Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  也难怪那些学子这般的钦佩楚飞扬，一个人在弱冠之年拿下文武状元，当真不是一件简单的事情！

  No wonder these scholars had greatly admired Chu Fei Yang, a person who had attained top scorer for both literary and military categories. The accomplishment was truly not just a simple thing!

  During these few days, Bai Shun Tang and Qiu Bi Qu were calmer. Perhaps, the elderly lady had already known that Yun Xuan Zhi was the one in control of the future of her two grandchildren, naturally she would not dare to provoke her own anger during normal days, or else when the time came that Yun Xuan Zhi knew about it, it might affect both Yun Yi Heng and Yun Yi Jie.

  Facing such peaceful period which was hard to come by, Yun Qian Meng cherished every moment of it. Then, on the twentieth day of the eleventh month she received Chu Fei Yang's letter, Yun Qian Meng's face suddenly got tensed up, her face became completely serious, somehow carefully read Chu Fei Yang's letter all over again.

  Until she finished reading the second time, Yun Qian Meng's brows gradually knitted closely together, her heart was full of worries that she could not express.

  Although Yun Qian Meng knew that the vaccination method of treatment for prevention of smallpox was the more effective method, yet she had not expected Chu Fei Yang would believe her to such extent, not only did he immediately assign people to create the cowpox for the vaccination method the moment he received her letter, but when he attained the cowpox he was willing to be the first person to personally test it.

  Although Xiao Nie daifu was beside him, but Yun Qian Meng still could not contain her worries about his health and safety.

  While she was worrying about Chu Fei Yang's safety, she saw Mu Chun and the few others hurriedly came inside. Upon seeing Yun Qian Meng sitting on the desk reading the letter, the few of them immediately lightened up their footsteps, uniformly bowed down before Yun Qian Meng while they obediently stood beside the study desk.

  “What's going on? Why are your faces look so bad?” Seeing them came in, Yun Qian Meng folded Chu Fei Yang's letter and placed it inside her sleeves, afterwhich she looked at Mu Chun and the others who tightly had their brows wrinkled together, their faces seemed to be a bit upset, hence she curiously asked.

  “My lady……” Mu Chun opened her mouth, yet she was at a loss for words, she was somehow angry, because she was incapable to describe the matter that she had recently obtained.

  Looking at how Mu Chun behaved, Yun Qian Meng shifted her gaze towards Yuan Dong, seeing her in a melancholic face, but as compared to the angry face of Mu Chun, Yuan Dong's mood was clearly calmer.

  Being aware that she was being stared at by Yun Qian Meng, Yuan Dong secretly knitted up her brows, afterwhich she spoke in spite of her fear, “My lady, the Ministry of Rites has sent out a public announcement just now, saying that young master Yun is the top scorer of the current civil service exam, he is already a Provincial Top Scorer!”

  Upon hearing this, Yun Qian Meng looked at the few servant girls beside her who were in their bitter and gloomy faces, suddenly she shook her head and laughed, after a long moment she slowly questioned, “Are you all worrying about this matter?”

  “Aren't you angry about it, my lady? Just now the old madame had rushed over to the guest hall from her Bai Shun Tang, she had already allowed Rui Mama to hugely reward the messenger, the expression in her eyes was greatly transformed!” What caused Mu Chun to be angered had not been because of Yun Yi Heng attaining the Provincial Top Scorer position, but the snobbery attitude of the old madam. Supported by the young master Yun's current achievement, she became more arrogant than before, even Fourth xiaojiealso led along a few servant girls of Qi Luo Yuan to start bullying people around, showing their wicked attitude towards others.

  Staring at Mu Chun's uneasy expression, Yun Qian Meng realized that a while ago in the guest hall, the old madam and Yun Yi Yi must have shown their worse attitude towards the few of her own servant girls, then she indifferently said, “How can I get angry? It is still the civil service exam, soon it will be the palace hall exam, after being personally examined by the emperor, that's the time that he will become the real Imperial Top Scorer.”

  But, the officials of the current civil service exam had just been announced in the last minute, with Yun Xuan Zhi being the major examiner, after that he also became the evaluator, thus Yun Yi Heng now achieved the top score for civil service exam.

