It had been some time since Shuang Feixue last saw the eldest daughter of the Zhang family.
About two months, perhaps.
No surprise there—Shuang Feixue was, after all, only a nominal retainer.
She carried the title in name alone.
Thus, the two women were not particularly close. They could claim acquaintance, but the relationship ran no deeper.
Only in recent years, as Nanxi grew older, had some connection formed between them.
Moreover, Shuang Feixue’s true work was as the town’s tutor.
The demanding job left her little free time to socialize with Master Zhang, let alone the eldest daughter.
As for how she obtained that position—it was a long story.
But Shuang Feixue relied on no one.
She had earned it through her own ability.
Though from the jianghu, the Daoist sect’s foundation ensured she was no illiterate commoner.
From childhood proficient in the hundred schools of thought, Shuang Feixue had, in her years in Great Liang, passed the imperial examinations and earned the title of third-place scholar.
It was not that she lacked the ability for first place—only that year’s top scholar came from noble birth and solid learning, forcing the emperor to compromise by granting her third place.
In the jianghu, this had earned her the elegant nickname Snow Tanhua.
But that was a matter of her youth, fifteen springs ago. Let those old titles remain buried.
In short, today’s visit to this young miss had one purpose: to arrange a betrothal between Nanxi and her younger sister.
She sought only that, after her own departure, her disciple would have a place to live.
As for why she discussed marriage not with Master Zhang but with the daughter—the reasons were not for outsiders to know.
Though Master Zhang was barely past thirty, in the prime of life, her body—weakened by wealth and indulgence—was plagued by illness.
Clearly in her thirties, her spirit resembled that of a fifty-year-old.
Anyone with eyes knew her time was short.
Even she knew it.
Thus, she had long handed the business to her eldest daughter—who had abandoned thoughts of officialdom—and now concerned herself only with pleasure.
Power in the Zhang family had passed from the old mistress to the young miss.
Knocking on the side door’s beast-head knocker, it was not long before a servant opened it.
Seeing Shuang Feixue, he hurriedly welcomed her in, not forgetting to warn,
“Teacher Shuang, noble guests have arrived at the mansion recently. They reside in the rear courtyard rooms. Unless necessary, it’s best not to disturb them.”
“I understand. I wish to visit the young miss. Lead the way.”
The woman stated her purpose, then drew a few coins from her waist pouch and tossed them to the servant beside her.
He thanked her profusely and obediently led the way.
Soon, the servant brought Shuang Feixue to a side room in the rear courtyard.
At that moment, Zhang Yiwei was gazing at a painting of a handsome young man she had drawn yesterday—thinking of Nanxi’s exquisite form from the day before—while engaged in certain indescribable activities.
“Young miss, Teacher Shuang has come to pay a visit.”
The servant’s voice startled Zhang Yiwei mid-act.
Her peach-blossom eyes, still immersed in desire, suddenly cleared.
She quickly replied,
“I am presently improperly dressed. Please ask the teacher to wait a moment.”
The deed was utterly shameful, yet Zhang Yiwei’s tone remained calm—she simply did not wish to be discovered.
But what sort of person was Shuang Feixue?
She had long heard what the young miss was doing.
It brought a flush to her own cheeks.
“I’ll wait here. Carry on.”
To spare Zhang Yiwei embarrassment, Shuang Feixue dismissed the nearby servant and waited outside, face red.
Moments later, the person inside changed clothes and hurriedly opened the door to greet her.
“May I ask why Teacher Shuang has come?”
“For a marriage proposal.”
At these words, Zhang Yiwei’s brows lifted slightly.
“Mother mentioned this matter to the teacher a few days ago. At that time, you said little brother Xi was still too young. Why bring it up proactively today? Has some misfortune occurred?”
“The young miss already knows.”
Worthy of a prodigy famed in youth—Shuang Feixue had scarcely spoken before the reason spilled out.
“How does the young miss know? It can hardly be a guess.”
“People cannot hide things, Teacher Shuang. No matter how well one pretends, there are always flaws. Am I right, Snow Tanhua? Or should I call you… Jade Sword Immortal?”
Hearing those final three words, a faint smile appeared on Shuang Feixue’s originally icy face.
Along with the curve of her lips came killing intent in her beautiful eyes.
“You know quite a lot.”
As the words fell, the still-open door slammed shut with a boom.
Extreme cold inner force spread through the room.
“Don’t be rash, teacher. If I die, poor little brother Xi will lose even his last foothold.”
Zhang Yiwei laughed, unfazed. She knew the woman before her dared not kill her.
“You are clever. Then speak—what is your aim?”
The cold qi abruptly dissipated.
Shuang Feixue sat in a chair, waiting to see what game this Zhang eldest daughter intended to play.
“What I seek is simple. Little brother Xi must become my good husband in the future. For his happiness, we stand on the same side.”
“You already have a betrothal. I will not let the child be a concubine. He must marry the second daughter.”
Shuang Feixue’s expression darkened.
The woman before her was no kindly sort.
If her disciple fell into her hands, the outcome would likely be poor.
“No need to hurry, teacher. I haven’t finished. Of course I won’t make little brother Xi a concubine. I want him as my good husband for life.”
“But your mother and the county magistrate will not agree.”
Fine words—fooling ghosts?
These two obstacles stood before Zhang Yiwei: one her mother, one an official.
Neither easily resolved. Shuang Feixue had no intention of handing her fine disciple to such a silver-tongued liar.
“These two matters are utterly simple. Mother won’t live many more years anyway. Let little brother Xi play with my younger sister for a while—that little thing can’t accomplish much. After Mother passes, little brother Xi will still be mine. As for the second matter—that falls to you, teacher.”
Her peach-blossom eyes grew even more radiant, as if brewing something.
“In a few days, I’ll find a quack doctor to end the life of that county magistrate’s son. The magistrate has only one son and no other kin. Then I’ll mourn at the funeral, offer to become her adopted daughter to care for her in old age, and promise that my first daughter will take her surname. Finally, you—unseen and unheard—dispose of her.”
By this point, Shuang Feixue already knew what she intended.
“Quite the scheme to gain a wolf with empty hands. So filial and loyal, every detail planned. With it all so clear, what do you still need me for?”
Shuang Feixue’s words carried mockery.
She knew what the eldest miss wanted: simply to have her silently eliminate the planned quack and the magistrate, achieving her desires while dragging Shuang Feixue onto the pirate ship.
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