Cold Encounter with a Madman - Chapter 17

Caught red-handed.

A single mention of “spring fever” resulted in Xun Qi being punished with copying calligraphy books; she was not allowed to eat until she finished. Yan Zhi’an lay by the window, appreciating the scenery outside.

After her loud argument with the Old Grandfather, she actually felt much better.

The Old Grandfather was old and lacked the decisiveness and foresight of his younger years. He was always thinking of hoarding more wealth for his incompetent descendants and blamed Yan Zhi’an for offering up a mine just to gain a good reputation for her daughter. To him, this was clearly prioritizing her daughter over the Yan family.

How could one not be angry at that?

Yan Zhi’an had acted first and reported later, not consulting the family at all. Such a major decision had been made by her alone, which only made people angrier.

Yan Zhi’an, however, had vented the anger in her heart. Feeling refreshed, she fell asleep right by the window.

Just then, someone sneaked in. Seventeenth Lady tiptoed over and pulled Xun Qi out to talk. Xun Qi glanced at her mother, turned, and left.

The two ran all the way to the veranda. Seventeenth Lady panted for breath, her face flushed red. “Xun Qi, there is a poetry competition. Do you want to go? If you win, there is a prize of a thousand taels of silver.”

“A thousand taels? That much?” Xun Qi could not help but be tempted. “Wait, is the family not very wealthy? Why would you go to a poetry competition for a thousand taels?”

Hearing this, Seventeenth Lady rolled her eyes. “The money belongs to the Yan family, not me.”

She was born to a concubine of the Sixth House, and since her father was also born to a concubine, she was the daughter of a concubine’s son. She only received a small allowance for her daily expenses.

She looked at Xun Qi. “Does your mother give you money?”

“No.” Xun Qi subconsciously looked at the sachet on her waist; it contained only fragrance, no money. She and the Madman had never managed to earn a thousand taels even now, so she could not help but be tempted. “What day is it?”

“Tomorrow. I’ve already promised a group of people I would go, but I didn’t expect you to have returned. If we go together, what do you think?” Seventeenth Lady was nervous. “Let me tell you, if you win, we have to split it. You take five hundred, and the rest of us will split the remainder.”

Xun Qi was new and did not understand the rules, so she nodded. “Okay. I will participate tomorrow. Can I tell my mother?”

“Absolutely not!” Seventeenth Lady stepped forward to cover her mouth, her heart pounding with fear. “Don’t you dare talk about it. The elders won’t allow it.”

The Yan family elders looked down on such petty gains and felt that going would lower their status and shame the family. How could the elders understand the agony of not having money?

Seventeenth Lady had troubles she could not voice, but Xun Qi understood immediately and hurriedly said, “I understand. You come to pick me up tomorrow.”

The two huddled together to discuss their itinerary, whispering for half an hour before separating.

Xun Qi sneaked back into the room. Her mother was still asleep, so she went back to practicing calligraphy.

When Yan Zhi’an woke up, Xun Qi had already finished. She handed over the practice sheets and asked, “Can I rest tomorrow?”

“What do you think?” Yan Zhi’an took the copybook, glanced over it, and used her brush to mark several spots. “You have improved a great deal.”

Xun Qi smiled. Yan Zhi’an glanced at her. “Go out and play.”

“Okay.” Xun Qi turned and ran off like a little rabbit.

Yan Zhi’an could not help but laugh. Actually, Xun Qi was quite well-behaved and had no bad habits; the Madman had raised her quite well. Xun Qi was fourteen now, an age where she should be sensible. It was not easy to cultivate a relationship, especially at this age when adolescents often experienced rebellion.

But over the two months they had been together, Xun Qi had been obedient, well-behaved, and filial. She had not seen the great world, but she had been following her mother and learning diligently, and even her calligraphy had improved significantly.

Raising a child was actually not that bad.

Of course, that applied only to an obedient child who did not cause trouble.

Early the next morning, Xun Qi sneaked out. Wushuang searched everywhere but could not find her. Suddenly afraid, she immediately reported to the Family Head.

Yan Zhi’an was playing chess with the Tenth Lady, who was married in Jinling. Yan Zhi’an hesitated, but Tenth Lady said, “There is a poetry competition today. Little Seventeenth must have dragged your daughter away. If you don’t believe me, send someone to look around.”

“A poetry competition?” Yan Zhi’an was surprised, and suddenly, she became interested. She dropped her chess piece and ordered Wushuang, “Go and see. Tenth Lady, you come too.”

Tenth Lady frowned. “What are you going for?”

