Yang Jing

When they arrived at the golden gates of Huan Hua Palace, the guards questioned Zhuang Hao suspiciously. Yang Qinghui listened curiously through the curtain.

"We are Lord Yang of Zui Xian Peak's retinue," Zhuang Hao explained calmly. "We are here for an audience with Lady Gongyi-Yang. Here is Peak Lord Yang's seal."

After another couple moments, the carriage began moving again, and Yang Qinghui pulled the curtain aside a crack to watch as they rolled past the thick outer wall into a courtyard. When the carriage came to its final stop, Zhuang Hao opened the door, and Yang Qinghui stepped outside into the sunlight.

Stares followed her as she set her hands on her hips and scanned the massive courtyard, lined with white stone pillars and golden eaves. Beyond the courtyard, an impressive palace towered over them, also ornately designed in white and gold.

"Is that Peak Lord Yang?" the stable-hands asked each other incredulously, over the whinnying of the horses they handled. "Is it really her? She hasn't visited since – "

"Peak Lord Yang!" An attendant hurried up to her, out of breath, and bowed deeply. "Welcome back to Huan Hua Palace. Your esteemed sister awaits you in her hall."

"Thank you, I'll be there shortly," Yang Qinghui said, stretching out her arms.

"Yes, madam." The attendant hurried away.

Yang Qinghui turned to do a headcount of her disciples. "One, two… six, seven. Wonderful!"

"So what's the plan?" Zhuang Hao asked.

"Divide and conquer. You two – " Yang Qinghui pointed to Guoliang and Mingli – "guard the carriage. Keep an ear out for any servant gossip," she added in quieter tone.

"Yes, shizun," they said in unison.

"The rest of you, come with me to see the Palace Master. Be very observant of everything. I want to hear some interesting insight from all of you about the palace's design and hierarchical structure."

"What about me, shizun?" Lu Ying asked.

"You have the most important job of all," Yang Qinghui told her. She leaned down and whispered, "You're going to explore the palace, and see what fun stuff you can find or overhear. If you're spotted, pretend you got lost."

Lu Ying nodded seriously. "I won't disappoint you, shizun."

"Stay out of danger, and don't take or touch anything. Alright?"

"Yes, shizun!"

Yang Qinghui patted her head approvingly. "Wait until we've left, then sneak away." She turned back to the rest of the disciples. "Shall we?"

They began walking towards the double doors that led into the main palace, Yang Qinghui in the lead, and the four disciples flanking her.

"Do you know why I gave Lu Ying that job?" Yang Qinghui asked Zhuang Hao under her breath. 

"Because she's the youngest, and least likely to get in trouble if she's caught?"

"Exactly. Also because I trust her." She met Zhuang Hao's eyes. "She'll be alright. So stay focused."

Zhuang Hao nodded. "Yes, shizun."

Two guards pulled open the tall double doors, and Yang Qinghui strode into the high-ceilinged hall. Tall windows let in natural light, and many narrower hallways branched off, leading in a dozen directions. Yang Qinghui paused, suddenly realizing she had no idea where her sister lived.

Fortunately, a stout man with a bushy beard and mustache hurried up to her, smiling. He wore a warm yellow robe open over more layers of yellow, resembling a ruffled flower. He radiated friendliness.

"Sister-in-law!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply. "I'm so glad you could visit!"

Gongyi Feng

Cultivator of Huan Hua Palace Sect

Brother-in-law of Yang Qinghui

Yang Qinghui smiled. "It's good to see you. I'm sorry I haven't been a better sister," she apologized. "I should have visited far sooner."

Beaming, Gongyi Feng took Yang Qinghui's hands. "Please do not apologize, sister. You are here now. A-Ming is waiting for you."

A-Ming? Is she not Yang Jing?

Yang Qinghui followed Gongyi Feng down a hallway, her disciples trailing after her.

"Xiao'er is out patrolling," Gongyi Feng said apologetically, tucking his hands into his sleeves, "but he should be back before you leave. Are you staying for long?"

"Just the day," Yang Qinghui said. "I promise to visit more often, though," she added with a smile.

Gongyi Feng grinned. "A-Ming will appreciate it." He stopped in front of a sliding door, identical to the many they'd passed. "Here we are."

He slid the door open, revealing a pretty sitting room. The floors were near-covered in colourful cushions and carpets, the walls were dotted with flower and bird paintings, and a low table was set out with tea and snacks. 

"A-Ming!" Gongyi Feng called. 

Another sliding door on the far wall clattered open suddenly. A young woman with a kindly, round face stepped out. She, too, wore a layered yellow robe, and her hair was arranged in an elaborate style. Her eyes landed on Yang Qinghui.

"Jiejie!" she exclaimed tearfully, running across the sitting room.

Yang Ming

Cultivator of Huan Hua Palace Sect

Adopted sister of Yang Qinghui

Oh. So she's not Yang Jing. Then who is?

Yang Qinghui didn't have time to consider it before she was met with an armful of yellow. Yang Ming threw her arms around Yang Qinghui's middle, crying.

"Jiejie, I missed you!"

