After leaving the Qin family in a hurry, Huang Li went straight to Chai Yi's residence. Since becoming an advisor to Old Master Chen, Chai Yi had no shortage of money and had bought a two-courtyard house in Nanxuan Prefecture.
"Alright, have your master return immediately. Tell him I have an urgent matter," a impatient voice rang out. Huang Li sent the steward to find Chai Yi and paced back and forth in the room.
Meanwhile, Chai Yi was sitting in the Chen family's study.
After the scandal of Madam Qin's affair broke out, the Qin family was immediately affected. Previously, Old Master Chen had received a letter from the main family asking him to win over the Qin family for the Chen family's use. However, Old Master Chen had only just made contact with the Qin family head a few times when such a thing happened.
"Father, the Qin family has become a discarded piece. What are you still fussing about?" Fatty Chen sat in a round chair, his layers of fat squeezing and piling up. He narrowed his small, beady eyes and said impatiently, "If you ask me, Father, you should go find Prefect Zhang. Hmph, he's just a fourth-rank prefect. It's his good fortune that our Chen family fancies him. How dare Zhang Chengli be ungrateful?"
As the maternal family of the First Prince, Fatty Chen was so confident! If Prefect Zhang defected to the Chen family, he could still earn merit for assisting the dragon in ascending the throne. If he refused a toast and insisted on a forfeit, the prefect's position should be replaced.
Chai Yi concealed the disdain and contempt in his eyes. A fourth-rank prefect might not be worth fearing, but the wife Prefect Zhang married came from the Kong family. Did the Chen family dare to target Prefect Zhang without reason, treating the Kong family as vegetarians? Without the support of scholars, how could the First Prince expect to ascend the throne?
"Young Master, Prefect Zhang has already established himself in Nanxuan Prefecture, so the Chen family naturally does not need to fear Prefect Zhang. However, if we take action, we will be implicated," Chai Yi explained with a gentle demeanor. He was dressed as a refined scholar, and his humble attitude made people feel favorably disposed towards him.
Old Master Chen was also somewhat stout. At this moment, he nodded in agreement, "Zi Zhang is right."
Old Master Chen was a merchant, cunning and shrewd. If he were to confront Prefect Zhang for the sake of the main family, and Prefect Zhang were to fall, his own branch would likely be finished. He would not do something as foolish as letting the snipe and the clam fight so that the fisherman could profit.
"How dare Zhang Chengli touch my family?" Fatty Chen's voice suddenly rose a few decibels. He stood up angrily, his belly fat shaking a few times, and menacingly declared, "I think he's tired of living!"
"Young Master, the common people do not fight with officials. Although we do not fear Prefect Zhang, if one hair is pulled, the whole body is affected. Most of our family's businesses are in Nanxuan Prefecture. If Prefect Zhang makes a move, I fear the main family will be too far away to help," Chai Yi broke down the explanation for Fatty Chen.
The main family probably intended to sacrifice Old Master Chen's branch to bring down Prefect Zhang. After the matter was settled, they would send other collateral branches to take over the grain business. This would not incur any losses for the main family.
Fatty Chen nodded in agreement after thinking for a long time. They knew their own affairs best. The Chen family's businesses were not clean; there were many unsavory dealings in private. In order to acquire grain and suppress competitors, Old Master Chen and Fatty Chen had both stained their hands with blood. If Prefect Zhang were to investigate thoroughly, the father and son would be the first to suffer.
"Zi Zhang, what do you think? Can the Qin family overcome this danger?" Old Master Chen smiled and looked at Chai Yi. He knew his son was not shrewd, and he had two capable sons outside who could inherit his business.
Old Master Chen had also intentionally indulged him over the years. Fatty Chen became this way entirely due to Old Master Chen's indulgence.
When it came to serious matters, Chai Yi's expression also became solemn. "Madam Wan is a daughter of the Qin family, but she is an married woman after all. As long as the Qin family can find a way to turn the adultery into being violated by a villain, and Madam Wan then dies to prove her innocence, the Qin family's reputation will be damaged, but their foundation will not be harmed."
Given the Qin family's status among scholars in Nanxuan Prefecture, if they then did some good deeds to restore their reputation, they would surely minimize the damage of this incident.
"Master, the Qin family is related by marriage to the Huang family of Xinglin. The Huang family has an excellent reputation, and the second branch of the Huang family's daughter married into the Ming family of Qingya Academy. If the Huang family and Qingya Academy both come forward to clear the Qin family's name, and with your help, Master, the Qin family will surely be able to overcome this disaster."
Old Master Chen nodded in agreement. "It seems I can arrange to meet the Qin family head tomorrow."
"Master, why not wait for the Qin family to come and seek help?" As soon as Chai Yi said this, Old Master Chen laughed even more heartily. Previously, the Qin family had wanted to negotiate on equal terms. Now, the Qin family head was probably eager to pledge allegiance to the Chen family and seek help from the Chen family to overcome this disaster.
