Prince Yu, Liu Jian, and the Qin family patriarch had all set their questions. The last participant, the Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, had yet to reveal his. However, since Gu Qingzhou had entrusted him with the task of grading, no one dared to question the fairness of the results, regardless of who he was.
Gu Qingzhou glanced outside at the bright, scorching sunlight. "Instructor Zhao, since many scholars have come to the county school, please have someone transcribe several copies of the examination questions and post them in the lecture hall."
"The classics and the five-character eight-line poems are acceptable, but Lord Liu's policy question is rare. Provide them with ink and paper to try it. I have time to wait, and I shall be their teacher for a day."
Instructor Zhao was overjoyed. "Yes, this subordinate will arrange it immediately."
While other scholars might not be prioritized, Instructor Zhao was determined to have the county school's students write a policy question. To have it personally reviewed by Grand Scholar Gu was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Watching Instructor Zhao depart with a spring in his step, Liu Jian's expression darkened. He knew Gu Qingzhou was setting a trap for him, yet he couldn't find any words to refute it.
Professor Qin, seated below, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his five-character eight-line poem question was common and unlikely to be seen as favoring Wan Yunhao, otherwise, he would surely incur the displeasure of Grand Scholar Gu.
The outside was sweltering, so some people entered the lecture hall to wait, while others remained by the covered corridors, occasionally glancing at the three locked rooms.
"What is all this commotion?" Hearing the noise from not far away, the scholars in the corridor frowned, worried that the disturbance might disturb Zhan Feiyu and the other two who were competing.
"Brother Zhu." A胖子 (fat man) hurried over.
Seeing the angry glares from the scholars in the corridor, the 胖子 quickly bowed and apologized, excitedly explaining, "Instructor Zhao has posted the examination questions. All brothers can go and see. Ink and paper are provided in the lecture hall, and Grand Scholar Gu will personally review our essays!"
"What?" With a whoosh, the scholars in the corridor exclaimed. This was truly an opportunity that could not be sought. If their essays could be appreciated by Grand Scholar Gu, even if they couldn't become his disciples, receiving even a little guidance would be infinitely beneficial.
The 胖子 wiped the sweat from his face, nodding excitedly. "Precisely. Brothers need not rush; the essays will only be collected after an hour."
As the 胖子 finished speaking, two attendants quickly walked over, one holding several scrolls and the other holding paste.
"These are today's examination questions. Scholars who wish to answer them can go to the lecture hall." After speaking, the attendants brushed paste onto the scrolls and posted them one by one on the pillars.
Uh... looking at the densely packed classics questions, a group of scholars was dumbfounded. There were ten scrolls, each with so many questions.
"Five hundred questions?" The 胖子's eyes nearly fell out in surprise. Others' mouths twitched. As long as one had thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five Classics, they could answer them, but the sheer volume of questions was enough to make one's scalp tingle.
"Fortunately, fortunately, the five-character eight-line poem is simple, just writing about summer lotus." The 胖子 breathed a sigh of relief. After answering five hundred questions, his mind would likely be a muddled mess, and writing a coherent poem would be good enough.
Everyone's gaze collectively shifted to the last scroll, and after a long while, they were collectively speechless.
The 胖子 rubbed his eyes, almost believing that sweat had gotten into them and blurred his vision. "This is a policy question!"
"Zhan Feiyu is only eight years old, right?" someone nearby also said in surprise. He had always believed that Zhan Feiyu was so confident because she dared to issue the challenge.
Seeing the questions now, he felt ashamed. He had judged a noble person with a petty mind. The examination questions not only did not favor Zhan Feiyu but were actually disadvantageous to her.
"Salt tax, salt price, salt merchants... How should I begin?" Another person pondered with a furrowed brow. He had been full of confidence moments ago, wanting to write an excellent essay for Grand Scholar Gu to review, but now he was already losing heart.
Over a thousand scholars had come to the county school, with eighty percent being commoners, and the remainder mostly xiucai (scholars who passed the imperial examinations at the prefectural level). There were only a handful of juren (scholars who passed the provincial examinations). However, after seeing the policy question, fewer than fifty people went to the lecture hall to pick up their pens.
In another bamboo grove, several scholars in brocade robes gathered. A young gentleman fanned himself with a folding fan and said in a low voice, "This policy question was set by Lord Liu. Those with virtue will shine, and those with little virtue will be lowly. How can a dignified second-rank official stoop to such trickery..."
"Silence!" His companion immediately stopped him. Lord Liu setting such a question was clearly biased, but it was not their place to comment. If it reached Lord Liu's ears, given his magnanimity, it would surely implicate his family.
