The people below the pavilion had no idea that someone above was eavesdropping on their gossip.
Seeing the two men approach, Ji Yingying’s feet remained rooted before the chrysanthemum pot, her fingers gently caressing the cascading pink-purple petals with great affection.
Unaware of the contents of the Zhao family’s brocade, Second Young Master Zhu thought Ji Yingying simply liked this chrysanthemum. Since entering the Eight Trigrams Pavilion, she had stood fixated before it. He casually asked, “Second Miss likes this chrysanthemum?”
Ji Yingying absently recited a line from Liu Mengde’s poetry: “It’s not that among flowers I particularly favor chrysanthemums; when this flower finishes blooming, no others remain.” Her clear gaze turned to Ji Yaoting, tinged with both melancholy and resignation, “Yes, I like it very much.”
Ji Yaoting wanted to slap himself. How could he have forgotten? These past days, his sister had become almost obsessed with chrysanthemums for the Zhao family’s brocade competition. Why did he bring her to view chrysanthemums? Wouldn’t this just make her think of that person? Observing his sister’s expression, Ji Yaoting felt a pang of sympathy. His sister and Zhao Xiuyuan had grown up together as childhood sweethearts—how could she let go of such deep feelings of so many years in just a few days, when she hadn’t even seen Zhao Xiuyuan once?
At least he only wanted Ji Yingying to understand the family’s intentions. When they refused the Zhao family’s marriage proposal in the future, it wouldn’t be too abrupt. Ji Yaoting considered Second Young Master Zhu’s performance today—it was passable.
Since the sugar qilin gift had failed, he could give her this chrysanthemum! Purple Swallow’s New Makeup was a famous variety, but not unique. Second Young Master Zhu said magnanimously, “I’ll inquire about who owns it and ask them to part with it.”
Most of the chrysanthemums here didn’t belong to the temple. Tang people loved flowers. During festivals, they liked to gather their home-grown flowers and plants together for appreciation and evaluation. They might receive some paintings or fine verses in return. The flowers’ value would increase, and the owners would gain face.
Chrysanthemums were different from the peonies that the Tang people were most obsessed with in terms of value. Displaying them in the temple was also safe—who would dare make trouble in the immortals’ temple when people came to burn incense and pray for blessings? Thus this pot of Purple Swallow’s New Makeup stood unguarded, casually placed on the stone railing.
Ji Yaoting had just praised Second Young Master Zhu in his heart, but seeing him volunteer to give this chrysanthemum, he thought: you fool, you could give anything else, just not this chrysanthemum.
Ji Yingying also felt uncomfortable.
The Ji siblings almost spoke in unison: “That won’t be necessary.”
Ji Yaoting changed the subject: “We’ve lingered long enough, shall we have some tea and snacks in the grove?”
Just as the group left the Eight Trigrams Pavilion, Second Young Master Zhu looked back at that chrysanthemum pot and quietly said to Ji Yaoting: “First Young Master, I… need to excuse myself. I’ll find you all later.”
He ran off quickly, and the Ji siblings paid little attention, walking side by side.
“What poem were you reciting? Were you saying that big brother is like lighting a lamp in broad daylight, wasting candles?” Ji Yaoting said irritably.
Ji Yingying fidgeted with her fingers and mumbled: “Second Brother Zhu is indeed a very good person. When we were young, he caught a water snake to scare me, and I kicked him into the river. He cried with snot and tears running down his face. I really can’t bring myself to like him.”
Ji Yaoting said angrily: “Which child at Three Dike Village wasn’t mischievous when young? Second Young Master Zhao used to climb mulberry trees to eat mulberries until his teeth turned black, looking like a little ghost from the King of Hell’s palace.”
“I was the one who climbed trees to pick mulberries. He sat under the tree eating them with a handkerchief. He wouldn’t even eat ones picked by others.” Ji Yingying corrected in a soft voice. Seeing Ji Yaoting’s annoyance, she quickly added, “Brother, can we wait until after the brocade competition? How can I change my heart in just a few days? If I agreed now, I would be deceiving you.”
Ji Yaoting finally brightened up: “I’m not forcing you to like Second Young Master Zhu. It’s just that Madam Zhao doesn’t like you. Even if you and Second Young Master Zhao are well-matched, life would be difficult. If you don’t fancy Second Young Master Zhu, brother still has those portraits for you.”
Ji Yingying lowered her head. She knew Madam Zhao didn’t like her, and then there was the matter with Matron Gu. Mother would not want to form marriage ties with the Zhao family anymore. Her heart felt like it was weighed down by a huge stone, making it hard to breathe. She just wanted to delay until after the brocade competition and see Second Young Master Zhao before deciding.
