Old Madam Feng had been harboring resentment towards the eldest branch of the family. During the family reunion dinner, she used this opportunity to vent her anger: “Eldest son, why didn’t you tell me that Zhan is no longer attending school?”

Jiang Ancheng was somewhat taken aback.

Everyone knew what kind of material his son was made of. Did he need to announce that he wasn’t studying anymore?

“Since Zhan’s accident in the water, he hasn’t been to school for a while. Later, he said he wanted to find a job, and I agreed since he doesn’t have a talent for studying. I didn’t mention it to you, Mother, because I thought it was a small matter not worth troubling you with.”

Old Madam Feng’s cool gaze swept over Jiang Zhan, and she suddenly slammed the table hard: “Eldest son, have you forgotten what the Emperor bestowed upon Zhan not long ago?”

“Of course I remember, Mother. The Emperor gifted Zhan a set of the four treasures of the study.”

Old Madam Feng wished she could raise her cane and crack open her eldest son’s head to see if it was filled with straw: “The Emperor bestowed the four treasures of the study on Zhan, yet Zhan has stopped studying altogether. Isn’t this a colossal joke? If this matter reaches the ears of the imperial censors or even the Emperor, how do you think the Emperor will view our Marquis’s household?”

“Grandmother, aren’t you overthinking this? The Emperor is busy with state affairs; how could he remember who I am?” Jiang Zhan couldn’t help but mutter.

“Shut your mouth!” Old Madam Feng scolded Jiang Zhan with a stern face.

Although the Emperor had eventually placated the East Peace Marquis’s household over the Jinshui River incident, they still offended several noble families because of Jiang Zhan.

If Jiang Zhan had been harmed at that time, Old Madam Feng would have felt genuinely distressed to some extent. But now that Jiang Zhan was safe and sound, Old Madam Feng was left with nothing but dissatisfaction.

This grandson was truly beyond help, and who knew how much more trouble he would bring to the Marquis’s household in the future?

Second Madam Xiao chimed in: “Zhan, the Old Madam is right. You’re not a child anymore. Before making any decisions, you should consider our Marquis’s household. You can’t just act on your whims.”

Xiao’s feelings at this moment were complex. On one hand, the more incompetent Jiang Zhan was, the more it highlighted the excellence of her eldest son, Jiang Cang, which naturally pleased her. On the other hand, she felt a tumultuous jealousy.

The Emperor bestowed four treasures of the study! In this year of the autumn imperial examinations, if this gift had been given to Cang, his success in the provincial examination would have been almost certain.

Jiang Cang had a natural talent for studying and had already become a xiucai at a young age. Although this was his first attempt at the provincial examination, both his tutor and the old master said he shouldn’t have any problems.

No problems didn’t mean there was no chance of failure, but if Jiang Cang had the Emperor-bestowed four treasures of the study as a talisman, it would have been different.

Xiao couldn’t help but lament for the umpteenth time in her heart: Why were the Emperor-bestowed four treasures of the study given to this ignorant fool Jiang Zhan?

“How is not studying acting on my whims? It’s not like I’m planning to be idle from now on—” Jiang Zhan began.

Jiang Si, who had already learned from Jiang Zhan about Yu Jin arranging for him to join the Imperial Guard, believed that given Yu Jin’s status, there shouldn’t be any problems. However, nothing was absolute, and it was better to keep a low profile before officially taking up the position.

Fearing her brother might blurt it out, she interjected: “Second Aunt, you’ve misunderstood. My second brother’s decision not to study is actually for the benefit of our Marquis’s household.”

Xiao pursed her lips: “Fourth Miss, please enlighten us on how the Second Young Master is considering our Marquis’s household?”

She had wanted to say something more biting, but remembering the jade ruyi in Jiang Si’s possession, she swallowed her words.

A jade ruyi alone wasn’t enough to make her, as an aunt, afraid to speak her mind, but she had noticed there was something peculiar about Jiang Si.

