Not only that, Yang Ke didn't even notice the changes in the expressions of the other young men around her, her eyes still filled with contempt for the person Xu Yunci had mentioned.
Xu Yunci noticed the glances exchanged between the others but didn't interrupt, letting Yang Ke continue.
After he finished speaking, Xu Yunci suddenly turned to look at Prince Zhao: "What does Your Highness think? Do you also think that this young man is as Prince Yang said, unworthy of being trusted, only able to climb to the top by stepping on his mother and that family, cold-blooded, ruthless, selfish and despicable?"
As soon as Xu Yunci finished speaking, Yang Ke was the first to look over, and the others also turned their gazes to King Zhao, curious about what he would say.
Guo Xun sat on the other side of Xu Yunci, glanced at Xu Yunci's profile, picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip, seemingly lost in thought.
Not hearing what the King of Zhao said, Guo Xun put down his teacup and looked up, and all eyes in the room were immediately focused on the King of Zhao.
"That's true. If any family were to have a son like that, they would be very unlucky."
King Zhao remained calm. His position was directly facing the door, and as he finished speaking, he saw Fan Heng being escorted back by two maids.
Xu Yunci followed Zhao Wang's gaze and saw Fan Heng's figure. The door wasn't closed; if the noise were loud enough, it could be heard.
Moreover, the most distinguished person in their room was Prince Zhao, along with the heirs of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion and the Chengen Duke's Mansion, as well as many young masters from noble families. Naturally, someone would be watching their every move.
"There have been rumors about it going to the capital for some time now. I wonder if any of you have heard about it?"
Xu Yunci withdrew his gaze, lowering his eyes to conceal the coldness within.
Guo Xun glanced at him and said, "There is a rumor. I even went to congratulate Grand Tutor Qin, which left him bewildered. That's why it's just a rumor."
"It's that people in the capital have been saying lately that there's a scholar from a poor family who is highly regarded by Grand Tutor Qin, and that he even wants to marry Miss Qin to that scholar. Is this the rumor you're talking about?"
Yang Ke's eyes showed surprise, but also a slight doubt. To be honest, he didn't quite believe that someone as pedantic and rigid as Grand Tutor Qin would do such a thing.
Just like choosing a son-in-law before the list of successful candidates, Grand Tutor Qin once said that was not a good practice, let alone inviting scholars into one's residence to act as matchmakers for one's daughter and others. That sounds a bit too unreliable.
“I know about this too, but it doesn’t sound like something the Grand Tutor would do.” One of the young men spoke up. His family were also civil officials, and he had been fortunate enough to receive some guidance from Grand Tutor Qin through the influence of his elders.
He did want to become an apprentice, but Grand Tutor Qin was also teaching His Highness the Crown Prince, the future heir apparent.
When His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Grand Tutor Qin will not only be a first-rank Grand Tutor, but will be a figure of imperial tutor caliber.
Even though everyone here is from a wealthy and noble family in the capital, only the Rongguo Duke's Mansion and the Chengen Duke's Mansion truly address Grand Tutor Qin as their teacher, just like the princes do.
"If I had known it would be so difficult to become a disciple of Grand Tutor Qin, I would have insisted on fighting for the position of His Highness's cousin's study companion, so that I could have been with my second brother sooner."
Yang Ke felt a little regretful. Years ago, when the palace was selecting study companions for several princes and members of the imperial family, he was a little too young.
The steward of the Cheng'en Duke's Mansion remembered him and included him in the Crown Prince's study companions. However, he was not as determined as Xu Yunci. Even in the palace study, he could not learn anything, so he simply went back to the Cheng'en Duke's Mansion with his father.
Looking back now, Yang Ke is so regretful that she wants to dig out her own head and see what's inside.
“Since this is just a rumor, it can’t be true. So who spread this rumor?” Another young man blinked and broke his silence.
Guo Xun said, "Of course it wouldn't be a member of the Qin family. If the Qin family or Grand Tutor Qin really favored that student as a son-in-law, they would have already set an auspicious date, and that student would have already entered the Grand Tutor's gate, instead of only going there once."
A handsome young man with a somewhat youthful face said, "But if it's true, as the rumors say, that Miss Qin has fallen for that scholar. After all, young women are easily fooled."
The young man who had spoken first nodded vigorously: "I think so too. Although the Grand Tutor is a bit strict with the younger generation, Miss Qin is really kind. My elder sister is close to her. Such a good girl should not be deceived."
Whether it's true or not that Miss Qin was deceived remains to be verified; perhaps the person in question has no idea about it at all. However, I do know whether Grand Tutor Qin truly treated that student differently.
After Guo Xun finished speaking, he paused deliberately, glancing around at the curious expressions on the faces of the group.
They spoke in favor of the Qin family because their families had allied themselves with the Chonghua Palace; they were all in the same boat.
The main reason is that most of these young men are civil officials, and their elders naturally admire Grand Tutor Qin.
Having been exposed to this environment, even if one thinks that Grand Tutor Qin was strict and pedantic, he was still the most admirable scholar.
"Didn't I just say I was asking about this matter with Grand Tutor Qin? If it's true, I'll be thinking of where to pay my respects. My wife and the county princess are both on good terms with Miss Qin."
"But I didn't expect to hear a different story from Grand Tutor Qin himself."
Guo Xun looked around and slowly said, "The scholar's visit was not at the invitation of Grand Tutor Qin or the Qin family. Rather, the scholar knocked on the door himself, saying that he had traveled a long way to the capital to take the imperial examination and admired Grand Tutor Qin so much that he came to visit him."
"Such people are countless in the Grand Tutor's mansion. The Qin family's gatekeeper was going to politely see the person off, but that scholar refused. He confidently took out his essay and blocked the Grand Tutor Qin from leaving. The Grand Tutor Qin was unable to get rid of this person's entanglement, which is why the scholar ended up entering the Grand Tutor's mansion."
"After entering the mansion, I haven't read the essay written by this student. However, Grand Tutor Qin probably thinks it's not very good. After all, Grand Tutor Qin has already witnessed the elegance of His Highness and the princes. In Grand Tutor Qin's eyes, a mediocre essay is probably just a blank sheet of paper stained with ink."
"That wasn't the end of it. The scholar refused to give up and even suggested that he would visit Miss Qin's house to propose marriage after passing the imperial examination. Grand Tutor Qin thought this person was mediocre and reckless, so he had his servant escort him out of the mansion."
"Who knew that after leaving the Grand Tutor's residence, this scholar would spread rumors everywhere, saying that Miss Qin was in love with him and would not marry anyone else."
"Grand Tutor Qin doted on his daughter and admired her talent, which is why he used money to threaten the scholar into marrying into the Grand Tutor's family."
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