Ming Shanzhang had previously deduced that Zhan Feiyu would try to restrain the Qin family by winning over the Ming family. Now, with the rumors of Qin Shi's adultery, and the fact that it was witnessed by the yamen constables apprehending a thief, it was as if both witnesses and evidence were present.
This would leave the Qin family's reputation in tatters. After all, Wan Yunhao was the youngest Juren in Nanxuan Prefecture, and he had passed away prematurely. With his body not yet cold, a little maneuvering could easily incite the anger of all the scholars in Nanxuan Prefecture against the Qin family.
"You framed innocent people to avenge Instructor Zhao. You are so insidious and vicious..." Ming San's angry words stopped under Ming Shanzhang's stern gaze.
But looking at Zhan Feiyu, who was smiling charmingly, Ming San couldn't help himself. However, he dared not speak wildly, "As the saying goes, we have different paths and cannot plan together! Miss Zhan, please leave!"
Despite his dislike for the Qin family's despicable actions, Ming San did not agree with Zhan Feiyu's methods. Cooperating with her was no different from seeking a tiger's skin! If it weren't for his concern about her identity, Ming San would have thrown Zhan Feiyu out himself.
Ming San was feeling smug, but unfortunately, a furious roar echoed.
"Ming Maoze, when you had your coming-of-age ceremony, your father gave you the courtesy name 'Yahou.' Do you still remember its meaning?" Ming Shanzhang looked at his youngest son, who was speaking sternly, with disappointment. He judged people and matters superficially, was arrogant and impatient. It was fortunate he didn't pass the imperial examinations, otherwise, he would surely be a disaster for the Ming family in the future.
Ming San had been intelligent since childhood but was proud and arrogant. Therefore, Ming Shanzhang hoped he would be peaceful and magnanimous, hence the courtesy name 'Yahou' to temper his unrestrained and rebellious nature. Now, it seemed to be of no use at all.
"Me?" Ming San, who didn't think he had said anything wrong, looked indignantly at Ming Shanzhang. However, he dared not talk back to his father, so he could only suppress his anger.
"Miss Zhan," Ming Shanzhang, too lazy to deal with his foolish son, turned to Zhan Feiyu and said, "Perhaps Miss Zhan can enlighten my foolish son."
He had been too smooth sailing in the past. It was time to correct his youngest son's character, making him realize he wasn't the only intelligent person in the world.
Zhan Feiyu smiled and asked directly, "Young Master San, if today the Qin family and the Ming family were swapped, do you think the Qin family would let the Ming family off, or would they pursue their advantage and eliminate them completely?"
Ming San's defiant expression froze. If the Ming family had made such a significant mistake, the Qin family would definitely have suppressed Qingya Academy with the force of a strong wind sweeping away fallen leaves.
In recent years, the Qin family had not thought about annexing the Ming family, but Nanxuan Prefecture was not under the Qin family's jurisdiction. Before the Tong Prefecture collapsed, Tong Tongzhi was the person in power in Nanxuan Prefecture. The previous prefect, if not colluding with Tong Tongzhi, had his power hollowed out.
The Qin family and the Tong family had been at odds since their ancestors. They were like two tigers on one mountain. Therefore, as long as the Qin family suppressed Qingya Academy, Tong Tongzhi would secretly interfere. Nanxuan Prefecture had maintained this balance for years.
"Acting so unscrupulously, what difference is there between you and the Qin family!" Ming San stubbornly retorted. Zhan Feiyu was merely a commoner, only nine years old, yet so eager for fame and power. If she gained power in the future, she would surely be someone who prospered if you obeyed her and perished if you defied her.
Completely ignoring Ming San's hostility, Zhan Feiyu continued with a smile, "As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Young Master San, you believe Madam Wan is innocent, but do you truly understand Madam Wan?"
Ming San's understanding of Madam Qin was limited to one fact: she was the cousin of Madam Huang Li, the third wife.
