Watching Zhan Lao Er being dragged away like a dead dog, Zhan Lao Tai clutched her chest in pain.
Her gaze swept over to Zhan Fei Yu standing at the entrance of the main hall, watching with cold indifference. Zhan Lao Tai, furious, began to curse, "Xiao Yu, immediately tell the old clan elder to release your second uncle. If you dare to stand by and do nothing, I will beat you to death today, you ungrateful little beast!"
Seeing the fierce and shrewish Zhan Lao Tai, the villagers suddenly realized that her past claims of doting on her granddaughter were all lies. When trouble arose, Zhan Lao Tai only had her son, Zhan Lao Er, in her heart.
"Grandma, if I were to stand by and do nothing, Second Uncle would have already been taken away by Steward Zeng," Zhan Fei Yu said indifferently, her voice devoid of emotion, like a wooden doll.
Grief beyond despair! If a seven-year-old girl's heart hadn't been broken, how could she be as emotionless as an old monk in a temple? If this were to happen to them, even if Zhan Lao Tai was their grandmother and elder, they couldn't help but curse.
"Chang Shun's wife, you must be reasonable. Xiao Yu has worked very hard today," an elder woman, unable to bear it, spoke up in support. Xiao Yu truly worked hard and received no thanks.
Another old woman sneered, deliberately raising her voice, "If Xiao Yu were my granddaughter, I would wake up laughing in my sleep."
Zhan Lao Tai reluctantly suppressed the ferocity on her face, changing the subject and looking at Zhan Fei Yu with feigned weakness. "Xiao Yu, Grandma knows you are capable. Your second uncle was stabbed seven times!"
Zhan Lao Tai choked back tears, "Can you bear to see Grandma send off her son before her? Xiao Yu, please pity your old Grandpa and Grandma. Beg for your second uncle, Grandma will kneel and kowtow to you!"
"Yao Shi!" The old clan elder pointed an angry finger at Zhan Lao Tai, who was being restrained, trembling with rage. "You are deliberately trying to harm Xiao Yu! For a grandmother to kneel before her granddaughter, if this gets out, what reputation will Xiao Yu have left? How can she bear the stigma of unfilial conduct and still pursue studies and the imperial examinations?"
Zhan Lao Tai had completely refreshed the villagers' understanding of her. Relying on her status as an elder, she repeatedly bullied Xiao Yu!
Hearing the old clan elder's indignant words, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. If Xiao Yu couldn't take the imperial examinations, it would cut off the hope of the Zhan clan's revitalization!
If it were before, the villagers might have had some doubts. Xiao Yu, no matter how smart, was still a seven-year-old child. But today, Zhan Fei Yu alone had persuaded Steward Zeng to retreat. Everyone immediately elevated her to the same level as the village chief and the old clan elder.
Xiao Yu was a capable person who would lead the entire village in the future.
"Grandma, regarding Second Uncle's matter, the old clan elder and the village chief are presiding, and there are so many uncles and elders present. I, a child, cannot manage this," Zhan Fei Yu said with a small, distressed face. She wanted to help Zhan Lao Tai up, but was intimidated by her fierce and ferocious gaze.
"Xiao Yu, you are right," the village chief chimed in. Although Xiao Yu was smart, she was still a young and inexperienced child.
The elders present also nodded in agreement, unknowingly being flattered by Zhan Fei Yu. Everyone was happy in their hearts. Xiao Yu was still young, and Zhan Lao Er's matter still needed to be decided by their old bones.
"You all took such drastic measures against my son, why should I care about the life and death of a granddaughter!" Zhan Lao Tai said sinisterly, her wrinkled old face showing undisguised malice. "If you dare to touch Lao Er, I will ensure this dead girl cannot study for the imperial examinations!"
"Yes, Mother, that's how it should be!" Little Yao Shi chimed in, glaring fiercely at Zhan Fei Yu. "You ungrateful little beast who stands by and does nothing, have you let dogs gnaw on your conscience? You won't even save your own second uncle. Do you expect her to support you in the future? Bah!"
A few aunts standing nearby were sprayed with saliva. They glared at the arrogant Little Yao Shi indignantly. They wouldn't save these heartless, ungrateful people of the Zhan family's second branch!
The old clan elder, reaching the peak of his anger, calmed down. He smiled and said, "Fine. If the ancestral hall is not involved, I will immediately send someone to notify the Zeng family. You two, mother and daughter, can threaten the Zeng family with your lives!"
Zhan Lao Tai and Little Yao Shi were once again speechless. The Zeng family was not to be trifled with. Wang Ming had already been crippled. How could they dare to let the Zeng family take Zhan Lao Er away?
In the end, Zhan Lao Er was locked in the ancestral hall. Zhu Zi and a few young men guarded the entrance. The villagers also went home in twos and threes, but they were still talking about the Zhan family's affairs.
...
The moon was high in the sky.
The Zhan family had a cold stove and cold hearth that night. Little Yao Shi was crying in the old couple's room, Zhan Da Lang had a stern face, and Zhan San Lang wailed from time to time.
