The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1754 The镖头 (镖头 is a term used to describe someone who is in trouble) is in trouble.

When Cheng Youning saw him, the corners of her mouth drooped. This man was Hong Yuncong, Hong Jiutong's younger brother.

"How did you come?"

"The Prince's Mansion has sent an invitation to the Hong family!"

Cheng Youning disliked Hong Yuncong very much. If he saw him on the street, he would avoid him because the constant calling of "brother-in-law" annoyed him.

The more Cheng Youning tried to avoid this person, the more he approached her, saying, "Brother-in-law, I'll be going to study at the Imperial Academy soon too."

"You?" Cheng Youning shook his head. This guy can't even do addition and subtraction within ten. Isn't he just wasting his time at the Imperial Academy?

Those who could study at the Imperial Academy were all highly qualified students from various regions, gaining admission through their own abilities. Some also gained admission because of their fathers' official positions. Consider that there were quite a few people like Hong Yuncong in the elementary classes of the Imperial Academy, but they were just coasting along.

Hong Yuncong thought the Imperial Academy was a place for people to have fun. When he spoke, his eyes were practically sparkling. "Brother-in-law, we'll be classmates from now on."

Cheng Youning would rather die than be classmates with this person. "I'm in the advanced class, you can only be in the beginner class if you go there."

But Hong Yuncong stubbornly insisted, "They are classmates too."

Cheng Youning didn't argue with this person. He said that if they were classmates, then they were classmates. However, he had one thing to tell him: "Hong Yuncong, if you meet him at the Imperial Academy in the future, you can't call him brother-in-law."

"If I don't call you brother-in-law, what should I call you?"

"Call me Crown Prince."

"Alright, I'll call you Crown Prince's brother-in-law from now on at the Imperial Academy."

Cheng Youning leaned back, her lips drooping. "Just call me the way you used to!"

"It's brother-in-law! Brother-in-law, are those chestnuts delicious?"

Cheng Youning cursed the glutton in her heart, but still pointed to the chair next to her and told him to sit down.

With permission, Hong Yuncong moved the chestnuts that Cheng Youning was holding to his own side and started eating them.

What was supposed to be a pleasant banquet turned sour when Cheng Youning saw these people. He closed his eyes in anger, but he couldn't very well send them away since they were his parents' guests.

Just as Cheng Youning was in a daze, a voice he hated rang out beside him, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be well."

Cheng Youning opened his eyes and saw that it was indeed Song Qianyuan, who was still carrying the two purses his mother had just given him. "No need for formalities."

"Congratulations to His Highness the Crown Prince on passing the imperial examination."

Cheng Youning was angry, thinking that this person was there to laugh at him and mock him, so he said indifferently, "More than a thousand people passed the imperial examination this autumn. What's so surprising about passing as a mere 'juren'?"

Looking at the busy masters and servants in the mansion, Song Qianyuan said matter-of-factly, "Your Highness, the grand banquet held today is to celebrate Your Highness's passing the imperial examination. On such an auspicious day, the Crown Prince should be beaming with joy!"

"This prince doesn't need you to teach me how to do things!"

Song Qianyuan immediately bowed and said in a very sincere tone, "Qianyuan dares not! Qianyuan just saw that the Crown Prince was sullen and had no joy on his face, so I wanted to come and comfort him."

Cheng Youning rolled her eyes at Song Qianyuan, "Do you know why I'm so upset that you came up to comfort me? Mind your own business."

Song Qianyuan hit the nail on the head: "Because I topped the list!"

Just as Cheng Youning was about to argue, Song Qianyuan said to himself, "Your Highness, even if the top spot on the list doesn't belong to Qianyuan, it will belong to someone else!"

Cheng Youning was so angry that her eyes were practically spitting fire. "You mean, you first said that the Crown Prince was jealous of you, and then you cursed me to never be the top scholar. What exactly are you up to?"

Qiao Rong was also getting anxious. He had disliked Song Qianyuan from the beginning. "How dare you, Song Qianyuan, belittle His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Song Qianyuan immediately knelt on the ground, looking even more respectful. "Qianyuan dares not. Qianyuan is just stating the facts. Look at them, their scores are all above the Crown Prince's. So even if I am not the top scorer, one of them will be the top scorer this year."

That was indeed the case, but Cheng Youning found it unpleasant to hear Song Qianyuan say it. Fortunately, a group of newly appointed scholars came to pay their respects to Cheng Youning, which prevented Cheng Youning from arguing with Song Qianyuan any further.

There were quite a few people at the mansion today, and Cheng Youning didn't dare to spoil his grandma and parents' fun.

Not only that, his parents arranged for him to eat at the same table with these classmates. What's even more infuriating is that his seat was next to Song Qianyuan's. Cheng Youning, who usually has a good appetite, couldn't eat a single bowl of rice today.

While listening to opera after dinner, Lu Si Niang came up to Cheng You Ning and took out a pair of garnets.

Cheng Youning asked Lu Siniang, "This isn't something I begged for, so where did it come from?"

"Your Highness is indeed knowledgeable and discerning. Li Lao Er said he bought these two pairs while escorting goods in Lingyuan. They are the only pair available, so I'm presenting them to Your Highness today! I hope Your Highness will accept them with pleasure!"

"The items are nice, but you only have this one pair. If you give it to me, the Crown Prince, you'll have nothing left!"

Lu Si Niang said with a smile, "I have quite a few strange and unusual things like this at home. If the Crown Prince is interested, you can come to my house another day and see if there's anything you like!"

Cheng Youning thought about it and decided not to take what others loved. "This is a rare item, you can keep it for yourself!"

Lu Si Niang laughed, "It hasn't been that long since we last met, and the Crown Prince's temperament has changed. He's definitely more composed now that he's passed the imperial examination. Keep this garnet. I heard from Li Lao Er that it's not worth much and can be found everywhere in Lingyuan Street. He might even bring a garnet with him when he comes back."

Cheng Youning grinned and said, "If that's the case, then this Crown Prince will respectfully comply."

After accepting the garnet, Cheng Youning asked, "Is Li Lao Er escorting goods that far?"

"It depends on what kind of goods they are and whether they are valuable."

As the two were talking, a worker from Baoxiang Escort Agency ran over, looking extremely flustered, as if he had lost his soul. "Madam, the head escort has been in trouble!"

"What? Li Lao Er is back?" Counting the time, Li Lao Er has been gone for several months, so it's indeed time for him to come back.

"She's back, but... but she's already passed away!"

Lu Si Niang was struck dumb, and Cheng You Ning also stood up.

Without even saying goodbye, Lu Si Niang, supporting her pregnant belly, hurriedly followed the waiter.

Shang Xi ran over and asked Cheng Youning, "Why did Fourth Sister leave? There are still several shows to watch."

Cheng Youning said, "Something happened at Fourth Sister's house. Li Lao Er, who went out to escort goods, died. His body has been brought back, but it is unknown which section of the road he died on or the cause of death. The escort agency's staff did not provide details."

Shang Xi was incredulous. "Li Lao Er used to rob and kill people and he didn't die. How could someone with such a lucky life die just by going out?"

Cheng Youning said, "It doesn't seem fake. Who would dare to joke about something like this?"

Before Shang Xi could react, Yu Hua came over and said, "So many people are waiting for you, why are you here with a bunch of kids?"