The night lights in Beili were brilliant, and the singing was endless. The whispers of men and women and their nighttime release were all blocked outside a wooden door.

A lady named Chunniang was supported by two maids upstairs. After entering the elegant house, Chunniang lowered her head nervously when she heard a clear and gentle male voice from above: "Thank you very much. Please leave first."

The two maids who supported Chunniang closed the door happily and left after receiving the reward money. The room was quiet. Chunniang, who was kneeling on the ground, lowered her eyes and saw that her husband's clothes stopped in front of her.

He lifted his robe and knelt down opposite her.

Chunniang raised her head carefully and was slightly startled. It was rare for a man to have a handsome face, but what was even more outstanding was his good temperament. In Chunniang's impression, a man with such good temperament would not easily come to Beili to indulge himself. Even if he did, he should not choose a humble slave like her.

The man sitting opposite her was naturally Yan Shang.

Yan Shang looked at her for a while, then explained in a gentle voice: "I am a fellow villager and good friend of Brother Liu Wenji."

Chunniang was originally dumbfounded, but her eyes suddenly widened. She couldn't help but cover her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. She felt mixed emotions of sadness and joy, and instantly recalled the reason why she ended up in this scene -

More than half a year ago, she had just arrived in Beili. She saw that Liu Wenzhi was handsome, and felt that he was trapped in love, so she took the initiative to serve Liu Wenzhi.

Unexpectedly, a man from the family of a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue tried to force himself on her, but was stopped by Liu Wenzhi.

Liu Wenji was deposed on the spot, and she was so frightened that she wanted to escape overnight. Afterwards, she was captured and taken back to Beili. Liu Wenji was nowhere to be found, and she was taken from Zhongqu to Beiqu, where criminal slaves were sent. In the past six months, she had lived a very miserable life, being beaten and scolded at every turn, but she had to be careful, fearing that she would be killed by those nobles without knowing it.

Now it has been almost a year, she was almost numb, and a man brought her out from Beiqu.

Yan Shang looked at her apologetically and handed a piece of paper back to her: "I have already eliminated your slave status and arranged a new identity for you. You can return to Zhongqu in the future. I have always wanted to save you, but the supervision is very strict, which is troublesome. Recently, I found an opportunity to take advantage of the opportunity of His Majesty's birthday amnesty to find an opportunity to rescue you from Beiqu. I have wronged you for more than half a year."

Chunniang felt like she was dreaming. When she saw that she had really got her slavery back, the tears in her eyes fell down.

However, she was nervous again: "I am a criminal girl sent down by the imperial court. Will my lord get into trouble by saving me like this? The person I offended is not an ordinary noble..."

Yan Shang sighed, "These are not your fault. It's hard for you to think of me when my wife is in trouble, but since I dare to save my wife, I naturally have ways to deal with other things. My wife doesn't need to worry about it."

Chunniang was grateful, and she knelt down a few steps and kowtowed to him. Yanshang quickly bent down to help her, saying that he was not worthy of such a great gift. But Chunniang insisted on kowtowing, and said with tears in her eyes that no man had ever been so kind to her, so Yanshang had no choice but to accept half of the gift.

After that, Chunniang hesitated for a moment and said, "I wonder how Liu Lang is doing now..."

Yan Shang said gently: "You don't have to worry about him. You can start a new life now that you know nothing about him."

Chunniang's eyes dimmed for a moment and she nodded.

She looked at the young man again, impressed by his demeanor and bearing, and could not help but muster up the courage: "My dear, you have saved me from slavery, why don't you let me follow you from now on..."

Yan Shang was startled.

He laughed: "I dare not. There is a big tiger in the Shang family, I dare not make trouble outside."

Chunniang was startled, but seeing that the other party said the rejection so playfully, without any humiliation or pressure, she relaxed for a moment and smiled shyly. Chunniang said, "Your Excellency's wife must be as beautiful as a flower, and she and you are a perfect match."

Yan Shang smiled slightly and said no more.

Apparently he had acquired some skills in rejecting girls now and was no longer as flustered as he was at the beginning.

Yan Shang said slowly: "Don't talk nonsense, I am not that selfless. I saved you, and I must have some ulterior motive. I wonder if my lady is willing to help me?"

Chunniang said softly: "From now on, my whole life will be devoted to you, my husband, and I will obey your orders."

