Chapter 338
“I heard a secret dispatch from Weizhou has arrived.” The aged voice carried an air of dominance and authority. Qiu Zongzhang ignored the servant boy guarding the door and pushed open the bedroom door.
“Second Grandfather.” Qiu Feng waved his subordinates away, seemingly accustomed to Qiu Zongzhang’s impolite demeanor. “The situation in Weizhou has changed, and it happens to be a matter that requires your decision, Second Grandfather.”
Qiu Feng, clad in a crimson brocade robe, seemed impervious to the biting cold of the deep night. He walked over and handed the secret dispatch he had just finished reading to Qiu Zongzhang.
“You are young and inexperienced, so it is still up to this old man to make the decision.” Speaking with the arrogance of age, Qiu Zongzhang sat down in a lounge chair, his expression smug and defiant, and began to read the dispatch.
The densely packed, tiny characters made Qiu Zongzhang frown, but he patiently continued reading.
Returning to his seat, Qiu Feng picked up his teacup and leisurely took a sip, a hint of undisguised mockery playing on his lips.
After a long while, Qiu Feng put down his cup and said, his tone seemingly respectful but filled with disdain and contempt, “Now, Jinyu’s reputation is gone in Weizhou, and even throughout the entire Longyou Circuit. This must be the work of the Yang family from the General’s Mansion. It seems the Yang family is unwilling to proceed with the engagement to Jingyuan, and thus deliberately smeared Jinyu’s reputation.”
If Qiu Jinyu had truly died saving Yang Xu, the engagement would have been a done deal. But now that Qiu Jinyu had become a hypocritical villain driven by ambition and a lust for power, the Yang family refused to acknowledge the debt, their intentions clear.
“Preposterous!” Qiu Zongzhang roared, slamming his palm onto the table. His beard bristled with anger as he cursed vehemently, “I never expected the General’s Mansion to act so despicably. Are they intending to ensure there is no one to bear witness to the truth!”
The entire courtyard could hear Qiu Zongzhang’s curses. Only when he had finished his tirade did Qiu Feng cut to the chase, asking, “Second Grandfather, words are useless. How should we respond? We need your decision.”
“Such a shameless scoundrel! This old man will certainly not let Jinyu die in vain. When we reach Xiangwu County, I will personally carry Jinyu’s coffin and storm their gates!” Qiu Zongzhang declared fiercely, putting on a show of righteous indignation, though his eyes darted away guiltily.
“Fortunately, Uncle sent Second Grandfather to take charge. Once we reach Xiangwu County, we will all follow your command.” Qiu Feng offered a seemingly grateful thanks. “In that case, it would be best to expedite our journey to Xiangwu County before the situation becomes completely unmanageable.”
Having said that, Qiu Feng rose and walked towards the door, ordering the servant boy outside, “Relay Second Grandfather’s command. Everyone departs immediately!”
“Yes!” the servant boy responded promptly.
Inside the room, Qiu Zongzhang was taken aback. He wanted to object, but the servant boy who had already run off was loudly issuing orders. Everyone immediately sprang into action, packing luggage, preparing food, and fetching horses from the back courtyard.
Two quarters of an hour later.
The horses galloped, and even the carriage moved at an extremely fast pace. Battered by the jolts, Qiu Zongzhang glared angrily but could only grip the carriage walls tightly to prevent himself from being thrown out. “Slow down! Oh… my old bones… are you deaf…”
On horseback, Qiu Feng, clad in a crane-feather cloak, heard the intermittent cries of pain. A cold smile played on his pale face. “Everyone, speed up!”
Inside the carriage, Qiu Zongzhang no longer had the strength to cry out in pain. He could only curse the reckless Qiu Feng in his heart, vowing to teach him a lesson once the carriage stopped.
…
What should have been a ten-day journey was completed in just five days, arriving at Linzhou Prefecture at the hour of the rat in the late night, thanks to Qiu Feng’s urgent pace. After a few hours of rest, the group headed straight for Xiangwu County.
Qiu Residence.
“Xiao Yu, you’re leaving?” In his shock, Yang Xu stood up abruptly, accidentally knocking over the inkstone on the table. He then fumbled to clean it up.
Qiu Zongxi looked at the distraught Yang Xu and said with disdain, “Enough, don’t cause trouble for Ah Nuan.”
Yang Xu paused for a moment, then retreated to the side, allowing He Nuan to clean the table.
