Zhan Feiyu ignored Zhan Laoda’s expectant gaze and followed the village chief and the old clan elder into the main house. Apart from Zhan Laotou, who sat on the right side of the large square table, Zhan Laotai and Zhan Lao San were seated on a long bench below him.
Ma Shi and Xiao Yao Shi, the two sisters-in-law, were likely warned by Zhan Laotai beforehand, as they stood by the door.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Ma Shi smiled obsequiously, "I've brewed some tea, I'll bring it over now."
"Enough, let's get down to business," the old clan elder waved his hand, not lacking for tea, and sat down. "Lao Da and Lao San, both of you sit down too."
The village chief looked at the Zhan family members, whose expressions varied, and stated the purpose of his visit directly, "The matter of the startled horse on South Street is considered settled. Lao Da has been expelled from the clan, and I have reported it to the yamen. From now on, Lao Da is no longer a member of our Zhan clan."
In the dim candlelight, Zhan Laoda, sitting on the stool, lowered his head in silence. A large expanse of darkness enveloped him, making his expression unreadable, but everyone in the room could sense Zhan Laoda's pain.
Since ancient times, only those who were extremely wicked or evil were expelled from the clan. Without the protection of the clan, they were like rootless duckweed. Upon death, they could not be buried in the ancestral graves and could only be buried in a barren plot as lonely ghosts, without the offerings of incense from Zhan clan descendants.
Zhan Feiyu's dark eyes were filled with cold indifference. If only they had known this would happen, why did they do it in the first place!
But looking at the crestfallen Zhan Laoda, and recalling his affection for her over the past few years, Zhan Feiyu turned her head away, her eyes stinging.
Zhan Lao San and Ma Shi exchanged a glance, also feeling a pang of sadness. Although their elder brother was taciturn, he had always protected his younger siblings since childhood and had shouldered the family's burdens early on.
With this expulsion, the three brothers were reduced to two.
Zhan Lao Er, still not recovered, had a sickly pale complexion, his face filled with guilt and self-reproach.
However, Xiao Yao Shi pouted disdainfully, showing no gratitude for Zhan Laoda's immense kindness.
Silence spread through the room…
"Lao Da, pack your things and go live in Majia Village tomorrow," Zhan Laotou choked out, still reluctant to part with his eldest son. But seeing the frail Lao Er, he ultimately acquiesced to Zhan Laoda's expulsion from the clan.
Zhan Laoda's eyes reddened. When he spoke, his voice was already hoarse, "Father, I understand."
With a helpless sigh, Zhan Laotou picked up the dry pipe on the table and began to smoke. In the swirling smoke, his face looked as old and withered as dried bark, laden with heavy, unresolvable sorrow. With Lao Da gone, there would be no one to do the work in the fields.
"There's no rush to leave," the village chief's words had just fallen when he saw Zhan Laoda suddenly look up. Truly, those who deserve pity also have their hateful aspects.
But seeing a man in his thirties holding back his grief, the village chief felt a pang of sympathy and continued, "Our village is not only inhabited by our Zhan clan members; there are quite a few from other surnames. Lao Da can move into the wooden house of the old hunter at the end of the village for now."
Not expecting to be allowed to stay in the village, Zhan Laoda, filled with emotion, wiped his face fiercely, suppressing the surge of tears. Only at this moment did he realize how difficult it was to be expelled from the clan in place of Lao Er.
Others also did not expect the village and the clan to show leniency. Ma Shi had already sent word back to her maiden family, never imagining that Zhan Laoda could still stay.
"Then isn't that the same as not being expelled?" a sharp, piercing voice rang out. Xiao Yao Shi, displeased, pursed her lips.
After this commotion, the second branch's backbone was almost broken. If it ended up like this, it would have been better to let the head of the household be expelled, as it was no different!
The village chief and the old clan elder chuckled. The clan elder's grandson, standing in the corner, was so surprised that he let out a gasp, thinking he had misheard.
"Lao Er's wife, shut your mouth!" Zhan Laotou slammed the table and roared. This troublemaker was about to disgrace the entire Zhan family!
