Yan Shang couldn't explain the current situation, and Mu Wanyao got off the carriage angrily and returned home.
Yan Shang sighed and could only turn around and look at Zhao Lingfei helplessly.
When Concubine Zhao Ling saw him turning around, she smiled at him very sensibly.
This girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, was in her prime. Her smile was so generous and bright that all the servants in the alley were stunned.
Zhi Yanshang sighed again and felt a little headache.
-----
Concubine Zhao Lingfei was locked up at home by her father for two months. She fought and quarreled with her father for so long, and finally she learned to behave herself.
So Duke Zhao released his daughter.
After all, my daughter is lively and outgoing, and she would be exhausted if she was locked up at home all day.
Concubine Zhao Ling pretended to be good in front of her father, and then went back to see Yan Erlang happily. She thought that her father couldn't persuade her anyway, so if she waited for two more years, maybe her father would agree.
After all, Yan Erlang told her that he had no plans to get married in the next two years, so she could wait for two years.
The important thing is to make Yan Erlang like her and get used to her.
For a man as gentle as jade as him, it would be difficult for him to take the initiative to like a girl. Zhao Lingfei seized this opportunity and accompanied him every day.
The beauty of a beautiful woman brings about love, and I don't believe he won't be moved.
Concubine Zhao Ling went to Yongshou Temple to look for someone first. After she found out that Yan Shang had moved away, she panicked for a long time. Fortunately, she stayed in Yongshou Temple for a while and ran into a child in the hospital.
Knowing that Yan Shang would often go back to see them, bring them food and drink, and teach them to read, Zhao Lingfei easily asked where Yan Shang lived now.
Zhao Lingfei looked at the children's expectations and love for Yan Shang, and she was happy for Yan Shang and for her own vision:
The man she likes is such a kind person!
So naturally, Concubine Zhao Ling came to find Yan Shang.
It was no problem to stop ordinary people in the district where Princess Danyang lived, but Concubine Zhao Ling only spent a little more time and still got in easily. Concubine Zhao Ling felt that she hadn't seen Yan Shang for a long time, so she specially congratulated him on his new home and prepared many gifts.
Yan Shang could only thank her and invite her into the house for a cup of tea.
Concubine Zhao Ling followed behind Yan Shang, and seeing his dignified back and unique temperament, she clenched her fists excitedly, encouraging herself to keep working hard and walk into Yan Erlang's heart.
-----
Yan Shang invited Concubine Zhao Ling to have tea in the main hall.
I can't help but bring up the old topic again.
Yan Shang: "My lady, why do you have to do this? My lady, you look for me every day like this, and I am really troubled."
Concubine Zhao Lingfei said, "My dear, just pretend that I'm not here. I will just follow you from a distance and won't approach you to talk to you, okay? If you don't want to talk to me, I won't come forward, okay?"
Yan Shang frowned slightly.
He said: "I really failed my lady's love. My lady, I can't respond to your behavior. Don't you think I am guilty? There are many unmarried men in Chang'an, and there are many who are well matched with you. Why do you have to befriend me?"
Concubine Zhao Ling sighed: "My heart was moved when I saw someone for the first time. How can such a fate be encountered casually?"
Yan Shang was stunned for a moment.
But he said: "But I really don't like my wife to be like this."
Seeing his solemn expression, Concubine Zhao Ling was a little flustered. She whispered, "Then, then...then I will come to see you once every three days, okay? You don't have to talk to me, I will be very happy just by looking at you."
Yan Shang said softly: "...Why do you have to do this?"
Concubine Zhao Lingfei said: "Just give me a chance. It's not that you have been rejecting me all the time, and I have lost confidence and no longer pursue you, but that you are finally moved by me and see my good side. My dear, you are not married, so why don't you give me a chance at all?"
Yan Shang said: "...I am afraid that my views on marriage are different from yours."
Concubine Zhao Ling's eyes lit up, thinking that he was willing to discuss marriage with her. She quickly pricked up her ears to listen to what a person like him had to say about marriage so that she could change it herself.
