Glory

Song Yifeng gritted his teeth inwardly but forced a smile as he addressed Steward Li: "I've been searching for a residence to move into these past two days, but haven't found a suitable one yet. My mother is also ill. I beg your leniency, Steward Li - grant me a few more days, and I'll move out as soon as I find a house."

The agent handling the Ye family's property sale had explained Song Yifeng's situation clearly to Steward Li - how he had broken off the engagement after passing the recommended man examination. Steward Li held Song Yifeng in low regard. Moreover, he knew the Ye family had sold this residence at a very low price precisely to vent their resentment by preventing the Song family from continuing to live here.

Originally, as fellow scholars, Song Yifeng might eventually become classmates with the young master at the prefectural school, and after passing the presented scholar examination, could even become colleagues with the master. In principle, some face should be saved, and granting a few days' grace would normally be acceptable.

But since the Ge family had obtained practical benefits and owed the Ye family a favor, they naturally had to help properly vent their indignation.

He said: "Our young master has already arrived in Lin'an and urgently needs to move in. We cannot grant you several days. Let's do this - I'll give you three days. We'll come to reclaim the property in three days."

Swallowing his humiliation, Song Yifeng replied: "Very well."

Only then did Steward Li leave with his strongmen.

The arrival of Steward Li with his band of strongmen to reclaim the property had already alerted all the neighbors. When Song Yifeng returned earlier, he had been distracted and hadn't noticed. Only after Steward Li left and people began questioning him from all sides did he realize that not only were people gathered at the gate, but neighbors had even set up ladders against the surrounding walls to watch the spectacle.

With a dark expression, he entered the house. Xiao Xiang followed, supporting Yu Shi.

The neighbors on the walls and at the gate exchanged meaningful glances, descended from their ladders, gathered outside the main gate, and began whispering among themselves.

"Didn't the Song family just move here recently? What's happened?" asked someone unaware of the situation.

Ye Yaming had even managed to infiltrate the prefectural school to control public opinion - how could she possibly overlook this alley where Song Yifeng lived?

Hearing this question, those who had been bribed immediately launched into detailed accounts of Song Yifeng's ungrateful behavior.

Finally, one declared authoritatively: "This came from Master Wu during Li Daren's mother's birthday banquet. Apparently, the Ye family invited Madam Wu to witness the broken engagement. Madam Wu saw and heard it herself - I'm not making this up."

"Hmph, I thought as much," immediately chimed in a woman who had always disliked Yu Shi's behavior. "This Yu Shi constantly says the Ye family's young lady isn't good enough for her son, claiming her son will become a high official someday. When I asked her what she used to do before, or how they managed to buy this house, she would hem and haw without giving clear answers."

"Exactly! She's just a country woman who came to the city with nothing, surviving by doing others' laundry. It was only through the Ye family's support that she could live this good life. Yet she puts on such airs, looking down on this person and disparaging that one. Pah!"

"Are this Song mother and son such ungrateful wretches? They relied on the Ye family's money to study for examinations and live this life with servants. Now that he's passed the recommended man examination, they immediately turn their backs on the Ye family?"

"Indeed, that Ye family young lady is so good-hearted - coming every few days to bring fish and meat to the Song family, making new clothes for them during festivals, even giving Yu Shi jewelry at year's end. And they break off the engagement just like that? So heartless."

"Oh dear, I dare not associate with such people. Who knows when they might stab you in the back?"

Remembering the courtyard gate remained unclosed, and imagining how the spectating neighbors must be discussing his family, Song Yifeng told Guizi to shut the gate.When Guizi returned, the mother and son of the Song family immediately noticed his troubled expression and asked what had happened. Guizi hesitated, too afraid to speak.

"Speak!" Song Yifeng shouted.

He wanted to see how these people were gossiping about him. As a scholar, he valued his reputation above all. He didn’t want the house sale to stir up controversy. Even if there were rumors, he needed to know the details.

Guizi had no choice but to repeat the neighbors’ words.

Yu Shi, who cared deeply about wealth, was devastated by the sudden loss of their house, land, and savings. The heavy blow made her fall ill.

Her cold wasn’t severe—a dose or two of medicine had nearly cured her. But these past two days, she had been listless and spiritless, seeming to age rapidly.

Upon hearing this, she swayed and nearly fainted. Xiao Xiang quickly supported her.

Song Yifeng, however, ignored his mother. His face flushed with anger, he stood up, ready to confront the neighbors.

Yu Shi grabbed his arm: "Don’t go. Why argue with them? It’s beneath your status."

After her son passed the licentiate exam, she had asked Yin De’an about the imperial examinations. To become a Recommended Man or Presented Scholar, talent was crucial, but reputation couldn’t be tarnished. Otherwise, if examiners heard rumors or someone reported him, his scholarly career would be doomed.

Initially, they had broken off the engagement with the Ye family, thinking they were mere merchants who wouldn’t dare offend them and might even show goodwill by offering silver.

They never expected the Ye family would dare ruin her son’s reputation.

"Did the Ye family spread this?" Yu Shi asked.

The neighbors claimed they heard it from Master Wu, but Yu Shi refused to believe it. Perhaps she didn’t want to—preferring to bully the weak and hate the Ye family as a target.

Song Yifeng, having heard from Wang Wenzhi that the source was Master Wu, connected it to Madam Wu, who witnessed the broken engagement—likely the wife of the yamen’s Master Wu.

Now, hearing Guizi confirm the neighbors learned it from Master Wu, he believed it was true. He resented Master Wu for being a gossipy man.

He had clung to hope that only a few officials knew, who wouldn’t spread it widely. Among them was Lord Wang, who admired his talent. Though he couldn’t marry into Lord Wang’s family anymore—not that he wanted to—the situation wasn’t dire. If he passed the Presented Scholar exam, none of this would matter.

But now, he felt uncertain.

How many people had Master Wu told? Even the commoners in the alley knew. How damaged was his reputation? Would it affect his future exams?

Seeing her son silent, Yu Shi blamed the Ye family and began cursing them.

Song Yifeng said, "This is pointless. Since gossip has started here, we shouldn’t stay. We need to find a new house and move quickly."

He stood up and announced, "I’ll go house hunting," then left with Guizi.

Outside, Guizi said, "Young master, wait here. Let me check if those people are still around."