Yan Shang said: "My lady, you have made a mistake. Your life has nothing to do with me, so you don't have to die for me. I just want you to help me... In the future, when you have saved enough money and want to leave Beili to make a living, it still has nothing to do with me, and I will not stop you. My lady, just live for yourself, not for me."

After a pause, he slowly said: "I just hope that my wife will cooperate with me and become the governor."

Chunniang looked up in surprise, wanting to see if this man was joking.

Everyone knows that she is the top among the famous prostitutes.

The Duzhi, a prostitute in a brothel, had great power and often went to the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles, accompanying court officials, important ministers, and noble men to various banquets. Those who became Duzhi were all well-known prostitutes in the world. Being good at playing the zither, chess, poetry, and painting were just the most common requirements. The most important thing for a Duzhi in Wei was talent.

That is to say, Yan Shang required an ordinary prostitute who was originally just accompanying guests to drink to be reborn into a talented woman and serve him.

-----

Yan Shang naturally has his own considerations.

He needed a governor in Beili for his own use. He had been busy with the envoys for the past few months, and now that the envoys' covenant had been basically finalized and they had all left Wei, Yan Shang had the mind to get his hands involved here.

The officialdom of the Wei Dynasty often needs various banquets. He had always had a hard time dealing with people like Yan Shang who couldn't drink. In addition, visiting prostitutes was a trend, and if he didn't follow the crowd, he would inevitably be rejected by the officials; however, if he visited prostitutes, not only would he not be able to get over it, but Mu Wanyao would probably turn against him.

In addition, Beili is the most prosperous area in Chang'an, and countless important officials of the court come and go here. If there is a Duzhi who acts as an insider, he will be more sensitive to the fluctuations in the court.

Yan Shang is increasingly aware that an official cannot just stay in the court. He realizes the importance of balancing connections with all parties and making friends with all kinds of people.

After much thought, it is best to cultivate a mindset that is inclined towards one's own.

Yan Shanghe explained to Chunniang in a friendly manner: "The governor's test is about drinking and composing poems. I can't help you with the skill of drinking and tasting wine, but we can discuss the skill of observing people's words and expressions. As for composing poems, I'm ashamed to say that I'm actually very bad at it... But even if I'm very bad, it shouldn't be a problem for me to teach you at the beginning.

"But when you finish writing poetry, you have to rely on yourself and can't rely on me."

He hesitated. "I know someone who is proficient in this, but I'm afraid she won't help us. Let's not worry about her for now."

Chunniang agreed to all of them.

Yan Shang said softly, "When I come to Beili often in the future, I will trouble you to serve me."

Chun Niang said quickly: "I dare not. If I become the governor, it will be of great benefit to me. I won't be forced into a desperate situation like I was last year... Thank you for taking the time to teach me."

She hesitated: "But my husband asked me to become the governor, just to help him block the wine and help him find out some information?"

Yan Shang paused for a moment, feeling that these women were indeed very perceptive.

He whispered, "Maybe he still wants to keep you as a hidden chess piece... but it's not certain whether he can use you. You don't have to think too much about it. Anyway, your life is safe."

Chunniang felt relieved.

-----

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

That night Yan Shang also stayed here.

Chunniang studied very seriously. She wanted to repay the other party for saving her life, but she was afraid that she would appear too stupid and disappoint this young man. However, when she looked carefully, she saw that Yan Shang had an indifferent expression. Whether she studied well or not, whether she made mistakes or not, he didn't say much to her and didn't show any disappointment.

But there was no expression of encouragement.

He did not give her any chance to imagine that she could get close to him through teaching. When Chunniang was disappointed, she envied his wife again.

It was late at night, and when Chunniang was about to leave, Yanshang hesitated for a moment and asked her to stop.

Chunniang didn't think that this young man would let her accompany him at this moment, so she just looked at him in confusion. Seeing that he was sitting on the couch with his eyes downcast, he actually looked embarrassed and whispered: "I have something else, I want to ask you about some matters between men and women."

Chunniang: “Ah?”

She was confused: What did that mean? He wanted her to accompany him? Did she misjudge this man?

Yan Shang lowered his eyes and said, "My wife and I... ahem, we've just gotten married, so we're not too, not too..."

Chunniang: "Harmony?"

Yan Shang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes."

He frowned slightly: "I want to know more about women's bodies to prevent her from always being angry with me, but I don't know the reason and make her even angrier. And she is weak and prone to illness. I don't know how to take care of her. And..."

Chunniang sat back with a smile, full of confidence: "Then I can indeed help you, my dear. In this world, who would understand these things better than people of our background?"

