Ji Yingying quickly reached for her hair ornaments, moving to remove her pins, rings, and earrings: “If it’s not enough, name your price. I’ll surely repay you.”

He strode over and grabbed her hand as she removed her ornaments. Her wrist was delicate and white, marred by purple bruises from the ropes. Were these the hands that had won the Brocade Crown from the Zhao family? Three years should be enough to learn her skills. His fingertip traced over the bruises: “I don’t want these.”

The callused pad of his finger made Ji Yingying deeply uncomfortable. She pulled her hand away: “What do you want?”

What he wanted, she would surely refuse to give.

“I can’t think of anything now. I’ll come collect from you in the future.”

He didn’t want gold or silver—so what did he want? The air of mystery about him made Ji Yingying instinctively wary. She shook her head: “Thank you anyway. I probably can’t afford whatever payment you want. Please go. I’ll find my way.”

He could see her desperate desire to sprout wings and fly from the Zhao residence. Yet he hadn’t expected her to retain such clear-headed reasoning. He glanced at the locked door and said flatly: “Refuse me, and though I may have cut your bonds, you’ll lose your chance at freedom.”

At worst, she could fight Zhao Xiuyuan to the death. Perhaps it was the hatred and resentment in her bones that made her unwilling to flee, wanting instead to settle things with Zhao Xiuyuan once and for all. Ji Yingying picked up the candlestick from the table and removed the candle. She gripped it tightly, testing its sharp end with her finger—if she couldn’t kill Zhao Xiuyuan, she would take her own life.

What a pity… he felt somewhat regretful. But she would eventually fall into his hands; there was no need to rush. He took the candlestick from her and draped his cloak over her: “I’ll take you out.”

Ji Yingying’s vision went dark as she was suddenly lifted into the air.

He held her close as he jumped from the window.

She was nervous, trembling slightly against his chest. Landing in a tree, he suddenly said: “You can lift the cloak now.”

Had they left the Zhao residence? Ji Yingying excitedly lifted the cloak. The tree branch was at least thirty feet high; she let out a startled cry and frantically grabbed his arm.

And here he’d thought she was fearless. He secretly pursed his lips, tightened his grip on her waist, and with a light push off the branch, leaped down.

Landing on the ground, Ji Yingying looked around and recognized they were not far from the dye shop’s back door.

“Go home now.” He turned to leave after speaking.

“Please wait!” Ji Yingying removed his cloak and handed it back to him. “Please tell me your name, benefactor. When I have the chance, I’ll surely repay you. Whatever payment you want, I’ll do my best to provide.”

In the future, you’ll surely regret knowing who I am. In his eyes, Ji Yingying was prey that had fallen into a trap without realizing it. When she learned the truth, she would surely bear her sharp claws at him. He suddenly had a new idea. Perhaps this could make his plan even more perfect.

“I had planned to take advantage of the Zhao family’s wedding celebrations; saving you was just unexpected. Someone like me—do you want to know me?”

Oh, he was one of the legendary wandering knights! They roamed freely, and were chivalrous and generous, robbing the rich to help the poor. They would draw their swords to right wrongs. While officials hunted these knights who stole from wealthy households, common people admired and liked them. Ji Yingying’s eyes lit up.

What a foolish girl. He slowly pulled down his mask: “My name is A’Sheng.”

Moonlight fell on his face, revealing handsome features with thick brows and deep-set eyes.

“I’ll be staying at the Gaosheng Inn in Yizhou City for a few days. Go home now.”

Ji Yingying bowed: “Safe travels, benefactor.”

She remembered—Gaosheng Inn. Tomorrow she would go thank him personally with her brother. Missing her family desperately, Ji Yingying ran toward home.

Watching her disappear into the distance, Clerk Jin emerged from the woods with his men. He disapprovingly said: “Your Highness shouldn’t have shown your face.”

A’Sheng didn’t turn around, speaking flatly: “If the Yang family hadn’t sought a matchmaker to propose to the Ji family, this prince wouldn’t have moved up the plan. If I’m not mistaken, the Ji family will surely come seeking this prince’s help. After years of planning, this prince’s only thought is to achieve victory without bloodshed.”

