Tigers Sniff the Rose - Extra Chapter 1

Extra Chapter - Young Wanderer (Part 1)

When Yan Shisheng turned sixteen, he learned from his uncle, who had come to Lingnan to find their family, that his mother, who had passed away early, was once a young lady from a prestigious family. She had been whisked away in her youth by his father, a poor boy who had relied solely on his good looks.

The past of the Yan parents is a story for another time. In short, the uncle came looking for them because the maternal side of the family had few descendants, and feeling regret over the past, he wanted to acknowledge and bring them back into the fold.

Yan’s father was a man so easygoing he bordered on spineless, a man without much of a mind of his own. When the uncle saw his brother-in-law’s perpetually youthful, pretty face, he remembered how this man had tricked his cousin into eloping and felt his anger flare up. Among the Yan children, the uncle actually preferred the third son, who was lively and extroverted.

He did not like the eldest Yan son, who was too simple-minded, nor did he like the second son, who was too reticent. As for the youngest daughter, Yan Xiaozhou, she was only eleven or twelve at the time, and it was hard to tell what she was like yet, so he didn’t have any particular opinion of her.

The uncle had originally intended to cultivate the third son, but the boy had no interest in reading. Ironically, it was the second son who possessed the interest.

The uncle had no choice. He took the lead and changed the second son’s name to Yan Shang, personally teaching him to read in Lingnan. It wasn't until the rather untalented second son reached seventeen and finally passed the provincial examination that the uncle breathed a sigh of relief. He hurriedly brought Yan Shang to Chang'an, hoping that after Yan Shang passed the imperial examinations, he could support the family and restore it to its former glory.

At this time, the Emperor’s youngest daughter, Princess Danyang, was just seventeen and a half. Quiet, virtuous, and kept in the inner chambers by the parents who doted on her, she was naive and innocent.

A princess could be married off at fifteen.

However, neither the Emperor and Empress nor the Crown Prince could bear to let her go. They stubbornly kept Princess Danyang until she was seventeen before they reluctantly began selecting a husband for her.

The little princess’s husband had to come from a great, established family, be accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and possess an open, magnanimous temperament. Most importantly, he had to be able to take good care of the little princess and protect her for a lifetime. Furthermore, the little princess herself had to like him.

After much deliberation, everyone set their sights on Yang Si, the third son of the Yang family, who had grown up as a childhood friend of the princess.

Yang Si was the same age as the princess and was a companion to the First Prince. Although he had the temper of a little tyrant who feared no one, he had grown up playing with the princess. Could there be some tacit understanding between them?

Mu Wanyao and Yang Si did have a tacit understanding.

But it was not what everyone thought.

This understanding was that Mu Wanyao would help Yang Si put in a good word with the First Prince, or help Yang Si plead for mercy after he had stormed out following a quarrel. In return, Yang Si would secretly distract the servants attending the little princess, take her out of the palace, and bring her to the bustling markets outside.

Mu Wanyao had grown up to be seventeen before she was finally able to step into the world of commoners. Her parents were so protective that she had never even stepped past the palace gates.

At this moment, standing in the market of the East Ward, even while trailing behind the carefree Yang Si, she gripped his sleeve, her eyes darting everywhere to take in the street scene, utterly dazzled.

Her eyes were brimming with brilliant light.

Yang Si looked back at her and made a clicking sound: "You're going to drool!"

Mu Wanyao immediately let out a sound and wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. However, her lips were perfectly dry.

She opened her round, cat-like eyes wide and said in a spoiled tone: "Third Brother Yang, you lied to me again!"

Yang Si smiled as he hooked her shoulder: "I lied to you because you're so easy to fool."

With a casual tug, he pulled her to his side, shielding her from the ill-intentioned glares of those eyeing her like a fool. He appeared loose and relaxed, but his eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp intensity flashing within, which quickly scared off those staring at them.

Mu Wanyao blushed and pushed him away. But her voice was small and soft, possessing no intimidation: "Don't be like that. If my Imperial Father and Mother see you like this, they will try to force a marriage between us again."

Yang Si gave a scoff and pulled a straight face: "Let them see. Am I not good enough for you?"

Mu Wanyao pursed her lips.

She was gentle and kind, unwilling to speak ill of anyone, but she always felt her future husband should not be like this. She had been suppressed by everyone her whole life; no matter how gentle a young lady is, there is a hidden streak of rebellion in her heart.

Why couldn't she have a husband who was less assertive than she was?

Was she destined to be controlled by everyone for the rest of her life?

Seeing Mu Wanyao blush but remain silent, Yang Si lost interest and stopped teasing her. He let go of her and let her follow behind him. Yang Si said coldly: "Follow closely. If you get lost, I won't come back to look for you."

Mu Wanyao obediently agreed.

But Mu Wanyao and Yang Si did get lost.

Because Mu Wanyao was busy watching a juggling act and Yang Si had become interested in a martial arts demonstration, Yang Si walked off, assuming Mu Wanyao would follow. Who would have guessed she didn't? By the time Yang Si turned around to look for her, Mu Wanyao had been swept away somewhere else by the crowd.

