Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The weather grew colder, to the point where it was no exaggeration to say that dripping water would freeze.
Fortunately, there were charcoal braziers during the day and heated brick beds at night. Only when holding a brush to write did the hands feel the chill, but it was already much better than when they were in the old Zhan family's home in Jinlin Village.
Zhan Feiyu looked at today's topic: "Yu Hated Fine Wine," a sentence from Mencius.
Beside her, Qiu Jinyu, who was sitting upright, had already recited in a clear voice: "Yu hated fine wine but loved good counsel. Tang upheld moderation and promoted the worthy without regard to convention. King Wen treated the people as if they were wounded, seeking the Way but not yet finding it. King Wu did not neglect the near or forget the distant. The Duke of Zhou pondered the ways of the three kings and applied them to four tasks; if any were not in accord, he would ponder them, day and night; if he was fortunate enough to find a solution, he would sit waiting for dawn."
Also a junior top scholar, Qiu Jinyu was entirely comparable to Zhan Feiyu in his studies. However, Qiu Zongxi's expression was cold and distant.
Looking at the absent-minded Yang Xu, Qiu Zongxi suddenly struck the table with his disciplinary ruler. With a sharp crack, Yang Xu, startled awake, jolted.
"You explain the meaning of this sentence," Qiu Zongxi's icy voice carried a hint of anger, as if the ruler were about to strike Yang Xu's hand at any moment.
Zhan Feiyu sat up straight, seemingly oblivious to Yang Xu's pleading gaze.
Qiu Jinyu calmly reviewed his own assignments. Yang Xu, with sharp eyes, glanced over them. Although he couldn't write an essay at his current level of study, he knew the interpretations of the original sentences from the Four Books and Five Classics.
"Mencius said that Yu detested fine wine but enjoyed valuable words. Tang upheld the principle of moderation and was able to promote the virtuous and talented without adhering to strict rules. King Wen always treated the people as if they were wounded..."
After Yang Xu finished, Qiu Zongxi looked at him coldly, "Since your mind is not at peace, you shall copy books. Copy them ten or twenty times, and your mind will naturally become quiet."
"Yes." Yang Xu, caught red-handed, dared not refuse. He cast a grateful glance at Qiu Jinyu, then sat aside and diligently ground ink before beginning to copy.
"In half an hour, submit your essays," Qiu Zongxi said again.
Even though he disliked the third branch of the family, Qiu Jinyu was still a junior. Moreover, he was humble, polite, gentle, and proper. Even the hot-tempered Qiu Zongxi could not speak ill of him, only ignore his presence to the greatest extent possible.
Zhan Feiyu nodded. Compared to Qiu Jinyu's speed, Zhan Feiyu was still contemplating how to break and introduce the topic, applying the essay-writing methods of her previous life. Regardless of the essay's content, the opening must be stunning; that was the first impression.
The study was silent. Yang Xu continued copying books, while Qiu Jinyu was already writing furiously.
Qiu Zongxi was sipping tea from his cup, looking at the unhurried young girl. His usually stern gaze flashed with a hint of a smile. He had intended for Qiu Jinyu to temper the young girl, but now it seemed unnecessary; this lass had a steady demeanor.
Two quarters of an hour later, Zhan Feiyu finally picked up her brush, still in the standard official script: "The great sages uphold the mind-set of the former sages, illuminating the succession of the orthodox way."
"For the sage embodies the responsibility of this Way, their mind naturally finds no rest. From Yu to the Duke of Zhou, were they not all of this mind?
The breaking and introduction determined the height of the essay. Regardless of whether the examiner favored or disliked wine, the overall structure must be grand, which represented the orthodox way of the sages.
After waiting for a moment, Qiu Zongxi finally put down his teacup and walked over. Yang Xu had already copied two pages, his handwriting much neater, though still so ugly it was unbearable to look at.
