The Ji family dye house employed nearly thirty laborers and silk-washing maids combined. Of Madam Ji’s four personal servants, three had married Ji family servants. Including the elderly gatekeeper and kitchen servants, but excluding Zhang Siniang’s attendants, there were over forty people in total.
Ji Yingying intended to dismiss the dye house workers and laborers. She retrieved the contracts from Madam Ji’s room and had the shop manager Ji Gui bring out the available cash.
“Before the Nanzhao troops arrive, anyone who wishes to leave can claim their contract and pack their belongings. We don’t have much cash, but we’ll distribute what we have to help with your journey.”
To give away so many servants’ contracts at once—how much money would it cost the Ji family to buy back this many people? Nanny Ji quietly tugged at Ji Yingying’s clothes.
Ji Yingying gave her a reassuring look and repeated her offer.
Soon, a servant woman hesitantly came forward and kowtowed. Ji Yingying found her contract and had Ji Gui give her money. The woman left gratefully.
Outside, dogs barked, children cried, and voices blended into chaos. Once one person stepped forward, others followed. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, most of the servants had dispersed. The three nannies and household staff remained. Xiang’er, Ji Yingying’s maid, also stayed. To Ji Yingying’s surprise, a silk-washing maid named Zi’er from the dye house also remained.
“Zi’er, if you want to leave, I’ll return your contract. After the troops withdraw, you can go to the yamen to cancel your slave status and become a free person.” Ji Yingying remembered this young maid. She knew all twelve silk-washing maids well. She had personally witnessed Zi’er trip Xiang’er, causing her to break a pottery jar. The temptation of freedom should have been strong enough—why would she choose to stay?
Zi’er kept her head lowered and said: “This slave was bought by Madam when very young and has no family. Besides the dye house, I have nowhere to go. Even if I ran away, I don’t know if I’d be safe. Please let this slave stay, Miss.”
“Since that’s the case, you may stay. Go to the First Young Master’s courtyard and keep watch. If Sister-in-law needs anything, come relay the message.” Ji Yingying immediately gave her a task.
“Yes, this slave will go right away.” Zi’er left happily.
Watching her leave, Ji Yingying finally said to Nanny Ji: “These are troubled times. Keeping them here—who knows if it’s fortune or misfortune? Letting them leave gives them a chance at survival. It also means fewer people to worry about.”
Nanny Ji sighed: “This old servant understands. When the Nanzhao troops come, we won’t have enough firewood for dozens of mouths.”
Ji Yingying shook her head: “Nanny, keep an eye on Zi’er. She used to be ambitious and competitive—why wouldn’t she want her contract and freedom? Zhao Erlang knew I was back so quickly; I suspect someone in the household is informing him.”
Nanny Ji was startled: “You mean Zi’er?”
Ji Yingying’s face darkened: “If she shows no disloyalty, fine. But if she acts suspiciously, tie her up and lock her in the woodshed immediately.”
After giving instructions about guarding the front and back gates, Ji Yingying finally turned to ask Xiang’er: “Do you want to leave?”
Xiang’er smiled: “Miss is being silly, asking me this now. You know I could never leave you.”
“Good Xiang’er.” Ji Yingying’s mood brightened. “When you find someone you like, as Ying’er did, I’ll let you go to him too.”
Xiang’er blushed and giggled: “Ying’er doesn’t even know that Miss has seen through her heart. But this wasn’t revealed by this servant.”
As they were chatting and laughing, Ji Yaoting returned. Seeing him alone, Ji Yingying knew he hadn’t found a physician. She consoled him: “Both Brother and I were delivered by Nanny Wu. My sister-in-law will surely have a safe delivery. Brother, go to her now—I’ll handle household matters.”
Ji Yaoting urged anxiously: “Quickly have Uncle Ji prepare the cart and leave. What else is there to handle?”
Ji Yingying was silent for a moment before saying: “The Nanzhao troops will arrive by dawn. My sister-in-law is in labor. Even if I left, I’d worry about you all. Let’s stay together as a family.”
Ji Yaoting sat dejectedly in the corridor: “It’s all Brother’s fault, unable to let go of this ancestral home and dye house. If I had been decisive like you earlier, dismissed the servants, and moved into the city, your sister-in-law wouldn’t have been frightened into early labor.”