“I feel like going.” Yan Zhi’an glanced at her. “Aren’t you here today because of your husband’s affairs?”

Tenth Lady had come to seek help, but before she could speak, Yan Zhi’an had seen through her, which left her feeling awkward. Yan Zhi’an continued, “Is this what you have turned your life into after getting married?”

“I don’t have your talent, Little Nine,” Tenth Lady sighed softly.

Yan Zhi’an ignored her, rose, and left. Tenth Lady had no choice but to follow.

At that moment, Xun Qi was sitting in the crowd, looking at the topic for the poetry competition: Peony. She asked Seventeenth Aunt in confusion, “Why is it peony again?”

“Exactly. I guess it is because of that poem of yours; they want a poem to overshadow your limelight,” Seventeenth Lady laughed. “This competition judges both poetry and quantity. I know you react quickly, which is why I dragged you here.”

A poetry competition, naturally, was meant for competition.

Xun Qi understood and nodded. “I see.”

The drums and gongs sounded. First, incense was lit; when the incense burned out, the competition would end.

Xun Qi immediately picked up her brush. Her writing was inspired, shocking Seventeenth Lady into speechlessness. “Do you not need to think about it?”

As soon as she spoke, several others from the same group gathered around, seeing her writing rapidly. In the blink of an eye, a poem was finished.

Seventeenth Lady looked at the finished poem. “I was right to drag you here. Write fast, write fast, I will grind the ink for you.”

The group gathered in a circle, trying their best to serve Xun Qi. However, Xun Qi waved her hand. “My hand is tired. I will speak, and you will write.”

She put down the brush, and Seventeenth Lady immediately picked it up to write for her.

When the time was up, they had written no less than ten poems; the quantity was truly staggering. The opposing group looked at Seventeenth Lady. “Yan Seventeen, you are useless yourself, so you called someone to help.”

Seventeenth Lady gave a scornful laugh. “You won last year, so this year should be our turn.”

“That is not necessarily true,” the other side said dismissively. “The ink in your belly was dry a long time ago, and your friend is the same. Don’t think that just because you wrote a lot, you can win.”

Seventeenth Lady had never won a poetry competition, but the temptation of a thousand taels was too great. She came every year, lost every year, and was often mocked.

This time, she puffed out her chest and faced them. “So what? Today, I brought my niece here to win against you. Do you know who she is? The top of the Talent Gathering Pavilion!”

As she said this, the others finally looked at the thin, weak girl beside her. Xun Qi smiled at them.

“Yan Seventeen, you cheated!” The other side was furious. “You called in external help.”

Seventeenth Lady stood with her hands on her hips. “My niece is only fourteen. Why can’t she participate? Besides, she is my niece; I brought her to broaden her horizons.”

“You cheated, and she is not allowed to participate.” The group of opponents was angry. Yan Xun Qi had become famous with one poem at the Talent Gathering Pavilion, so she should not have come to participate in their poetry competition.

Seventeenth Lady was dismissive. “If you lost, you lost. I won’t mock you.”

As soon as she said this, the other side picked up an inkstone and threw it over. Xun Qi reached out to catch the inkstone, her speed so fast that everyone was left speechless.

“Xie, do you want to fight?” Seventeenth Lady was furious and hurriedly checked Xun Qi’s hands. Fortunately, she was not injured, though her hand was covered in ink. She scolded the other side, “If you lose, bow your head. If you want to fight, I will accompany you.”

Xun Qi spoke very calmly. “Let us wait until the judges make their decision. If you want to fight, I will accompany you as well.”

She lifted her eyes, her gaze sharp, having learned three parts of Yan Zhi’an’s aura.

Her words caused the Xie girl to calm her anger. She glared at Yan Seventeen with hatred, but Xun Qi stood in front of her aunt and smiled slightly at her.

Up on the second floor, Yan Zhi’an watched the girl in the crowd in surprise. She seemed to be enjoying everything happening in this moment.

She signaled Wushuang and whispered a few words. Wushuang was stunned. “You want me to stir up trouble?”

“It only gets lively if they fight. Also, bring me the Young Successor’s poems to have a look.” Yan Zhi’an’s eyes curved, and her smile was very gentle.

Wushuang glanced at her master and had no choice but to turn and leave.

The crowd below was quiet for a moment. As the judges concluded their assessment and announced the results, Seventeenth Lady’s group had indeed won.

“She cheated,” the Xie girl pointed at Xun Qi. “She participated without registering.”

Xun Qi looked at Seventeenth Lady. She did not know the rules; did one have to register?

Seventeenth Lady smiled calmly. “I registered her.” After the Talent Gathering Pavilion event last year, she had thought of the poetry competition and registered Xun Qi in advance.

