Chapter Ninety-Nine: Housekeeper Ruyi

Yesterday, when Jing Yijun was in Yin Ruxin’s small courtyard, Yang Yaozong did not leave until after supper and a little more lingering. Only then did he depart with obvious reluctance.

Before Jing Yijun had become betrothed to Yang Yaozong, the two of them would see each other every day and then part, and she had thought nothing of it. But now that they were husband and wife, the moment she had to leave him again, she found her heart filled with a hundred forms of reluctant sorrow and a bitter, aching longing. She discovered, to her own astonishment, how deeply she had become attached to Yang Yaozong’s embrace; if she could, she would gladly spend every night and every moment at his side, nestled in his arms.

Being able to share dinner at one table with Jing Yijun and Yin Ruxin filled Yang Yaozong with a warm sense of happiness. Watching the two women treat each other with courtesy and harmony made him feel profoundly content. During the meal he even told a few suggestive jokes for adults, turning both women red to the ears with shame and embarrassment. When the two of them shot him those blush-filled, half-complaining, half-coquettish looks, he accepted them all with shameless delight. Naturally, among his jokes there was the classic tale of the scholar and the young lady, a story of how one could be less than a beast. Yang Yaozong even deliberately used himself from the past few days as an example to amuse the two women, and of course he was not spared a round of sweetly reproachful pouting.

If being with Jing Yijun made Yang Yaozong feel at ease and serene, then being with Yin Ruxin made him feel free and unrestrained.

After Jing Yijun left, Yin Ruxin was no longer bound by reserve, and she too began to tease him with that tale of the man who was less than a beast. Yang Yaozong, angered by the little fox’s mischief, could not help pulling her into his arms, where lips and tongues tangled and his hands grew restless. He teased her until her clothes were barely able to cover her body, and she was panting softly, before Yin Ruxin finally came to herself and realized that Yang Yaozong’s own eyes were blazing with fire, and that if matters continued, he truly intended to charge ahead at once. Panicked, she pleaded for mercy again and again, and as soon as he loosened his hold on her, she hurriedly slipped away.

Of course, for the sake of his health, no matter how convincingly Yang Yaozong tried to pose as a pitiful lust-driven tomcat or a domineering wolf driven mad by desire, and no matter what kind of beast he pretended to be, Yin Ruxin still held firm and never let him get his way.

Today was even brighter and more sun-soaked than yesterday, and the temperature had risen sharply as well, faintly carrying the feel of an autumn heat wave.

Just after Yang Yaozong had finished lunch, Jing Yijun arrived in a luxurious carriage and took Yang Yaozong, Yin Ruxin, and Ruiyi to the residence the Crown Prince’s Grandson had bestowed upon Yang Yaozong.

When they got down from the carriage, they saw above the tall vermilion gate a plaque slightly narrower than the gate itself, upon which the two bold characters “Yang Residence” were carved. Directly in front of the gate lay White Heron Islet. At this hour it was still only a stretch of clear blue water, while along the shore had been planted various flowers, grasses, and trees, with pavilions and elegant structures scattered among them. Only then did Yang Yaozong notice that the street itself held no other house besides his own. And this residence, seen just from its width, stretched nearly a hundred meters.

In an excellent mood, Yang Yaozong did not ask Jing Yijun or Yin Ruxin to support him. He simply walked inside on his own, with the two women accompanying him on either side.

This estate had originally been an imperial retreat. Within it there were not merely one but three large gardens, front, center, and rear, not counting the smaller gardens in the other courtyards. The pavilions and halls built inside were in fact even more numerous than those on White Heron Islet outside. There were also so many rooms and chambers that even he could not count them all. Yang Yaozong thought to himself that this was hardly a retreat at all; it was practically a private manor. The Crown Prince’s Grandson had truly been generous, bestowing such a place on him as a home. No wonder Jing Yijun had said that even fifty guards and servants chosen from the palace would hardly be too many.