Yan Shang said: "For me, marriage is just a responsibility to continue the family line. I really have no interest in love."
Concubine Zhao Ling was stunned.
She said, "You mean, it doesn't matter to you who you marry or what your future wife's personality is?"
Yan Shang nodded.
I thought that since he was so cold-hearted and unloving, this lady would definitely give up when she saw difficulty, right?
Unexpectedly, Concubine Zhao blushed and said boldly and enthusiastically: "I, I...it's not like I can't have a child for you."
She was even more sturdy than Yan Shang had imagined: "My dear, how many children do you want to have in a few years? Do you prefer boys or girls? I'm fine. I'm in very good health! Because I've been practicing martial arts since I was a child. You can't see it now, but you will understand it in the future..."
She hinted at him with a wink.
Yan Shang held the tea in his mouth, and was choked by her. He couldn't swallow it, and he was too embarrassed to spit it out. He covered his sleeve with his hands and coughed, and quickly put the tea away.
He looked at Zhao Lingfei helplessly, and Zhao Lingfei looked back at him with joy.
Yan Shang held his forehead and began to have a headache.
-----
Concubine Zhao Ling began to get used to running here whenever she had the chance.
In order to avoid her, Yan Shang has been hiding in Hongwen Hall most of the time. After all, Hongwen Hall is in the imperial city, and it is difficult for Zhao Lingfei to enter without the fish token and waist badge.
Zhao Lingfei naturally begged her cousin to take her in, because Yang Si went to the Eastern Palace almost every day and happened to be in the imperial city. But Yang Si had been told by Zhao Gong that he rejected his cousin's request without hesitation.
However, Concubine Zhao Ling pestered her cousin and asked him to help her find a solution. The most important thing was to let Yang Si use his connections in the Eastern Palace to give Concubine Zhao Ling a badge so that she could enter the imperial city freely.
Yang Si was annoyed.
Yang Si said, "What's the point of begging me? Can I tie Yan Erlang to your bed and make you guys do it?"
Concubine Zhao Ling stiffened her neck and said, "...That's not a bad idea!"
Yang Si: “…”
He was shocked for a while, then looked at Zhao Lingfei: "You like Yan Er so much?"
Concubine Zhao Ling nodded.
Yang Si thought of Yan Shang, whom he had met before, and he couldn't understand: "What do you like about him?"
Concubine Zhao Lingfei began to list them one by one: "He is good-looking and very well-educated. Every time I see him, no matter what he wears, he looks clean and clear. He speaks neither hurriedly nor slowly, listens to what I say, and knows how to shut up and listen at the right time, unlike you stinky men who only care about your own pleasure after talking.
"He has a really good heart. When he sees someone in trouble, he will help them no matter if he knows them or not. He doesn't ask for anything in return. He is very nice to those who remember his kindness, and he doesn't mind those who don't.
"He has many friends. Everyone who knows him speaks highly of him. Take you, my cousin, for example. Last time you looked down on him, but this time you don't say anything about him, do you?
"And wow..."
Yang Si looked at her coldly and covered Concubine Zhao Ling's mouth.
He could see that Yan Erlang had too many advantages, so it was normal for Concubine Zhao Lingfei to like him.
Yang Si frowned slightly.
But he felt that the relationship between Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao was also strange...
Yang Si rested his chin on his hand, thinking deeply.
He seldom saw Mu Wanyao getting close to any man. When Mu Wanyao was young, she was well-behaved and quiet, and would not take the initiative to provoke any man. Now that Mu Wanyao has grown up, she interacts with men with a purpose, but does not take men seriously.
However, Yang Si had seen Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang together twice.
One time was in Yongshou Temple; another time was when Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang rode in the same carriage to the Eastern Palace.
Moreover, the emperor once arranged a marriage for the two of them, but Mu Wanyao refused.
Under normal circumstances, Mu Wanyao should not get close to Yan Shang even for the sake of avoiding suspicion.
However, they were in the same car that day...Yan Shang also became Mu Wanyao's retainer.
Is this all there is to their relationship?
