The women, including Madam Liu, turned green with envy at the sight of the clothes and jewelry laid out in the room. Even the elder patriarch of the Wei clan, who was staying in the guest room and hadn't left yet, came over.
Even a farmer, let alone a wealthy young master, would be astonished by the lavish spending of Scholar Wei.
"Tianqi, how much did this cost you?" The elder patriarch finally caught his breath. The bolts of fabric alone were enough to clothe the entire Wei clan for several years.
Scholar Wei looked at Madam Liu and the others, their faces full of greed, and asked the three shopkeepers, "How much do all these cost?"
The shopkeepers quickly handed the bill to the old steward. "Twenty bolts of fabric, thirty-two sets of ready-made clothes, and one silver fox fur..."
Fine silk cost five taels of silver per bolt, while precious brocades like Yun Jin and Yue Hua Jin were known as "an inch of brocade, an inch of gold." Even though the brocades the shopkeepers brought were not the best, the cheapest bolt was worth a hundred taels of silver.
The ready-made clothes were equally expensive. Fengzhou was located in Jiangnan, which had the best embroiderers. A simple plain brocade butterfly dress with a fastened collar was worth the price of a bolt of silk, not to mention the fox fur for winter. Therefore, just from the fabric shopkeepers, the bill came to sixteen hundred taels of silver.
As for the jewelry, ginseng, and medicinal herbs, the prices were only higher. After the three shopkeepers calculated, the total came to twelve thousand five hundred taels.
The Wei clan members were stunned by the amount. Their family of seven or eight people, working hard, could only save ten taels of silver a year, and that was after saving diligently. They couldn't even imagine saving over ten thousand taels.
"Steward, go and get the silver notes, and also bring the five thousand taels for the elder patriarch," Scholar Wei said in a calm tone, as if he were talking about two copper coins, not over ten thousand taels.
"Yes, Master." The old steward, who had just finished verifying the bill, immediately responded, "Please wait a moment, esteemed shopkeepers."
Seeing Steward Sun leave, and the elder patriarch, though frowning, not stopping him, Madam Liu finally couldn't hold back. "Brother Xun, are you just going to watch him give the Wei family's ancestral property to an outsider?"
"Yes, Elder Patriarch. These shops, manors, and courtyards were all properties divided when Grandfather split the family. They are the Wei family's ancestral properties," Wei Zhiping eagerly agreed, his eyes filled with unconcealed greed.
Although the eldest branch had taken in a son-in-law, he was still the male descendant of the Wei family, the one who carried on the lineage. These properties should belong to him, and later to his son. How could they be given to a wild girl?
Ming San had always thought Zhan Feiyu's skin was thick enough, but now he realized Madam Liu and the others had skin three inches thicker than a city wall.
Ming San curved his lips into a smile and taunted without politeness, "Who in Fengzhou doesn't know that the first and second branches of the Wei family conspired to seize Scholar Wei's family fortune, and even murdered Scholar Wei's closest relatives? How dare you still come to claim family property? Aren't you afraid that when you go to the underworld, the ancestors of the Wei family will fry you in oil?"
"You!" Madam Liu, Wei Zhiping, and the others glared at Ming San, who looked lazy but wore luxurious clothes, with flushed faces. He was clearly a young master from a noble family, and they dared not offend him, so they could only look to the elder patriarch for help.
Although family scandals should not be spread, the actions of the first and second branches of the Wei family back then were worse than those of beasts. The elder patriarch and the Wei clan members, though also greedy for wealth, at least had a bottom line.
"Enough, you don't need to say anything more," the elder patriarch said coldly, looking at the indignant Madam Liu and the others. He spoke directly, "Your branch of the family separated from your ancestors long ago. Your first and second branches owe Tianqi several lives. Tianqi can give his property to whomever he pleases. If you are not satisfied, go to the yamen and sue."
"But..." Madam Liu was rendered speechless by the elder patriarch's words. The thought of the yamen made her legs tremble.
Although Madam Liu was now shrewish and unreasonable, she had once been the mistress of the eldest branch. She knew better than anyone that their claim to Scholar Wei's property was unreasonable and lacked any justification.
That's why she wanted to use the elder patriarch and the Wei clan members to gain some benefits. Who knew the elder patriarch was so short-sighted, and was appeased with just five thousand taels of silver.
Zhan Feiyu watched Madam Liu and the others, who still wanted to argue. Her gaze swept over the children standing in the corner, and she said in a clear, cold voice, "The case from that year has already been judged by the Imperial Guards. Now, you and Mr. Wei are like strangers who mind their own business. If you continue to bully us by relying on being old, weak, women, and children, don't blame me for being impolite."
"Do you have a say here?" Madam Liu dared not retort to the elder patriarch, so she unleashed her anger on the insignificant Zhan Feiyu, her old, stern face contorted in a scolding rage.
