The three-story building was connected to a waterside pavilion. A pond filled with lotus leaves rolled out green waves in the wind, making those sitting by the water feel no heat from the May weather.
"If you eat any more, you won't be able to walk!" Chong Guang saw Zhan Feiyu still eating pastry piece after piece after the meal. He stretched out his long arm and snatched the pastries along with the plate, while he himself was still hungry.
Zhan Feiyu was not angry. She took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped her mouth, then sat up straight. "Big Brother, I didn't tell you about movable type printing, not because I don't trust you."
Chong Guang, with his mouth full of pastries, interrupted vaguely, "You talk a better game than you sing. If you were to..."
"I know." Three cold words rang out.
Chong Guang was choked with anger, but he dared not retort to his own Seventh Master. He could only transform his grief and indignation into appetite and stuff himself with pastries.
Glancing at the beaming Zhan Feiyu, Chong Guang would have thought Seventh Master was infatuated with a woman if it weren't for the baby fat still on the chubby girl's face.
Zhan Feiyu was genuinely happy, her smile rippling from her eyes. "Big Brother, you are in the Imperial Dragon Guard. If you were to get involved with movable type printing, you would gain the support and love of scholars across the land. It would likely bring more harm than good."
Yin Wuyan looked at the explaining girl. "Your achievements overshadow your lord."
"Yes." Zhan Feiyu nodded. Big Brother was clearly a loyal minister, deeply trusted by the emperor. While he seemed to hold immense power, he was, in fact, dancing on the tip of a knife.
Chong Guang finished the last piece of pastry and gulped down a mouthful of tea, grudgingly accepting the explanation. However, he still retorted, "You think too much. You're just an eight-year-old child scholar. How can you possibly deduce matters of the imperial court?"
"Before the New Year, Big Brother showed me the secret dispatches of the Imperial Dragon Guard. The top scholar's memorial to the Emperor accused the Imperial Dragon Guard of being too cruel in their punishments. He represented the literati." Zhan Feiyu looked at the stunned Chong Guang and grinned proudly.
Big Brother trusted her, otherwise, why would he show her the secret dispatches of the Imperial Dragon Guard?
Yin Wuyan was still young, but his demeanor was cold and aloof, making people overlook his age. At this moment, looking at the beaming little girl, Yin Wuyan's clear phoenix eyes softened slightly. "Continue."
Zhan Feiyu instantly became a student being tested by her teacher. She continued with a proper attitude, "This memorial indicates that many ministers in the court dare not speak out against the Imperial Dragon Guard, and the Emperor is also wavering. Otherwise, the top scholar would not dare to submit such a memorial to test the waters."
The art of ruling lies in balance! Hence, the discord between generals and ministers throughout history.
Civil officials managed the affairs of the land, while military generals held the military power. The Imperial Dragon Guard was the emperor's sharpest sword, monitoring all officials for him. All the dirty deeds that could not be brought to light were handled by the Imperial Dragon Guard, while the emperor on the golden throne was always a diligent and benevolent ruler who loved his people.
The Imperial Dragon Guard knew too many of the emperor's secrets. Over time, the emperor would also become suspicious. The Imperial Dragon Guard, existing solely on the emperor's trust, could not afford to lose that trust, for it would be a disaster of extinction.
Hearing this, Chong Guang's anger subsided. The chubby girl was indeed considering Seventh Master's well-being. "You pass."
But after a while, Chong Guang couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him for a day and a night. "Even so, you could have handed this matter over to us. You're quite bold. Aren't you afraid of being silenced?"
Raising an eyebrow, Zhan Feiyu glanced at Chong Guang with a look of disdain. "Uncle Chong Guang, you are from the Imperial Dragon Guard. Don't you understand the principle of 'a goose leaving its mark'? As soon as I inform Big Brother, the Imperial Dragon Guard will be considered involved in this matter. Emperors have always been suspicious. Isn't this inviting trouble for Big Brother?"
