Chapter 356 Qin Shaojing’s Adultery

Chapter 356 Qin Shaojing's Adultery

As soon as Liu Qingshuang finished speaking, everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"What do you mean?" Cheng Hui was the first to break the silence, digging deeper, "What happened to her?"

Clearly, she was the most invested in Qin Shaojing's affairs.

Liu Qingshuang glanced at everyone, "Rumor has it she was caught in the act of adultery in her own courtyard by Liu Ye himself!"

The news was so shocking it left everyone speechless.

Qin Shaojing... had an affair?!

After the initial shock, Liu Qingping was the first to ask.

"That doesn't add up. If Qin Shaojing was caught in such a disgraceful act, how could the Liu family just let it slide?"

"Exactly! Caught by Liu Ye himself, she's lucky if she's not hanged by the Liu family, let alone still arguing with him!"

"Right, at the very least, she should have been divorced. How could the Liu family keep a daughter-in-law who caused such a scandal?"

Everyone chimed in with their questions.

"I don't know Qin Shaojing's current situation," Liu Qingshuang shook her head, "The Liu family has forbidden any discussion of it. My sister-in-law said the second branch's master himself ordered the silence."

Everyone exchanged glances, and Lu Lingyun immediately understood.

The man Qin Shaojing was involved with was probably her father-in-law!

That's why the Liu family hushed it up, and Qin Shaojing's husband, Liu Ye, kept quiet, only arguing with her in private.

She had heard of the Liu family's scandals in her past life, the worst being the father-in-law's misconduct.

In this life, with Qin Shaojing marrying into the Liu family, nothing had changed; the inevitable still happened.

After hearing Liu Qingshuang's words, Cheng Hui frowned and went silent.

Everyone chatted about other things until dusk, then gradually dispersed.

After Lu Lingyun returned to the Marquis's Mansion with Cheng Suying, Cheng Lanying, and Cheng Hui, a servant approached to report.

"Young mistress, the third young master is back."

"Oh? Why is Bing Zhi back?" Lu Lingyun asked.

Since Qin Shaojing had arranged for Cheng Bingzhi to attend Honglu Academy, another prestigious school, he hadn't returned.

Honglu Academy, arranged by Qin Shaojing, wasn't as prestigious as Tianfu Academy but was still a top-tier school, second only to Tianfu.

Plus, it was located outside the Imperial City.

Back then, academies typically gave one day off every ten or fifteen days, except for major holidays, and that one day wasn't enough for travel.

So, Cheng Bingzhi hadn't returned since enrolling.

It wasn't a holiday or a major event, so Lu Lingyun was puzzled. Why had he returned?

The servant looked uneasy, "Young mistress, the third young master's been expelled from Honglu Academy." Lu Lingyun froze, "Why?"

"The Honglu Academy said that the third young master is too young to keep up with the curriculum and couldn’t complete any of his assignments. They suggested he stay at home for a few more years and reapply later."

Lu Lingyun: "......"

So, basically, Cheng Bingzhi was kicked out for being slow.

Thinking about it, prestigious academies don’t lack students; instead, they are selective. Students with poor aptitude can ruin the academy’s reputation!

If they fail the imperial exams and drop out, claiming they studied there, it’d be a disgrace.

"Where is the third young master now?"

"He’s at Bishui Garden, with Concubine Li."

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun remembered the mess Cheng Yunshuo had made, "Get the third young master over here."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, at Bishui Garden.

Li Bihan looked at her son, who’d been away for so long, with a heavy heart. She laid out a feast, piling his plate with food.

"How’d you get so skinny in just two months?" Li Bihan said with deep concern.

"Mom, they wouldn’t let me eat," Cheng Bingzhi said, grabbing a chicken leg, grease all over his hands.

"Why?" Li Bihan asked, alarmed.

Cheng Bingzhi looked defiant, "The old teacher makes me memorize texts every day. Out of twenty kids, he always calls on me. If I can’t, he makes me copy the texts and won’t let me eat till I’m done. So, I haven’t had a decent meal in ages."

Hearing this, Li Bihan’s face twisted with mixed emotions. She watched her son, who was just shoveling food in, and thought about the reason the servants gave when they brought him back.

She already knew Cheng Bingzhi had been kicked out of Honglu Academy for being slow.

Even if he’s slow, they shouldn’t treat him like this!

Such a big, fancy academy, can’t they teach to his level?

If he’s slow, let him take his time, right?

Not letting him eat, how’s he supposed to focus?

It’s the academy’s fault for holding him back!

Li Bihan thought this in her heart, her eyes filled with resentment, as she kept adding food to Cheng Bingzhi’s plate, "Don’t worry, I’ll find you another school. Study hard, and one day you’ll achieve success, and show those who look down on you!"

After she said this, Cheng Bingzhi, who was happily eating, paused, "I never want to go to an academy again! I don’t want to memorize texts! No!"

Li Bihan: "......"

She was about to be infuriated by this brat. Among her two children, she had the highest hopes for Cheng Bingzhi.

Cheng Lanying is a daughter, it’s fine if she’s a bit foolish, if she doesn’t understand, as long as she can gain more attention from Cheng Yunshuo, that’s enough. Cheng Bingzhi is her hope, her lifeline.

If he doesn’t study well, how can he compete for this position in the future!

Just as Li Bihan was about to get angry, Nanny Wan arrived at her courtyard.

"Concubine Li," Nanny Wan glanced at her dismissively, not even bothering to show proper respect.

Concubines are only half-mistresses; in reality, their status is about the same as the chief stewards and nannies in the mansion.

Even worse!

Because the chief stewards and nannies are the confidants of the masters, they hold real power and substantial positions.

Concubines are simply there to serve the masters.

Usually, the younger servants take cues from the masters and show some respect to the favored concubines, but when it comes to the chief stewards and nannies, they do not bow to them.

And this time, it was Nanny Wan who came.

Nanny Wan was already being polite by not making Concubine Li bow to her.

"Nanny Wan is here," Concubine Li quickly rose to greet her with a smile.

"Concubine Li, no need to be polite. I am here on official business," Nanny Wan glanced at her and spoke.

"What is the matter?" Concubine Li carefully tried to ingratiate herself, afraid of offending her.

But her flattery still did not soften Nanny Wan’s stance. Nanny Wan waved her hand and commanded, "Someone, take the third young master away."