Zhao Bingsong, the current patriarch of the Zhao family and father of Zhao Xiuyuan, was appreciating brocades with the Zhao Elder in the Treasury Pavilion.
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This was the most heavily guarded place in the Zhao residence. All five main rooms of the Treasury Pavilion were connected, creating an exceptionally spacious area. The ceiling wasn’t covered with rolled awnings, allowing sunlight to stream through the glazed tiles, illuminating every detail of the brocades mounted in the screens.
The Zhao Elder gently turned a screen. As the light shifted, the brocade within displayed different hues. He straightened up and sighed, “Although First Young Master’s piece ‘Autumn Night River Waves and Moon Scene’ is beautiful, the scattered reeds make it less serene and more desolate. It’s unlikely to be popular nowadays. We don’t have absolute confidence in winning the Brocade Crown with this.”
More than ten brocade paintings were arranged in a row, featuring paired birds, flowers, auspicious beasts, and pattern brocades—a dazzling collection. These were the Zhao family’s finest selections, each embodying the dedication of their master weavers. Yet they failed to satisfy the discerning Zhao Elder.
To Zhao Bingsong, each piece would be a rare masterpiece in the market. He couldn’t help but say, “Father, aren’t you overestimating the Yang family’s strength?”
The Zhao Elder snorted coldly and replied bluntly, “That’s why in your twenty years as patriarch, you’ve never won back the Brocade Crown for the Zhao family!”
Zhao Bingsong’s face reddened. Somewhat defiant, he pointed to the brocade woven by Zhao Xiuyuan, “I truly believe Second Young Master’s piece this year is flawless.”
“Second Young Master’s ‘Hidden Flower Wave Pattern Peacock Brocade’ is indeed excellent. It captures the true essence of Zhao family brocades—elegant yet magnificent. Each feather changes with the light, and the bird seems so lifelike it could step right out of the fabric.”
Hearing the Elder praise his son’s work more than the First Young Master’s, Zhao Bingsong beamed with pride.
“But making something lifelike doesn’t guarantee winning the Brocade Crown.”
The Zhao Elder sighed deeply and turned to his son, “Do you wonder why I judge it so? Have you forgotten that the Yang family won last year’s Brocade Crown with their ‘Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain’ brocade? Even if Second Young Master weaves a living rare bird, it lacks originality. Even if we win this year, the Yang family will mock us for copying others’ ideas! If we can’t select a better brocade painting in these two months, I’d rather submit First Young Master’s ‘Autumn Night River Waves’ than embarrass ourselves with Second Young Master’s piece at the competition.”
Like a thunderbolt, these words made cold sweat run down Zhao Bingsong’s back. His previous pride in his son vanished instantly. Yet he felt indignant. The design sketch had been shown to the Elder before weaving began—why hadn’t he pointed out these issues then, letting his son waste months of work? If this wasn’t favoritism toward the First Young Master, what was it?
The Zhao Elder, sensing his son’s thoughts, angrily declared, “Whether the First or Second Young Master becomes patriarch isn’t important. What matters is the Zhao family brocades! A patriarch without this breadth of vision will surely lead the Zhao family to decline!”
“Yes,” Zhao Bingsong replied, though unconvinced.
He couldn’t comprehend how choosing ‘Autumn Night River Waves’ based on its concept could cost Zhao Xiuyuan the position of patriarch.
After his outburst, the Zhao Elder walked out of the Treasury Pavilion. Standing on the stone steps, gazing at the sprawling Zhao family compound, his tone softened: “You’ve maintained our family’s status without decline—that makes you a meritorious servant of the Zhao family. But your two younger brothers are bound to feel discontent. If we can reclaim the Brocade Crown this year, your burden will ease. Second Young Master’s talent far exceeds the First Young Master’s. I didn’t guide him but gave him one last chance because I hope he can elevate the Zhao family brocades to greater heights.”
“Father!” The Elder’s words flowed like a warm current into Zhao Bingsong’s heart, bringing tears to his eyes.
