After Brothers Yang Jingshan and Yang Jingyan carefully examined the handkerchief, their observations differed from what Yang Shi had told Yang Jingyuan.

“The stems and leaves use the Jade Stone Green from He’s Silk Shop on East Main Street. The flower stamens use the famous Imperial Yellow from Tian’s Silk Shop on Little West Street. These pink and purple shades are the hereditary Magnolia White, Peach Blossom Pink, and Grape Purple from the Yu and Zou families…” The eldest Young Master Yang listed the details like a connoisseur before drawing in a sharp breath. “Mother, this embroiderer knows the threads from every dye house and silk shop in Yizhou Prefecture inside out. There are thousands of dyeing and silk households in Yizhou, and even the same red thread shows the subtlest differences when placed together. Her ability to match the most suitable colors is truly remarkable.”

Second Young Master Yang continued: “I notice this double-sided embroidery uses twelve different shades of white alone to create the effect of clouds parting to reveal the moon. Mother, I agree with my eldest brother. The Zhao family’s competing brocade is double-sided. We can recreate their loom, but without such color combinations, we could never weave patterns that come alive.”

Yang Shi spoke solemnly: “This is where its true value lies. The Yang family must secure such talent.” She broke into a smile, “Third Son has taken a liking to her. I plan to arrange their marriage.”

The Yang brothers were delighted at the news: “As a Yang family bride, it would be right for her to contribute to the family’s brocade business. It also fulfills the Third Brother’s romantic wishes. It’s perfect in every way.”

“Only this way can we bring her into our Yang family,” Yang Shi said, her brows slightly furrowed. “I worry the Zhao family won’t let go easily. Never mind, I’ll handle it carefully.”

Ji Yingying remained completely unaware that in a single night, Yang Shi had decided to have Yang Jingyuan marry her. She had just finished breakfast with Madam Ji, and mother and daughter were doing needlework together when Ji Yaoting hurriedly entered.

The mother and daughter were startled. Madam Ji set aside her work and asked, “Eldest son, weren’t you supposed to go buy dyes with Ji Fu? Why did you suddenly return?”

Ji Yaoting glanced at Ji Yingying, thinking his sister would find out sooner or later, and spoke directly: “Just as we were hitching the cart to leave, Second Young Master Zhao arrived. He seemed off, reeking of alcohol. He was shouting to see his sister. Fearing he’d wake the neighbors, I had to bring him inside.”

What did he mean by ‘seemed off’? Wasn’t he someone who didn’t drink? Ji Yingying’s heart tightened, her hands suddenly sweating so much she could barely hold her needle. Seeing her mother and brother watching her, she abruptly stood up, picking up her sewing basket: “Mother, you tell him. Our families aren’t meant to be, he shouldn’t come looking for me anymore. I’ll… I’ll do my needlework in the inner room.”

She could hear the commotion outside. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Zhao Xiuyuan. There was simply no point anymore. The meeting would be easy, parting would be hard—why cause herself unnecessary pain?

Madam Ji watched her daughter’s figure disappear into the inner room with a complex expression, the door curtain swaying gently, making her heart sway with it. News traveled fast; everyone in Sandayan and Yizhou City knew that the young master from the new Brocade King family was to marry Deputy Commander Niu’s young lady. Why was Zhao Xiuyuan still coming to see Yingying?

While she pondered this, Ji Yaoting had already brought Zhao Xiuyuan inside.

Zhao Xiuyuan wore an ordinary jade-green silk round-collared deep robe, wrinkled and stained with wine. Overnight, his chin had sprouted stubble. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His whole appearance was a mess of green and pale white, startling Madam Ji.

“Second Young Master, are you ill? You don’t look well.”

Madam Ji initially thought that after the brocade competition ended, Zhao Xiuyuan, who had pushed himself for a month, had fallen ill once he finally relaxed.

Zhao Xiuyuan lifted his robe and knelt before Madam Ji, touching his head to the ground, but said nothing.

In the Tang Dynasty, people rarely knelt—a deep bow or bent waist was considered a great courtesy. Madam Ji was so frightened she stood up from her circular chair, not daring to accept such a gesture.

Ji Yaoting was also startled. He stepped forward to help Zhao Xiuyuan up, forcefully pulling him to his feet and helping him to a nearby chair. Angrily, he said, “Second Young Master Zhao, what are you doing?”

Zhao Xiuyuan’s face was full of misery as he grabbed Ji Yaoting’s hand: “Eldest Young Master, let me see Yingying.”

So it was indeed about his sister. Ji Yaoting angrily shook off his hand and said furiously, “Zhao Xiuyuan, you’re engaged to Fifth Miss Niu. You’ll be married before the new year. Why are you still seeking out my sister?”

“Why?” Zhao Xiuyuan’s expression was caught between crying and laughing, his voice hoarse and unpleasant. “I know, I can’t marry her. I shouldn’t look for her anymore. Why am I still here…”

He stood up unsteadily, dejectedly bowed to Madam Ji, then cupped his hands toward Ji Yaoting, and staggered toward the exit.

Madam Ji and Ji Yaoting exchanged glances, and Ji Yaoting quickly went after him.

At the doorway, Zhao Xiuyuan’s two attendants hurried forward to support him. Zhao Ping quietly told Ji Yaoting, “Our young master drank all night. At dawn, the master and mistress scolded him. Young master is heartbroken.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiuyuan turned and slapped him across the face, shouting, “Who asked you to wag your tongue!”

“Second Young Master!” Ji Yaoting stepped forward to intervene, sighing as he advised, “Second Young Master, marriage depends on fate, and it must be between matching families. Don’t be too distressed. It’s your parents’ decision, not yours to make. Our family won’t blame you. Your fate with my sister has ended. Tormenting yourself like this pains her too. Please go home.”

Zhao Xiuyuan’s eyes were red as he clutched Ji Yaoting’s arm: “Eldest Young Master, I just want to say a few more words to her.”

His voice choked up, making even Ji Yaoting feel sorrowful: “More words won’t help.”

Ji Yingying sat on the couch in the inner room with her sewing basket, listening to the commotion outside. Her heart, which had seemed calm, was once again twisted with pain.

She threw down her sewing basket and quickly lifted the door curtain to walk out.

“Yingying.” Suddenly seeing her appear at the door, Zhao Xiuyuan seemed stunned. He let go of Ji Yaoting and hurriedly adjusted his robes, revealing a foolish smile, “You’re here.”

As soon as he spoke, Ji Yingying smelled the alcohol. Her eyes reddened as she pointed at him and scolded: “You can’t handle alcohol, so why did you drink? Look at what state you’re in! Has winning the Brocade King title driven you mad?”

“I’ll go home and clean up, then come back to see you!” Zhao Xiuyuan’s eyes suddenly lit up as he turned to leave.

“Stop right there!” Ji Yingying shouted in frustration.

Seeing Zhao Xiuyuan obediently turn back, staring at her dazedly, Ji Yingying’s tears began to fall: “Brother Xiuyuan, don’t come looking for me anymore. Go home, take a bath, get some sleep, and you’ll come to your senses. I… I’m getting engaged too.” She made the decision almost instantly. Seeing Zhao Xiuyuan’s eyes grow wider, Ji Yingying couldn’t help but shout, “I’m engaged! To Young Master Sheng! If you keep acting like this, I’ll lose all respect for you!”

She turned and ran back inside.

“Yingying!” Zhao Xiuyuan seemed to suddenly snap back to reality, grabbing her arm, “You’re lying to me.”