Xiao Fuzi was stunned when he learned that Kou Yuanxing had committed suicide by crashing into a wall. He sat on the chair in a daze until Zhan Feiyu and Yin Wuyan arrived at the small courtyard, jolting him out of his stupor.
Perhaps overcome by grief, Xiao Fuzi forgot the etiquette of hosting guests. He spoke blankly, "Yuanxing wouldn't commit suicide! Last night, Governor Zhang and I visited Yuanxing in prison. Governor Zhang had already shown leniency. In two days, Yuanxing would have returned to Huai County and could have participated in the prefectural examination next year."
Kou Yuanxing's hatred for Zhan Feiyu stemmed solely from Wang Linlang's death. He was, after all, an inexperienced youth. Imprisoned in the dark, he had already begun to regret his actions. Furthermore, after seeing the case files of Madam Lin, the fog had cleared, and Kou Yuanxing was no longer so extreme.
In fact, if Kou Yuanxing had gone to Shangsi County to find Master Lin, he would have known that Master Lin had no intention of marrying Wang Linlang to Lin Xiuyuan, nor did he intend to marry Zhan Feiyu to Lin Xiuyuan. Therefore, Wang Linlang's accusations were lies, and it was the naive Kou Yuanxing who believed them.
Zhan Feiyu's expression changed slightly, "Governor Zhang visited the prison last night?"
It wasn't that Zhan Feiyu was being conspiratorial, but if this news spread, outsiders would surely believe that Governor Zhang had forced Kou Yuanxing last night, leading to his suicide by crashing into the wall.
What Zhan Feiyu could think of, Yin Wuyan naturally also thought of. Their gazes simultaneously fell upon the distressed Xiao Fuzi. There were only three people in the prison last night. Kou Yuanxing was dead, and Governor Zhang was the suspect. Therefore, Xiao Fuzi's testimony was extremely important.
"Master Xiao," Zhan Feiyu's tone was solemn and serious, "May I ask Master Xiao to write down everything that happened last night in detail, including what Governor Zhang said and how Kou Yuanxing replied? Please write it all down in detail."
After a moment of愣神, Xiao Fuzi understood Zhan Feiyu's intention. "This is only proper. I have caused trouble for Governor Zhang."
As a teacher who educated people, Xiao Fuzi understood the principle of repaying kindness. He knew that Governor Zhang ultimately valued talent and therefore would not pursue Yuanxing's false accusation.
Now that Yuanxing had been harmed by someone, Xiao Fuzi only wanted to bring the murderer to justice and would not harm Governor Zhang.
A moment later, witnessed by three scholars and two neighbors, Xiao Fuzi wrote three pages, even signing his name at the end and affixing his thumbprint.
As for the five bystanders, they were merely there to bear witness, letting people know that Xiao Fuzi was not coerced by Zhan Feiyu into writing the confession. Perhaps out of respect for Xiao Fuzi's character, or perhaps to foster good relations with Zhan Feiyu, a Tong Sheng, all five also signed and thumbprinted the confession.
Leaving the small courtyard and walking towards the Donghu Inn, Zhan Feiyu paused and said softly, "Big Brother, are they really so careless with human lives?"
"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Yin Wuyan said, gently stroking the little girl's head. Her diligent studying led outsiders to believe she was naturally gifted and loved reading.
However, Yin Wuyan knew that the little girl beside him was lazily inclined, enjoying a life of freedom, fond of eating and playing. But because she came from a farming family, she could only achieve success through the imperial examinations. It wasn't for fame or fortune, nor for glory or wealth. She simply didn't want to be at the mercy of others.
The next day, Donghu Inn.
With an unsettled mind, Zhan Feiyu began practicing calligraphy by copying model texts. It wasn't until He Nuan came and lit the candle that Zhan Feiyu put down her brush. The sun had already set.
He Nuan tidied the desk and said, "Master Seven will not be back for dinner. Tell Miss not to wait."