Without investigation, there was no right to speak. Ming San was highly talented and did not regard the scholars of Nanxuan Prefecture highly, so he naturally did not think much of women in the inner chambers.
Whether Qin Shi was unmarried or married as Madam Wan, her reputation had always been excellent. Ming San had likely heard of this, which was why he felt indignant on her behalf.
"I..." Unable to refute, Ming San glared angrily at Zhan Feiyu. Why would he investigate a married woman? Thinking of the rumors of Qin Shi's adultery, Ming San's face darkened. He glared fiercely at Zhan Feiyu, what did her words just now mean!
"Young Master San, I have already investigated. The Qin family is not innocent, and Madam Wan, Qin Shi, is also not innocent. Why doesn't Ming Shanzhang take advantage of the situation?" Zhan Feiyu said this to Ming Shanzhang. Ming San harbored resentment towards the Qin family, and she did not believe Ming Shanzhang was not tempted at all.
Currently, Prefect Zhang had established a firm foothold in Nanxuan Prefecture. However, Nanxuan Prefecture belonged to Jiangnan Circuit, and above it was the Chen family, the maternal relatives of the First Prince.
But with the support of the Ming family, Prefect Zhang's position would be more stable. Of course, this would not have any disadvantages for Qingya Academy; it could be considered a win-win situation.
Ming Shanzhang put down his teacup and also dismissed his "foolish" son, Ming San. "Miss Zhan, although your words are reasonable, you have forgotten that even if Qingya Academy can suppress the Qin family, it can only defend itself within the small territory of Nanxuan Prefecture. Jiangnan is a region with a flourishing literary tradition, with many academies. Qingya Academy is unlikely to meet Miss Zhan's expectations."
Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu. Because of the matters involving Liu Jian and Tong Tongzhi, the First Prince was bound to be angered at Scholar Gu. However, the First Prince dared not touch Scholar Gu, a confidant of the Emperor, and perhaps even feared the Gu clan of Nanling. Zhan Feiyu was naturally the target of the First Prince's wrath.
And Zhan Feiyu did not want to be passively attacked. Her current actions all indicated that she was meticulously planning and trying her best to prevent herself from being suppressed by the Chen family.
However, Qingya Academy would not become the sharp knife and blade in her hands. Even if Ming Shanzhang agreed, Qingya Academy did not have such great influence. In the final analysis, the academy was a place for teaching and educating people and could not play a significant role in the struggle for power.
"Ming Shanzhang, I have written a new article yesterday. I hope Ming Shanzhang will correct it." Zhan Feiyu changed the subject and handed over the article she had brought.
"Let me see!" Ming San, still holding a grudge, snatched the article first.
Standing by, Ming San finished reading the article in less than a moment, his expression changing with complex and strange emotions.
Ming Shanzhang, sitting in the main seat, looked at his youngest son in surprise. No matter how talented Zhan Feiyu was, she had entered academia for a short time. Even the most exquisite article would not make Ming San lose his composure like this.
It wasn't that Ming Shanzhang thought highly of Ming San. Compared to articles, Zhan Feiyu was definitely inferior.
"Father." Ming San handed the article over, looking at Zhan Feiyu with an even more complex gaze. Was this truly written by her? How could there be such a girl who was as intelligent as a demon?
"Oh?" Ming Shanzhang looked at the policy essay in his hand. It was not a proposal for the court but a policy proposal for the development and growth of Qingya Academy.
After reading it, Ming Shanzhang finally understood why Ming San's expression was so complex and strange. This article was only about six to seven hundred characters long, but its feasibility was extremely high. Although it was unconventional, Ming Shanzhang could imagine that Qingya Academy would surely be comparable to the top academies in the Great Qing Dynasty in the future.
