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

More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and the autumn imperial examinations are just around the corner.

The scholars in Kyoto were all busy.

Qin Yao's side had no one to take the exam, so it was incredibly easy for her.

The inns were busier, as candidates from farther away had already checked in, and the Qin family's inn had also been occupied by quite a few people.

Qin's father was a kind-hearted man who loved making friends all over the world. At times like this, he would do his part for the students.

When the shopkeepers came to inquire, Qin Yao, just like her father, halved the room rates for the examinees and provided them with simple meals.

Although it's just simple meals, this is quite a good treatment for candidates from poor families.

Those who are well-off will naturally pay for their own meals, so there's no need for them to worry.

After arranging things at the inn, Qin Yao received news that Jiang Su was coming out.

My three-month prison sentence is coming to an end.

Qin Yao picked up a piece of pastry and took a bite before asking Qingzhi, who was standing beside her, "How's Xiao Liu doing? Is Jiang Su making it in time?"

"Don't worry, Miss, Sixth Brother said he'll give him a really big surprise!"

Qin Yao was satisfied.

Because of Jiang Liu's intervention, Jiang Su enjoyed a long period of peace in prison. Although he later suffered more after Jiang Liu's intervention, it also reduced the pleasure of tormenting him.

Then let's make up a bigger one.

With Xiao Liu's help, the Jiang family still lived in that big courtyard, but Jiang Liu felt that nothing was going well lately.

When he wants to buy goods, there are always people offering lower prices to buy them from him; when he wants to work for others, there are always people who offer lower wages than him.

In the past month or so, apart from Xiao Liu going out to work and earning some food, he hasn't earned a single penny.

If he hadn't had some money left, he probably wouldn't have been able to afford food.

Fortunately, the young master will be out soon. He will surely come up with a solution, and they will be able to change the current situation quickly.

As Jiang Liu was thinking, he looked up and saw Xia Qiutang walking out of the room.

She wore a lotus-root-colored outer garment today, which made her look very delicate.

Jiang Liu was momentarily distracted and stared intently.

Standing behind Jiang Liu, Xiao Liu looked on with disdain, his lips twitching uncontrollably.

She really is a despicable person, betraying her mistress and coveting her new master's wife.

However, seeing that the Liu family was about to come out, he had no choice but to speak up and remind them.

"Butler, butler!"

Jiang Liu regained his senses and coughed awkwardly twice.

Xiao Liu continued to roll his eyes. If he wasn't afraid that Jiang Su wouldn't see this good show, he wouldn't bother to cover for him.

Today is the day Jiang Su is released from prison, and everyone is out together. Jiang Liu even hired two horse-drawn carriages.

Xiao Liu was definitely only fit to drive the carriage, and Jiang Su, as the steward, could only sit outside.

The carriage headed towards the direction of the Prefect of Jingzhao. Liu and Jiang Xiaoxiao were happy. Not only was there no man in the house, no pillar of support, but more importantly, there was no money.

Jiang Su's return is a good thing, no matter what.

Xia Qiutang's face remained expressionless. While Jiang Liu was still looking forward to Jiang Su's meteoric rise three years later, her heart couldn't settle down.

She did not doubt Jiang Su's talent, after all, even her father had praised him.

She didn't believe Jiang Su had that kind of fate!

He could get into trouble even just by going to the academy, and more than once; he was clearly an unlucky person.

Who knows if bad luck will continue?

Three years? If this happens again in three years, are we supposed to wait another three years?

Xia Qiutang was not happy, but she couldn't show it. She was still Jiang Su's wife, and she couldn't let them doubt her.

Soon, the carriage arrived, and Xia Qiutang stepped down with the help of her maid.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Jiang Su finally came out.

But when they saw the person, no one dared to recognize them.

The person in front of me, thin, with sunken cheeks, messy hair, and tattered clothes, is none other than Jiang Su, the once glamorous heir of the Marquis's mansion!

