"Shut up!" Inspector Sun roared, but he couldn't do anything to the young masters like Tian Zijian. He could only stand up and force a smile onto his face, "Are you Miss Zhan, the Xiao Sanyuan from Nanxuan Prefecture?"
Xiao Sanyuan was not particularly significant, but the crucial point was that Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu. It wasn't just him, a seventh-rank inspector, who couldn't afford to offend her; even Prefect Chu wouldn't dare to offend Scholar Gu's esteemed student.
Look at the Chen family. The dignified third-rank academic official had returned in defeat. What right did he have to offend Zhan Feiyu? Was he tired of his head being on his neck?
"Xiao Sanyuan?" The young masters like Tian Zijian, although only fond of fighting and bullying, were after all sons of officials. They had all hired tutors and attended private schools, so they naturally understood the weight of Xiao Sanyuan.
But a scholar so young? And Xiao Sanyuan, and a girl at that?
With a swish, a group of young masters looked at Zhan Feiyu with curiosity. No wonder she was so arrogant just now. This little girl not only had her own abilities but also a powerful background. One could only wonder which scholarly family had nurtured her.
She had achieved scholarly success at the age of seven or eight. Thinking about what they were doing at seven or eight – chasing chickens, teasing dogs, or tearing off roof tiles – they could probably only write their own names legibly.
"This student, Zhan Feiyu from Nanxuan Prefecture, pays her respects to Lord Sun." Zhan Feiyu formally bowed to Inspector Sun.
Regardless of whether they would fall out later, etiquette had to be complete, so as not to give anyone an excuse to criticize. This was the downside of scholars; they valued their reputation and were constrained everywhere.
Inspector Sun avoided Zhan Feiyu's bow and returned one. Although he was an official appointed by the court, he was only seventh-rank. How old was Zhan Feiyu?
Even if she, as a woman, could not enter the court as an official, she was a disciple of Scholar Gu. Once she reached the age of marriage, even a prince could marry her. How could he, a mere inspector, dare to accept her bow?
"Xiao Sanyuan from Nanxuan Prefecture has arrived in Huaian Prefecture. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner." A clear laugh rang out from the doorway.
Zhan Feiyu turned her head and saw a refined middle-aged man wearing a jade crown and a long, wide-sleeved robe. At first glance, he bore some resemblance to Young Master Ming the Third, but upon closer inspection, she realized there was a fundamental difference between them.
Young Master Ming the Third was arrogant and unrestrained due to his talent. However, to use the words of Elder Ming, his youngest son was essentially a simpleton, someone who would count money for the person who sold him.
Prefect Chu was upright and refined, but was Huaian Prefecture's fourth-rank prefect someone as straightforward as Young Master Ming? He merely concealed his city-building strategies and plans behind a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
Before Zhan Feiyu could bow, Prefect Chu announced loudly, "The Great Learning lies in illustrating illustrious virtue, in loving the people, and in resting in the highest excellence."
This was a test for Zhan Feiyu right from the start. Everyone present, except for Liu Li, had studied the Four Books and Five Classics. How much they remembered varied from person to person.
Zhan Feiyu bowed and replied, "Knowing where to stop leads to a firm purpose; a firm purpose leads to tranquility; tranquility leads to repose; repose leads to contemplation; contemplation leads to attainment."
Tian Zijian pouted. He could also answer these lines. Prefect Chu continued, "What is the meaning of the two characters 'knowing where to stop'?"
The Great Learning was the opening sentence of "The Great Learning." Prefect Chu's question seemed to be about Zhan Feiyu's first answer: "Knowing where to stop leads to a firm purpose." The original meaning was that one's aspirations would be firm if one knew the goal.
However, in conjunction with the previous sentence, "resting in the highest excellence," Confucius and Confucianism both emphasized the virtue of a gentleman. The so-called cultivation of oneself, the regulation of the family, and the governance of the state and bringing peace to the world began with self-cultivation. Therefore, "knowing where to stop" had a deeper meaning of stopping at the highest excellence. The original intention was to say that if people pursue learning, they must first know why they are learning.
Is it to regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world, or is it for fame and fortune? If it is the latter, then there is no need to continue learning. The ultimate goal of learning is to enable people to reach the state of highest excellence.
Zhan Feiyu, who had diligently studied the Four Books, immediately replied, "To stop means to reach a certain point and not move from it. Highest excellence means the natural extreme of things. The place where one ought to stop is the place of highest excellence; knowing it, one's will has a fixed direction."
