The whereabouts of Zhan Feiyu and Yang Xu were easy to ascertain. There weren't many traveling merchants in Xiangwu County, let alone during this freezing cold season. Zhan Feiyu hadn't expected that the first person to seek them out would be the Steamed Bun Beauty.
"What is she doing here?" Zhan Feiyu put down her brush, genuinely surprised.
She wouldn't have been surprised if it were Zhang Yiyi, or Magistrate Zhu of Xiangwu County, or even Commander Wu of the卫所.
He Nuan neatly stacked the scattered homework and placed the brush and ink on the upper right corner of the desk. "Madam Jia came to return money and brought some steamed buns she made specially."
Zhan Feiyu studied diligently but disliked tidying up. She wasn't messy, but she wasn't like He Nuan, who would meticulously clean her desk until it was spotless whenever she had free time.
By the time Zhan Feiyu arrived at the side hall used for receiving guests, the Steamed Bun Beauty had already been waiting for a while.
"Miss, yesterday afternoon's incident was indeed caused by you, so I will accept the hundred coins for the steamed buns," the Steamed Bun Beauty said, handing over the food container filled with buns. She spoke coldly, "But I also played a part in this matter, so these buns are my apology. Here are the remaining nine hundred coins."
Having said what she needed to, the Steamed Bun Beauty's expression was cool and distant. "I need to sell more steamed buns, so I will take my leave now."
Before Zhan Feiyu could even say anything, the other party had already left. It was clear she had no intention of lingering or trying to curry favor with the reclusive elder Qiu Zongxi.
"What filling are these buns? They smell so good." Zhan Feiyu opened the lid of the food container, and a rich aroma wafted towards her. The buns were likely just steamed, still warm. The two-tiered container held sixteen buns in total.
"Miss," He Nuan preempted Zhan Feiyu and took the food container away.
Alright, Longyou Dao was now a place where storms were brewing. If someone were insane enough to poison her, she really shouldn't eat these buns.
Zhan Feiyu shrugged helplessly, but smelling the fragrance, she couldn't help but make a last-ditch effort. "Perhaps we're overthinking it?"
"It's better to be safe than sorry. If Miss wants to eat steamed buns, I'll make dough later." He Nuan's tone was gentle yet firm; she absolutely would not let Zhan Feiyu eat food of unknown origin.
Yang Xu had just emerged from Qiu Zongxi's place. After an hour of lessons, Yang Xu felt his head buzzing. He suddenly regretted coming here. Who would have thought that the hot-tempered and volatile Grandpa Qiu would be such a strict teacher, one who would make you copy fifty times for a single misspelled character?
So when he heard the maid say the Steamed Bun Beauty had arrived, Yang Xu thought Zhan Feiyu had ordered buns out of greed. He never expected He Nuan to suspect the buns were poisoned.
"Are you guys overthinking it?" Yang Xu looked at the two people in the side hall with an indescribable expression. A disciple of Scholar Gu! If she were poisoned to death, wouldn't the culprit be afraid of Scholar Gu's furious retaliation?
Zhan Feiyu's existence did not affect or obstruct any of the court's factions. No matter how high a young girl's status, it couldn't surpass that of princes and imperial grandsons. Killing Zhan Feiyu would offend Scholar Gu, and the cost would be too great to be worthwhile.
Raising an eyebrow, Zhan Feiyu smiled playfully. "Poisoning me might be impossible, but poisoning you is quite possible. The Yang family is currently at a critical juncture of restoration."
Even though Yang Xu feared nothing, he had heard and thought a lot in the past few days, and he knew the Yang family's situation. Facing Zhan Feiyu, who smiled with her eyes curved, Yang Xu put on a stern face and retorted stubbornly, "I'm not afraid of death! I'll eat the buns!"
"If something happens to you, Old General Yang and Uncle Yang will surely avenge you. Therefore, the Yang family can only pledge allegiance to His Majesty, and serve him. Since the Yang family has no successors, His Majesty will naturally trust them," Zhan Feiyu said slowly, her small voice drawn out. She looked at Yang Xu as if he were a dying man.
"Moreover, based on my deductions, His Majesty probably wants to use this opportunity to lure out all the ghosts and monsters in the dark and thoroughly cleanse Longyou Dao. Are you sure you want to eat these buns?"
His Majesty intended to restore the Yang family, yet he hadn't taken any concrete action, only showing an attitude. This meant that the Yang family's old enemies, as well as the princes and officials coveting the salt tax, would inevitably make a move to kill the Yang family first. His Majesty was waiting for this opportunity.
To fish in troubled waters! It was impossible to tell which of the seven guards were loyal to His Majesty and which had been bought by other families. Therefore, only when the situation became chaotic could His Majesty control the overall situation and firmly grasp Longyou Dao in his hands. From a certain perspective, Yang Xu's death would be more beneficial to the situation.
Just moments ago, he had wanted to let go of past grievances. His grandfather and father had both said that the Yang family protected the common people of this region. While His Majesty's allowing the Yang family to be slandered back then was unfair to them, it was understandable.
