Wei Madam, seeing that Zhan Feiyu did not refuse Madam Wu’s apology, finally relaxed the heart that had been hanging by her side, and quickly asked the maids to bring over the gift boxes.
There were also four gifts, but Madam Wei’s silver notes were a thick stack, estimated to be twenty thousand taels at a glance. The Jin family, salt merchants, were not lacking in money.
“Miss Zhan, it is my Jin family’s fault for not teaching our daughter properly. Please bear with us, Miss Zhan.” Madam Wei said with a smile, no longer possessing the arrogance she had at Jin Yuzhai that day.
Vice Commander Wei was merely a fifth-rank military official. Even if he were promoted, he would at most become a Commander, a fifth-rank official!
Scholar Gu was a first-rank Grand Scholar of the court, and also a confidant of His Majesty. Even princes and grandsons sought to curry favor with him. What were the Wei and Jin families? One was a minor official at the end of the line, and the other was a merchant.
Zhan Feiyu glanced at the gift boxes on the table, without any trace of greed, nor disdain or arrogance. “Madam Wei is too kind. I am just a scholar, and my teacher is also a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy. He has no authority over the Salt Transport Division. As long as the Jin family does not violate the laws of Daqing, they will naturally be safe and sound.”
Madam Wu pretended to drink tea while holding her teacup. She looked at Zhan Feiyu with surprise. This composed demeanor was truly unlike someone from a humble background. Tens of thousands of taels of silver notes! Madam Wu was also envious.
“The Jin family has always abided by the law,” Madam Wei quickly replied. Although she was a young girl and did not appear arrogant or overbearing, the more calm and composed Zhan Feiyu was, the more uneasy Madam Wei felt.
For a moment, Madam Wei remembered visiting Lord Bai, the Salt Transport Commissioner, with her father when she was young. Lord Bai sat in the main seat, and the official presence that emanated from him made Madam Wei shrink back.
Her father was influential in the Jin family in Zhongzhou, but in front of that Lord Bai, who was not yet thirty, he bowed and scraped, like a servant in his own home.
Zhan Feiyu smiled and said, “Then Madam Wei need not worry. However, Miss Jin’s actions are indeed arrogant. I hope the head of the Jin family will restrain the younger generation of the family. After all, if you walk too many roads at night, you are bound to encounter ghosts.”
Chong Guang, who was eavesdropping nearby, let out a chuckle and gave Zhan Feiyu a thumbs-up. The plump girl was quite mischievous, even comparing herself to an evil spirit.
“Thank you for your guidance, Miss Zhan. I will relay your message truthfully.” Madam Wei could not smile. Thinking of the densely packed corpses on the city wall, Madam Wei felt fortunate to be able to leave Huaian Prefecture alive.
As for the previous schemes, Madam Wei had given them up. Zhan Feiyu, a mere young girl, had forced her to come and apologize. If Prefect Chu or the sickly Madam Chu were involved, and Baozhen were to truly enter the Chu family, she would likely die without knowing how.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. Zhan Feiyu pretended to pick up her teacup.
Madam Wu and Madam Wei immediately got up to take their leave. Although they had lost money, it was not a wasted trip, at least they had not made an enemy.
“You’ve even learned how to serve tea to see guests off,” Chong Guang said as he walked over, picking up the silver notes from the gift box and shaking them. “If I had known that staying in prison for a few days could earn so much money, I would have followed you to get rich too.”
Not to mention the complete set of emerald hair ornaments, but the silver notes alone were twenty-two thousand taels. The plump girl’s methods of accumulating wealth were even more formidable than those corrupt officials in court.
She got up and snatched the silver notes from Chong Guang’s hand, Zhan Feiyu snapped the lid shut. “A Nuan, put away the other things. I’m going to give a gift too.”
“Deng Zhiwu has made a fortune this time,” Chong Guang said as he walked over, tugging at Zhan Feiyu’s braid. “Plump girl, I put in a lot of effort before. How do you plan to repay this life-saving grace?”
