Tong Huaqiong didn’t hide Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao’s engagement from the village.

Almost immediately after Tong Huaqiong set off for Qinghe Bay, word spread throughout the village that Jingzhe was to be engaged to Miss Lu of the Imperial Merchant Lu Family.

Some people weren’t familiar with the Imperial Merchant Lu Family, but once Huang Yuanwai’s familial connection was mentioned, everyone understood.

At this time, everyone in Qinghe Bay knew that Jingzhe’s brother-in-law, Huang Yuanwai’s son-in-law, had clinched the Champion Scholar title.

Many in Qinghe Bay had seen Lu Zhaozhao, and they couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy that Jingzhe could be connected to such a beautiful young lady.

But since Zhao Yang became the Champion Scholar, everyone’s envy had faded.

Such an achievement was truly unattainable.

A brother-in-law of this caliber deserved the title of Champion Scholar.

Tong Huaqiong, upon returning to the village, smelled a faint lemon scent in the air.

Everyone was saying that Jingzhe had found a good match.

"Congratulations on Jingzhe’s brother-in-law becoming the Champion Scholar. We’ve all heard about it. Congratulations!" Mrs. Zhao, smiling broadly, helped Tong Huaqiong down from the carriage.

A crowd of people gathered around to inquire about the Champion Scholar.

It wasn’t that they thought the Champion Scholar had anything to do with them, but in those times, a Champion Scholar naturally drew attention, especially since he was Jingzhe’s brother-in-law, and out of curiosity, they all wanted to know more.

Tong Huaqiong praised Zhao Yang greatly and then distributed various candies bought in Qinghe Bay to everyone from the carriage.

"My son Jingzhe is engaged, so enjoy the wedding candies."

Tong Huaqiong made no attempt to hide her satisfaction with the Lu family’s marriage alliance.

The Gujia Clan Leader was taking a leisurely stroll through the village and naturally noticed Tong Huaqiong’s proud demeanor.

Why does Tong Dajiao get all the good fortune? The glory of her son’s Champion still hadn’t faded, and she had now secured a marriage with a Champion Scholar.

The clan leader, clenching his old teeth, secretly regretted not fostering a better relationship with Tong Dajiao.

The old mansion naturally received the news; initially, Mr. Gu felt that his grandson’s engagement to a merchant’s daughter was a disgrace to the family’s ancestral tomb, but now he felt the marriage was excellent. The Lu Family being Imperial Merchants was already wealthy, and now they had produced a Champion Scholar, securing both political influence and wealth.

This was beneficial for the Gu Family.

Jingzhe was truly fortunate.

However, when thinking about Ruinian, Mr. Gu’s expression turned dark.

If only this marriage were for Ruinian.

Thinking of Ruinian, Mr. Gu felt resentment towards Tong Huaqiong, annoyed that such an important engagement didn’t include him.

Old Mrs. Gu, You Tian, and Mrs. Jia heard that Jingzhe’s brother-in-law had been awarded the Champion Scholar title and their faces were stormy.

Especially Mrs. Jia, who was kicked by You Tian in the chest, and who thought of Ruinian failing to become a scholar, sobbing in bed all day, only just able to get out of bed.

Despite the passage of so many days, Mrs. Jia still refused to face the fact that Ruinian had failed his exams.

She didn’t believe her youngest son failed due to incompetence, and resented Tong Huaqiong and Jingzhe.

Everyone said that an ancestral tomb could only emit one wisp of smoke, and that opportunity was meant for Ruinian, now taken by Jingzhe.

Mrs. Jia beat the bed and cursed Tong Huaqiong angrily.

Then she cursed the carriage driver who threw Ruinian from the carriage.

In her mind, Ruinian was entirely blameless.

Since his failure, Ruinian became unusually silent, no longer wandering the village like he used to.

He couldn’t bear the way villagers looked at him, those looks filled with mockery, ridicule, and confusion...

Whether in the past or before this year’s examination, Ruinian had always lived in praise and admiration, and now, for the first time, he tasted the bitterness of failure.

What pained him most was Jingzhe’s successive successes.

