The Huang family's backyard was unlike ordinary homes, filled with medicinal herbs. Only Shenyue Pavilion, where Huang Li lived before her marriage, was planted with peonies. It was only early March, yet the potted peonies under the corridors had already bloomed.
"Li'er loves peonies the most among flowers. These were moved from the warm room," Second Madam Huang's face was delicate, and her voice was soft. She did not glare at Zhan Feiyu despite Zhan Feiyu having injured Huang Li.
"They are very beautiful," Zhan Feiyu complimented. It was not surprising that the flamboyant Huang Li favored peonies, the king of flowers.
Seeing that Zhan Feiyu was not an overbearing person, Second Madam Huang felt slightly relieved and tentatively explained, "Li'er has been spoiled by me, she can be a bit willful."
"Second Madam is too kind. It was my impatience and lack of restraint that led to my actions," Zhan Feiyu apologized to Second Madam. If the Huang family respected her one foot, she would return the respect with ten feet.
As the matriarch, First Madam Huang was displeased with her willful and reckless niece, Huang Li. Even though she had been married for several years, she was always causing trouble, bringing much inconvenience to her maiden family.
Previously, people had made way for her out of respect for the Ming, Huang, and Qin families. However, this time she had truly met her match. If she were not a daughter of the Huang family, First Madam would have praised the action.
"Miss Zhan, please sit," First Madam beckoned Zhan Feiyu to sit. "This matter is not entirely your fault. Li'er's behavior is overbearing, and it is our fault as elders for not teaching her properly. But Li'er is also a wife of the Ming family, so this matter still depends on the Ming family..."
"First Madam worries too much. Our Ming family will absolutely not pursue this matter. My sister-in-law brought it upon herself. If I had been there at the time, I would have surely whipped her soundly with a horsewhip! She shouldn't disgrace people like that!" A crisp voice came from outside the door, but these words made the corners of First Madam's and Second Madam's mouths twitch.
Huang Li had brought it upon herself, but she was, after all, a daughter of the Huang family, and they had to protect her when necessary. However, both of them knew the personality of the person who had arrived, and could only offer a wry smile.
Speaking of which, their Huang family only had to take care of Huang Li for about ten years, while the Ming family would have to clean up after this third daughter-in-law for fifty to sixty years. Thinking about it this way, they felt inexplicably fortunate.
Zhan Feiyu stared dumbfounded at the woman who entered with great fanfare. She appeared to be around thirty years old, tall, and was holding a horsewhip in her right hand.
"Is this the little girl who hit Huang Li?" Yin Yuanhui's fiery gaze locked onto Zhan Feiyu, and she tossed the horsewhip to a maid behind her.
She walked over in a few steps, her eyes shining with a fervent light. Yin Yuanhui couldn't help but say, "First Madam, is there a mistake? Can this little girl injure that shrew Huang Li?"
Uh... scolding Huang Li as a shrew in front of her mother and aunt? Zhan Feiyu, who was cold and easily startled, was then hugged by Yin Yuanhui.
Yin Yuanhui rubbed her soft, chubby cheeks against Zhan Feiyu's face, laughing like a strange aunt. "Like a little bun! Oh, I've been wishing for this for years, wanting to have a little girl. Unfortunately, Ming Er is useless, only sons! Tonight I..."
"Cough cough!" First Madam coughed violently, wishing she could stuff Yin Yuanhui's loose lips shut. Was she going to discuss her intimate affairs with Young Master Ming Er in front of the young lady?
Second Madam's face turned even redder with embarrassment. She could only lower her head and drink tea from her teacup to hide it. Even though she had known Yin Yuanhui for several years, Second Madam still couldn't handle her straightforward personality.
Zhan Feiyu, who had almost heard some scandalous gossip, blinked in a daze. Weren't women supposed to be reserved, introverted, and shy?
"First Madam, why is this girl so likable?" Yin Yuanhui's bright and passionate smile was filled with affection. Although they had just met, "Look at her eyes, her nose! I must have a daughter with Ming Er!"
After saying that, Yin Yuanhui hugged Zhan Feiyu and rubbed her again.
"Yuanhui, put Miss Zhan down at once!" First Madam's tone became a bit more serious, fearing that Yin Yuanhui might offend her. This was no ordinary young lady, but a disciple of Scholar Gu!
How the Tong family declined and how the Qin family retreated, Old Master Huang had not explicitly stated, but First Madam knew that Zhan Feiyu was inextricably linked to it. What capability could a young girl possess? In the end, it was all due to Scholar Gu.
The eldest son of the Ming family was in the Hanlin Academy, and Scholar Gu was his superior. If they truly offended this young lady, the Ming family would surely suffer the consequences.
Finally free, Zhan Feiyu quickly stepped back several paces and performed a scholar's bow. "Greetings, Madam Ming Er."
"Alas, why do you look so much like that pedantic scholar Ming Er?" Yin Yuanhui's voice suddenly rose, a mixture of surprise and disappointment. Looking at the stern and serious Zhan Feiyu, her face was filled with regret.