Rolling her eyes, Zhan Feiyu let out two cold laughs. “Do you want me to offer myself in return?”
Chong Guang stumbled, almost tripping down the stairs. He looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was going upstairs, and shouted in alarm, “Plump girl, this is biting the hand that feeds you! If Seventh Master hears this, tomorrow will be my death anniversary.”
Seventh Master doted on the plump girl like his own daughter. Looking at the corpses already exposed to the sun on the city wall, Chong Guang felt that even if he had nine lives, it wouldn’t be enough for Seventh Master to deal with him if he dared to have ideas about the plump girl.
Guest room.
“Miss Zhan?” Deng Zhiwu, who opened the door, was stunned. He still couldn’t believe that the young girl in front of him was the person he was looking for.
Deng Zhiwu had imagined Zhan Feiyu to be like those talented women in the capital. Regardless of their appearance, they were all noble and refined with scholarly knowledge, possessing the aloofness of scholars. They disdained rough martial artists like him.
But Zhan Feiyu dared to go to prison to set a trap for the Jin family and dared to wield a knife to kill. Were all scholars so fierce and brave now?
“Second Young Master, why don’t you invite her in?” Uncle Huang urged helplessly. Fortunately, they had established good relations before. Otherwise, with the Second Young Master’s hospitality, he would likely offend her to death.
“Yes, Miss Zhan, please come in.” Deng Zhiwu, who had just realized what was happening, quickly stepped aside and invited Zhan Feiyu and Chong Guang in.
Neither party was one for polite greetings. Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, Chong Guang preemptively grabbed the wooden box in her hand and placed it on the table. “Thank you, Second Young Master, for saving my plump girl’s life. Please accept this small token of my appreciation.”
Chong Guang maintained his nonchalant demeanor when facing outsiders, but there was a hint of arrogance in his expression. The identity of the Forbidden Dragon Guard gave them the capital to be arrogant regardless of who they faced.
Deng Zhiwu was stunned and quickly replied, “You’re too kind. It was just a small effort. I cannot accept the thank-you gift.”
Let alone Zhan Feiyu, even if it were someone else, Deng Zhiwu would have lent a helping hand if he encountered them. In fact, they had only delayed the time. The ones who finally killed the black-clothed assassins were not them.
“It was a small effort for you, Second Young Master, but it saved the plump girl’s life.” Chong Guang remained unmoved and directly opened the lid. “This is twenty thousand taels of silver notes. A small token of my appreciation.”
Uh… Deng Zhiwu was dumbfounded. Twenty thousand taels was indeed not a small amount. In the capital, it could buy a small courtyard in a remote area.
However, Deng Zhiwu’s purpose in coming to Huaian Prefecture was for five hundred thousand taels of silver. This twenty thousand taels of silver notes instantly became a hot potato, making it difficult for him to accept or refuse.
Chong Guang raised his eyebrows, his tone turning colder by three points. “Does Second Young Master think it’s too little?”
“No, no!” Deng Zhiwu quickly replied, but he didn’t know how to say it, so he could only look to Uncle Huang for help.
Looking at Chong Guang, who was not much older than Deng Zhiwu, and then at the flustered Deng Zhiwu, Uncle Huang once again realized that his Second Young Master, apart from his martial arts skills, lacked in social interactions and worldly wisdom.
No, thinking of Chong Guang’s swift and decisive killing that night, Uncle Huang’s expression stiffened. The Second Young Master would probably not last a hundred moves in this person’s hands. This was the difference between people.
Zhan Feiyu looked at Chong Guang, who was putting on airs, and kicked him without hesitation.
“Oh, plump girl, you’re turning your elbow outwards.” Dodging to the side, Chong Guang shed his previous noble and cold demeanor and laughed heartily. “You still have medicine on your leg. Don’t burst the wound, or you’ll become a little cripple.”
Ignoring the disruptive Chong Guang, Zhan Feiyu pointed at the silver notes on the table. “This is a thank-you gift for Second Young Master. As for the five hundred thousand taels of silver, it will be handed over to Second Young Master after the negotiation with the Liu family is settled.”
