Chapter Ninety-Seven: Whispered Words in the Courtyard

The autumn air was crisp and clear. A rain the night before had washed the already blue sky into even greater purity and distance.

Early that morning, Duke Jing Yi personally escorted Yang Yaozong back to Yin Ruxin’s residence.

Though they had had no ceremony and no bridal chamber, they were newly married nonetheless. How could Jing Yi bear to be parted from Yang Yaozong? But today was the Crown Prince’s first appearance in court, and the house the Crown Prince had bestowed upon the two of them also needed to be arranged. They still had to choose servants and guards. In short, there were many matters demanding attention. Moreover, Yang Yaozong’s body still needed time to recover, and he could not help with any of it. All of it would have to be borne by Jing Yi alone.

Jing Yi also could not display any intimate affection toward Yang Yaozong in front of Yin Ruxin. She could only look at him with tender reluctance and leave with great unwillingness. Yet when she faced Yin Ruxin, the icy, haughty air she usually wore was gone; instead, she was somewhat shy and unusually courteous.

Though Yin Ruxin was puzzled by the change in Jing Yi’s attitude, she did not feel it proper to ask directly. Besides, when she first saw Jing Yi that day, she had already noticed that Jing Yi had dressed her hair in the style of a married woman. At the time, she had been full of suspicion. After seeing Jing Yi off, Yin Ruxin walked gracefully to the bed where Yang Yaozong lay and, with some hesitation, still asked in a low voice, "Yaozong, have something happened between you and the princess these past two days?"

In the end, what had happened between Yang Yaozong and Jing Yi had to be told to Yin Ruxin. He looked at her with some embarrassment and said, "Yes. The emperor has already betrothed Yi Jun to me. Though there was no ceremony, the two of us became husband and wife before the emperor’s witness. We are truly married now."

After hearing this, Yin Ruxin froze at once, her heart aching with a complicated bitterness too deep for words. Before she knew it, tears welled in her eyes, and two crystal drops slid down her cheeks.

Seeing her sorrowful expression, Yang Yaozong hurriedly took her hand and said nervously, "Xin’er, don’t cry, all right? I know you feel hurt. I... I..." Yet no matter how many reasons he had, he could not bring himself to say them.

Yin Ruxin was the first woman Yang Yaozong had ever loved. Seeing her wounded by him and weeping in grief, how could his own heart not ache?

When Yin Ruxin did not respond, Yang Yaozong’s heart seemed to sink to the bottom of a cold abyss. Looking miserable and dejected, he said, "I know my fickleness has hurt you. Xin’er, I’m sorry! Even if you leave me, I still want you to know that my love for you is sincere and true, known to heaven and earth!"

In this age, where women were treated like belongings, what man who took a wife or a concubine would bother explaining himself to another woman? Yet Yin Ruxin looked at Yang Yaozong, who seemed even more heartbroken and pitiful than she was, and who was so anxious about her feelings. He was also so frank in declaring his love for her. Warmth and sweetness surged through her heart.

She sighed inwardly. The emperor had intended to bestow his daughter on him; once imperial words were spoken, the emperor’s dignity stood before his eyes. If he had refused, would he not have lost his head? More than that, the emperor knew full well that he was a son-in-law living in the Nan Gong household, yet still insisted on giving him his daughter. Did that not prove that his virtue and ability were truly extraordinary? Was it not because of this, together with that singular aura of his, that she had been captivated and fallen so deeply in love with him?

Yin Ruxin slowly sat beside Yang Yaozong and gently leaned into his arms. In a low voice, she said, "Xin’er knows that Yaozong truly loves Xin’er. Xin’er also knows how much hardship Yaozong has endured for me. Xin’er is not heartbroken, only a little jealous. Xin’er was the first to be with Yaozong, yet the princess became your wife first. Xin’er feels somewhat unwilling. Xin’er only has my sister left now. When my sister returns, let her bear witness. And Yaozong need not go to the Miao village either. Let us marry here instead. Xin’er truly cannot wait until Yaozong goes to the Miao village before becoming your wife."

Yang Yaozong had not expected that Yin Ruxin had wept in jealousy, and that to let her go was absolutely impossible unless she truly no longer loved him. At that moment, he was deeply grateful that he had crossed into this era, this age in which a man could have multiple wives and concubines, an age in which a woman could bear such broad-mindedness and endure his share of happiness without having to carry too much burden or guilt.

For a moment, Yang Yaozong even wanted to tell Yin Ruxin what had passed between Yin Ruyun and himself, but recalling the harsh words Yin Ruyun had spoken that day, he set that thought aside. It would be better to wait until he had first guided Yin Ruyun onto a better path.

Holding Yin Ruxin close, Yang Yaozong gently stroked her back and said, "All right, I’ll listen to my Xin’er."

Delighted at heart, Yin Ruxin then remembered something and gave a soft, offended hum. "Your body hasn’t recovered yet. How could she, how could she possibly be with you in that way? Was she not afraid of hurting you?"

Yang Yaozong burst out laughing. "Where did you get the idea that I was with her in that way?"

