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

Yang Jinghong was filled with emotion after leaving Bai Ziyu's place.

He didn't have much contact with Bai Ziyu, but judging from his conversation, he knew that Bai Ziyu was quite knowledgeable.

If it weren't for our extreme poverty, we would probably have soared to great heights long ago.

Yang Jinghong returned to the princess's residence and had Wang Sheng send some rice and grain to Bai Ziyu in the name of the Qin family.

Even if it's just a gesture of goodwill from the Qin family to the students, since everyone receives such gifts, it won't hurt his pride.

They are truly pitiful, having no relatives or friends around them.

Yang Jinghong's actions inadvertently added another layer of benefit to Qin Yao's life, and also helped her resolve a crisis later on.

After that, Yang Jinghong also visited Bai Ziyu under the guise of studying. The two had a very pleasant conversation and became close friends.

A month passed quickly. During this month, Qin Yao's business was booming, but some crises also emerged.

As the weather gets cooler, the demand for iced drinks has decreased significantly.

Liu Qingping was anxious and worried. She had opened so many stores, she couldn't let them go out of business like this!

She only felt at ease after Qin Yao reminded her to change her livelihood in the winter.

With a sum of money, the Jiang family's life improved considerably. Xiao Liu frequently sent messages suggesting they steal the money.

However, he received another instruction from Qin Yao.

From that day on, Jiang Su's nightmare began.

First, he would inexplicably have bad luck whenever he went out. Either he would get caught in a fight and get involved, or someone would throw something and accidentally hit him.

He returned injured for several days in a row and dared not go out. Jiang Liu took care of everything.

Secondly, she couldn't stay at home peacefully either. She would slip and fall even on flat ground, ending up with bruises and swelling. She always felt like someone was watching her when she slept at night, and from then on, she began to suffer from insomnia every night.

Unable to bear it any longer, Jiang Su had no choice but to secretly run away without telling anyone.

Jiang Liu was instructed to inform everyone that he was going to meet up with some friends.

Actually, they went to avoid disaster.

When Xiao Liu found out, he slammed his fist on the table next to him and cursed, "You son of a bitch, you're really lucky!"

The special "hand and foot amputation package" prepared for him actually saved him from disaster.

Having failed to complete the mission and even run away, Xiao Liu had no choice but to send a message to Qin Yao.

Qin Yao wasn't in a hurry and told him to wait.

He'll definitely come back when the month is up, and then we'll present him with both big gifts.

……

The day the results were released arrived, and families who had taken the exam were already waiting. Qin Yao was the least anxious.

After all, there's nothing to worry about; their business will be booming for a few more days.

She only told people to look at the list, and if they recognized anyone, they should come back and talk about it.

Liu Qingping became quite proactive. Her cousin was still living in the princess's residence, and as his cousin, she had to worry about him.

As soon as the list was posted, Liu Da and Er Jiu, who had gone to check it, rushed back.

Liu Da was relatively calm, but Er Jiu was a chatterbox who started yelling before even entering the door.

"Medium! In the middle!"

He successfully got Zhao Mama to give him a sidelong glance.

There were no test takers in the family, so she passed? Who passed? Could it be this old woman?

Erjiu received a look from Granny Zhao and gave an embarrassed laugh.

"It's not that I know them... but seeing them always makes me a little excited."

Granny Zhao glanced at Qin Yao, who was still eating breakfast, and seeing that she had no expression, she let Er Jiu continue:

"Who are they? Tell me!"

"Eh!"

"We know each other, Yang Jinghong, the son of the Yang family, and Chen Jinzhi, the second son of the Chen family..."

Erjiu then listed several other well-known students who had settled in the Qin family's residence, and only then did he stop with a smile.

Qin Yao wasn't too surprised; gold always shines, but she still said:

"It's good news! Has Qingping's cousin, Sister Chen's brother, gone to deliver the good news?"

