"Little brother, please pass on a message," Lv Biao said, gritting his teeth in pain. If it weren't for fear of Liu Baihu blaming him for his incompetence, Lv Biao wouldn't have rushed to Nanhu Alley right after leaving the medical clinic.
"Wait." As a servant of the Liu manor, they wouldn't even spare a glance for Lv Biao, a mere ruffian, let alone a constable from the yamen.
A moment later.
The bedroom was filled with the scent of medicine. Fortunately, the window was open, and two ice basins were placed inside, preventing it from feeling stuffy.
Liu Baihu, attended by Madam Die, was propped up on the bed. His left leg had been broken twice, causing him considerable suffering. His face was grim and terrifying, and his violent, murderous gaze made Lv Biao, who had just entered, fall to his knees with a thud.
"Lord Liu, it's all my fault for not handling this properly. I deserve to die!" Lv Biao begged, kowtowing repeatedly. His body trembled, fearing that he would anger Liu Baihu and lose his life.
"Enough!" a furious roar echoed. Liu Baihu, annoyed by the noise, frowned and asked impatiently, "What exactly happened?"
Looking up, Lv Biao, with a bruised and swollen face, suppressed his fear and quickly recounted the incident with Zhu Changyun. "My lord, I didn't expect that coachman to be a martial artist. I brought eight men with me, and that coachman took us all down. Several of them are still unable to get up at the medical clinic."
"You're saying it was a young girl?" Liu Baihu's eyes suddenly turned sinister, and he gritted out through his teeth, "Was it a little girl of seven or eight, fair-skinned with big eyes?"
Lv Biao knew that Liu Baihu's leg had been broken by his mount. However, Lv Biao was just a ruffian and couldn't find out the specifics. At this moment, he nodded in surprise, "Yes, that little girl is also ruthless. Wang Houzi's..."
He paused. Lv Biao remembered Wang Houzi, who was crying and screaming in pain at the medical clinic. He had taken a look before coming; Wang Houzi's private parts were ruined. The doctor had applied medicine, but they were so swollen, he wondered if they would ever be useful again.
"Speak clearly!" Liu Baihu roared angrily. He had already guessed that the little girl Lv Biao mentioned was Zhan Feiyu. His rage contorted his face. If his left leg hadn't been immobile, Liu Baihu would have probably grabbed his whip and charged to the Qi family's villa for revenge.
"Houzi's private parts were injured. The doctor said they are useless," Lv Biao quickly said. Who would have thought that the adorable little girl would be so skilled at fighting, and so vicious with her attacks? These underhanded tactics were clearly what they, the ruffians, were best at.
"What?" Madam Die, who was fanning Liu Baihu by the bedside, exclaimed in surprise. She subconsciously glanced at Liu Baihu's broken left leg. Fortunately, his private parts were unharmed. She still wanted to have a child.
Even Liu Baihu was taken aback. Meng Zhizhou had visited earlier, and Liu Baihu already knew Zhan Feiyu's identity: a disciple of Scholar Gu, the top scorer in the Nanxuan prefectural examination, who had even fought evenly with the Chen family, the maternal relatives of the First Prince, and emerged unscathed.
No matter how much Liu Baihu hated her, he could only suppress it. Fortunately, he had broken his leg, so even if he thought of a way to retaliate, he could only lie low and let his broken leg heal first.
An eerie silence spread through the bedroom. Lv Biao, kneeling on the ground, lowered his head, not daring to breathe heavily.
After a long while, Liu Baihu, with a grim expression, spoke again, "Has that scholar named Zhu left?"
"Yes, the Zhu Changyun brothers got into a carriage. I was too badly injured to get up at the time, so I don't know where they went. But don't worry, my lord, I'll have someone investigate immediately." Lv Biao had only been kicked twice in the waist and leg. The reason he didn't get up was that he was afraid of being beaten again by He Sheng.
As for the injuries on his face, Lv Biao had instructed his subordinates to inflict them. They looked very bruised and swollen, but in reality, they were just superficial wounds. At least this way, Liu Baihu would know that he had tried his best.
After Lv Biao left the side gate of the Liu manor, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. As he took a step forward, intending to go home and lie down, he suddenly froze as if he had seen a ghost. "You... how... how are you... here?"
