Chapter Seventy-Three: An Unexpected Incident (Part One)

"Miss," Ruyi called timidly from outside the door.

Yang Yaozong's face was flushed as he struggled to control himself, his gaze toward Yin Ruxin tinged with a pitiful helplessness.

Seeing their compromising state, Yin Ruxin realized Ruyi must have something urgent; otherwise, she would never have interrupted at such an inopportune moment. Rising slowly, she gripped that burning heat, her hand moving rhythmically as her voice trembled, "I... I'll be there in a moment. You go on ahead." Finding that her hand alone could not resolve his urgent need quickly, she grew anxious; though her eyes brimmed with passion, they also flashed with a hint of reproach as she stared at the now even more aggrieved Yang Yaozong. She pressed him back onto the bed, then, blushing, parted her lips to welcome that feverish desire.

The flickering, dim lamplight cast the entwined shadows of the two upon the wall; the rise and fall of a head was enough to set the imagination ablaze.

Yin Ruxin put on her outer robe and went to rinse her mouth, only to see Yang Yaozong also rising to dress. She returned to the bedside, naturally draping her arms around his neck and settling into his lap, her voice soft: "I'll be right up. It's already so late—why not stay here tonight?"

Noticing how loosely her robe was tied, with her fullness nearly bursting free, Yang Yaozong slipped his hand inside, his firm nose brushing hers as they exchanged breaths. As he caressed her supple curves, he spoke gently, "Tonight is not quite the right time. Go attend to your affairs with peace of mind. If I stay here, you'll only be distracted. Once this busy spell is past, I won't let this little fox of mine go! I’d best return to the Southern Palace for the night." He kissed her alluring lips and continued, "Now I know what you're doing for the First Prince Jing Min. I understand you're not doing it for yourself, but for your kin, aren’t you? Since I’m already involved, do you still mean to keep secrets from me? If you share everything, perhaps I can help you find a better solution."

Yin Ruxin, swept up in his gentle affection, felt her body ignite again, her eyes growing hazy and her mind drifting into intoxication. She sensed the change in Yang Yaozong as well, but though her body was weak, she preserved a shred of clarity. Hastily, she broke free from his embrace and escaped to the dressing table, leaning against it for support, playful yet shy. "Let me see you out. Come tomorrow when you have time, and I'll tell you everything about myself."

After seeing Yang Yaozong off, Yin Ruxin returned to the embroidery tower, where Yin Ruyun and Ruyi awaited her in the small hall.

Suppressing her embarrassment at seeing them, Yin Ruxin sat gracefully in the seat of honor and calmly asked, "What brings you here in such haste, Left Guardian? Has another problem arisen with First Prince Jing Min?"

Yin Ruyun's brows were tightly furrowed. "No, it's Meng Kuo. He tried to stall the princess for me, but he was never her match. By now, he's either dead or captured. But if he was captured, I haven't heard of any new prisoners in the city jails. It seems... at the same time as our operation, there was a riot and prison break at the main jail, but it was suppressed quickly. I investigated: tonight, the ones who surrounded us were city defense soldiers. First Prince Jing Min also said Qin Haizhou is the Left General of the city defense. Where did we slip up? Why use military forces instead of the constabulary? No word of the prince's escape has spread—though there are more secret watchers around his residence, they haven’t openly taken control. I just can't figure it out."

Yin Ruxin frowned at the news of Meng Kuo's fate. Inwardly, she resolved to ask Yang Yaozong about him tomorrow; once she confided in Yang Yaozong, he would surely tell her whatever became of Meng Kuo, dead or alive.

