Chapter 119: Two Women, Two Women

The autumn wind grew chill, the days gradually colder; with each autumn rain came a deeper cold.

In Tianjing City, rain had fallen for two consecutive days. The dark clouds hung in the sky just as heavily as before, neither thickening nor thinning. Only a few days earlier, the city had still basked under the bright autumn sun, but now everyone had donned their thick autumn garments, suited to the season’s turn. Yet, the cooling weather and gloomy skies did not render the city deserted or its streets forlorn. Along the banks of the Qinhuai River, the sound of song and dance continued unabated, and prosperity flourished as always.

Though it was already late into the night, the lights in the small general store beside the Human and Heaven establishment remained lit. Two women sat on a low wooden bench behind the bookcase, sipping hot tea and quietly conversing. They were none other than Lady Jing Yijun and Yin Ruxin.

“This letter was retrieved from Drunken Red Dust by Ruyi. Princess Sister, please take a look first,” Yin Ruxin said, handing over a sheet of paper.

“Jing Yu has actually contacted you,” Jing Yijun frowned after reading the letter.

Yin Ruxin nodded. “Before Yang Lang left, he told me that the Second Young Master Jing Yu might try to reach out to me.”

Both women were now closely connected to Yang Yaozong, and Jing Yijun was already aware of the matters surrounding Drunken Red Dust. She understood fully why Yang Yaozong entrusted Yin Ruxin with the management of the Secret Intelligence Bureau. It was because Ruxin excelled at handling intelligence and deploying agents with exceptional thoroughness and foresight. Jing Yijun deeply admired her for it.

Frowning, Jing Yijun said, “A few days ago at the mansion, my younger sister and I discussed that Jing Yu had sent a messenger to contact the Worthy Prince. It seems he wants the Worthy Prince to investigate the condition of my father, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince.”

Yin Ruxin replied, “Since Yang Lang went north, I’ve dispatched additional personnel to monitor the surroundings of the Loyal Prince’s mansion. Along with the imperial guards on duty, and the informants planted inside, no suspicious individuals have been observed entering or leaving. What puzzles me more is who is assisting the Second Young Master Jing Yu in delivering these messages. According to Madam Wu, the letter sent to Drunken Red Dust was handed to her by a small beggar. Upon seeing that it was addressed to me, she kept it safe.”

Jing Yijun said, “My Third Imperial Uncle mentioned that the letter delivered to the Worthy Prince’s residence was slipped through the door crack.”

Yin Ruxin nodded, “Which leads me to suspect that the messenger is the only person Jing Yu currently trusts and can use. He must rely on him to contact others who can aid him. Otherwise, why hasn’t Jing Yu simply sent this person north to report in person? Why bother contacting me?”

Jing Yijun said, “No one dares to visit the Loyal Prince’s mansion now. The daily supplies are all procured and delivered by the Secret Intelligence Bureau. As you said, no suspicious comings and goings have been observed. Then who could possibly be helping Second Young Master Jing Yu pass messages?”

Yin Ruxin replied, “That’s exactly what baffles me. Could it be that Jing Yu has someone skilled in martial arts like you, Princess Sister, by his side?”

Jing Yijun shook her head. “I don’t think so. With my level of martial skill, I have a certain sense of danger. I’ve visited the Loyal Prince’s mansion more than once, and never sensed any threat.”

Yin Ruxin knew Jing Yijun spoke the truth. Her own sister, Yin Ruyun, was also a master martial artist and possessed such a sixth sense.

Biting her lip in deep thought, Yin Ruxin still could not guess the identity of the messenger. She whispered, “Who could this person be? If they manage to escape Tianjing City and reveal the situation of the Eldest Prince Jing Min to the Loyal Prince, it would be disastrous. According to the letter Jing Yu sent me, he only asked that I inform the Loyal Prince about the Eldest Prince Jing Min’s affairs—nothing more. Perhaps I should meet with Second Young Master Jing Yu in person tomorrow, to gauge his true intentions.”

Jing Yijun nodded. “Then I will accompany you tomorrow and protect you in secret.” She smiled gently, “I cannot allow you, Sister Xin’er, to suffer any harm; if Yang Lang finds out, he would be heartbroken.”

“Princess Sister, when did you become so playful? It must have been Yang Lang’s influence. He left us behind and ventured north alone, facing danger himself. If only I knew of something that could make him return immediately. It’s been half a month; no one knows where he is now. He should be close to Upper Capital by now, right?” Yin Ruxin blushed, teasing.

The two women were like family, often exchanging light-hearted jests—mostly about Yang Yaozong.

Jing Yijun nodded slowly. “He should be almost there.”

“By the way, there’s one thing that might cause trouble for Yang Lang.”

“What is it?”

“I overlooked this. Today, while checking records of those who left the city in recent days, I found that Wang Youwei had left the city.”

