Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Antidote

The chamber was exceptionally quiet, so much so that both could hear the heavy sound of each other's breathing. Yang Yaozhong, having just drunk that water, now felt his mouth dry and parched. His whole body burned with restless heat; sweat poured like rain from his brow, and his loins hardened like iron, swelling painfully. He glanced at the teapot, a sudden realization dawning on him—damn, someone must have drugged the water. Suppressing the raging desire within him, he walked over to Yin Ruyun and said, “Can we get out of here first?”

Yin Ruyun, sensing the changes in her body, understood that it must have been the aphrodisiac poison Prince Jingmin had thrown earlier that had tainted her skin and poisoned her. She thought to herself that it wouldn’t be so bad to die here, keeping her master company. Taking a deep breath to steady her mind, her voice trembled as she said, “You should go. That princess friend of yours is searching for you in the prince’s residence. I’m sure they’ll soon find this place and take you away. I want to stay here with my master. Just tell Xiner what happened here today.”

Yang Yaozhong had no idea he’d been poisoned by the aphrodisiac. He thought it was merely the effect of the drug, but the sweat pouring from his body only increased, soaking his clothes and making them cling to his skin. The heavy internal injuries he’d sustained yesterday from the scar-faced brute now left him unable to hold on any longer, and he collapsed beside Yin Ruyun.

Seeing him fall, Yin Ruyun looked over and noticed sweat streaming down his face, just like her own. She then saw the distinct bulge in his clothing and was instantly alarmed.

“He’s been poisoned by the aphrodisiac too!” she thought in shock.

In fact, the water Yang Yaozhong drank contained no aphrodisiac at all; had it been, with the poison’s fierce and rapid effect, he would already be dead. Instead, the poison affecting him was the same as hers, transferred from Prince Jingmin’s earlier attack, and had entered his bloodstream through his skin.

Yin Ruyun’s heart was in utter turmoil. She could accept her own death, but Yang Yaozhong could not die. What would become of her younger sister if he died? If they both perished here, who would reveal the secrets of this chamber to her sister? Would she not continue to be deceived and used by Prince Qin? How would her master’s death ever be avenged?

With trembling hands, she reached out to check Yang Yaozhong’s breathing.

His breaths grew heavier and hotter. He had not fainted, but after collapsing, a violent pain wracked his chest, so he clenched his teeth and endured with his eyes shut. Feeling the heat of his own breath rebounding against his face, he suddenly opened his eyes. Summoning strength from somewhere unknown, he seized the hand hovering over his nose, fixing his gaze on the woman before him and said in frustration, “Why stay here? We can take your master’s remains and leave, give her a proper burial.”

Yin Ruyun had planned that, should Yang Yaozhong lose consciousness, she would take the initiative to cure him, unpleasant though it might be. But now that he was awake, her resolve faltered. Her voice trembled as she said, “I thought I was the only one poisoned, so I intended to die here with my master. But I didn’t expect... you were poisoned too.”

Yang Yaozhong released her hand, stunned. “Me? Poisoned? What poison?” he thought, convinced it was nothing more than the drug.

Yin Ruyun, cheeks flushed, met his gaze and confessed, “Both of us have been poisoned by the aphrodisiac. The symptoms may resemble those of ordinary drugs, but they’re accompanied by excessive sweating. It causes dehydration and organ failure—death.”

Enlightenment dawned on Yang Yaozhong. He recalled that Yin Xiner’s master had died from this very poison, and now the woman before him, versed in toxins, would die here as well. Clearly, there was no antidote. He mused at the irony—the poison forced one to partake in the most carnal acts before death. He gave a wry smile and said, “There’s no cure, is there? Otherwise, your master wouldn’t have died here. And you... you wouldn’t want to die here either. Since we’re both doomed, can you at least tell me what your relationship is with Xiner? And your name?”

Hearing him mention Yin Xiner, Yin Ruyun finally made up her mind. “I am Yin Xiner’s elder sister. My name is Yin Ruyun. There is a cure, and I know what it is. But you must promise me—whatever happens between us, you must never tell Yin Xiner. Treat it as a dream; when you wake, let it be forgotten.”

