Chapter 462
Zhan Feiyu addressed him as "Sir," but Cao Yichen knew he was merely an insignificant official. Nevertheless, being berated by a woman like Yao Zhenyi made Cao Yichen's expression turn unpleasant. He was an official, after all, in charge of the inn's laborers and horses.
"Miss, please calm down," Qiaoyun said softly, casting a fearful glance at Zhan Feiyu. She tried to placate Yao Zhenyi, "Miss, Minhe Prefecture is a hundred li from the capital. Who knows what dangers lie along the way."
Yao Zhenyi suppressed her anger, but she remained displeased. After leaving the Yuan residence with the divorce letter, even if she were foolish, Yao Zhenyi knew her situation upon returning to the capital would not be good.
The Yao family was an official household. Regardless of their internal affairs, they were the most rigid about rules externally. Yao Zhenyi remembered her paternal aunt who had returned home after a divorce years ago. She was said to be ill, but she ultimately died in a manor.
The truth was that her aunt's head maid, following instructions from the household, had opened the windows on a cold winter night. Yao Zhenyi's already frail body caught a chill and she fell ill. Later, the Yao family claimed to be seeking medical treatment, but it was merely for show. Not a single dose of medicine was seen, and they let her die of illness.
"Go to your room!" Yao Zhenyi turned around angrily and walked towards the back courtyard. Even though she needed a favor, she still couldn't bring herself to flatter Zhan Feiyu.
Qiaoyun looked at the petulant Yao Zhenyi and wished she could hit her head with a brick. She had seen foolish people, but never one so foolish. To be so willful instead of flattering Miss Zhan now.
If her deed of sale wasn't in Yao Zhenyi's hands, Qiaoyun would have already fled. If her miss had a bad outcome upon returning to the capital, their fate as accompanying maids and wet nurses would likely be even worse.
Cao Yichen didn't dwell on it further. He quickly beckoned Zhan Feiyu towards the back courtyard, "Miss, please this way. The east courtyard has five rooms in a row, which is just enough for you to stay temporarily. The kitchen has also prepared ingredients..."
A quarter of an hour later, emerging from the back courtyard, Cao Yichen looked at the five taels of silver in his hand and smiled as he tucked it into his embrace. Truly a noble person, to offer five taels as a reward.
Thinking of the previously overbearing and uncivilized Yao Zhenyi, Cao Yichen had initially thought she was a noble lady from some prominent family, with quite the entourage. But the result?
A reward? Humph, truly lacking in refinement. Besides scolding and beating servants, she wouldn't part with a single coin for a tip.
Since they were only staying at the inn for one night, He Nuan only moved the box containing daily necessities from the carriage. Of course, the book box containing the Four Treasures of the Study was also indispensable.
"Miss, the inn staff said Yao Zhenyi arrived at the inn an hour ago," He Nuan wrung out the cloth towel before handing it to Zhan Feiyu. "If we continue on our journey, we can reach Xiao'an County before dark."
Although she had been sitting in the carriage all day, Zhan Feiyu still felt dust on her face. Wiping her face made her feel much more refreshed. "So, she really waited for me at the inn deliberately?"
Recalling their previous few encounters and Yao Zhenyi's condescending attitude just now, Zhan Feiyu shook her head helplessly, unable to comprehend Yao Zhenyi's intentions.
"She'll likely come to find you again tonight," He Nuan said, and seeing her young lady's evasive attitude, she couldn't help but smile. "Perhaps she wants to leverage Scholar Gu's prestige in the capital."
Given Yao Zhenyi's terrible attitude towards Zhan Feiyu, calling her a "muddy-legged girl" and a "wild lass" repeatedly, it was clear she looked down on Zhan Feiyu. The only reason that could make Yao Zhenyi wait at the inn deliberately was likely Scholar Gu in the capital.
Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Zhan Feiyu patted the powder on her face. "Send her away later and say I need to study."
He Nuan nodded in agreement. Thinking of Yao Zhenyi's temper, unless suppressed by force, verbal refusal would absolutely not work.
...
Longyou Dao was located in the northwest of the Great Qing Dynasty. It got dark a full half hour later than the south. After washing up and having dinner, it was just getting dark.
"Brother, you don't need to escort me back to the capital. We'll part ways in Yanzhou Prefecture." Zhan Feiyu, with her back to the table, lit the candle. The candlelight flickered slightly, mirroring her wavering emotions.
Beyond Yanzhou was the border of Longyou Dao. Heading north led to the capital, while heading south led to Jiangnan Dao. Zhan Feiyu had started her travels last year, but she had spent over half a year in Longyou Dao. If she continued her travels, she would head southeast.