He knew Jingzhe was engaged, even supported by County Magistrate Liu.

Mr. Gu had told him that Jingzhe’s prospective bride was a merchant’s daughter, and influenced by Mr. Gu’s dissatisfaction, Ruinian assumed Jingzhe’s engagement was forced by County Magistrate Liu due to financial interests, and felt pity for Jingzhe.

Now, hearing that Jingzhe’s engagement was to an Imperial Merchant and her brother-in-law had gained the champion status of this year’s examination.

The name Zhao Yang sounded so familiar; where had he heard it before?

That’s right, when he was convalescing at Gu Dashu’s place after being beaten in Qinghe Bay, the exquisite girl who came to visit Jingzhe bore the surname Lu.

Ruinian felt jealousy welling up within, almost to the point of madness.

Jingzhe’s engagement is perfect, with beauty, wealth, and connections; what kind of luck had he stumbled upon?

If he could have attained the title of Champion Scholar this year, the engagement would have been his.

Thinking of the engagement with Miss Lian’s family’s second daughter brought him sadness. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Before the results came out, his family regarded her as inferior due to her illegitimate birth; since his failure, Matchmaker Wang no longer visits.

Who knows if Matchmaker Wang had conveyed his words to Miss Lian’s second daughter?

His situation at home is awkward, with grandparents and mother believing him to be a hidden gem and supporting his continued studies, while his father supports his education but shows blatant displeasure, only willing to support him for a year. His sister-in-law opposes his studies, frequently speaking with sarcasm, and his brother neither supports nor opposes his educational endeavors...

The atmosphere at home suffocates him, always wanting to explore elsewhere.

Now he hopes Matchmaker Wang visits, as he would readily agree to marry Miss Lian’s second daughter, using the marriage to leave Qinghe Bay behind.

Left waiting, Matchmaker Wang hasn’t visited.

...

Tong Huaqiong went home and freshened up.

The climate in early summer at Qinghe Bay was pleasant, with the village filled with the fragrance of flowers. Tong Huaqiong sat in the courtyard enjoying the breeze, gazing up at the star-filled sky.

"Did nothing outlandish occur at the old mansion?" Tong Huaqiong asked Chen Sufen.

Her concern wasn’t rooted in the affairs of the old mansion, but in the impact they might have on her family.

Especially if they involved the malicious Ruinian.

With a worried expression, Chen Sufen responded, "Grandfather asked Da Han to borrow twenty taels of silver. Da Han initially didn’t want to lend it but couldn’t resist grandfather’s pleas, and gave him ten taels."

Tong Huaqiong was aware of her stepson’s soft heart.

Still, she didn’t interfere with Gu Dahuan’s dealings with Mr. Gu.

Gu Dahuan was a traditionalist; severing ties with the old mansion wasn’t realistic.

He had reduced the amount from twenty taels to ten, which was quite a wake-up call.

Still, Gu Dahuan didn’t control the family’s finances, and no matter how much Mr. Gu asked for, there wouldn’t be more than what they had. The silver she gave to the main house was his to dispose of; even if he gave everything to Mr. Gu, it was unrelated to Tong Huaqiong.

But if Gu Dahuan found himself without silver after giving it to the old mansion, then lacking funds for life expenses, she wouldn’t be responsible.

Tong Huaqiong said, "It’s up to you how you deal with the old mansion; just be sensible. This time you gave ten taels, but next time they might ask for a hundred. I’ve made it clear: you can give them all the silver I provided, but don’t expect me to give you more if you run out."

Chen Sufen replied, "I told Da Han the same. He’s too soft-hearted and finds it hard to refuse; just wait and see, one day he’ll understand completely. Grandfather claimed the silver was for household use, but I reckon it’s for Ruinian’s education."

Chen Sufen continued sharing gossip from the old mansion: Feng Nian’s wife, Mrs. Wei, didn’t agree with Ruinian continuing his studies, having a furious outburst, and harshly berated Ruinian.

Ruinian’s instigated scandal at the old mansion was unsurprising to Tong Huaqiong; given the different agendas of its inhabitants, it’s abnormal if there isn’t any drama.