"Shanzhang, although there is teaching without discrimination, academies recruit students through examinations, and few are admitted. All professions are inferior, only reading is noble. But if the world only had scholars, without food to fill their stomachs, without clothes to wear, without homes to live in, and without carriages to travel in." Zhan Feiyu spoke plainly. Qingya Academy was not even in the top ten in Jiangnan Circuit, and in the entire Great Qing Dynasty, it was only considered average.
Therefore, Zhan Feiyu's unconventional approach meant establishing a vocational academy, training not scholars for the imperial examinations, but teaching various skills and cultivating artisans.
Ming San, probably in a dispute with Zhan Feiyu, unceremoniously poured cold water on her, "Most artisans with skills pass them down from father to son, not daughter, and certainly not to outsiders. No matter how well your policy proposal is written, it's just empty talk!"
The Great Qing Dynasty valued inheritance. Artisans in all trades adhered to the viewpoint of "teaching a disciple means starving the master." Even if some took apprentices, they treated them as their own sons. Making these artisans pass down their craftsmanship and skills to unrelated outsiders would be met with refusal even at the point of a knife.
Ming Shanzhang did not interrupt Ming San, as this was indeed the truth.
"I heard that embroidery workshops recruit embroiderers in this manner. Everything is difficult at the beginning, but if we really look for them, we can find some skilled artisans willing to be teachers at the academy." Zhan Feiyu also knew that establishing a vocational academy would not be easy, but it was not impossible to succeed.
Embroidery workshops generally had highly skilled embroiderers serving as female instructors. Some women learned various needlework and embroidery techniques in the workshops, and after graduating, they worked as laborers in the workshops. Since embroidery workshops were feasible, why couldn't other skills be?
The matter was sudden. Even if Ming Shanzhang was moved, he could not give an immediate answer. This matter concerned the future development of the Ming family, and Ming Shanzhang would likely write to his eldest son in the capital.
"Taohong, lead Miss Zhan to the backyard." After letting the maid lead Zhan Feiyu away, Ming Shanzhang scolded her in the study, "Is this all the ability you have?"
The forced pretense of his demeanor disappeared. Ming San slumped into the chair like a boneless person and said listlessly, "Father, do you think a nine-year-old girl can have such insight? My elder brother probably can't compare."
"If she had no extraordinary qualities, why would Scholar Gu take her as a disciple?" Ming Shanzhang did not believe that Zhan Feiyu had someone behind her advising her. In the final analysis, it was the young girl's exceptional intelligence.
Mentioning Scholar Gu, Ming San became even more dejected. Compared to Zhan Feiyu, who was full of schemes, he was just a brainless lout! Although Ming San would never admit that he was inferior to a nine-year-old girl.
On the path leading to the backyard, Zhan Feiyu paused and looked at the three people in the octagonal pavilion, unexpectedly encountering "acquaintances."
Old Madam Zhang, being advanced in age, had taken a carriage to Qingya Academy but found it uncomfortable due to the bumps. She was now resting in the pavilion, and Bao Lian'er, who had accompanied Old Madam Zhang, was attentively serving her, pouring water and massaging her shoulders. Anyone who didn't know would think this was the inner chambers of the Zhang residence.
Grandma Hao knelt down and bowed, "This old servant greets Old Madam."
"She is indeed well-behaved," Old Madam Zhang nodded with satisfaction. In the Zhang residence, although the maids and servants were also respectful to Old Madam Zhang, the servants truly feared Madam Kong, who managed the household.
And occasionally when going out, those noble ladies and daughters, even while speaking flattering words, still had an air of condescension, looking down on Old Madam Zhang, who was illiterate and from a farming family.
Therefore, seeing Grandma Hao kneeling and greeting her, Old Madam Zhang's wrinkled old face couldn't help but show a smile. This was how a servant should behave. Madam Kong, that wretched woman, spoke filial words, but behind her back, she didn't treat her as a mother-in-law at all!
Grandma Hao, after being asked to rise, pondered how to ask Old Madam Zhang for help. After the news of Qin Shi's adultery spread, Grandma Hao immediately went to the Qin family for help but was beaten out by the gatekeeper.