"Confucius said: 'When it is impossible, then stop.' What is the meaning of this?" Prefect Chu was not surprised by Zhan Feiyu's answer but asked again.
In the Analects, Confucius mentioned "when it is impossible, then stop" twice, meaning that one should stop when it is necessary and not force oneself.
Liu Li was already confused, as if listening to heavenly scriptures.
The young masters like Tian Zijian could understand a little at first, but now they were all like Liu Li, their minds in a muddle. First, it was "knowing where to stop," then "when it is impossible, then stop," then Zhu Xi, then Confucius. The "zhi hu zhe ye" was more terrifying than a murder weapon.
Facing the sympathetic and awestruck gazes of everyone, Zhan Feiyu opened her mouth, "Zigong asked about friendship. The Master said: 'Admonish them with sincerity and guide them with propriety. If you cannot lead them on, then stop, lest you humble yourself.'"
Prefect Chu nodded with a smile. He watched as Zhan Feiyu continued to answer, "Ji Zi Ran asked: 'Can Zhong You and Ran Qiu be called great ministers?'"
The Master said: "I thought you would ask something different, but you ask about You and Qiu. What is called a great minister is one who serves his ruler with the Way and stops when it is impossible. Now You and Qiu may be called competent ministers."
Hearing this, Tian Zijian's eyes lit up. It was indeed two instances of "when it is impossible, then stop."
"Xiao Sanyuan of Nanxuan Prefecture truly lives up to her reputation." Prefect Chu clapped his hands and praised her. The young girl indeed had true talent and learning.
Scholar Gu was far away in the capital, and his guidance to Zhan Feiyu was limited. In the end, this Xiao Sanyuan still relied on Zhan Feiyu's diligent study to achieve her success. Of course, talent was indispensable.
"Lord Chu praises me too highly. This student is ashamed and unworthy." Zhan Feiyu's words were humble, but her eyes showed a sense of confidence and composure.
As a Xiao Sanyuan who had achieved success through actual examination, with the chief examiner being Academic Official Chen, Zhan Feiyu could bear this praise. Excessive humility would be hypocrisy.
Prefect Chu did not expect Zhan Feiyu to show such pride. The young girl's features were as beautiful as a painting, and her chin was raised high, like a proud little rooster. Prefect Chu couldn't help but laugh. This young girl was interesting.
Prefect Chu then said, "The Book of Songs says: 'The capital city's thousand li, it is where the people reside.'"
Why did the praise suddenly turn into a test? Zhan Feiyu instantly restrained her triumphant expression, straightened her small body, and replied, "The Book of Songs says: 'The yellow bird in the mian man, rests in the corner of the hill.'"
Suddenly, Zhan Feiyu's eyebrows rose, and she mischievously added, "Regarding stopping, knowing where to stop, can one be inferior to a bird?"
In the hall, only Inspector Sun occasionally frowned in thought, then nodded in agreement.
The young masters like Tian Zijian and the constables and yamen runners beside them remained in a state of silent suffering, occasionally casting strange glances at Zhan Feiyu. Where was the arrogant and powerful fierceness she displayed earlier when she injured someone with a knife? She was clearly a fiery little girl, so why was she so knowledgeable?
Prefect Chu was a Jinshi from two examinations. Even after years in office, the scholars of Huaian Prefecture had always supported Prefect Chu as the foremost among literati. Even if Zhan Feiyu had been reading since she was in the womb, she couldn't be this formidable.
Prefect Chu finally stopped tormenting the ignorant young masters like Tian Zijian and asked a plain question, "People cannot be inferior to birds. Then how should one behave?"
Zhan Feiyu clasped her hands behind her back, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a scholar, "As a sovereign, stop at benevolence; as a minister, stop at reverence; as a son, stop at filial piety; as a father, stop at kindness; in intercourse with the people of the country, stop at trustworthiness."
Prefect Chu nodded in agreement. Before meeting her, he, like all scholars, wondered what made Zhan Feiyu so special in Scholar Gu's eyes that he even took her as a disciple.
And now, looking at Zhan Feiyu with clear eyes, intelligent and quick-witted yet not arrogant or impatient, agile and eloquent, and talented, even Prefect Chu would have the desire to take such a young girl as a disciple.
"Zijian." Prefect Chu looked at Tian Zijian beside him.
The wound on Tian Zijian's neck had stopped bleeding. Dried blood had congealed at the thin cut. It looked dangerous at first glance, but it was only a flesh wound. If this cut had been deeper, even the greatest physician couldn't have saved him.