  Could it be that no one knew about the relationship between Yun Yi Heng brothers and Yun Xuan Zhi? With the imperial decree being issued, even if Yun Xuan Zhi wanted to avoid suspicion by declining the offer, he would still face the consequence of being beheaded by going against the imperial decree.

  But if someone would intend to expose this matter, perhaps serious damages would be inflicted upon Yun xiangfu.

  After thinking meticulously about all the things at stake, Yun Qian Meng's heart went cold. There was a possibility that someone had arranged such situation on purpose, but in regards of the main target, Yun Qian Meng was not able to understand thoroughly.

  Perhaps it was too early for the old madam to feel delighted. As far as being concerned, the development of the matters in the future might be under control of the handler, it could be that both Yun Yi Heng and Yun Yi Jie would just become the sacrificial lambs.

  But, all these things occurred only after Chu Fei Yang and Chu Wang had departed the capital. In addition to Emperor Yu Qian being seriously ill and unable to attend to the morning court assembly, the important things discussed in the royal court all went through the mutual agreement among the few chancellors then was being relayed to Emperor Yu Qian through the Empress Dowager, whether there were something fishy among them, it would be hard for anyone to comprehend.

  But all the people had the same perception. There were too many foolish persons in this world. When the matter concerning Yun Yi Heng becoming a Provincial Top Scorer had circulated out, the course of events inside the xiangfu had also changed its course. Some of the newly entered yiniangs immediately instructed all the servant girls to prepare the gifts, with their faces full of smiles as they proceeded to the Bai Shun Tang to congratulate them, and in the short period of time many horse carriages were gathered outside the xiangfu, all of them were housekeepers and Mama's from different official residences who came to congratulate the them.

  But, these people were being blocked off by housekeeper Zhao outside of xiangfu. After a few times tasting defeat by Yun Qian Meng, housekeeper Zhao had learned from experience, evidently he would never dare to have conflicts with Yun Qian Meng anymore.

  After all, even if Yun Yi Heng became Provincial Top Scorer, but it was still far away from obtaining any official position, moreover it would also be extremely dangerous during the course of the journey. Within these few years of staying beside Yun Xuan Zhi, housekeeper Zhao could clearly see that, as compared to currying favor with the old madam and the newly announced Provincial Top Scorer, it would be better to listen to Yun Qian Meng's words.

  If a young woman without the strength to truss a chicken, could have the ability to defeat Su Qing, the person who had a great authority inside xiangfu, during her most difficult situation, this made housekeeper Zhao believe that da xiaojie was absolutely not a simple person. Furthermore, Yun Qian Meng was also currently supported by Chu wangfu and Chu xiangfu, this was not something that Yun Yi Heng could compare with.

  Thus, considering the pros and cons, this was as clear as a mirror's reflection inside housekeeper Zhao's mind. He would rather offend the old madam and Yun Yi Heng, than to be enemies with Yun Qian Meng, so as not to implicate himself in regards of the dispute in the rear courtyard.

  Now seeing such kind of attitude of the housekeeper, the young child who was guarding by the door naturally would not dare to have the thought of currying favor with the old madam, but instead he just handled things according to the housekeeper's meaningful glance.

  But, Bai Shun Tang found out that housekeeper Zha
o would rather carry out Yun Qian Meng's command, yet unwilling to express goodwill to them, was so infuriated that her face turned ashen, but ever since the day when Yun Qian Meng had forcefully asked her to leave Bai Shun Tang, the old madam's heart had truly hated and feared this granddaughter, fearing that Yun Qian Meng might rig up a scam before Yun Yi Heng could become the Imperial Top Scorer. Even though was angered upon hearing the news that housekeeper had blocked off all the people who came to congratulate them, yet she did not dare to rudely intrude inside the Qi Luo Yuan to confront Yun Qian Meng.

  Albeit the old madam was well-behaved, on the contrary, Yun Yi Yi's mood became terrible. She thought she would be well-regarded by all the people, making all the high-ranking officials and noblemen realize that her very own older brother was in fact a genuine talent, without the need to adhere to his uncle's royal court powers as an upstart, yet unexpectedly before she could start with her beautiful dream, she was already punctured by Yun Qian Meng. How could this not make Yun Yi Yi get angry and start stomping her feet and throwing things?