After Chai Yi left the study, he saw a young servant rushing over. "Young Master Chai, the steward from the manor has arrived."
"I know. If the young master looks for me, tell him I've gone home," Chai Yi quickened his pace.
A quarter of an hour later.
Huang Li, who had grown impatient waiting, heard footsteps outside the courtyard. Seeing Chai Yi rushing over, she angrily threw the teacup in her hand, "Why are you only back now? How long have I been waiting!"
Looking at the shattered cup on the ground, Chai Yi bowed his head subserviently and apologized, "I was checking the accounts for Old Master Chen at the shop. The steward couldn't find me, which caused a delay. Knowing you were here, I rode back directly. Touch my hand."
Chai Yi took Huang Li's hand. Although it was March, his hands were still a bit cold from riding back.
"Hmph, I'll forgive you this time. If there's a next time, I'll deal with you!" Huang Li said with a spoiled look before recounting what Madam Qin had told her.
"I thought Uncle Di doted on me so much. He actually didn't help me at all when he concocted the poison for that bitch Qin Qiong!" Huang Li's face twisted with anger. She had forgotten the affection Di Lianchuan had shown her in the past, leaving only resentment and fury.
Chai Yi gently and tenderly appeased Huang Li until she was no longer angry. He then poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her, "Don't harm your health over irrelevant people, or I will be heartbroken."
Huang Li, who had been keeping a straight face, couldn't help but smile. Her beautiful face was full of pride. Although she intended to marry Prefect Zhang, seeing the handsome and refined Chai Yi smitten with her greatly satisfied her vanity.
"Li'er, leave this matter to me. Don't dirty your hands with lowly people," Chai Yi said softly. If Di Lianchuan knew that Huang Li intended to poison Zhan Feiyu, he would probably expose the handle rather than agree. It seemed he should go and meet Madam Wan, Qin Shi.
"That's fine too. Remember to find me a suitable adulterer," Huang Li said with a wicked smile. She wanted to see how Kong Shi, that old bitch, would have the face to live in this world if she were carried out of the water by a man!
Thinking of this, Huang Li imperiously commanded, "Go to the street and find a dirty, smelly old beggar!"
"Alright, I'll do as you say." Chai Yi readily agreed. It would be beneficial for the Chen family if the prefect's wife were replaced by someone else. Prefect Zhang was meticulous and his actions were flawless. It would be better to start with his inner chambers.
Chai Yi coaxed Huang Li with all sorts of sweet talk. After she left, he finally put on a grim expression. Upon returning to the study, Chai Yi quickly wrote a letter.
A grey-clothed servant cleaning the courtyard entered the study.
"Deliver this letter to the Third Young Master immediately." Chai Yi handed the sealed letter to the servant. Old Master Chen, no matter how shrewd, was just a merchant. Chai Yi, who would one day be a marquis and prime minister, would not be willing to be driven by lowly merchants. Therefore, Chai Yi had already used Old Master Chen's connections to establish a relationship with the Third Young Master of the main family.
...
At night, at the East Lake Inn, in a lakeside pavilion.
"Where are you going?" Zhan Feiyu's dark eyes suddenly widened a few points, like a cat's. She looked at Chong Guang, who had disguised himself, in surprise. If she hadn't recognized his voice, she would have thought a villain had broken in.
"Isn't my skill impressive?" Chong Guang chuckled smugly. He sat down on the chair with his sabre across his lap, glancing nervously out the window before saying, "I have to go to the Huang family later. My current identity is the physician Di Lianchuan."
Zhan Feiyu's eyes lit up instantly, but then she remembered Yin Wuyan's previous instructions and glared angrily at the ostentatious Chong Guang, "The prefectural examination is imminent. I need to study hard and strive to achieve a minor triple crown."
"You're afraid Scholar Gu will find out you're causing trouble in Nanxuan Prefecture and skin you alive," Chong Guang raised his eyebrows and unceremoniously exposed Zhan Feiyu's pretense, saying she was quite good at acting.
"I..." Zhan Feiyu was speechless. She had only sent her homework to the capital the day before yesterday. According to the previous timeline, her teacher's letter should arrive in three days.
Big Brother had only forbidden her from going out again, but once her teacher found out about Madam Qin's affairs, Zhan Feiyu's scalp tingled. She could already imagine her fate. Perhaps even the minor triple crown would not appease her teacher's anger.
"Fatty girl, aren't you going?" Chong Guang smiled mischievously.
"No!" Zhan Feiyu replied decisively. She suddenly turned around and picked up a book from the table to read. Why get involved in the excitement? She should study hard! "If you don't work hard when you're young, you'll regret it when you're old!"
Zhan Feiyu didn't know what handle Qin Shi had on Di Lianchuan. She stared blankly at the book, feeling as if a cat was scratching her heart. Uncle Chong Guang was definitely doing it on purpose!
