It was another holiday from the private school, and upon hearing the sounds from the courtyard, Zhan Feiyu put down her book and went out.
“Sister.” Little Niuniu, only three years old, saw Zhan Feiyu at the door and called out in her milky voice.
Little Niuniu ran over and hugged Zhan Feiyu’s leg, looking up with her dark, round eyes, pleadingly at Zhan Feiyu, “Sister, she’s gone.”
“Sister has to go to school.” Stroking Little Niuniu’s head, Zhan Feiyu looked at Erlang beside her, “Second Brother, why are you and Niuniu here?”
In the past, at the Zhan family, except for their cousin Zhan Dalang who was too proud to look down on his younger siblings, the remaining four children got along well.
“Grandmother made candy, and my father asked me to bring some for you to eat.” Erlang had a gentle and honest disposition, unlike his father, but somewhat similar to their eldest uncle, Zhan Laoda.
“Eat candy.” Little Niuniu giggled and took out a piece from her pocket to offer to Zhan Feiyu.
Farming families were poor, and it was rare to eat candy. It was only made for guests during the New Year.
The maltose was boiled for a day and a night, then mixed with crushed peanuts and fried rice. After stirring, it was poured into a wooden basin to cool.
The men of the household would take wooden hammers and pound the candy, making it firm. It was then taken out, cut into pieces with a cleaver, and stored in an urn, where it could last for more than half a year.
“Sister doesn’t eat, give it to Niuniu.” Zhan Feiyu put the almond candy into Little Niuniu’s mouth. Seeing her chewing with her cheeks puffed out, she couldn’t help but smile.
“I have more here, Xiao Yu, all for you.” Erlang handed over a bunch of candy wrapped in lotus leaves, only six or seven pieces, each about half a finger long.
Her eyes flickered, and Zhan Feiyu took them, casually asking, “Why did you make so much candy?”
Erlang felt a little embarrassed at the question. However, looking at the newly repaired house, thinking of his mother’s sarcastic words and his second aunt’s curses, he knew that his aunt and Xiao Yu, who had moved out, were living better than their own family.
“Father said we had money, so we could have something sweet. Eldest Brother was beaten again, so Grandmother made candy.” Erlang thought of Zhan Dalang’s bruised and swollen face and couldn’t help but chuckle. His face was as swollen as a pig’s head.
Erlang had heard the arguments at home these days and knew that this money was actually ill-gotten gains.
By the time Li Shi returned from the vegetable patch, Erlang and Niuniu had already left.
“Mother, do you think the old house would put poison in the candy?” Zhan Feiyu asked with a smile, “This is made with almonds. Erlang said half a jin costs fifty wen.”
“You’re talking nonsense.” Li Shi glared at Zhan Feiyu, then looked at the almond candy on the table and sighed, “Only your third uncle still thinks of you.”
Although Zhan Laosan was lazy, he was loyal and respected his elder sister-in-law, Li Shi. He also doted on his niece, Zhan Feiyu, and remembered Xiao Yu even with a little candy. Zhan Feiyu understood that her mother didn’t know if she could eat almonds, which was why she guessed the old house dared to send it over.
In the afternoon, Zhan Feiyu needed to buy paper from Wenxing Bookstore. There was often an ox cart going to the county town from the village entrance, and it only cost two wen. Li Shi was not worried about Zhan Feiyu going alone.
Leshan Residence.
The old shopkeeper had a deep impression of Zhan Feiyu. There were many girls studying in Sishang County, but few were valued by Magistrate Chen and could compose a poem like “Wo Chun.”
“Young Scholar Zhan, this way please.” The old shopkeeper’s eyes flickered. She was actually looking for that adult? Did she not have enough with the recommendation letter from the adult and wanted to curry favor in private?
However, the owner had instructed him that if Young Scholar Zhan encountered any trouble, he should provide clandestine assistance. Only then did the old shopkeeper escort her to the backyard.
The backyard of Leshan Residence was not large, but it was exceptionally serene. Living water from the pond was introduced into the tea hall, where seven or eight koi swam.
To Zhan Feiyu’s left was a half-open window, through which a gnarled old plum tree could be seen. One could imagine how elegant and leisurely it would be to sit here and drink tea when the winter snow fell and the plum blossoms bloomed.
