It was Zhao Xiuyuan—how could they have almost forgotten about him? Sheng Fengze relaxed his posture, watching the scene unfold with interest.
Seeing him dressed in Tang dynasty attire, they knew he was one of the captives. Remembering his original intention for hosting the banquet, the King didn’t show anger: “Why can’t she be killed?”
“I am Zhao Xiuyuan, the heir and master of the Zhao family, a major brocade merchant house in Yizhou Prefecture. Last year at the Yizhou Brocade Competition, the Zhao family won the Brocade Crown.” Zhao Xiuyuan glanced at the Tang people in the hall and sighed softly, “The Zhao family wouldn’t have won the Brocade Crown if not for Second Miss Ji’s color-matching expertise, which enabled me to weave that piece ‘Beside the River.'”
The assembled brocade merchants, hearing for the first time the secret behind the Zhao family’s victory, couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
“Was ‘Beside the River’ brought here?” The King showed great interest in the previous year’s winning piece.
Sheng Fengze smiled, “It has been counted and sent to the inner treasury.”
“Bring it here!”
Soon, the ‘Beside the River’ brocade seized from the Zhao family was presented before everyone. As the brocade caught the lamplight, pink and purple chrysanthemums seemed to stretch and slowly bloom.
“It’s alive! Truly a magnificent piece!” The Nanzhao people were mesmerized, clicking their tongues in admiration.
Seeing this reaction, Zhao Xiuyuan seized the moment: “If Nanzhao hadn’t launched its military campaign this autumn, and the brocade competition had proceeded as planned, I believe the Yang family, with Second Miss Ji’s help, would have reclaimed the Brocade Crown with their ‘Huanhua’ brocade.”
Ji Yingying, wearing Nanzhao servant attire but maintaining a Tang hairstyle, drew the attention of all the Nanzhao people in the hall. Though only sixteen or seventeen, she had managed to create the winning piece in Yizhou Prefecture. Sheng Fengyou became interested: “You’re saying whichever family you help can win the Brocade Crown? Second Miss Ji, do you truly possess such skill? Is this ‘Huanhua’ brocade even more beautiful than this lifelike chrysanthemum piece?”
For a moment, Ji Yingying recalled working on the Huanhua brocade with Yang Jingshan. Unwilling to let Nanzhao reproduce the Huanhua brocade, she shook her head, “The Huanhua brocade isn’t as beautiful as ‘Beside the River.’ Since there was no competition this year, I cannot be certain it would have won the crown.”
Zhao Xiuyuan grew anxious: “Your Majesty, the Huanhua brocade must have its unique qualities! She also knows the Ji family’s secret silk-dyeing techniques. The Ji family’s Shu Red Silk is renowned throughout Yizhou Prefecture. Killing her would be a tremendous loss to Nanzhao’s brocade industry! Your Majesty has brought many craftsmen south for the sole purpose of developing Nanzhao’s brocade industry. How can such talent be killed due to Official Qingping’s desire for revenge? In battle, both sides suffer casualties. Yang Jingyuan killed Official Qingping’s son—how can you seek revenge on a woman?”
His impassioned speech made those in the hall view Zhao Xiuyuan with new respect. Feeling everyone’s attention, Zhao Xiuyuan’s face flushed with excitement: “Your Majesty, for us brocade merchants, weaving is everything. We could weave in Great Tang, and we can still weave in Nanzhao. I am willing to offer the Zhao family’s weaving techniques to help advance Nanzhao’s brocade industry!”
“Excellent! As long as you all can contribute to Nanzhao’s brocade industry like Lord Zhao, I will not treat you unfairly! I hereby appoint Lord Zhao as Deputy Commissioner of the Textile Bureau. You shall assist the Commissioner in managing the brocade industry.”
The King needed a Tang person willing to step forward and immediately granted Zhao Xiuyuan an official position.
Sensing the King’s gaze, Du Yan was already prepared. He prostrated himself and said: “This humble servant did not know this woman possessed such skill. For the sake of Nanzhao’s brocade industry, as long as she can pass on her dyeing and weaving techniques, I am willing to forgo my vendetta.”
Sheng Fengyou was deeply moved and personally descended from his throne to help Du Yan up: “Official Qingping truly proves himself as my trusted minister! I grant Official Qingping a thousand mu of good land and two thousand servants! Second Miss Ji will be assigned to the Textile Bureau.” He looked at Ji Yingying and said, “Official Qingping spares you because of your unparalleled skill. If you refuse to serve Nanzhao, I will hand you over to Official Qingping to deal with as he sees fit!”
