"Uh, Lord Gu?" Chong Guang, carrying a plate of watermelon, was stunned. His eyes widened as he stared at Gu Qingzhou, a drop of tea on his chin, almost popping out of their sockets.
"Shut up!" Gu Qingzhou shot him a cold glance, quickly wiped his chin, and shook the tea leaves off his collar.
Yin Wuyan's expression was equally grave. He looked at Chong Guang and said coldly, "Go and guard outside."
"Yes!" Chong Guang, completely unaware of what was happening, placed the plate on the table and shot up into a tree in the courtyard. The position was excellent, ensuring no one could approach the house stealthily or eavesdrop.
Inside the room, Gu Qingzhou squinted as he observed Zhan Feiyu. He maintained his usual open and refined demeanor, yet anyone could sense the scrutiny and deep meaning in his gaze.
Although Yin Wuyan was only twenty years old, his aura was sharp and fierce, showing no fear of the shrewd and cunning old fox that was Gu Qingzhou. He said coldly, ushering him out, "Lord Gu, please make yourself at home!"
While Yin Wuyan hoped Zhan Feiyu would become his disciple, whether it was the Gu clan of Nanling or the Emperor's most trusted minister, with Gu Qingzhou's protection, Zhan Feiyu's future would be undoubtedly secure.
However, if Gu Qingzhou was unwilling, Yin Wuyan wouldn't force it. With his abilities, he could still protect the young girl, it would just take a bit more effort.
"This is my only disciple, can't I even look at him a few more times?" Gu Qingzhou spoke irritably, suppressing a hint of unease in his heart. He smiled and said, "Little Yu, tell your teacher what other recipes you've heard."
As for whether this recipe belonged to Zhan Feiyu herself, or if she had heard it, or its origin, none of it mattered. What mattered was the recipe itself.
Zhan Feiyu looked at Yin Wuyan. Seeing him nod, she prepared to speak. This action further fueled Gu Qingzhou's jealousy. His own little disciple actually trusted that brat Yin Wuyan more. What a misfortune for the sect!
On the tree, Chong Guang looked into the room through the window. The corners of his mouth twitched. His Seventh Master, Scholar Gu, and the plump girl seemed like a gang of bandits plotting something by the table, but the voices were too low for Chong Guang to hear anything.
"This recipe can play a decisive role in warfare." As soon as Zhan Feiyu said this, Yin Wuyan and Gu Qingzhou's expressions became even more solemn.
"If it's successfully made and tied to arrows, one shot into a crowd could wound or kill six to seven people at least; if used for sieging a city, no matter how sturdy the city gates or walls, as long as the quantity is sufficient, it can directly blow open the gates." Zhan Feiyu simply described the uses of gunpowder.
Yin Wuyan's expression changed slightly. Gu Qingzhou also thought of it, "In the first year of Daqing, a firecracker shop in the capital caught fire. The flames soared into the sky, and the sound was like thunder. Buildings and walls collapsed, killing the shopkeeper and two clerks. Pedestrians outside the shop were thrown several meters away, with three seriously injured and over ten lightly injured."
Truly intelligent people. Once a hint was given, they immediately understood! Zhan Feiyu looked at Yin Wuyan and Gu Qingzhou with admiration. "Yes, it's similar to firecrackers, but this is controllable, and its power is even greater."
Zhan Feiyu didn't consider firearms and cannons. These couldn't be made with just a gunpowder recipe. However, simple explosives would undoubtedly be divine weapons in the cold weapon era.
Gu Qingzhou's straightened body seemed to lose its support, and he leaned back softly in his chair, half-closing his eyes to observe Zhan Feiyu. He said helplessly, "No wonder you said it could overturn the heavens."
This could even change dynasties! If the Emperor knew, it would be one thing, but if the princes knew, Gu Qingzhou couldn't imagine the consequences.
Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened, her long black eyelashes fluttering, her expression innocent and pure. It was just a natural flow of conversation; otherwise, how would she dare to say it?
"Little girl," Gu Qingzhou said, his interest piqued after the shock, with a meaningful smile, "You trust Wuyan so much, aren't you afraid he'll imprisoness you and force out all the recipes in your head?"
Before coming to Nanxuan Prefecture, Gu Qingzhou had investigated Zhan Feiyu. She was just a sensible and well-behaved young girl, more precocious and intelligent than children her age. After attending private school, it was as if she had a breakthrough, displaying astonishing talent in her studies.
Of course, Gu Qingzhou had seen many precocious and intelligent children, some even more outstanding than Zhan Feiyu. What surprised Gu Qingzhou was her self-discipline. A girl of seven or eight years old slept for only a little over two hours a day, and the rest of the time, apart from eating, was spent studying.
