The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 453: Shang Family’s Daughter (18)

Chapter 453: Shang Family’s Daughter (18)

The townspeople one by one filled with righteous indignation condemned the Su Family, being instigated to refuse patronizing the Su Family’s shops until Old Master Su makes Su Li, this mercenary woman, come out and apologize to uphold the purity of their city. As long as she didn’t apologize, they wouldn’t buy anything from the Su Family’s shops.

The town didn’t only have the Su Family’s shops; there were also shops owned by several other prominent families.

However, compared to the Su Family’s strategy of minor profits but quick turnover, the quality of goods in these shops was poorer and the prices were higher than those of the Su Family by one or two layers.

As the boycott against the Su Family became increasingly intense over these few days, reaching its peak after the Su Family refused their monthly charitable distribution of porridge, everyone claimed Old Master Su, this Great kind person, was indeed a man fishing for fame and reputation. They did not consider that none who sought fame and reputation would earnestly maintain a facade of hypocrisy for decades.

Those who had once been helped by the Su Family vanished overnight, shrinking away.

What’s worse, some even joined the ranks of those hurling insults and criticism at the Su Family.

Old Mrs. Yuan spat resentfully, "They deserve it, I’d like to see how they’re going to live here."

Yuan Wen, for the first time, departed from his usual demeanor, brimming with triumph as he spoke with his legs crossed, "Mother, just bear with it for now. Once I pass the exam this time, I’ll make sure the Su Family, and that woman Su Li, get what they deserve. I’ll give you a good revenge."

Zhang Qiaoqiao, who was always honest and silent, lit up at these words.

Wan Xixi, the wife of Lao San, was even more forthright and exclaimed in surprise, "Big brother, are you confident this time?"

Yuan Wen held his head high, speaking confidently, "Indeed, I am 80% sure I will pass."

In fact, saying 80% was just his modest way of speaking; truthfully, he was absolutely certain.

The over 200 silver taels were not given in vain. Although his classmate did not speak outright, at least he revealed some information. Combined with his own understanding and the brilliance of his own articles, passing the exam would not be difficult.

Yuan Wen smacked his lips, feeling his luck was indeed good.

Originally, over 200 taels was something his classmate wouldn’t even blink an eye at. Had he not spoken well on his behalf and flattered him extensively, so much so that his classmate was jubilantly pleased, then maybe his classmate wouldn’t have agreed.

In the gaze of the Yuan Family’s astonished joy, Yuan Wen was full of high spirits, as if he was already envisioning the scene of himself passing the exam in the near future.

Yuan Jiaming and Yuan Xiaoxiao also released a breath of impure energy, overwhelmed with joy at the good news.

In just a few short days, they had to mature a lot out of necessity.

Their lives were tough when their mother stopped caring for them in anger, but little did they know that after being separated from her, their lives would only get tougher.

They had thought their amiable grandparents, aunts, and uncles, would treat them well, but these relatives turned their backs without mercy. Every day, not only did they have to work, but they also ate very little.

After all, as little kids, there wasn’t much they could contribute through their labor.

It was claimed that the main house would not tolerate idleness.

Yuan Jiaming and Yuan Xiaoxiao expended all their energy on the tasks assigned to them by their grandparents, leaving no spare time for reading and writing.

Yuan Jiaming had a feeling deep down that this was not right and went to find his father, only to be told to be filial and obedient, and not to mimic their mother.

Without their mother planning for them, and a father who cared for nothing, it was inevitable that the rest of the Yuan Family still held grudges against Su Li and would sometimes take it out on them. In short, life for the twin siblings only got worse.

Hearing the news that their own father could pass the exam, they secretly began to hope.

After their father passed, their lives should get better, right?

After all, they were their father’s only children.

The siblings Yuan Jiaming were right to think so, as the Yuan Family’s attitude toward them did improve quite a bit, with Zhang Qiaoqiao and Wan Xixi even showing them smiling faces.

The food allocated to them each day now had an additional egg in the bowl.

--------------

Su Residence

After amusing the two toddlers, Su Li clapped her hands and her gaze swept toward the housekeeper who had been waiting on the side.

The housekeeper respectfully followed Lady Su to the study.

"Are the people under control?"

"Yes, Lady, would you like to see them?"

"There’s no need. Even if he knows I threatened him, he wouldn’t dare to talk nonsense after he leaves."

Yuan Wen had no idea that the classmate he trusted would be mentioned by Su Li.

The housekeeper went to a country estate owned by the Su Family on the outskirts, where an anxious man was pacing back and forth—it was the very person Yuan Wen was acquainted with, the one to whom he had personally given over 200 taels.

"What did your lady say?" the man asked eagerly as he saw the arrival.

The housekeeper replied, "My Lady said that as long as you realize your mistake and return to the right path, she will absolutely not interfere with you."

"Does your Lady have any other demands?"

The man was still uneasy. Holding such a big handle in someone else’s hand, if not appeased, it’s like having a large stone weighing on one’s heart that cannot be set aside.

The housekeeper appeared righteous and indignant, eyes filled with resentful irritation, "Do you think my Lady is like you?"

"She wouldn’t stoop so low. She just can’t stand people who don’t follow the rules."

"The fairness and impartiality of the examinations are the duty and necessity for the ordinary people to uphold."

"After all, the scholars who come out of the exams could potentially be government officials. If they lack true knowledge and ability, isn’t that just harming the common people?"

The man: "..." He thought Lady Su really was a virtuous and upright good person, but Lady Su had hinted at him to mislead Yuan Wen.

If Yuan Wen really acted according to what he suggested and tailored his writings to what he believed were the examiner’s preferences, he was certain that not only would Yuan Wen fail the exam, but he would also earn the examiner’s disdain.

Though he thought this, the man would not actually voice it out loud.

After all, his intention to cheat was real, even if he hadn’t had the chance to act before he was intercepted.

The man calculated with a bitter smile, now he could only give it his all with his own true knowledge and ability. If he didn’t pass this time, he wouldn’t bother taking the exams again.

With this blemish to his name, who knew if Lady Su would have some other damaging tricks waiting for him in the future?

Candidly, the man shed a tear for his classmate Yuan Wen.

With such a ruthless Madam, he dared to scheme against her; he wouldn’t even know how he died.

----------

The town’s boycott of the Su Family’s business continued.

On the first day, many people declared that if the Su Family did not repent and apologize, they would never again buy from the Su Family.

On the second day, seeing that the Su Family was indifferent, the people’s anger escalated, fueled by those with an agenda.

On the third day, because business was so bleak, many of the Su Family’s shops put up signs announcing their closure. This greatly encouraged many people, feeling a sense of achievement in being able to force a rich merchant to bow.