Zhan Lao San glared fiercely at the sheepish Xiao Yao Shi and couldn't help but shout, "Big brother staying in the village, what business is it of yours? If you're unhappy, get out of the old Zhan family! Didn't you want to remarry before..."
"Lao San!" Zhan Laotai chided her unruly youngest son, telling him that even if he was unhappy, he should consider his second brother.
Zhan Lao San didn't want to argue with his mother, but he couldn't help it. He puffed out his chest and cursed, "Second brother isn't a good person either!"
The village chief and the old clan elder knew that among the entire Zhan family, only Lao San still cared about brotherhood.
"Although you're not moving away, the punishment of expulsion remains. Lao Da is no longer a member of the Zhan family. If you divide the family later, Lao Da will have no share in the land, houses, or money. Of course, if you are unwilling to part with this son, you can privately subsidize him with some money, and the village and clan will not interfere." The old clan elder spoke slowly.
"That won't do! If he's expelled, how can he still get a share of the money?" Ma Shi exploded, afraid that Zhan Laoda would take away the family's money.
With Ma Shi playing the villain, Xiao Yao Shi remained silent but wore a displeased expression, clearly disagreeing.
"Alright, whether to divide the money or not is your old Zhan family's business," the old clan elder said, too lazy to bicker with the two sisters-in-law.
Changing the subject, the old clan elder said coldly, "Similarly, you are not allowed to ask Lao Da for help with the Zhan family's chores. Since he is expelled, you must see it through. Both the Zeng family and the villagers are watching. The clan rules cannot be trifled with by you!"
The old clan elder's sharp gaze fell on Zhan Laotai. These words were clearly directed at her. Zhan Laoda was no longer her son, so she couldn't expect him to work like an ox or a horse. Otherwise, expulsion would be like child's play, and who would take the clan rules seriously in the future?
"Lao Da, everything has been said. Do you understand?" the old clan elder asked.
Zhan Laoda nodded repeatedly. As long as he could stay in the village, it was enough.
Hearing this, the Zhan family members looked displeased, but they dared not speak in the face of the majestic old clan elder.
Zhan Feiyu had been silent since entering the house. Although she had been adopted out, these were still her elders. But even though her father was expelled from the clan in place of her uncle, they were still not satisfied.
A mocking coldness flashed in her eyes, and Zhan Feiyu suddenly spoke, "Great-grandfather, my father needs to eat while staying in the village. Uncle Maotang has moved to the county. Why don't we let my father manage the clan fields?"
This was something that had been discussed beforehand. The village chief did not expect Zhan Feiyu to bring it up first and, smiling, took over the conversation, "That's good. The clan fields indeed need someone to manage them."
"Lao Da, from now on, the clan fields will be handed over to you. The clan will provide you with some rations. As for the two taels of silver, consider it rent for Li Shi's three houses, after all, you are not divorced!"
The village had allocated three houses to Li Shi and Zhan Feiyu. Unlike the wooden house given to Zhan Laoda, these were three brick and tile houses. Many people in the village were envious to the point of their eyes turning red.
Previously, Maocai managed the clan fields and, in addition to some grain, also received an extra two taels of silver.
Now that the clan fields were handed over to Zhan Laoda to manage, this silver would serve as rent, which would silence the villagers and also prevent the Zhan family from coveting these two taels of silver.
Hearing this, Xiao Yao Shi's eyes turned red with jealousy, her thin face contorted with resentment.
According to the old clan elder's words, with Big Brother expelled, the only ones who benefited were Big Sister-in-law and that brat Xiao Yu! The family's farm work would be left undone!
Zhan Laotou and Zhan Laotai also looked displeased. Although the old clan elder did not allow Zhan Laoda to help the family with chores, they were his parents. Given Zhan Laoda's personality, if they asked, he would definitely help secretly.
But now this path was blocked!
