The mistress just wanted to be bad, but she took off after being replaced

However, she never delved into it. This so-called "Shangjia" was just a narrow escape from the top spot in the imperial examination, and only left the title of third place on the list of successful candidates.

To others, this might be considered an enviable achievement, but to Pei Yu, as the father of Prime Minister Pei, such a result is undoubtedly an unacceptable regret.

Han Yue'er was unaware of his inner loss and struggle, and was only obsessed with the beautiful vision of their independent life. She even chose not to accompany him when she learned that he had to go home to face his parents.

Pei Yu stood in the courtyard, looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

He knew that something was changing quietly, it was an indescribable premonition.

The first person to notice Pei Yu's return was Sheng Junwei, who always had a keen insight into everything.

She gently put down the needle and thread in her hand: "Master, are you back?"

Upon hearing the voice, Zhang and Sheng Ruijiao simultaneously turned their gazes towards the familiar figure.

A cold light flashed in Sheng Ruijiao's eyes for a moment, which was full of deep resentment and jealousy. However, everyone present was attracted by Pei Yu's appearance, and no one noticed the undercurrent in her eyes.

Zhang walked quickly towards Pei Yu, her concern evident in her words: "How is it going? This imperial examination..."

Before Pei Yu opened his mouth, Sheng Ruijiao could no longer suppress her inner anxiety. Her sharp voice pierced the silence in the room: "Do you still need to ask? Looking at his distraught look, he must have failed the exam."

When Zhang heard this, her face suddenly changed and she flew into a rage: "Madam Zheng Sanshao, I don't want to argue with you because your father-in-law is a duke and your father is the Minister of Finance. But if you continue to lie, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Her voice was like thunder, shocking everyone and fully demonstrating her majesty as the mistress of the Pei family.

Although Sheng Ruijiao was afraid, the hatred in her heart was like wildfire, burning her reason and making her unable to suppress the harsh words.

"How ridiculous! I was just telling the truth. Why did Madam Pei attack me? Can't we, the younger generation, even tell the truth?"

She repeated almost frantically: "He failed the exam! If you don't believe me, ask him!"

Although Sheng Junwei's judgment has long been deeply rooted in people's hearts, Sheng Ruijiao's confidence and arrogance still make Zhang feel a little uneasy.

She looked at Pei Yu nervously, her eyes full of trust and worry for her son: "Yu'er, is what she said true?"

A trace of barely perceptible disgust flashed across Pei Yu's stern face. He glanced coldly at Sheng Ruijiao. Although he didn't understand why she harbored such malice towards him, he had already developed a deep aversion to her because of her rude and provocative attitude.

He retracted his gaze and said, "Mother, I am in the top three. The person who will announce the good news will be here soon."

Although it was only the third place in the imperial examination, it was still a victory on the road to imperial examination.

Although he was not satisfied with the result and still felt regretful, he understood that what was more important at this moment was to give his family confidence and make them feel at ease.

When Zhang heard this, the gloom on her face instantly dissipated, replaced by a gratified smile: "I knew that my son is talented and will succeed!"

Sheng Ruijiao seemed unable to accept this reality. Her face was pale, her eyes were full of fear and anger, and she shouted hysterically: "Impossible! You can't be in high school! You are lying!"

However, there was no need for Zhang's mother and son or Sheng Junwei to argue, as the noise from the streets ahead gradually gathered and rolled in like a tide, accompanied by the passionate sound of gongs and drums, and reached the gate of Pei's mansion.

An official dressed in a bright red robe walked steadily through the crowd and went straight towards Sheng Junwei, Pei Yu and Zhang.

With a solemn expression, he bowed deeply to them, then fixed his eyes on Pei Yu and said loudly: "Mr. Pei, congratulations on being chosen by His Majesty as the third place winner. His Majesty will come in person soon to present you with flowers. I wish you continuous happiness and a bright future!"

When Zhang heard this, she was slightly stunned. A hint of surprise flashed in her deep eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

She quickly adjusted her facial expression and gently gestured to Aunt Zhou.

Aunt Zhou understood what she meant and immediately took out the reward money that had been prepared in advance from her sleeve and generously gave it to the person who brought the good news, ensuring that the Pei family would not lose their manners in front of everyone.

Sheng Ruijiao was struck by lightning at this moment. Her originally delicate face was instantly distorted, and her eyes were full of unbelievable astonishment and anger.

She couldn't accept this fact and screamed hysterically: "Tanhua? How is it possible? How is it possible!?"

She was full of confusion and resentment. Why was it that ever since her marriage exchange with Pei Yu, her life seemed to have fallen into an inescapable quagmire, while Sheng Junwei and Pei Yu, the "scumbag and bitch" in her eyes, seemed to be blessed by the goddess of luck, with everything going smoothly and making rapid progress?

Although Pei Yu failed to win the title of No. 1, the title of No. 3 was by no means a false title.

In this ever-changing court, if one does not have the protection of powerful forces, it will be difficult for one to rise quickly in officialdom with just the title of top scholar, even if one is extremely talented.

Countless students from poor families, even if they are lucky enough to pass the imperial examination, if there is no one to support them in the court, their short-lived glory may be limited to wearing a top hat and a flowered feather, and enjoying a moment of fame on the streets. As for their future career path, it often depends on whether they can accurately hold on to those who can control their destiny.

However, Pei Yu is different.

He has a father who is a powerful prime minister behind him. This family background undoubtedly gives his title of Tanhua more profound meaning and weight.

With Prime Minister Pei secretly planning and strategizing, it is only a matter of time before Pei Yu achieves great success and becomes famous in the future.

On the other hand, Zheng Yiyang, although he was busy achieving some small victories in the outer borders at this time in his previous life, is now still just a lazy, wine-indulgent dandy. Compared with Pei Yu's prospects, there is a world of difference.

At this moment, Sheng Ruijiao was on the verge of collapse, and the resentment and despair in her heart almost swallowed her up.

However, Sheng Junwei didn't care about it at all. She decisively ordered people to force Sheng Ruijiao into the carriage, and even specifically instructed the coachman to tell everyone in the mansion about the series of embarrassing events today when they arrived at the Duke's Mansion.

Sheng Junwei knew very well that facing her strong and controlling mother-in-law, Sheng Ruijiao was destined to face a storm of punishment.

However, she also clearly remembered that when she was framed by Sheng Ruijiao and trapped in the woodshed, she had righteously questioned her conscience, but Sheng Ruijiao remained calm: "You are the one being punished, what does it have to do with me?"

Such a cold and heartless answer still makes people feel chilled.

Just as Sheng Ruijiao had packed up and carefully sealed her luggage, preparing to set out on the journey back to the Duke's Mansion for rigorous training, a huge crowd suddenly appeared in front of the towering red gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion, with gongs and drums beating and an atmosphere of joy and happiness filling the air.