Chapter 184: Driving Away
Zhou Wangshu had just entered the lecture hall and noticed the off atmosphere, so he puzzledly looked back at Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu behind him.
Zhong Chushan leaned over and said in a low voice, “The headmaster called Xiao Ci over and scolded him badly. Many people heard it. Xiao Ci was furious and said he wouldn’t come to the academy to study anymore. He’s probably packing his things in his own dorm room right now!”
“Brother Jiang, this Xiao Ci is really arrogant. He actually just stopped coming to the academy directly. With his ranking, he’s not even as good as Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu. Did he really think the headmaster and teacher would try to keep him? But Brother Jiang, your family has to support two scholars. He passed the exam, but you didn’t. Won’t you have to look at his face from now on? He’s married your sister now, so he’s not your family’s servant anymore; he’s family. I’m afraid the silver your mother earns will be spent on him. You need to be careful not to let him take the family business.”
Jiang Yihui sneered, “I’m the real Mr. Jiang. Even if he becomes a son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family, can he surpass me? My mother despises him now. How could she possibly hand the family business over to him? To tell the truth, even if I never pass the xiucai exam, it still wouldn’t be his turn to inherit the family business.”
“That’s a fact. Your family has a son; what is a son-in-law? Some people, even if they pass the xiucai exam, can’t surpass blood ties. But Brother Zhou, you’re different. Your family’s young wife has no brothers, so you’re the mainstay of their family. Besides, everyone is saying you’re a dark horse—keeping a low profile usually, but shining brightly at the key moment.”
Zhou Wangshu said indifferently, “What am I? Didn’t Brother Yang rank twelfth? If we’re talking impressive, it has to be Brother Yang.”
There were quite a few who passed the exam in the academy. The best ranking was the Yang scholar from the neighboring Class B. This person is taciturn and has no close ties with anyone, but this time he was the most outstanding. It’s said that with such a ranking, the academy has already waived his tuition fees.
Besides these few, there were another twenty or so who passed in the academy. This is also why everyone mocks Xiao Yanci. Before, everyone was flattering him, thinking he could really achieve something great. In the end, those followers who fawned over him scored even better than him. With such a big gap, no wonder so many people don’t take him seriously.
“Brother Zhong, Brother Chen, we’re really curious. Your studies before could barely be called adequate, so how did you perform so well this time?”
Everyone looked at Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu.
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged a glance, their gazes stopping on Zhou Wangshu in front of them.
The devilish training before the imperial examination had already left a psychological shadow on these brothers. They had never thought they could really make it. When Zhou Wangshu was forcing them to study before, they just felt that he was the elder brother they acknowledged themselves. Even if they had to kneel to complete the tasks he arranged, they couldn’t let him down. Once they finished the exam and the results came out, they could make him understand that they really weren’t cut out for it, and that would be complete liberation. Now the results are out, and the real hardship has just begun.
Yesterday, their families had all said similar things to them: listen to Zhou Wangshu, do whatever he tells them to do, or their legs would be broken.
“Before the imperial examination, we went to pray to Manjushri Bodhisattva at Lingyin Temple,” Zhong Chushan said. “It’s said that the Manjushri Bodhisattva there is very effective. Now it seems it’s true. When we have time, we still need to go to Lingyin Temple to fulfill our vow.”
“No wonder. Alas, I should have gone to pray too. I wanted to before, but I was unwell during that time and never made it.”
The others were also full of regret.
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged a glance.
These people would rather believe they went to pray to the Bodhisattva than believe their talent truly surpassed theirs.
The first thing the teachers did in class was to announce the news that Xiao Yanci was no longer an academy scholar. He instructed the scholars not to leak the academy’s teaching content to him, and also not to bring him into the academy.
Immediately after, the teachers especially praised the scholars who passed this time, particularly mentioning Zhou Wangshu, Zhong Chushan, and others.
Peach Blossom Workshop. Su Yaoguang saw there were no more customers and prepared to close the shop door. At this time, quarreling voices came from across the street. She stopped and watched for a bit, only to see Jiang Yihui push Xiao Yanci out and curse at him nonstop.
“Mr. Xiao, get out of here. You’re not welcome here.”
“This is my home too. On what grounds are you chasing me out?” Xiao Yanci said angrily.
“Your home? Hahaha… You, a slave, relying on that pretty boy face and that glib tongue to deceive my mother into marrying my sister to you, and now you delusionally want to take over. Jiang Yihui said disdainfully, “The Jiang family has a son to inherit; we don’t need an outsider like you coveting the family wealth.”
“Mother, do you think the same?” Xiao Yanci looked at Zhong Lanhua.
Zhong Lanhua hesitated for a moment, looked at Jiang Yihui beside her, gritted her teeth and said, “That’s right. I have a son; the family business in my hands belongs to my son. Only those without sons seek a son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family. I have a son, and 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 for you to move out.”
Jiang Yihuan had just returned from delivering goods and saw them arguing again, so she hurried over to mediate.
“Mother, Elder Brother, if you have something to say, say it nicely. We’re family; don’t let outsiders see us as a joke.”
“Huan’er, you’ve been married to Xiao Ci for so long; you should move out.” Zhong Lanhua said, “Since we’ve said it today, go prepare!”
“Mother, this is our home. Where do you want us to go?” Jiang Yihuan looked at her with an incredulous expression. “Without me, could this shop even open?”
The investor who funded this shop, the labor who renovated it, and Yang Quan who is responsible for making the cosmetics—all these are Yihuan’s connections. More precisely, they all rely on Jiang Yihuan’s personal charm. Every part of this place was built by her admirers.
Zhong Lanhua didn’t put in a single copper coin or any effort, yet she got the title of shop owner for free and owns such a large industry. Now she actually wants to drive her out. Jiang Yihuan seemed to be seeing Zhong Lanhua for the first time, her eyes full of incredulity.
She thought her mother was different from other mothers. 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 could at least get a share of the things.
“What are you saying?” Jiang Yihui said, “Are you saying that my mother and I have to rely on you, and without you we can’t manage? Fine, starting now, we don’t need you in this shop anymore.”
Jiang Yihuan was so angry she nearly fainted.
Xiao Yanci supported Jiang Yihuan and said, “Huan’er, whose name is on the deed and land deed for this shop?”