“Wang Youwei? Isn’t he one who has always targeted Yang Lang? He’s affiliated with Jing Min, and connected to the northern scholars who colluded with the Eldest Prince on the leaked imperial examination questions.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m worried he might be heading north. Although we banned officials from visiting since the Eldest Prince’s incident, it might only fuel suspicion among the ambitious. However, Wang Youwei is probably just a pawn of Jing Min and unlikely to know the deepest secrets. Still, he does know Yang Lang. If he encounters Yang Lang and exposes his true identity, it would put Yang Lang in great danger. I have already dispatched agents to intercept Wang Youwei by both land and water routes. Should he attempt to go north, he will be eliminated.”

Jing Yijun nodded in agreement. Since becoming Yang Yaozong’s woman, her heart had been wholly devoted to him. Sometimes she recalled her late father’s final wish to her, though now she was unsure if, should Yang Yaozong one day turn against her, she could bring herself to eliminate him.

“There’s also the matter of Yang Lang’s request before he left, to send Secret Intelligence agents across the land to gather information. I have arranged that. The nearer regions will be fine, but news from distant places will take a long time to reach us.”

***

Meanwhile, at Yanmen Pass, Nangong Qingyi received Mu Qinghan, who had just arrived, weary from the journey.

At this time, the night air at Yanmen Pass was near freezing. Inside Nangong Qingyi’s tent, a stove burned warmly.

“Why didn’t you rest overnight in Daizhou? The weather’s so cold, yet you rushed here through the night,” Nangong Qingyi said as she brushed dust from Mu Qinghan’s clothes, guiding her toward the fire.

“I was already in Daizhou, so close. I couldn’t wait to see you, Sister, and hurried here straight away. Besides, once I entered Shanxi, your personal guards have been escorting me, so there’s nothing to worry about on the road,” Mu Qinghan said warmly, linking her arm with Nangong Qingyi’s.

“You really do as you please! Your brother still doesn’t know you’ve come here. Tomorrow, I’ll inform General Mu that you’re here and see how he deals with you!” Nangong Qingyi teased, half-scolding.

“Sister Nangong!” Mu Qinghan shook her arm in playful affection. Though she usually treated Yang Yaozong with cold indifference, she was different with Nangong Qingyi, who cared for her like a true sister. Only in her presence did Mu Qinghan reveal such a tender, daughterly side.

Nangong Qingyi tapped Mu Qinghan’s forehead in mock reprimand.

Mu Qinghan rubbed her forehead, looking at Nangong Qingyi’s graceful face, then suddenly thought of Yang Yaozong and frowned. “Um, Sister?”

“Hmm?” Nangong Qingyi turned, pouring hot tea, glancing back at Mu Qinghan.

“Your husband’s health is recovering well. You can rest assured,” Mu Qinghan said. She had intended to tell Nangong Qingyi about Yang Yaozong’s serious injury, but recalling his words and seeing Nangong Qingyi’s weary expression, she changed her mind.

“Good, drink it while it’s hot. With your miraculous healing skills caring for him, I have no worries,” Nangong Qingyi smiled, handing over the tea.

Mu Qinghan took a sip, sighed, and said, “Those hateful barbarians, that damned war. Sister, I heard on the road that the Emperor has ordered you to guard Yanmen Pass, forbidding you to leave the pass to meet the enemy, is that right?”

Nangong Qingyi nodded.

“Since there’s no fighting for now, why not take this chance to return to Tianjing City? You and Yang Yaozong are always apart. Do you really believe his saying, ‘If love endures long enough, does it matter if mornings and evenings are spent apart?’” Mu Qinghan blurted out, worried.

Frowning, Nangong Qingyi studied Mu Qinghan’s concerned face. Her suspicions bubbled to the surface. Turning away, she feigned calm, tossing a few pieces of charcoal into the fire. Watching the flames leap, she quietly asked, “Does he have a special lady in Tianjing City now?”

Mu Qinghan’s expression grew complicated as she looked at Nangong Qingyi’s back and whispered, “He’s rising in prominence, favored by both the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Many admire him, but just as many envy him. Before I arrived, he was attacked. But I treated him; he came here after recovering. It was only a minor injury, nothing serious.” Having told this white lie, Mu Qinghan’s heart raced wildly.

Nangong Qingyi scrutinized Mu Qinghan carefully, then smiled bitterly. “I left him shortly after our wedding. I wasn’t there to care for him when his health declined. Now, with his fame and a few confidantes, it’s only natural. Though it pains me, I have no one to blame—this is the path I chose. I had thought of returning home during this lull in the war. Though he now enjoys the favor of the Emperor and Crown Prince, and holds the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, he remains a son-in-law by marriage, which hinders his career. I want to see him face to face. Whether we stay together or part ways, I need to hear his wishes. Though we exchange letters, we hardly know each other. I’m even afraid to meet him now, yet I desire to see him. Isn’t that a contradiction?”

Mu Qinghan grasped Nangong Qingyi’s arm and rested her head on her shoulder. “Sister, he is truly a good man. There’s probably no one else in the world who suits you better. So I urge you to hold onto him tightly and never let go. I don’t want you to make one mistake after another.”

Nangong Qingyi nodded, gently patting Mu Qinghan’s head resting on her shoulder. Smiling, she said, “So, I won’t let him go?”

Mu Qinghan nodded vigorously. “Yes! Absolutely not!”