“Not only will I take you back to the palace, but I must also give you a status that will keep Du Yan and Zhao Xiuyuan from harming you.”
Her slender white fingers traced unconsciously over the colorful fabric as if scratching at Chen Fengze’s heart. He took a deep breath and pressed down on her hand, speaking urgently: “I can give you status.”
Status? To announce to the world that she had become the woman of the Imperial Master’s brother, White Prince Sheng Fengze? As if his hand burned hotter than coal, Ji Yingying trembled and quickly withdrew from his grasp.
Sheng Fengze’s open palm clenched back into a fist, his gaze dimming. Looking up, he caught a faint smile curling at Ji Yingying’s lips. In the sunlight, her smile carried a hint of mockery. She was ultimately unwilling. Sheng Fengze felt that in Ji Yingying’s heart, he was like the dust motes dancing in the sunlight, so light that a single breath could scatter them clean away. Yet he thought sadly that even so, he still wanted to protect her. He said softly, “It’s just a matter of status.”
Ji Yingying hesitated for a moment, then shook her head firmly.
A faint melancholy rose from the depths of Sheng Fengze’s heart, with bitter feelings bubbling up. Even after making such a promise, she still refused.
The status Sheng Fengze offered could protect her, but it would sever her connection with Yang Jingyuan. Yang Jingyuan was now a general of the Great Tang, and could not bear such humiliation. In the future, if she still wished to return to Great Tang, her only option would be to take her own life.
Meeting Ji Yingying’s clear and determined gaze, Sheng Fengze felt somewhat flustered, anger rushing to his head: “Do you think this prince is taking advantage of your predicament?”
What kind of person did she take him for? If he were truly like that, would she still be standing here safely?
“I know you’re not that kind of person!” Ji Yingying blurted out.
“What kind of person am I in your heart?”
The first time he saved her in the Zhao family garden, it was because he had heard Zhao Xiuyuan’s words and wanted to request three years of her teaching her skills. In the end, he didn’t ask for any payment and rescued her.
The first time hatred arose, he nearly strangled her. She hadn’t forgotten to scratch back a few times either.
Their eyes met, and Sheng Fengze’s gaze gradually grew deep. A voice in his heart kept crying out: you must have some feelings for me, right? Even if you cared just a little bit before.
“Thank you for saving me multiple times,” Ji Yingying said, having made up her mind. She steadily met his gaze, her heart moving from panic to determination. She said softly, “Some things are more important than life itself.”
Such as honor.
Sheng Fengze’s anger instantly deflated. His heart was filled with jealousy and hatred, both sour and bitter. Even if she fell into Du Yan and Zhao Xiuyuan’s hands, even if she would be tortured to death, she wouldn’t let Yang Jingyuan lose face.
But what about him? Sheng Fengze silently asked himself. In the end, he still couldn’t let her fall into Zhao Xiuyuan and Du Yan’s hands.
Sheng Fengze gritted his teeth, grabbed her wrist, and pulled Ji Yingying toward the exit.
“Your Highness!” Ji Yingying struggled, stumbling forward as he pulled her. She grew desperate, “Sheng Fengze! Let go! I cannot be your woman!”
Sheng Fengze stopped in his tracks, turning back to look at her with one last hope: “Is it just that you cannot?”
Was it because of national hatred and family feuds, because of Yang Jingyuan that she couldn’t? Or was it that she didn’t want to? Had she ever felt even a moment of being moved, of liking him? He anxiously tried to discern the subtle expressions on her face, wanting to see her true heart, yet afraid to see the distance in her face.
Ji Yingying took a deep breath, her lips moving. No, he didn’t want to hear her speak. Sheng Fengze shouted, “Don’t say it!” He didn’t want to hear.
At that moment, voices of commotion came from the courtyard gate, along with Chi Hu’s stern voice: “His Highness is discussing matters with Miss Ji, do not disturb.”
Zhao Xiuyuan’s voice followed: “The Imperial Master commands…”
She didn’t want to court death either. She couldn’t forget the humiliation and helplessness Zhao Xiuyuan brought that night when he married Niu Wu’s daughter. But she had no choice. She couldn’t accept Sheng Fengze’s status offer, and couldn’t shame Yang Jingyuan just to stay alive. Ji Yingying tried to pry Sheng Fengze’s fingers loose, saying softly, “Perhaps my skills can still protect me. Your Highness need not worry.”
Why hadn’t he found Han people’s rules and etiquette so annoying before? Sheng Fengze thought to himself as he pulled an exquisite silver dagger from his waist and placed it in her hand.
Another one offers a silver knife in marriage. Ji Yingying smiled awkwardly, “I already have Third Young Master’s…”
Before she could finish speaking, Sheng Fengze gripped her hand tightly and drove the dagger into his right chest.
Blood slowly soaked his deep blue robes, and Ji Yingying’s eyes suddenly widened. She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Sheng Fengze held it firmly, bright red blood flowing down their clasped hands.
The stabbing pain somehow suppressed the bitterness in his heart.
If only he hadn’t revealed his identity from the start. If only in her heart, he had remained that Master Sheng who solved the Ji family’s crisis.
