Chapter 47

“My lady.”

Ri Xi followed Xie Tinglan back to the study. After the door closed, she poured her a cup of hot tea to help her calm down. The room seemed weighed down by a suffocating pressure; even Ri Xi felt a little short of breath, and her hand trembled slightly as she poured.

Xie Tinglan sat in the rosewood armchair, the fingertips that held the imperial edict turning white. She said nothing. The only sounds in the room were the tea being poured and the faint pulse at her temple as she clenched her teeth.

“He’s threatening this minister—!”

In the end, she still couldn’t hold it in. Xie Tinglan was burning with rage; she flung the imperial edict at the wall. It hit with a dull thud and slid miserably to the floor. Ri Xi was so startled that her face went pale; she immediately dropped to one knee and soothed her, saying, “My lady, let Gong Yinzhi go with her. That will keep Ye Rui safe.”

Xie Tinglan’s chest rose and fell violently; her head swam in waves. She forced down her fury before saying, “He’s testing whether this minister feels something special for Ye Rui. He will definitely send Azure Dragon Guards along. If Gong Yinzhi shows up, it will confirm his suspicions. By then, Ye Rui will be the best leverage he can use against me.”

Xie Tinglan closed her eyes, trying to steady herself, then continued, “To go to such lengths, it seems he’s recently received support from somewhere, which is why he dares to make a move against this minister.”

“Why is he so sure?”

Ri Xi frowned. The rumors in the capital had already spread Xie Tinglan and Ning Lie’s affair everywhere, so why was the emperor still aiming the spearhead at Ye Rui?

“He isn’t sure. He’s gambling—and it’s a gamble he can’t afford to lose.”

Xie Tinglan’s tone grew even colder. She lifted the teacup and brought it to her lips, but did not drink. “If he can use Ye Rui as leverage, that’s naturally best. If not, it doesn’t matter. At the very least, he wants to test this minister’s attitude, which is why he sent Eunuch Zhaosheng here.”

That old thing, who’s sharpened his eyes to a fine edge, must have come to see exactly what’s unusual about me!

“My lady, since you said he has backing from somewhere, who exactly is it?”

Ri Xi understood what Xie Tinglan meant. The emperor and Xie Tinglan had always been exploiting one another; he wanted her to do his dirty work and balance the court, and he had also chosen her because she had a weak foundation and was a woman who might be poisoned to death at any time.

If some powerful clan were willing to bend to the emperor’s will, then he would not need to fear Xie Tinglan so much. Making such an open move against someone at Xie Tinglan’s side was more than just testing whether Ye Rui was her weakness; it was testing Xie Tinglan’s bottom line and how much she could bear.

For now, he would not give up on using Xie Tinglan. If he could seize her weak point, he could control this sharp blade far more easily.

He wanted to have it both ways; Ri Xi also wanted to know who was willing to be used by him.

“I suspect it’s the Duke of Wei.”

Xie Tinglan paused, then sneered. “I’ve been suppressing the Duke of Wei too hard lately. He must have shown the emperor some goodwill in hopes of regaining a little leverage; it’s just unclear what exactly he promised him.”

Ri Xi suddenly had a thought and said, “My lady, I’ll have Huan Jing look into it.”

“Mm.”

After Xie Tinglan agreed, Ri Xi asked again, “My lady, then what about Ye Rui? She’ll be entering the mountain alone with the garrison troops and the Azure Dragon Guards; one against four will be impossible for her.”

Xie Tinglan’s brows drew together. She set the teacup down hard, and even when hot tea splashed onto her fingers, she seemed not to notice. Every one of her senses seemed sealed off by rage.

“This time, Ye Rui must not receive any support. If she shows even the slightest flaw, she’ll be in even greater danger.”

After hearing that, Ri Xi fell silent, unease rising in her heart. Thinking of Ye Rui going into the mountain alone with the garrison troops, with bandits like tigers and Azure Dragon Guards like wolves, trapped between enemies front and back, how was she supposed to manage?

“My lady, why not speak to Ye Rui properly? She’ll surely understand your difficulties.”

Ri Xi had always believed things should be explained clearly, or misunderstandings would form most easily.

“Ri Xi, the best way to protect her is to let the emperor know that, to this minister, she is only an ordinary guard. Otherwise, the testing will never stop.”

Ri Xi fell silent again. Seeing the flash of pain that passed through Xie Tinglan’s beautiful eyes, her heart tightened further. She remembered a line Xie Tinglan had once said when she first entered the residence: I am someone prepared to lose everything. Are you afraid?

