Upon storming into the courtyard, Zhe Jing, consumed by rage, paid no heed to the First and Second Madams, pointing a finger at Zhan Feiyu and shouting, "Scram! Get out of the Zhe Manor immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
Wen Ruyi, who arrived a step behind outside the courtyard gate, heard these exceedingly arrogant words. Her eyes flickered, realizing that having suffered two silent losses consecutively, Zhe Jing only dared to act out like this. In the past, she would have already beaten the person out.
"Little sister, know when to stop," the First Madam spoke again, feeling a throbbing pain in her brow. She wondered if their mother regretted raising her little sister to be so lawless. Driving away a distinguished guest who came to visit—not to mention how it would affect the Zhe Manor's reputation—and considering her own lack of decorum, did she still wish to marry into the Ning family, a family renowned for its scholarly traditions?
Zhan Feiyu stood on the steps of the main hall, looking at the young lady surrounded by maids and servants. Unlike Zhe Jing's overly ostentatious demeanor, Wen Ruyi possessed delicate features, fair skin, a slender oval face, eyebrows like distant mountains, and eyes that held a smile. She was beautiful, yet carried the noble grace of a lady from a prominent family, her aura lacking any aggression, instantly evoking a sense of goodwill.
"Greetings, two sisters-in-law," Wen Ruyi entered the courtyard and greeted the First and Second Madams. Her every movement exuded the elegant bearing of a noble lady. She then smiled and addressed Zhan Feiyu, "This must be Miss Zhan."
If it were a few years ago when Scholar Gu first took disciples, the surname Zhan would immediately bring Zhan Feiyu's identity to mind. But after several years, not only the ladies in the capital's inner courts, but even the scholars at the Imperial Academy had forgotten Zhan Feiyu.
"Miss Wen," Zhan Feiyu descended the steps and returned the greeting with a smile.
There is no harm without comparison. Standing closer, Zhan Feiyu realized she was not only a head shorter than Zhe Jing, but as the daughter of a military general, her height was inherited. However, she was half a head shorter than Wen Ruyi. Both had tall figures, while she was a shorty less than 1.6 meters tall...
Wen Ruyi immediately noticed Zhan Feiyu's ever-changing expression but couldn't quite decipher it. However, her gaze swept over the arrogant and overbearing Zhe Jing, and then to Zhan Feiyu, who appeared docile and non-aggressive. She knew that not only would the First Madam of the Zhe family favor Zhe Jing, but even an outsider would instinctively lean towards her. This young lady's appearance was too deceptive.
A young lady who dared to visit after making Zhe Jing suffer two silent losses was certainly no pushover. Yet, Wen Ruyi found Zhan Feiyu's eyes to be clear and her smile bright, coupled with her scholarly aura, she was precisely the type that elders favored.
"It seems Miss Zhe is unharmed, so I am relieved," Zhan Feiyu said meaningfully, looking at the ferocious Zhe Jing, and then took her leave from the First Madam. "I have some errands to attend to today, so I will take my leave now."
The First Madam had intended to keep the news quiet, and with Wen Ruyi's arrival, Zhe Jing would surely not know about Zhan Feiyu's visit. But who knew it couldn't be kept secret? Now, it was absolutely impossible to extend the hospitality of a host to Zhan Feiyu.
"Miss Zhan, you are too kind. It was my poor hospitality," the First Madam responded with a smile. Fortunately, Miss Zhan did not intend to hold a grudge against her little sister. This young lady, despite her young age, acted with much more consideration.
The Second Madam was also worried that Zhe Jing's commotion would be too unsightly. Her own Yingying was not yet engaged. If her sister-in-law were to strike a visiting guest, the Second Madam couldn't imagine what reputation the daughters of the Zhe family would have once word got out. Seeing Zhan Feiyu taking her leave, and knowing that Zhe Jing likely feared He Nuan's martial prowess and wouldn't truly make a move, the Second Madam quickly said, "Eldest Sister, I will escort Miss Zhan out."
Zhe Jing also knew that within the First Madam's courtyard, if she truly made a move, the maids and servants in the courtyard would stop her, and she would be the one to lose face. Suppressing her anger, Zhe Jing fixed her gloomy gaze on Zhan Feiyu and arrogantly issued a threat, "The cook you bought from the Yuhang Pawnshop before is from the Wen family. I advise you to send her back to the Wen family, lest you lose both face and substance in the end!"
The Second Madam's expression stiffened for a moment. Her sister-in-law was close to Wen Ruyi, yet she hadn't learned the tact and consideration of Miss Wen. Zhan Feiyu's yielding was not out of fear, but out of respect for the Zhe family. Yet her sister-in-law was pushing her luck.
Zhan Feiyu, who had turned to leave, paused. She then took two steps back, as she was indeed short, and speaking up close required her to look up, which was quite undignified.
