Quick wear: cannon fodder is a bit strong

Fortunately, Situ Zhige didn't care about this. He had no intention of taking the imperial examination anyway.

Qu Ruyi, however, was a calculating person. After arriving in Xinyang City, relying on her young age and Yunniang's wealth, she signed a marriage certificate with Qu Zhongliang and legitimately sent him to the academy.

In the academy, Qu Ruyi overheard someone mention that the famous Confucian scholar Zhuang Xianyu, who was famous in Wu and other countries, was now in Xinyang City and was said to have accepted two disciples.

He immediately found a way to ask someone to send his article to him, hoping to become his disciple.

However, after reading his article and making some inquiries, Zhuang Xianyu rejected it without hesitation.

Qu Ruyi was devastated.

Later, after paying some money and finding out in a roundabout way, they found out that the two disciples Zhuang Xianyu accepted were servants of Situ Zhige, the nephew of Prince Xin. The family of three then set their sights on Qu Xiaoxiao again.

Yunniang felt that they were all siblings from the same family.

Although Qu Xiaoxiao had broken off the engagement, after so many years, her anger should have subsided. Furthermore, at her age now, it was the right time for her to get married, but Prince Xin's Mansion hadn't made any move yet.

After all, it’s because Qu Xiaoxiao doesn’t have her mother’s waist.

So, if they came to recognize their relationship at this time, it might be just what Qu Xiaoxiao wanted. Besides, if the recognition (apprenticeship) was successful, Qu Ruyi would have a good reputation in the future, which would also be good for Qu Xiaoxiao, right?

Qu Xiaoxiao has been living under the roof of Prince Xin's mansion for several years now, and she should no longer be the naive little girl she once was. I don't believe she is so stupid as to refuse such a good opportunity.

In order to increase her bargaining chips, Yunniang even took the initiative to pull Sun Yaozu in.

If Qu Ruyi could be considered a half-sibling, then Sun Yaozu was definitely a biological brother with the same father and mother. After hearing Yunniang's analysis, Qu Zhongliang and Sun Yaozu were naturally overjoyed.

Sun Bailu also felt that this was a good opportunity - an opportunity to get close to Situ Zhige.

So she used the excuse of being worried about Sun Yaozu and followed him along. Seeing Qu Ruyi retreating and Yunniang looking stunned, Sun Bailu immediately stepped forward and called out in a sweet voice:

"Sister, brother-in-law~"

Qu Xiaoxiao and Situ Zhige both got goosebumps at her pretentious voice.

Qu Xiaoxiao: "Who are you?"

Sun Bailu raised her palm-sized face, but her eyes were looking in the direction of Situ Zhige:

"Sister, you may not know that my name is Sun Bailu, and you can just call me Lulu. Now that I am registered under the name of Madam Sun, I am a sibling of Yaozu, so naturally I should call you sister."

"Oh, but you didn't understand what I said just now?"

Qu Xiaoxiao had no expression on her face:

"I have no relationship with the Sun family anymore, so where do my sisters come from?"

"Sister, you're wrong,"

Sun Bailu, however, refused to retreat easily. On the contrary, she was full of fighting spirit at this hard-earned opportunity to show herself in front of Situ Zhige, and she was determined to perform well.

As someone with a modern soul, she certainly wouldn't bother to act like a fool. But wasn't this ancient times? She couldn't care less. If she didn't find an excuse to get close to Situ Zhige, she'd never have the chance to replace Qu Xiaoxiao.

Besides, she is getting older now, and there is still no movement in the so-called cave. Her identity as a fairy in the Sun family will not last long.

If she doesn't find a solution, she will probably be cashed out to the maximum extent by the Sun family.

Therefore, Sun Bailu raised his little face and said:

"Although I am two years younger than my sister, I have understood since childhood that 'the grace of raising a child is greater than heaven'."

"Uncle Qu is your biological father, and he has been grateful to you for giving birth to you. And the Sun family raised you, and they have also been grateful to you for raising you. How can such a loving relationship, such a deep bond of blood, be severed with just a piece of paper?"

