Du Yan agreed too quickly. Given their political differences, there was no reason he would so easily spare his enemy’s wife. Achieving his goal too easily, Sheng Fengze felt an inexplicable sense of discord. Still, the courteous words had to be said: “The Qingping Official’s willingness to set aside personal grievances commands my respect!”
Du Yan called a servant: “Tell Madam Yang that Prince Bai values her talent, and I will temporarily spare her life. Have her come thank His Highness.”
He thought Sheng Fengze would want to see Ji Yingying, but unexpectedly, Sheng Fengze immediately rose to leave: “That won’t be necessary. I have no intention of saving her. I merely regret the loss of such dyeing skills. Farewell.”
Du Yan was briefly stunned as he rose to see him out.
Outside the Du residence, Chihu asked softly: “My Lord, why did you leave in such a hurry?”
Sheng Fengze said quietly: “I was too hasty. Du Yan has no intention of killing her.”
Chihu was puzzled: “The Qingping Official doesn’t want to kill Second Lady Ji?”
“If you were the Qingping Official and saw your enemy’s wife, what would you do?” Sheng Fengze asked in return.
His only son was killed by Yang Jingyuan, upon seeing the enemy’s wife, what would he do? Chihu blurted out: “Naturally, I would humiliate her terribly before killing her to quench my hatred!”
Would a woman who had been humiliated come to thank someone for sparing her life? Ji Yingying wouldn’t be so compliant. Sheng Fengze frowned: “Du Yan didn’t seem to have mistreated her. He seemed rather eager for me to see her.”
Even Sheng Fengze couldn’t clearly define his feelings for Ji Yingying. How would Du Yan know? Chihu suddenly thought of Aning, unwilling to believe, muttering: “It couldn’t be Aning…”
“Let’s hope it’s not her.” Sheng Fengze patted Chihu’s shoulder. “I know you’ve liked Aning since childhood. Go propose to her.”
If Aning had passed on the information. If only she would return from her wayward path and accept his proposal. For his sake, the master would spare her life. Chihu’s face reddened as he knelt on one knee: “If she betrayed the master, I will never forgive her! Please take back your order. No matter how much I like her, I won’t marry a woman who betrayed the master.”
Sheng Fengze shook his head: “Chihu, I’ve never doubted your loyalty. Rise. It was I who sent Du Jing to attack Zitong. How could Du Yan not have a word of complaint against me? Having lost his only son, he appears too calm.”
“I will have people watch the Qingping Official’s residence,” Chihu stood up, pondering Sheng Fengze’s words with conflicted feelings.
The palace was decorated with lanterns and colored hangings. The sunset burned half the sky red. Palace lanterns were being lit in the gathering dusk. Candles as thick as children’s arms illuminated the entire hall.
Women held low status in Nanzhao. Tonight, the ruler specially permitted Tang women to attend the banquet, showing his regard for these brocade merchants.
The hundred-odd captured Yizhou brocade merchants sat nervously on one side of the hall, freshly bathed. Zhao Xiuyuan glanced at the pale-faced people in new clothes beside him, a smile appearing on his face.
Niu Wuniang sat beside him, seeing everything. Her hand clutched the lion-emblazoned gold token in her sleeve, giving her more confidence.
Nanzhao officials entered the hall successively. When the eunuch announced the Qingping Official’s arrival, the officials rose to pay their respects.
So this was Nanzhao’s powerful minister Du Yan? Zhao Xiuyuan naturally watched Du Yan, instantly recognizing Ji Yingying, and blurted out: “How is she with the Qingping Official?”
Ji Yingying wore a blue-based short jacket with a colorful long skirt, clearly Nanzhao attire. However, she still wore her hair in Tang style. She glanced at the Tang people seated opposite, her eyes meeting Zhao Xiuyuan’s briefly before following behind Du Yan.
“You may sit too.” Du Yan was very satisfied with Ji Yingying’s cooperative attitude, ordering her to sit behind him.
Du Yan sat in the first position on the right, closest to the throne. After Ji Yingying sat down and looked up, she saw Sheng Fengze seated opposite. She knew Du Yan had deliberately arranged for her to attend as his servant to let Sheng Fengze see her.
“The Ruler arrives!” At the eunuch’s loud announcement, everyone rose to welcome him.
Nanzhao’s ruler Sheng Fengyou ascended the throne with his queen. Sheng Fengyou was just over thirty, young and handsome. He had a neatly trimmed short beard below his chin and bright, piercing eyes.
Looking at the Tang people in the hall, Sheng Fengyou raised a large golden cup: “Royal Brother’s northern campaign has achieved great merit for Nanzhao, he should drink this cup!”
Sheng Fengze smiled and declined: “This victory is not your brother’s merit, but rather the Qingping Official’s strategic planning. The golden cup should honor the Qingping Official!”
Imperial politics was the art of balance. With the White Prince achieving great merit, Sheng Fengyou naturally needed to suppress Sheng Fengze and favor Du Yan. He laughed heartily: “Royal Brother speaks well. Qingping Official, please drink this cup!”
The huge golden cup was brought before Du Yan by an attendant. Du Yan suddenly prostrated himself and began crying loudly: “While the whole country celebrates the army’s victorious return, Ajing died in the Great Tang. No matter how much merit I achieve, I have no heart to drink.”
Thinking of the conflict between Sheng Fengze and Du Yan, Sheng Fengyou felt a headache coming. He intended to maintain balance, usually letting the two compete. This campaign was a great victory, but Du Yan’s only son had died. If Du Yan were to impeach Sheng Fengze now, it would put him in a difficult position. Sheng Fengyou sighed: “I will posthumously appoint Du Jing as Army General. A reward of one thousand slaves. Ajing died for Nanzhao on the battlefield, Qingping Du shouldn’t be too sorrowful.”
If you must accuse Sheng Fengze of causing your son’s death, why not say your son was unlucky to encounter a skilled Tang assassin? Better not impeach the White Prince at the victory banquet.
Du Yan, being the ruler’s most trusted minister, understood immediately and was filled with hatred. Was he that stupid? With the army victorious and Sheng Fengze’s undeniable contributions, would he impeach him for causing his son’s death? He turned and grabbed Ji Yingying’s wrist, throwing her into the middle of the hall, his eyes red: “I request the ruler’s permission to kill this enemy’s wife to avenge Ajing!”
He had been pretending nothing was wrong. So this was what he had been waiting for! Not letting him kill Ji Yingying, and showing favoritism to a Tang person in front of the ruler and ministers would lose royal favor. Not stopping him—Du Yan wouldn’t believe that killing Ji Yingying would prevent Nanzhao’s brocade industry from prospering. Du Yan’s gaze turned coldly toward him. Ji Yingying’s glance swept across his face before moving away indifferently. The hatred hidden in that indifference gave Sheng Fengze a sudden urge to flip the table.
Ruler Sheng Fengyou, however, felt relieved. It was just about killing Tang general Yang Jingyuan’s wife. Just as he was about to give his permission, a voice suddenly rang out in the hall: “No!”
“Who dares speak against this?!” Du Yan stared at Sheng Fengze, seeing him frown slightly but not stand up in opposition. He wondered internally who would dare stop the ruler.
Ji Yingying rubbed her wrist and stood up on her own. She had recognized the voice—it was Zhao Xiuyuan. He still couldn’t bear to see her die. Ji Yingying smiled mockingly. Having spoiled Du Yan’s plan, would Zhao Xiuyuan regret it until his intestines turned green?
Zhao Xiuyuan stepped away from his seat and bowed deeply to Sheng Fengyou: “Your Majesty, she cannot be killed.”