As Sheng Fengze was being escorted by his guards toward the courier station’s gate, he heard the commotion of young nobles outside the walls. He stopped in his tracks.
The sudden appearance of these young aristocrats had completely disrupted his plans.
“My lord, what should we do now?”
“Yang Jingyuan, Yang Third Young Master. You’ve ruined another one of my schemes.” Sheng Fengze’s expression was extremely unpleasant. He somewhat regretted not killing Yang Jingyuan the previous night. A merchant’s illegitimate son attempting to assassinate a Nanzhao prince in the courier station—killing him would have been justified. Only because he knew Young Master Yang was favored at home did he change his mind and hand him over to Military Officer Shi.
The specific affairs of Yizhou’s courier station were managed by the station clerk, whose immediate superior was Military Officer Shi. Any incident involving Sheng Fengze at the courier station would implicate Military Officer Shi. With such leverage in hand, he had Military Officer Shi under his control. Yet his intelligence had arrived too late. Only after sending Yang Jingyuan away did he learn of Elder Master Yang’s death.
With Elder Master Yang dead, Military Officer Shi might not risk himself for a nephew in name only.
Fortunately, Military Officer Shi still chose to send Yang Jingyuan back to the Yang family instead of the prefecture prison. Just as Sheng Fengze was congratulating himself on his successful scheme and planning to pay his respects at the Yang household tomorrow, Yang Jingyuan had come to apologize with thorns.
Since Yang Jingyuan had seen through his plan and chose to make a scene at the courier station, Sheng Fengze thought he might as well publicly humiliate him to get back at him for the beating he’d received atop the city wall.
In an instant, the situation had taken a sharp turn, transforming into a complete farce.
Thinking about having to walk out of the courier station and exchange pleasantries with those young nobles, Sheng Fengze felt the urge to roll up his sleeves and compete with them in their frivolity.
“A group of people coming to apologize with thorns. All of Yizhou’s common folk are watching this spectacle. How can I turn back now?” Sheng Fengze suppressed his unwillingness and anger, put on a gentle smile, and walked toward the station’s main gate.
By this time, Yang Jingshan had quietly left, sending word to the prefecture office. Military Officer Shi’s shock turned to joy as he hurriedly rushed over. Meeting Sheng Fengze as he walked out the door, Military Officer Shi quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting: “These youngsters dare to disturb Your Highness at the courier station. I have failed in my duties!”
Smiling so broadly that the wrinkles on his face folded into multiple layers… the Nanzhao guards finally witnessed just how thick-skinned Tang officials could be, each of them responding with cold stares.
Military Officer Shi pretended not to notice, saying with feigned difficulty: “They’ve come to apologize to Your Highness with thorns. I really cannot drive them away. Considering their youth, I ask Your Highness to make a decision.”
Sheng Fengze replied with a false smile: “This prince’s stay in Yizhou is to make friends, not enemies. It was merely a misunderstanding; how could I take it to heart? Please, everyone, rise!”
The young nobles, usually bored with nothing to do, had suddenly found something entertaining today. The group gathered here, kneeling on one knee as if playing a game, feeling fresh and excited. Each appeared spirited, without a trace of the remorse or guilt that should accompany an apology with thorns. Hearing Sheng Fengze’s words, they readily stood up, pulling off their bound thorns and playfully whipping each other, shouting: “The prince is magnanimous!”
They then turned to bow to the watching commoners: “Thank you, fellow townspeople, for giving us courage!”
Zhou Seventh Young Master, wanting to display his valor before the other young nobles and thinking his name would be remembered in Yizhou for a long time, excitedly shouted: “Come, rewards!”
His servant threw out a bundle of copper coins with a clattering sound.
Seeing money being scattered, the commoners erupted in excitement, happily shouting their thanks and scrambling to collect the coins.
Military Officer Shi smiled until his eyes nearly disappeared, still pretending to be helpless: “Ah, these young masters! Alas!”
No one paid any more attention to Sheng Fengze, their attitude suggesting he could leave now. Sheng Fengze was so angry he had to take deep breaths, yet still had to pretend nothing was wrong, forcing a laugh to echo Military Officer Shi: “Youth indeed!”
To hell with youth! He had been sent as an envoy to Tibet at fifteen! He could work in the fields during harvest time and lead three armies during peace. Sheng Fengze was incredibly frustrated.
Suddenly, his gaze met Yang Jingyuan’s.
Yang Jingyuan raised the thorny branch, looking at Sheng Fengze, then broke it with a crack and casually threw it away. He no longer looked at Sheng Fengze, turning to leave the crowd with Sang Fourteen.
“Yang Jingyuan, the real show is yet to come.” Sheng Fengze sneered and swept back into the courier station.
Walking out of the crowd, Sang Fourteen pulled Yang Jingyuan to a street corner, saying mischievously: “I’m a good brother, right? I saw it when I arrived. I bet Second Miss Ji is in that carriage.”
A mule-drawn carriage was stopped at the corner. Ji Fu sat on the shaft, and seeing the two of them, smiled and jumped down from the carriage, calling loudly toward the inside: “My lady, this old servant is thirsty and will return after having a bowl of tea.”
Hearing his words, Yang Jingyuan’s heart suddenly began racing, his feet refusing to move forward.
Sang Fourteen watched anxiously and forcefully pulled him to the carriage: “Third Brother, I’ll come with my parents tomorrow to pay respects at your household. Farewell.” With that, he left, shaking his head and smiling.
The carriage’s curtain hung low, standing silently.
Yang Jingyuan stood quietly before the carriage.
She couldn’t come to the house to pay respects, had she come to the city to see him? There was too much to say, how could it all be said at once?
He had hoped to find evidence of Nanzhao’s military intentions, to prove it to her. In just one night, his father and birth mother were gone. The upcoming wedding would have to be postponed for three years due to his mourning period. Would she wait three years for him?
For half a month, he had been busy tracking Sheng Fengze, also angry that she wouldn’t trust and rely on him. Did she resent him?
Through the thin curtain, Yang Jingyuan’s emotions surged, yet he lacked the courage to lift it.
Ji Yingying sat in the carriage, cupping her face in her hands, staring intently at the curtain. The old Yang Third Young Master would have lifted the curtain without hesitation. If he was standing outside the carriage now, yet saying nothing. Was he still angry with her?
His father and foster mother’s bodies were not yet cold. The murderer who harmed his father had not been found. The mystery of his foster mother’s blood-written message remained unsolved. If not for trying to mitigate last night’s impact, he shouldn’t have left the mansion. Yang Jingyuan sighed and spoke: “That night I didn’t misunderstand about you and Sheng Fengze. I was just angry that you wouldn’t trust me. Whatever difficulties you have, if you just tell me, I will certainly find a way. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to talk to me. I must return to the mansion to keep vigil for my father and foster mother, and our marriage must be postponed.”
Suddenly hearing Yang Jingyuan’s words, Ji Yingying was both shocked and delighted, stunned for a moment. So Yang Jingyuan hadn’t fallen for the trap; he was just upset that she had kept things from him. Hearing him speak of keeping vigil, Ji Yingying was startled again. Keeping vigil for his foster mother? Had his birth mother passed away too? What exactly had happened in the Yang household? In one night he had lost two family members! Ji Yingying was so shocked she forgot to speak. When she finally reacted, she quickly lifted the curtain: “Third Young Master!”
But outside the carriage was empty. Yang Jingyuan had already left.