Afraid? Back then, Ri Xi had answered that she wasn’t. Over the years, Xie Tinglan had always kept herself undefeated with her wit and her command of the situation. Even when there were times she had no choice but to take poison, she had endured.

But now, Ri Xi truly understood the meaning of that sentence.

That so-called everything was the people and things she cared about. She could not possess any of them; she was destined to be alone.

“Call Ye Rui over. This minister will explain the matters of entering the mountain to her.”

By now, Xie Tinglan had calmed down, though the depths of her eyes were still dark and cold, as if she would gladly run the man through with a sword herself.

“Yes.”

Ri Xi picked up the imperial edict from the floor and placed it at the corner of the desk before turning to leave.

Xie Tinglan’s gaze fell on the golden scroll once more, and killing intent returned to her eyes.

**

Tall palace walls rose all around, green tiles lined the tops, and the flying eaves seemed to shout toward the sky. A winter wind swept through the deep palace grounds. The man walking along the corridor pulled his fur-lined cloak tighter around himself, his pale hair stirring in the wind.

Duke of Wei Murong Yu walked with his hands tucked into his sleeves. Once he left the corridor, a man beside him opened an umbrella to shield him from the fine drifting snow.

“My lord, is it true that Ye Rui has an affair with that woman?”

The man was named An Cheng, Murong Yu’s most valued student. He was now a Left Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Justice and could be considered one of the more capable young officials of his generation.

Murong Yu sneered. “I’m not sure, but that woman Xie Tinglan definitely has a taste for women.”

At that, Murong Yu’s gaze darkened, and he said in a low voice, “Otherwise, Feiyuan wouldn’t have…”

But with only a lift of his eyes, Murong Yu swept away the gloom in his expression, replacing it with a cold, sinister look. “That Ye Rui killed Yu Bin and ruined the Zhongshan Prince’s good plans. This time, no matter what, she has to suffer for it.”

An Cheng lowered his head and said yes. At the mention of “Feiyuan,” his expression also sank, carrying a chill with it.

“If she really does have an affair with that madwoman, then that would be an unexpected bonus.”

A laugh rumbled in Murong Yu’s throat. He looked as though he were anticipating a show; the curve of his lips gradually took on a deeper meaning.

“Conveniently, that one also wants to put the madwoman in her place a little. Isn’t this perfect?”

Murong Yu’s smile deepened. An Cheng hurriedly nodded in agreement, then asked, “But my lord, if we agree to that one and arrange for a few people from minor clans to take positions in the inner cabinet, will it affect our plan?”

“Hmph. What storm could those people stir?” Murong Yu smiled dismissively. “Minor clans are minor clans. They’ve made no progress for ten years as if it were a day; what could they possibly accomplish?”

An Cheng continued nodding in agreement.

The two of them walked silently along the palace’s flagstone path. Murong Yu lifted his eyes toward the snowy sky, his gaze distant; slowly, his eyes reddened.

“Feiyuan liked snow the most. She liked to run and play with this duke in the snow…”

Murong Yu’s voice faded lower and lower, and in the end he seemed to realize he had said something he shouldn’t have. He said no more.

An Cheng wore a dark expression, looking at the flagstones lightly coated with scattered snow. He thought of that lively and kindhearted girl, her smile seeming as though she could hand the whole world over to someone.

But… why did she have to fall in love with Xie Tinglan of all people.

That was clearly a ghost—!

**

“I know, I’ll be careful!”

Ye Rui had come to the study to practice writing. Hearing Xie Tinglan say that the emperor had impure intentions this time and that she had to be extremely careful, Ye Rui immediately agreed.

The imperial edict was still lying in the corner of the desk, pressing down on several official documents. Xie Tinglan was holding a wolf-hair brush and reviewing papers, the expression between her brows still carrying a trace of obvious anger.

“Why are you so angry? And why did you… call me stupid?”

Ye Rui felt a little wronged. She had finally waited for the main quest to arrive; what was wrong with being happy for a moment? Yet she had been called stupid by the person in front of her. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know this time the emperor’s motives were impure, but even if they were, she still had to go. Twenty agility points would be deducted if she refused; wouldn’t that mean there was no hope left of learning lightness skill?

“This trip to Yushan is obviously a trap. Why are you still acting so clueless?”

Xie Tinglan remembered that she had taught Ye Rui quite a lot, and had even made her read many books. Had all that knowledge gone into a dog’s stomach?

“Of course I know it’s a trap, but I don’t have the right to defy the imperial decree. If I refuse or ask to be replaced, it will only make things harder for the Xie residence.”

Ye Rui explained patiently. Of course, she would not tell Xie Tinglan that her main quest was in Yushan; she had to go whether it was a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den.

