"Go home."
When Qiao tried to stop them, Fang Daniu's burly body blocked her way, and she couldn't even reach Zhao Shi'an's sleeve.
The three of them got into the carriage. Qiao was cursing and swearing, but Ma Ru looked in the direction Fang Qing and the others left and curled the corners of her mouth.
"Mother, don't worry, they won't be smug for long."
"What's the meaning?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, Fang Qing will test my brother tonight. My brother is so smart, he will definitely understand what Fang Qing means. I'm afraid he won't be able to calm down during the next two exams."
If one cannot calm down, the imperial examinations will not go smoothly.
In that case, how could he possibly look down on the mother and her two daughters?
Zhao Shi'an, let's all suffer together!
But she underestimated Fang Qing.
She wasn't a sixteen-year-old girl; she was a mature soul from another world who had lived in this world for ten years. How could she possibly lose her composure because of a few words from her?
Even if she really wanted to test Zhao Shi'an, she couldn't do it at such a crucial time as Zhao Shi'an's provincial examination.
Zhao Shi'an tested her, but Fang Qing kept all her thoughts to herself.
Although she hid it well, the fact that she had this matter on her mind still unconsciously revealed something.
Zhao Shi'an noticed that Fang Qing rarely made eye contact with him, and even when their eyes met, she would quickly look away.
After dinner, Zhao Shi'an pulled Fang Qing aside.
"What's wrong? Is someone giving you trouble?"
He had already heard from Xiao Liu that Ma Ru had approached Fang Qing on the day he entered the venue.
It must have been something Ma Ru said to Fang Qing.
Otherwise, Fang Qing wouldn't have treated him like that.
Fang Qing instinctively tried to break free from Zhao Shi'an's hand, but Zhao Shi'an blocked her way.
"Don't believe anything she says."
Fang Qing's eyes trembled slightly.
"Don't worry, brother, I know. We have to go to the stadium tomorrow. You should get some rest."
Fang Qing tried her best to relax her expression.
Once Zhao Shi'an confirmed that Fang Qing was truly alright, he let her return to her room.
But Zhao Shi'an couldn't sleep, so he called Xiao Liu over.
“The mother and her two daughters have been here for too long; it’s time to send them back to where they belong.”
Xiao Liu looked at Zhao Shi'an in surprise.
“But Master, if they go back, they will probably be sold off.”
Xiao Liu had one more thing he didn't say.
Besides, those are your mother and sister.
Zhao Shi'an's eyes were cold and indifferent.
What's your problem?
His gaze swept over Xiao Liu, and Xiao Liu quickly shrank back.
"No, no, I'll arrange it right away."
Zhao Shi'an waved his hand, and Xiao Liu withdrew.
Silence returned to the room; the night was deep, and only the chirping of insects could be heard outside.
Zhao Shi'an hesitated for a moment before going to Fang Qing's room.
Fang Qing was already asleep, so he quietly walked to the bedside and sat down.
In the darkness, he reached out and gently touched Fang Qing's cheek.
He wanted to sleep next to Fang Qing, but Fang Daniu and Zhao Shi were in the room to the west.
After sitting on the edge of the bed for a while, Zhao Shi'an got up and gently kissed Fang Qing's forehead before leaving.
The door was closed quietly without making a sound.
But Fang Qing slowly opened her eyes.
She wasn't sleepy at all, and when Zhao Shi'an came in, she instinctively closed her eyes.
God knows how nervous and scared she was.
Her heart was still pounding.
The things Zhao Shi'an had just done to her kept repeating in her mind.
so.
Is it really as Ma Ru said, that Zhao Shi'an likes her?
My heart started beating faster.
Fang Qing didn't sleep much that night.
The next morning, Fang Qing took Zhao Shi'an to the examination hall and then went back to catch up on sleep.
After the next two exams, Fang Qing breathed a sigh of relief.
After leaving the examination hall, Fang Qing asked Zhao Shi'an how the exam went.
Zhao Shi'an's expression was the same as usual, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or sad.
"good."
Hearing him say that, Fang Qing knew that everything was settled.
That day, Fang Qing told Fang Daniu and Zhao Shi to go back and make preparations, as they might be helping Zhao Shi'an celebrate.
After the provincial examination, Fang Dashu had some free time. During the day, he often attended his classmates' banquets or poetry gatherings, and occasionally came over to have dinner with Fang Qing in the evening.
Zhao Shi'an, on the other hand, stayed in the small courtyard the whole time, and at most accompanied Fang Qing to the market to buy groceries every day.
Fang Qing had something on her mind, and Zhao Shi'an noticed it too.
Before Ma Ru and her two daughters were sent away, Zhao Shi'an went to see them.
Qiao was locked in a waiting room at the inn, and was in a very sorry state.
Ma Ru and her sister weren't much better off.
Upon seeing Zhao Shi'an approach, Qiao Shi began to berate him, while Ma Ru coldly stared at Zhao Shi'an.
"Zhao Shi'an, don't you care about family ties at all?"
Zhao Shi'an listened to her words as if he had heard a joke.
"What kind of kinship do we have? Those lies are meant to fool others, fine."
"You madman, do you know what will happen to us if you hand us over to the Ma family?"
Zhao Shi'an calmly sat down in the chair.
"Don't worry, I've already spoken with the Ma family. They won't sell you. At most, they'll just lock you up in a nunnery and leave you to live out your days in solitude."
Ma Ru opened her eyes wide.
"You're too cruel! It was your mother who abandoned you back then. I never did anything to hurt you!"
Zhao Shi'an narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Really? What did you say to Fang Qing on the day of the provincial examination?"
When this matter was mentioned, Ma Ru's eyes dimmed slightly.
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