“The snow on the official roads has not yet melted. Stay a while longer, or do you think my teachings are not good enough?” Qiu Zongxi’s final words were a clear threat disguised as a concession.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the old man and the young man with a mix of amusement and helplessness. “Teacher, Minor New Year has passed. By the time we leave the Longyou Circuit, it will likely be February.”
The Longyou Circuit was long and narrow, spanning a vast distance from east to west. Traveling by carriage would take at least half a month to traverse. February, with the return of spring, was an ideal time for any scholarly pursuit.
Qiu Zongxi’s face darkened with displeasure, adopting a fierce demeanor as if he were about to drive someone away. “It seems this barren land of Longyou Circuit cannot keep you.”
In truth, the literary style of Jiangnan was far more prosperous. Even for the prefectures bordering Jiangnan, a top scholar or talented individual would emerge every few years. The Longyou Circuit, constantly harassed by barbarians, had more people practicing martial arts than scholars, though not everyone was a soldier.
“Grandpa Qiu, please don’t make things difficult for Xiao Yu.” Yang Xu spoke up. Although he was also reluctant to see her go, Yang Xu knew that all good things must come to an end, and Xiao Yu would eventually leave.
This useless brat! Qiu Zongxi glared angrily at Yang Xu, who was failing him at a crucial moment. He was trying to keep her here for whom? This brat still didn’t appreciate it.
In his annoyance, Qiu Zongxi stood up abruptly. “If you want to leave, then leave. This old man cannot control you.”
Watching Qiu Zongxi storm off, Zhan Feiyu sighed helplessly.
“Grandpa Qiu is just reluctant to see you leave,” Yang Xu quickly explained, though he himself felt a pang of sadness. Looking at his ink-stained hands, he found an excuse. “Xiao Yu, I’ll go wash my hands first.”
Watching Yang Xu follow closely behind, Zhan Feiyu could only offer a wry smile. She, too, felt a sense of reluctance, but Xiangwu County was not her home, after all.
He Nuan finished cleaning the ink stains from the desk and looked at Zhan Feiyu, who sat in a daze, and gently advised, “Miss, you can visit Old Mr. Qiu and Young Master Xu again when you have the chance.”
Even He Nuan understood that once Zhan Feiyu passed the provincial examinations the following year, she would likely have to go to the capital. The Longyou Circuit was thousands of miles away, and this parting might be for a lifetime.
Zhan Feiyu nodded, reciting, “A cup of wine under the spring breeze of peach blossoms, ten years of lamp light in the wind and rain of the martial world.”
On the other side, seeing Yang Xu emerge shortly after, Qiu Zongxi stopped and glared at him with disappointment for a long time before speaking irritably, “You unperceptive blockhead, didn’t you know to try and persuade her to stay? Are you that foolish!”
Scolded, Yang Xu hung his head, looking at the courtyard where the snow had not yet melted. After a long pause, he weakly replied, “Xiao Yu has to take the imperial examinations; she definitely has to go back.”
Yang Xu knew better than anyone how diligently Zhan Feiyu studied. Xiao Yu’s efforts, like hanging from the beam and pricking her thigh, were all for the provincial examinations two years later. Yang Xu also understood the saying that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.
Qiu Zongxi was so exasperated he almost laughed. He impatiently slapped the back of Yang Xu’s head. “You’re getting cheeky when I call you fat. Is Xiao Yu studying just to become an official? Why are you so foolish!”
“What?” Yang Xu, bewildered by the scolding, looked up, his eyes filled with confusion. His mind couldn’t quite grasp it at that moment.
Seeing such a foolish boy, whom he had watched grow up and whose first strokes he had guided, Qiu Zongxi sighed. “The little girl isn’t doing this for power or status. Studying for the imperial examinations is merely her means of establishing herself. She doesn’t want to become a woman who can only depend on her husband!”
Qiu Zongxi had lived for over seventy years. He had traveled throughout the Daqing Dynasty and seen many unconventional women. Not to mention Qian Shi, who managed the Qian family’s business and was considered a heroine among women.
However, if he had to choose, Qiu Zongxi admired Zhan Feiyu the most. At such a young age, she could study so diligently. Background, power, wealth, or status would eventually fade like passing clouds, but knowledge acquired through learning would remain.
Seeing that Yang Xu still hadn’t understood, Qiu Zongxi wished he could pry open his head to see what was inside. Was it filled with water?
