In a modest manor near the main road in Shangsi County, lush trees in the courtyard formed a dense canopy, blocking the sunlight and keeping the two individuals seated by the window from feeling any heat.
"My lord," a servant in green hurried into the room, bowed, and reported, "The steward from Lord Tong's estate stopped someone outside the county school..."
Gu Qingzhou, dressed in a wide-sleeved robe today, held a Ru porcelain teacup in one hand, his eyes half-closed as he surveyed the scenery outside the window, embodying the true spirit of a refined scholar.
However, upon hearing that Zhan Feiyu had struck Steward Tong on the head with an inkstone, causing him to bleed profusely, Gu Qingzhou's hand trembled, and tea spilled from his cup. "You say the young girl hit him?"
The servant in green took a cloth to wipe Gu Qingzhou's hands and then the water stains on the tea table before continuing, "Yes, she struck him twice, and the constables took him to the county yamen."
"Zhan Feiyu went to the study to see Magistrate Chen. Fifteen minutes later, Zhan Feiyu left, and Lord Chen, citing insult to scholars, had Steward Tong beaten with twenty planks and thrown into prison," the servant, no more than fourteen or fifteen, replied with a straight face. Yet, Gu Qingzhou, who knew him well, could detect a hint of displeasure in his words.
"Wu Yan, I told you before that the young girl is of the same ilk as you. Now it seems to be true," Gu Qingzhou laughed heartily, raising his teacup to the indifferent Yin Wu Yan. "Let us toast to this. Please."
Yin Wu Yan eyed Gu Qingzhou, who was drinking tea in lieu of wine, his voice cold and sharp, "Compared to you, Lord Gu, I am far inferior!"
Zhan Feiyu was surprised why Gu Qingzhou hadn't appeared, nor had Prefect Zhang come to Shangsi County. In essence, Gu Qingzhou had used Zhan Feiyu as bait, deliberately spreading vague information, waiting for someone to take the hook.
"His Majesty has sent someone. Even if the young girl weren't so ferocious, she wouldn't be in trouble," Gu Qingzhou smiled meaningfully. If His Majesty hadn't sent someone, the Dragon Guard would likely have been protecting the young girl in secret.
"Take Xiao Yu as a disciple, and this matter is settled," Yin Wu Yan had this idea when he learned that His Majesty had assigned Gu Qingzhou to handle this matter.
With this immense contribution, Zhan Feiyu could at least be enfeoffed as a county princess. However, Yin Wu Yan understood that without any foundation, the title of county princess would be an empty one.
Conversely, it would attract the attention of some ill-intentioned families, who could simply marry off an incompetent descendant to the young girl and claim this great achievement for their own lineage.
Gu Qingzhou, who had been lounging lazily, suddenly sat up straight. "On a personal level, I owe the young girl one. On a principled level, His Majesty will also reward her. But think carefully, if I take the young girl as my disciple, you must sever all ties with her!"
When he uttered the last sentence, Gu Qingzhou's expression became stern and serious. He and Yin Wu Yan were arguably the two most trusted officials by His Majesty, but they absolutely could not have any private dealings, or it would spell disaster.
Furthermore, Gu Qingzhou was a Grand Academician of the present dynasty, a model for scholars and literati. Yin Wu Yan, on the other hand, was the Commander of the Dragon Guard, privately referred to by countless court officials as a bloodthirsty, cruel, and heartless dog, a butcher... enduring numerous slanders.
Gu Qingzhou's disciple absolutely could not have any involvement with the Dragon Guard. Of course, this was also for Zhan Feiyu's consideration.
Previously, whether Yin Wu Yan sent New Year's gifts to Zhan Feiyu or defended her when the Zeng family and Scholar Zhang made trouble, he had done so under the banner of the Southern Xuan Guard. In the end, it was all for the young girl's reputation.
The moment Gu Qingzhou finished speaking, Yin Wu Yan's aura turned chilling, and his sharp, murderous gaze seemed capable of drawing Gu Qingzhou's blood.