"Ah!" Her head was suddenly patted. Zhan Feiyu met Yin Wuyan's cold eyes, guiltily touching her nose. "I won't say any more."
An eight-year-old child scholar dared to discuss the emperor. How many heads did she have to lose?
Chong Guang, feeling scorned, seriously suspected Zhan Feiyu was retaliating against him, but he had no proof! The key was that Seventh Master was protecting this chubby girl.
"Speak with caution and act prudently." Yin Wuyan's expression was cold and unruffled, but his words clearly placed Zhan Feiyu under his protection.
Zhan Feiyu nodded obediently, her soft, milky voice sounding pure and naive. "Big Brother, I've remembered."
Yin Wuyan's thin lips curved. The little girl was indeed clever. With her innocent appearance, who would believe she had just uttered such treasonous words?
Chong Guang looked at Yin Wuyan and Zhan Feiyu, who were conversing as if they were two great scholars discussing state affairs in the imperial court.
A moment later.
"Seventh Master, are all scholars this cunning?" Chong Guang suddenly felt that he had lived over twenty years in vain. If this chubby girl weren't only eight years old, she would undoubtedly be a great 'cunning official' in the court.
"This is what they call 'a scholar at home knows the world'!" Zhan Feiyu once again expressed her dissatisfaction with Chong Guang. Cunning? She was being prepared for unforeseen circumstances and preventing future troubles!
If movable type printing were handed over to Yin Wuyan, even if he didn't personally handle it, he would definitely choose someone useful to him to take over the matter. However, movable type printing was also a meritorious achievement that would go down in history for the emperor, and he would certainly send someone to investigate the entire process.
This was a matter for scholars. Those who came to investigate would be civil officials. Since Zhan Feiyu had ties with the Imperial Dragon Guard, if she were exploited by someone with ulterior motives, the emperor, even if he believed Yin Wuyan had no disloyal intentions, would still have reservations.
Therefore, the most stable approach was to completely stay out of this matter. No matter how the investigation proceeded, it would be unrelated to Yin Wuyan. The merit of benefiting scholars across the land would only go to the court and the emperor.
Yin Wuyan asked in a deep voice, "How is it at the county school?"
Zhan Feiyu, who had been speaking eloquently and pointing out the country's affairs, suddenly had her disguise pierced. She replied weakly, "I am currently studying with Tutor Dou. My trial poetry is not good, so the tutor is teaching me from the beginning."
"Haha, chubby girl, why are you so timid?" Chong Guang laughed heartily without reservation. No matter how smart she was, she was still a child scholar who hadn't passed the preliminary examination.
Although she really wanted to retort, she lacked confidence. Zhan Feiyu squeezed out through her teeth, "Don't bully a poor young man! When I pass the imperial examinations, Uncle Chong Guang, you won't be able to laugh anymore!"
"The new top scholar is also just a poor Hanlin of the sixth rank," Chong Guang boasted, patting his chest. "I am untalented, but I am already a Vice Commander of the fifth rank."
This was the truth, but it still made her angry!
Zhan Feiyu, who was as angry as a pufferfish, suddenly blurted out, "So what? In the future, I'll marry a first-rank official and directly become a first-rank noble lady. Uncle Chong Guang, if you can, you should get married too!"
"I..." Chong Guang wanted to retort, but his highest possible position was Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, the third rank!
Zhan Feiyu smiled triumphantly at Chong Guang. In this round, Little Yu wins!
Chong Guang, provoked, also had a sudden thought. "Even someone of the first rank could be your grandfather! At that time, your older grandson would have to call you grandmother! Would you dare to agree?"
"Me?" Zhan Feiyu was choked with anger. She glanced at Yin Wuyan, who was holding a teacup, and blurted out a retort, "Then I'll marry Big Brother! And let you call me Madam every day!"
The waterside pavilion fell silent...
Zhan Feiyu lowered her head, her ear tips burning red. She had never been so embarrassed in her past or present life.
Chong Guang had initially wanted to mock Zhan Feiyu's wishful thinking. An eight-year-old girl, still with baby fat on her face, with small arms and legs, daring to covet his Seventh Master. She was indeed bold.