But moments later, hearing Zhan Feiyu's alarmist words, Yang Xu's features contorted into a knot of distress. If the person on the dragon throne wanted to kill him, could he still live? Should he still pledge loyalty to him?
Zhan Feiyu suddenly recalled scenes from television dramas in her past life. She took a bun from the food container and said in a soft, lingering voice, "Xu'er, it's time to eat your buns..."
"I'll feed them to the dogs!" Yang Xu snatched the bun from Zhan Feiyu's hand, put it back into the food container, then picked up the entire container and strode out. In the end, he couldn't bear to look at the two big black dogs guarding the door, and the buns were crushed and thrown away.
He Nuan watched Yang Xu leave. Recalling Zhan Feiyu's words, she whispered, "Miss, do you think His Majesty might make a move against Yang Xu? Wouldn't that break Old General Yang's heart?"
"It's unlikely he'll make a direct move. Perhaps he'll let events unfold and watch the tigers fight," Zhan Feiyu said, her gaze distant as she looked at the clear blue sky outside the door. Under imperial power, even princes could be sacrificed, let alone other unrelated people.
"So that's why Old General Yang asked Yang Xu to follow us to Xiangwu County?" He Nuan suddenly understood. She wasn't stupid, but all her thoughts and energy were dedicated to taking care of Zhan Feiyu's daily life. She hadn't considered these schemes and calculations.
Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu, and besides He Sheng and the others, she had people protecting her in secret. Moreover, after the incident in Huaian Prefecture, the First Prince Yin Geng saw the dragon pendant on Zhan Feiyu's neck and mistook her for a pearl lost at sea.
This was Zhan Feiyu's other capital for survival. Yang Xu was now following Zhan Feiyu, so even if people made a move in secret, they would be hesitant.
The Yang family had not yet been restored, and their former subordinates could not appear openly. If they were to protect Yang Xu in Shitou Village, it would be too conspicuous. However, they could lie in wait in Xiangwu County town.
If someone were truly insane enough to make a move against Yang Xu, the Yang family's former subordinates could also act amidst the chaos.
Thinking about these matters made Zhan Feiyu's head ache. Unladylike, she plopped down onto a chair. "A Nuan, I finally understand why my teacher was so hell-bent on sending me to Weizhou to deliver a letter to Old General Yang, and insisted I study calligraphy with Old Mr. Qiu for a month."
To put it bluntly, it was to treat Zhan Feiyu as a mascot placed in Xiangwu County. Who knew that the First Prince mistook her for the Emperor's illegitimate daughter, and the princes in the palace were likely misled by the First Prince. Yet, they couldn't verify it with the Emperor.
Furthermore, based on information obtained from the eunuch of the imperial court, the Emperor praised Zhan Feiyu highly, comparable to the gentleness and kindness he showed when teaching Yin Wuyan. Scholar Gu would also hand over Zhan Feiyu's letters to the Emperor immediately. It was hard not to misunderstand all this.
Looking at the frustrated and helpless Zhan Feiyu, He Nuan smiled. "The capable are often burdened. Moreover, by forging this good relationship, Old General Yang will surely remember Miss's kindness in helping him today."
The Emperor himself was wary of the Yang family, who had once controlled 300,000 troops in Western Longyou Dao. Once the Yang family was restored, they would become Miss's backing in the future. Even if princes and imperial grandsons wanted to make a move against Miss, they would have to reconsider.
At this moment, He Nuan also understood Scholar Gu's good intentions. The current Longyou Dao was like a chessboard, with all parties making their moves. Who would emerge victorious depended on who was more skilled.
"Miss, something has happened." He Sheng suddenly appeared. Hearing this, Zhan Feiyu could no longer dwell on her troubles. She jumped up, her first thought being that Yang Xu had met with an accident.
"The Steamed Bun Beauty was thrown into prison?" Zhan Feiyu was stunned. The Steamed Bun Beauty had left here less than two quarters of an hour ago. Did something happen to her on the way back to her steamed bun stall?
He Sheng would have people investigate anyone who approached Zhan Feiyu.
Although the incident with Granny Mao trying to extort money yesterday happened in front of the steamed bun stall, Zhan Feiyu had smelled the aroma and wanted to get off the carriage to buy buns, so He Sheng hadn't investigated the Steamed Bun Beauty.
However, today she suddenly came to their door. Whether she truly came to return the remaining money or had other intentions, He Sheng would definitely arrange for someone to keep an eye on her. Only after ensuring there were no problems would he withdraw the person. Who knew that the Steamed Bun Beauty would have an accident midway?
He Sheng quickly explained the situation. "She was looking down while walking, causing Luo Hu to fall from his horse. His right leg was broken on the spot. Constable Luo received the news and immediately took people to send Luo Hu to the medical clinic. Madam Jia has been temporarily detained by the yamen."
Luo Hu was Constable Luo's adopted nephew. He originally wanted his nephew to continue the family line and prevent his branch from becoming extinct. Who knew Luo Hu had his reproductive organs crippled.