"Uncle Chu, we were being reckless just now." The leading young master spoke first, then cupped his fists towards Zhan Feiyu and apologized, "It was our fault. Please forgive us, Miss Zhan."
A single Xiao Sanyuan was not frightening, but what was frightening was her background. A family that could nurture a girl of eight or nine into talent was a noble family that they, as military officials, could not afford to offend.
"It's nothing." Zhan Feiyu did not dwell on it and said to Prefect Chu, "I will not disturb Lord Chu's official duties. This student will take her leave."
When Zhan Feiyu left the yamen, she saw Zhang Changsong and Qiu Dingsi waiting for her. They were not on the same path, so Zhan Feiyu did not stand on ceremony and left with He Nuan.
...
The next day, early in the morning, as they were going to the Liu family to offer condolences, all three of them changed into plain colored clothes. The carriage slowly headed towards Liu Family Town outside the city.
"Looking at the vast white land, if I weren't wearing autumn clothes, I'd think it was the depths of winter." Zhan Feiyu lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the snow-white road, covered with white paper money, which indeed looked like a layer of snow.
He Nuan had been to the capital before and had seen many grand displays of wealthy families, surpassing the Liu family in every way. Even in winter, a dish of cabbage would be elaborate and complex, using only the yellow heart of the cabbage. A single dish of cabbage would require at least ten to twenty large cabbages in the kitchen.
When cooking, they did not use plain water. For families that were particular, they used broth. The broth was made from ingredients like chicken, duck, ribs, and young pigeons. Some families that emphasized health would also add precious medicinal herbs and simmer them for several days to obtain a pot of broth.
The Liu family, being imperial merchants, lacked nothing but money. Liu Hefeng was from the direct lineage of the Liu family patriarch. It was not surprising to see the Liu family scattering paper money, let alone copper coins.
When the carriage arrived at Liu Family Town, the collateral descendants of the Liu family guarding the entrance of the town immediately came forward to inquire. If it was a family with a great background, they would receive them with great care and caution.
If it was an ordinary family coming to curry favor with the Liu family, their reception would be merely out of courtesy. They would not neglect the mourners but would not be overly enthusiastic. Zhan Feiyu was naturally categorized as someone coming to curry favor and flatter.
"The carriage will be temporarily parked here. There are people specifically to feed the horses." Liu Yuan, who was speaking, looked no older than twenty-four or twenty-five, and he was quite steady. "If you cannot walk, Miss, there are sedan chairs available here."
Although the entire Liu Family Town was Liu family territory, the mourning hall where the coffin was placed was at the Liu family ancestral hall, which was quite far from the town entrance. Even if Liu Yuan walked quickly, it would take a quarter of an hour. In his opinion, a delicate young girl like Zhan Feiyu probably couldn't walk such a long distance.
"No need, we'll walk." Since Zhan Feiyu had come to offer condolences, even though she thought Liu Hefeng deserved his death, she would not put on airs. She was not a delicate young lady.
"Alright, Miss, this way." Liu Yuan led the way, suppressing the surprise in his eyes.
Generally, those who came to offer condolences were elders from families, and they were mostly men. Even if a few families were headed by women, they were usually women in their forties or fifties. A young girl like Zhan Feiyu was truly strange.
However, Liu Yuan had been responsible for receiving relatives and friends offering condolences for several days, and he had good judgment. The carriage that had just stopped was expensive, and the horses were clearly fine steeds.
Although Zhan Feiyu was dressed in plain clothes, perhaps due to her scholarly background, her demeanor, even as a young girl, was not to be underestimated. Moreover, she was accompanied by two servants, suggesting at least some background.
Upon reaching the mourning hall, the faint scent of green smoke mixed with the smell of gunpowder assailed them. This was due to the large number of mourners, the burning paper money, incense, candles, and firecrackers, which created this smoky atmosphere.
The mourning hall was in the main house of the courtyard. At the entrance of the courtyard were the mourning drums. The Liu family members dressed in mourning clothes were startled to see Zhan Feiyu and the other two. However, when they saw Liu Yuan take the firecrackers from He Sheng and light them, with the crackling sound, they came back to their senses and quickly beat the mourning drums.
A wave of mournful wails suddenly erupted from the courtyard, as the main family was crying their lamentations.
A middle-aged man hurried out of the courtyard, opened his mouth, and was stunned. Such a young girl came to offer condolences? Whose child was this? This family was too inconsiderate! They should at least send an adult.
"My condolences." Zhan Feiyu said in a deep voice.
He Sheng stepped forward and handed over the condolence offerings. A silver note of one hundred taels, sealed with yellow paper, was accompanied by paper money, incense, candles, and firecrackers.
