The Zhou family ran a silk business. While they had money, in terms of status, they were merely merchants. No matter how small Nanzhao was, Zhou Seven had no right to demand wine service from a Nanzhao prince’s beloved concubine. Zhou Seven’s face turned bright red: “Who said anything about serving wine? You injured our people—it’s just an apology over drinks!”
His bluster had already weakened.
Sheng Fengze spoke mildly to the young men: “If this young master insists, this Prince will have no choice but to report to the Military Commissioner and ask him to judge what’s right.”
If the Military Commissioner learned of this, it would become a major diplomatic incident between the two countries. Sang Fourteen quickly stepped forward, put his arm around Zhou Seven’s shoulder, and offered him a graceful way out: “Hey, hey, Zhou Seven, you’ve got quite an eye. You spotted the Nanzhao White King’s beloved concubine at first glance. A gentleman doesn’t covet what belongs to others. Brother will find you some other beauties to drink with.”
“Forget it, wouldn’t want them saying Great Tang bullies them. She’s so dark anyway, not even a rare beauty—your young master has no interest in drinking her wine!” Zhou Seven clicked his tongue and turned his head away in feigned disdain.
“Strangers become friends through conflict—this was all a misunderstanding. This Prince admires Tang culture and will be staying in Yizhou for some time. When free, I shall host a banquet to make amends to everyone.” Sheng Fengze’s attitude was extremely humble. Given his status, such words largely diffused the young nobles’ anger, and they could hardly continue to provoke him.
Chihu untied a money pouch from his waist, walked to the injured servants, and handed it over: “Chihu was merely doing his duty—I hope you won’t hold a grudge. Here are ten taels of gold, a small token from my master.”
The injured servants, seeing their masters nod, accepted with thanks.
With both sides stepping back, the matter was settled. The young nobles had hit a soft wall with Sheng Fengze, and it still didn’t sit well with them.
Sang Fourteen smiled: “Brothers, tonight I’ve arranged for Qin Sisi to sing on a pleasure boat. The boat is moored at the East Gate dock.”
“Really? Sang Fourteen, don’t fool us. Qin Sisi’s performance fee is a thousand gold per night!”
Sang Fourteen laughed heartily: “Sisi isn’t asking for a fee tonight! She only wishes to spend the festival with us brothers. Let’s go!”
The new topic caught the young men’s interest, and they all rode off.
Yang Jingyuan mounted his horse and stopped beside Sheng Fengze, his face full of smiles: “White King of Nanzhao, I was rash and impulsive today, overturning your sedan chair. Fortunately, you weren’t hurt. Hearing you’ll be staying in Yizhou, I shall prepare wine to make amends for your fright. Would Your Highness honor me with your presence?”
Sheng Fengze smiled: “This Prince’s intention in staying in Yizhou was precisely to make friends widely.”
That was agreement. Yang Jingyuan smiled and spurred his horse to catch up with the group, riding alongside Sang Fourteen.
“Third Brother, was it him?” Sang Fourteen asked quietly.
“I’m not sure.” It was precisely this uncertainty that made Yang Jingyuan more agitated. The inscrutable White King of Nanzhao—was he the prince Ji Yingying knew? Why did she want to cover for him? “I’ve invited him for drinks, I’ll test him again. Sooner or later, I’ll catch his fox tail!”
Sang Fourteen looked at him puzzled: “Third Brother, tell me truthfully. If it was him who led people to harass Second Miss Ji and threw you in the lake, wouldn’t you recognize him or at least his guards?”
The mention of this made Yang Jingyuan furious: “A man wearing a Nuo opera demon mask threatened me with Ji Second Miss to make me jump in the lake. He called himself ‘This Prince,’ and tonight a Nanzhao White Prince happens to arrive. You think that’s a coincidence?”
“It is strange. But Sheng Fengze came from afar—what reason would he have to bother Second Miss Ji? Unless there’s another royal prince who came to Yizhou tonight to view the lanterns?”
Yang Jingyuan snorted: “I’ll get to the bottom of this one way or another.” Feeling frustrated, he turned his horse: “Fourteen, I’m not going. Have fun.”