Yin Ruxin lifted herself up to meet his gaze. Looking at his somewhat helpless expression, she asked with confusion and a bit of joy, "She wore a married woman’s coiffure, and the two of you were married before the emperor. Could it be, could it be that you didn’t share a bridal chamber?"

Seeing how desperately she wanted the answer, Yang Yaozong found it rather amusing. He made a show of being annoyed and said, "If we didn’t share a bridal chamber, are you happy about that? Aren’t you worried that my weak body might have affected me below the waist, so that I can no longer share a bridal chamber with you in the future?"

Yin Ruxin was how clever. The moment she heard Yang Yaozong say that he could no longer share a bridal chamber with her, she knew at once that he had not lain with Jing Yi. She made no attempt to hide her joy, smiling like a flower, eyes as soft as silk, and said tenderly, "I’m not afraid! If you can’t share a bridal chamber with me, then naturally you can’t share one with any other woman either. Besides, I didn’t fall in love with you because of that!"

After all, Yin Ruxin was an unmarried young woman. Though she usually acted boldly and with a sharp tongue, when it came to mentioning that private matter, how could she possibly say it outright?

Looking at her tempting, adorable little expression, Yang Yaozong thought to himself that it was fortunate he had already discovered last night that his lower-body functions had not failed. Otherwise, facing these two incomparable beauties, Yin Ruxin and Jing Yi, even if they could endure a Platonic love, he himself would not have been able to bear it.

Yang Yaozong coughed lightly and set aside his wandering thoughts. "Yi Jun was only worried about my health, so she didn’t share a bridal chamber with me. She may look haughty, but she’s actually very kind, and her thoughts are quite delicate. The two of you mustn’t quarrel in the future, or else I’ll be caught in the middle and find it very difficult."

Yin Ruxin gave a delicate snort. "As long as she doesn’t bully me, and doesn’t use her princess’s airs to pressure me, I won’t make things hard for her. At worst, if she bullies me, I’ll just bully you instead. Hmph!"

Yang Yaozong could only laugh helplessly.

Then Yin Ruxin slowly nestled back into his arms and said, "I know she won’t bully me, and won’t make things difficult for you. The day you went missing, you didn’t see how frantic and anxious she was. If she hadn’t seen that what I said was truly not a lie, and that I was genuinely worried about you too, and if she hadn’t considered my place in your heart, she would surely have killed me with one sword stroke. It was that day I knew that she had already settled deep in the heart of our Great Zhou princess."

"And you? Do you like the princess?" Yin Ruxin lifted her lovely face, awaiting his answer.

Yang Yaozong did not want to lie to her. Stroking her cheek, he said softly, "I like her."

Yin Ruxin lowered her head, her eyes clouding over, her heart somewhat bitter and sad. In a low voice she said, "Hearing you say you like her makes me jealous and hurt, but I’m also glad you didn’t deceive me. I like your honest and straightforward nature. The emperor must value you greatly, and because the princess also favors you, he would knowingly still..." Yin Ruxin suddenly felt that what she was about to say might trouble Yang Yaozong, so she fell silent.

Yang Yaozong stroked her back and smiled. "You want to say that the emperor knows full well I’m a son-in-law of the Nan Gong household, yet still wants to betroth the princess to me, and that later, when I stand between Nan Gong Qingyi and the princess, how should the three of us conduct ourselves, right?"

Yin Ruxin had always avoided mentioning Yang Yaozong’s status as a son-in-law. Seeing that he brought it up himself and did not seem angry at all, she finally relaxed and silently nodded.

Yang Yaozong said, "Actually, the emperor and the Crown Prince wanted to remove my status as a son-in-law and have Nan Gong Qingyi become the one who marries me instead. But I did not accept it."

Yin Ruxin was astonished to hear that Yang Yaozong had not accepted the emperor’s offer to free him from his son-in-law status. She lifted her head to look at him and let out a soft, questioning sound.

Yang Yaozong said, "Some things I want to solve myself. I don’t want to rely on an imperial decree and impose them on others. Do you understand?"

Yin Ruxin nodded, feeling all the more admiration and affection for him.

"Oh, right!" Yang Yaozong suddenly remembered something. "The Crown Prince has given me a residence. It used to be an imperial palace lodge, near White Heron Isle not far from here. An imperial lodge should be a fairly large estate. Yi Jun will spend these next few days arranging it, and then she’ll select some servants and guards from the palace to take there. In a couple of days, come with me to take a look. You can choose a room in the house as well."

Yin Ruxin pouted. "Hmph! I don’t want to. That’s the bridegroom’s residence granted to you and the princess. I don’t want to live there!"

Yang Yaozong smiled helplessly. "Yi Jun said that’s not a bridegroom’s residence; it’s the Yang residence. She also said that since the emperor gave her to me, she naturally has entered the Yang family through the front gate. I think she’s also doing this because she’s worried you won’t be willing to move in. You can’t mean for me to keep running back and forth between several places, can you? If I live in the house the Crown Prince gave me, and one night after undressing and going to bed I suddenly miss you, am I to dress myself again, walk alone through the streets in the dead of night, and come all the way to your little courtyard to find you?"

