Yun Chu’s lips curved.

A leopard cannot change its spots. Xie Shiwei would never reform for his entire life.

After being severely beaten, he had only learned to disguise himself.

Yun Chu spoke: “Concubine Yu says you pushed him, and you say you didn’t push him. The public has its reasoning and the private has its reasoning. Why not let Yun’ge speak for himself?”

Xie Shiyun kept his head lowered, his hands wringing together.

Tingyu was so anxious she wanted to stamp her feet: “Yun’ge, Madam is here. Just tell Madam the truth. Madam dotes on you the most and will definitely uphold justice for you.”

The corner of Xie Shiwei’s mouth twitched, and he spoke: “Yun’ge, the tutor said that children cannot lie.”

“Mother, Second Brother didn’t bully me…” Xie Shiyun buried his head very low. “It, it was my concubine mother who saw wrong.”

Tingyu couldn’t believe it. She still wanted to say more.

Yun Chu directly set down her teacup: “Wei’ge says he didn’t push, and Yun’ge also says he didn’t. Concubine Yu, if this isn’t fabricating something from nothing, what is it?”

Tingyu opened her mouth to argue: “Madam, this concubine didn’t fabricate from nothing…”

“I still have many matters to attend to. You may all withdraw.” Yun Chu picked up a book and began reading.

Tingshuang made a gesture of invitation.

Tingyu took Xie Shiyun out, her face cold: “I clearly saw him bullying you. Why didn’t you dare admit it in front of Madam!”

“What are these words from Concubine Yu?” Xie Shiwei walked over from the side. “Actually, Yun’ge and I were just playing around. Only Concubine Yu took it seriously and even brought it to Mother. Mother is so busy every day—how could she have time to handle such trivial matters?”

As he spoke, he draped his arm over Xie Shiyun’s shoulder. “Yun’ge, the tutor assigned homework. Let’s go write it together.”

After leaving Tingyu far behind, Xie Shiwei’s voice lowered: “You performed well in front of Mother today. I’m very satisfied. Remember this: in the future, the Xie residence will be run by my elder brother. If you don’t obediently listen to me, after my elder brother becomes the family head, I’ll have him drive Concubine Yu out of the Xie residence and make her become a prostitute on the streets, so you’ll never be able to hold your head up again your entire life!”

“Second Brother, I’ll listen, I’ll obediently listen to you!” Just thinking about his own mother being driven out, Xie Shiyun was scared to tears.

Now Mother didn’t like him anymore. If even Concubine Yu, the only one who protected him, left, what would he do?

With tear-filled eyes, he wrote the homework the tutor had assigned. Previously he had always written stroke by stroke very carefully, but with Xie Shiwei watching, he could only scribble carelessly without even knowing what he had written…

Xie Shiwei nodded with great satisfaction. He only needed to write a little better than Yun’ge, and Father and Mother definitely wouldn’t scold him anymore.

Entering May, the temperature gradually rose.

Getting up early in the morning, a thin layer of sweat already appeared on Yun Chu’s forehead.

“In April it was still as cold as winter. How did it suddenly become so hot?” Tingfeng looked at the sun. “The next half month or more will probably all be clear sunny days.”

Yun Chu knew it would be more than just half a month. For the next four or five months straight through to October, it would get hotter and hotter. Fortunately there would be a few heavy rainstorms in between, otherwise a drought would certainly cause famine, and the common people’s lives would become even more difficult.

She spoke: “Is there any news?”

Today was the day the provincial examination results would be posted. She had arranged for two young servants to go check the rankings. They should have posted the list by now.

As soon as she finished speaking, Tingxue came running in breathlessly: “Madam, the yamen sent people to announce the good news. The eldest young master passed the scholar examination and is truly the top candidate!”

A smile appeared on Yun Chu’s face, though the smile didn’t reach the depths of her eyes.

During this period so many matters big and small had occurred in the Xie residence, yet Xie Shi’an could still test first. She had to admit this child was born with the aptitude for study.

If it weren’t for the fact that Xie Shi’an would later turn his spearpoint toward the Yun family, she wouldn’t want to ruin such a pillar of the nation either.

