Wang the matchmaker stopped visiting, and the hundred taels of silver Zeng family had offered as a reward were also out of reach. None of the Zhan family slept soundly that night.
Old Madam Zhan closed her eyes and pondered. The family's money was tight. In two months, it would be the New Year, and expenses would be high for everything. "Old man, the money from the eldest branch is getting less and less."
Old Madam Zhan frowned, very displeased with the eldest branch couple. "Originally, they could hand over three to five hundred wen a month."
Old Master Zhan, half-asleep, mumbled in response when woken, "Little Yu studies well and uses a lot of ink. There are many celebrations at the end and beginning of the year. Old man and I will take on more households."
His eldest granddaughter was promising, and Old Master Zhan had face when he went out. Families holding banquets preferred to find Old Master Zhan to be the chef for good luck.
"Why don't I ask someone to inquire at Master Zhu's house?" Old Madam Zhan couldn't forget the hundred taels of betrothal silver mentioned by Wang the matchmaker. If this marriage went through, the gifts received during the three festivals throughout the year would save a considerable amount of money.
Old Master Zhan turned over and snored himself to sleep. Old Madam Zhan didn't mind. With a plan in mind, if not the Zhu family, there were other families. Little Yu studied well and was also good-looking. No matter who she was betrothed to, the money wouldn't be less.
Second branch's Young Madam Yao became more and more resentful, her face twisted with jealousy. "Every year, I have to make a new set of clothes for Da Lang, but yesterday I mentioned it to mother, and she scolded me!"
Thinking of Old Madam Zhan's sharp and fierce demeanor, Young Madam Yao angrily pounded the edge of the bed. "It's all that wretched girl's fault. It's strange for the old Zhan family, ignoring the grandson who supports the family and lavishing money on a good-for-nothing."
Having given birth to the old Zhan family's eldest grandson, Young Madam Yao held her head high. When that scholar's robe was worn by Da Lang, Young Madam Yao felt as if she could see Zhan Da Lang majestically becoming a high official.
Old Master Zhan cast a disgusted glance at the noisy Young Madam Yao. She just babbled all day long.
However, the matter of the lame beggar still made Old Master Zhan uneasy. The smiling little face of Zhan Feiyu appeared in his mind. Old Master Zhan's expression became more ruthless. This wretched girl couldn't be kept! The longer she stayed, the more uneasy he felt.
On the other side, Old Master Zhan rolled up his quilt and prepared to sleep. "Shut up. Still studying? Is Niuniu even half as smart as Little Yu? Look at your own brain. I'll be counting on this niece, Little Yu, from now on."
"I..." Madam Yao pouted unwillingly, refusing to admit her lack of shrewdness. But both her maiden family and her in-laws unanimously considered her a dull-witted person.
"That's right. Little Yu calls me Auntie. If Little Yu becomes successful in the future, I, as her aunt, can also benefit." Madam Yao thought about it and became happy again. She chuckled and closed her eyes, continuing to dream of getting rich.
The eldest branch's oil lamp was still lit. Zhan Feiyu, her mind unsettled, put down her copy of "Collected Commentaries on the Analects." After grinding ink, she picked up her brush and began copying. A good memory is not as good as a bad pen. Copying books not only deepens memory but also improves handwriting.
As soon as midnight struck, Zhan Feiyu blew out the oil lamp and went to bed. She reviewed the things she had learned during the day in her mind and couldn't help but think of Master Zhu's family.
She had originally planned to use the Zhu family's financial resources to study and enter the academy. Once she achieved success in the imperial examinations, as long as Zhu Peng did not commit any wicked deeds, Zhan Feiyu would surely offer him some protection, thus repaying this kindness.
However, Zhu Kun's actions today made Zhan Feiyu realize that this path was blocked and would even lead to enmity with the Zhu family.
Given Zhu Kun's insidious and malicious nature, and Master Zhu's cunning and deep calculation, the Zhu family might cut off her path to learning to prevent future retaliation. Without the ability to study and participate in the imperial examinations, she would be just a country girl, at the mercy of the Zhu family.
Zhan Feiyu sighed. She trusted Master Lin, but with the master's upright gentlemanly conduct, he would have no chance against the Zhu family and might even implicate the master.
Zhan Feiyu also ruled out Magistrate Chen. Although she didn't know why Magistrate Chen had come to the Zhan family that day to preside over the competition between the three children, it was definitely not out of appreciation for talent. If she, a seven-year-old student, were to get involved in power struggles, she might die without even knowing how.
A handsome young face appeared in Zhan Feiyu's mind. But thinking of Yin Wuyan's cold, icy, and murderous phoenix eyes, Zhan Feiyu shivered and chickened out.
Although they had met a few times, the Jade-Faced Gentleman was already dead. This one had probably already left Shangsi County. One must be strong oneself to forge iron! Zhan Feiyu gave herself a pep talk and closed her eyes to sleep.
...
"Heaven corresponds to earth, rain corresponds to wind. The mainland corresponds to the vast sky. Mountain flowers correspond to sea trees, the scorching sun corresponds to the firmament... In October, the frontier is swept by fierce, cold frost that startles the border troops; in the depth of winter, on the river, the vast northern snow chills the fisherman..."
Zhan Da Lang and the other students who had participated in the county examination recited like monks chanting scriptures, all with drooping heads, showing no interest in composing poetry.
Zhan Feiyu sat up straight, her clear voice melodious and pleasant. She didn't believe that reading a hundred times would reveal its meaning, but when it came to composing poetry, Zhan Feiyu firmly believed that by thoroughly reading three hundred Tang poems, one would be able to recite poetry even if they couldn't.