Unable to bear Madam Ming Er's fiery enthusiasm, Zhan Feiyu stood up straight, her bun-shaped face taut, and her expression unsmiling, truly like a little pedant. "Master Ming teaches tirelessly, with disciples everywhere, he is a model for students."
"This?" Yin Yuanhui looked at the "stiff and serious" young girl with annoyance. She had rosy lips and white teeth, so why did she learn to quote classical texts?
Yin Yuanhui, from a military family, had given birth to three rough boys after her marriage. Although she wielded swords and spears all day, she secretly preferred soft and fragrant delicate children.
It was just that her three sons had been taught by Ming Er to be like little old men. Thinking of her three-year-old son saying in a milky voice that men and women should not touch each other, Yin Yuanhui was so angry she wished she could whip Ming Er severely.
As for the young girls from the Ming family's relatives and friends, while pretty, they had been properly educated from a young age, and were all thin. Yin Yuanhui worried that she might hurt them if she used too much force.
Finally, seeing Zhan Feiyu with her chubby cheeks, fair skin, dark, round eyes, and a cherry-like small mouth, she was the little daughter Yin Yuanhui had always wanted. Unfortunately, the dream shattered too quickly; this turned out to be a little scholar, a little pedant.
Sitting back in her chair, Zhan Feiyu maintained her bun-shaped face, looking serious and rigid. "Confucius said: 'At birth, man's nature is good. To do good and accumulate virtue is man's nature.'"
Upon hearing the words "Confucius said," Yin Yuanhui's scalp tingled. Looking at the young girl so close to her, she inexplicably felt as if her Ming Er had possessed her.
Zhan Feiyu, however, continued, shaking her head, "There is a poem that says: 'Who says the lives of all beings are insignificant? They are of the same flesh and blood, the same skin. Plants and birds all have feelings. Madam Ming San's actions are so wicked. Those who do not reveal good deeds in the open should be punished by all.'"
Uh... Yin Yuanhui's mind went blank from this classical discourse. Second Madam Huang, being from the Qin family, naturally understood the meaning of Zhan Feiyu's words, and thus lowered her head even more in shame. Who would have thought such a vicious person was her daughter?
First Madam Huang glanced thoughtfully at Zhan Feiyu. Being accepted as a disciple by Scholar Gu, young Miss Zhan was indeed extraordinary. With her first words, she had subdued the eccentric Yuanhui.
"Stop!" Fearing that Zhan Feiyu would continue speaking, Yin Yuanhui quickly interrupted, her smile stiff. "This matter is my sister-in-law's fault. We Ming family will not pursue it. Furthermore, I have already sent ten taels of silver to the injured shop assistant. Let this matter be settled!"
Outside the door, a sharp and piercing voice angrily rang out, "I do not agree!"
Zhan Feiyu turned her head to look. Well, the main character had arrived.
Huang Li had changed into clean clothes, still wearing a crimson six-panel silk skirt. Her hair was styled into a double-knife bun, and the high bun, adorned with a full set of gilded jewelry, was truly noble and imposing.
Shaking off the support of wet nurse Lu, Huang Li strode in, her murderous gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu.
Thinking that this little vixen had injured her, yet was being treated as an honored guest by her aunt, and recalling Yin Yuanhui's earlier words of not pursuing the matter, her surging anger made Huang Li completely lose her reason.
"Sister-in-law, what are you doing?" An angry shout rang out. Yin Yuanhui quickly stepped forward and grabbed Huang Li's hand, skillfully snatching the teacup she was holding.
"Li'er, do not be rude!" First Madam spoke with a cold face. If she were to smash her teacup, and if Miss Zhan were injured in any way, the Huang family would likely follow the fate of the Tong family.
Zhan Feiyu raised her eyebrows and grinned at the enraged Huang Li, provoking her to attack. Only then would she be susceptible to her own schemes, and the Huang and Ming families would absolutely not help.
Zhan Feiyu thought of Madam Qin. With her personality, would she miss the opportunity to "borrow a knife to kill"?
And killing could only happen in two ways: one was to kill with real weapons. Not to mention that neither Madam Qin nor Huang Li had the ability, but in Nanxuan Prefecture, under the governance of Prefect Zhang, they would not dare to hire assassins.
The second was to act secretly. Poison would naturally be the first choice. Madam Qin had been able to use a doctor from the Huang family to kill Tan Min. This time, she might repeat her old tricks, and then they could be caught red-handed.
Compared to the flailing Huang Li, and looking at the seemingly stunned Zhan Feiyu, it was not just Yin Yuanhui whose heart leaned towards Zhan Feiyu, but even her own mother, Second Madam Huang, was anxiously trying to dissuade her. "Li'er, calm down. The wound on your forehead is not serious; it will heal in a month."
Huang Li, who was inherently strong-willed and could not stand to suffer a loss, was now enraged seeing her maiden family and her husband's family siding with Zhan Feiyu.
