Yang Jingyuan walked into the temporary bamboo pavilion. He wore a black long robe with narrow sleeves. Standing next to Yang Jingyan in his plain white clothes, the black-and-white contrast was particularly striking.
His frame was tall and broad-shouldered with a slim waist. Military life had added a sense of steadiness to his bearing. For a moment, the Yang family members all had the illusion that he and the former Third Young Master Yang were two different people.
Remembering how Yang Jingyuan used to wear fine brocade and carried himself with such liveliness, seeing this Third Young Master who had shed his youthful air made Madam Yang’s heartache. Feeling hesitant at this homecoming, she sat stiffly without moving.
At the same age, Fourth Young Master sat pale-faced in his chair, unable to stand. Yet Yang Jingyuan stood tall and spirited. Why wasn’t that threatening little beast killed on the spot that day? Second Master Yang’s pupils contracted and his eyes narrowed, barely containing his hatred. He glanced at Madam Yang and smiled, “I heard Third Young Master joined the Military Commissioner of Dongchuan. He’s never suffered hardship since childhood and finally returns home for a visit. The Elder Sister-in-law should be happy, why the stern face? ‘While parents live, one shouldn’t travel far.’ Elder Sister-in-law must be angry that Third Young Master stubbornly went off to join the army. You should have broken his legs back then, made him stay home properly, hehe.”
These deliberately provocative words nearly made Madam Yang grind her teeth to pieces. She knew the second and third branches would never truly behave, always ready to bear their fangs. She said flatly, “Look at me, lost in thought for a moment. If the Master knew that our Yang family would produce a general in the future, who knows how happy he would be.”
You’re worried Third Young Master won’t acknowledge you, right? Understandable, after Concubine Liu died, you showed your true colors, wanting to beat Third Young Master to death. No wonder he ran away. Second Master Yang thought privately.
Ji Yingying feared Yang Jingyuan would stubbornly refuse to respond, embarrassing Madam Yang in public. Standing behind him, she secretly poked him with her finger.
Yang Jingyuan quickly grabbed her hand and squeezed it firmly before letting go. He stepped forward and made a deep bow to Madam Yang: “If Third Young Master has achieved anything, it’s all thanks to Madam’s good teaching.”
He hadn’t ignored her and even helped smooth things over. However, he called her “Madam” now, no longer “Mother.” Madam Yang suppressed the bitterness in her heart and said, “Since you’re back, after paying respects to your elders and brothers, go light a lantern for your father.”
“Yes,” Yang Jingyuan complied obediently, paying his respects to each family member in turn.
Yang Jingshan couldn’t contain his relief, holding his hand repeatedly saying, “It’s good that you’re back.”
First Madam was also pleased: “When Third Young Master appears, Sister-in-law has eyes for no one else.”
Yang Jingyuan looked back, catching Ji Yingying watching him. His heart sweetened and the corners of his mouth turned up. When he reached Fourth Young Master, before he could speak, Fourth Young Master hurriedly said, “This wasn’t Third Sister-in-law’s fault. She wanted that orchid so badly, I couldn’t bear to disappoint her, but while picking it I slipped and broke my leg. The third Sister-in-law felt very guilty and often sent nourishing soup. Third Brother shouldn’t blame her.”
Ji Yingying hadn’t told Yang Jingyuan about this incident. Wanting an orchid so badly that Fourth Young Master rushed to pick it for her? What was this about? Yang Jingyuan made a noncommittal sound: “Will your leg heal properly?”
What kind of response was that? Fourth Young Master had failed to provoke Yang Jingyuan’s jealousy and instead angered himself half to death: “Third Brother hopes your younger brother will remain crippled?”
Yang Jingyuan lowered his head, placing both hands on his shoulders in what appeared to others as a brotherly gesture, and moved close to Fourth Young Master, saying softly: “Fourth Young Master, dare to court your Third Sister-in-law again. Once your legs heal, I’ll break them again.”
He straightened up, patted Fourth Young Master’s shoulder, and walked away with a smile.
Fourth Young Master gripped the chair arms tightly, grinding his teeth: “Don’t be too smug!”
After the ceremony ended, the third branch gradually departed. Yang Jingyuan and Ji Yingying reunited after a long separation, intentionally lingered, standing by the river and watching the Yang family’s carriages disappear into the distance.
“Young Master!” Seeing no one else by the river, Xiangyou ran over carrying a silk lantern.
Yang Jingyuan laughed: “Want me to release lanterns with you?”
Ji Yingying shook her head: “This is prepared for Concubine Liu.”
