Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Tree Longs for Stillness, Yet the Wind Will Not Cease (Part Four)

Yang Yaozong walked to Yin Ruxin’s side, leaning against the window just as she did, and teased, “Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon is bright and the stars are few—truly a fitting night for romance.”

Yin Ruxin propped her right hand under her chin as she leaned by the window, cast him a sidelong glance, and ignored his banter. She lifted her gaze to the full moon hanging in the sky, and after a soft hum, began to sing gently, “When will the bright moon appear? With a cup of wine, I ask the blue heavens… May we live long and share this moonlight, though a thousand miles apart.” There was no accompaniment; she sang the ancient tune “Shui Diao Ge Tou” a cappella. Yet her voice was like a cool breeze dissolving into a summer bamboo grove, or a clear stream winding through a dense forest—mellifluous and pure, her song seeped into one’s lungs and heart with its lingering charm.

The people in the hall were all engaged in lively conversation. Because of recent rumors about Yang Yaozong and Yin Ruxin, even if some noticed the two standing together by the window, no one dared approach to disturb them. Thus, their quiet conversation went unheard by others. Still, two pairs of eyes had been watching Yang Yaozong and Yin Ruxin all along—Mu Qinghan and Qin Xueyao.

Qin Xueyao spoke with some indignation, “Sister Mu, look, Yang Yaozong even went over to her on his own. It seems those rumors are almost all true. Hmph! They call them a talented scholar and a beautiful lady, lovers in perfect harmony! I say Yang Yaozong has had his soul stolen by that fox spirit Yin Ruxin. Sister Mu, let’s go and separate them!”

Mu Qinghan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she glanced at Yang Yaozong. Remembering how he had all but acknowledged his relationship with Yin Ruxin in front of her, she looked at the righteously indignant Qin Xueyao, shook her head, and said, “Some matters aren’t for us to meddle in.”

Qin Xueyao regarded Mu Qinghan with surprise, “While Sister Nangong is away from home, how can Yang Yaozong act like this? And to think I once thought he was different from the rest.” She suddenly recalled overhearing Yang Yaozong’s words at Qin Haizhou’s house, her cheeks flushing as she added, “He’s nothing but a shameless rogue! Sister Mu, you and Sister Nangong are sworn sisters. And you weren’t always this forgiving toward Yang Yaozong, were you?”

Mu Qinghan blushed faintly. “After all, this is between your Sister Nangong and Yang Yaozong—it’s not for outsiders like us to interfere. Besides, there are things you don’t understand.”

Qin Xueyao wrinkled her nose and pouted, clearly unconvinced. “I’m not a child!”

When Yin Ruxin finished her song, Yang Yaozong nodded with a smile. “That was beautiful.”

Yin Ruxin sniffed dismissively, “It’s the lyrics by the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince that are so fine.”

Yang Yaozong arched an eyebrow, gazing at her pretty face with a teasing smile. “Are you jealous?”

Yin Ruxin shot him a look, still sniffing, “I am not jealous!”

Yang Yaozong chuckled helplessly. “If you keep humming like that, you’ll turn into a little pig.”

Yin Ruxin narrowed her lovely eyes at him, mock-complaining as she began to sing the most romantic song, then, with a beguiling gaze, asked sweetly, “Would you… be willing to grow old with a pig?”

Yang Yaozong hadn’t expected her to turn his words against him. He looked seriously into her beautiful eyes and said, “No matter what you become, I’ll accompany you and grow old with you.”

Yin Ruxin sensed the deeper meaning in his words. Her eyes grew misty; she glanced at him, but warmth filled her heart. She turned to gaze out the window, feigning annoyance. “Sweet talk! I don’t want to become a pig!”

Yang Yaozong looked at her charmingly petulant demeanor and smiled. “No, you’ll never become a pig. You’re a nine-tailed fox spirit who’s achieved immortality.”

Yin Ruxin turned her head, puzzled. “If I’m a nine-tailed fox spirit, then you’re an old fox.” After a moment’s thought, she corrected herself, “No—a ten-tailed fox spirit!”

By now, the night was deep, and the fireworks banquet had long since ended. The city gates were about to close, when suddenly, a dazzling red blossom exploded in the sky above the direction of Yingtian Prefecture’s prison. Yang Yaozong immediately understood—it was the signal he had arranged with Qin Haizhou. A single red flower blooming meant something had gone wrong at the prison; the city guards lurking nearby would act as soon as they saw it. If, after a while, two red flowers bloomed, it meant the matter was resolved. If only one, it meant reinforcements were needed and the situation was urgent. Then the undercover agents near the Five Cities Command would immediately seek help, and the city guards would send more troops.

Yang Yaozong gripped the window frame tightly, pondering what could have happened at the prison. He noticed Yin Ruxin only glanced at the firework before lowering her gaze and calmly looking out the window as if nothing had happened. Yang Yaozong tested her, half-talking to himself, “The fireworks banquet is over—why would another firework go off over there?”

Yin Ruxin gave him a sidelong glance. “Maybe some child set it off.”

Yang Yaozong studied her. “But that’s in the direction of the Yingtian Prefecture prison.”

Yin Ruxin replied with a questioning “Hmm?” and looked at him, genuinely puzzled.

Judging by her expression, Yang Yaozong felt she truly knew nothing about the prison incident, and he relaxed a little. He nodded with a smile, deliberately changing the subject, “By the way, how is the Prince’s injury?”

It was the first time Yin Ruxin had heard Yang Yaozong inquire about Crown Prince Jing Min in her presence. A complex feeling stirred within her, and, worried he might misunderstand, she blushed slightly, replying, “No bones were hurt, but the wound was deep and there was a lot of blood lost. The injury hasn’t fully healed; he’ll need some time to recover.”

Yang Yaozong nodded. “I wonder who did it. I heard you were by his side that night—you saved his life, didn’t you? When I heard, I was worried about you and wanted to use a visit to the Prince as an excuse to see you. In the end, I found you at the Prince’s residence. As long as you were safe… well, I was relieved.”

Yin Ruxin bit her lip gently, gazing at him. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I… I just…”

Yang Yaozong’s trademark confident smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I know. I was just worried about you.”

Yin Ruxin nodded shyly. If they were alone, she would have thrown herself into his arms and held him tightly.

The two stood by the window across from the staircase, chatting and enjoying the Mid-Autumn night—utterly at ease.

Meanwhile, a donkey cart carrying several large barrels exited the north gate. When the road was clear, it changed direction and headed for the dense forest north of the city. Before long, several riders emerged from the woods, followed by a carriage. The mounted men fanned out before and behind the carriage, escorting it swiftly northward.