Old Master Zhao looked at him kindly and slowly recited a poem: “For years the tree grew tall and strong, until one day, a vine came along. Who will strip away this silken shade? To let ten thousand flowers bloom unafraid.”

This was a poem by Han Yu, also known as Han Tuizhi. It meant that a tree bound by vines could not grow tall. Once freed from constraints, one can soar with the wind for thousands of miles. Grandfather had likened himself to the tree, and Ji Yingying to the vine hindering the tree’s growth. Zhao Xiuyuan’s hand trembled, causing tea to splash from his cup.

His face first turned deathly pale, then instantly flushed red. He quickly prostrated himself before Old Master Zhao: “Grandfather, are you doubting my brocade-weaving skills?”

Without Ji Yingying’s color combinations, could he not weave fine brocade? Was that what Grandfather meant? At that moment, Zhao Xiuyuan was filled with regret. If Ji Yingying’s new color combinations had made his grandfather doubt his abilities, he would never have used her newly matched silk threads for the competition brocade.

He had already begun working. It was only to ensure winning the Brocade Crown that he had re-equipped the loom and rewoven it.

No, this wasn’t his fault. He absolutely couldn’t lose his qualification to inherit the family leadership because of this.

Zhao Xiuyuan raised his head and said in a deep voice: “Perhaps my sense of color isn’t as good as Second Miss Ji’s. Grandfather has seen her embroidered handkerchiefs. Few people are stronger than her in this regard. However, I believe the Zhao family head only needs to inherit the Zhao family’s weaving techniques and know how to judge and identify brocades. More importantly, being able to develop new brocades is what will help the Zhao family’s brocade craft flourish.”

“Well said.” Old Master Zhao smiled. He had observed every slight change in Zhao Xiuyuan’s expression. He hadn’t interrupted Zhao Xiuyuan’s words, hadn’t immediately told him that he had misunderstood.

Grandfather smiled; he hadn’t said anything wrong. Zhao Xiuyuan relaxed slightly.

“Second Young Master, Grandfather wasn’t doubting your abilities.”

If not doubting his reliance on Ji Yingying’s color matching, why view her as a vine hindering his development? Zhao Xiuyuan was shocked and blurted out, “Grandfather, don’t you think she…”

“Let me finish.” Old Master Zhao cut him off, gesturing for Zhao Xiuyuan to sit up. His eyes showed a trace of solemnity. “Second Young Master, the Zhao family last won the Brocade Crown twenty-six years ago. Your competition brocade this year has the best chance of reclaiming the crown in all these years. Whether in conception, weaving technique, or ingenious color matching, it has reached the pinnacle of Zhao family brocades. Grandfather is old, and my only wish is to see the Zhao family reclaim the Brocade Crown before I close my eyes.”

Zhao Xiuyuan understood all this. A thought flashed through his mind, and he showed surprise: “Has the Yang family developed a new brocade-weaving technique this year?”

Sericulture civilization originated early in Shu territory. The first king of ancient Shu, Can Cong, was said to be named partly because he taught people to raise silkworms. By the Spring and Autumn Period, the “Book of Documents” recorded that people specifically called the brocade produced in Chengdu “Shu Brocade.” By the Han Dynasty, Chengdu’s brocade industry flourished, and the Han Dynasty established Jinguan City in Chengdu. The brocade industry prospered, with looms harmoniously working throughout the city. Shu Brocade patterns grew increasingly diverse.

The emergence of each new brocade meant wealth and prestige for brocade-weaving families.

This year, the Zhao family relied on Ji Yingying’s new color combinations, feeling the Brocade Crown was within reach. If the Yang family, who won the crown year after year, had woven a new brocade, victory would become uncertain.

Old Master Zhao said gravely: “All brocade households are watching the Yang family. If the Yang family weren’t confident of victory, they wouldn’t have revealed so early what kind of brocade they were weaving this year. Second Young Master, even if both Zhao and Yang families show innovation this year and tie, the Yang family has marriage ties with Chief Commissioner Chen of the capital’s Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, and the Yang family matriarch’s brother is a Recording Officer in the prefecture government. The Zhao family’s influence doesn’t match the Yang family’s.”

