The Yang family was a prominent clan—how could they maintain their dignity if their future daughter-in-law was openly taken away? Did Zhao Xiuyuan not understand this principle? He did. This only proved that his obsession with Ji Yingying had reached the point of disregarding moral principles. Wasn’t such a person exactly who he was looking for?
Sheng Fengze sighed, “If she weren’t already betrothed, it might be different. But the engagement is set—she is to be another man’s wife. How could I arbitrarily demand her hand? The Yang family isn’t some minor household. Lord Zhao, I’m afraid I cannot help you with this matter.”
His refusal was like cold water splashed on Zhao Xiuyuan, sobering him up. The Yang family wouldn’t agree either, for the sake of their reputation. Why would Sheng Fengze help him and risk being labeled as someone who steals another’s betrothed? If only Sheng Fengze had arrived in Yizhou earlier if only Ji Yingying hadn’t become engaged to Yang Jingyuan… He’d heard the wedding was set for April—was there no way to prevent her from marrying Yang Jingyuan? Zhao Xiuyuan’s long-suppressed thoughts bubbled up like the boiling water in the pot before him, impossible to settle.
“I spoke rashly in a moment of desperation. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Knowing Sheng Fengze couldn’t help him, Zhao Xiuyuan didn’t want to offend him further. After apologizing, he focused on brewing the tea.
Sheng Fengze observed coldly as Zhao Xiuyuan quickly regained his composure as if the earlier lovesickness had never appeared on his face. He recalled what he’d witnessed outside the tower window that night and thought silently: this was a ruthless man skilled in deception and shamelessness. Using such a person gave Sheng Fengze no moral qualms.
Accepting the tea Zhao Xiuyuan offered, he admired the swirling tea leaves and praised, “Lord Zhao has excellent skill. What a shame that she would pass up such a fine man to pursue the position of primary wife to a wastrel son of the Yang family. As they say, better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. The Ji family is truly short-sighted.”
Zhao Xiuyuan sighed lightly, “I worry she’s marrying the wrong person. But with the engagement set between the families, I am powerless to change anything. I can only hope Young Master Yang treats her well.”
Such elegant features made even his sighs appear like a beautiful painting. Sheng Fengze wanted to sigh too. It was no wonder Ji Yingying had been deceived.
He did sigh, “Unless the Yang family falls from grace. Given the Ji family’s materialistic nature, wouldn’t they break off the engagement then?”
If the Yang family fell, and the Ji family didn’t break the engagement, he would still have the power to take Ji Yingying away. But the Yang family had been in the brocade business for centuries—how could they be easily defeated?
Though Zhao Xiuyuan tried to hide it, the burning desire to bring down the Yang family showed in his eyes. Seeing what he wanted to see, Sheng Fengze changed the subject: “Lord Zhao, there are plenty of fish in the sea, try to keep your spirits up. By the way, I’m quite taken with the Zhao family’s brocades. Would your family be interested in doing business in Nanzhao? I could introduce your merchant convoy to the sovereign.”
Zhao Xiuyuan perked up and rose to bow in gratitude: “To be honest with Your Highness, when my grandfather received news of your visit yesterday, he had already considered the possibility of trading with Nanzhao. If Your Highness could make the introduction, the Zhao family would be eternally grateful.”
“It’s a small matter. When I return to Nanzhao, have the Zhao family send representatives to accompany me,” Sheng Fengze said as he stood up. “I’m suddenly feeling tired and would like to rest for a while.”
Eager to report the news to his grandfather, Zhao Xiuyuan instructed Zhao Ping to show Sheng Fengze upstairs: “Please rest upstairs, Your Highness. I shall take my leave first.”
After Sheng Fengze entered the room, Chihu personally stood guard at the door.
With guards posted at both the door and in the courtyard, Sheng Fengze cast a disdainful look at the bed in the room and went straight to open the window. The Ji family’s side courtyard was right before his eyes.
“I hadn’t planned to visit the Ji family. But seeing how eagerly you anticipated my visit this morning, how could I disappoint you?”
Having been invited to taste tea at the Teng Garden, Sheng Fengze changed his mind about not visiting the Ji family. He removed his headwrap and outer garments, revealing Tang dynasty clothing underneath. After checking that no one was around, he nimbly climbed out the window.