"Cry, cry, what else can you do besides cry?" Zhan Lao Tai lay on the bed, her head aching from the crying. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. "Lao Er is still alive, why are you crying as if for a funeral!"
"Mother, I'm just worried about my husband," Little Yao Shi mumbled. She was also tired and pulled over a stool, plopping down. "It's all Xiao Yu's fault, that dead girl. She's so capable, why didn't she ask the Zeng family to let my husband go? Ungrateful little beast!"
"Enough, what does this have to do with Xiao Yu!" Zhan Lao Tou, seeing her going too far, reprimanded her. He picked up his pipe and took a couple of puffs irritably.
"She's a little beast!" Zhan Lao Tai cursed sharply, her sinister and ferocious expression successfully silencing Zhan Lao Tou.
No matter how much the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law cursed Zhan Fei Yu, they felt uneasy in their hearts. They were not afraid of the old clan elder or the village chief, but of the Zeng family from Baofeng Cloth Shop.
The curses could be heard even through several walls. Li Shi looked at Zhan Lao Da, who was sitting by the bed without speaking, with a sneer. This was his filial mother. The one who caused trouble was Zhan Lao Er, but the one being cursed was Xiao Yu.
Zhan Lao Da looked at Li Shi, wanting to speak, but seeing Li Shi's completely indifferent face, Zhan Lao Da didn't know what to say and lowered his head in silence.
In the room, Zhan Fei Yu was the calmest in the entire Zhan family. She dipped her brush in ink, and her words, showing nascent strength, landed on the rough paper: "When the autumn moon shines on the eighth of the ninth month, my flowers bloom and all other flowers wither. The fragrant aura pierces through Chang'an, filling the city with golden armor."
After finishing the poem, Zhan Fei Yu, whose emotions had been stirred, picked up her brush again: "When all flowers bloom, I shall not. When I bloom, I shall startle them all. I will fight a battle with the west wind, clad in golden armor from head to toe."
"This seems to have a bit of youthful spirit," a clear voice suddenly said.
Zhan Fei Yu was startled, not knowing when Master Lin had arrived or how long he had been standing at the door. At least he had seen her murderous aura while she was writing the poem.
Master Lin, entering the room, picked up the paper from the table. "To fight a battle with the west wind? Xiao Yu, you have finally reached this point."
"Master, indecision leads to trouble. This student has a clear conscience," Zhan Fei Yu bowed respectfully to Master Lin. Under the dim lamplight, her eyes were still clear and bright, but with a hint of stern coldness.
Master Lin's calm gaze surveyed his young disciple. The affairs of the Zhan family had spread throughout the village in half a day. While everyone was cursing Zhan Lao Er for plotting to steal wealth and harm lives, and Zhan Fei Yu for repaying malice with kindness, Master Lin knew there were hidden details, which was why he had come.
"Da Lang spent four years in the private school, and I have come to know your second uncle somewhat. With his shrewdness, he would not have offended the Zeng family for money," Master Lin hit the nail on the head.
Zhan Lao Er might be selfish or greedy, but he was not a brainless brute. If this matter were reported to the authorities, it would be a capital offense, and the Zeng family would retaliate. Zhan Lao Er was not a desperate criminal, he would never do such a thing.
Zhan Fei Yu looked silently at the dark night outside the window. After a moment of hesitation, she suddenly said, "Mencius said: If the Son of Heaven is not benevolent, he cannot protect the Four Seas; if the feudal lords are not benevolent, they cannot protect their states; if the ministers and officials are not benevolent, they cannot protect their ancestral temples; if the scholars and commoners are not benevolent, they cannot protect their bodies."
"Master, I can only say that my second uncle brought it upon himself. He harbored murderous intent towards me." Zhan Fei Yu respected Master Lin, but she still held back some information.
"What?" Master Lin was stunned. It wasn't that he didn't believe Zhan Fei Yu, but he couldn't understand why Zhan Lao Er would want to harm his own niece. Even if Xiao Yu had a talent for studying, it wouldn't lead to a life-threatening situation.
Zhan Fei Yu couldn't speak about the matter of the Jade-Faced Gentleman Hou Fei. So she said, "Master, my second uncle has tried to kill me twice. The ten taels of silver found by the Wang family were not hush money, but my life-saving money. It's just that the blind old woman's eyes couldn't see clearly."
Her eyesight was poor, so she killed the wrong person.
Thinking of Zhan Lao Er receiving seven stab wounds to his back, Master Lin's expression changed drastically. After a long while, he nodded understandingly. "No wonder your second uncle never defended himself."
By admitting that the ten taels of silver were hush money, he had offended the Zeng family. But if he told the truth, it would be hiring assassins to kill his own niece, a scholar highly regarded by Magistrate Chen.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, offending the merchant Zeng family might still have room for maneuver.
Zhan Fei Yu poured a cup of tea and handed it to the still somewhat dazed Master Lin. Not ungraciously, she continued, "Master, the Zeng family believes the mastermind is Zhu Kun, and my second uncle is merely an accomplice. However, if the mastermind cannot be convicted, the accomplice will naturally escape punishment."