Looking at the smiling Zhan Feiyu, Huang Li pointed at her own forehead and screamed hysterically, "I'm the one who's injured! Why should you ask me to let this little vixen go! I will definitely use a knife to disfigure this little vixen!"
"It was unavoidable before. I ask Madam Ming San for your understanding." Zhan Feiyu, feigning innocence, bowed deeply to apologize. Then, she changed her tone and said, "But there are reasons for everything. Madam Ming San, as the saying goes, who is without fault? If one can correct their mistakes, it is the greatest good..."
The classical discourse appeared again...
Yin Yuanhui suddenly tightened her grip on Huang Li's hand, her smile stiff as she threatened, "Sister-in-law, how old are you to be arguing with a young girl? Don't you see how I often tolerate you?"
Her wrist felt like it was about to break. Huang Li's face contorted in pain, but she had to yield. "Alright, I understand. Let go."
As soon as Yin Yuanhui released her, Huang Li's eyes became even more ferocious. She raised her hand and slapped towards Yin Yuanhui's face.
Although caught off guard, Yin Yuanhui was somewhat skilled in martial arts. She stepped aside and avoided the slap, but her smiling face was tinged with anger.
Yin Yuanhui's anger was not because Huang Li tried to hit her, but because of her persistent nagging. It was just two small cuts on her forehead, and it was her own doing. What right did she have to shout so loudly?
"Second Sister-in-law, this is a matter of our third branch. You have no right to interfere!" Huang Li glared at Yin Yuanhui resentfully, then impudently spoke to First Madam. "First Aunt, I am a married woman. If I am injured, it is a matter between me and my husband. First Aunt should not meddle in other people's business!"
Even though she knew her niece Huang Li's character, First Madam was so angered that she almost fell backward. Second Madam Huang quickly helped her sit down. "First Sister, don't be angry. Li'er is ignorant."
"Madam Ming San, I am the one who injured you. What do you want?" Zhan Feiyu saw this and spoke, drawing the fire towards herself.
Huang Li sneered ferociously, her sinister and venomous gaze scrutinizing Zhan Feiyu as if she were dead. "You still want to participate in the prefectural examination? Dare to injure me, and you can wait to take your imperial examinations in the prefectural prison!"
Prefect Zhang would naturally not show favoritism, but Huang Li relied on Old Madam Zhang, who was Prefect Zhang's mother. With filial piety as a pretext, how could Prefect Zhang refuse?
Zhan Feiyu looked at the swaggering Huang Li with slight surprise. With her personality, it was impossible for her to have any personal connections with Prefect Zhang and Madam Zhang.
Could it be? Zhan Feiyu's eyes suddenly widened. "Madam Ming San, are you acquainted with Old Madam Zhang?"
Thinking of Old Madam Zhang, Zhan Feiyu felt indescribable.
"It's too late for you to apologize now!" Huang Li sneered triumphantly, wishing she could immediately send Zhan Feiyu to prison. Missing the imperial examinations was nothing. A woman who had been in prison was equivalent to losing her chastity and reputation. She wanted to see who would marry this lowly girl in the future!
Unfortunately, the fear and panic that Huang Li expected did not appear. Zhan Feiyu did not beg for mercy; instead, she smiled. "The Great Qing Dynasty values filial piety, but national laws and statutes are above filial piety. Madam Ming San, you are uneducated, but you should know this principle, lest you disgrace Young Master Ming San."
No matter how powerful Old Madam Zhang was, at most she could control Madam Zhang, Madam Kong, within the inner chambers, as she was the daughter-in-law.
But in the political affairs of Nanxuan Prefecture, if Old Madam Zhang wanted to interfere, unless Prefect Zhang was a foolish official. No, even if he were a foolish official, he would not allow women from the inner chambers to interfere in government affairs.
"A hen crowing at dawn; when a hen crows at dawn, it signifies the ruin of the house." A clear male voice sounded. Young Master Ming San, who had just entered the room, flicked his wide sleeves. His nonchalant gaze, however, held a hint of sharpness. "Since you believe that a woman's lack of talent is her virtue, why then do you take the imperial examinations? Is this not hypocrisy, speaking one thing and meaning another?"
Wan Yunhao was the youngest juren in Nanxuan Prefecture. However, in terms of actual achievement, Wan Yunhao obtained his xiucai at the age of twelve, while Young Master Ming San was a xiaosanyuan at eight. It was just that Wan Yunhao continued to study diligently and obtained his juren, while Young Master Ming San gave up and did not take the examination.
Zhan Feiyu was called a child prodigy, but that was only recognized by the scholars in Shangsi County. In Nanxuan Prefecture, or even the entire Jiangnan region, not many people would admit it.
Firstly, she was a woman; secondly, her enlightenment was too late, and she had only been studying for two years; thirdly, Zhan Feiyu did not possess poetic talent. For anyone to be called a child prodigy, not to mention composing poems in seven steps, there were always excellent lines passed down. Zhan Feiyu was at most a diligent and hardworking good student.