Yang Shi dismissed her attendants. According to Zhao Xiang, she had waited up for him all night. It was just a small quarrel. Throughout his life, whether fighting or causing trouble, none of his misdeeds had exceeded this verbal spat with Second Young Master Zhao. Yet his usually composed stepmother had waited up all night for him. Her anxiety wasn’t merely about his failure to return home for one night.
He deliberately showed contempt on his face. “Who does he think he is? Just because he got the Brocade King pattern, does he think he can step all over the Yang family? I can’t stand his arrogant attitude! If Father hadn’t repeatedly told me to be magnanimous yesterday, I could have dealt with him with one hand tied behind my back.”
Yang Shi burst out laughing. “Deal with him with one hand, you say? Oh, so you listened to your father, but did you consider the occasion? The Military Commissioner was present. If you had caused trouble, Deputy Commander Niu would have thrown you straight into prison. He would have been justified in taking revenge for his son-in-law with a severe beating. If you died, it would have been your fault!”
“You mean that dark-faced fat man beside the Military Commissioner? Heh, fortunately, Seventh Miss Niu took after her mother. Back then, Sang Fourteen was terrified, saying Seventh Miss Niu looked just like Deputy Commander Niu, and he’d rather jump in the river or hang himself than marry her.” Yang Jingyuan thought of Seventh Miss Niu, which reminded him of Fifth Miss Niu. He smiled brightly at Yang Shi and said, “Mother, I don’t need to beat up Second Young Master Zhao. When he lifts Fifth Niu’s bridal veil on their wedding night, I guarantee he’ll cough up blood to the street.”
“Silence!” Yang Shi scolded, “Your words are becoming more and more improper! Poor Fifth Miss Niu was once a beauty before smallpox left her scarred. How is that her fault? Why mock someone so pitiful!”
If Fifth Miss Niu had been gentle and kind, he wouldn’t speak this way. Yang Jingyuan’s temples throbbed with anger as he recalled his experience at the Niu family residence. He sneered, “Forget it. As a man, I won’t hold it against her. In any case, she and Second Young Master Zhao are perfect for each other, like a turtle eyeing green beans. Let them be together.”
The morning sun shone on his face, making his gold hairpin crown gleam brilliantly, illuminating his face like the bright sun. Among the three brothers of the third branch, he was the most handsome. His arrogant disposition was the result of Yang Shi’s indulgence since childhood.
Using his lifelong skill of deflection, Yang Jingyuan tried to change the subject.
However, he underestimated his stepmother. Yang Shi took a sip of tea, her eyes glinting like needles: “Silly boy, didn’t you quarrel with Second Young Master Zhao over a girl? Are you afraid your mother will scold you? I specifically dismissed the servants so you wouldn’t feel embarrassed. Tell me, which young lady has caught your eye? You’re not getting any younger, and your father says it’s time to arrange your marriage.”
Propose to the Ji family? Yang Jingyuan’s heart pounded like a startled deer. He avoided Yang Shi’s gaze, tilting his head and mumbling, “Where did Mother hear such gossip? With my looks, how could Second Young Master Zhao compete with me? I still want to enjoy myself for a couple more years. Even Sang Fourteen isn’t married yet, so what’s the rush?”
His expression betrayed his dishonesty. Yang Shi didn’t want to waste time arguing and extended her hand: “Where’s that handkerchief that made Second Young Master Zhao’s face change color? Let mother have a look.”
So it was about Ji Yingying’s handkerchief after all. Fourth Young Master Yang wasn’t very bright, and only his second brother Yang Jingyan would have noticed the handkerchief.
“You ungrateful child!” Yang Shi cursed, “Your eldest brother lost the Brocade King pattern and is heartbroken. Yet you’re still hiding things. Mother has truly wasted her love on you!”
At this point, if Yang Jingyuan continued to deny it, he would be failing the Yang family. If he didn’t produce it, his stepmother would surely go to the Ji family’s dye house. He pulled out the handkerchief and tossed it on the table: “What does this handkerchief have to do with the Brocade King? She just embroidered it copying Second Young Master Zhao’s brocade pattern.”
