Chapter 72: The Spanking

Yang Yaozong arrived at the gate of Yin Ruxin’s courtyard, knocking the door ring vigorously several times. He had already confirmed that tonight, Yin Ruxin had assisted the Crown Prince Jing Min in his escape, and anger surged in his heart. This woman truly feared nothing, as if she might pierce a hole through the heavens. If he hadn’t established the Secret Investigation Bureau in time, hadn’t held his current position, the calamity she had brought upon herself today would have been unimaginable—even she could not foresee the consequences. Yang Yaozong still didn’t know why Yin Ruxin was so determined to help the Crown Prince, nor how much she understood about the matter of supporting the King. By his analysis, for the two of them to reach such an agreement, they must possess information far beyond what he could grasp. He wondered what promises Jing Min or the King had made to her to inspire such loyalty. Even if she did not act for herself, she could not let the people of the entire Zhou Dynasty bear the burden of this disaster. He truly felt she needed a lesson. Thus, after leaving the general store, he headed straight to Yin Ruxin’s modest courtyard.

Ruyi was busy in the back garden when she heard the knocking and hurried to the front gate, asking, “Who is it?”

Yang Yaozong replied, “Yang Yaozong.”

Ruyi opened the door and, seeing Yang Yaozong’s stern expression, said, “Lord Yang, it’s so late…”

Before she could finish, Yang Yaozong frowned and asked, “Where is your mistress?”

Ruyi was intimidated by his imposing manner, backing away two steps and replying softly, “She’s in the bath.”

Yang Yaozong strode directly toward the bathhouse in the backyard.

Ruyi, knowing the relationship between Yang Yaozong and Yin Ruxin, was anxious and uncertain whether to stop him or let him proceed. She could only follow behind and whisper, “Lord Yang, my mistress is bathing…”

Yang Yaozong ignored her, pushed open the bathhouse door, and entered. Ruyi could only stand at the threshold, stomping her feet in worry.

Under the pale yellow light, steam filled the bathhouse. Amid the mist, a woman soaked in the tub, her chest partly exposed, one hand idly swirling the petals floating on the water, the other gently pouring warm water over herself. The ripples accentuated the fullness and suppleness of her exposed curves. Her long black hair, freshly washed, was casually twisted and pinned to the back of her head. Drops of water fell from her hair, traced down her rosy cheeks, along her jade neck and collarbone, finally gathering in the alluring valley between her breasts. Her beauty, shimmering in the haze, was simply irresistible.

But Yang Yaozong was in no mood to appreciate such sights. He had already moved past the screen and stood before the bath, facing her directly.

Yin Ruxin was startled, her beautiful eyes wide open as she glared at Yang Yaozong, arms crossed defensively over her chest. Recognizing him, even as she saw his angry gaze directed at her, she greeted him with a radiant, dazzling smile, her arms slowly uncrossing. She did not mind displaying herself before this man—especially her virtues.

Her unconcerned attitude only fueled Yang Yaozong’s anger. He braced his hands on the edge of the tub, bent down to meet her gaze, and said sternly, “How could you be so reckless! You dared to help the Crown Prince escape—do you know what disaster your success could have wrought?”

Yin Ruxin understood, and she was fully aware that the King was preparing to rebel. Yet she was pleased that Yang Yaozong had learned of the plot so quickly, indicating that he was far more than simply the Grand Tutor to the Imperial Heir. She herself had only just learned that the escape plan had failed, and Yang Yaozong had been with her earlier at the Heavenly Pavilion. After she left, he remained there. Yet he received the news so swiftly—how? Her eyes widened in surprise and excitement as she looked at him, biting her lip in thought: Was it he who thwarted her scheme tonight? How did he know she would help Jing Min escape? How could he command so many people in such a short time, and even enlist the assistance of a princess renowned for her extraordinary skills?

Recalling what Yin Yun had told her, if the authorities knew Jing Min intended to flee, they would never allow him out of the city; yet they chose to act outside the city gates, likely fearing the matter would spread. As far as she knew, Jing Min’s escape had caused no uproar, something she could not understand.

