The Yang Family Lane earned its name from the concentration of Yang clan members who lived there. At the center of the north street stood the White Egret Hall, the residence of the Yang family head. Located not far from the Scattered Flowers Tower, the mansion drew water from the Fu River through channels, forming three lakes of varying sizes where the central waterway met the east and west routes.
Yang Jingyuan’s residence, the Bright Moon Dwelling, faced the White Egret Hall across the lake, while Yang Jingshan’s residence, the Willow Dwelling, stood right next to the White Egret Hall. At this moment, the Willow Dwelling was shrouded in silence. Madam Yang Shi and Young Master Yang Er’s wife sat anxiously waiting in the main hall.
“Mother, Physician Gu is examining Father now,” said Yang’s First Young Madam as she emerged from the east wing chamber. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she needed a maid’s support to kneel before the table.
Madam Yang Chen broke into sobs at the thought of Yang Jingshan’s miserable state.
“He’s not dead yet, what are you crying for!” Madam Yang Shi reprimanded coldly, feeling sharp pains in her chest. Her vacant eyes gazed at the open hall doors. In the courtyard, rows of willows had sprouted new branches, their fresh green growth full of vitality. Yet the Yang family seemed still trapped in winter’s bitter cold. The family head had not been dead for even a hundred days when the eldest son was brought home beaten to a bloody pulp. The third son had disappeared, his body covered in wounds. She couldn’t help but glance at her second son, Jingyan. Madam Yang Shi’s heart was filled with regret.
According to Yang’s family rules, the eldest legitimate son inherited the family business. She had never taught her second son how to manage the family affairs, fearing it would breed ambition and turn the brothers against each other. The eldest son had learned to be the family head, while the second son learned to handle miscellaneous duties. As for the third son, she hadn’t even bothered teaching him about regular affairs—after all, the Yang family was wealthy enough to support his family without much trouble.
“Grandmother, Father will recover, don’t be sad,” said Chengyu, Yang Jingshan’s eldest legitimate son, showing maturity beyond his years. But he was still a child, not yet thirteen.
Madam Yang Shi suppressed her grief and straightened her back. The eldest son wasn’t dead, and neither was she. The main branch of the Yang family wouldn’t fall.
After half an hour, Physician Gu emerged from the east wing.
Madam Yang Shi quickly rose to invite him to sit.
“The First Young Master has managed to keep his life,” said Physician Gu. As a former imperial physician in the capital, he had been close to Commissioner Chen of the Imperial Weaving Bureau. When he retired, Yang Er’s daughter, who had married into the Chen family, had written specifically to her mother. Madam Yang Shi had been generous, buying him a residence and providing servants. This kindness had deeply moved the solitary Physician Gu, and he spoke the words that would most comfort Madam Yang Shi.
Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief—as long as he was alive, that was what mattered.
As long as the eldest son lived, his position as family head would remain secure in the ancestral records. If he became disabled, the position would eventually pass to his legitimate son, Chengyu. Madam Yang Shi composed herself and asked, “Physician, how severe are his injuries?”
Physician Gu sighed, “His internal organs are injured, and his leg bones are broken. He needs complete bed rest and gradual recovery. If he heals well, there might be a chance he could walk again someday. Remember, he must have absolute rest and careful attention. He cannot withstand any disturbance.”
Just being alive, just having the possibility of walking again—this was already a great fortune! Amid her joy, Madam Yang Shi’s tears finally flowed, and she bowed deeply to Physician Gu: “Thank you, sir, for saving his life.”
“Madam is too kind.” A physician’s heart was like a parent’s, especially toward the Yang family who had shown him such generosity. Physician Gu had done his utmost.
Madam Yang Shi ordered a carriage to take Physician Gu home and instructed the First Young Madam to take good care of her son. She then returned to the White Egret Hall.
Once the hall quieted, Madam Yang Shi took out a piece of brocade from her sleeve and handed it to Yang Jingyan: “Second Son, this piece was cut from the tribute brocade. Examine it carefully.”
Yang Jingyan accepted it and studied it carefully against the light.
Xueqing personally brought a basin of water.
After the brocade was soaked for three breaths and removed, it was thoroughly wet. Yang Jingyan exclaimed, “Mother, this isn’t our family’s waterproof brocade! It looks similar, but the truth shows once it’s soaked in water.”
