The man surnamed Jin was stumped by the mathematics problem posed by Zhan Feiyu, and looked towards Scholar Zhang for help.
Useless fool! Scholar Zhang's face contorted further as he picked up his teacup and gestured towards the corner.
A young man, about twenty-four or twenty-five, stood up and said politely, "I also enjoy mathematics, but I am naturally dull. General Jin, please bestow your guidance on this problem, young scholar Zhan."
The other party's humble demeanor made it seem as if Zhan Feiyu would be arrogant if she refused to speak.
Still in the private room on the second floor, Chong Guang saw Zhan Feiyu's mischievous look and immediately chuckled, "Seventh Master, the chubby girl is up to no good."
Yin Wuyan put down his brush and silently looked at the numbers he had just calculated. He was proficient in mathematics, but it had taken him half an incense stick's time to work out the result, while the little girl had blurted out the answer.
Chong Guang glanced downstairs and stroked his chin, speculating, "The chubby girl must have known Scholar Zhang was going to use this problem to make things difficult for her. She calculated the answer beforehand. This is called being prepared!"
"Master Niu, the most skilled mathematician in the entire Shangsi County, is still engrossed in his calculations. Where did Zhan Feiyu get the answer?" Doctor Ji retorted disdainfully. Apart from her martial prowess, Chong Guang lacked brains.
"Couldn't the chubby girl have overheard the answer?" Chong Guang shot back. This answer was either fabricated or overheard.
He admitted that the chubby girl was smart, but their Seventh Master was undoubtedly the smartest in Daqing Dynasty. Seventh Master had spent half an incense stick's time calculating with a pen; the chubby girl couldn't possibly be more capable than Seventh Master.
Doctor Ji was not skilled in mathematics, but he had brains and eyes! "After the man surnamed Jin posed the question, Zhan Feiyu pondered for a long time. She must have been calculating in her mind at that moment!"
"Quiet!" Yin Wuyan said coldly. Downstairs, Zhan Feiyu had already spoken.
"Three people travel together, seventy are rare; twenty-one branches on five plum trees; seven children reunited, a full moon; divide by one hundred and five to know. Calculate using this, and you will know the answer." After speaking, Zhan Feiyu immediately said, "Shopkeeper, please bring paper and brush for these two gentlemen so they can calculate."
"Young scholar Zhan is too polite." The old shopkeeper had a young servant bring the paper and brush, and then walked over himself. "I manage the accounts for Leshan Ju, and I also have some interest in mathematics. May I observe while you two calculate?"
Zhan Feiyu smiled like a cat that had stolen fish, her eyes narrowed to slits. The old shopkeeper was truly wicked!
"Haha, I'm also very curious how this problem is solved. Gentlemen, rest assured, I promise not to make a sound to disturb you!" The round-faced young man suddenly stood up, pulling his classmate sitting beside him. "When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher. Come, let's learn properly!"
Having achieved the title of Xiucai at such a young age, the students from the county school were naturally intelligent. With a turn of their eyes, they understood. They gathered around in twos and threes to watch.
The man surnamed Jin and the young man were dumbfounded. Looking at the paper and brush placed before them, they felt as if they were looking at poison that would take their lives. Sweat broke out on their foreheads even in the cold winter.
One was a merchant who only knew how to read and do accounts, and the other only knew how to compose poetry, and his poetic skills were barely passable. Asking them to calculate was like forcing a duck to climb a shelf!
"Why haven't you started writing?" The round-faced young man asked in confusion, then seemed to understand and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Could it be that you can also calculate in your mind like young scholar Zhan?"
"What the Master said is right, there are always people better than you, and heavens beyond heavens!" A classmate nodded in agreement with a solemn expression.
The man surnamed Jin and the young man's faces turned pale, and their legs felt so weak they could barely stand.
However, Master Niu at Magistrate Zhao's table put down his brush.
Magistrate Zhao said gently, "You've calculated it."
"I'm ashamed, I still received young scholar Zhan's reminder." Master Niu stood up and cupped his hands in salute to Zhan Feiyu. Although he was a Master and a Juren, in terms of mathematics, this little girl was definitely his teacher.
"Master praises me too much. Everyone has their own specialty. I am just interested in mathematics," Zhan Feiyu said quickly. Anyone who had received nine years of compulsory education could solve these math problems. She felt guilty about the praise.
