to thank me!"

On the plains outside Chang’an, everyone saw the King of Wuman with a grand momentum, leading a group of Wuman warriors and riding away. The horse speed was extremely fast, with billowing dust and smoke. Their party rode away with light cavalry, while the people and goods sent by Great Wei followed slowly behind.

The court officials watched the Wuman King’s party go far away, then looked back at Yan Shang, curious about what the "gift" the King of Wuman mentioned was.

Yan Shang’s complexion was dark and unclear; he was still uncomfortable because of Meng Zaishi kissing Mu Wanyao just now. He reluctantly suppressed his emotions, shook his head at the crowd, indicating that he did not know either.

The officials did not dwell on this matter either.

Watching the rising dust and smoke, an official looked at the back of the King of Wuman and the majestic momentum of that team of knights, and could not help but sigh: "The King of Wuman is also a hero."

Yan Shang: "Whether he is a hero or our enemy, it remains to be seen."

The officials nodded one after another, each pondering, and kept silent.

Finally, they sent away the last envoy. The officials said goodbye to each other, and those who were busy had to go back to be busy. Just when Yan Shang was still standing there thinking about some things, Mu Wanyao walked to his side and glanced at him twice.

She was, after all, feeling guilty about Meng Zaishi kissing her forehead just now.

Mu Wanyao coughed twice.

Yan Shang looked up at her.

Mu Wanyao said slowly: "Where are you going?"

Yan Shang was stunned for a moment, only then realizing that Mu Wanyao was actually taking the initiative to show goodwill, talking to him in front of the court officials. Compared to her posture of wishing to have nothing to do with him and not letting the court officials misunderstand as soon as she went out before, Princess Danyang was now condescending to take the initiative to ask him questions in front of the officials—how rare.

Just as Yan Shang was about to answer, a young official beside him suppressed his excitement: "Ah? Is Her Highness speaking to me? I am about to go to the Prince of Qin’s mansion with Brother Yan Er. The central government has drafted a decree for the Prince of Qin; after all, the Prince of Qin was biased toward the envoys before, and he needs an explanation after the fact."

Mu Wanyao: "..."

She looked at the young official who had jumped out from nowhere beside Yan Shang in astonishment. This official looked at her with surprise, really thinking that the Princess was looking for him to speak.

And that useless Yan Shang, who had been silent for a while, actually shut his mouth.

The young official was confused: "But why did Your Highness ask this?"

Mu Wanyao looked at the sky: "I happen to be going to the Prince of Jin’s mansion. Seeing that you have no carriages and horses, I was preparing to give you a ride and ask if you are willing."

Young official: "Of course I am willing!"

Mu Wanyao turned and left, hearing the official behind her pulling Yan Shang, unable to hide his excitement: "Brother Yan Er, follow me quickly! You are lucky today to be able to sit in Princess Danyang’s carriage; are you not going to thank me?"

Mu Wanyao turned back abruptly and looked at Yan Shang with a half-smile.

Seeing Yan Shang ask that official: "You don’t know... about the Nanshan incident before?"

After Nanshan, his relationship with Princess Danyang was rumored to be a mess. Even if people didn’t think they had a secret affair, they would think their relationship was good.

How could anyone think he didn’t know Princess Danyang?

This official was very confused: "I left the capital for my father’s mourning and just returned to Chang’an this month. I had the honor of seeing the King of Wuman off. What happened on Nanshan?"

Yan Shang was silent for a while, and rarely joked: "Is that so. Then I have to thank this brother for letting me be lucky and sit in Princess Danyang’s carriage."

Yan Shang raised his eyes and met Mu Wanyao, who had turned back and arched an eyebrow at him.

Tacit understanding.

A bit coquettish.

He turned his head to pretend to look at the scenery, his lips slightly smiling, and the roots of his ears were a little red.