Chapter 6: The Difference Between Fools and Wise Men

  The next moment, Zhou Yan sat like a stupid chicken, not knowing what he was thinking. Hao Feng Lou saw that he didn't make a sound and didn't bother to care about him, but in his heart, he thought: "You dare to compete with me for women? You have the guts? Snatching my woman is like killing my parents, if I don't deal with you, the words 'romantic hero' will be written upside down!"

  Zhou Yan's face turned pale, her heart filled with sadness and resentment, a sense of suffocation that was both alive and dead. She had thought that she would definitely get what she wanted, but now it seemed that the other person was more talented and had someone backing them up. This must be a setup by the Lu family, deliberately using herself as a foil to impress Mrs. Lu.

  "The world is so dark, even recruiting a teacher has so many shady dealings." Zhou Yan felt that at this time, if it snowed again, it would be fitting, revealing his grievances.

  At this moment, a little maid came in and said with a smile: "The first trial is over, please go to the inner house, Mrs. Lu wants to test you two gentlemen personally."

  Hao Fenglou stood up confidently, looked at the little maid and asked casually: "I thought it would be Spring Sister who came to call in person. Is Spring Sister tired of presiding over the initial trial?"

  Look at this tone, it's like pulling a household, this little servant naturally knows that Hao Feng Lou is talking about Ying Chun, and hurriedly said: "Yes, Spring sister has rested first."

  "Hmm, she needs to rest more, I don't think her complexion is very good. Let's go."

  Zhou Yan saw Hao Feng Lou chatting intimately with the people of Lu Fu, his face even paler. Hao Feng Lou wasn't bragging, as everyone in Lu Fu, from top to bottom, was his person. The examiner and he had a relationship, and the big shots in the mansion also had a relationship with him. Seeing Hao Feng Lou laughing and chatting with the little maid, perhaps he also had an affair with this little maid.

  He looked dejected and saw that Xiaobi had already led Haofeng out of the door, so he could only follow with a red face, filled with righteous indignation.

  Entering the inner court, green trees formed a canopy, and the pavilion was hidden among the trees, bringing a hint of spring; in the distance, a pavilion could be seen, where many people were waiting, either standing or sitting.

  A stately woman was surrounded by everyone, as if she were a star. She looked serene and though her youth had passed, one could still see the breathtaking beauty that once captivated people's hearts from her facial features.

  Her gaze was very calm, as if nothing could stir up too much concern in her. It was clear that she was a qualified mistress, whether it was her demeanor or her expression, both were enough to make people feel awe-inspired.

  Xia Bi stepped forward to report, and immediately Hao Feng Lou and Zhou Yan stepped forward together. The two of them bowed in unison and said: "The students have seen the lady."

  Mrs. Lu smiled, her eyes scanning Hao Fenglou and Zhou Yan's face for a moment, although it was just an instant, as if she had discovered a hint of difference.

  Hao Feng Lou was expressionless, but his whole body exuded a vigorous and lively spirit. He stood tall with dignity, polite and courteous, neither arrogant nor humble.

  But Zhou Yan was lacking in many ways, his expression was hesitant and uncertain, his eyes were scattered, as if he was thinking about something on his mind, and his heart was not at peace.

  When her gaze rested on Hao Feng Lou, Mrs. Lu couldn't help but nod slightly in approval. As for when it fell on Zhou Yan, Mrs. Lu's embroidered eyebrows furrowed slightly, with a hint of dissatisfaction.

  The first impression is very important, especially for emotional women. However, Mrs. Lu immediately smiled and seemed to have put these things aside, saying kindly: "My daughter is mischievous, but recently she has liked reading books. Originally, a woman without talent is virtuous, but reading books is not bad either. It's just that our household has been unable to find a suitable teacher, so we are widely recruiting talented scholars. I hope to select one of you two gentlemen as her teacher through examination. If there is any offense, please forgive me."

  "Please go ahead, madam," said Hao Fenglou with a bow.

  Zhou Yan seemed to have come back to his senses and hastily said: "Yes, yes..."

  Madam Lu smiled at Hao Feng Lou, and her impression of his knowledge and understanding deepened. She then said, "However, I haven't read many books myself, so how can we compare and determine who's better? It's a bit difficult for me."

  Of course this is just a humble remark, and the next sentence will obviously raise questions.

  Hao Fenglou said rashly: "Madam, why don't you come and have a poetry competition with me? The way of poetry is the most able to measure the depth or shallowness of one's learning."

  Mrs. Lu's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily at Hao Fenglou's unwarranted interruption, seemingly finding him somewhat rash.

  However, before she could lower her impression of Hao Feng Lou, Zhou Yan's face changed and he said, "No, not compared to poetry..."

  If it's said that Hao Feng Lou was reckless at first, then Zhou Yan's nervous behavior afterwards completely caught the attention of Madame Lu. Madame Lu could see that this young man, Zhou Yan, was nervous and heard that he was a scholar, but didn't even dare to compare poems, could it be that his fame was undeserved?

  Zhou Yan also realized his own mistake, and his confidence collapsed. His face turned pale as paper, and he became more and more uncertain, hesitantly saying: "Compared to poetry, it's not elegant, let's compare with something else."

  Hao Fenglou wanted exactly this effect, and smiled: "How can poetry not be elegant? Alright, since you want to try other things, I'll grant your wish. However, this competition is just about the four arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. What does Master Zhou want to compete in?"

  The scene was completely under Haofeng Building's control, controlling the scene is a required course for the emotional saint. In any situation, a qualified emotional saint must be the most eye-catching one.

  Zhou Yan was suddenly speechless.