"Okay, then we'll eat first." Zhan Feiyu stretched her stiff body and glanced out the window. "Let's eat in the pavilion."
"Okay," He Nuan replied. She remembered what Yin Wuyan had said before he left: from now on, Miss's food, clothing, housing, and transportation should not only be comfortable but also exquisite and luxurious. With the supply from Master Seven's treasury, even raising a princess would be possible.
A tablecloth was spread on the stone table in the octagonal pavilion, and incense was burning in the corner. Unlike the usual four dishes and one soup, He Nuan prepared six dishes and one soup today, along with a plate of freshly cut fruit. However, the portions were reduced by about one-third.
"A Nuan, there's no need to make so many dishes," Zhan Feiyu said, feigning a scolding tone as she looked at He Nuan, who was arranging the bowls and chopsticks. It was too much work to prepare so many dishes, and she wasn't a picky eater.
"Master Seven will send some people over in a few days. Miss doesn't need to worry about me being too busy," He Nuan explained with a smile. Since Master Seven intended to pamper Miss, the servants attending to Miss would surely be well-equipped. It was normal for a large number of people to be involved.
Zhan Feiyu paused her action of picking up food and looked at He Nuan in surprise. She said with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, "I'm alone, why do I need so many people to serve me?"
"Two young maids will be responsible for cleaning and miscellaneous tasks, two for needlework, and the kitchen will also have a chef and a pastry chef. There will also be two young servants for odd jobs, and my brother will have a servant to manage the stables. There are also four guards, a governess, and a housekeeper. In total, there are only about ten people." He Nuan smiled as she looked at the dumbfounded Zhan Feiyu.
"Because Miss's house is not large, otherwise, there would also be gardeners specifically responsible for flowers and plants, someone for the tea room, and someone responsible for Miss's clothes and jewelry. Generally, a noble young lady would have at least two senior maids and four junior maids, and two governesses. Master Seven has already streamlined the number of people for Miss."
Zhan Feiyu understood the logic, but the thought of more than ten people catering to her made her scalp tingle. "A Nuan, I don't care about the others. Having you by my side is enough."
Chong Guang's figure flashed and landed in the pavilion. Seeing the delicious food on the table, he unceremoniously sat down opposite Zhan Feiyu. "It's better to be early than to be on time."
He Nuan got up, "I'll go get another set of bowls and chopsticks."
Under Zhan Feiyu's disdainful gaze, Chong Guang picked up a small piece of crispy pork and put it in his mouth, smiling maliciously. "Fatty, weren't you scared yesterday at Ji Ji's place?"
The situation at the time was indeed quite dangerous. Who would have thought that Fatty Chen would be so audacious as to attack in the main hall of Ji Ji's? If Zhan Feiyu hadn't reacted quickly, he would have definitely stabbed her.
Zhan Feiyu raised her eyelids and glanced at the ill-intentioned Chong Guang, slowly drinking the soup. "Uncle Chong Guang, if you have something to say, just say it!"
Chong Guang chuckled and cautiously glanced around, confirming that his Master Seven had not yet returned. Then he said, "You say you're smart, but you're also quite foolish. Think about it, with my and Master Seven's skills, how could we not have noticed the ill-intentioned Fatty Chen?"
Zhan Feiyu raised her eyebrows, put down her chopsticks, "So? Are you trying to say that Big Brother deliberately used me as bait to lure Fatty Chen into making a move?"
"No, no, no!" Chong Guang shook his finger at Zhan Feiyu and said with a schadenfreude smile, "Master Seven couldn't stand that fatty boy babbling around you, so he deliberately let Fatty Chen make a move. Look, that fatty boy was so scared his legs went weak. This way, it's a permanent solution."
Zhan Feiyu was stunned. She naturally knew that Yin Wuyan had deliberately let Fatty Chen make a move. Not to mention that Zhan Feiyu had the ability to protect herself, and there were also guards sent by Gu Qingzhou to protect her in secret. Moreover, Chong Guang and Yin Wuyan were standing by. No matter whether Fatty Chen attacked sneakily or openly, he wouldn't be able to harm Zhan Feiyu in the slightest.
