Chapter Nine: The Small Courtyard within Black Robe Alley

The two carriages, one following the other, halted midway down an alley by the banks of the Qinhuai River.

Several people disembarked. Xiao Hua glanced toward the mouth of the alley and whispered to Yang Yaozong, "Master, this is Black Robe Alley. At the end of the lane lies the Qinhuai River."

Upon hearing the name Black Robe Alley, Yang Yaozong could not help but take a closer look at his surroundings. He was surprised to discover that even in this era, Jinling boasted a 'Black Robe Alley.' It seemed that not all of history was destined to change.

"By the Vermilion Bird Bridge, wild grass and flowers grow; at the mouth of Black Robe Alley, the setting sun slants. Once, the swallows before the halls of the Wang and Xie families now fly into the homes of ordinary folk." This widely celebrated ancient poem perfectly captured the very essence of Black Robe Alley.

At present, the alley boasted no grand gates or imposing mansions, only a dozen or so small courtyards with whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs. The narrow lane itself was paved with blue bricks, from whose crevices moss crept forth and thrived.

On either side of the path, willows and young bamboo were planted with just the right touch. When the breeze swept through, they swayed gently, lending a breath of life and an air of elegance to this ink-washed alley.

Yin Ruoxin noticed Yang Yaozong standing by the carriage, motionless, his gaze studying the lane. With a smile, she walked to his side and said, "Master Yang, though Black Robe Alley sits close to the Qinhuai River, it's a perfect retreat of tranquility amidst the bustle. No matter how noisy or clamorous the riverside may become, once you step into this alley, all outside commotion is left behind. Of the dozen households here, aside from myself, all are inhabited by men of letters and repute."

Yang Yaozong nodded with a smile at her introduction. The gentle breeze meandered through the lane, stirring the bamboo and willows, and rustled their garments as if caressing his very heart. "To build a cottage among men, yet hear no noise of horse or carriage. You ask how this is possible? When the heart is distant, so too is the place. The silence of the lane is a solace only those with a quiet mind can savor. Since Miss Yin possesses such a frame of mind, and the surroundings are so enchanting and serene, it is indeed the perfect abode for you."

Though Yin Ruoxin was a courtesan of renown, her origins were in the brothel, her status no different from the other women who traded in flesh. Yet Yang Yaozong's words placed her on par with the scholars and literati of the age. In such a rigidly hierarchical society, his remarks bordered on heresy, flouting decorum and propriety.

Yin Ruoxin's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise, her lips parted slightly, then she broke into a radiant smile that revealed a beauty capable of beguiling the world.

She could see that Yang Yaozong spoke not out of empty flattery, and precisely because of that, her delight was genuine—a happiness born of being recognized by someone she herself esteemed.

Yang Yaozong, for his part, was momentarily stunned by the allure and beauty she unwittingly displayed.

Fortunately, he regained his composure after only a moment, drew a deep breath, and said with a laugh, "Miss Yin, perhaps you shouldn't smile so much—if you keep this up, lives may be lost. Your charm could be fatal! You are truly a master of calculation!" Inwardly, he mused, Is this woman perhaps an enchantress in disguise? Luckily my self-control is strong—others would be devoured and not even know it.

Upon hearing Yang Yaozong's words, Yin Ruoxin lifted her fan to conceal her face, revealing only a pair of bewitching eyes as she cast him a coquettish glance, then tilted her head back and burst into a silvery laugh.

In truth, she had not meant to display her charms just now, but was astonished by Yang Yaozong's resistance to her allure, and even more so by his playful banter. Yin Ruoxin laughed until tears sparkled at the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away, caught her breath, and said, "Master Yang, please follow me." Lifting her slender, alabaster hand, she gestured toward the light vermilion gate where the carriage had stopped. "That is my private residence."

Following the direction she indicated, Yang Yaozong began to speak, but she interrupted him. "Enough with all this 'Miss' and 'Master.' It feels awkward to my ears. Since we are friends, let us dispense with such formalities—unless, of course, you do not consider me a friend."

At these words, Yin Ruoxin's brows arched, her eyes shone with crystalline brightness, and her heart felt as if steeped in sweet honey.

Since arriving in the capital and being chosen as the leading courtesan, many had come to call upon her—nobles, dignitaries, famed scholars. Yet how many had truly admired her for her talents?

The lasciviousness and covetousness in their eyes betrayed their base intentions. She had never revealed even a hint of her charm before such people.

Instead, it seemed that in Yang Yaozong's presence, her allure always surfaced unwittingly, yet he had never lost himself in her beauty or grace.

Biting her rosy lips, her face flushed, Yin Ruoxin said softly, "Then...please...come with me."

Yang Yaozong nodded and smiled. "Much better. And it would sound even more comfortable without 'Master.'"

He turned to find Xiao Hua staring fixedly at Yin Ruoxin, not moving a muscle. He couldn't help but shake his head, finding it amusing. This Miss Yin truly ensnares both men and women alike!

"Xiao Hua, Xiao Hua..." Yang Yaozong tilted his head, smiling, and called the little maid's name twice. Only at the sound of his voice did she slowly shift her gaze to his face, still lost and bewildered. In a small voice, she murmured, "Master... Master..." Realizing he was watching her with amusement, she finally came to her senses and glanced behind him at Yin Ruoxin, only to see her already walking deeper into the alley.

