Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Second Uncle, you...sigh~"

Qi Heng understood Gu Tingye's meaning. If Gu Yankai disagreed with him after he passed the imperial examination, he would insist on bringing Man Niang and her son into the family. Therefore, he was willing to make a big fuss about it and even confront Gu Yankai.

Although the Great Zhou Dynasty selected officials through the imperial examination system, it did not mean that personal moral cultivation was unimportant.

On the contrary, the imperial court still attaches great importance to this matter.

Filial piety is the most important virtue. If Gu Tingye contradicts his father and makes a big fuss, he may be stripped of his academic honors.

Especially during the imperial examination period, when so many scholars gathered in Bianjing.

Disobedience and unfilial piety are among the ten evils, and even if pardoned, they will not be pardoned.

Gu Tingye was using the threat of official rank to force Gu Yankai to agree.

If Gu Yankai doesn't agree, then we'll make a big scene and lose our honors.

Qi Heng knew that Gu Yankai had a chronic illness, and Gu Tingye's actions might, like in the original drama, cause Gu Yankai to die of anger.

"Has Second Uncle considered what to do if he doesn't pass the exam?" Qi Heng asked.

"I don't know either!"

Gu Tingye shook his head. He was very confident about passing the exam, but he wasn't absolutely certain.

It wasn't that he didn't know what to do if he failed the exam; it was that he simply couldn't think of what to do.

"Second Uncle, think it over carefully. I heard that your father was seriously injured in the Zhou-Xia War and has a chronic illness."

"If things go wrong and someone gets sick from anger, how will Second Uncle handle that?" Qi Heng said.

In the original drama, Gu Tingye was able to be given important responsibilities despite bearing the infamy of causing his father's death.

That's because of the merit of following the emperor. Although loyalty and filial piety have always been mentioned together, loyalty is considered greater than filial piety.

The situation is different now. As long as Zhao Shou doesn't die, there will be no surprises in him inheriting the throne.

Even if Zhao Shou dies young, the Emperor may be too grief-stricken to hold on for long.

At that time, the emperor will most likely directly appoint the crown prince. The Prince of Yan lacks supporters, has no collusion with the Rong family, and will not rebel.

Even if Gu Tingye did the same thing as before—leaving the capital after angering his father to death and getting to know Zhao Zongquan and his son—he would still not be able to contribute to the rise of the new emperor.

Without meritorious service in supporting the emperor and bearing the infamy of causing his father's death, the court would not employ him.

Personally speaking, Gu Tingye was a very good friend of his.

From a public-spirited perspective, Gu Tingye is quite talented, and it's a real pity that he's been overlooked.

"I know my father was injured in his early years, but I've never heard of him having any chronic illnesses," Gu Tingye said, frowning.

He still had deep feelings for Gu Yankai.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to escape and left Bianjing for several years.

"I heard it from my dad, so it can't be false."

Qi Heng said, "If Second Uncle doesn't believe me, he can ask the doctor we usually see at home."

For families like theirs, the doctors they usually use are not easily changed. Only in this way can they prevent the doctors from revealing any secrets.

He also didn't expect that Gu Tingye was unaware of Gu Yan's relapse into his old ailment.

But that's not important; the doctor the Gu family usually uses must know.

Qi Heng even suspected that the real motive behind Xiao Qinshi's praise of Gu Tingye was actually Gu Yankai.

If all she wanted was for Gu Tingye to become a spoiled brat, to completely disappoint Gu Yankai, and for Gu Tingwei to inherit the title, then what she had done before was not enough.

If it weren't for Man Niang's appearance, Madam Qin would have had no way to drive Gu Tingye out.

Gu Yan's heart has always belonged to Gu Tingye as the heir to the title.

Only by angering Gu Yankai to death can we prevent him from leaving a will and completely deprive Gu Tingye of the chance to inherit the title.

"I'll ask around later!"

Gu Tingye nodded and fell silent.

If what Qi Heng said is true, then he really doesn't know what to do.

If he insists on letting Man Niang and her son into the house, he might anger Gu Yankai to the point of causing him serious injury.

But he had promised Manniang that he wouldn't let her and her son into the house, and he couldn't get over that hurdle in his heart.

Qi Heng didn't say anything more; he had said everything he needed to say.

Many things in the world have both inevitability and chance.

What is destined to happen cannot be prevented even if one knows what will happen in the future.

This is because it is the result of a person's personality and many other factors.

It is only possible for something to change if it is a chance event.

Qi Heng couldn't tell whether Gu Tingye's anger that led to Gu Yankai's death was inevitable or accidental, but he had said all he could. If it still happened, there was nothing he could do.

The carriage stopped in front of the Sheng family's house. The two men got off the carriage and entered the house with their respective attendants.

Upon arriving at the school, Sheng Changbai, as usual, was already reading inside.

"Zhonghuai, Yuanruo!"

Seeing the two enter, she put down her book and greeted them, only then noticing that Gu Tingye's expression was a little off. She asked with concern, "Zhonghuai doesn't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"

Gu Tingye forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, Zecheng, I'm fine."

Sheng Changbai frowned slightly; Gu Tingye didn't look like he was alright at all.

He wanted to ask more, but seeing Qi Heng shake his head slightly, he held back.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Sheng Changfeng and Mo Lan arrived.

After exchanging greetings as usual, Mo Lan returned to her seat.

But Qi Heng still keenly noticed that something was wrong with her expression.

Normally, when Mo Lan bowed, he would smile at her. Today, Mo Lan looked somewhat haggard, and although he was smiling, his gaze darted away when he met her eyes.

After a while, Minglan and Rulan also arrived.

"Greetings, big brother..."

The two bowed to each other in turn. Qi Heng looked at Minglan and saw that she looked normal, so he smiled.

Minglan met Qi Heng's gaze, smiled and winked, then went to the other side of the screen with Rulan.

During class, Gu Tingye was distracted and was reprimanded by Zhuang Xuejiu several times.

After class, Zhuang Xuejiu called Gu Tingye away.

"Yuan Ruo!"

When Qi Heng saw Minglan and Rulan leave the school, he got up and followed them, but was stopped by Sheng Changbai.

Sheng Changbai pulled Qi Heng to a corner of the courtyard and whispered, "What exactly happened to Zhong Huai?"

"I don't know how to put it, but he has to get through this on his own," Qi Heng said.

Sheng Changbai opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't ask any more questions and left.

Qi Heng shook his head. With Sheng Changbai's intelligence, he should have roughly guessed that it was related to that woman, Man Niang, so he didn't ask any more questions.

"Sixth Sister, don't forget to make one for me!"

Rulan said, "In return, I'll pay for your silver lock!"

"I know, don't worry, I definitely won't forget you. I always made double portions before!" Minglan said with a smile.

"Is it because you're now the Empress's adopted daughter that you won't help me anymore?" Rulan said.

Minglan sensed a hint of bitterness in Rulan's tone and said seriously, "Fifth Sister, no matter how our identities change, we will always be sisters, and that will never change!"

Rulan looked at Minglan, her expression somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Sixth Sister, I believe you!"

"That's good!"

Minglan happily took Rulan's hand, knowing that Rulan, with her personality, would never be jealous.

Otherwise, they would have been jealous long ago; why would they wait until now?

It must be something Madam Wang said to Rulan recently that made her tone sour just now.

The two sisters went out through the side gate and into the courtyard where the school was located, where they saw Qi Heng waiting for them.