Ten days passed in a flash. Madam Li continued to do all her chores without fail, but she had not spoken a word to anyone in the Zhan family.
Zhan Feiyu was the same. After meals, she stayed in her room with Madam Li. The entire Zhan household was unusually quiet, save for the innocent laughter of the young Zhan Niuniu, who toddled around the house and yard.
Old Master Zhan also maintained a stern face all day, working in the fields from before dawn until after dark, as if to vent all his pent-up emotions and pain through labor.
Old Master Zhan's self-abusive work ethic made Zhan Feiyu feel even more sorrowful and heartbroken. For the first time, she understood the saying, "What angers your own kin delights your enemies!"
The three rooms of the second branch were unlike the clean and tidy rooms of the main branch. Little Madam Yao was not good at tidying, and various odds and ends were piled everywhere, making the place look exceptionally messy.
"Sister-in-law really has a strong temper," Little Madam Yao muttered, her nose not her nose and her eyes not her eyes. She glanced out the window, then curled her lips into a smug smile. "In the end, it's still my third son who gets to go to private school."
Old Master Zhan also wore a proud smile on his face. He calmly instructed Little Madam Yao on how to conduct herself. "Later, you'll apologize to Sister-in-law. Remember to bring Eldest Son and Third Son with you. Eldest Brother is proud and easily swayed. These actions are all for Eldest Brother to see. As long as Eldest Brother sides with us, Sister-in-law won't be able to cause any trouble."
Little Madam Yao raised an eyebrow and glanced at Old Master Zhan. Her voice was light and joyful. "I'm not stupid. As long as our third son can go to private school, I'll say a whole basket of nice words."
The thought of suppressing her capable sister-in-law made Little Madam Yao's face bloom with a smile. It was less an apology and more an opportunity to show off, to gloat, and to witness Madam Li's misfortune.
"That's the way," Old Master Zhan narrowed his eyes, concealing the calculating glint within. It was the right decision to take the risk and drug his elder sister back then; otherwise, how could he control his elder brother's family today?
...
Although it had been decided that Third Son would attend private school and Second Son the following year, because the news had already spread throughout the village, the competition still had to go through the motions. Otherwise, Zhan Third Son would be burdened with the notoriety of bullying his cousins and seizing what wasn't his before he even enrolled.
In the afternoon, Old Master Zhan and Old Madam Zhan sat in the two armchair chairs directly in front of the main hall. The rest of the Zhan family also found chairs and stools to sit on.
Zhan Dalang, dressed in a blue robe, stood beside Old Madam Zhan. He would be the one to preside over the examination shortly.
"It rained heavily yesterday, and it's much cooler today," Little Madam Yao said, turning her head to look out the door. She looked radiant, her eyes unable to conceal her triumphant expression.
Madam Li, sitting on a long bench, did not reply. She simply hugged Zhan Feiyu tightly beside her. With Third Son's enrollment in private school a foregone conclusion, Madam Li only regretted that her husband prioritized the family over their own children. After they toiled like oxen and horses, their daughter was the one who suffered.
Zhan Feiyu leaned against Madam Li obediently and affectionately. With matters having reached this point, further words were useless. If this opportunity was missed, they could still make plans in the future.
However, listening to her second aunt's smug voice and her undisguised triumphant smile made Zhan Feiyu feel stifled and miserable.
"Alright, let's begin. Second Son, you recite first..." Old Master Zhan's words were cut short as he looked outside and saw the courtyard gate suddenly pushed open from the outside.
"Third Brother!" The village chief, in his fifties, shouted urgently. He strode quickly towards the Zhan family in the main hall and said, "Quick, quickly tidy up! The county magistrate is here! He's at the village entrance!"
Uh... The Zhan family stared blankly at the village chief, who was leaning against the doorframe, panting. The county magistrate?
Having run too fast, the village chief finally caught his breath. Seeing the stunned Zhan family, he anxiously slapped his thighs and took charge. "Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, quickly boil water and make tea. Do you have tea at home? Wipe down the tables and chairs too! The yard needs tidying as well!"
It had rained yesterday, and it was overcast today. The main hall appeared dim and cramped, with winter melons and pumpkins piled in the corners. It would be better to receive the county magistrate in the yard; the space was wider, and the breeze would make it cooler.
The Zhan family's minds were in a daze, and they mechanically followed the village chief's instructions.
The men quickly cleared the杂物 scattered in the yard. Old Madam Zhan picked up a bamboo broom and efficiently swept the fallen leaves from the ground. Madam Ma wiped down the chairs and benches. In the kitchen, Madam Li added more firewood and helped Little Madam Yao wash the few guest cups the family had.
With the sound of the yamen runners' gongs leading the way, the village chief led the villagers to kneel and welcome them. A grand procession entered the Zhan family's large courtyard.
Chen Weibin, dressed in a blue scholar's robe, had a thin face and a short beard on his chin, exuding solemn dignity. "His Majesty once said: To build a nation and govern the people, education is paramount. This county has heard that the Zhan family is using a competition to enter private school. May I know which three young men?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, it is these three children." Under extreme tension, the village chief's voice trembled slightly.
The village chief often went to the county yamen for matters of taxation, population, and land. Although he only interacted with the minor clerks in their black uniforms, compared to the Zhan family, who dared not even breathe loudly, and the villagers gathered nervously outside the courtyard gate and walls, the village chief could at least respond normally.
Among the three children standing side by side, whether it was the mischievous Zhan Third Son or the honest and sensible Zhan Second Son, they were affected by the tense atmosphere. Their faces turned pale, their heads were bowed, their bodies were hunched, and their legs trembled.
Only Zhan Feiyu, after suppressing her shock, looked at the county magistrate seated in the main seat. Her childish voice rang out clearly, "Replying to Your Excellency, it is I, Second Brother, and Third Brother who will compete. Whoever wins will enroll."
Chen Weibin was a serious and unsmiling person. At this moment, he looked at Zhan Feiyu, who had answered.
The little girl wore coarse cloth clothes and had a fair, round face. Her childishness was tinged with intelligence. Chen Weibin's stern facial lines visibly softened. "Since that is the case, this county, along with Instructor Zhao and Master Lin, will serve as judges."
"We obey Your Excellency's command." Instructor Zhao and Master Lin exchanged glances, bowed respectfully to County Magistrate Chen, and then sat in the chairs below him.
The sudden arrival of County Magistrate Chen, and for the sake of the enrollment competition of the three Zhan children, not only made the villagers surprised and apprehensive, but Instructor Zhao and Master Lin were also bewildered. The four yamen runners who accompanied them were also confused, but not a single person dared to question it.
In the solemn and quiet atmosphere, the Zhan family members in the courtyard were so scared they dared not breathe.
Master Lin glanced at them. Even Zhan Dalang, who had been attending school for years, lowered his head and shrank behind Old Master Zhan, let alone the younger Zhan Second Son and Zhan Third Son, who had never seen such a scene.
"Your Excellency, why not let Zhan Feiyu start first?" Master Lin's voice was gentle as he looked encouragingly at the only calm little girl in the room.
County Magistrate Chen nodded indifferently, sitting in his armchair with his eyes half-closed, making his purpose for coming even more unfathomable.
Zhan Feiyu clenched her small, fleshy fists. The despair she had felt moments ago instantly ignited like a prairie fire. Regardless of why the county magistrate had appeared, Zhan Feiyu knew this was her only chance. As long as she seized it, she could enroll.