Chapter 116: Quiet Fires

The women worked with quiet efficiency, their movements practiced and precise. One cleaned the duck, another prepared the pot, while others arranged herbs and water without a single word exchanged between them.

"This is absolute madness," Yexue said as she paced around the horses. "What kind of barbaric mindset is this? How can you watch women do such a daunting task—"

Her gaze went to where Ru Yi was knelt on the floor trying to start the fire by striking two stones against each other.

The wood had already been stacked, but the flame was weak and unsteady.

Ru Yi struck the stones once, but there was nothing. The second time a spark caught briefly before fading out.

She adjusted the angle, striking harder this time. The flint slipped, a sharp edge grazed across her palm.

The sting came instantly. Not deep, but enough to hurt.

Yexue stepped forward before she could think her actions through. "Ru Yi—" her voice was low and urgent but a hand caught her wrist.

"Are you trying to expose us?" Qingyue asked in a harsh voice, her grip was firm.

Yexue turned sharply. "She’s hurt."

"It’s nothing," Qingyue said, her voice quiet but unyielding. "And you know that."

Yexue frowned, trying to pull free. "That’s not the point."

"It is," Qingyue replied. "Look around you."

Yexue turned.

The men were still laughing but not oblivious. A few glances had already shifted in their direction. Watching.

"We’re outnumbered," Qingyue continued softly. "We don’t know them. We don’t know how far Gao Ren will push before he starts seeing cracks in us."

Yexue’s jaw tightened. "Then let them try," she muttered,

"And risk everything before we even reach Emberfall?" Qingyue’s voice softened. "At least trust that Ru Yi can take care of herself. She has already come this far with us."

Across the fire, Ru Yi had already wrapped the small cut with a strip of cloth torn from her sleeve. She didn’t look back at the triplets, didn’t call for help.

She struck the flint again, and this time the spark caught and stayed.

The women around continued their word as if nothing had happened. No questions or even the slightest concern.

Ru Yi joined them without a word.

The duck was prepared, cut cleanly before being lowered into the pot of herbs and water. The rich scent rose slowly as the fire strengthened, rich and grounding against the cold air of the night.

Ru Yi found herself moving alongside them easily. Passing what was needed, adjusting the flame, turning meat.

Not once did the women speak to her, even when she tried to start a conversation. When the food was ready, the division became clear.

The women gathered portions for the men. Ru Yi lifted a tray of bowls and turned in the opposite direction.

She approached the triplets first.

Qingyue accepted hers with a quiet nod.

Lieyin took hers without a word, though her gaze flicked briefly to Ru Yi’s hand, lingering just enough to acknowledge her injury.

Yexue didn’t take hers.

"Eat," Ru Yi told her.

Yexue’s stern expression didn’t change. "How are you fine with this?" she asked instead.

Ru Yi tilted her head. "With what?"

"With that," Yexue said, gesturing toward the fire and the women. "Being told to serve others like it’s their right. That Gao Ren speaks to them like he’s their master instead of women in their own right. I bet they’re not speaking because he asked them not to."

"I’ll spend the night with the women and figure out the situation with them," Ru Yi whispered.

Yexue shook her head. "I’m worried about you. That you’re being treated like a maid."

Ru Yi looked at her through thick lashes. "Have you forgotten that I was a maid when we met? This is not new to me."

Yexue’s voice dropped to a low hum. "Ru Yi..."

"I don’t mind being treated like a maid if it’s for your sake." Ru Yi lowered her gaze. "And I don’t mind serving you."

Yexue felt her heartbeat spike as the words settled between them. "Don’t say things like that." She held Ru Yi’s chin in a loose grip. "I don’t want you to serve me. We might’ve met when you were a maid but I’m no longer a princess and you’re your own person."

Ru Yi finally looked up. "Okay."

"Don’t just say okay. I want you to believe it." Yexue’s voice turned firm. "Whether with a title or not, everyone is equal and the same."

Ru Yi gave her a small nod. "It’s only for tonight. So, please eat."

Yexue remained unfazed.

Ru Yi lifted the bowl slightly, holding it closer. "Eat, I’ll feed you."

There was a brief pause before Yexue reluctantly leaned forward and let Ru Yi feed her. The movement was small, quiet, but unmistakably gentle.

Across from them, Lieyin’s grip tightened slightly around her own bowl. She didn’t look up or interrupt them. But she could feel it.

The bond between them, once faint and impossible to ignore, carried more than just energy. It carried feelings, one that started developing when they were in Tiancheng.

And what Ru Yi felt in that moment for Yexue wasn’t confusion anymore. It was warm, soft, and all forgiving. Lieyin didn’t want to call it love, that would be all too revealing and intimate.

It wasn’t Ru Yi that worried her, it was Yexue. She was getting too carried away by the affection that Ru Yi gave her. So much that she’d forgotten a pact she made with her sisters.

But Lieyin wasn’t going to let herself be fooled either. She knew the fluttery in her chest was solely the feelings Ru Yi had for Yexue.

Yes, they shared the same energy core because of the bond. But Lieyin was beginning to struggle with defining her own emotions and where Ru Yi’s stopped. It had only gotten worse after the maid saved her from Lin Guowei.

Lieyin’s expression hardened, annoyance flicked through her. She exhaled slowly and forced it down.

This was not the time or place. But the feeling of longing remained, and she couldn’t tell if it was from Ru Yi or if it was entirely hers.