“Sheng Fengze! Come down and fight me like a man! What kind of hero hides behind a turtle shell!” Vice Commander Niu cursed.

Sheng Fengze shook his head. “Everyone values their life. Vice Commander Niu, why continue… like a moth to the flame?”

It was precisely because he valued life that he had turned a blind eye, allowing Nanzhao time to surround three sides. He wasn’t valuing his own life, but the lives of over two hundred members of the Niu family.

“Do you think dying on the battlefield wrapped in your horse’s hide will earn the Tang Emperor’s forgiveness?” Sheng Fengze was curious about what drove Vice Commander Niu to embrace death so readily, choosing to be a hero at the last moment.

Vice Commander Niu struck his chest fiercely. “I am a Great Tang general! To flee without fighting – even in death, I couldn’t face my ancestors! I did as I should, only hoping the common people wouldn’t spit on my family’s name!”

Seeing Sheng Fengze about to speak again, Vice Commander Niu spat on the ground. “I’m done talking! Kill!”

His broad-backed sword struck the rattan shield with all his might.

In the quiet street, only Vice Commander Niu’s bull-like roars could be heard.

Sheng Fengze took a bow, drawing it like a full moon. “Let me send you on your way.”

The arrow flew like wind, piercing through the bright armor and Vice Commander Niu’s body. He fell from his horse. Several spears held him at bay.

Vice Commander Niu lay on his back, hand still tightly gripping his curved-back sword.

A golden figure floated down before him. Sheng Fengze watched him as he took out a letter from his bosom and personally set it aflame.

Watching the paper ash scatter, blood gushing from his mouth, Vice Commander Niu’s eyes glistened with tears.

“Bury him properly, with no dishonor,” Sheng Fengze turned away. Behind him came several soft sounds of spear tips entering flesh.

Chi Hu looked at Vice Commander Niu’s wide-open eyes and bent down to gently close them. “He was a true man.”

“Check on the Yang family.” Vice Commander Niu had struck a chord in Sheng Fengze’s heart. He had held back for so long, but finally, that hint of panic took over.

Leaving troops to block the streets, he led twenty-eight personal guards racing toward the Yang residence.

He only hoped she would be as he first met her, her wildness held in check by fear. Still alive and well.

When they reached the Yang residence, a long line of carriages stood at the gate. A lieutenant commander led soldiers to greet him, beaming: “Your Highness, everything at the Yang house is proceeding smoothly.”

Sheng Fengze exhaled deeply, dismounted, and was escorted into White Egret Hall.

Soldiers were carrying out boxes of valuables, loading them onto carts.

“When we arrived, the Yang family’s Second and Third Masters had already captured the First Branch’s people with their servants. Unfortunately, the First Branch’s young men had already fled the city. That old woman and the Yang family head are stubborn – they won’t talk no matter how much we beat them.”

Sheng Fengze’s steps paused, his expression lightening: “No matter. Take all able-bodied weavers from the Yang family.”

The lieutenant commander smiled, “We’ve already escorted one thousand two hundred thirty-seven able-bodied weavers out of the city. The Brocade King Yang family was first on Secretary Jin’s list. As soon as we entered the city, I brought troops here. However, I await Your Highness’s instructions on how to handle the Second and Third Branches.”

Entering White Egret Hall, Second Master Yang and Third Master Yang knelt with their entire families in neat rows. Nearby, Nanzhao soldiers guarded Madam Yang Shi and others bound on the ground.

Sheng Fengze glanced around, seeing only Madam Yang Shi and the Yang Jingshan couple, with the rest being injured guards, servants, or First Branch maids. He withdrew his gaze and looked at Second Master Yang with an ambiguous smile: “I remember drinking wine and viewing plum blossoms with Second Master on Tazi Mountain a year ago. Such grand ceremony – I don’t deserve it.”

“That day we didn’t know Your Highness’s identity. Please forgive our offenses!” Second Master Yang said respectfully.

“Rise and speak.” Sheng Fengze naturally took the main seat. “Both Master Yangs understand the bigger picture, saving me much trouble. Name any reward you wish.”

