The mere act of being taken to the Forbidden Dragon Guard was not enough to appease the Du family's wrath. Especially when they recalled that You Ba Wang's demise was due to his lust for Zhan Feiyu's beauty, which led him to bribe a servant from the Chang family to sneak into the back courtyard. This, in turn, provided the jailer Lai San the opportunity to kill him.
"Granny Pang, send people out to spread the word that the wretched girl is no longer chaste. The Forbidden Dragon Guard wouldn't even want a slut like her!" Madam Du actually wished to say that Zhan Feiyu had been defiled by the Forbidden Dragon Guard.
However, upon considering the fearsome reputation of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, she dared not cast such slander. Thus, Madam Du changed her words. In doing so, her objective would be achieved without offending the Forbidden Dragon Guard.
Granny Pang understood and nodded, "This old servant understands and will arrange for people to do so immediately. Madam, should we continue to have people monitor Chunhui Garden?"
"A lowly, uncouth bastard. Even if she survives to enter Prince Rui's manor, she would merely be a concubine. Do you think she can gain any favor from Consort Yi?" Madam Du scoffed dismissively. She and the Princess of Rui had a history of discord.
After all, a woman who held the esteemed position of a first-rank Princess Consort was not favored, and the son raised under her care was merely the son of a concubine.
Although Madam Du was only a first-rank Marquis's wife, the sole heir of the Marquis Wu'an was her own son. Besides two aging concubines, Marquis Wu'an had no beautiful maids, and Madam Du held absolute sway in the Marquis's manor.
Moreover, both the Princess of Rui and Madam Du had overbearing and flamboyant personalities, leading to a distinct "kings do not meet kings" dynamic between them.
Especially this time, when the Princess of Rui, bypassing Madam Du, had privately sent a letter to the Marquis of Wu'an seeking a marriage alliance. This was no less than a slap in Madam Du's face. All the noble ladies in the capital's inner circles knew how much she disliked this illegitimate daughter, yet the Princess of Rui insisted on elevating this wretched girl.
Although the Marquis Wu'an manor was a declining noble household, it still held considerable influence within the capital. In just one morning, rumors of Zhan Feiyu's "filthy language" had spread throughout the streets and alleys.
With a snort, he choked on his tea. Chong Guang, disregarding the tea stains around his mouth, hurled the cup in his hand, "You're telling me this now? Do you want to die young?"
Wanting to dodge but not daring to, the subordinate who replied glared at Chong Guang, unable to speak his mind, "Your subordinate went to seek instructions from Miss Zhan."
Therefore, he would not bear this blame.
As members of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, they had informants in all the major aristocratic families of the capital. Thus, as soon as Granny Pang arranged for people to spread rumors, the Forbidden Dragon Guard received the news. Upon realizing that Zhan Feiyu was currently residing in their Commander's residence, the Forbidden Dragon Guard dared not slack off and reported it immediately.
"This girl has gone mad from reading!" He sprang to his feet. Thinking of his Seventh Master's imminent return to the capital, and the current unspeakable rumors circulating throughout the city, Chong Guang felt he might as well die now.
When Chong Guang entered the courtyard, He Sheng was sweeping fallen leaves with a broom. A rich aroma wafted from the kitchen. Without asking, it was clear that Cook Xiao was making pastries.
"Ah Sheng!" Chong Guang slung an arm around He Sheng's shoulders, but he did not forget to lower his voice, "You little brat, tell me honestly, what madness has your mistress fallen into?"
Compared to the exasperated Chong Guang, He Sheng still had his honest expression. He picked up the fallen leaves again and simultaneously shook off Chong Guang's arm, "Miss says that rumors stop with the wise."
Listening to the faint sounds of recitation from the back courtyard, Chong Guang felt like cursing his father. He fiercely wiped his face, "Do you think Seventh Master can remain rational after hearing this? Can our brothers in the Forbidden Dragon Guard still have a way to live?"
He Sheng looked up, casting a sympathetic glance at the agitated and frantic Chong Guang, "I am merely following orders."
"He Xiao Sheng, do you still resent me for kicking you during training back then?" Chong Guang glared fiercely. He had always disliked this kid's face, so wooden. Who would have thought that thirty years would bring such a change? Today, he had been outmaneuvered by this brat.
He Sheng, unhurriedly, continued sweeping the yellow leaves on the ground. That kick back then had landed squarely on his backside.
Chong Guang wanted to enter the back courtyard to find Zhan Feiyu, but listening to the sounds of reading, he concluded that this girl must have gone mad from studying. It was better for him to handle it first, ensuring that Seventh Master heard no foul rumors upon his return to the capital.
Seeing Chong Guang turn to leave, He Sheng slowly spoke, "Since Miss has allowed the Marquis Wu'an manor to spread rumors, she must have her own plans."
His movement to exit paused. Chong Guang's face contorted, twisting and twisting again. What plans could this girl have by tarnishing her own reputation? To never marry? To become a nun?
Chong Guang, in his exasperation, came and left in a huff. He Nuan happened to be carrying hot honeyed osmanthus cakes into the study and also informed Chong Guang of his arrival and departure, "Is Miss really not going to intervene?"
It was not surprising that Chong Guang was so furious. The rumors were simply too vile. Let alone Zhan Feiyu being a scholar who was to participate in the spring examinations next year, even for an ordinary young lady, such gossip would be enough to drive her to death.
"The great general does not quibble over small reputations, and those who aim far do not cling to immediate gains." Zhan Feiyu earnestly recited classical phrases, but her hand had already reached for the osmanthus cakes on the table, "Even if these rumors are spread to the most absurd degree, no one would dare to mention them in front of me with eyes that do not see."
Zhan Feiyu dared to confront Zhe Jing head-on. The noble daughters of the capital cherished their reputations. It was likely that no one would dare to mock or ridicule Zhan Feiyu with rumors. At most, they would gossip behind her back, and Zhan Feiyu would pretend not to know.