"You little brat, using some dirty tricks to seize our Wei family's ancestral property, and now you dare to be arrogant with us? Bah, if you have the guts, kill me, this old woman!"
Madam Liu had given up all pretense. She hadn't caused trouble before because she thought that once Wei Tianqi died, they would definitely get a share of the property. But now, seeing her efforts go to waste, Madam Liu's face became ferocious and manic. Even if it cost her life, she wanted to secure some family property for her grandchildren.
"A Nuan, attack!" Zhan Feiyu truly didn't tolerate her. Perhaps it was because she had given them five taels of silver on the street earlier, making them think she was easy to bully.
He Nuan moved in an instant. The people in the room hadn't even reacted when they heard a loud slap.
"Ah!" Madam Liu cried out in pain, her face slapped to the side. The five-finger marks on her cheek were clearly visible.
Not to mention Madam Liu, who was slapped, the others were also caught off guard. Who would have thought that such a delicate and adorable young girl like Zhan Feiyu would be so ruthless? And He Nuan, a seemingly gentle and honest maid, actually dared to injure someone. After all, Madam Liu was over sixty years old.
"You slut, how dare you hit me!" Although Madam Liu had fallen on hard times in recent years, the people from the first and second branches of the family respected her. After being slapped, she was completely enraged. Pointing at Zhan Feiyu, she lunged forward, "I'll beat you to death, you little harlot..."
Another crisp slapping sound echoed. He Nuan's expression remained kind and gentle, but the force of her attack was undiminished. And Madam Liu, who was trying to act old and authoritative, would be slapped by He Nuan every time she dared to utter a word.
Zhan Feiyu sat on the chair with a composed demeanor. With her cold and ruthless appearance, no one dared to see her as a cute and kind young girl anymore. She was clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"You dare to hit my mother?" Wei Wen also became enraged and rushed forward with a scream, but her greedy gaze fell on Zhan Feiyu's hairpin.
The hairpin was exquisitely made. Back when the eldest branch hadn't fallen into trouble, Wei Wen, as the youngest daughter of the eldest branch, had never worn such an exquisite yet luxurious hairpin.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the charging Wei Wen and casually picked up a teacup and threw it at her.
He Nuan's actions had already shocked everyone, and seeing Wei Wen, who was bleeding from her head from the impact, the people in the room were no longer surprised.
Before Wei Wen could pounce again, He Nuan turned and kicked her. The crowd watched as Wei Wen was kicked away, rolling from the steps of the main hall into the courtyard.
At this moment, the Wei clan members looked at the elder patriarch with admiration. The elder patriarch was right; people should be content. With their hands and feet, why should they snatch Wei Tianqi's family fortune? Besides, he had already given the clan five thousand taels of silver, which was an immense kindness. Greed knows no bounds!
Madam Liu had only one daughter, Wei Wen. Seeing her lying in the courtyard, seemingly lifeless, Madam Liu went completely mad. "All of you, attack! Beat this little slut to death... If she dies, this old woman will pay with her life..."
Apart from seven or eight terrified children from the first and second branches, the rest of the people rushed forward. It was called a fight, but their greedy eyes clearly showed they intended to steal things amidst the chaos.
Not to mention the fabrics and medicinal herbs, the jewelry was still laid out on the long table, along with boxes of pearls and gems. If they could grab a handful and stuff it into their chests, they wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of their lives.
The three shopkeepers had sharp eyes and immediately had their shop assistants and guards protect the goods they had brought.
Zhan Feiyu pushed Hong Er towards Ming San and kicked Wei Zhiping, who was trying to take advantage of the confusion, in the knee. As he fell to his knees with a thud, Zhan Feiyu landed a punch, causing another pig-like scream.
He Nuan took a moment to glance, seeing Zhan Feiyu happily beating people. Had her lady grown tired of copying books and decided to vent her frustrations?
Ming San watched Zhan Feiyu, who started fighting at the slightest disagreement. Although Madam Liu's side had seven or eight people, they were all women who looked good but were useless. The only two male members had already been beaten by Zhan Feiyu, crying and wailing, their pathetic state even too much for Ming San to watch.
And as Ming San relaxed his guard, Hong Er, who was being held by the shoulder, let out a cry and rushed out. He swung his bamboo stick at Wei Zhiping in front of Zhan Feiyu.
The little fellow was usually dull and didn't speak, but when fighting, he would yell and howl. His thin face had a murderous glint in his eyes, and the bamboo pole he wielded was powerful and imposing.
Wei Zhiping felt a sharp pain in his nose, and then he was hit in the face by Hong Er's bamboo pole, tears streaming down his face. Even though there were people around, the little fellow only targeted Wei Zhiping.
A moment later, when the old steward returned with two wooden boxes filled with silver notes, he saw people lying scattered from the doorway to inside the room. Madam Liu and the other women were crying incessantly, but this time it wasn't feigned. They were crying so hard their voices were hoarse from the pain.