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

He only understood a little of what he read, and he would be unhappy when other men discussed topics that were too explicit and disrespectful to women. After much thought, he decided that it would be more convenient to ask for advice from a woman who came from a brothel.

-----

The lights were dim, and a tent was hanging on the ground. Chunniang and Yanshang were talking across the tent.

Chunniang leaned forward and asked, "May I ask how long have you been married to your wife?"

Yan Shang was at a loss for a moment, wondering what the importance of this was, and he said, "More than half a year."

According to his muddled calculations, ambiguity is like getting married. From the moment he said to Mu Wanyao, "I don't have a clear conscience," he had already accepted her in his heart. Isn't this just like getting married?

Chun Niang calculated and felt that this was the time when the young couple was in love, so she asked, "So, how was your... um, sex experience?"

Yan Shang blushed immediately.

The big sleeves fell on the couch, and the fingers in his sleeves couldn't help but curl up out of embarrassment, and his body suddenly sat stiff.

Fortunately, the girl outside could not see his embarrassment through the tent. She only heard his calm voice: "It's fine."

Chunniang was puzzled and thought, since everything was fine, what did this young man want to ask?

She thought for a moment and said, "But... you can't last long? Or, the frequency is too low, and your wife is not satisfied?"

The words are still confused.

Then I realized that the other party had misunderstood.

He interrupted immediately: "That's not what I'm asking. My wife and I...are pretty good at this. What I want to know is, for example, some...positions, some...common sense, some...female feelings. Also, whether I can get pregnant...is the contraceptive soup effective..."

He frowned and said, "My wife...seems to dislike contraceptive soup."

Chunniang: "Why would a woman like contraceptive soup? My dear, since you are married, why don't you want your wife to get pregnant?"

Yan Shang was silent for a while, then said, "I'm not unhappy. I really like her to have my child...but, the timing is not right, and I have some difficulties."

In fact, it was Mu Wan who was unwilling to do it, so Chun Niang naturally didn't know it.

Chunniang said in a low voice: "Medicine is poisonous to some extent, my dear, you should ask your wife to drink less."

Yan Shang: "But isn't the purpose of contraceptive soup to prevent pregnancy? How can I prevent pregnancy if I don't drink it?"

Chunniang was a little angry: "My dear, can't you be more considerate of your wife? Do you have to do this? Can't you wait for a while?"

Yan Shang remained silent.

Chunniang thought he was angry, and immediately reflected on how she dared to be angry with her lifesaver. She softened her tone and said softly: "In fact, if you want to prevent pregnancy, there are some ways that will not harm your body. For example, avoid this during the period before and after menstruation... Well, I see that you are so unfamiliar with it, do you know what menstruation is?"

Yan Shang stuttered, "I know."

Chunniang sighed, and she knew from what she heard that the other party probably wasn't very clear.

In this way, Chunniang explained seriously and Yanshang listened devoutly, and a night passed.

-----

Envoys from various countries left Wei one after another. By mid-March, the King of Wuman had negotiated a new alliance with Wei and was about to leave Chang'an.

The officials of Chang'an escorted Meng Zaishi out of Chang'an. Yan Shang was involved in many Wuman affairs and many of the regulations passed through his hands, so even though he was a low-ranking official, he was also among those who saw him off. Yan Shang turned his head and saw that next to the court officials who came to see him off was Princess Danyang Mu Wanyao.

In addition to the fact that King Wuman specifically asked Princess Danyang to see him off, Princess Danyang also came on behalf of the Crown Prince.

The Wei Dynasty eventually sent a good scholar to Wuman, who led three or four disciples to follow the Wuman King to Wuman to help him study the Wuman language. The Wuman King also exchanged furs with the Wei Dynasty in exchange for jewelry, books, tools and other items.

Finally, the Wuman King wanted to attack Guo through a pretextual passage, and the Wei Dynasty thought that sacrificing a small country to support the development of Wuman was not a bad thing, so they agreed. Wuman wanted to help the Nanman King unify the Nanman, but inwardly, the Wei Dynasty only hoped that the fight between the Wuman King and the Nanman King would be as chaotic as possible.

Of course, a stable neighbor is the best; but if there are fights in your neighbor's family every day and they have no time to take care of you, that's also good.

Regardless of the reason, it is the best option for Wei to continue to support Wuman to take power.

