Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Mu Wanyao was truly excessive.

The way she offered an apology to Yan Shang was by sending him a mountain of gifts.

Born into the Imperial family, the only way she had ever seen someone make amends was for the Emperor to wave his hand and bestow gifts upon the person he had offended. An emperor would never apologize verbally. Having grown up in such an environment, Mu Wanyao did not know how to humble herself either. In the end, just like the father she loathed, she poured gifts into the neighboring residence like a flowing river, as if she were rewarding a favored consort.

When Yan Shang returned to find his courtyard piled high with treasures from next door, he was genuinely both angry and amused.

He was angry that she only knew how to send things when apologizing, rather than treating him with sincerity; he was amused that she had nearly buried his courtyard in goods just so he might forgive her.

Could she not have come over personally? Even a single look would have sufficed to let him know her intent. She was usually quite skilled at playing the victim—why was she unable to do so now? No, he had to break her of this bad habit.

By now, Yan Shang had been an official for half a year and had long since left his days of poverty behind. The salary of a Great Wei official was quite substantial; even as a minor eighth-rank official, with the various rewards bestowed upon him by the court, he was nearly in a position to buy the residence outright and no longer needed to pay rent to his neighbor every month.

Since Mu Wanyao insisted on sending gifts, Yan Shang simply had his steward bring the account books. After settling the estate's finances, Yan Shang instructed the steward to move funds, preparing to scrape together enough money to buy the residence once and for all.

Mu Wanyao waited expectantly, but when she saw no sign of Yan Shang accepting her apology, she was baffled, wondering if she had sent too few gifts.

She became even more determined to bestow them.

Now, even when Yan Shang saw her in the alley, he would only bow formally, refusing to be intimate with her. Beyond being frustrated, Mu Wanyao could not help but feel a growing sense of irritation.

It was not as if she had nothing to do, but suddenly remembering something, she beckoned Fang Tong over and ordered him to quietly inquire about the relationship between Yan Shang and that woman named Chunniang.

Fang Tong: "Who is Chunniang?"

Mu Wanyao glared: "How should I know?"

She paused, then added: "She probably isn't a noblewoman; it's more likely she's a famous courtesan from Beili. Go to Beili and ask around; you must find out the details for me. For instance, who she is, where she's from, when she arrived in Chang'an, and when she met Yan Shang. Get to the bottom of what's going on between Yan Shang and her, and whether he sleeps there when he stays overnight in Beili."

She sharpened her metaphorical blade, gritting her teeth: "And Yan Shang still has the nerve to be angry with me! If he's sharing a room with this Chunniang at night, I will absolutely not forgive him!"

Fang Tong: "That will take some time; a day or two probably won't be enough."

Mu Wanyao shot him a glance: "Then why aren't you hurrying off?! Are you waiting for me to invite you?!"

Seeing the Princess was about to snap, Fang Tong hastily excused himself, led several guards out, and mounted his horse to leave—

Yan Shang was working in the Secretariat, having just submitted a report.

It still concerned the lingering issues from the recent visit of the foreign envoys.

Yan Shang pointed out that because Great Wei was situated at the center, its understanding of the surrounding minor states relied on documents and data from many years ago. As the older officials passed away one by one, Great Wei’s relationships with its neighbors were no longer as secure as they once were. Among the envoys who came to Great Wei this time were several minor states the court had never heard of; there were also several that should have been present but had since been annihilated.

Yet, Great Wei was hospitable and treated them all the same, regardless of whether they had heard of them or not.

Take the King of Wuman, for example: the King of Wuman planned to "borrow a path to conquer Guo," which meant another minor state would inevitably vanish into silence. The King of Wuman’s actions this time were known to Great Wei, but there were undoubtedly many more that Great Wei remained ignorant of.

Yan Shang believed it was necessary for Great Wei to send envoys to visit various countries, clarify the current geopolitical situation, and strengthen ties with the minor states.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Revenue’s coffers were never full enough each year; they could send revenue officials to accompany the envoys, supported by the military power of the Ministry of War, to open up trade routes between Great Wei and its neighbors.

