The Chen family's use of Kou Yuanxing to falsely accuse the Nanxuan prefect of examination fraud was an absolute blunder, shocking the imperial court. Not only did their smear campaign fail, but they also ended up dirtying themselves and even incurred the Emperor's displeasure. As a result, the position of Commander-in-Chief fell to Gu Dawei.
Chen Shuduo descended from the morning court, his face ashen. The scrutinizing glances of his colleagues ignited a fire of indignation within him, yet he had no outlet for his rage.
"My lord, this is the ginseng chicken soup that was just stewed," Madam Chen, a woman of gentle disposition, placed the fragrant chicken soup on the table with her fair hands. She looked at Chen Shuduo, whose eyes were bloodshot, with concern.
Chen Shuduo felt no inclination to eat, not even the chicken soup, let alone a miracle elixir. He sat in his chair with a dark expression, his anger growing with every thought. "You may leave for now. I need to be alone."
Madam Chen offered a few more words of concern before departing. Just then, his advisor, Mr. Muyu, entered.
The study door opened and closed. Madam Chen glanced back, her expression forlorn. At that moment, she suddenly remembered the young girl, Zhan Feiyu, whom the Chen family detested. Perhaps after the young girl married, she would no longer be confined to the inner chambers and could discuss important matters with her husband in the study, unlike herself, who could only personally stew a pot of chicken soup.
"Sir, do you think my father has become senile?" Chen Shuduo voiced the same sentiment as the First Prince. However, the First Prince was complaining about the Emperor giving the position of Commander-in-Chief to Gu Dawei. The Emperor had his reasons, using this to warn the Chen family.
Mr. Muyu, with his white hair and beard, fair skin devoid of wrinkles, and a grey Daoist robe, possessed an air of ethereal detachment. "Esteemed Sir, there is no need to be angry. His Majesty is in his prime, and it is the time for the First Prince to bide his time. Making a small mistake now can allow His Majesty to lower the guard of other princes." Mr. Muyu spoke gently, his unhurried voice naturally calming.
Chen Shuduo nodded in understanding, still feeling a sense of injustice. He resentfully declared, "That young girl must be in conflict with the Chen family's destiny!"
"Actually, Esteemed Sir and the First Prince need not worry. Even if Zhan Feiyu becomes the top scholar, she will at most be a great scholar in a region. She will not enter officialdom, nor will she become a stumbling block for the First Prince. Targeting her would only make an enemy of Scholar Gu, which is not worth the effort," Mr. Muyu said, glancing at the contemplative Chen Shuduo. He secretly rolled his eyes. The Chen family was bored to have troubled a young girl, and what's more, they kept shooting themselves in the foot.
Chen Shuduo ran through the events of the past period in his mind, his expression stiffening slightly. Yes, why should the Chen family make things difficult for Zhan Feiyu? For a hundred-year-old aristocratic family to deal with a nine-year-old girl, even if they won, it would be an unfair victory! Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu and had also provided the movable type printing technique to the court. It was rumored that the new salt production method was also related to her. Not to mention, she had donated all the profits from "Beauty's Makeup" to the border soldiers. To deal with such a young girl who had already gained imperial recognition, the Chen family was definitely biting off more than they could chew.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will write a letter immediately." Having figured things out, Chen Shuduo decided not to let the Chen family continue their confrontation with Zhan Feiyu.
Meanwhile, in Nanxuan Prefecture, Chen Xuezheng, who was temporarily residing at the Chen family's residence, was contemplating how to handle the current situation. After reading Zhan Feiyu's essays and policy proposals from the prefectural examination, Chen Xuezheng knew that her title as the top scorer was well-deserved. If he had known this earlier, he shouldn't have made trouble during the prefectural examination. Examination fraud was like a double-edged sword; used well, it could take down Zhang Chengli in one fell swoop, but conversely, the Chen family would be injured.
Thinking of the news from the capital, Chen Xuezheng knew that his move had been a grave mistake. But who could have imagined that a young girl who had been studying for only two years would be so talented in her studies?
"My lord, Master Chen requests an audience," the young servant outside the door said with a respectful tone, as if Chen Xuezheng were the head of the Chen family. Master Chen, a man of prosperity, had lost weight in recent days. His originally ruddy face was now etched with worry. Chen's Rice Shop was on the verge of closing down. More importantly, he had caused such significant trouble for the main family. Master Chen wished he could flay Chen Pangzi, who had been expelled from the clan, alive.
Chen Xuezheng, seated on his chair, did not immediately acknowledge Master Chen. After a quarter of an hour, he finally put down the book in his hand and said coldly, "Sit."
"Cousin, it is my fault for failing to discipline my son, which has implicated the family," Master Chen dared not sit. He bowed and admitted his fault. Originally, he still had some paternal affection for his son, Chen Pangzi, but now Master Chen wished he had strangled the boy in his cradle.
