The earliest spring silkworms could be harvested by mid-fourth month. The Yang family’s vast mulberry mountains were on Mount Fendong in Longquan Post, where temperatures were slightly lower than the plains, so this year their silkworms would only be harvested in the early fifth month.

On the eighth day of the fifth month, Madam Yang Shi was especially cautious, dispatching two hundred guards to escort Second Young Master Yang’s couple and Ji Yingying.

The grand procession drove out of Yang Family Lane. Second Old Master Yang stood at the highest point in his courtyard watching the convoy leave. He stroked his beard and smiled: “With Yang Jingshan bedridden and Yang Jingyan injured, Madam Yang Shi, let’s see how long you can hold onto the position of the family head with just thirteen-year-old Chengyu. Fourth Son, you may go.”

Fourth Young Master Yang acknowledged and turned to descend. He said darkly, “Ji Yingying, who told you to leave the Yang family mansion?” Thinking of Ji Yingying’s slender waist, desire rose in his heart. This time, injuring Second Young Master Yang and destroying Ji Yingying’s virtue would not only strike at the main branch and seize control of the Yang family’s brocade business but would also make Yang Jingyuan wish he were dead—killing two birds with one stone.

The Silkworm Goddess ceremony was the most important moment of the year for collecting silk cocoons, and outsiders were not allowed into the estate. The Yang family had many guards, and they were going to their estate. No matter how capable Zhao Xiuyuan was, he couldn’t possibly intrude on the Yang family estate. Since her marriage, apart from her return visit home, Ji Yingying hadn’t left the mansion. Now sitting in the carriage, she felt even the air she breathed carried a fresh flavor.

She had left Nanny Ji and Xueqing to watch over Mingyue Residence, bringing along her two restless maids. The three quietly crowded at the window, lifting a corner of the curtain, softly discussing the scenery outside.

East of the city, the fertile fields of the Chengdu Plain were filled with lush green rice. Tall mulberry and locust trees lined both sides of the official road. Clusters of white locust flowers bloomed fiercely. Ji Yingying recalled Yang Chengyu mentioning that Yang Jingyuan had taught him to climb trees to pick locust flowers. She couldn’t help but feel hungry: “They should make locust flower cakes at the estate, right?”

“And elm seed cakes, wild vegetable glutinous rice balls, and there are wild toon trees on the mountain—their tender shoots stir-fried with eggs smell amazing!” Ying’er and Xiang’er chirped excitedly.

“Second Sister-in-law said we’d stay at the estate for two nights. After tomorrow’s ceremony, why don’t we change into nomadic clothes and go gathering ourselves?” Ji Yingying’s lively nature emerged again.

“Great! We brought nomadic clothes! I’ll have Xiangyou make arrangements later,” Ying’er said with a grin.

After passing Tazi Mountain and continuing forward, the convoy stopped at the foot of Fendong Ridge for lunch. After the meal, they drove up into the mountain roads.

Longquan Mountain was called Fendong Mountain during the Tang Dynasty. It formed the watershed between the Min River and Tuo River systems. To the left of the mountain range lay the vast Chengdu Plain. Beyond Fendong Mountain, the terrain changed from plains to rolling hills. Fendong Mountain wasn’t tall but stretched long, with numerous lakes. At its foot was Longquan Post, an official relay station for entering Yizhou Prefecture. A prosperous town had developed around the station.

The Yang family estate lay at the foot of Fendong Mountain. Being close to the Mulberry Mountains, it also housed silk workshops and dyeing facilities.

“After we cross that mountain ahead, we’ll enter the Longquan Post area. The Yang family estate is still ten li from the station,” Xiangyou rode up beside the carriage, carefully explaining to Ji Yingying.

The mountain path was narrow, only wide enough for one carriage. The procession stretched very long.

The wheels bumped heavily over the uneven stones on the mountain road, jolting severely. Ji Yingying wanted to get out and walk. She lifted the curtain to look outside, only to see ravines one or two zhang deep. With the difficult mountain path, she could only endure.

When passing a bend, the procession stopped.

Hearing there was a small landslide being cleared ahead, and they couldn’t proceed for a while, Ji Yingying donned her veiled hat and got out with her two maids to get some air.