Glancing at Zhan Feiyu as she stepped into the courtyard, the middle-aged elder looked at Liu Yuan, who had just finished setting off firecrackers, and asked, "What's going on?"
"Third Uncle, I don't know either." Liu Yuan said with a苦脸 (bitter face). When this girl was silent, her imposing manner made Liu Yuan afraid to speak, let alone inquire.
According to custom, the yellow paper seal could not be opened immediately. However, Uncle Liu the Third could not abide by this rule. He placed the small basket containing the offerings on a nearby table and directly opened the yellow paper seal. "One hundred taels?"
Not only was Uncle Liu the Third surprised, but Liu Yuan and several other Liu family members responsible for registering the offerings were also astonished.
The Liu family was not lacking in money. When major families came to offer condolences, their offerings were even more substantial. However, for people from humble families, even if they came to curry favor with the Liu family, they would at most offer ten taels of silver, perhaps twenty. One hundred taels was not a small sum; it was enough for an ordinary peasant family's expenses for seven or eight years.
On the mourning hall were offerings, incense, candles, and candle holders. A perpetual lamp was also placed nearby. Liu Hefeng's cousin, along with several nephews, knelt at the mourning hall and kowtowed in return.
This was also because Zhan Feiyu had no significant background. Otherwise, Liu Hefeng's direct elder brother and nephews would have returned the courtesy, not collateral relatives to make do.
"Miss, tea has been prepared here. You may rest for a while." Uncle Liu the Third returned to the mourning hall and handed three pieces of mourning cloth to He Sheng.
Being able to offer a silver note of one hundred taels as a condolence gift, regardless of whether a young girl offering condolences was proper, Uncle Liu the Third dared not slight her. Moreover, she was here to offer condolences, not to cause trouble at the Liu family. The Liu family could not lose its etiquette.
Zhan Feiyu did not intend to stay long, but her eyes hurt from the smoke and candlelight, so she nodded.
Uncle Liu the Third intended to personally escort Zhan Feiyu and subtly inquire about her background. However, the mourning drums sounded again, so he had to give up. "I apologize for the poor hospitality. Xiao Yuan, escort the guest to the side hall to rest."
Liu Yuan immediately came over.
The side hall was equipped with tea and pastries, where relatives and friends offering condolences could rest for a while. For those with close relationships with the Liu family, they would usually be taken to the guest courtyard of the ancestral residence.
Funerals were tedious and had many matters to attend to. Liu Yuan was called away as soon as he reached the door. Zhan Feiyu did not mind; she only intended to rest for a while before leaving.
"Miss, I'll go get some hot water." He Nuan put down the teapot. Although the tea was good, it was strong tea, not suitable for Miss. Normally, Zhan Feiyu drank herbal teas, milk tea, or plain water.
On the other side, at the Liu family ancestral residence.
Several people sitting in the main hall at this moment had solemn expressions, but not much grief.
Regardless of the grandeur of Liu Hefeng's funeral, it was essentially for outsiders. There were truly few Liu family members who were genuinely sad, including Liu Hefeng's closest relatives.
"Father, is Hefeng really dead? If this gets out, how will our Liu family have any face to stand in Jiangnan Dao?" The man speaking had about sixty percent resemblance to Liu Hefeng. Perhaps due to years of pampered living, he lacked Liu Hefeng's fierceness and coldness, resembling more a dashing and dissolute young master.
Even when speaking of his own brother's death, Liu Hejin still had a nonchalant demeanor. Although he was wearing mourning clothes, he sat without proper posture, leisurely playing with the sandalwood prayer beads in his hand.
"The murderer is already dead." The beautiful woman speaking had a sharp look in her eyes. Compared to the dissolute Liu Hejin, Liu Heyu possessed more heroism, and her words were forceful and to the point. "The Wu family now only has one married daughter."
"Oh, elder sister, are you showing mercy?" Sitting up straight, Liu Hejin chuckled sarcastically. "The one who was killed was your own brother, yet you are still concerned about the murderer's family. Tsk tsk, aren't you afraid that your younger brother will crawl out of his coffin to find you?"
Liu Heyu ignored her sarcastic second brother and looked at her father and the clan elders in the main seat. "Hefeng's death has been kept secret from the outside. When I went to Fengzhou to retrieve Hefeng's coffin, I met with Prefect Meng. Although the Liu family is powerful, they are only imperial merchants. The Liu family is not in the right regarding Hefeng's death. If they overstep their bounds, I fear someone will take the opportunity to attack the Liu family."
