ly refreshed his understanding time and time again, there was no worst, only worse.After a long silence, he narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with disappointment: "Xiu Ming, your father always taught...Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan both looked at the maidservant, waiting for her answer.

The maidservant, seeing their joyful expressions, replied in a light and cheerful tone: "To Madam's query, the second young master came first in this year's academy exam."

Upon hearing this, the crowd was stunned once again, some finding it hard to believe. A fourteen-year-old scholar who topped the exam That was an exceptionally outstanding achievement. It proved that he had a quick wit and a natural talent for learning. Now that he had topped the exam, it wouldn't be surprising if he passed the next provincial examination in two years.

Meng Chengzhang was also hard to believe, his heart thumping wildly. He had a feeling he could pass the exam as a scholar, but he didn't think he could get a high ranking. Although his homework was always completed well and his teachers were very satisfied, there are people outside and heaven above.

Meng Chengxing had already been deeply shaken, and now the servant's words dealt another blow to his spirit. Since he was young, his mother had told him that he excelled in everything compared to his second brother and being the eldest son, he was most cherished by his grandmother and father. The future of Yongchangbo's mansion depended on him.

Since last year, when his older brother passed the assessment at Ling Shan Academy but he didn't, he realized the gap. But his mother said perhaps it was his sister-in-law who helped behind the scenes, and he felt reassured again.

But now, the second brother is the prime suspect. His name doesn't appear on the list.

In the depths of winter, Meng Dong glanced calmly at Cheng Zhang. This was the first time he had truly looked at his usually inconspicuous second son. Last year, his second son had been admitted to Ling Shan Academy, which surprised him. However, Mrs. Sun said that it might have been Gu Jingxi's help, and he thought that was probably true, so he never considered that his second son would excel over his younger son.

Soon, Meng Dongyuan realized another problem, something that Chengzhang had cared about when he was younger. After Chengxing was born, every time Meng Dongyuan returned home, Sun would bring Chengxing to him. Over time, he became fixated on Chengxing and neglected Chengzhang.

Mrs. Sun kept complaining to him that Chengzhang had picked up some bad habits from Ayo, and he wasn't too happy about it. But after all, he was his own son. Even if he didn't like Chengzhang as much as he liked Chengxing, he hadn't done anything to reprimand him.

Now that I think about it, Sun's venomous woman was deliberately driving a wedge between him and Chengzhang's father-son relationship. The children Sun raised were both troublesome: her daughter wasn't reliable, and her son was incompetent. He put so much effort into them, but in the end, he didn't even produce a single scholar. On the other hand, Chengzhang, whom he usually didn't pay much attention to, actually became a top scholar! This isn't just a matter of age; Chengzhang is only a year older than Chengxing. How could there be such a huge difference

In the depths of winter, Meng Dong thought of the Sun family and felt resentment in his heart. This feeling extended even to his youngest son, causing him to look upon the boy with a slight displeasure. He spoke in a low voice: "Chengxing, since you failed the exam this time, you must seriously reflect on your shortcomings. Learn from your older brother and study twice as hard from now on. Don't be so carefree and risk ruining your future."

Meng Chengxing suddenly raised his head, looking at his father in disbelief. He had never imagined his father would speak to him like this.

Although Old Mrs. Meng was delighted that her other grandson, Zhongxiu, had passed the imperial examination, she still felt sorry for her youngest grandson. She quickly said, "Chengxing is still young, this time just treat it as a learning experience. Chengzhang is the elder brother and has been studying for longer than Chengxing, so it's not comparable.

"Master Dong also agreed: "My husband, Mother is right. Chengxing is still young. However, Chengzhang has passed the Xiucai examination, which is also a happy event for our family. Why don't we have a family banquet today to celebrate together"

Mrs. Meng smiled and nodded: "It's time to set a family feast, and let Ayu come out of the Buddhist hall to celebrate together. There's good news in the family, so this time I will lift her confinement. If there is another time, she will be punished severely."