However, even though Zhan Feiyu was smart, she hadn't expected that Qi Heng was also involved.
Rarely seeing Zhan Feiyu looking so dazed, Chong Guang, amused, continued, "You're dumbfounded, aren't you? Master Seven treats you like his daughter. Think about it, that fatty boy got close to you and tried to curry favor. It's already showing mercy that Master Seven, as his father, didn't draw his sword and chop him down."
Zhan Feiyu's mouth twitched, and she looked speechlessly at the nonsensical Chong Guang, picking up her chopsticks to continue eating. "Think whatever you want. As long as you're happy."
"You don't believe me?" Chong Guang, feeling doubted, was displeased. He thumped his chest, "Fatty girl, you watch. From now on, if any scoundrel dares to get close to you and try to curry favor, Master Seven will investigate their entire background. I estimate you'll have trouble getting married in this lifetime."
Chong Guang knew very well the character of noble scions. They had concubines serving them at fourteen or fifteen, and after marriage, they had three wives and four concubines. Even those who were pure might have cousins or childhood sweethearts.
These were all acceptable. The key was that in large families, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and sisters-in-law were never easy to deal with.
Chong Guang looked sympathetically at Zhan Feiyu, who was eating. Fatty girl's temper couldn't tolerate grievances, and Master Seven would never let her suffer. Therefore, getting married would be difficult. People said princesses worried about marriage, and Fatty girl was no less so.
Taking the bowls and chopsticks handed over by He Nuan, Chong Guang ate heartily. Seeing that Zhan Feiyu was ignoring him, he said with a sly smile, "Think about it, if it were a scholar, his literary talent would definitely not be as good as Scholar Gu's, and perhaps not even as good as yours. You wouldn't agree to Scholar Gu, let alone him."
Chong Guang sighed and lamented, "If a military general or a young general came, he wouldn't last even an incense stick's time under Master Seven. Not to mention that Master Seven would look down on him, he might not even be able to defeat you. Wouldn't you dislike that?"
Zhan Feiyu, who was both skilled in literature and martial arts, let out a cold laugh. She was only nine years old, not nineteen!
"Fatty girl, how about I investigate for you and see which noble scions in the capital are outstanding? Uncle Chong Guang will keep an eye out for you. How about that? Isn't that loyal?" Chong Guang offered his sincere advice, receiving two eye-rolls from Zhan Feiyu as a gift.
As night fell, Yin Wuyan returned in the latter half of the night. Zhan Feiyu was already asleep, but she left a message for Yin Wuyan on paper: Big Brother, Uncle Chong Guang said that after returning to the capital this time, he will find a future husband for me.
Yin Wuyan's handsome face remained unchanged. He brought the paper in his hand closer to the candlelight. After it turned to ash, Yin Wuyan turned and walked towards the guest room.
Chong Guang, sleeping comfortably under a thin quilt, felt a cold gaze fall upon him. Alert, Chong Guang suddenly opened his eyes, "Who is it?"
Seeing the person sitting by the table in the dim moonlight outside the window, Chong Guang immediately sat up, "Master Seven?"
A moment later, by the shore of Donghu Lake, a shrill scream startled the birds roosting in the treetops. People in the distance heard the faint screams and assumed a murder had occurred.
...
Yesterday, the yamen constables had asked Zhan Feiyu to go to the prefectural office today. Fatty Chen's assassination attempt on Zhan Feiyu happened in full view of everyone, with more than enough witnesses.
As for Fatty Chen, he probably knew that Scholar Chen would not save him. Frightened by the constables, he didn't even need to be tortured. He confessed everything he should have. After Zhan Feiyu, the victim, went to the yamen to sign and thumbprint, Fatty Chen would be sentenced accordingly.
"Miss Zhan," the innkeeper of Donghu Inn greeted her with a smile. It was said that Miss Zhan was a child prodigy with a photographic memory, otherwise, how could she have surpassed the candidates from Nanxuan Prefecture to become the top scholar in the prefectural examination?
