Chapter 012
"Ren zhi chu, xing ben shan, xing xiang jin..." The child's voice was clear and crisp, like pearls falling onto a jade plate. Zhan Feiyu recited fluently, finishing the more than a thousand characters of the "San Zi Jing" in the blink of an eye.
Master Lin's eyes showed a look of joy. He also knew about the competition. The school children had been chattering about it, all saying that Zhan Feiyu was smart and that the second and third sons of the Zhan family were far inferior.
Master Lin did not know that Zhan Feiyu had memorized it so proficiently in just ten days. Especially at this moment, with a dense crowd of people outside the courtyard and the county magistrate seated inside, even the young scholars and examinees studying at the county school would likely be unable to recite so smoothly under the magistrate's imposing presence, let alone a child who had not yet begun her education.
"Not bad," Magistrate Chen's sharp gaze fell on Zhan Feiyu, and he gave his evaluation. For a peasant family, a seven-year-old girl being able to do this was indeed commendable.
However, if placed among noble families, children would begin their studies at three and be able to recite the "San Zi Jing" and "Qian Zi Wen" backwards by four. Talented children would already be reading the Four Books by seven. Zhan Feiyu's performance would not even be considered average.
Glancing at Zhan Feiyu with admiration, Master Lin gently spoke again, "Second son, it's your turn."
Zhan Feiyu squeezed Zhan Erlang's hand and grinned at him, "Don't be afraid."
"Ren zhi chu..." Perhaps it was because Zhan Feiyu had set a good example, Zhan Erlang's voice was still a little hesitant. Fortunately, he had recited more than half of it, but he was not familiar with the rest and couldn't recall it after thinking for a long time.
The tension and fear had subsided. Old Man Zhan and Madam Xiao Yao looked anxiously at Zhan Sanlang, who was huddled beside them. Madam Xiao Yao nudged Zhan Sanlang's back, urging him to recite quickly.
Zhan Sanlang, who was usually pampered and always acted tough at home and in the village, was so scared that his legs trembled at the crucial moment. When Madam Xiao Yao pushed him, he fell to his knees with a thud.
The gazes of Magistrate Chen, Master Lin, and others turned towards them. Zhan Sanlang looked up and, seeing Magistrate Chen's imposing and stern face, burst into tears with a loud wail. Tears and snot streamed down his face, making him look worse than a three-year-old child.
It's over! Old Man Zhan's heart sank. He looked at his younger son, who was throwing a tantrum and crying on the ground, with a look of disappointment. No matter how angry he was, he dared not say anything at this moment.
Madam Xiao Yao was also terrified, fearing that Magistrate Chen would be angry. She clutched Old Man Zhan's arm tightly, preventing herself from kneeling to beg for forgiveness.
Magistrate Chen and the other two arrived suddenly and left just as quickly. The villagers rushed into the Zhan family's courtyard in a flurry, chattering excitedly.
"Third brother, your little Yu and Erlang have brought great honor to the old Zhan family today by daring to recite in front of the county magistrate."
"Yes, no one in these ten miles has had this honor. I heard that only last year, Scholar Ma from Shangsi Village gained his merit, and the county magistrate attended the banquet."
"Yes, that girl Xiao Yu is truly bold."
Praise, envy, and jealousy mingled together. If this news spread, it would not only bring honor to the Zhan family but also to the entire village. The county magistrate had come to their village and listened to Xiao Yu recite. What a great honor this was.
"This is all thanks to Xiao Yu's good fortune," Old Man Zhan said loudly, his face beaming with smiles. Praised by the villagers, he laughed heartily, feeling an unprecedented sense of ease and pride.
Old Madam Zhan also swept away the gloomy expression of the past few days, her face creased with smiles.
"How can you be so useless, so useless!" In the second branch's room, hearing the laughter from the courtyard, Madam Xiao Yao spanked Zhan Sanlang's bottom fiercely, her eyes red with anger.
Old Man Zhan sat on a stool with a dark expression. His usual hypocritical smile had vanished, leaving only resentment and jealousy.
The first branch had not only gained benefits but also made a good impression on the county magistrate. From now on, whether at home or in the village, his elder brother would likely have more say.
Madam Xiao Yao also couldn't bear to truly hit her son, but she was unwilling to let the first branch gain the advantage. She pushed Old Man Zhan and attacked him with a face full of resentment and unwillingness.
"Are you just going to watch that brat Xiao Yu go to school? No one in these ten miles has ever seen a girl go to school. Ten taels of tuition a year is not easily earned."
"Shut up!" Old Man Zhan was furious. He glared at Madam Xiao Yao in anger, "I told you to keep an eye on Sanlang's studies, look at how you've spoiled him!"
Zhan Sanlang had been thoroughly frightened earlier and had cried. He had also been spanked by Madam Xiao Yao a moment ago. He was now sitting on the ground, sobbing, with snot smeared all over his face. Compared to the spirited Zhan Feiyu, even Erlang was much better than him.
"That's the county magistrate! Our Sanlang is not like that clueless and bold brat!" Madam Xiao Yao spoke of Zhan Feiyu with bated breath, wishing she could devour her whole.
"The county magistrate has already spoken. We can only wait until next year," Old Man Zhan's dark gaze flickered with a poisonous, cold light. They could only wait for this situation to pass before making plans. She's just a girl, how easy is it to deal with her? Break a leg or an arm, and how could she still go to school?
Madam Xiao Yao pushed the crying Sanlang out. After closing the door, she said hatefully, "So we'll just let it go this year? That's ten taels of silver in tuition!"
The thought of ten taels of silver being spent on the first branch, on Zhan Feiyu, made Madam Xiao Yao feel as if she had been stabbed several times. White silver! This should have belonged to their second branch. How could it be wasted on a girl from the first branch?
Old Man Zhan looked at the cursing Madam Xiao Yao with disgust. Annoyed by her nagging, he sternly shouted with a dark, ashen face, "If you're not afraid of offending the county magistrate and going to jail, then go and stop her!"
"I..." As if her throat had been choked, a look of fear flashed across Madam Xiao Yao's face.
She only dared to talk big within the village. Even if she had the courage of a leopard, Madam Xiao Yao did not dare to offend the county magistrate. At this moment, her legs trembled.
"When time passes, the county magistrate will not remember our Zhan family," Old Man Zhan's eyes became increasingly sinister and twisted, but he did not dare to take the risk. Once the news subsided, dealing with a girl would be a piece of cake.
Thinking of his sworn brother, Master Ma San, Old Man Zhan's lips curved into a cruel smile.
Since this girl was ungrateful, he, as her second uncle, could not be blamed for being ruthless. Later, he would arrange for Master Ma San to send a couple of people. As long as they didn't kill her!