Meng Dongyuan, after hearing his wife and mother's words, softened his expression and nodded in agreement. "Then I'll leave it to you, my dear." He then turned to his son and said, “Chengzhang, although you have passed the Xiucai exam this time, you must not be too proud. You still need to continue your efforts and strive to be on the list again at the next autumn examination two years later.”

Meng Chengzhang replied, "Son will follow father's teachings."

Meng Dong looked at his second son, who remained calm and composed despite any success or failure. His heart filled with satisfaction. Since his second son was more outstanding than his younger son, he would invest even more in cultivating him in the future.

The second son of Yongchang's Marquis Mansion, Zhongxiu, was a talented scholar and the top student in his class. During the winter months, Meng Dongyuan had friends come to congratulate him. He chatted with his younger son and friends, directly ignoring his youngest son, who he usually valued.

Meng Chengzhang didn't want to attend the social gathering, but his father was too proud and insisted on taking him out to show off. He could only endure it and socialize for two days before going to Changxing Houfu to see his elder sister and making an appointment with Gu Xiwen to return to Ling Mountain Academy earlier.

Meng Dongyuan's changes made Meng Chengxing feel a sense of crisis, clearly feeling that the position of Crown Prince was being shaken.

Meng Jinyu's sense of crisis deepened. Her own brother was unambitious, and in the future, she wouldn't even have a support system. Because of this, she scolded Meng Chengxing harshly and urged him to improve himself, striving to surpass Meng Chengzhang and secure his position in the Meng family.

Meng Chengxing has been depressed these past few days, being harshly reprimanded by his elder sister without any mercy. This completely angered him, and the siblings had a big fight.

Meng Jin Yu scolded angrily, "Waste!" Then she flicked her sleeves and left.

Seeing this, Meng Chengxing's face flushed red and white with anger. Looking at the vast gap between himself and his older brother, he felt a surge of powerlessness in his heart. If his mother were still alive, she would definitely find a way to help him, but now that she was gone...

Dong received word that her siblings had fought, but she chose to ignore it. If they weren't always giving her the cold shoulder and acting strangely towards her, she might have intervened. But now she didn't want to get involved; it was just too much effort for no reward.

-

It was evening, dusk had settled, and it was time for dinner, but Gu Jingxi hadn't returned yet.

When autumn arrived, Qingqiu saw that it was getting late. She feared her master might be hungry, so she advised him to have dinner first.

Meng Jinyo waited for another two quarters of an hour, but no one returned. She started eating her dinner. Even after finishing her meal and bathing, Gu Jingxi only came back from outside under the stars and moon.

Upon seeing him return, Meng Jinyáo hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Husband, have you eaten dinner yet"

Gu Jingxi shook his head: "Not yet"

"There was still warmth left in the kitchen's food, I'll have the maidservant bring it over." Meng Jinyao said this and then left the room to instruct a maidservant to bring the food from the small kitchen.

It was late, and Gu Jingxi had eaten a bit too much. He ate just until he was about four or five points full before putting down his chopsticks and saying to his young wife, "Ayao, tomorrow ask the maidservant to tidy up a bit. We'll leave for the capital the day after tomorrow."

Meng Jinyao was taken aback, as if she had misheard. She stammered, "Leave... Leave Beijing"

Gu Jingxi smiled and nodded: "Hmm, leaving the capital

Then Meng Jiny Yao continued, "Where are we going"

Gu Jingxi replied: "Go to Huizhou Prefecture, depart the day after tomorrow. Bring as little luggage as possible, just some essentials. Buy what you need there."

"How could this happen so suddenly" Meng Jin Yao was completely dumbfounded, her mind racing to catch up. She guessed, "Husband, you're a court official, how could you leave the capital without permission Were you demoted"

Before he could even reply, she gently soothed him, "It's alright, we're all serving the court and the people. It doesn't matter where we serve, does it My husband is capable and talented. He can excel wherever he serves, benefiting the people and easing the burden of the emperor. Huzhou Prefecture is a good place too, quite prosperous.y, "It's normal that you haven't met him. He's not in the capital anymore. He went back to his ancestral home. It's been a few years since I last saw him, unless there's a happy event at home that inv...