"Moreover, my second uncle was certain that I would help mediate. My grandfather, my grandmother, and my father would all pressure me to come forward because I am a scholar, and I cannot be disloyal, unfilial, unkind, or unrighteous."
Scholars cherish their reputation. The Zhan elders would bombard Zhan Fei Yu in turn. If Zhan Lao Tai and Little Yao Shi staged a crying, fussing, and even suicidal scene, causing her own grandmother and aunt to die, Zhan Fei Yu would have no choice but to give up her studies.
"Your second uncle harmed others first, and your not helping is out of righteousness!" Master Lin disagreed. "Since ancient times, loyalty and righteousness have been difficult to reconcile. Xiao Yu is not committing the crime of destroying family ties for the sake of righteousness."
The Master was too naive. Zhan Fei Yu smiled faintly, her tone light and teasing. "If my second uncle gets into trouble, my grandma will fall ill and need her granddaughter to serve her medicine and water, falling ill every few days. Master, do you think I will still have time to study?"
Uh... Master Lin, who had not experienced the "dangers of the human world," was stunned. Attending to the sick was filial piety. Zhan Fei Yu would be worn down.
"This is still considered mild. If my grandma arranges a marriage for me with some scoundrel who ruins my reputation, let alone studying for the imperial examinations, I'd probably be thrown into a pig cage." Zhan Fei Yu's statement, as expected, earned her a stern glare from Master Lin.
But as an elder, Zhan Lao Tai had the right to decide Zhan Fei Yu's marriage. Even if she couldn't control her granddaughter, she had Zhan Lao Da firmly in her grasp. Using him as a weapon, she could make her own kin hate her and her enemies rejoice!
Although it was just a farming family, Master Lin felt the intricate and bloody struggles of the imperial court.
The candle wick sputtered with a "bip." Recalling his thoughts, Master Lin suddenly felt that being a rural teacher was the right choice. If he had truly entered officialdom, he would probably die without knowing how!
After a long while, Master Lin asked with a complicated expression, "Xiao Yu, what do you plan to do?"
"Master, I will use my second uncle's incident to have my family adopt me out." This was the true reason Zhan Fei Yu stopped Steward Zeng. She couldn't stay with the Zhan family, otherwise, the word "filial piety" alone would crush her.
But Zhan Fei Yu knew even better that the Zhan family would not agree, so she could only use her second uncle as a bargaining chip. Would it be to adopt her out, or to let the Zeng family kill her second uncle?
The night was deep and the frost was heavy. Master Lin walked out of the Zhan family, holding a lantern. He paused, and asked the person behind him, "Xiao Yu, do you still remember what I said that day?"
What words? Zhan Fei Yu was stunned. Looking at Master Lin's long robe fluttering in the wind under the night sky, a flash of inspiration struck her. "To establish the heart for heaven and earth, to establish life for the people, to inherit the lost teachings for the past sages, and to open peace for all generations. This student remembers your teachings!"
Hearing the young but firm voice behind him, Master Lin smiled slightly and walked away into the night.
...
The next morning, with the first light of dawn, the heavy wooden door slowly opened. Since the establishment of the Zhan clan's ancestral hall, Zhan Fei Yu was the only woman to step into it.
Besides the old clan elder and the village chief sitting in the main seats, several respected elders were also present. The heads of each household stood quietly to the side.
Zhan Lao Tou looked worriedly at Zhan Lao Er, who was being escorted over, and eagerly took two steps forward. "Lao Er, are you alright?"
Having not slept all night, Zhan Lao Er had also thought all night. He definitely could not admit to plotting to harm Madam Zeng.
Of course, he also couldn't say that he had hired assassins to kill his own niece. Zhan Lao Er planned to deny everything. As long as this dead girl wanted to take the imperial examinations, he would have a glimmer of hope.
"Father, I'm fine. I've made you worry. It's my unfilial son," Zhan Lao Er said, his beard disheveled, his voice hoarse. A simple greeting of concern brought tears to Zhan Lao Tou's eyes.
"How could you be so foolish!" Zhan Lao Tou patted Zhan Lao Er's shoulder with grief. This was his most trusted son, how could he have done such a foolish thing.
"Eldest Brother." Zhan Lao Er glanced at Zhan Lao Da, who was lowering his head and not speaking, and said in a low voice, "That money was saved by me gradually. I picked up a purse before, and inside it were two silver notes. I secretly kept them for myself. This money has nothing to do with Young Master Zhu. How could I harm someone's life!"
"Is that true?" Zhan Lao Da was overjoyed and grabbed Zhan Lao Er's arm excitedly. "Quickly tell the old clan elder and the village chief that it wasn't you. I would risk my life to protect you!"
"Eldest Brother." Zhan Lao Er choked up, looking at Zhan Lao Da with gratitude and trust. "When I was young, I was bullied by San Lai Zi, and it was always you, Eldest Brother, who stood in front of me to protect me."
"You are my brother!" Zhan Lao Da also remembered the memories of their childhood. Both brothers' eyes turned red. They were brothers connected by blood, the closest family in the world!