After the Ji siblings and their maids had gone far away, Yang Jingyuan and Sang Shisi finally poked their heads out from the second floor of the Eight Trigrams Pavilion. Sang Shisi chuckled: “Second Young Master Zhu looked back suspiciously and sneaked away alone—he must be going to find the owner of this chrysanthemum.”
This wasn’t their first time collaborating in mischief. The two exchanged a look, understanding each other perfectly. Sang Shisi commanded his attending servant: “Follow Second Young Master Zhu and report back what you discover.” He instructed another servant to inquire about the owner.
The two servants received their orders and went downstairs, each to their task.
Yang Jingyuan and Sang Shisi went downstairs and slipped behind the pavilion.
“I’ll keep watch for you,” Sang Shisi nudged Yang Jingyuan.
The people who had been painting and reciting poetry had all left the Eight Trigrams Pavilion to rest and drink tea in the nearby grove. Yang Jingyuan seized a moment when no one was around, darted over, and with a quick snap broke off the Purple Swallow’s New Makeup branch, hiding it in his sleeve.
Sang Shisi laughed mischievously: “We’ll make it impossible for Second Young Master Zhu to explain himself!”
Soon after, the servant came back panting with his report. Sang Shisi clapped with delight: “Everything’s falling into place without effort.” He immediately went downstairs with Yang Jingyuan and headed to the nearby grove.
Second Young Master Zhu had no idea he was being set up. After finally persuading a temple priest to reveal the chrysanthemum’s owner, he hurried back to the Eight Trigrams Pavilion.
Reed mats were scattered in the grove outside the pavilion, where visitors sat in small groups. Temple boys brought small charcoal stoves, tea sets, and snacks for visitors to brew tea and eat.
Second Young Master Zhu, focused solely on acquiring the chrysanthemum for Ji Yingying, deliberately avoided where the Ji siblings were seated. He gave a handful of coins to a tea-serving boy who directed him to Sang Shisi.
In the grove filled with tea fragrance, Sang Shisi had dropped his playful demeanor and was brewing tea with focus. Two servants knelt at his side attending him. Unaware of the trap, Second Young Master Zhu was impressed by this gentleman’s luxurious attire and elegant manner, reminiscent of the Wei and Jin style. He stepped forward with clasped hands and bowed: “I am Zhu Shi from Three Dike Village. Pardon the intrusion.”
Sang Shisi affected the manner of a scholar, elegantly pouring tea: “With the bright moon and clear breeze, come and go as you please—what intrusion? Please, sit.”
Second Young Master Zhu knelt before the table. When Sang Shisi slowly finished preparing the tea, watching the tea flowers surge like snow and form a chrysanthemum pattern, he couldn’t help but exclaim: “Sir has excellent skill.”
Sang Shisi raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.
Second Young Master Zhu lifted the tea cup, carefully savoring the fragrance, and drank it in three sips, praising: “Fragrant!”
Setting down his cup, he sincerely clasped his hands and asked: “Might sir be surnamed Sang? The fourteenth son of your family?”
“Indeed.” Sang Shisi feigned surprise, “How does Young Master Zhu know?”
Second Young Master Zhu smiled sheepishly: “I inquired with the temple priests, and learned that the pot of Purple Swallow’s New Makeup belongs to Young Master Sang. I wanted to ask if you would transfer it to me.”
“Oh, that chrysanthemum? Since Young Master Zhu and I have hit it off so well, I’ll simply give it to you. Come, go fetch the flower.” Sang Shisi smiled slightly. The servant had discovered that the chrysanthemum belonged to a chrysanthemum-loving advisor at the Historical Officer’s mansion. When told the young master from their household wanted it, he had agreed without hesitation.
“Many thanks!” Second Young Master Zhu was overjoyed, standing to bow, “If Young Master Sang ever needs anything in Three Dike Village territory, just ask for me.”
Sang Shisi also stood up, taking Second Young Master Zhu’s hand: “You’re too kind, Brother Zhu!”
To see Ji Yingying, Second Young Master Zhu had dressed up well today in an ink-green round-collared wide-sleeved silk robe. In his eagerness to be attentive, he had sent his two servants to prepare tea and snacks for the Ji siblings. With no one by his side to warn him, when Sang Shisi took his hand in newfound friendship, his wide sleeves swaying, Yang Jingyuan, hiding behind a nearby tree, easily tossed the broken chrysanthemum branch like a hidden weapon into his sleeve.