The entire five hundred thousand taels were to be sent to the Southwest Army, and these twenty thousand taels were merely Zhan Feiyu using borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha.
Moreover, she had heard from Chong Guang earlier that the General’s Mansion was actually very poor. After all, military generals were not skilled in managing businesses. The shops of the General’s Mansion only collected rent. Coupled with the need to support their eldest son in the army over the years, the General’s Mansion was essentially an empty shell.
Upon hearing that Zhan Feiyu was willing to give him the five hundred thousand taels, Deng Zhiwu’s voice trembled with excitement. The tall and sturdy young man now looked like a child who had received candied hawthorns. “Thank you, Miss Zhan. I don’t want this silver, I only want the five hundred thousand taels.”
Uncle Huang, hearing this, wished he could slap Deng Zhiwu to death. This brat couldn’t even speak properly. If others didn’t know, they would think he was complaining that twenty thousand taels was too little, and that he was only after the five hundred thousand taels.
“These silver notes are the compensation from Madam Wu and Madam Wei. I’ve kept the jewelry and fabrics. Second Young Master, you don’t need to refuse. I’m not short of money,” Zhan Feiyu said, pushing the gift box back again. These words sounded incredibly wealthy.
“Alright, accept it. A life of the plump girl is worth more than twenty thousand taels,” Chong Guang said, patting Deng Zhiwu’s shoulder.
The five hundred thousand taels were considered military pay, and these twenty thousand were personal favors. Deng Zhiwu and his companions were injured, and they were willing to help strangers. The Deng General’s Mansion was indeed commendable.
Finally, Uncle Huang spoke and accepted it. Zhan Feiyu did not stay any longer and left with Chong Guang.
Deng Zhiwu looked at Uncle Huang, staring at the thick stack of silver notes, and asked nervously, “Should I really accept this? I’m afraid my father will break my legs.”
“You’re accepting five hundred thousand taels, so why bother with an extra twenty thousand?” Uncle Huang smiled and looked at Deng Zhiwu, who was full of apprehension. “Since Miss Zhan brought it, she definitely didn’t intend to take it back. In the future, when she goes to the capital, Second Young Master should take good care of her.”
“Uncle Huang, I’m not that foolish. Who would dare to bully a disciple of Scholar Gu?” Deng Zhiwu pulled over a chair and sat down, seriously suspecting that Uncle Huang was trying to trick him. “Besides, with the people she has around her, those unruly young masters in the capital would only get beaten up.”
The relationships in the capital were complex. If ordinary scholars from humble backgrounds went to the capital, it was normal for them to be bullied, especially those without connections in the capital. When Deng Zhiwu returned to the capital with General Deng, he had been subjected to many schemes.
However, although Deng Zhiwu was only seven years old at the time, he had started tempering his muscles from the age of three and practiced boxing behind Uncle Huang from the age of five. At seven years old, Deng Zhiwu was a head taller than his peers and had the strength of an adult, so he didn’t suffer any losses with his fists.
Officials who settled in from outside, their children might be bullied when they first entered the capital, especially scholars from humble backgrounds without connections in the capital. But this absolutely did not include Zhan Feiyu. Those young masters would definitely come in standing and leave lying down.
“Alright, you silly boy, accept it. Miss Zhan is not short of money,” Uncle Huang said, patting Deng Zhiwu’s head. He was too lazy to waste any more words with him. This was merely a gesture of reciprocity. He accepted it today, and would return it in the future when they went to the capital. Only with give and take could relationships be maintained.
In the future, the eldest and second young masters might need Zhan Feiyu’s help, and Zhan Feiyu was also testing the waters and building good relations.
When they returned to the small courtyard, Yin Wuyan had already washed up. He was now checking the poems and articles that Zhan Feiyu had written in prison.
“Seventh Master, the plump girl just went to be a money-scattering child,” Chong Guang complained as soon as he entered the door, his thick skin astonishing. “Twenty thousand taels of silver, just given away like that. Tsk, tsk, she didn’t even buy anything for us.”
