That evening, the four members of the Ji family sat in the main hall. Ji Yingying glanced at Zhang Fourth Lady’s heavily pregnant belly and earnestly persuaded, “We can pad the carriage well and travel slowly, so Sister-in-law won’t be jostled.”

Zhang Fourth Lady touched her belly, looking anxiously at Ji Yaoting.

“It’s alright, don’t worry,” Ji Yaoting softly comforted her, then said to Ji Yingying, “The Yang family sent someone early this morning with the news. They only suspect Nanzhao might attack Yizhou. We’re dozens of li from the city. And the city has the Western Chuan army – why would Nanzhao come to our rural area?”

“Brother! Sheng Fengze is the commander – how can you be so unconcerned?” Ji Yingying was angered by her brother’s nonchalance. Disregarding how it might upset her mother, she brought up Sheng Fengze. “Mother, we should hide somewhere. We’re too close to the city. What if Sheng Fengze covets our family’s dyeing secrets and sends Nanzhao forces here?”

Madam Ji raised her eyes to look around, saying calmly, “If Lord Sheng wants the secret formula, we’ll give it to them. I’ve come to terms with it – as long as people are safe, that’s what matters. This is the Ji family’s ancestral home. I’m not going anywhere.”

“The Nanzhao people don’t just want formulas, they kill people too!” Ji Yingying’s voice rose.

Madam Ji sighed, “Yingying, after getting thirty thousand pieces of brocade, why would Nanzhao still attack the city? The Western Chuan army guards the city; Nanzhao would pay a heavy price to attack. I don’t think Nanzhao will attack. Yizhou Prefecture is the Great Tang’s southern shield. The court won’t let Nanzhao occupy it.”

None of them believed Nanzhao would attack Yizhou city.

“Sheng Fengze is a vicious wolf – he doesn’t want just a bone or a piece of meat, he wants the entire prey.” Seeing she couldn’t persuade her family, Ji Yingying felt both anxious and helpless. She could only compromise: “At least pack up our valuables. As soon as we hear any news, we’ll leave immediately.”

She called Maid Wu to start packing.

“Yingying, don’t be so hasty. It’s getting late – how can we pack everything now? Go rest in your room first. Brother will think it over and we’ll discuss it tomorrow,” Ji Yaoting stopped her.

Ji Yingying acquiesced and bid goodbye to her mother before returning to her courtyard.

The back door of Huanhua Dyehouse was quietly opened, and Zi’er looked around before darting out quickly.

At midnight, the street dogs suddenly began barking.

A large group of Zhao family guards and servants lit lanterns and torches, heading straight for several dye houses and weaving workshops. Zhao Xiuyuan led a team to the Ji family home.

He looked up at the black-lacquered facade of the Ji house and personally walked up to knock on the door ring.

The gatekeeper Tian Gui put on his clothes and came out from the gatehouse, muttering, “Who could it be at this hour?” He was cautious enough to peek through the door crack.

Outside were many Zhao family servants, with Zhao Xiuyuan standing at the door.

Tian Gui’s heart trembled, and he quickly ran back to his quarters in the side wing, shaking Madame Tian awake: “Second Young Master Zhao has brought a crowd to our house. In the middle of the night – I’m worried he’s after the Young Miss again. Hurry and notify the inner courtyard.”

Madame Tian hastily put on clothes and shoes, cursing, “Heavens above! The Young Miss came back through the back door to avoid him. How did he find out?”

She ran toward the back courtyard as she spoke.

The dogs’ barking had already awakened Ji Yingying. She had just dressed and was about to send Ling’er to check what was happening outside when Madame Tian arrived.

“What is Zhao Xiuyuan doing here in the middle of the night?” Ji Yingying had feared it was the Nanzhao forces; hearing it was Zhao Xiuyuan made her less afraid.

Maid Ji said angrily, “Don’t worry, Young Miss. This old servant will take some people to deal with Second Young Master Zhao. The Ji family isn’t to be bullied.”

“Madame Tian, do Mother and Brother know?” Ji Yingying asked calmly.

