Yin Yuanhui rode her horse back to Qingya Academy as quickly as possible. Firstly, she was worried that Huang Li, after being knocked unconscious, would cause a scene by shouting. Secondly, she was also worried about the dejected Ming San.
After all, apart from not engaging in productive work and acting like a wild scholar, their third brother had no other extreme behavior. He also respected his second sister-in-law, at least whenever she and Huang Li argued, the third brother always sided with reason, not kinship.
"Mother, has third brother returned?" Upon passing through the ornate gate, Yin Yuanhui saw the elder madam Ming and quickly went to greet her. She then said to the maid behind her, "Have Granny Lu carry third sister-in-law back to her courtyard."
Elder Madam Ming was over fifty years old, but her hair was still as black as ink. If not for the old-fashioned deep purple of the long jacket she wore, at first glance, she looked like a woman in her early forties.
"He went straight to the study upon returning. Your second brother has also gone there." Elder Madam Ming had a gentle disposition and spoke in a soft, low voice, showing no airs of a mother-in-law.
"Mother, then I'll go and see as well." Yin Yuanhui was impatient. As soon as she finished speaking, she grabbed the hem of her skirt and strode towards the direction of the library.
To the east of the library was the main study of the Ming family. The three brothers had their early education here. However, now that the eldest son of the Ming family had settled in the capital with his family, and Ming San and Huang Li had no children yet, this study was being used by the two children of the second branch. As for Yin Yuanhui's youngest son, he was only three years old and not yet of age for education.
Upon hearing the hurried footsteps outside, Ming Er couldn't help but frown. Just as he was about to speak, the study door was pushed open with a bang.
"Father, I'm back. Is third brother alright?" Yin Yuanhui asked with concern.
Ming San sat slumped in a chair, his spirit seemingly drained. His eyes were numb and vacant, and coupled with his pale face devoid of color, he looked like a sickly person who had lost half his life at first glance.
"Third brother hasn't said a word since he returned. Could it be third sister-in-law..." Ming Er's worried words trailed off. As an elder brother, it was inconvenient for him to discuss his sister-in-law. He was just too worried about his third brother. Otherwise, the rigid and pedantic Ming Er would never have been so rash.
Seated in the main position, Ming Shanzhang leisurely sipped his tea, appearing not at all worried about his dejected youngest son. Instead, he looked at Yin Yuanhui and asked, "How was the matter handled?"
After the elder madam of the Huang family sent the letter, it was supposed to be Elder Madam Ming who handled it. However, her health was not good, and Ming Shanzhang did not want his shrewish and overbearing daughter-in-law to anger his elderly wife. Therefore, he had Yin Yuanhui go to the Huang family.
Ming Shanzhang also sent a servant to inform Ming San about the absurd incident his wife had caused. If the second branch intervened too much, it might lead the Huang family to believe that the second branch was bullying the third branch. It was more legitimate for Ming San to handle it.
"Father, third sister-in-law's matter has been settled." Yin Yuanhui quickly explained Zhan Feiyu's and the Huang family's attitudes. In the end, it was Huang Li's arrogance and bullying that caused it.
As for the two small wounds on her forehead, the elder madam Huang had said that applying medicine would suffice. This matter was considered closed. As for the unreasonable Huang Li, with the approval of her in-laws and her maiden family, she wouldn't be able to cause any more trouble.
If the reputation of the Ming family at Qingya Academy were to be ruined, it would definitely be because of Huang Li, their third daughter-in-law.
Yin Yuanhui looked at Ming San with concern and said after careful consideration, "Third brother had a conflict with Miss Zhan after arriving at the Huang family."
As for the "zhi hu zhe ye" they spoke, Yin Yuanhui couldn't remember it. Her retelling was simple and crude: "Miss Zhan mocked third brother, saying he was no different from a rogue and would starve to death if he lost the support of the Ming family."
Seeing Ming Shanzhang nod in agreement, Yin Yuanhui felt relieved and continued cheerfully, "The young lady said that Scholar Gu refused to take disciples because third brother was too stupid. Father, you stopped forcing third brother to participate in the imperial examinations later because you were worried that third brother was too stupid and would harm the family in the future, so you decided to raise third brother as a prodigal son."
Ming Shanzhang's hand trembled, and tea spilled out.
Ming Er's rigid, old face instantly cracked. His gaze shifted from Ming Shanzhang to Ming San, who was radiating resentment, and he blurted out, "Father, is this the reason you didn't let third brother participate in the imperial examinations?"
As a tutor at the academy, Ming Er firmly believed in education for all!
Ming San was his brother. He had passed the Xiu Cai examination at the age of eight. Ming Er had spent a month burning the midnight oil with Ming San, trying to persuade him to continue his studies and participate in the imperial examinations.
However, Ming Shanzhang had suddenly given up on his youngest son and did not allow Ming Er to interfere. Since he couldn't convince his own father, Ming Er had to write to his elder brother in the capital, hoping that his elder brother would persuade their father not to give up on his third son because of a temporary rebellion.