This dedication was something even students who endured hardship to prepare for the imperial examinations couldn't achieve, let alone a young child. Such an intelligent and disciplined girl, by normal standards, would surely be ambitious and calculating. Yet, she foolishly told Yin Wuyan such an important recipe.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the handsome but indifferent Yin Wuyan, recalling her timid state the first time they met, and her small face instantly flushed red.
Zhan Feiyu glared at Gu Qingzhou with annoyance, lifting her chubby double chin, and boasted, "This is what a scholar dies for his confidant. Uncle Gu the Second, you don't have friends or confidants, so it's normal that you don't understand."
This brat! Gu Qingzhou suddenly felt his hands itch. Well, the brat hadn't officially become his disciple yet, so he couldn't hit her.
Yin Wuyan also remembered that scene and raised his hand to pat Zhan Feiyu's head. "Do not be rude to Lord Gu."
"Oh." Zhan Feiyu nodded obediently. "Uncle Gu the Second, I apologize for my rudeness just now. Please forgive me."
Looking at the two figures, one tall and one short, Gu Qingzhou inexplicably felt even more annoyed. His little disciple's elbow was clearly turning outwards!
After Zhan Feiyu left with five thousand taels of silver notes, Gu Qingzhou smiled and said, "When you collected those articles before the New Year, I thought you had befriended poor scholars. You are so dedicated to that brat."
Yin Wuyan and Zhan Feiyu had known each other for over half a year, but they had only truly interacted a few times. His nature was so cold that he wouldn't even glance at someone dying in front of him, yet he had helped the little girl several times. It was no wonder Gu Qingzhou was surprised.
"A scholar dies for his confidant. Lord Gu, as a lonely minister, naturally wouldn't understand," Yin Wuyan repeated Zhan Feiyu's words verbatim.
These two brats! Gu Qingzhou was exasperated. Two people with the intelligence of demons actually did such reckless things. If even a tiny bit of wind leaked out, they would truly lose their heads.
After a long pause, Gu Qingzhou said seriously, "As my disciple, I have enemies in court, but their schemes against that brat are at most harmless. However, if outsiders knew that brat was your weakness, it would be a fatal danger."
As the sharp blade in the Emperor's hand, Yin Wuyan had entered the Forbidden Dragon Guard at the age of thirteen. In five years, countless people had died by his hand, most of them families whose crimes were discovered by the Forbidden Dragon Guard and were subsequently executed along with their entire clans.
It could be said that Yin Wuyan's enemies were all mortal enemies with deep-seated hatred. However, his martial arts were superior, and he was always accompanied by subordinates from the Forbidden Dragon Guard. He had no weaknesses, leaving his enemies helpless even if they hated him deeply. But once Yin Wuyan had a soft spot, besides dragging himself down, Zhan Feiyu's situation would be the most dangerous.
...
After the jade pendant was broken, Scholar Zhang did not immediately come to demand compensation. Zhan Feiyu guessed he was waiting for the county school's holiday today.
"Little Yu, there are many carriages at the village entrance." Zhuzi ran too fast and was out of breath. "I'll go find the village chief and the old clan elder right away."
Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, Zhuzi ran off like a whirlwind again.
In the courtyard, Madam Li's hand dropped the string bean with a snap. Her face turned pale. Madam Li felt uneasy when Scholar Zhang didn't come, but she was equally terrified when they arrived today.
"Mother, don't worry, leave it to me," Zhan Feiyu wiped the sweat from her forehead.
She had just finished a set of punches, her small face flushed, and with a bright smile, she looked like the rising sun, bringing warmth and reassurance.
Madam Li nodded, feeling a bit more at ease, and urged, "Hurry and wash up inside, don't catch a chill."
In the past few days, the most talked-about topic in the village was the jade pendant that Madam Li had accidentally broken, worth five thousand taels! Even if the entire village pooled all their money, it wouldn't be enough.
People from every household had come out, and the small paths in the village were completely blocked. The carriages couldn't enter and had to stop at the village entrance.
"Poor mountains and bad waters breed wicked people!" Qin Ye frowned in disgust as he looked at the dark mass of people, but he could only dismount. As he did, he stepped on chicken droppings.
"Ah!" Qin Ye shouted angrily, wishing he could throw away his boots. But there were no spare shoes in the carriage, so he could only rub them against the ground repeatedly.
Wan Yunhao cupped his hands towards Tong Xu, who was dismounting, his attitude the same as before, "Brother Da."