The Yang family held the ceremony and released lanterns praying for blessings for the Old Master. They wouldn’t think of Concubine Liu. Yang Jingyuan gazed at Ji Yingying: “How did you know I stayed behind…”
Ji Yingying gave him a look, humming: “I don’t believe you stayed behind just to accompany me.” She took the lantern and walked toward the river, hearing Yang Jingyuan mumble behind her: “Who says I didn’t want to accompany you.” She smiled, suppressing her grin as she took the fire from Ling’er to light the candle inside the lantern.
The dark river surface was dotted with scattered lanterns. The lamplight illuminated her face, her white dress floating, beautiful as a water spirit. Yang Jingyuan stood transfixed.
“Why are you standing there dumbly? Come quick, you should release it yourself.” Ji Yingying held the lantern, waking Yang Jingyuan from his trance. He strode over, took the lantern, and said to her: “After today’s memorial for my father, you shouldn’t wear mourning clothes anymore.”
“It’s fine,” Ji Yingying thought he was concerned about her having to wear plain clothes for three years, and smiled, shaking her head.
“When I say no, it means no.”
Yang Jingyuan glared at her, bending to place the lantern in the water. He held her hand as they stood by the river, watching the lantern float away: “I’ve done what needed to be done for you. Rest in peace.”
Ji Yingying was curious: “What did you do for Concubine Liu?”
He had repaid the kindness of raising him. Besides Master Shu, no one knew he had placed Concubine Liu’s ashes in his father’s coffin, to rest together eternally. Privately excavating his father’s and Concubine Liu’s graves was too shocking; Yang Jingyuan didn’t want Ji Yingying to worry, so he looked at the lantern and said: “Bringing her daughter-in-law to light lanterns and pray for her blessings, fulfilling a son’s filial duty.”
He suddenly remembered Fourth Young Master’s matter: “What flowers do you like?”
“Huh?” Ji Yingying was thrown off by his abrupt change of topic: “What?”
“I’m asking what flowers you like, so I can give them to you.” After saying this, he quickly added, “Don’t you dare say you like that Purple Swallow’s New Makeup. And you’re not allowed to like orchids either.”
Ji Yingying burst out laughing, poking his face teasingly: “I thought Third Young Master had become mature and steady after joining the army. Turns out you’re still a jealous little jar!”
Yang Jingyuan snorted: “Tell the truth, why did you ask Fourth Young Master to pick orchids? Also, First Madam’s words had hidden meanings. When I came back, you only had eyes for me. When I wasn’t around, did you have eyes for others?”
Why did Madam Chen always look at her with displeasure? Ji Yingying was exasperated: “You’re as attentive as dust to catch First Madam’s implications if I don’t tell you, figure it out yourself.”
“Tell me now!” Yang Jingyuan looked around, seeing the two maids and Xiangyou had retreated to the bamboo pavilion. He picked up Ji Yingying by the waist, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll throw you in the river.”
Truthfully, would Yang Jingyuan break Fourth Young Master’s legs again in the middle of the night? Ji Yingying wrapped her arms around his neck, saying softly: “I saw his ill intentions always trying to get close to me, so I tricked him into picking orchids by the ditch, then he slipped and broke his leg.”
“Really?”
“Mm.”
Yang Jingyuan laughed heartily, and kissed her cheek: “Well done!”
Seeing he hadn’t taken Madam Chen’s words to heart, Ji Yingying didn’t want to mention it further. She leaned against him, silently watching the river view, and asked: “How many days can you stay home this time?”
“Three days.” Yang Jingyuan calculated the time and said, “Tomorrow let’s go to Qingcheng to see Master, and while we’re there, fulfill our prayer at Zhulin Temple, alright? The oracle slip I drew then was truly divine, I need to fulfill my prayer.”
Zhulin Temple, isn’t that back in Sandaoyan? Not knowing if Sheng Fengze had left, what if they encountered him, would it be dangerous? Ji Yingying hesitated before saying: “The round trip will take two days. Don’t you want to stay at home?”
Yang Jingyuan’s feelings were complex: “I told you, after three years I’ll take you away.”
She had thought he had forgiven Madam… Ji Yingying sighed inwardly and had to tell him: “When I returned home two months ago, I discovered Sheng Fengze had come again. He’s staying with the Zhao family.”
Her words caught Yang Jingyuan’s attention. He smiled coldly: “Still harboring evil intentions!”
If Nanzhao intended to rebel, with Master Shu’s help now and his position in the Dongchuan Military Commissioner’s mansion, he was no longer the powerless young noble of before. But to make people believe, he needed evidence. Thinking of this, Yang Jingyuan felt the time was running short again.
“Let’s go home first. Tomorrow I’ll go gather some information, and see if Sheng Fengze is still at the Zhao residence,” Yang Jingyuan made his decision.