During daylight hours when people were about, Sheng Fengze found a secluded corner to climb over the wall and leave the Zhao residence. He made his way through the alley to the Ji family’s front gate, where he politely knocked and entered.
Two men wearing veiled hats sat at a tea stall at the entrance of the alley. This stall was situated between the Zhao and Ji residences—looking left, one could see the Zhao family’s memorial arch; looking right, the Ji family’s main gate was visible.
Though Sheng Fengze kept his head down, Yang Jingyuan still recognized him. He elbowed Sang Shisi: “Wake up, Sheng Fengze has slipped out of the Zhao residence and gone to the Ji family.”
Sang Shisi’s drooping eyelids suddenly snapped open. He lifted the veil of his hat just in time to see the Ji family’s gatekeeper hurriedly closing the main gate. He exclaimed, “Third Young Master, you were right! This White King of Nanzhao is up to something suspicious. In broad daylight, he managed to slip away from Deputy Governor Niu’s three hundred soldiers—impressive! Let’s go to the Ji residence and drag him out, see how he explains himself to Deputy Governor Niu.”
“No!” Yang Jingyuan grabbed his arm and said bitterly, “This morning when he came, he deliberately put on an act of being attracted to Ji Yingying. If we catch him in the Ji residence and he shouts that he went there for Ji Yingying, no one will suspect he has other motives. Did you not see how he’s dressed? He’s not wearing stealth clothes but ordinary attire.”
“He didn’t bring a single guard. At least that proves his martial arts must be exceptional.”
“Proving he has martial skills is one thing, but can it prove Nanzhao intends to rebel against Tang? When I told my father about this, he laughed at my wild imagination, saying Nanzhao is just a tiny state—rebelling against Tang would be like an egg against a stone. Shisi, if you don’t believe me either, I don’t know who else I can talk to.”
“Of course, I believe you.” Sang Shisi said as he dejectedly slumped back onto the tea table. “How boring! Are we going to sit here drinking tea all day? Say, aren’t you going to check on the Ji family? What if he tries something with Ji Yingying again?”
“He won’t. If he wanted to kill Ji Yingying, he wouldn’t risk leaving the Zhao residence in broad daylight. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to act at night?” What connection did the Ji family have with Sheng Fengze? Why would he risk being discovered by Deputy Governor Niu to visit the Ji family? Yang Jingyuan couldn’t make sense of it.
Sang Shisi tilted his head and asked, “Could Sheng Fengze and Ji Yingying be old lovers?”
Yang Jingyuan slapped his shoulder, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Sang Shisi chuckled softly, “I’m just teasing you. But Ji Yingying must know something. I think you should get to the bottom of it.”
“Of course, I need to find out the truth. But right now we’re surveilling Sheng Fengze—we can’t startle the snake in the grass.” Yang Jingyuan glanced toward the Zhao residence, some vague thoughts forming in his mind.
He slowly traced patterns on the table with tea-dampened fingers.
At the Lantern Festival, Sheng Fengze appeared in Yizhou City. The next day he stayed with the delegation and didn’t go anywhere. No—during the time Yang Jingyuan was escorting Ji Yingying home, who knew if Sheng Fengze had gone out? After returning to the city, he had the Xian Gang keep watch, and Sheng Fengze had stayed in the guesthouse the whole time.
Yesterday, Sheng Fengze had accompanied Yizhou officials to send off the Nanzhao delegation heading to Chang’an. Then he spent the entire day touring the streets. In the evening, he hosted a banquet to reciprocate the Military Commissioner and Deputy Governor Niu’s hospitality.
Today, he came to the Zhao family to buy brocade.
Then he secretly slipped out alone to visit the Ji family.
After waiting only for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, they saw Sheng Fengze exit and leave through the back alley again.
“Shisi, you watch the Zhao residence. I’ll follow Sheng Fengze and see what else he’s up to, where else he might go.” Yang Jingyuan stood and walked toward the alley where the Ji residence was located. When he passed the Ji family’s main gate, he paused. Ji Yingying, what else are you hiding from me? Yang Jingyuan desperately wanted to burst into the Ji residence to investigate but managed to restrain himself. He hurried forward to continue the pursuit.