Zhan Feiyu, who had come out with Hong'er, whose stomach was bulging from eating too much, to digest his food, looked at the bruised and swollen Lv Biao. Her cheerful voice rose slightly, "What would Lord Liu think if he knew your face was self-inflicted?"
"Shut up!" As if his tail had been stepped on, Lv Biao yelped. With a pig-like face, he looked fierce, as if he wanted to flay Zhan Feiyu alive.
Liu Baihu was a military official with a volatile temper, prone to whipping people at the slightest disagreement. Ruffians like Lv Biao who dared to deceive him would at least lose half their lives, if not die.
Hong'er, with his bulging little belly, trembled as he held the bamboo pole out of fear. However, his wide eyes sparkled with a hint of light.
"Don't be afraid, Hong'er," Zhan Feiyu quickly patted Hong'er's little head.
Perhaps due to a serious illness and poor diet, the little fellow's hair was dry and yellow, but it was soft and pleasant to touch. Hong'er also felt Zhan Feiyu's closeness and, standing on tiptoe, rubbed his head into Zhan Feiyu's palm.
The residents of Nanhu Alley were all wealthy and noble. Although this alley was the back or side entrance to various residences, lanterns were hung at the entrance, so it wasn't dark. However, during mealtime, the servants of each household were busy, so there was no one else in the empty alley.
Malice surged in Lv Biao! He touched his aching cheek, his eyes filled with vicious and cruel light. "Little girl, don't blame me for being ruthless. It's your fault for running into me!"
Lv Biao grinned like a demon. He was already worried about how to deal with offending Liu Baihu, and now here was an opportunity to redeem himself. Although Wang Houzi's miserable state was terrifying, facing two small children, Lv Biao, the ruffian, was not afraid.
As if not noticing Lv Biao's malice, Zhan Feiyu looked at the tense Hong'er. "Hong'er, lend me the bamboo pole. Let me show you how I beat a drowning dog."
Despite his fear, Hong'er nodded and handed the bamboo pole to Zhan Feiyu. Then, he stared at Lv Biao with wide eyes, looking fierce and adorable.
With the bamboo pole in hand, I have the world!
Zhan Feiyu, striking first, whipped the bamboo pole directly across Lv Biao's face. With a loud crack, one could tell how strong Zhan Feiyu's force was and how much Lv Biao was hurting.
Hong'er's eyes lit up instantly, his thin hands clenched into little fists.
In the dim light of the lantern, Zhan Feiyu, wielding the bamboo pole, was truly heroic.
Before Lv Biao could get close, Zhan Feiyu whipped him so hard that he couldn't get up. He lay on the ground, holding his head and wailing in pain. However, while he protected his face, he couldn't protect his head. After a while, he was beaten until he was dizzy and his nose was bleeding profusely.
"Hong'er, if anyone bullies you in the future, use the bamboo pole to hit them!" Zhan Feiyu solemnly handed the bamboo pole to Hong'er.
As for Lv Biao, he lay on the ground like a dead dog, no longer having the strength to cry out in pain. He twitched occasionally, indicating that he was still alive.
The little fellow was too thin, his body slender and his neck thin, making his head appear disproportionately large. He nodded vigorously now, making one worry that his head would fall off his neck.
"Sister." Hong'er, holding the bamboo pole, looked at Lv Biao on the ground. After a moment of silence, he let out a cry and rushed over with the bamboo pole.
Just as Zhan Feiyu thought Hong'er was also going to hit Lv Biao with the bamboo pole a few times, she saw the little fellow suddenly stop, grip the bamboo pole tightly with both hands, and then powerfully vault forward.
With his feet together, he landed precisely on his target!
Lv Biao, lying on the ground, let out a pig-like scream. He writhed in pain a few times and then lay completely still.
Zhan Feiyu was stunned. She stared blankly at the little fellow who ran back, holding the bamboo pole, a wisp of yellow hair swaying in the evening breeze.
The two hidden guards secretly protecting Zhan Feiyu instinctively tightened their legs, feeling an inexplicable pain in their crotch...
Looking at the little fellow tilting his head up, seeking praise, Zhan Feiyu, unable to face her ancestors, finally found her voice. "Hong'er, let's go back."
The little fellow nodded vigorously, still holding the bamboo pole in both hands, and followed closely behind Zhan Feiyu, like a little tail.
