“Pffft —” Duan Chaoyin had spat out blood once earlier that day and Chaoge’s scarcasm almost made her spit out blood again.

Mrs Duan wrung her handkerchief until it was nearly in shreds. “Duan Chaoge! Is that how you talk to your sister?”

Chaoge scoffed at Mrs Duan. “Quit your lousy act. You’ve always wanted me dead. My sister? Don’t make me laugh!”

Mrs Duan was rendered speechless.

She swore that dealing with Duan Chaoge had significantly shortened her lifespan.

Duan Hongyi’s face was livid and he jumped to his feet. “Duan Chaoge, you think so highly of yourself, don’t you?!”

Chaoge grinned. “Well, I got the second highest score; I can think as highly of myself as I want! Bite me!”

Mrs Duan and her two daughters had bullied and framed Chaoge more times than she could count over the years, to the point that even Chaoge pitied herself. Seeing how pissed the three women were now, Chaoge felt so bold and elated.

Her luck had turned after Xiao Wu returned. Xiao Wu had to be her lucky star!

Chaoge came back today just to piss the three women off.

Seeing their heaving chests and livid faces, Chaoge was so satisfied.

“You cheated!” Duan Chaoyin snorted. “We know it! You cheated and I’m going to report you!”

Chaoge shrugged. With Xiao Wu around, no one could intimidate her.

“You can’t answer a single question! You must have copied someone else’s answers! It’ll be so easy to prove! All they need to do is have you redo the exam! You’ll be so dead!”

“Really? I’m so scared. What are you waiting for?” Chaoge wasn’t worried at all. “His Royal Highness and Mr Lu monitored the exam themselves, and you’re telling me that someone could have cheated during the exam? Go report me. Go report me now. I’d like to see you come back alive.”

Duan Hongyi cringed at the mention of Jun Linyuan. He only stared at Chaoge. “How did you learn everything so quickly?”

“Because I had a great teacher,” Chaoge said proudly.

“A great teacher? Which teacher?”

“Grand Secretary Fang,” said Chaoge. “Grand Secretary Fang had us memorize 1000 books and read 10,000 more. According to the old master, we would get good grades if we remembered them all.”

Well, she hadn’t remembered a single word, but Xiao Wu had.

“Grand Secretary Fang!” Duan Hongyi cried out. “Which Grand Secretary Fang?”

“Is there another Grand Secretary Fang? The one that recently retired, obviously. As in Xuan Yi’s grandfather,” Chaoge said casually.

“Grand Secretary Fang… Grand Secretary Fang… Grand Secretary Fang…” Duan Hongyi clenched his fists!

The great Grand Secretary Fang!

The Grand Secretary Fang that used to be the head of all government officials!

He had promoted more officials than one could count, and every single one of them was the head of a key department! If he could get on Grand Secretary Fang’s wagon, his future would be so promising!

At that thought, Duan Hongyi smacked his thigh. “Well done, Chaoge! I’m so proud of you, my daughter!”

He then patted Chaoge on the shoulder. “Kiddo, do you need anything? We’ll do our best to support you.”

Chaoge was never the humble type and she said without hesitation, “With the physical tryout coming, I still need a lot of cultivation resources!”

“Of course!” Duan Hongyi had always tried to form a connection with Grand Secretary Fang, but could never find an opportunity to meet the old man. He now saw Chaoge as his big breakthrough!

He showed Chaoge to the family vault right away. “Take whatever you need.”

The Duan family wasn’t from a major clan, but they had accumulated a considerable amount of resources over the years. There were plenty of spiritual stones in the vault as well.

Henyee Translations Henyee Translations

Chaoge stuffed her pockets with spiritual stones without hesitation.

Mrs Duan was furious. “Master, we don’t know that Chaoge will get into Imperial College for sure… It’ll be such a waste! Chaoyue is going to join the physical tryout, too. She’ll need her resources.”

Duan Hongyi shoved Mrs Duan to the side. “What do you know? You’re just a woman!”

As important as getting into Imperial College was, to Duan Hongyi, the top priority now was to make Grand Secretary Fang’s acquaintance!

His immediate superior at the moment was the subordinate of an official, who in turn was the subordinate of Grand Secretary Fang’s once-subordinate… He wouldn’t have to worry about not getting a promotion ever again if he could get Grand Secretary Fang as a patron.

Chaoge promptly left home after raiding the family vault, saying that she was going to see Grand Secretary Fang.

Yes, of course. Duan Hongyi nodded repeatedly.

Mrs Duan and her two daughters were infuriated.

Meanwhile, Feng Wu was at home and chatting with her beautiful mother when a distinguished guest arrived at the Feng clan.

“An invitation from Lady Northern Feng?” Lady Wang was elated!

Lady Northern Feng was a member of the upper class in the social circle of the noble ladies of the imperial capital. Lady Wang had been trying to make her acquaintance, but could never get a chance.

She had never expected Lady Northern Feng to send the Feng clan an invitation.

Lady Wang’s and Feng Liu’s eyes lit up!

Was Lady Northern Feng reaching out to the Feng clan?

After the frustration which Feng Wu had brought them earlier that day, this invitation cheered Lady Wang and Feng Liu up.

What was more, the invitation was brought by Granny Tao, Lady Northern Feng’s personal maid, herself.

