Ying Ying swallowed her soup, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and raised her head slowly. This was the result of training from Madam Ji and the nursemaids. Her mother had taught her that when encountering something surprising, the best response was to delay, giving oneself time to adjust.

A strange noble lady suddenly appeared in this small inn. A silk-clad maid who recognized her. With the case still being tried at the courthouse, Ying Ying couldn’t help but be cautious.

“I am Second Miss Ji,” she showed a slight smile. “What can I do for you, sister?”

Xueing respectfully said, “Our madam would like to invite the young miss to join her for tea.”

Ying Ying looked over.

Within less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, blue cloth screens had been set up around the wall-side seating area.

The elderly maids and servants who had accompanied them stood formally outside the screens. A maid brought out a tea set, poured clear water from a white porcelain bottle, and began brewing tea with practiced grace.

It was impossible not to be struck by the scene. The previous loud conversations in the hall had all ceased. The innkeeper stood awkwardly to the side, his smile becoming stiff.

“Uncle Ji Fu, please watch the time and meet brother at the courthouse, tell him we’re here taking shelter from the wind and snow,” Ying Ying instructed before walking over with Xiang’er.

She glanced at the servants standing outside and told Xiang’er to wait there, then entered the screened area alone.

A red Persian carpet with woven flowers had been laid on the floor. The birch table scrubbed white with lye, was now covered with a blue brocade cloth decorated with diamond patterns, with long tassels hanging from its four corners. A copper incense burner the size of a fist sat atop it, a thin strand of smoke rising gracefully. With this arrangement, it was as if this space and the simple hall outside were two different worlds.

Today’s snow wasn’t too heavy, not yet covering the ground. Along the way, Ying Ying’s deerskin boots had become covered in mud and water. She really couldn’t bear to leave footprints on such an expensive carpet, so she stood outside it and bowed: “Thank you for your hospitality, madam. I fear dirtying such a beautiful carpet would affect your enjoyment of the tea.”

Madam Yang Shi had deliberately created this setting, and seeing Ying Ying maintain her composure while speaking humbly, she secretly praised Madam Ji’s education as being no less than that of noble young ladies, making her even more pleased. She smiled at Ying Ying: “It’s no matter. Carpets are meant to be walked on. Come, sit.”

After expressing her thanks, Ying Ying walked over naturally and knelt on the brocade cushion opposite the table. She privately considered Madam Yang Shi’s age, wondering if she might be the maternal grandmother from Chang’an. But how could that be possible? Even if she were the grandmother, she wouldn’t humble herself by coming to this small inn to see her mother. With lowered eyes, she asked: “May I know madam’s name? Second Miss seems not to have met madam before.”

“This is our First Madam, from Yang Family Lane in Yizhou City,” Xueing introduced Madam Yang Shi’s identity at the appropriate moment.

The First Madam of the Yang family, the Brocade Kings? Ying Ying struggled to maintain her composure, though her suddenly widened eyes betrayed her surprise.

Still just a child after all. Madam Yang Shi smiled lovingly.

At this moment, the maid presented two bowls of tea on a red lacquered wooden tray. Using the time spent drinking tea, Ying Ying slowly processed Madam Yang Shi’s motives for appearing.

It seemed this Ji family lawsuit had drawn no small amount of attention. Zhao Xiuyuan had appeared early at the courthouse. Now Madam Yang Shi had personally sought her out at this small inn. Ying Ying remembered the brocade handkerchief that Yang Jingyuan had picked up, and a faint sadness welled up. On such a snowy day, the Yang family matriarch personally visits her at a small inn. She was certain the Yang family had come to show goodwill.

While drinking tea, Madam Yang Shi was also observing Ying Ying. This was a beautiful and well-mannered young lady. Though she couldn’t yet skillfully conceal her thoughts, maintaining composure in front of her was already impressive. She set down her teacup, dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, and remarked: “Our family has long ordered dyed silk thread from Huanhua Dyehouse. I heard the Ji family is involved in a lawsuit. Even though Madam Ji was ill, she still came to attend the trial. I should have visited earlier, but I worried it would tire Madam Ji to receive guests. How is your mother now?”

