In the backyard of the Zhang manor.
Old Madam Zhang leaned against a chaise lounge, groaning in pain. A forehead band was tied around her brow, making her appear gravely ill at first glance. However, her eyes darted around rapidly, revealing that she was clearly feigning sickness.
"Old Madam," a seasoned嬷嬷 in a deep purple褙子 called from outside the door.
Waving away the two maids cleaning the courtyard,嬷嬷 Jiang hurried into the room. "Old Madam, the young master and young lady from the maternal side have already left the manor. I kept a close eye when they were moving their belongings, so the Madam did not dare to shortchange them. All of the young master and young lady's belongings have been loaded onto the carriage."
If not for the fact that large items like furniture couldn't be moved,嬷嬷 Jiang suspected that the entire courtyard would have been emptied, leaving only the doors and windows. Despite her disdain for the Bao siblings' stinginess,嬷嬷 Jiang dared not show any of it on her face.
"Old Madam, please rest assured. Lotus Village is just outside the city, and our Zhang family's estate is right next door. If the young lady moves out, those country bumpkins wouldn't dare to bully the young lady and her brother, even if they had the courage of a leopard,"嬷嬷 Jiang said. Only then did Old Madam Zhang's expression improve slightly.
Upon remembering that her maternal nephew and niece had been driven out of the manor by Madam Kong, Old Madam Zhang's face contorted in anger.
However, her previous scheme with Huang Li to entrap Madam Kong had failed. Madam Kong had finally revealed her fierce side as a woman of the inner court. Since then, Old Madam Zhang found that nothing she ate, wore, or used was comfortable or thoughtful.
Old Madam Zhang wished she could assert her authority as a mother-in-law and control Madam Kong, but she couldn't even send out messages. Besides嬷嬷 Jiang in front of her, all the servants in and out of the courtyard obeyed Madam Kong's orders. Old Madam Zhang couldn't even leave the inner courtyard.
As for the tactics of crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang herself, Prefect Zhang watched his mother's tantrums with a cold eye and simply said, "Mother, if you continue to make a scene, your son will resign from his post and return home to farm."
This one sentence had subdued Old Madam Zhang. If Prefect Zhang no longer held office, what would she be? Who would still fawn over her?
It is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. Old Madam Zhang, having her weakness exposed, was silenced. Even when Bao Lian'er and Bao Yi were driven out of the manor, she could only feign ignorance by pretending to be ill.
嬷嬷 Jiang helped Old Madam Zhang to sit up and glanced at the window, hesitating to speak. "Old Madam, what will we do in the days to come..."
Thinking of the grievances she had suffered recently, Old Madam Zhang's previously relaxed expression darkened. Her wrinkled old face turned stern and etched with bitterness as she complained indignantly, "Li'er now threatens this old woman with his official position. Can a mother go against her child?"
"Ultimately, it is Madam's maternal family that holds great influence,"嬷嬷 Jiang sighed. After speaking with Old Madam Zhang for a while longer, and just as her emotions were about to erupt, she continued, "Old Madam, Miss Huang sent word through someone earlier. She still wishes to marry the Prefect."
"Absolutely not! If it weren't for her devious plan, how would Li'er dare to talk back to me?" Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Old Madam Zhang shot up, spitting and cursing. "She, a woman who has lost her chastity, still wants to marry Li'er? Bah! That shameless woman, I'd find her too dirty to even be Li'er's foot-washing maid!"
Old Madam Zhang had agreed to Huang Li marrying in before, but only as a co-wife. She had intended for Huang Li to bear a son for Prefect Zhang, and with her support as the mother-in-law, Huang Li could contend with Madam Kong, that barren hen. Whoever served better and flattered more, Old Madam Zhang would favor.
But now, Huang Li had caused Old Madam Zhang to be confined to her courtyard, and more importantly, she dared not cause trouble for fear that Prefect Zhang would truly resign. Old Madam Zhang was seething with resentment and didn't know where to vent it.
Upon hearing that Huang Li still wanted to marry into the family, Old Madam Zhang wished she could go to the Huang family immediately and scold her profusely. "If it weren't for her, would Li'er be arguing with me? Bah, before even entering the household, she has already caused a rift between mother and son."
"Old Madam, please calm your anger."嬷嬷 Jiang poured tea and offered it to Old Madam Zhang. After she drank it, she continued, "Miss Huang's dowry is no less than Madam's, and there is also the ten thousand taels of silver from the Ming family."
Upon hearing the word "silver," a greedy glint appeared in Old Madam Zhang's cloudy old eyes.
嬷嬷 Jiang, as if not noticing, added, "She no longer dares to aspire to be a co-wife and is willing to be a concubine, only asking Old Madam to give her a place to stay. This is the silver note she entrusted me to bring to Old Madam, a full five thousand taels."
Seeing the thick stack of silver notes, Old Madam Zhang's withered, bark-like hand snatched them up, her voice trembling with excitement. "Five thousand taels?"
