“Ying’er, what did the people who shot you look like?” Yang Jingyuan cleverly changed the subject.

Though Ji Yingying was inclined to ignore him, she knew this wasn’t the time to be petulant. She recalled, “There were six people on horseback, all wearing black clothes with covered faces. At first, they didn’t want to kill me—they asked me to go with them. Later, when I called for help and someone was coming, one of them shot me with an arrow.”

These were different people from those who had attacked the carriage.

As the Ji family had said, if the Zhao family wanted to harm Ji Yingying, perhaps he could learn something tonight. Yang Jingyuan, not wanting to be pressed further by Ji Yingying and knowing she needed rest, made up his mind and said softly, “I’ll call a maid to attend to you. I have a lead to follow. If I miss tonight, it won’t be easy to gather information later. I promise I’ll return before dawn to watch the dragon-phoenix candles burn until daybreak with you. Alright?”

“You must return before dawn then.” Upon hearing Yang Jingyuan’s promise to return, Ji Yingying’s anger dissipated, and her spirits seemed to lift.

Seeing how reluctant she was to let him go, yet still insisting on staying at the Yang household alone, Yang Jingyuan sighed and kissed her forehead. “Until this matter is cleared up, with you in the light and them in the shadows, I can’t rest easy.”

Now energized, Ji Yingying wouldn’t let him off so easily. She said slowly, “If you care about me so much, why did you say you wouldn’t look back even if I died? Which statement is true?”

After all that, she still wouldn’t let it go! Yang Jingyuan nearly died of frustration: “Ji Yingying, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

Her eyes were wide open, her face full of genuine confusion, looking completely innocent. Her finger moved to hook onto his hand, clearly showing she wouldn’t let go until he answered.

Yang Jingyuan rolled his eyes and said stiffly, “You’re driving me crazy… Why are you so foolish, not knowing to secretly come find me? I was worried sick, there, happy now?”

“Then why did you throw stones at my legs? You nearly got me strangled!”

“My heart almost stopped from fear. Of course, I had to teach you a lesson. But with me around, how could you possibly die?”

Ji Yingying giggled, satisfied. She released his hand and shooed him away like she was swatting mosquitoes: “Go on then, the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll return. Don’t disturb my rest. Call Xueqing in to attend to me.”

Yang Jingyuan snorted, “Don’t get too pleased with yourself. Wait until my mourning period is over… hmph!”

Ji Yingying again showed a curious expression of ‘What are you going to do?’ Yang Jingyuan blushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Ji Yingying burst out laughing, but the laughter pulled at her wound, making her cry out in pain.

“You are…” Yang Jingyuan couldn’t help but laugh and cry at being teased.

He pointed at Ji Yingying and turned to leave.

Leaving the main room, Yang Jingyuan unconsciously glanced toward the White Egret Hall across the lake. A lantern glowed in the pavilion on the opposite shore. The light was dim, but two figures could be vaguely seen. He stood in the corridor, gazing into the distance, his heart filled with bitterness.

Xueqing came with medicine and, seeing him, said, “Third Young Master, I heard from Ying’er that you called for me. Third Madam is awake, perfect timing for her medicine.”

“I have to go out tonight on some business, take good care of her. The wind has picked up tonight, don’t let her catch a chill. Go on now.” Yang Jingyuan quickly descended the corridor and walked toward the courtyard exit.

So Third Young Master was reminding her to close the windows to prevent Third Madam from catching the wind? Xueqing turned to look at the lantern light in the pavilion across the lake, her face breaking into a smile: “So Third Young Master was worried about the Madam.” Joy bubbled up from her heart as she smiled and entered the room.

Yang Jingyuan went to the stable. Snow Wind and the horse he had borrowed from Master Shu were tied in one stall. Snow Wind neighed excitedly upon seeing him. He hugged it and said softly, “Snow Wind, did you miss me?”

“Young Master, ride Snow Wind tonight. It misses you. I’ve been feeding it black beans and wheat cakes every day, grooming it…”

Turning around, he saw Xiangyou looking at him expectantly. Yang Jingyuan patted Snow Wind’s face and said, “Let’s take a darker horse. Snow Wind is too conspicuous.” Master Shu’s horse could stay at the mansion for now.

This meant he was taking him along. Xiangyou happily responded with an “Ay!” and brought out his horse along with a black one.

Master and servant mounted their horses and left the Yang household, once again crossing through the gap in the city wall to reach Three Dikes.

