the barren hills and made all the surrounding land belong to her. This was the most stable choice.Besides, the wild mountain produces an abundance of resources and cannot be considered a barren waste...Mu sighed and said, "In the past, in order to go to the capital to find their father, our whole family treated Zongbo's imperial examination as the top priority."

Because of this, our family is constantly threatened and controlled by the people from the old house. We can't even keep our valuables safe.

"They threatened me, saying if I didn't comply, they would ruin Zong Bai's reputation."

Zong Bai said with red eyes, "Mother, I've already said that I give up taking the imperial examinations. I will never let you and elder brother suffer because of this again."

From now on, you don't have to swallow your anger when dealing with grandpa, grandma, and Uncle. If I were you, I'd learn from Aunt-in-law, just yell back when someone upsets you.

Mu was amused by her son, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Mother wouldn't say things like that."

Fang Jinshu couldn't take it anymore, "No, why do we have to be so honest"

"My intention wasn't for Zongbai to actually give up on the imperial examinations."

Hearing this, Mu's eyes lit up, and she suddenly turned her head to look at her.

"What does this mean"

She saw that the three of them were staring at her intently and helplessly explained, “Of course, saying to the outside world that Zong Bo wouldn’t be taking the imperial examinations was just to appease the elders.”

"Our house is located halfway up the mountain. We rarely interact with villagers, and even if Zongbei goes to school, hardly anyone would know about it."

Just don't tell them, and when they get to Zongbei High School, even if they know, they wouldn't dare spread rumors about him.

"At that time, if you spread rumors again, it would be slander and insult to the imperial officials, and you would have to face legal consequences."

She stroked her chin and thought for a moment, then said, "But at that time, the Zong family probably wouldn't dare spread rumors anymore. Haven't they always wanted to glorify their ancestors and show off"

"Zong Bai, despite bearing the esteemed surname Zong, has people lining up to build connections with him. Who would dare speak ill of him"

Those people from the old house were short-sighted and probably never thought that Zong Bai could get into high school by studying. After all, the second branch was so poor, the money needed for studying wasn't as simple as a few ounces of silver.

To raise a child capable of taking the imperial examinations, it would take at least a hundred taels of silver.

When going to the capital for the imperial examination, one still had to pay a large sum of money for travel, accommodation and so on.

How could a peasant family possibly afford to support a scholar Even for the Zong family, being able to provide for Zong Pingchuan required every member of their large family to live frugally and work hard.

At this point, Fang Jinshu suddenly understood. Actually, the Mu family also felt that Zong Bai had no hope of passing the imperial examination, so they wouldn't have any hope of living and just didn't want to be treated anymore.

"So, this imperial examination, Zong Bai can take it. As for money matters, you don't have to worry, my brother and I will figure something out."

Her words left the three members of the Zong family dumbfounded. Mu's eyes instantly reddened, her expression still slightly agitated.

"Jinxiu, is that really what you think"

"You, you won't feel cheated"

Back then, the main branch of the family did the same, but how could people be so selfless The first and third branches were always unhappy behind the scenes that her husband spent the family's silver on studying and practicing calligraphy, without doing any work.

Although the three brothers didn't have deep conflicts at first, they couldn't withstand years of effort.

Civil service exams are not as simple as drinking water. Some people may even take them from a young age with black hair and end up with white hair, still failing to pass.

She didn't want her two sons to follow the path of their three cousins, becoming enemies because of the imperial examinations.

Fang Jinshu understood her mother-in-law's worries. She glanced at Zongyu, who of course wouldn't turn against his brother over silver.

Her mother's worry wouldn't even occur to him here.

Only Fang Jinshi's attitude determines whether Zong Bai can continue his imperial examinations.aning against Zōng Yù's embrace, "Let's go home quickly, I...I'm done washing."Zong Yiping took a deep breath, although his daughter-in-law's hands were soft and she was putting in a lot of effort.But...