But when he looked up and met Yin Wuyan's unfathomably dark phoenix eyes, Chong Guang belatedly felt fear. His figure flickered, and he "whooshed" out of the waterside pavilion, escaping.
Unloyal! Unrighteous! Zhan Feiyu stared longingly at the fleeing Chong Guang. She also wanted to escape...
The silence continued to spread. The quiet Zhan Feiyu could even hear her own breathing. Gritting her teeth, Zhan Feiyu raised her head. "Big Brother, I have an urgent matter. I'll take my leave now."
"Sit down." Two light words were spoken.
Zhan Feiyu, who had just stood up wanting to escape to relieve herself, immediately sat back down with a "scoot." She placed her hands on her knees, straightened her small body, and sat neatly.
Yin Wuyan's indifferent gaze swept over Zhan Feiyu's flushed face. "You're not old, but you're not small in courage."
"I was wrong." Lowering her head to apologize, Zhan Feiyu's attitude was sincere. She wished she could grab Chong Guang back and beat him. If Uncle Chong Guang hadn't argued with her, would she have said that?
"Remember to speak with caution and act prudently." Yin Wuyan spoke again. Seeing the little girl nodding her head like a pecking chick, he hesitated for a moment and then placed his large hand on her head, rubbing it twice.
"Someone will come within two days. Gu Qingzhou is a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, from the Gu clan of Nanling, and was once a classmate of the Emperor. The person accompanying him should be Zhang Chengli, the Prefect of Nanxuan." Although this was a guess, since Yin Wuyan said it, he must have had ten-tenths certainty that these two would come.
Zhan Feiyu understood and nodded. Movable type printing was a matter of great importance. The Emperor would definitely send his trusted ministers. There was no one more suitable than a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy.
And she was from Shangsi County, under the jurisdiction of Nanxuan Prefecture. It was reasonable for Prefect Zhang to accompany them.
"Big Brother." Zhan Feiyu looked up at Yin Wuyan, subconsciously lowering her voice. "Are there people watching in secret? Are they the Emperor's secret guards?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." As soon as Yin Wuyan said this, he saw the little girl purse her lips and smile, her expression looking proud and cute.
Perhaps worried that Zhan Feiyu's careless talk might lead to taboo, Yin Wuyan then said, "The Dark Dragon Guard is responsible for protecting the Emperor's safety. To this day, we only know of their name, not their people."
Even Yin Wuyan had never seen anyone from the Dark Dragon Guard. He had only sensed people hiding in the shadows during a few emergencies when he met the Emperor, and they were all experts.
"I know. From today onwards, I will definitely speak with caution and act prudently. I won't talk nonsense even when I'm alone." Zhan Feiyu solemnly promised with her chubby little face.
The Emperor sending his own secret guards showed how much importance he placed on movable type printing. It also proved that Yin Wuyan's decision to stay out of it was correct.
...
After Zhan Feiyu returned to continue her lessons, Yin Wuyan also left the county school.
Chong Guang, who had mounted his horse, couldn't help but ask, "Seventh Master, Little Fatty is trying to avoid us, but by coming to the county school so openly, aren't we ruining our efforts?"
"Too much is as bad as too little." Yin Wuyan uttered four words, flicked the reins, and the steed galloped away.
What did he mean? Chong Guang didn't understand, but he couldn't afford to care at the moment. He quickly spurred his horse to chase after him.
A moment later, in the backyard of Leshan Residence.
Yin Wuyan went to bathe and change. Chong Guang, like a boneless person, lounged on a chair. "Seventh Master and Little Fatty, one says achievements overshadow the lord, the other says too much is as bad as too little. Seventh Master thinks I'm stupid. In fact, he's just here to protect Little Fatty."
Doctor Ji, who was brewing herbal tea, chimed in, "If Seventh Master knew about movable type printing but remained indifferent, the Emperor would not feel reassured but rather suspicious. Seventh Master rushed to Shangsi County before Lord Gu. This shows that Seventh Master also has selfish desires and greed."
