Ye Zhi glanced at the Little Traitor sitting at the side and spoke earnestly, "I bet fifty taels on Changzhou. I’m more optimistic about Changzhou. Xiao Chen has been training at Dragon Tiger Mountain all these years; his studies must have fallen behind quite a bit."

A gentle male voice interjected, "Why, am I really that bad in your eyes?"

Ye Zhi’s eyes curved into a smile as she explained, "It’s not that you’re bad, but I just have more faith in Changzhou. You don’t know, during the years you were at Dragon Tiger Mountain, Changzhou studied hard at the academy, and the Teacher often praised his literary talent. Do you remember Mr. Qin?"

Huanhuan quickly answered, "I remember, I remember. I wouldn’t forget Mr. Qin even if I forgot anyone else."

At the Imperial College, Mr. Qin, hailed as part of the "new student double terror," adhered to the principle that strict teachers create outstanding students. His classes were demanding, and he often threatened with the ruler, instilling fear in the students in the study hall.

The Ye Family ordered a maid to bring another pair of chopsticks and invited Huanhuan to join them for breakfast.

Huanhuan accepted without reservation, thanked them, and sat down beside Ah Zhi.

After sitting down, she looked up and asked, "Ah Zhi, what’s up with Mr. Qin?"

"Due to Changzhou’s excellent performance, even though Mr. Qin no longer teaches him, they still occasionally keep in touch. So that’s why I have more confidence in him." Ye Zhi finished her sentence and picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling from her bowl, popping it into her small mouth, her cheeks moving as she chewed.

She knew that the Little Traitor was better than Changzhou, but she just didn’t want to admit it.

In this year’s children’s examination, the Little Traitor had taken the top spot.

The Ye Family scolded, "You silly girl, you don’t understand. Whether it’s Xiao Chen or Changzhou going to take the exam, it’s not about you. And you dare laugh at Xiao Chen, such wild spirit. Can you recite a page from the ’Women’s Precepts’ for me? You act as if it’s a death sentence to embroider with a needle, whether it’s Su embroidery, Shu embroidery, or Xiang embroidery, you can’t distinguish them. At least Huanhuan can embroider a blooming peony with magpies chattering on plum branches. What about you?"

Ye Zhi chewed a piece of jade bamboo, humming lightly in a mosquito-like voice, "Here we go again, always talking about this..."

The Ye Family’s ears were quite sharp, and with a glance at her youngest daughter, said, "You still have the gall to talk back?"

Ignoring her mother’s reproach, Ye Zhi quietly ate, avoiding further trouble and occasionally helping Huanhuan with dishes. After eating several bites, she was full and went straight to the side hall to wait for Huanhuan and the Little Traitor.

The Ye Family watched her youngest daughter’s departing figure and called out, "Why did you eat so little? Come over and have another bowl of soup."

"No, Mother, I can’t drink anymore. I’m going to the side hall to wait for Huanhuan and Xiao Chen. Later, we’ll go to Prince Jin Mansion to visit Xiao Ah Che."

The small figure in light green ran even faster, disappearing in a flash.

Ming Yan also followed suit, as she’s now promoted to first-class maid of Qingyi Garden. Ah Tao got married and had a baby, with less time to serve Ah Zhi. Ah Zhi was easygoing and allowed Ah Tao to focus more on the baby, saying the Ye Mansion wouldn’t be affected by her absence.

In the main hall, the people at the round table were unfazed and continued with their breakfast.

After a while.

Ye Yuan put down his chopsticks, and a maid in peach-colored attire immediately brought a copper basin. After washing his hands, he wiped the drops off with a cloth and spoke to his wife, "You must have upset Ah Zhi, that’s why she ate so little."

With a "slap" sound.

A pair of chopsticks were placed on the dining table with some force.

The Ye Family was displeased, glaring at him with exasperation, "Are you implying that I’m not allowed to criticize Ah Zhi? Our daughter is thirteen now, and as a child of a noble family, she can’t even tell Su embroidery from Shu embroidery or Xiang embroidery. Moreover, since the start of the year, not a single matchmaker has come to us. If I don’t pay attention to her, who will? You?"