Chapter 329
Yang Xu was only nine years old after the New Year. Facing death for the first time, Qiu Jinyu's death was a hurdle in his heart. No matter what his purpose was for going to Aozi Pass, Yang Xu knew he died because of him, and he could never forget this kindness.
Looking at Yang Xu, who was caught in self-blame, Yang Shoucheng asked in a deep voice, "So you won't resent Xiao Yu for Qiu Jinyu's death?"
Shaking his head, Yang Xu said, "I owe Brother Qiu a life, and this has nothing to do with Xiao Yu."
In the situation at that time, Yang Xu knew that Zhu Xiao was not joking. If Xiao Yu had abandoned Brother Qiu first, the guards of Zhenbian Marquis Manor would have killed Brother Qiu along with ten guards.
After that, Xiao Yu asked Ah Nuan to take him away, and the people from Zhenbian Marquis Manor did not stop them. Therefore, no matter what, Yang Xu would not resent Zhan Feiyu.
The irritable Qiu Zongxi's expression finally eased a little, but he still kept a straight face, "The third branch and the direct lineage I belong to have always been at odds. If one day someone from the third branch finds you, Yang Xu, what will you do?"
If it were someone else who died, it would be fine for Yang Xu or the Yang family to help. But if Yang Xu helped the third branch of the Qiu family, it would be equivalent to acting against the direct lineage and standing in opposition to Qiu Zongxi.
"I..." Yang Xu, who was stumped, stammered, his eyes showing confusion and helplessness.
"It will take at least half a month for the news to reach Qianzhong Dao. If the third branch sends people, it will take at least a month, one after another. Little Xu, you can take your time to think." Qiu Zongxi was not deliberately making things difficult for Yang Xu.
But even the carefree Qiu Zongxi knew the third branch's ways. If they could use Qiu Jinyu's life to curry favor with Yang Xu, the third branch would definitely go to any lengths to fully utilize this favor, which would be a burden that could never be shaken off.
It just so happened that Yang Xu's character carried chivalry and loyalty. If he had Zhan Feiyu's decisiveness and cold-bloodedness, Qiu Zongxi would not have to worry about Yang Xu being entangled by the third branch.
Fortunately, he was still young, and Yang family affairs were not his to decide. Even if the third branch wanted to play tricks, they would have to wait ten years.
Yang Xu nodded, he really needed to think carefully.
Meanwhile, in the Qiu family study.
"Teacher... Teacher..." Zhan Feiyu, who had rushed over after washing up, stammered. Upon entering the room, she expected to see Yin Wuyan, but was surprised to find Gu Qingzhou, who was far away in the capital, sitting in the main seat.
Gu Qingzhou sat at the lower left position. If it were usual, the two would be considered equals, but at this time and place, if Yin Wuyan were to consider seniority from Zhan Feiyu's side, Gu Qingzhou would naturally be the elder.
The master and disciple had not seen each other for over a year. Apart from growing a little taller, Zhan Feiyu's facial features and appearance had not changed much.
Of course, with her knowledge and cultivation, her scholarly aura had indeed become more pronounced. Now, if she walked out, no one would believe she came from a rural farming family. Her bearing was more like that of a noble lady meticulously raised by a prominent family.
After the shock came extreme joy and excitement. Zhan Feiyu, with her short legs, ran over and solemnly bowed, "Teacher."
Gu Qingzhou could not be described as unkempt, but he was wearing plain cloth robes. His lean face was adorned with a smile, "My disciple and I don't need to be so formal. Sit down and talk."
He Sheng guarded the door. After He Nuan brought the tea, she quietly retreated to a corner and stood.
The master and disciple exchanged letters every three days, so Gu Qingzhou knew all about the small and large matters in Xiangwu County. What he wanted to talk about now was the siege of Xiangwu County by the barbarian army last night, and then Zhan Feiyu leading people to Aozi Pass to rescue Yang Xu.
While Yang Xu's narration in the front yard carried personal emotions, Zhan Feiyu's narration at this moment was devoid of any emotion, simply recounting the events at Aozi Pass in detail.
Holding a teacup, Gu Qingzhou gently stirred the floating tea leaves with his teacup lid. Even in Xiangwu County, this tea was a tribute from the palace. The tea's aroma was rich and it was indeed a rare treasure.
Gu Qingzhou glanced at Gu Qingzhou sitting at the lower seat. He doted on this girl even more than himself, with everything from food and clothing to daily life being of the highest quality.
After drinking a cup of tea, Zhan Feiyu's narration was nearing its end. Gu Qingzhou put down his teacup and said slowly, "So you put yourself in danger to save Yang Xu?"