But then he remembered that Yang Xu would only be nine years old after the New Year. He could only break it down for him: “If you were to marry Xiao Yu, would you be heartless and ungrateful in the future? Or would you dote on your wife and neglect your concubines? Or do you believe that a woman without talent is virtuous, and thus you would confine her to the inner chambers?”
For every question Qiu Zongxi asked, Yang Xu shook his head. His傻愣愣 (silly and dazed) appearance finally made Qiu Zongxi smile. “Doesn’t that settle it? If you can allow Xiao Yu to live freely, why would she need to study so hard to gain fame?”
Zhan Feiyu studied under Scholar Gu. If she were to be betrothed, as speculated in the capital, even princes would be willing to seek her hand, but these proposals were all directed towards Scholar Gu.
One day, when Scholar Gu retired and no longer held power, and Zhan Feiyu had no powerful maternal family, her existence would become a burden.
If the man had some conscience, it would be fortunate. At most, he would keep her in the inner chambers and ignore her. But if she encountered a faithless man, she might fall ill and die, making way for a new wife to take her place as the main consort.
Finally understanding, Yang Xu’s face flushed red. In his haste and panic, his voice even stammered, “Grandpa Qiu, why are you talking nonsense… Xiao Yu and I… I don’t…”
“You’re so stupid you could die! You don’t even fancy someone as intelligent as Xiao Yu, so you might as well remain single for life!” Qiu Zongxi glared at him irritably. Where else would he find such a fine girl as Xiao Yu?
Moreover, with Yang Xu’s foolishness, if he were to marry a woman like Qiu Jingyuan in the future, the entire General’s Mansion would likely be ruined by him. A virtuous wife brings good fortune to her husband.
Seeing Yang Xu with a flushed face and a pathetic demeanor, Qiu Zongxi shook his head and sighed. “Think about it carefully. The little girl hasn’t left yet, and if you miss this opportunity, you’ll likely have no hope for the rest of your life.”
Before Yang Xu could say anything else, Qiu Zongxi clasped his hands behind his back and slowly walked away, deciding to let the brat think it through himself.
…
But then he remembered that Yang Xu would only be nine years old after the New Year. He could only break it down for him: “If you were to marry Xiao Yu, would you be heartless and ungrateful in the future? Or would you dote on your wife and neglect your concubines? Or do you believe that a woman without talent is virtuous, and thus you would confine her to the inner chambers?”
For every question Qiu Zongxi asked, Yang Xu shook his head. His傻愣愣 (silly and dazed) appearance finally made Qiu Zongxi smile. “Doesn’t that settle it? If you can allow Xiao Yu to live freely, why would she need to study so hard to gain fame?”
Zhan Feiyu studied under Scholar Gu. If she were to be betrothed, as speculated in the capital, even princes would be willing to seek her hand, but these proposals were all directed towards Scholar Gu.
One day, when Scholar Gu retired and no longer held power, and Zhan Feiyu had no powerful maternal family, her existence would become a burden.
If the man had some conscience, it would be fortunate. At most, he would keep her in the inner chambers and ignore her. But if she encountered a faithless man, she might fall ill and die, making way for a new wife to take her place as the main consort. Finally understanding, Yang Xu’s face flushed red. In his haste and panic, his voice even stammered, “Grandpa Qiu, why are you talking nonsense… Xiao Yu and I… I don’t…”
“You’re so stupid you could die! You don’t even fancy someone as intelligent as Xiao Yu, so you might as well remain single for life!” Qiu Zongxi glared at him irritably. Where else would he find such a fine girl as Xiao Yu?
Moreover, with Yang Xu’s foolishness, if he were to marry a woman like Qiu Jingyuan in the future, the entire General’s Mansion would likely be ruined by him. A virtuous wife brings good fortune to her husband.
Finally understanding, Yang Xu’s face flushed red. In his haste and panic, his voice even stammered, “Grandpa Qiu, why are you talking nonsense… Xiao Yu and I… I don’t…”
“You’re so stupid you could die! You don’t even fancy someone as intelligent as Xiao Yu, so you might as well remain single for life!” Qiu Zongxi glared at him irritably. Where else would he find such a fine girl as Xiao Yu?
Moreover, with Yang Xu’s foolishness, if he were to marry a woman like Qiu Jingyuan in the future, the entire General’s Mansion would likely be ruined by him. A virtuous wife brings good fortune to her husband.
…