Ying Ying politely expressed her thanks: “Thank you for your concern, Madam Yang. Mother is just weak in spirit, she’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Xueing, go fetch Doctor Gu to examine Madam Ji’s pulse,” Madam Yang Shi instructed.

Before Madam Yang had stated her conditions, how could she dare accept such favors? Ying Ying instinctively wanted to refuse.

Madam Yang Shi smiled and explained: “Doctor Gu was originally an Imperial Physician in the capital. He just retired last month and returned home to settle in Yizhou City. He’s no ordinary doctor. Given the years of business relationship between Huanhua Dyehouse and the Yang family, having Doctor Gu examine Madam Ji is only proper.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Madam Yang.” Hearing he was an Imperial Physician, Ying Ying no longer refused and bowed to Madam Yang Shi.

The screens created a private space. The foot warmer under the table provided comfortable heat. Ying Ying sat properly, waiting for Madam Yang Shi to state her conditions.

“I saw that chrysanthemum handkerchief you embroidered. I liked it very much.”

She knew it had to be about that handkerchief. In a brocade competition, whoever presents their piece owns it. Even if she had designed colors for the Zhao family, they were the rightful Brocade Kings. Even with the Yang family showing goodwill, they couldn’t make the Zhao family give up their Brocade King plaque to the Yang family. Was Madam Yang interested in her color-matching skills? Actually, without the Yang family’s recruitment, she would never design colors for the Zhao family again. In a sense, the Zhao family was a common enemy to both the Yang and Ji families.

Understanding this point, Ying Ying humbly said: “It’s just a small skill, unworthy of high praise. Just a matter of cleverness.”

Madam Yang Shi’s light probe received such a response from Ying Ying, quite surprising her with this reaction. She chuckled: “Yes, quite clever indeed.”

At this moment, Ying Ying slightly raised her eyes, meeting Madam Yang Shi’s briefly before looking away.

This “cleverness” referred to how the Zhao family had cleverly obtained the title of Brocade King. It also implied how they had happened to obtain her color-matching methods.

Yang Jingyuan had refused the marriage. But Madam Yang Shi and her two sons didn’t think the same way. They had to marry someone – why not marry a concubine’s daughter who posed no threat to the legitimate son and could help the Yang family’s brocade business? What was there to lose? Madam Yang Shi had planned to wait for Yang Jingyuan’s return to properly persuade him, but who knew the Ji family would encounter so many troubles?

This was a heaven-sent opportunity. As a businesswoman, Madam Yang Shi didn’t want to miss it.

“Second Miss Ji. If I help the Ji family through this crisis, how much silver would be needed?” Ying Ying’s intelligence made Madam Yang Shi drop the pretense and ask directly.

Madam Yang Shi opened with money. Presumably, aside from the mysterious and imposing Master Sheng, she knew about everything else.

The debts to Jucai Palace and the Zhao family together amounted to six thousand guan. The ginseng was two thousand guan. In total, eight thousand guan. In silver, that would be eight thousand taels.

It wasn’t a small sum. But it could be earned back. Most important was the yet-undecided court case. Thinking of Master Sheng, the feeling of being gripped by the throat wouldn’t go away. Ying Ying was tempted by the Yang family’s proposal but worried they couldn’t handle Master Sheng. She tentatively said: “The Ji family still has its skills. We can earn back the silver we owe.”

Madam Yang Shi pondered before saying: “What if the Yang family could help the Ji family win the lawsuit?”

If the Yang family could resolve the lawsuit, the Ji family wouldn’t be threatened by Master Sheng anymore. Comparing the two, the Yang family was talking business. Master Sheng dared to threaten with death. Ying Ying would rather ally with the Yang family. Without hesitation, she said: “The Yang family wouldn’t want the Ji family’s secret methods as payment, would they?” Her main reason for being tempted was that she didn’t want Master Sheng to learn their family secrets.

“I wish to propose marriage for our Third Young Master.”