Chapter 84: Unraveling the Threads (Part Two)

Yin Ruxin had been sitting in the small hall downstairs all along. When Qin Haizhou came down to call her upstairs, saying that Yang Yaozong wanted to ask her something, she grew curious, as she had already spoken with him about her own matters earlier that morning. What could he want to ask her now?

Qin Haizhou walked with Yin Ruxin to Yang Yaozong’s side, but suddenly realized that Yang might have something private to say to her, and felt awkward about staying, so he turned to leave. Yang Yaozong said, “Brother Qin, you needn’t go. I want to talk to you about her as well. Ruxin is my woman now. She’s clever, gifted in strategy. I don’t intend to hide my affairs from her—I plan to let her participate. From now on, you two should exchange information when working together. Today’s matter, I also want her to help analyze.”

Because of Yang Yaozong’s status, Yin Ruxin had never demanded a formal title from him, but what woman doesn’t hope the man she loves will grant her one? A title is more than a name; it reveals the place one holds in her beloved’s heart.

“My woman,” Yin Ruxin repeated, her heart surging with excitement.

Hearing Yang Yaozong openly acknowledge her as his woman in front of others, especially Qin Haizhou, his close friend, filled her with indescribable happiness. Her beautiful eyes grew misty with emotion, and deep affection flowed toward Yang Yaozong. No matter what he asked of her, or what he wanted her to do—even if it meant laying down her life for him—she would do so willingly.

Qin Haizhou had never regarded Yang Yaozong as a mere son-in-law; he truly admired him. He considered it normal for a capable man to have several wives and concubines, especially someone as accomplished as Yang Yaozong. Now, learning that Yin Ruxin—renowned courtesan, beloved by countless prominent men—was Yang Yaozong’s woman, he was sincerely delighted for his friend. Laughing heartily, he said, “Brother Yang, you should have told me sooner! It’s my first time visiting my sister-in-law; I didn’t bring a gift. Next time, I’ll definitely prepare something for her.”

Yin Ruxin was overjoyed to hear Qin Haizhou address her as “sister-in-law”; she cast a sidelong glance at Yang Yaozong.

Yang Yaozong smiled, “Brother Qin, what are you saying? Now that you call her your sister-in-law, there’s no need for such formality.”

Yin Ruxin’s cheeks flushed crimson. She curtsied to Qin Haizhou, saying, “It’s an honor to have you as a guest, Brother Qin. Please don’t mention gifts. If anyone should prepare one, it ought to be me, as your sister-in-law. I’ll arrange some food now; please stay and dine with Yang Lang.” As she spoke the words “sister-in-law” and “Yang Lang,” her heart raced and her face burned with shyness.

Qin Haizhou quickly replied, “No need, no need, sister-in-law, don’t trouble yourself. I have matters to attend to soon; I’ll chat with Brother Yang a bit longer and then take my leave.”

Yin Ruxin looked at Yang Yaozong, trying to gauge his intentions.

Yang Yaozong smiled, “Ruxin, you need not be so formal with Brother Qin. He’s like my own elder brother. I’m not well enough to drink with him now; when I recover, we can host him properly. Besides, I do have matters to discuss with both of you, and he does have business to attend to shortly.”

Yin Ruxin nodded.

Yang Yaozong said, “Brother Qin, please sit.” He took Yin Ruxin’s hand and led her to sit by the bed. Since he wanted her involved in the matter of quelling the Prince of Qin’s rebellion, she would need to exchange information with Qin Haizhou. So, he explained how Yin Ruxin had been deceived and used by the Prince, recounting the events before both of them.

Throughout the explanation, Yang Yaozong held Yin Ruxin’s hand tightly. She understood this was his way of assuring her, letting her know she could trust him, that telling Qin Haizhou would pose no risk.

When he finished, Yang Yaozong looked earnestly at Qin Haizhou. “Brother Qin, I hope you can keep Ruxin’s matter secret.”

Qin Haizhou immediately stood and swore, “Brother Yang, since you trust me so, I swear on my life: I will never reveal anything about sister-in-law. If I do, let me die without burial. Rest assured!”

Yang Yaozong knew people of this age did not swear lightly. He knew Qin Haizhou’s character well enough to confide in him, and his final reminder was for Yin Ruxin’s peace of mind.

Qin Haizhou’s solemn oath did indeed reassure Yin Ruxin. She said it wasn’t that she feared Qin Haizhou would speak of her to outsiders; what she truly feared was that her affairs might implicate Yang Yaozong.

Perhaps because Yin Ruxin was Yang Yaozong’s woman, Qin Haizhou looked at her with admiration. “I never expected sister-in-law to be so wise and talented! If not for Brother Yang, with your skill at planning, Prince Jingmin would have escaped Tianjing long ago.”

Yang Yaozong looked at Yin Ruxin with fondness, meeting her adoring gaze. He smiled, “Brother Qin, don’t flatter her too much. I have business to discuss; I need both your insights.”

Yang Yaozong turned to Yin Ruxin. “Ruxin, do you know about the uprising in the Yingtian Prefecture prison?”

Yin Ruxin nodded, “I’ve heard about it.”

Yang Yaozong, hearing this, knew she was not involved, but confirmed, “Is it connected to Prince Jingmin’s escape?”