Would an emperor dare to use a minister without any weaknesses?
The Imperial Dragon Guard was the emperor's sharp knife and blade, but Seventh Master had selfish motives, wanting power and revenge. This was how the emperor dared to continue to value Seventh Master.
Of course, Yin Wuyan did indeed intend to protect Zhan Feiyu. By not getting involved, he could protect Zhan Feiyu from becoming a victim of greed. This credit belonged to her, and no one could take it away!
Chong Guang took the herbal tea handed to him by Doctor Ji and gulped it down. Although it had a faint herbal taste, it also brought a coolness that went from his mouth to his heart. "Seventh Master's thoughts are truly thorough. Little Fatty will be taking the imperial examinations in the future. Anyone who dares to babble will be sprayed to death by those scholars."
Chong Guang inexplicably felt a sense of anticipation. Scholars were noble, but in reality, they caused more trouble. In private, they harbored filth and darkness. Zhan Feiyu, as a woman taking the imperial examinations, was already controversial. How would those old pedants and stubborn traditionalists criticize her? Now, they could only shut their mouths.
...
In the study, Tutor Dou was looking at the five-character, six-rhyme poem written by Zhan Feiyu. "Xie, Hua, Jia, Ya, Lai are the six rhymes in the middle of the lines, but the poem is barely coherent, lacking any literary flair or artistic conception."
"Tutor Lin also said I have no talent for poetry." Zhan Feiyu's ears turned red from the criticism, and she dared not say that her first poem had made Tutor Lin curse.
Tutor Dou appeared strict, but he was very patient with Zhan Feiyu. He said gently, "Do you know how many poems the scholars and literati of the Great Qing dynasty wrote in their lifetime?"
Uh... Zhan Feiyu thought for a moment. Anyone who wanted to study for the imperial examinations would have to endure years of hard study. Even if they achieved something in their thirties, they would have studied for at least thirty years, over ten thousand days. If they wrote one poem a day, that would be over ten thousand poems.
"Replying to the tutor, I estimate at least twenty thousand poems." Zhan Feiyu's number was still conservative.
After all, they would still write poems after passing the imperial examinations, but the frequency would not be as high. Writing about ten poems a month, over a lifetime, twenty thousand poems would be about right.
Thinking about it this way, Zhan Feiyu suddenly felt her scalp tingle. Studying for the imperial examinations was terrifying.
"No, true scholars write at least fifty thousand poems in their lifetime, or even more." Looking at the dumbfounded Zhan Feiyu, whose dark eyes were wide open, Tutor Dou suppressed a smile and continued.
"For scholars, poetry has already been integrated into their daily lives. The scenery of spring flowers and autumn moon, the emotions of joy and sorrow, as long as they have a thought, they will compose a poem. But you only write poetry for the imperial examinations."
Zhan Feiyu understood. This was the difference between work and hobbies. The former was for earning a living, while the latter stemmed from interest and passion.
The scholars of the Great Qing dynasty wrote poetry out of love, so their poems naturally contained emotion. But she only wrote to cope with the imperial examinations, so her poems lacked soul and appeared dry.
"Do you understand?" Tutor Dou asked. Seeing Zhan Feiyu nod obediently, he said with satisfaction, "From today onwards, you will write one poem a day and submit it."
It was like a bolt from the blue!
Zhan Feiyu looked at Tutor Dou blankly. After a long while, she resignedly agreed, "Yes, tutor, I understand."
After class, Zhan Feiyu walked towards Taifu Restaurant with a dejected expression. Thinking about composing a poem every day, she suddenly didn't want to work hard anymore. Perhaps she could find the Emperor and ask for a title using movable type printing.
If not, she would think harder. The formula for soap could also work. If not, she could make some glass. If that didn't work, there was always gunpowder, a great weapon...