The eldest son of the Wu family killed Liu Hefeng with a single stab, but he himself also died. Moreover, Uncle Wu, Aunt Wu, and their seven-year-old youngest son had all died years ago.
Liu Hefeng lost one life, but the Wu family lost four lives. The Great Qing Law also stipulated that misfortunes should not extend to married daughters. If the Liu family were to force the Wu family's daughter to death, it would damage the Liu family's reputation.
Clicking the sandalwood beads, Liu Hejin tilted his head and sized up Liu Heyu, who was speaking eloquently, without minding showing a bruise on his neck.
Any man would know that this mark was caused by sucking. It was bright red and fresh, clearly indicating that Liu Hejin had been fooling around with his concubine early in the morning, leaving such a mark in such a conspicuous place.
None of the eight clan elders present refuted Liu Heyu. They all had their own calculations. Pursuing the cause of Liu Hefeng's death was for the sake of the Liu family's reputation. However, if the pursuit would only bring trouble to the Liu family, they would rather let the murderer go unpunished. What was face compared to substance?
Just then, Steward Liu appeared outside the main hall and reported to Old Master Liu in the main seat, "Patriarch, Zhan Feiyu has arrived and is currently resting in the side hall of the mourning hall."
"Oh, she's here. Did she say or do anything?" The old family patriarch, who had been dozing with half-closed eyes, finally spoke, but his expression was calm, making it impossible to fathom his attitude towards Zhan Feiyu.
Steward Liu spoke again, "She offered a condolence gift of one hundred taels and then went to the side hall. She didn't say much to the people at the mourning hall."
When Liu Li returned yesterday, he had reported everything about Zhan Feiyu. Liu Li did not know Zhan Feiyu's background, only that she was the Xiao Sanyuan from Nanxuan Prefecture.
And he had offended her at the Xinglong Inn yesterday. Although Liu Li was not afraid, he still had to inform his family to prevent Zhan Feiyu from coming to the Liu family to demand an explanation.
"Why is she here? If people don't know, they'll think she has some connection with our Liu family!" The eighth clan elder, who had a bad temper, sneered. He knew clearly that the reason Prefect Meng protected the Wu family's married daughter was definitely due to Zhan Feiyu's meddling.
A commoner. Prefect Meng would have to be out of his mind to protect her. If people didn't know, they would think he was a good official who cared for his people. In the end, it was all to curry favor with Zhan Feiyu, and through her, with Scholar Gu.
Liu Hejin smiled, his lips curling, and said something shocking, "Why else would she be here? Naturally, to divide the family property. That little girl has some means. I heard that an old scholar in Fengzhou gave her all his property. Although it can't compare to the Liu family's, it's at least a hundred thousand taels."
As soon as the words "divide the family property" were uttered, the atmosphere in the main hall immediately turned cold.
Even Liu Heyu's brows furrowed tightly. They all wanted to ask Liu Hefeng, who was lying in the coffin, if he had gone mad to give such a large fortune to a little girl.
If the person sent to investigate in Jinlin Village, Nanxuan Prefecture, was not Liu Heyu's confidant, she would have thought Zhan Feiyu was Liu Hefeng's illegitimate daughter. Otherwise, why would he have sent only a letter to Zhan Feiyu before his death, and a month ago, given all his property to Zhan Feiyu? Moreover, he had registered it with the government.
The eighth clan elder was hot-tempered, while the sixth clan elder was a miser. Although he was plump and rosy-cheeked, resembling a Maitreya Buddha, he was a stingy old man who wouldn't spend a penny.
Waving Steward Liu away, the sixth clan elder said with a gloomy expression, "So what if it's registered with the yamen? Can she, a little girl, come to the Liu family to snatch money and shops?"
"Sixth Grandfather, when Hefeng was dying, he used his last breath to write a letter to Zhan Feiyu. Who knows what he wrote? Perhaps it was about the property." Liu Hejin laughed gleefully, seeming to care not at all about losing a tenth of the Liu family's fortune to Zhan Feiyu.
The entire Liu Family Town was inhabited by people of the Liu family, but eighty percent of the Liu family's wealth was in the hands of the direct lineage. Old Master Liu and the eight clan elders present were all from the direct lineage, with the Liu family patriarch being from the patriarch's lineage.
The rules of the Liu family ancestors were clearly written. Any direct descendant would receive a portion of the property from birth, which would increase annually, to ensure the healthy growth of the younger generation of the direct lineage to the greatest extent.