Old Master Chen had considerable talent in business. Moreover, given the circumstances, Chen Xuezheng, as the head of the Chen family, did not dwell on the matter. Compared to the lost grain, the Chen family cared more about their reputation. To outsiders, fifty thousand shi of grain was a lot, but to the Chen family, it was merely a drop in the bucket.
Chen Xuezheng gestured for Old Master Chen to sit down again. "The business in Nanxuan Prefecture can no longer continue. What are your plans?"
"Cousin," Old Master Chen sat down with only half of his buttocks on the chair, his anxious heart finally at ease. He then respectfully replied, "I plan to make a trip to the border. Tea, porcelain, and fabrics from Jiangnan sell very well among the barbarians..." Old Master Chen intended to form a caravan to low-price acquire furs, medicinal herbs, and even gems from the border, and then sell them at a high price.
Chen Xuezheng raised his eyelids and glanced at him, nodding with satisfaction. "If that is the case, you will be responsible for the grain sent to the border. The Chen family has suffered this silent loss; it is time to collect some interest." Generally, caravans would not easily travel to the border. Firstly, the journey was too long, and the dangers on the road were numerous. If they encountered bandits, not only their money but also their lives would be at risk. Secondly, the border was unstable, and dealing with barbarian merchants could lead to situations where there was no one to turn to for help. The third reason was that although the furs and medicinal herbs brought back from the barbarians were precious, they would be suppressed by some major merchants. Unless sold at a low price, the goods would be stuck with them.
However, if Old Master Chen formed a caravan, it would be different. He was not short of money and could hire escorts. Moreover, once he reached the border, in consideration of the grain sent by the Chen family, any conflict with barbarian merchants would surely be mediated by the general guarding the border, who would have to support Old Master Chen. Furthermore, the goods brought back could be sold through the Chen family's shops, which were spread throughout Daqing Dynasty, ensuring they would fetch a good price. It was only the hardship of the journey that was taxing. Old Master Chen had been accustomed to a life of comfort for many years, and now he had to atone for his mistakes.
After leaving the study, Old Master Chen let out a sigh of relief. Although it would be a bit harder, at least the main family had not abandoned him. Thinking of this, Old Master Chen once again directed his anger towards the expelled Chen Pangzi.
Seeing Old Master Chen walk away, Chai Yi emerged from the shadows, tidied his clothes, and then walked towards the study. "Please inform the young master, Chai Yi requests an audience with Master Chen." Although Chen Xuezheng had made a blunder regarding Zhan Feiyu, as the head of the Chen family, everything in the Chen family was under his control, even his eldest son Chen Shuduo, who was far away in the capital.
"This humble servant Chai Yi pays his respects to you, my lord." Kneeling on the ground, Chai Yi dared to deceive Chen Pangzi and even the shrewd Old Master Chen, but in front of Chen Xuezheng, he restrained all his petty schemes.
"Shuming has mentioned you to me," Chen Xuezheng said, looking down at the kneeling Chai Yi with cold and disgusted eyes. The accusation of Zhang Zhifu's examination fraud using Kou Yuanxing was done by Chen Pangzi, but the instigator behind the scenes was Chai Yi. Ultimately, it was Chai Yi who led the Chen family into a pit. Chen Xuezheng had not taken Zhan Feiyu seriously before, hence his underestimation.
Chai Yi's face turned pale. He pressed his forehead to the ground and pleaded for forgiveness. "This humble servant deserves to die..." After a long pause, the grim-faced Chen Xuezheng finally spoke again. "Do you believe that by using that jade pendant in your hand, you can accuse Zhang Chengli of colluding with a married woman?"
"Reporting to you, my lord, Huang Lijiao is willful and capricious. She is now confined by the Huang family in a dark and gloomy backyard. Huang Lijiao is on the verge of madness. If she can escape her predicament, she will surely relentlessly pursue Prefect Zhang!" Chai Yi had intended to use Huang Lijiao to bring down Prefect Zhang after her divorce. Therefore, after she was imprisoned by the Huang family, Chai Yi secretly bribed two old women guarding Huang Lijiao, instructing them to torment Huang Lijiao. The food they gave her was either too salty to eat or contained sand and stones that could break teeth. Her clothes were too small, and her shoes did not fit. In the middle of the night, they would open the doors and windows and give her moldy quilts. If Huang Lijiao made a fuss, they would tie her to the bed with cloth strips. Furthermore, they added some drugs that caused madness to Huang Lijiao's tea. Although the dosage was very small, Huang Lijiao was now in a semi-mad state. Coupled with verbal temptation and instigation, she would surely be used by him.
"Since that is the case, this matter will be entrusted to you," Chen Xuezheng nodded with satisfaction. Sometimes, such petty individuals were convenient to use. It was no wonder Shuming had mentioned Chai Yi so many times.
"Thank you, my lord." Chai Yi quickly kowtowed in gratitude.