  What's the comparison? I'm best at reading books, but the other person's poetry and prose are all memorized by rote. The meaning of these poems is actually from the same source. Those who write in the eight-legged essay style must have superior poetry skills. If we compare with them, I don't even qualify to hold the shoes of Hao Feng Lou.

  As for music, chess, calligraphy and painting, Zhou Yan had some involvement, but after all, it was not his strong suit. Haofeng Building was full of confidence, asking him if he was better than music, chess, calligraphy and painting, with this tone, it must be another one of Haofeng Building's strengths.

  Zhou Yan suddenly felt that his life was a failure. He thought about it and found that there wasn't one thing he could bring out to compare with others.

  Madam Lu had been silent for a long time, and now she seemed to be getting impatient. Hao Feng Lou was so broad-minded as to let you choose the topic yourself, but you were distracted and disheartened, what kind of logic is this?

  Zhou Yan saw through Lu Furen's concerns, her face slightly red, and she was both ashamed and indignant, feeling wronged in her heart. As a proud and talented scholar, she had actually lost to someone without any official title or achievement. Good heavens, was this still just?

  "No, I must expose his true face, it can't just end like this!" Zhou Yan decided not to let it go and instead chose to reveal Feng Lou's ugly deeds.

  Thinking of this, Zhou Yan hastily knelt down on the ground and said: "Madam, I want to file a complaint, I have grievances. This surname Wind is related to the household, he and the master of the house have an affair, they colluded together..."

  Everyone present was shocked and lost their composure upon hearing this.

  Mrs. Lu was taken aback, she never expected that a normal school exam would suddenly turn into a complaining session.

  Hao Fenglou still had a smile on his face, this fool was deceived! He secretly shook his head in his heart: "Stupid to such an extent, dare to compete with Ben Shao for women. Doesn't he know that by saying so, not only did he really offend the big master, but also, regardless of whether this matter is true or false, Mrs. Lu will never admit it? Once admitted, isn't it telling everyone that the Lu family cheated, and those scholars who rushed to apply, wouldn't they all be scolded?"

  Madam Lu's face turned gloomy and she said: "Mr. Zhou, what do you mean by this? You say that there is someone in the Lu manor who is colluding with Feng Gongzi, but do you have any evidence?"

  Zhou Yan said: "This is what Xing Feng himself said, he said that the mastermind is his distant relative."

  "Madam, I didn't say that."

  Zhou Yan spat out blood: "You said it yourself, you scoundrel. If the madam doesn't believe me, just ask the master to come and verify."

  The head of the Lu family stood beside his wife and heard Zhou's slanderous words, saying that he was secretly cheating and even inserting his distant relatives to sign up. He was already furious and said: "Madam, Feng Gongzi is not a relative of mine, I dare to swear to heaven, as for this Zhou Gongzi, his mouth is full of nonsense, his character is low, it can be seen at a glance, please madam drive him out immediately."

  Madam Lu looked at the steward deeply, feeling that he was not telling a lie. She thought that if someone were to frame them in such a way, the reputation of the Lu family would be affected, and even if it were true, they couldn't admit it. So she coldly said: "Young Master Zhou, you're too presumptuous! I'll spare your dignity as a scholar and not humiliate you. Guards, please escort Young Master Zhou out."

  Several family members stepped forward, and Zhou's words exploded. He hated it, he hated the unfair competition of Hao Feng Lou, he hated that there were people above Hao Feng Lou, he hated all the people in the Lu family, so he shouted loudly: "Unfair... Unfair... Miss Lu... with the surname Feng... Miss Lu is my woman..."

  Hao Fenglou was shocked, then mourned for Zhou Yan in silence for three seconds. This guy had obviously gone mad with rage, his self-esteem having suffered too great a blow, daring to say such things.

  A stern look flashed across Madame Lu's beautiful eyes.

  The major-domo took advantage of the opportunity to say: "Madam, this stinky bookworm is really bold, actually daring to insult Miss..."

  Mrs. Lu remained silent, as if numb.

  But the master immediately understood his wife's meaning, and sternly said: "Come on, get this good-for-nothing out of here, beat him hard, no matter what connections he has, someone will go to smooth things over with the officials later!"

  "Ah..." With the master's order, a servant immediately punched Zhou Yan in the face without hesitation. Zhou Yan covered his face and wailed in pain as several servants rushed over to beat him up, showing no mercy.

  Mrs. Lu stood up and neither stopped nor encouraged, in this situation, with her identity it was not suitable to stay for a long time, so she took a group of maids and left.

  The master's eyes were red with rage, and he was deeply disgusted with Zhou Yan. He actually dared to say that he had cheated, and in front of his wife! Fortunately, the madam was wise and did not listen to his nonsense. And this guy even dared to slander Miss, which was even more unforgivable. He ordered the house servants: "Beat him, beat him hard, don't let people think that our Lu family is weak and can be bullied."

  Zhou Yan was beaten until he was in a sorry state, crying out in pain.

  "Never mind, never mind," said Hao Fenglou hastily. "After all, we are scholars and shouldn't humiliate ourselves with uncouth language... young people's words are not to be taken seriously..."

  Zhou Yan heard the voice of Hao Feng Lou and was furious, while being beaten, he cursed: "Wind surname, you cut off your son and grandson! You colluded with the Lu family's scoundrel..."

  Hao Feng Lou was taken aback, then spread his hands and said: "What I just said was just a joke. Scholars have weak bodies, don't use too much force, using a long bench is enough, no need to resort to knives or guns."

  A household servant's body shook, and then his gaze fell on a long bench not far away...

  Hao Fenglou drew a cross on his chest: "Amitabha Buddha, why am I so bad."