"Grandpa Yang, try this, it's especially fresh," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile.
Compared to the elders enjoying their wine, Zhan Feiyu preferred to eat and drink. "The soup has conpoy, ham, diced chicken, diced duck, and shark's fin. Ah Nuan steamed it for three hours."
Old General Yang scooped a small bowl. "I must taste it properly."
"This little girl's palate has been spoiled," Gu Qingzhou chuckled teasingly.
"Teacher, let me," Zhan Feiyu stood up, fully demonstrating the respect for a teacher by having a disciple serve them.
Gu Qingzhou glanced at her disapprovingly. "Alright, don't strain yourself with your injured hand. It's a waste of the ointment."
That was the precious Jade Ointment, which Yin Wuyan used like a medicinal plaster, using half a jar for one application. Yin Wuyan didn't mind, but Gu Qingzhou felt it was too extravagant.
Old General Yang and Yang Shoucheng paid no mind to Yang Xu's absentmindedness.
As various hot dishes were served with fine wine, the three elders, Old General Yang, Qiu Zongxi, and Gu Qingzhou, conversed happily, with Yang Shoucheng occasionally chiming in.
As for Yin Wuyan, he remained as indifferent as ever, yet he frequently served Zhan Feiyu, picking out fish bones and shelling shrimp for her. Zhan Feiyu, in turn, ate heartily, and the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious and pleasant.
By the time Zhan Feiyu put down her bowl, she felt stuffed. She subconsciously patted her cheeks, which felt soft and full of flesh. Fortunately, she was still young; if she continued like this for a few more years, she'd turn into a plump girl.
"It's snowing outside. Let's walk around indoors to aid digestion," Yin Wuyan stood up, pulling Zhan Feiyu, who was ready to lie down after eating, to her feet.
"It's snowing?" Zhan Feiyu walked towards the window.
Lanterns hung under the eaves. Through the paper of the window, she could see the swirling snowflakes outside. The goose-feather-like snow was falling heavily, and it was estimated that by tomorrow, the ground would be covered in a thick layer of snow.
The servants quickly cleared away the bowls and chopsticks. Since Gu Qingzhou and the others had been drinking, He Nuan had specially prepared a hangover-reducing tea and brought it over.
"I've had fireworks sent over. Would you like to watch?" Yin Wuyan asked, then glanced out the window. "It's too cold outside, so we can watch from the window."
Zhan Feiyu shook her head. "I'll put on warmer clothes, Big Brother. Let's go outside and set off fireworks."
A moment later, He Nuan brought over a fox fur coat and a hand warmer. Zhan Feiyu was instantly bundled up like a bear.
Old General Yang, who was drinking tea inside, couldn't help but laugh. "This little girl practices martial arts every day, why is she still so afraid of the cold?"
"She sleeps less than three hours a day. Even taking a Ten-Ingredient Elixir of Supreme Nourishment is of no help," Qiu Zongxi added, casting a meaningful glance at Gu Qingzhou, who was sitting beside him.
Qiu Zongxi considered himself a strict teacher, but compared to Gu Qingzhou, who sent a letter every three days with Zhan Feiyu's assignments for the past three days and annotations on her previous work, such a demanding workload was unbearable not only for a young girl but even for an adult man.
"Youth is wasted on the young, and old age is regretted too late. Little Yu appears obedient and sensible, but she is actually reckless and impulsive. Studying for the imperial examinations is her capital for survival," Gu Qingzhou slowly sipped his tea, his gaze towards Zhan Feiyu, who was following Yin Wuyan out, was gentle and affectionate.
Studying was hardship, but it was also a broad and smooth path. Those farmers toiling in the fields, facing the earth and with their backs to the sky, were the truly suffering ones, suffering without end in sight.
Qiu Zongxi snorted dismissively, his words filled with undisguised doubt and disdain. "As a scholar of the court, can't you protect a little girl?"
Well, these two were at odds! Old General Yang chuckled, enjoying the spectacle and letting them engage in their verbal sparring.
Outside the main hall, the biting cold hit Zhan Feiyu the moment she stepped out, making her shiver. However, looking at the sky full of snowflakes, enduring the cold was worth it.
He Sheng quickly lit the fireworks. With a whistling sound, flames shot into the sky, then exploded in the night sky.