He hesitated for a moment. The ambitious Chai Yi did not want to miss the opportunity to speak with Chen Xuezheng. He bravely continued, "My lord, the workshop for fragrant soap is located in Jinlin Village, and all the villagers there grow vegetables to sell to the restaurants in Shangsi County. If we start from Jinlin Village..." Chai Yi's thinking was that since Zhan Feiyu was slippery, it would be better to start with her family and clansmen. Dealing with illiterate villagers would only require a few ruffians, or they could bribe people in Jinlin Village.
Chen Xuezheng looked coldly at the somewhat smug Chai Yi. Compared to Mr. Muyu, Chen Shuduo's advisor, Chai Yi, whom Shuming valued, had a much narrower vision and understanding. He only knew how to employ petty tricks. Chen Xuezheng said coldly, "There is no need to mention this matter again. You may leave."
"But?" Chai Yi still wanted to try. If he succeeded, he would have made a great contribution. Compared to the third young master, he wanted to follow Chen Xuezheng, the head of the family, more.
A look of disgust flashed in his eyes. Chen Xuezheng reprimanded, "Your petty tricks will not harm Zhan Feiyu, but if Scholar Gu retaliates against the Chen family, how great will the Chen family's losses be? I do not need to explain which is more important! Withdraw!"
Chai Yi staggered, suddenly realizing his mistake. He could only retreat from the study with a look of panic. Zhan Feiyu had family and clansmen; did the Chen family not? If the Chen family took action against Zhan Feiyu's family and clansmen, at most, the people of Jinlin Village would not earn money. But if Scholar Gu retaliated, it would be like Gu Dawei taking over the position of Commander-in-Chief, and the First Prince would lose a third-rank official position. Chai Yi's approach was like using a jade bottle to kill a rat, a complete loss.
...
Completely unaware that Chai Yi still intended to secretly target Jinlin Village, Zhan Feiyu planned to return to Shangsi County now that the prefectural examination had concluded, even with the Kou Yuanxing incident.
Zhang Residence.
Zhan Feiyu arrived at an inopportune moment. As soon as she alighted from the carriage, she saw Bao Lian'er tearfully clinging to the old housekeeper. "Wing'er and I have been taken care of by Auntie all these years. Now that we are leaving, we should kowtow to Auntie. Otherwise, how can I leave with peace of mind..." Her voice was choked with sobs, her pale face streaked with tears. Anyone who didn't know would think Bao Lian'er had suffered great injustice.
"Sister, let's go!" Bao Yi shouted in exasperation. They had already been kicked out, so why beg? A mere housekeeper dared to act like a big shot! However, no matter how annoyed Bao Yi was, he did not dare to act presumptuously at the entrance of the Zhang residence. Although he was a bit stupid and cowardly, precisely because he feared death, Bao Yi dared not act recklessly.
The old housekeeper was getting a headache from Bao Lian'er's crying. He swept his gaze around and, upon seeing Zhan Feiyu not far away, immediately went to greet her. "Miss Zhan, please come in. The master has been waiting for a long time."
Due to Kou Yuanxing's accusation of the prefect's examination fraud, Prefect Zhang was straightforward. To avoid suspicion, he had stayed at home for the past few days and had not gone to the prefectural office. In any case, the current Nanxuan Prefecture was under his control, and nothing major would happen. As for those who were secretly working against him, if they wanted to defect to Chen Xuezheng, Prefect Zhang did not care. After Chen Xuezheng left, he could deal with them in one fell swoop.
"Miss Zhan." Bao Lian'er looked as if she had seen a savior, crying like a delicate white flower in a storm, her frail figure swaying precariously. "Please, Miss Zhan, beg for me, and let me enter the residence to bid farewell to Auntie. Miss Zhan, I beg you." As if afraid Zhan Feiyu would not agree, Bao Lian'er suddenly knelt on the ground, crying profusely, as if she would not rise until Zhan Feiyu agreed.
As soon as Bao Yi saw Zhan Feiyu, he felt a pain in his crotch. The scene at the Peach Blossom Gathering flashed in his mind. Bao Yi, with a look of terror, retreated several steps. If his legs hadn't gone weak, he would have already run away.
Zhan Feiyu glanced at the three carriages parked nearby. The first carriage was likely for the Bao siblings to travel in. The other two carriages were filled with boxes and packages of all sizes. Even if they left the Zhang residence, with these belongings, the siblings would still be well-provided for, but human greed was insatiable.
"Miss Bao," Zhan Feiyu said, looking at the kneeling and crying Bao Lian'er. A smile appeared on her fair and plump face. "Madam Zhang is benevolent. If it were me, let alone these belongings, I would only need to spend a few taels of silver to find a hooligan, and Miss Bao, you would already be married by now, how could you still be crying here?"
Bao Lian'er's crying stopped. She looked at the ferocious Zhan Feiyu with tear-filled eyes. Although she was a delicate and beautiful young girl, her words were so venomous. Zhan Feiyu smiled and continued, "If I were even more ruthless, I would get your brother addicted to gambling and sign a gambling debt. Then, if he couldn't repay the money, I would sell his beautiful sister. So, it is still Madam Zhang who is too kind."