Exchange Fate! She Saved the whole family and the Short-Lived Marquis!-Chapter 157: Only Thinking of Oneself

Mrs. Yan scoffed coldly, "Your aunt has always been very selfish. She was like this at home before, always thinking only of herself."

"I think she’s probably afraid that you’ll surpass Fu Changqin by studying with Mr. Changshan." Mrs. Yan said with a sneer, "Actually, what’s the point of holding you back? Fu Changqin is famous in the family for being a good-for-nothing, even if he studies with Mr. Changshan, he won’t achieve anything. I’m certain he won’t make it to the list this time!"

"Mother!" Yan Liqing looked at Mrs. Yan in disbelief.

Mother is becoming more and more unseemly.

Originally, Mrs. Yan intended to arrive in the capital earlier.

It was Grandmother who said that with the spring exams happening, their arrival might cause trouble for the Fu Mansion.

But Mrs. Yan argued that Fu Changqin might not even pass, which angered the old lady and earned her a stern scolding.

With the old lady’s pressure, they didn’t set off immediately.

They waited until the spring exams were almost over, calculated the timing, and then allowed Mrs. Yan to bring them along.

"Mother, Aunt truly treats us well, how can you speak of Cousin like this!" Yan Liqing said sorrowfully, "Moreover, we’re still at Aunt’s home. Speaking ill of someone’s son in their house, is this what etiquette and upbringing dictate?"

Yan Liqing was both anxious and furious, her eyes reddened with sadness.

Yan Sikang sighed deeply, feeling a strong sense of powerlessness.

"Mother." Yan Sikang said helplessly, "Now that the Fu Mansion and Marquis Changping’s residence have a good relationship, it’s because Cousin risked her life for it."

"As mentioned before, if Aunt went to ask, it would be taking advantage of gratitude." Yan Sikang said, "Having Marquis Changping’s residence agree to help and having them offer help on their own are two different matters."

"If Marquis Changping’s residence offers help on their own, it shows they remember the kindness and genuinely want to maintain good relations with the Fu family. But if the Fu family asks, it’s like reminding Marquis Changping’s residence of their obligation. Such goodwill should be saved for critical moments, not for something as minor as my studies."

"Your studies aren’t a minor matter!"

"Compared to Father’s career prospects, my studies naturally don’t count as significant. Besides, it’s not like I have nowhere to study, I just won’t be Mr. Changshan’s student. What’s so bad about attending Bailu Academy? After all, you mentioned that each field has its specialists. Mr. Changshan may not be proficient in every subject."

"Bailu Academy, however, gathers the most skilled teachers for every subject," Yan Sikang said, "Father intends to transfer to the capital, and while we have a seventy percent chance of success, what if something unexpected really happens?"

"At that time, if we can ask Marquis Changping for help, a single word from him would be more effective than any other resource. Such important connections cannot be easily used for my apprenticeship," Yan Sikang said, "Mother, Father’s matters are more important. If we really have to ask Marquis Changping for help then, wouldn’t Aunt want to help for Father’s sake?"

"Aunt also knows how to prioritize," Yan Sikang said.

When it came to Yan Wenduan’s matters, Mrs. Yan finally listened.

"Yes, there are still your father’s matters that will need assistance in the future..." Mrs. Yan murmured.

"Once Father is in the capital, our family will be able to live in the capital, haven’t you always wanted to return to the capital? By then, it will be good for both me and Liqing," Yan Sikang knew Mrs. Yan did not care about Yan Sicheng and Yan Lilan, so he simply didn’t mention them.

But entering the capital is beneficial for the whole family.

"By then, Father and Uncle can support each other in the court, helping each other and acting as mutual aids, wouldn’t that be even better? And if we want to aim higher, isn’t there still Marquis Changping? Marquis Changping’s help should be reserved for more important matters! If Father is doing well, and Uncle is doing well, what worry do we have?"

"Ultimately, it’s still important for your father to be well. Your uncle, after all, is an outsider. If he’s well, naturally he’ll first think of your cousins, how could he think of you?" Mrs. Yan retorted again.

Yan Sikang didn’t argue with her, "In any case, not seeking Marquis Changping’s help this time is the better decision."

"I understand." Mrs. Yan nodded, "You’re right."

"Moreover, Mother, you must not give rise to any disdain towards Cousin," Yan Sikang reminded, "Not to mention, Uncle and Aunt as parents wouldn’t tolerate that either, and we’re still living in their house."

"I know," Mrs. Yan said impatiently, "Don’t treat me as a fool."

"Earlier, I didn’t show anything when I was with your aunt."

Yan Sikang shook his head helplessly, did she really not show anything?

Aunt has such sharp eyes.

Mrs. Yan is, after all, his own mother, and Yan Sikang had no way out.

He had actually often wondered, with both Father and Aunt being intelligent people, and Grandfather and Grandmother having sharp eyes and bright minds, how they ended up arranging the marriage between Father and Mother.

Indeed, Mrs. Yan’s family background is indeed very good.

Father’s promotions and movements also had some help from the Wu family.

It’s just that some of Mrs. Yan’s everyday actions really leave one feeling suffocated.

"Mother," Yan Sikang could only say, "Do you really think Cousin has no talent?"

"Of course," Mrs. Yan said without a second thought.

Yan Sikang was truly choked for a long time by Mrs. Yan’s decisive answer before he could speak, saying, "But Mother, Cousin is a Juren!"

"To take part in the Spring Exams, one must first pass the Juren exam. Cousin is two years younger than I am," Yan Sikang said, "Don’t forget, Cousin became a Juren two years earlier than I did."

Mrs. Yan suddenly paused.

"And this time, Cousin is sitting for the exams, while I dare not, only because I’m not so confident in my own learning, so I want to settle down for three more years."

"Mother, do you still think Cousin is truly a talentless good-for-nothing?" Yan Sikang felt he had to awaken Mother to the truth.

Otherwise, with Mother’s temperament, sooner or later she would reveal her disdain for Fu Changqin in front of the Fu family.

Mrs. Yan hesitated for a long time before she said, "He... he might not be taking the exam this time because he learned well, maybe he just wants to try?"

"Even so, he became a Juren earlier than I did, and he’s younger than me," Yan Sikang said, "Cousin’s talent has never been inferior to mine."

Yan Sikang smiled bitterly and shook his head, "No, by saying this, I’m actually flattering myself."

"Cousin’s talents are indeed better than mine," Yan Sikang said, "I don’t know why Cousin has a reputation for being a talentless playboy, surely some villain must be causing trouble behind the scenes, causing people like Mother to overlook Cousin’s early achievement as a Juren."

"Mother, now that you know Cousin is not a good-for-nothing, you mustn’t show any disdain," he urged.

"I understand," Mrs. Yan frowned, "I see now."

With Yan Sikang’s reminder, Mrs. Yan realized that Fu Changqin indeed had some skills.

However, she could never admit that Fu Changqin was better than Yan Sikang.

Back in Jinzhou, occasionally receiving letters from Madam Fu.

Mrs. Yan had always thought Fu Changqin couldn’t compare to Yan Sikang, and for this, she felt quite proud, believing her children were raised better than Madam Fu’s.