After all, the inner court was not peaceful. Without clan rules, it was too easy for a child to die. But now, for the property on the child, women in the inner court would not dare to act rashly.
After all, the child was young. Although the property was under his name, it was managed by his parents until he reached the age of twenty, when he could control it himself.
Liu Hefeng was from the direct lineage of the patriarch's family, so his property was more than that of ordinary direct descendants.
Liu Hejin was a man of pleasure and a spendthrift, but Liu Hefeng was different. Although his actions were eccentric and violent, he didn't spend much money. Therefore, a preliminary estimate showed that he had at least five hundred thousand taels.
"Heyu, you went to Fengzhou before. What exactly happened between Zhan Feiyu and Hefeng?" The eldest clan elder asked. Although he was over eighty years old, a venerable elder, his eyes were still sharp and shrewd, not easily fooled.
Although the Liu family patriarch sat in the main seat, Liu Heyu was responsible for the Liu family's business when conducting affairs outside. This was because her only two sons, Liu Hejin, besides playing with women and spending money, would likely lose the Liu family's foundation if he were in charge of business.
As for Liu Hefeng, he was a madman who would whip people at the slightest disagreement. He had even attacked Liu Hejin with a knife at the age of eight. Fortunately, the knife landed on his shoulder, otherwise, the Liu family patriarch would have lost his son while he was still alive.
In the business world, Liu Heyu, who was decisive, also had a solemn expression and showed great respect to the clan elders. Regarding the clan elders, she was very respectful. "I sent people to Fengzhou to investigate and interrogated Hefeng's personal guards and a few attendants. They are all unclear about when Zhan Feiyu met Hefeng or what transactions they had."
This was an unsolved mystery! Although Liu Hefeng's leg was broken by his mount, it was Zhan Feiyu who implicated him. Not to mention that Zhan Feiyu later broke Liu Hefeng's leg again after it had been reset.
Under such circumstances, it would be normal for Liu Hefeng to want to cut Zhan Feiyu into a thousand pieces. After all, Liu Hefeng was a madman, a violent, crazy, and bloodthirsty madman. But strangely, although Liu Hefeng's leg was broken twice, he helped Zhan Feiyu rescue Qi Heng.
"Hefeng is a madman. Who knows what a madman thinks? Perhaps he found Zhan Feiyu pleasing to the eye." Liu Hejin laughed heartily.
After a while, finding his laughter a bit abrupt, Liu Hejin closed his mouth awkwardly. Well, what business did he, an old rake, have to care about so much?
As for what Liu Hefeng wrote in the letter to Zhan Feiyu before his death, no one knew. Therefore, the one who tied the bell must untie it.
"Heyu, you go and receive Zhan Feiyu. She is a guest from afar. Our Liu family cannot lose its courtesy." The eldest clan elder could only ask Liu Heyu to test Zhan Feiyu.
First, they were both women, so it would be easier to talk. Second, Liu Heyu's abilities were evident to all. No matter how smart Zhan Feiyu was at reading, she was only a nine-year-old girl from a humble farming family, with little experience. Facing Liu Heyu, she could only lose.
The other seven clan elders did not object. They might not care how Liu Hefeng died or what relationship he had with Zhan Feiyu, but they could not ignore the five hundred thousand taels of silver. Although the Liu family was a wealthy imperial merchant, five hundred thousand taels was not a small sum.
If this five hundred thousand taels were to go to someone else, the Liu family could even send assassins to kill that person, thus preserving the money. But unfortunately, Zhan Feiyu had Scholar Gu behind her. Even the sixth clan elder, who was as greedy as ever, dared not lay a hand on Zhan Feiyu.
Therefore, forceful methods would not work. They could only ask Liu Heyu to try to get close to her.
"Heyu, you go over there and be polite." The Liu family patriarch also spoke. He usually did not manage affairs and was like a puppet, but when it came to important matters of the Liu family, the Liu family patriarch had to make the final decision. And Liu Heyu, his daughter, had no ambition to replace him.
...
Zhan Feiyu had intended to rest for a while and then leave, but she did not expect to be blocked at the door.
"Whose family are you from? Where are your elders? Letting a little girl like you come to offer condolences!" The old woman sitting in the main seat had a stern face and spoke with a sharp tongue. If one didn't know, they would think she was Zhan Feiyu's elder, lecturing a junior in the manner of an elder.
"Mother." The middle-aged woman sitting below reminded her with a shout. Why was the old witch saying these irrelevant things? It was important to get down to business.