Mist shimmered in Yin Ruxin’s eyes as she looked at Yang Yaozong, at his tanned face. She remembered when she first met him: a pale, frail scholar. Now, he was darker, taller, stronger. She recalled his slender, delicate hands, and also the night of August first when his hands brushed her skin, the sensation rough yet tender, calloused from hardship. Each time she saw him, he seemed to change. Thinking back, she wondered how much he had endured to become the man before her, all for her sake. He had once told her to wait for him, but she had pushed forward instead.

Though Yang Yaozong had ruined her plans, at this moment she felt proud of him. This man was slowly fulfilling his promise. But his efforts had only become clear to her today. Tears slipped from her eyes, yet her smile grew even brighter and more alluring.

Yin Ruxin sat up straighter in the tub, unashamedly revealing herself to Yang Yaozong. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her shining eyes gazing tenderly into his angry, star-like eyes, and spoke softly, “I told you, take me, be my man, then you’ll have the right to control me. I only listen to my man’s words.”

Yang Yaozong understood Yin Ruxin; when she bit her lip, she was surely analyzing something. Seeing her cry and laugh at once, he couldn’t guess her thoughts. Though anger remained, his pity began to overpower it, yet the fire inside still smoldered.

With Yin Ruxin’s arms around his neck, Yang Yaozong abruptly lifted her from the tub, cradling her in his arms. As he passed the screen, he grabbed her clothes and covered her, carrying her out.

Ruyi, waiting anxiously outside, was shocked and embarrassed to see them emerge together, rooted to the spot in confusion.

Yang Yaozong ignored her, carrying Yin Ruxin toward her tower chamber.

Yin Ruxin, seeing Ruyi, blushed and buried her head in Yang Yaozong’s chest.

Though he had never been in Yin Ruxin’s room, Yang Yaozong guessed it must be upstairs. Entering the embroidered tower, he climbed the stairs and entered her chamber. The lamps were lit, and the moonlight outside made the room even brighter.

Yang Yaozong tossed Yin Ruxin onto the bed, her jade body sprawled unashamedly before him. Seeing her seductive smile, he thought, I came to discipline her, yet she’s still smiling! Frustrated, he roughly flipped her over, making her lie face down on the bed. He struck her snow-white, round buttocks hard several times. The crisp sound echoed in the room, and her trembling curves bore his red handprints, the lines clear and deep. His own hand tingled with heat, and his anger melted. He realized he had acted too rashly; gently, he stroked her reddened skin, feeling pain for her.

Sensing Yang Yaozong’s mood shift, Yin Ruxin turned to face him, her misty eyes gazing at his now tender expression. She sat up slowly, pulled him to the bedside, and nestled into his arms, speaking softly, “I made you angry, Yaozong. If hitting me… if hitting my bottom calms you, then strike me a few more times.” She raised her head, her eyes sultry, her breath fragrant, staring at him, “I want you to be my man, Yaozong. However you punish or rule me, I’ll accept, so long as you cherish me.”

Yang Yaozong, ensnared by this enchanting temptress, felt his mouth dry and his body burn. If he could restrain himself now, he would not be a man, but a saint. He had no desire to be a saint; right now, he wanted only to be a man—a man to this irresistible woman.

He pressed Yin Ruxin down onto the bed. The two kissed wildly. Yin Ruxin helped Yang Yaozong shed his garments, and with nothing between them, their skin met, their senses heightened by each touch and warmth, their passion deepening. Yang Yaozong kissed her lips, then traced down her neck, her collarbone, her generous curves, her smooth belly… every inch of her skin, until he reached the mysterious paradise.

Yin Ruxin gripped the pillow beneath her head, her snowy skin flushed with desire, her lips bitten as she struggled to control her breath, suppressing her moans, yet from her nose escaped soft, enticing gasps. Suddenly, her head fell back, her waist arched, her body rigid, and though she bit her lips, the moans came in waves, her body trembling under Yang Yaozong’s teasing.

Yang Yaozong sat up, kneeling, gazing at Yin Ruxin’s flushed face and intoxicated eyes. His burning desire pressed against the moist gateway, both holding their breath, as if awaiting the sacred moment. The entrance seemed to possess an irresistible allure, drawing him in, refusing to let go until he was devoured. His own desire knew that only by entering that magical spring could he quench its heat.

Just as Yang Yaozong was about to explore the depths, a sudden, jarring knock sounded at the door.