Although he knew that words could lead to trouble, the young gentleman still pouted with lingering resentment. Even if Wan Yunhao won, it would be a victory without honor!
Inside the room, Zhan Feiyu was completely unaware that a group of scholars was feeling indignant on her behalf. At this moment, she was diligently answering the questions. Ten scrolls, five hundred classics questions. Zhan Feiyu felt her teacher was unreliable for the first time.
After answering five scrolls of classics questions, Zhan Feiyu wiped the sweat from her forehead and stretched her sore wrists. She decided to write the five-character eight-line poem first, then continue answering the questions.
In the rooms on both sides, Wan Yunhao and Tong Xu had rather grim expressions. Especially since the rooms were sealed and unventilated, like a steamer, making them even more restless.
"The scholar who aims far..." Tong Xu frowned in thought, suddenly regretting participating in today's competition. It was one thing to lose to Wan Yunhao, but to lose to Zhan Feiyu would be utterly humiliating.
After reciting it twice more, Tong Xu finally remembered that this sentence came from the biographies of the Old Tang History. He then picked up his brush and quickly wrote: First, character and insight, then literature.
Although Wan Yunhao was preparing for the imperial examinations, his foundation was much more solid than Tong Xu's. He could answer the classics questions with just a glance, demonstrating his familiarity with the Four Books and Five Classics, to the point of being able to recite them backward.
Even so, Wan Yunhao could not guarantee that his answers were flawless, as Prince Yu's questions were tricky, often picking out unimportant sentences from the books.
Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, grain... Wan Yunhao stared at this question for the time it took half an incense stick to burn before remembering that this sentence came from the Book of Documents · Great Yu's Model: Yu said, "Ah! May the Emperor be mindful! Virtue lies in good governance, and governance lies in nurturing the people. Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and grain are all to be cultivated."
At noon, the cicadas chirped loudly, and the day seemed even hotter than usual. The people in the covered corridors changed every two hours. It was simply too hot, and their clothes were soaked with sweat.
Zhan Feiyu's cheeks were also flushed from the heat. Fortunately, there was no one else in the room. She directly tore the sweat-wiping handkerchief into long strips and tied them around her forehead, ensuring that sweat would not drip onto the examination papers and smudge the ink.
Summer lotus in clear pond, graceful posture swaying naturally... After writing the last line, Zhan Feiyu recited it once more. Although it lacked literary flair, the poem was coherent. She then continued to answer the remaining more than two hundred classics questions.
In the Hall of Three Provinces, attendants brought the meals. Chen Weibin had mobilized ten chefs to help. Besides Prince Yu's table, there were also three dishes and one soup for the more than a thousand scholars at the county school.
"You scholars are so troublesome, just to take a disciple, you make such a fuss that the whole world knows about it." Prince Yu looked with disdain at Gu Qingzhou, who was eating with a good appetite. "Your little disciple is probably gnawing on a hard biscuit right now."
The doors and windows of the three rooms were locked. The food and water were also prepared by the county school. Instructor Zhao, considering the hot weather and worrying that the three might suffer from heatstroke, also had sliced watermelons prepared to quench their thirst.
"Only by enduring the bitterest hardships can one achieve greatness. Your Highness underestimates my disciple." Gu Qingzhou smiled. In terms of self-discipline and diligence, the little girl was definitely superior to ninety percent of the scholars.
Governor Zhang, Vice Governor Tong, Magistrate Chen, and others only picked at their food. Firstly, it was too hot; secondly, the pressure of sitting at the same table as Prince Yu, Grand Scholar Gu, and Lord Liu was too great.
After the meal was cleared, Gu Yuan brought over brewed tea. Drinking a cup of strong tea helped to refresh the mind and prevent drowsiness.
"My Lords, a total of fifty-two policy essays were collected, of which eighteen were incoherent. Here are the remaining thirty-four policy essays." Instructor Zhao placed a stack of papers in his hand on the table.
Calling them incoherent was Instructor Zhao's way of being polite. The eighteen essays were completely off-topic and a mess. As for the rest, they were barely coherent, some lacking substance, some empty and tasteless. If submitted in the imperial examinations, not a single one would pass.
"Distribute them to Lord Liu and the others. Since everyone is free, they can take a look at the academic foundation of the scholars in Nanxuan Prefecture." Gu Qingzhou smiled, took five essays, and returned the rest to Instructor Zhao.