Yang Shi had only heard from Second Young Master Yang that when this handkerchief was waved in Third Young Master’s hand, the chrysanthemum suddenly disappeared, matching the brocade pattern exactly. When she picked up the handkerchief to examine it, her expression changed.
Yang Jingyuan didn’t want Ji Yingying to be dragged into the dispute between the two families over the Brocade King pattern. He leaned in with a sheepish look: “Mother, isn’t it just clever threadworkx? Didn’t the Zhao family say they would make public the color combinations and weaving method of that ‘Immortals by the River’ pattern? Anyone who understands thread and color combinations can embroider it. There’s nothing special about copying a pattern, right?”
Yang Shi gently turned the handkerchief by its corners, and the pattern came alive with the changing light. Absorbed in admiring the embroidery, she praised, “This is Shu-style double-sided embroidery. The Zhao family’s brocade pattern can move because, besides the color combination, they incorporated double-sided embroidery techniques in the weaving. Old Master Zhao said they would publish the color method and weaving technique, but even with written instructions, it can’t be replicated. The Zhao family configured new looms specifically for weaving this brocade pattern. Without their looms, others couldn’t weave it even if they knew the method.”
His stepmother had still figured it out. Yang Jingyuan tried to play dumb: “Double-sided embroidery? Our embroidery workshop has plenty of skilled embroiderers. What’s so special about that?”
“Stop trying to fool me. It’s clear the Zhao family learned from this embroidery to weave their ‘Immortals by the River’ Brocade King pattern.” Yang Shi placed the handkerchief on the table, in excellent spirits. “Third Son, do you truly like that Second Miss Ji?”
Yang Jingyuan’s mind buzzed at the question, leaving him dumbfounded. He wanted to nod, wanted to frankly admit it. But when his gaze fell on the handkerchief, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Even he wasn’t foolish enough to miss that his stepmother wasn’t concerned about whether he was in love. She had her eye on Ji Yingying’s skills. If they went to propose marriage now, how would Ji Yingying view him?
Every moment since meeting her flashed through his mind like flowing water. He knew this was the perfect opportunity to propose. His heart agreed a thousand times over. But there was a small pride that pricked at his heart like a thorn. He didn’t want to take advantage of her circumstances, didn’t want it to be about her skills. He simply loved her vivacity, loved her fiery personality like a small chili pepper. Yang Jingyuan pressed his lips together. Second Young Master Zhao was going to marry Fifth Miss Niu. He had plenty of time, plenty of opportunities to win her heart. He wanted her to look at him the way she looked at Second Young Master Zhao… Proposing now would be like cutting a flower from its branch to put in a vase. He wanted to transplant the flower into his soil, to watch it bloom year after year.
While he hesitated in his daze, Yang Shi saw through him clearly and said with a smile, “Don’t be shy, it’s natural for young men and women to marry. Mother will make the arrangements for you.”
Who else would she marry if not him? If she married him, he would treat her well for a lifetime. Should he watch her hurriedly marry that Second Young Master Zhu instead? Yang Jingyuan made up his mind and rose to give Yang Shi a deep bow: “Thank you, Mother!”
Yang Shi was beaming with joy: “Go rest now.”
After walking a few steps, Yang Jingyuan turned back to look at the handkerchief.
Yang Shi smiled, “I’ll show it to your eldest brother again. Go on.”
Yang Jingyuan agreed, then said somewhat embarrassedly, “Mother, when you go to propose, could you not mention this handkerchief?”
Worried that Second Miss Ji might take it the wrong way? Yang Shi nodded with a smile. After Yang Jingyuan left, she sighed softly, “They say a man forgets his mother once he has a wife, how true indeed.”
She ordered someone to summon Yang Jingshan and Yang Jingyan, while lowering her head to admire the handkerchief again, murmuring, “A spirited horse needs reins, and the young lady from the Huanhua Dye House would indeed be a good match.”