For several days, Zhan Feiyu went to the private school at Mao Shi San Ke (7:30 AM) and returned with the village children after school at You Shi (5:00 PM). No one in the Zhan family knew that Zhan Feiyu had narrowly escaped death, and the second master Zhan believed the lame beggar had tricked him and fled.
The wife of landlord Zhu was from Yu Family Village. Most people in Yu Village had the surname Yu, a prominent surname in the surrounding villages. Master Lin's private school was also built here. After school, Zhan Feiyu walked to the Zhu residence alone.
"You, a mere yellow-haired girl, want to see my master?" The gatekeeper at the Zhu residence sneered at Zhan Feiyu, who was dressed in coarse cloth, and rudely shooed her away. "Hurry up and get lost. The Zhu residence is not a place for you to cause trouble."
"I am a classmate of Zhu Peng from the private school," Zhan Feiyu stated her identity.
They say that even a doorkeeper at a prime minister's residence holds a certain rank! Yet, landlord Zhu was merely a local gentry and wealthy household. The gatekeeper dared to be so arrogant; truly, minor officials are the most difficult to deal with.
"Classmate? Bah! I think you, at such a young age, are already learning from the girls in the brothels and intend to seduce men! You want to seduce my young master and then marry into the Zhu family?" The gatekeeper spat out a mouthful of saliva, his words filled with malice and humiliation.
Zhan Feiyu frowned. The gatekeeper who had escorted Zhu Peng that morning had brought a message asking Zhan Feiyu to visit today. She hadn't expected to be stopped by a mere gatekeeper, and the other party was clearly looking for trouble.
The gatekeeper's lewd gaze appraised Zhan Feiyu. "Let me feel if your skin is smooth and tender!" As he spoke, the gatekeeper lunged at Zhan Feiyu.
I've been set up! Anger flashed in Zhan Feiyu's eyes. The moment the gatekeeper lunged, she dodged to the side, extending her right leg simultaneously.
With a bang! The gatekeeper tripped and fell face-first into the dirt. He looked up, his mouth full of blood, his teeth having hit a stone. The pain contorted his face, and he grabbed a stone from the ground, lunging at Zhan Feiyu again. "I'll… smash you to death… you little slut."
Zhan Feiyu, with her short legs, ran away swiftly. Ever since her body had grown strong at the age of five, she had been practicing the martial arts she learned in her previous life. Although it was only basic training, her stamina had improved, and her small frame ran exceptionally fast.
After chasing for a while and seeing that he couldn't catch up, the gatekeeper, his face contorted, spat out a mouthful of blood viciously. "Truly a wild girl from the countryside!"
In the study, Master Lin was testing Lin Xiuyuan. Unlike his gentle demeanor towards Zhan Feiyu, Master Lin was more stern with his only son. "Zhou Yi Zong Qiang Wei Fu."
"It originates from 'Records of the Grand Historian - Genealogies of Guan and Cai,' stating: Duke of Zhou allied with the states, Tai Ren had ten sons, Zhou Yi Zong was strong, and Jia Zhong reformed." After answering, Lin Xiuyuan pondered for a quarter of an hour before picking up his brush to write a policy essay.
Master Lin took a book from the bookshelf and was about to read when he saw Zhan Feiyu running into the courtyard through the window. He quickly walked out. "Xiao Yu, what happened?"
"Master." Panting, Zhan Feiyu let out a sigh of relief and shook her head at the worried Master Lin. "I'm fine. I just went to the Zhu residence."
Landlord Zhu had sent matchmaker Wang to propose marriage. The entire Zhan family, including the eldest master Zhan and Madam Li, approved of this marriage. Regardless of Zhan Feiyu's thoughts, she was only seven years old and could only ask Master Lin for help.
"Landlord Zhu disagrees?" Master Lin frowned. He had already refused this marriage on Zhan Feiyu's behalf.
Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, Teacher! Although Master Lin was not Zhan Feiyu's relative, he could make decisions as her teacher. Furthermore, Zhan Feiyu had personally written a letter to landlord Zhu.
Landlord Zhu had taken a liking to Zhan Feiyu's talent for learning and wanted to secure a good future for Zhu Peng. However, a forced melon is not sweet. Although she was young and had little influence now, it would be very easy for her to control Zhu Peng if she achieved success in the future.
If she were to be ruthless and collude with landlord Zhu's business enemies, not only Zhu Peng but the entire Zhu family could face ruin.
Of course, Zhan Feiyu had only hinted at this in her letter. With landlord Zhu's shrewdness, he naturally understood, which was why he asked her to visit for a detailed discussion.
Zhan Feiyu also had a plan. As the saying goes, even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains. Landlord Zhu had sponsored her studies, and she would naturally repay the Zhu family once she achieved success. She hadn't expected to be almost bullied by a gatekeeper before even meeting landlord Zhu.
Zhan Feiyu quickly recounted the events. "Master, could it be that Brother Zhu Peng was behind this? But it's too simple and crude. Isn't he worried that landlord Zhu will be angry?"
Landlord Zhu wanted to find a powerful wife for Zhu Peng, specifically to guard against his eldest son.
"You are merely a child now. If something were to happen to you, landlord Zhu would not blame his eldest son for the sake of an outsider." Master Lin's face was stern with anger. The eldest son of the Zhu family dared to humiliate Xiao Yu using a gatekeeper. If it didn't work once, he might have other plans.
"They say it's better to bully an old man with a white beard than a poor young man! He's certain that I can't get revenge, is he?" Zhan Feiyu was amused. It was just a marriage proposal, and she had refused it. Yet, the eldest young master of the Zhu family dared to plot against her, and with such a humiliating and despicable method.