Not only Yin Ruxin, but even Qin Haizhou was puzzled by this question.

Seeing Yang Yaozong’s serious expression, Yin Ruxin understood his intent. She replied, “I never plotted the prison uprising; I only heard about it.”

She frowned thoughtfully. “Does Yang Lang mean that the uprising was orchestrated by Prince Jingmin?”

Before Yang Yaozong could answer, she continued, “I recall at the Mid-Autumn banquet, Yang Lang and I watched a firework bloom in the night sky. He said it was from the direction of the Yingtian Prefecture prison. He must have been testing me then. Now that I think about it, Yang Lang already knew something had happened at the prison. Judging by the timing, it coincided with Prince Jingmin’s escape and the closing of the city gates.”

Yin Ruxin glanced at Qin Haizhou, who was listening intently, then at Yang Yaozong, who was smiling at her. “By this coincidence, if the prison uprising succeeded, the city would be placed under strict lockdown, and officials would devote all their resources to capturing the escaped prisoners. For several days, until most were caught, only then might some attention shift to Prince Jingmin. Since he was injured and recovering at home, it would seem natural for him not to appear publicly. So, by the time those monitoring him realized something was amiss, he would have already left Tianjing, and it would be too late to pursue him—he’d likely have reached the capital safely. Even if the uprising failed, it would still draw the authorities’ attention for a time, meaning no one would pay much mind to a recently injured prince. Thus, Prince Jingmin would have time to escape Tianjing.”

Qin Haizhou’s eyes widened in realization, astonished by Yin Ruxin’s analysis. He hadn’t truly grasped her brilliance when Yang Yaozong thwarted her plan to help Prince Jingmin escape, but now, seeing her dissect two seemingly unrelated events and find the subtle connection, he was impressed. He suddenly thought of Nangong Qingyi, another woman skilled in strategy, both exceedingly clever and strong-willed, both belonging to Yang Yaozong. Should he be happy for his friend, or pity him? Qin Haizhou felt a touch of sympathy for Yang Yaozong—such fortune might not be easy to bear.

Yang Yaozong looked at Yin Ruxin with admiration, their thoughts perfectly aligned. Until now, he hadn’t considered that Prince Jingmin might be behind the prison uprising, but Yin Ruxin’s reasoning convinced him it was possible.

When he glanced at Qin Haizhou, he found him looking at him with sympathy, shaking his head as if sighing. Yang Yaozong was puzzled. “Brother Qin?”

Qin Haizhou, realizing his lapse, smiled awkwardly, “Sister-in-law is truly remarkable! I sincerely admire you!”

Many women feign weakness before men, adopting a submissive posture to satisfy masculine pride. But Yin Ruxin found that Yang Yaozong was not such a man. She cherished their mutual understanding—the way a glance could communicate everything. She knew Yang Yaozong appreciated this as well. Thus, she never pretended reserve or concealed her intelligence before him. Yet in the presence of others, especially his friends, she preferred not to display her abilities. If not for Yang Yaozong’s encouragement, she would not have shown her analytical prowess before Qin Haizhou. Clearly, her analysis had startled him; she noticed the sympathetic look he gave Yang Yaozong, thinking she must seem unruly and lacking in virtue. Anxious that her image might damage Yang Yaozong’s reputation, she forced a smile at Qin Haizhou and frowned as she looked at Yang Yaozong.

Seeing Yang Yaozong not only unconcerned but proud, and hearing Qin Haizhou’s genuine praise, Yang Yaozong became even more delighted, as if showing off, “See how clever and formidable my woman is!” Yin Ruxin breathed a sigh of relief, her heart filled with joy.

Yang Yaozong smiled, “From your tone earlier, it seems you don’t believe Prince Jingmin orchestrated the prison uprising. But based on your analysis, I’m starting to think he might be the mastermind.”

Yin Ruxin replied softly, “I don’t know the details of the uprising.” She glanced at Qin Haizhou, who nodded in understanding.

Qin Haizhou, taking Yang Yaozong’s cue, recounted the details and findings of the prison uprising for Yin Ruxin.

Yin Ruxin bit her lip, listening intently. When he finished, she pondered for a moment, then smiled confidently. “It couldn’t have been Prince Jingmin. First, his escape plan was devised by me, so every move required my cooperation. If he had acted alone, he would have needed to inform me to ensure the plan’s flawless execution.” She shot Yang Yaozong a mock-annoyed glance. “Of course, we didn’t anticipate you as our opponent, nor that you would act unconventionally. Now I realize you must have had Brother Qin command the city defenses to block Prince Jingmin’s escape route.”

Yang Yaozong and Qin Haizhou nodded in admiration.

Yin Ruxin continued, “Second, the escape was highly confidential, so the fewer people involved, the safer. He wouldn’t risk arranging so many to be captured and incite a prison riot. Even if, as Brother Qin said, the twenty-five listed were trained death-defying soldiers, it still risked leaks or arousing suspicion. Didn’t Yang Lang notice something odd and suspect trouble at the prison? Just because it was during the imperial exam, with increased patrols and arrests, it seemed normal for people to be sent to prison daily. At any other time, Yang Lang might have deduced the truth before the uprising began.

“Third,” she said lightly, but Yang Yaozong and Qin Haizhou both furrowed their brows.