Chu Yuning squatted down, picked up the book, and stuffed it into the box. When she stood up, she saw the setting sun, but she didn't know where to go.
If he had known, he wouldn't have given that money bag to those classmates!
That ten taels of silver was the only money left in the house. He searched the house several times and only found this ten taels of silver, which was left by Zhao before she died.
Now that he has no silver left, he is penniless and cannot even afford to stay in an inn.
Where should he go so late at night?
He knew where the wealthy Wang family lived, but he would never go to seek refuge with a self-degrading aunt.
Chu Yuning carried her book box to a place near the city wall where refugees gathered. She found a relatively clean spot in the corner of the wall, wrapped herself in a blanket, and barely managed to fall asleep.
He'll make do here for the night, and tomorrow morning he'll go back to the village and find the person who's been spreading rumors about him!
Then he was exonerated and returned to the academy!
Have you heard the story that's been all over town lately, the one about burning one's own mother to death?
"I heard that the son is a student at Ziyun Academy, and he's very learned!"
"What's the use of having the highest level of education if you don't even know that filial piety is the most important virtue? It would be better to have a char siu bao (barbecued pork bun) than a son like that!"
"Don't say that. I just heard it again. There's a hidden story behind the son burning his mother!"
"What's the hidden story?"
"His mother... was having an affair, and he caught her in bed with another man!"
"That's not right either. Maybe his mother was having an affair with another man to earn money for his education... Hey, who are you? Why are you grabbing my collar? Let go! Let go!"
The man, who was speaking enthusiastically, was suddenly grabbed by the collar. He looked at Chu Yuning, who was furious, and shrank back in fear.
Chu Yuning gritted her teeth and asked, "Where did you hear these things?"
The man pleaded, "That's what they said at the Four Seasons Teahouse! It has nothing to do with me! If you want to cause trouble, go find the storyteller at the teahouse!"
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