"Then I'll be going." Chong Guang laughed heartily. It was worth seeing the fatty girl's expression change!
...
Far away in the capital, Gu Qingzhou could not neglect his only disciple. Even with the brother and sister He Nuan and He Sheng sent by Yin Wuyan, Gu Qingzhou still sent a hidden guard to watch in secret and also sent news of Zhan Feiyu back to the capital.
The study was brightly lit. Gu Qingzhou went to court before dawn every day, then handled official business in the Wenyuan Pavilion, and was often summoned by the Emperor to discuss state affairs. Even when he returned to the Scholar's Mansion, he would go to his study to handle accumulated court duties.
"Master, it's time to eat." The old steward reminded him. The food had already been reheated twice.
Putting down the letter in his hand, Gu Qingzhou couldn't help but smile. However, in the lamplight, this smile looked rather chilling. "It is indeed time to eat. If I get angry and fall ill, that troublesome girl won't even know."
The old steward paused and glanced back at the desk. "Did the young lady write?"
"That troublesome girl is about to turn Nanxuan Prefecture upside down!" Gu Qingzhou gripped the chopsticks tightly and continued with a forced smile, "It seems she has too little homework, which is why she is so lazy and indulgent!"
That brat Yin Wuyan only spoils the troublesome girl to the point of being lawless! If the troublesome girl were to kill someone, he would probably stand by and hand her a knife, and then clean up the bodies. His good disciple was being led astray by that brat!
"The young lady has such ability at only nine years old?" The old steward's face was full of wrinkles from smiling. His proud demeanor showed that he was another one who would hand Zhan Feiyu a knife.
Gu Qingzhou ate a few bites of food. Although he came from the Gu clan of Nanling and was a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, Gu Qingzhou had always been too lazy to adhere to the rules of not speaking while eating or sleeping. "She is a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger. She is not old, but she is bold. She even dares to provoke the Chen family. However, her methods are somewhat commendable."
The old steward looked at Gu Qingzhou with shining eyes, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Just wait. After the dust settles, Nanxuan Prefecture will probably be a solid block. It's fortunate for Zhang Chengli. Without the young lady's stroke of genius, it would have taken Zhang Chengli at least a year to firmly control Nanxuan Prefecture." Gu Qingzhou spoke of Zhan Feiyu's "improper conduct," but the smile on his face revealed his satisfaction.
Especially when he thought of Zhan Feiyu uniquely cooperating with Qingya Academy to establish a brand-new vocational skills academy, Gu Qingzhou couldn't help but shake his head. "She's still too young. Once this news leaks out, the Ming family won't be able to defend against those demons and monsters. This matter still needs to be decided by the Emperor."
Speaking of this, Gu Qingzhou looked at the old steward and said, "Arrange for someone to send ten thousand taels of silver notes to that girl tomorrow."
"Yes." The old steward nodded in agreement.
...
Yin Wuyan returned to East Lake Pavilion when the moon was high in the sky. The young girl had stirred up trouble in Nanxuan Prefecture. Since she had started it, Yin Wuyan naturally had to make arrangements so that the young girl wouldn't have worked in vain.
Moreover, with Nanxuan Prefecture as an example, those in the shadows would probably not dare to pick on the weak. This act of killing the chicken to warn the monkeys would have been achieved.
After Chong Guang left, Zhan Feiyu once again focused on her studies with a clear mind, as she was not a real child.
"Your calligraphy is good." Yin Wuyan picked up the essay on the desk and looked at it. Regardless of the quality of the essay, the calligraphy itself was pleasing to the eye.
"It's just the result of diligent practice." The praised Zhan Feiyu grinned. Besides diligent practice, it was also because the calligraphy models she copied were all rare treasures. She really had no talent.
Yin Wuyan glanced at the modest young girl. "Studying for the imperial examinations is just a means. It's good that you are not bound by it."
"All professions are inferior, but scholarship is superior." But in the end, scholarship was just for passing the imperial examinations, for fame and status. Calligraphy and essays were just tools to achieve the final goal.
"Teacher would scold me severely if he heard this," Zhan Feiyu knew she was a commoner. Outsiders called her a prodigy or a talented woman, but to her, these were just empty titles and disguises. She just wanted to control her own life, not to be confined to a deep courtyard and live by the favor of men.
In half an hour, Yin Wuyan had guided Zhan Feiyu to revise her essay and trial poem. It was now time for Zhan Feiyu to sleep.
Putting down her brush and tidying up the slightly messy desk, Zhan Feiyu looked expectantly at Yin Wuyan. "Big Brother, since you're idle, why don't we go out and stroll around Nanxuan Prefecture?"
Her gaze swept out the window. In the dark night, she could hear the chirping of insects. Most people were already asleep. Although Nanxuan Prefecture had no curfew, at this time of night, there would probably only be watchmen on the streets.