Zhang Changsong stared at Zhan Feiyu and asked, "What if you lose?"
Whether it was ten rare books of miscellaneous studies, or ten artisans, or even ten thousand taels of silver, it was nothing to the noble families of Fengzhou.
"What does Young Master Zhang want me to bet?" Zhan Feiyu asked back with a smile. Her delicate, bun-shaped face had a hint of childish innocence at first glance, but her eyes were dark and calm.
Zhang Changsong was stumped. He could have set a higher stake, such as preventing Zhan Feiyu from participating in the imperial examinations in the future. But if he won, he would offend Scholar Gu, and the entire Zhang family could not withstand Scholar Gu's wrath.
"Since Miss Zhan wants all of us to participate, what do you want as a stake?" Zhang Changsong decided to divert the disaster, dragging everyone into it. Just as they claimed ignorance of Qi Heng's whereabouts, they relied on the principle of "the law does not punish the masses."
Uh... everyone looked at each other with苦瓜脸 (bitter melon faces). This was a hot potato, how could they handle it?
Qiu Dingsi also frowned in thought, casting a complex glance at the smiling young girl. She was not old, but her disposition was indeed steady.
"I heard that the formula for fragrant cakes was created by Miss Zhan, so I assume Miss Zhan is not short of money. If I win, Miss Zhan will pay me ten thousand taels of silver," a dandy said with a laugh, like a spendthrift lacking money.
Seeing this, others chimed in. If Zhan Feiyu lost money, Scholar Gu would probably not pursue it, and they would not be accused of bullying the weak.
"Alright, even if I don't have that much money, I will sign an IOU," Zhan Feiyu nodded with a smile.
Zhang Changsong's face turned ashen. He looked at the people beside him with a furious smile. At this critical moment, they knew how to protect themselves, settling for ten thousand taels of silver.
For a moment, Chai Yi really wanted to speak. His proposed stake was for Scholar Gu to accept him as a disciple!
But this thought flashed by. Putting aside whether it would be agreed upon, the key was that he would betray the Chen family, and neither the First Prince nor Scholar Chen would let him off. This stake was his death warrant.
Thinking of this, Chai Yi's chest churned with anger. Jealousy, like a fiery snake, consumed his limbs with poisonous fire. They were all from farming families, so why was Zhan Feiyu so lucky, soaring to the heavens from now on!
"Since Miss Zhan wants to gamble, I, Chai, will accompany you to the death," Chai Yi said with a smile, maintaining his gentle and refined demeanor. "However, since we are gambling, let's gamble big. If Miss Zhan loses, she will give up the imperial examinations from now on and become an ordinary woman who abides by the three obediences and four virtues."
Hiss! So ruthless!
In an instant, all eyes turned to Chai Yi. Was this the dog that doesn't bark that bites? He looked like a gentleman, but his actions were vicious and merciless, destroying someone's future was like killing their parents.
Zhang Changsong and Qiu Dingsi exchanged glances. Since Chai Yi was willing to be the vanguard, they both felt relieved.
Qiu Dingsi said solemnly, "Since Miss Zhan is willing to accept this momentous gamble, my brother Zhang and I will accompany you to the end. If we lose, we will be like Brother Liu and the others. If we happen to win, Miss Zhan doesn't need to compensate us with money."
"Alright," Zhan Feiyu still nodded, as if she didn't care about gambling her future. "Words are not proof, let the writing bear witness."
Zhu Changyun stared blankly at Zhan Feiyu and the others as they went to the counter to get paper and brush to write the bet agreement. He couldn't help but look at Ming San, "Aren't you going to do anything? Even if Commander Liu agreed earlier, he can go back on his word at any time."
A person with Liu Baihu's violent temper could not even be called a human. He hated Zhan Feiyu the most, and only feared Scholar Gu.
But once the bet agreement was established, Zhan Feiyu was gambling her future, and Commander Liu would definitely go back on his word to retaliate.
Ming San looked at the group at the counter and said lazily, "Look at that girl's personality. Once she decides, even nine oxen can't pull her back."
As for why Zhan Feiyu was so confident that Commander Liu would not go back on his word, Ming San was also at a loss. He leaned closer to He Sheng, who was sitting beside him, "Ah Sheng, why don't you reveal some inside information?"
He Sheng hesitated, "If I say I don't know, will Third Young Master believe me?"
It wasn't that Ming San didn't believe him, even He Nuan looked at her elder brother suspiciously. It was her elder brother who accompanied the young lady to see Commander Liu. With her elder brother's caution, he would definitely not leave the young lady's side. What was said and discussed then, would her elder brother not know?
He Sheng recalled the situation last night. He didn't know why Commander Liu agreed, nor did he know why the young lady was so sure Commander Liu would agree. It was a mystery!
