Chapter 307
Although Zhan Feiyu's proposed method was ruthless, upon closer consideration, it was indeed effective. Yang Xu could not remain in a daze of emotion forever. Ultimately, Fu Langhuan and Zhou Shuyao's deaths were not significantly his fault; it was merely that Yang Xu had little experience.
However, the Yang family, whether in the past or future, could never be involved with the Forbidden Dragon Guard in any way. The next day, Yang Xu was taken away from the Qiu residence. Qiu Zongxi was too lazy to inquire about his whereabouts, and Zhan Feiyu, who was solely devoted to studying the classics, was also unaware.
"Plum blossoms are a third less white than snow, yet snow loses a segment of fragrance to the plum. It is truly so, Ah Nuan. Let us also cut a plum branch to put in a vase," Zhan Feiyu, bundled up like a bear, rarely went out for a stroll beneath the plum trees.
He Nuan smiled and replied, "Which plum branch has caught the young lady's eye?"
The weather had already turned cold, and a breath of white mist escaped her lips with every word. However, Zhan Feiyu was warmly dressed, covered from head to toe, and holding a hand warmer. In the brilliant afternoon sunlight, she did not feel cold at all. This was precisely the reason she had been willing to walk hundreds of steps from her study to the garden to admire the plum blossoms.
Tilting her head up, her dark eyes fixed on the old plum tree with its dense foliage and leafless branches, Zhan Feiyu looked carefully before pointing to a branch that grew horizontally by the garden wall. "This one, a horizontally growing plum branch, with many flower buds waiting to bloom. It will surely open in a few days."
"Seventh Master coming for the New Year will be quite fitting," He Nuan teased. Although the young lady was a scholar, she lacked the elegance of a literati. Her coming out today was partly for some fresh air and partly to decorate the backyard. As the New Year approached, there needed to be more decorations and more festivity.
Her little secret exposed, Zhan Feiyu grinned and winked mischievously at He Nuan, "See it, but don't say it."
"Your maidservant remembers," He Nuan replied. With a slight push off the ground, her body soared like a swan. Her right hand drew a sharp blade, quickly severing the plum branch Zhan Feiyu had chosen.
"Just a little trimming of these small branches, and they can be put in a vase..." Zhan Feiyu, looking at the plum branch still dusted with white snow, had not finished speaking when she heard an argument not far away.
The two old women at the back door saw Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan approaching, their faces instantly changed. One forcefully pushed the person tearing at her, "Quick, quick, old woman is closing the gate."
"Aunt Yang, you can't take my money and not do the job!" a sharp curse rang out. Lian'er, who was pushed away, was also a fiery character. After stumbling, she lunged forward, grabbed Aunt Yang's clothes, and yelled, "I'm barefoot and not afraid of shoes! Let me in!"
"You shut up!" Aunt Yang yelled in a panic, but Lian'er clung to her like a loofah vine, refusing to let go.
With this delay, Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan had already walked over.
With sharp eyes, Lian'er saw Zhan Feiyu, clad in a cloak and exuding noble wealth. A flash of jealousy quickly crossed her eyes. Then, like a madwoman, she shoved past Aunt Yang, who was blocking the door, and rushed over.
"What is wrong with you, girl? Can you afford to offend distinguished guests?" Aunt Yang yelled angrily. She dared not tear at Lian'er in front of Zhan Feiyu, and in her haste and panic, she was at a loss for what to do.
Zhan Feiyu remembered Lian'er. The first time they met in the dilapidated temple outside Xiangwu County, Lian'er, though a maid, was incredibly arrogant and overbearing, directly offering silver to make Zhan Feiyu leave the temple.
Yet, in just over a month, Lian'er had become much thinner. The arrogant aura of a dog relying on its master's power was gone. Her clothes were dirty, her hair messy, and her face unadorned. It was clear that since Zhang Yiyi was imprisoned, Lian'er, her personal head maid, had lived a very difficult life.
"Young lady, please, I beg you to save me." With a thud, she knelt on the ground, disregarding the unmelted snow. Lian'er kowtowed three times, her voice choked with sobs, and pleaded with Zhan Feiyu, "I beg you, young lady, please inform them. My madam is critically ill again. If we don't find a doctor and give her medicine soon, the madam's weak constitution might not endure."