Second Madam Yang also wore a veiled hat and was helped down by her maids. The two sisters-in-law stood by the road admiring the scenery while Yang Jingyan rode ahead to clear the way.

With so many people, it didn’t take long to clear the path, and the procession continued. However, after only about an incense stick’s time, soil and stones had slid down from the adjacent slope blocking the road again, forcing another stop.

That afternoon, what should have been only about ten li of mountain road saw the procession stopping four or five times. As the sun set behind the mountains and light gradually dimmed, they still hadn’t crossed the hill. The sound of birds returning to roost made Ji Yingying’s scalp tingle. She instructed Xiangyou: “Go ask Second Young Master, doesn’t this road seem rather strange?”

Yang Jingyan was also suspicious. There hadn’t been any reports of heavy rain in the mountain area recently, so why were there so many landslides? Looking at the numerous Yang family guards, he felt slightly reassured and ordered a team to scout ahead and clear the way to speed up their journey.

In a mountain hollow below, about twenty masked men lay quietly in wait. A scout ran over quickly: “Chief, the Yang family’s progress has been delayed. They probably won’t arrive until dark, but they have too many people—about two hundred guards.”

“No matter how many guards they have, focus on Yang Jingyan, ignore the others,” the leader looked at the crossbow in his hand and said grimly, “We have crossbows, what’s to fear?”

Just then, a large group of several hundred people suddenly came up the mountain from below.

“What’s happening?” the leader asked in surprise.

Another scout ran up from the direction of the mountain foot: “Chief, the Yang family estate got news and sent people to welcome Second Young Master Yang.”

“Damn it. Retreat.” The leader made his decision and led his men back into the forest.

As night fell, torches began to twinkle between the mountains. The Yang family convoy passed through the previous ambush point, merging with the torches from below.

Standing in the forest watching from afar, the leader saw two carriages. He asked his subordinate: “Go find out, besides Second Young Master Yang’s couple, who else from the Yang family came for the ceremony?”

Only after the carriages had descended the mountain did the scout return, panting: “The Yang family’s Third Madam also came.”

The leader laughed heartily: “Failed to shoot her dead last time, now she delivers herself to our door again. Let’s go.”

At the estate, after riding in the carriage for seventy or eighty li, Ji Yingying felt like her bones had been rattled apart. Just as she alighted, she suddenly felt a burning gaze. Looking up, she saw Fourth Young Master Yang standing beside the estate master, staring at her with a smile. That smile, lit by torchlight, looked uncomfortable from any angle. She silently moved closer behind Second Madam Yang.

After paying his respects to Yang Jingyan, Fourth Young Master Yang turned to bow to Second Madam Yang and Ji Yingying: “Sisters-in-law must be tired from the journey. Everything has been prepared at the estate.”

Second Madam Yang smiled: “We didn’t know Fourth Young Master was coming too, or we could have traveled together.”

“I was hunting in the mountains with friends yesterday. Only after arriving did I remember tomorrow’s Silkworm Goddess ceremony, so I stayed to watch the festivities.” Fourth Young Master Yang had traveled light with attendants on horseback, overtaking the Yang family convoy. He lied without changing expression, his eyes constantly darting toward Ji Yingying. Seeing her in a blue dress with a palm-width white sash defining her slender waist, his thoughts immediately became unruly.

Ji Yingying followed Second Madam Yang into the estate. She constantly felt Fourth Young Master Yang’s gaze on her back, which secretly angered her. She had felt his smile was fake when they first met at the family recognition ceremony, and today she sensed he wasn’t simply staying to watch the ceremony. She couldn’t help but be extra cautious, quietly saying a few words to Second Madam Yang.

“Alright.” When leaving, Madam Yang Shi repeatedly instructed Second Madam Yang to look after Ji Yingying, and she readily agreed.

The estate’s middle road main hall was arranged for Yang Jingyan’s couple, while Ji Yingying was assigned to the third compound.

Fourth Young Master Yang, already knowing of this arrangement, couldn’t help but laugh with glee: “I’ve been coming here since I was small. There’s a small door behind the third compound leading to the back courtyard. Ji Yingying, what will you do tonight?”