As for Qiu Jinyu's calligraphy, it was not the official script required for the imperial examinations but the Yan style, characterized by its fresh appearance and majestic momentum, indicating that he had already achieved some success in calligraphy.
At his age of fourteen, to be able to write with such strong brushwork and imposing momentum in the Yan style was undoubtedly the result of hard work and a bit of talent in the art of calligraphy.
Qiu Zongxi recalled that he himself had used the Yan style for his initial enlightenment. The Qiu family should still have his copied texts preserved, and Qiu Jinyu also studied the Yan style. This was quite a coincidence.
Standing by the table and watching for a long time, Qiu Zongxi left without a word. He couldn't help but look at Zhan Feiyu, who was sitting by the charcoal brazier. Recalling the daily struggles of making her practice calligraphy, he inexplicably felt a sense of longing for something unattainable that made him more invested.
It was like someone offering themselves; no matter how excellent they were, Qiu Zongxi wouldn't value them. Chasing after someone was not a transaction.
He, however, relentlessly persuaded Zhan Feiyu, who tried to avoid him. Qiu Zongxi had already retreated from trying to poach her and settled for a lesser goal: Zhan Feiyu only needed to become his disciple. He and Gu Qingzhou could each teach their own subjects; there was no rule against having two teachers.
What made Qiu Zongxi angry, even furious, was that even though he had "compromised," this pesky girl still refused to agree. Angered, Qiu Zongxi wrote three letters and sent them to the Scholar's Mansion in the capital. He did not mention the life-saving favor from years ago; did Gu Qingzhou pretend it never happened?
Qiu Jinyu glanced sideways, watching Qiu Zongxi stand by Zhan Feiyu's table. A flash of anger crossed his eyes, but it eventually subsided into calmness.
Half an hour passed quickly. Qiu Zongxi picked up Zhan Feiyu's essay and began to read. "You two go out, and Xiao Yu stays."
"Yes." Yang Xu was already accustomed to this. It was the same before Qiu Jinyu arrived; Grandpa Qiu would teach Xiao Yu alone. Since he disliked studying, Yang Xu not only felt no jealousy but also a sense of relief at having escaped.
"Yes," Qiu Jinyu also agreed, showing no jealousy on his face. He bowed respectfully and followed Yang Xu out of the study.
As soon as the outsiders left, Zhan Feiyu immediately picked up her hand warmer, walked to the table, and poured a cup of pear soup. Her leisurely and unrestrained demeanor was a world apart from Qiu Jinyu's "respect for teachers and the Way."
"When one's thoughts reach their peak, their spirit merges; when one's actions are brave, their transformation flows. The teachings of Yu, Tang, Wen, and Wu are further passed down through the Duke of Zhou. From this, we know that although the times when the sages were born were different, their minds were one. With one mind, the Way is the same; hence the prosperity of the Three Dynasties!"
After reciting, Qiu Jinyu looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was contentedly drinking pear soup, "You certainly know how to flatter. The most essential parts of the entire essay are the breaking and conclusion."
The topic "Yu Hated Fine Wine" was direct and blunt: Da Yu disliked wine. However, if one only focused on wine, even if the reasoning was sound, the scope would be too narrow.
The imperial examinations were for selecting officials, and the chief examiners were all court ministers. Therefore, Zhan Feiyu's opening sentence was a grand pronouncement: "The great sages uphold the mind-set of the former sages, illuminating the succession of the orthodox way." This immediately elevated the scope and intent.
As for the subsequent content, it was about self-justification. If the language was ornate, it would be an added bonus. Of course, for a good essay, the structure must be rigorous; it couldn't be haphazard. If the structure was loose, the essay would be anticlimactic.
Zhan Feiyu was somewhat lacking in ornate language, but the entire essay read as a cohesive and exhilarating piece. Her conclusion was particularly brilliant.
How compatible were the thoughts of the past sages, and how decisive were their actions! Yu, Tang, King Wen, and King Wu were passed down, and then to the Duke of Zhou. From this, it can be known that although the sages were born in different eras, their thoughts were the same.