After a moment’s thought, she said, "I'll look into Meng Kuo’s situation. The fact that they mobilized the military means they don’t want news of the prince’s escape to get out. I suspect someone guessed, from his escape, that it must be connected to Prince Qin. Their first thought would be a plot to rebel." Thinking of Yang Yaozong, her lips curled into a slight smile—he must have realized this, which is why the information was so tightly sealed. She continued, "I'm gambling that as long as First Prince Jing Min returns safely, the Court won’t dare punish him openly, given the current climate and the threat of Prince Qin. The increased surveillance of the prince's residence is to be expected. From how things are developing, they’re keeping this under wraps precisely to keep Prince Qin from learning his son's escape attempt failed, so that—"

"So that they can use the prince to tie the king’s hands, buying more time to prepare for rebellion," Yin Ruxin said with sudden realization. After a pause, she added, "But knowing Prince Qin’s temperament, even if he fears for his son's safety, he won't let this delay his plans for long."

Yin Ruxin nodded. "The situation now brooks no internal unrest. Right or wrong, I don’t care; until we uncover the truth behind Master’s death, we must aid Prince Qin. Their plan to delay is just to buy time to prepare for his revolt. Every day they gain, their arrangements are more complete. With Prince Jing Min gravely injured and unable to leave his residence, he can't assist us with any further escape plans for now. So we’ll lie low and avoid exposing ourselves until he’s recovered. I know Yang Yaozong has discovered my involvement, so I want us to stay quiet and not cause him trouble."

Yang Yaozong walked alone toward the Southern Palace residence. It was already well past midnight; the hubbub of the Mid-Autumn Festival had faded, and the streets were deserted.

As he neared the alley leading to the Southern Palace, two tall, burly men emerged, heading straight toward him. Outwardly, Yang Yaozong was Grandson Tutor to the Crown Prince, with no real power, and he had always been cautious regarding the Secret Investigation Bureau. He had never suspected anyone would target him. But now, by moonlight, he saw the murderous intent in the two men’s faces and immediately became alert. Feigning nonchalance, he bent down to adjust his shoe, spotting two more men appear behind him. Rising slowly, he edged toward the roadside, but the two ahead shifted as well, cutting off his retreat. Yang Yaozong thought grimly: These men mean to catch me in a pincer attack. Judging by their builds, they're all trained fighters. Could I manage to fight four at once? Only one way to find out.

Resolving himself, Yang Yaozong clasped his hands behind his back and straightened, fixing his gaze on the two men approaching.

At a distance of three paces, the pair halted. One was broad-faced, with upturned nostrils and a long, ugly scar running down his left cheek, his face made fiercer still by a bristling beard. He looked at Yang Yaozong with a mocking half-smile. "Master Yang, you’re indeed clever. No wonder we’ve been waiting here for you so long."

Yang Yaozong shot him a cold, mocking smile. "Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen. But it's late, and I’m afraid I can’t entertain you tonight. Perhaps another time?"

The other man glared and stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Yang Yaozong. "My brother’s calling you Master Yang out of courtesy. Don’t mistake kindness for weakness, Yang Yaozong! Don’t you know when to show respect?" He turned to the scarred man. "Big brother, why bother talking? Let’s just kill him here and be done with it."

Yang Yaozong interjected, "May I at least know who sent you? If I must die, let me die knowing why."

The man snorted. "Blame yourself for offending the First Pr—"

The scarred man cut him off. "Who sent us is none of your concern, Master Yang. Sometimes it's better to die in ignorance; that way, if there is reincarnation, you’ll carry less hatred into your next life—maybe you’ll be reborn in a good family. You—"

Hearing the slip of the words "First Pr—," Yang Yaozong guessed they had been sent by Prince Qin's eldest son. But the prince shouldn't know it was Yang Yaozong who foiled his escape, so why seek his life? Clearly, there was no room for negotiation; he could only fight for survival.

Without waiting for the scarred man to finish, Yang Yaozong lunged forward, kicking the nearer assailant savagely in the groin. He cared little for honor or fairness—whatever worked, worked. The man, caught off guard and unable to react in time, crumpled to the ground with a howl, clutching himself in agony. The scarred man, shocked by the sudden and ruthless move, snapped out of it and roared, "Yang Yaozong, you're courting death!"