Chapter 71: When the Tree Longs for Stillness, Yet the Wind Will Not Cease (Part Six)

The hour was nearing midnight when two red fireworks blossomed in the night sky. On the third floor of the Heavenly Realm, Yang Yaozong and Yin Ruxin still stood by the window, deep in conversation. Seeing the fireworks, Yang Yaozong knew that all was well at the Yingtian Prefecture prison. He surmised that Jing Yijun and Qin Haizhou should be returning, barring any unforeseen circumstances. At that moment, he glimpsed Ruyi hurrying up the stairs, anxiety evident in her demeanor. Deliberately, he positioned himself in front of Yin Ruxin, intending to see whether Ruyi would insist on approaching her. If she did, it must be an urgent matter, most likely concerning the eldest prince, Jing Min.

Yin Ruxin turned as well, leaning against the window sill, her eyes meeting Yang Yaozong’s gaze, the unspoken affection between them palpable.

Ruyi had seen Yin Ruxin at the window upon reaching the floor, and now Yang Yaozong stood in front of her. With urgent news to report, Ruyi hesitated for a moment but then resolutely stepped forward, raising her voice a little, “Miss!”

Yin Ruxin, hearing Ruyi’s voice, turned to see her standing behind Yang Yaozong. Yang Yaozong, realizing he could no longer block the way, stepped aside and looked at Ruyi.

Noticing Ruyi’s anxious expression, Yin Ruxin furrowed her elegant brows. She knew that whatever Ruyi had to say must concern the eldest prince’s attempted escape. Anxiety pricked at her as well; she wanted to know what had transpired. Smiling apologetically at Yang Yaozong, she composed herself and said, “It’s getting late. I asked Ruyi to fetch me. I’ll take my leave now. There are still many waiting to speak with you; I shouldn’t monopolize your time. Please, linger a while longer.”

Yang Yaozong nodded with a gentle smile. “Very well. Go home and rest early.”

After Yin Ruxin left, Yang Yaozong noticed that the lights in the general store had been lit. Though he was anxious to know how things had turned out, one thing was clear from Ruyi’s demeanor: the eldest prince had not succeeded in escaping.

It was late. After bidding farewell to a few acquaintances upstairs, Yang Yaozong took the secret passage from the second floor of the Heavenly Realm directly into the general store. Inside, he found Jing Yijun and Qin Haizhou, though neither looked pleased. He glanced at Jing Yijun and saw bloodstains on her sleeve. Alarmed, he hurried over and asked with concern, “Are you hurt? Is it serious?”

With Yang Yaozong’s worried eyes upon her, Jing Yijun blushed and replied shyly, “I’m not injured.” Only then, noticing his gaze on her right arm, did she realize there was blood on her sleeve. She smiled reassuringly, “It must be someone else’s blood.”

Still uneasy, Yang Yaozong carefully examined Jing Yijun and, only after confirming she was truly unharmed, turned to Qin Haizhou. “Brother Qin, judging by your expression, things did not go smoothly tonight. But the eldest prince didn’t manage to escape, did he?”

Qin Haizhou looked at Yang Yaozong with admiration; Jing Yijun, too, was amazed. Realizing he was correct, Yang Yaozong invited Qin Haizhou to sit, and had Jing Yijun take his own seat at the desk. He had brought in a pot of hot tea, and now poured two cups, handing them over. “Have some tea first. Brother Qin, tell me what happened tonight.”

Qin Haizhou took a sip before speaking. “The ambush went smoothly. They walked right into our trap. Fortunately, Her Highness was present; otherwise, the eldest prince might have truly escaped. I thought he would listen to her and, seeing us surround them in force, surrender. But instead, he chose to fight desperately. Among their number were two experts: one was a woman in black, veiled and wearing a bamboo hat—the skill she displayed was formidable; only Her Highness could match her. The other was that man, Meng Kuo—he was not only skilled but also fierce and strong. I was no match for him. If not for Her Highness splitting her attention to aid me, I would have lost my life to his blade tonight.” Grateful, Qin Haizhou rose and bowed to Jing Yijun.

Yang Yaozong smiled at Jing Yijun, then gently pressed Qin Haizhou back into his seat. “Please, continue.”

Qin Haizhou nodded. “Aside from the woman in black and Meng Kuo, the prince’s ten personal guards were all slain. When the woman in black realized the situation was dire, she had Meng Kuo distract Her Highness, and while she was unguarded, took the prince and fled on horseback toward the capital. Her Highness wounded Meng Kuo, and we captured him alive…” He glanced at Jing Yijun.

