Chapter Eighteen: A Scene of Alluring Beauty

Today, Yin Ruxin was enjoying a day off at home, dressed casually in a set of soft pink undergarments, with a pair of cropped silk trousers that left her delicate ankles and fair, jade-like feet exposed. Over it all, she wore nothing but a thin, translucent pink silk robe. She reclined languidly, her head raised to look at Yang Yaozong, her exquisite curves fully displayed to his gaze. The gauzy robe, half open, only half-concealed her skin, which was as smooth and lustrous as fine mutton-fat jade, lending her a radiant, dewy charm. Her chest, full and high, pressed against the thin fabric, a wave of creamy white revealed beneath, the deep valley between almost bottomless.

Their eyes met. Yang Yaozong saw Yin Ruxin still lying there, smiling at him with an expression that mixed playful annoyance and amusement. When he noticed her casual home attire, he was so struck by her allure that his cheeks flushed crimson. Embarrassed, he averted his gaze and stammered softly, “I tried the door just now and couldn’t open it. Someone was chasing me, and in my haste, I jumped over the wall.”

Yin Ruxin realized only then, seeing Yang Yaozong’s bashful face and the way he avoided looking at her, how revealing her attire was. She hurriedly stood up to wrap herself in the robe, her cheeks burning with shame, her heart pounding as though it would leap from her throat. Noticing Yang Yaozong now standing with his back to her, she recalled how flustered he’d appeared. That he could blush and be shy was unexpectedly adorable, and a sweet warmth bloomed in her heart.

“Young master… Young master… I saw that brat dash into this alley. He must have slipped into one of these houses in the middle and is hiding inside.” A man’s breathless voice echoed from the alley.

A moment later, the footsteps of two men stopped outside Yin Ruxin’s courtyard gate, their heavy breathing audible. A sharp, piercing voice ordered, “Knock! Start with this house—knock until you find him. I refuse to believe he could have vanished. Today, I’ll drag him out if it’s the last thing I do! Anything I set my sights on has never slipped away from me!”

Although Yin Ruxin was still dressed inappropriately, the urgency of the situation demanded action. She composed herself and walked over to Yang Yaozong, gently tugging at his sleeve.

Yang Yaozong, though in his previous life he’d seen women dressed far more provocatively than Yin Ruxin was now, and considered himself well-versed in the ways of romance, found himself flustered in this era and under these circumstances. The sight of Yin Ruxin’s delicate, half-veiled figure sent his heart into a frenzy and stirred feelings he could not suppress. He silently chanted to himself not to look with impure thoughts, to calm both his racing heart and the growing restlessness within.

Feeling Yin Ruxin tugging at his sleeve, Yang Yaozong, still blushing, turned to look at her standing by his side. Though she had hastily wrapped herself in the gauzy robe, her allure was only slightly diminished. Yin Ruxin pointed toward the gate, her cheeks still flushed as she whispered, “Are those the ones chasing you?”

Yang Yaozong nodded, giving her a wry, almost tearful smile. “Please, hide me quickly.”

Seeing his endearing expression, Yin Ruxin couldn’t help but smile and nod in reply.

At that moment, a loud banging sounded at the gate. “Open up! Open the door! Quickly!”

Yang Yaozong looked anxiously at Yin Ruxin, the urgency of the situation overtaking his earlier embarrassment.

Yin Ruxin pressed a slender finger to her lips in a “shh” gesture, her rosy lips pursed. She shook her head, signaling Yang Yaozong not to worry, then pointed first at the gate to indicate she would handle it, and then toward the bamboo grove, telling him to hide there.

Yang Yaozong understood and, after giving her a quick, admiring glance from head to toe, gestured toward the gate with a questioning look: was she really going to open the door dressed like this? Yin Ruxin, seeing his doubt, blushed even deeper, bit her lip, and gave him a little push toward the bamboo grove. With her decision made, Yang Yaozong could only slip quietly away to hide.

In fact, the moment Yin Ruxin heard the sharp voice outside, she already knew it was the Second Prince. She was well aware of his reputation. Clearing her throat to steady herself, she called out, “May I ask who is knocking at my door?”

“Just open up when you’re told! What’s with all the nonsense? My young master wants to come in and look for someone. If he gets away, or you hide him, you’ll find out what happens when you cross my master!” The servant, accustomed to lording it over others, was frantic at having lost Yang Yaozong and feared the punishment awaiting him if he returned empty-handed.

Yin Ruxin did not open the door but frowned and replied, “Whose dog are you, yapping at my door like this?”

The servant, angered, called out, “Young master, she’s insulting me!”

From outside, there was a sound like a kick, followed by the young master’s furious voice: “Useless wretch! You lost him, and you can’t even get a door open. Worthless! Someone inside, open up—or I’ll kick it down myself!”