...
The crisp sound of reading broke the morning silence.
Qi Heng, who had woken up early, paused. He looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was reading in the garden, and then at Hong'er, who was sitting beside her holding a bamboo pole. He inexplicably felt his position was threatened. His best friend was clearly Xiao Yu.
Glancing at the dazed Hong'er, Qi Heng swaggered, putting on the airs of a young scholar. "Xiao Yu, you're still reading 'Zhuangzi.' Coincidentally, there's a sentence I don't quite understand. Can you explain it to me? 'Attaining unity, all things are complete; with no intention, even spirits submit.' What does this sentence mean?"
Zhan Feiyu, unaware of Qi Heng's slightly sour feelings, had studied "Zhuangzi" and therefore had no difficulty explaining it. "The Taoist school believes in achieving through emptiness, following nature. As the saying goes, Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things."
"Yes, I understand," Qi Heng nodded. Although he had read "Zhuangzi," he wasn't proficient in it; he had merely read it.
Ming San had studied "Zhuangzi" before, so with the guidance of his junior uncle Ming San, Qi Heng had a basic understanding.
Hong'er, already dazed, was now listless. He didn't understand what Zhan Feiyu and Qi Heng were talking about at all, but this didn't affect his admiration for Zhan Feiyu.
Looking at the unfocused Hong'er, Zhan Feiyu patted the little fellow's head and continued to explain to Qi Heng, "Tao, or unity, means understanding the natural laws. Once one understands the operation of the Tao, one acts without striving and observes all things in their natural course, and all matters will be completed naturally. This is non-action, and thus nothing is uncontrolled."
"The so-called 'no intention' means emptying one's mind. Without regard for gain or loss, embracing simplicity and adhering to unity, even spirits will have to submit. Thus, a person who has attained the Tao, through unity, understands the ease of all things..." After Zhan Feiyu finished speaking, she noticed that there was another pair of unfocused eyes.
"Xiao Yu, ignore this overly ambitious little fatty!" Ming San glared at Qi Heng, who was listening with a confused expression, and slapped him on the head. He reprimanded, "You haven't even thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five Classics, yet you want to learn 'Zhuangzi.' Do you understand it?"
"I..." Qi Heng tilted his head defiantly, but upon meeting Ming San's fierce gaze, he immediately caved.
Seeing Qi Heng being scolded, Hong'er pursed his lips and smiled, the bamboo pole in his hand swaying. The little fellow was clearly in a good mood.
Ming San looked at the gaunt Hong'er with some pity. "See, Hong'er is laughing at you."
Qi Heng's face turned red, and he stood up abruptly. "I'm going back to read the 'Book of Documents.'"
Watching Qi Heng run away, Ming San shook his head and then turned to Zhan Feiyu to discuss business. "Are you going to see Scholar Wei today?"
"Yes, I have ten days. I asked the Wei family's attendant, and each floor of the Wushu Library has a literate page responsible for its upkeep. I assume they know what books Scholar Wei has, and I'll have them help me transcribe them." Zhan Feiyu had also considered asking Ming San for help.
Unfortunately, although Scholar Wei had met Manager Ming a few times, he showed no leniency. He only allowed Zhan Feiyu to enter the Wushu Library, so the task of finding and copying books could only be completed by her.
"I've already written back to Nanxuan. The Qingya Academy also has some rare manuscripts. If you don't have enough time to transcribe the books, you can use these rare editions to negotiate with Scholar Wei. Perhaps he'll grant you a few more days," Ming San thought that given Scholar Wei's love for books, he would definitely want to collect any rare editions he encountered. Even a handwritten copy would be an equivalent exchange.
Zhan Feiyu nodded. "Alright, I'll go right away. Lord Liu might not let this go. I'll leave Ah Sheng here."
"Don't worry, with Scholar Gu's reputation to back you up, those people wouldn't dare to act rashly," Ming San's smile turned a bit colder.
But if it weren't for Scholar Gu, perhaps Zhan Feiyu would already be in prison on charges of abusing and killing a warhorse, even if she was the top scorer in the Nanxuan prefectural examination.
Half an hour later, at the entrance of the villa, Zhan Feiyu got into the carriage.