Whether it was thinking of Zhang Yiyi's tragic fate after being thrown into prison or her own bleak future, Lian'er began to sob, tears flowing uncontrollably.
If one were to speak of misfortune, Zhang Yiyi was indeed quite unlucky. After being frightened into prison, she was ignored. Magistrate Zhu could not find conclusive evidence and could not hold a trial, so he could only continue to detain her in prison.
As for Zhang Minxian and Zhang Minhua, who had come to Xiangwu County and then left, their original intention was to kill Zhang Yiyi secretly to please the Yang family. Who knew that Yang Shoucheng was broad-minded and did not care that Zhang Yiyi had cuckolded him? The Zhang family naturally dared not act.
And Zhang Yiyi's only reliance, the Zhenbian Marquis Mansion, from the Marquis down to the servants, seemed to have forgotten her. Thus, Zhang Yiyi, in an awkward predicament, remained locked in the dark prison, unable to eat or sleep well. The weather was cold, and she had fallen ill again.
"Are you here to find Yang Xu?" Zhan Feiyu looked calmly at Lian'er, who was kneeling on the ground and crying piteously. "It's a pity you're too late. After the Laba Festival, Yang Xu left the Qiu residence, and his whereabouts are unknown. If you are not at ease, you can go to Shitou Village to inquire about the situation."
"I know Young Master Xu has left, but my madam's body cannot hold on. I beg you, young lady, to show mercy for Young Master Xu's sake and save my madam." Lian'er's voice was hoarse from crying. The tears on her face had dried, and her skin felt painfully cracked. She dared not cry anymore, only looking at Zhan Feiyu with red eyes and pleading.
Aunt Yang knew Zhan Feiyu was a distinguished guest of the Qiu residence, even more valued by Elder Master Qiu than Yang Xu. She glanced stealthily. Seeing Zhan Feiyu's overly calm expression, Aunt Yang's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine.
She had accepted the silver Lian'er had given her, which was why she had repeatedly delivered messages or helped inform Yang Xu. Although she was a servant, her eyes were sharp. Young Master Xu, with his masked face, seemed unapproachable, but in reality, he was kind and never made things difficult for the servants.
As for Zhan Feiyu, due to the presence of He Nuan, her personal head maid, the maids and servants of the Qiu residence had no opportunity to serve her closely. However, judging by Zhan Feiyu's food, clothing, and living arrangements, she was clearly a young lady pampered by a prominent family.
The broth for a simple bowl of noodles was made from fresh pigeon, dried abalone, pork ribs, and various mushrooms, simmered for three to four hours in a clay pot over low heat, not a large iron pot over high heat. After straining out the residue with a slotted spoon, only this milky white broth was used to cook the noodles.
Aunt Yang had privately gossiped with the other servants and maids in the mansion. She estimated that Zhan Feiyu's daily meals could cost thirty to fifty taels of silver per month.
The servants of the Qiu residence, working hard for a month, received less than two taels of silver as their monthly wages. This was still because Elder Master Qiu was generous. The servants of other families in Xiangwu County received only one tael per month. Thinking that Zhan Feiyu could spend their two years' worth of monthly wages in just one month, let alone Aunt Yang, all the servants of the Qiu residence were respectful and deferential to her.
"Young lady, this girl has gone mad. Your old servant will drag her out. It is my fault for disturbing the young lady," Aunt Yang apologized with great trepidation, grabbing Lian'er's arm and trying to pull her up.
"I'm not leaving! If I leave, my madam will die..." Lian'er wailed. However, she was an unmarried girl, and her strength was certainly no match for the robust and sturdy Aunt Yang. Even though she was unwilling, Lian'er was pulled to her feet. Seeing that she was about to be dragged out the door, she struggled.
"Wait!" Zhan Feiyu's voice made Aunt Yang pause. Lian'er seized the opportunity to break free and rushed towards Zhan Feiyu again.
Raising her hand to wipe her face, Lian'er cried in a hoarse voice, "I beg you, young lady, to show some compassion. My madam is truly at her end. Young Master Xu cannot be found. I truly don't know what to do."
Not just in Xiangwu County, but perhaps no one in the entire Longyou Dao dared to pay attention to Zhang Yiyi in prison. Any intelligent person could see that the Emperor intended to use the Zhenbian Marquis Mansion to appease the Yang family. After all, the Yang family had been wronged for eight years, and they deserved some compensation.