The other four Juren and Xiucai who were calculating also put down their brushes and looked at Zhan Feiyu with admiration. If it weren't for her hint, they wouldn't have been able to figure out the answer.
"Brother, didn't you just say you were interested in mathematics? Why aren't you writing?" The round-faced young man asked with a smile. With such mediocre skills, he dared to cause trouble at the literary gathering. He had certainly hit a snag.
"Wenmin, do not be so aggressive!" Master Dou's cold and stern voice rang out.
The warned round-faced young man smiled guiltily, gave Zhan Feiyu a formidable look, and then returned to his seat with his classmates.
The people present were not fools; they all understood what was going on.
As the sun began to set, the participants of the literary gathering gradually left Leshan Ju.
Zhan Feiyu had planned to leave with Master Lin, but unexpectedly, Chong Guang came down from the second floor.
Chong Guang's face was stern, and he adopted a business-like demeanor, "Young scholar Zhan, please wait. My lord wishes to see you."
Hmph! The lord who was rumored to frequent Leshan Ju for tea?
The people who hadn't left were stunned, and then their burning gazes swept towards Chong Guang, and then they looked up at the second floor. A lord who could recommend scholars to enter the county and prefectural schools was at least a fourth-rank official! Why hadn't they received this lord's favor!
After Zhan Feiyu followed Chong Guang upstairs, the crowd showed no outward signs, but the little people in their hearts were beating their chests and stamping their feet. Jealousy makes me ugly... but I'm still so jealous.
"Magistrate, was that lord upstairs the whole time?" The round-faced young man asked blankly.
Precisely because they were scholars who had achieved official titles, they understood better than others the rarity of such an opportunity! With the lord's future support and care, how many detours would they save!
Looking at the students with their varied expressions, Magistrate Zhao said solemnly, "Do not force things!"
He did not know the identity of this lord, but he had met Lord Chen before, and the lord had only said four words: "Noble beyond words."
Magistrate Zhao understood that this person's status was even more precious than outsiders speculated, and he did not wish to reveal his identity. In the end, this was Zhan Feiyu's opportunity, and it could not be forced!
"Chubby girl, are you enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention?" Chong Guang, walking upstairs with his back to the crowd, had a teasing expression.
Gave him a roll of her eyes, Zhan Feiyu let out a cold laugh, "My back is about to be burned through."
She emphasized the word "back"!
Uh... Chong Guang, whose back whip wounds had not yet healed, touched his nose guiltily. Alright, the chubby girl was indeed vengeful.
Pushing open the door, Zhan Feiyu smiled sweetly at Yin Wuyan, "Big brother, you were looking for me..."
Seeing the scattered papers on the table and the numbers on them, Zhan Feiyu's voice faltered. She felt her face stiffen, and her eyes darted away guiltily. The title of prodigy was undeserved...
Yin Wuyan did not speak. He glanced at Chong Guang and Doctor Ji, signaling them to leave.
No way! Chong Guang, who was waiting to watch the excitement, was extremely reluctant.
Doctor Ji, who was turning to leave, let out a cold snort and slapped Chong Guang on the back without the slightest hesitation.
After a scream, the private room returned to silence.
Looking at Zhan Feiyu, who was nervously uneasy but maintained her composure, Yin Wuyan's thin lips curved into a smile, and he handed her a piece of black iron token. "If anyone asks in the future, just say that I taught you your first lessons."
The token was no larger than Zhan Feiyu's palm. On the front were three characters written in a powerful, flowing script: Jin Long Wei (Imperial Dragon Guard).
Happiness came too quickly! Zhan Feiyu suddenly raised her head, her big dark eyes filled with joy and excitement. She grinned, revealing a row of small white teeth, "Thank you, big brother. No, thank you, master!"
She had struck gold! Although it was only a verbal master-disciple relationship, a master for a day is a father for life! From now on, in Daqing Dynasty, she, Zhan Xiaoyu, could walk sideways!
Even Yin Wuyan, with his naturally cold disposition, felt awkward at Zhan Feiyu's overly familiar enthusiasm.
Looking at the chubby girl beaming with joy, Yin Wuyan could only think of one phrase: "Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile!"
Extremely smug, Zhan Feiyu took out a handkerchief, solemnly wrapped the token, and then tucked it into her chest. She even patted her chest with her chubby paw to ensure it wouldn't get lost.