After leaving the city, beside the tall and burly figure of the Wuman King, the Wei officials released all the Wuman warriors who were captured after the Nanshan incident. Led by Kelilu, the Wuman warriors saluted the king in shame.

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

On Mu Wanyao's side, Fang Tong and other guards from the princess's mansion were also released at the same time. Looking at Fang Tong, she saw that the injuries he had received on Nanshan Mountain had healed. Mu Wanyao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that it was fortunate that she went to urge the King of Qin every day, so that the third brother did not dare to take revenge, and finally released her people safely.

When Mu Wanyao was in a good mood, she saw Meng Zaishi greet the court officials and then walk towards her with big strides.

She looked at him with a calm face, feeling wary.

Mu Wan shook his head and said, "The prince asked me to tell you that Sanlang Yang hurt you. He apologized for Sanlang's injury in Nanshan, and specially demoted Sanlang to a small lieutenant. I wonder if you are satisfied?"

Meng Zaishi smiled and said, "You people of Wei are full of tricks. Who knows what you are thinking? Whatever. I don't care about that anymore."

Meng Zaishi stood in front of her, staring at her for a long while, and said, "It's true that the customs of your Great Wei nurture people. After going through so many things in the past three months, I see that you have become much more beautiful."

Mu Wan shook her head and said calmly: "She is naturally beautiful, there is nothing we can do about it."

Meng Zaishi: “…”

He couldn't help but laugh, and the scar on his face didn't seem so scary anymore. He pointed at Mu Wan and shook his head, as if smiling, "You're kidding me. It seems like I'm leaving without you. You must be happy."

Mu Wan raised her eyes gently and glanced at him.

Natural and innocent, like the gentle flow of spring water, how can one not be moved?

Meng Zaishi paused for a moment before joking in a hoarse voice: "Since we are so close, won't you offer me a glass of wine?"

Mu Wanyao showed a hint of impatience. She came here on behalf of the crown prince today, giving King Wuman enough face. But she had no intention of restraining her bad temper. Mu Wanyao took a cup of wine from the eunuch next to her in a very perfunctory manner, drank it all, and toasted King Wuman: "Have a safe journey."

Meng Zaishi: "But you really hope something happens to me, don't you?"

Mu Wanyao: "Some things are better to know, it's meaningless to say them out loud."

Meng Zaishi: "Just like some people should just stay in the past and don't need to appear again?"

Mu Wanyao looked at him and said after a while: "You helped me save me back then, so I am grateful to you. But the customs and cultures of our two countries are different, after all..."

Meng Zaishi casually added: "We can't force each other."

Mu Wan drooped her eyelashes and remained silent.

The eunuch next to him whispered that King Wuman should repay the princess.

Meng Zaishi casually took the wine jar filled with sake and looked at Mu Wanyao. His eyes moved from her face inch by inch, thinking of the past when they were abandoned by her. He lowered his eyes, smiled slightly, and said: "In my life, the one I love most is still you.

"According to our Wuman customs, I should force you to marry me. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do. You are unwilling, and I don't want an unwilling wife who is ready to assassinate me in my sleep at any time.

"After I return to Wuman this time, I will marry a wife. I will not stay for you, but you will always be my favorite."

In the evening, be silent for a moment.

Said: "No need."

Meng Zaishi laughed: "You are really cold-blooded. I thought these words would make you say a few nice words."

Meng Zaishi drank the wine in the cup and said, "You wish me a safe journey, so I wish you a good husband and a good marriage."

Mu Wanyao looked up at him in surprise. She didn't expect that he didn't hold a grudge against her for trying to kill him so many times and could let it go.

Meng Zaishi drank another glass of wine and leaned forward. Mu Wan leaned back, but he held her shoulders. He looked into her eyes, leaned down to look her in the eye, and said in Wuman language very seriously: "I wish you never have to see me again for the rest of your life, and never have to see your nightmare again."

"I hope you will forget about us bastards forever. I hope you will have a peaceful life, get the happiness you deserve, and be a truly proud princess."

Mu Wanyao's eyes were empty and she stared at him blankly.

Her eyes flickered, knowing that he was showing mercy to her and that he liked her... All his actions were correct in Wu Man's eyes, but she was a Wei person, not a Wu Man.

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

Mu Wan lowered his eyes and whispered: "...Thank you."

There was a hint of mischief in Meng's stone eyes.

Mu Wanyao was about to retreat cautiously when she heard him quickly say in Wuman language: "I just don't wish you and Yan Shang a happy ending. I hope he can't get you."