Yin Wuyan looked at the young girl approaching with the candlestick. The dim light made her skin appear even fairer and softer. Her dark eyes held a smile, showing no hint of reluctance.
"Do you plan to return to Xuannan Prefecture after the provincial examination?" His clear voice sounded. Yin Wuyan knew of Zhan Feiyu's independence. She had fallen out with the Zhan family to study at a private school, and was even adopted out. Traveling was not a big deal for her.
Nodding obediently, Zhan Feiyu spoke, "My teacher wrote to me asking me to visit some of his friends."
Scholar Gu had been the top scholar in the imperial examinations. His classmates and friends were all learned scholars. Some served in the court, while others lived in seclusion in various places.
Among the people Zhan Feiyu intended to visit, two were heads of academies, one was a recluse, and the other was the Educational Commissioner of Qianzhong Dao.
Zhan Feiyu called it traveling, but it was more about receiving guidance from these individuals. Of course, reading ten thousand books was not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Seeing more and broadening her horizons was better for Zhan Feiyu than studying diligently behind closed doors.
"Qianzhong Dao is the territory of the Qiu family. It would be safe for you to go there," Yin Wuyan knew all the names Zhan Feiyu mentioned, but he knew the Educational Commissioner of Qianzhong Dao, Zhang Houqian, best.
This person was erudite, especially skilled in poetry and prose. However, his conduct was unrestrained. He had offended the First Prince's maternal uncle in the Hanlin Academy back then, and was eventually transferred to Qianzhong Dao to serve as an official.
Zhang Houqian also hailed from a noble family and had a close friend like Scholar Gu in the court. The Provincial Governor of Qianzhong Dao, Governor Qiu, was astute and resourceful. Zhang Qian, on the other hand, thrived in Qianzhong Dao and eventually became the Educational Commissioner.
"I have A Nuan and the others with me, so I won't be in any danger," Zhan Feiyu smiled, but her heart felt uneasy.
She glanced at the person sitting opposite her. Unfortunately, all she saw was an ordinary middle-aged face. Zhan Feiyu quickly averted her gaze, not daring to look into Yin Wuyan's eyes. Her small face, however, fell, and the melancholy of parting instantly surged, making her feel uncomfortable.
She was the one who said they should part ways, yet she was the one being sentimental!
Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but chide herself. Even though she knew Yin Wuyan was this cold and unfeeling, and that the Imperial Guards were busy with their duties, it was a luxury to have him stay a few more days.
But the thought of parting and not knowing when they would meet again made Zhan Feiyu feel a sour ache in her heart, making it difficult to maintain a calm expression.
As she was feeling distressed, someone suddenly ruffled her hair. Zhan Feiyu looked up in a daze, forgetting to hide the lost and reluctant expression on her face.
"The matters in Longyou Dao have been mostly handled. I'll escort you to Qianzhong Dao." Seeing Zhan Feiyu's wide eyes, which were now filled with a smile, Yin Wuyan's phoenix-like eyes remained calm, but the corners of his mouth quickly curved. The little girl had learned to be disingenuous.
The tightness in her chest vanished without a trace. Zhan Feiyu, who had gained something and was now acting coy, showed a rare bit of childishness. "It's fine whether you escort me or not. Brother, if you're busy, you don't need to worry about me."
"I'm not busy," Yin Wuyan replied crisply. He ruffled the girl's soft hair again, his cool voice devoid of any emotion. "This journey will be a good opportunity to guide you in poetry."
Uh... joy turns to sorrow! Zhan Feiyu stared blankly at the serious-looking Yin Wuyan, suddenly having the urge to drive him away.
Even now, her poems were always harshly criticized by her teacher. Zhan Feiyu had a thick skin, and since her teacher was far away in the capital, harsh words on paper wouldn't hurt her physically.
But the thought of her poems being seen by Yin Wuyan made her unable to smile. Zhan Feiyu's eyes darted around, and she nervously fiddled with her fingers. "Teacher said poetry is a minor art and asked me to write more essays. Why don't you guide my essays? Teacher said they were too mechanical and lacked spirit."
Just as Yin Wuyan was about to speak, he heard the sharp and harsh noise from outside. His cold, serene phoenix eyes instantly darkened. Some people were simply asking for death!
"Brother, let's go out and see." Compared to poetry, Zhan Feiyu suddenly felt that Yao Zhenyi wasn't so detestable anymore. She grabbed Yin Wuyan's hand and rushed towards the door.
He glanced at the small hand holding his. The soft and gentle touch made Yin Wuyan's gaze soften again. Feeling the calluses on Zhan Feiyu's hand from practicing calligraphy, Yin Wuyan's heart suddenly felt a pang of heartache. His little girl should have grown up carefree, not like this, studying day and night.