Chapter Twelve: The Two Sisters

The setting sun cast its orange glow across the narrow alley, its rays filtering through the gentle sway of bamboo and willow leaves, leaving mottled patterns on the blue bricks. Two graceful figures stood in the middle of the alley, watching the carriage that had already turned the corner and disappeared from sight, leaving the alley even more desolate.

For a long while, the carriage was nowhere to be seen, yet the figures remained unmoved.

“Miss, shall we go inside?” Ruyi ventured softly. “The Left Protector and Right Protector have been waiting for you in the rear courtyard for quite some time.”

“Oh?” Yin Ruxin’s expression had already regained its calm, her beautiful eyes reverting to their tranquil state as the carriage vanished. At this moment, Yin Ruxin was cold and stunning—a side of her that Yang Yaozong had never seen before. “They returned so soon? Have them wait in the main hall. I’ll change clothes and join them.” Her instructions were delivered with a serene tone.

In the carriage, Yang Yaozong recalled the resolute expression Yin Ruxin had shown when she said, “As long as you speak, I will believe you.” Though Yang Yaozong ultimately did not voice the thoughts in his heart, he had responded to her burning gaze with a firm nod, clearly witnessing the joy and anticipation that sparkled in Yin Ruxin’s eyes upon his reply. She did not rush or force him to speak the worries and lofty ideals that troubled him, simply waiting for him to share when he was ready. Such a clever woman. Perhaps one day he would tell her those words, and perhaps she would understand his feelings. Yang Yaozong silently questioned himself.

The two continued their leisurely conversation over tea in the pavilion, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere.

As dusk fell, Yang Yaozong took his leave with Xiaohua. Before boarding the carriage, Yin Ruxin specially invited Yang Yaozong to visit her little courtyard often. This time, Yang Yaozong did not shy away, frankly explaining the difficulties, but promised to visit if the opportunity arose. Yin Ruxin nodded in understanding, playfully joking that if he did not come, she would personally visit the Nangong residence. Yang Yaozong, knowing she was teasing, replied in jest, “Then I shall await Miss Yin’s esteemed arrival.”

Their delightful conversation ended on a note of lingering enjoyment.

Upon returning home, Xiaohua followed Yang Yaozong’s instructions to make arrangements for Bruno’s entry into the residence the next day.

Yang Yaozong’s body had only recently recovered and was still frail, so the day’s events left him deeply fatigued. After supper, Xiaohua attended to his washing and he retired early. As soon as he touched the bed, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Seeing Yang Yaozong resting, Xiaohua returned to her own room. She picked up her brush and wrote her first letter to Nangong Qingyi: “Miss, please accept my humble words…” Under the soft yellow glow of the oil lamp, a slender figure bent over her desk, her silhouette cast upon the window.

The quiet courtyard was disturbed only by the occasional chirping of cicadas and crickets.

Meanwhile, in a quaint courtyard within Black Robe Alley by the Qinhuai River, Yin Ruxin sat in the pavilion, drinking tea and chatting with a woman whose left half of her face was concealed by a golden mask that revealed only one eye. If Yang Yaozong were to see her figure or the right side of her face alone, he would surely mistake her for Yin Ruxin herself. She was Yin Ruxin’s Left Protector and twin sister, Yin Ruyun. Yin Ruxin had never revealed to Yang Yaozong that she was the Saintess of the most mysterious sect in Miao Territory, the Devil’s Poison Valley. Some matters were not yet suitable to disclose. Though she had noticed her admiration and affection for Yang Yaozong, he remained the son-in-law of the Great General's Mansion of the Zhou dynasty, while she was the Saintess of a secretive Miao sect. Their future was uncertain—friends, confidants, or perhaps even adversaries. She dared not dwell too much on what lay ahead, content for now that they were friends and confidants. It was the first time she had such an impulsive and short-sighted thought.

After discussing matters in the main hall with Left Protector Yin Ruyun and Right Protector Meng Kuo, Meng Kuo took his leave. As the Left Protector, Yin Ruyun was responsible for protecting Yin Ruxin and, being her elder twin sister, lived with her in this courtyard.

Yin Ruxin, though the Saintess of Devil’s Poison Valley, knew no martial arts, but excelled in medicine, poison, and the art of allure. Though she mastered the art of allure, her intelligence far surpassed all, and she disdained using such methods to control others’ hearts. When with Yang Yaozong, she occasionally flirted using her skills, but Yang Yaozong remained unmoved, which was precisely what she admired—only those with unwavering resolve could resist such temptation.

Yin Ruyun, as the Left Protector of Devil’s Poison Valley, possessed unfathomable martial prowess. Even the self-assured Meng Kuo could not withstand more than ten moves against her.

Now, in the pavilion, the sisters sat alone. Yin Ruyun gazed at her younger sister, whose similar visage always held an unfathomable air, and spoke with concern, “I heard from Ruyi that you invited a young man surnamed Yang for lunch and tea today, and he didn't leave until sunset.” Her tone was gentle, yet tinged with inquiry and care.

Yin Ruxin smiled and nodded. Thinking of Yang Yaozong, a hint of tenderness softened her calm features. She sipped her tea and replied slowly, “Yes. He is learned and approachable, and has a deep understanding of exotic plants I know nothing about. So I invited him over for a chat.” Her answer was light and casual.