Although Liu Jian was a second-rank official, a Hanlin Academy scholar was only a fifth-rank official. However, one could not enter the Hanlin Academy without passing the imperial examinations, and one could not enter the Grand Secretariat without being a Hanlin scholar. Gu Qingzhou not only had a classmate relationship with the Emperor but also concurrently served as a Grand Secretariat scholar. Liu Jian, a second-rank official who had risen through seniority, could only yield to him.
Since Gu Qingzhou had spoken, even if he was unwilling, Liu Jian had no choice but to pick up his brush and begin reviewing the essays. Governor Zhang and the others dared not say anything.
Prince Yu had no particular interest in reading essays. However, since he had nothing else to do, he picked one up after Gu Qingzhou had reviewed one. After reading only the first few sentences, he exclaimed, "Is this the level of scholars in Nanxuan Prefecture?"
Governor Zhang, Vice Governor Tong, Magistrate Chen, and Instructor Zhao immediately rose to confess their guilt. They were all officials of Nanxuan Prefecture, and the fact that the scholars' essays were so despised by Prince Yu, a military man, indicated their poor teaching.
"Your Highness, there is no need for that. It's not that the essays are poorly written, but that Lord Liu's question was too difficult. It is understandable that they wrote like this." Gu Qingzhou spoke a fair word and continued to read the second policy essay.
If even juren did not write good policy questions, and xiucai were asked to write them, the result was predictable.
When Prince Yu realized this, his gaze suddenly fell on Liu Jian, who was seated below, and he said with extreme disdain, "Lord Liu, do you have a past life feud with that little girl?"
Otherwise, why would he set such a difficult question to test an eight-year-old girl?
Accused, Liu Jian could only rise and apologize. He harbored a deep hatred for Gu Qingzhou and Zhan Feiyu, this master and disciple. Once this matter spread, his reputation for narrow-mindedness would be unavoidable.
Time passed little by little. After the sun set, the heat of the day finally subsided. The scholars who had been hiding in the rooms gradually emerged.
The covered corridors were filled with people, and even the open spaces had many standing. The voices of the people were kept very low, for fear of disturbing the three still inside the rooms.
"They've lit candles, so they must be finishing soon." Seeing the candlelight through the windows, someone couldn't help but sigh, "Zhan Feiyu is at a disadvantage due to her young age."
They had previously inquired with the students of the county school and learned that Zhan Feiyu had only recently begun learning to write essays. This time, not only was it a policy question, but the question itself was so tricky. Even if Zhan Feiyu submitted a blank paper, they would understand.
"Hmph, she brought it upon herself. She was the one who initiated this competition," someone grumbled resentfully.
Everyone turned to look, but the speaker had already blended into the crowd. No one knew who it was.
With a click, the young gentleman in brocade robes closed his folding fan and snorted, "Don't pretend you don't know the inside story. Although Zhan Feiyu's actions were impulsive and rash, there were reasons behind them. The little girl was merely acting with a sincere heart!"
In the morning, someone had released news, and everyone then learned of the grievances between Wan Yunhao and Instructor Zhao. Besides betraying his teacher and switching allegiance, there was also the life of Instructor Zhao's granddaughter involved.
It was said that disciples should serve their masters. If Instructor Zhao was Zhan Feiyu's teacher, what was wrong with her, as a disciple, seeking justice for her teacher?
Wan Yunhao had an excellent reputation in Nanxuan Prefecture, but this news was detailed and credible. Coupled with Zhan Feiyu's willingness to risk her future by challenging Wan Yunhao, it couldn't be baseless. Thinking this way, people began to harbor doubts about Wan Yunhao.
"Finally finished." Zhan Feiyu put down her brush and stretched her sore shoulders, finally feeling alive again.
It was already approaching the hour of Hai (9-11 PM). She had been sitting for the entire day, almost six hours.
After tidying up her ink and brushes, she carefully placed the twelve scrolls aside. Zhan Feiyu looked out the window. It was already dark outside, with only the scattered light of lanterns visible.
After waiting for a while, the bell rang. Both Zhan Feiyu inside the room and the dense crowd of scholars outside outside breathed a sigh of relief. It was finally over.
Six yamen runners and three attendants from the county school, working in groups of three, took out keys to open the locks, intending to collect the scrolls. However, unexpectedly, a gust of wind swept through, and the candlelight inside the room suddenly extinguished.
"Did the wind pick up?" someone standing in the covered corridor asked in surprise. They hadn't felt any wind.
"Perhaps. Fortunately, the examination is already over," replied a companion, shifting his feet. Standing for over an hour had made his legs sore.