Jing Yijun led Yang Yaozong to the rear hall. This rear hall had no doors, and the first thing that entered Yang Yaozong’s eyes were the two ancestral tablets placed on the altar, the tablets of the original owner of this body’s parents. Offerings of pastries and fruit had already been set before them. At that moment, Yang Yaozong was deeply stirred as well, and equally grateful for Jing Yijun’s thoughtfulness.

Yang Yaozong took Jing Yijun’s and Yin Ruxin’s hands and was about to hurry into the hall, but Yin Ruxin stopped him. Looking rather abashed, she said, “Let the Princess accompany Yang Lang in paying respects to Father and Mother. I’ll wait here.”

Yang Yaozong knew she must have felt that, since she had not yet entered the family, and even after doing so with her status she could only be a concubine, she would not be allowed into the ancestral hall to make offerings. But he said lightly, not caring at all, “Our family doesn’t have so many rules. Since you’re my woman, how could you not go and pay respects to your parents-in-law? Even though you haven’t formally married into the Yang family yet, you are still my betrothed wife, and you should honor my parents too. Besides, every bride must meet her parents-in-law sooner or later. Not to mention that you’re as lovely as a flower; if my parents knew of you in the afterlife, they would surely be delighted. Come, come with Jiyun and me to pay our respects.”

Seeing that Yin Ruxin still looked somewhat hesitant, Jing Yijun took her hand first and said, “Ruxin, you should know Yang Lang’s temper best. If he says our family has no need for so many rules, then our family has no need for so many rules. Come with me and accompany Yang Lang in paying respects to Father and Mother.”

When Yin Ruxin saw that even Jing Yijun agreed to let her enter and pay respects, she shyly nodded and followed behind Yang Yaozong with Jing Yijun into the ancestral hall.

Yang Yaozong offered incense to his parents, then slowly knelt and bowed his head in reverence. Jing Yijun and Yin Ruxin likewise knelt respectfully behind him and kowtowed.

With deep sincerity, Yang Yaozong said, “Father and Mother, your son Yaozong has brought the two wives at his side today to pay respects to you. By the grace of His Majesty and the Crown Prince’s Grandson, I have been granted this residence as a place for our family to settle, so that your memorial tablets may truly find their roots here. I will never fail your expectations, nor the favor shown me by His Majesty and the Crown Prince’s Grandson. I shall devote all my strength to assisting the Crown Prince’s Grandson, and I will bring glory to the Yang family name, even if I must exhaust myself to death in the doing.”

After paying respects to Yang Yaozong’s parents, the three emerged from the ancestral hall. Yang Yaozong asked Yin Ruxin, “Have you chosen a courtyard you like?”

This residence had more than ten courtyards of various sizes, so naturally Yang Yaozong would not simply let her pick any room at random. He asked directly which courtyard she preferred.

Yin Ruxin naturally understood his intentions. With shy obedience she said, “I’ll leave everything to Yang Lang and the Princess’s arrangements.”

On the east and west sides of the central garden there were two separate courtyards each. Jing Yijun had chosen one on the west side for herself. The other, she intended for Nangong Qingyi, after all Nangong Qingyi was Yang Yaozong’s lawful wife. She explained this directly to Yang Yaozong and Yin Ruxin, then said to Yin Ruxin, “If my sister does not mind, you may choose the courtyard next to mine. Its size is about the same as the one you live in now, and if you wish, you may even decorate it to resemble your present courtyard. So long as you like it, the arrangements are entirely yours.”

Yin Ruxin curtsied to Jing Yijun and said, “Thank you, Princess, for thinking of me so carefully. Then I shall take the courtyard next to yours.”

Seeing Jing Yijun so delicate in thought and virtuous in conduct, and Yin Ruxin so obedient, lovely, and bashfully charming, Yang Yaozong was delighted. He took both women by the hands and said, “This weather is simply too hot, and Ruxin has put so many layers on me that I’m already sweating. Let’s go to the central hall and rest a while, and have some tea to quench our thirst.”

After they were seated in the central hall, Yang Yaozong noticed that Ruiyi, who had been following Yin Ruxin the whole time, and remembered something with a smile. “Ruiyi, would you be willing to serve as steward of the Yang Residence?”