“Oh! That voice sounds familiar—is it the Second Prince? This is the courtyard of Yin Ruxin. I was just inside resting when I heard someone shouting at the gate, but there was no mention of the Second Prince. I didn’t know who it was, so I dared not open up. I am not dressed fit to receive guests at the moment. Please, give me a moment to change and I will welcome Your Highness properly.”

Hearing this, the Second Prince quickly adopted a gentler tone. “Ah, so this is Miss Yin’s residence. No need to trouble yourself, Miss Yin. It was my lack of discipline that allowed my servant to offend you. I’ll be sure to deal with him later. We were chasing someone and followed him here. You haven’t seen anyone come in, have you?”

Yin Ruxin replied, “I’ve been here in the courtyard all along, enjoying my tea. I haven’t seen anyone enter. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“In that case, I won’t disturb you further,” the Second Prince said. “By the way, Miss Yin, is there anything you’d like me to tell my elder brother? I’d be happy to pass along any message.”

Yin Ruxin frowned, her patience wearing thin, and glanced anxiously toward the bamboo grove where Yang Yaozong was hiding. Her voice grew colder. “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness. Today is not a convenient day for visitors. Please don’t take offense.”

Outside, the Second Prince gave a few lecherous, mocking laughs. “No trouble at all! It’s my fault for not keeping my servant in line and disturbing your rest, Miss Yin. I’ll be leaving now, but I’ll be sure to call on you again to apologize in person. My brother will surely be pining for you after not seeing you today; you must make it up to him tomorrow!”

Yin Ruxin’s gaze turned icy as she stared at the gate. Only when the sound of footsteps faded into the distance did she turn toward the bamboo grove, her expression hesitant, teeth biting her rosy lip as if debating her next move.

Once the footsteps were gone, Yang Yaozong emerged from the bamboo grove, carrying a basket and an umbrella. It was still raining lightly. He opened the umbrella and held it over Yin Ruxin, sheltering them both. With an awkward smile, he said, “Thank you for today. That Second Prince… he’s certainly persistent.” He smiled again, a bit sheepishly.

Standing together beneath the umbrella, Yin Ruxin realized Yang Yaozong had grown taller and more robust since she last saw him, making him even more attractive in her eyes. She blushed and lowered her head. “What made you come today?” She deliberately changed the subject, not wishing to mention what had just occurred.

In truth, Yang Yaozong hadn’t planned on coming that afternoon. He knew he should have notified her ahead of time, but with the imperial summons waiting for him in the morning, he didn’t know if he’d live to see another day. So, on a whim, he came straight to Yin Ruxin’s home, never expecting to run into the Second Prince. With a helpless smile, he replied, “Well, I promised you a gift, and today it’s finally ready. There may be some… complications tomorrow, so I came a bit hastily.” He lifted the basket before her.

Yin Ruxin thought to herself that "hasty" hardly began to describe it. Remembering how the Second Prince had chased him, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Still, his visit today was a delightful surprise. She looked at the basket in his hand. “What’s inside? Is this the gift you promised?”

“Yes,” Yang Yaozong nodded, pulling back the red cloth covering the basket. “Take a look.” His eyes sparkled with mystery.

Yin Ruxin saw several items inside. She recognized only the chili peppers—her own potted plant had borne fruit recently, the green, pointed peppers hanging prettily from the stem. She’d been reluctant to pick them. The other things in the basket were unfamiliar, and she looked up at Yang Yaozong in confusion, meeting his mysterious smile. “You’re being so secretive,” she pouted, intending to tease him further, but then she noticed that his robe was soaked, the hem and his shoes caked in mud. Remembering her own state of dress, she quickly lowered her head. “Come with me,” she murmured.

“Miss? Master Yang?” Ruyi called out in surprise, seeing her mistress standing in the courtyard under a single umbrella with a man. When she recognized Yang Yaozong, her astonishment slipped out in an exclamation.

Hearing Ruyi’s voice, Yang Yaozong looked up and greeted her with a polite nod. “Hello.”

Seeing Ruyi’s surprise, Yin Ruxin herself felt a little embarrassed. When Yang Yaozong greeted Ruyi with such composure, her own embarrassment eased. She gave an order, “Ruyi, take Master Yang to the back to bathe and change his clothes. And have his garments washed and dried.”

Ruyi, having just finished her chores in the back courtyard and come to see if her mistress needed anything, was taken aback by the intimate scene at the gate. She nodded, stepping forward to offer Yang Yaozong a respectful bow, her cheeks flushed with a shy smile. “Master Yang, please come with me.”

Yang Yaozong, still feeling awkward, protested, “There’s no need for a bath. The clothes won’t dry anytime soon anyway. It’s fine—I’ll leave soon.”

Yin Ruxin frowned and glared, feigning annoyance, “Go as you’re told. You’ll catch a cold dressed like that.”

Seeing her pretend to be cross, Yang Yaozong could only smile sheepishly and follow Ruyi away.