Hu Tu: [Somehow, this feels weirdly tragic.]

Ye Rui: [Look at the kind of tasks you people gave me!]

Hu Tu: [Then I’ll help you write a complaint letter to upper management… wait, what was the complaint number again?]

Ye Rui: […Forget it.]

Ye Rui almost laughed in exasperation. If she had actually laughed out loud at that moment, who knew whether Xie Tinglan would get angry enough to flip the table and leave.

“I have to go this time no matter what. I’m afraid that one is singling me out because he wants to test how important I am to you; or maybe the Longevity Grass somehow ended up in your hands because of me, and he wants to take it out on me.”

After Ye Rui finished speaking, she saw Xie Tinglan’s expression ease somewhat. She smiled and said, “I’ll be careful first. I’ll bring my own food and water and won’t touch anything they give me. I’ll also ask Ri Xi for a few detox pills and some healing medicine, so don’t worry.”

After hearing Ye Rui finish, Xie Tinglan still had traces of anger left, but the knot in her heart finally loosened; she no longer felt quite so uneasy.

Still, Xie Tinglan knew very well that this was only the beginning. So long as the emperor had someone else backing him, he would keep making trouble for her. His aim was to tame her and make sure she never had any other improper thoughts.

She did not intend to tell this to the fool in front of her. She herself had no good way to solve it yet; if she took one wrong step, she might drag this fool down with her.

Her path had always been like this; even wanting a share of warmth and love was a luxury.

“Fine. I won’t worry.”

Xie Tinglan’s response was somewhat beyond Ye Rui’s expectations. She had thought Xie Tinglan would keep reminding her of a few things, but instead she simply agreed lightly, as if speaking of something unrelated to herself.

A little too cold.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Ye Rui asked. Could she be having an attack again? That shouldn’t be. She had just used her internal energy to regulate Xie Tinglan’s body, and by previous experience, she shouldn’t have another attack for several days.

“No.”

After saying that, Xie Tinglan added, “You don’t need to come practice writing for the next three days. Focus on training and preparing.”

“…Okay.”

When Ye Rui turned to leave, she glanced back at Xie Tinglan. The woman had lowered her eyes and was reading the official papers in front of her, so focused that it was hard to interrupt her.

Something was off, but for the moment Ye Rui couldn’t tell what.

**

Still, Ye Rui prepared very seriously for the bandit-suppression operation at Yushan. Not only did she practice martial arts every day and train her Thundering Life Fist and Parting Clouds and Opening Heaven until she had mastered them, she also went to the weapons shop to buy some light but protective gear for herself.

For example, that cicada-wing armor was made from golden silkworm silk. With it on, ordinary weapons could not easily pierce it, and it was so light it hardly felt like wearing anything; it was especially suited to women as protective wear.

With the armor in hand, Ye Rui also bought better finger guards and bracers, and in that way prepared everything she needed.

In addition, she asked Ri Xi for some pills. The detox pills were very small and could be carried in an entire pouch. Ri Xi instructed Ye Rui to take one every morning and night; their effect would last exactly twelve hours. As long as the poison wasn’t anything especially unusual, the detox pills could generally neutralize it. In other words, so long as she didn’t run into very bad luck and encounter some special poison, Ye Rui would be immune to all poisons as long as she took one pill morning and night.

Ri Xi also packed some healing medicine for external and internal use into convenient sachets for Ye Rui, and taught her how to tie a special knot on the sachet’s closure. Ri Xi said that once someone had touched the sachet, they would not be able to tie that same knot again; then Ye Rui would know to be on guard.

It had to be said that after staying by Xie Tinglan’s side for so long, Ri Xi had become extremely cautious as well, reminding Ye Rui about everything in exhausting detail, terrified that the moment she entered the mountain she would be skinned alive and swallowed by ghosts.

Speaking of Xie Tinglan, for the past two days Ye Rui had not seen her. She seemed very busy and had been handling matters in the administrative district all along.

Ye Rui only felt that something was a little strange. Lately, why had Xie Tinglan seemed so cold? Had she done something wrong?

No, she didn’t think so. Recently she hadn’t caused any trouble at all; the only mishap was during sword practice, when she accidentally split the stone sculpture Huan Jing had newly bought in the courtyard…

Hu Tu: [When Huan Jing comes back, will she kill you?]

Ye Rui: [It’s fine. Ri Xi will protect me.]

Hu Tu: […It’s me who’d be furious to death.]

Ye Rui: [You’re a System and you still have such rich emotions?]

