On the day the results were released, the whole family arrived early and watched from a distance, leaving Shen Cong to check his results alone.

But to his utter surprise, he went there full of enthusiasm, only to return disappointed.

Under the hopeful gazes of the crowd, Shen Cong walked over with his head hanging low, looking utterly despondent.

Looking at him like this, what else could the crowd not understand?

Qu Jingyun and Shen Yunting exchanged a glance before hurrying forward.

He patted Shen Cong on the shoulder casually and said with a smile, "This is only your first time participating in the Spring Examination. You have no experience, so it's normal to fail. Don't take it to heart. Try again next year."

"But that's three years from now." Shen Cong raised his head, his face showing only a bitter smile, his eyes red, barely managing to hold back his tears.

He had hoped that this time he could bring some prestige to his parents and family in the capital.

But unexpectedly, it still failed in the end.

He could easily imagine how many people would laugh at them for this failure.

He has wronged everyone!

"You're still young. Try again next year, and you might achieve even better results," Shen Yunting said, stepping forward to offer words of comfort.

“When I took the imperial examinations before, I failed several times, but it’s not a big deal.”

"It's a waste of the celebration banquet you all painstakingly prepared for me." Shen Cong smiled sheepishly.

He made a silent decision in his heart: this time he would definitely work harder and would never let everyone down.

"Let's treat this as an encouragement banquet and head over now," Qu Jingyun said nonchalantly.

Shen Cong nodded, feeling a lump in his throat.

The family members walked off into the distance, each lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at the restaurant, they passed a private room and heard a murmur of conversation inside. Everyone stopped in their tracks.

"So what if Shen Cong is famous in the capital now? He's not even on the list. I at least got a ranking in the twenties."

"Didn't everyone say I couldn't compare to you? Now it seems you're nothing special after all."

"I already said it's just a publicity stunt. How could someone who was nobody a few years ago suddenly become a brilliant person? There must be some shady dealings involved."

"It's just that some people are pitiful now. Before, they were just called spoiled brats and good-for-nothings. Now they've been praised to the heavens and then brutally brought down. How pathetic."

"What's there to pity? It's just that their true colors have been revealed."

The disdainful words of the crowd fell into Shen Cong's ears like a knife stabbing into his heart.

What he found most unacceptable was that he could be humiliated, but his parents and family could not.

Especially after hearing the other party's impolite comments.

"The rumors about Shen Cong's talent are baseless. I wonder if the rumors about his sister were true or false?"

"Who knows? But I've seen his sister before. She's quite pretty and has a good figure. The Divine General can't get up anymore. The two siblings are nothing now. If I could, I'd really like to take that Shen Yue into my household."

"However, given her status, she can only be a concubine; otherwise, she'd make a fool of herself and wouldn't be worthy of you."

"Of course, not to mention I came in fourth in this imperial examination, my future is limitless, and the Shen family can't compare."

As the crowd's talk became increasingly absurd, Shen Cong felt more and more ashamed.

He has really let his family down.

Hearing the increasingly offensive words inside, he could no longer bear it and kicked the door open.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you even covet my sister?"

Everyone then realized what was happening and turned to look, only to meet Shen Cong's angry gaze, but they continued their previous conversation without taking it to heart.

“Didn’t we just say something wrong? What’s wrong with your sister? No one in your family is an official now. Only your mother can earn some money. You are at most a merchant family. Your sister is not even qualified to be my concubine.”

"I think you're quite pitiful right now. Why don't you give me your sister, and I'll have my father arrange a minor official position for you in the court. After all, with your abilities, it's probably not feasible for you to take the imperial examinations."

"I find it funny to think that all the talented scholars in the capital thought you would be on the list. Do you know who the top scholar was? It was Zhang Xuanhe from the Zhang family."

"It's quite laughable. The Zhang family is now at the height of its power, while your father has completely lost his will to rise again. The Zhang family and the Shen family have been at odds for many years. Do you think you still have a chance to become an official in the court?"

"So I'm giving you this chance. Kneel down and beg me today, offer your sister to me willingly, and maybe I can still give you this chance."

Upon hearing this, everyone present burst into laughter.

Shen Cong's face grew increasingly grim, his entire being consumed by anger.

A cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he rushed over and engaged the group in a fierce fight.

Seeing this from the doorway, Shen Yue felt a surge of anxiety and was about to rush over to stop them, but was pulled back by Qu Jingyun beside her.

Looking over, Qu Jingyun shook her head in disapproval: "Let him take this opportunity to vent. These people are no match for your brother, so don't worry."

At the same time, Shen Yunting also spoke up, "With us here, we will definitely not let your brother suffer any injustice."

Shen Yue was relieved, but she still couldn't help feeling heartbroken as she watched the fists of the crowd fall on Shen Cong.

Driven by rage, Shen Cong acted recklessly, as if he had gone mad.

Enraged, the people picked up a vase and tried to hit Shen Cong on the head.

Fortunately, Qu Jingyun reacted quickly, picking up the hairpin from her hair and striking the man's hand, causing the vase and hairpin to fall to the ground with a thud.

The man then turned his gaze to the doorway, and froze.

They naturally recognized Qu Jingyun and Shen Yunting, and upon witnessing this scene, panic immediately took over, causing them to tremble.

They were well aware of Shen Yunting and Qu Jingyun's reputations in the capital.

Not to mention the younger generation, even their parents wouldn't dare to easily offend Shen Yunting and Qu Jingyun.

Even now that Shen Yunting has lost his military power and his position as general, it doesn't stop his elders from repeatedly reminding them not to do anything disgraceful to the Shen family.

But I never expected that I would still offend someone so badly today.

"Chen Cong, how dare you lay a hand on me? Do you believe I can take your life? My father is the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. If I were to target you even slightly, you would be forever barred from taking the imperial examinations."

"If it weren't for your father's sake, do you really think you'd be qualified to kneel before me? And your sister, it's her good fortune that I took a liking to her."

His response was Shen Cong's fist.

Upon seeing Qu Jingyun and Shen Yunting, the people panicked and hurriedly reached out to pull the person who was spouting nonsense.

But the man was so enraged by Shen Cong's actions that he lost his mind and started shouting recklessly.

Then, Shen Yunting's cold voice came from behind: "You don't need to give me face. Make my son kneel before you and make my daughter your concubine."