Zhan Feiyu, who was standing and reporting, froze.
Gu Qingzhou looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was standing rigidly, as if sensing something bad, and smiled, "Preventing disaster beforehand so as not to be hurt later. Knowing and acting cautiously, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, so how can it be taken lightly?"
"Teacher, I know I was wrong." Zhan Feiyu admitted her mistake quickly, cautiously glancing at Gu Qingzhou, feeling a chill down her spine.
"You are acting with impunity, after all, you have me as your teacher, a Grand Scholar of the court, holding the token of the Imperial Guard. Not to mention Xiangwu County, even throughout Longyou Dao, no one would dare to lay a hand on you." Gu Qingzhou's voice was clear and melodious, like mountain springs flowing in the woods.
Ignoring Zhan Feiyu any further, Yin Wuyan smiled and looked at Yin Wuyan below, "This little girl is so self-willed, and you actually indulged her like this?"
When He Sheng first informed him that Zhan Feiyu had left with Zhu Xiao to save Yang Xu, Yin Wuyan was furious for the first time. It was fortunate that Yang Xu was not in front of him, otherwise, even if Yin Wuyan didn't take his life, a kick would have likely broken several of Yang Xu's ribs.
But when he saw Zhan Feiyu and the arrow wound on her cheek, that anger could not be vented. The saying "deep love leads to strictness" became invalid for Yin Wuyan.
Is the teacher instigating Big Brother to beat me? Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened suddenly, looking at the smiling Gu Qingzhou in disbelief, and she suddenly had the urge to run away.
But Gu Qingzhou happened to look over at this moment, still with that smiling demeanor, but it made Zhan Feiyu falter.
Her voice stammered again, Zhan Feiyu swallowed, "Teacher, I know I was wrong. Even ants want to survive. It's better to be safe than sorry. I shouldn't have taken the risk."
In the situation at Aozi Pass, let alone a disciple of Scholar Gu, even if it were the Emperor's son, if the hidden people were bloodthirsty, they would kill anyone regardless of who they were.
Moreover, Zhu Xiao was unfathomable. He let Yang Xu and Zhan Feiyu go, but coldly killed Qiu Jinyu. If he had intended to kill them then, Zhan Feiyu would have been unable to escape death.
Seeing Zhan Feiyu's good attitude in admitting her mistake, Gu Qingzhou nodded with satisfaction, but then changed the subject, "That day in Huaian Prefecture, if you hadn't been lucky enough to meet Deng Zhiwu at the inn, and if Wuyan hadn't brought people in time, I would have had to go to your grave to burn paper money for you to celebrate the New Year."
Is the teacher going to settle accounts after the autumn harvest? Realizing this, Zhan Feiyu put on a bitter face, but dared not defend herself.
"It is a great virtue to correct mistakes, but it seems you are incorrigible." Gu Qingzhou's voice suddenly sank, taking on the stern demeanor of a teacher for the first time, "He Nuan, bring the ruler."
The ruler in the study was prepared by Qiu Zongxi and was usually used to beat Yang Xu. In Qiu Zongxi's words, since he was as stubborn as a block of wood, perhaps a few more beatings would help him open his mind.
This time it was her turn to be beaten, Zhan Feiyu instinctively clenched her hands. As soon as she returned to the Qiu residence, Ah Nuan had been busy taking care of her and applying medicine. The servants of the Qiu residence were busy preparing food for the New Year's Eve dinner, so due to negligence, no one had prepared a brazier in the study.
After standing for a while, Zhan Feiyu felt cold. In the cold weather, being hit on the palm with a ruler, Zhan Feiyu could imagine how painful it would be.
He Nuan hesitated for a moment, but still did not dare to disobey Gu Qingzhou's words, and could only fetch the ruler placed by the desk.
The ruler was made of superior ebony, over a foot long and half a finger wide, completely black and shiny.
Yin Wuyan's phoenix eyes turned cold, and he wanted to speak up to stop it, but Gu Qingzhou spoke first.
"Wuyan, you and He Nuan go out first." Gu Qingzhou looked at the ebony ruler in his hand. The little girl was too smart, which made her actions so bold and reckless.
Yin Wuyan did not move, nor did He Nuan. Even though they knew they should not interfere with Scholar Gu's teaching of his disciple, looking at Zhan Feiyu standing in front of them, they could not bear it.
"Big Brother, you two go out first." Zhan Feiyu's attitude was firm, and she gave Yin Wuyan a reassuring smile.