The bet agreement was in duplicate. After signing and stamping, Zhan Feiyu took one copy, and the remaining copy was given to Chai Yi.
...
After Zhan Feiyu and her group had eaten their fill and brought Zhou Bazhen, who was packed in a food box, to the Wei family, Ming San handed the bet agreement to Great Scholar Wei. Zhan Feiyu was scolded thoroughly, as expected.
"You are entrusting your future to someone like Liu Hefeng? What are you studying for? Even the hawkers and peddlers on the street are smarter than you!" the angry reprimand sounded. Great Scholar Wei pointed at Zhan Feiyu, probably furious. The old man's face was ashen, and his voice trembled.
Ming San and Zhu Changyun stood silently on the side. Serves her right!
Hong'er was also scared, but then he rushed forward with a bamboo pole, unhesitatingly, to Zhan Feiyu's front. He stretched his thin little face, trying his best to open his eyes wide and glare at the furious Great Scholar Wei, looking fierce and cute.
No matter how angry he was, looking at Hong'er in front of him, Great Scholar Wei was afraid of scaring the child.
But seeing Zhan Feiyu, who was secretly smiling, Great Scholar Wei's anger, which had just subsided, flared up again. His roar, full of vigor, almost blew the roof off, "You don't reflect, and you dare to smile?"
Perhaps thinking that Zhan Feiyu had not been scolded enough, Ming San added fuel to the fire unceremoniously, "After the bet agreement was signed, Chai Yi and the others left Zhou Ji. Judging by their direction, they should be heading to Nanhu Lane."
Commander Liu lived in Nanhu Lane, so Chai Yi and the others' destination was self-evident.
Perhaps angered by Zhan Feiyu's repeated intrusions, Commander Liu also flew into a rage, whipping each of his household guards and servants ten times. He left word that if anyone else treated the Liu residence as a vegetable garden and came and went as they pleased, their necks would not be spared.
"Young Master Zhang, the master has previously stated that he is not receiving visitors." The gatekeeper servant said with a bitter face. When he saluted earlier, his back whip wound was pulled, causing cold sweat to break out on his face.
Commander Liu's broken leg was just a flesh wound, but the key was that he lost face. Therefore, Magistrate Zhang and others had not entered to visit before, only sending gifts and medicinal herbs for recuperation.
Zhang Changsong knew this, so he did not make things difficult for the servant. "Go in and inform him that I have something important to tell him. If it succeeds, we will be able to deal with Zhan Feiyu severely this time and avenge Commander Liu."
"Yes, I will go in and report to the master now. Please wait, young masters." The servant dared not offend Zhang Changsong, Qiu Dingsi, and the others. After closing the door, he immediately ran towards the main courtyard.
Outside the main gate, Qiu Dingsi explained in a low voice, "Brother Liu is a man of strong emotions. After being injured, he has been closing his doors to visitors. My father came to visit but was also turned away."
Chai Yi nodded with a smile, seemingly unconcerned about Commander Liu's snub. However, given the harshness of the stake he had proposed to Zhan Feiyu, no matter how gentle Chai Yi's attitude was, no one thought he was a gentleman.
Hurried footsteps sounded from inside the door. The servant opened the door with a click and replied with his head bowed, "Please go back, everyone. The master has taken medicine and is resting. He is not receiving visitors today."
"What?" Zhang Changsong's voice stopped, and then he said, "Lift your head."
The servant hesitated for a moment, then raised his head. On his cheek was a bloody scar, running from his left brow bone to his right jaw. Commander Liu was known for using his whip to strike people.
The noble youths standing at the door were stunned, and their hearts sank. Could it be that Zhan Feiyu really had some private deal with Commander Liu, which was why he refused to see them?
Having lost face in front of Chai Yi, an outsider, Zhang Changsong and Qiu Dingsi looked somewhat displeased. However, Commander Liu was such a crazy person that if he was provoked, even they could be whipped by him.
Chai Yi stepped forward and said with a gentle smile, "Since Commander Liu wishes to rest, we cannot force him. Please pass this bet agreement to Commander Liu for his perusal."
After saying that, Chai Yi handed five taels of broken silver to the servant, "Go to the clinic to treat your injury when you have time."
"Thank you, young master." The servant took the silver and thanked him, then quickly returned with the bet agreement.
Inner chamber.
Commander Liu sat on a reclining couch with a gloomy expression. Perhaps recalling past events, his eyes became even colder and more terrifying. Even Madam Die, who was serving him, was cautious.
"Madam, the weather is hot and dry. I'll have someone cut a watermelon for you," Madam Die said softly. Seeing that Commander Liu did not object, she then walked gently towards the door.
"Madam." The servant breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been whipped by the master when he came to report. He really didn't dare to go in again, but he couldn't not go. He didn't expect Madam Die to come out at that moment.