Her words were so powerful and righteous that many of the people watching the excitement were incited by her. They felt that what she said made sense and started discussing it.

Originally, they were provoked by Qu Zhongliang and Yunniang's "unfilial" remarks.

I just heard Qu Xiaoxiao say that the engagement had been severed a long time ago, and I felt that these people were deliberately trying to curry favor with her.

Now I think what Sun Bailu said makes more sense. I can only say that most of the onlookers have this mentality - watching the excitement without thinking, and going whichever way the wind blows.

Seeing that she had received a wave of votes in favor, Sun Bailu's face suddenly showed a hint of pride. She continued:

"Besides, the two brothers are not here today to seek wealth and status. They just want to ask my sister and brother-in-law to introduce me to Mr. Zhuang Xianyu."

She looked very sad:

"We have already found out that Master Zhuang's two disciples are actually my brother-in-law's servants."

"Since my brother-in-law's servants are willing to accept the old master as their master, I'm sure my brother-in-law won't be able to refuse if he helps introduce his two closest brothers to me..."

As he spoke, his body had completely turned towards Situ Zhige.

At the same time, a pair of eyes were staring at Situ Zhige's handsome face with affection, almost in a trance.

Oh my God, with such a beautiful face, she would be willing to be a concubine in the mansion first.

Sun Bailu screamed in her heart and felt lucky for her decision to follow today. Situ Zhige was very disgusted by this pressing gaze and simply turned his face to Qu Xiaoxiao, ignoring her completely.

Sun Bailu's face immediately showed a look of disappointment and loneliness, as if Situ Zhige had betrayed her.

Qu Xiaoxiao smiled and said:

"First of all, your information is wrong. Mr. Zhuang's disciple is not a servant of our mansion. He is only staying here temporarily and helping out with some minor matters. Miss, please don't say anything nonsense."

"Secondly, since you are so loyal and filial, why don't you just go and kneel down and beg Mr. Zhuang to be your disciple? That would be a true sign of your sincerity. But you came here for no apparent reason."

"Let me guess. Your two younger brothers must have been rejected by Mr. Zhuang before, right? If we just listen to what you said and go to Mr. Zhuang, wouldn't that be like using power to pressure others, and we would be charged with an extra crime for no reason..."

When the people around heard this, they all came to their senses.

"Yes, since this girl is so polite, why doesn't she just go and ask that gentleman for help instead of coming to someone else's house to cause trouble?"

"Exactly. I think this is what we call moral kidnapping..."

"That's right. If the young couple came forward, they would represent the reputation of Prince Xin's Mansion. It would be difficult for that gentleman to refuse. Wouldn't that be bullying?"

"Alas. They say poverty breeds cunning schemes, while wealth breeds conscience. In my opinion, this family is quite evil. I don't know what they are up to..."

Qu Xiaoxiao listened to these discussions and raised the corner of her mouth.

Immediately said slowly:

"In my opinion, you should stop wasting time here and go back early. Those who should become disciples should become disciples, and those who should fulfill their filial duties should fulfill their filial duties!"

After saying this, he wanted to order someone to close the door.

The reason why I came out to talk is because of the reputation of Prince Xin's Mansion.

After all, she and Situ Zhige are currently staying in the house of Prince Xin's Mansion. To outsiders, they represent the face of Prince Xin's Mansion.

Seeing this, Sun Yaozu took a step forward:

"Sister... No, Sister Xiaoxiao, I know you still hold a grudge against me for offending you. But I was too young at the time and didn't understand anything. Can you please forgive me?"

His knees softened and he knelt on the ground.

"I don't blame you for not introducing me to Mr. Zhuang. But can I come to your house occasionally in the future to learn from Mr. Zhuang's two disciples?"

This was said in an extremely humble way, especially since the male protagonist is now a young boy with a handsome appearance, and he is determined to study.

This immediately caused many onlookers to feel sympathy and stop in their tracks.