The servant in green, who had been standing quietly in the corner, changed his expression. Just as he was about to rush forward, Chong Guang blocked him with his saber, simultaneously acupuncturing his pressure points.
Yin Wu Yan's icy voice rang out, his killing intent unabated, "Academician Gu, you are meddling too much!"
Gu Qingzhou poured himself another cup of tea and took a few sips. The rich aroma of tea spread through his mouth. "When I was young, I disliked the bitter taste of tea immensely. But now, I cannot live without it. Some people and some things are etched into my bones. To give them up requires tearing away flesh and blood. Severing ties now is for the best for both of you."
Yin Wu Yan could keep the news contained because Shangsi County was remote, and Zhan Feiyu was merely a young girl with a talent for scholarship.
However, once the news of movable type printing spread, Yin Wu Yan would have to avoid suspicion, at least not to have contact with Zhan Feiyu openly.
Without Gu Qingzhou needing to elaborate, those in court who could not deal with Yin Wu Yan would absolutely vent their anger on Zhan Feiyu, and she, a young girl without the strength to even truss a chicken, would likely have nowhere to be buried.
Yin Wu Yan, his phoenix eyes gazing out the window without a word, was like a statue, his coldness and sharpness unchanging in his brows and eyes.
After spending so long in darkness, some people are like a light, so warm and bright that one cannot bear to let them go.
The young girl's eyes curved into crescents when she smiled, and she was utterly adorable when she was timid. In the past few years, he had seen countless officials whose entire families were annihilated, and even children on the execution block. Only the young girl was different to him.
"Wu Yan, you are of age this year, and the young girl is only eight. Have you considered that in ten years, if you maintain close contact, how will the young girl marry?" Gu Qingzhou had to be vulgar for once, using marriage as an excuse.
Eighteen and eight, no matter how close they were, there would be nothing. But twenty-eight and eighteen, the world would speculate about the interactions between men and women with malice. Especially since Yin Wu Yan had countless enemies, they would not dare to attack him directly but would sacrifice Zhan Feiyu.
Yin Wu Yan left with Chong Guang. Although he did not speak again until the end, Gu Qingzhou knew he had agreed.
"My lord, you are going to take Zhan Feiyu as your disciple?" the servant in green asked in a low voice. So many talented young men wanted to be his lord's disciple, but they were all rejected. What made Zhan Feiyu, a rude and uncivilized country girl, worthy?
Gu Qingzhou smiled and looked at the resentful servant in green. "Gu Yuan, are you worried that she will tarnish your lord's reputation?"
"Isn't that the case?" Gu Yuan finally became angry, huffing, "Zhan Feiyu is full of flaws. If my lord takes her as a disciple, who knows how much trouble it will cause!"
Not to mention Zhan Feiyu studying for the imperial examinations as a woman, it was one thing that she was cold and indifferent to her old family after being adopted, but she did not recognize her biological father, almost causing her parents to divorce.
To gain fame, she made a deal with Master Xie. Each of these matters made Gu Yuan dislike her.
Moreover, today she had smashed Steward Tong's head with an inkstone, and twice at that. So young, yet so ruthless and venomous. Gu Yuan did not understand why his lord would choose Zhan Feiyu.
Gu Qingzhou looked at the worried Gu Yuan, who seemed as if the sky was about to collapse, and shook his head, laughing. "One who is not envied is a mediocre talent! The young girl is an interesting person, and moreover, this is His Majesty's wish."
Despite his stomach full of dissatisfaction, Gu Yuan dared not say anything more.
"Bring me those few essays from the desk," Gu Qingzhou said with a smile.
After a while, looking at the standard court-style calligraphy, Gu Yuan, although he couldn't understand the essays, was struck by the handwriting. "My lord, are these really written by an eight-year-old girl?"
"The key is that she has only been studying for less than a year, and her calligraphy already has character," Gu Qingzhou smiled and glanced at Gu Yuan. He had followed him for ten years since he was five, and his own handwriting was simply eye-searing.
"I..." Gu Yuan blushed with embarrassment and, unwilling to be outdone by an eight-year-old girl, stubbornly threw down a sentence and ran out. "I'm not taking the imperial examinations anyway."