  Bai Shun Tang was just a few steps away from Qiu Bi Ju. Naturally the noisy sounds produced from Qiu Bi Ju was easily heard by the old madam.

  Casting a meaningful glance at Rui Mama beside her, the old madam let her proceed inside the Qiu Bi Ju to take a look. In the mean time, slowly took the Buddha beads that was laid out on the desk, facing the few yiniangs who were sitting below, she waved and said, “Regarding your good intention I shall receive them on behalf of Yun Yi Heng. However, our da xiaojie had instructed, during the time of plague it would be better to have a fewer interactions, so as to avoid getting infected by the disease. the old madam was already old, she could only listen to the da xiaojie, you must remain more docile, don't always come to Bai Shun Tang, so as to avoid being exposed, during that time even if I wanted to help you, the will is there, but not the strength.”

  Hearing these words from the old madam, a few young inexperienced yiniangs looked at each other feeling confused, feeling intimidated by the da xiaojie that the old madam had mentioned.

  All except that Hua yiniang who only had herself to rely on for giving Yun Xuan Zhi children, also for having a face to face confrontation with Su Qing before, and in addition Yun Qian Meng had also given her a gift before, then realizing herself being creditable, she smiled and responded to the old madam's words “How could old madame say this! Even if she was that terrible, she is still your own granddaughter, have you heard of granddaughter disobeying her own grandmother? Besides, is there anything not precious among the things arranged in Bai Shun Tang's desk and wall? It could be clearly seen that the old madam was truly unique and unmatched in xiangye's heart. How could you abstain from seeing the da xiaojie, old madame? No matter how difficult the xiaojie can be dealt with, in the beginning of spring she ought to get married soon, then the one who would be in charge of the family, will still be you, old madame, right? And the shaoye also achieved the title of being Provincial Top Scorer. In the future aside from managing the matters inside xiangfu, perhaps even in the official residence of Imperial Top Scorer, there will be bound to have things for you to worry about. Such insights, we ought to have them.”

  As for Hua yiniang's attitude towards Yun Qian Meng, she actually had a bit of resentment, during those days when she had a miscarriage, Yun Qian Meng just responded sternly towards her, how couldHua yiniang not harbor grudge in her heart?

  Unfortunately, some persons were like this; evidently she was the one who had excessively showing off leading to the misfortune, yet she insisted on looking for somebody to take the blame, putting all the blame on top of other people's head, in this way she would feel happier.

  Moreover, Liu Han Yu was the one handling the entire xiangfu right now, although Liu Han Yu did not treat her badly during usual days, but seeing those servants being respectful towards Liu Han Yu, some other thoughts sprouted inside Hua yiniang's mind. At first she had planned to show off herself in front of Yun Xuan Zhi, permitting him to give the power of managing the entire household to herself, but Yun Xuan Zhi was agitatedly angered, not only did he not follow her wish, moreover he rained curses her way, currently leaving her all alone in Fu Liu Yuan, indeed making Hua yiniang hated Liu Han Yu to the core, incidentally making her increasingly hate Yun Qian Meng who was the one who had supported Liu Han Yu up to her current position.

  Admittedly, Hua yiniang's words of compliment, would naturally be what the old madam loved to hear the most.

  Particularly when Hua yiniang had pointed out that the old madam would be the one in charge of the entire household in the future, and that of Yun Qian Meng being merely just a daughter to be married off. The spilt water, even if she was going to enter Chu xiangfu in the future, she would no longer be associated with Yun xiangfu, her chosen fate would no longer get involved with Yun xiangfu.

  Merely thinking of this, it made the old madam exposed a smile in her eyes, feeling Hua yiniang looked more and more pleasing to her eyes, also thinking that this Hua yiniang was truly considerate and thoughtful, then she fixed her gaze at Hua yiniang alone, smiled and said, “I shall take Hua yiniang's lucky words. Now that these housekeeping matters, I wouldn't have the heart to think about them anymore. As long as the two brothers, Yi Heng and Yi Jie, would stand out among their peers, even if I die now, I shall close my eyes in death and die contentedly. Or else living in this world, I will be just an old lady being ignored by other people, indeed I'm being useless. I simply couldn't compare with our da xiaojie, not only attaining the father's love, even in the future she would be greatly cherished by her future husband, look at things that were being delivered by Chu Xiang and Chu Wang to our Yun xiangfu, those were genuinely precious things, no wonder the da xiaojie had treasured them and kept them away!”

