The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

Luo Chengyong didn't believe Shen Nanxun would help.

"Of course." Luo Haitang smiled smugly, now she had another reason to approach Shen Nanxun. She had been so devoted to him for so long, she couldn't believe Shen Nanxun hadn't felt anything. "Brother, don't believe Luo Qingyan. She has never done anything for the family."

"There's a reason for that." Luo Daocheng walked over from behind, and he thought about it seriously.

Last time, saving Madam Sun cost 10,000 taels of silver, and it was all because Madam Sun was so weak-willed; she was about to be released, but she insisted on causing trouble for others.

It's not Qingyan's fault.

This time, his promotion was also due to his carelessness. He should have gone to the pleasure boat to find Piaoxue after the promotion results were announced.

It can't be entirely blamed on the Crown Prince, but his help still left room for maneuver; he didn't give his all.

Qingyan still needs to work hard to increase her standing in the Crown Prince's heart.

"Father, my sister has messed things up time and time again, and now she refuses to help my brother, yet you're still speaking up for her." Luo Haitang was annoyed that her father was actually speaking up for Luo Qingyan. In the past, no matter how she treated Luo Qingyan, her father would never say a word, but now things had changed.

"We're not without our own problems either. There will be a time when we can get it done! Even if it only happens once, our Luo family can rise above others. You know, a sixth-rank official can't even get close to the Duke's mansion. Now we have connections with the heir apparent, something many people would kill for." Luo Daocheng pointed at the siblings, "You two better not mess around."

"It's Father," the siblings said in unison. Seeing Luo Daocheng walk away, Luo Haitang said to Luo Chengyong, "Brother, Luo Qingyan doesn't believe you, but your older sister believes you're a good student."

Because of the power of the Duke's mansion, her father was no longer completely on her side as before, and began to favor Luo Qingyan.

Luo Chengyong is too young; he shouldn't be blinded by the power of the Duke's mansion and turn to Luo Qingyan.

She should praise Luo Chengyong more and get him to stand on her side.

"My eldest sister is the best; she understands me. Once I enter the Imperial Academy and receive guidance from excellent teachers, I'm sure I'll achieve top honors in the imperial examinations."

Upon hearing Luo Haitang's praise, Luo Chengyong immediately straightened his back and said that he was talented and that his elder sister had a discerning eye.

"Big sister, when are you going to see Shen Nanxun? I really don't want to stay at Hongru Academy for even a day longer."

"I'm going now." Luo Haitang smiled and left gracefully. She went to touch up her makeup and change into her newly made clothes.

On the other side.

With red eyes, Luo Qingyan found a secluded corner to calm herself down. Are other people's families like this too?

Why is everyone treating her like this?

Even with a second chance at life, she still couldn't let go of her longing for family.

Their mere presence would stir up her longing for family and kinship, yet they wouldn't treat her well, wouldn't reason with her, and only wanted to take advantage of her.

Right now, the only way to avoid endless torment is to sever ties with family.

Luo Qingyan wiped away her tears, exhaled, and pretended nothing had happened before going to the front hall to find Pei Shiyuan to return to the Duke's mansion.

Yuan Qing, who had witnessed everything from the rooftop, flew away and reported to Pei Shiyuan.

What kind of family members are Aunt Luo? They don't show any concern or care; they're all scheming.

lobby.

"Your Highness, I'm alright, let's go back!" Luo Qingyan tried to push Pei Shiyuan's wheelchair, but she couldn't move it because Pei Shiyuan had used his internal force to immobilize it.

"Yuanqing, summon Luo Daocheng."

A sharp glint flashed in Pei Shiyuan's eyes.

"Here I am, here I am, Your Highness." Luo Daocheng jogged over. It didn't matter that he wasn't promoted this time. He would continue to cultivate a good relationship with the prince, and he would surely have his day.

"Lord Luo," Pei Shiyuan said coldly.

"Your subordinate is here." Luo Daocheng bowed and listened, thinking that Pei Shiyuan had some instructions.