After hearing the servant's words, Madam Die smiled, "Alright, you have someone send a plate of watermelon over, and give me the bet agreement."
Through the door, Commander Liu also heard the servant's words. Seeing Madam Die returning, he was too lazy to look, "Read it."
The bet agreement was written clearly, with Zhan Feiyu's name and fingerprint at the bottom, followed by Chai Yi and the others.
Madam Die's beautiful face was full of surprise, "Master, this bet agreement?"
If you asked anyone from Fengzhou, they would know that Commander Liu hated Zhan Feiyu the most. Otherwise, Zhang Changsong and the others would not have captured Qi Heng to please Commander Liu.
Madam Die thought of the young girl she had met once. She was the top scholar of the Nanxuan Prefecture examination, and she looked intelligent. Why would she write this bet agreement? Was she desperate to find the young master of the Qi family and resorting to any means?
Commander Liu frowned. Seeing this, Madam Die immediately handed him the bet agreement.
After a quick scan, Commander Liu burst into laughter. Zhan Feiyu truly had a dog's胆 (guts). Was she so sure that he wouldn't break the agreement?
"What if I let them continue to detain that little fatty? Do you think Zhan Feiyu will abide by the bet agreement?" Commander Liu's gaze fixed on the signature at the bottom of the bet agreement.
Even though Qiu Dingsi and Zhang Changsong and others had scholarly titles, in terms of calligraphy, Zhan Feiyu's handwriting was not inferior to theirs. Who would have thought that a young girl who had only studied for more than two years could write such beautiful characters?
Writing, like practicing martial arts, required hard work even with talent. This showed that Zhan Feiyu had a firm disposition. Such a person would not be easily defeated. Commander Liu believed that even if Qi Heng died, Zhan Feiyu would be sad, but she would not be discouraged. She would only lie low and wait for an opportunity to avenge Qi Heng.
Madam Die hesitated, unsure of Commander Liu's intentions, and afraid of saying the wrong thing and being punished, she said vaguely, "Scholars cherish their reputation. Zhan Feiyu is also a Tong Sheng, and the top scholar. She will surely abide by the agreement."
"Chen Ji collapsed because of this bet agreement back then," Commander Liu recalled the Chen Ji rice shop, which was forced to withdraw from Nanxuan Prefecture. Even though it was the business of the First Prince's maternal family, they could only accept it.
Madam Die also knew about Zhan Feiyu and the Chen family. "Actually, this bet agreement seems disadvantageous to Zhan Feiyu, but she is a woman after all, and she still has a way out."
Even if it was impossible to participate in the imperial examinations, Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu. She was young now. In a few years, noble families from the capital would surely come to propose marriage. Although it was said that a woman's virtue was her lack of talent, noble families valued marrying a virtuous wife, as a virtuous wife brought less misfortune to her husband.
"Return this bet agreement to Zhang Changsong and say that I am aware of this matter," Commander Liu returned the bet agreement to Madam Die and closed his eyes to rest.
The master was actually going to help Zhan Feiyu? Madam Die's mouth widened in shock, but she dared not say more and quickly left with the bet agreement.
A moment later, outside the gate of Liu Residence.
Zhang Changsong handed the bet agreement back to Chai Yi and smiled at Madam Die, "Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law. Please tell the master to recuperate well, and leave the rest to us."
Madam Die watched the group leave. Zhang Changsong and the others had clearly misunderstood the master's intentions. That was understandable. If she hadn't seen the master's expression, she would have misunderstood as well.
After all, who could believe that the master would choose to help Zhan Feiyu? This was simply a miracle.
...
Perhaps to build momentum, following the disappearance of Qi Heng, a collateral relative of the Qi family, this bet agreement spread like wings throughout the streets and alleys of Fengzhou. Everyone thought Zhan Feiyu was crazy. How could she dare to sign and stamp her fingerprint on such a sure-to-lose bet agreement?
Prefecture Yamen.
"Sir." Qi Tongzhi bowed to Meng Zhizhou, who was sitting behind the official desk, "May I ask why the sir summoned this subordinate?"
"Sit," Meng Zhizhou invited Qi Tongzhi to sit down and signaled the junior official to guard the door before speaking, "I believe Lord Qi is already aware of the bet agreement. May I ask what Miss Zhan plans to do? Does she need this official to mediate?"
Although the law did not punish the masses, if the noble families of Fengzhou truly cut off Zhan Feiyu's path to the imperial examinations, and Scholar Gu retaliated, Meng Zhizhou could not bear it, nor could the families of Fengzhou.
A commoner's anger could spill blood for five steps, while the Son of Heaven's anger could cause millions of corpses and thousands of miles of bloodshed.
Scholar Gu held a high position and great power. If he made a move, Fengzhou would surely descend into a bloody storm. In the end, Zhang Changsong and the others were too young. In front of Scholar Gu, they were not even considered ants.