Initially, Song Yifeng didn’t know Zhu Lindao’s background and had a conflict with him over some matters. Later, after learning that Zhu Lindao was the son of an official, he was determined to resolve their grudge.

Therefore, whenever they met, he would greet Zhu Lindao warmly and intentionally try to curry favor.

This made Zhu Lindao look down on him even more, considering Song Yifeng to be an opportunist.

For this reason, Zhu Lindao didn’t doubt the truth of the rumors at all, and was willing to help the Ye family expose Song Yifeng’s fake mask.

However, with class about to start, Zhu Lindao had no time to argue with Song Yifeng. Moreover, confronting Song Yifeng in front of everyone would give him a chance to clear his name. Those who already admired Song Yifeng could easily be swayed by him, and Zhu Lindao wasn’t going to give him that opportunity.

He looked up at the sun and immediately said, “Quick, class is starting, let’s hurry in.” With that, he ignored Song Yifeng and ran off.

Everyone else rushed toward the classroom.

Song Yifeng, suspecting nothing, quickly followed behind.

The day he had returned from the Ye family and learned that his house had also been given away, Madam Yu had been devastated, crying half the night until she caught a chill.

Song Yifeng had been attending to her illness these past two days, which was why he arrived late this morning.

After entering the classroom, Zhong Ming glanced at Song Yifeng but said nothing, starting the class immediately.

After class ended, as Song Yifeng was about to pack up his things to go home, someone tapped him on the shoulder and said with a meaningful smile, “Yile, Official Wang is calling for you.”

Song Yifeng’s heart leaped with joy, and he hurriedly left the classroom, walking toward Wang Wenzi’s rest quarters.

As soon as he left, discussion broke out in the classroom: “Official Wang always said he regretted that Yile was engaged. Now that he has broken off his engagement, is Official Wang going to take him as a son-in-law?”

“Surely not? With someone like him, isn’t Official Wang afraid that one day he’ll receive the same treatment as the Ye family?”

“How could that be the same? Official Wang is a government official, while the Ye family are merchants.”

“What’s wrong with being merchants? If it weren’t for the Ye family and Licentiate Yin, Song Yifeng would be nothing more than a peddler now. People shouldn’t be so ungrateful.”

Those who didn’t know the situation quickly asked those around them. Those in the know explained the situation, recounting what they knew about Song Yifeng’s connections with the Ye family and Licentiate Yin.

Among those explaining to everyone and fanning the flames were not only those who were jealous of Song Yifeng or had grudges against him, but also paid agents like Zhu Lindao, who had received money from the Ye family.

Recently, under Ye Yaming’s instructions, Zhou Xiang and Lai Yun had not only hired idlers and ruffians to gather information but also investigated Song Yifeng’s relationships with his classmates.

From last night to this morning, Lai Yun had instructed those idlers to recruit people who had grudges against Song Yifeng, looked down on his character, or were poor and greedy for small gains, to control public opinion at the prefectural school.

Among them was a licentiate who was an inside man, observing and recording these people’s performance to report back to Lai Yun, who would reward them according to their contributions.

Song Yifeng, at the center of this storm of public opinion, was completely unaware of the situation. When he entered Wang Wenzi’s room and was asked about it, he was completely bewildered.

His psychological state collapsed instantly, and then he gritted his teeth in anger.

The Ye family had done it this time!

Seeing his contorted face and ferocious expression, Wang Wenzi suddenly lost interest in hearing his response.

He had high hopes for Song Yifeng’s future and had his own selfish motives—wanting this promising young man to become his son-in-law. But that didn’t mean he liked ungrateful people.

An ungrateful wolf who could betray the family that supported his studies when he was most in need could also betray his future in-laws.

Song Yifeng adjusted his attitude and put on an aggrieved expression: “I heard that the Ye family was trading in private tea, and I didn’t want to be complicit, so I broke off the engagement. Before that, I even came to ask you, teacher.”

Was he pushing the responsibility onto him?

Wang Wenzi laughed angrily: “So you’re blaming me now? Did I tell you to go break off the engagement without even investigating properly? You received kindness from the Ye family—it can be said that without their support, you wouldn’t be where you are today. Was it so difficult for you to spend some time investigating whether the Ye family was trading in private tea?”

“But…”

Wang Wenzi didn’t want to waste more words with him and impatiently asked, “Let me just ask you, did the Ye family trade in private tea?”

Song Yifeng knew he couldn’t lie about this and truthfully replied, “The Ye family denied it.”

“Fine, you may leave now.” Wang Wenzi didn’t want to speak with Song Yifeng anymore and waved his hand, dismissing him.

How could Song Yifeng be willing to leave? Just as he was about to explain his difficulties, Wang Wenzi suddenly shouted, “Get out!”

If this matter hadn’t become so public, he might have considered a marriage alliance with Song Yifeng; even if not that, he would have treated him like a nephew and provided some support, investing in a potential future connection.

He was confident that he was different from the Ye family. The Ye family was merchants, while he was an official with connections in government circles. Song Yifeng might dare to look down on and offend the Ye family, but he wouldn’t have the courage to offend him.

But now that the matter had become so public, if he continued to treat Song Yifeng kindly, what would the scholars in Lin’an City think of him? Words like “consorting with ungrateful wolves” and “in cahoots with them” would surely be applied to him.

It wasn’t worth causing such a stink for someone like Song Yifeng.

Song Yifeng left the room with a defeated expression and stumbled home in a daze.

As soon as he entered the gate, he heard Madam Yu crying out, “Son, son, you’re finally back! These people want to drive us out. Please talk to them!”

Only then did Song Yifeng notice several strong men standing in the courtyard, with a man who looked like a steward sitting in the corridor.

Seeing his return, the man stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, “My surname is Li. The Ye family has sold this residence to my master. You’ve come back just in time. Quickly pack your things with your mother and move out. I won’t make things difficult for you—I’ll give you two days. In two days, we’ll come to take possession of the house. If you haven’t moved out by then, don’t blame us for throwing your belongings out.”

Ever since Song Yifeng had passed the provincial examination, Guizi had mastered the art of borrowing his master’s prestige.

As soon as he heard this man’s words, he shouted, “How dare you! My young master is a provincial graduate. Aren’t you afraid of offending him?”

Steward Li snorted derisively, his eyes looking at Song Yifeng with mockery: “If we dared to buy this house, naturally we’re not afraid of you, Provincial Graduate. The Ge family from Baifeng County—go ask about them. My eldest master holds a fifth-rank position in the capital; my second master is also a provincial graduate. We bought this house because the young master is coming to Lin’an to study and needs a place to stay. This house doesn’t belong to you; if you refuse to leave, we’ll have to take this matter to the authorities.”

With a name and identity like that, they weren’t bluffing or lying.

The Ye family was pushing too hard. They had just gotten the house deed back from him, and they had already sold the house—and to such a powerful family at that.