Zhan Laoda alone could not manage ten mu of clan fields. During spring planting and harvesting, the clan would also send people to help. In his free time, Zhan Laoda would also have to go to the fields to weed and fertilize. Even if he was willing, he would not have time to help the old Zhan family with chores.
The key was that the subsidy of two taels of silver was given to Li Shi. Zhan Laotai bit the flesh on the inside of her cheek so hard that she managed to refrain from speaking, but her old face, etched with wrinkles, looked even more spiteful and ferocious.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. It was already completely dark, and the old clan elder and the village chief got up to leave.
Zhan Laoda escorted them to the courtyard gate and intended to see them further.
The village chief stopped and patted Zhan Laoda's shoulder, "Go back. You should understand by now who is truly good to you."
"I know," Zhan Laoda couldn't help but look at Zhan Feiyu. This was his daughter, the daughter who used to call him father sweetly, the one who, when she couldn't walk steadily, would go to the fields to bring him water.
But now, looking at Zhan Feiyu's face, which was like cold jade in the darkness, he could no longer see her former smile. Zhan Laoda felt an unbearable sadness, his heart heavy. He had lost his daughter and his wife.
...
The matter of the Zeng family was like ripples on the surface of water, gradually subsiding. The villagers were once again gossiping about this and that, and Zhan Feiyu still woke up before dawn to study, only resting after the moon was high.
With the Winter Solstice approaching, Shan Wazi and the other young students had been attending school for almost three months. They could recite the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic fluently, and their characters were gradually becoming neater.
Looking at the children playing in the courtyard, Teacher Lin, standing by the window, said gently, "At the extreme of yin, yang begins to grow. The sun reaches its southernmost point, the shortest day, the longest shadow. Hence, it is called the Winter Solstice. Xiao Yu, there are five days left until the literary gathering. Are you prepared?"
"I've asked my senior brother. Although the literary gathering encompasses qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea, it primarily focuses on poetry. I've prepared ten poems. I'll ask you to correct them tomorrow. I guarantee they'll be enough to get by," Zhan Feiyu said, her head held high, looking confident and proud.
Teacher Lin, turning around, was amused by her thick-skinned demeanor. "The literary gathering will not only have students from the county school, but also Instructor Zhao will be present, and two other instructors are also scholars who have passed the imperial examinations."
Therefore, not to mention Zhan Feiyu's barely coherent poems, even Teacher Lin's poems would not stand out at the gathering. It was not about quantity but quality. Rather than producing ten mediocre poems, it was better to craft one excellent one.
Zhan Feiyu nodded in understanding. Looking at the worried Teacher Lin, she suddenly smiled.
With her hands behind her back, Zhan Feiyu puffed out her chest and strode forward, reciting in an old-fashioned manner, "An article is born of heaven, a stroke of genius by chance. Flawless and perfect, why should it be sought from others?"
Teacher Lin was stunned, repeating in amazement, "An article is born of heaven, a stroke of genius by chance. What a fine line, what a fine line!"
Seeing the extremely excited Teacher Lin, Zhan Feiyu guiltily touched her nose. "Teacher, please calm down. This wasn't written by me; I heard it."
Ignoring Zhan Feiyu, Teacher Lin quickly walked to the desk and began to write, "An article is born of heaven..."
Has the teacher gone mad? Zhan Feiyu silently pushed back the Tang and Song dynasty poems in her mind. If she recited another thousand-year-old masterpiece, the teacher would probably not regain his composure.
Old Uncle Dong struck the bronze bell. Zhan Feiyu glanced at Teacher Lin, who was still engrossed in reading, and tiptoed out of the study.
In the lecture hall, Shan Wazi and the other boisterous children were frantically tidying their clothes. Teacher Lin valued decorum. Anyone with untidy clothes would be punished with a ruler!
Zhan Dalang suddenly stood up, his angry gaze falling on Zhu Peng and the others. "Who knocked over my inkstone?"
"Perhaps you didn't place it properly yourself," Zhu Peng sneered, leaning lazily against the table behind him. "It only ruined a few sheets of paper. Zhan Dalang, if you're short of money, just say so. No need to make excuses. We all know you're poor!"
