The next day, Yanxiao practiced the moves taught by Man Yi in the courtyard as usual.
When he felt that it was about time, he led Qianqiu Wandai slowly toward where Chen Qiyue was having class, without disturbing anyone.
Once they arrived at the location, she gestured for Qianqiu Wandai to remain silent, while she stood by the window, where the greenery provided some cover, and looked into the house.
Shen Qiyue was attending her morning class at this time. Her teacher was a scholar surnamed Zhang, who looked to be in his forties or fifties. He was frowning and looking at Shen Qiyue with a disapproving expression.
"Miss Shen, the reason why Consort Liu is defined as a bewitching concubine who brought disaster to the country must be because she bewitched Prince Qing, causing him to be obsessed with beauty and neglect state affairs, which led to the current situation."
You cannot excuse her simply because you are a woman. The story of a sorceress ruining a country has existed throughout history, and it is recorded in historical texts. How can you presume to offer your own arbitrary arguments?
Shen Qiyue's face was slightly flushed, and there was a hint of anger in her eyes. However, she did not make a scene because the other party was a teacher. Instead, she spoke her point of view in a reasonable and clear manner.
"Sir, I am not defending Consort Liu, but I feel that it is not the act of a gentleman to blame the chaos in Qing Kingdom on a woman who is powerless to even kill a chicken."
Consort Liu originally had a fiancé, but because of her beauty, she was forcibly taken into the palace by Prince Qing. This was neither her wish nor something she could control.
Everyone knows that Prince Qing is obsessed with beautiful women and has no interest in state affairs. Even if there were no Consort Liu, there would be Consort Zhang or Consort Li.
This is clearly the fault of Prince Qing, and the incompetence of all the civil and military officials. Why then should these blames be placed on a woman who has no control over her own destiny?
After hearing Shen Qiyue's words, Mr. Zhang seemed at a loss for words, and his face showed signs of anger. Finally, he slammed his ruler down and said angrily:
"You are being unreasonable. Women should be virtuous and gentle. Prince Qing is so infatuated with Consort Liu that he has neglected state affairs and caused the people to suffer. It must be because Consort Liu was blinded by the fine clothes and delicacies after entering the palace and seduced Prince Qing in order to continue to enjoy his exclusive favor."
If Consort Liu is truly innocent and still possesses any sense of propriety and shame, she should have taken her own life to persuade Prince Qing to turn back, instead of letting her continue her downward spiral along with him.
*Smack!*
As soon as Mr. Zhang finished speaking, Shen Qiyue slammed her hand on the table and stood up in anger. Ignoring the fact that the other person was a scholar or a gentleman, she began to hurl insults.
"What nonsense are you spouting, you old scoundrel? Why should Consort Liu die?"
Just because she's a woman, just because of your prejudiced and baseless speculation, just because Prince Qing is attracted to her beauty, she has to die? What kind of utter nonsense is this? I'm not learning this anymore!
"You, you, you~"
Mr. Zhang was furious that Shen Qiyue would suddenly start cursing. He pointed the ruler at Shen Qiyue for a long time but didn't dare to actually hit her. Finally, he threw the ruler down and shouted angrily:
"I had heard that Miss Shen was uneducated and had driven away several female teachers. If it weren't for General Shen's sake, I would never have come to teach you."
Looking at it now, it's truly a case of rotten wood that cannot be carved; the ancients were right, for women and petty men are indeed difficult to deal with.
Who are you calling a villain?
Shen Qiyue was already furious. Perhaps Yan Xiao's words yesterday gave her some confidence. As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and looked like she was about to fight, which startled Mr. Zhang so much that his forehead twitched.
Just as tensions were rising, applause suddenly rang out at the door, along with a woman's voice of unclear emotion:
"That was truly amazing! I'm so glad I came, or I would have missed it."
Upon hearing the sound, the two looked towards the door and saw Yan Xiao, wearing a cap, leading Qianqiu Wandai to stand at the door.
When Shen Qiyue saw Yan Xiao, her eyes first showed a hint of surprise, but then she immediately suppressed her fierce demeanor and quickly turned into a pitiful look, like a little rascal who had been bullied.
When Mr. Zhang saw Yan Xiao arrive, it was as if he had seen his pillar of support. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and then said with a look of exasperation:
"Madam, as you have seen, I am no match for Miss Shen. Please find someone more capable!"
Yan Xiao didn't answer directly upon hearing this. Instead, she glanced at Shen Qiyue and saw that she was staring at her nervously. She then beckoned to Shen Qiyue to come over.
Without hesitation, Shen Qiyue quickly ran to Yan Xiao's side and stood there obediently, looking like she would listen to her sister-in-law in everything.
After Shen Qiyue arrived, Yan Xiao turned her gaze back to Mr. Zhang.
Her smile was gentle, and her tone was gentle, but the words she spoke were not so gentle:
"Mr. Zhang, were you born of a mother?"
Mr. Zhang was just waiting for Yanxiao to discipline Shen Qiyue, so he was a little taken aback by these words.
After understanding the meaning behind those words, his expression froze for a moment, but he dared not refuse to answer.
"Madam is too kind. I am naturally born of a mother."
"Yeah?"
Although Yan Xiao's words were a rhetorical question, his tone was full of disdain and sarcasm.
"That's a bit strange. Since she was born of a mother, how could she say something like 'Women and children are difficult to raise'?"
How could someone so learned and talented be the kind of person who shows no respect whatsoever to his mother?
Based on your eloquent speech just now, I thought you were some kind of hermit who had sprung up from a crack in a rock.
Judging from your age, sir, you must have a large family with many children and grandchildren. But I wonder, where did your descendants come from? Are they, like you, born of petty people?
When had Mr. Zhang ever met someone like Yan Xiao? He had never been spoken to like that before, and he was so angry that he was trembling all over.
But those words were indeed spoken by him, and he had no way to refute them. In addition, given Yan Xiao's identity, he dared not refute them either.
He realized that this lady was clearly protecting Shen Qiyue, and finally could only grit his teeth and say:
"I am terrified. I said something I shouldn't have in a moment of anger. I hope you won't take offense, Madam. I know my knowledge is limited and I am not qualified to teach Miss Shen. I hope you will find someone more capable."
Yan Xiao had no intention of letting him continue teaching her, so the threat had no effect on her.
She snorted coldly, told Qianqiu to bring paper and pen and hand them to Mr. Zhang, and said expressionlessly:
"Since you feel that you are not knowledgeable enough and wish to resign, I will naturally not stop you. After all, I don't want my little girl to learn how to be a decent person after all this time."
Since you are resigning voluntarily, please write down your resignation in black and white, and I will have it posted on the notice board at the city gate.
"To prevent some unscrupulous people from spreading rumors and saying that my little girl is good-for-nothing and that it will prevent her from finding a better teacher. Don't you think I'm right?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhang turned pale with anger. If he wrote it down, it would be a blatant slap in his own face, and he wouldn't know how his enemies would ridicule him. How could he possibly be willing to write it?
He was about to refuse, and say that he wouldn't talk nonsense when he got out, when Yan Xiao continued:
"Sir, I feel it is necessary to remind you that I am not General Shen. I only have one principle in doing things, which is to make myself happy first."
Anyone who deliberately tries to displease me will be taught a lesson the meaning of repentance. Would you like to give it a try, sir?
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