  Seemingly envious words, yet they were full of deeper meaning, which had caused Hua yiniang and all the others to feel that Yun Qian Meng was truly a stingy person. She had just recently received those precious things, then impatiently keeping them away, for the fear that other people might snatch them away from her.

  Consequently, speaking this way it made the few other people to be even more envious of Yun Qian Meng.

  Their ages were not that old, just merely a few years older than Yun Qian Meng', but Yun Qian Meng was indeed the da xiaojie of xiangfu. While they could only blame their low birth, thus having no other choices but to be sold by their parents to xiangfu as slaves and servants. Even though now they attained their positions as yiniang, but in front of these honorable masters they were still slaves after all, as a result they would always admire Yun Qian Meng.

  But with these words from the old madam today, the admiration in their hearts gradually turned into jealousy, regretting themselves for not being born from aristocratic families, wishing they would be able to seek the best man in Western Chu as their husbands. Henceforth they would be able to enjoy high position and great wealth.

  Thinking of themselves being able to get married with Yun Xuan Zhi who was still courteous and smart, but as compared to Chu Fei Yang who had gradually ascended up like the rising sun, a few of them were becoming utterly upset in their hearts. Those smiling expression in their eyes glinted with an expression of one unwilling to be reconciled to their fate.

  The old madam caught sight of the drastic changes on the faces of the few people, her heart was secretly delighted. These few people were just yiniang of Yun Xuan Zhi, even if they did not have the ability to cause any harmful effects in front of Yun Qian Meng, but being able to see Yun Qian Meng's problematic face, the old madam still felt pleased.

  While during this time, Rui Mama took quick steps as she stepped inside from the outer room, after which she approached beside the old madam, bending her waist as she whispered a few statements beside her ears, seeing the old madam looked a bit helpless, she immediately smiled and spoke, “I am too old, I'm feeling a bit drowsy, you have already accompanied me for almost half of the day, perhaps it's too boring. I wouldn't make yo
u all stay, you may now go home early to take some rest.”

  The activities inside Qiu Bi Ju was quite huge, how could Hua yiniang and the others not heard those nosy sounds coming out of it. This time seeing the old madam speaking like this, it sounded like an excuse, then one by one they smiled and stood up simultanuously, took their bows facing the old madam, after which they in turn retreated out of Bai Shun Tang.

  “This girl doesn't have the patience! If she had even just half of Yun Qian Meng's courage, then Yun Qian Meng wouldn't be the one who will marry into Chu xiangfu now!” Seeing all the people retreated out from her own room, the old madam's face suddenly went gloomy, her hand with hanging Buddha beads violently beaten the desktop, she immediately stood up, leading Rui Mama as they walked towards the direction of Qiu Bi Ju.

  At this time there were no spaces left for someone to set their feet on. Yun Yi Yi had already smashed off all the breakable things inside, and she still could not feel any slightest bit of satisfaction, those dusty embroidered shoes violently kicked the hollow carved mahogany stool.

  “You silly girl, until when will you stop throwing tantrum? What kind of matter seemed unsatisfactory to you? For going so far as to use these things inside the room to quench your anger?” Seeing the floor full of shattered pieces of porcelains, the old madam was faintly hurting inside her heart, it was already too late for her to give these things to her youngest son, everything were already destroyed by this useless granddaughter, how could it not make her feel such pain?

  Facing the old madam's interrogation, Yun Yi Yi did not even show any expression of fear in her face, without consulting anyone she sat down with an angry look in her face, pointing at the direction of Qi Luo Yuan she angrily exclaimed, “Grandma, why would we live our lives with Yun Qian Meng bothering us? Her surname is Yun, am I not also Yun? Now that even a small yiniang bullying us around! Grandma, how can you tolerate such manner? They had joined hands together and blocked off our guests who came to congratulate us outside of the door, were they deliberately not allowing us to get in touch with the influential officials, weren't they afraid that I might fight over their limelight?”