“Sheng Fengze, what are you doing?” Ji Yingying called his name with a trembling voice but didn’t dare use force to free her hand.
In her heart, even though he led armies to attack Great Tang, she still wouldn’t harm him, right? This thought made Sheng Fengze’s heart soften. Remembering their first meeting, Sheng Fengze became resolute once again. If she fell into Zhao Xiuyuan’s hands, his heart would only ache more.
Sheng Fengze released his grip, and the dagger clattered to the ground. He pressed his hand against the wound on his chest and said softly, “An assassin who attempted to kill this prince cannot be taken away by anyone. Only this prince can deal with them.”
Ji Yingying’s mind went blank, but her hands moved faster than her thoughts, pressing directly against his wound.
Sheng Fengze covered her hand with his own, keeping it pressed against his chest, and said quietly, “No matter what, you cannot go with Zhao Xiuyuan.”
He would rather stab himself than fail to protect her. Ji Yingying’s eyelashes trembled as she realized she truly detested Sheng Fengze—detested how he bestowed favors upon her, forcing her to accept his kindness. How could she ever repay this?
“Why do this?”
These three words were as light as sleep-talk, yet as sharp as needles. For a moment, Sheng Fengze couldn’t tell if it was his wound that hurt or his heart that ached. He said softly, “If you let me take this knife wound in vain, I’ll request you from my royal brother, and then you’ll truly never be able to return.”
Ji Yingying stared in disbelief—how could he be so unreasonable?
Sheng Fengze couldn’t be bothered to persuade her further and shouted toward the outside, “Chi Hu!”
Hearing the call, Chi Hu rushed in with his men.
In an instant, the room was packed full of people.
“Your Highness!” Seeing Sheng Fengze’s blood-covered hand, the clerk’s face instantly turned white. If the White Prince was stabbed and became enraged, he might massacre the entire dye house. He hurriedly called for someone to find a physician.
Matron Zhuo efficiently tore a piece of undyed white cloth to bandage Sheng Fengze’s wound.
Ji Yingying stared at him blankly. Through the panicked crowd, Sheng Fengze smiled at her. Ji Yingying could only smile bitterly in return.
With the prince’s martial skills, could Ji Yingying have drawn his silver dagger and wounded him? And he was smiling so happily? Did he think all these guards were blind? Chi Hu blinked, drew his sword in great anger, and pointed it at the dazed Ji Yingying: “How dare you attempt to assassinate His Highness, tired of living?” He made it as if to strike. He thought smugly, Your Highness, will you stop me or not?
“She must not be killed!” Zhao Xiuyuan finally reacted, shouting to stop Chi Hu. He stepped forward and bowed to Sheng Fengze, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. The Imperial Master is still waiting for her to weave the Huanhua Brocade. Why not let Miss Ji atone for her crime through service? If she cannot weave the brocade, it won’t be too late to execute her then.”
Sheng Fengze flew into a rage: “Nonsense! This prince led two hundred thousand troops to capture over ten thousand craftsmen, and she’s the only one who can weave brocade. What kind of creature are you, daring to shield an assassin who stabbed this prince?”
Hearing these words, several swords swiftly changed direction to point at Zhao Xiuyuan.
Chi Hu said coldly, “Could it be that Deputy Envoy is her accomplice?”
“Ah? No, no, I’m not…” Zhao Xiuyuan waved his hands repeatedly.
Sheng Fengze spoke coldly, “Take her back to the palace!” With that, he strode toward the door without even looking at Zhao Xiuyuan.
Before Ji Yingying could recover her senses, two guards were already escorting her out.
By the time Zhao Xiuyuan and the dye house clerk reacted, Sheng Fengze had already left with his guards.
“Your Highness!” The clerk, now having no time to care about Zhao Xiuyuan, followed with a pale face.
In the blink of an eye, only Zhao Xiuyuan and his subordinate officials remained in the room.
“Deputy Envoy Zhao, this matter must be reported to Master Qingping quickly,” an official reminded in a low voice.
Zhao Xiuyuan awakened as if from a dream. He didn’t dare to snatch someone from Sheng Fengze’s hands. This matter needed Du Yan’s decision. Leaving the courtyard, he saw the clerk dejectedly returning with the dye house officials. Sheng Fengze had already taken Ji Yingying back to the palace. He was about to speak, but the clerk rolled his eyes, cupped his hands, and said, “Deputy Envoy Zhao, please proceed.”
The dye house officials left Zhao Xiuyuan standing there and strode away, showing none of their earlier respect. Zhao Xiuyuan was so angry he could barely breathe, but with no recourse, he could only hurry back to the city.
The dye house was surrounded by crowds of commoners watching the commotion. Master Han Si glanced at the woman in colorful robes among Sheng Fengze’s procession, feeling somewhat sympathetic for the young Tang general who had come to Nanzhao as a scout with him. After the fuming Zhao Xiuyuan led his forces toward Taihe City, Master Han Si, carrying his basket, came to the dye house entrance with a smile.
Offering two wild rabbits as drinking snacks to the clerk managing the dye house, Master Han Si easily learns about Ji Yingying’s situation.