After a long while, the study door was opened and then closed again, leaving only the master and disciple in the study.
"Teacher." Zhan Feiyu walked forward, obediently extending her left hand, palm up. There were two scratches on her fair palm. Zhan Feiyu didn't know when she got them, either when she was on the city wall or after going to Aozi Pass.
Glancing at the ruler, Zhan Feiyu turned her head away, not daring to look.
The little girl was now timid, appearing delicate and afraid of pain, but thinking of her audacious actions, Gu Qingzhou raised the ruler and brought it down heavily.
"Ah!" She knew it would hurt, but she didn't expect it to hurt so much. Zhan Feiyu cried out, and her left hand instinctively recoiled. The pain in her palm made Zhan Feiyu's eyes turn red.
But after the pain, Zhan Feiyu extended her left hand again, and with another crack, it sounded.
Outside the study, Yin Wuyan, with his excellent hearing, listened to the sound of the ruler and the cries of pain from inside. Yin Wuyan's expression became extremely gloomy. If it weren't for his strong self-control, Yin Wuyan would have rushed in to take Zhan Feiyu away at that moment.
After ten strokes of the ruler, Zhan Feiyu's left hand was already red and swollen. In great pain, not only were her eyes red, but her voice was also choked with sobs, "Teacher, I know I was wrong."
How could Gu Qingzhou not feel heartache? Looking at her pathetic appearance, he laughed in anger, "If you're afraid of pain and death, why did you dare to go save someone?"
Looking at her red and swollen palm, every movement felt like a piercing pain. Zhan Feiyu sniffled, "In dangerous situations, I'm not afraid of being cut."
During fighting and killing, who knew when they would be cut? Unknown dangers were not feared.
But being spanked by Gu Qingzhou was different. Even though she turned her head away and didn't dare to look, Zhan Feiyu would falter at the thought of the ruler being raised high and brought down heavily, let alone ten times in a row.
The study door was pushed open with a bang. Gu Qingzhou only felt a blur of movement before him, and Yin Wuyan was already in front of him.
Looking at Zhan Feiyu with red eyes and a red nose, and then at her惨不忍睹 palm, Yin Wuyan, while feeling heartache, felt his anger erupt. He glared at Gu Qingzhou with murderous intent.
He Nuan, who entered a step behind, also looked at Zhan Feiyu with heartache. No matter how dangerous it was before, even when she was injured, Miss had never cried. He Nuan could imagine how painful those ten strokes of the ruler were.
"Go get the medicine." Gu Qingzhou coughed twice. Rationally, he knew he had done nothing wrong, but looking at Zhan Feiyu, who was occasionally sobbing, he also felt heartache.
...
Glancing at the ruler, Zhan Feiyu turned her head away, not daring to look.
The little girl was now timid, appearing delicate and afraid of pain, but thinking of her audacious actions, Gu Qingzhou raised the ruler and brought it down heavily.
"Ah!" She knew it would hurt, but she didn't expect it to hurt so much. Zhan Feiyu cried out, and her left hand instinctively recoiled. The pain in her palm made Zhan Feiyu's eyes turn red.
But after the pain, Zhan Feiyu extended her left hand again, and with another crack, it sounded.
Outside the study, Yin Wuyan, with his excellent hearing, listened to the sound of the ruler and the cries of pain from inside. Yin Wuyan's expression became extremely gloomy. If it weren't for his strong self-control, Yin Wuyan would have rushed in to take Zhan Feiyu away at that moment.
After ten strokes of the ruler, Zhan Feiyu's left hand was already red and swollen. In great pain, not only were her eyes red, but her voice was also choked with sobs, "Teacher, I know I was wrong."
How could Gu Qingzhou not feel heartache? Looking at her pathetic appearance, he laughed in anger, "If you're afraid of pain and death, why did you dare to go save someone?"
Looking at her red and swollen palm, every movement felt like a piercing pain. Zhan Feiyu sniffled, "In dangerous situations, I'm not afraid of being cut."
During fighting and killing, who knew when they would be cut? Unknown dangers were not feared.
But being spanked by Gu Qingzhou was different. Even though she turned her head away and didn't dare to look, Zhan Feiyu would falter at the thought of the ruler being raised high and brought down heavily, let alone ten times in a row.
The study door was pushed open with a bang. Gu Qingzhou only felt a blur of movement before him, and Yin Wuyan was already in front of him.
Looking at Zhan Feiyu with red eyes and a red nose, and then at her惨不忍睹 palm, Yin Wuyan, while feeling heartache, felt his anger erupt. He glared at Gu Qingzhou with murderous intent.
...