Yin Ruyun knew little about her younger sister. The twins had been separated since age three—one trained in martial arts, the other selected as the Saintess for special cultivation. It was only when the Prince of Qin sent a personal letter from the Valley Master, delivered to the sect, that she met her sister for the first time.

The letter, written by the Valley Master before her death, outlined that she had been assisting the Prince of Qin in his plans to overthrow the current dynasty, but was betrayed by the court and poisoned beyond cure. Before dying, she wrote this letter for the Prince of Qin to deliver to the sect, instructing Yin Ruxin to take over all affairs and continue to aid the Prince’s secret plans. Yin Ruyun was to protect Yin Ruxin, and both were to continue supporting the Prince’s ambitions. The promise was that, upon founding a new dynasty, the Miao people would no longer be oppressed.

Yin Ruxin had doubts upon reading the letter. Though the handwriting was her master’s, her master was a formidable figure, skilled in poisons, medicine, and martial arts. How could such a person die from poison? There must be hidden truths.

Nevertheless, Yin Ruxin followed her master’s instructions, bringing a few trusted followers to Tianjing to take over the Valley Master’s affairs and secretly assist the Prince, all while keeping her guard up against this unfamiliar ally. Their main task now was to protect the two princes left in the capital.

Recently, Yin Ruxin sent Meng Kuo to the capital to visit the Prince, while Yin Ruyun investigated his affairs in secret.

Today, Yin Ruyun had just returned. Though the sisters had not spent much time together, Yin Ruyun had roughly grasped her sister’s character. Ordinary scholars would not interest her, and no outsiders had ever been invited to this courtyard. Even Meng Kuo had only come for business. “This young man named Yang must be remarkable. Otherwise, my sister would never have invited him. If she likes him, so long as it doesn’t interfere with sect affairs, why not? Both are in their twenties; she sincerely hoped her sister could be happy. As for Yang Yaozong, with her sister’s wisdom, it was best to let her handle it herself.” Yin Ruyun settled her thoughts.

Seeing Yin Ruyun deep in contemplation, Yin Ruxin seemed unwilling to let her dwell on Yang Yaozong. She did not wish to involve him in any complicated matters. Her expression remained placid, her tone calm. “Sister, what did you discover on your trip to the capital?” She asked, seeking information about Yin Ruyun’s investigation rather than what Meng Kuo had learned about the Prince.

Yin Ruyun, hearing her question, set aside thoughts of Yang Yaozong, furrowing her brows and carefully considering before replying, “The Prince of Qin appears courteous and amiable on the surface, but he is deeply shrewd. During my days in the capital, he arranged for people to look after Meng Kuo, but it was clearly surveillance. My investigations revealed that the Prince is secretly recruiting soldiers and manufacturing weapons, even constructing a palace in the capital, several times larger than Tianjing’s imperial palace. Security is tight, and the capital seems unaware of these developments. Moreover, it appears the Prince is secretly in contact with the Turks, though whether it’s the Eastern or Western Turks is unclear.”

Yin Ruxin bit her rosy lips gently, gazing at the pale yellow tea in her cup, analyzing the threads of information Yin Ruyun provided, seeking the origin of the tangled clues. Upon hearing the Prince’s suspected dealings with the Turks, her eyes sparkled, and she slowly rotated her cup. She thought: the Prince is preparing to act, perhaps seizing the opportunity of the Zhou-Turk war. He was ruthless, though she wondered what terms he had struck with the Turks and what price he paid. Yin Ruxin scoffed inwardly, unconcerned about the Prince’s sacrifices so long as he fulfilled his promise to her people. The Prince used them, but they used him in return.

“This time, the Prince wants us to assist in sending the eldest prince to the capital. It seems his plans are nearly ready. I’ll begin preparations soon. Since arriving in Tianjing, I have used the guise of a courtesan to approach Prince Jingmin, the Prince’s eldest son. He is gifted and meticulous, with deep cunning. Meng Kuo, who has been protecting him, praises him as destined for greatness. I believe Jingmin is aware of his father’s arrangements. Though he has acted low-key in the capital for years, he must have gathered many useful allies. Though the emperor has kept both princes in the capital, Jingmin will not passively await his fate. When the time comes, he will act. We need only assist him from the shadows. This should not be difficult.” Yin Ruxin spoke calmly, recalling Meng Kuo’s report about the Prince’s request to help Jingmin return to the capital.

As for the Prince’s second son, Yin Ruxin frowned, thinking of Jingyu. The Prince chose to keep him in Tianjing as a hostage, clearly treating him as expendable. The Prince’s heart was truly ruthless—more so than a tiger. Jingmin, in some ways, closely resembled his father. Yin Ruxin reminded herself to be extra vigilant when dealing with him or the Prince in the future.

Yin Ruyun nodded in agreement.

Aside from sect affairs, the sisters had little else to discuss. Yin Ruyun’s mention of Yang Yaozong was not pursued further, even though she was her sister. So they simply sat in the tranquil courtyard pavilion, silently drinking tea, each lost in her own thoughts.

Yin Ruxin raised her gaze toward the direction of the Nangong residence, recalling the enjoyable afternoon conversation in the pavilion with Yang Yaozong. Her eyes shone with a subtle light. “What is he doing now?” she wondered, her face flushing slightly.

Yang Yaozong, meanwhile, turned over in his sleep and continued snoring…