This was precisely why Du Yan had publicly demanded Ji Yingying’s death in revenge for his son—to easily win the King’s heart and trust. Unfortunately, Zhao Xiuyuan had disrupted his plan, though he hadn’t fallen into the trap. Sheng Fengze raised his cup with a smile: “Official Qingping’s magnanimity commands Ze’s respect! Ze toasts to you!”
The brocade merchants, finally realizing that Nanzhao wanted their weaving skills and would neither harm them nor their lives but rather treat them as honored guests, felt their long-held anxiety dissipate.
As music and dance began, the night’s banquet reached its peak of revelry.
Having been granted an official position, Zhao Xiuyuan immediately received congratulatory toasts from Nanzhao Textile Bureau officials. The brilliantly lit hall and the humble, courteous Nanzhao officials moved him deeply. The Zhao family had been mere merchants in Great Tang, never receiving such respect from Tang officials. What did his homeland matter now? From this day forward, his home would be in Nanzhao! Zhao Xiuyuan’s eyes reddened as he drained cup after cup, his body and soul floating away.
He failed to notice the mocking glances from some Nanzhao officials, nor did he see the contemptuous looks from prouder Tang people. He only knew that he had entered official service and become a Nanzhao official. He still wanted Ji Yingying! Once he achieved fame and success, he would no longer have to endure having Niu Wuniang as his wife!
“Yingying!” Zhao Xiuyuan called out drunkenly, stumbling through the hall searching for her.
Nanzhao banquets lacked the strict etiquette of the Great Tang. The Queen had already withdrawn. The King sat on the ground with Du Yan, both embracing wine jars as they drank. The Nanzhao officials followed suit, turning the hall as rowdy as a tavern.
Ji Yingying had already retreated to a corner, trying to blend into the shadows where the lamplight couldn’t reach.
A skirt hem appeared before her. Without looking up, she said flatly: “Niu Wuniang, didn’t you hear how Zhao Xiuyuan praised me as peerless? Don’t provoke me.”
Niu Wuniang ignored her and sat down beside her: “I’m not here for you. I’m waiting for Prince Bai.”
Ji Yingying turned her head: “Zhao Xiuyuan got his wished-for official position. Are you waiting for Sheng Fengze to grant you favors?”
“Yes. I persuaded my father to acquiesce to Sheng Fengze’s actions. He hasn’t fulfilled his promise to me yet,” Niu Wuniang said softly.
Ji Yingying stood up.
“Aren’t you curious? I’ve figured it out. Official Du Qingping and Prince Bai don’t get along. Using you as a vessel. But Zhao Xiuyuan messed it up.”
Ji Yingying looked down at her once, then sat back down: “I am curious. I want to know if Sheng Fengze will fulfill his promise to you. I just don’t understand—you’re so clever, how could you believe him?”
“Who says I can’t fulfill my promises?” Sheng Fengze appeared before the two women.
Ji Yingying instinctively glanced behind him. Du Yan, still drinking with the King, cast her a meaningful look. She lowered her eyelashes and said mockingly: “You two can discuss your deal at your leisure. Excuse me.”
Sheng Fengze grabbed her: “Niu Wuniang, after the banquet, I’ll have someone take you to a place. All the Yang family members you want are there. Zhao Xiuyuan was lucky enough to receive an official position from the King. I can only promise you that when the opportunity arises, I’ll hand him over to you. Can we consider our deal complete?”
Niu Wuniang’s eyes lit up, and she pointed at Ji Yingying: “Isn’t she also from the Yang family?”
Sheng Fengze bent down and scooped Ji Yingying up in his arms: “She’s mine.”
“Sheng Fengze! How can someone of your status and position go back on your word?” Niu Wuniang said angrily.
Sheng Fengze sighed: “Niu Wuniang, are you unwilling to believe, or unable to believe, that this prince was merely using you? I’ll grant you a gold tablet as compensation. This prince doesn’t like using women.” With that, he carried Ji Yingying out of the hall.
Ji Yingying suddenly turned her face and saw Du Yan smiling and nodding at her. She didn’t struggle, allowing Sheng Fengze to carry her out of the palace hall.