Laughter immediately erupted. Zhu Peng's lackeys were laughing so hard they were bent double.
"No wonder you eat like a starving ghost during meals."
"That's not because there was roasted meat at noon."
"Zhan Dalang, you're being too formal. We're classmates. Tomorrow, when we eat, I'll definitely pick out all the meat for you. You look like you've starved thin." Zhu Peng shook his head exaggeratedly, as if genuinely concerned about the starved Zhan Dalang.
"Young Master Zhu, don't you usually feed the meat to your dog at home?" As soon as these words were spoken, the laughter almost overturned the roof.
His face flushed with anger, Zhan Dalang clenched his fists tightly, as if he wanted to smash all those who were mocking him.
Ever since Zhan Laoda was expelled from the clan, the second branch had lost its good reputation in the village. Lao San had lost his playmates, and Zhan Dalang was ostracized and isolated in the private school.
Zhu Peng, a dissolute young master, bullied Zhan Dalang even more severely. It was because his father was involved with his elder brother. Zhu Peng disliked Zhu Kun, but he didn't dare to retaliate, so he took his anger out on Zhan Dalang.
"The teacher will be testing us on Mencius later," Zhan Feiyu said slowly.
"Heaven protect me, please don't pick me..." Zhu Peng cried out in agony and no longer bothered with Zhan Dalang. He glanced at his swollen left hand, truly unable to endure any more caning.
Others also began to search for books and memorize them as if facing a great enemy. For a moment, the sound of reading filled the air, causing Teacher Lin, who had just emerged from the study, to be surprised and then smile with satisfaction.
At three quarters past the hour of shen (7:45 PM), school ended, and the private school returned to its quiet state. Zhan Feiyu still stayed behind alone. "Teacher, that poem wasn't written by me."
Teacher Lin glanced at the foolish Zhan Feiyu and said faintly, "I know, teacher. You wouldn't be able to write it even in ten years."
Feeling scorned, Zhan Feiyu pouted her cheeks, smiling sinisterly. "Teacher, I only read the first four lines. Don't you want to know the rest?"
Organizing the homework submitted that day and placing it on the right side of the desk, Teacher Lin said without looking up, "Xiao Yu, you seem to have forgotten who is the teacher and who is the student. Would you like me to give you a few more exercises to hone your poetic talent?"
"I don't want to! Teacher, you can't be so cruel!" Zhan Feiyu cried out, her gentle and refined teacher gone!
Teacher Lin gave her a threatening look and made way for her.
Zhan Feiyu picked up her brush and quickly wrote, "An article is born of heaven, a stroke of genius by chance... Hou Kui will not compose again, who can be expected in a thousand years?"
Her writing speed was so fast, for fear that if she was even a moment slower, Teacher Lin would really make her compose ten poems.
By the time the sun began to set, their lessons for the day were over.
Seeing Zhan Feiyu preparing to leave, Teacher Lin said, "Since ancient times, scholars have been jealous of each other. At this literary gathering, many people will target you. Fortunately, you are young, so they won't go too far, lest they be accused of bullying the young."
Seeing Zhan Feiyu looking as if she were facing a formidable enemy, Teacher Lin smiled and patted her head. "Don't worry too much. Carefully consider it these few days. It's enough to compose just one poem."
If Teacher Lin revised it, it would definitely be noticed, and Zhan Feiyu might be accused of plagiarism, thus earning the stigma of cheating.
"I understand, teacher," Zhan Feiyu replied obediently. In fact, she felt that after the poem "Wo Chun," even if someone targeted her at the literary gathering, they wouldn't ask her to compose poetry. But there was no need to voice this guess and worry the teacher.
As the last ray of light faded, Zhan Feiyu returned to the village under the cover of night.
Naturally, after moving out, Zhan Feiyu no longer asked Da Huang to pick her up. Li Shi kept the courtyard gate closed every day and stayed at home. However, the idle scoundrels in the village still had their eyes on her.
