The arrow had been removed and the wound properly bandaged. Ji Yingying dozed fitfully, vaguely hearing voices from what seemed like far away.
Imperial Physician Gu had just washed his hands and was drying them with a cloth. Seeing Yang Jingyuan enter, he smiled, “Rest assured, Third Young Master, no vital spots were hit. I’ll write a prescription, and with a few days of recovery, she’ll be fine.”
“Thank you, Imperial Physician.” Yang Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief and ordered someone to escort the physician out.
He sat down beside the couch, quietly watching Ji Yingying.
His hand covered hers, like holding the finest jade – cool and soft to the touch.
The setting sun cast an orange glow through the white mulberry paper windows. The gentle light and peaceful atmosphere stirred Yang Jingyuan to speak.
“The Madam hasn’t come. She must be waiting for news in Bailu Hall. After all these years, I still know her character. If I don’t go to her, she won’t come. Sang Fourteen has told me many things these past few days. But there’s still a barrier in my heart I can’t cross.”
Yang Jingyuan buried his face in her palm, murmuring, “The last time I saw my aunt, I heard the family was hosting Sheng Fengze. I was anxious to go, fearing he might cause trouble. My aunt stopped me. She said if the Madam didn’t want me there, she had her reasons. She couldn’t look at me when she said this. She was afraid of hurting me. She urgently asked me to stay for a meal, but I was preoccupied and didn’t stay. When I looked back after walking far away, she was still standing in the corridor seeing me off. I often think of that moment. Why didn’t I stay for that last meal with her?”
If he had stayed then, if he had waited for his father to return drunk, he surely would have noticed something amiss.
“It was all my fault. I knew Sheng Fengze had ill intentions, I heard about Second Uncle’s unusual wine gift, how could I not have paid more attention?”
He couldn’t have stayed. What could he have done at home? Could his martial arts skills have helped him storm the Military Commissioner’s residence to stop them from beating his eldest brother? Could his fists have knocked down all those coveting the Yang family’s brocade business?
“Now I can’t even protect you.” Yang Jingyuan blamed himself deeply.
He was like a fledgling with full plumage, needing constant practice to soar in the sky.
Master Shu had helped him request ten days’ leave. His return now was for a better return in the future.
Before going back, he needed to find those who had attacked the Yang family carriage and Ji Yingying. He kissed her hand: “Sleep well. Keep hating me if you must, you can miss me after I’m gone.”
Just as Yang Jingyuan released her hand to stand, Ji Yingying’s fingers gripped his.
“Yingying.” Yang Jingyuan was overjoyed as he bent to look at her.
Ji Yingying showed no signs of waking. As if by instinct, she held his fingers, refusing to let go. This invisible bond pulled Yang Jingyuan back to sit down, whispering to her: “I’ll stay with you. I won’t leave.”
As the room’s light dimmed from bright to dark, Lingr and Xiangr carefully peeked in through the doorway.
Yang Jingyuan beckoned to them, pointing at the dragon and phoenix candles on the table.
The maids understood, tiptoeing in to light them.
The arm-thick, elaborate candles cast their light, brightening the room. Yang Jingyuan lowered his head and said softly, “Tonight I’ll stay with you and watch the dragon and phoenix candles burn until dawn.”
In Bailu Hall, an elaborate meal was laid out.
Xuejing hurried in, reporting anxiously, “Madam, the Third Young Master has been with the Young Madam the whole time, not leaving for even a moment.”
“You may go. If Mingyue Residence needs anything, ask the First Young Madam for the token to handle it.” Madam Yang Shi picked up her chopsticks and said, “Let’s eat.”
The First Young Madam and Yang Jingyan’s couple exchanged uneasy glances. Yang Jingyan said, “Mother, Third Brother is just worried about his wife…”
“No talking while eating.”
Madam Yang Shi spoke just these three words, eating calmly.
The meal finished in silence. Yang Chengyu ran to Madam Yang Shi’s side, smiling: “Grandmother, may I visit Third Uncle and Third Aunt tomorrow?”
“Your Third Aunt is injured and needs rest. Chengyu, be good and study. You can visit Mingyue Residence when she’s better.” Madam Yang Shi then turned to ask Yang Jingyan, “Have you asked those who were with the carriage what happened?”
Yang Jingyan replied, “They said it was a group of raggedly dressed bandits, like roving outlaws. About twenty or thirty men – our four guards were outnumbered. They stole some valuables but fled without harming anyone. We’ve sent word to Uncle, and the authorities are searching along the route. If that group is still in Yizhou Prefecture, they won’t escape.”
If that was the case, why was Ji Yingying shot with an arrow? Madam Yang Shi instructed, “Go ask Third Son if these were the same people who attacked him and Yingying.”
“Yes.”
Madam Yang Shi dismissed everyone, taking only Chen Mama to the lakeside pavilion.
“Madam, let this old servant beg Third Young Master’s forgiveness.” Chen Mama knelt at Madam Yang Shi’s feet.
“No. Don’t go.” Madam Yang Shi gazed at Mingyue Residence across the lake, speaking calmly, “What you did was what I wanted. I want him back at the Yang family because his eldest brother is injured and his second brother struggles alone. Not because I want him to recognize me as his mother again.”
If eighteen years of raising him could turn to nothing overnight, then let it be as if she had never raised this son. Tears glimmered in Madam Yang Shi’s eyes as she forced herself to remain calm: “Increase the guards at Mingyue Residence. Yingying’s injury seems unusual. They must have targeted her because of this year’s brocade competition. Set up a separate kitchen for Mingyue Residence, and let Xuejing oversee it. Don’t let anyone tamper with the food. Also, what have you found about the waterproof brocade that was switched?”
“The substituted brocade has been examined. The silk came from the Zhou family’s silk shop. Moreover, the workshop that wove this brocade belongs to the Third Madam’s natal family.”
Madam Yang Shi sneered: “They didn’t use Yang family workshops. They’re fully exploiting their in-law and family connections. Tell the chief purchasers that when this spring’s silkworms produce, not a single tael of Zhou family silk is to be bought.”
“The Young Miss will probably come crying back to the Yang family again.” Chen Mama smiled bitterly.
Madam Yang Shi coldly laughed: “Who says in-laws must look after each other’s business? The Zhou family married Madam Zou’s daughter, not my daughter. They dare harm my eldest son – they shouldn’t blame me for dealing with them one by one!”
The arrows lay before Yang Jingyuan. The sharp arrowheads glinted coldly in the candlelight. One was intact, the other cut in two.
He picked up an arrow, weighing it in his hand. After carefully examining the fletching and shaft, he picked up the arrowhead removed from Ji Yingying. The blade was sharp, and the weight was consistent.
“These are government issues. Specifically for military use.” Yang Jingyuan easily reached this conclusion.
Those who robbed Xiangyou’s group were bandits. Those who shot Ji Yingying were soldiers. Could they be the same group?
Why wait until she climbed to the treetop to shoot? It proved her attackers initially didn’t want to kill her. Only when they saw people on the official road hearing her cries for help did they decide to kill her.
Soldiers. Yang Jingyuan gripped the arrow shaft.
Ji Yingying awoke, the movement pulling at her wound, making her draw in a sharp breath.
Yang Jingyuan put down the arrow and turned to look at her: “You’re awake? Do you want something to eat? Or water?”
Ji Yingying saw the dragon and phoenix candles on the table and remembered that night. She turned her face away: “You said before. Even if I died, you wouldn’t turn back. Why haven’t you left yet?”
This petty woman! Yang Jingyuan was left speechless.