Hong'er, holding the bamboo pole in his left hand and the carriage's shaft in his right, tried his best to climb up. However, the little fellow was short, and he could only reach the shaft by standing on tiptoe. Climbing into the carriage was impossible.
"Hong'er, don't be difficult!" Zhu Changyun apologized to Zhan Feiyu and quickly hugged Hong'er. But when he met the little fellow's dazed eyes, he softened his tone. "Hong'er, stay with your big brother. Big brother will read to you."
The little fellow seemed not to hear, or perhaps didn't understand. He was held in Zhu Changyun's arms, but his body lunged towards the carriage, stubbornly wanting to get in.
Zhu Changyun had to increase his strength. Hong'er, being held, seemed to become anxious. He looked pleadingly at Zhan Feiyu in the carriage and struggled violently.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the dazed little fellow and couldn't help but say, "Brother Zhu, let Hong'er get in the carriage."
"Hong'er is very well-behaved. He won't be noisy at Scholar Wei's place," Ming San had witnessed the little fellow's clinginess. Even when Zhan Feiyu went to the restroom, he would stand guard outside the door with the bamboo pole. Thinking of Zhan Feiyu's exasperated expression, Ming San couldn't help but chuckle.
Once placed in the carriage, Hong'er swung the bamboo pole horizontally and quickly squeezed inside.
Seeing this, Zhu Changyun felt a pang of sadness. Before the fire had scared him into a stupor, Hong'er had been most attached to him, his elder brother. Afterward, he had become dazed, like a wooden puppet.
Now, seeing Hong'er clinging to Zhan Feiyu, Zhu Changyun should have been happy, but his heart felt sour. This was his brother, the brother he had raised from three months old, and now he had suddenly run off with someone else.
...
Qi Residence.
Magistrate Qi returned in a hurry less than half an hour after leaving. His expression was extremely grim, causing the servants in the study to tiptoe.
Old Master Qi had relinquished his authority years ago. The Qi family's businesses were managed by the second master Qi, while the visible connections and resources were all given to Magistrate Qi.
As for the three grandsons, the eldest and third sons were still studying, one in the prefectural school and the other in a private tutor's establishment. The second son, Qi Er Gongzi, followed the second master in managing the Qi family's businesses.
Therefore, at this moment, only Old Master Qi had come to the study.
"Father, Lord Liu's words clearly mean he wants to vent his anger on Qi Heng," Magistrate Qi said. After leaving the yamen, Zhang Tongpan had conveyed two messages on behalf of Liu Baihu. Although the words were subtle, the hidden meaning was clear.
Old Master Qi's face was solemn. He tapped the lid of his teacup against the tea leaves in the cup. The Qi family was also a prominent clan in Fengzhou, and this was the first time they had encountered such an insult.
Magistrate Qi's brows were tightly furrowed, suppressing his anger, yet he was helpless. As the Tongzhi of Fengzhou, his official position was just below Meng Zhizhou. Furthermore, with the backing of the Qi family, he was a figure of authority in Fengzhou.
But now, he was being forced to hand over a Qi family descendant. Regardless of whether Magistrate Qi had any affection for his grand-nephew Qi Heng, this matter, if it got out, would be a disgrace to the Qi family. If they couldn't even protect their own clan members, how could the Qi family establish themselves in Fengzhou in the future?
"They always pick on the weak. It has been this way since ancient times," Old Master Qi said slowly, his wrinkled face showing no change in expression. "Even the imperial merchant Liu family wouldn't dare to offend Zhan Feiyu, but since Liu Baihu wants to vent his anger, he naturally chose our Qi family."
No matter how overbearing Liu Baihu was, he wouldn't dare to compare himself to the Chen family. Scholar Chen had suffered a setback at Zhan Feiyu's hands, so Liu Baihu naturally wouldn't dare to act presumptuously. Otherwise, Zhan Feiyu wouldn't have left the Fengzhou yamen with all her limbs intact, with Meng Zhizhou personally escorting her out.
"But Qi Heng?" Thinking of Liu Baihu's peculiar habits, Magistrate Qi's expression became even more unsightly.
He knew about it before, and even if he didn't approve, Magistrate Qi hadn't intended to interfere. Why offend Liu Baihu for a few unknown children? Who would have thought that the Qi family would now be forced into such a dilemma?