The village chief coughed a few times, interrupting the conversation between the Zhan father and sons. He spoke sternly about the punishment for Zhan Lao Er.
"Exile from the clan?" Everyone present was shocked and stunned, not expecting such a severe punishment.
But upon thinking about what Zhan Lao Er had done, everyone nodded in agreement. "Fortunately, it didn't succeed, otherwise it would have been a double death!"
"The Zeng family didn't report it to the authorities, but they will definitely not let it go. If the Zeng family retaliates, how can we dare to do odd jobs in the county town in the future?"
"Yes, this Zeng family is not to be trifled with."
The crowd began to whisper, and in the end, it was Zhan Lao Er's own doing.
"Cannot be exiled from the clan!" Zhan Lao Tou and Zhan Lao Da shouted at the same time. How could they exile him? This was forcing Lao Er to death!
Looking at the anxious and terrified father and son, the village chief said coldly and authoritatively, "Look at the memorial tablets of our ancestors behind us. The rules of the Zhan clan are clearly written. Zhan Lao Er committed the crime of plotting to steal wealth and harm lives. To exile only him is already showing leniency!"
"The money from Jubao Money House was not given by Young Master Zhu, it was saved by Lao Er himself!" Zhan Lao Da quickly explained for Zhan Lao Er, mentioning that Zhan Lao Er had found the silver notes.
"Does money really fall from the sky? Why didn't I find any?" Looking at Zhan Lao Er kneeling in the middle of the ancestral hall, some villagers shook their heads disdainfully.
"If he says he found it, then there's no proof. But will the Zeng family believe it?" someone next to him added. Farmers are simple, but not fools.
The words Steward Zeng had said yesterday and the evidence he had presented had already led everyone to believe Zhan Lao Er was guilty in their hearts. Whatever he said now was just sophistry.
"Let's not talk about other things, Zhan Lao Er forced Xiao Yu to pay five hundred taels of silver, which the village chief heard with his own ears." As soon as these words were spoken, the contempt on everyone's faces was unconcealed.
Zhan Lao Da was his elder brother, and Xiao Yu was his niece. Regardless of how he was injured, he forced the eldest branch to pay money. Zhan Lao Er's heart was black!
Listening to the disdainful and contemptuous mockery of the villagers, Zhan Lao Tou and Zhan Lao Da were at a loss. Both father and son were poor at speaking, so they could only look at Zhan Fei Yu, who was beside them.
"Xiao Yu, quickly tell the village chief that your second uncle is being framed!" Zhan Lao Da pleaded with Zhan Fei Yu. Before, he only saw her as a child, but after these events, Zhan Lao Da knew that only Zhan Fei Yu could help Zhan Lao Er.
"Xiao Yu, Grandpa knows you've been wronged. Grandpa apologizes to you. Please beg for your second uncle," Zhan Lao Tou also looked pitifully at Zhan Fei Yu. "Xiao Yu, please pity Da Lang and San Lang."
"Alright, you don't need to make things difficult for Xiao Yu. This is the decision of the village and the clan. No one's pleading will help!" The village chief's conclusion was final.
The old clan elder also stood up. Although he was over seventy, his eyes were sharp enough to deter anyone from looking directly at him.
"Chang Shun, Zhan Lao Er is exiled from the clan. Your family is still in the clan. If you disagree and anger the Zeng family, not only will you bring disaster to the village and clan, but what if the Zeng family retaliates against Da Lang and San Lang?" The old clan elder's words were not alarmist.
The village chief also added, "If the Zeng family spends some money to find a few ruffians, as long as they don't cause death, and they injure or cripple Da Lang and San Lang, even if it goes to court, it will only be a matter of paying some money."
Since ancient times, the poor do not fight with the rich, and the commoners do not contend with officials.
In an instant, as if their spirits had been drained, Zhan Lao Tou stared blankly at Zhan Lao Er kneeling on the ground. He felt sorry for his son, but what about his two grandsons?
"Lao Er made a mistake this time." An elder relative, not of the direct lineage, patted Zhan Lao Tou's shoulder comfortingly and said earnestly, "We can't ruin the two children of the second branch. If the Zeng family is ruthless, Er Lang and Xiao Yu will not escape retaliation."
"Even if Zhan Lao Er is exiled from the clan, he can find work elsewhere and won't starve to death. After three to five years, when the Zeng family forgets about this matter, perhaps he can return." The clan elder also spoke slowly.
After being exiled from the clan, he definitely couldn't return to the village. But after a few years, if Zhan Lao Er found work in Shangsi County, and his two sons grew up, they could also be filial to him.
Zhan Lao Tou was persuaded. If it were only the clan, he would have begged for his second son, even at the cost of his reputation. But with the Zeng family involved, Zhan Lao Tou could only accept his fate.
"Father, Third Sister-in-law's maiden home is in Majia Village. Let Second Brother go there then." Zhan Lao Da thought of Zhan Lao San, who had accompanied Ma Shi back to her parents' home.