After less than two sticks of incense, Chong Guang walked in from outside, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it down in one gulp. After drinking three cups, he finally said, “Is this like drinking like an ox?”
“Drinking tea is about elegance, but quenching thirst is the goal.” Zhan Feiyu said seriously. Seeing Chong Guang’s surprised expression, she grinned and said, “My family’s tea is just rough dregs, even oxen probably wouldn’t drink it!”
“Fat girl, you are truly my kindred spirit!” Chong Guang pulled over a chair and sat down next to Zhan Feiyu, acting as familiar as a close friend. “You only drink tea when you’re thirsty; all that fuss can make a person die of thirst.”
Zhan Feiyu took out the almond candy from her purse and offered it to Chong Guang, “Please have some candy.”
Her outstretched hand stopped in mid-air. Chong Guang looked at Zhan Feiyu with suspicion, “Offering favors without reason means you’re either a spy or a thief! Fat girl, you didn’t poison it, did you?”
Looking at the smiling Zhan Feiyu, Chong Guang became even more suspicious. He almost forgot that this fat girl was also a scholar, full of schemes and calculations!
“The Forbidden Dragon Guard has doctors who can detect Li Ren Zui. What are you afraid of, Uncle Chong Guang?” Zhan Feiyu raised her eyebrows, smiling like the Big Bad Wolf, and placed a few almond candies on the table. “These are from the old house.”
Chong Guang’s eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. He looked at Zhan Feiyu with disappointment and heartache, lamenting indignantly, “Fat girl, you actually did something that made me test for poison. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?”
After a while, the owner of Leshan Residence, Doctor Ji, arrived. His left sleeve was empty, and he held a knife in his right hand to cut open a piece of almond candy for examination.
“There’s no poison,” Doctor Ji announced the examination result.
“Ji Chaocai, are you sure there’s no poison?” Chong Guang looked suspicious. “Could it be some kind of secret medicine that can’t be detected in a short time?”
Doctor Ji looked up and retorted mockingly, “Do you think you’re in the palace? Secret medicine? Even if you sold all the Zhan family members, you wouldn’t have enough money to buy secret medicine!”
Zeng Yuquan had Li Ren Zui because the medicine was not difficult to prepare; only one ingredient was hard to find. Moreover, the symptoms after taking the medicine were similar to high fever, so ordinary doctors couldn’t detect it, leading to misdiagnosis and death.
However, imperial physicians in the palace, or skilled doctors of traditional Chinese medicine, could detect it with a little care, and detoxification was not difficult. But the old Zhan family, even if they were to poison someone, would at most use arsenic.
Doctor Ji picked up a piece of almond candy, popped it into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed it. Then, he looked disdainfully at Chong Guang and Zhan Feiyu, who had their eyes wide open. “Murder is punishable by death! If they dared to poison someone, wouldn’t they be afraid of beheading?”
Chong Guang, who was being scolded thoroughly, looked at Zhan Feiyu and then, with lightning speed, threw a piece of almond candy into Zhan Feiyu’s mouth and patted her on the back.
With a gulp, the stunned Zhan Feiyu touched her throat. She had swallowed it?
“Haha, fat girl, you look like you’ve eaten crane-top red!” Seeing Zhan Feiyu’s shocked and terrified gaze, Chong Guang cackled and popped a piece into his own mouth. “Don’t worry, with Doctor Ji here, even if you eat poison, he can snatch you back from the gates of hell.”
Recovering her senses, Zhan Feiyu stared at Chong Guang and gritted out, “I won’t let you go, even as a ghost!”
She had originally planned to eat just a little bit to see if she was allergic to almonds.
With a doctor present, and eating so little, there shouldn’t be any problem. She never expected Uncle Chong Guang to be so meddlesome!
“Don’t worry, the three of us have eaten it, we won’t die. Fat girl, you’re quite good at pretending,” Chong Guang looked at Zhan Feiyu, who seemed to be dying, with admiration. She was almost as good as those women in the palace who pretended.
Zhan Feiyu felt an itching sensation on her face, and without thinking, she knew she was breaking out in hives. A swelling discomfort in her throat followed. The most dangerous symptom of an allergy was suffocation.