The girl lowered her head and, recalling the enchanting beauty she had just witnessed, felt mortified by her own loss of composure. Her face turned pale and her shoulders began to tremble as if she might burst into tears. Clutching the hem of Yang Yaozong's robe tightly, she whispered, "Master... can we not go? Let us return to the residence. That Miss Yin's charm is too powerful!"

Yang Yaozong, seeing the girl so frightened, patted her shoulder gently to comfort her. "Is there such a thing as a 'charm technique'? Why have I never heard of it? Look at me—I'm perfectly fine!" He swung his arms back and forth to prove he spoke the truth.

The little maid widened her bright, dark eyes, watching his gestures. "But...but I only glanced at her once and was utterly entranced. My mind went completely blank." As she recalled the moment, her anxiety seemed to return, and she grasped his robe even tighter.

Yang Yaozong shook his head, half amused and half helpless, but continued to reassure her in a soft voice. "It's because you think she's beautiful—seeing someone prettier than yourself, you were stunned. See? I'm fine, because I don't think Miss Yin is all that beautiful."

He went on, somewhat disingenuously, "Besides, we're friends. I promised to have tea at her home, so I must keep my word. I'm a man of honor—my word is my bond. You wouldn't want your master to go back on his promise, would you? Your mistress would look down on me. If you're afraid, just wait in the carriage; I'll tell Miss Yin you're unwell and have her send you food. Would that do?"

Yang Yaozong offered all this to comfort the girl and to keep her from preventing him from accepting Yin Ruoxin's invitation. After all, having come this far, it would be rude to turn back.

The girl pursed her lips and, after a moment's silent struggle, suddenly looked up at Yang Yaozong with determination in her large, dark eyes. "Then I'll go too. I want to stay by your side. I'm not afraid of her—I know martial arts!"

With that, she nodded vigorously at him, as if to reassure herself of her courage.

Watching her earnest, almost heroic demeanor, Yang Yaozong couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gently pinched her round cheek. "Xiao Hua, you're truly adorable!"

The girl, startled and embarrassed by this unexpected gesture, blushed crimson and covered her cheek with her hand. "Master... Master, you..."

Yang Yaozong laughed heartily at her flustered expression. "Alright, alright. Let's go."

By now, the girl's embarrassment had nearly made her forget her earlier fear of Yin Ruoxin. She stamped her foot and followed after Yang Yaozong. "Master, you can't be like that..."

He did not turn back, merely nodded and walked on toward Yin Ruoxin.

By now, Yin Ruoxin had composed herself, the allure faded from her demeanor. She stood at the open gate, and as Yang Yaozong drew near, she bowed slightly at the waist, holding a fan behind her back with her left hand, extending her right in a gesture of invitation, and affected a man's voice. "Brother Yang, please!"

Her imitation of a scholar's manners was so amusing that Yang Yaozong coughed twice, then said, "Mischievous!"

"Mischievous?" Yin Ruoxin, still holding her pose, blinked in surprise at the already-entered Yang Yaozong, then burst into laughter, breaking her scholarly façade. She straightened and hurried after him, falling into step at his side.

Xiao Hua, following behind, grew serious and tense again at the sight of Yin Ruoxin walking beside Yang Yaozong, her vigilance renewed.

Yin Ruoxin had already instructed Ruyi to prepare lunch, but as it was not yet ready, she led Yang Yaozong on a leisurely stroll toward the main hall.

It was a tranquil and delightful little courtyard, separated from its neighbors on either side by white walls. From the gate to the main hall ran a straight path paved with blue bricks, flanked by emerald lawns.

On the left lawn stood a pavilion, reached by a pebbled path branching off from the blue-brick walk. In the pavilion, atop a stone table, rested an ancient zither and a tray with exquisite tea utensils set before it. Several floor cushions lay beside the table. Outside the pavilion and along the walls, clusters of bamboo thrived. When the breeze stirred, it rustled through the bamboo leaves, their gentle swaying dissolving the sound.

In the center of the right lawn stood a lush ginkgo tree, beneath which hung a swing. A pebbled path led from there to a small pond near the main hall. Two large stones, one tall, one short, stood by the water. From some hidden source, a spring was channeled through the taller stone, emerging from a small hole at the top to trickle into the pond below. The water was clear, two lotus leaves floated upon it, and several golden fish darted joyously to and fro. Yang Yaozong could easily picture Yin Ruoxin playing the zither in the pavilion or swaying on the swing beneath the tree—a scene set amid such beauty that it took his breath away.

On either side of the main hall were arched gates, their surfaces overgrown with green creepers and dotted here and there with purple morning glories. Flower-lined paths led through these arches to the rear courtyard.

The back courtyard, he surmised, must house the women's quarters, as well as the kitchen, storehouses, and other rooms.

From their arrival in Black Robe Alley to their entry into Yin Ruoxin's courtyard, Yang Yaozong was so captivated by the scenery that he sighed, "A winding path leads to a secluded place..."

"A winding path leads to a secluded place," Yin Ruoxin's eyes sparkled. "Master Yang, do you like it here? If you do, please come often to sit, chat, and have tea. I, Ruoxin, will always welcome you."

Yang Yaozong could sense her sincerity, but given his status as a 'live-in son-in-law,' it would not do to visit too frequently. Yet it would be awkward to refuse outright, so he simply nodded in response.

Yin Ruoxin, unconcerned with what he might be thinking, was overjoyed simply to see him nod his acceptance.