Chapter Forty-Six: Lingering Flavors of the Qixi Festival

Yang Yaozong returned to the Nangong Residence and specifically instructed the doorman not to disturb anyone. After a brief wash, he went to bed to rest.

Yin Ruxin was in the bathhouse in the rear courtyard, her body immersed in the tub. Her delicate face was flushed, though it was unclear whether it was from the steam or lingering desire stirred by Yang Yaozong earlier. Her dark hair was loosely pinned up, a few strands dipping into the water, droplets trickling down her slender, smooth neck and merging with the warm bath.

Yin Ruyun entered the bathhouse, looking at Yin Ruxin, who exuded an air of blissful sweetness. Her voice was cool and stern as she said, “How could you behave like this?”

Yin Ruxin lifted her head, smiling at her sister, whose brows were knitted in a frown. “Like what?” she replied, her expression innocent and naive.

“How could you let Yang Yaozong take such liberties with you?” Yin Ruyun demanded angrily.

Thinking of Yang Yaozong, Yin Ruxin gently swirled the water in the tub, her smile sweet and cloying. “So, sister, you saw everything?” She looked mischievously at Yin Ruyun.

Being gazed at so, Yin Ruyun’s face flushed, though her tone remained indignant. “Who would want to watch you two?”

Yin Ruxin burst into tinkling laughter, her eyes twinkling playfully. “Then, sister, how much did you see?”

Yin Ruyun was helpless before her younger sister. In truth, she had only seen Yang Yaozong kiss Yin Ruxin before storming back to her own room in a huff.

Yin Ruxin gently stirred the water, her tone sweet and calm. “Actually, tonight I wanted him to stay.” Remembering Yang Yaozong’s tender words that cherished her like a treasure, her heart grew even sweeter, her smile softer and more alluring. “But he cared for me and didn’t stay.”

Yin Ruyun’s brows furrowed. “You—!”

Yin Ruxin continued to smile sweetly. “Sister, do you want to say I’m shameless? I have given my heart and soul to Yang Yaozong in this life, all of me belongs to him, sooner or later. Even if it’s a little sooner, what does it matter? But he was the one who hesitated.” She bit her lip, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she recalled Yang Yaozong’s promise to wait until after marriage, as if her own wishes had not prevailed. “Why is it that since you came down from the mountain to Tianjing, you seem to have become as fussy and reserved as a Han family daughter?”

Yin Ruyun’s frown deepened. “Aren’t you afraid that one day he might...?”

Yin Ruxin understood her sister’s meaning. She looked at her earnestly, smiling with sweet assurance. “What he gave me today is enough to make me happy for a lifetime. If he continues to treasure me as he does now, it’s my fortune. Even if one day he no longer wants me, what harm is there? I will hold on to the happiness I’ve gained, cherish it, and watch him live well. That alone will be enough for me.” Her tone was firm and unyielding.

Yin Ruyun sighed, wanting to scold and advise her, but in the end, she could not bring herself to say anything more.

The next morning, Yang Yaozong rose early to exercise. Xiaohua came to clean his quarters. Seeing him, she hurried over in delight. “Master, when did you return?”

Yang Yaozong smiled. “I just got back at dawn.”

Xiaohua grinned. “Will you be leaving again soon?”

Yang Yaozong nodded. “Yes.”

Hearing this, Xiaohua’s face fell and she pouted. “The Crown Prince is so inconsiderate, making you work so hard.” She looked him over carefully, her cheeks reddening. “Master, you’ve gotten darker. But you seem taller and stronger as well.”

Yang Yaozong finished his exercises, laughing. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

Xiaohua gazed at his bright and charming smile, murmuring, “Miss will surely be pleased when she sees you.”

Yang Yaozong tapped her nose playfully. “You always have your lady on your mind.”

Suddenly, Xiaohua’s eyes widened as if she remembered something. She dashed into Yang Yaozong’s room, rummaged under his bedding, and triumphantly fished out a letter. Giggling, she hurried back and handed the letter to him. “Master, this is a letter from Miss. It arrived a couple of days ago. You weren’t home, so I kept it safe for you under your bedding.”

Yang Yaozong raised his brows in surprise. “Oh? For me?”

Xiaohua nodded eagerly, her face beaming. “Yes, Master, it’s for you.”

Yang Yaozong tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and was greeted by neat, delicate handwriting.

“My husband Yaozong, please read…”

He smiled and handed the letter to Xiaohua. “Here, you have a look.”

Xiaohua, having stood by expectantly, had hoped to see Yang Yaozong’s delighted reaction to her lady’s letter, but only saw his usual gentle smile. Puzzled, she hesitated before accepting the letter. “May I read it, Master?”

Yang Yaozong nodded. “Of course.”

After confirming again, Xiaohua lowered her head and read the letter. When she finished, her brows knitted in confusion. Why did Miss only express concern for Master and thank him for looking after the household, writing nothing else? She looked up at Yang Yaozong, noting he didn’t seem upset. “Master, perhaps Miss has been too busy with official duties and hasn’t had time to write a longer letter…” She frowned, trying to find an excuse for her lady’s simple, plain words.

Yang Yaozong smiled at her. “I understand.”

Xiaohua still frowned, her large eyes fixed on him. “You really understand?”

He nodded with a smile. “Yes, I do.”

Relieved but still anxious, Xiaohua asked in a small voice, “Will you reply to Miss?”

