The Baron of Yichuan sent a steward who hired a litigation master and filed a complaint with the Yizhou Prefecture court, bringing the maid who had fled with Lady Li’s gold. They accused Madam Ji of plotting for wealth and hiring bandits to kill her half-sister.

Madam Ji couldn’t rest at home. The Ji siblings had no choice but to lay several quilts in a mule cart, carefully helping their mother lie down, and drove into the city early.

A-Ning also went to the city to buy supplies, carrying the materials list written by Ji Yaoting.

The prefect, having received generous gifts from the Baron of Yichuan, paid no attention to Madam Ji. He was curious about Clerk Jin who came with substantial gifts. Though supposedly speaking for Madam Ji, Jin offered only jade bi discs and requested merely that Madam Ji not be imprisoned immediately.

After much consideration, the prefect’s advisor suggested: “Perhaps it’s because Madam Ji came from a baron’s family and is ill, that’s why they ask for your kindness.”

He speculated further: “Madam Ji and Lady Li were sisters—maybe the Xu mansion wants you to judge fairly. Favoring either side would be awkward.”

Thus, having received gifts from both sides, the prefect decided to play the honest official.

Unexpectedly, two more groups visited the prefect’s mansion yesterday. One after another, first pulling the rope to one side, then leveling it with equal weights on both ends. The prefect was thoroughly confused.

In a private room of the restaurant opposite the courthouse, Niuwu Niang sat playing chess with Zhao Xiuyuan, her face veiled. They had sent someone to gather news from the courthouse entrance.

Zhao Xiuyuan was distracted, no match for Niuwu Niang. Before midgame, he showed signs of defeat. Having lost interest, he tossed down his piece: “I need some air.”

Niuwu Niang didn’t stop him. As soon as he left, she upended the chess board. The black jade pieces bounced and clattered on the wooden floor. Her clear eyes visible above the veil showed clear disdain: “Just because he lost one game, he shows me attitude—what nerve!”

Her maid Yuyuan picked up the chess box, crouching to collect the pieces and replace them on the low table, gently advising: “Young Mistress, I don’t understand why you help the young master. If Madam Ji is found guilty and Second Miss Ji enters the Zhao family, the young master’s obsession with her will only make him colder toward you.”

After her outburst, Niuwu Niang acted as if nothing had happened, slowly reconstructing the game with delicate hands: “The Zhao family wants to add fuel to the fire against the Ji family. That Second Miss Ji has talent—the Zhao family needs capable people. I chose to marry into the Zhao family, naturally I should help them prosper. Has the Ji family arrived?”

Yuyuan bowed: “Let me check.”

She went to the outer room and gave quiet instructions. Soon someone reported back. Yuyuan returned: “Young Mistress, the Ji family has arrived. Young Master Ji and their litigation master have entered the court. Madam Ji is in the mule cart by the street, and Second Miss Ji stands outside listening to the proceedings.”

Niuwu Niang stood and pushed open a corner of the window to look out.

Light snow fell today, making it cold. Few onlookers gathered outside the prefecture court. Niuwu Niang easily spotted Ji Yingying, wearing a white jacket with red plum prints, her maid holding an oiled paper umbrella to shield her from snow.

Zhao Xiuyuan stood across the street, watching Ji Yingying, inexplicably feeling the burning satisfaction of drinking strong spirits on a snowy day. This feeling urged him to walk toward her.

“Young Master, the Young Mistress is at the window,” sharp-eyed Zhao Ping noticed the partially opened window above.

The reminder wasn’t helpful. Zhao Xiuyuan had been hesitating. Going to speak with Ji Yingying would only let him vent his anger at her escape by winning a verbal battle. Zhao Ping’s reminder made him recall Niuwu Niang’s ugly face and arrogant attitude on their wedding night as if he were just a son-in-law she’d chosen, a tool for providing the Niu family with children.

Apart from having a father who commanded troops, she was nothing in his eyes! Zhao Xiuyuan snorted and strode forward, his sleeves swishing.

In court, Lady Li’s maid Fengchun was sobbing her testimony: “…After twenty years without contact, when my lady received Madam Ji’s letter, she was especially distressed. Against the master’s wishes, she came far to Yizhou, giving this silk dyeing business to the Ji family’s Huanhua Dye House.”

Ji Yaoting rose angrily, clasping his hands: “Your Honor! This worthless servant speaks complete lies! Our aunt visited late at night, shocking the whole family. My mother never wrote any letter to our aunt. Our aunt sought our help, and Mother, considering family ties, lent her two thousand bolts of silk. Aunt used her mansion and a silk shop deed as collateral!”

He presented Lady Li’s collateral contract.

A court runner took the contract forward. Ji Yaoting spoke loudly: “Your Honor, please examine—if Aunt meant to help our business by insisting we dye silk for her, why would she give Mother the deeds to her residence and shop?”

The baron’s steward wiped his tears: “My lady argued terribly with the master that night. The master was furious and threatened divorce. In anger, my lady brought the mansion deeds to Yizhou Prefecture. These two deeds aroused Madam Ji’s greed…”

Ji Yaoting choked with anger: “You’re lying!”

The baron’s litigation master sneered: “Your Honor, consider—as sisters, Lady Li and Madam Ji could have used a simple IOU. Why use the baron’s mansion deeds as collateral? All Chang’an knows that while the Yichuan Baron’s mansion isn’t extravagant, any pawnshop would lend tens of thousands of guan against it. Why would our lady, for just two thousand bolts of silk, offer not only the residence but also the shop in the East Market as collateral to the Ji family?”

He glanced at Ji Yaoting, producing a letter from his robe: “Your Honor, please examine this letter from Madam Ji to our lady.”

Seeing them produce a letter, Ji Yaoting turned to look at Clerk Jin, who had remained silent throughout.

The loud arguments carried clearly, making Ji Yingying stamp her foot in anger: “Such shamelessness! Mother never wrote to Aunt!”

“Have you heard of professional forgers? They’re skilled at imitating handwriting—real or fake is hard to tell. Ji Yingying, don’t you understand? Someone wants the Ji family in hell, with no escape.”

Ji Yingying looked up suddenly.

Zhao Xiuyuan wore a gold-threaded brocade robe under black fox fur, standing casually. Without an umbrella, fine snow dusted his eyebrows like jade. Still straight as bamboo, his face elegant as a painting.

Perhaps from the cold, Ji Yingying shivered. His presence and voice were like a serpent’s tongue, leaving a slimy, nauseating sensation.

Zhao Xiuyuan knew her too well. Seeing those dark eyes blazing, he couldn’t help smiling: “Want to stab me? This is the prefecture courthouse—dare you?”

“Zhao Xiuyuan!” Ji Yingying heard her teeth grinding.

Timid Xiang’er grabbed Ji Yingying’s arm, trembling: “Miss, Madam is waiting for news.”

Just then the prefect’s voice came from the court: “…Court adjourned! Go to the Ji residence and fetch Madam Ji’s writing samples!”

Understanding they would compare the letter with her mother’s handwriting during the adjournment, Ji Yingying suppressed her anger: “Zhao Xiuyuan, I know you’re hoping for the Ji family’s downfall. Rest assured, I’ll live well. Just to spite you.”

Not wanting to stay longer, and not waiting for her brother, she led Xiang’er back to the mule cart.