Zhan Feiyu was startled and looked around vigilantly. In the moonlight, she saw that Captain Fei was standing at the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
Captain Fei quickly walked in, took the scrolls from Zhan Feiyu's hand, placed them in the examination box, and affixed a seal. "Little scholar, you need not worry."
"Thank you, Captain Fei," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile and nodded. She didn't want the essays she had written all day to be accidentally dropped in water, set on fire by candles, or lost.
In the room on the right, Tong Xu looked dejected, his voice weak. "The scrolls are on the table."
"Please wait a moment, Young Master Tong." The yamen runner said respectfully and quickly entered the room. Using the faint moonlight, he brought the scrolls to the door. After Tong Xu confirmed them, he placed them in the box and affixed a seal.
In the room on the left, Wan Yunhao was not seen. Constable Zhao was surprised and then entered the room. As a martial artist, his eyesight was superior to ordinary people. Even in complete darkness, he could vaguely see a figure slumped over the table.
"Is he suffering from heatstroke?" Constable Zhao asked in surprise, then looked back at the door. Seeing Zhan Feiyu looking energetic, Constable Zhao couldn't help but smile. He was a juren, yet his stamina was inferior to Little Yu's!
Constable Zhao strode further inside. "Juren Wan?"
After calling out twice without a response, Constable Zhao pushed Wan Yunhao's shoulder. With a bang, the man directly fell to the ground.
"You two guard here, I'll go get a doctor!" Constable Zhao no longer cared about collecting the scrolls. After giving instructions, he hurried out the door.
The figure in front of him ran past like the wind. Zhan Feiyu was startled, and Captain Fei also frowned. After a moment of hesitation, he did not hand the examination box to anyone else. He instructed his subordinate, "You go and check the door..."
"Someone's dead!" Suddenly, a terrified scream came from the room. Immediately after, the attendant ran out in terror. In his extreme fear, he tripped over the threshold and fell to the ground.
The scholars gathered in the open space and covered corridors, after their initial shock, all rushed over.
"Little Yu, be careful!" Captain Fei quickly closed the door with a click, locking it to prevent the crowd from disturbing the scene. Then, he shielded Zhan Feiyu behind him.
Zhan Feiyu stood leaning against the wall, her right hand, hidden by her sleeves, held a dagger. With the crowd in chaos, she had to guard against anyone making a move in the darkness.
Even if she was overthinking, with one or two hundred people rushing over, if there was a stampede, her own life would be in danger.
"Retreat!" Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.
The crowd, who had just reached the door, felt several figures flash out from the shadows. The Yanling sabers in their hands gleamed with a cold light.
The leader shouted sternly, "Forbidden Dragon Guard is here! Everyone stop!"
Hah! It was the Forbidden Dragon Guard! The crowd immediately halted. The person who ran the fastest couldn't stop and stumbled forward.
"Ah! Don't kill me!" The young man who fell to the ground looked up and saw the Yanling saber above him. He screamed in fear and scrambled backward, desperate to avoid a wrongful death!
Big brother? Zhan Feiyu looked at the figure beside her wearing a black iron mask and smiled with pursed lips. Her heart, which had been filled with worry, also relaxed.
Yin Wuyan glanced at the small figure behind him. The young girl's fair, round face had a smudge of ink on it, likely from accidentally getting it on herself while answering the questions.
Feeling his face being touched, Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Yin Wuyan, who had already retracted his hand. Her already muddled mind buzzed even more. Did Big Brother take advantage of the situation?
In the Hall of Three Provinces, Gu Qingzhou, Prince Yu, and the others did not go over. After all, there were too many scholars gathered outside. If Gu Qingzhou appeared, it would likely cause a stir.
"Your Highness, something has happened!" A royal guard quickly entered the room. "Your Highness, news has come from the front that Wan Yunhao is dead. The doctor has already gone."
"What?" It was the Qin family patriarch who exclaimed, looking at the guard in a daze. "You said who died?"
Prince Yu frowned, and Gu Qingzhou's expression also turned grim. A life had been lost in this competition, and it was Wan Yunhao who died.
By the time Prince Yu and the others arrived, the scholars outside had retreated to the open space at the command of the Forbidden Dragon Guard. The covered corridors were cleared to allow Prince Yu and the others to pass.
Yin Wuyan did not intend to see outsiders. He instructed Chongguang and another subordinate to protect Zhan Feiyu, and then his figure flashed and disappeared into the night.
Walking quickly, Gu Qingzhou looked at the young girl standing by the wall, lost in thought, and couldn't help but pat her head. "Are you scared?"