"Cousin, can you help me?" Zhao Lingfei grabbed his arm and shook it twice, pulling him back to reality from his thoughts.
Yang Si looked down at Concubine Zhao Lingfei and said slowly, "I can't give you the fish token and let you enter and leave the imperial city at will. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, the crown prince will have to cover for you. But I can help you drag your father. When you go to play with Yan Er, tell your father that you are here to play with me. This way, at least your father won't always stop you."
Although Concubine Zhao Ling did not get what she wanted most, she could only nod her head seeing that Yang Si was so determined.
Her cousin was of a strong and stubborn character and was difficult to persuade.
Concubine Zhao Ling lowered her head and muttered, "Every time I see Princess Danyang, I feel like her eyes are looking at me like knives. It's so scary. Aren't you on good terms with Princess Danyang? Can you help me talk to her? I'm just going to see Yan Erlang, why does she always look gloomy every time she sees me?"
Yang Si was stunned.
Then he chuckled.
Some tenderness appeared in his eyes.
He said, “Shake it…
"You don't have to pay attention to her. She's just in this temper now. She doesn't look happy to see anyone."
Thinking of someone, he even smiled and softened his voice: "...but she is not to the extent of being unreasonable. If you don't take the initiative to provoke her, she will find no excuse to deal with you."
Concubine Zhao Ling nodded as if she understood, looked at Yang Si for a long time, and suddenly asked: "Cousin, is it true that you have not married yet just to wait for Princess Danyang?"
Yang Si: “Ah?”
He was stunned for a moment and said vaguely, "That's probably the case."
Concubine Zhao Ling sighed sympathetically and said, "Then you should talk to Princess Danyang more often. If you leave her alone, how can the beauty fly into your arms?"
Yang Si sneered and reached out to rub Concubine Zhao Ling's head. He said calmly: "Don't worry about my affairs. I know what I am doing."
He felt sorry for his parents.
As long as Mu Wanyao doesn't get married, he will never get married in order to use her as a shield.
He has the crown prince and the Yang family behind him. The scope for him to be willful is too small... He is not a man of extraordinary wisdom, he only has martial arts skills.
However, such skills cannot withstand the harsh wind and frost and cannot protect Mu Wanyao.
He won't get married or have a wife. Whenever Mu Wanyao is urged to get married, he will be pulled out. This is the only thing he can do to help Mu Wanyao.
He would rather let the world think that he didn't like her and was dragging his feet on marrying her.
Also, don't let people think that he has already agreed, and put all the pressure on Yaoyao alone.
Yang Si lowered his eyes and fell silent as he thought about it.
Concubine Zhao Ling said anxiously, "You are not anxious, but your father and mother are. They come to my house all day to talk about it. They are a little dissatisfied with the crown prince. They think that it was the crown prince who forced you to marry Princess Danyang and delayed your marriage. If other people were your age, they should have started talking about marriage a long time ago."
Yang Si said nonchalantly: "What does it have to do with the prince? What does it have to do with Yaoyao?"
He narrowed his eyes, stood up and stood in front of the window, looking at the distant horizon through the layers of clouds.
He folded his arms and fought, his voice was indifferent: "Whether the prince summons me back to Chang'an or not, I will not get married at this moment. If I am not in Chang'an now, I should be in Mobei, in Longxi, at the border... I should sleep under the stars at night and lean on the mountains during the day. I should go through life and death with the soldiers, and fight bravely on the battlefield..."
He looked into the distance, vaguely, as if he was looking at a place outside Chang'an, looking at those corpses wrapped in horsehide, thousands of troops... Those things made his blood boil and filled him with motivation.
Concubine Zhao Ling stared at his tall and majestic back, lost in thought. He was as tall as a sword, but the sword was locked by an iron chain and dared not be unsheathed.
She felt that her cousin was an eagle-like figure, and such an eagle should fly high in the sky and fly out of Chang'an. However, in reality, Yang Si was imprisoned in Chang'an and trapped here.
He could not realize his ambitions, nor could he abandon Chang'an...
Someday... I hope someday...
Yang Si turned around and looked at Concubine Zhao Lingfei, his eyes were bright and fearless.