Hu Tu: [Of course! Our systems are very human-friendly; when necessary, we can even be your sweet little padded jacket~ Heart hands!]

Ye Rui shuddered all over and joked, [I don’t know whether you’re sweet or not, but that little padded jacket of yours might just smother me to death.]

Hu Tu: […]

Come to think of it, Huan Jing had not come back for a very long time. Ye Rui didn’t know exactly what task she was carrying out. When she mentioned Huan Jing at mealtimes, Ri Xi and Yin Yue both seemed unwilling to say much, so Ye Rui never asked again.

Mysterious.

On the eve of departure, Xie Tinglan was still busy in the administrative district. Ri Xi said that the Empress had invited her into the palace for a gathering, so she probably would not be back tonight.

Ye Rui had always known Xie Tinglan was busy. But tomorrow she was supposed to lead a small squad to Yushan to suppress bandits; would she… not come back to see her at all?

That line, “I won’t worry,” really meant she wouldn’t worry at all?

Ye Rui sighed and continued writing on a blank book. Over the past two days, she had written down all the insights from her internal energy circulation, then improved them on the basis of the Firebath Art, making it even closer to the Scorching Heart Art.

Yesterday during the day, when Gong Yinzhi had come, Ye Rui had asked her about the experience of compiling a martial arts manual, and Gong Yinzhi had taught her everything one by one. When asked why Ye Rui wanted to write down the Scorching Heart Art, she only said that she didn’t know how long she would be gone this time, and winter was hard to endure; she hoped someone in the residence could cultivate this technique and help Xie Tinglan get through the difficult cold season.

The person Ye Rui most wanted to teach was naturally Gong Yinzhi, who had the highest martial skill. Gong Yinzhi had wanted to decline, but after Ye Rui’s persuasion, and with her own concern for Xie Tinglan’s health, she agreed.

If more than one person knew this technique, there would also be more backup plans; they could not leave Xie Tinglan’s body entirely in Ye Rui’s hands.

Originally, the method of a technique was each martial artist’s secret. However, Ye Rui did not care about that, and wrote all of her insights down in the current book. Gong Yinzhi could not help but admire Ye Rui’s selflessness.

Selfless as she was, writing a martial arts manual was really hard!!

Ye Rui grabbed her own hair with one hand and held the brush with the other, struggling to write while trying to express what she felt in the simplest possible way so Gong Yinzhi could learn it faster.

Knock, knock—

Just as Ye Rui was writing herself into a headache, there was a knock at the door. She immediately set down her brush and opened it, intending to breathe some fresh air.

When the door opened, Ri Xi stood outside in a moon-white cross-collared robe, looking even gentler in the moonlight.

“This was given to me by the commissioner of Rain & Mist Pavilion to pass on to you.”

Ri Xi handed Ye Rui the letter, then added, “There’s one more thing I need to remind you about.”

Ye Rui took the letter blankly, wondering what else Mu Xue wanted from her now. Had she changed her mind and was willing to lower her terms and hand over the Yama Flower after all?

“Mm, go ahead.”

Ye Rui tucked away her curiosity and waited patiently for Ri Xi to speak.

“Tomorrow, be careful around a garrison troop captain named Tang Yan. There should also be an Azure Dragon Guard among the garrison troops. He won’t reveal his identity easily. Those two are both highly skilled and deeply cunning, so you must stay on guard.”

Just as Ri Xi finished speaking, Ye Rui saw Huan Jing walking past in a plain maid’s outfit, stretching and yawning as she muttered, “I’m exhausted, I’m exhausted.”

Then she went straight back to her room. Ye Rui hadn’t expected to see Huan Jing appear even on the eve of departure.

Could this intelligence be something she brought back?

“I understand. I’ll be careful.”

“Mm.”

Ri Xi gave Ye Rui one worried look before returning to her room. Ye Rui immediately closed the door and opened the letter to see whether that big fox, Mu Xue, had changed her mind.

But she hadn’t.

The letter only said that she knew the emperor had sent Ye Rui to Yushan to suppress bandits. In the letter, she wrote the bandit camp’s location and even drew a map, carefully marking the entrances and exits. She also reminded Ye Rui what martial arts the bandit leader was good at, how to break them, and warned her to be especially careful of the people traveling with her; she should not believe a word they said.

That big fox was actually being so kind, worrying about her little life?!

No; she definitely wanted payment. Ye Rui would look for her again after returning from Yushan, to avoid her suddenly raising the price once they were settling accounts.

-----------------------

Author’s note: My daily word-count sprint has stalled. Next I have to attend my best friend’s wedding, so I’ll be busy for a few days; I need to protect my saved draft carefully.