After tidying herself up, Zhan Feiyu looked up at Yin Wuyan. His thick eyebrows slanted upwards, and his phoenix eyes were as cold and deep as the abyss. It was a pity that his face was too young...
Zhan Feiyu sighed with great regret. Master, master... if he were a few years older, she would have recognized him as her father and her life would have been a guaranteed win.
Although she didn't know what she was sighing about, Yin Wuyan knew it wasn't anything good. "Do you know that you are not a member of the Zhan family?"
"Ah?" Zhan Feiyu blinked blankly. What did that mean?
A moment later, after listening to Yin Wuyan's words, Zhan Feiyu lowered her head, her mind a little muddled.
As far as she could remember, she could already walk unsteadily. At that time, she hadn't felt at all that she wasn't biologically related. Not to mention her parents, even her grandparents treated her very well on the surface, of course, not as well as Zhan Dalang, the eldest grandson.
But the second son, the third son, and herself, the three of them were close in age, and the family treated them equally. It wasn't until she was about to enroll in school that this illusion was shattered.
"My grandmother was good to me before, was it out of fear?" Zhan Feiyu's voice was devoid of any emotion.
She had pretended not to notice many things. When there were no conflicts of interest, she naturally let things slide, otherwise, it would only lead to chaos.
And going to private school was a bottom line she would never yield on. Thus, the facade of family harmony was torn apart, but Zhan Feiyu did not regret it.
When Zhan Feiyu was an infant in swaddling clothes, Old Madam Zhan wished she could strangle her to death to appease her deceased grandson, but she was even more afraid of retaliation. Those two seemingly kind women were involved in murder. Old Madam Zhan was truly afraid.
This emotion tormented her for more than a year. By the time Zhan Feiyu regained her memories from her past life, Old Madam Zhan could treat her with a normal heart and even developed another idea.
Although she didn't know why those two women had raised her in the Zhan family, if they recognized her later, wouldn't the Zhan family, who had raised Zhan Feiyu, have great merit? At the very least, they would receive substantial compensation.
Yin Wuyan gently touched Zhan Feiyu's head, his voice cold but comforting, "Everyone in the world is busy for profit. You don't need to think too much."
"I know." Zhan Feiyu looked up and smiled, her eyes still clear and transparent, showing neither sadness nor hatred.
She reviewed her life experience in her mind again and asked, "Big brother, she poisoned me with almonds. Was she afraid that if I studied and left in the future, I would bring disaster to the Zhan family?"
Zhan Feiyu didn't know who her biological parents were or why she was swapped into the Zhan family, but there were only two possibilities: either it was the work of enemies, or it was done by relatives.
If it were enemies, it would have been simpler to simply strangle an infant in swaddling clothes.
Of course, if the other party wanted to play the long game, they certainly wouldn't want to see her transform from a crude peasant girl into a learned scholar. And Old Madam Zhan was also afraid that Zhan Feiyu's excellence would anger the enemies.
If it were her so-called relatives, who had neglected her for seven years, it was likely they wouldn't want to see her, who had been left to fend for herself, reappear before them. Therefore, regardless of the reason, if she died, the Zhan family would be safe.
Moreover, dying from an allergy would be considered a sudden illness. If they waited a few more years, her bones would have rotted to dust, and there would be no fear of investigation.
...
Why! Seeing Zhan Feiyu favored by a distinguished person once again, Zhang Tianhao's eyes turned red with jealousy.
The same was true for the students from the Zhang family's private school, who wished they could replace Zhan Feiyu and go upstairs.
"Go back!" Scholar Zhang said coldly. He had lost face and dignity at the literary gathering, and Zhan Feiyu had not only won a great victory but was now adding insult to injury.
If there was anyone he hated, it was Zhan Feiyu, but now they were in the backyard of Leshan Ju, and every word and action was being watched by others.
"Yes, Master." The students feared Scholar Zhang's cold expression.
After a while, a carriage was brought out from the backyard, and they followed Scholar Zhang into the carriage.
"Aren't you coming up yet!" Seeing Zhang Tianhao still dawdling, Scholar Zhang's anger was on the verge of exploding.
Zhang Tianhao, filled with indignant unwillingness, kicked a nearby tree. Just as he was about to get into the carriage, he saw two people walking quickly towards him.
"Young Master Zhang, please wait a moment." Zhan Lao Er's face remained unnaturally pale. After all, he had been stabbed seven times and had lost too much blood, damaging his vitality.
