Empty Nest

The Jiang home was quiet. Aside from the clanging of pots in the kitchen, the snap of blankets being strung, and the scraps of rakes cleaning out the stables. Servants bustled about. But none dared entered into the far courtyard that often and always had a strange fragrance.

A scent that was as strong as it was calming. All due to the abundance of herbs. Once was her mother's pride and joy. Now her second brother's and by extension Jiang Ying Yue's.

Dried herbs hung upside down along the rope swung from rooftop to rooftop. Others were piled in baskets. Nets cast into the fountain, soaking the herbs, creating an infusion of liquefied healing properties. Baskets and barrels were strewn about. Eager to be picked apart and sorted. An outer workshop table containing only waterproof tools. The more weather sensitive equipment was left in the adjoining room to the left of the courtyard.

Jiang Ying Yue sipped her fountain water. The aches and artificial cuts healing with each swallow. Leaving in its wake a tingling itchy sensation. No matter how hard she kept her hands busy sorting through the new shipment of herbs. The urge to itch pestered her.

"The guards have returned."

A sudden voice called out. A timely distraction. She didn't even need to look to know it was her eldest brother, Jiang Min.

Jiang Min took after their father in looks, just like Ying Yue and second brother Jiang Wei. Favouring the darker appearance. Unlike her eldest sister Jiang Na, who took after their mother, adorning white hair.

Jiang Na and Jiang Wei personality resembled their father. Both were approachable and often remarked for being such noble and kind-hearted people. A blessing to the Jiang family.

Jiang Mei took after their mother's sinister, cold, and serious way of life. Aside from his family. Eldest brother could careless for others.

Jiang Ying Yue took after both. A blessing and a curse. She could easily switch between an intimidating cold woman to a docile lady of Black Water. However, it was a constant mental check to make sure her resting face did not follow her eldest brother and mother.

"Has second brother returned?"

"No."

Moments passed before Ying Yue finally ceased fiddling with the herbs. How could she work when she felt the heavy weight of her brothers gaze on the back of her head. A sigh left her lips as she turned to face her brother.

"Out with it."

Her words were like an awakening call. Breaking the wall. His eyebrows pulled into a frown. The only tell of his worry.

"What were you thinking sending your guards away? One thing I asked you to do when you went outside here. The only way I feel even remotely okay with you playing around. Is if you took my Phantom Assassins everywhere you go."

"I'm not a baby."

He sighed. Coming closer.

"I know," he rubbed his neck. "But out there. How people see you. You are."

"I've been doing this a long time now. Trust that you and father have taught me well."

"There's a difference between you going yourself and you going with backup."

"Everyone here has made me a. . . well a gentle tiger."

All of a sudden. Ying Yue pounced. Her hand went for his neck. Jiang Min anticipated the move. Shifting his body and blocking her hands. Her other hand went forward on strike. He deflected it. She struck both hands out. Only then she did she have him right where she wanted him. Using the heel of her ankle to hit the right spot at the back to cause his body to become temporally paralyzed.

Ying Yue grinned triumphantly. Watching as his body fell backwards.

"See now, if you weren't fretting about, I wouldn't have been able to get you. You're slipping, brother."

Jiang Ying Yue taunted. Knowing full well the only reason she was able to take him down so swiftly was that no matter how strong he got. Jiang Min would never raise a hand to her. Unless they were sparring. In which case. He gave it back tenfold.

It was at that moment that second brother arrived. Her mask in hand. A smile bloomed across her face. Reaching out to grab it from him. Jiang Wei held it out of reach. Causing her to glare.

Before he could say a word. She held up her hand.

"Save it. Eldest brother already gave me a lecture."

Glancing at Jiang Min on the floor. Jiang Wei reluctantly gave her mask back. She ran her hand across the soft material. A smile still on her lips.

Jiang Wei bypassed his younger sister. Picking up his elder brother from the floor. Using the technique Ying Yue taught him. He unlocked his brother.

Jiang Wei could remember a time when their youngest sister would constantly be training and honing her unusual skill set. Ambushing them and rendering them useless. Never permanently.

Given his passion for medicine and healing the body. Jiang Wei began trying to undo what his sister had done to Jiang Min and Jiang Na.

Yet, his martial arts and abundance of knowledge in the field of healing. No matter what he did. He couldn't undo it. It took years before she finally taught him this one thing. Jiang Wei remembered her words then 'just in case something happens to me or we come across someone else with the same skills.'

'What will happen if someone applied the same technique to you? Could you undo it yourself?' He asked in kind. She merely shrugged and went about her day.

When Jiang Min could feel his legs return to him and his fingers able to move. He sat on a crate. Stretching out his static body.

"Did you also stop by where the prince is?"

Jiang Wei nodded. "All the poison is gone. You were right. Agerather. The second he used a high level of cultivation. It triggered the dormant poison."

Ying Yue nodded. The wine. If the prince connected it to the wine. There is a chance he could see this as a war from the southern tribe. The Blood Moon tribe. If he was smart. He would know it was a trap.

The amount used in the wines would not affect the fighters. The martial arts cultivators. Which happened to be all the guards and pirates on the boat. But a single cup could kill a wielder.

"They are becoming ambitious." Ying Yue remarked.

Jiang Min grunted.

"It is why I'm here. I'm heading to the army base."

Both siblings nodded in understanding. With more open attacks. He is going to have to up the phantom assassin's training.

"How long will you be gone?" Ying Yue asked. He hadn't been home for long and already he was going back.

"Three months," he got up from the crate, reaching out for his sister, scruffing her hair up. "Depends how long training will go for."

She nodded. Unable to hold back the pout. She was already missing him even though he was standing right before her.

Jiang Manor has been quiet for some time now. With their mother gone and their father constantly going back between the palace, the army base, and home. Her older sister venturing out to hone her skills away from familiar eyes that know her as a proper lady. It was just her and her second brother. Even though he would sometimes disappear into the woods. Seeking herbs and plants.

Jiang Min hand dropped as he stepped back. Giving his brother a hard stare. She knew that look. Protect Jiang Ying Yue. She would roll her eyes if he hadn't already told her he would be leaving.

"When?" Jiang Wei spoke out loud her thoughts.

"I need to make an appearance to the palace tomorrow and inform his majesty and the crowned prince."

One more night. Ying Yue's heart felt heavy.

"Seeing as you're going tomorrow. Tonight second brother will cook your favourite dishes."

"Why am I cooking? We have cooks."

Jiang Ying Yue shot him a look.

"Fine. I'll cook."

Both brothers took a step forward. Shouting in unison. "No!"