Chapter 321: Unfit to Be Human

Chapter 321: To Give Birth but Not Raise Makes One Unworthy of the Name "Human"

He was neither arrogant nor complacent, always polite to others, open and aboveboard.

Over the years, Jiang Yunhang and Ji Zihang were both celebrated as the twin prodigies of the academy, yet Jiang Yunhang remained particularly unknown.

He let Ji Zihang soak up all the glory, which made Ji Zihang very famous in the Royal Academy, while Jiang Yunhang remained unknown.

Cheng Rushan, as the head of the Royal Academy and also their tutor, knew he shouldn't play favorites among his students and should treat them equally.

But it was clear that every teacher liked students who asked questions and never tired of learning.

And he was no exception.

Jiang Yunhang was exactly that kind of student.

His performance today greatly satisfied Cheng Rushan, who unhesitatingly gave him a high score of ninety-seven.

This made Ji Zihang furious once again.

He considered himself even more outstanding than Jiang Yunhang.

Why could Jiang Yunhang get ninety-seven while he only got ninety?

Was this fair?

Even Murong Yue, who was mediocre in academics, had a higher score than him.

Ji Zihang, who always considered himself superior to others, now felt insulted.

He didn't understand what he had done wrong that made all the evaluators favor others over him.

Ji Yuntang watched Ji Zihang's grim face and curled her lips sarcastically.

Some people, after basking in their own glory for too long, think they are invincible and that everyone must revolve around them, turning themselves into frogs in a well.

They look down on the world and revel in their own privilege, but never bother to cultivate their own character, viewing others like clowns.

Little do they realize that they themselves are the biggest clowns.

In other words, isn't this a form of flattery that kills?

Ji Zihang was used to being number one, and now being surpassed by those he considered inferior, he must be struggling to accept this gap.

For him, this was probably worse than death.

Ji Yuntang sneered to herself, this was nothing yet.

There were still three rounds to go!

Next came Song Weilan, who designed a warming table.

She smiled charmingly, her limpid eyes exceptionally captivating.

"It's December now, the weather is getting colder. Considering that many students suffer from frostbitten hands and feet while doing homework in winter, I designed this heated table."

"Under the table, there is a square drawer. When reading or writing, you can add charcoal or firewood inside, warming the entire table to keep it warm."

After Song Weilan finished, Luo Feizhou immediately stood up and applauded.

"Excellent! Princess Shuyang is worthy of being the number one talented woman of our Dongchen Kingdom, always thinking of students in cold regions. This prince gives this heated table a score of ninety-six."

"When the craftsmen make it, this prince will be the first to buy one for the mansion."

Song Weilan smiled faintly and said calmly, "Prince Qi is too kind. All the ladies present today are outstanding. I am not worthy of being called a talented woman."

"If I had to choose a talented woman, I believe that the number one talented woman of Dongchen should be Princess Ye."

"She is knowledgeable, broad-minded, and has unique insights. All women should take Princess Ye as their role model and learn from her."

Having said that, she looked gently at Ji Yuntang and gave her a kind glance.

Ji Yuntang felt a sense of serene stillness in Song Weilan. She was about to say something, but Murong Yue stood up beside her.

She said bluntly, "There are thousands of women in Dongchen. Why should we take an ungrateful, morally flawed person as a role model?"

"The ancients often said that filial piety is the greatest of virtues. Dongchen is no exception. But which of Princess Ye's actions in the capital can be considered filial?"

"She is so cold-blooded to her own blood relatives. Can we really expect her to turn us into people like her?"

After Murong Yue finished speaking, she saw everyone's eyes fixed on her.

Some admired her, some scorned her, and some thought she was in for trouble.

She instantly regretted it!

She did hate Ji Yuntang, but by speaking out, she had offended Song Weilan.

Song Weilan's status was noble, and Murong Yue couldn't afford to offend her.

She just thought that even if Song Weilan didn't want the title of number one talented woman, it shouldn't fall to Ji Yuntang.

It should have belonged to her, Murong Yue.

Luo Sinian, as one of the evaluators, had not expressed his opinion.

Now he couldn't hold back any longer. He stood up and said icily, "Miss Murong, haven't the ancients taught you the rule of not judging without knowing the facts?"

"This prince always believes that the premise of filial piety is that your parents raised you with kindness. First comes raising, then filial piety. To give birth but not raise a child makes you unworthy of being called a human."

"You only see that Third Sister-in-law is not filial, but have you seen if the Marquis of Yongning's mansion ever showed her any kindness in raising her?"

The crowd exchanged glances. Was Prince Chen implying that the Marquis of Yongning and his wife didn't deserve to be called human?

Luo Sinian didn't know what others were thinking. He only felt deeply guilty.

He had once looked at Ji Yuntang with the same contempt.

But he had never considered what Ji Yuntang had been through.

The Marquis of Yongning's mansion brought her back to marry in place of Ji Qingqing and gave her a mere five taels of silver as a dowry.

That was essentially getting the biggest scapegoat for the least expense.

What right did they have to expect filial piety from Ji Yuntang?

If she hadn't known medicine, if Luo Junhe had died at that time, the only thing waiting for Ji Yuntang would have been to be buried alive with him.

From Ji Yuntang's perspective, how helpless she must have felt at that time! Luo Sinian could no longer sympathize with the Marquis of Yongning's mansion because it was all their own doing.

They must taste the bitterness themselves.

Mu Rongyue's face turned pale with fear. As far as she knew, Luo Sinian didn't meddle in others' affairs and rarely argued.

This was the first time she had personally witnessed Prince Chen losing his temper!

And the target of his anger was none other than herself.

Noticing Mu Rongyue was about to cry, Cheng Rushan stepped forward and said:

“Prince Chen, please calm down. After all, this is a family matter of the Yongning Marquis household. We bystanders shouldn’t get involved.”

“Today’s assessment tests the students’ talents and personal abilities. As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. If every examinee, like Miss Murong, brings up the other’s domestic affairs, then how are you any different from the person you yourself accuse of lacking virtue?”

“A gentleman's heart is not narrow, yet his tolerance embraces all things. Let others resolve their own matters. As outsiders, we should not bring such issues into the competition, lest we tarnish the reputation of our Royal Academy students.”

Mu Rongyue: “...”

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