With one mind and the same Way, the prosperity and flourishing of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, governed by Yu, Tang, Wen, and Wu, were naturally also the same.
To elevate an ordinary essay to the level of governing the realm was no wonder Qiu Zongxi wanted to poach her. This required seasoned writing skills. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, who would believe it was written by a soft and sweet young girl?
After about two quarters of an hour, Qiu Zongxi finished commenting on the essay and then said, "Qiu Jinyu, how is your investigation?"
The Qiu family was located in Qianzhong Circuit. Traveling in this freezing weather was troublesome. Even Qiu Zongxi couldn't receive news from the Qiu family in a short time.
However, ever since he learned that Zhan Feiyu had connections with the Forbidden Dragon Guard, Qiu Zongxi was too lazy to send anyone to investigate. Given the young girl's meticulous and leak-proof nature, she would surely investigate, and the Forbidden Dragon Guard's intelligence was definitely fast and accurate.
"Just repeat the compliments you gave me," Zhan Feiyu said with a thick skin and a smile. Both were junior top scholars, so they were naturally gifted prodigies.
Furthermore, as the saying goes, one's handwriting reflects their character. Qiu Jinyu's calligraphy, no matter how it was, must have involved hard work. Therefore, he was not only a prodigy but also diligent and hardworking. Moreover, he came from the Qiu family. Even though Qiu Zongxi disliked the third branch, to outsiders, he was still a son of the Qiu family. After entering officialdom through the imperial examinations, with the Qiu family's protection, his future would undoubtedly be bright and limitless.
"I'm asking if he has any issues," Qiu Zongxi said impatiently. This little girl dared to play tricks on him!
Only Yang Xu, with his dull mind, had no defenses. Qiu Jinyu's appearance was too coincidental. It might have been a genuine chance encounter, but at such a critical juncture when the Yang family was about to be restored, Qiu Zongxi had to be cautious.
Tilting her head back, Zhan Feiyu gulped down the pear soup and then said, "I don't know. For now, there seem to be no issues, but if he came with ulterior motives, it would be normal not to find anything. It all depends on what he plans to do."
If Qiu Jinyu had issues, there were only two possibilities: first, to win over Yang Xu and thus win over the Yang family; second, to have ill intentions towards Yang Xu. However, Zhan Feiyu had sent He Sheng to protect Yang Xu, so Qiu Jinyu would find no opportunity to act.
After a long silence, Qiu Zongxi, with his straightforward nature, asked directly, "Gu Qingzhou sent you to Longyou Circuit. Xiao Yu, tell me the truth. Is Gu Qingzhou trying to find a backer for you, or does he have other intentions?"
If Gu Qingzhou simply wanted Zhan Feiyu to help the Yang family, then after the Yang family was restored, if Zhan Feiyu were in any danger, the Yang family would surely not stand by. This action by Scholar Gu was also out of affection for his beloved disciple.
As for the so-called "other intentions," Qiu Zongxi did not explicitly state them. Given Zhan Feiyu's intelligence, she would surely guess. This was the so-called "merit of assisting the dragon." If Scholar Gu wanted to support a certain prince, then his befriending the Yang family was for the purpose of establishing a crown prince, and the Yang family would have to be wary.
Perhaps startled by Qiu Zongxi's simple and direct question, Zhan Feiyu's eyes suddenly widened, "Why would my teacher tell me something so confidential? I only received a letter from my teacher asking me to travel and visit General Yang in Xiangwu County."
If she were an ordinary disciple, let alone Zhan Feiyu being only nine years old, even if she were nineteen or twenty-nine, if it involved the establishment of a crown prince, it would be normal for Scholar Gu not to reveal the inside story.
But thinking of Zhan Feiyu's almost supernatural intelligence, and considering that Scholar Gu was unmarried and childless in his old age, with only this one young disciple, Qiu Zongxi wouldn't believe a word of Zhan Feiyu claiming to know nothing.
