Du Fu’s poem states: “At dawn where red moistens the ground, flowers weigh heavy in Jinguan City.” Later generations used “Jinguan City” to refer to Chengdu. But at this time, Jinguan City was the site of an old weaving workshop in Yizhou City. Its predecessor was a large-scale weaving workshop controlled by the Han Dynasty court. Now it had become the guild headquarters for Yizhou City’s brocade industry.
Li Ying of the Eastern Han Dynasty wrote in “Records of Yizhou”: “The Brocade City lies east of Zuo Bridge in southern Yizhou, on the south bank of the flowing river, at the former site of the Brocade Official from Shu times. Called Brocade Lane, its walls still stand.”
Jinguan City sat on the banks of the South River. It was said this location was chosen because the river water here was extraordinary.
Zuo Si’s “Ode to Shu Capital” recorded: “The precious brocade beautifully made, its colors washed in river waves.”
Another poem describes: “Flowers line both banks where brocade is washed, spring winds blow waves that pan for sand. A maiden cuts mandarin duck brocade, to match the evening glow mid-stream.”
As the sun set and evening clouds filled the sky, the Shu brocade in the river water intertwined with the reflected sunset, like a long scroll painting slowly unfurling in the flowing water.
After weaving, Shu brocade needed to be washed in river water to remove residual glue from the silk and enhance its luster. People discovered that brocade washed in this section of the river was different from elsewhere—the patterns became clearer and colors more vibrant. The old site of Jinguan City came to be known as Brocade Lane, and this stretch of the South River was called Brocade-Washing River.
There were too many brocade-weaving households. According to guild requirements, a household needed three hundred looms to qualify for the competition. Among the brocades sent to Jinguan City, ten pieces would be selected for the finals after an initial elimination round. The morning’s finalists hadn’t been chosen yet, so spectators were all touring around Jinguan City.
On the ninth day of the tenth month, the weather was clear. The autumn sun was warm and pleasant. Jinguan City and the South River bank became perfect spots for autumn outings.
The climate in Shu was mild, with green trees and grass along the South River. Countless flower farmers brought carefully cultivated plants each year during the brocade competition, hoping to fetch good prices. Street vendors seized the business opportunity, carrying poles and setting up stalls.
The Ji family stayed behind to watch the dye house, while Ji Yaoting accompanied Ji Yingying into the city. Their mule cart was blocked by crowds surging from all directions before reaching Jinguan City.
Ji Fu stopped the cart and said: “Young Master, Second Miss, you should get off here. Walk around and look about, then go watch the excitement afternoon when the officials sound the gong.”
“We’ll follow Uncle Ji’s advice,” Ji Yaoting smiled, turning to speak into the cart, “Sister, let’s stroll over slowly.”
Ji Yingying got down with Ling’er’s help. After two days of rest, she hadn’t regained the weight she’d lost. Having slept late last night, there was a hint of blue beneath her eyes. She refused to use much powder, applying only a thin layer, making her look like a pink rose blooming past its prime, emanating a delicate vulnerability that pained one’s heart.
“Yingying, we’re not competing in the brocade competition, no need to hurry. Let’s wander around, and rest at tea stalls or snack stands if you’re tired.” Ji Yaoting felt deeply concerned, patting his money pouch generously, “Brother brought money today, I’ll buy you whatever you like.”
Ji Yingying smiled teasingly: “Brother, aren’t you afraid I’ll use up all your wife’s funds?”
Seeing her joke, Ji Yaoting secretly sighed in relief and smiled: “I only have one sister…” Realizing this wasn’t the right thing to say—what about his future wife?—he corrected himself, “You’ll marry eventually, who knows if you’ll have a chance to spend my money then.” Still feeling that wasn’t right, Ji Yaoting simply said, “Just spend as you like, brother won’t mind!”
He then secretly watched to see if Ji Yingying was angry.
Ji Yingying and Ling’er couldn’t help laughing, deliberately ignoring him as they walked toward the bustling area ahead.