Zhan Wencheng was the fourth son of the village head. He worked as a handyman in the kitchen of Taifu Restaurant and earned more than one tael and a half a month. Seeing the little girl walking in the crowd from afar, he immediately went to meet her.
"Fourth Brother." Zhan Feiyu called out with a smile. After being adopted, her generation level was raised by one. Otherwise, she would have to call him Fourth Uncle.
"Little Yu, you must be tired. Come in and rest first." Zhan Wencheng smiled as he spoke, looking very honest, but there was a glint in his eyes. However, because there was no calculation in his gaze, it made people feel good.
Zhan Feiyu followed Zhan Wencheng towards the restaurant. "I'm not tired. I used to walk to the private school."
"Wencheng, is this Little Scholar Zhan? Please come upstairs. The owner has been waiting for a long time." The shopkeeper greeted them enthusiastically, smiling at Zhan Wencheng as well. "You accompany the little scholar upstairs and ask if there are any dietary restrictions. I'll have the kitchen prepare it right away."
This was what they called "one person's success lifts their entire family!" Zhan Wencheng looked at the little girl walking in front of him. Before, when his third uncle's second brother delivered vegetables to the restaurant, the kitchen helpers not only didn't treat him politely but even ostracized him.
But Little Yu had only gone to the county school to study, and even the shopkeeper was so polite to him. Zhan Wencheng couldn't help but resolve to send his eldest son to study!
In the private room on the third floor, upon hearing footsteps, Master Xie came out. The butler standing beside him was the first to greet them at the top of the stairs.
After entering the private room and exchanging pleasantries, the butler and Zhan Wencheng withdrew to discuss business.
"I heard from Wencheng that Little Scholar Zhan is here for the business of delivering vegetables to Jinlin Village." Master Xie said with a smile, his attitude friendly. Coupled with his portly figure, he looked like the Maitreya Buddha, completely lacking the shrewdness and calculation of a merchant.
Zhan Feiyu smiled at Master Xie, who was still trying to put on airs at this moment. Her clear voice rang out directly, "I thought Master Xie knew that I came here to give him an opportunity to apologize. It seems I was mistaken."
As soon as her voice fell, Zhan Feiyu also stood up. "Since that's the case, I won't disturb Master Xie any further. Goodbye."
"Little Scholar Zhan, please stay!" Master Xie quickly said. As he stood up, his stance changed. He was not bestowing a favor but begging for mercy.
But looking at Zhan Feiyu, who was standing by the bamboo book box, Master Xie had to bow his head and yield. "I misspoke just now. Please forgive me, Little Scholar. Please sit, please sit."
"Who sealed the Zeng family? Master Xie must be very clear. So I am very curious why Master Xie would repeat the Zeng family's mistake?" Zhan Feiyu asked with a smile, her dark eyes sparkling, like a curious child.
Master Xie's face stiffened a little. In the end, he had underestimated this young girl.
If he had known she had the support of the garrison behind her, Master Xie would never have dared to seek revenge. It was just that he had lost some money because the Zeng family was sealed off. Compared to his own life, money was nothing.
"I am ashamed!" Master Xie, at his old age, had to bow to a young girl. This was truly a matter of great shame. "Fortunately, no grave mistake was made, otherwise, I would have no face to meet my ancestors in the netherworld."
He was already playing the victim. Zhan Feiyu's smile remained unchanged. "Master Xie, as the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late..."
Master Xie's expression stiffened a little more. Was she planning to settle the score after achieving success?
Even if Master Xie did not live to see that day, Taifu Restaurant still existed, and the Xie family's descendants were still alive. If Zhan Feiyu really sought revenge.
Before Master Xie could yield, Zhan Feiyu raised an eyebrow and continued, "But I do not agree with this saying."
"Little Scholar Zhan is magnanimous. I admire you!" Master Xie immediately praised him. As long as she didn't seek revenge, that was good. Scholars, artisans, industry, and commerce! Master Xie truly did not dare to incur such a great enmity for the Xie family.