Looking up at the fleeting fireworks, Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but smile. "Countless flowers bloom in the moon, five-colored auspicious clouds encircle the crimson platform. Falling to the ground, startled by the scattered starlight, they fly into the air and turn into a rain of light. Angrily crashing against jade bowls, like clear snow, bravely stepping on golden wheels, like swift thunder. The night is deep, and people are scattering, the pole carrying the colorful lanterns returns."
Yin Wuyan stood beside her, shielding Zhan Feiyu from the cold wind. Looking at the beautiful girl with a face full of joy, a hint of a smile also appeared on his handsome face.
On the other side, Yang Xu also stood under the eaves, watching the fireworks. However, there was no joy or happiness on his face. "Father, have I disappointed you and Grandpa?"
If it weren't for Zhan Feiyu as a comparison, Yang Xu, who had lived in Stone Village his whole life, would have been doing quite well. Although he was a bit reclusive and didn't interact with the village children, even fighting them when they met.
But compared to the village brats who only had brute strength, Yang Xu had actually practiced martial arts for several years. In terms of both strength and technique, he was superior.
As for his studies, although Yang Xu was scolded by Qiu Zongxi for being slow-witted, like a block of wood, he had at least read the Four Books. Most of the village children were illiterate.
However, all of this was overturned after he met Zhan Feiyu. With one incident after another, Yang Xu fell into confusion and helplessness. He suddenly doubted whether he had the ability to carry the Yang family, and whether he could truly lead troops in battle in the future.
Yang Shoucheng patted Yang Xu's head to comfort him, his deep voice ringing out amidst the whistling of the fireworks. "Since you recognize Little Yu's intelligence, and she thinks so highly of you, it means you are trustworthy and worth befriending."
Yang Xu was stunned and looked blankly at Zhan Feiyu not far away. Little Yu trusts me?
Yes, she had risked her own life for him, breaking through the barbarian encirclement to save him at Aozi Pass. Afterward, she even let Ah Nuan take him away, while she stayed behind as a hostage of Zhu Xiao. For this, Scholar Gu had even spanked Little Yu's palm.
"Little Xu, Scholar Gu said today that you should be cautious in your words and actions. In fact, he was warning you not to judge people and matters too superficially. If you cannot judge a person's character, then leave it to time. As you interact with them, they will eventually reveal their true colors." Yang Shoucheng never expected Qiu Jinyu to be a barbarian spy.
It was fortunate that he died. If he were still alive, with his life-saving grace towards Little Xu, Little Xu would surely have been devoted to Qiu Jinyu. If Little Xu were to control military power in the future, Longyou Dao might even be captured by the barbarians.
Yang Xu had too little experience with people and events. He appeared reclusive, but in reality, he was lonely. Therefore, the moment Qiu Jinyu showed him kindness, Yang Xu fell for it headlong.
"The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water, while the friendship between villains is as sweet as wine; gentlemen are close in their purity, while villains are sweet and then estranged." Yang Shoucheng knew that Yang Xu might never become a strategist in his life, but as long as he himself was firm in his stance, he would not be misled by external things.
"Little Yu intends to cooperate with our Yang family, openly stating her purpose. This is sincerity. Think about it, when you interacted with Qiu Jinyu, did he ever reveal any ulterior motives?"
Hearing Yang Shoucheng's words, Yang Xu carefully recalled the time he had known Qiu Jinyu. Although they had talked a lot, most of it was about the customs and traditions of the Great Qing Dynasty.
Yang Xu could not leave Longyou Dao and was naturally curious about the vast world outside. Although Qiu Jinyu was only a few years older, he was knowledgeable, and his topics were all of interest to Yang Xu.
If Yang Xu had any difficulties with his studies or writing, Qiu Jinyu would patiently guide him, breaking down the poems and prose for him. Before knowing Qiu Jinyu's identity, he had been Yang Xu's good teacher and friend.
"Father, are there no pure emotions between people?" Yang Xu's gaze fixed intently on Zhan Feiyu and Yin Wuyan.
Even though Yang Shoucheng hadn't explicitly stated it, Yang Xu had guessed that Yin Wuyan was from the Imperial Dragon Guard and held considerable power. A carriage full of goods was delivered to the Qiu residence every few days. If he didn't hold a high position, how could he accomplish this?
Yang Xu had barely spoken tonight, and he was distracted during the New Year's Eve dinner. However, he had noticed the way Yin Wuyan spoke to Gu Qingzhou. It wasn't the attitude of a junior towards a senior, nor that of a subordinate towards a superior, but rather an equal footing.