Great Wei had no official commercial channels and relied entirely on Hu merchants and traders to brave mountains and rivers to conduct business in secret. Yan Shang provided data showing that, in past years, seven out of ten merchants died on the road or were killed by bandits. The imperial court should strengthen its control and pay serious attention to this issue.

Yan Shang had spent three days writing this report, and three days after submitting it, there was still no response. He felt dejected, thinking that he was, after all, of low rank and little influence, and that the high-ranking officials in charge had no interest in listening to his grand theories. Yet, as a mere minor official in the Secretariat, he was treated as a glorified errand boy, unable to touch any real, serious work.

He felt truly lost in this official post, finding it devoid of interest.

That day, while Yan Shang was drafting a document at the office, a peer of equal rank entered and greeted him: "Suchen, your teacher has returned."

Yan Shang looked up, startled. Lord Liu had been busy with his daughter’s divorce—had he finally managed to send that couple, who had been clamoring to split up the family property, out of Chang'an?

The official who sat down at his own desk turned his head and gave him a friendly smile: "Lord Liu wants to see you."—

Lord Liu was sipping tea with the other three Ministers of the Secretariat.

Great Wei had exactly five Ministers, four of whom occupied the Secretariat, while one was in the Chancellery; it was impossible for a Minister to come from the Department of State Affairs.

The four Ministers of the Secretariat sat together, and as Lord Liu looked over the report forwarded to him by the others, he saw the signature was "Yan Shang" and let out a tutting sound.

Minister Zhang, who had a better relationship with Lord Liu, laughed: "Your student is nothing more than an errand boy in the Secretariat, yet he refuses to settle for being one. He submits reports every single day, annoying us to no end. If we reprimand him, well, considering his dedication and your face, it’s hard for us to say he’s meddling. But if we don't, this daily submission of reports is truly tiresome."

Lord Liu said: "Just reject his reports."

Another Minister, who hadn't spoken yet, said: "You speak easily. Don't you understand your own student? If it were easy to reject them, we would have done so long ago."

The others were indirectly praising Yan Shang’s talent, making it impossible to reject him. Lord Liu stroked his beard upon hearing this, and a trace of a smile couldn't help but surface on his stern face.

Minister Zhang said: "Old Liu, don't laugh. Look at how you’re acting as a teacher? You don't manage your student, and your student doesn't ask you for anything. I suspect you’re unaware of all these reports Yan Suchen has been submitting. This hands-off approach of yours is letting go a bit too much."

Lord Liu replied: "If you had a student like mine, you wouldn't be able to resist letting him handle things himself either. My student relies on no one, completes everything, and only comes to notify me at the very end... don't you envy that kind of ability?"

The other Ministers all thought of the military exercise and the role Yan Shang had played. Later, the data Yan Shang submitted to the Ministry of War regarding the military strengths of various nations was even more detailed than that of Yang Silang, who had actually fought the King of Wuman.

Then there was the Nanshan affair that led to the Princess's marriage alliance, and the subsequent diplomatic treaties... Yan Shang handled them all perfectly.

This was all achieved on the premise that Lord Liu was not in the Secretariat and had provided him with no help.

One Minister said: "I’m puzzled. He’s from the Secretariat, yet he actually collaborated well with the Ministry of War? Wasn't he transferred to the Court of Diplomatic Ceremonies to assist there? Do you know what the Minister of the Court of Diplomatic Ceremonies said to me two days ago? He asked if Yan Suchen wasn't of much use in the Secretariat, why not transfer him to them? They really like him and want him."

Another Minister added: "Coincidentally, the Vice Minister of War said the same."

Lord Liu smiled half-heartedly: "The Vice Minister of War says that because they think Yan Shang is the Crown Prince’s man and don't want him staying here to help the Prince. Why send a civilian official like Yan Shang to the Ministry of War? To grind ink for a bunch of soldiers? To draft reports for them?"

Minister Zhang said deliberately: "Why not? Isn't Yan Er doing that kind of menial work in the Secretariat?"