Erjiu immediately replied:

"They've gone! We could hear the messengers going off with gongs and drums from far away."

Qin Yao nodded. Such a big event definitely deserves a celebration.

"It seems I'll be attending another banquet in a few days."

"By the way, who is the top scholar in the imperial examination?"

……

At this time, Fuguang Tower.

Jiang Su, fully armed, waited for the results with Jiang Liu.

They were ready to receive the money.

However, when the waiter sent out by the manager of Fuguanglou returned and told them who the top scholar was, Jiang Su and Jiang Liu were dumbfounded.

"What's his name? What did you say that person's name was?"

Jiang Su no longer cared about pretending and ran over to grab the waiter, anxiously asking him questions.

"His name is... Yang... Yang Jinghong!"

The waiter's voice trembled, clearly terrified of the fierce-looking Jiang Su.

"Yang Jinghong??? Impossible! Impossible!"

Jiang Su turned to Jiang Liu, who was also shocked.

He clearly remembered it was Bai Ziyu!

Jiang Liu couldn't possibly lie to him, so it must be... a discrepancy between the facts and his memory.

Yang Jinghong never appeared at all! How could that be!

Jiang Su had no time to lament the money he had lost; his greater fear was of the future.

He had always believed that his future, as he remembered it, was destined for a high position, but now things had taken a very different turn.

If Xia Qiutang was a joy for him, then the replacement of the top scholar was a bolt from the blue.

If the top scholar is replaced, what will become of his position?

Behind them, people had already begun exchanging silver, some rejoicing while others harbored resentment.

Jiang Su and Jiang Liu left the house looking dejected.

"I'm sorry, young master!"

Jiang Su acted as if he hadn't heard and walked straight ahead.

As soon as I stepped outside, people around me started talking:

"I didn't expect Bai Ziyu to be so amazing. He didn't even get into Kangshan Academy, yet he still managed to get second place. If he had gotten in, I wonder if he could have competed with Brother Jinghong!"

Jiang Su's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Bai Ziyu is second?"

Jiang Liu nodded. "That's what they said."

Jiang Su pondered, even though Bai Ziyu's title of Jieyuan was taken by Yang Jinghong, his true talent and learning still remained!

Does that mean he still has a chance?

Jiang Su quickened his pace, covered his face, and hurried home.

As soon as I entered the alley, I saw a man open the door and enter the neighbor's yard.

Jiang Su was puzzled. Wasn't it said that there was no one in the neighboring yard?

"What's wrong, young master?" Jiang Liu asked.

"Does someone live next door?" Jiang Su frowned as he looked at Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu shook his head, "No! It's been empty the whole time!"

Jiang Su thought of something, quickly walked over, and wanted to knock on the door, but was afraid that he would misunderstand.

Back in his own yard, Jiang Su snatched the ladder from Xiao Liu and climbed up the wall.

"Young master! What are you doing?"

Jiang Liu watched as Jiang Su climbed over, and without thinking of anything else, he hurriedly climbed up as well, his heart filled with worry.

Xiao Liu, who had been left behind, immediately put on a panicked expression and rushed into Liu's house.

"Madam! Madam! Something terrible has happened!"

Startled, Liu sat up in bed, and Jiang Xiaoxiao was also taken aback.

Liu has been feeling unwell these past two days and is currently in bed. Jiang Xiaoxiao, who is taking care of Liu, has no plans to go out either.

Startled by this sudden outburst, both of them looked rather unwell.

"What are you yelling for! Are you wailing like a ghost?!" Jiang Xiaoxiao had just finished speaking when she realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly stopped.

"No! It's the young master! The young master went next door again!" Xiao Liu said anxiously.

Liu realized what was happening, "That little slut! Is she hiding money again?!"

Liu got up, thinking that Xia Qiutang had gone to secretly eat something delicious again.

She's determined to dig up the entire floor of her house this time!

With Jiang Xiaoxiao's help, Liu hurriedly walked towards the next room!

……