Chapter 155: Uneasy Alliance

It was already afternoon by the time Ru Yi went back to the inn. She’d already been gone for more than a couple hours.

This without doubt got Yexue and Lieyin worried that something might’ve happened to her. Or worse...she’d left them just like Qingyue did.

Ru Yi found them in Lieyin’s room, standing close to the window like drawn blades with nowhere to strike.

They both turned when the door slid open, their faces collapsing with relief when they saw her. They didn’t even bother to hide it.

"Where were you?" Lieyin demanded, crossing the distance in two quick steps. Her voice was tight, her eyes scanning Ru Yi to check for injury without admitting it.

Ru Yi looked at her with indifference. "I’m here now."

"That’s not what I asked," Lieyin fumed, but Ru Yi did not offer any other explanation.

Yexue moved in slower, immediately catching the bruise around Ru Yi’s wrist. "What happened?" She took Ru Yi’s hand in hers. "Who did this to you?" she thundered, her emotions already high.

"I promise it’s not as bad as it looks," Ru Yi replied. "I just encountered a little trouble, but it’s all taken care of."

Yexue rubbed soothing circles into the bruised wrist with her thumb. "I’ve checked the coins we have left and it’s more than enough. Unfortunately, the horses at the stable are not strong enough for the journey. Emberfall isn’t exactly known for its livestock."

"Were you able to find someone who can take us to the Fortress?" Lieyin asked from the side, hating that she felt ignored by Ru Yi.

Ru Yi exhaled deeply before replying. "Yes. I found a way to get to Ashen Fortress in no time." She did not look at Lieyin as she spoke.

Yexue lifted her brows in surprise. "You did? And in such a short amount of time?" There was awe in her voice. "Not even Qingyue was able to find someone this fast. You did really great."

Ru Yi felt warmth spread through her. "I was lucky, I guess." She looked down briefly, trying to hide her smile.

Lieyin studied her for a moment longer. "This person is willing to take us, or are we just getting the map?"

Ru Yi nodded, finally looking at Lieyin. "They’ll take us there. We’re not exactly equipped to go by ourselves."

Lieyin looked at her in suspicion. "How did you find this person? What did they ask for in return?"

Ru Yi looked away. "Does it matter? The goal is to get to Ashen Fortress. Let’s just focus on that."

That made Lieyin even more suspicious. "Ru Yi..."

She cracked under Lieyin’s intense gaze. "I made a deal with them. One that’ll get us to Qingyue faster than we would on our own."

Lieyin stepped closer. "Where is this person?"

Ru Yi’s heart hammered in her chest. This was the make or break moment of her plan. She sent a secret prayer to the heavens that it would work out.

"She’s here."

The door slid open and a figure came in from behind Ru Yi.

It was Han Shuying.

She stepped forward, unhurried and composed. Her presence cut through the room with quiet confidence as her attention went to the sisters. She looked faintly amused.

"NO!"

The word came from Yexue instantly, her posture shifting in the same breath as she dropped Ru Yi’s hand to reach for her weapon.

Lieyin didn’t even speak. She moved.

The motion was fast, direct, her anger finding its target when she lunged forward without hesitation. Her intent was clear, her control thin.

Ru Yi was quick to step in. "Stop!" She immediately caught Lieyin’s arm mid-motion, her grip only enough to halt her momentum without escalating it further.

"Let go," Lieyin snapped, struggling against her hold. She looked at Han Shuying with open hostility. "What is she doing here?"

"Lieyin." Ru Yi’s tone didn’t rise, but it didn’t yield either.

Yexue’s entire attention was fixed entirely on Han Shuying, her face colder than before. "What are you doing in Emberfall?" her voice was controlled. "Have you been following us this entire time?"

Han Shuying tilted her head slightly, lips curving into a faint smile. She was totally at ease despite the tension surrounding her. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

The answer only made their anger worse.

Lieyin jerked against Ru Yi’s hold. "Give me a minute, let me slice that smile right off your face."

Ru Yi held Lieyin tighter. "Can we not do this right now?"

"Not do this?" Lieyin repeated, incredulous. "She has been hunting us since we left the capital."

"But she also helped us back in Tiancheng," Ru Yi tried to reason with them. "She’s the fastest way to Ashen Fortress. We can all work together."

That didn’t sit well with them. Especially Yexue— she knew how well the two of them had worked to get the sisters exiled. If Han Shuying was here, it couldn’t be for any good.

"Do you trust her?" Yexue asked, suddenly finding all the anger and strength drained out of her.

Ru Yi couldn’t meet her eyes.

Yexue was the only one out of her sisters that knew she’d planted the Empress’s seal in her chamber. She did not understand why she never told her sisters.

Because they’re not as forgiving as I am, Yexue thought to herself like she’d read Ru Yi’s mind. They don’t love you as much as I do.

"I don’t trust her," Ru Yi answered truthfully. "I just need her to keep her word and take us there."

Yexue looked at Han Shuying, studying her with calculating focus. She knew the sly of a woman wouldn’t do this from the goodness of her heart. If she even had one.

"What do you get out of this?" Yexue asked her.

Han Shuying’s eyes flicked briefly to Ru Yi who immediately looked away. "Just something of mine returned. That’s all."

Lieyin scoffed. "Do you really expect us to believe that?"

"I don’t particularly care what you believe, princess," Han Shuying replied with an edged voice. "I only care that we’re going to the same place, so we all need to get along."

"That doesn’t make you an ally," Yexue snapped, picking up the way Han Shuying seemed to look at Ru Yi more than was normal. It made her skin crawl with unease.

"No," Han Shuying agreed easily. "It doesn’t."