"Da Man Ge, San Man Ge, let me answer this question for Xi Tian..."
Xiao Jin Heng stepped forward, a half-smile on his face, and said, "It's quite obvious. Sister-in-law Gui Hua simply looks down on Miss Murong's background. Seeing her always around Jin Shan, she's naturally a bit jealous. She's afraid Jin Shan will be snatched away by Miss Murong and they'll fly off together, never to return. Am I right?"
Zhao Gui Hua: "......"
This brat, why are you interfering in our family's affairs?
Yun San Man looked at Zhao Gui Hua in shock and asked angrily, "So, Sister-in-law, you were lying just now? Miss Murong wouldn't deign to gossip behind your back, but you're petty and afraid Miss Murong will steal your son, aren't you?"
Zhao Gui Hua: "......"
Is it wrong for her to care about her son?
Why is everyone targeting her?
"You guys chat, I'm going in to eat..." Zhao Gui Hua muttered and turned to go back into the private room.
Yun Da Man saw this and shouted, "Gui Hua, stop right there!"
Zhao Gui Hua jumped and turned back, "W-what is it?"
"Clarify yourself. Why did you falsely accuse Miss Murong?" Yun Da Man's temples throbbed with anger.
Zhao Gui Hua stood frozen. Seeing everyone staring at her angrily, she felt increasingly uneasy. "It's... it's because Miss Murong is too cunning, and her background is humble. She's not worthy of Jin He. Otherwise, I wouldn't have opposed her!"
As soon as she said this, Xiao Jin Heng stepped forward to object first, "Sister-in-law Gui Hua, that's not right. How much do you know about Murong Qing? Do you understand her capabilities and talents?"
"She... she's just a companion reader. What other capabilities could she have?" Zhao Gui Hua mumbled.
Xiao Jin Heng couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "If Sister-in-law Gui Hua thinks that way, you're gravely mistaken. To tell you the truth, I had someone investigate her in secret. Before the State of Chen was destroyed, Murong Qing held the official post of a third-rank Minister of Works. She also served in the Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy. Her intelligence and abilities are far beyond those of ordinary people..."
"Sister-in-law Gui Hua, without knowing any of this, you've concluded that Murong Qing is a village girl who will monopolize your son. Such thoughts are undeniably biased and narrow-minded!"
"In this world, no parents wish for their children to live difficult lives. Since Jin He met Murong Qing by fate and they get along well, why should Sister-in-law Gui Hua interfere and ruin their relationship and happiness? Don't you think that's selfish?"
Zhao Gui Hua was severely criticized and felt even more displeased...
You good-for-nothing Xiao Gongzi, we, the Yun family, have always treated you well. Is this how you speak to your elders?
Where is your upbringing? Your quality?
"So what if she was a Minister of Works?" Zhao Gui Hua retorted, her neck stiff, and said sarcastically, "Since the State of Chen is already destroyed, what kind of splash can a fallen woman make? My Jin He will in the future..."
"Sister-in-law Gui Hua!" Xiao Jin Heng interrupted Zhao Gui Hua, narrowing his eyes. "I don't care how successful your Jin He will be in the future, but Murong Qing is by no means ordinary. She will achieve great things in the State of Liang, I can guarantee it with my own integrity!"
"As the saying goes, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. As long as she is clear-headed and good at analyzing and solving problems, she will have a place in the State of Liang..."
At this point, Xiao Jin Heng curved his lips and looked at Zhao Gui Hua languidly. "As for those scholars who participate in the imperial examinations, even if they achieve the highest ranks, they have to start from scratch when entering officialdom. People who are diligent and good at navigating relationships will have to toil in the lower ranks for at least a decade before they can enter the cabinet to participate in political affairs."
"But someone as honest as Jin He might be assigned to the Imperial Academy as a minor instructor, or perhaps appointed as an insignificant official in the Ministry of Rites. You should know that the monthly salary of such officials is less than ten taels of silver, which is far from the great success and high official positions that Sister-in-law Gui Hua expects!"
Zhao Gui Hua: "......"
Is this kid deliberately going against her today?
If a child from a farming family doesn't want to spend their life digging in the soil, they can only participate in the imperial examinations. But you're saying even the imperial examinations won't lead to success. Are you trying to kill Jin He!
Little Xi Tian was also shocked by the brat's words. She didn't expect him to be so eloquent today, given how he usually spoke so little...
He lectured Sister-in-law Gui Hua with so many principles.
Seeing his wife fall silent, Yun Da Man stepped forward and nudged her. "Gui Hua, you've heard it now. Young Master Xiao means you shouldn't look down on people. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Miss Murong is temporarily down on her luck, but who can say she won't achieve great things in the future? Our son is indeed excellent, but we can't exaggerate too much. One must be humble. You're always so boisterous and loud, it's embarrassing for our son..."
If people didn't know better, they'd think Jin He had already become the top scholar.
Now, when villagers see his son, they all bow and act respectfully. What if Jin He fails the exam one day? Wouldn't he lose face?
Therefore, one shouldn't speak too definitively; one must leave room for oneself...
Zhao Gui Hua was well aware of Xiao Jin Heng's identity. As the high and mighty Crown Prince lectured her, she dared not retort.
"I... I was wrong about this. I won't do it again!" Zhao Gui Hua said sullenly.
After speaking, she quickly looked at Yun San Man. "San Man, Sister-in-law was narrow-minded. You... you don't hold it against me..."
Little Xi Tian couldn't help but chuckle. Sister-in-law's attitude of admitting fault was quite proactive.
Yun San Man waved his hand. "It's nothing. It's not entirely Sister-in-law's fault. If Fang'er truly cared about me, she wouldn't have left without saying goodbye!"
So, no matter what method is used, they must find Shangguan Fang'er. Whether they stay together or part ways, whether they leave or stay, she must make things clear, so that Yun San Man can give up this idea and no longer pine for her...
Just then, Chu Jiang Tun pushed open the door and staggered out.
He had drunk quite a bit with Old Man Yun and was now completely drunk.
Upon seeing his younger brothers and sisters, Chu Jiang Tun chuckled and slurred, "Da Man, Er Man, *hic*, Sister, *hic*, why aren't you going inside? Come, come, let brother hug you..."
After saying that, he stumbled forward.
Little Xi Tian quickly went to support him. "Oh no, Brother Jiang Tun, why did you drink so much!"
Before she could grab Chu Jiang Tun, he stumbled and fell to the ground with a thud, completely passing out...