Zhan Feiyu also knew that although Qiu Zongxi asked the question, the ones who truly wanted to know the answer were Old General Yang and Yang Shoucheng. "My teacher disdains those princes, so he absolutely has no intention of using the Yang family to gain merit by assisting the dragon. Of course, this is just my word."
Gu Qingzhou had not explicitly told Zhan Feiyu, but she had learned some things from Yin Wuyan. The Emperor was wise and powerful, but unfortunately, his adult princes did not inherit his literary and military talents.
Although no one is perfect, the ruler of a country bears the livelihood and safety of millions of people in the Great Qing Dynasty. The selection of the crown prince must be done with extreme caution. This was also the main reason why the Emperor had not established a crown prince for so many years; none of his sons were suitable.
Qiu Zongxi instinctively wanted to discern the truth from Zhan Feiyu's face, but looking at the young girl hugging her hand warmer, wrapped up like a bear, with her big, dark, round eyes blinking, smiling obediently and adorably, Qiu Zongxi immediately felt deflated. Fine, let the Yang family worry about this troublesome matter.
...
Leaving the study, Yang Xu let out a long sigh of relief. If it weren't for the injuries on his body not yet healed, he would rather increase his martial arts practice time daily than stay in the study to read.
"Brother Qiu, come in and sit," Yang Xu lived in the north wing of the main courtyard. At this moment, he invited Qiu Jinyu into the room. "Grandpa Qiu only teaches us lessons in the morning; we arrange our own time in the afternoon."
"Uncle-grandfather is very fond of Xiao Yu," Qiu Jinyu said with a gentle smile. The fourteen-year-old young man was exceptionally handsome and elegant, so his words carried no jealousy or resentment, seeming like an ordinary topic of conversation.
Yang Xu nodded in agreement. Even though they had only been together for more than half a month, he spoke with pride, "Xiao Yu is the smartest. Not only Grandpa Qiu, but my grandfather and my father also like Xiao Yu very much."
General Yang was understandable; he was already kind. However, Yang Shoucheng had a reserved and serious personality. Even towards his son Yang Xu, he rarely praised him, and his face, which was always stern, showed no affection.
But when mentioning Zhan Feiyu, Yang Shoucheng had smiled several times. Although these smiles were fleeting, Yang Xu could see that his father liked Zhan Feiyu very much. And indeed, a soft and sweet young girl, pretty and cute, who wouldn't like her when she appeared before them?
Qiu Jinyu also smiled, "Xiao Yu is indeed the most intelligent girl I have ever met."
Yang Xu had lived in Stone Village for many years and couldn't play with the village children. Although he had recently gained Zhan Feiyu as a playmate, there was a gender difference, and Zhan Feiyu was studying every day, so Yang Xu felt it inappropriate to seek her out for play.
But Qiu Jinyu was different. He was a young man, and moreover, he was knowledgeable. With a few words, he aroused Yang Xu's curiosity about the outside world. The two of them were clearly destined to meet.
"Young master," Qiu Jinyu's book boy, Shushan, called from outside the door. He entered the room, bowed to both of them, and then reported, "Lian'er has arrived and is waiting at the back door. She says she has important matters to see Young Master Xu."
It had been three to four days since Zhang Yiyi was arrested and imprisoned. Magistrate Zhu was investigating the truth behind the murder of the eight ruffians. However, the perpetrators were people from the Marquis of Zhenbian's mansion, so Magistrate Zhu couldn't find anything if he investigated further.
But Commander Wu was acting under orders. As long as the case was not cleared up, Zhang Yiyi could not leave prison. Yang Xu had not personally visited her in prison; he had only asked Qiu Jinyu to go on his behalf.
The dark and tender face suddenly lost its smile. Yang Xu stood up. His first reaction was that something had happened to Zhang Yiyi. Then, he forced himself to calm down, but his eyes still held worry and hesitation.