Ma Shi's maiden home was in Lin County, several mountains away, making a trip back difficult.
Earlier, when Zhan Lao Tai forced Zhan Fei Yu to compensate the second branch with five hundred taels of silver, Zhan Lao San was so angry that he almost punched Zhan Lao Er. In the end, he was suppressed by Zhan Lao Tou and Zhan Lao Tai working together.
In his frustration, Zhan Lao San took his wife and children back to his father-in-law's house. Out of sight, out of mind!
Zhan Lao Er, kneeling on the ground, did not speak, lowering his head to hide the mockery and ruthlessness in his eyes. Exiled from the clan? To put it bluntly, it was because that dead girl was good at studying, so the clan sacrificed him to please that dead girl!
And these villagers, who used to fawn over him when they needed his help, now that he was in trouble, their consciences were all gnawed by dogs, and they only kicked him while he was down!
Women were not allowed in the ancestral hall and were waiting outside the courtyard, occasionally peeking inside. However, it was clear that Zhan Lao Tai and Little Yao Shi were isolated, with a circle of empty space around them.
"Xiao Yu is a good child, don't worry. From now on, if anyone with a black heart tries to bully Xiao Yu, the clan will surely uphold justice for you!" A straightforward aunt said with a smile, also casting a disdainful glance at Zhan Lao Tai and Little Yao Shi.
"Yes, Sister-in-law, Xiao Yu is promising. You just wait to enjoy your blessings." These words were full of flattery and fawning, as the fact that she could enter the ancestral hall was enough to show Zhan Fei Yu's status in the clan. No one dared to underestimate her.
Li Shi nodded, not knowing what was happening inside. However, thinking that the village chief, the old clan elder, and the clan elders were all present, Li Shi felt a little relieved.
"They're coming out." Someone shouted. The aunts and young wives who were chattering all looked towards the entrance of the ancestral hall.
The thick, sturdy wooden door opened from the inside. Seeing the men emerging in single file, the women from each family immediately rushed forward, wanting to know the punishment for Zhan Lao Er as soon as possible, especially since the Zeng family had only given them ten days.
A moment later, a piercing wail rang out. Little Yao Shi, like a madwoman, pushed through the crowd and lunged at Zhan Lao Er. "How can you exile him? This is forcing us to death!"
"Alright, let's talk about it when we get back!" Before coming out, Zhan Lao Tou had been severely reprimanded by the old clan elder and the clan elders, so he dared not indulge Little Yao Shi's wild behavior.
Zhan Lao Tou glanced at Zhan Lao Tai, whose face was grim and seemed to want to cause trouble, and frowned, cursing, "Are you not embarrassed enough? Let's all go back!"
Zhan Lao Da supported Zhan Lao Er, ignoring the contemptuous and disdainful glances of the villagers, and said comfortingly, "Second Brother, let's go home first."
The Zhan family left, but Zhan Fei Yu was not seen. Li Shi's heart skipped a beat.
"Sister-in-law, the old clan elder kept Xiao Yu back to talk." Zhu Zi quickly said.
"That's good." Li Shi smiled and nodded. With the clan protecting her, she no longer had to worry.
...
In the ancestral hall, the old clan elder whispered to a few clan elders, "We still need to send someone to speak with the Zeng family. Although Zhan Lao Er has been exiled from the clan, I'm afraid the Zeng family might not be satisfied."
Although exile from the clan was not much different from banishment by the authorities, Zhan Lao Er had almost caused Madam Zeng to die in childbirth. This was a deep hatred!
"Should we send Zhan Lao Er to the authorities?" a clan elder hesitated. If the yamen sentenced him, the Zeng family would have nothing to say.
The village chief quickly interrupted, "That won't do. Xiao Yu needs to take the imperial examinations. Master Lin said that Xiao Yu can participate in the county examination by the year after next at the latest." Although Master Lin had never been involved in the Zhan clan's affairs, his regard and protection for Zhan Fei Yu showed his stance.
The old clan elder sighed, "Zhan Lao Er is Xiao Yu's own second uncle. If he is sentenced, Xiao Yu can forget about taking the imperial examinations."
Based on this consideration, they could only handle Zhan Lao Er privately. The only concern now was that the Zeng family might not be satisfied.
"Why don't we ask Master Lin to help us make a trip?" a clan elder suggested. Master Lin was a scholar, and his words carried weight, at least more than their own as commoners.
"Constable Ma has a good personal relationship with Lao Er, and he also praises Xiao Yu. What about Constable Ma too?"
Looking at the white-haired old clan elders worrying so much, Zhan Fei Yu noted down this kindness. "Great-Grandfather, there's no need to trouble Master Lin or Constable Ma. I will go to the Zeng family with the village chief. I have already spoken with Steward Zeng, and the Zeng family will not make things difficult for us."
No one knew what Zhan Fei Yu and Steward Zeng had discussed privately in the main hall yesterday, but seeing Zhan Fei Yu's calm and composed demeanor, she must have had absolute confidence.
After careful consideration, the old clan elder smiled and nodded. "Alright, you go and test the Zeng family's attitude first. If it doesn't work, we will discuss it further."