Zhan Dalang, lacking the arrogance he displayed at home, bowed timidly to Zhang Tianhao, "Young Master Zhang."
"Who are you? Good dogs don't block the way, get out of the way!" With all his pent-up anger with nowhere to vent, Zhang Tianhao looked at Zhan Lao Er and Zhan Dalang with contempt. Where did these two poor scholars come from?
Zhan Lao Er's expression changed slightly upon being insulted. He probably didn't expect the young master of the scholar's family to be so vulgar.
Zhan Dalang lowered his head, but his eyes were full of indignation. This person, like Zhu Peng, was merely born into a good family. Why did he look down on himself! Wasn't he completely suppressed by that damned girl Zhan Feiyu at the literary gathering just now!
Taking a deep breath, Zhan Lao Er smiled obsequiously and explained his purpose, "Young Master Zhang, this is my eldest son, Zhan Xiujun. The Zhang family's private school is the best private school in Shangsi County. My Xiujun hopes to study at the private school and receive Scholar Zhang's tutelage."
Upon hearing that the other party's surname was Zhan, Zhang Tianhao's anger erupted instantly. He kicked Zhan Lao Er, "Get lost as far as you can! The Zhang family's private school will never accept your son. Hurry up and get lost, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
...
When Zhan Feiyu returned to the village, she saw Little Yao Shi and Ma Shi shouting at the entrance of the courtyard, with many people gathered around.
"Sister-in-law, one cannot be heartless. Xiao Yu has been adopted, but she is still a member of the old Zhan family. Grandma is now ill, and this money must be shared equally by our third branch!" Ma Shi shouted loudly. When it came to money, all sisterly affection was fake.
Little Yao Shi also had a stern face, her expression unsightly, "Xiao Yu wants to study. If the reputation of filial impiety spreads, it might not be good."
"Sister-in-law, you live in a tiled house, and you have six or seven chickens in your yard. A few days ago, Xiao Yu returned by carriage, and I heard she brought many good things!" Ma Shi, filled with sourness, felt for the first time that Zhan Feiyu being adopted was not a good thing. All the good things were swallowed by her sister-in-law.
"I heard that Old Madam Zhan was angered to illness by the eldest branch. She never said anything, and finally, her throat was damaged by a high fever." A woman from the crowd explained to the person next to her.
"Then she became mute?" Several women looked shocked.
"Doctor Wang said that if she wants to be cured, she needs to go to the clinic. The medical expenses are estimated to be at least fifty taels, and it's not guaranteed to be cured." Doctor Wang was the village's barefoot doctor, only able to treat minor ailments like headaches and colds.
Upon hearing fifty taels, everyone suddenly understood why Little Yao Shi and Ma Shi were making a fuss here. Fifty taels was a lot of money, and anyone would feel the pinch. What they feared most was spending the money and not curing the illness.
An elderly woman sighed and said, "Why spend that wasted money? If she can't speak, she can't speak."
There were no mute people in Jinlin Village, but there were mute people in the two neighboring villages. Not speaking did not affect their work. Moreover, Old Madam Zhan was over fifty years old, so spending this money was not worth it.
"Xiao Yu is back." Someone shouted.
Ma Shi hurried towards Zhan Feiyu and said eagerly, "Xiao Yu, your grandmother was angered to illness by your father. You definitely have to pay this money. In other families, the medical expenses would definitely be borne by your father alone, not shared equally."
Ma Shi would have preferred Zhan Laoda to pay the money alone, but he had been expelled from the clan. Because he was busy building a wall for Li Shi, he refused to chop firewood for the old household. Who knew that Old Madam Zhan would be angered to illness? She was stubborn, and it wasn't until she couldn't speak that the Zhan family found out.
After hearing the "cause and effect," Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but look towards the old household. If she hadn't known she was poisoned to silence, Zhan Feiyu would have believed this nonsense.
"That third aunt," Zhan Feiyu looked at Ma Shi, who was ready to fight if she didn't get the money. "She didn't become mute. Then how do you know she was angered to illness by my former father?"
Uh...
Ma Shi, who had been chattering incessantly, was stunned by the question. The people around were also dumbfounded. That's right, wasn't she said to be mute?
This damned girl was truly sharp-tongued! Little Yao Shi glanced at the useless Ma Shi with disdain, and then said sarcastically, "Your grandfather said so. Your grandmother can't speak, but she's not foolish. She can still nod and shake her head."