But Ming Er did not expect his elder brother to have the same attitude as his father. As long as third brother did not commit any crimes, he could choose not to study and be a wild scholar.
"But is third brother stupid?" Ming Er's gaze at Ming San was exceptionally focused. This was his third brother who had passed the Xiu Cai examination at the age of eight. If he were stupid...
Ming Er's expression changed, and he suddenly exclaimed, "Could it be that third brother's Xiu Cai title was obtained through fraud?"
"Second brother!" Already unable to speak due to the blow from Zhan Feiyu, Ming San, who was now hearing his second brother's foolish words, exploded in anger, his face flushed red. "Second brother, don't forget that Father gave us the same questions back then, and my essays were always better than yours!"
"But your second brother is a Ju Ren!" Yin Yuanhui retorted protectively.
Turning into a frost-bitten eggplant, Ming San wilted again.
"Yuanhui!" Ming Er cast a reproving glance at his wife. Some things were better left unsaid. Why did she have to say them? Third brother had already suffered enough blows today.
Fine, you brothers have deep affection, and I was the bad guy for nothing! Yin Yuanhui wasn't angry. She stood up with a smile and said, "Father, I'll go and see third sister-in-law."
When only the three Ming father and sons were left in the study, Ming Shanzhang leisurely said, "Third son, if you are unwilling to admit you are stupid, then tell me why Zhan Feiyu targeted you?"
Isn't it obvious? Ming Er and Ming San simultaneously looked at their composed old father.
The dejected Ming San weakly replied, "I shouldn't have harbored resentment after failing to become a disciple. As a disciple, Zhan Feiyu naturally defends her master."
"That's why you're stupid!" As soon as Ming Shanzhang said this, Ming San's face immediately turned red with anger.
Ming Er also looked surprised. "Could it be that third sister-in-law made things difficult for Zhan Feiyu, and she took her anger out on third brother?"
"My lifelong reputation, and yet I gave birth to you two fools!" Ming Shanzhang sighed.
Ming Er, who was also labeled a fool for being implicated, remained silent with a stern face. If he were afraid of saying more and making more mistakes, he would definitely have asked, where was he stupid?
Ming Shanzhang drank some tea. No matter how stupid they were, they were still his sons. "Young Miss Zhan is a disciple of Scholar Gu. Look at Liu Jian's fate, and look at the Tong family and the Qin family now. Why would she engage in a verbal dispute with third son? Is she that bored?"
Ming Shanzhang was not exaggerating others' prestige and diminishing his own. Compared to Liu Jian, a former high-ranking official of the second rank, the Ming family of Qingya Academy was like an ant.
Ming Er and Ming San, the brothers, lowered their heads in thought. One was pedantic, the other arrogant, but not truly stupid. As a disciple of the great scholar Gu, Zhan Feiyu had no need to visit the injured Huang Li at the Huang family, nor did she need to come to Qingya Academy tomorrow to apologize.
Courtesy from others implies a request.
"She wants to win us over?" Ming San frowned. His personality was aloof and arrogant, with a touch of cynical prejudice. Whether Zhan Feiyu was talented or not aside, such a young girl's pursuit of fame and fortune was enough to make Ming San dislike her.
Ming Er stated his position with a stern face, "Qingya Academy is a place for teaching and nurturing people. It never interferes in the affairs of Nanxuan Prefecture, nor does it participate in court matters."
While Qingya Academy might have some influence in Nanxuan Prefecture, in the Great Qing Dynasty, Qingya Academy was merely a drop in the ocean. The eldest son of the Ming family was only a sixth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy, not even qualified to attend court.
"Rather than saying winning over, it's more like a test. Perhaps there are grievances between the young lady and the Qin family that we don't know about," Ming Shanzhang could sense Zhan Feiyu's goodwill from Yin Yuanhui's words. Weren't the words she used to scold third son also words of honest advice?
With the great scholar Gu as her teacher, Qingya Academy was nothing more than a chicken rib to Zhan Feiyu. Winning them over would not be of much use. The only thing Ming Shanzhang could think of was the Qin family, who were also from a scholarly family. The young lady might be using Qingya Academy to counterbalance the Qin family.
Wan Yunhao had visited Qingya Academy many times under the guise of kinship, but both Ming Er and Ming San had a mediocre relationship with Wan Yunhao.
Ming San had no interest in the imperial examinations and was too lazy to socialize with Wan Yunhao, who was eager to enter officialdom through the examinations.
Ming Er was pedantic and rigid. Although he had some talent, Wan Yunhao was the youngest Ju Ren in Nanxuan Prefecture, and his knowledge was not inferior to Ming Er's. Their styles of conduct were completely different. Even though Wan Yunhao intended to befriend them, they did not hit it off.
