“Sister, perhaps he truly has such good fortune,” Ji Yaoting was practically begging her. “Give him a chance. Look how much attention Zhu Erlang pays to you.”

Brother Xiu Yuan must still be working hard at his brocade weaving. In the bamboo tube were the color schemes she had written out herself, each bamboo slip attached with a small bundle of silk threads. He had understood her meaning immediately. This year, he would surely weave a piece worthy of the Brocade King title. She had hoped the Zhao family would win the Brocade King, hoped their marriage would be like adding flowers to the brocade. Who could have expected that in just a few short days, both her mother and brother would withdraw their support for the marriage with the Zhao family?

The mere thought of separating from Zhao Xiu Yuan made Ji Yingying feel as if autumn’s cool wind was blowing through her heart, making it grow cold and bitter, giving her the urge to run away in tears.

What if she had endured Madam Gu’s behavior? How could she even think such a thing? Mother’s face had been so troubled then; having such thoughts was truly unfilial. Even if she endured this time, future Madam Zhao would only trample the Ji family into the dust.

Ji Yingying’s heart felt as if it were placed on a scale – unwilling to cast aside Zhao Xiu Yuan, yet the Ji family would inevitably have to sacrifice even more weight on the other side.

She could endure the unfairness herself, but could she ask her mother and brother to suffer the same?

“Very well. Perhaps Second Brother Zhu will win it.” Her voice was as light as the wind. In that instant, she saw the relief wash over her brother’s face. She watched as Zhu Erlang, as if injected with chicken blood, tossed a small silver ingot weighing one tael into the bamboo tube.

“My, what a generous young master!”

One tael could be exchanged for one string of copper cash, enough for two hundred tries. Sugar Artist Zhang nervously stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed: “Young master, regardless of how much you pay, you can only try once. This has been my rule for decades.”

The implication was clear – if you regret it, I’ll return your silver immediately. This way, if you end up with just a peach or a small butterfly, you won’t wreck my stall in dissatisfaction.

Zhu Erlang returned the gesture with a flourishing bow, his spirit soaring: “Don’t worry, old fellow! Getting the qilin is all about luck. Everyone, give me a cheer, lend me your good fortune!”

“Hurrah!”

Another round of applause erupted.

Ji Yaoting approved of Zhu Erlang for his straightforward and righteous character and his generous nature. He whispered to Ji Yingying, “Zhu Erlang’s personality is quite similar to yours.”

Ji Yingying forced a slight smile. She suddenly felt afraid – afraid that Zhu Erlang would actually win the qilin and give it to her. She feared accepting the qilin in front of everyone, feared gradually giving up on Zhao Xiu Yuan this way, submitting to the marriage arrangements her mother and brother had made for her. She hadn’t made up her mind yet; they couldn’t force her like this. Ji Yingying’s mind was in chaos as she quietly took one step back, then another.

Zhu Erlang rolled up his sleeves, staring at the lottery wheel as he rubbed his hands, secretly nervous. Ji Huiting hadn’t said it directly, but his meaning was clear: as long as Yingying doesn’t object to you after I get married, you can come to propose.

Sugar Artist Zhang was here at his request. Ji Yingying had been brought here by Ji Yaoting. All rules in this world were made by people and could naturally be changed. He was just spending money on entertainment. Sugar Artist Zhang was just a craftsman, not likely to have the proud bones of a scholar.

“Qilin!” Zhu Erlang shouted.

His hand brushed the bamboo spinner.

His hand stopped at the position marked with the qilin, and he shouted again and again: “Qilin!”

His servant shouted even louder than him, causing everyone around to join in the chanting. People’s eyes were fixed on the spinning bamboo strips on the lottery wheel, seeming even more excited than Zhu Erlang himself.

Ji Yingying’s heart was gripped tight by each shout of “qilin.” She backed away with small steps, instantly getting pushed out by the crowd of onlookers. Her fan dropped to the ground with a “pa!” As Ji Yingying bent to pick it up, a pair of hands moved faster than hers, retrieving the fan. She looked up to see Yang Jingyuan holding out the fan to her: “What a coincidence.”

“Yes, quite a coincidence.” She took the fan, suddenly remembering how she had left him alone by the river last time. She immediately felt guilty, her eyes darting toward the sugar art stall. Then she thought if he wanted revenge, she could just scream and her brother and Zhu Erlang would come running. Ji Yingying’s courage returned: “Last time… you weren’t angry, were you?”

Why did that sound like an apology? Yang Jingyuan raised his eyebrows in surprise. He lowered his head to look at Ji Yingying: “Of course I was angry, walking for an hour under the hot sun to get back. Tell me, how will you make it up to me?”

“What do you want?” Ji Yingying’s eyes flashed with wariness.

Yang Jingyuan smiled – this was the Ji Yingying he remembered.

Suddenly, excited shouts erupted from the sugar art stall: “Qilin! He got the qilin!”

Ji Yingying’s face turned pale, the wave of voices making it hard for her to breathe.

Yang Jingyuan glanced over and exclaimed in surprise: “You can win the qilin? Let me tell you, that lottery wheel is quite particular. If it were too easy to win the qilin, they wouldn’t make enough to cover their costs. Some bold craftsmen put small magnets under the squares next to the qilin, with a thin needle in the bamboo strip. Makes it look like you’re about to win, but it stops right next to it. Sugar Artist Zhang is more honest, though he made the wheel slightly tilted, and the bamboo strips are carved unevenly thick and thin, testing the force of one’s hand. This person’s luck today is truly extraordinary!”

As he was speaking enthusiastically, shouts came from the crowd around the sugar art stall: “Second Miss Ji!”

“Young Miss!”

“Second Miss!”

The qilin, skewered on two thick bamboo sticks, was held high by a young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes – he was the one calling for Second Miss Ji. Yang Jingyuan also saw a young man in blue robes looking anxious, leading two servant girls through the crowd. He recognized one of the maids called Ying’er: “They’re calling for you, aren’t they?”

Turning his head, he saw Ji Yingying take another step back in panic. Yang Jingyuan frowned, feeling something was off about Ji Yingying today: “What’s wrong?”

By then, Ji Yaoting had spotted Ji Yingying. The tall Zhu Erlang had also seen her.

“The winner is Second Young Master Zhu from the Zhu family dye house in Sandaoyan!”

“Such good luck!”

“Look at his glowing forehead, fortune is coming his way! He had me read his fortune earlier. Would you like your fortune told?”

Various voices surrounded Zhu Erlang. He proudly held the qilin high, like a banner attracting all eyes, head held high as he strode toward Ji Yingying.

Ji Yingying unconsciously shook her head, murmuring: “I don’t want it.”

Her voice was very soft, but Yang Jingyuan, who was focused on her, heard it. He glanced at Ji Yingying, then at Zhu Erlang. Wasn’t she in love with Zhao Xiu Yuan? Why was she now at the temple fair with this man who looked like braised pork? And he even won her a qilin?

Before he could think further, Zhu Erlang, Ji Yaoting, and the two maids approached. Yang Jingyuan kicked a small stone under his foot.

Just as Zhu Erlang was saying, “Second Miss, look…”

The stone hit his knee, causing his right leg to suddenly lose strength, and he pitched forward.

“Watch out, brother!” Yang Jingyuan extended his arm at just the right moment, steadying Zhu Erlang and preventing him from embarrassing himself in public.

Before Zhu Erlang could finish his word of thanks, Yang Jingyuan released his hand, his elbow bumping against the flame-like tail of the qilin. Sugar art is fragile – with a crack, the tail broke off, scattering sugar fragments on the ground.