Chapter 10: Rest assured, at most you will be sentenced to exile

Zhang Chi was filled with trepidation, looking uneasily at the Old Master of the Zhang family.

“Grandfather…”

The Old Master of the Zhang family raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder.

“Set your mind at ease.”

“As for the Eldest Princess, Grandfather will handle the appeasement for you. When the time comes, we will just go through the motions; at most, it will be a sentence of exile.”

“The family will arrange a proper place for you.”

“You shall stay outside and lay low for a few years!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chi couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. He bowed with hands cupped, full of gratitude as if offering a thousand thanks: “Thank you, Grandfather.”

He hesitated, then tentatively asked: “That poison from just now…”

Before the words "that poisonous woman" could escape his lips, Zhang Chi felt a sharp pain in his cheek, and his teeth felt loose.

Subconsciously, he changed his tune: “The things Song Lan said.”

Zhang Chi used a strategy of retreating to advance, revealing a timely touch of filial dependence: “I heard that the one in Qingtong Lane reads books quite well and is often praised by the masters at the academy.”

The Old Master of the Zhang family remained silent, offering no response.

He seemed to be pondering something.

“However, Father also knows the weight of propriety and understands that failing to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate offspring is the root of family chaos, let alone when it is just a child from an outside mistress.”

“Therefore, he has never shown excessive favoritism, nor has he used the family’s connections to arrange for him to enter the Imperial Academy. He only found a nameless, bottom-tier academy, thinking that if he could learn a few characters and earn a living in the future, that would be his good fortune.”

Zhang Chi’s tone was relaxed, but his hands, hidden in his sleeves, could not stop clenching: “But thinking about it, to be able to earn such endless praise from the masters, he must have some degree of ability.”

Hearing this, the thought that had just risen in the Old Master’s mind dissipated by thirty percent.

“Nothing more than something that cannot be brought into polite society.”

Speaking of that child born to his eldest son’s mistress, the Old Master could not hide his disgust: “Why bring him up!”

“I am not yet so senile that I would do something as absurd as passing off a concubine’s son as a legitimate heir.”

The heart that had been hanging in Zhang Chi’s chest finally settled completely. He bowed in agreement, his expression unchanging.

In his heart, he couldn't help but feel smug.

Song Lan, oh Song Lan, you wanted to scare me with such a ridiculous notion of passing off a concubine’s son as a legitimate heir? You are truly overestimating yourself!

In the end, he was the legitimate son of the Zhang family’s main branch.

That bastard in Qingtong Lane, is he even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as him?

So what if he reads well?

Without power or status, isn't he still just someone to be trampled upon!

It’s a pity…

He had taken the examinations three times and only barely passed the prefectural exam; he had never been able to pass the provincial exam.

Yet that bastard was a show-off, having passed the provincial exam two sessions earlier than him and earning the status of a *juren*.

Otherwise, it wasn't as if he couldn't give that bastard a chance to participate in the metropolitan exam.

It’s just that the bastard’s exam paper would have to bear his name.

Zhang Chi cursed the person fiercely in his heart, only then feeling a bit of relief.

***

Song Lan was not the least bit worried that the Zhang family wouldn't take the bait.

After all, in her previous life, the moment that person earned the title of *Zhuangyuan* (top scholar), the Zhang family immediately abandoned Zhang Chi, a piece of trash who couldn't even pass the provincial exam.

At that time, Zhang Chi hadn't even committed any major faults.

It was simply to ensure that the *Zhuangyuan* remained in the Zhang family, continuing the family’s reputation and glory for being well-read.

Such was their opportunism.

Of course, she didn't expect those few words to convince the Old Master to make a decision immediately.

But as long as she could plant the seed of the idea, even if it was only a fraction…

The Zhang family would naturally send people to investigate.

Sure enough, as the Old Master sat in the carriage on his way home, Song Lan’s words echoed in his ears from time to time.

‘That child from the outside mistress reads very well; if he isn't the *Zhuangyuan*, he is at least the *Bangyan* or *Tanhua*.’

‘*Bangyan*~ *Tanhua*~ *Zhuangyuan*!’

‘*Zhuangyuan*~ *Zhuangyuan*~ *Zhuangyuan*!’

The Old Master did not notice at all that a wisp of black mist was hovering above his head, repeatedly chanting ‘*Zhuangyuan*~ *Zhuangyuan*~’, gradually hooking the desires deep within his heart.

‘*Zhuangyuan*~’

“Stop the carriage!”