Mu Wanyao stood in the chaotic crowd. Without Yang Si by her side, she was incredibly terrified. Her palms were sweating with panic, yet she tried hard to encourage herself. They were all just people—what was there to be afraid of? Once she found Third Brother Yang, everything would be fine.

Mu Wanyao searched for him, her voice as quiet as a kitten's meow: "Third Brother Yang... Third Brother Yang..."

She wandered blankly through the crowd, looking for him. Third Brother Yang was wearing a snow-blue scholar's robe today—the same one she had secretly mocked him for in her heart for trying to look elegant. Now, she could only rely on his clothes to find him in the vast sea of people. She didn't know how long she had been searching when, outside a bookstore, Mu Wanyao suddenly spotted the familiar snow-blue.

She was too tired, and even the best temperament would eventually give way to resentment. She ran over and, just as she did when she was most prone to throwing tantrums, she struck his back from behind, tears welling up in her eyes.

Mu Wanyao choked out: "You’re too mean! How could you leave me behind? I’m going to tell on you to Big Brother, you... ah."

She stopped, looked up, and stepped back, staring blankly at the young man who had turned around to face her.

The lamps were fading, and the light shimmered across his features. A young man with a jade crown and a fair face, eyes like a galaxy, and red lips against white teeth looked back. He was as beautiful as a jade statue, his temperament clear and bright.

He was incredibly handsome and looked kind, but he was not Third Brother Yang, Yang Si.

Facing the stranger, she was momentarily stunned, feeling incredibly shy and embarrassed. A single tear hung on her eyelashes.

The young man who had turned around was none other than Yan Shang, who had come out to buy books. Having been struck in the back out of nowhere and hearing a girl’s choked voice, he turned around to find a poised young lady standing behind him with tears in her eyes.

She was wearing a high-waisted ru-skirt, her two pink ribbons fluttering. The young lady had delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, a fine nose, and cherry lips. She was charming and incredibly innocent. Standing there in the lamplight, even the tears hanging from her eyelashes looked lovely.

It would have been even better if the expression in her eyes hadn't been one of panic and embarrassment.

Yan Shang set down his book and bowed to her.

Mu Wanyao lowered her head and returned the bow.

With just one glance, Yan Shang understood her predicament. He said gently: "Has the young lady lost track of her friends? Perhaps you should return to where you were and wait for them to find you. If you wander off like this, I am sure your friend will be very worried."

His voice was clear, mellow, and gentle, causing Mu Wanyao’s cheeks to burn.

In truth, she had very little experience interacting with strangers, especially a handsome youth of similar age.

Mu Wanyao nodded blankly. She remembered what her second brother had told her to scare her—that all men outside were bad people who kidnapped young girls, and she shouldn't go near them. Fearing this youth might also be a villain, she didn't dare tell him that she had already forgotten the way back.

Mu Wanyao whispered a thank you, then turned and hurried into the crowd, as if she were being chased by a wolf.

Yan Shang watched her back, deep in thought.

After a while, he let out a wry smile and followed her anyway.

Seeing how she acted, he guessed that this was likely her first time sneaking out of the house to play. Such young girls were the most innocent and easily deceived. Since he had seen her, he couldn't just pretend he hadn't. He also noticed the young lady seemed a bit afraid of him, so he didn't dare follow too closely to avoid alarming her.

He would simply follow from a distance.

Mu Wanyao truly had no experience. She gathered the courage to ask a passing woman where the juggling act was. After she gestured for a long time, the beautiful woman scrutinized her for a moment.

Yan Shang, following behind, sighed. He could tell at a glance that the woman, with her heavy makeup, was the type of procuress found in the brothels of the Beili district.

The beautiful woman smiled enticingly at Mu Wanyao: "Little sister, did you lose track of your friends? Are you hungry or thirsty? Why don't you come with sister to a tavern to sit and have a drink? Sister will keep you company while you wait for them."

Mu Wanyao was indeed hungry and thirsty, so she nodded obediently.

Just as she was about to go with her, Yan Shang stepped forward from behind and put an arm around her shoulder. Mu Wanyao stiffened, looking up in shock to see the beautiful youth she had just met looking down at her, sighing softly: "Little sister, why have you wandered off alone again? You've made your brother worry so much."

Mu Wanyao’s eyes flickered.

She was naive but intelligent, so she just remained silent. She let Yan Shang exchange a few polite pleasantries with the beautiful woman. The woman took one more sharp look at her, pursed her lips in a smile, and turned to sway away, fanning herself.

Yan Shang led Mu Wanyao away and said in a low voice: "That woman was likely a kidnapper. It is excellent that you are wary of people, but you cannot only guard against men; you must also watch out for women. Is it possible that in this world, only men are bad, and no women are evil?"

Mu Wanyao stared at his robe, lost in thought.

