The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Jiang Zu returned to the academy, only to find it closed. Left with no other option, he had to bite the bullet and knock on the door.

The person who opened the door was an elderly man in his sixties who was already resting. He didn't give Jiang Zu a friendly look.

"What are you doing out so late at night?"

Jiang Zu smiled apologetically, feeling extremely guilty. "Uncle Lu, I'm sorry, it was my fault for bothering you."

Jiang Zu took out a few coins from his pocket and stuffed them into Lu Bo's hand. Seeing that Lu Bo glared at him but didn't say anything more, he felt relieved.

Jiang Zu jogged back to his residence. Jiang Su was already asleep, so Jiang Zu didn't dare to disturb him and tiptoed into the room.

Fortunately, the room is divided into an inner room and an outer room, so if he moves quietly, he won't wake the people inside.

Lying in bed, Jiang Zu couldn't fall asleep at all.

He walked too much today, and his feet were numb.

Moreover, the thought of facing the young master's questions the next morning made him extremely uneasy.

How should he answer?

The Qin family had no such intention at all.

If he relays it verbatim, he will likely face punishment from the young master.

He tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, until dawn broke before he finally drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Zu was awakened by a bucket of cold water.

It's hot now, but he still shivered when he was splashed with cold water early in the morning.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw his young master staring at him with a dark face, holding a washbasin in his hand.

"Young... Young Master."

Jiang Zu immediately got up. "This servant will go fetch water right away."

"Hmph! You, a mere servant, know how to enjoy yourself better than your young master." Jiang Su threw down the washbasin and turned to go back into the inner room.

Jiang Zu said nothing, picked up the basin and went out, returning with the water shortly afterward.

Jiang Su washed his face, tidied himself up, and prepared to go out.

Jiang Zu was about to go change his clothes when Jiang Su, who was about to leave, called him back.

"Where's the reply?" Jiang Su spread his hands.

Many unpleasant thoughts flashed through Jiang Zu's mind, but in the end, he lowered his head and lied.

"Miss Qin said she was afraid of being criticized for replying, so..."

Jiang Su's dissatisfaction was visible to the naked eye, but it soon subsided.

"You can also send a message through someone; go and ask."

As soon as Jiang Su left, Jiang Zu seemed to have lost all his energy and spirit.

Where can he find a messenger?

Jiang Zu stayed in the room for a long time before finally going out to the dining hall.

While eating in the canteen, the workers who built the library were sitting next to me.

From their conversation, Jiang Zu learned that the dean was screening potential sponsors, and the sponsor happened to be Miss Qin.

Jiang Zu remembered his young master's purpose in seeking out Miss Qin, and a plan immediately came to mind.

After finishing her meal, she didn't even bother to help Jiang Su pack his things for class; she ran straight to the dean's residence.

……

When Jiang Zu returned, Jiang Su had already gone to class.

Although Jiang Su would inevitably beat and punish him again after class, he felt relieved when he thought about how he had resolved the Qin family's matter.

Jiang Zu was still happily grinning foolishly.

If we can get the money without telling the young master, and then lie and say that it was given by Miss Qin, wouldn't that be foolproof?

Even if the young master goes back to find Miss Qin later, that will be several months from now.

Maybe Miss Qin would have been married by then, or even if she wasn't, he would say she was shy.

A few days later, the list of recipients was announced, but only a portion was released to protect the students' self-esteem.

The people at Kangshan Academy wouldn't care about this; they all just laughed it off.

They were full of admiration for the eldest daughter of the Qin family who provided the funding, saying that she had the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family.

With no elders left in the family, she not only single-handedly took on the family business, but also showed great magnanimity by sponsoring underprivileged students.

She is undoubtedly a great figure among those who received her assistance.

Their families were poor, and they had already exhausted their family's wealth to be able to attend Kangshan Academy. It was already a great achievement that they could work and study here.

They didn't care about good food and lodging; they were only afraid that it would affect their studies.

Now everything is fine; Miss Qin has resolved their worries as well.

They can now focus on their studies.

They all silently thanked Qin Yao in their hearts, and if they could pass the imperial examination, they would definitely repay her properly.

The funding arrived quickly, and Qin Yao specifically asked the housekeeper to make the trip.

Just then, Jiang Su saw the butler's departing figure.

Upon returning to his residence, Jiang Su found Jiang Zu nowhere to be seen, which only intensified his frustration.

In his past life, he led the Jiang Liu army; there was no way he couldn't find people. This Jiang soldier was becoming increasingly useless.

Jiang Su paced back and forth in the room, his patience almost worn thin, when Jiang Zu finally returned.

Before he could get angry, Jiang Zu took out the box in his hand and handed it over.

Jiang Zu eagerly opened it, and Jiang Su saw that it was silver!

Jiang Su didn't quite understand; wasn't it too early to send the money?

"This is?"

Jiang Zu immediately put the silver away and placed it on the table.

“Young master, didn’t I tell Miss Qin about your matter last time, so…”

Jiang Zu didn't finish speaking, but Jiang Su already understood.

This was given to him by Qin Yao.

By this time, Jiang Su's anger had dissipated, and his gaze toward Jiang Zu had become much more amiable.

"Now that we have some extra money, let's go buy some things and improve our meals."

After giving his instructions, Jiang Su turned and went into the inner room to rest.

Since he arrived here, he has been eating the same food in the canteen, without any intention of changing it.

Because his family didn't give him much money, he couldn't very well ask his father-in-law for help.

Which rich young master doesn't go out and buy some food to treat himself?

Despite his splendid attire, his diet was vastly different from theirs.

That's good, Qin Yao has come to her senses and sent him some money.

He no longer needed to hide from his classmates and could share his purchases with them.

Kangshan Academy is indeed a place that students all over the world aspire to, but it also has its own hierarchy.

Wealthy and educated.

Those who are poor but have education.

There are also those with average academic qualifications.

Everyone has their own hierarchy of contempt.

Especially the wealthy and powerful young men, they usually exist independently.

Jiang Su, for example, has always followed the path of being both wealthy and educated.

He associates with wealthy people, and naturally he doesn't want to be looked down upon by them.

Moreover, in his memory, high-ranking officials were not among these people; he knew that only a few wealthy and well-educated individuals had become minor officials.

Although I don't like it, it's better than nothing.

Previously, he was a bit distant because he didn't have money, and they only discussed academic matters. Now, he can enjoy life and squander money as he pleases, just like them.

Jiang Zu resigned himself to his fate and left the academy, spending a few copper coins to take an oxcart to the city.

He had no choice but to complete the task assigned by Jiang Su.

Once a lie is told, countless lies are needed to cover it up.

He can only take it one step at a time now.

After buying snacks, ordering clothes and utensils, Jiang Zu rode back to the academy in an oxcart.

With the money, he returned very quickly.

He wouldn't have any leg pain problems, so Jiang Su didn't find fault with him.

In the afternoon, after class.

Jiang Su carried the pastries and went to find his close classmate.

……