The group walked and talked as they arrived at the Fan family's house.
Driven by vanity, Chen Zhancai, wanting to show off in front of his classmates, pretended to knock on the Fan family's door.
A servant peeked out and looked Chen Zhancai up and down, recognizing him as the fifth concubine's father.
Everyone in the Fan family knew that Master Fan utterly disliked his newly acquired fifth concubine, and had specifically instructed his men to...
If anyone came to claim kinship with Fifth Aunt, they were resolutely refused entry and thrown out immediately.
The servant's eyes were full of disdain. "Where did this poor wretch come from? Don't you know where you are? How dare you shout like this?"
Chen Zhancai's face stiffened, sensing that something was wrong. But since things had come to this, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I am your wife's biological father. Go and inform Master Fan that I have come to see my daughter."
The servant sneered disdainfully, "You dare to impersonate my lady's father? You're truly ignorant and arrogant. If you don't want to die, get out of here right now."
Chen Zhancai's face burned, and he explained in a muffled voice, "My daughter Chen Ruolan is your master's newly brought-in concubine, and I am her biological father."
"My master has plenty of concubines. Who knows which Tom, Dick, or Harry your daughter is? Get out of here and don't dirty the Fan family's place!"
Upon hearing this, several classmates pointed and laughed, "Brother Chen, you're exaggerating a bit. Let's hurry up and leave, or we won't be able to get away if the Fan family sets their dogs on us."
“Brother Chen, the Fan family says they have no relation to you. I think you’re really drunk and talking nonsense.”
"Exactly, that's wishful thinking."
Hearing his classmates' ridicule, Chen Zhancai blushed with shame and couldn't help but shout loudly at the servant.
"You blind bastard, you even dare to curse your master's father-in-law. I think you're tired of living. If you don't want to die, hurry up and go in to report. I'm magnanimous and won't hold it against you. Otherwise, don't blame me for speaking ill of you in front of Master Fan."
The servant ignored Chen Zhancai's words completely, chuckled, and said, "Who do you think you are? You want to see my master? Who do you think you are? Let me tell you, you think you can come to the Fan family to claim kinship just because you're the father of one of my concubines? You're a disgrace! Guards, throw him out!"
As soon as the servant finished speaking, a group of servants rushed out of the courtyard and began punching and kicking Chen Zhancai.
Being beaten black and blue wasn't the worst part; the worst part was losing face in front of his classmates and becoming the laughingstock of them...
Putting aside his memories, Chen Zhancai was filled with resentment. In the past, he had no money or power and was not even worthy of entering the Fan family's gate. Now that he had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, he was determined to personally avenge the humiliation he had suffered in the Fan family.
He simply couldn't believe that Fan Tong, no matter how powerful he was, would dare to lay a hand on a scholar.
Faced with Old Mrs. Chen's question, Chen Zhancai gritted his teeth and said,
"Mother, Ruolan's life in the Fan family must be tough. Those snobbish people in the Fan family don't take us seriously at all. But don't worry, now that your son has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, I will definitely get justice for Ruolan and let the Fan family know that the Chen family is not easy to bully!"
Old Mrs. Chen shook her head and sighed, "My poor Ruolan, I should never have let her into the Fan family. Zhancai, you must keep your word and not let Ruolan suffer any injustice."
"Mother, just you wait and see. After the wedding banquet, I'll go and settle accounts with Fan Tong," Chen Zhancai assured, patting his chest.
Sun curled her lip in disdain. "Zhancai, although you have passed the imperial examination, you are still not an official of the court. The Fan family is wealthy and powerful. I have heard that Fan Tong's brother-in-law is the county magistrate of Anyang County. You are not someone that a mere scholar like yourself can afford to offend."
Chen Zhanliang chimed in, "Your second sister-in-law is right. There's no need to offend the Fan family for the sake of a girl who's getting married. As long as Ruolan is happy, that's fine. We shouldn't get involved."
“Yes, if we don’t get the benefit and end up looking foolish, Ruolan will lose face in the Fan family.”
Hearing Sun say this, Chen Zhancai glared at her fiercely, "Shut up, what are you talking about? I am now a real scholar, even the county magistrate has to give me some face. What's so scary about a county assistant?"
"You're really rubbing salt in the wound! All you do is spout nonsense all day long, just shut up!"
Old Mrs. Chen also glared fiercely at Chen Zhanliang and his wife.
"On such a joyous occasion, why are you making such a fuss over trivial matters? Aren't you tired of it? It's just that Da Bao's money was used to buy a few days' worth of grain. Is it necessary to keep bringing it up all the time? Once Lao San passes the imperial examination and receives his salary from the court, we'll return those melons and dates to you."
"Fine, fine, it's all our fault. We won't take care of it anymore!" Mrs. Sun rolled her eyes speechlessly.
Old Mrs. Chen waved her hand impatiently, "Alright, second son, stop with this nonsense. I'm asking you, does Chen Zhanshan know that Zhancai passed the imperial examination and became a scholar?"
"The whole village was in an uproar; how could they not know?"
"Good to know. What about that brat? What was her expression?"
Hearing Old Mrs. Chen repeatedly call her "that wretched girl," Mrs. Sun's face immediately darkened.
"Mother, can't you speak properly? She has a name and surname. She hasn't eaten or drunk anything from you. Why do you keep calling her 'brat'? You dare to call yourself a scholar's mother? Aren't you afraid people will laugh their heads off?"
“That makes sense. The eldest son’s family has already been cut off from all ties. Even if Zhancai passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar, they won’t benefit from it. What kind of expression do you expect them to have?” Chen Zhanliang said irritably.
Old Mrs. Chen glared at her and said, "What's wrong? That's what I call you. Do you have a problem with that?"
That brat is heartless, ungrateful, and utterly despicable. She's practically dead. We're being lenient by not calling her shameless. What can a mere young girl like her do? Can she rebel against the heavens?
Sun was speechless. She turned her head away and ignored her, then left the house.
Chen Zhanliang followed closely behind. Regardless of how Old Madam Chen viewed Chen Qingqing, in his heart, Qingqing was loyal and righteous. As her second uncle, if she needed his help, he was willing to go through fire and water for her...
Grandma Chen ignored them and then went on to discuss the preparations for the banquet with Chen Zhancai and his wife...
Kongfu Academy in Qingshui Town
The preliminary examinations for this year's students have ended, and it's also the time for the winter break and rest. Chen Qingqing arrived at the academy gate early in the morning to wait.
She craned her neck to look around and finally saw Chen Han come out from inside.
She hurriedly greeted him with a smile, "Xiao Han, tell me quickly, did you pass the preliminary examination?"
Chen Han hung his head, looking very sad. "Sister, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you."
Chen Qingqing chuckled softly and comforted him, "It's okay, my Xiaohan has already tried his best. If he didn't pass this time, we'll have another chance."
Chen Han suddenly raised his head and said with a grin, "Sister, actually I passed the preliminary examination!"
Chen Qingqing was taken aback at first, then reached out and gently flicked Chen Han's nose with her finger, feigning anger, "You little brat, how dare you tease your older sister! I'll spank your little bottom!"
Chen Han laughed and dodged to the side, quickly begging for mercy, "Good sister, spare me! I'll never dare to do it again!"
"Alright, Xiaohan, let's hurry home and tell our parents this great news so they can share in the joy."
......
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