He took the lamp oil and rode straight out the west gate.
Watching the young men quickly disappear, Sheng Fengze’s expression turned dark.
“Master, that youth who overturned the sedan chair has exceptional skills. He was hiding on the roof earlier—it seems he was targeting you.” Chihu said quietly.
“We’ll discuss this later.” The sedan chair had been righted, and Sheng Fengze got in, rubbing his temples. He had been careless. He hadn’t expected him to come to Yizhou again so soon.
Back at the guest house, Sheng Fengze sat quietly.
The envoy sat below him. Half-sobered, he glared at Sheng Fengze and spoke rudely: “White King, you bear heavy responsibility—why did you act on your own and expose your identity?”
Chihu and A’ning, kneeling behind Sheng Fengze, both raised their heads. Chihu said gravely: “Lord Qingping, are you still drunk? How do you know our master’s calculations?”
A’ning said coldly: “Lord Qingping is responsible for delivering a tribute to Chang’an. Yizhou matters are for our master to decide—my lord had better mind his own business.”
The envoy was furious: “Fortunately, arrangements were made properly and didn’t raise the Military Commissioner’s suspicions. Otherwise, I would certainly report to the King to punish the White King’s crimes!”
“Lord Qingping, don’t be angry. This Prince didn’t have time to inform you and appeared unexpectedly at Sanhua Tower—that was my fault. However, tonight’s banquet presents a perfect opportunity for This Prince to stay in Yizhou. Rather than fabricating an identity to hide in the city, it’s better to openly stay at the guest house and make friends widely. What does Lord Qingping think?” Sheng Fengze spoke mildly, showing no anger.
The envoy pondered for a moment, suddenly understanding Sheng Fengze’s intention: “So that’s it—I misunderstood the White King. The tribute to the capital cannot be delayed. Tomorrow when the Military Commissioner issues the travel documents, I shall depart. I wish Your Highness success in making friends.”
After seeing off the envoy, Chihu arranged guards for patrol. He glanced at A’ning, recalled Sheng Fengze’s words, and after hesitating said: “A’ning, stay and attend to the master.”
A’ning’s heart began to race, and she lowered her head in acknowledgment.
Looking at her hands, remembering Sheng Fengze’s words, a shy smile appeared on her face.
Returning to the room, she saw Sheng Fengze about to remove his robe. A’ning went forward to undo his sash: “Master, let A’ning help you prepare for bed.”
Under the robe was black fitted clothing. A’ning reached to pull the sash. Sheng Fengze caught her hand: “I’m going out tonight. Tell Chihu not to let anyone in until I return.”
A’ning blurted out: “Master, take A’ning with you—A’ning can protect you.”
Sheng Fengze pulled up his mask: “I can move more freely alone.”
He pushed open the window, about to climb out. A’ning’s voice came from behind: “Master… are you going to see Ji Yingying?”
Sheng Fengze turned back, his eyes visible above the mask suddenly turning ice-cold.
A’ning was startled and stammered: “I-I know, Master wants to warn the Ji family not to reveal anything about you. A’ning is just concerned for your safety.”
“Are you worried I’ll fall for Ji Yingying?” Sheng Fengze walked back to A’ning and lifted her chin. “First, This Prince is merely toying with her at most.”
A’ning’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Sheng Fengze released her hand and said coldly: “Second, you have no right to comment on This Prince’s affairs. If there’s a next time, you won’t need to stay by This Prince’s side. Understood?”
“A’ning understands!” A’ning knelt on one knee, watching as Sheng Fengze silently climbed out the window.
She stared blankly at the open window, murmuring: “Such an important banquet tonight, yet you’d rather delay time to disguise yourself as Yang Third Young Master to be near her. Is it just to toy with her? Master, A’ning cannot watch you act foolishly. If the Ji family reveals your identity, it will surely raise official suspicions.”
She sprang up and quickly removed her outer garments to reveal night-walking clothes underneath. A’ning pulled up her mask, felt the leather pouch at her waist, and jumped out the window.