She spoke: “Quickly go summon the Old Madam, Master and Madam, as well as the concubines and all the young masters and young ladies. We’ll all go together to the residence gate to welcome the good news!”

Xie Zhongcheng, who usually wasn’t at the residence, had already returned to wait for news. Hearing that people from the yamen had come to announce the good news, he was the first to charge forward and swiftly walked to the Xie residence gate. Xie Jingyu had already brought Xie Shi’an below the Xie residence steps.

Four yamen runners came to announce the good news, beating gongs and drums, attracting everyone from the surrounding area.

“Only twelve years old and already passed the scholar examination, and even took top place. The younger generation is truly formidable.”

“A few years ago, Master Xie was personally designated as top palace graduate by His Majesty. I think this eldest young master of the Xie family won’t be far behind. In the future there might even be a family with two top palace graduates.”

“Master Xie and Madam Xie are excellent in teaching their son, and with the Yun family as backing, I think this eldest young master of the Xie family will definitely pass all three examinations at the top and rank among the hundred officials!”

“…”

The people who gathered around discussed amongst themselves, their gazes toward Xie Shi’an filled with admiration.

Xie Shi’an stood with his head high and chest out. At this moment, he was high-spirited and vigorous. He seemed to see himself ten years from now—even if not the head of all officials, he would definitely be among the most important ministers…

Old Madam Xie had someone give each of the four yamen runners who came to announce the good news a large red envelope, each containing a full ten taels of silver—quite a generous gesture.

Xie Zhongcheng cupped his hands toward the crowd of onlookers: “The Xie family will hold a banquet on a chosen day. If any of you have time, you may all come drink a cup of celebratory wine and share in the good fortune.”

Everyone naturally agreed one after another.

After the well-wishers dispersed, the entire Xie family surrounded Xie Shi’an.

Old Madam Xie touched his head: “An’ge, from now on our Xie family will depend entirely on you.”

Xie Zhongcheng spoke: “When Grandfather was your age, he wasn’t even a student yet. Seeing you become the provincial examination top candidate, it’s as if you’ve fulfilled Grandfather’s dream from back then. You must continue studying diligently and strive to become the recommended man in the next provincial examination.”

Yuan Shi was extremely happy: “An’ge has become accomplished. Wei’ge, you cannot fall behind, and Yun’ge too!”

He Shi was almost crying tears of joy.

When An’ge was three years old, the tutor had said An’ge had great potential for study and told her she must find a good teacher for An’ge.

At that time, An’ge had no official status and could only attend the most ordinary private school. To attend a better school, she had repeatedly proposed letting An’ge be formally recognized as part of the family. Fortunately, all the scheming had been worth it. An’ge did not disappoint expectations and had a promising future.

With tearful eyes, she looked in Xie Shi’an’s direction, both crying and laughing.

Standing to the side, Concubine Tao frowned. Although the eldest young master becoming top candidate was something worth celebrating, as a concubine, wasn’t she a bit too happy?

If she were like Madam who had no children of her own and treated the eldest young master as her biological child, being this happy would be normal.

Like herself, she had her own child. Beyond happiness, she couldn’t help but worry that the adults valued the eldest young master too much and neglected her child…

What was Concubine He so excited about?

Yun Chu arranged for silver rewards to be given to all the servants in the residence, then asked: “Old Madam, when shall we hold this banquet?”

The Old Madam looked toward Xie Jingyu.

“Tomorrow all officials have their rest day. It would be perfect for hosting guests widely.” Xie Jingyu looked at Yun Chu. “I wonder if Madam can prepare in time?”

Yun Chu nodded: “Everything has been prepared these past few days. We can hold the banquet at any time.”

Yuan Shi sighed: “With Chu’er handling the residence affairs, we basically don’t need to worry about anything. Ping’jie, you should study well from your mother.”

Xie Ping quickly lowered her head: “Yes, Grandmother. I will certainly study well.”

The banquet would be held tomorrow. There were many matters to attend to next. Yun Chu had Tingshuang take Xie Ping to handle the remaining matters.

Tingshuang was a head servant girl personally trained by her mother. With Tingshuang handling things, she was completely at ease.

Just as she finished giving instructions, a servant came to report that Madam Dou requested an audience.