Coupled with Yin Wuyan's noble and aloof demeanor, Yang Xu guessed that his power was no less than that of Scholar Gu. Therefore, he had no reason to flatter Little Yu to curry favor with Scholar Gu. But as a member of the Imperial Dragon Guard, why was he so protective of Little Yu, even to the point of meticulous care, picking out fish bones and shelling shrimp for her while eating?
Following Yang Xu's gaze, Yang Shoucheng understood the meaning of his words. "Instant connection is not impossible, but it requires fate."
The world bustles for profit, and the world clamors for gain. People are mostly brought together by interests, hence the saying "like-minded people come together, those with different paths do not conspire."
Yang Xu nodded as if he understood. He had experienced too much in just a few months and needed time to think and calm down.
Two quarters of an hour later.
Yin Wuyan touched Zhan Feiyu's right hand. Her hand was warm from holding the hand warmer, but her little face was frozen cold. "We'll set off the rest tomorrow night. Go back and rest. Get a good night's sleep tonight."
"Mmm." Zhan Feiyu was indeed a bit tired. She had only napped for an hour in the afternoon, and now, hearing Yin Wuyan's words, her eyelids felt heavy.
Clutching the hand warmer, Zhan Feiyu grinned at Yang Xu on the other side, then obediently followed Yin Wuyan away.
...
After the hustle and bustle of New Year's Eve faded, the night deepened, and all was quiet.
The eaves of the wealthy households were still lit by lanterns, while ordinary citizens, after eating their New Year's Eve dinner following the barbarian army's attack last night, had gone to bed early.
Under the thick night sky, Yin Wuyan stood under the corridor, listening to the faint breathing sounds from inside, his heart seemed to settle.
Following faint footsteps, the sound of a door opening was heard. He Nuan came out, gently closing the door, and then reported in a low voice, "Miss is sleeping soundly and is not having nightmares."
Yin Wuyan, He Nuan, and the others who were skilled in martial arts were accustomed to life and death and were not troubled by nightmares even in the most dangerous situations. However, Zhan Feiyu was still young. Even though she had taken a calming soup before falling asleep, Yin Wuyan was still worried.
"He Nuan, stay," Yin Wuyan said, glancing at He Sheng and the others standing in the courtyard, then walked into the night.
A while later, in the backyard of the Qiu residence.
"Seventh Master, even He Sheng and the others dare not disobey the orders of the plump girl," Chong Guang couldn't help but say, also pleading for He Sheng and the others. "The plump girl is the most soft-hearted. If she knew that He Sheng and the others were punished, she would probably feel bad herself."
He Sheng and the others were still kneeling on one knee to confess their guilt. Snowflakes danced, quickly covering their heads and bodies with a layer of snow. The knees kneeling on the ground, in contact with the accumulated snow, sent a chill through their clothes and into their bodies, as if the cold was seeping from their bones.
"Three thousand barbarians were guarding the city gate, and you dared to lead Little Yu to break through," Yin Wuyan's voice was not loud, but each word seemed to be infused with frost and snow, the terrifying cold making one's blood run cold.
"Your subordinate admits his guilt!" He Sheng said, but looking back now, he was also filled with fear. If anything had gone wrong, the young lady would have lost her life under the barbarian's blade. Even if they had killed all the barbarians and atoned with their lives, what would be the use?
"Aozi Pass is a dangerous terrain, with who knows how many enemies ambushing. If someone had dislodged stones from the mountaintop or attacked from both sides, supplemented with poisoned arrows and powders, with the wind that night, could you have walked out alive?" Yin Wuyan could finally understand Scholar Gu's anger at that time, considering all these matters.
However, Yin Wuyan's anger was directed at He Sheng and the others, while Gu Qingzhou was more rational and directly spanked Zhan Feiyu ten times with a ruler. In the end, He Sheng and He Nuan were all acting under orders, and Zhan Feiyu was the "culprit."
Thirdly, Yin Wuyan didn't need to say anything more. In the face of the Zhenbian Marquis's encirclement, He Sheng and the others actually dared to leave Zhan Feiyu behind. Even Yin Wuyan couldn't guarantee that Zhu Xiao would keep his promise. If he had murderous intent, Zhan Feiyu wouldn't have enough lives, even if she had nine.
Chong Guang opened his mouth, but seeing Yin Wuyan's anger no longer suppressed, he dared not plead further. He could only let He Sheng and the others fend for themselves. Seventh Master, for the sake of the plump girl, even if he punished them, it probably wouldn't be too severe. After a period of recuperation, they would likely be fine.