Yin Wuyan lifted his eyelids and glanced at the little girl with her cheeks puffed out, believing herself to be unlucky. His deep gaze fell back onto her homework. The neat and elegant official script was pleasing to the eye, and even more so, the essay was filled with pearls from the opening to the end, with a lofty theme.
After a quick review, Yin Wuyan had to admit that Zhan Feiyu's policy essay was of the highest quality. If there were any criticisms, it was only that the literary style was lacking.
This essay, "Ren in the Neighborhood is Beauty," was straightforward. The language was slightly less ornate, but since the Emperor ascended the throne, the imperial examinations held every three years focused on current affairs. Poetry and literary style were merely embellishments.
Zhan Feiyu dared not speak either, instantly feeling the tension of a poor student being checked on by the dean of students.
Especially when she saw her essay from last night being put down. It would have been one thing if her "big brother" said nothing, but his fingers were tapping rhythmically on the paper. This made Zhan Feiyu straighten her back, her attitude as proper as could be.
"What are your plans regarding the Marquis of Wu'an's estate?" His tone shifted to You Bawang. Yin Wuyan watched as Zhan Feiyu, slightly stunned, immediately relaxed. A fleeting smile flashed in his deep phoenix eyes. Where had the courage to pounce on him just now gone?
Not mentioning homework was for everyone's benefit. Zhan Feiyu smiled, "You Bawang bought a servant from the Chang household who sneaked into the back courtyard. He was still alive and well when I left."
"After Madam Chang's birthday banquet, Lord Chang and Madam Chang interrogated the household servants. You Bawang was stabbed in a vital spot by Lai San, who had disguised himself as a jailer, and died. Lai San also committed suicide by poison. This matter, even if brought before the Golden Chariot Hall, would not implicate me."
Zhan Feiyu shrugged helplessly, "I heard that Prefect Bai and Lord Chang both submitted memorials of self-reproach, but the Emperor has deferred them."
From Bai Zhaohui's near-death experience to You Bawang's actual death, it was a chain of events targeting the Shun Tian Prefecture and the Dali Temple. Zhan Feiyu felt truly wronged.
Yet, the men who planned and schemed were all hiding behind the scenes, using Madam Hou Du and Princess Rui as vanguards. Zhan Feiyu suddenly felt the powerlessness of a scholar encountering soldiers, unable to explain herself.
"Big brother, it's no wonder the Emperor hasn't decided on an heir yet, considering the methods of those behind the scenes." Zhan Feiyu raised her eyebrows and clicked her tongue twice in disdain. "To contend for power, they resort to assassinating officials' children or letting women act while they hide in the background, fanning the flames. Such despicable and shameless tactics, no matter which prince it is, are utterly base and shameless."
The Governor of Shun Tian Prefecture managed all affairs in the capital region. Although the Minister of Dali Temple was only responsible for hearing and judging cases, once the struggle for the throne began, officials would inevitably be imprisoned, and the importance of Dali Temple would become apparent.
"You speak too freely." Yin Wuyan's voice deepened slightly. Although his words seemed to be a reprimand and a warning, there was no anger on his handsome face. It was clear he was indulging Zhan Feiyu's venting, as she had indeed been unfairly caught up in it.
Squinting and smiling, Zhan Feiyu nodded as if accepting instruction, "I understand that words can bring trouble. I promise not to say it outside."
Speaking of which, Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but move her chair closer to Yin Wuyan. "Big brother, which prince is behind all this?" "I don't know," Yin Wuyan replied expressionlessly, then picked up the stack of homework beside him to review.
"Wait a moment!" An urgent voice sounded. Zhan Feiyu sprang up from her chair and rushed towards the desk, her fair little paws quickly reaching for the homework Yin Wuyan had just picked up.
Even Yin Wuyan hadn't expected Zhan Feiyu to react so strongly. His left arm instinctively embraced the person who lunged at him, while his right hand moved the stack of homework further away.
A short person must have short arms... Zhan Feiyu looked at the homework, so close yet unreachable, with tears threatening to fall. She struggled with all her might, but the arm around her waist was like an iron ring, preventing Zhan Feiyu from moving forward an inch.
After a while.
Sitting upright like a good child, Zhan Feiyu watched Yin Wuyan flipping through the homework page by page. It was her own fault for being so meddlesome...
Yin Wuyan put down the essay in his hand. Suddenly, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Below it was a poem, with pear blossoms as the theme. It was a perfectly normal topic.
Although poetry would not be tested in the Spring Examinations, there would be the Imperial Flower Banquet afterwards, which would definitely include composing poems and matching verses. Moreover, who among the scholars with official titles in the Great Qing Dynasty would dare to call themselves a literati without a few presentable poems?
The paper in front of Yin Wuyan had seven or eight lines written from top to bottom. Only the first line was related to pear blossoms: "In the mandarin duck quilt, a night of togetherness; a tree of pear blossoms压海棠."
If it were just this line, it would be fine. Zhan Feiyu's brows furrowed into a knot, wishing she could dig a basement with her toes and disappear on the spot.
"Twenty-four bridges under the bright moon, where is the jade man teaching the flute?"
"Fragrant powder, sweat-soaked zither strings; spring teases the tender flesh, melting like rain balm. After bathing, the lover caresses, the cool spirit seeps into purple grapes."
"The Love of Chrysanthemums, rarely heard of after Tao Yuanming..."
...
The room was eerily silent. Zhan Feiyu didn't dare to breathe, only regretting her impulsive action.
With the Spring Examinations approaching, she had been studying day and night. Seeing the poem about pear blossoms, Zhan Feiyu's mind went blank, and these lines flooded into her memory. She never expected that her attempt at self-amusement would result in this living hell.