“But if they say that, Fifth Brother will definitely hear it too. What if it affects his mood?” Fang Ruotang was still indignant.

The entire Fang family had taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill, so even though the results of their spiritual root tests were not good, their eyesight and hearing were still unmatched by ordinary people.

The person under the carriage clearly had bad intentions, as he spoke rather loudly.

"But Fifth Brother won't care about some gossip," Fang Wantang said with a smile, holding onto Fang Ruotang's hand tightly.

She was like a newborn calf, and it took Fang Wantang and Fang Shengtang working together to keep her in the seat and not move.

"You're not Fifth Brother," Fang Ruotang pouted.

"But I am also a concubine's daughter!"

When Fang Wantang talked about her status, she didn't have the inferiority complex that other concubine's daughters should have; instead, she was open and honest.

There are plenty of people in this world who want to see you fail.

Fang Wantang has encountered more than one.

Compared to the legitimate daughters, those who were more hostile towards her were the other women who were born out of wedlock, since it would be difficult to find another Fang family in the entire capital.

In other families, the daughters of legitimate and illegitimate children could be easily distinguished by their social status when standing together. However, it was not so easy in the Fang family. When the daughters stood together, it was immediately apparent that each had a distinct personality.

Fang Wantang had been upset because of being targeted. Later, with her aunt's guidance, she learned a lesson at a young age: those who targeted her were actually just jealous of her.

Given the chance, those people would love to be like her.

Compared to her, her fifth brother, being a man, received far more family resources. Those jealous words couldn't even hurt her, let alone her fifth brother.

"What do you mean by illegitimate or not? You are my fourth sister." Fang Ruotang relaxed and obediently hugged Fang Wantang. "Fourth sister, you mustn't say that. It hurts my heart."

"Alright, Fourth Sister, I won't say anything more, but you shouldn't take it to heart. If we start arguing at the entrance of the examination hall, it will affect other students."

"All right!"

Fang Ruotang listened to the advice, but her eyes darted around.

Who was that person who deliberately messed with my fifth brother's mood just now? Is there anything shady going on? Tell me quickly, I want to help him make a name for himself. Doesn't he like to gossip? Let him experience what it's like to be gossiped about.

[The illegitimate son of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was named Shi Mingzhe. He wasn't particularly talented but possessed a bit of cleverness. He overheard a passing merchant mentioning a village where everyone died young. Suspecting something was hindering their longevity, he sent a trusted confidant to investigate. The confidant found radioactive stones in the village, had them polished into ornaments, and presented them to his legitimate brother, placing them in his study.]

When Fang Ruotang's voice rang out, the surrounding students realized that the person sitting in the carriage who hadn't gotten off was the Imperial Preceptor. Although not everyone around could hear Fang Ruotang's thoughts, most of them could.

After all, at this time, those who came to the examination hall were either family members seeing them off or candidates taking the exam.

[Tsk! So they're from the Vice Minister of the Chancellery. No wonder they dared to talk so boldly about my fifth brother. I'll have to ask the Vice Minister of the Chancellery what he meant next time we go to court!]

Fang Ruotang was furious.

Although the position of Vice Minister of the Chancellery is high, it is nothing compared to Fang Ruotang's.

[Then I'll tell him that his illegitimate son wants to kill his legitimate son, and then we'll see if he'll discipline his son properly.]

The eldest son of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, who was also going to take the imperial examination, turned pale when he heard Fang Ruotang's thoughts.

He was quite pleased with the ornaments his half-brother gave him.

Besides the beautiful carving, the stone was also black, a color that was rarely seen. When he was tired from reading and writing every day, he would play with it.

The wife of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was shocked and furious, and was about to lash out on the spot.

Shi Mingjin immediately stopped the person, suppressing her anger and whispering, "Mother, everyone is watching us now. Don't make a fool of yourself in front of others. The most important thing now is to go back to the manor as soon as possible and deal with that harmful object. As for Mingzhe's matter, Father will handle it after he finishes court."

Shi Mingzhe was completely stunned, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He's been harassing Fang Zhixing for quite some time now.

The two were in the same academy and came from the same background. Although the position of the Vice Minister of the Secretariat was not as high and powerful as that of the Prime Minister, the difference was not too great.

But why is it that Fang Zhixing is so good in every way? His family has devoted all its efforts to cultivating him, and his only legitimate elder brother even gave up the family's connections among civil officials to become a military general, paving a smooth road for him.

He could only follow his legitimate brother and act according to his whims. He was not like the son of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, but rather like Shi Mingjin's follower.

He had seen the brothers Fang Zhixing and Fang Zhiye together, arm in arm, chatting and laughing, appearing to have a very close relationship, with no trace of the difference in their social status.

With just one glance, he became jealous of Fang Zhixing. They were both born out of wedlock, so why did Fang Zhixing have the right to be born out of wedlock?

But if he had known today that the person sitting in the car was the Grand Preceptor, he would never have dared to be so shameless as to dance in front of Fang Zhixing. It was just a habit he had developed over the years, and he couldn't help but make a few sarcastic remarks whenever he saw him.

"That little brat! Looks like I've been too good to him." Madam Shi was about to tear a handkerchief to shreds, her face contorted in pain.

Although she had two legitimate sons, her younger son was still a child, and she devoted almost all her energy to her eldest son. She couldn't imagine whether she could bear it if something happened to her eldest son, or whether she would go with him.

“Mother, you must not show your wisdom in front of others and cause trouble. After the students have entered the examination hall, go to the Prime Minister’s carriage and say some good words. After returning home, immediately prepare generous gifts and go to the Prime Minister’s residence in person to apologize. Please do not forget that you must go directly to apologize later. Remember this.”

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