Seeing this, Meng Jinyang realized she had gone too far. She had actually made the young lady so angry that she didn't know what to do. Originally, Meng Jinyang found this Jingning Princess silly and...Xiao Liu shook his head hurriedly, glancing nervously at Meng Jin Yao and Gu Jing Xi before replying, "Madam, I've looked through it carefully three times, but I didn't see the young master's name. I only saw the names of the eldest and second masters."

Meng Jinyo was stunned for a moment, then feigned hesitation and said: "Why don't you take another look The Marquis clearly said this morning that Xiuming had a chance to pass the exam. How could he not have"

Zhang and Chen looked at each other silently. They both knew she definitely didn't like this son of hers, even though he had been very filial recently. But how could past shame be so easily erased

On the day Gu Xiuming eloped, he almost ruined her life. The whole city was laughing at her. If she were weaker, she would have probably committed suicide under the rumors and gossip. Now that she has the chance to humiliate Gu Xiuming, Meng Jin Yao definitely won't let it go.

Zhang is still hoping that the third wife might adopt her youngest son, so she naturally doesn't want Gu Xiuming to succeed. Now that Gu Xiuming has failed the exam, it's exactly what she wants.

She immediately stood on the same side as Meng Jin Yao, and echoed her words: "Third sister-in-law, as mothers ourselves, I understand your feelings. But Xiaoliu has looked three times, he shouldn't have missed anything. Xiuming is only sixteen years old, if we wait three more years to take the exam, he will only be eighteen."

Chen also agreed: "That's right, third sister-in-law, Xiuming is still young. He's younger than both Xiyuan and Xiuhong."

Grandmother Gu has always been very satisfied with her youngest daughter-in-law. At this moment, she didn't think much about it, just thinking that the younger daughter-in-law had the mentality of hoping her son would become a dragon. After all, their couple only had this adopted son, and it was normal for them to have high expectations for their son, especially seeing that Xiu Yuan and Xiu Hong both passed the imperial examinations, the couple felt disappointed, so they comforted the younger daughter-in-law: "Youngest daughter-in-law, you and your husband should also keep a level head. Your child is only sixteen years old, and there will be many opportunities in the future.

Gu Xiuming was still trapped in his own sadness, unable to extricate himself. Today's blow was no less than when he was punished for running away from marriage at the ancestral hall. Now, listening to their words, one after another, he felt a heavy sense of mockery. And those seemingly compassionate glances that were actually filled with schadenfreude made him feel humiliated.

Though he was the one who failed the exam, it was Meng Jin Yao who received comfort. This fueled his resentment even further. He wasn't truly his father's biological son after all. Everyone ignored him. They praised him when he excelled but treated him as nothing when he fell short of his brother.

He should have known this already, the Gu family values only profit. Even after being adopted for almost eleven years, those years of affection are nothing compared to profit. Gu Xiuyuan and Gu Xiuhong worked together, bringing glory to the Hou Mansion. He, as the Crown Prince, had to stand aside. He spoke for so long, not even a false word of comfort was offered.

Here, Gu Xiuming was feeling this way in his heart, while Meng Jinyao, as if with mind-reading abilities, quickly gave Gu Xiuming a fake and insincere consolation.

She looked regretful and sighed softly: “You’re right, Xiaoming is only sixteen. I was being a little too impatient.”

She spoke and cast her gaze towards Gu Xiuming. Seeing that Gu Xiuming was clearly feeling distressed and angry, with a sadness in his eyes that couldn't be hidden, yet he still managed to maintain a composed and calm demeanor, not afraid of bottling up his pain.

She twitched the corner of her mouth imperceptibly and soothed, "Xiu Ming, don't be sad. Study hard, accumulate your knowledge gradually, and take the exam again in three years. You will definitely pass."