"Brother Wan," Tong Xu returned the salute. The Tong family was now being criticized by scholars, but Wan Yunhao had not kicked them while they were down, which made Tong Xu's impression of him even better.
Qin Ye on the side sneered dismissively. If he weren't somewhat afraid of Wan Yunhao, his brother-in-law, he would have already started mocking Tong Xu.
What was Sun Fu? Just a merchant with a bit of money, yet he dared to beat the instructor and students at the county school. As a noble scholar, Qin Ye naturally transferred his anger to Tong Xu.
Old Master Xie was the last to dismount. A随从 beside him whispered, "Master, why is Scholar Wan so polite to that young master?"
"Be quiet, listen more and speak less!" Old Master Xie warned with a glare at his随从. That young master had a noble demeanor and must be from a prominent family in the prefectural city, not someone they could discuss behind his back.
A group of people arrived majestically at the courtyard entrance, but unfortunately, the courtyard gate was bolted from the inside.
Servant Jia of the Zhang family knocked on the courtyard gate, shouting loudly, "Open the door! Hurry and open the door!"
"What prodigy? I think he's a shrinking turtle!" Servant Yi taunted and cursed, then kicked the courtyard gate. With a bang, it was a good thing the wood was sturdy that it wasn't kicked open.
"What are you doing?" The villagers shouted in dissatisfaction.
Several burly men even blocked the courtyard entrance, raising their fists at the Zhang family servants. "If you have something to say, say it. Don't come to our village and cause trouble!"
"It's so early in the morning, Little Yu hasn't woken up yet," Mother Shanwazi chimed in, shouting in agreement and glaring at Scholar Zhang and Madam Mei.
Tong Xu, Wan Yunhao, and Qin Ye stood outside the crowd. They were just here to watch the excitement and didn't need to get into conflict with these crude villagers. Besides, this was Jinlin Village, and if they incurred the wrath of the crowd, their servants and guards couldn't handle over a hundred villagers.
Scholar Zhang looked at the village chief walking from the crowd. A mocking cold smile appeared on his face, which was so plump that his features were squeezed together. "Village Chief, is Zhan Feiyu planning to default on the debt?"
Zhan Feiyu said a few days ago that she was going to borrow money, but this was five thousand taels. Who in Shangsi County could lend such a sum to Little Yu to the point of ruin?
However, even if they lost in terms of power, they wouldn't lose in spirit. The village chief looked at the short and plump Scholar Zhang and said coldly, "Scholar Zhang is also a scholar. Without even sending a calling card, he should at least inform us in advance. Coming to the door with people so early in the morning, it's normal for Little Yu to be scared because she's young."
Before Scholar Zhang could retort, the village chief said, "Zhuzi, go knock on the door."
"Alright." Zhuzi deliberately squeezed past Servant Yi and then shouted loudly at the door, "Auntie, Little Yu, the village chief and the old clan elder are here. You don't need to be afraid, you can open the door now."
Madam Li had bolted the courtyard door purely because Zhan Feiyu was washing herself, to prevent outsiders from intruding. Seeing Zhan Feiyu come out of the bedroom now, Madam Li opened the door.
With a rustle, the courtyard was suddenly filled with people.
"Great-grandfather, Village Chief, please sit." Zhan Feiyu invited the old clan elder and the others to sit on the chairs in the main hall. As for the other unwelcome guests who had come, there were only so many chairs and stools, so those who didn't get a seat had to stand.
Wan Yunhao, Tong Xu, and Qin Ye, ignoring their discomfort, quickly sat on the long benches.
"Is this the hospitality of Little Prodigy Zhan?" Scholar Zhang, who considered himself of higher status, was a step slower and had to stand, his face extremely displeased.
Sitting on the square stool, Zhan Feiyu smiled and said, "Scholar Zhang, there's no need to flatter yourself. You can't be called a guest!"
"Furthermore, I hope that after today's events, Scholar Zhang will no longer send matchmakers to propose marriage. Even if all the men in the Daqing Dynasty were dead, I still wouldn't fancy Zhang Tianhao, that unlearned and dissolute dandy!"
"You..." Scholar Zhang's old face turned ashen with anger. Zhang Tianhao, no matter how useless he was, was still his only son. With people both inside and outside the house today, once this was spread, Zhang Tianhao would have no reputation left.
Zhan Feiyu, with the cunning of a child, sighed, "It seems that being too talented is also a trouble. I know I am very outstanding, so much so that Scholar Zhang is willing to put aside his personal vendetta and even offer the Zhang family's ancestral jade pendant for marriage. But even if you offer the Zhang family's entire ancestral property as a betrothal gift, I still wouldn't fancy Zhang Tianhao. Scholar Zhang, give up!"