So she was Xiner’s sister—no wonder their resemblance was so striking. Had she not worn the golden mask, it would have been difficult to tell them apart. Yet, Yang Yaozhong was puzzled. She could cure the poison, so why insist he treat it as a dream? He felt dizzy and lightheaded, and managed a weak, teasing laugh, “Why must what happens between us be kept from Xiner?”

Yin Ruyun recalled how she’d once tried to kill this man, and now she was about to share the most intimate act with him. Her heart pounded wildly. Blushing furiously, she reached out with trembling hands to undo his clothes, her voice quavering on the brink of tears, “For my sister’s sake, I won’t let you die. The only cure is to join with someone of the opposite sex.”

Through his daze, Yang Yaozhong felt Yin Ruyun unfastening his clothes. Hearing her words, he was at a loss for words. Who could have guessed that the remedy was so simple, yet so fraught with difficulty? Slowly, he opened his eyes, finding Yin Ruyun had removed her black veil, leaving only the golden mask. Her upper body was clad in a pale undergarment embroidered with small flowers and green grass; below, she wore nothing, seated astride him, her hands reaching down to help him with his trousers.

He knew the woman above him had resigned herself to death, and now, determined, was willing to do this only for her sister’s sake. He did not want to die, and in his former life, such matters between men and women had been taken more lightly; he would not have minded such a cure. During missions, he had even feigned intimacy with strangers or those for whom he felt nothing. Yet now, putting aside the era, he barely knew this woman—and she was the elder sister of the woman he loved. His heart was in deep conflict. He realized Yin Ruyun’s struggle was surely even more complex than his own. He did not wish to simply accept her sacrifice. If he could take the initiative, perhaps she would not have to bear all the burden alone. But his body had little strength left to let him act.

He felt his lower body exposed to the air, a trembling, moist little hand grasping his burning desire.

Yin Ruyun, eyes downcast, dared not look at him. She knelt between his legs, raising her hips, and he did not know whether it was sweat or tears that fell onto his chest, suddenly filling him with an ache. Summoning what little strength he had, he reached down and held the small hand grasping him.

Yin Ruyun, startled as if shocked by electricity, immediately withdrew her hand, maintaining her kneeling posture, her bright eyes gazing at him in embarrassment.

Yang Yaozhong looked at her gently and said softly, “Let me do the first part. After that, I’ll have no strength left—it’ll be up to you.”

Yin Ruyun was so ashamed she could barely breathe. She lowered her head to avoid his gaze and nodded silently.

With his other hand, Yang Yaozhong caressed her smooth, supple thigh, guiding her downward. Yin Ruyun slowly lowered herself. The secret valley between her legs, already slick from the effects of the aphrodisiac, welcomed the burning tip of his desire as it brushed her entrance, where the sweet, slippery warmth seeped along his length. He let out a soft, contented sigh.

Yin Ruyun felt his heat press against her most private place. Instinctively, her body tensed, but her secret valley refused to obey, inviting in the visitor at her threshold.

He caressed her silken thighs, encouraging her gently downward. As she slowly settled, the entrance, moistened to the utmost, allowed him to enter smoothly, pushing deeper. With a muffled cry, she felt him break through a barrier and continue on.

The aphrodisiac’s effect meant Yin Ruyun barely felt pain in becoming a woman, but rather a swelling fullness, a sense of utter completeness. Warmth radiated from within her, suffusing her fair skin with a rosy glow. Her reason was finally overcome by desire, and she began to move instinctively, seeking pleasure.

Yang Yaozhong watched the beauty rise and fall atop him, feeling the tight, wet embrace of her secret valley. His voice was hoarse as he gasped, “Take off your mask—I want to see you clearly.”

Lost in the intoxicating pleasure, Yin Ruyun murmured assent, slowly removing the golden mask that had hidden the upper left side of her face. Her alluring eyes met his.

He saw at the corner of her left eye a birthmark, a red butterfly wing unfurled. She resembled Yin Xiner in nine parts out of ten—her features not quite as delicate as her sister’s, but with that unique butterfly mark, she radiated a different, captivating beauty. Yang Yaozhong was transfixed for a moment, then whispered tenderly to her shining eyes, “You... you are truly beautiful.”