The parking spot was in an open area by the river. Most people coming to watch the competition parked there to walk. After just a few steps, a group of people on tall horses charged straight through.
Ji Yaoting was startled and stepped forward to pull Ji Yingying behind him.
Shu was mostly mountainous, producing mountain horses that were small and sturdy, suitable for mountain paths. The horses these people rode, including their servants’, were twice the height of local horses. They must have been either Ferghana horses or horses brought from beyond the passes. Just from these horses alone, one could tell the riders were either wealthy or noble, and surrounding commoners hastily moved aside.
Zhou Seven Young Master sat on horseback, using his elevated position to look around. His gaze kept drifting toward prettily dressed young ladies. This glance proved fateful, as he discovered Ji Yingying hidden behind Ji Yaoting.
She wore a pink upper garment with apricot-colored half-sleeves, her white gauze skirt outlining her graceful figure. Her black hair was tied with a pink silk ribbon and adorned with a golden flower pin. This made her neck appear even more delicately white and slender like an orchid stem emerging with its pistil.
Zhou Seven Young Master swallowed, feeling both hatred and desire: “Four Young Master, did you see that young lady? Last time because of her, I got beaten.”
Yang Jingting, the Fourth Young Master of the Yang family’s second branch, looked over at his words and said lecherously: “Getting beaten because of such a young lady would be worth it!”
“Get off! Last time this young master didn’t get to taste, this time we can’t let her escape.” Zhou Seven Young Master’s lustful thoughts arose, and after whispering with Yang Four Young Master, he bowed: “Good Fourth Brother, help me this once!”
Yang Four Young Master raised his eyebrows and smiled wickedly: “Once you have her, you can’t leave me out.”
“Fine, no problem! Once she’s mine, I’ll have her pour wine for Fourth Brother.” Zhou Seven Young Master agreed immediately.
“It’s a deal, hyah!” Yang Four Young Master cracked his whip, his fine horse neighing as it charged after the Ji siblings. He shouted from horseback, “Make way! Quick, make way!”
His servants followed behind, shouting. Zhou Seven Young Master smiled wickedly and followed with his two servants.
These young nobles were neither scholarly nor martial. But their horsemanship, learned from polo and hunting, was first-rate. The two groups, one in front and one behind, quickly surrounded the Ji siblings.
The thundering hoofbeats almost sounded above Ji Yaoting’s head. When he reacted and looked back, a tall horse’s head was already before his eyes. Before he could dodge, Yang Four Young Master lightly pulled the reins, his horse brushing past Ji Yaoting’s body. He effortlessly separated him from Ji Yingying.
“Sorry! The horse was startled, almost hurt you, brother!” Yang Four Young Master apologized with cupped hands, his smile sincere.
Ji Yaoting could only hastily return the gesture saying it was nothing, craning his neck to look for his sister. His view was blocked by the tall horses and Yang Four Young Master when suddenly he heard Xiang’er scream from that direction: “Young Miss!”
Ji Yaoting anxiously shouted: “Sister!”
Yang Four Young Master blocked his front, with Yang’s servants behind him. When Yang Four Young Master finally moved his horse away, Ji Yaoting only saw Ling’er standing there crying endlessly.
“Where’s the Young Miss?” Ji Yaoting grabbed Ling’er’s arm and asked urgently.
Ling’er shook her head in confusion: “When the horses charged through, this servant was instantly separated from Young Miss. Horses were everywhere, and when they left, this servant couldn’t see Young Miss anymore.”
Ji Yaoting’s mind buzzed—his sister was gone!
At this moment, someone by the roadside quietly reminded me: “I saw someone on horseback take a young lady that way.”
On horseback, taking his sister away… Ji Yaoting, as if injected with adrenaline, turned to see Yang Four Young Master had dismounted. Without thinking, he rushed over and grabbed his collar: “Tell me! Who took my sister!”