At this moment, looking into his calm gaze, Zhao Lingfei felt as if she understood him a little bit, and felt a little sorry that he was trapped here.
Concubine Zhao Lingfei didn't want to show the sympathy of a young daughter, because what qualifications did she have to sympathize with her cousin?
Even though he is now in shackles and trapped in Chang'an... but one day, my cousin will break out of here and go to the stage he really wants to go to.
Zhao Lingfei's eyes sparkled, and she smiled and said, "I have never been out of Chang'an, never been to Longxi and Mobei, never been to the border, and never seen a real battlefield and soldiers. I hope that one day, I will have the opportunity to follow my cousin out to see it. I also want to see what my cousin has seen!"
Yang Si said disdainfully: "You? You should get married first. After you get married, it will be even more impossible for you to go with me to see it."
Concubine Zhao Ling glared at him: "Then you should try your best to get out of Chang'an before I get married. The prince dotes on you so much, as long as the situation in Chang'an is a little more stable, he will let you go. Or if you beg him a little more, he won't be willing to really trap you... In short, can't you let me see your style before I get married?"
Yang Si was slightly stunned and said, "What do you know?"
Then he walked back, smiled and put his arm around Concubine Zhao Lingfei's shoulders, and said nonchalantly: "Okay then. I will try my best to take you out of Chang'an before you get married. Don't let you get married and still have no knowledge at all, it's too embarrassing."
Zhao Lingfei immediately kicked him, but he dodged it easily.
Zhao Lingfei was eager to try, so she caught up with Yang Si and fought with him - her martial arts skills were naturally not as good as her cousin's, but she also liked to practice martial arts since she was a child. Although she was always beaten by her cousin, she still wanted to try if she had made any progress.
-----
After discussing with Yang Si, Concubine Zhao Ling continued to go to the alley where Yan Shang lived and wait for Yan Shang every day.
It was difficult for Zhao Lingfei to meet Yan Shang, because Yan Shang went out early and came back late to avoid her. After all, the streets were closed at night, and if Zhao Lingfei wanted to go home, she couldn't stay outside for too long.
So be it.
It's a pity that Concubine Zhao Ling rarely meets Yan Shang, but she often meets Mu Wanyao when she goes out or comes back home.
Mu Wanyao rode a horse most of the time, followed by many male and female knights. This princess always looked charming and charming, with gold and silver on her body, which was very eye-catching.
However, every time Mu Wanyao saw Concubine Zhao Lingfei, his face instantly darkened and his eyes stabbed her like knives.
Concubine Zhao Ling was confused and didn't know how she had offended Mu Wanyao. However, she remembered her cousin's instructions and didn't take the initiative to provoke Mu Wanyao. Every time they met, she would greet him with a smile.
So he just watched Mu Wanyao's face becoming uglier day by day, but he couldn't find any reason to get angry with Concubine Zhao Lingfei.
Concubine Zhao Ling was glad, thinking that her cousin really understood this princess.
Mu Wanyao got angry whenever she saw Concubine Zhao Lingfei, for no reason at all. She was so angry that she got so angry that bubbles appeared in her mouth.
And this makes me even angrier.
Being so angry, when Mu Wanyao saw Yan Shang at the banquet in the mansion, she was stunned for a moment and her eyes widened.
I didn't expect that he would dare to appear in front of me!
Since the guests of this banquet included the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and other imperial officials, Mu Wanyao had thought about having Yan Shang build a good relationship with his subordinates in the previous two days, so that everyone would recognize each other's faces, know that they were their own people, and give each other convenience.
But when she invited Yan Shang, Concubine Zhao Ling hadn't shown up yet!
Now that Concubine Zhao Ling has appeared...how could Yan Shang have the nerve to come to her banquet?
When Yan Shang saw Mu Wanyao appear, she was wearing a long saffron skirt that fell to the ground and a shawl, so elegant and graceful. When he was talking with the court officials, he and everyone else turned around and saw her, and their eyes couldn't help but flicker.
She really suits this kind of rich and gorgeous beauty.