Yin Wuyan put down the articles in his hand and glanced at Zhan Feiyu with his narrow phoenix eyes. “You think too much, you won’t grow taller.”
Zhan Feiyu, who was about to explain the reason, froze. She looked at Yin Wuyan, who was taller than her even when sitting on a chair, and then glanced at Chong Guang, who was leaning against the doorframe, almost reaching the top of the door. Great height, long legs, so what?
“A gentleman does not conceal the beauty of others, nor does he speak of their faults,” Zhan Feiyu retorted indignantly. A gentleman certainly cannot speak of people’s shortcomings, especially not to their faces!
Chong Guang, sizing up the short Zhan Feiyu, let out a chuckle. “Why don’t you just say ‘don’t expose people’s flaws when scolding them’? Why be so verbose?”
Looking at the annoyed little girl, Yin Wuyan gently patted her head to comfort her and cast a cold gaze at the smug Chong Guang. “Do you think Xiao Yu did this for no reason?”
Being questioned by his own Seventh Master, Chong Guang shed his playful demeanor. “The plump girl intends to build a good relationship with the General’s Mansion. Furthermore, if she accepts the compensation from the Wu and Wei families, it would be detrimental to her reputation. Scholars cherish their reputation. By giving the silver notes to Deng Zhiwu, she won’t have to fear malicious slander in the future.”
Zhan Feiyu’s imprisonment this time was essentially caused by Jin Baozhen, with Madam Wu and the seventh branch of the Liu family adding fuel to the fire. Although Prefect Chu had already been tried and judged, the Jin family only paid some silver, and Madam Wu found a steward to take the blame.
They were also worried that Zhan Feiyu would seek retribution, so they prepared generous gifts. If Zhan Feiyu did not accept them, it would inevitably make them think that Zhan Feiyu held a grudge. However, by accepting them, she reassured the two families but also left a hidden danger.
“Stupid.” Yin Wuyan uttered the word with cold indifference.
Zhan Feiyu suppressed a smile and looked triumphantly at the scolded Chong Guang. Serves him right!
“No, Seventh Master, does the plump girl have any deeper meaning in giving away money?” Chong Guang was unconvinced, but since it was Seventh Master who called him stupid, he could only endure it no matter how wronged he felt.
“Let me explain.” Zhan Feiyu raised her plump paw and tilted her chin, looking as smug as possible. “As the saying goes, a scholar’s rebellion is never successful in ten years. His Majesty has not yet established an heir, but he will eventually do so.”
If it were peaceful, it would be fine. But if there were any disturbances, Scholar Gu was a civil official and a solitary minister. General Deng was in the capital. Building a good relationship today might be useful in the future. Of course, there was also the reason Chong Guang mentioned: this money was hot potato for her to accept, so it was better to give it to Deng Zhiwu, especially since they were injured saving her.
“This is the first reason. The second is for the salt tax.” Zhan Feiyu smiled and continued as she saw Chong Guang’s dumbfounded expression, “Even with a new method of salt production, it is not easy to reform the salt tax. It is better to disintegrate it from within.”
The salt merchant Jin family was so perceptive. While other salt merchants were watching, the Jin family had already begun to plan, which showed that the head of the Jin family had foresight.
As long as the Jin family was persuaded, and the fortress was disintegrated from within, it would be more beneficial for the reform of the salt tax. Zhan Feiyu’s acceptance of Madam Wei’s goodwill was also a hint.
When the head of the Jin family received the news, it would depend on his actions. If he was willing, he would definitely seek out Zhan Feiyu again, rather than desperately marrying his daughter Jin Baozhen to Prefect Chu as a concubine. Zhan Feiyu, backed by Scholar Gu, would definitely be the Jin family’s first choice.
Chong Guang looked at Zhan Feiyu. What did the plump girl eat to grow up with such a mind full of schemes? Wasn’t she afraid that Seventh Master and Scholar Gu would dislike her for being too calculating?