But then he saw Zhan Feiyu sitting on a chair, stroking Hong Er's head and speaking softly.
He Nuan, as Zhan Feiyu's personal head maid, still stood quietly behind Zhan Feiyu's chair. Ming San was leisurely sipping tea, fanning himself.
The old steward turned his head again and saw that the elder patriarch and the Wei clan members looked terrified, while the three shopkeepers and their assistants appeared relatively calm. So, who had beaten these people?
"Master?" Steward Sun, looking bewildered, turned to Scholar Wei. He had only been gone for a moment, but it seemed he had missed a major battle.
"Give the money," Scholar Wei urged.
The three shopkeepers were very sensible. As soon as they received the money, they took their leave. Now, except for Zhan Feiyu and her companions, everyone else in the room was a member of the Wei family.
"Steward Sun, please have someone throw them all out," Zhan Feiyu said, still with a smiling expression, but her words made people tremble. "If anyone comes to cause trouble again, break their legs and throw them out. They will be compensated with whatever the yamen orders. Mr. Wei is not lacking in money."
If Scholar Wei was described as wealthy and powerful, then Zhan Feiyu at this moment was undoubtedly cruel and ruthless. "After they pay the money, spread the word on the streets. There are always some chivalrous bandits who rob the rich to help the poor."
The old steward nodded blankly, while the elder patriarch and the Wei clan members now looked at Zhan Feiyu as if she were a ferocious beast from the mountains, capable of devouring people without spitting out the bones.
They thought breaking legs and demanding compensation was harsh enough, but they never expected this young girl to be so relentless, instigating street thugs and ruffians. Madam Liu's money would likely be stolen or swindled away within a day.
Madam Liu struggled to sit up, her resentful gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu. "Don't try to scare me, old woman. Do you think the Great Qing Dynasty has no law?"
The elder patriarch shook his head, looking at the outwardly fierce but inwardly cowardly Madam Liu. What was the use of arguing at this point?
They were a group of old, weak, women, and children, and the male members of their families were not capable. Since this young girl dared to make such a bold statement, she was naturally confident. Ordinary people opposing noble families would only be compensated with a few dozen taels of silver if they died, which wasn't even enough for her clothes.
Ming San suddenly laughed and pointed his fan at Zhan Feiyu. "She's not bluffing. My girl is indeed audacious. She's the one who broke the legs of Commander Liu. Even if the King of Hell wanted you dead, he couldn't stop it."
In Fengzhou, there were three powerful figures: the Prefect of Fengzhou, Meng; Commander Qiu of the Wei Guard; and the third was Commander Liu, the second son of the royal merchant Liu family.
Madam Liu was stunned. Her surname was Liu, but she had no connection to the royal merchant Liu family. However, she knew of Commander Liu's brutality.
At this moment, meeting Zhan Feiyu's smiling eyes, Madam Liu's old face turned pale. She looked as if she had seen a man-eating demon. If Zhan Feiyu dared to break Commander Liu's legs, would they still be alive?
Half an hour later, everyone who needed to leave had left, and the Wei family was finally quiet. Zhan Feiyu took Ming San to Wushu Tower to continue copying books. As for persuading Scholar Wei to go to Nanxuan Prefecture, that would be discussed after she finished copying the books.
"Master, actually, going to Nanxuan Prefecture wouldn't be bad," Steward Sun mentioned casually. After Miss Zhan finished copying the books, she would likely return, as she still had the provincial examination in August to prepare for.
Steward Sun thought that after Zhan Feiyu left, Scholar Wei would once again retreat into seclusion as he had for the past twenty years, not speaking for days on end. It would be better to go to Nanxuan Prefecture, where he could be a tutor at the academy, and he would have the company of that little fellow Hong Er.
Scholar Wei did not speak, his gaze fixed on the scroll in his hand. His aged and stubborn figure made it impossible to guess his decision.
...
Ju Wen Zhai held a literary gathering once a month, which was the most frequent haunt for scholars in Fengzhou. Here, they could enjoy high-quality pre-rain tea, enchanting zither music, and exquisite cuisine. Scholars gathered, drinking and conversing, composing poems, or discussing world affairs.
On the second floor, looking at the figures walking past the covered corridor through the window, a man in a green robe put down his teacup. "Who is that?"
The person opposite glanced downstairs. "It's normal for Young Master Chai not to recognize him. That's the youngest son of Assistant Prefect Qi, Qi Yan. The young boy walking beside him is Qi Heng, a distant relative of the Qi family, and he's already a Tong Sheng..."
The speaker paused, his expression somewhat uneasy.
"Qi Heng, sixth place in the prefectural examination. Truly a talented youth," Chai Yi said with a playful smile. If he wasn't mistaken, the servant following behind Qi Heng was Zhan Feiyu's carriage driver.