Ruiyi was so frightened that she hurriedly waved both hands. “Lord Yang, that would never do. I’m only a maid attending my young lady. How could I possibly shoulder such an important duty? Besides, a steward has always been a man’s position. Since when could a woman do such a thing?”

Yang Yaozong gave a soft exclamation and looked at her. “I think you’re thoughtful, nimble-minded, and very capable. When you grow stern, or even angry, you’d probably be quite imposing as well. You’re very well suited to the role of a female steward. Besides, even if you became steward, you could still continue serving your young lady. You’d only be a bit busier than usual. And if you ever marry and do not wish to leave your young lady, then let her find you a good husband. The two of you could move into the residence together. With so many courtyards here, could there not be room for you, your husband, and your future children? Of course, if your husband would rather not, then I need not press the matter.”

Yin Ruxin and Jing Yijun said nothing, merely watching Ruiyi with interest.

Ruiyi never imagined that Yang Yaozong would already have thought so far ahead for her, even speaking of husband and children. A little flustered, she looked pleadingly at Yin Ruxin and said in a trembling voice, “Young Lady…”

Seeing Ruiyi’s pitiful expression, Yin Ruxin looked shyly at Jing Yijun and Yang Yaozong. “Yang Lang noticing Ruiyi’s abilities makes me very happy, but I haven’t formally entered the house yet. It is somewhat improper to have Ruiyi take the post of steward now. Even after I do enter the family, the matter of the steward should really be decided by the Princess and Yang Lang together.”

Jing Yijun smiled and said, “The steward’s post holds a very important place in our Yang Residence. He or she oversees all our affairs, great and small, and must be entrusted only to someone worthy of trust. I’ve only recently returned to the capital, so I don’t know many people well. I also don’t know who can be entrusted with such responsibility. As for the steward, so long as Yang Lang thinks someone is suitable, I have no objection at all. So there is no need for Ruxin to worry so much. For now, I will handle everything in the residence, but I must also attend to affairs in the palace and elsewhere every day, so I truly have no spare heart for household matters. If Ruiyi is willing, then let her first serve as steward of the Yang Residence. In any case, Ruxin will be marrying Yang Lang very soon. If Ruiyi is willing to help me manage the household, I would naturally be delighted.”

When Ruiyi saw that all three people in the hall were looking at her, waiting for her answer, she said softly, “My lady is still alone, and Ruiyi must stay by her side to care for her. Ruiyi cannot bear to leave my lady.”

Yin Ruxin looked at Ruiyi and smiled. “Then how about this: during the day, you come here to help the Princess manage the household, and at night you return to keep me company. Would that be all right? It would make you rather tired, though.”

Yang Yaozong said, “No need to make it so troublesome. Ruxin, you should move here too. I’m planning to go to the capital in a day or two. If you live here, you and Jiyun can look after each other, and if anything comes up you can discuss it together. That would put my mind at ease.”

Yin Ruxin and Jing Yijun both exclaimed in unison, “What?”

Then Jing Yijun and Yin Ruxin exchanged a shy smile. Yin Ruxin gave Jing Yijun a small nod.

Jing Yijun asked with concern, “Yang Lang, your body still hasn’t recovered, and the capital is far away. The road is rough and tiring. How can you endure that? What if your condition worsens?”

Yang Yaozong smiled and soothed the two women. “I know my own body. With the careful nursing you two have given me, I’m already fine. Besides, the matter of going to the capital is better done sooner rather than later; if it’s delayed, trouble may arise.” Then he smiled at Ruiyi and said, “So Ruiyi, go home later and pack your things. Tomorrow you and your young lady will move here together. I’ll have to trouble you to look after the household.”

His expression then turned serious as he said to Ruiyi, “And as for my going to the capital, you must never mention it to anyone. Do you understand?”

Ruiyi quickly bowed her head and agreed.

Yang Yaozong then said to Jing Yijun, “Jiyun, later on tell the servants and guards at home that Ruiyi is to serve as steward. I’ll take you and Ruxin out for a walk now, and I can also give Ruiyi a ride home on the way.”

Jing Yijun and Yin Ruxin understood that he must have something to say to them, so they nodded in agreement.