The old woman glared unhappily at the woman, but thinking of her grandson who was trying to kill himself at home, she opened her mouth again, "Here is one hundred taels of silver. Take it. It's enough for your expenses for several years. You are dressed so shabbily when you go out."
Hearing the old woman's words, the old servant waiting outside the door came in, holding a tray. Two rows of ten-tael silver ingots were placed on it, which looked quite pleasing to the eye.
Even though Zhan Feiyu had passed the Xiao Sanyuan examination, she was utterly confused at this moment. Not to mention the old woman suddenly giving her money, but calling her shabby?
Zhan Feiyu looked down. Although she was wearing plain clothes, the fabric was of the finest cloud brocade. If this could be called shabby, then perhaps only a princess would be richer than Zhan Feiyu.
As for jewelry, Zhan Feiyu used a wooden hairpin on her head, but it was made of precious agarwood. The bracelet on her left hand was also of the same agarwood, and it was carved by royal craftsmen. Only Scholar Gu had the ability to have palace craftsmen carve jewelry for Zhan Feiyu.
Because she was here to offer condolences, Zhan Feiyu wore a pure white Hetian jade pendant at her waist. This entire ensemble was dozens of times more valuable than wearing gold and silver.
"Take the money. I'll take the person with me. Remember to bring her indenture as well." The old woman looked at He Nuan behind Zhan Feiyu with a look of disgust. However, she seemed to be concerned about something, and her wrinkled old face showed a hint of forbearance.
As soon as the words "indenture" were spoken, Zhan Feiyu knew they were targeting He Nuan. He Sheng was still waiting outside the door. Such a difficult and sharp old woman wouldn't possibly be interested in He Sheng.
The middle-aged woman sitting below also thought the matter was settled and lectured with an air of authority, "Once you enter the Liu family, if you serve Bao'er well, you will be promoted to a secondary wife. Bao'er is chaste and pure, and there isn't even a maidservant in his room. Do not be arrogant, or do not blame me for enforcing family rules!"
Giving both a stick and a carrot was a common tactic for women in the inner court.
The old woman glanced sideways, her face full of disdain. "She's just a lowly slave who sold herself. We'll talk about her rank after she has a child. If you dare to pester Bao'er and ruin his health, I'll skin you alive!"
Zhan Feiyu was about to roll her eyes. This mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair were truly skilled at talking to themselves.
He Nuan's face also turned cold, but it was because of Zhan Feiyu. "Old Madam, please mind your words at your age. My Miss is young and cannot listen to such vulgar language!"
Although she couldn't treat Zhan Feiyu as an ordinary young girl, what with maidservants and clinging to ruin health, if Zhan Feiyu had spoken, He Nuan could have slapped them. How dare they say such things in front of her Miss?
With a snap, the old woman slammed her hand on the table and reprimanded Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan sternly, "You've gone too far! A lowly maid dares to speak to me like this before even entering the house? Li Momo, slap her! Let her know the rules of our Liu family!"
Zhan Feiyu felt that after she started reading, she had truly cultivated her character. Even someone like Liu Hefeng, after his death, Zhan Feiyu could still bow at his mourning hall and wish him to be a good person in his next life.
But at this moment, Zhan Feiyu's face darkened. Looking at the domineering old woman approaching, she threw her teacup at her face. "Don't talk about the Liu family. Even if the Liu family patriarch were here today, what of it?"
Xiao Sanyuan Zhan Feiyu was not much, but her teacher was powerful. Even Old Master Liu would have to treat Zhan Feiyu politely if he were here.
Outsiders did not know Yin Wuyan's protection of Zhan Feiyu. Daring to insult Zhan Feiyu was truly asking for death.
"You dare to lay hands?" The old woman's voice rose sharply in anger.
Although the old woman was from a collateral branch of the Liu family, she was not outside the five degrees of kinship. Moreover, her three sons were useful people in the Liu family. The old woman was considered a figure in Liu Family Town. Who knew that Zhan Feiyu not only disregarded her but also dared to throw a cup and hit Li Momo, which was equivalent to slapping her face.
"You've gone too far!" The woman suddenly stood up. Even though she disliked the old witch, this was her mother-in-law, and the old witch had a lot of savings for her coffin. The woman only had Bao'er as her son, so she naturally had to curry favor with the old woman.
"Guards, drag this troublemaking贱丫头 (jian ya tou - lowly girl) out!" The middle-aged woman shouted loudly. This was the Liu family. Daring to cause trouble in the Liu family, no matter what background this young girl had, she would suffer today.