Her breathing became increasingly difficult. Zhan Feiyu’s hand gripping the edge of the table tightened abruptly, her vision went black, and she collapsed.
Chong Guang swallowed the last bit of candy and looked at the collapsing Zhan Feiyu, stunned, “No way, fat girl, are you still planning to pretend to be dead?”
“Shut up, she’s in trouble!” Doctor Ji had initially thought Zhan Feiyu was just playing around. He had also eaten the almond candy, and it wasn’t poisonous! The piece Zhan Feiyu ate was cut from his.
But after turning over the fallen Zhan Feiyu, he saw the dense red rash all over her face and neck, and Doctor Ji knew something had happened.
Chong Guang still thought they were both acting, but when he looked down, he was shocked.
Doctor Ji kicked the stunned Chong Guang, “She has no breath, quickly take her to my pharmacy!”
Half an hour later.
Zhan Feiyu’s breathing had stabilized, but the rash on her face had not yet subsided.
Although the dense rash was nauseating, seeing her with her eyes tightly closed, without her usual mischievous spirit, Yin Wuyan tenderly stroked her head. The little girl had suffered.
Under the corridor, Chong Guang stood with a dejected expression. When he held the unconscious Zhan Feiyu earlier, he had already sensed that she had no breath. Fortunately, she had been rescued.
Hearing the door open, Chong Guang looked up at Yin Wuyan, whose expression was grim. He wanted to speak but remained silent.
“She almost died at your hands!” Yin Wuyan’s face was cold, and his emotionless eyes looked indifferently at the guilty Chong Guang. “Since she brought the almond candy, it means she had suspicions!”
“Your subordinate knows his mistake!” Chong Guang knelt on one knee and lowered his head. He shouldn’t have lost his composure. If it weren’t for Doctor Ji today, the fat girl would have already returned to the underworld.
“Twenty lashes.” Yin Wuyan pronounced Chong Guang’s punishment.
The rules of the Forbidden Dragon Guard were strict. This was because they were outside. If it were in the capital, such a serious mistake would result in not only twenty lashes but also half a month of confinement, with only a bowl of clear water and a steamed bun for three meals a day.
Doctor Ji, who arrived in a hurry, held a freshly prepared ointment and looked sympathetically at Chong Guang. After bowing to Yin Wuyan, he said, “There was no poison in the almond candy. The little girl cannot eat almonds. I remember Consort Chen in the palace couldn’t eat crab, but her symptoms were much milder. Hers is a particularly severe case, and even a small amount is enough to be fatal.”
A few people were sensitive to certain ingredients and would experience discomfort, but even accidental ingestion wouldn’t be fatal. Doctor Ji had never encountered Zhan Feiyu’s situation before.
“Nan Su, go to Jinlin Village and deliver a letter, telling Li Shi that the little girl is proofreading books at Wenxing Bookstore and will return tomorrow.” Yin Wuyan said coldly.
A figure in the shadows immediately flew away.
Zhan Feiyu woke up in the evening. Her face itched terribly. She raised her hand to scratch, and her fingertips were covered in ointment.
Zhan Feiyu sighed. It was indeed an almond allergy.
With a creak, the bedroom door was pushed open. Doctor Ji entered first, followed by a young medicine boy carrying medicine. The strong scent of traditional Chinese medicine immediately filled the air.
“Take her pulse first, then drink the medicine.” Doctor Ji placed his fingers on Zhan Feiyu’s wrist. After a moment, “You’ll be fine once the rash subsides tomorrow.”
Looking at the large bowl of dark medicinal liquid, Zhan Feiyu climbed out of bed and, gritting her teeth, gulped it down. The strong bitter taste almost made her vomit.
“You’re quite decisive.” Doctor Ji raised his eyebrows. He, as a doctor, knew how bitter this medicine was. This girl, though young, had a strong will.
“Are you expecting me to drink it one spoonful at a time?” Zhan Feiyu said with a bitter face. The taste was simply awful.
“Right, what about Uncle Chong Guang?” Not seeing him, Zhan Feiyu quickly asked. Although it was a misunderstanding, it was still an accident.
Thinking of Chong Guang lying on the bed with his back ripped open, Doctor Ji stared at Zhan Feiyu. Even though she had almost lost her life, there was no resentment in the little girl’s eyes; they were clean.
