“Mother, take your medicine.” Ji Yingying held out the bowl, bringing a spoonful of the medicinal brew to Madam Ji’s lips.

The medicine’s scent was laced with ginseng—the hundred-year root’s potent aroma overwhelmed even the medicine’s smell. Madam Ji turned away in disgust, a tear forming at the corner of her eye. “No.”

Ji Yingying chided, “Why punish your own body? Will that black-hearted villain stop scheming against us if you refuse this ginseng-enhanced medicine? It’s not worth it.”

Ji Yaoting also joked, “Many lice don’t itch, many debts don’t worry. Mother, your health is what matters. Next month I’m getting married—you still need to drink my bride’s tea.”

Thinking how the Ji family’s century-old secret formula would be forcibly taken, Madam Ji felt like burnt-out coal, her heart already ash. Only looking at her two children before the bed, and thinking of next month’s wedding, did she find a glimmer of hope.

What did it matter if the two silk formulas were no longer exclusive to the Ji family? Her son could marry and continue the family line. Her daughter could safely remain until marriage. Life would go on—she’d sold the formula, failing her husband and the Ji ancestors. She could atone in the Avici Hell after death. Madam Ji wished only to bear all sins alone.

She sighed, “Mother’s heart can’t accept it right now. Leave the medicine be. This illness came from anger—when the anger passes, I’ll recover.”

Seeing their mother’s aversion to the ginseng-laced medicine and knowing they couldn’t persuade her now, Ji Yingying promptly handed the bowl to Maid Li: “Take it away, keep it warm in hot water. She can drink it later.”

Ji Yaoting added, “Mother, for tomorrow’s court appearance, with your poor health, you shouldn’t go. As the eldest son, I can go in your place.”

“No!” Madam Ji instinctively objected. Leaving her daughter at the Zhao residence already filled her with regret. She couldn’t risk the Ji family’s only son too. Young Master Sheng’s ruthlessness still haunted her. A deal was a deal, but if he changed his mind and her son never returned, she couldn’t atone even in death.

Ji Yaoting stood firm: “Letting you appear in court while ill would haunt me for life. It’s decided.”

Madam Ji tried to object, but the effort made her dizzy again, leaving her powerless to stop her son.

“Mother, don’t worry. Isn’t Young Master Sheng quite capable?” Ji Yingying had barely spoken when she saw her mother clutch the bedding, veins standing out on her hands. Heartbroken, she consoled, “He hasn’t sent anyone to learn the formula yet. We can teach it after brother returns safely from court.”

Madam Ji recovered slightly and opened her eyes. She asked Maid Li to guard the door, then spoke softly: “Yingying, Mother was too stubborn and extreme. If we can give the formula to outsiders, why not teach you? You love dyeing—Mother will pass the formula to you. Yaoting, you don’t mind?”

Ji Yaoting shook his head: “How could I blame you? Yingying loves dyeing and has talent. Our family is small—giving her a skill for after marriage is good. I’m ordinary—I just hope we can live safely and comfortably.”

Ji Yingying’s eyes showed surprise and joy: “Mother, no need to teach me the formula. Just letting me work in the dye house is enough.” This way, she could dye more beautiful fabric and silk, earning more money.

“You must learn,” Madam Ji’s tone was unusually firm. “The formula represents generations of dyers’ experience and dedication. You’re talented—Mother hopes once you learn the Ji family formula, you might find a way… teach others what they think is complete, yet their silk always differs from ours.”

The siblings suddenly understood. Ji Yingying felt energized, and excited: “Good, I’ll learn! I’ll find a way.”

Just then, Maid Li’s voice came from outside: “Madam, visitors have arrived. They say they had an appointment.”

Had Young Master Sheng’s people come to learn the dyeing technique? The three Ji family members tensed. Ji Yaoting said, “I’ll go look first.” Ji Yingying followed.

The siblings settled in the main hall as Maid Li led a man and woman. The man was Clerk Jin, and the woman, carrying a small bundle, was a young lady of about ten years.

She was beautiful, with large, expressive eyes that sparkled. When she smiled, her teeth were even and white like jade.

“A-Ning pays respects to Young Master Ji and Miss Ji.” Her voice was crisp, like biting into a fresh water chestnut.

Ji Yingying, trained in etiquette by her mother and the elderly maids, was surprised to find A-Ning seemingly similarly trained—her courtesies flowed gracefully. But of course, given Young Master Sheng’s mysterious noble background, his people would know proper etiquette.

Clerk Jin, now all smiles like a common legal advisor, got straight to the point: “My master instructed me to be the Ji family’s litigation master. I guarantee the Ji family’s safety.”

He continued: “My master has already redeemed it. Once A-Ning learns the formula, I will personally deliver the money for the Ji family’s debts to Jucai Chamber and the Zhao family.”

Still no mention of Ji Yingying’s contract for the hundred-year ginseng. Ji Yaoting felt dejected. The other party could set elaborate traps and easily resolve them. They could do it again without difficulty. They weren’t afraid of the Ji family going back on their word.

Ji Yaoting agreed and asked Maid Li to arrange quarters for A-Ning in the dye house: “Will Miss A-Ning be comfortable staying in the dye house?”

She was here to learn the silk-dyeing formula—staying in the dye house would prevent the Ji family from deceiving them. A-Ning smiled: “That’s perfect. Young Master Ji, please just tell me what materials are needed—Clerk Jin will have them delivered.”

This matched what the Ji mother and son had planned. They didn’t want visitors in the inner courtyard, having more eyes watching the family.

After arrangements were made, hearing that Madam Ji was bedridden and Ji Yaoting would appear in court, Clerk Jin arranged to meet him at the prefecture office tomorrow.

Before leaving, Clerk Jin looked carefully at Ji Yingying, memorizing her features. Seeing her glare, he just smiled and bowed farewell.

Time was tight. After reporting to Madam Ji, the siblings went to Ji Yingying’s side courtyard.

Maid Ji, following Madam Ji’s orders, guarded the courtyard gate, keeping Xiang’er and Ling’er close to watch while the siblings talked.

In the main room, Ji Yaoting recited the dyeing formulas for both silk types word by word.

Silk selection, raw silk processing, proportions, order, and most importantly, the special ingredients to add—Ji Yingying committed everything to memory.

“Yingying, remember there’s a difference between knowing the formula and hands-on practice.” Just explaining the dyeing process wouldn’t produce the best silk. Timing and degree of dyeing required practical experience.

Ji Yingying smiled: “Brother, I’m learning the formula to find a way to deceive them. You should go now. We’ll wait for you to return tomorrow before teaching A-Ning.”

Ji Yaoting knew his sister needed to study the formula and left without further words.

“Oh, brother!” Ji Yingying called after him, beaming. “Didn’t they say Young Master Sheng would provide all materials? Don’t be shy—the dye house only has enough for the fine ramie cloth I bought. Let’s prepare extra, and after Second Brother Zhu helps sell the fabric, we can keep dyeing.”

“Of course.”

The siblings shared a smile. Even pushed to this point, the prospect of taking advantage of Young Master Sheng filled their hearts with sunshine and joy.