Lord Liu murmured: "To find work for oneself among menial tasks, and to be able to intervene in matters that have nothing to do with him... is this just an ordinary errand boy?"

The Ministers all fell silent.

After a long while, one sighed: "I have a premonition, Lord Liu—of all your students, the future achievements of this young pupil are limitless. As for us, we are already old. One must admit one’s age."

Lord Liu arched his brows: "You can admit yours, but I haven't aged yet! This old man can still serve the court for at least another twenty years; no need to compare me to you."

Knowing Lord Liu had never been one to admit defeat, the Minister shook his head and did not argue. He brought up another matter: "We have discussed it with the Ministry of Personnel; Yan Shang should be promoted this time. The Emperor has also inquired about it... our intention is to have Yan Shang go to the Six Ministries of the State Department first, to walk through each one, and if he remains impressive, we shall bring him back to the Secretariat."

Lord Liu asked a rhetorical question: "To do what in the Secretariat?"

The Minister smiled enigmatically: "To return to the Secretariat as a Secretariat Drafter. A fifth-rank official—surely that isn't insulting his dignity, is it?"

Everyone paused.

The four Ministers sitting here had all passed through the position of Secretariat Drafter. That was because the position was almost exclusively reserved for future prime ministers. Under normal circumstances, one had to serve as a Secretariat Drafter before becoming a Chief Councilor. As long as nothing went wrong, the path to becoming a Prime Minister was practically guaranteed for anyone in that role.

In short, the Ministers here had all perceived Lord Liu’s arrangements for his young pupil, and they were secretly assisting.

Minister Zhang said: "If all goes well, Yan Suchen could be a Secretariat Drafter by the age of thirty."

Lord Liu sighed: "My student cannot be judged by conventional logic. He will certainly encounter some trouble... shall we make a bet? Perhaps my student can reach the position of Prime Minister by thirty."

The other Ministers all laughed.

None of them believed it.

"Old Liu must have had too much to drink, no? Very well, since you believe in your student so much, we shall take your bet."——

When Yan Shang came to pay his respects to Lord Liu, he heard the hearty laughter of the Ministers inside. After entering, he offered his greetings composedly, his expression as calm as ever.

The Ministers all nodded at his deportment.

Lord Liu took out the report Yan Shang had written a few days prior regarding diplomatic visits and opening trade routes: "I have a few questions for you."

Lord Liu casually questioned Yan Shang about the troops on the trade routes and the paths of the foreign missions; some Yan Shang could answer, others he could not. When he couldn't, Yan Shang felt ashamed, saying he would go look it up. However, seeing the Ministers all seated there, his heart stirred; he knew this was a wonderful opportunity.

He endeavored to expound on the ideas in his report, hoping to gain the support of the Ministers.

Minister Zhang, the most good-natured of the four, laughed: "Enough, we old fellows have been reading this report for several days. We wouldn't have called you here to question you if we weren't interested. I must also congratulate you: you are being promoted. It is a pity that you won't be able to see the decisions we old men make in the Secretariat hereafter."

Yan Shang was startled, feeling a hint of regret.

Seeing him feel sorrow rather than joy, the Ministers looked at one another and laughed. One Minister said: "Are you reluctant to part with your report? Afraid that once you are gone, no one will execute its contents?"

Yan Shang said gently: "I will not deceive you Ministers—I do indeed feel that if the court intends to adopt the proposals in this report, my remaining in the Secretariat would be best."

Lord Liu pulled a long face and sneered: "Stay in the Secretariat for what? To wait for this to succeed and add a great merit to your record? Do you think we are holding you back from your promotion or stealing your credit by transferring you out now?"

Yan Shang’s expression did not change; he said softly: "Serving the country is not measured merely by merit. I am not such a narrow-minded person; I only feel that I understand this report best, and that my remaining in the Secretariat would be most effective. It is not for the sake of the merit—so long as I remain here, I would not mind if the credit went to someone else."

A Minister remarked: "It seems he likes the Secretariat and wants to stick around."

Yan Shang lowered his head and expressed his shame.