Although they dared not do anything, they could easily spread rumors. Keeping Da Huang at home was safer.
In the house, Li Shi knew that Zhan Feiyu had returned as soon as she saw Da Huang, who was lying on the ground, wagging his tail and running outside. She hurried out, "Xiao Yu, you're back."
"Mother," Zhan Feiyu grinned and glanced to the right. Outside the original bamboo fence, a wall more than two meters long had been built, with many stones scattered nearby.
"Your father came by today," Li Shi said with a cold expression.
She was disappointed in Zhan Laoda, but if he wanted to help, Li Shi did not refuse. Compared to the bamboo fence, a wall built with stones would definitely be safer.
However, Zhan Laoda had to manage the clan fields, go up the mountain to find stones, and then build the wall after moving them back. By the time he finished, it would probably be the New Year.
"Mother, don't stop him. It's better for my father to work here than to go back to the old house," Zhan Feiyu said, affectionately linking her arm with Li Shi's and walking into the house.
Looking at Zhan Dalang's attitude in the private school, she knew how resentful the people in the old house were towards her. Even if they didn't cut her into a thousand pieces, it was close.
But Zhan Feiyu enjoyed seeing them hate her yet be unable to do anything about it, feeling stifled. After plotting, they had ended up shooting themselves in the foot.
In contrast to the mother and daughter's cheerful dinner, in the wooden house, Zhan Laoda was gnawing on a hard, crumbly biscuit with soup.
Zhan Laotou was a cook, and Zhan Laoda had followed him to learn. However, Zhan Laoda had to do the farm work, so Zhan Laotou eventually had Zhan Lao San learn to cook. Fortunately, Zhan Laoda knew how to cook, so he wouldn't starve after moving out.
Meanwhile, at the old Zhan residence.
The arguments in the main house could be heard again, almost every day. Zhan Dalang picked up a storybook to read, which made him feel less agitated.
"Second brother, touch your conscience and tell me, did you pick up the money from the bank?" Ma Shi said, her neck stiff, looking mockingly at Zhan Lao Er and Xiao Yao Shi. "This was clearly given by Young Master Zhu. Why was Big Brother expelled, yet you have the money? Go out and ask if there's such a good thing in the world!"
Zhan Lao San did not stop Ma Shi. Who wouldn't be tempted by one hundred and fifty taels of silver! For second brother to want to swallow it all was impossible.
"Third sister-in-law, there are many people who pick up money in the world. This money was picked up by my husband, and he told me when he came back!" Xiao Yao Shi insisted stubbornly, refusing to back down. The third branch wanted a share of the money; they were dreaming!
The second branch's reputation was already ruined. This money was just a consolation. If you asked Xiao Yao Shi to hand over the money, she wouldn't even if you held a cleaver to her neck!
"Have you argued enough? Do you want me to call your mother over and ask her how she taught her daughter!" Zhan Laotai said with a stern face, her fierce gaze falling on the arguing Xiao Yao Shi and Ma Shi. "If you don't want to live here, I'll immediately have Lao Er and Lao San write letters of divorce, and both of you can go back to your maiden families!"
The scolded Xiao Yao Shi and Ma Shi each glared at the other, their lips pursed, not daring to speak further. But looking at their unconvinced expressions, it was clear they would not give up.
"Mother," Zhan Lao San looked at the sharp and fierce Zhan Laotai. "Let my brother and I go to Baofeng Bank tomorrow. Storing this money in the bank costs three hundred wen. It's better to bring it back and keep it at home."
Storing money in a bank incurred fees. For a hundred taels, one had to pay two hundred wen in safekeeping fees per year.
Zhan Laotou, who was smoking dry tobacco, nodded in agreement. "Lao San is right. Take the money out first. Temporarily entrust this money to your mother's care. The family has many expenses."
Hearing this, everyone else remained silent. Without Zhan Laoda's harvest from the fields, the income would be reduced by nearly half. Li Shi was diligent, managed the vegetable patch well, raised chickens and ducks, and also made shoes to sell.