Not long ago, when Jiang Zhan fell into the water, Jiang Si wore a pomegranate-colored skirt. At that time, everyone believed Jiang Zhan had no hope of survival after a night in the water, but only Jiang Si firmly believed her brother was alive, even bringing up the saying “good deeds bring good fortune.” As it turned out, Jiang Zhan did return safe and sound.

Then, when Jiang Si became entangled with several young prodigals, regardless of who was right or wrong, the woman’s reputation should have been tarnished. However, with the Emperor bestowing a jade ruyi, no one dared to speak of that day’s events anymore, lest they appear to be opposing the Emperor.

Could this little minx’s luck be defying the heavens?

Faced with Xiao’s questioning, Jiang Si smiled gracefully: “My second brother’s studies would require money from the family’s coffers, but if he finds a job, regardless of how much he earns, he’ll contribute it to the family. This difference between expenditure and income, isn’t that considering our Marquis’s household?”

Jiang Zhan felt as if he’d been hit over the head.

How could he have forgotten? Even if he received a salary, he would have to hand it over dutifully. It seemed the money he owed his fourth sister might never be repaid.

Old Madam Feng said coldly: “Our Marquis’s household can still afford to support your studies. Moreover, if your younger generation can truly earn money, you should keep it for yourselves. The family doesn’t lack these small amounts.”

Jiang Zhan immediately perked up.

“Granddaughter thinks that Second Brother should do what he’s good at, rather than continuing down a path he’s not suited for—”

Old Madam Feng rudely interrupted Jiang Si: “What is he good at? Fighting?”

Jiang Zhan’s ears turned red, and he clenched his fists tightly, suppressing his anger.

He wouldn’t act impulsively again. Once he donned the uniform of the Imperial Guard, he’d like to see what his grandmother would say then.

Xiao’s lips curved slightly, a fleeting smile in her eyes.

The Old Madam valued her eldest son the most and disapproved of Jiang Zhan’s lack of ambition. This was well known to everyone, although previously, the Old Madam hadn’t expressed her attitude so clearly.

Jiang Si shook her head inwardly.

It seemed Grandmother’s disdain for Second Brother was deeply rooted. There was no point in saying anything more; once Second Brother joined the Imperial Guard, everyone’s perception would naturally change.

In noble families, sons who were good at studying were few and far between, and only one person was eligible to inherit the title. For the remaining sons, joining the Imperial Guard to gain experience was considered an excellent path.

As for her cousin — thinking of Jiang Cang, Jiang Si’s expression became somewhat peculiar.

Her cousin was indeed very good at studying, and passing the provincial examination on his merit shouldn’t be a problem. However, this year’s autumn imperial examination was destined to disappoint these people.

Jiang Cang would end up vomiting incessantly in the examination hall and ultimately be carried out, perfectly missing this year’s provincial examination.

“Stop thinking about nonsense. Return to school tomorrow!” Old Madam Feng finally commanded.

Jiang Zhan’s temper flared, and he stubbornly retorted: “Big Brother’s studies are enough. I’m not going!”

With that, he stormed off, infuriating Old Madam Feng to the point her lips turned pale. She immediately instructed A’fu: “Go tell the steward to stop the Second Young Master’s monthly allowance starting this month!”

Xiao suppressed her satisfaction and began to console Old Madam Feng.

As news of the Second Young Master’s allowance being cut off spread, a stark contrast formed between the First Young Master anxiously preparing for the examination and the Second Young Master being so ignorant that he wouldn’t even study. The servants in the household all shook their heads when discussing this matter.

“Tsk, tsk, we’ve long seen it coming. It’s good enough if the Second Young Master doesn’t cause trouble; how could he be cut out for studying?”

“Indeed, he can’t compare to the First Young Master after all.”

“Of course not. The Second Master is a genuine jinshi graduate. How could the First Young Master be any less? He’s sure to pass this time.”

Hearing the servants’ private discussions, Xiao became increasingly pleased.

Soon, the provincial examination of the 18th year of Emperor Jingming’s reign arrived.