The Liu family was holding a funeral, and if there was anything they had in abundance, it was people. All the relatives of the Liu family had come, not to mention the hundreds of yamen runners and guards of the Liu family. This was definitely a case of one call bringing a thousand responses.
Amidst the chaotic fight, Zhan Feiyu glanced back at Liu Hefeng's mourning hall. Although the deceased should be respected, this was not her actively causing trouble. If Liu Hefeng were to blame anyone, it should be his own Liu family members.
After He Nuan kicked a guard away, the old woman and the middle-aged woman gave up the idea of taking He Nuan as a concubine. Bao'er was frail, and it would be bad if this lowly maid injured him.
Outside the courtyard gate, Zhang Changsong and Qiu Dingsi looked at the chaos in front of them speechlessly. Was Zhan Feiyu really a scholar? This tendency to fight wherever she went definitely put those dissolute young masters far behind.
"Her this?" Master Zhang opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Knowing Zhan Feiyu's background, Master Zhang didn't dare to meet Zhan Feiyu, fearing retaliation.
This was a disciple of Scholar Gu, a young girl who dared to confront a third-rank official head-on. Even with nine lives, Master Zhang wouldn't dare to provoke Zhan Feiyu.
"Commoners do not fight with officials. Looking at Lord Chu's attitude yesterday, the outcome is clear." Qiu Dingsi did not think Zhan Feiyu would suffer a loss, even if this was at the Liu family.
"Are those servants? With such skill, they would be honored guests in any family," Zhang Changsong said with a hint of sourness in his tone.
He Sheng and He Nuan were both masters who could fight a hundred people. They were likely sent by Scholar Gu, perhaps elite guards from the scholar's mansion, yet they served Zhan Feiyu as servants. It was enough to make people jealous.
"All of you, stop!" Liu Heyu did not expect to meet Zhan Feiyu under such circumstances.
Looking at the messy courtyard and the servants and guards lying on the ground, Liu Heyu's expression became even more unsightly. This was the Liu family's mourning hall, and causing such a scene had made the Liu family lose all face and dignity.
The old woman was used to being domineering and had lost her reason in her anger. Seeing Liu Heyu's solemn expression, her heart skipped a beat. She dared to put on airs with other juniors of the Liu family, but she absolutely dared not offend Liu Heyu.
"Heyu, you're here just in time. If you hadn't come, your Seventh Grandma would have been bullied to death." Weeping, the old woman walked over, her hunched body trembling, truly evoking sympathy from the Liu family members who had rushed over.
No matter how annoying the old woman was usually, she was still a member of the Liu family and an elder. Being bullied by an outsider on Liu family territory was like slapping the Liu family in the face.
For a moment, listening to the old woman's tearful complaints, and with the middle-aged woman adding fuel to the fire, all the Liu family members present had angry expressions. If it weren't for Liu Heyu's strong influence, these Liu family juniors would have rushed forward to fight again.
Even though she intended to befriend Zhan Feiyu, Liu Heyu's primary concern was to protect the interests of the Liu family members. She looked at Zhan Feiyu and questioned, "Miss Zhan, what happened that caused Miss Zhan to get into a fight at Hefeng's mourning hall?"
"Young Madam, this person is clearly here to cause trouble!" A Liu family junior shouted angrily.
"Yes, I just asked Liu Yuan. Who sends a little girl to offer condolences? What do you take our Liu family for? Bah, are all the elders in your family dead?"
"Asheng, slap her!" As soon as Zhan Feiyu finished speaking, He Sheng moved.
Everyone only saw a blur before their eyes, and then a crisp slap echoed. The face of the unrestrained Liu family junior received a slap.
Hmph, daring to be so arrogant in front of Liu Heyu?
Everyone present was startled by Zhan Feiyu's dominance. Was this due to her confidence, or did she simply not put the Liu family in her eyes?
Zhan Feiyu's voice was calm, but this calmness, combined with He Sheng's slap, made people's hair stand on end. "A small punishment. If you dare to mention my elders again, don't blame me for being impolite."
Liu Heyu suppressed her anger and gave a warning glance to the Liu family junior who still wanted to cause trouble. Zhan Feiyu's elders in Jinlin Village were nothing special; they were just common folk who had done a little business and made some money.
But Zhan Feiyu had another elder, and that was Scholar Gu of the capital.
A teacher for a day, a father for a lifetime. Scholar Gu was unmarried, and Zhan Feiyu, as his disciple, could be considered Scholar Gu's closest junior. Daring to insult a current Grand Scholar, let alone a slap, even if an arm or leg were broken, the Liu family could only accept it.