"What do you mean by making me lose both face and substance, Miss Zhe?" Zhan Feiyu curved her lips into a smile, her eyes bending into crescent moons, making her look docile. However, her words were quite provocative. "I will be waiting at Yufeng Tower. I hope Miss Zhe will not disappoint me as you did the previous two times. Farewell."
"You..." Zhe Jing was furious and raised her hand to strike. With a flick of her eyebrows, Zhan Feiyu precisely caught Zhe Jing's wrist and twisted it backward forcefully, to everyone's astonishment.
"Ah!" The pain from her twisted wrist made Zhe Jing cry out. Her left hand flailed towards Zhan Feiyu's face, trying to free her right hand. However, as Zhan Feiyu released her grip, she pushed forward forcefully. Zhe Jing stumbled and fell to the ground with a plop, completely dazed.
"Second Madam, please stay your steps. Farewell," Zhan Feiyu continued walking out without stopping. He Nuan followed closely, her gaze subtly scanning the shadows.
Outsiders watched the spectacle, while insiders observed the skill. The First Madam and the others only saw that Zhe Jing's attempt to strike had backfired and she herself was struck. However, Cheng Wu and the two guards saw clearly. Zhan Feiyu's grip and push used subtle force. Without years of practice, it would be impossible to push the eldest young lady to the ground so effortlessly.
"Is this girl also accomplished in both literary and martial arts?" the guard was truly shocked. It wasn't surprising that He Sheng and He Nuan were skilled in martial arts; prominent families often secretly trained some loyalists and hidden guards. But for a delicate young lady to possess such skill, judging by her clean and swift movements, the eldest young lady, who claimed to have practiced martial arts for years, was no match for this girl.
"Since she dared to visit, her family background must be extraordinary." Without absolute confidence, how could a young lady dare to visit? Cheng Wu could only be certain that this girl harbored no ill will towards the Zhe family, otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed his group to leave Yufeng Tower so easily before.
When the Old Madam Zhe arrived, Zhe Jing, who had been shouting and demanding to fight, was forcibly sent back to Qiongju Courtyard. Wen Ruyi also took her leave.
In the room, the Second Madam, in a good mood, picked up her cup. "This Fangshan Dew Bud is all mine today."
"Just watch. This matter will cause trouble. Mother still dotes on and doesn't discipline little sister," the First Madam glared at the Second Madam, then picked up her cup and took a sip. "Never mind this pot of tea; you can enjoy this noon's meal too. Have Yingying come over for lunch."
"Eldest Sister, aren't you afraid Mother will be angry? Little sister smashed up Qiongju Courtyard, yet we are having a small gathering here." The Second Madam chuckled after speaking. But after the teasing, she remembered what she had heard when she visited her grandfather at her maiden home. The Second Madam's smile faded, and she waved for the attendants in the room to withdraw.
"Eldest Sister, Wen Ruyi is friendly with little sister, and it's all for the military power held by the Zhe family," the Second Madam did not object to this. Ninety-nine percent of the interactions between prominent families in the capital were due to conflicts of interest. Speaking of the capital's situation, the tea in her cup no longer tasted fragrant. "The Grand Camp on the outskirts of the capital has always obeyed only the imperial decree. Longyou Road is located on the border. Years ago, when Old General Yang quelled the rebellion, the military power returned to General Yang Shoucheng. Southwest Road is guarded by General Deng and his son. Most of the Zhe family's subordinates are in the Eastern Pass Road."
The First Madam understood the hidden meaning in the Second Madam's words. The Eastern Pass Road was close to the capital. If it were cavalry, it would take at most one day and one night to arrive. The Crown Prince had not been established. If the imperial power transitioned smoothly without any disruptions, it would be fine. But once a war broke out, distant water could not quench a nearby fire. The Zhe family's military power would play a crucial role. Whether it was Zhe Jing or Zhe Sanlang, the former was arrogant and overbearing, the latter impulsive and reckless. In essence, both were spoiled. But precisely because of this, Zhe Jing's and Zhe Sanlang's marriages were somewhat difficult. However, this made the Zhe family safer. At least, the princes in the palace, including the Grand Prince, and the eligible young men from the families of several princes, had no intention of marrying into the Zhe family. It was truly worrying about the uncertain situation. Marrying a troublemaker like Zhe Jing would likely offend all the dignitaries in the capital before they could even try to gain the Zhe family's military power, making it a definite loss.
"That's why Mother indulges little sister so much," the First Madam sighed. But knowing was one thing; Zhe Jing's actions still angered both the First and Second Madams. The Second Madam dejectedly put down her cup. "Before Miss Zhan left, little sister still made threats and even involved the Wen family's cook. I don't know how this will end."