Laughter erupted. Gu Qingzhou resumed his lazy posture, picked up his fan, and fanned himself leisurely. Movable type printing was a matter of great importance, especially to scholars across the land. Zhan Feiyu's contribution could not go unrewarded.
However, as Yin Wu Yan worried, His Majesty also did not want those families to claim this immense credit through marriage alliances, especially since His Majesty had seven princes.
Although the princes were too young, there were still imperial grandsons. Whoever married Zhan Feiyu would gain the admiration of scholars. Entanglement with the throne would complicate matters, so Gu Qingzhou taking her as a disciple was the best solution.
Zhan Feiyu was completely unaware that Grand Academician Gu had the intention of taking her as a disciple.
San Sheng Tower.
"Why do you suddenly want to learn barbarian script?" Instructor Zhao asked in surprise. He had just inquired about Zhan Feiyu's progress with Master Dou yesterday, and she was sure to pass the Tong Sheng examination next February.
"Instructor, there are thousands of scholars in the world. I want to have a skill to rely on," Zhan Feiyu replied crisply.
Even if she were a man, achieving fame at a young age would not be easy, otherwise, why would there be the cautionary saying, "A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."
And Zhan Feiyu studying for the imperial examinations as a woman would invite too much criticism. Once the news of movable type printing spread, based on her experience of being an internet commenter in her previous life, she was sure it would be a mix of joy and sorrow. Many scholars would be grateful, but there would also be many voices of doubt.
Instructor Zhao seemed to understand and pondered for a moment before saying, "The court does not have much interaction with overseas barbarians. The few prefectures that have opened their sea borders have trade with barbarian merchants. Officials at the Court of State Ceremonial know barbarian script, but are not proficient."
This was also normal. After enduring years of hardship studying, who wouldn't want to become an official and benefit the region once they passed the examinations?
But to start learning barbarian script again after entering the Court of State Ceremonial, who would be willing to start from scratch? Therefore, they generally only knew a little, enough for daily communication, supplemented by gestures.
"Yes, although learning barbarian script might seem a bit redundant, it is sometimes indispensable," Zhan Feiyu had already made her plans. Whenever barbarian script was needed, it would naturally require her. Even if she were a woman, she could use barbarian script to place herself in an invincible position.
"Barbarian books should be obtainable, but there is no one to teach you," Instructor Zhao was also from the imperial examination system and had many classmates and peers. By pulling strings in the coastal prefectures, they could definitely buy books, but as for a teacher of barbarian script, Instructor Zhao was powerless.
The plump little face lifted into a smile. Zhan Feiyu replied, "Thank you, instructor, for your help. I think the court will bestow rewards. I want to entrust the merchant caravan to help hire a local person proficient in barbarian script."
The Nanxuan Prefecture was traversed by the Nanjiang River. Because of the dock and the canal transport, the merchant caravans of Nanxuan Prefecture traveled very far, and there were also general stores selling seafood. Zhan Feiyu inferred that the goods were sourced from Zhongzhou Prefecture, the closest coastal prefecture.
Therefore, in Zhongzhou Prefecture, there must be local people proficient in barbarian script. Zhan Feiyu was actually just looking for a legitimate shield. Hiring someone with money and having them stay for half a year would be enough. Who told her she was a prodigy? Even learning barbarian script would be fast. You unmotivated learners can only hold your grudges!
"This is feasible. Anyway, you are young, and there is no rush for the imperial examinations," Instructor Zhao knew that Zhan Feiyu studied diligently, even surpassing most students in the county school.
Footsteps suddenly approached from outside the door. Zhan Feiyu and Instructor Zhao turned to see the groundskeeper running over in a panic.
"Instructor, a carriage has arrived from Nanxuan Prefecture. The lord in the carriage wishes to speak with you."
Instructor Zhao's expression immediately sank. Scholars were proud. Even if the other party was a higher-ranking official, this attitude of treating Instructor Zhao like a subordinate was truly displeasing to him.