“You didn’t have to go through so much trouble, Granny Tao, not to mention all these gifts.” Lady Wang smiled broadly.

Lady Wang knew about the Ning family’s marriage proposal and the relationship between Lady Northern Feng and Mrs Ning. She thought that Granny Tao was here to invite Feng Liu and herself over.

Granny Tao scanned the room, then frowned. “Is Miss Feng Liu the only young lady at home now?”

What was that supposed to mean?

Lady Wang’s heart sank. “Do you mean…”

“What about Miss Feng Wu? Is she at home?” Despite Granny Tao’s soft voice and kind smile, she gave off an air that was characteristic of servants from a noble house. The last thing one wanted to do was offend her.

“Feng Wu…” Lady Wang felt her anger rise at the mention of that name. Of course, she would make sure that Feng Wu would never be part of something this great.

Lady Wang answered with a smile, “Xiao Wu has… probably gone off somewhere. Sorry about that, but she’s such a stubborn and unruly child. There’s nothing gentle about her and she’s never home. We never know where to find her.”

That was Lady Wang’s usual strategy. With a smile on her face and in a casual tone, she smeared Feng Wu’s reputation.

Granny Tao’s face darkened right away.

And she snatched that invitation back.

Lady Wang’s pupils contracted!

What was that supposed to mean?!

Rising to her feet, Granny Tao said coldly, “Lady Wang, I see that you’re rather reluctant to take me to Miss Feng Wu. I’ll show myself in, then —”

Lady Wang was baffled!

What on earth was going on here?!

Wasn’t Granny Tao supposed to be here for her? To discuss the marriage between Ning Chenxi and Feng Liu? How did Feng Wu have anything to do with that?

Lady Wang’s face was livid!

As Lady Northern Feng’s chief maid, Granny Tao could give Lady Wang all the attitude she wanted and there was nothing Lady Wang could do about it!

Grinding her teeth, Lady Wang sent Granny Gui out to keep an eye on Fallen Star Yard.

It was where Granny Tao had gone.

Feng Wu took a look at the invitation and was bewildered. “Lady Northern Feng wants to see me? Why?”

Granny Tao showed much more enthusiasm toward Feng Wu. She smiled and said warmly, “Miss Feng was first in the written exam and Her Ladyship is so happy for you. I was sent here to take you to her.”

Since Feng Wu had nothing better to do at the moment, she went off with Granny Tao.

Outside, Granny Gui saw Feng Wu and Granny Tao come out of the yard together, with Granny Tao holding Feng Wu’s arm in a deferential manner…

Granny Gui’s pupils contracted. She went to report to Lady Wang as soon as Feng Wu left!

At the same time.

“Retch —”

“Retch —”

“Retch —”

Feng Liu retched into her handkerchief.

Lady Wang frowned. “What’s wrong? You were fine this morning. Why are you sick all of a sudden? Is it a stomach problem? You lot, go fetch the doctor now —”

Feng Liu’s nose puckered up. “I’ve been like this for a few days. I feel sick all the time, I’ve lost my appetite, and I’m always sleepy. This is so annoying.”

Lady Wang looked stumped for a moment.

She stared at Feng Liu, as if she had just been struck by lightning.

“Y- you —”

“What?” Feng Liu’s stomach lurched.

“You! H- how long have you been like this?” Lady Wang had forgotten to blink.

“Just a few days…”

“When did Feng Wu come back?” Lady Wang grabbed Feng Liu’s arm with a desperate look in her eyes.

“T- two months ago, I think?”

“Then you and…” Lady Wang’s eyes popped. “You! You!”

“What… did I do?”

“You’re not with child, are you?!” Lady Wang stared at Feng Liu!

Feng Liu: !!!

Eyes wide open, Feng Liu looked like she was in a trance as she stood dazed on the spot.

She put a hand on her belly… could it really be…

If that was the case… Oh god!

“Mum, what… I… what am I gonna do?!” Flustered, Feng Liu was at a loss. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She was still so young and life had been smooth sailing for her. The news completely befuddled her.

Lady Wang was no better…

“You fool!” She jabbed Feng Liu’s head with a finger.

Feng Liu cried so hard that she couldn’t say anything else.

“What’s going on?” Feng Yanfeng asked with a frown as he walked out of his study to find the mess outside.

It suddenly occurred to him that starting from a short while ago, his wife didn’t feel as pleasing as before…

His voice made Lady Wang and Feng Liu jump!

Lady Wang said in a hurry, “Nothing, really. Liu Er has an upset stomach, that’s all. We’ve sent for the doctor already.”

“An upset stomach?” Feng Yanfeng was feeling patient today, which was very rare for him. “Come here. Let me feel your pulse.”

“No!” Feng Liu shook her head repeatedly and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Feng Yanfeng frowned. Why was the girl so touchy?

Lady Wang hastily ushered Feng Yanfeng out of the room. “The doctor is coming soon. Please don’t let us keep you. Your official business is way more important.”

Seeing how badly Feng Liu was shaking, Feng Yanfeng frowned, put his hands behind his back, and grumpily left the room.

“Mum, what shall I do? If the doctor gets here and I’m really… I’d rather die!” Feng Liu burst out crying.

Lady Wang felt lightheaded at her daughter’s wail and she thought she was going to pass out.

Just then —