Having delivered both stick and carrot, the Zhao Elder added meaningfully: “The Yang family matriarch Lady Shi’s elder brother is the sixth-rank Circuit Judge of Yizhou Prefecture, and is related by marriage to Director Chen of the Imperial Textile and Dyeing Bureau. For the Zhao family to win the Brocade Crown, our concept and craftsmanship must far surpass the Yang family’s. Under public scrutiny, even with official support, the Yang family would have no grounds for complaint. After letting them dominate for over twenty years, if we can’t reclaim the Brocade Crown, no matter how well we weave, the Zhao family brocades will fade into obscurity without sufficient reputation. As the family business declines, who becomes patriarch becomes meaningless. If Second Young Master can’t grasp this point, First Young Master might be better suited as patriarch. First Young Master is honest and capable of maintaining what we have. After your passing, at least the Zhao descendants won’t go hungry.”
Instantly, Zhao Bingsong grew tense again. While respectfully acknowledging his father’s words, he realized the Elder would certainly not submit the peacock brocade for competition. Submitting the First Young Master’s piece and then appointing the Second Young Master would give his second and third brothers reasons to cause trouble. The message was clear—he needed to enlighten Second Young Master, lest he assume his peacock brocade was guaranteed to win.
Beneath dense greenery, white walls and black tiles housed a family compound. By the window, butterflies danced in vibrant colors as a green-robed maiden reached out to catch them, her wrist white as snow. Though painted in the impressionist style, it perfectly captured Ji Yingying’s lively and beautiful nature.
Inspiration flowing, Zhao Xiuyuan’s brush danced across the paper, creating a painting in fluid strokes.
He was satisfied with this piece. However, brocade patterns typically used meticulous brushwork. He wasn’t sure how to weave such a free-flowing impressionist painting. He whispered, “Yingying, I will weave this painting someday.”
“Second Young Master!”
Hearing his father’s voice, Zhao Xiuyuan quickly rolled up the painting and tossed it into a nearby vase. He turned around as Zhao Bingsong entered.
Zhao Xiuyuan smiled and bowed to his father: “What brings Father here?”
Noticing the white bamboo paper on the desk and crumpled paintings beside it, Zhao Bingsong asked anxiously, “I hear you’ve been conceptualizing new designs these past few days. Any progress?”
Zhao Xiuyuan found this strange: “Father is eager for me to create a new design?”
“Your grandfather absolutely won’t submit your peacock brocade for the competition.” Zhao Bingsong urgently explained the Elder’s thoughts.
It was his oversight! In his defiance of the Yang family’s winning “Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain” brocade, he’d focused on weaving more vivid rare birds, forgetting that following the Yang family’s concept was a misstep. Zhao Xiuyuan’s eyebrows raised as a new fighting spirit surged within him: “Don’t worry, Father. Before the ninth day of the tenth month, I will weave a new brocade painting.”
“That’s good. I hear the Yang family is weaving a piece called ‘Ten-Pattern Brocade’ this year. They’re keeping it secret, so we don’t know what it looks like. Judging by the name, it must be their typical dazzling style. Think it through carefully. Time is short—you must win this for me! Though I’ve served the Zhao family honorably all my life, never winning a Brocade Crown remains my greatest regret. This year’s hopes rest on you.”
“Rest assured, Father.”
Zhao Bingsong patted his son’s shoulder, still full of faith in him.
After his father left, Zhao Xiuyuan pondered the Yang family’s Ten-Pattern Brocade.
“Ten-Pattern Brocade, Ten-Pattern Brocade. What kind of brocade deserves such a name?” Zhao Xiuyuan contemplated for a long while but couldn’t imagine the content of the Yang family’s piece. He sighed, thinking of Ji Yingying, “Clever girl, if you were here, you’d surely figure it out.”
Since his grandfather believed his weaving skill matched the Yang family’s and only the concept was lacking, two heads were better than one. Zhao Xiuyuan naturally decided to consult Ji Yingying.