“The Young Master has already gone to the front courtyard.”

Ji Yingying instructed Maid Season: “Have Uncle Ji Fu and Xiangyou ready the carriage at the back door. Xiang’er, help the maid pack our belongings. Ling’er, come with me to see what’s happening.”

She left the courtyard with Ling’er. Standing at the ornamental gate of the second entrance, they could already hear Ji Yaoting and Second Young Master Zhao’s voices from the main gate.

Zhao Xiuyuan hadn’t entered; he stood at the gate talking to Ji Yaoting.

Ji Yingying made a gesture to Ling’er. The two crouched and moved along the side corridor toward the main gate.

The voices came through clearly.

Ji Yaoting stood at the entrance, able to see the flickering lights along the entire street – the Zhao family people hadn’t come only to the Ji house. He asked with a stern face, “Second Young Master Zhao, what brings you here in the middle of the night?”

Zhao Xiuyuan smiled, “The Nanzhao army is stationed in Qiongmei Prefecture. For Sandaoyan’s safety, the Zhao family is cooperating with the county office to specially inform everyone. From now on, Sandaoyan allows entry but not exit, to prevent Nanzhao spies from infiltrating.”

Everyone knew the County Magistrate and the Zhao family were in cahoots, but Ji Yaoting could accept this reason. His expression relaxed slightly, and he said coolly, “Understood.”

As Ji Yaoting was about to instruct Tian Gui to close the door, Zhao Xiuyuan glanced inside and said casually, “I heard Yingying has returned. That’s good. I will protect her.”

Ji Yaoting’s expression grew serious, and he became more guarded: “As you said, the Nanzhao army is less than two hundred li from Yizhou city. My sister is perfectly fine staying with the Yang family – why would she come back to her maiden home?”

“Is that so? I must have been mistaken. Farewell.” Zhao Xiuyuan left with his people. Hearing the heavy door close behind him, he turned his head, the firelight illuminating his face, making his smile appear particularly sinister. “Yingying, this time, you won’t be able to leave again. Men, keep both the front and back doors of the Ji house under strict watch.”

The Nanzhao troops could reach Sandaoyan within two days. Thinking of Sheng Fengze’s promise, Zhao Xiuyuan could barely contain his excitement.

Amidst the dogs’ barking, the sound of gongs gradually rang out. County office personnel walked the streets beating gongs, announcing loudly: “By order of the County Magistrate, Sandaoyan is under curfew. All households must secure their doors and windows, and nighttime movement is prohibited. The streets are sealed during the day – entry allowed, but no exit permitted!”

Hearing the announcement outside, Ji Yingying felt something was off. She and Ling’er emerged from the shadows of the corridor and called out to Ji Yaoting: “Brother, why would the county office issue a curfew in the middle of the night?”

“Perhaps they just received orders from the prefecture office,” Ji Yaoting frowned. “Yingying, Zhao Xiuyuan probably saw the lights in your courtyard and knew you were back. I can see he hasn’t given up on you. Ah, you were fine staying in the city – why did you come back?”

“I was worried about all of you,” Ji Yingying said irritably. “I returned home at noon, but you and Mother wouldn’t believe me. Now the county office has ordered the streets sealed to guard against Nanzhao spies. Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn’t. Isn’t this timing too convenient? Just as I return home, Sandaoyan gets sealed off. Isn’t Zhao Xiuyuan’s reaction a bit too quick? He used to say that from the second floor of Teng Garden, he could only see the window of my embroidery room, nothing else. I haven’t let anyone into that room for ages. How could he possibly see the lights in my courtyard?”

“After all, it’s the County Magistrate’s order. Zhao Xiuyuan wouldn’t dare act recklessly. Maybe someone saw you get out of the carriage at the back door. Since you married into the Yang family, many people in Sandaoyan have been watching our family. Tomorrow I’ll ask around for news. You should go back to sleep now.” Ji Yaoting also felt the timing was too convenient, but he didn’t want to assume the worst, hoping everything was merely a coincidence.