…

The lights were still on in Old Master Zhao’s quarters. Madam Niu and Zhao Xiuyuan were kneeling before the Old Master. The Zhao family guards, disguised as bandits, had tried to ambush the Yang family carriage but found it empty and returned unsuccessful. Upon hearing that Yang Jingyuan had suddenly appeared at the Ji family home and taken Ji Yingying away on horseback, Old Master Zhao acted decisively, having Zhao Xiuyuan summon Madam Niu.

“The servants Father gave me are all top fighters. With one arrow striking Ji Yingying, there’s no way she could survive,” Madam Niu said calmly.

Zhao Xiuyuan said coldly, “Ji Fu rushed back from the city to report to the Ji family. He said the arrow only hit her back shoulder, and Ji Yingying’s life is not in danger.”

Madam Niu sneered, “You should be happy she’s not dead, my lord. I helped with my efforts, yet you blame my servants for not being thorough enough. What logic is this?”

“Enough. What’s done is done, and more words are useless. Second Daughter-in-law, have your servants’ identities been exposed?” Military Inspector Shi had issued wanted notices from the prefecture office to arrest the bandits who had robbed and killed the teahouse owner. Using this opportunity, he had even sent officials into the Zhao residence to make arrogant threats. Old Master Zhao needed to confirm this matter.

Madam Niu lowered her face: “In response to Grandfather, these servants live in my dowry estate near the Zhao residence. They are well-trained and capable of battlefield combat, they absolutely won’t reveal any flaws. Moreover, Yang Jingyuan wasn’t present at the time, only Ji Yingying was there. She couldn’t have noticed anything.”

Old Master Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment and said, “Since your people are more skilled than the Zhao family guards, Grandfather has something he’d like to borrow them for. I wonder if a Second Daughter-in-law would be willing?”

“They only take orders from me. Whatever Grandfather has in mind, please speak directly. I will command them accordingly.”

Old Master Zhao pondered for a moment and said, “The Yang family head, Yang Jingshan, was beaten by the Military Governor and is bedridden. This year, the person going to Mount Sang to worship the Silkworm Goddess will either be the Second Young Master Yang Jingyan, or the eldest grandson Yang Chengyu. If something else were to happen to the main branch of the Yang family, the second and third branches would certainly take the opportunity to fight for the position of the family head. Do you understand Grandfather’s meaning?”

Want to use the Niu family’s blade to kill members of the Yang family? Binding the Niu and Zhao families together like this, they didn’t know their place. However, if the Yang family’s Second Young Master or eldest grandson died, the main branch would completely collapse. Then, Yang Jingyuan would become a homeless dog. Madam Niu nodded: “I will need the Yang family’s travel arrangements.”

“Good. It’s getting late, you may both retire.”

The husband and wife bid farewell to Old Master Zhao and left.

After leaving the courtyard, they walked silently along the corridor. As they passed the corner where the garden was deserted, Zhao Xiuyuan suddenly grabbed Madam Niu’s arm and forcefully pulled her to the corridor corner. He pushed her hard, causing her to stumble against a pillar. Yuyuan cried out in alarm and rushed forward to support her: “What are you doing?”

Zhao Xiuyuan yanked Yuyuan away and pressed close to Madam Niu, growling in a low voice, “You promised me you would only kidnap her! Why did you order them to kill her?”

Madam Niu’s back ached from the impact, but she slowly stood straight and looked at him coldly, “Who knew Ji Yingying would climb trees like a monkey! And Yang Jingyuan turned back to the teahouse. You think I didn’t want to capture her alive and make Yang Jingyuan kneel and beg me? Since we couldn’t capture her alive, naturally we had to kill her to prevent her from helping the Yang family weave the battle brocade.”

The two stared at each other like fighting roosters for a long while. Zhao Xiuyuan gritted his teeth and said, “You should be thankful she’s still alive!” Then he stormed off.

“Madam, are you hurt from the collision just now?” Yuyuan supported Madam Niu, anxiously looking her up and down.

Madam Niu grabbed Yuyuan’s hand tightly and said, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. I swear I will kill Ji Yingying in front of Zhao Xiuyuan. I’ll make him watch her die with his own eyes!”

An arrow suddenly shot into the pillar beside her with such force that the fletching trembled continuously.

“Who’s there!” Yuyuan swiftly drew a foot-long dagger from her sleeve and stood protectively in front of Madam Niu.