At this moment, Doctor Ji suddenly understood why his Seventh Master treated this little girl differently. After being in darkness and filth for so long, this little girl was like a clear stream, bringing joy to those who saw her.
Zhan Feiyu frowned, threw off the quilt, and got out of bed. “Was Uncle Chong Guang punished?”
Despite her young age, she was sharp and intelligent. Doctor Ji did not hide anything. “Chong Guang made a mistake and was whipped twenty times. He’s too ashamed to see you.”
As a member of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, being whipped twenty times would incapacitate him. Chong Guang was too ashamed to follow Seventh Master. It was just self-blame and guilt.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Yin Wuyan standing in the night. Under the cold and bleak moonlight, Zhan Feiyu remembered their first meeting. She had been truly terrified then. The elder brother’s sword was still dripping blood.
“Big Brother.” She called out in a crisp voice, and Zhan Feiyu ran over with her short legs, looking up and smiling, “Big Brother, don’t worry, a wicked person lives a thousand years. I’m fine.”
“Self-indulgent.” Yin Wuyan glanced coldly at the little girl whose eyes were shining brightly, still with a face full of dense red rashes, yet she still smiled brilliantly. It seemed she was truly fine.
“Big Brother, let’s go see Uncle Chong Guang. Doctor Ji said he was whipped so badly he can’t get up.” Zhan Feiyu giggled, acting carefree, as if she really wanted to go see Chong Guang’s misfortune.
Sometimes ruthless, sometimes so soft-hearted, Yin Wuyan took the lead.
Zhan Feiyu trotted after him, the two figures, one tall and one short, looking exceptionally harmonious in the night.
The guest room was lit. Chong Guang was lying on the bed and didn’t pay attention when he heard the door open. These light footsteps weren’t Ji… Fat girl is here?
He sprang up from the bed, tearing his back wound. Chong Guang’s face contorted in pain. When he looked back, his Seventh Master was still his usual stern self, while the fat girl, with her face full of red rashes, was smiling exceptionally happily.
“Uncle Chong Guang.” Zhan Feiyu walked to the bedside, tilted her head, and glanced at his injured back, teasing, “We’ve gone from kindred spirits to sworn friends who share hardships.”
“Haha, that’s called chemistry.” Chong Guang laughed, patting Zhan Feiyu’s head. “Are you alright now? Learn from your mistakes. Don’t eat almonds anymore. You almost scared me to death today.”
Zhan Feiyu rolled her eyes and chuckled coldly, holding up her little finger to indicate, “I originally planned to eat just this much.”
Who knew Uncle Chong Guang would be so meddlesome and throw half a piece into her mouth.
Not only that, but he also patted her back. Those who didn’t know would think he was trying to deliver a finishing blow, fearing she wouldn’t die.
Chong Guang glanced guiltily at his Seventh Master. If he were to be meddlesome again, he wouldn’t need Seventh Master to deal with him; he’d chop off his own hand!
“However, your grandmother is quite ruthless.” Chong Guang mentioned the people of the old Zhan family with utter disdain and disgust.
In the afternoon, Nan Su went to Jinlin Village and also investigated. The almonds were bought by Zhan Laosan at the North-South shops. Old Madam Zhan made maltose and almond candy. Zhan Laosan then asked Erlang and Niuniu to send some to Zhan Feiyu.
This was also because children in the village rarely got to eat candy all year round. Zhan Feiyu now had no worries about food and drink and could study, but she relied on the clan’s support, so she couldn’t eat candy. Zhan Laosan’s good intentions led to bad consequences.
“Perhaps she was worried that I would take revenge on my second uncle if I became successful in the future, so she struck first.” Zhan Feiyu pouted.
Given the Zhan family’s situation, they could only eat their fill. Who would have thought that their once loving grandmother could turn around and try to kill her?
Recalling the conversation she overheard last night, the sinister and cold-blooded voice showed no hesitation. Zhan Feiyu guessed that if it weren’t for the fact that murder was punishable by death and would affect Dalang and the others’ chances in the imperial examinations, her grandmother would have grabbed a kitchen knife and killed her.
Zhan Feiyu was not seriously injured, and Chong Guang felt relieved and began to recover.
