Ying Ying stared in astonishment. She blurted out, “Madam Yang, I thought you were interested in my skills. I can work for the Yang family. I can sign a three-year contract to work for you!”
She had never considered using her marriage as a bargaining chip. Madam Yang’s straightforward negotiation was far better than dealing with the Zhao family and Master Sheng. As long as the Yang family didn’t covet the Ji family’s secrets, Ying Ying was willing to sacrifice a few years of freedom for her family.
The smile froze on Madam Yang Shi’s face. Given the Ji family’s circumstances, marrying into the Yang family as the Third Young Madam was a blessing they couldn’t even dream of. Though the Third Young Master was born of a concubine, he was handsome, skilled in martial arts, and of good character. How could Ying Ying not want to marry him? She was the girl the Third Young Master liked – if they hired her as a worker for three years, how would he view his stepmother? Madam Yang Shi developed a headache.
Being a seasoned businesswoman who had weathered many storms, she quickly recovered and said kindly, “Has Second Miss never had feelings for our Third Young Master? He wants to marry you but fears you’ll misunderstand. That’s why he begged his father and me to abandon the idea of proposing to the Ji family. The Third Young Master has been raised by my side since childhood. I don’t want him to miss this opportunity. While I do value your skills, our Third Young Master’s feelings for you are genuine.”
Only then did Ying Ying think of Yang Jingyuan. Their first meeting was at Zhulin Temple. Their argument by Huanhua Creek on the Mid-Autumn Festival. How she had painted his horse and left him standing by the river. When he thought she was sick and rushed to buy fish porridge, only to smash the pot himself. The flame seemed to dance on his lips when he kissed her, earning him a slap. In an instant, Yang Jingyuan’s various images overlapped and merged, finally becoming his face as he stood outside her window in the rain, gazing at her deeply. She slowly lowered her head, her heart pounding violently.
She had never seriously considered Yang Jingyuan’s words. Too much had happened at home; she truly hadn’t had the energy to think about anything else. Madam Yang’s words couldn’t be clearer. She was grateful. But would accepting this be fair to Yang Jingyuan?
“Think it over carefully. This matter should be discussed with your mother. At this critical moment, the Yang family might seem to be taking advantage of your situation. I worry Madam Ji might misunderstand, thinking she’s selling her daughter, and refuse. Your lifelong happiness should be decided by you.”
Having dealt with the Ji family for years, she well understood Madam Ji’s stubborn temperament. Madam Yang Shi didn’t want to push too hard.
At this moment, Xueing’s voice came from outside: “Madam, Doctor Gu has arrived.”
“I won’t disturb Madam Ji’s rest while she’s ill. I’ll take my leave now. If you need anything, just tell my maid Xueing.” Having said her piece, Madam Yang Shi supported herself on the table to stand.
For not forcing an immediate decision, Ying Ying was grateful. Seeing Madam Yang Shi’s graying hair and her difficulty in standing, she naturally reached out to help her up. Madam Yang Shi didn’t refuse, standing with Ying Ying’s support while sighing lightly, “Age catches up with us all, the body doesn’t cooperate anymore.”
“Thank you for making this trip. On behalf of my mother, I thank you,” Ying Ying responded respectfully, supporting Madam Yang Shi to her carriage.
“It’s cold outside. Go check on your mother,” Madam Yang Shi smiled as she lowered the carriage curtain.
Nanny Chen, who attended the carriage, handed over hot ginger tea while quietly complaining, “Madam, why did you have to come personally? What if you catch a chill?”
“You all want to wrap me up like a rice dumpling. It’s just a few steps from the carriage to the shop, how could I get cold?” Madam Yang Shi was very satisfied with today’s meeting.
Nanny Chen was her dowry maid who had married a household manager but stayed by her side, earning Madam Yang Shi’s deep trust, so she dared speak freely: “This old servant doesn’t understand – if you want that Ji girl to work for the Yang family, why must you marry her to Third Young Master?”
After drinking the ginger tea, warmth rose in her stomach. Madam Yang Shi was feeling tired. She leaned back against the cushion with half-closed eyes, seeming to speak both to herself and in response to Nanny Chen: “The Third Young Master is a spirited horse; I need to hold both reins firmly to feel at ease.”
Nanny Chen sighed, “The First Young Master is filial and accomplished. You’re already a grandmother, you should worry less.”