"Yes. Miss Huang has also submitted the concubine appointment document. As long as Old Madam affixes her fingerprint, once she enters the manor, she will immediately present the remaining five thousand taels to Old Madam as filial piety. Furthermore, her dowry will be managed by you, Old Madam."嬷嬷 Jiang took out the concubine appointment document from her embrace.
Ten thousand taels of silver was enough to tempt Old Madam Zhang, but upon remembering that Huang Li had fallen into the water and been molested by ruffians, Old Madam Zhang immediately showed a look of disgust.
嬷嬷 Jiang smiled and persuaded, "Old Madam, think about it. In the entire Nanxuan Prefecture, which household's inner court is as clean as our Zhang manor? Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, even those lowly merchants have their beautiful wives and numerous concubines. The Prefect, a fourth-rank official, is now in his fifties, yet he has no son to carry on his lineage."
This remark made Old Madam Zhang's expression even more unpleasant. What she hated most about Madam Kong was her inability to bear a son, thus threatening the Zhang family's continuation, yet she still monopolized Prefect Zhang and forbade him from taking concubines!
嬷嬷 Jiang glanced at Old Madam Zhang, who was gnashing her teeth, and followed her thoughts to instigate further, "To put it bluntly, Madam is too formidable. Although Miss Huang's reputation is not good, it is precisely because of this that she can only rely on you, Old Madam. She will not be like Madam, who puts on a different face in front of others and behind their backs."
Old Madam Zhang was indeed tempted. Ten thousand taels of silver, plus a generous dowry. Tsk, tsk, even if Li'er resigned from his post in the future, with so much silver, she could still live a life of a respected elder.
"Moreover, compared to women from brothels, Miss Huang is merely a concubine, not so particular,"嬷嬷 Jiang said. Old Madam Zhang nodded in agreement.
At her age, Old Madam Zhang loved nothing more than to hear about household gossip. The reason嬷嬷 Jiang could become her confidante was precisely because she was well-informed. Whatever happened in the inner courtyards of households in Nanxuan Prefecture,嬷嬷 Jiang could find out.
Taking a woman from a brothel as a concubine was merely a romantic tale for men, and no one would gossip about it. Seeing that the time was right,嬷嬷 Jiang added fuel to the fire, "The Huang family is a family of physicians. It is likely they possess secret formulas for conceiving children, and perhaps also formulas for prolonging life. Then, Old Madam, you will be able to enjoy the blessings of grandsons and great-grandsons."
The three things Old Madam Zhang cared about most in her life were: first, money; second, grandsons; and third, living a long life. By taking Huang Li as a concubine for Prefect Zhang, these three matters would be resolved at once.
A moment later,嬷嬷 Jiang left the backyard with the concubine appointment document bearing the fingerprint.
Old Madam Zhang closed the door and hid the still-warm five thousand taels of silver notes in a wooden box in the cabinet, locked it, and then hung the key around her neck, finally feeling at ease.
...
Upon entering the Zhang manor and reaching the垂花门, Zhan Feiyu stepped aside, narrowly avoiding the hurried嬷嬷 Jiang.
Perhaps preoccupied,嬷嬷 Jiang paused upon seeing Zhan Feiyu and instinctively touched her chest before bowing. "This old servant greets Miss Zhan."
Zhan Feiyu paid it no mind, but seeing the sudden relief on嬷嬷 Jiang's face, her gaze swept over her chest. She subtly gave a signal to He Nuan behind her.
"Xiao Yu," a gentle voice filled with joy called out. Zhang Guantong strode forward to greet her. "Xiao Yu, congratulations."
"Sister Guantong," Zhan Feiyu glanced at the departing嬷嬷 Jiang before asking in a low voice, "Is that the attendant嬷嬷 by Old Madam's side?"
Zhang Guantong had been living quite comfortably recently. Madam Kong had taken the opportunity to suppress Old Madam Zhang, and Old Madam Zhang no longer dared to trouble Zhang Guantong with the daily morning and evening greetings.
"Yes, Grandmother is not feeling well and has been recuperating in the backyard these past few days," Zhang Guantong said, her beautiful eyebrows and eyes filled with a smile and contentment.
Previously, she had been too worried and found herself caught between her grandmother and mother, leading to unhappiness.
However, after meeting Zhan Feiyu, although they had not met many times, seeing Zhan Feiyu's decisive and resolute style of action had gradually changed Zhang Guantong. Now, she was no longer afraid of being accused of filial impiety by Old Madam Zhang.
Zhan Feiyu had come to bid farewell, but after speaking with Madam Kong and Zhang Guantong for a moment, Prefect Zhang directly took her to the study.
Madam Kong looked at the departing pair with a mixture of laughter and tears. "Your father has learned to snatch people from us mother and daughter."
Zhang Guantong pursed her lips and smiled, leaning affectionately against Madam Kong. "I'm still here to accompany you, Mother."
"It's fortunate Xiao Yu is a girl. If she were a young man, given how much your father values her, I suspect he would have arranged a marriage for you," Madam Kong's teasing remark made both mother and daughter burst into laughter.
The study.
