Chapter 85: Between Blood and Choice
The sound of training was alive when Yexue went to the courtyard. Steel met steel in sharp, ringing clashes. A low murmur from the disciplined voices carried through the air, punctuated by the occasional bark of instruction.
Morning light stretched along the courtyard, catching on the polished blades and the sister wielding it with swift efficiency.
Shen Qingyue and Lieyin stood across from each other, sweat already forming tiny beads on their forehead.
Qingyue adjusted the clasp of her bracer with calm precision, her expression composed and unreadable. In front of her, Lieyin rolled her shoulders, her stance loose but coiled with restless energy, like a blade waiting to be drawn.
"You’re late," Lieyin said without looking up.
Yexue stopped in front of them, her hand going to the back of her head. "I won’t be joining you for the patrol."
That got the attention of the other two.
Lieyin’s head snapped up immediately, brows knitting. "What?"
Qingyue’s hands went still, though her face remained calm. "Explain."
Yexue hesitated. "I need to escort Ru Yi to Madam Lin’s house."
There was silence, but it was immediately broken by Lieyin’s mocking voice.
"You can’t be serious," Lieyin said flatly.
"I’m not. She has to investigate a delicate matter in the madam’s house. I need to make sure she’s safe."
Lieyin let out a short disbelieving laugh. "You’re skipping patrol with us for her?"
Yexue continued, ignoring the tone. "Something is wrong in that house. I need to help her figure out what it is."
"And?" Lieyin snapped. "What does that have to do with you?"
"She heard someone in chains."
That made Qingyue’s gaze sharpen slightly.
But Lieyin only scoffed. "So? People imagine hearing things all the time. You think she has some unlucky soul chained in a dungeon under her home?"
Yexue’s eyebrows drew together in deep thought. "That could very well be possible."
Lieyin turned around, afraid she’d drive a punch right into Yexue’s face. "I cannot believe what I’m hearing right now."
"She was attacked last night," Yexue said, her voice dropping. "And she still insists on going back alone."
Lieyin faced her sisters once more. "That just makes her stupid."
Something flickered in Qingyue’s eyes. "Do you think the house is connected to the attack?"
"I don’t think so. Xiao Yi was the mere target of the attack," Yexue admitted. "But we can’t also rule out the possibility that the two events are linked."
Lieyin stared at her. Then she laughed again—but all traces of humor were gone from her expression. "You’re serious."
Yexue said nothing.
"Oh, this is rich," Lieyin continued, pacing a step closer. "We have a duty to these people, and you’re abandoning it...for a maid?"
Yexue’s expression hardened slightly. "She’s not—"
"She is a maid," Lieyin cut in sharply. "A servant. A nobody. And you’re choosing her over your duty? Where are those principles we spent all these years teaching you?"
"Don’t talk about her like that. And I’m not choosing—"
"You are." The words landed like a strike from Lieyin.
Qingyue finally spoke. "Yexue, this patrol is not optional. We made a plan last night that we’re sticking to. We all need to work together as a team to solve this problem."
"I know," Yexue answered.
"Then why are we having this conversation?" Qingyue asked, head tilting to the side as she looked at Yexue’s face properly. Finally seeing the traces of the one thing she’d been so afraid of happening.
Yexue met all their gazes, her jaw tightening. "Because I’ve already decided. I didn’t come here to take permission from any of you."
Another silence.
This one was heavier, pressing into their spines and threatening to suffocate them. As triplets they’d had their own share of conflicts, but it had never been about an outside. A mere maid. And they’d never chosen anyone but themselves.
Lieyin’s eyes narrowed. "You’ve already decided," she repeated slowly. "So what...is this just courtesy? You thought you’d inform us before running off to her? And what’s that nonsense about not needing permission?"
"I’m not running off," Yexue said, irritation creeping into her voice. "I’m trying to prevent something bad from happening to her."
"Or chasing something," Lieyin shot back.
Yexue went still.
Lieyin didn’t back down, she stepped closer, her gaze sharp and accusing. "Tell me...if it were anyone else, would you go?"
Yexue didn’t answer, and that was confirmation for her sisters on its own.
Lieyin’s expression darkened. "First, you punch me..." she pointed to the darkened skin around her eyes. "Now you’re abandoning a plan we all made together so you can...what? Get a rewarding kiss from her?"
Yexue’s hands folded into fists. "Watch your tongue. I’m not above giving you a matching black eye."
Qingyue exhaled slowly, always caught up between the two. "Quiet, both of you!" She looked up, like she was praying to the heavens for strength. "When did this start?" she asked Yexue.
Yexue frowned. "What?"
"This," Qingyue said, gesturing faintly towards her. "This...attachment to the maid."
Yexue’s fist tightened. "It’s not like that."
"Then what is it?"
Yexue hesitated. Even her didn’t know the answer to the question. She wished she could put all the emotions racing her into words.
Lieyin let out a sharp breath. "You can’t even explain it." She looked at Qingyue. "I told you she’s fallen in love with the maid."
"I am not in love with anybody!"
"That’s called denial," Lieyin scoffed. "I don’t care whatever you say, but this thing between the two of you has to end. It’s beginning to affect us."
"It’s not," Yexue shot back.
"You’re about to abandon us, Yexue. What does that say about the state of your mind when it comes to her?" Lieyin asked with all seriousness.
"I’m not abandoning you," Yexue said, more quietly now.
Lieyin barked a humorless laugh. "Really? Because it feels like you are."
"That’s not fair."
"No?" Lieyin stepped even closer, her voice dropping. "We’ve been with you since birth, Yexue. Since before you could hold a blade."
Yexue didn’t move.
"We trained together," Lieyin continued. "Bled together. Survived together." Her eyes burned now. "And you’re telling me that girl is worth more than that?"
"She’s not—"
"Then prove it."
The challenge hung in the air.
Qingyue’s voice came out softer, but somehow heavier. "Stay."
Yexue looked at her.
"Choose your duty," Qingyue continued. "Choose us."
Tension pressed in from all sides.
Yexue’s hands curled slightly at her sides. Ru Yi’s face flashed in her mind. The way she had stood her ground that morning...fragile but unyielding. The way her voice had dropped when she spoke of chains. The way she still chose to walk back into danger.
All alone.
Beneath all that...Yexue could also sense the underlying fear that Ru Yi felt.
Yexue exhaled slowly. "...I can’t."
Qingyue’s gaze dimmed, just slightly.
Yexue straightened. "She’s walking into something dangerous."
"Then, let her!" Lieyin snapped.
"I can’t..." Yexue broke off. "Because no one else will protect her."
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