On the other side, Lin Hong Palace also received many rewards, including two priceless Shu brocades that shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight—truly rare treasures.
Fang Momo smiled politely, “Madam has raised her daughter well. This is a token of the Empress’s regard.”
Madam Wen stroked the two pieces of Shu brocade, her eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion. She bowed, “Thank the Empress for her kindness.”
The next day at Shangshufang, Meng Yunwan felt that Ling Shuo seemed somewhat off, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
It wasn’t until the young man coughed lightly and asked somewhat awkwardly, “How did you find the Longjing tea picked before the rains?”
“Huh?”
Meng Yunwan was taken aback. “What Longjing tea picked before the rains?”
Ling Shuo was also puzzled. “Didn’t Yueying and the others deliver it to you?”
Meng Yunwan shook her head. After classes ended yesterday, she had stayed in the palace and hadn’t received any Longjing tea picked before the rains.
However…
She gave Ling Shuo a sweet, charming smile. “It must have been a mistake by the servants. But I understand Second Imperial Brother’s kindness. Thank you, Second Imperial Brother.”
After returning, Ling Shuo questioned Yueying and Yueqi with a grim expression.
Yueqi scratched his head. “You only said to deliver it to your imperial brothers, sisters, and younger siblings. You didn’t mention delivering it to Miss Meng. So, I sealed the extra portion and returned it to the warehouse.”
Ling Shuo, “…”
“Go and receive ten military canes yourself.”
After classes ended, as Meng Yunwan was packing her book box to leave, Meng Nan approached her proactively.
“Yun Guan, I heard you tutor the Crown Prince every day after classes. We are proud to have such an intelligent sister like you. Could you trouble yourself to teach us as well in the future?”
His voice was gentle, and his attitude was exceedingly polite.
Meng Yunwan silently watched him.
Back at the marquis’s mansion, Meng Nan was the one among the three brothers who had bullied her relatively less severely.
But this wasn’t due to any fraternal affection. Instead, this person was cunning and treacherous—amicable on the surface but full of underhanded schemes behind the scenes.
That cup of poisoned wine was his idea for Meng Yu Tang.
It was also he who personally helped Meng Yu Tang clamp her throat shut, preventing her from vomiting out the poison, until her organs twisted in agony and she breathed her last.
“Yun Guan, there were wrongs on both sides in the past. Why dwell on them now? You may seem to be living a glorious life in the palace, but you must have many grievances you cannot share with outsiders. Having more brothers means more support and more people to care for you. Isn’t that a good thing?”
Good? Of course, it would be wonderful.
Meng Yunwan asked, “How would my three brothers like me to tutor you?”
Seeing her relent, Meng Nan was visibly delighted. He handed her a piece of paper densely covered with characters. She took it and glanced at it.
The corner of her mouth curled into a strange smile.
“What’s wrong, Yun Guan? What is this?” Ling Qianche curiously leaned over, snatched the paper, and read the words aloud:
“Strive to pass the xiucai examination within three months, pass the provincial examination early next year, and pass the metropolitan examination by the end of the year… What on earth is all this?”
Ling Qianche’s expression shifted from bewilderment to shock. He looked at the four siblings—Meng Ruan and the others—as if they were lunatics. “Yun Guan, are your brothers and sister daydreaming?”
Meng Yunwan smiled mockingly. Even thinking with her toes, she knew this was Meng Yu Tang’s idea.
Truly, ignorance breeds fearlessness.
In her previous life, Meng Yunwan had personally tutored Meng Fan and Meng Nan in their studies. However, they were simply not cut out for academics. To help them better understand, she scoured ancient and modern texts and illustrated guides, compiling them into volumes using her own words. Her hands were covered in blisters, yet she still worked late into the night, meticulously correcting every mistake in their assignments.
The young woman, only eighteen at the time, endured this for two years, aging almost a decade in the process.
It could be said that the Meng brothers’ success in the imperial examinations was bought with half her life.
Did they think she would tutor them again in this life? Hah, not a chance!
Meng Yunwan promptly handed the list to the Grand Tutor, explaining that her brothers were eager to improve their studies but were too shy to ask him directly.
Grand Tutor Zhou was deeply gratified and immediately agreed to tutor them after classes each day.
When the news reached Shangshufang, the three Meng brothers—Meng Ruan and his siblings—were stunned, while Meng Yu Tang was overjoyed. “Did the Grand Tutor really say that?”
“Wonderful! That’s absolutely wonderful!”
“The Grand Tutor himself teaching us, and even offering extra lessons! Good heavens, our marquis’s mansion is about to see brighter days!”
Seeing her excitement, the three Meng brothers exchanged glances and swallowed their objections.
Grand Tutor Zhou was notoriously strict. During the day, with many students around, they could still sneak a moment to breathe. But private tutoring sessions…
Well, never mind. Since Yu Tang was so happy, they might as well give it a try.
After all, they held a sliver of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, this could help them improve.
Their conversation drifted to Meng Yunwan, who was nearby.
She leisurely ground her inkstone, her heart filling with deepening scorn.
With fools like the Meng brothers, even if the God of Literature himself descended to teach them, they would still amount to nothing.
As Meng Yunwan had predicted,
Meng Ruan and the others couldn’t endure the daily grind of extra tutoring.
Each day after classes, they stumbled out of the palace, rushing to leave before the gates were locked. Their carriage jolted its way back to the marquis’s mansion, and only after a bowl of hot soup did they feel somewhat revived.
After less than half a month of this, they were already complaining bitterly, refusing to attend any more lessons.
“If only we’d known earlier, we never would have come to Shangshufang.”
“This life is simply unbearable.”
Sprawled across the chaise lounge, they lay in disarray, each wearing an expression of utter despair.
No one voiced agreement with Meng Fan, but their thoughts were identical: if only they had never stepped foot in that study.
They were never meant for scholarly pursuits. Back in the clan school, they had muddled along contentedly. But now, at Shangshufang, they studied frantically under immense pressure, only to consistently rank at the bottom in the imperial examinations. Who wouldn’t lose heart?
If only they hadn’t come to Shangshufang. If only they hadn’t listened to Yu Tang.
Meng Yu Tang grew furious at their lack of ambition. Seeing them all staring at her, she exploded, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Who do you think I’m doing all this for? You have no drive, no ambition—what kind of men are you? I’ve worn myself out worrying for you, and this is how you repay me?”
“The provincial examination is right around the corner, and what are you doing? Instead of studying harder, you laze around every day. If you’re not worried, I’m worried sick for you!”
“If you continue like this, when will you ever pass the imperial examinations and achieve success? When will the Meng family rise to the highest ranks of the court? And when will I ever become the Crown Princess? This infuriates me, it truly infuriates me!”