Finally, Old Master Zhao’s words circled back to Zhao Xiuyuan’s question.

To successfully win the Brocade Crown, Grandfather had given up the marriage alliance with the Ji family. Zhao Xiuyuan completely understood his grandfather’s meaning now. The bride’s Grandfather had arranged for him must be the daughter of an official family. What about Yingying? She would cut ties with him completely. In that instant, his heart went cold, and a sharp pain spread from within.

He was still young; missing one chance at the Brocade Crown, he still had time and opportunity. But if he missed Ji Yingying, would he ever be happy again in this life?

Time had passed bit by bit in the weaving of the competition brocade. The brocade had taken shape inch by inch, just as Ji Yingying had drawn closer step by step. The brocade was finished, she was clearly within reach, yet he had to turn away.

“Grandfather, please reconsider!” Zhao Xiuyuan once again prostrated himself before Old Master Zhao, his forehead touching the ground. “The Yang family has influence, but winning the Brocade Crown should be fair and clear. I don’t believe that marrying into an official family would allow them to reverse right and wrong under public scrutiny. Not only would the brocade-weaving families disapprove, but even if the Zhao family won the crown, our reputation would be ruined… This marriage concerns your grandson’s entire life!”

A cup of cold tea was splashed on his face. Old Master Zhao set down the cup heavily and said angrily: “Can the Zhao family win back a tainted Brocade Crown?”

Tea dripped down his face, but Zhao Xiuyuan wasn’t awakened by this cup of tea. He looked at his grandfather, pressing his lips together. Had he said something wrong?

Old Master Zhao ultimately favored this grandson the most and softened his tone: “Have I not made myself clear enough? If the Zhao and Yang families tie, the Yang family influences while the Zhao family has none. Are you willing to let the Brocade Crown slip through your fingers?”

“Yizhou Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Jiannan Circuit’s Western Sichuan Military Governor. The Prefecture Governor takes orders from the Military Governor. Both the Commander and Vice Commander are trusted by the Military Governor. Your betrothed is the young lady of Vice Commander Niu’s family. The capital’s Weaving and Dyeing Bureau is in Chang’an, too far to reach. Yang Shi’s brother is merely a minor Recording Officer in the prefecture government. With the Niu family’s power, and with the brocade you’ve woven with your own hands, the Brocade Crown will surely be the Zhao family’s.”

His words left Zhao Xiuyuan speechless. He acknowledged his grandfather’s strategy of securing power through marriage with the Niu family to win the Brocade Crown. But he still didn’t want to give up the happiness that was almost within his grasp. He looked pleadingly at his grandfather, his voice growing weak: “Why must I be the one to make this marriage alliance? The Zhao family has more than one legitimate son.”

Old Master Zhao sneered: “No matter how wealthy the Zhao family is, we’re still just merchants. If not for the legitimate son who will inherit the family leadership, why would the Niu family condescend to give their legitimate daughter? Vice Commander Niu has already stated clearly that after the Zhao family wins the Brocade Crown, the two families’ marriage alliance will be made public. He wants his young lady to gloriously marry the new Brocade Crown winner!”

“Grandfather, these are all your conjectures. You’ve seen the brocade I’ve woven. We can win the Brocade Crown without borrowing the Niu family’s power. We definitely can win the Brocade Crown!”

“I want absolute certainty!”

“Just for the Yang family’s damned Ten-Pattern Brocade, you would sacrifice your grandson’s marriage? What if we still can’t win back the Brocade Crown even with the Niu family alliance? Could we break off the engagement then? Can the Zhao family afford to offend Vice Commander Niu?”

Another cup of tea was poured over his head, cutting off his shouts.

Old Master Zhao said coldly: “If this still can’t make you calm and clear-headed, I might as well tell you. If you choose young love over the Brocade Crown, I will swallow my pride and compensate the Niu family with half our family fortune to break off this engagement. However, the first branch will then forfeit the competition for family leadership and move out of Moon Brocade Hall.”