Hearing Sheng Fengze’s words directly, Madam Yang Shi nearly fainted from anger: “Second Brother, Third Brother, have your hearts been blinded by lard? Even if you want to seize the family headship, how could you collude with Nanzhao?”

“Didn’t you hear His Highness say this is understanding the bigger picture?” Second Master Yang could finally speak up to Madam Yang Shi, sneering, “The Military Commissioner first sought peace with brocade, then abandoned the city without a fight. I’m only trying to preserve lives and the Yang family. Should I have let my Sister-in-law burn down this century-old mansion?”

“Winners become kings, losers become bandits – future generations will judge right and wrong! Kill me or hack me to pieces, I submit to Prince Bai’s judgment! The Yang First Branch still has descendants. My eldest son and I do not fear death!” Madam Yang Shi raised her neck, assuming a pose ready for execution.

Sheng Fengze smiled slightly. He had no interest in the Yang family’s struggle for headship. He stood and said to the lieutenant commander: “General, proceed according to the predetermined rules. I have military matters to attend to and must leave.”

“Your Highness, please wait!” Second and Third Master Yang exchanged glances. Second Master smiled ingratiatingly: “Madam Yang Shi won’t reveal where the First Branch’s descendants are, but I’m certain they’re hiding at the estate on Fenzong Mountain. Would Your Highness consider sending troops to search the estate in the eastern suburbs?”

Having already bound their sister-in-law’s nephew’s entire family but unable to finish the job themselves, they wanted to borrow his blade to slaughter the First Branch. Sheng Fengze’s face darkened: “That day, I promised Second Master that if you cooperated with me, you would certainly become the Yang family head. Nanzhao has taken over a thousand able-bodied Yang family weavers – building a new Yang family should be no worse than in Yizhou. Second Master knows the Yang family people best. I sincerely invite Second Master to be the new family head in Nanzhao.”

Be family head in Nanzhao? Second Master Yang was startled: “Your Highness, I won’t go to Nanzhao!”

Sheng Fengze’s expression turned stern: “Men! Escort Second Master and Third Master’s families out of the city! Guard them well, don’t let them scatter and separate along the way.”

“Your Highness, mercy! I won’t be the family head! Please show mercy!” Second Master Yang’s face turned pale as he shouted.

Madam Zou fainted on the spot.

Young Master Yang Si’s leg hadn’t healed; he collapsed kneeling, supported by two soldiers, crying in panic: “Father, I won’t go to Nanzhao! Quickly beg His Highness, I won’t go to Nanzhao!”

Sheng Fengze glanced at Madam Yang Shi and suddenly said to Chi Hu: “Release the Yang First Branch people.” As if explaining to the lieutenant commander, yet seeming to convince himself, he added, “Maids and guards who can’t weave are useless to take back.”

He strode out of White Egret Hall.

Chi Hu shrugged, patting the lieutenant commander’s shoulder: “Heard that? Take them away. I’ll handle the First Branch people.”

The lieutenant commander agreed with a smile, ordering soldiers to drag out the Second and Third Branch families.

White Egret Hall grew quiet. Chi Hu cut through the ropes binding Madam Yang Shi and the Yang Jingshan couple, saying coldly: “Madam Yang, keep your family members in check and keep your doors closed. Don’t act on your own and harm your family.”

Stunned by this sudden reversal, Madam Yang Shi called out to Chi Hu: “Why did your prince release us?”

That was a difficult question to answer. Even now, Chi Hu didn’t understand his prince’s awkward feelings toward Ji Yingying. To say he liked her didn’t seem quite right. To say he didn’t like her – well, he had spared her several times.

He smiled: “Madam Yang, you have good sons and daughters-in-law. You are blessed.”

What did that mean? Madam Yang Shi was completely puzzled.

In the blink of an eye, the soldiers withdrew from the Yang residence. She had no time for other thoughts, directing the servants: “Quickly close the gates! Guard all entrances strictly! No one is to leave the mansion!”