Nanxuan Prefecture? Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but recall Steward Tong, who was imprisoned by Magistrate Chen. When she came to the county school this morning, she "coincidentally" met Constable Zhao. It seemed Magistrate Chen had also chosen to side with Prefect Zhang.
"Instructor, why don't we go out and take a look," Zhan Feiyu found a way for Instructor Zhao to exit gracefully. "If it is indeed an official, they should go to the county yamen to find Magistrate Chen first."
Instructor Zhao's first thought was that it was an official coming for the movable type printing. He had submitted a memorial through his retired mentor. He knew nothing of the subsequent matters.
In the end, he was just an instructor at the county school, a minor official of the eighth rank. How could he know the court's news?
"Very well, I'd like to see which official dares to put on airs at the entrance of the county school!" Instructor Zhao flicked his long sleeves and walked out with a hint of anger.
Several large trees were planted outside the county school, their branches and leaves lush, providing ample shade. A luxurious carriage was parked under the trees. Beside the carriage, besides the driver, a young servant, and maids, stood four burly men in fitted attire. Their horses were tied to a tree not far away.
"Instructor, this is quite a show. They look like they have money," Zhan Feiyu chuckled, pursing her lips.
Court officials were absolutely not allowed to bring maids when conducting official business, especially such fair-skinned, beautiful maids dressed in vibrant clothing, more like concubines.
"Speak and act with caution!" Instructor Zhao reprimanded him with feigned anger, but his expression had already relaxed.
He strode forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "May I ask which official is inspecting the county school?"
A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and a slender, fair wrist, exuding a faint fragrance, extended out. In her delicate, tender, and fair hand was a visiting card.
A young servant beside her quickly took it with both hands, his attitude extremely respectful. However, when he handed it to Instructor Zhao, he had an arrogant expression. "Dare to make my master wait for so long, Instructor, you have quite the airs!"
This demeanor was definitely not that of a court official. Instructor Zhao was completely at ease. He opened the visiting card and frowned. It was the visiting card of the Tongzhi of Nanxuan Prefecture.
Zhan Feiyu stood on tiptoe to peek, her small face showing a mischievous smile. It was as she suspected. The visitor was likely Lord Tong's lackey, and the steward from yesterday was just the vanguard.
However, thinking of what Yin Wu Yan had said before, that Prefect Zhang and Tongzhi Tong were evenly matched, one a powerful dragon and the other a local snake. Logically, Tongzhi Tong would not act so crudely. Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but glance suspiciously at the carriage. Was this a strategy of "playing the pig to eat the tiger"?
Estimating the time, a voice from inside the carriage spoke. The male voice was slightly hoarse and lacking in vigor, but it conveyed a tone of superiority. "Instructor Zhao, Zhan Feiyu is a student at the county school, and the day before yesterday she beat my steward bloody. I want to take the culprit to the county yamen. I ask Instructor Zhao to accommodate me!"
It was a request, but the overbearing attitude absolutely did not allow Instructor Zhao to refuse.
"What?" Instructor Zhao exclaimed in shock, turning abruptly to look at the guiltily smiling Zhan Feiyu beside him. This girl was silent until she made a move, and what a move it was!
Zhan Feiyu grinned, her expression very innocent, her soft voice sounding sweet and pitiable. "Instructor, the Academician had no choice. The other party's carriage deliberately stopped in the alley outside the county school and almost hit the ox cart. Not only that, but that person also tried to forcibly take the student away. When I refused, I asked Uncle Hu to drive the ox cart away. He actually snatched the whip and was about to whip my face, so I injured him."
Instructor Zhao could not bother with anything else. His concerned gaze scanned Zhan Feiyu from head to toe, confirming she was unharmed, and then he breathed a sigh of relief. The anger in his heart immediately ignited.
Zhan Feiyu had made it very clear that this person not only tried to hit the ox cart with his carriage, which could have resulted in injuries or even death, but he also dared to whip someone. Looking at Zhan Feiyu's rosy-cheeked, plump little face, Instructor Zhao could not imagine what would have happened if she had not dodged.
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