Halfway up the mountain stood a cluster of white stone buildings. Nestled among the blue sky and green trees, it was strikingly beautiful. The towering gate featured a through-tenon architectural style, with “White Cliff Palace” written in gold powder at its center. Compared to the low stone houses at the mountain’s foot and along the way, this place was like a piece of white jade dropped in mud.
The horse stopped at the palace gates. Sheng Fengze dismounted and reached out to carry Ji Yingying.
The echoes of the White Prince’s return drifted from afar. Two rows of guards in brilliant armor lined up from the wide-open palace gates as far as the eye could see. A large group of welcoming officials stood bowing at the entrance. Being carried in under everyone’s gaze made Ji Yingying deeply uncomfortable.
“Are you so poor you don’t even have a palanquin?”
Sheng Fengze glanced at her and ordered the waiting steward: “Bring the elephant sedan.”
A sedan would be fine – anything to avoid being carried by him again. Ji Yingying sat sideways on the horse without a word.
Moments later, heavy footsteps shook the ground. A large gray bull elephant emerged from a side gate. It wore magnificent brocade cushions and carried a golden saddle on its back.
Ji Yingying, who had never seen an elephant before, gaped in astonishment.
Seemingly excited to see its master, the elephant quickened its pace, thundering forward with heavy steps.
Its long trunk stretched toward Sheng Fengze, who stood beside the horse.
Bell-like eyes, tusks half as long as her body… Ji Yingying clutched the reins in fear.
Sheng Fengze patted the trunk and looked up at her: “Is this sedan more to your liking?”
Ji Yingying: “…”
Seeing her silence, Sheng Fengze raised an eyebrow: “Perhaps you’ve changed your mind now?”
Ji Yingying would rather die than take back her words and let him carry her in. She tried to appear calm, saying haughtily: “Not bad, quite a unique sedan.”
Sheng Fengze tugged at the corner of his mouth, affectionately stroking the elephant’s trunk while pointing at Ji Yingying: “Let her ride.”
The elephant obediently raised its trunk toward Ji Yingying, seemingly wanting to smell her, its trunk repeatedly trying to touch her.
He stood below, arms crossed, watching her. His eyes gleamed with a malicious light. Yes, malicious! Ji Yingying stared at the two black nostrils, cold sweat breaking out on her back. She was determined not to let Sheng Fengze see her fear. Ji Yingying clenched her teeth and endured the trunk’s touch.
Suddenly her waist was gripped as the trunk lifted her from the horse.
“Ah!” Ji Yingying cried out in fright.
Before her cry ended, the elephant released its trunk, setting her on its back. From her high perch, Ji Yingying saw the people at the palace gate hiding their smiles with lowered heads.
The elephant took a step forward, and Ji Yingying quickly grabbed the handrail. The trunk bent down, and Sheng Fengze gracefully stepped onto it, sitting beside her.
Ji Yingying turned to glare at him angrily.
Sheng Fengze calmly asked, “What exactly do you want?”
What did she want? Wasn’t this a thief crying ‘stop thief’? He was toying with her, wanting to make her look foolish. Ji Yingying forced out the words: “Thank you, White Prince.”
Sheng Fengze smiled and patted the handrail.
“Raise the sedan!” The elephant handler led the elephant into the palace.
At the hall entrance, the elephant slowly knelt, and a red-lacquered carved wooden ladder was placed against the side.
Sheng Fengze waved his hand. The ladder was quickly removed. He turned to look at Ji Yingying. His meaning was clear – would she prefer him to carry her down, or have the elephant’s trunk lower her to the ground?
Ji Yingying bit her lip and refused to speak.
Sheng Fengze’s lips curled up as he scooped her up and leaped down, stepping onto the high stairs.
“I can walk,” Ji Yingying said resentfully.
“If you had said you could walk at the palace gate, this prince wouldn’t have needed to call for the elephant sedan.”
“I mean now…”
“We’re here.”
Ji Yingying closed her mouth.
Sheng Fengze placed her on a couch in the hall. Aning stood waiting nearby with a red-lacquered wooden tray. She glanced at Ji Yingying and lowered her eyes: “Master, let this servant handle it.”
“Leave.”
Aning’s lips quivered, about to speak. Chi Hu grabbed her arm.
The people in the hall withdrew. Ji Yingying watched as Sheng Fengze took a bottle from the wooden tray. The scent of medicinal wine wafted out.
“It’s not serious, I can do it myself. Thank you.” Ji Yingying quickly spoke up when she realized what he intended to do.
Sheng Fengze looked at her without speaking.
Ji Yingying resignedly extended her sprained foot. Her gaze wandered around the hall. White patterned stone, laid with brilliant gorgeous brocade, melted away the stone’s coldness. The colors of these brocades were somewhat strange, unlike Shu brocade, carrying Nanzhao’s unique style… “Ouch!” The pain of medicinal wine being rubbed on her injury interrupted her thoughts. Her ankle was firmly held in his palm as Sheng Fengze focused intently on massaging it. Ji Yingying’s face instantly flushed.
She clutched the brocade cushion beneath her, not daring to look anymore.
His mind full of that delicate little foot, he spoke seemingly calmly without looking at Ji Yingying: “This is Nanzhao’s special medicinal wine, very effective. You’ll be able to walk tomorrow.” Sheng Fengze set the wine bottle aside, washed his hands in the water basin, and dried them with a cloth.
As soon as he released her foot, Ji Yingying tucked it back under her skirt.
“Once you’re healed, I’ll send you back to the dyehouse.” Sheng Fengze glanced over, seeing her colorful skirt completely hiding her foot. His heart felt as if covered by cloth, making him unconsciously want to explain himself, “Nanzhao needs talented people for dyeing and brocade weaving. This prince has worked hard in battle and doesn’t want to see Zhao Xiuyuan waste that effort. However, if you refuse to contribute to Nanzhao, this prince won’t protect you.”
Finally having a chance to be alone with her, yet still unable to say what he wanted to say. Sheng Fengze called out loudly: “Aning!”
“Master.”
“Attend to her well.”
Sheng Fengze left as if fleeing.
Ji Yingying let out a long sigh of relief, leaning back against the soft tiger skin and closing her eyes.
Feeling someone watching her, she opened her eyes and recognized Aning: “Oh, it’s you. No need to attend to me. The White Prince said the medicinal wine is very effective, I’ll be able to walk tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll leave here and return to the dyehouse.”
“Do you want to leave Nanzhao and return to Great Tang?” Aning suddenly said softly.
“What did you say?” Ji Yingying pushed herself up from the couch.
Aning’s large eyes filled with tears: “I’ll help you leave Nanzhao. That way… you’ll never stay by master’s side.”
If not for fear of master’s disgust, she would surely have killed Ji Yingying. Why hadn’t the Qingping Official killed Ji Yingying? Since he wouldn’t kill her, she had to find another way.
Ji Yingying grabbed her hand, saying excitedly: “You’ll help me?”
Aning shook her off, saying with disgust: “I wish you were dead.”
“That’s fine. As long as you’ll help me.” Ji Yingying didn’t care if Aning hated her, as long as she would help.
“Stay quietly in the dyehouse. In a month, the sovereign will arrange marriages for Tang people of suitable age. Once they’ve settled down with families in Nanzhao, the supervision will relax. I’ll find a chance to tell you.”
To make this group of Tang people settle down willingly, Nanzhao adopted a marriage alliance strategy. By then, they wouldn’t keep all the captured Tang craftspeople confined to the workshops. As long as they could move freely in and out, there would surely be a chance to leave. Even without Aning’s help, she could find an opportunity herself. Ji Yingying nodded: “Alright.”