Madam Yang Shi remained silent, appearing to have fallen asleep. Nanny Chen pulled up the thin blanket to cover her and said no more.
—…—
In the inn, after checking the pulse, Doctor Gu wrote a prescription: “Madam Ji’s illness only requires gradual rest. However, she must avoid getting angry again.”
As Xueing reached for the prescription, Ying Ying, thinking of the half ginseng root still unused at home, quickly grabbed it first. Xueing didn’t fight her for it. The Ji family hadn’t agreed to her madam’s conditions yet, and having already accepted the favor of Doctor Gu’s visit, they didn’t want to owe more. She bowed to Madam Ji and Ying Ying: “If Madam Ji or Second Miss have any other requests, just send someone to the Yang residence. This servant will escort Doctor Gu home and take leave now.”
Ying Ying had Nanny Ji see them out. After they left, she closed the door, sat by the couch, and explained: “Mother, hearing he was a retired Imperial Physician, I thought of your illness and couldn’t refuse.”
After hearing everything, Madam Ji sighed: “Madam Yang… is quite thoughtful indeed.”
Who could blame them when her daughter had helped the Zhao family claim the title of Brocade King? After twenty-some years, the Yang family’s sudden loss of the Brocade King plaque naturally made them interested in her daughter’s skills. The Yang family’s show of goodwill, with the family matriarch personally visiting this small inn and bringing an Imperial Physician – it was impossible to refuse or accuse her of ulterior motives. Madam Yang Shi’s methods far surpassed the Zhao family’s.
Madam Ji had slept for a while in the warm room and was feeling much better. She held her daughter’s hand, gently stroking it. “Ying Ying, your brother told me that on the day of the brocade competition, it was Young Master Yang who found you on horseback. And he let you ride his horse?”
Ying Ying lowered her head: “I worried it would look improper to ride together. So he let me ride his horse back first.”
After returning from Qingyang Temple on the Double Ninth Festival, Ji Yaoting told Madam Ji about Second Young Master Zhu and Yang Jingyuan. This time Second Young Master Zhu had also helped the Ji family greatly. With the Ji family now enemies with the Zhao family, Madam Ji feared the Zhu family couldn’t protect Ying Ying. If they couldn’t promise her to them, they shouldn’t give Second Young Master Zhu any hope. That night when Second Young Master Zhu escorted Yang Jingyuan home, she had deliberately changed the subject several times when he tried to bring it up.
With so many people watching at the brocade competition, for him to search for her daughter and then lend her his horse to ride back – he was considering her reputation. Madam Ji breathed a sigh of relief: “Send word to the Yang family, invite Young Master Yang to visit. Mother would like to meet him.”
Mother had agreed to the marriage with the Yang family. Ying Ying’s heart became confused again, and she said softly: “He… has gone to Chang’an, he won’t return until before the New Year.” She lay down against her mother, “Mother, do you also think this deal with the Yang family is feasible?”
Madam Ji slapped her back in anger: “What deal?!”
Ying Ying yelped in pain, then remembering Doctor Gu’s words, quickly said: “Mother, don’t get angry!”
Madam Ji glared at her, frowning: “Ying Ying, do you see this only as a transaction? If that’s the case, at least Master Sheng only wants the Ji family’s secrets. We owe him money, but with a year, we can find a way. There’s no need to sacrifice your entire life.”
“I…” Ying Ying’s words caught in her throat, unable to say anything.
It was indeed a transaction with Madam Yang. But thinking of Yang Jingyuan, Ying Ying couldn’t say it out loud. She understood his kindness toward her. But that was before – before that rainy night when she slapped him after he snuck into their home. He stood in the rain, his eyes so dark she couldn’t tell if they held sorrow or anger. Now his stepmother was arranging his marriage while he was away. Would he want this?
“This marriage would be quite fortunate for our family,” Madam Ji spoke gently, worried Ying Ying couldn’t see the situation. “Madam Yang could have completely accepted your proposal to work for the Yang family, where she could order you around without hesitation. But she considered her son’s feelings and chose to propose marriage instead. Though she’s taking advantage of our current difficulties – in this world, few people are willing to help in times of need. You should be grateful.”
“I don’t blame Madam Yang.” Ying Ying truly didn’t blame Madam Yang Shi. She just worried about that night when she had slapped and scolded Yang Jingyuan. Accepting the marriage proposal now – what would he think?