However, when Mu Wanyao was talking to other people, she was lazy and casual, dancing with her long sleeves; when it came to him, her eyes were spitting fire, and she wanted to eat him.
Yan Shang couldn't help but smile.
And when she saw that he actually had the nerve to smile, Mu Wanyao felt even more angry and the blisters in her mouth felt even more painful.
The banquet lasted for an hour, and Mu Wanyao looked at Yan Shang very unhappy the whole time. She had wanted to introduce these people to him, but now she didn't introduce them at all, and it was up to Yan Shang to get to know them by himself.
But seeing that Yan Shang could really talk to those ministers who held much higher positions than him on his own...Mu Wan's shaking lips hurt even more.
I wondered why these people were so easy to talk to, and no one gave Yan Shang any embarrassment?
It may be ugly, but with Yan Shang's ability, it is difficult to appreciate Mu Wanyao.
After the banquet, Mu Wanyao couldn't wait to send everyone away. The ministers thought that the princess was not feeling well today, so they didn't keep her any longer.
Mu Wan turned around and went back to her backyard, and heard footsteps chasing after her.
Yan Shang sighed: "Your Highness... Why are you so angry?"
Walking along the long corridor in the evening, the fallen petals are empty, the willows are dark and the willows are bright. Layers of light shine in obliquely, mottled, and dragged by the tattered saffron skirt.
Mu Wanyao suddenly turned around and looked at Yan Shang.
She said, "Is there any woman coming to you today crying and begging to marry you?"
The words are still vague.
Then it suddenly became clear.
He raised his eyes slightly, looked at her, and said softly: "...Your Highness, are you angry with Zhao Wuniang?"
Mu Wanyao: "You already know that I am the fifth child! When are you going to get married? Do you want my princess mansion to give you a big gift?"
After saying that, he turned and left.
Now that Yan Shang knew what she was angry about, he naturally had to explain.
He followed her and said softly, "What's so hard about being the fifth? Don't we have to introduce each other when we meet? Besides, I'm not going to get married. Didn't I say that I won't get married in the next one or two years?"
Mu Wan walked away very quickly, and spoke quickly: "At that time, you said that I delayed your marriage, and you had no choice, so you couldn't get married. Now it's different. Zhao Wu Niang can't wait to live in your house and throw herself into your arms every day, right? So what are you waiting for, why don't you marry her quickly? The lady has taken the initiative to chase you, why don't you take the initiative at all?
"Are you really the only person who can let others take the initiative?"
Yan Shang was given a headache by her chattering. She talked about this and that. On the left, she told him to get married quickly. Before he could figure it out, she asked him whether he would take the initiative or not...
The words are still extremely difficult to understand.
Seeing how angry she was, he immediately grabbed her wrist from behind and asked her to stop and talk to him properly.
Mu Wanyao was pulled by him and turned around. He grabbed her wrist through her sleeve and she glared at him.
Seeing her like this, Yan Shang blurted out: "Why are you... so angry?"
Mu Wan was startled.
Then she immediately remembered that she had no right to be angry.
She was so angry that she wanted to shake his hand off and didn't even want to listen to his explanation. Fortunately, Yan Shang immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing. He shouldn't have asked Mu Wanyao that question. His question left Mu Wanyao speechless.
He quickly grabbed her wrist and stopped her from leaving.
He patiently explained: "I don't want to marry anyone, not even Zhao Wu Niang or anyone else. If I had that in mind, why would I move?"
Mu Wan was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes widened even further.
She was not stupid, usually she understood as soon as he pointed out something. She could not help but shout: "What? Are you saying that you moved out of Yongshou Temple to avoid Zhao Wuniang? You don't want to be my neighbor at all, you don't want to help me at all, you are hiding from people? From the beginning to the end, you did it for her?"
Yan Shang was also stunned.
He said: "That is correct...but what Your Highness said is probably not what I meant."
Mu Wanyao: "Anyway, you did it for her."
She shook off his hand and walked faster this time, making Yan Shang feel exhausted and confused.