...
At the Zhan family, in the west wing.
"Shut up, go and get some hot water for Lao Er to wash up. His wound has split open." Zhan Lao Tai cursed Little Yao Shi, then looked at Zhan Lao Er, who was lying on the bed, with concern. "Mother will make you some noodles."
"Mother, you and Father go and eat something too." Zhan Lao Er said in a hoarse voice. As soon as he moved, he pulled at the wound on his back, causing him to gasp in pain. Yet, he still endured the pain and urged the elders to eat.
Zhan Lao Tou and Zhan Lao Tai felt both gratified and distressed. They hadn't eaten last night and went to the ancestral hall early in the morning. Now they were both tired and hungry, but besides Lao Er, who else was thinking of them?
"Eldest Brother, you go and eat too." Seeing Little Yao Shi coming in with hot water, Zhan Lao Er urged again.
"Alright, let your wife take care of you." Zhan Lao Tai nodded, warned Little Yao Shi with a look, and then hurried out. She personally went to the kitchen to cook some noodles for Zhan Lao Er.
After everyone left, Little Yao Shi bolted the door and said anxiously, "Husband, why don't I go to the village chief's house and make a scene? I'll hang myself at his doorstep, and then let's see who dares to exile you!"
Zhan Lao Er looked at Little Yao Shi reproachfully and held her hand. "Don't act rashly. What if you hurt yourself? Do you remember that old woman from Shiniu Village?"
That old woman had faked a hanging back then, but accidentally hanged herself. Since then, unless it was a genuine suicide attempt, no one in the surrounding villages dared to fake a hanging.
Little Yao Shi, feeling cared for, smiled shyly and squeezed Zhan Lao Er's hand back.
But thinking of Zhan Lao Er being exiled from the clan, Little Yao Shi's expression immediately turned ferocious. "It's all that dead girl's fault. If I had known, I wouldn't have let her go to the private school, even if it meant turning the house upside down!"
Zhan Lao Er also hated her. He wished he could flay Zhan Fei Yu alive and chop her into pieces to feed to the dogs.
"Wife, listen to me." Zhan Lao Er forced himself to sit up, glanced at the window, and whispered something into Little Yao Shi's ear.
In the kitchen, Zhan Lao Tai cooked a pot of noodles and threw in a handful of green vegetables. Thinking of Zhan Lao Er's health, Zhan Lao Tai cracked a few eggs into the pot to cook together.
Zhan Lao Tou and Zhan Lao Da sat in the main hall, both with grim faces. Although Lao Er could go to Majia Village in Lin County, it was still leaving his homeland, which made them worry.
Seeing smoke rising from the chimney from afar, Li Shi, who had entered the courtyard, glanced at the kitchen and said softly to Zhan Fei Yu, "Mother still has white sugar cakes."
"Mother, I'm not hungry yet." Zhan Fei Yu had deliberately eaten two more steamed buns that morning, so she wouldn't be hungry even if she skipped lunch.
Li Shi affectionately stroked Zhan Fei Yu's little head. Dealing with this for a couple of days would be fine, but if the family didn't let Xiao Yu eat enough in the future, she would have to swallow her pride and seek justice from the village chief and the old clan elder.
In the main hall, Zhan Lao Tou raised his eyelids and glanced over, drawing on his pipe with a wooden face. He had finally come to resent his granddaughter, Zhan Fei Yu.
Zhan Lao Da didn't know what to say. What could he say? He had blamed Xiao Yu before. If Xiao Yu hadn't saved the blind old woman, how would Lao Er have been stabbed seven times? Let alone five hundred taels of silver, it almost cost Lao Er his life, and more money would have been needed.
Besides, it wasn't Lao Er who demanded the five hundred taels, it was his second sister-in-law. Lao Er had privately said he would give her an IOU later. For now, it was just a show to fool his second sister-in-law, so she wouldn't be constantly throwing tantrums like this.
"Lao Da!" Zhan Lao Tai's voice suddenly came from the kitchen, interrupting Zhan Lao Da's thoughts.
He quickly entered the kitchen and was surprised to see seven bowls of noodles on the table. Da Lang and San Lang had been sent to the Yao family to stay for a few days that morning before going to the ancestral hall.
Zhan Lao Tai still had a stern, wrinkled face and looked fierce. "What are you standing there foolishly for? Take these three bowls of noodles back to your room."
"Mother?" Looking at the steaming noodles, one of which had an egg in it, Zhan Lao Da's nose felt a little sore. Even after all this, Mother still cared about Xiao Yu.
Zhan Lao Tai, holding a bowl with two eggs, left quickly. Just as she was about to leave the kitchen, she paused, and a barely audible voice came through, "I won't starve my own granddaughter to death!"
East Room.
Seeing Zhan Lao Da carrying the bowl in, Zhan Fei Yu almost choked on water. She quickly put the cup down on the table, her dark eyes wide open. Could this noodles have been poisoned?
Li Shi was also stunned. She had prepared herself to eat dry rations for a few days.