Gu Xiuming managed to squeeze out a smile and replied softly, "Mother, rest assured, your son is not sad. This time at the autumn imperial examination, my son only wanted to accumulate experience. Passing the exam was an unexpected joy; not passing it wouldn't be a disappointment either." He glanced at his parents, his expression dimmed as he lowered his head in guilt and said, "However, I still disappointed mother and father. Your son feels deeply guilty.

Meng Jin Yao smiled kindly, her tone gentle and unhurried. "My child," she said, "don't overthink things. You passed the Xiucai exam at fifteen years old. Your father and I are already very pleased. You know, other people's sons don't even pass the Xiucai exam until they are twenty."

As she spoke, her tone grew increasingly gentle: "This time, there are 11,250 candidates from Shuntian Prefecture participating in the Autumn Examination. Only 126 scholars have been selected as successful candidates. That's one in a hundred, the competition is fierce. You're young and inexperienced, so it's normal to lose to those experienced older candidates. This time you've gained experience, and it's just right for preparation for next time."

What does it mean to say the most heartbreaking words in the gentlest tone

That's Meng Jin Yao.

Gu Xiuming's heart was already hurting, and he had just eased up a little when Meng Jiny Yao stabbed him again. He was originally full of confidence that he could be selected for the exam, but reality gave him a blow to the head. Now that Meng Jiny Yao reminded him of being one in a hundred, he felt even worse.

What a once-in-a-hundred-miles find!

Their three brothers took the autumn examinations. They selected his elder and second brother, but they did not select him. If all three were unsuccessful, at least someone would have accompanied him in failing. Now, two of the three brothers have passed the examination, while he alone has failed.

It's bad enough that the second brother passed the imperial examination, but his academic performance was something even their father praised. Yet, in their family of brothers, besides the youngest who disliked reading, it was surprisingly the eldest, known for being rather mediocre, who actually passed the exam. Where does that leave him with face

However, even though he had a lot of resentment, in front of his family, he still had to smile and respond: “Mother is right.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at his son. He knew that Xiu Ming was indignant after seeing his two older brothers get selected while he failed the exam. Worse, this little rascal wouldn't let Xiu Ming off easy. Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Gu Jingxi intervened to save his son, steered the conversation away from this topic, and moved on to the next stage: "Mother, didn't you say you wanted to hold a ceremony at the ancestral hall to inform our ancestors of the good news"

Elder Madam Gu also remembered this matter. In fact, no matter which of the three sons was chosen today, the ancestral hall would be opened. Now that the two grandsons were chosen, they would definitely open the ancestral hall to offer incense to their ancestors and inform them of the good news. She immediately said: "Eldest son, as the eldest brother, you are in charge of this matter."

She didn't favor anyone, and directly gave the position to the eldest son. This followed the order of seniority, so the second son wouldn't feel resentful, and while the third son was the legitimate heir, none of his children had passed the imperial examinations. It wasn't that he wasn't capable, but having a father whose child had passed the exams handle it would be more effective. After all, there would be more enthusiasm involved.

Just like that, Gu Jing Sheng handled the preparations for the ancestral hall opening ceremony and ancestor worship, while Zhang Shi handled the family banquet. Naturally, everyone from the second and third houses had no objections since the eldest brother and sister-in-law were in charge.

The whole family went to the ancestral hall to offer incense, only Gu Xiuming was smiling through gritted teeth, he didn't dare to show any displeasure. If his face fell, others would think he was jealous of his elder brother and couldn't stand his success.

After paying respects to their ancestors, everyone left the ancestral hall.

"Xiuming, Grandma believes that in three years you will definitely pass the imperial examination," said Old Madam Gu softly.

Gu Xiuming smiled and replied, "My son will definitely study hard and learn from both of his elder brothers."

Seeing that he was smiling and behaving as if nothing had happened, Madam Gu felt relieved. With this kind of mentality, she knew he would continue to work hard. There was no reason why he wouldn't pass the exam in three years. is why they haven't made such groundbreaking discoveries."Gu Jingxi: "..."This quack doctor, how does he even talk It's like he doesn't take anything seriously.Wen Taizhi didn't care what he was thin...