Chapter 7 The Lone Phoenix's Curse (Part 7) "Little Master Wen Kong, what are you doing here...?"
Liu felt a tightness in her chest from choking.
She came from a family of scholars and officials, where poetry and etiquette were passed down. Her father and brothers judged people based on their talent and virtue, and her sisters were also influenced by poetry and books. They never judged people based on gender.
Zhou's words were crude and blunt, like vulgar slang, which was offensive to the ear. Liu, being well-mannered, could not bring herself to publicly sever ties, for fear of losing her dignity and being branded as someone who was arguing with her sister-in-law. However, she could not bring herself to agree with such shallow views, as these words had made her own daughter feel unjustly belittled.
Nestled in Zijing's arms, Ye Mu remembered that such a scene did indeed occur in her past life. She couldn't quite recall the specific words Zhou Shi used to make things difficult for her mother, but she did remember that after her second brother was promoted to the Shuaixing Hall, Zhou Shi became increasingly arrogant and visited their courtyard more frequently. She openly and secretly mocked Liu Shi for being unlucky and having only given birth to a daughter, and she also often spoke coldly to Ye Mu.
My mother was naturally sensitive and self-controlled. She maintained a calm and composed demeanor, swallowing all her grievances. However, the resentment was bottled up inside her, and she finally collapsed the following winter, spending several months in bed and suffering a severe loss of vitality.
Ye Mu looked at her mother's slightly pursed lips as she watched Zhou Shi make things difficult for her. She raised her head and called out to Zhou Shi in a childish voice, "Second Aunt."
Zhou looked over upon hearing the sound.
"Second Aunt, according to you, then Grandmother is also a guest to her maternal family?"
Ye Mutian's innocent question left Zhou speechless, while the others couldn't help but smile.
Ye Mu continued, talking to himself, "But my bearded grandfather said that only uneducated people always talk about having sons and grandsons as if they were precious treasures. He said that studying and understanding principles is the most important thing! If you study well, men can bring peace and stability to the country, and women can too..."
She seemed unable to think of the right words for a moment, her little brows furrowed in distress, and she tilted her head to think hard. When she saw Liu, her eyes lit up, and she replied crisply, "She can also be like her mother, knowing so many principles, managing the household, and writing the most beautiful poems. Her maternal grandfather even said that such a daughter is the best of the best, no worse than any son."
Children speak without thinking, but they inadvertently opened a crack in the door. Through her daughter's words, Madam Liu spoke many truths, and most of the turmoil in her heart dissipated. She gently touched Ye Mu's little head, her posture still serene.
Wang's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile as she picked up her teacup and took a sip.
The old lady glanced at Ye Mu, her gaze deep and unreadable, and finally said indifferently, "Childish words, but they make some sense. It is a blessing for the family that a girl is knowledgeable, polite, and good at managing the household."
Zhou was rendered speechless. Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, approaching from afar, accompanied by a servant's cheerful announcement:
"Great news! Great news! Congratulations to the old lady, the lord, and the lady!"
Everyone perked up and stood up.
But it was Ye Xingjian who entered. He was wearing the robes of a student of the Imperial Academy, and he exuded a chill, clearly having just returned from the academy.
"Grandson greets Grandmother," Ye Xingjian said, bowing. "The results of the annual examination have just been released, and things are in chaos at home. I was worried about things at home, so I came back to report the news first."
The old lady smiled slightly. "Jian-ge'er, you've worked hard. How did your exam go?"
Ye Xingjian bowed slightly, "Thanks to my grandmother's good fortune, I have been promoted to Shuaixing Hall."
The warm pavilion was immediately filled with congratulatory voices.
Zhou interrupted impatiently, "Where's Wen-ge? Has Jian-ge seen Wen-ge's grades?"
Ye Xingjian smiled slightly, "Just as we were about to talk about my second brother, it's quite a coincidence that the Grand Master of Ceremonies suddenly summoned him before the results were announced this morning."
"The Grand Master of Ceremonies?" Zhou asked, puzzled. "What does he want with Wen-ge?"