Prefect Zhang did indeed value Zhan Feiyu. In fact, years ago, he had intended to train Zhang Guantong, his only daughter, as a son. Unfortunately, although Zhang Guantong was intelligent, she was also sensitive and soft-hearted. Prefect Zhang was slightly disappointed and let the matter drop.
Looking at Zhan Feiyu now, Prefect Zhang had another idea. The two girls could become sworn sisters! In the future, with Xiao Yu looking after her, even if he and his wife passed away, he would not worry about Guantong being bullied by her in-laws.
"You want to take me as an adopted daughter?" Zhan Feiyu looked at Prefect Zhang in surprise. After a moment's thought, she understood. "Your Excellency, as the saying goes, lean on a mountain and the mountain will fall, lean on a person and the person will fall. Sister Guantong is just too gentle. She just needs some improvement."
Prefect Zhang's face darkened, and he said sternly, "Are you worried that I am using this to curry favor with Scholar Gu?"
Rolling her eyes, Zhan Feiyu looked speechlessly at the stern-faced Prefect Zhang. "Your Excellency, you haven't been going to the yamen to work these past few days. Are you too idle?" That's why you're teasing me!
Although Prefect Zhang was only a fourth-rank official, he had married Madam Kong. As long as his performance was good in the coming years, and he was transferred to the capital with the help of his wife's family, he would not lack a future. Currying favor with Scholar Gu was merely the wild speculation of people like Kou Yuanxing.
"It's a pity I didn't have a son!" Prefect Zhang sighed with a smile. This was not a lament about his lack of a son, but rather that if he had a son, he could have married this intelligent young girl into the family, and then the Zhang family's descendants would not lack prosperity.
Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened, and she smiled awkwardly. There was no way to respond to that!
"You are already a Tong Sheng. When you return to Shangsi County, do you plan to study at the Prefectural School or Qingya Academy?" Prefect Zhang returned to the topic of Zhan Feiyu's studies.
The provincial examination was in August, with only four months left. Although Zhan Feiyu had Scholar Gu as her teacher, he was far away in the capital. Despite her self-discipline, she was still a nine-year-old girl and should have more contact with peers rather than studying behind closed doors.
The Prefectural School was Qin family territory. A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Zhan Feiyu did not intend to take risks.
Qingya Academy was a good choice, especially since she was familiar with Ming San, and she also needed to prepare for the Skill Academy. Although this matter had been handed over to Ming San, there would likely be many issues that Zhan Feiyu would need to assist with.
Glancing at the thoughtful young girl, Prefect Zhang did not rush her. He picked up his teacup and leisurely drank his tea. It seemed he should visit the backyard later. He was determined to take her as an adopted daughter. For his daughter's sake, Prefect Zhang decided to be shamelessly persistent.
"Regarding my studies, I plan to write to my teacher and then make a decision," Zhan Feiyu was unsure which option would be better for her.
Prefect Zhang also spoke to Zhan Feiyu about Scholar Chen, which could be considered preparing for the future.
Scholar Chen's talent was only average, but his scholarship was very solid. Because he came from a noble family, compared to the practical Prefect Zhang, Scholar Chen preferred ornate prose and attached great importance to poetry and songs.
The provincial examination was presided over by Scholar Chen, who set the questions. These questions would definitely be disadvantageous to Zhan Feiyu, as her weakest area was composing poetry. In previous years, subjects like mathematics were tested, but this year, they certainly would not be.
By the time Zhan Feiyu left the Zhang manor, it was already sunset. Although it wasn't quite "listening to one talk is better than reading ten years of books," the knowledge Prefect Zhang imparted during these two hours was immensely beneficial to Zhan Feiyu.
"Miss," He Nuan said softly after getting into the carriage, "that old嬷嬷 was hiding a concubine appointment document..."
Moreover, it had been stamped by the yamen. Coupled with Old Madam Zhang's fingerprint, in a way, Huang Li was already considered Prefect Zhang's concubine, a legally compliant one.
Another despicable tactic! Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but roll her eyes. The Chen family was the maternal family of the First Prince. Couldn't they act honorably instead of resorting to such petty tricks? Didn't they feel it was beneath them?
"Madam Zhang did not agree, yet this concubine appointment document is legal?" Even with her sharp mind, Zhan Feiyu was not knowledgeable about marriage customs in the Great Qing Dynasty.
He Nuan, thinking that Zhan Feiyu would also get married in the future, gently explained, "By rights, the consent of the main wife is required. However, Madam Zhang only has one daughter, and Prefect Zhang is over forty and has no son. If Madam Zhang refuses to allow a concubine, she would be violating the seven grounds for divorce. Old Madam Zhang, as Prefect Zhang's mother, has the right to take a concubine for Prefect Zhang."
Zhan Feiyu nodded in understanding and glanced at the receding streetscape outside the carriage. "When we return to the inn later, have Ah Sheng go to the Zhang manor. This matter should be left to Prefect Zhang to handle."
However, thinking of Huang Li's overbearing personality, Zhan Feiyu had a bad premonition.