Yang Yaozong saw her nervousness and replied, “Yes… I will.” In truth, he hadn’t intended to write back. If he did, it would only be to ask after Nangong Qingyi and Nangong Zhan’s well-being, a few polite pleasantries, nothing more. And her reply would likely be the same, filled with concern and nothing else, which might only trouble her further.

Still, under Xiaohua’s worried and pitiful gaze, he shook his head helplessly and returned to his room, took up his brush, but found himself at a loss for words, not knowing how to compose a proper letter. After much hesitation, he finally wrote:

“Dear wife Qingyi, I have received your letter and thank you for your concern. All is well at home, please rest assured. The weather at Yanmen Pass is dry with large temperature differences between morning and night; take care of your health. The battlefield is dangerous, please be cautious. If there is anything you need me to do, just write and I will do my utmost. Please send my regards to Father-in-law. I hope you both return victorious soon. I have prepared wine at home to await you. Your husband, Yang Yaozong.”

Yang Yaozong looked at his colloquial and awkward letter, smiling wryly to himself. She should be able to understand this.

He folded the letter and handed it to Xiaohua. “Here, send this out when you have time.”

Xiaohua giggled. “Yes, I’ll go soon.”

Yang Yaozong had just finished breakfast when Xiaoxi came to the Nangong Residence to summon him to the palace.

Upon arrival, Xiaoxi accompanied him toward the Crown Prince’s quarters, chatting along the way. “Big brother, you’re amazing! I heard you composed two poems at the Prince of Qin’s residence, and the scholars invited by the eldest prince didn’t dare write after that. Even Elder Dai Yuan was there and praised you.”

Yang Yaozong laughed. “How did you hear about it so soon?”

Xiaoxi replied, “It’s not just me—His Majesty and the Crown Prince already know.”

He then lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Some people have been spreading malicious rumors about His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and you. Now that you’ve brought honor to them, they intend to leverage this momentum. Soon, all of the capital will hear of your achievements last night. The Crown Prince was eager to see you this morning—if not for the princess, he would have summoned you sooner. He’s thrilled!”

Yang Yaozong thought to himself that people of this era seemed to have little to do and few distractions—a small pebble could stir a thousand waves. He had somehow become a factor in stabilizing the court’s reputation.

Arriving at the Crown Prince’s hall, Xiaoxi said, “The Crown Prince has ordered that, from now on, when you come, no one else may enter without his summons. Please go in on your own. I’ll wait here.”

Yang Yaozong nodded. “Thank you, then. I’ll go in first.”

As he entered, Yang Yaozong was about to kneel when the Crown Prince hurriedly said, “Enough, enough. There’s no one else here, there’s no need for all those formalities. Come, sit with me and tell me in detail about last night.”

Yang Yaozong saw the Crown Prince seated in the middle of the couch, Li Yijun on the left, appearing absorbed in a book, as if unaware of his entrance.

He pursed his lips and quietly asked Li Yijun, “Did you go to the Prince of Qin’s residence last night?”

She glanced at him. “Why would I go there?”

Yang Yaozong had thought that the emperor and Crown Prince learned of the poetry gathering so quickly because Li Yijun had gone and reported back. “Oh,” he muttered.

Li Yijun, however, guessed his thoughts, her cheeks flushing as she glared at him, her eyes sharp enough to cut him to pieces.

The Crown Prince, lively and animated as if last night’s poetry event had been his own achievement, said, “Yang Yaozong, you’ve truly honored His Majesty and me. This is what it means to be a nobody until one astounds the world with a single feat! Let them try to slander you now. See how they dare malign His Majesty and me through you! Now they’ll have to acknowledge our strength!”

The Crown Prince’s eyes shone with a peculiar light as he looked at Yang Yaozong. “Actually, I suspect your ‘Immortal at the Magpie Bridge’ was written for the Lady Minister Nangong. The bond between you two is truly moving. ‘Slender clouds weave skillfully, flying stars carry longing, and the Milky Way stretches dark and deep. When golden winds meet jade dew, it surpasses countless meetings in the mortal world. Tenderness like water, a tryst as a dream, how could one bear to part at the magpie bridge? If love between two hearts can last, why need they meet morning and night?’” The Crown Prince clasped his hands behind his back, pacing the room and reciting the poem with relish.

At the mention of the poem, Li Yijun, who had been reading, glanced at Yang Yaozong.

Yang Yaozong felt no guilt for borrowing the poem, but he did feel a bit awkward, because when reciting it, he hadn’t really thought of Nangong Qingyi. Now, everyone assumed it was written for her—a situation he had not anticipated.

“And then,” the Crown Prince continued, “in front of so many renowned scholars, you praised me so highly. ‘The rise and fall of the world is every man’s responsibility. Worry for the world before others, rejoice after others.’ These were your words. They have benefited me greatly. Even His Majesty and the Grand Tutor agree that hearing you say such things proves His Majesty did not misplace his trust.”

The Crown Prince blushed with bashful pride.

Yang Yaozong replied respectfully, “A teacher imparts knowledge and resolves doubts. As your tutor, it is my duty to do all I can for Your Highness. If these two phrases could inspire you, it shows your natural intelligence and your concern for the people. This is the good fortune of Great Zhou.”

The Crown Prince, even more embarrassed by the praise, said, “Then I must ask my tutor to continue guiding me in the future.”

Li Yijun, hearing Yang Yaozong’s flattery, shot him a sidelong glance and gave a soft “hmph.”

Yang Yaozong was left blushing from her reaction.

Seeing his embarrassment, Li Yijun gave a sudden laugh before resuming her composed façade, pretending to read.