Afterward, the Qin family, with swift and decisive action, imprisoned Qin Shi. All the maids and servants in the Wan residence who had seen Huang Bin were sold off by the matchmaker. Grandma Hao was also clever enough to escape this fate.
However, now she had nowhere to turn for help. The only person she could think of was Huang Li, as she was Miss's cousin, and Huang Li was simple-minded. Grandma Hao had no choice but to come to the Ming family, but she did not expect to encounter Old Madam Zhang.
"Old Madam, my mistress has been framed. I implore Old Madam to lend a helping hand." Grandma Hao knelt down again with a thud, her head hitting the stone slabs.
"My mistress has already been imprisoned by the Qin family. Now there is no one in charge in the entire Wan residence. Old Madam, you are a Bodhisattva of great compassion. Please show mercy and save my mistress. This old servant asks for nothing else, only that my mistress be safe. Otherwise, what use is even a fortune?"
When Old Madam Zhang first heard Grandma Hao's words, her brows furrowed.
She enjoyed being flattered and praised, but she did not like to solve problems for others. She was the mother of Prefect Zhang, the most distinguished old lady in Nanxuan Prefecture. Did she still want her to handle these trivial matters?
But upon hearing about the fortune in Grandma Hao's words, Old Madam Zhang's eyes lit up. This was money!
Madam Kong, that wretched woman, was able to control the Zhang residence's inner chambers as a daughter-in-law precisely because she had a large dowry and money in hand. Naturally, the maids and servants listened to her!
And Old Madam Zhang, for all her good qualities, lacked money. Prefect Zhang's salary was meager. Although half of it was given to Old Madam Zhang, and she also received some filial piety offerings daily, after saving for so many years, it only amounted to eight thousand taels.
Thinking of the nearly a thousand taels spent on the dowry for that prodigal daughter before the New Year, Old Madam Zhang felt a pang of heartache, wishing she could personally go to her granddaughter's courtyard and snatch back all those jewels, ornaments, and decorative items.
Qin Shi was from the Qin family, and moreover, she was a legitimate daughter. Her dowry must have been substantial. Furthermore, with Wan Yunhao dead, all the assets of the Wan residence were in Qin Shi's hands alone. Wealth moved people's hearts, and it was no wonder Old Madam Zhang became interested.
"Old Madam." With her forehead still pressed against the cold stone slab, Grandma Hao quickly said, "As long as Old Madam can save my mistress from dire straits, this old servant will act as her guarantor and offer the mistress's private savings to Old Madam. I left in a hurry today. After I return, I will send ten thousand taels of silver notes to the mansion first. As for the deeds to the manors, houses, and shops, my mistress will personally deliver them to Old Madam after she is released to repay Old Madam's kindness."
Ten thousand taels of silver notes? Not only did Old Madam Zhang's eyes gleam with greed, but Bao Lian'er, standing beside her, also turned red with envy. She had brought her brother to seek refuge with Old Madam Zhang, their aunt, flattering and fawning over her, all for the sake of having a more comfortable life.
Fearing that Old Madam Zhang would not agree, Grandma Hao offered even greater benefits, "My mistress is currently in mourning, so she cannot wear those jewelry and ornaments. They are gathering dust at home. This old servant will offer them along with the silver notes to Old Madam."
Hmph! Old Madam Zhang swallowed. She preferred money even more. Therefore, the hairpins she wore on her head and the ornaments she wore on her body were all gifts from Madam Kong and other noble ladies. Old Madam Zhang was reluctant to spend money to buy these decorative jewelry and ornaments.
But now that she could get them for free, why not take them!
Old Madam Zhang's face broke into a smile full of wrinkles. "Alright, get up and reply. Since you have come to me, I will naturally take care of this matter."
"This old servant thanks Old Madam for her compassion." Grandma Hao kowtowed three more times, with great force. When she stood up, her forehead was already bruised and swollen.