Yang Qinghui hesitated, then wrapped her arms around Yang Ming's shoulders. She hadn't intended to fix her relationship with her family, but she supposed there was no getting out of it. "I'm sorry, A-Ming. I should've visited sooner."

Yang Ming pulled back, wiping at her eyes. She gave a watery smile. "That's alright. We have a lot to catch up on. Or do you have to leave?"

"I'm in no rush," Yang Qinghui said with a warm smile. "I'd love to talk."

"Let's go through to the other room." Yang Ming peered around Yang Qinghui and smiled at the disciples. "Children, please help yourselves to the tea and snacks."

"If you get bored, try and find the training grounds," Yang Qinghui added, following Yang Ming to the other room. "See if you can learn anything." 

This was a smaller sitting room that probably doubled as a bedroom, just as nicely decorated and with its own steaming teapot. Yang Qinghui and Yang Ming sat at the small table, and Yang Ming poured them each a mug of tea.

"So how have you been?" Yang Ming asked, leaning forward anxiously. "Ever since you became Peak Lord, you've stopped writing and visiting. Xiao'er has been able to visit sometimes, but he says he usually doesn't see you." 

Gathering her thoughts, Yang Qinghui took a sip of delicious flower tea. "I admit I've been struggling. I drank too much, and I neglected both my disciples and the running of my Peak. Fortunately, my head disciple is more than capable. Although he never should have had to bear that responsibility."

Yang Ming reaches out and holds Yang Qinghui's hand sympathetically. "I wish I could have been there for you."

A sudden commotion in the other room distracted them. Before either of them could even stand, the door clattered open. Gongyi Xiao, wearing a disgruntled expression, stepped through, dragging a sheepish Luo Binghe.

"Xiao'er!" Yang Ming exclaimed. "What – ?"

"Ayi," Gongyi Xiao gritted out. "What exactly was this disciple doing lurking around in Bailu forest?"

"Forgive me, shigu!" Luo Binghe threw himself to the floor, kowtowing. "I did my best to stay hidden, but I was careless. I'll accept any punishment."

Yang Qinghui suppressed a sigh. They would really have to work on Luo Binghe's confidence. She took the disciple's arms and lifted him up. "It's alright, Binghe. Xiao'er is a very capable cultivator. It's not your fault you were discovered."

Luo Binghe stared at her, eyes wide. 

"Go wait in the other room, I'll handle this," Yang Qinghui instructed with an encouraging smile.

"Luo Binghe affection level increased! +5 points. Current affection level: 28 points."

Sniffling, Luo Binghe stood and shuffled backwards out of the room. "Thank you, shigu."

"Well?" Gongyi Xiao snapped as soon as the door closed again.

"I'm sorry, Xiao'er. Please don't blame Binghe. I only wanted to confirm something," Yang Qinghui confessed.

Yang Ming tilted her head. "Confirm what?"

"I've been effectively absent from the cultivation world for the past nine years. A lot has changed, but a lot has also stayed the same," Yang Qinghui explained cryptically. "I'm afraid I can't tell you any more right now. But I promise everything will be revealed in time."

Gongyi Xiao narrowed his eyes. "And you want me to not report your spying disciple." 

"It might complicate things if you did. I would also ask that you not go investigating." Yang Qinghui sighed, genuinely regretful. "I wish I could explain everything, to both of you. But I can't – not yet. I'm sorry." 

Gongyi Xiao's expression softened. "Fine. I won't say anything."

"Thank you, Xiao'er." 

"Mm." Gongyi Xiao turned and opened the door. On the threshold, he paused and looked back with a tiny smile. "I'm glad you were able to visit, ayi."

"I'll come by more often in the future," Yang Qinghui promised.

Gongyi Xiao nodded, and closed the door behind him.

"You will?" Yang Ming exclaimed happily, taking Yang Qinghui's hand.

"Yes, meimei," Yang Qinghui said with a smile. "I promise."

"I'm so glad, Jing-jiejie! I'll be – "

"Wait," Yang Qinghui interrupted, her blood going cold. "Did you just call me 'Jing'?"

"Ah, my mistake! You're Qinghui now."

Yes, that's the name I took as a Peak Lord – the generational name. But – "System, what's Yang Qinghui's birth name?" Yang Qinghui demanded.

"Character Profile: Yang Qinghui. Eldest daughter of Yang Zhimian. Previous name: Yang Jing."

"I'm Yang Jing?!"

A vision seized her with no warning.

The cave echoed with peals of thunder and screams.

Every few seconds, lightning sliced across the sky, revealing the scene at the mouth of the cave. A cultivator stood with his back turned.

He drew his sword with a high ringing sound, and levelled it at someone cowered at the edge of the cave, trembling. Yang Jing couldn't see their face, but she could hear their pleas.

"Shizun, stop! Please!"

Yang Jing wanted to run forward. Desperately, she wanted to help this person. But fingers dug into her arms and her shoulders like shackles, dragging her back, and she couldn't struggle free.

"Yang Jing!" Lightning. Terrified eyes. "YANG JING!"