Although Zhan Lao San went to the pier, he was lazy and carried less cargo, less than half of what Zhan Lao Er earned.
Furthermore, Zhan Lao Er's health prevented him from doing heavy work. The expenses for this large family were high, and the income was low, so their lives were predictable.
...
Early the next morning, Zhan Feiyu left at the same time but saw Zhan Laoda already carrying stones. The morning frost was cold, but beads of sweat were already on Zhan Laoda's forehead.
Zhan Laoda quickly put down the carrying pole filled with stones and said cautiously, "Xiao Yu."
Each of the two carrying poles contained three stones, weighing at least a hundred catties. They were carried down from Pianzi Mountain to the north. It was estimated that he had gone to the mountain to pry stones before dawn.
Seeing that Zhan Feiyu did not speak, the light in Zhan Laoda's eyes dimmed. He endured the discomfort and said, "Then you go to the private school. Be careful on the way."
Zhan Feiyu left in silence, hoping that her father could maintain his distance from the people in the old house, so that her mother would forgive him.
"Xiao Yu, wait for me." As soon as Zhan Feiyu walked out of the village, she heard a shout from behind. Turning her head, she saw Shan Wazi running over with a biscuit in his mouth.
"Why are you so early?" Zhan Feiyu asked with a smile. This was more than half an hour earlier than usual.
Shan Wazi took a bite of the biscuit as if venting his anger, swallowed it in a few bites, and then said indignantly, "It's all Zhan Dalang's fault. He ran to my house before dawn to knock on the door and asked me to ask the teacher for leave on his behalf."
Shan Wazi's entire family was woken up and couldn't sleep. So, Shan Wazi simply went out too. He could accompany Xiao Yu.
Looking at Shan Wazi, who was angry but also extremely envious, Zhan Feiyu smiled. "If you dare to skip school, I will definitely tell the teacher, and have him come to your house to speak with your mother personally."
As if struck by a blow, Shan Wazi stared blankly at the smiling Zhan Feiyu, then suddenly raised his hand to rub his eyes. Xiao Yu's smile was so terrifying just now!
"Don't be silly. Let's go. Even if you don't take the imperial examinations, once you can read and write, I'll teach you arithmetic. You can be an accountant in the county in the future," Zhan Feiyu patted Shan Wazi's shoulder.
With the multiplication table and the chart-based bookkeeping method, being an accountant was more than enough.
Once she seriously studied, time passed very quickly.
After lunch, there was a break of two sticks of incense. Zhan Feiyu pondered composing a poem with plum blossoms as the theme. The private school was too noisy, so after informing Teacher Lin, she walked towards the bamboo forest to the south.
Ode to Plum Blossoms
Branches extend from the garden wall,
The west wind presses fiercely.
Cold fragrance accompanies yellow stamens,
Seeking a friend through the snow.
Zhan Feiyu quickly reviewed the tones in her mind. How should she revise it? Without the teacher's corrections, she could only rely on herself.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded in the bamboo forest. Zhan Feiyu was lost in thought until a dark shadow blocked the light.
Heh! Zhan Feiyu, who looked up abruptly, was startled. Her body instinctively leaned back, and the back of her head thumped against the bamboo behind her.
"Scaring people to death!" Zhan Feiyu rubbed the back of her head and looked resentfully at Yin Wuyan. "If I were to become foolish from this, a generation's prodigy would wither away... This would be a loss to the Great Qing Dynasty!"
"A prodigy whose tones are all wrong?" The deep voice was flat and emotionless, but Yin Wuyan's tone was definitely filled with contempt.
Zhan Feiyu was immediately speechless. With a thick-skinned smile, she looked up at Yin Wuyan. "Big brother, are you looking for me? Is that tea poisoned?"
If it depended on Zhan Feiyu, even if she managed to steal the tea, she wouldn't know how to find a doctor to examine it.
"It contains the secret medicine 'Li Ren Zui'," Yin Wuyan glanced at the relieved Zhan Feiyu. It seemed that being cowardly had its benefits; at least she had escaped a disaster.