"Her?" Qin Ye stared dumbfounded at the astonishingly outspoken Zhan Feiyu, never having met such a shameless person! How confident must she be to boast like this!
Wan Yunhao and Tong Xu also had cracked expressions. Regardless of how bold Zhan Feiyu's remarks were, at least Zhang Tianhao, who was despised by her, had no face to appear in public. Being belittled by a little girl like this was simply a deep humiliation!
The village chief, the old clan elder, and the clan elders remained silent, feeling immensely pleased. Did Scholar Zhang have the face to retort?
The matchmaker was hired by him, and the ancestral jade pendant worth five thousand taels was also the Zhang family's betrothal gift. Tsk, this wasn't proposing marriage, it was selling their son at a loss.
Scholar Zhang was so angry he almost vomited a mouthful of blood. His scarlet eyes emitted a terrifying ferocity, wishing he could skin the sharp-tongued Zhan Feiyu alive to vent his hatred.
"No need for idle talk. Your mother broke my Zhang family's ancestral jade pendant, and I've come to demand compensation!" Scholar Zhang squeezed the words out from between his teeth. With a wave of his hand, the attendant beside him immediately took out a wooden box and opened it, revealing the small jade pendant, broken in two.
"This is Manager Tao from Zhenbao Pavilion. Please assess the price of my Zhang family's jade pendant." Scholar Zhang stepped back, no longer engaging in verbal sparring with Zhan Feiyu, to avoid angering himself to death.
Those who had been to Zhenbao Pavilion recognized Manager Tao. At this moment, he stepped forward and cupped his hands towards everyone in the room. "I am Tao Qian, and I am here today at the request of Scholar Zhang. If anyone has objections to the appraisal result, I am willing to bear the responsibility."
"Manager Tao, please," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile, retracting her coldness and sharpness, appearing once again as a beautiful young girl with a strong scholarly aura.
Manager Tao carefully took the jade pendant out of the wooden box. "To appraise whether it is real jade, you can drip water onto the jade. If it forms a dewdrop and does not dissipate for a long time, it is real jade; otherwise, it is inferior jade."
A shop assistant from Zhenbao Pavilion spoke to the people in the courtyard, "May I trouble one of the aunties for a bowl, and also some water."
This would prevent any fakery. Mother Shanwazi hurried into the kitchen. When the water was brought over, Manager Tao dripped a drop of water onto the jade. As he had said, it was indeed real jade.
"It seems to be real jade," the villagers in the courtyard exclaimed. They usually hadn't seen many jade ornaments, let alone appraised their authenticity.
"Secondly, touch it with your hand. High-grade jade feels cool and smooth. Little Prodigy, would you like to try?" Manager Tao inquired. Farmers were poor and did not interact with antiques and jade from childhood like the children of noble families, who naturally became discerning through exposure.
Zhan Feiyu shook her head. "No need, Manager Tao, please continue."
"Hold the jade up to the light. If the color is translucent and there are no cracks inside, the quality is excellent." Manager Tao explained and appraised as he spoke, finally reaching a conclusion. "Everyone, based on my experience at Zhenbao Pavilion over the years, if this jade pendant were intact, its price would be between four and five thousand taels."
Gold has a price, but jade is priceless! Good quality jade ornaments are rare and hard to come by. If one meets someone who likes it, the price will naturally increase.
Scholar Zhang was satisfied with this result and snorted, "Since that's the case, it's valued at four thousand taels. Zhan Feiyu, do you intend to become my Zhang family's daughter-in-law, or will you compensate according to the price?"
Madam Li's face turned pale. Although it was a thousand taels cheaper, four thousand taels was still an astronomical sum!
"If you cannot provide the silver, then don't blame me for being impolite. Once we go to court, with witnesses and evidence, I believe Magistrate Chen will also give a fair judgment!" Scholar Zhang displayed his aggressive and forceful demeanor, finally regaining some ground!
Tong Xu, sitting on the long bench, looked at Zhan Feiyu. His patience had run out after waiting for several days. "Zhan Feiyu, if you sell me the recipes you have, I am willing to offer five thousand taels!"
Heh! What recipe is so valuable?
The old clan elder, the village chief, and the clan elders, as well as the villagers in the courtyard, were all startled. This way, Little Yu could still earn a thousand taels!
Zhan Feiyu looked at Scholar Zhang, who was playing the bad cop, and Tong Xu, who was playing the good cop. She said unceremoniously, "Young Master Tong, isn't this price a bit too low? A recipe that can bring the Tong family back to life is only worth five thousand taels. Aren't the lives of everyone in the Tong family too cheap?"