Liu couldn't hold back and burst into tears.

"My son!"

Liu rushed over and hugged Jiang Su tightly, almost knocking the frail Jiang Su to the ground.

"How are you? Brother Su! Damn it, they treated you like this! I'm going to get justice from them!"

Liu was heartbroken and was about to go find the people inside to demand an explanation when Jiang Su grabbed her arm.

"Mother! Don't go!"

Jiang Su's voice was weak and listless.

He hadn't had a proper meal in a long time.

After Jiang Liu told him that his business had failed and that he could only give him some money to bribe officials, his life became difficult.

His meals were never on time, never clean, and sometimes even spoiled.

He said that what he got in return was a beating, which he could only endure.

Fortunately, he made it through. What if his mother goes and makes a scene, and he goes back in?

His three months in prison have made him realize that he is no longer the high-ranking prime minister.

Now, he is a commoner, an ant, someone anyone can trample on. Only by climbing up can he wash away this shame.

"Let's go back!"

Jiang Su glanced at the place behind him where he had been imprisoned for three months, then turned and left.

He will climb up and send all those who looked down on him and those who bullied him to hell!

"Husband!"

"elder brother!"

"Son!"

Jiang Su nodded and, with Jiang Liu's help, got into the carriage.

He is exhausted and sleepy, and his body and mind need to recover. He just wants to go back and rest.

Jiang Su had been resting with his eyes closed until the carriage stopped, at which point he opened them.

After getting off the carriage and seeing his surroundings, he frowned deeply.

Once inside, Liu had someone prepare food and boil some water. Jiang Xiaoxiao returned to her room after seeing that everything was alright, and Jiang Liu also left after settling Jiang Su in.

Now only Jiang Su and Xia Qiutang are left in the room.

Looking at the shabby state of the room, Jiang Su's eyes suddenly reddened.

"Tang'er, I'm so sorry you had to go through this!"

Xia Qiutang paused as she poured water, then realized what Jiang Su meant.

This place was indeed unfair to her. Although she only lived in poor conditions, she never skimped on food.

Xia Qiutang picked up a handkerchief and wiped away non-existent tears.

"It's alright, as long as my husband is alright, it's nothing for Tang'er to suffer a little..."

“Tang’er…” Jiang Su was deeply moved.

Xia Qiutang then fell into Jiang Su's arms.

Unfortunately, less than a second later, Xia Qiutang quickly pushed him away.

"What's wrong, Tang'er?" Jiang Su was pushed away and looked at her in confusion.

"It wouldn't be good if Mother came and saw this..." Xia Qiutang dared not say it was because he smelled too bad, so she could only make up an excuse.

"That's true! That night..."

Xia Qiutang forced a smile and gave him a reassurance.

After washing up and eating (although it was a simple meal, Jiang Su found it delicious), Jiang Su couldn't hold on any longer, and the evening he mentioned... naturally didn't happen.

Xia Qiutang breathed a huge sigh of relief.

After he fell asleep, I went out under the cover of night.

Jiang Liu had been waiting for a while.

She kept Jiang Liu hanging on for a while, making him even more devoted to her and willing to do things for her.

Of course, she didn't think much of him; she was just using him to deliver a message.

This is a long story.

Two months ago, she went home, but now the Xia family had no place for her. As before, she couldn't even get in the door, and her aunt had been sent to the estate.

In her moment of despair, she met someone...

Thinking of him made Xia Qiutang's heart pound uncontrollably.

After taking the letter from Jiang Liu, Xia Qiutang gently patted his body.

This pleased Jiang Liu greatly.

Only after Jiang Liu left did she eagerly open the letter.

Jiang Liu thought she had received a letter from home, but in reality, she had received a love letter filled with vulgar language.

After reading it, Xia Qiutang put it in a box as before, her face showing undisguised satisfaction.

Xiao Liu, hiding in the shadows: "This is insane! I can't take it!"