What use was regret now? They could only hope the Nanzhao troops wouldn’t kill anyone. Whatever they wanted, just give it to them.
The siblings sat in silence. Ji Yingying thought of Yang Jingyuan. She wondered if he had received her letter, and whether the Dongchuan army could receive the Emperor’s orders to reinforce Yizhou in time.
Just then, Uncle Tian the doorkeeper brought in Zhu Erlang. Both siblings stood up and asked in unison: “Why haven’t you left yet?”
“Second Miss, quickly leave! Zhao Xiuyuan is leading men to the Ji house. I saw him heading this way with his people,” Zhu Erlang said urgently, wiping away sweat.
Ji Yaoting jumped up: “What does he want? To kidnap Yingying in the chaos? I’ll go reason with him!”
Zhu Erlang grabbed him: “What’s there to reason about? The streets are in chaos now. The Zhao family has deployed two hundred guards to block the streets. After much fighting, the Zhao family finally said they wouldn’t be responsible for incidents on the road, which convinced some people to return home. I think the Zhao family is in league with Nanzhao, trying to trap us all. What’s the use of reasoning with him? His family has many people and much influence. Getting Yingying away safely is what matters.”
“But how?” Ji Yingying couldn’t think of a way.
“Miss, let me change into your clothes and leave with Master Zhu. Once we draw them away, you can hide at the old shop manager’s house.”
The three turned in surprise to look at Xiang’er.
“Good idea. Zhao Xiuyuan will surely think I’m taking you away. Don’t worry about the dogs at the back door—we’ll draw them away too. Let’s go.” Without waiting for the Ji siblings’ approval, Zhu Erlang said “Excuse me” and pulled Xiang’er toward the back courtyard.
“Brother Zhu Er, protect Xiang’er!” Ji Yingying only managed to call out once before the two disappeared.
Just then, Uncle Tian’s voice came from the front courtyard: “Young Master Zhao, why do you bring people to the Ji house in the middle of the night…”
A loud crash interrupted Uncle Tian’s words. Ji Yaoting stood frozen.
Ji Yingying suddenly pulled him: “Brother! Zhao Xiuyuan has kicked down our door and will be here any moment. I—I need to hide!”
With so little time, where could she hide? She looked down and saw the corridor. To prevent dampness, every household built their houses on raised platforms with spacious corridors in front. The corridor was elevated, about two and a half feet off the ground. She crawled underneath and called out, “Brother, remember to lead them away!”
Ji Yaoting snapped out of his daze and called loudly: “Ji Gui! Uncle Tian! What’s happened?”
He had only taken a few steps when Zhao Xiuyuan burst in with his men.
“Young Master, the Zhao family has broken down our door!” Uncle Tian called out loudly from behind.
“Brother Ji, hearing that Nanzhao troops are approaching Sandaoyan, Erlang was worried about Yingying’s safety. Please forgive our urgency.” Though Zhao Xiuyuan spoke politely, he didn’t wait for Ji Yaoting’s response before shouting, “Ji Yingying, come out!”
Ji Yaoting turned to glance toward the dye house in the back courtyard.
Zhao Xiuyuan strode past him toward the dye house: “For Yingying’s safety, I plan to take her to keep my wife company at the Zhao residence.”
“Zhao Xiuyuan!” Ji Yaoting flew into a rage and rushed to strike him, but was instantly restrained by two guards.
Zhao Xiuyuan turned back: “Master Ji, I know you just went to fetch a physician. Sister-in-law Ji is in labor, isn’t she? If you don’t want me to search your courtyard, hand over your sister.”
Ji Yaoting glared at him, his resolve gradually weakening: “Zhu Erlang took her away.”
“My Lord! Zhu Erlang took Second Miss Ji through the back door! Our brothers went in pursuit, and this humble one came to report!”
“After them!” Zhao Xiuyuan had already heard from his guards that Zhu Erlang had just arrived at the Ji house, which was why he had hurriedly broken down their door. Now hearing that Zhu Erlang had taken Ji Yingying through the back door, he rushed to the back courtyard.