If the Crown Prince could assign him tasks, that would be a wonderful thing.

"Let me tell you clearly, with your abilities, you're barely qualified for the position of a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue. Don't even think about getting promoted."

"Insufficient ability."

Pei Shiyuan spoke each word clearly, then rolled away in his wheelchair.

If the Luo family members bother Luo Qingyan for help or ask for favors again in the future, he will not hesitate to ask.

Luo Daocheng's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his clasped hands fell limply, as if dozens of knives were stabbing into his heart.

What does the young master mean? He had no hope of promotion in this lifetime. He staggered and collapsed to the ground.

"Father." Luo Haitang was just about to leave when she saw Luo Daocheng fall to the ground in the front hall. She immediately ran over to help him up. "What happened to you?"

Luo Daocheng waved his hand: "I'm fine, it's just that Father won't be promoted in the future."

Luo Haitang's drooping eyelashes flashed with a sinister glint: "Is it Luo Qingyan?"

"No, it was Prince Pei. He told me directly that I'm not capable enough and there's no way I can be promoted." Luo Daocheng stood up, supporting himself on the chair. "Take me to the study."

He felt as if his heart had been hollowed out, and he wanted to go to the study to lie down for a while.

Luo Haitang escorted Luo Daocheng back to his study. No sooner had she left than Piaoxue slipped into the study, and soon heavy breathing could be heard.

Inside the carriage.

"Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness."

Luo Qingyan looked ashamed.

"It's nothing." Pei Shiyuan's tone was as indifferent as ever, but Luo Qingyan didn't feel cold this time.

Pei Shiyuan lowered his eyes, so Luo Qingyan's decision to serve him on the first night was nothing more than a struggle for survival.

If he had insisted on driving her away that day, I can't imagine what situation Luo Qingyan would have been in. Would she have been sold? Or married to Ye Hui and suffered torment?

She had been to the Duke's mansion; if she went back, Ye Hui wouldn't treat her well.

With a sudden thud, Lao Zhang slammed on the brakes, and Luo Qingyan bumped into Pei Shiyuan's arms.

"How do you drive? Are you trying to run me over?!" Cui Rou's voice rang out from outside.

"I'm sorry, Miss Cui," Old Zhang said with a simple and honest nod.

Cui Rou had no interest in listening to Old Zhang's apology; her eyes were fixed on the carriage.

Old Zhang is an idiot, who would hire him as a driver?

The Crown Prince always had Yuan Qing drive the carriage.

After thinking for a moment, Cui Rou chuckled, probably because Luo Qingyan was going out in a carriage and was being teased by the servants in the mansion.

A concubine from a humble background dreams of enjoying a life of luxury in the Duke's mansion.

"Get out of the car and give me an explanation!" Cui Rou shouted.

She had to force Luo Qingyan off the carriage so everyone could see that even someone of lowly birth who entered the Duke's mansion could only use a fool as a coachman—this was the consequence of climbing the social ladder.

"Your Highness, I'll go down and take a look."

Pei Shiyuan nodded; surprisingly, Cui Rou did not return to Qinghe.

He didn't want to see Cui Rou, so he let Luo Qingyan go instead!

Let's see what kind of mischief Cui Rou is up to.

Luo Qingyan lifted the carriage curtain and slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Cui Rou's sinister smile deepened. It was indeed Luo Qingyan: "Aunt Luo, are you trying to kill people by using an idiot as a coachman? Or does the Duke's mansion dislike you for trying to climb the social ladder and deliberately give you an idiot as a coachman?"

Passersby immediately gathered around.

"Yes! Isn't it dangerous for people to drive horse-drawn carriages on the streets like that?"

"Who would respect someone who's trying to climb the social ladder? Just send her an idiot to drive her."

Passersby pointed and whispered.

Old Zhang shrank to one side, looking timidly at Luo Qingyan every now and then.

Luo Qingyan took a few steps, straightened her back, and shielded Lao Zhang behind her.