"Xiao Yu, eat it while it's hot. Your grandmother made these noodles for you." Zhan Lao Da said dryly, his voice carrying a hint of flattery.
The father and daughter hadn't spoken much during this time. Zhan Lao Da blamed Zhan Fei Yu for causing Zhan Lao Er's injury and not paying the silver, which had disturbed the household.
Zhan Fei Yu, on the other hand, was so disappointed that she didn't want to deal with her foolishly filial father.
The excessive quietness made things awkward. Zhan Lao Da wiped his face and turned to leave the door. "You two eat first, I'll go to the kitchen to get the remaining bowl."
"She probably wants you to beg for her." Li Shi didn't think Zhan Lao Tai was showing goodwill. It was likely a show for her husband. If the elders bowed their heads first, and Xiao Yu remained stubborn, it would be unfilial.
"When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it. Mother, let's eat first." Zhan Fei Yu grinned and picked up her chopsticks, eating carelessly. As long as it wasn't poisoned, that was fine.
When Zhan Lao Da returned with the bowl and a plate of pickled vegetables, he saw the mother and daughter already sitting at the table and eating. Zhan Lao Da's dark old face softened. It was good this way, without arguing or making a fuss.
Unfortunately, before Zhan Fei Yu could finish eating, angry shouts suddenly erupted outside the room.
"Why can't I go back to my maiden home? My husband has been exiled from the clan, so I'll go even if I have to break my neck!" Little Yao Shi yelled, holding two large bundles.
As soon as she saw the three people from the eldest branch coming out, Little Yao Shi glared at them fiercely, pushed aside Zhan Lao Tai, who was trying to stop her, and shouted with her head held high, "Don't say I'm heartless. Even if I remarry, I'll take the two children with me!"
"Mother, let her go!" A mournful roar came from the bedroom.
After a while, Zhan Lao Er's hoarse voice was filled with grief and helplessness. "It's my fault. It's all my fault..."
Little Yao Shi, taking advantage of Zhan Lao Tai's momentary distraction, grabbed her large bundles and ran out of the courtyard in a few steps.
"Husband and wife are like birds of the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly in different directions," Zhan Lao Tou murmured in a hoarse voice, his hunched body walking towards the main house, looking as if he had aged many years.
Zhan Lao Tai still had her fierce and刻薄 (kèbó - harsh/mean) demeanor, but looking at the wide-open courtyard gate, her eyes turned red. She turned and walked into the west wing bedroom. "Lao Er, eat a little more. You still have injuries, how can you endure without eating? If you continue like this, you'll be the death of me..."
Zhan Lao Da stared blankly, feeling extremely distressed. Was the second branch going to break up like this? Wife and children separated?
As night fell, although everyone had worries in their hearts, the Zhan family had stayed up all night waiting for the ancestral hall to open. Tonight, they couldn't hold on any longer, and by the middle of the night, they were all fast asleep.
Little Yao Shi had packed her things and returned to her maiden home. Zhan Lao Er still had injuries, so Zhan Lao Tai moved into Da Lang and San Lang's room to take care of Zhan Lao Er.
With a creak, the sound of a door opening softly echoed. Zhan Lao Tai entered the bedroom in the dark. Moonlight shone through the window, and although the room was not lit, one could still vaguely see.
"Lao Er, does your wound still hurt?" Zhan Lao Tai fumbled and sat down by the bed, her voice lowered extremely. "Mother has been thinking all night. If it's really impossible, we'll have that dead girl adopted out. I believe the clan will find a way to let you stay!"
Before, because of the matter of five hundred taels of silver, the village chief had suggested adoption, but Zhan Lao Tai had cursed him away. As long as that dead girl was her granddaughter, Zhan Lao Tai could use filial piety to pressure her!
But now Zhan Lao Tai had to bow her head. "Lao Er, being exiled from the clan is not a trivial matter. You still have injuries, and it's too difficult to be alone outside!"
She had no hot meal after returning from work, and no one to talk to at night. If she were bullied, without the clan as her backing, life would be unbearable. Zhan Lao Tai's heart ached at the thought.
Perhaps because there were no outsiders, Zhan Lao Er no longer needed to hide his emotions. His low voice was filled with twisted hatred. "Mother, do you think that dead girl didn't let Steward Zeng take me away because she intended to have me adopted out!"
Zhan Lao Er's face contorted with ferocity. Unless he died, he would never be able to escape the Zhan family!
"Even if she is adopted out, won't she still recognize her parents? As long as your eldest brother is here, she won't be able to turn the heavens upside down!" Zhan Lao Tai sneered. If it weren't for the purpose of winning over Da Lang, she wouldn't have given those noodles to that mother and daughter, even if they were fed to dogs!
In the darkness, Zhan Fei Yu sat on a low stool, her hands supporting her chin, quietly watching the two people talking. With her second uncle's brain, why didn't he take the imperial examinations back then? Second Uncle had also attended private school.
"Mother, with that dead girl's wickedness, if she achieves fame in the future, killing us will be as easy as crushing ants," Zhan Lao Er's tone was sinister and ruthless.