"No." Zhan Feiyu looked somewhat disappointed in the direction Yin Wuyan had disappeared. She came back to her senses and shook her head at Gu Qingzhou. "Teacher, I'm fine."
Gu Qingzhou nodded and glanced at the door, which was locked again. "Your Highness, this matter still requires your handling."
Liu Jian, Governor Zhang, Vice Governor Tong, and others stood silently to the side, their expressions somewhat grim. A murder had occurred right under their noses, and the perpetrator clearly had no regard for them, challenging their authority as officials!
Prince Yu looked around. Two of the six Forbidden Dragon Guards, along with the yamen runners from Shangsi County, stood in the open space to prevent any unrest, as there were over a hundred people gathered there.
The remaining four were guarding the door, two on each side of Gu Qingzhou. Prince Yu's gaze flickered.
"The rest of you, step back. Unlock the door." Prince Yu commanded sternly.
The attendant who had fallen and was bleeding from his mouth tremblingly handed over the key. He was the one responsible for opening the door earlier and the one who discovered Wan Yunhao's death, which caused him to scream and run out.
The guard took the key and unlocked the door. Another guard held a lantern to illuminate the area.
The yamen runner who had been locked inside knelt on the ground with a thud. "Your subordinate greets Your Highness."
Prince Yu's expression changed. "Why is there still someone inside?"
Captain Fei, standing outside, quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, it was this subordinate who, upon hearing the attendant's scream, was worried that people from outside might enter the room, so he locked the door. He forgot that Feng Dapeng was inside."
Prince Yu understood and nodded. With over a hundred scholars standing outside, if they had entered the room, the crime scene would have been disturbed. Captain Fei's actions were not wrong.
"Teacher." Seeing Prince Yu and the others enter the room, Zhan Feiyu tugged at Gu Qingzhou's sleeve, her dark eyes full of pleading.
This brat is quite bold! Gu Qingzhou glared at her reproachfully, but still took Zhan Feiyu's hand and brought her into the room.
The candles on the table had been relit. The guards also brought candles from the two adjacent rooms, and with the light of the lantern, the small room was illuminated as if it were daytime.
Although Governor Zhang, Vice Governor Tong, and others had entered, they all stood by the wall near the entrance, waiting. Prince Yu and the guards went forward to inspect.
"Stand still, obediently." Gu Qingzhou said again and also walked forward.
Zhan Feiyu first glanced at the room. It was the same as her previous room, with one door and one window. The window was still locked. Other than a table and a chair in the middle, there was nowhere to hide. Could someone have killed Wan Yunhao in the instant the candle was blown out by the wind?
"Your Highness, the person is dead." The guard examined Wan Yunhao, who had fallen to the ground, and looked at his blackened lips. "He was likely poisoned."
Upon hearing that it was poisoning, Zhan Feiyu was startled and couldn't help but crane her neck to look. To the left of the table were several scrolls, and in the middle was another scroll. It seemed Wan Yunhao had been poisoned before finishing his answers.
The writing brush was not placed in the brush washer but had fallen on the ground. The stool was also overturned. To the right of the table were an inkstone, a brush washer, and a candle.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the ground to the right of the table, where a food box was placed. If it was poisoning, it was likely the biscuits or water, or perhaps even the watermelon.
"Open the food box." Prince Yu also thought of this.
The guard crouched down and opened the food box. The bamboo tube for water was empty. Only half of the biscuits had been eaten, and there were two pieces of watermelon rind at the bottom of the food box.
After a careful inspection, the guard put down the bamboo tube. "Your Highness, there is a strange smell in the bamboo tube. The poison was likely in the water."
The guard only knew a little. Proper examination would require a coroner or a doctor.
Zhan Feiyu, standing against the wall, pondered. The water poisoned to kill Wan Yunhao could also poison her. Should she be fortunate that the killer's target was not her?
Vice Governor Tong also looked relieved. Tong Xu was his eldest son, whom he had high hopes for. If he had been poisoned to death, Vice Governor Tong would have regretted it immensely.
"We were indeed careless." Gu Qingzhou's voice was chillingly cold. He also thought that Zhan Feiyu had narrowly escaped. No wonder that brat Wuyan had left two people behind.
Prince Yu had not expected the killer to be so audacious as to poison someone in the county school. Thinking of the thousands of scholars gathered outside, if the killer was among them, they would not be noticed.
...