"Wan Yunhao is dead, and the Qin family has been much more restrained in their actions. Why is Zhan Feiyu targeting the Qin family?" Although Ming San was unrestrained, he had many friends and was well-informed about the news in Nanxuan Prefecture.
Ming Shanzhang also hoped that he was overthinking. "After the Tong family declined, Prefect Zhang firmly controlled Nanxuan Prefecture. But this is Jiangnan Dao. How could the Chen family give up so easily? And the Qin family had once allied with Liu Jian."
The Chen family represented the First Prince. If the First Prince wanted to take control of Nanxuan Prefecture, he could only support the Qin family to contend with Prefect Zhang. And the one who could restrain the Qin family was the Ming family of Qingya Academy.
"Nanxuan Prefecture is now a chessboard, and we are merely pawns in their game. One wrong move, and all is lost! But the players can start a new game, while we pawns are already reduced to dust." Ming Shanzhang did not want Qingya Academy to be involved in power struggles, but the Ming family might have already been caught in the vortex and could not escape.
Upon hearing this, Ming Er and Ming San's expressions became solemn. Suddenly, they realized that the family they were proud of was as fragile as a piece of paper!
The brothers couldn't help but think of the fallen Tong family. At that time, Tong Tongzhi had absolute power in Nanxuan Prefecture, and even Prefect Zhang had to avoid his edge. Tong Xu, the eldest son of the Tong family, was full of spirit, but in an instant, everything turned to dust.
In the evening.
The screams and curses almost blew off the roof. Fortunately, Ming San's courtyard was in the most secluded northern corner of the Ming family. Even if Huang Li shouted her lungs out, outsiders wouldn't hear a single word.
"Are you still a man? You just watched that little slut bully me like this?" Huang Li, with her hair disheveled, roared furiously. She picked up the vase on the table and smashed it to the ground with a bang.
Still not satisfied, Huang Li overturned the table again. The teapot and teacups shattered on the floor with a clatter, and the decorations on the display shelf also suffered. In a moment, the bedroom was in disarray.
Ming San stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the courtyard full of blooming flowers. Thinking of Qingya Academy in the wind and rain, Ming San suddenly understood that he was indeed useless. Zhan Feiyu's scolding was entirely correct.
Once the protection of the Ming family was lost, he, a Xiu Cai, might be able to become a tutor in a private school, but he lacked his second brother's patience and could not teach students well.
Therefore, he could only work as an accountant or a clerk in the yamen. With a monthly salary of two to three taels of silver, he couldn't even afford a jar of good wine. He might indeed starve to death, let alone support his parents.
"Ming San!" After smashing and breaking things, Huang Li, like a madwoman, rushed to the window, grabbed Ming San's arm, and roared hysterically, "Didn't you hear what I said? I told you to write a complaint to the yamen to sue Zhan Feiyu. Are your ears deaf?"
Turning around, Ming San looked at the madwoman Huang Li with indifference.
Huang Li's reckless behavior ruined her own reputation and that of the Ming family. Similarly, if Scholar Gu accepted him as a disciple, and he made mistakes in the future, it would also implicate Scholar Gu.
"If you can't forget Chai Yi, we can get a divorce," Ming San said with disgust, watching Huang Li suddenly become flustered, feeling only revulsion.
Every time Huang Li quarreled with Ming San, she would take the opportunity to go out and stay for a while, most often at the Lakeside Pavilion in Donghu Inn. Outsiders only thought of Huang Li as willful and spoiled.
But Ming San, who had passed the Xiu Cai examination at the age of eight, was not truly stupid. He saw through Huang Li's intentions but was too lazy to manage them. After all, he was not a good husband himself. If they divorced, and he remarried later, it would harm another woman. It was better for them to hurt each other, and neither would owe the other.
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Her voice suddenly became sharp. Huang Li suppressed her panic and then shouted indignantly, "You're just afraid of that little slut Zhan Feiyu, and you're using divorce to scare me. Ming San, you're a coward!"
Chai Yi was indeed handsome and refined, and treated Huang Li with great gentleness. But Huang Li, who had lived a life of luxury since childhood, could not possibly marry the impoverished Chai Yi. It was merely a way to amuse herself when she was bored.
Ming San didn't want to say more. He quickly walked out, not even looking at Granny Lu, who was guarding the door. After leaving the courtyard, he said to a nearby servant, "From tonight onwards, Third Madam and her dowry attendants are not allowed to leave the courtyard."
"Yes." The servant was stunned for a moment. When he came back to his senses, he saw the figure of Third Young Master Ming walking away into the twilight. Was the Ming family about to undergo a change?
Zhan Feiyu had no idea about the changes in the Ming family. After returning to Donghu Xiaoxuan, she began to read every day.
As for Chongguang, he sent people to keep an eye on Madam Qin. It was likely that the news of Huang Li's injury had already spread. If Madam Qin wanted to use a borrowed knife to kill, she would definitely go to Qingya Academy to visit the injured Huang Li.