"I don't know about that," Ye Xingjian replied calmly. "It's just that rumors have been spreading all over the Imperial Academy lately, with vivid details, saying that someone is using the annual examination as bait to solicit favors and curry favor with rare ancient books. The Chancellor values his reputation the most and was furious when he heard about it. He has ordered a thorough investigation, and anyone involved will be severely punished, regardless of the reason. My second brother was urgently summoned for questioning; I don't know if it's because of this."
"What does this have to do with Wen-ge'er?" The second uncle suddenly stood up, his face ashen. "Jian-ge'er, don't talk nonsense. Your second brother has always been honest and is definitely innocent. There must be some misunderstanding. I'm going to the Imperial Academy right now..."
"What are you going there for?" The old woman's voice suddenly turned cold. "Isn't this enough of a disgrace? Since the Grand Master of Ceremonies is investigating, whether he is innocent or not will be judged by public opinion! If you go there, will you be defending him or confirming his innocence? Just sit there and wait!"
She turned to Ye Xingjian, "Brother Jian, this matter concerns the reputation of the Imperial Academy and the face of the Ye family. Now that you're back, you must have some ideas. What exactly are these rumors referring to? Is there any witness?"
Ye Xingjian respectfully replied, "Grandmother, the rumors are a mixture of truth and falsehood, and I dare not make any rash judgments. However, Dr. Wu, who teaches classics and history, has been caught in the eye of the storm and has been summoned for questioning. I believe that my second brother's trip will be able to help Dr. Wu clarify the situation."
These words, though seemingly watertight, subtly revealed Dr. Wu's current predicament.
Charcoal fire peeling.
Ye Mu quietly observed everything from the side, inwardly applauding his elder brother's brilliant move. This tactic of striking a chord to intimidate others was extremely clever. The Imperial Academy, a place of high social standing, was most averse to such despicable acts of bribery and solicitation.
The eldest brother may have just returned to deliver a message, but in reality, he exposed his second uncle's shady schemes to the old lady and everyone else.
The rumors that suddenly arose at the Imperial College were probably fueled by my elder brother's secret instigation.
Suddenly a commotion arose outside, and a servant ran in to announce: "Grandma! The second young master is back!"
The curtain was lifted, and Ye Xingwen was half-supported as he entered. His blue robe was wrinkled, his face was as pale as paper, his lips were trembling, and he could barely stand.
His distraught state was self-evident, needing no further explanation.
"Brother Wen!"
Zhou cried out and rushed forward to hug her son, but Ye Xingwen instinctively shrank back.
"Grandmother," Ye Xingwen knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face, "Your grandson is incompetent! Your grandson has been reprimanded by the Grand Master of Ceremonies..."
The old woman stopped praying and spoke in a voice as clear as metal and stone, "Explain yourself! What should be done with the chief priest?"
Ye Xingwen lay prostrate on the ground, his shoulders shaking: "The Grand Master said... the annual exam results are invalid, he's punished by copying the prison regulations a hundred times, and he's to stay in the original hall. Dr. Wu... Dr. Wu has been suspended from his teaching position..."
His voice trailed off as he spoke, until it almost became a sob, "That book was also taken away by the High Priest..."
"What book!"
Ye Xingwen stammered, "It's an old book by my third uncle... Father said... to show it to Dr. Wu... just... just to take a look..."
"The third brother?"
Ye Sanye slowly stood up. “Mother, that copy of ‘Yunlushanfang Jizhu’ does indeed belong to me. My second brother borrowed it a month ago, saying he would return it within a month. I was thinking of our brotherly bond and saw how worried he was about Wen’er’s studies, so I lent it to him. Now it seems that I was not thinking things through and have tarnished the family’s reputation. I am willing to accept the punishment.”
"You wicked child!" The old lady couldn't help but curse angrily, slamming her hand on the small table beside her, making the teacups clatter. Her gaze was fixed on Ye Erye. "You are an unfilial father and an unworthy son! Ye Yuanming, as the second son of the Marquis's family, instead of setting a good example and urging Erlang to study hard, you instigated your son to engage in scheming and cheating, and even implicated your brother in injustice. You have done all these despicable things!"