Jing Yijun continued, “I pursued them on horseback. The woman led the prince into the dense forest, but our men had already surrounded it; she would not risk capture. I feared she might try to return to the city ahead of me, so I hurried there first. By then, the city gates were closed. Shortly after, Qin Haizhou and his soldiers arrived, and I had them search along the city walls. On the west side, we found a trail of blood. I believe the two made it back into the city.”

Yang Yaozong sipped his tea, his brows knitting. He looked at Qin Haizhou. “Blood?”

Qin Haizhou, somewhat embarrassed, replied, “I was worried the prince wasn’t badly hurt and might try to flee, so I took the chance to slash his leg, breaking the bone. I may have… well, wounded a rather sensitive spot as well. He passed out clutching his groin. I left him be after that.”

Yang Yaozong, wryly amused, said, “Brother Qin, you certainly made sure he couldn’t get away.”

Qin Haizhou scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.

Hearing their words, Jing Yijun’s cheeks flushed. “That woman in black was also wounded, though I don’t think it was serious. Still, it’s a pity those two escaped.”

Yang Yaozong smiled reassuringly. “Escaping into the city doesn’t mean they’re truly free. The prince is counting on the fact that we dare not kill him and only wish to capture him alive, which is why he risked everything. If he’s clever, he’ll return to the prince’s residence and pretend nothing happened tonight, blaming his injuries on the assassins from a few days ago. It’s also the best place for him to recover. He knows that, even though we’ve made our stance clear, given the current circumstances we can’t openly move against him. So long as he’s in the prince’s residence, we won’t press further.”

Jing Yijun and Qin Haizhou had not understood why the two returned to the city, but Yang Yaozong’s reasoning enlightened them, and they looked at him with newfound admiration.

Yang Yaozong, a little self-conscious under their gaze, cleared his throat. “Where is Meng Kuo being held now?”

Jing Yijun, realizing her own lapse, was grateful her face was hidden behind a veil, sparing her blushes. She lowered her head and pretended to sip her tea.

Qin Haizhou said, “Meng Kuo is locked in our underground cell.”

Yang Yaozong nodded. “Have his wounds treated—don’t let him die. He may still be of use.”

He continued, “Brother Qin, do you know what happened at the Yingtian Prefecture prison tonight?”

Qin Haizhou nodded, frowning. “Since Team Yan wasn’t tracking Meng Kuo tonight, I had them watch the prison instead. Their captain, Yan Zui, just delivered a report.” He handed a document to Yang Yaozong. “Yan Zui said there was a mass riot and escape attempt. Someone from inside opened the cell doors, releasing the prisoners. But with the high walls and archers stationed above, escape wasn’t easy. Many of the inmates were trained fighters and made it to the walls, but thanks to your foresight, the city guards were lying in wait and quickly suppressed the ringleaders. Still, the casualties were severe. The incident alarmed the heads of the six ministries and other high officials—everyone is dealing with it now. The emperor will surely hear of it soon.”

Yang Yaozong’s brows furrowed as he looked at Jing Yijun. “Your Highness, perhaps you should return to the palace. The matter of the eldest prince is unlikely to become public; Qin and I can handle the aftermath.”

Jing Yijun understood his meaning. With the emperor’s declining health, she could help share the burden with the crown prince. She nodded and took her leave.

After she left, Yang Yaozong said to Qin Haizhou, “How is the training progressing for our second group of covert operatives?”

Qin Haizhou reported the details, and Yang Yaozong nodded. “You’ll have to work extra hard these days. Thank you for your efforts tonight. Go home and rest. Tomorrow, have our people investigate the situation at the Yingtian Prefecture prison. You know many of the right people—see what you can find out. I can’t shake the feeling that tonight’s riot was no simple matter, and whoever orchestrated it is not ordinary. As for their motive, I haven’t figured it out yet.”

Qin Haizhou nodded. “You work just as hard as the rest of us, sometimes even harder. If that’s all, I’ll take my leave. I’ll report back as soon as I hear anything.”

Yang Yaozong smiled and nodded, deeply appreciating Qin Haizhou’s sense of duty and propriety.

After Qin Haizhou left, Yang Yaozong took a moment to review the night’s events. Then, extinguishing the lamp, he left the general store—not to return to the Nangong residence, but heading instead toward the small courtyard where Yin Ruxin lived.