The Ministers wore solemn faces for a long while before Minister Zhang finally couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, we won't tease you anymore. Old Liu, you tell him."

Yan Shang had always felt the Ministers were not the type to steal his credit, and hearing them break character, his expression remained unchanged as he looked toward his teacher.

Lord Liu said: "We are transferring you to the Ministry of Revenue as a Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue."

Yan Shang’s heart skipped a beat; he bowed and offered his thanks, for it was somewhat unexpected.

A Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue was a seventh-rank official. His current position as an official in the Secretariat was eighth-rank. This promotion leaped over a major grade, jumping directly from eighth to seventh... the jump was significant.

Seeing his confusion, Minister Zhang explained with a smile: "It is simply your good luck—a former Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue lost his father recently and had to go home to observe mourning. When the Crown Prince heard you were going to the Ministry of Revenue, he had you fill that position directly, saying that a lower one would insult your talent. We only wanted you in the Ministry, but the Crown Prince promoted you a full grade; you should thank him."

Yan Shang, however, still thanked the Ministers: "If I can go to the Ministry of Revenue—and since the Secretariat intends to send envoys and the Ministry of Revenue intends to open official trade routes—you Ministers must still want me to participate in this, which is why you sent me there. I must still thank you for your grace."

Yan Shang thought to himself: If the Crown Prince jumped him a grade, could this be the "effort" Mu Wanyao spoke of? Was this the position Mu Wanyao requested from the Emperor? But looking at the Ministers’ expressions, it seemed as if this position had been decided by them, without the Emperor’s intervention?

The Ministers felt flattered and smiled, remaining silent. Promoting someone was fine, but if the recipient could sense it instantly, the feeling was even better—it made one feel the cultivation had not been in vain.

Lord Liu paused, his tone serious: "Mm, that’s not all. Your position, strictly speaking, is Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, concurrently holding the post of Palace Censor."

Yan Shang was stunned, then glanced at his teacher’s solemn expression and realized instantly that the latter position, also seventh-rank, was the one Mu Wanyao had requested. Yan Shang’s face flushed; because the Ministers obviously knew this was requested by the Princess, yet were all pretending not to know... Yan Shang reddened, enduring his shyness as he bowed once more.

The Ministers all acted perfectly serious, as if they knew nothing about this concurrent role.

He had to finish the promotion formalities that very day and report to the Ministry of Revenue immediately. But after leaving, he returned to report on the matter of Luo Xiu:

"...I sent someone of Wuman descent to test this Luo Xiu. He had someone send messages and maps to the Southern Barbarians. They were our Great Wei’s... I suspect an official in Great Wei is colluding with him..."

The Ministers nodded, signaling they understood and were satisfied that Yan Shang had seen the matter through to the end by informing them. If Yan Shang had just left without mentioning this news, clearly no one could have blamed him; after all, he was no longer a person of the Secretariat.

Minister Zhang said directly: "Then continue to oversee this investigation. Since you hold the position of Palace Censor, investigating the hundred officials is your duty. Do not report this to us in the future; once discovered, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Censorate."

Yan Shang complied and took his leave. Afterward, he bade farewell to his other colleagues in the Secretariat, who congratulated him on his promotion and held banquets for him for two days, which need not be mentioned further—

Luo Xiu had been conferred the title of Great General of the Right Guard by Great Wei and was forcefully kept in Chang'an, unable to go anywhere. Luo Xiu hired Han Shuxing to take maps and messages to the King of the Southern Barbarians, but Yan Shang had intercepted him—Han Shuxing was one of Yan Shang’s men.

Standing in Second Young Master Yan’s study, Han Shuxing finished reporting these details and waited for Yan Shang’s next arrangement.

After a moment of contemplation, Yan Shang said to Han Shuxing in a friendly manner: "Since Luo Xiu hired you to leave Chang'an to send messages to the Southern Barbarians, you might as well take this opportunity to leave Chang'an. There is no need for you to trouble yourself with Luo Xiu’s affairs anymore."