The old lady was extremely disappointed. "From today onwards, the second branch of the family will be confined to their quarters for three months to reflect on their mistakes. They are not allowed to interfere in any household affairs! Wen-ge'er is unambitious and behaves despicably. From this day forward, he will be confined to the side courtyard of the ancestral hall, copy the family precepts one hundred times, and reflect on his faults. Without my permission, he is not allowed to step out of the courtyard. We will discuss this again when he has completely reformed!"
"As for the remote..." The old lady looked at Ye Sanye, her tone softening slightly, "Your love of books is so deep and your heart is so innocent, which is a refined pursuit. However, you misjudged people and were too sentimental to pay attention, almost causing a disaster! You are fined two months' salary as a warning to others. Since the book was taken away by the chief priest, it is now the property of the government. There is no need to mention it again, and you should not look for it again! Consider it a lesson learned!"
Master Ye bowed, "Your son will heed your teachings and accept the punishment willingly."
The punishment order has been issued. Although the third branch suffered minor damage, it was not a major problem. The book was taken away, and the root of the trouble was eliminated. Ye Mu quietly breathed a sigh of relief. This round, with the help of his eldest brother, he thwarted his second uncle's scheme, ensured his father's safety, and prevented a disaster for the family. It was a narrow escape.
The second wife's arrogance was greatly diminished, and she calmed down for a while.
People live day by day, and day by day pushes people forward. Before you know it, it's the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, time to dust and sweep the house.
In the warm room of the west wing, Ye Mu lay on the kang (heated brick bed) by the window, watching Zi Jing and her maids rummage through chests and cabinets to remove dust.
"Mother said that cleaning the house on the eve of the Lunar New Year is to sweep away all the bad luck of the old year!" Ye Mu said softly, resting her chin on her hand.
"Fourth Sister is right," Zijing agreed with a smile, her hands still busy. "Later, I will take some people to thoroughly clean and sweep Baopuzhai as well. It's time for Third Master's precious books to see the light of day."
Ye Mu's thoughts stirred slightly.
Although his father didn't show it on his face, Ye Mu saw him sitting alone in his study several times, looking melancholy, probably still regretting his rare book.
“Ah Jing,” Ye Mu suddenly slid off the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), “I want to go to the study to see Father.”
Zijing was busy and assumed that she was just acting like a child again, so she casually said, "Fourth Sister, be good. We'll go with you after we finish cleaning this warm pavilion."
"I know the way myself."
As Ye Mu spoke, he took short steps, his round body nimbly slipping out of the threshold of the warm pavilion. The aroma of fried food floated in the air, sizzling and wafting into his nose.
It's the aroma of fried dough sticks wafting from the kitchen!
Ye Mu's appetite was whetted, and he changed direction accordingly.
My father also loves this. It's a glutinous rice dumpling filled with red bean paste, deep-fried until golden and crispy. When it comes out of the oil, it's rolled in a layer of fine sesame sugar powder. My father can eat three or five of them in one go.
"I'll go get some hot food for Daddy first." Ye Mu thought, following the aroma, and ran with her short legs towards the west corner of the courtyard where the main kitchen was located.
At the entrance of the courtyard, there was a pile of freshly chopped firewood, and several rough-working women were busy carrying chicken, duck, fish and meat for the New Year into the cellar, creating a lively atmosphere.
The kitchen was bustling with activity, with several cooks working tirelessly around large oil fryers. The aromas of fried fish, meatballs, and rice cakes mingled together, creating a lively and lively atmosphere.
Ye Mu, her small body squeezed against the door, stood on tiptoe, and tried hard to peek inside: "Aunt Wang! Are the red bean paste fried dough balls ready yet? Get some for Daddy!"
When Wang Mama, who was in charge of the kitchen, turned around and saw her, her face immediately lit up with a smile: "Oh, it's Fourth Miss! You have such a keen sense of smell. A batch of sesame sugar frosting has just come out of the pot and is cooling down. The red bean filling one batch will be ready soon. Miss, please wait a moment. It's cold outside. Why don't you come in and warm up?"
Ye Mu shook her head. She disliked the smoke inside and just peeked out, eagerly watching the golden fruits steaming in the basket. Just as she was waiting, her gaze was drawn to the figure standing by the door of the side room in the corner courtyard.
Ye Mu walked over and gently tugged at his gray sleeve. "Little Master Wen Kong, what are you doing here?"
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