Hearing this, Yin Ruxin was filled with sweetness, and she also felt that what Yang Yaozong said was reasonable. She did not want him to tire himself running around. Yet on her face she still feigned embarrassment and annoyance. "You’ve already lain down to sleep, and you still think of me for what? Hmph!" Then her voice softened, and she said tenderly, "If I move there, then what about this little courtyard?"

Yang Yaozong drew her tightly into his arms and said softly, "This little courtyard will of course be kept. This is the world the two of us share alone, full of so many of our memories. In the future, we can often come back here and stay a few days."

Yin Ruxin was overjoyed, and even began to look forward to the days when she would leave Yang Manor and occasionally return to live in the courtyard. She nodded. "Xin’er will listen to Yaozong."

After their tender intimacy, Yin Ruxin suddenly remembered the matter Yang Yaozong had arranged for her before he went to the palace. "I’ve already been to the residence of the Duke of Righteous Defense’s heir. The eldest heir, Jing Min, has gone mad. He kept calling out ‘witch,’ ‘witch.’ At first I thought he was pretending, so I found an opportunity to take his pulse and also examined his features before I was certain that he was truly insane."

Yang Yaozong frowned. "It should be that after his escape failed, Qin Haizhou beat him so badly that he was gravely injured and crippled below. On top of that, your sister really did intend to kill him that day. Unable to withstand the shock, he lost his mind. The witch he keeps talking about should be your sister, Ruyun." Thinking of Yin Ruyun, Yang Yaozong asked, "When will your sister be able to return?"

Yin Ruxin said, "The roads back to our hometown are difficult, and they’re all mountain paths. After returning home and properly placing our master’s coffin, I think it will take at least twenty days before she can come back. Do you need something?"

Yang Yaozong nodded. "Once my body improves a little, I plan to set out for the capital. Yi Jun has to look after the Crown Prince, so originally I wanted to wait for your sister to return and have her accompany me. After all, with her skills, it would be difficult for others to detect if she were investigating things. But since she won’t be back for quite a while, I won’t wait. In a few days, once I’m feeling better, I’ll go."

Yin Ruxin said anxiously, "Let me go with you. I can leave word for my sister that when she returns here, she should hurry to the capital at once."

Yang Yaozong smiled with understanding. "I know you’re worried about me, but if you come with me, I’ll have to divide my attention and worry about you as well. Besides, I keep you here for a reason."

Yin Ruxin pouted. "Then what are you keeping me here for?"

Yang Yaozong coaxed her. "I want to leave the matters of the Secret Investigation Bureau in your hands. The capital is full of affairs, and one person alone, even Qin Haizhou, cannot sort through everything."

He then told Yin Ruxin that the Duke of Worthy King had personally admitted to joining forces with the Second Heir, Jing Yu, to plan the prison riot at the prefectural jail in Ying Tian, and also explained the purpose behind their collaboration. Of course, the matter of the emperor’s impending death was highly confidential and could not yet be revealed to Yin Ruxin, so Yang Yaozong did not mention it.

Although Yin Ruxin and Yang Yaozong and Qin Haizhou had already suspected as much that day, hearing their suspicion confirmed still shocked her greatly. At the same time, she admired even more Yang Yaozong’s meticulous powers of observation and analysis. She sighed and said, "Xin’er will lose to Yaozong, and I’ll lose with complete conviction." Then she frowned again. "I never imagined that the Second Heir, Jing Yu, was hiding so deeply. His ambition is not small—he even wants to become emperor!"

Yang Yaozong nodded. "That’s why the second reason for keeping you here is to watch the Duke of Righteous Defense’s heir closely. The eldest heir, Jing Min, has gone mad; if the Second Heir, Jing Yu, does not know about your master’s matter, he may try to contact you. But that man is far too scheming. If he does contact you, you must be on guard. And whatever happens, you must keep in close contact with Yi Jun."

Yin Ruxin nodded. "Yes, I understand. You must be even more careful. When my sister returns, I’ll have her go find you at once. With her by your side protecting you, I’ll feel more at ease."

A trace of shyness appeared on Yin Ruxin’s face. "Today I’ll send word of your departure for the capital to the Wine of Red Dust branch in the capital. That branch is called Drunken Red Dust. If you need to send messages or require people, just go directly to Madam Jiang there."

Yang Yaozong raised his brow. "Oh? Wine of Red Dust has a branch in the capital too? Then I’ll certainly have to go see it someday."

Yin Ruxin said irritably, "Only if you have business there!"

Yang Yaozong chuckled. "All right, all right. I’ll listen to my Xin’er."

Silently repeating the name Drunken Red Dust in his mind, Yang Yaozong suddenly had an idea. Perhaps he could also establish a branch in the capital for the Human Realm and Heaven’s Reach tavern, which served as the contact point for the Secret Investigation Bureau. That would also make management and the transmission of information between the two places much more convenient. As Yang Yaozong quietly calculated his plans, his thoughts drifted on...