“I don’t believe you. You cheated, and your results should be canceled.”

“What is mine is mine.” Xun Qi held Seventeenth Lady’s hand, staring at the Xie girl. “If you lose, admit it. Don’t lose your dignity.”

Seventeenth Lady whispered to Xun Qi, “She won for four years, and this year, losing to you, she is simply unwilling to admit defeat. Don’t be afraid, Xun Qi; we have right on our side. If worst comes to worst, we can fight.”

The poetry competition was held by the Yuan family Academy for the purpose of recruiting talent. Those who won could enter the Yuan family Academy, and it was held every year. Seeing the noisy scene this year, the judges were also having a headache.

Xun Qi looked provocatively at the other side. Suddenly, the other side lunged forward. Seventeenth Lady pushed her away and lunged forward herself, kicking the other girl.

Xun Qi: “…”

Tenth Lady on the second floor could not help but frown. “Who pushed the Xie girl?”

Yan Zhi’an laughed without a word.

Fighting started below. Tables and chairs were pushed over, ink was spilled everywhere, and others ran away. Only the Xie girl and Seventeenth Lady were tangled together in a fight.

Xun Qi had wanted to pull them apart, but someone from the other side rushed out and tackled her.

“Oh dear…” Tenth Lady was anxious and called the servants, “Go and pull them apart!”

Yan Zhi’an rested her chin on her hand, watching Xun Qi tackle the girl to the ground, grabbing her by the throat and shouting angrily, “Stop everything, or I will strangle her!”

Hearing this, Seventeenth Lady and the Xie girl finally separated, both covered in ink and looking disheveled.

Seeing that the other side had let go, Xun Qi pushed the girl away. Her gaze swept over everyone, and she said loudly, “Whoever dares to make a move again, just come at me.”

The Xie girl pointed at Yan Seventeen. “You are shameless, you cheated, you won unfairly.”

Seventeenth Lady wiped the ink off her face and smiled at her. “It is just that your skills are not up to par.”

The Xie girl stamped her feet in anger. Turning her head, she saw Yuan Fusheng in the corner and immediately lunged over. “Aunt, the Yan family is bullying people too much.”

When Yuan Fusheng arrived earlier, she had seen them fighting in a tangle. She looked up and happened to see Yan Zhi’an watching the show in a leisurely manner. In her heart, she knew that this was orchestrated by Yan Zhi’an to test her daughter’s ability to adapt.

Fortunately, Xun Qi had resolved the situation with her own strength; she had performed well.

Yuan Fusheng appeared, and Yan Zhi’an could no longer pretend. She hurried downstairs.

“Left Chancellor…”

“Left Chancellor…”

The crowd greeted her one after another. Yan Zhi’an walked to the judges, picked up the poems, and read them. “Principal Yuan, you judge.”

Yuan Fusheng stood in the distance and did not move. “Someone just transcribed them for me to look at. Young Successor Yan’s poems are far superior; there is no need to look at them again.”

“Aunt…” The Xie girl was unconvinced.

Xun Qi was perplexed and asked Seventeenth Lady, “Her surname is Xie; why does she call Principal Yuan Aunt?”

“Her mother is from the Yuan family,” Seventeenth Lady explained.

Xun Qi frowned. The four families—Yan, Wang, Xie, and Yuan—were truly powerful; relying on marital relationships, they sat firmly at the forefront of the noble families of Jinling.

At this moment, Yan Zhi’an looked at Yuan Fusheng, her gaze calm. “Principal Yuan, look, how should this be handled?”

The calm glance felt like a sharp edge, putting Yuan Fusheng under great pressure. She folded her sleeves and sighed helplessly. “I am not a member of the Xie family. Why do you look at me?”

Yan Zhi’an nodded and said, “Wushuang, send Miss Xie back to the Xie family.”

Xun Qi suddenly asked, “What about that thousand-tael prize?”

“Right here.” The presiding judge popped his head out from under the table and handed the silver in his arms to Xun Qi.

Yan Seventeenth Lady immediately took it and looked at Xun Qi gratefully. Xun Qi smiled with narrowed eyes, turned, and thanked Yuan Fusheng: “Thank you, Principal Yuan.”

“It is what you earned yourself.” Yuan Fusheng’s tone was calm. She immediately asked Yan Zhi’an, “Is this how you raise your daughter? Let her participate in a poetry competition to make money?”

Seventeenth Lady: “…” It is all over.

The smile on Xun Qi’s face froze. Suddenly, she had the feeling of being caught red-handed doing something wrong.