…
As night fell, in the study, two figures, one tall and one short, sat opposite each other. Yin Wuyan spoke in a deep voice, “Reward loyalty to the utmost. What is the meaning?”
Zhan Feiyu, who was asked, thought for a moment and replied, “It comes from the Book of Documents: ‘When in doubt about punishment, err on the side of leniency; when in doubt about reward, err on the side of generosity.’ This is the utmost loyalty and kindness.”
Yin Wuyan handed Zhan Feiyu a letter from the desk. It was a secret letter from the Forbidden Dragon Guard in the capital, a copy of the memorial submitted to the Emperor by the top scholar of the imperial examinations. The core content was the question Yin Wuyan had just asked.
In plain terms, it was about punishing doubt with leniency. The memorial sharply accused the Forbidden Dragon Guard of cruelty in matters of punishment over the years, which was contrary to the benevolent governance advocated by the Emperor.
Zhan Feiyu quickly scanned it. “When in doubt about guilt, err on the side of leniency; when in doubt about merit, err on the side of generosity. It is better to let the guilty go free than to punish the innocent. This means that when evidence is insufficient, it is better to punish leniently to show benevolence. Big Brother, does the Forbidden Dragon Guard often use harsh torture and extract confessions?”
Yin Wuyan glanced at Zhan Feiyu, who was not afraid but only curious, and said in a deep voice, “The Forbidden Dragon Guard only obeys the Emperor’s orders and can execute officials below the third rank first and then report.”
The officials in the court feared the Forbidden Dragon Guard, but it was because they were not upright and worried that the all-pervasive Forbidden Dragon Guard would uncover something. Thus, they banded together, using the scholar’s memorial as a starting point, with the aim of weakening the Forbidden Dragon Guard.
“Water that is too clear has no fish, and people who are too pure and good are often arrogant and hate evil. Big Brother, this time you are facing almost all the officials in the court.” Zhan Feiyu was not a real seven-year-old child.
Corrupt officials feared them, and upright officials disliked them. If the Forbidden Dragon Guard did not obey the Emperor’s orders, it would have ceased to exist long ago. However, the court, taking benevolence and benevolent governance as a breakthrough, had to consider it, unless the Emperor wanted to leave a reputation for tyranny in the historical records.
Yin Wuyan, seeing Zhan Feiyu, who had hit the nail on the head and was now frowning, felt for the first time that if she had been born a boy, she would surely have left a significant mark on the Great Qing Dynasty.
“The Forbidden Dragon Guard is in dire straits, but they still have the Emperor’s protection. Moreover, many officials in the court have their weaknesses in the hands of the Forbidden Dragon Guard. However, if you were to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations, the difficulties would be even greater.” Yin Wuyan looked at Zhan Feiyu, whose eyes were clear and bright, wondering if one day the light in her eyes would gradually extinguish.
After a moment of silence, Zhan Feiyu suddenly smiled, her clear voice firm and resolute, “The road ahead is long and arduous, and I will seek it both high and low! Big Brother, fighting against heaven is endless joy! Fighting against earth is endless joy! Fighting against people is endless joy! The road ahead is difficult, but I will break through all obstacles!”
Yin Wuyan did not speak further but picked up a book and began to read.
Zhan Feiyu also picked up the letter and read it again. Putting aside personal feelings, this was definitely an excellent policy论! Coming from the top scholar, the language was concise, the structure was rigorous, and the extensive citations were definitely worth learning for a young scholar like herself.
The next day, at dawn.
The red rashes on Zhan Feiyu’s face had subsided. In addition to the paper used for calligraphy, there were more than ten books and a box of winter clothes. The items were too many, so the old shopkeeper of Leshan Residence sent a carriage.
“In half a month, I will concoct a pill. You can carry it with you from now on, and even if you accidentally eat almonds, you won’t die immediately,” Doctor Ji said, then turned and entered the backyard. With Seventh Master’s orders, he had to hurry.
Moreover, the old madam of the Zhan family was insane. Who knew if she would act again? She might inform the Zeng family, or perhaps the envious Scholar Zhang, who hated this girl. One cannot guard against thieves forever.
Yin Wuyan and Chong Guang did not appear. It seemed that a secret stronghold of the Zeng family had been discovered. Zhan Feiyu climbed onto the carriage and sat down, leisurely returning to the village.