The innkeeper had thought so before, but after Zhan Feiyu moved into the inn, her candlelight was never extinguished late at night, and she could be heard reading before dawn. The innkeeper finally understood what "three watches of lamplight and five watches of roosters" meant. Besides talent, it was more about diligent study and hard work.
Just as Zhan Feiyu was about to speak, suddenly, a figure rushed over from outside the door, accompanied by a shrill curse, "You owe me my son's life..."
He Nuan immediately blocked Zhan Feiyu and grabbed the middle-aged woman who lunged at them.
Passersby outside the inn and early-rising stall vendors all looked over. Someone was causing trouble so early in the morning?
Some people recognized Zhan Feiyu and quickly said to their companions, "That's Miss Zhan, she's already a Tong Sheng!"
"Who are you?" Zhan Feiyu looked at the woman whose arm was held by He Nuan, unable to move. She appeared to be in her thirties, with a thin, withered face, upturned eyes, and deep nasolabial folds, giving her a harsh and cold appearance at first glance.
The woman wore a dark brown dress, making her look even older and gloomier. She probably hadn't rested well, her eyes were bloodshot, but her sharp and ear-piercing curses were enough for everyone around to hear, "Zhan Feiyu, you killed my son! You pay me my son's life..."
Zhan Feiyu was startled and then realized that this woman was Kou Yuanxing's mother. She had lost her husband in her early years and her son in middle age. Zhan Feiyu could understand her intense emotions.
"Madam Kou, the death of Kou Yuanxing will be investigated by the authorities, but his death has nothing to do with me." Zhan Feiyu's voice became slightly louder as she stepped out from behind He Nuan, identifying Madam Kou.
Although Kou Yuanxing had only been dead for two days, the news had already spread throughout the streets and alleys of Nanxuan Prefecture. Some said that Kou Yuanxing was forced to death by Governor Zhang, as he had accused Governor Zhang of examination fraud, which was a capital offense. It was normal for Governor Zhang to retaliate.
Others believed there was something fishy going on. Governor Zhang had served as the prefect of Nanxuan for three years, and his reputation was not bad. If he were a corrupt or incompetent official, they would believe it, but they did not believe that Governor Zhang had forced Kou Yuanxing to death.
"Madam Kou," since they were at the entrance of the inn, the innkeeper stepped forward and said to the agitated Madam Kou, "The death of Kou Yuanxing has nothing to do with Miss Zhan. Madam Kou, please accept my condolences."
Passersby also spoke up. Although they all sympathized with Madam Kou for losing her only son, they had to speak the truth when accusing Zhan Feiyu of being a murderer. Miss Zhan was beautiful and kind-hearted. She had donated so much money from Meiren Zhuang, reportedly tens of thousands of taels a year.
"You people are all accomplices! You're just trying to curry favor with Zhan Feiyu!" Madam Kou cursed fiercely, her hateful gaze fixed on the passersby who were speaking the truth as if they could devour them.
Wasn't it the same back then? Clearly, those fertile fields belonged to them, to Yuanxing, but the Kou clan repeatedly bullied them, an orphaned mother and son, to seize the fertile fields. Didn't the villagers do the same!
Madam Kou remembered all those ugly faces in her mind, which was why she forced Kou Yuanxing to strive for success. Only when he became successful would those who kicked him when he was down dare not bully her and her son.
"Madam Kou, if you believe that Kou Yuanxing's death was because of me, you can file a lawsuit at the yamen." Zhan Feiyu knew that Madam Kou had lost all reason and could not hear anything.
Madam Kou suddenly looked up, her sinister gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu, accusing her word by word, "If it weren't for you, my Yuanxing would have been the top scholar in the prefectural examination! Yuanxing was only imprisoned for saying a few words in the examination hall! He was also disqualified from the prefectural examination. Zhan Feiyu, my son's prefectural examination title is mine! You are a murderer!"