The eavesdropping Zhan Fei Yu raised her eyebrows. Was her second uncle speaking from experience?
First, it was the Jade-Faced Gentleman, then the blind old woman. It seemed she wasn't ruthless enough. If her second uncle had any chance of turning things around, he would probably hire assassins for the third time!
Zhan Lao Tai hesitated. Even though she was harsh and malicious, she had never thought of killing people. Therefore, she didn't dare to think that Zhan Fei Yu would dare to kill her own grandmother!
But Zhan Lao Tai believed Zhan Lao Er the most. Thinking of Zhan Fei Yu's behavior during this time, Zhan Lao Tai believed him by three parts. "We can't have her adopted out. Do you want Mother to watch you be exiled from the clan?"
Mother is still too soft-hearted! Zhan Lao Er said, guiding her. "Mother, now we can only ask Eldest Brother for help. Today my wife was making a fuss about going back to her maiden home. In a couple of days, my brother-in-law will definitely come knocking. Then you can ask Da Lang and the others to beg Eldest Brother, and have Eldest Brother beg Xiao Yu."
"That dead girl's heart is as hard as iron. Your eldest brother is also useless!" Zhan Lao Tai resented Zhan Fei Yu for being cold-blooded and also blamed Zhan Lao Da for not being able to control his own daughter.
Zhan Lao Er smiled bitterly. "If not, I'll go to Third Brother's father-in-law's place first."
"No, you have all these injuries. How can Mother live without seeing you!" Zhan Lao Tai refused without thinking.
She had previously considered having Zhan Fei Yu adopted out as a condition for the clan to find a way. Even if they officially said she was exiled, as long as the old clan elder and the others agreed, Lao Er would not be bullied even if he lived elsewhere, and he might even be able to return secretly after some time.
Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, Zhan Lao Tai excitedly slapped her thigh, even forgetting to lower her voice. "I'll have your eldest brother admit that he took money and harmed Madam Zeng. Anyway, Lao Da has no sons. Even if he's exiled, it won't affect anything!"
The more Zhan Lao Tai thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Having Lao Da take his place would not only prevent that dead girl from studying but also save Lao Er.
"Mother, absolutely not! I didn't harm Madam Zeng. The Zeng family wrongly accused me without distinguishing right from wrong. Young Master Zeng is ruthless. Even if he doesn't kill Eldest Brother, he can cripple him. I can't harm Eldest Brother!"
Zhan Lao Er vehemently opposed, grabbing Zhan Lao Tai's wrist forcefully. "Mother, don't think about it. Even if Eldest Brother agrees, I won't!"
Zhan Lao Tai was determined to save Zhan Lao Er, and her tone was extremely firm. "You must listen to Mother about this! Your eldest brother is as strong as an ox. What's wrong with enduring some hardship? You can't even sit up now. If you are exiled from the clan, you will be forcing your mother to death!"
"Mother!" Zhan Lao Er looked at Zhan Lao Tai helplessly. After a long while, he smiled bitterly and said, "Mother, even if Eldest Brother and I both agree, the Zeng family won't!"
The Zeng family had no conclusive evidence to retaliate against Zhu Kun, so this anger would naturally be directed at Zhan Lao Er. How could they allow the Zhan family to substitute the real culprit and call a deer a horse!
Zhan Fei Yu, with a stiff, chubby face, nodded in agreement. Her dark eyes flickered with light. She was curious about what method her second uncle had to make the Zeng family agree to change the person for revenge.
With such a brain and such calculations, why was her second uncle only a bullock cart driver? Zhan Fei Yu rubbed her little chubby chin with her hand. She suspected her second uncle was "unrecognized for his talent." Was it because his heart was too black, and heaven couldn't stand to see her second uncle prosper?
"Lao Er, you also said that Steward Zeng didn't arrest you because he was wary of that dead girl's good studies. The county magistrate also thinks highly of her. Even if the Zeng family hates her, they won't go too far," Zhan Lao Tai reasoned, and then laughed happily. The worries and fears of the past two days had dissipated.
"As long as Lao Da admits that he took money, the Zeng family will definitely agree to change people. Even if that dead girl studies well, with a father who harmed lives and was exiled from the clan, she won't be able to take the imperial examinations, and the Zeng family will be relieved!"
Zhan Lao Tai became happier as she spoke, her hanging heart also relaxed. "If the Zeng family doesn't agree, when that dead girl achieves fame, Mother will definitely kill the Zeng family. Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, the Zeng family is just merchants, aren't they afraid?"
By retaliating against Zhan Lao Er, they had made an enemy of the Zhan family. Even if Zhan Fei Yu had a bad relationship with the second branch, a single surname could not be written as two Zhan characters. Who knew if Zhan Fei Yu would retaliate seven or eight years later? For their own safety, the Zeng family could not let Zhan Fei Yu come forward.
But Zhan Fei Yu was highly regarded by the magistrate and had a talent for studying. What could the Zeng family do? That's why Zhan Lao Tai was certain that the Zeng family would agree to change people, get their revenge, and vent their anger, and have no future worries.