Song Mingzhu immediately flashed a deliberately innocent smile when she saw Song Nianyun. Her voice was sweet to the point of being cloying.
Her words sounded like an apology, but in reality, she was flaunting their father’s favoritism—and implying that Song Nianyun had returned too late and delayed the meal.
Lady Li was the most favored concubine of the Song father, and her daughter naturally enjoyed the most affection from him as well.
Just like when Song Mingzhu wanted to attend the academy exam, she only needed to act coquettishly, and their father would agree.
But when Song Nianyun wanted to go, she had to make a wager with their father—using her own future marriage as the bargaining chip.
Song Nianyun ignored Song Mingzhu’s provocation and walked straight to her seat.
Her seat was beside Madam Jiang. Seeing her mother’s unpleasant mood, she reached out and patted Jiang’s hand resting on the table.
“Mother, let’s eat.”
Seeing her daughter’s calm expression, Madam Jiang finally relaxed slightly and began serving her food.
“Yibai, eat more. Whether you pass Qinghui Academy or not doesn’t matter. Even if you fail, no one can just marry you off as they please!
Even if I have to risk my life, I will protect you!”
Earlier, when Song Mingzhu arrived in the dining hall, she had mentioned that the Qinghui Academy exam was extremely difficult—even she had struggled with the policy essay.
She also said she had seen her elder sister’s handwriting, and that it was so poor the examiners would likely not even bother to read it.
Although Madam Jiang knew Song Mingzhu was stating facts, what mother could tolerate hearing her daughter being belittled?
Yet she also knew her own daughter’s abilities. She could not argue back with confidence, so she could only sit there in frustration, unable to eat.
The two concubines were no better; both subtly and overtly mocked Song Nianyun while praising Song Mingzhu, making Madam Jiang even more suffocated.
Song Nianyun understood that her mother’s agitation came from the rumors and mockery about her exam, though she did not know the exact details.
“Mother, it’s fine. I will definitely pass Qinghui Academy. What you’re worried about will not happen.”
But her reassurance did not calm Madam Jiang. She only sighed and continued serving food.
No matter what happens, people still have to eat, and life still goes on.
Lady Li suddenly laughed behind her sleeve.
“Oh my, our eldest young lady is becoming more and more confident. That’s good, really good.”
Her tone sounded like praise, but the sarcasm underneath was obvious.
Concubine Wang also chuckled lightly, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Song Mingzhu quickly followed up.
“Yes, elder sister, your confidence is truly admirable. But do you know that handwriting is the face of a scholar?
It reflects one’s character and learning foundation.
Elder sister’s writing… I’m afraid the examiners won’t even bother to read it.”
Lady Li nodded immediately.
“Mingzhu is right. Eldest Miss, this concubine is speaking for your own good. Studying and writing require patience and daily effort…”
She sighed as if pitying her, but no one believed it was genuine concern.
At that moment, Song father suddenly slammed his chopsticks down.
“Not even able to write properly and you still talk about scholarship! Yibai, I allowed you to take the exam. Tomorrow when the results show your failure, don’t forget what you said!
After that, behave yourself and stop embarrassing the family!”
Madam Jiang stood up in anger, but Song Nianyun gently held her back.
She looked up calmly.
“Father, you said yourself—we will wait until the results come out. Then there is no need to say more. Just wait.”
She then lowered her gaze and continued eating, completely unbothered.
Her composed attitude made Song father even more frustrated, but he had nowhere to vent it and could only snort coldly.
Lady Li and Song Mingzhu exchanged a glance, both seeing anticipation in each other’s eyes.
They were certain that tomorrow’s announcement would be the moment Song Nianyun became a laughingstock.
Meanwhile, in the residence of the academy’s mountain lord, the air was thick with the smell of blood.
The mountain lord and Madam Yun looked worriedly at the unconscious man on the bed—Jiang Xiuran.
His chest wound had been properly bandaged, but his pale face and tightly furrowed brows revealed the severity of his injuries.
“Night Owl,” the mountain lord called out sharply, turning to the dark figure in the shadows, “what exactly happened? Why is Xiuran so badly injured?”
The black-clad guard knelt on one knee.
“Reporting to the mountain lord… on the way back to the Northern Frontier, the Marquis encountered a merchant convoy slaughtered by mountain bandits. No survivors.
The Marquis led us to eliminate the bandits.”
He paused, voice heavy.
“But there were reinforcements. Their numbers far exceeded ours.”
He swallowed.
“Many brothers died or were injured. The Marquis fought at the front to protect the rest of us and personally killed the bandit leader—but was struck by a hidden arrow. The arrow was poisoned.
We managed to eliminate all enemies, but the Marquis was gravely injured. Before losing consciousness, he ordered me to bring him here to seek you.”
The mountain lord’s expression grew even more serious.
He exchanged a glance with Madam Yun, both seeing fear in each other’s eyes.
“The doctor said Xiuran needs three months of rest. He must not overexert himself. He cannot return to the Northern Frontier for now. There is no war there anyway—let him stay at the academy,” Madam Yun said worriedly.
“Understood,” Night Owl replied, disappearing into the shadows.
Madam Yun sat by the bed, gently wiping away blood and sweat from Jiang Xiuran’s face.
“Sigh… thankfully he is still alive. You child, why are you always so careless… if something had happened to you, how would your grandmother survive…”
Her voice was full of lingering fear and affection.
The mountain lord patted her shoulder gently.
“Alright. Since the doctor says three months of recovery, let him stay here peacefully. The Northern Frontier is calm for now anyway.”
Madam Yun nodded and personally helped change Jiang Xiuran’s clothes before finally leaving.
The next morning, in front of Qinghui Academy’s stone wall, crowds gathered once again.
The results of the entrance examination had been posted.