The Zhao family lads, who weren't exactly good people, had long since fallen asleep like logs amidst the gossip of those idle people.

Logically speaking, even if the Zhao family never left their home, they still took the exams three times in a row, coming and going without being discovered.

No one would know that the quiet courtyard, which was usually completely silent, was home to scholars who were participating in the autumn imperial examinations.

When they went to take the exam, it was still dark. When they came back, even though it was daytime, they were all so tired that they were like dogs and didn't even bother to make a sound.

Even if you return by horse-drawn carriage, you'll likely arrive just in time for the neighbors to cook.

Therefore, the Zhao family and their group of students were never discovered.

The arrival of the restaurant's food delivery service today caught the attention of the nearby neighbors.

To afford the food at Meiwuzhai, one must spend a considerable amount of money. Judging from how the waiter was struggling to carry the food box today, it must contain a lot of delicious food.

The tone of the discussion shifted again, from the Zhao family members not seeming like good people to Huang Shi and Zhao Qingyan definitely having done something shameful.

Otherwise, how could just the old man and the young man afford such delicious food? The money must have come from the men.

And this man happened to be one of the Zhao brothers, whom they didn't consider to be a good person.

Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. Once someone is labeled a bad person, they'll attract attention.

The next day, rumors spread that Huang and her granddaughter Zhao Qingyan were engaged in prostitution.

Sure enough, when the Zhao family arrived at the third courtyard in their carriage, the rumor was confirmed.

"See that? Those two bitches let men stay overnight last night. Quite a few men."

I wonder how they slept last night, hehe..."

As he spoke, the man revealed a lewd expression.

He witnessed firsthand that the Zhao family's courtyard had become a den of iniquity last night.

The group arrived at the third courtyard, where the plaque above the main gate had already been hung up, though it was temporarily covered with a red cloth.

The Zhao family entered the courtyard, where the renovations were almost complete.

Except for the drainage system in the toilet and bathroom, which is not yet fully completed, the overall outline is already taking shape.

The children temporarily lived in the backyard. Every day, children would come to stay with them on their own initiative, and sometimes when the constables patrolled the streets, they would bring the little ones over.

The officials who brought the children here weren't necessarily compassionate; they were simply looking for a spectacle.

I've never seen anyone with money to burn who spends it on raising someone else's child.

They wanted to see how long this orphanage could stay open.

Let's wait and see if the Huang family gets a slap in the face.

The constables were indignant that a woman who didn't stay home to be a wife and mother insisted on going out and showing her face in public, especially doing such wasteful things.

Of course, it's normal for some people to have such ulterior motives. Since some kind-hearted people are willing to take in these children, then helping them send them there is a good deed in itself.

In addition, without these children on the streets, there will be fewer thefts to deal with.

When a child is starving, even if he can't do other bad things, he might still steal a few steamed buns or dumplings.

Some even turned to theft.

Arresting them would be pitiful. Not arresting them would be unfair to the victims. It's a dilemma.

Now that someone has taken over these hot potatoes, that's perfect.

I think my job will be easier in the future.

A thousand people, a thousand thoughts. But ultimately, they all lead to the same goal. The number of children in the Zhao family's orphanage is increasing daily.

Initially, the reason for opening the orphanage might have been due to a lack of manpower in the family, and there was a bit of selfishness involved. Now, the reason for opening the orphanage is truly to do good deeds and accumulate merit.

Haven't you noticed that Zhao Qianci's unlucky constitution has improved? This shows that doing good deeds and accumulating merit can indeed change one's fortune.

When Zhao Qingbei saw the little bald boys, she was so surprised that her mouth could have fit an egg.

"Sister, where's their hair? It looks so fun! I want to shave my head too."

Zhao Qingbei really wanted to reach out and touch the man's bald head.

"Their hair wasn't very good, so my sister suggested they shave it off. That way, the hair that grows back will be darker and shinier."

Zhao Qingyan did not reveal that the children's hair was shaved because they had lice.

The children were relieved by Zhao Qingyan's explanation.

After all, no one wants to have their embarrassing secrets exposed in front of a young master of similar age.

Clearly, Zhao Qingyan was mindful of their feelings.

Soon, little Zhao Qingbei was playing with the other children.

Zhao Qingyang remained reserved for a while, but was eventually dragged along by Zhao Qingyi and played together.

The children knew that these people who came all lived at Grandma Huang's house and were all good people. So they weren't afraid.

When they play, they sometimes invite one or two of the Zhao family's brothers along.

Some children were so bold that they dragged Zhao Minggeng along to play "Eagle Catches Chickens" with them.

Zhao Minggeng rubbed his stiff face, then pointed to his nose and squatted down.

"You little brat, aren't you afraid I'll beat you up? I'm such a tall and strong guy."

This boy's name is Maotou. He is 5 years old this year. Although he is thin, his eyes are very bright and expressive.

"No, Uncle is a good person."

Zhao Minggeng laughed and ruffled the child's bald head. "How do you know? A good person doesn't have their face written all over their body."

Maotou pointed at Huang Shi and said, "You are Grandma's family. Grandma is a good person, so you must be a good person too."

Zhao Minggeng shook his head. "That's not necessarily true. Look, even people's fingers aren't all the same length. So, there are good and bad people."

Even within a family, not everyone is kind.

When you look at people and the world, you have to be discerning, understand?

We can't trust others so easily.

"Hey, you're lucky you've got good fortune, otherwise you'd probably be sold off somewhere out there."

As he spoke, he picked up Maotou and slung him over his shoulder.

"Little guy, hold on tight, or I'll throw you off and you'll fall, and I won't feel bad about it."

Zhao Minggeng let the little boy ride on his shoulders and ran among the children to play with them.

The little guy holding Zhao Minggeng was as happy as a little fool. It was the first time in his life that he had ridden a horse, and he realized what it felt like to sit on his father's back.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Minggeng, the little guy already considered him his father.

I wonder what Zhao Minggeng will think when he finds out.

That evening, the Zhao family ate dinner in the third courtyard.

Prefect Hongda Hai was even more interesting. He knew that the Zhao family's orphanage needed manpower, and coincidentally, there was a batch of government slaves that were about to be sold.

Thinking that the Zhao family might need it, he sent a message to Huang.

Sure enough, this family lived in a three-courtyard house.

Zhao Qianci and Huang Shi went to the prefectural yamen.

They selected an accountant, two embroiderers, three old women who could cook, and two guards who knew martial arts.

Before choosing a person, Huang explained her family's situation.