Half an hour later, the gathered scholars were dispersed. The county school, starting with Instructor Zhao and including the attendants, was detained by the yamen. Especially the more than ten people responsible for the meals, they were all imprisoned separately in the county school's jail.
Zhan Feiyu got into the carriage. "Teacher, who do you think..."
"I will accompany you," Prince Yu said, lifting the carriage curtain and getting in directly. He said grumpily, "You taking a disciple not only made me travel all the way from the capital but also caused a death."
"Your Highness, that is incorrect. The killer poisoned Wan Yunhao, likely due to a personal vendetta, which has nothing to do with me taking a disciple." Gu Qingzhou said lazily, leaning against the carriage and closing his eyes for a nap. He was also thinking about who killed Wan Yunhao.
Zhan Feiyu was also contemplating who the killer of Wan Yunhao was. However, with Yin Wuyan around, she didn't have to worry about the killer escaping.
Although she had matters on her mind, she had sat for six hours yesterday. After returning to the farm and washing up, Zhan Feiyu went to sleep. She only woke up when a servant called her at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).
"Miss." The servant brought warm water for washing into the room and then withdrew to prepare food.
Zhan Feiyu woke up early. After reading for half an hour, she practiced her fists, and then ate. Gu Qingzhou, on the other hand, would only wake up at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM). Therefore, the servants prepared breakfast twice a day.
The farm was not large, and the side rooms were close to each other. Prince Yu, being older, had shallow sleep. Moreover, he was a military man. Even though he had retired from campaigning years ago, he still woke up before dawn to practice martial arts every day. Therefore, when Zhan Feiyu woke up to read, Prince Yu was startled awake.
"What time is it?" His voice was slightly hoarse. Prince Yu looked out the window through the gauze curtain. It was still completely dark; dawn had not yet broken.
The guard outside the room immediately replied, "A quarter past Mao."
The morning was quiet. Even though the reading voice was kept low, it could still be heard. Prince Yu sat up in bed. "The little girl is truly diligent and eager to learn. It's no wonder Gu Qingzhou took her as a disciple."
Officials in the court all knew that this apprenticeship was merely a reward from the Emperor to Zhan Feiyu. However, if she were an incompetent person who couldn't be helped, Gu Qingzhou would never have agreed.
After washing up, Prince Yu, regardless of whether Gu Qingzhou was awake, pushed open the door and went in.
"You expected me to come?" Prince Yu sat down with his legs crossed, looking at the two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table. He did not politely pick up his chopsticks and began to eat breakfast.
In the past, in the capital, unless it was the imperial court, on any day off, Gu Qingzhou would definitely sleep until noon before getting up.
"You have been an official for many years, yet you are incorruptible. This manor is small, and Little Yu reads from the hour of Mao every day, so I was disturbed." Gu Qingzhou, while seemingly complaining about poverty, was actually showing off his little disciple.
Taking a big bite out of half a bun, Prince Yu picked up the small wontons again, frowning. "Even if you are poor, you cannot skimp on my food. This small bowl, do you think it's for feeding birds?"
Nanxuan Prefecture was located in Jiangnan. Southerners lived refined lives. Regardless of the taste of various foods, the portions were not large. Although the table was filled with more than ten dishes, there were only four small steamed soup buns in the steamer, not enough for Prince Yu to even fill his teeth.
"Your Highness, you are like a cow chewing on peonies. This subordinate should have asked the kitchen to prepare some steamed buns." Gu Qingzhou slowly ate the small wontons with his spoon.
The fresh meat was minced, mixed with scallion and ginger water, and then stirred with egg whites to form the filling. The thin dough wrapped the meat filling and was boiled in high broth for a moment.
After being taken out of the pot, it was sprinkled with dried shrimp and seaweed, and then a little crushed fried dough twists were added. One bite was so fresh that one's tongue would fall out. Yet, Prince Yu hadn't even tasted it, swallowing it whole in one bite.
"What are you and the Emperor plotting? Don't think I'm a fool to be easily deceived." After devouring everything, Prince Yu, his stomach full, had the energy to question.
Gu Qingzhou could take a disciple, but all these events, coupled with Liu Jian being sent to Nanxuan Prefecture, made Prince Yu glare at Gu Qingzhou. If there was no trickery involved, he would gladly have his head cut off and used as a ball.
"Jiangnan is prosperous, and the salt merchants are rolling in wealth. I am too poor, so I am envious." Gu Qingzhou spoke vaguely, but he hit the key point.
"The Emperor intends to deal with Jiangnan Dao?" Prince Yu frowned. Although Nanxuan Prefecture was in Jiangnan, it was not very prosperous. If one were to speak of prosperity, it would be places like Zhongzhou Prefecture.