She was led away by him, her sleeve gently held. He was polite and courteous, never touching her body, clearly observing proper etiquette. There was a very faint, pleasant fragrance on him. Mu Wanyao sniffed, unable to identify it.

She only thought it smelled good.

He spent the entire way asking her where she wanted to go in a low voice. Mu Wanyao couldn't explain, so Yan Shang asked if she would like to go to the tallest tavern in the ward to get a better view and find her people. To keep her from doubting him, he specifically asked three passersby which tavern was the highest.

Mu Wanyao thought, I didn't doubt you, actually. Why are you being so cautious?

But this youth was the most careful person she had ever met.

He brought her to the tavern and only ordered tea for her. He took a sip first to show her there was no poison in it.

Mu Wanyao stared at him blankly.

He smiled: "It is not that I am unwilling to treat you to better food, but I do not know your tastes. Please order whatever you like."

Mu Wanyao showed off her princess-like demeanor and ordered a pile of dishes.

The waiter looked blankly at them.

Mu Wanyao looked at Yan Shang.

Yan Shang looked at her, thoughtful, a flicker in his eyes. He casually gave the waiter the list of dishes, and the waiter retreated.

Mu Wanyao sat by the window, contentedly resting her chin in her hands as she watched the scenery outside. She did not know that by accident, she had revealed so many details that Yan Shang had begun to guess her status was extraordinary.

Yan Shang did not probe; he only whispered to her about what she should be wary of when outside.

Mu Wanyao turned her head and whispered: "Aren't you a bad person?"

Yan Shang looked back, a smile in his eyes: "You can think of me as a bad person if you like. You shouldn't trust my words either. It is always good for a young lady to be cautious."

Mu Wanyao was a little stunned.

Then she shook her head decisively, asserting very softly: "Big Brother, you are not a bad person."

Yan Shang smiled and joked: "Thank you for the high praise, Young Lady."

Mu Wanyao’s face turned red in an instant. She looked away awkwardly, not daring to meet the youth’s warm, smiling eyes.

While Mu Wanyao was eating snacks and drinking tea in the tavern, Yang Si had been so worried he almost deployed the city guards. Half an hour later, just as Yang Si was about to lose his temper, a waiter from the tavern greeted him. He went up the stairs with a dark face and saw that silly girl sitting with a youth, blushing and stealing glances at him.

She looked exactly like a girl whose heart had just been stirred.

Yang Si suppressed his anger: He was worried sick outside, and she was here flirting?

Yang Si called out: "Mu Wanyao!"

Mu Wanyao jumped in fright and looked up.

Yan Shang, who was sitting opposite Mu Wanyao, slowly finished his tea, stood up, and bowed to the youth who had walked in with large strides.

Mu? Yan Shang thought.

That is the imperial surname.

Combined with the details the young lady had accidentally revealed along the way, Yan Shang had already guessed that this lady was likely royalty.

Yang Si pulled Mu Wanyao to his side, cautiously scrutinized Yan Shang, and asked in a low voice what was going on. Mu Wanyao wanted to explain, but she didn't dare make a sound after being glared at by Yang Si. She looked at her savior with worry.

Her savior, however, remained very gentle and showed no fear when facing Yang Si. He recounted the situation clearly and concisely, and Yang Si’s expression softened slightly.

He is so well-spoken, Mu Wanyao thought.

Mu Wanyao tugged at Yang Si’s sleeve, signaling him desperately. Yang Si pretended not to notice and finished his perfunctory remarks: "Many thanks for saving my younger sister, brother. Where are you employed? I shall call upon you to thank you another day."

Yan Shang knew the other party suspected him of coveting his "sister." There was no way he would let such a suspicion take root.

He smiled: "It was a mere trifle, no need for thanks. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

Mu Wanyao: "Ah..."

She didn't have time to say anything. She had only taken a step after him when she was dragged back by Yang Si. When the youth had descended the stairs and Yang Si led Mu Wanyao out, he learned that the other party had even paid for the wine. Yang Si was suddenly surprised—could the guy really be a good person?

Once out of the tavern, Mu Wanyao complained: "Look at what you did!"

Yang Si snorted: "What did I do? I haven't even started on you! If you do this again, I won't bring you out to play."

Mu Wanyao gazed at the crowd, feeling a sense of loss: "You didn't even ask for my savior's name!"

Yang Si: "You have a mouth, and you sat with him for so long, why didn't you ask?"

Mu Wanyao turned beet red.

She stomped her foot: "I am a young lady! I have to be reserved, how could I ask?!"

She was dejected: "I don't know anything—I don't know his name, how old he is, or where he lives..."

Yang Si stared at her with a strange expression.

Mu Wanyao blinked.

Yang Si said slowly: "Why do you need to know all that?"

Mu Wanyao was speechless for a long time.

After a while, she hung her head and sighed: "That big brother was so handsome..."

Yang Si: "..."

He immediately said: "Is this love at first sight? I am going to tell your second brother right now..."

Mu Wanyao was furious: "No! Don't spout nonsense! Third Brother Yang, why are you like this..."