Although the perpetrator was not Yang Shoucheng, who was meddling, he was indirectly responsible. If he hadn't knocked Luo Hu unconscious and left him in the alley, the subsequent misfortune would not have happened.
Since the Steamed Bun Beauty had an accident after leaving her, Zhan Feiyu felt obligated to intervene, both morally and logically.
Especially since it was not yet certain whether she had any issues. If she were an ordinary citizen, Zhan Feiyu would definitely help, "Let's go to the county yamen and call Yang Xu along."
Since she was Yang Xu's guardian angel, Zhan Feiyu certainly couldn't let Yang Xu go alone. Who knew if her leaving was a trick by the enemy to lure her away?
...
Qiu Zongxi's courtyard was in Dongmen Lane, Xiangwu County. The county yamen was located in the center of the town, not far away.
"It's you?" Constable Luo's face darkened. After sending Luo Hu to the medical clinic, he had returned to the yamen.
With his nephew unable to continue the family line, only a bit of familial affection remained. It was impossible for Constable Luo to care for Luo Hu like his own son.
Hmph! Yang Xu's every spike seemed to stand on end. He maintained a stern face, his fierce gaze fixed on Constable Luo, who was wearing a constable's uniform. This man had repeatedly tried to cause trouble for his father, but the villagers of Shitou Village were united, and his father was highly skilled in martial arts, so he dared not act openly.
"Constable Luo, we wish to visit the Steamed Bun Beauty, Madam Jia, who has been arrested and imprisoned," Zhan Feiyu stated their purpose.
Before Constable Luo could speak, He Sheng handed over a ten-tael silver ingot. It was a rule of the yamen; to visit prisoners, one had to grease the palms of the constables and jailers.
Zhan Feiyu was not short of money, so she was naturally not stingy. "Please, Constable Luo, be accommodating."
Besides Constable Luo, five or six other constables were also looking over. Ten taels of silver was not a small amount. In a place like Xiangwu County, people usually offered a few hundred coins at most to visit prisoners.
If possible, Constable Luo truly didn't want this ten tael of silver. After it was divided, he would only get about two taels. But if Constable Luo refused, he would be going against the wishes of the crowd.
He might not want the money, but the other constables and jailers did! There was no reason to refuse money that was offered. Moreover, Zhan Feiyu's request to visit the prisoner was reasonable; the Steamed Bun Beauty was not a prisoner subject to restrictions on visits.
"Old Ma, take them there," Constable Luo tossed the silver ingot to a subordinate beside him and added with a dark expression, "Tell Head Jailer Ding that only one person can enter the county yamen's prison to visit at a time!"
A moment later, at the entrance to the prison.
Money could make the devil push the millstone. Zhan Feiyu tossed another ten taels of silver to the Head Jailer Ding and entered with He Nuan. As for He Sheng and Yang Xu, it was a place where female prisoners were held separately, so it was inconvenient for them to follow.
The old woman leading the way, Granny Wang, had a very mean face and a hostile attitude. She urged them in a sharp voice, "Alright, the person is locked up here. You must leave in fifteen minutes. Speak quickly."
In the prison cell, the Steamed Bun Beauty stood up from the straw pile and was stunned. "Why is it you?"
"I did not kill伯仁, but 伯仁 died because of me," Zhan Feiyu habitually quoted a classical line. She continued, "If you hadn't come to return the money, you wouldn't have encountered Luo Hu. For reasons of both sentiment and principle, I had to come."
Through the prison bars, the Steamed Bun Beauty regained her usual distant and cold demeanor. "You don't have to do this. Luo Hu and I have a past grievance."
After Luo Hu was castrated by the eunuch, he went from being a lecherous scoundrel who bullied men and women to a mentally disturbed, perverted madman. He still frequented brothels, but he became even more violent and cruel, torturing the women in the brothels until they were half-dead using various objects.
Fortunately, the folk customs in Xiangwu County were robust, and Luo Hu dared not lay hands on respectable women. As for the girls in the brothels, even if they died, compensating the madam with money would resolve the matter.
The Steamed Bun Beauty's right cheek had been scalded and disfigured. No matter how beautiful her other cheek was, the former lecherous Luo Hu was not interested.
However, the current Luo Hu enjoyed torturing people. Therefore, upon seeing the Steamed Bun Beauty with half her face disfigured, a more perverse thought inexplicably arose in him. Torturing women in brothels was becoming increasingly uninteresting; those women only cried and begged for mercy.
But for a woman like the Steamed Bun Beauty, the thought of her struggling desperately to resist, yet having to submit, made Luo Hu's blood boil.
Luo Hu had gone to the steamed bun stall to cause trouble several times. However, the Steamed Bun Beauty had a good reputation, and the neighbors were very supportive of her. Luo Hu's troublemaking stirred up public anger, especially from Hao the butcher, who supplied meat to the steamed bun stall. He had even chased Luo Hu for two streets with his butcher's knife.
This time, it was also the Steamed Bun Beauty's misfortune. She didn't watch where she was going, causing Luo Hu to fall off his horse and break his leg. Constable Luo took the opportunity to avenge his nephew and locked her up in the women's prison.