Jiangnan Dao was home to many noble families, with intricate connections to the imperial court. The First Prince's maternal family was the Chen family, the largest noble family in Jiangnan.
In Jiangnan Dao, it was not only the salt merchants who were wealthy, but also tea merchants, cloth merchants... all of whom were as rich as a nation. Three of the four great imperial merchants of the Great Qing Dynasty were in Jiangnan Dao. To move Jiangnan would definitely be a case of "pulling one hair and the whole body moves," and could even lead to political instability.
The more Prince Yu thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. He looked at Gu Qingzhou, who was slowly eating breakfast, and a flash of inspiration struck him. "What about that policy question from Liu Jian?"
Jiangnan Dao was difficult to deal with, and should not be dealt with, but the salt merchants could be dealt with. Thinking of the policy question about salt tax, salt price, and salt merchants, Prince Yu felt more and more that there was something fishy.
"The calculations in the minds of you scholars are truly one after another. I suddenly feel fortunate that I did not betroth Jiaojiao to you!" Prince Yu couldn't help but sigh.
He was a military man. Although he had a brain, he was not good at scheming and calculating. His Jiaojiao was also a daughter who resembled her father. She had a straightforward personality, was open and bright. If she were married to Gu Qingzhou, she would probably be sold and still count money for him.
"Little Yu should be practicing her punches now. Your Highness, could you give her some pointers?" Gu Qingzhou made a gesture. The matter of the salt merchants had not yet yielded a clear result from the Emperor, so it was inconvenient for Gu Qingzhou to explain in detail to Prince Yu.
"My little disciple is quite good. Yesterday, Tong Xu was listless, but the little girl was energetic and woke up before dawn to study this morning." Prince Yu was getting old and liked well-behaved and sensible little girls like Zhan Feiyu. Moreover, she was not only beautiful but also had a good disposition, was graceful, dignified, and diligent. What elder would not like her?
In the courtyard, Zhan Feiyu was practicing her punches. She did not have much strength, but her stance was steady, and her punches were crisp and decisive. Her solemn little face and sharp eyes made her look more like a martial artist at first glance.
Prince Yu initially thought the little girl was merely performing fancy moves and that practicing punches was just for strengthening her body. After all, it was not easy to take the imperial examinations, requiring one to stay in the examination cubicle for nine days. Those with weak bodies would likely not be able to endure it.
However, upon closer inspection, Prince Yu's expression became more and more serious, which puzzled Gu Qingzhou.
Gu Qingzhou asked Prince Yu to give Zhan Feiyu pointers, mainly to build a good relationship for her, so that she would have someone to protect her in the capital in the future. After all, Prince Yu was of noble status. If he spoke up, whether it was royalty or scions of wealthy families in the capital, they would definitely not dare to provoke Zhan Feiyu.
"Who taught this set of punches to the little girl?" Prince Yu asked seriously.
As the saying goes, amateurs watch the fun, while professionals watch the skill! Gu Qingzhou could only see that Zhan Feiyu's punches were powerful and her stance was imposing, but Prince Yu could see the extraordinary nature of this set of punches.
Seeing that Gu Qingzhou still did not understand, Prince Yu could only explain, "This set of punches includes kicks, punches, throws, grabs, and twists. When combined, they can defend oneself and achieve victory. If promoted in the army, it would surely greatly reduce soldier casualties in time!"
Gu Qingzhou merely smiled without speaking, which truly made the hot-tempered Prince Yu gnash his teeth in annoyance.
Recalling the report from his guards after returning to the farm last night, Prince Yu suddenly asked, "Did that brat Wuyan teach her? For self-defense?"
Last night at the county school, Prince Yu had noticed that two of the Forbidden Dragon Guards were protecting Gu Qingzhou. At the time, he was surprised, wondering if the Emperor had sent the Forbidden Dragon Guard to protect Gu Qingzhou.
After returning from the county school, the two Forbidden Dragon Guards did not leave but guarded the outside of the farm. This was also because Prince Yu's two personal guards were highly skilled in martial arts. Otherwise, they would not have noticed.
Thinking about it now, Prince Yu suddenly understood. His gaze fell on Zhan Feiyu, who had just finished her punches and was regulating her breathing. The Forbidden Dragon Guards might be here to protect this little girl.
"My little disciple has a new recipe for salt production, and the Emperor sent Wuyan to handle it." Gu Qingzhou replied with half-truth and half-lie.
