Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

Ying Yufu said, "He is related to the Mu family and said he came to pay his respects to his elders."

Shangguan Fei glanced at Sun Boyan, knowing full well what kind of person he was, but she didn't say anything sarcastic. She simply looked away and said, "Fu'er, you go ahead. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now."

"Oh, take care, big cousin." Ying Yufu blinked curiously, wondering what she was going to do.

Shangguan Fei seemed to be in a hurry and didn't notice her curiosity; she had already strode away.

Ying Yufu watched her slightly hurried figure from behind, a look of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

When the steward of the manor heard that she had arrived with her entourage, he quickly came to greet her after she passed through the hanging flower gate.

Ying Yufu instructed the steward to settle the scholars, except for Sun Boyan, in another small living room to rest, while she and her friends took Sun Boyan to the main hall.

There were quite a few people gathered in the main hall, including the old lady, her two daughters-in-law, and Shangguan Tang.

Seeing that Shangguan Tang was stunned, Ying Yufu chided, "You silly child, you went out so early in the morning, and instead of coming home, you came to your maternal grandparents' house!"

Ying Yufu's eyes crinkled into a smile, her expression obedient. "I did some calculations and knew that Mother was coming to Grandpa's house, so I brought my girlfriends here!"

Everyone was immediately amused.

Yao Guang and the others quickly greeted them.

After exchanging greetings, Aunt Gong Peilan finally looked at the scholar behind them.

"Fu'er, may I ask who this young master is? And why is he with you?"

The atmosphere in Beixuan is open, so it's not considered a violation of etiquette for a few young girls to bring a strange man along, but such things don't happen often.

But these girls are all from extraordinary backgrounds, so this little thing has no impact on them.

Yao Guang and the others immediately looked at Sun Boyan with eyes that seemed to be watching a spectacle.

Ying Yufu replied, "Aunt, this man's name is Sun Boyan. He claims to be from the Sun family of Jinzhou, and his maternal aunt is the matriarch of the Mu family's Jiangnan branch."

Gong Peilan nodded and said nothing more, but turned to look at her mother-in-law.

The old lady looked at Sun Boyan, a look of inquiry in her eyes. "Oh? A marriage alliance with the Mu family of Jiangnan?"

Sun Boyan was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe. At this moment, his back was soaked with cold sweat. Fortunately, the color of the fabric was not meant to be visible, so no one should have noticed that he was covered in cold sweat.

He was quite smug before he arrived, but as soon as he entered the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he felt an invisible pressure hanging over his head.

It's not that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was particularly luxurious, or that the people here were particularly strict.

Instead, an invisible aura naturally formed within the mansion, preventing him from acting recklessly in the slightest.

The arrogance he had shown earlier, claiming to have come to pay his respects to Elder Changye, completely vanished upon entering this place.

He suddenly felt a sense of unease, as if he shouldn't have come.

The reason was simple: he didn't feel the excitement of finally entering the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but rather a sense of fear at the prospect of meeting someone unapproachable.

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is not something he can easily curry favor with.

Sun Boyan's pride and joy were now shattered into nothingness.

The air around the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion exudes an aura of majesty.

He took a breath, straightened his robes, carefully stepped forward, clasped his hands in a deep bow, and said, "Junior Sun Boyan greets the Old Madam and all the ladies!"

The old lady nodded. "Young man from the Sun family, there's no need for such formalities. Since your family is related to a branch of the Mu family in Jiangnan by marriage, you are indeed relatives. There's no need to be so formal. Please sit down."

The old lady had a gentle expression, yet it conveyed a sense of authority.

Sun Boyan's heart pounded. He hadn't expected that this old lady would actually invite him to sit down.

The tension in my heart intensified, and my palms were covered in cold sweat.

He carefully sat down, and then heard the old lady ask with a hint of curiosity, "Are you here to participate in the imperial examination?"

"Yes, this junior has indeed come to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations," Sun Boyan replied, standing up once more.

"Don't be nervous, I was just asking casually. Sit down and let's talk." The old lady was like a kind elder.

Sun Boyan agreed and sat down again.

The old lady then asked, "How is your scholarship? Are you confident in your abilities?"

Sun Boyan clenched his fist and said, "This junior's knowledge is decent, and I am somewhat confident."

The old lady smiled slightly, "Well, you young man are quite confident."

Sun Boyan's face flushed red. Had he been too arrogant?

He added, "Your Excellency, I will certainly do my utmost."

The old man nodded and looked at him, saying, "It's rare that you've taken the time to visit. My grandson is also a candidate for this year's imperial examination, so you two should have something to talk about."

When Shangguan Hong heard that Ying Yufu had arrived, he heard the old lady say this as soon as he entered.

He looked at Sun Boyan.

The two greeted each other.