“Of course, this isn’t the Yang family’s waterproof brocade! The question is, where did this brocade come from? Why was it made with patterns similar to the Yang family’s usual designs? And how was it switched with the brocade delivered to the Military Commissioner’s mansion?”
After Yang Jingshan’s incident, Madam Yang Shi spent considerable money to obtain a piece of the brocade that had been delivered to the Military Commissioner’s mansion. Upon examination, she was certain that Yang Jingshan had been framed.
Who would want to harm the Yang family?
Yang Jingyan recalled the scene when the brocade was transported to the Military Commissioner’s mansion: “The brocade from the weaving workshop was all locked in the storehouse. Only the storehouse manager had the keys. The switch must have happened in the storehouse.”
Madam Yang Shi gave a cold laugh: “I’ve already investigated. That night, someone invited the storehouse manager to the Scattered Flowers Tower. The person who extended the invitation was the chief steward of the Second Branch. They said it was for his grandson’s hundred-day celebration. The Second Branch’s chief steward must have quite the status and deep pockets to invite over a dozen Yang family managers to drink at the Scattered Flowers Tower.”
Thinking of the aphrodisiac wine his second uncle had produced, Yang Jingyan suddenly understood: “Second Uncle?!”
And probably your third uncle too, thought Madam Yang Shi, remembering how the Third Master had insisted on watching her punish Yang Jingyuan. A wave of hatred rose in her heart.
Did the Second and Third Branches want the position of family head this badly?
“Madam, the Second Master and Third Master have arrived!” Chen Mama’s voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall.
Before she finished speaking, the Second Master and Third Master had already walked in together.
They had burst into White Egret Hall without even waiting to be announced. They truly showed no respect for the main branch. Madam Yang Shi was furious but forced herself to remain calm: “Second Brother, Third Brother, what urgent matter brings you here?”
The brothers sat down directly. The Second Master snorted coldly, “With such a major family incident, Sister-in-law, surely you know why we’re here?”
The Third Master also spoke with a cold expression, “The First Son had barely assumed the position of the family head when he offended the Military Commissioner and was beaten half to death. As his uncle, I’ve lost all face because of him!”
“Sister-in-law, let’s set aside for now how to appease the Military Commissioner. In his current state, how can the First Son command respect? He’s still drifting in and out of consciousness—how can he manage the brocade business? The Yang family has thousands of weavers and hundreds of managers whose hearts are unsettled. The vast brocade business needs a family head present every day. My third brother and I believe the Yang family needs to select a new family head!”
Madam Yang Shi erupted in anger, saying sharply, “According to family rules, Chengyu is the next family head. While the First Son recovers, his legitimate brothers can temporarily manage the family head’s duties. The main branch has four or five legitimate sons and grandsons—we’re not all dead yet!”
“Chengyu is still too young—how can he take on the role of family head? The Second Son has only managed the shops and has never dealt with the weaving workshop. Are you certain he won’t make the same grave mistakes as his elder brother?” The Second Master’s words carried a hint of threat.
If the Second Son temporarily became the family head, they would surely find a way to make him follow his elder brother’s path. The legitimate grandsons were too young to defend against these two uncles in their prime. Madam Yang Shi shuddered violently. She softened her tone: “The First Son’s injuries aren’t critical. Though bedridden, with Chengyu and the Second Son’s assistance, how could he not manage the brocade business? You say the First Son can’t command respect? I’d say whoever switched that batch of waterproof brocade commands even less respect!”
The Second Master jumped up: “What do you mean? Are you suggesting my third brother and I switched the waterproof brocade? What evidence do you have?!”
Madam Yang Shi looked up at the sky and said coldly, “The family head hasn’t been gone long—he’s still watching from above.”
The Second Master trembled, then said viciously, “Fine! At this year’s brocade competition, if the Yang family doesn’t win the title of Brocade King, it will prove the First Son isn’t capable of being family head!”
As long as Yang Jingshan couldn’t be the family head. Madam Yang Shi was elderly and a woman. The Second Son lacked ability, and the legitimate grandsons were young. Naturally, the uncles would need to step in and assist.