He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

The eunuch next to him suddenly raised his voice: "King Wuman! What are you doing--"

How could he kiss their princess in public!

Meng Zaishi laughed loudly, and after the kiss, he let go of Mu Wanyao's shoulder. Her beautiful eyes were blazing, and she reached out to push him aggressively, but he had already quickly retreated. Mu Wanyao quickly took the handkerchief handed to her by the maid next to her and wiped her forehead, and then glanced at someone in the courtiers' line with a guilty look.

Meng Zaishi had already mounted his horse. Without waiting for the Wei officials to react to his kiss on their princess, he waved his hand and led his troops on horseback. His loud laughter could be heard in the wind.

"Yan Shisheng! I'm sending you a gift from the Wei Dynasty. You'll understand when you get back. It's a give-and-take thing, so there's no need to be grateful!"

On the plain outside Chang'an, everyone saw the Wuman King, with great momentum, leading a group of Wuman warriors on horseback. The horses were extremely fast, and the dust was rolling. They rode away lightly, and the people and goods sent by Wei followed slowly behind.

The court officials watched King Wuman and his entourage walk away, then turned back to look at Yan Shang, curious about what the gift King Wuman was talking about was.

Yan Shang's face was gloomy and he was still uncomfortable about what he had just told Shi Qinmu Wanyao. He suppressed his emotions and shook his head to everyone, indicating that he didn't know either.

Officials didn't dwell on it.

Looking at the rolling dust, an official looked at the back of King Wuman going away and the majestic momentum of the knights, and couldn't help but sigh: "King Wuman is also a hero."

Yan Shang: "Whether they are heroes or enemies, we still don't know."

All the officials nodded, pondering the matter, and keeping silent.

Finally, the last envoy was sent away, and the officials said goodbye to each other and went back to their work. When Yan Shang was still standing there thinking about something, Mu Wanyao walked up to him and glanced at him.

She felt guilty about Meng Zaishi kissing her forehead just now.

Muwan shook and coughed twice.

Yan Shang looked up at her.

Mu Wan shook slowly: "Where are you going?"

Yan Shang was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that Mu Wanyao was actually actively showing goodwill and talking to him in front of the court officials outside. Compared with her previous attitude of wanting to have nothing to do with him as soon as she went out and not to let the court officials misunderstand her, Princess Danyang now condescended to take the initiative to ask him questions in front of the officials. How rare it was.

Yan Shang was about to answer when an official beside him suppressed his emotions in an ecstatic manner: "Ah? Your Highness is talking to me? I and Yan Erlang are going to the Qin Palace. The Central Government has drafted an edict for His Highness the Qin Prince. After all, the Qin Prince favored the envoy before, and he always wants an explanation afterwards."

Mu Wan shook: "..."

She looked in surprise at the young official who came out from nowhere next to Yan Shang. The official looked at her with surprise and really thought that Her Royal Highness the Princess came to talk to him.

As for the useless Shang, he was silent for a moment and then shut up.

The young official was puzzled: "Why is Your Highness asking this?"

Mu Wan shook his head and looked up at the sky: "I just happened to be going to the Prince of Jin's Mansion. Seeing that you don't have a carriage, I was preparing to give you a ride. I asked if you were willing."

Young official: "Of course I would!"

Mu Wan shook her head and walked away. She heard the official behind her pulling Yan Shang, and couldn't hide her excitement and said, "Yan Erlang, follow me! It's because of me that you can sit in Princess Danyang's carriage today. Why don't you thank me?"

Mu Wan shook her head and looked at Yan Shang with a smile.

Jian Yanshang asked the official, "Don't you know... what happened in Nanshan before?"

After Nanshan, rumors about his relationship with Princess Danyang spread like wildfire. Even if people didn't think they had an affair, they would still think they had a good relationship.

How could anyone think that he didn't know Princess Danyang?

The official was confused: "I left the capital to observe mourning for my father and only returned to Chang'an this month. I had the honor of escorting the King of Wuman out of Chang'an. What's the matter with Nanshan?"

Yan Shang was silent for a while, and then he joked, "Is that so? Then I have to thank you for letting me take the TOEFL test and ride in Princess Danyang's car."

Yan Shang raised his eyes and saw Mu Wan turning his head and raising an eyebrow at him.

It's a tacit understanding.

A little picky.

He turned his head to the side and pretended to look at the scenery, with a slight smile on his lips and his ears a little red.