Clerk Jin’s eyes showed reverence: “Your Highness is merciful.”

——…——

In the dim lamplight, Madam Ji lay on a low couch, her face ashen, eyes half-closed.

“Madam, you must take your medicine!” Elderly Maid Li held the medicine bowl with trembling hands, the spoon clinking against the porcelain making tiny sounds.

Madam Ji’s lips moved slightly, and Ji Yaoting, kneeling by the couch, put his ear close: “Sell… the dye shop, the house.”

He choked up: “Mother, I’ll find a broker at dawn. Please take your medicine first, all right?”

Madam Ji shook her head slightly. She hated herself for being careless, hated how these years of comfort had made her lose her vigilance. How could she have felt safe leaving Yingying at the Zhao residence? The Zhao family was calculating, letting her return home easily. Living in the same Three Canals district, she thought they would consider their reputation and not harm Yingying. When Young Master was drugged drunk, she entrusted Sang the Fourteenth to protect Yingying for one night.

One night. She had thought they only needed to get through this one night, and tomorrow she could bring her daughter home.

The Zhao family was truly ruthless, taking advantage of the Ji family’s small numbers. First drugging Young Master, then setting fire to the dye shop at night. The fire wasn’t large, and buckets of water put it out, but all the dyes, fabrics, and threads were soaked. The newly purchased dyes on credit, the merchants’ cloth for dyeing. The Ji family’s inventory. They watched helplessly as everything was destroyed. Adding frost to snow, new debts piled on.

The Zhao family was determined to have Yingying. They wouldn’t give the Ji family any chance. No wonder Madam Zhao had been so confident, no wonder… Madam Ji suddenly widened her eyes, clutching Ji Yaoting’s hand tightly: “Sell the dye shop, sell the house… how vicious the Zhao family is!”

Blood spurted from Madam Ji’s mouth as she fell back rigidly.

Ji Yaoting called out several times, but Madam Ji didn’t respond. He collapsed beside the couch, sobbing.

“Young Master, quickly send someone for a physician!” Elderly Maid Li pressed Madam Ji’s philtrum, but seeing no response, she cried out in panic.

Reaching the dye shop’s back door, Ji Yingying hurriedly tidied her hair and clothes, reaching out to knock. The door creaked open.

“Why isn’t the back door locked?” Ji Yingying muttered as she walked around the screen wall, hearing sobbing sounds. She quickly passed through the servants’ quarters in the back courtyard, stepped into the dye shop, and the scene before her made her cry out in shock, “What happened?”

The dye shop’s courtyard was in chaos. Several dye vats were smashed, and different colors and water stains were mixed together. The storehouse for dyes was half burned down.

Elderly Maid Ji and a group of servant women were cleaning up. Seeing her, Elderly Maid Ji dropped her wooden basin with a clatter, her plump body trembling with excitement. She stumbled over, grabbed Ji Yingying’s wrist, and dragged her toward the front courtyard: “Madam, Young Miss is back! Madam! Young Master, Young Miss is back!”

Heat rushed to Ji Yingying’s eyes as she lifted her skirts and ran, calling out: “Mother, Brother! I’m back!”

As they reached the main courtyard, Ji Yingying saw her brother walking out of the house.

“Yingying!” Ji Yaoting stared at his sister, momentarily overcome with mixed joy and sorrow. He had sent Ji Fu to harness the carriage to fetch a physician. Looking his sister up and down, seeing her disheveled hair, he grew anxious again, “Yingying, are you all right? Did the Zhao family let you come back?”

Ji Yingying shook her head: “No, someone rescued me. Brother, that person…”

“Tell me later. I’m just glad you’re back.” Ji Yaoting pulled his sister into the house.

“Madam, Young Miss is back!” The elderly maids called out like they’d found a lifeline.

Madam Ji’s brows twitched.

Ji Yingying rushed over in fear: “Mother, I’m back. What’s wrong with you? Wake up, I’m back!”

Perhaps truly hearing her voice, Madam Ji furrowed her brows and murmured: “Yingying…”

At the sound of her voice, the room erupted in sobs.