He followed her and couldn't help but speak faster: "Why is it just for her? I'm just hiding from people. I've been leaving early and coming back late these past two days, isn't it just because..."
Mu Wan shook her head: "It's for her again!"
Yan Shang: “…”
He was helpless: "Then what should I do?"
As they were talking, Mu Wanyao had already entered her room, and Yan Shang followed her to the door.
The maids looked at each other, and seeing the princess getting angry, they quickly moved away, fearing that her anger would spread to them.
Just look at the good-tempered Yan Erlang, leaning against the door and talking in a low voice to the girl in the room.
Mu Wan shook her head mercilessly: "You don't know what to do, right? I see you are very happy. Do you know why people like you? I'll give you an idea. If you destroy your face, people will stop chasing you!"
Yan Shang sighed: "Your Highness..."
Mu Wanyao stood in front of the dressing table, extremely unhappy. She grabbed the hairpins and step-shakes that were neatly placed in the box under the bronze mirror and threw them at Yan Shang behind her.
Yan Shang stepped back in surprise, and most of the hairpins fell to the ground two or three steps in front of him, but one hairpin was extremely powerful and hit Yan Shang's face directly. Yan Shang quickly dodged to the side, and the hairpin's sharp tip scratched his face.
Mu Wan opened her eyes wide, stunned.
When Yan Shang turned around, she suddenly saw a bloody scratch on his face.
Mu Wanyao was suddenly panicked and anxious. She didn't care about being angry and ran over to look at him: "You, your face... Ouch!"
She covered her mouth suddenly.
Yan Shang grabbed his arm.
Yan Shang had a cut on his face, and blood was oozing out. Before he could feel it, he saw Mu Wan running towards him. Then she cried out in pain and covered her face. Yan Shang thought she had cut herself with the hairpin, so he quickly grabbed her arm and looked at her.
Mu Wan shook her head and covered her cheek, sobbing, "It's nothing... I just got irritated these past two days and my mouth has blisters. You made me so angry that I bit my mouth, and it hurts now."
Yan Shang looked down at her.
He asked, "Is there any medicine?"
Mu Wan shook her head and glared: "How do I apply the medicine? Do I want people to see my mouth?"
There are no words yet.
I couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Then now your highness and I are both injured."
Mu Wan shook her head and covered her cheek. She blinked rapidly at his face. Every time she looked at him, she felt more guilty. Yan Shang himself couldn't see it, but she saw the blood oozing from the scratch...
Yan Shang touched his face and looked at the blood on his hand in silence. Mu Wan grabbed his arm with her backhand, as if she was afraid that he would be angry, and said guiltily: "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Yan Shang paused, then looked up and smiled: "I know. Your Highness and I are even, okay?"
Mu Wan shook his head: "What do you mean by even?"
Yan Shang: "Your Highness was so angry with me that he got blisters in his mouth, and your hairpin scratched my face. Now that we are even, Your Highness should stop being angry with me, okay?"
Mu Wan was stunned for a long time, thinking that she couldn't forgive him so easily. But Yan Shang looked at her tenderly with his bleeding face... She couldn't act arrogantly anymore.
After a while, Mu Wanyao said, "Sit down, I'll help you apply the medicine."
She paused and said, "You also help me apply the medicine."
Yan Shang was stunned, his face instantly turned red, and he stammered: "I'm afraid this is not, not very good..."
The place where she applied the medicine was different from his face.
Mu Wan shook his head and said, "If you refuse, it means you still like Zhao Wu Niang and want to marry her. You are not asking for my forgiveness. You are a gentleman and you don't take advantage of others. I believe in you, don't you believe in yourself?"
Yan Shang had nothing to say. He looked at her helplessly and smiled: She now always uses the word "gentleman" to block him.
Seeing him smiling at her, Mu Wanyao gave him a sly smile. Seeing that he still couldn't do anything to her, she felt that she was still powerful.
But as she frowned and pulled him into the house to sit down, she thought worriedly: How should I get rid of that Zhao Wu Niang?
Although it makes no sense...she just isn't happy that Yan Shang has other women around him.
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