He had naturally noticed that Zhan Feiyu hid many secrets, especially her previous gunpowder formula that could change the world. Gu Qingzhou would get a headache just thinking about it.
Fortunately, with Yin Wuyan covering for her, Gu Qingzhou was not one to pry. No matter how many secrets Zhan Feiyu had, they would not be detrimental to him as her teacher. On the contrary, her formulas were beneficial to the country and the people, and Gu Qingzhou would do his best to protect Zhan Feiyu.
Thinking of Yin Wuyan, Prince Yu's expression softened. This brat had come to Shangsi County but avoided him. However, thinking of how close he was to Zhan Feiyu, Prince Yu looked at Zhan Feiyu with even more gentleness.
Zhan Feiyu walked quickly and bowed. "Teacher, Your Highness."
"I intended to let Your Highness guide your martial arts practice, but it seems unnecessary now." Gu Qingzhou patted Zhan Feiyu's head. "Hurry and wash up. I will take you to the yamen later."
After all, Wan Yunhao's death had not yet been investigated, and today the instructors and attendants of the county school were to be interrogated.
Furthermore, after a night's time, the more than a thousand scholars in Shangsi County had all learned of Wan Yunhao's poisoning. If this case was not clarified, it would also affect Zhan Feiyu's reputation. Someone might even suspect that Zhan Feiyu, fearing defeat, had simply killed Wan Yunhao.
Prince Yu had originally intended to learn this set of military boxing from Zhan Feiyu. However, thinking that Yin Wuyan had taught it, there was no need to seek the distant when the near was available. He simply asked his guards to go out and find the Forbidden Dragon Guards outside and send a message directly to Yin Wuyan.
A moment later, seeing the guards return, Prince Yu asked, "How is it?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, the Commander is currently at the farm." The guard said with considerable embarrassment. As the commander of the royal guards, he had not realized that someone had entered the farm silently. In retrospect, this was his dereliction of duty.
Prince Yu was also dumbfounded. After a moment of thought, he understood and then strode quickly towards the backyard where Zhan Feiyu lived. This brat was becoming more and more infuriating as he grew older!
By now, the sun had already risen. After bathing, Zhan Feiyu casually tied her dried hair back with a hair tie. "Big Brother, you've waited a long time. Let's eat."
"Your hair is still wet." Yin Wuyan frowned. His naturally stern face appeared even more chilling.
Zhan Feiyu touched her hair. It had already been dried with a cloth. In the summer heat, it would dry in less than half an hour. "It's okay, it will be..."
Before Zhan Feiyu could finish speaking, Yin Wuyan had already walked over, untied the blue hair tie, and her black hair instantly cascaded down.
When Prince Yu and Gu Qingzhou arrived, they were both stunned to see this scene at the door.
Yin Wuyan stood behind Zhan Feiyu, the cloth in his hand slowly drying the girl's hair. If it were a maid or a servant, it would be one thing, but for the dignified Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guard to be drying hair was simply astonishing.
"Big Brother, it's almost done. Let's eat." Zhan Feiyu, with her back to the door, was unaware that Prince Yu and her teacher's eyes were about to pop out. She was feeling hungry now.
Yesterday, she had only gnawed on a cold biscuit at the county school. After returning to the farm, because it was too late, Zhan Feiyu drank a bowl of porridge, so she was now so hungry her stomach was sticking to her back.
As if on cue, her stomach rumbled in protest. Zhan Feiyu's round face turned red, and even the tips of her ears were tinged with embarrassment.
The sunlight slanted through the porch. Seeing the girl's fair, jade-like earlobes turn red, Gu Qingzhou curved his thin lips and quickened his movements. "Let it be loose like this until it dries, then comb it."
Watching the two figures, one tall and one short, enter the room, Prince Yu couldn't help but ask, "Has this brat been possessed by a ghost?"
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Prince Yu would never have believed it. The dignified Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, apart from his closeness to the Emperor, treated everyone else with a cold face. Although only in his early twenties, he already controlled the Forbidden Dragon Guard, and his long sword had been stained with blood countless times.
Yin Wuyan's coldness emanated from his bones. From bone to blood, he was icy cold. Yet today, he was so intimately drying a little girl's hair.
Gu Qingzhou walked slowly with his hands behind his back and said, "It's simply a matter of mutual liking. Your Highness need not be so surprised."
The Prince only saw that Wuyan was good to Little Yu, but he didn't know that the brat had dared to offer the gunpowder formula for Wuyan. Although the age difference between these two was great, they were the same in their madness at heart. A big madman and a little madman had come together.