There must be a Great Wei official passing messages to Luo Xiu for him to obtain such detailed intelligence. Yan Shang was now waiting to see when that person would emerge and contact Luo Xiu again.

Luo Xiu remaining in Great Wei was a destabilizing factor. The person who had collaborated with him would inevitably become anxious and reveal a flaw.

And for all of this, Han Shuxing was no longer needed.

Han Shuxing stood stunned for a while before grasping Yan Shang’s meaning: he was being granted his freedom. He could leave Chang'an and go wherever he pleased. A feeling of ecstatic joy surged first, followed by a bewildered sense of loss.

Han Shuxing: "Er-lang, I don't know where to go."

He lowered his head and was silent for a long time before saying: "I have never taken the initiative to go anywhere in all these years. I have... I am no longer accustomed to the outside world. Er-lang, I have good martial arts; keep me as a guard. I don't need wages; just keep me fed."

Yan Shang said warmly: "I have no guards around me with martial skills as good as yours, so I would naturally be delighted if you were willing to stay. However, I cannot hinder you because of that."

"You have been imprisoned for many years, lost your goals, and don't know where to go for the moment. That is not normal. I hope you can leave Chang'an, go anywhere you wish, and travel about; perhaps you will find what you truly want to do, and find the meaning of your existence. Han Shuxing, you are no longer a slave; do not view yourself as one."

"Go out into this world and travel more. If, many years from now, you still have no goal or sense of the meaning of life, it will not be too late to find me then. No matter when, I will never abandon an old friend."

Han Shuxing stared at him blankly for a long time, and finally nodded. He did not understand many of the principles, he only felt that Second Young Master Yan’s words sounded wonderful and always reached his heart. He did not understand this way of speaking, but Yan Shang’s sincerity still warmed his heart.

Han Shuxing knelt and performed the solemn ceremony of a Great Wei citizen toward Yan Shang before pushing the door and exiting—

Having resolved Han Shuxing’s matter, Yan Shang continued to work in the study. He pondered his own itinerary, but his mind remained restless.

Because he had not forgotten that this afternoon, Yang Si had invited Mu Wanyao to Ci’en Temple to watch a play.

That day, trapped in the carriage, he had felt extreme shame, hating Mu Wanyao to the core, and angry that she had forced him to such a state of hiding in the carriage. Thinking back on it, Yan Shang recalled Yang Si’s invitation to Mu Wanyao, and his heart surged hot and cold by turns.

He wanted to ask, but he was sulking with Mu Wanyao and felt he shouldn't.

However, Yan Shang cared about Yang Si far more than he cared about the existence of Meng Zaishi. Because Mu Wanyao did not like Meng Zaishi, yet she and Yang Si were so close. Third Young Master Yang was a youth of romance and elegance, whom all the young ladies of Chang'an chased; Mu Wanyao must like him too, right?

Yan Shang felt that if not for his own interference... perhaps Mu Wanyao and Yang Si would have come to a happy ending.

He cared so much about Yang Si that his heart turned sour, leaving him restless and unable to sit still.

Yan Shang wrote reports for a while, but his mind remained unsettled. He had no choice but to call his servant, Yun Shu, inside and feign indifference as he asked: "Has Her Highness returned?"

A while later, Yun Shu returned to say the Princess had gone out at noon and had not yet returned.

Yun Shu looked at Yan Shang: "Langjun, do you have something to find the Princess for?"

Yan Shang sat quietly with lowered eyes: "No."

But after a while, Yan Shang could not help but send the servant to ask again, and Mu Wanyao still had not returned. Back and forth they went several times, and as dusk approached, the woman still had not returned. Yan Shang grew restless and irritable, wildly speculating why she was gone for so long—what were the two of them doing?

He naturally trusted in their character.

But, but...

The young master sat in the study working, and Yun Shu sighed from under the veranda: "It is getting dark, the ward gates will close soon. Could the Princess not be coming back tonight?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the door to the study opened.

Yan Shang’s expression was stiff, but he said with a serious, soft voice: "I am going to Ci’en Temple."

Yun Shu: "Is it to pick up the Princess?"