"Have Ah Sheng prepare the carriage. Since Yang Xu is not here, I will go to the county yamen," Zhan Feiyu said. Looking at the plum branch in He Nuan's hand, she added, "Also, put this in my room. I'll put it in the vase when I get back."
A quarter of an hour later, the carriage was ready. Zhan Feiyu got into the carriage and headed straight for the county yamen.
Meanwhile, in the back residence of the county yamen.
Magistrate Zhu finally breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Fu Langhuan had been buried, and Assistant Magistrate Zhang had taken Zhou Shuyao's body back to Linzhou Prefecture. Xiangwu County had been peaceful for the past few days, and Magistrate Zhu could finally sleep well.
Who knew that today the weather was good? Just as Magistrate Zhu was about to enjoy a small drink, he heard the report from the constables.
"Why is that little ancestor here again?" Magistrate Zhu stood up abruptly, his head aching.
"Yes, Miss Zhan has arrived and is waiting in the carriage," the constable said sympathetically, glancing at the flustered Magistrate Zhu, who had forgotten to even put on his shoes. He continued in a low voice, "I saw the Zhang family's maid by the carriage."
As for Zhang Minxian and Zhang Minhua, who had come to Xiangwu County and then left, their original intention was to kill Zhang Yiyi secretly to please the Yang family. Who knew that Yang Shoucheng was broad-minded and did not care that Zhang Yiyi had cuckolded him? The Zhang family naturally dared not act.
And Zhang Yiyi's only reliance, the Zhenbian Marquis Mansion, from the Marquis down to the servants, seemed to have forgotten her. Thus, Zhang Yiyi, in an awkward predicament, remained locked in the dark prison, unable to eat or sleep well. The weather was cold, and she had fallen ill again.
"Are you here to find Yang Xu?" Zhan Feiyu looked calmly at Lian'er, who was kneeling on the ground and crying piteously. "It's a pity you're too late. After the Laba Festival, Yang Xu left the Qiu residence, and his whereabouts are unknown. If you are not at ease, you can go to Shitou Village to inquire about the situation."
"I know Young Master Xu has left, but my madam's body cannot hold on. I beg you, young lady, to show mercy for Young Master Xu's sake and save my madam." Lian'er's voice was hoarse from crying. The tears on her face had dried, and her skin felt painfully cracked. She dared not cry anymore, only looking at Zhan Feiyu with red eyes and pleading.
Aunt Yang knew Zhan Feiyu was a distinguished guest of the Qiu residence, even more valued by Elder Master Qiu than Yang Xu. She glanced stealthily. Seeing Zhan Feiyu's overly calm expression, Aunt Yang's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine.
She had accepted the silver Lian'er had given her, which was why she had repeatedly delivered messages or helped inform Yang Xu. Although she was a servant, her eyes were sharp. Young Master Xu, with his masked face, seemed unapproachable, but in reality, he was kind and never made things difficult for the servants.
As for Zhan Feiyu, due to the presence of He Nuan, her personal head maid, the maids and servants of the Qiu residence had no opportunity to serve her closely. However, judging by Zhan Feiyu's food, clothing, and living arrangements, she was clearly a young lady pampered by a prominent family.
The broth for a simple bowl of noodles was made from fresh pigeon, dried abalone, pork ribs, and various mushrooms, simmered for three to four hours in a clay pot over low heat, not a large iron pot over high heat. After straining out the residue with a slotted spoon, only this milky white broth was used to cook the noodles. Aunt Yang had privately gossiped with the other servants and maids in the mansion. She estimated that Zhan Feiyu's daily meals could cost thirty to fifty taels of silver per month.
Aunt Yang had privately gossiped with the other servants and maids in the mansion. She estimated that Zhan Feiyu's daily meals could cost thirty to fifty taels of silver per month.
The servants of the Qiu residence, working hard for a month, received less than two taels of silver as their monthly wages. This was still because Elder Master Qiu was generous. The servants of other families in Xiangwu County received only one tael per month. Thinking that Zhan Feiyu could spend their two years' worth of monthly wages in just one month, let alone Aunt Yang, all the servants of the Qiu residence were respectful and deferential to her.