A bastard son might not be allowed to learn the family’s brocade-weaving techniques, but who said he had to enjoy sitting in the weaving room operating looms to learn brocade-making? Yet there are always those self-righteous people who like to force their interests onto others. If you say you don’t like it, they say you’re like the fox calling the grapes sour. If you say you like it, they mock that no matter how much you like it, you’ll never be part of it.
Mocking him for being born of a concubine? But he had never felt inferior to anyone. Yang Jingyuan raised an eyebrow askance at Zhao Xiuyuan, taking out that brocade handkerchief from his bosom and bringing it to his nose for a light sniff: “I may not understand brocade-weaving, but I understand women.”
Though the handkerchief wasn’t unfolded, Zhao Xiuyuan recognized it instantly as the one Ji Yingying had re-colored. He sprang to his feet, pointing at Third Young Master Yang, his expression turning savage.
Yang Jingyuan tucked the handkerchief back into his chest. His smile vanished as he looked askance at Zhao Xiuyuan and said deliberately: “You’d better lower that finger pointing at me, lest I wreck your Zhao family’s celebration!”
Knowing his temperament well, Second Young Master Yang was startled—with the Military Commissioner still seated at the head table, they absolutely couldn’t let Third Brother flip the table and beat up Zhao Xiuyuan. He forcefully gripped Yang Jingyuan’s shoulder and frowned, saying: “Second Young Master Zhao, which of my brother’s words offended you? Now that you’ve won back the Brocade King title, you look down on our Yang family, is that it?”
The Yang family was unhappy. But if a dispute ruined the celebration, the Zhao family would lose the most. Others would call the Yang family petty, but wouldn’t they also say the Zhao family had barely won the Brocade King title once and had already grown arrogant? Eldest Young Master Zhao quickly stood and advised in a low voice: “Second Brother, today is our family’s celebration.”
Others didn’t understand how detestable Yang Jingyuan was. He shamelessly provoked himself, yet made it seem like he was in the wrong. Zhao Xiuyuan suddenly withdrew his hand, grinding out through clenched teeth: “She’s mine, no one can take her away!”
No one understood the meaning of his sudden outburst. Yang Jingyuan sneered: “Second Young Master Zhao, can you deserve her?”
He hid his melancholy behind his smile. Ji Yingying loved Zhao Xiuyuan so much she only dared cry behind his back. Yang Jingyuan felt he truly despised Zhao Xiuyuan. He was about to marry the Niu family’s young lady, yet still dared claim Ji Yingying was his. To make her a concubine? How dare he say such things?
Zhao Xiuyuan sat down, his eyes flashing with an unclear darkness: “Just watch.”
Second Young Master Yang felt Yang Jingyuan’s body tense under his arm, fearing he would shake free and jump up. This illegitimate brother had truly been spoiled by his mother; when his temper flared, he wouldn’t care whether the Military Commissioner was present or not. He did not doubt that if Second Young Master Zhao said another offensive word, Third Brother would strike. He pressed down hard on Yang Jingyuan, urgently saying: “Third Brother, don’t cause trouble.”
If I weren’t considering the Yang family’s position, I would have beaten him black and blue already. Yang Jingyuan snorted and turned his head away.
One pressing down, one holding back. The two finally settled from their confrontational stance temporarily.
At this moment, the Military Commissioner’s voice was heard from the head table.
“…In this year’s brocade competition, both the Yang and Zhao families showed their unique characteristics, like brothers competing. I believe a new brocade is still a brocade. However, the Zhao family’s chrysanthemum brocade, through its clever color combinations, has elevated the beauty of brocade to a new level, more worthy of promotion and study.”
“Your Excellency speaks wisely. I also believe this year’s Brocade King rightfully belongs to the Zhao family.”
Vice Commander Niu seized the opportunity to tell Commissioner Liu: “The one who wove this chrysanthemum brocade is the legitimate son of the Zhao family head.”
Zhao Binsong’s face lit up: “Reporting to Your Excellency, this chrysanthemum brocade was indeed woven by my humble son.”
The Military Commissioner mentioned Zhao Xiuyuan’s name. He stood up, casting a proud glance at Yang Jingyuan, and walked over amid the envious gazes of others.