"Master Xie praises me too much. What I want to say is that a villain seeks revenge every day! Ten years is too long. Revenge should be sought early!" As soon as Zhan Feiyu said this, Master Xie's expression turned pale at a visible speed.
A country girl, even with a talent for reading, had no official title! Master Xie thought that if he handled it well, it would be easy to ruin Zhan Feiyu.
But the reality had slapped Master Xie's face. Otherwise, he wouldn't be sitting here apologizing right now. Who could have imagined that Zhan Feiyu actually had the support of the garrison behind her? That was the Nanxuan Garrison!
Thinking of this, Master Xie cursed Zhang Xiucai again and again in his heart. If he hadn't instigated him, how could he have fallen into this trap!
"Little Scholar Zhan, I was also deceived by wicked people!" Master Xie, driven to a dead end, immediately confessed Zhang Xiucai. It was better to die with a comrade than to die alone. He only begged Zhan Feiyu to show leniency. Of course, even if she wanted some money, it was acceptable.
Master Xie had actually prepared a gift, but businessmen were all like this. They wouldn't reveal their bottom line at the beginning; they had to test it bit by bit.
He had stopped the vegetable delivery business from Jinlin Village but had not broken off the marriage between his youngest daughter and Da Lang Zhan. This was also because he had a glimmer of hope. If Zhan Feiyu gained official status in the future, Da Lang Zhan was her paternal cousin. Wouldn't the Xie family also be related to Zhan Feiyu by marriage?
"Zhang Xiucai, I would like to hear the details?" Zhan Feiyu asked with a smile. Her assertive attitude softened. Seeing this, Master Xie no longer dared to put on airs and immediately told her everything he knew.
In the final analysis, the fuse for all this was Wang Linlang. Otherwise, Madam Lin would not have been poisoned.
A few years ago, Zhao San, because his parents had passed away and no one disciplined him, had a stubborn personality. No private school in Huai County dared to accept him. If one private school refused to accept him, Magistrate Zhao could still make trouble.
However, several private schools united and acted in unison. The tutors of the private schools were all scholars. Magistrate Zhao also had to consider this, so Zhao San was sent to Zhang's private school in his early years, but he only studied for one year.
This time, Wang Linlang went to Tutor Lin's home to take refuge. Zhao San knew about it and sent a letter to Zhang Xiucai. His original intention was for Zhang Xiucai to send someone to capture Wang Linlang and send her back to Huai County, and Zhao San would reward him handsomely.
Zhang Xiucai, with his greedy nature of not getting up early without profit, was not looking at Zhao San but was planning for Zhang Tianhao.
"You're saying Zhang Xiucai plans to have Zhang Tianhao take the imperial examinations in Huai County?" Zhan Feiyu was surprised. Zhang Tianhao's household registration was in Shangsi County, so he had to take the imperial examinations here.
But things were done by people. As long as his household registration was moved to Huai County, and with Zhao San's help, Magistrate Zhao would give him some consideration, and he would surely be a Tong Sheng.
As for the final examination, Zhang Xiucai was not confident that he could obtain the questions or think of other ways. However, compared to taking the imperial examinations in Shangsi County or Nanxuan Prefecture, Zhang Tianhao's chances of going to Huai County were higher.
Master Xie continued, "Zhang Xiucai planned for Zhao San, intending to kill two birds with one stone."
Wang Linlang poisoned Madam Lin, and now Nanny Lu knew about it. Nanny Lu was already bribed by Zhang Xiucai. Because Nanny Lu was a servant with slave status, her son could not study for the imperial examinations. But Zhang Xiucai used this as bait to make Nanny Lu defect to him.
Hearing this, Zhan Feiyu had figured out the entire matter. Her gaze became clear and piercing. "Zhang Xiucai murdered my师母, spread rumors, and it just so happens to ruin the reputation of my tutor and me. If Wang Linlang safely returns to Huai County, and after marrying Zhao San in the future, Zhang Xiucai will have a handle on her murder, which he can use to threaten Wang Linlang and Zhao San to seek benefits for Zhang Tianhao from Magistrate Zhao."