So that's how it is! Everyone suddenly realized. That's right, Zhan Laotou and Old Madam Zhan slept in the same bed, so they must have known she was angered to illness by Zhan Laoda.
"Xiao Yu, don't worry about it. You've already been adopted." Li Shi placed a hand on Zhan Feiyu's shoulder, shielding her behind her, and looked at Little Yao Shi coldly. "Zhan Laoda has been expelled from the clan. If you want money, go ask him! Or you can report him to the authorities!"
Zhan Laoda, who had been expelled from the clan, had left almost empty-handed, taking only a few sets of clothes. Even with the village's care, he could barely avoid starving. He probably didn't even have ten copper coins on him.
"Sister-in-law, that's not how you say it." Little Yao Shi's face darkened, and Ma Shi's face was also filled with anger.
Neither sister-in-law was willing to pay for Old Madam Zhan's medical expenses. Of course, they were also jealous of Li Shi's current life, which was why they came to make a scene and demand money.
"Can't the one hundred and fifty taels of silver that Zhan Lao Er deposited in Jubao Money House be withdrawn?" Li Shi hit the nail on the head.
Everyone remembered this point and looked at Little Yao Shi and Ma Shi with contempt.
Although it was ill-gotten gains, the Zhan family, instead of using the readily available silver, insisted on asking Li Shi and Xiao Yu for money. Their hearts were truly black.
"Mother took that money. Mother would rather die of illness than spend money. She wants to save the money for the family. The children's education and future marriages will all cost money. But we, as juniors, cannot just watch Mother remain ill, so we thought of pooling money privately." Little Yao Shi couldn't help but shed tears as she spoke of her sorrow.
Little Yao Shi's tears garnered a lot of sympathy, and this explanation was also plausible.
Elderly people are reluctant to spend money on medical treatment; this is the kindness of elders. Juniors pool money to treat elders; this is the filial piety of juniors.
Zhan Feiyu held Li Shi's hand and said, "I did bring things back last time, but they were only books and clothes, as well as pastries. There was no money."
"Yes, I also helped carry them," the mother of Shan Wa Zi chimed in.
At that time, she helped Li Shi carry the boxes. There were two boxes, one large and one small. The large one contained clothes, all for Zhan Feiyu to wear, and the small box contained books.
"Xiao Yu even gave us some of those pastries to taste," a neighbor aunt chimed in. She had previously given Li Shi and Xiao Yu ten eggs and a basket of vegetables. She didn't expect Li Shi to reciprocate with a bag of exquisite pastries.
Ma Shi became anxious upon hearing this and shouted, "Xiao Yu, you don't have money. Why don't you borrow some from Master Lin? You don't need much, just ten taels, and we'll make up the rest!"
"Alright, I'll find Master to borrow money tomorrow. Tell me which clinic you're going to, and I'll send ten taels of silver directly to the clinic." Zhan Feiyu agreed readily.
Ma Shi and Little Yao Shi, who hadn't had time to be happy, turned pale. They wished they could slap Zhan Feiyu to death. Did this damned girl have a stomach full of schemes?
Li Shi smiled. Even though she had been adopted, the Zhan family had raised Xiao Yu for seven years. These ten taels of silver were just to buy Xiao Yu a good reputation for filial piety.
By evening, when every household was having dinner, the news of Old Madam Zhan's muteness had spread throughout the village. No one failed to praise Zhan Feiyu for her filial piety.
The village chief shook his head and smiled, "Xiao Yu is soft-hearted."
Although kind-hearted, she was not to be bullied. By sending the money to the clinic, she prevented the Zhan family's greed. In the future, if they used the same excuse to pressure Xiao Yu, at most, the clinic doctor would benefit.
The old clan elder said to his eldest son beside him, "Tomorrow, you go to the village chief and ask him to take a look. Also, warn that Changshun family. Adoption and expulsion from the clan are not child's play. This time it's over, but if there's a next time, their entire family will be kicked out of Jinlin Village!"
Asking the expelled Zhan Laoda to chop firewood and the adopted Xiao Yu to pay money, the old clan elder had a deeper understanding of the greed of those in the old household.
And in the old household, Old Madam Zhan lay on the bed, not having eaten dinner. It wasn't that she was reluctant to spend money, but she didn't dare!
This time, she was only poisoned to silence. If she were cured, would she lose her life next time? Old Madam Zhan's face was pale, and her body, curled up under the cotton quilt, trembled.