The emperor had never paid attention to Huo Xi before, only knowing that his sister had raised him.

"Is he truly superior to Ji Wen in both literary and martial arts?"

Although my nephew is foolish when it comes to women, he is both literate and skilled in martial arts, and is one of the best among the younger generation of powerful and wealthy families.

That's why he hesitated before about whether to strip his nephew of his position as heir.

Qingyou said firmly, "Yes, he is stronger than Ji Wen, and he is very reserved and steady. If he were to lead troops into battle, he would have the ability to strategize and win decisively."

The emperor laughed and said, "You have such a high opinion of him."

Qingyou said, "Because he is naturally this outstanding."

Her eyes darkened. "In the past, whenever Huo Xi performed better than Ji Wen, Ji Wen would get upset and make a scene, which is why he was so low-key."

"If Huo Xi were as high-profile as Ji Wen, he would be the most prominent young nobleman in the capital."

That ingrate like Char Siu Bao is hardly worthy of being the head of the noble young masters in the capital.

Hearing his sister praise Huo Xi so highly, the emperor also became somewhat curious about him. "Then I'll have to take a good look at him."

He asked, "Will he keep taking the imperial examinations this time?"

Qingyou nodded. "He told me before he went back to his hometown that he wanted to pass the imperial examination directly this time."

Huo Xi does indeed have that ability.

The emperor thought for a moment and said, "Alright, if he can pass the imperial examination from Xiucai to Jinshi in this examination, then I will make him the heir of the Duke's mansion."

Qingyou said confidently, "Then Your Majesty should prepare the imperial edict as soon as possible. I believe Huo Xi will definitely pass the exam."

In the original owner's previous life, Huo Xi and Huo Jiwen had a dispute before the imperial examination. Adding to this, the original owner was tricked into falling ill by Shi Ling, which affected Huo Xi's performance. Despite this, she still managed to get a second-class ranking. (81zw.com)

Qingyou believes that without the influence of Char Siu Bao and Bai Lianhua this time, getting a top-three finish in the first division is no problem at all.

In the life before Shi Lingqiao was reborn, Huo Xi passed the imperial examination with the rank of Tan Hua and rose to the rank of First Grade Official by the time the original owner passed away.

Qiao Mingxuan had also become the Minister of Justice, holding the same first-rank official position.

Char siu bao and bai lian ni are two scourges; whoever gets their eyes on is doomed.

The emperor laughed and said, "It's rare to see someone so highly regarded by you. I can't help but look forward to it myself."

Qingyou returned the smile, "I believe I won't disappoint you, Your Majesty."

The two chatted for a while longer and agreed that after Huo Jiwen went to the Shi family to propose marriage, they would issue an edict to strip him of his title as heir. Qingyou then left for the Empress Dowager's palace.

The Empress Dowager felt a pang of heartache when she saw her thin and haggard daughter.

After learning of Huo Jiwen's choice and her daughter's decision, the Empress Dowager completely lost interest in this grandson.

A son who would abandon his own mother for a woman—such a wicked child doesn't deserve his daughter's care.

If Huo Xi is as good and filial as his daughter says, then supporting him is not out of the question.

She would be satisfied as long as her daughter was well taken care of and treated with respect after inheriting the Duke's mansion.

However, the Empress Dowager still felt uneasy. "Would she really let that vixen marry into the Duke's mansion?"

Qingyou leaned against the Empress Dowager and said, "What else can we do? Jiwen is willing to die for her."

She added, "Anyway, Ji Wen won't be the heir to the Duke's mansion in the future, so he can do whatever he wants with himself. I'm too lazy to care anymore, otherwise he'll blame me for meddling."

The Empress Dowager held her daughter's hand and said with heartache, "It's good that you can let go of this. In the future, please don't get angry and hurt yourself."

“That unfilial brat, then you should cultivate and nurture Huo Xi, so that you can still be the head of the Duke’s mansion in the future.”

It's clear that the daughter is completely disappointed and heartbroken over her grandson; otherwise, she wouldn't have said such things, nor would she have allowed that wicked child to fall into depravity.

Since her daughter has chosen to give up that wretched child, she, as her mother, should of course support her.

She then asked, "What about their marriage?"

The daughter felt disgusted that her grandson was compromising by marrying such a woman, which was not only shameful but also required her to handle the wedding arrangements.

Qingyou said, "I told Jiwen to handle it himself, I won't interfere."

She added firmly, "Although I will not stop Ji Wen from marrying her, I will never acknowledge her as my daughter-in-law, neither internally nor externally."

A smile appeared in the Empress Dowager's eyes. "You did the right thing."

This is her daughter; this is the demeanor of a princess.

The compromise was only because Huo Jiwen was his biological son, but there was no need to be polite to that woman.

After having lunch with the Empress Dowager, Qingyou left the palace and went home.

I had just sat down at home when Huo Jiwen arrived.

He gave a perfunctory bow and asked unhappily, "Mother, why can't I withdraw money from the accounting office?"

Qingyou picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and then said, "You're no longer the heir of the Duke's mansion, so what right do you have to arbitrarily withdraw public funds?"

"Have your second uncle and your cousins ​​ever done this?"

Huo Jiwen choked, "How can the second wife compare to me? If I don't withdraw money, how can I go to the Shi family to propose marriage and offer betrothal gifts?"

Qingyou sneered, "That's your problem."

She then deliberately provoked him, saying, "If you can't offer a betrothal gift, you can choose not to marry me."

Huo Jiwen knew immediately that his mother was doing it on purpose.

She was trying every possible way to stop him from marrying Lingqiao, how could she be so unreasonable?

He clenched his fists tightly. "Fine, even if you don't care, I'll still marry Lingqiao."

After saying that, he turned and left angrily.

The more his mother acted this way, the more he wanted to marry her in a grand and glamorous manner.

Seeing that the char siu bao had left in a huff, Qingyou curled her lips into a smile.

This bastard has quite a few good things in his private stash. Before her mother-in-law passed away, she divided her dowry and private savings into two parts and gave them to Huo Jiwen and Huo Xi.

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