Chapter 100: Name on her lips
The atmosphere had seized its breath as everyone waited for Han Shuying’s response. But she didn’t say a word as she stood up, Ru Yi trapped perfectly in her arms.
"Han Shuying," Yexue tried again, her tone more controlled this time. "Taking her like this will only cause more problems in—"
"I’ve decided. Ru Yi comes back with me. She can decide if she wants to leave the capital after she’s treated and taken care of." She maintained eye contact with her. "It’s not like you’ve ever cared for a mere maid."
The planes of Yexue’s face hardened. "Don’t call her that! She’s not a maid anymore."
"I’ll call her whatever I want," Han Shuying said, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Besides, what’s it to you?"
Yexue opened her mouth and closed it without being able to utter a word.
"Help them take care of the children," Han Shuying turned away from them, "or not. It’s up to you." She didn’t waver.
Ru Yi rested in her arms, unconscious, too still—her breathing the only fragile reassurance that she was still there.
Lieyin’s fingers curled as she watched. Tight. For a moment it truly looked like she would draw her sword. Like she might choose violence over restraint.
"Lieyin." Qingyue’s voice was both a warning and a request. A tether.
Han Shuying didn’t waste any more time. "Captain!" she called.
An imperial guard stepped forward immediately.
"The children are your priority now," she instructed. "Secure the tunnels and escort them all to safety. Send word to the nearest magistrate, Tiancheng now falls under direct imperial review."
"Yes, inspector!"
"No one is to interfere..." Han Shuying paused to give emphasis on who she was talking about. "Anyone who resists should be detained."
The guard bowed and moved to carry out orders, barking commands that rippled through the remaining soldiers.
Orders replaced chaos. Purpose replaced fear.
Han Shuying adjusted her hold on Ru Yi and walked away. Just like that. No hesitation. No backward glance.
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The inn was quiet. Too quiet for a place that had just survived something horrible. Most of the villagers were still gathered near the estate of the dead village head, clinging to the news, then relief.
So when Han Shuying entered, carrying an unconscious girl in her arms, no one stopped her. No one dared to.
A room was prepared quickly on her request. The space was small but it was clean and simple. A bed near the window, where the last light of evening slipped through the thin paper screens.
Han Shuying laid Ru Yi down carefully. Not gentle, but not careless either. Just precise.
She stood there for a moment, looking down at her...studying her face. She was even more fascinated by the version of Ru Yi that had taken a blade through the core and bled shadow instead of blood.
From what Han Shuying knew about her, Ru Yi was born with shattered meridians and had a weak core. A strike like that should’ve had her dead at the spot.
"What are you?" Han Shuying murmured under her breath.
No answer came, Ru Yi didn’t even stir. So Han Shuying turned away and sat down at the small table in the corner.
She wondered what to do with Ru Yi.
Truly, leaving her with the triplets was her best bet...but she didn’t trust those wolves. They could open their claws and bury it deep into her at any given moment.
Not like she was any safer with Han Shuying.
Empress Lihua had instructed Han Shuying to get rid of Ru Yi the night she was to leave the palace. It was the first time Han Shuying had ever considered disobeying a direct order.
She’d hesitated—
Even now her fingers went to the bracelet Ru Yi had given her.
What was it about Ru Yi that had her acting out of character? Especially while knowing that nothing good could come out of them being together.
Han Shuying knew that the moment Ru Yi stepped foot in the capital, the Empress wouldn’t let her see another day. But she was too territorial to let her be with the triplets.
She’d been so lost in thoughts that she didn’t notice Ru Yi’s fingers twitching against the blanket.
Ru Yi’s brows furrowed slightly, like she was fighting her way through something heavy—something dark.
A breath, shaky and uneven, slipped through her parted lips. "Lieyin..." The name was unmistakable, spoken with a certain tenderness.
Han Shuying’s head whipped to her instantly. She had been sitting in that same corner, unmoving and resting, but not asleep.
Now her gaze fixed on the bed.
Ru Yi stirred again, her head turning slightly against the pillow, her expression tightening like she was searching for something...or someone.
"Lieyin..." she whispered again, a little louder this time. There was no fear or confusion, just the name. First and always.
Han Shuying rose slowly and stepped closer.
Ru Yi’s lashes fluttered...struggled. Then her eyes opened little by little.
Her vision was unfocused, hazy, still caught between dream and waking. "Where is she?" was the first thing she asked, voice still weak.
Han Shuying stood beside the bed, looking down at her. "Lieyin is not here," she said the name with distaste.
Ru Yi blinked slowly, like the words didn’t fully reach her. "No..." she murmured faintly, trying to push herself up—
But pain shot through her immediately, stealing the strength from her arms. She fell back against the bed with a soft, breathless sound.
Han Shuying didn’t stop her, or help her. "You shouldn’t move. Lieyin is not dead, if that’s what you’re worried about." But now she wished Lieyin really was.
Ru Yi’s gaze sharpened slightly, panic beginning to creep in through the haze. "Lieyin...she was..."
"Stop saying her name!" Han Shuying bit out like a wounded dog. "She’s alive!"
Ru Yi went still, then her breath steadied. "Alive..." she repeated to herself.
"You’re the one who is supposed to be dead," Han Shuying replied, leaning in. "Where did the shadow come from?"
Ru Yi’s forehead pinched. "What shadow?" she finally looked around. "And where are the others?"
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