Yan Shang: "Naturally not. It is... I donated some incense money to Ci’en Temple, and the Abbot has been wanting to thank me, but I have been avoiding him. I suddenly remembered this matter and must go handle it."

Yun Shu went to prepare the horse, and as he glanced back at his master returning to his room, he couldn't help but sigh, feeling aggrieved for his master.

He thought the Second Young Master’s temper was simply too good.

What kind of young master answers his servant’s questions so amiably?

And what kind of young master, clearly angry, still goes to pick the person up?

Yun Shu had never believed Yan Shang was going to see the Abbot of Ci’en Temple; Yan Shang was the type to give without seeking return, and he would not wait for someone to thank him. Yan Er-lang’s going to Ci’en Temple could only be for Princess Danyang... may the Princess not disappoint his master’s gentleness—

When Yan Shang set out, a messenger from the postal relay station entered the gates of Chang'an.

One letter was sent to the residence of Seventh Young Master Wei, and another to Mu Wanyao’s residence.

Within the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince had been monitoring the matter closely. As soon as the messenger entered the city, the Eastern Palace was already aware.

Since the end of the military exercise, it could be said that the Crown Prince had been waiting for the messenger to enter Chang'an. The Prince was a man of deep schemes and knew that once the relationship between the Li family and the Imperial family eased, the Li family would certainly make its next move.

And now, he had waited for it.

Although he could not intercept the letter from the Li family, the fact that it was sent to both Seventh Young Master Wei and Mu Wanyao already gave away a message.

The Crown Prince pondered.

If he were the head of the Jinling Li clan, as Mu Wanyao’s power in Chang'an grew, and as the Emperor and the Jinling Li clan began to reconcile, he would immediately facilitate a marriage between Mu Wanyao and Wei Shu, allowing the great clans of the South and the great clans of the North to form an alliance.

Once the two great clans allied, the Wei family would help the Li family return to Chang'an.

The Crown Prince, naturally, did not wish to see this result. He had recalled Yang Si that day to win over the Li family. Unfortunately, the Li family’s attitude had always been ambiguous, and the attitudes of Mu Wanyao and Yang Si had been fickle; this marriage alliance had never been pushed through.

Furthermore, Wei Shu was still just a youth, so the Prince thought not to rush, but to wait a while longer.

Yet Wei Shu was only sixteen. From the Li family’s perspective, however, the timing for the marriage alliance had likely arrived.

The Crown Prince, however, needed to let Yang Si leave; he could not use Yang Si to win over Mu Wanyao.

The Prince mused, muttering to himself: "I cannot let Sixth Sister marry into the Wei family; if those two houses become even better connected, I shall not gain much advantage. After marriage, Sixth Sister will lean toward the neutral faction like the Wei family, and the power on my side will weaken... It would be best to keep Sixth Sister here and win the Li family over to my side."

He tapped the desk, revealing a faint smile: "Fortunately, Mu Wanyao should have no romantic feelings for Seventh Young Master Wei. The one for whom she has romantic feelings... is Yan Shang. And now, Yan Shang has arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, which falls under my jurisdiction."

"If I wish for Sixth Sister and Yan Shang to marry, would I not be playing the good guy and acquiring the Li family’s resources simultaneously?"

Did the Li family not want to return to the political center of Chang'an? He could help them with that too.

Having reached a decision, the Crown Prince rose, prepared to go see the Emperor—

Mu Wanyao, completely unaware, was watching a play with Yang Si at Ci’en Temple.

Yan Shang spurred his horse into the temple, entering the swarming crowd, searching everywhere for the pair.

In Seventh Young Master Wei’s residence, Consort Zhao Ling lay gasping on the desk, distressed by the prospect of being forced into marriage. Wei Shu sat opposite her, opening the letter paper to see the letter from his teacher—his uncle, Li Zhi.

There was nothing else.

Only the hope that he and Mu Wanyao would betroth immediately.

Outside the window came a crackle; raindrops like beans drummed against the wooden eaves. The sky was dim, the rain and wind had come late, and the clouds rolled like the tide.