Zhou Wangshu just entered the lecture hall and noticed something was off. He looked questioningly at Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu behind him.
Zhong Chushan leaned over and whispered, "The Mountain Master called Xiao Ci over and scolded him. Many people heard it. Xiao Ci is furious and said he won’t come to the academy anymore. He should be in his quarters packing his things now!"
"Brother Jiang, that Xiao Ci is really arrogant, to just not come to the academy like that. With his ranking, he’s not even as good as Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu. Does he really think the Mountain Master and the teacher would ask him to stay? But Brother Jiang, your family is supporting two students. If he passes and you don’t, won’t you have to watch his face in the future? And now he’s married to your sister, he’s not your family servant anymore, he’s one of your own. Your mother’s money is probably going to be spent on him. You better keep an eye out, or you’ll get your inheritance stolen," one student incited Jiang Yihui.
Jiang Yihui scoffed, "I’m the one with the Jiang surname. Even if he becomes a live-in son-in-law, how can he surpass me? My mother is already disgusted with him now, there’s no way she would hand the family assets to him. To put it frankly, even if I never pass the scholar exams, it won’t be his turn to inherit the family wealth."
"That’s true. You have a son, what is a son-in-law? Some people, even if they pass the scholar exams, can’t surpass blood ties. But Brother Zhou, you’re different. Your wife doesn’t have brothers, you’re the pillar of their family. Besides, everyone says you’re a dark horse, hiding your talents until a critical moment."
Zhou Wangshu said calmly, "What am I compared to? Didn’t Brother Yang get twelfth? If anyone’s impressive, it’s him."
There were quite a few in the academy who made the list, and the best ranking was from a student with the surname Yang from the neighboring Class B. This person is taciturn and has no friendships, yet surprisingly outshone them all this time. It is said that with such a ranking, the academy has waived his tuition.
Apart from these few, there are about twenty others who made the list in the academy. This is also why everyone mocked Xiao Yanci. Previously, everyone praised him, thinking he would excel, but in the end, even his followers did better than him. With such a disparity, it’s no wonder so many people disregard him.
"Brother Zhong, Brother Chen, we’re really curious. Your studies were truly barely passing before, so how did you perform so well this time?"
Everyone turned to look at Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu.
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged glances, their eyes resting on Zhou Wangshu in front.
The intense training before the exams left a psychological shadow on them. They never thought they could actually succeed. When Zhou Wangshu pushed them to study, they just saw him as the big brother they acknowledged. Even if they had to complete his tasks on their knees, they couldn’t let his goodwill go to waste. Once the exams were over and the results came out, they could show him they indeed weren’t cut out for it and finally be free. Now that the results are out, the real ordeal has just begun.
Yesterday their families told them something similar, which was to listen to Zhou Wangshu and do whatever he tells them, or else they’d break their legs.
"Before the exams, we went to Lingyin Temple to pray to the Manjushri Bodhisattva," Zhong Chushan said, "I heard the Bodhisattva there is very responsive. It seems to be true. When we have time, we have to go back to Lingyin Temple to fulfill our vows."
"No wonder. Oh, I should have gone to pray too. I wanted to go, but I wasn’t feeling well at that time and never made it," the others lamented.
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged another glance.
These people would rather believe they prayed to the Bodhisattva than accept that their talent genuinely surpassed theirs.
The first thing the teachers did in class was to announce that Xiao Yanci was no longer a student of the academy. They instructed the students not to leak the academy’s teachings to him and not to bring him into the academy.
Then, the teachers praised the students who made it on the list, especially mentioning Zhou Wangshu, Zhong Chushan, and others.
At Taoyao Square, Su Yaoguang, seeing that there weren’t many customers left, was about to close the shop. Just then, she heard a quarrel coming from across the street. She paused and watched, seeing Jiang Yihui push Xiao Yanci out, cursing him relentlessly.
"Xiao, get out of here. You’re not welcome here."
"This is my home too. What right do you have to kick me out?" Xiao Yanci said angrily.
"Your home? Hahaha... You’re just a slave who tricked my mother into marrying my sister with your pretty face and slick tongue, dreaming of taking over," Jiang Yihui sneered. "Our Jiang family has a son to inherit, we don’t need an outsider eyeing our wealth."
"Mom, do you think this way too?" Xiao Yanci looked at Zhong Lanhua.
Zhong Lanhua hesitated, looked at Jiang Yihui beside her, and gritted her teeth, saying, "That’s right. I have a son, and the family’s assets are his. Those who don’t have sons find a live-in son-in-law. I have a son, it’s inappropriate for you to stay with us. When you and Huan’er just got married, I was willing to give you time to prepare a house. Now that so much time has passed, it’s time to move out."
Jiang Yihuan, having just returned from delivering goods, saw the commotion and hurried to mediate.
"Mom, brother, you should talk things through. We’re family; don’t let others laugh at us."
"Huan’er, you’ve been married to Xiao Ci for so long; you should move out," Zhong Lanhua said. "Now that it’s out in the open, you should start preparing!"
"Mom, this is our home. Where are we supposed to move to?" Jiang Yihuan looked at her incredulously. "If it weren’t for me, would this shop even be open?"
The person who invested in the shop, the labor for renovating it, and the person responsible for the rouge and powder production, Yang Quan, were all contacts of Jiang Yihuan. More specifically, they relied on Jiang Yihuan’s personal charm. Every part of this place was built by those who admired her.
Zhong Lanhua neither contributed a cent nor any effort but gratuitously gained the title of boss and such a large business, yet now she wants to drive Jiang Yihuan out. Jiang Yihuan felt like she was seeing Zhong Lanhua for the first time, filled with disbelief.
She thought her mother was different from others, and even if her mother favored her brother, she wasn’t bad to her. Even if she couldn’t have the same status as her brother, she thought she could at least get a part of things.
"What are you saying?" Jiang Yihui said, "Are you implying that my mom and I rely on you and can’t do without you? Fine, from this moment on, we don’t need you for anything in this store."
Jiang Yihuan was so angry she nearly fainted.
Xiao Yanci supported Jiang Yihuan and said, "Huan’er, whose name is on the deeds for the shop and land?"
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