“Third Brother, have you forgotten what Father said? The Yang family must show magnanimity today.” Second Young Master Yang was also holding back his anger, but for the family’s face, he had to persuade in a low voice.
Only then did Yang Jingyuan shake off his arm, saying irritably: “Second Brother, I know.”
Just as Yang Jingyan breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Yang Jingyuan say: “The Military Commissioner and Prefecture Chief will leave after making an appearance. Once they’re gone, I’ll wreck this banquet. Better than holding in this anger!”
In the end, Yang Jingyuan still intended to cause trouble. Second Young Master Yang was so terrified his heart nearly stopped, and he quickly signaled to Fourth Young Master Yang.
Fourth Young Master Yang understood this meant he should report to First Aunt. This time, surely First Aunt would have to discipline Third Brother with family law? He gleefully slipped away from the table.
Hearing that Zhao Xiuyuan was only eighteen, Commissioner Liu smiled at Vice Commander Niu, suggesting this son-in-law was talented and promising—a good match.
Vice Commander Niu was marrying his daughter down in status because Zhao Xiuyuan would become the future family head. His daughter would become the primary mistress of the household and wouldn’t be slighted. He smiled and said: “Your Excellency may not know, but Second Young Master Zhao is the most outstanding of the Zhao family’s next generation. The Zhao family’s brocade business will surely flourish in his hands.”
Fixed under Vice Commander Niu’s stare and with Elder Master Zhao’s approval, Zhao Binsong rose and replied: “To be honest with Your Excellency, my son has been designated as the Zhao family’s future head.”
“A young hero indeed, with limitless prospects ahead. Ha ha!” Commissioner Liu praised.
“Your Excellency is too kind.” Zhao Xiuyuan glanced expressionlessly at Vice Commander Niu, thinking who said military officers were crude. Vice Commander Niu’s face might as well have “I’m a tiger pretending to be a pig” written on it. With such dominance, the Zhao family would have to worship the Niu family’s daughter in the future. Thinking about having to marry home such a Buddha, his obsession with Ji Yingying deepened another layer.
After Zhao Xiuyuan bowed and left, Commissioner Liu stood and said: “Everyone, the palace ladies are very fond of Shu brocade. They ordered me to collect extraordinary brocades from Shu to present to them. After seeing the Zhao family’s chrysanthemum brocade, I was greatly amazed and found it extraordinary. The Zhao family shall use this chrysanthemum brocade as an example and weave one hundred pieces of tribute brocade. The Yang family’s new brocade rivals oiled cloth; they shall weave one hundred pieces of tribute brocade. Furthermore, I find all the brocades that made the top ten this year quite excellent. Each family shall weave fifty pieces of tribute brocade to competition standards. The deadline is autumn next year.”
“I won’t take them for nothing—the government office will purchase these tribute brocades at ten guans per piece,” Commissioner Liu smiled. “If your brocades receive Imperial favor, I shall share in your glory!”
Brocade was worth its weight in gold, yet the government office would only pay ten guans per piece. That was equivalent to ten taels of silver. The Emperor wouldn’t reward these brocade makers either, only Commissioner Liu who collected and presented the tribute brocades.
The finalist brocade makers all felt a toothache-like pain, sucking in cold air through their teeth in distress.
Zhao Binsong’s head exploded with a buzz, his scalp tingling, his voice sounding strange even to himself: “Your Excellency, skilled hands struggle to weave an inch of brocade. This three-foot brocade painting took half a year from initial design, color matching, and loom setup to the final product. To weave another hundred pieces of equal quality in a year—I fear we cannot meet the deadline.”
Elder Master Yang turned his head, giving a slight shake to his eldest son Yang Jingshan. If the Zhao family could reduce by half, the Yang family would also reduce by half. If it couldn’t be reduced, they’d discuss it then. Since the new brocade’s weaving technique would be shared anyway, with all the brocade makers working together, a hundred pieces of new brocade wouldn’t be much. The Yang family could afford this loss.
Seeing Elder Master Zhao’s expression change as well, he couldn’t help thinking mockingly: This year you invited the Military Commissioner to judge, not expecting to attract a greedy wolf.