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Zhao Hongwei trembled with anger. Did this scoundrel want to harm everyone in their family to feel satisfied?
He kicked the person to the ground, his eyes filled with rage. “Shut up and apologize immediately.”
Before Zhao Hongjie could respond, Su Yu coldly interjected, “There’s no need for an apology from your family. I won’t accept it.”
The scholars present glared at Zhao Hongjie with anger. “Do you have no self-awareness of your own abilities? How dare you speak ill of His Highness.”
“Exactly. You haven’t mastered any skills yourself, yet here you are blaming others. How do you expect to hold an official position in the future? You’ve truly disgraced the Zhao family.”
One after another, the crowd criticized Zhao Hongjie.
The nature of the exams had changed, and now the imperial examinations sought individuals with genuine talent and knowledge, not those who were self-righteous.
Lacking true talent and unable to serve the people, Zhao Hongjie dared to disrespect His Highness. Who gave him the audacity?
“His Highness, Zhao Hongjie’s disrespect towards you warrants a severe punishment of thirty lashes,” Yuan Bao spoke up.
As a weak scholar, receiving thirty lashes would likely cost Zhao Hongjie half his life.
“Very well, I will follow your instructions,” Su Yu nodded in acknowledgment.
Frowning, Zhao Hongwei looked at Su Yu. “Your Highness, my brother is a scholar with achievements to his name. This was an unintentional mistake on his part. I humbly request Your Highness to forgive him this time. I will ensure to discipline him in the future.”
The former Prime Minister had initially thought Zhao Hongwei was decent, but now he realized he was just like the rest.
“Zhao Hongwei, don’t forget that your brother insulted the current Highness. He dared to disrespect His Highness so casually. Being punished is the least he deserves. If you wish to see other forms of punishment, that can also be arranged,” the former Prime Minister calmly interjected.
One sentence directed Zhao Hongwei’s gaze towards the former Prime Minister.
“You don’t need to glare at this old man. Your brother’s words about His Highness meeting his end sooner or later outside are not just a simple mistake. While you may not want your own child to be punished, it’s still better to discipline such individuals. Don’t you agree?” the former Prime Minister’s words made Zhao Hongwei’s expression turn grim. Angered, Zhao Hongjie glared at the former Prime Minister. “You old coot, say one more word and I’ll take your life!”
At this point, Zhao Hongjie still failed to realize his mistakes. Despite insulting the former Prime Minister, Su Yu sitting beside him couldn’t help but chuckle.
Pointing at Zhao Hongjie, who was glaring at the former Prime Minister with hostility, Su Yu asked with a half-smile, “Is this what you call an unintentional mistake?”
“If we’re talking about children, at his age, someone who got married early like him should already have several kids by now,” Su Yu straightened his clothes and remarked calmly.
The former Prime Minister glanced at Zhao Hongjie with disappointment, shaking his head. It was fortunate that someone like him didn’t end up holding an official position; otherwise, the common people would have a hard time in the future.
“Top Scholar, here are your promissory notes. I’ve brought them for you to keep,” the former Prime Minister handed over four hundred thousand taels to Wang Jingyu.
Then, he glanced at Zhao Hongjie. “You were the one who initiated this situation, so you should understand the concept of accepting defeat gracefully.”
He had a good understanding of the situation at the time and knew how things had unfolded. If Zhao Hongjie hadn’t been so aggressive, Wang Jingyu wouldn’t have taken such actions.
Watching Wang Jingyu holding the promissory notes, Zhao Hongjie struggled to approach and grab them. “Those belong to me, give them back.”
That was twenty thousand taels of silver, given away just like that. Regardless, he couldn’t help but feel resentful.
Yuan Bao and the others stood in front of Wang Jingyu, blocking everyone’s view.
“How can you not accept defeat, with so many witnesses present, are you still going to take the money, Zhao Hongwei? I wonder who would be willing to do business with a person who doesn’t keep their word,” someone nearby spoke up.
Initially, Zhao Hongwei had hoped to retrieve some of the money, but upon hearing those words, he was left dumbfounded. Especially since the person speaking happened to have some business dealings with their family. If they were to follow through with such statements today, their business prospects would be jeopardized.
“How could it be? This person is right. We must honor the agreement to accept defeat gracefully since we lost,” Zhao Hongwei forced a smile that looked more grim than tearful.
He had wanted to reclaim the money, but he understood it was simply impossible. With so many witnesses present, going back on his word would only tarnish his reputation as an unreliable person.
While it may not have a significant impact on his family, it would affect their business partners. The worst thing for a merchant is to be seen as untrustworthy.
Upon hearing these insincere words, Wang Jingyu couldn’t help but chuckle. “I thought you had some objections to the bet and wanted to reclaim the money.”
Su Yu observed Wang Jingyu with his chin propped up, noting that his elder brother was someone who could strike back and hold grudges.
“However, wanting it back is futile. It was Zhao Hongjie who sought trouble with me, challenging me. It’s a pity that he ended up losing so badly,” Wang Jingyu expressed with a hint of regret.
Knowing exactly what others cared about, Su Yu couldn’t help but admire Wang Jingyu for hitting the nail on the head. If the timing had been different, Su Yu would have applauded Wang Jingyu.
“Jingyu, you promised us before that everyone would get a share,” Luo Su added fuel to the fire, looking at Wang Jingyu.
Wang Jingyu nodded helplessly. “Alright.”
Each of his close friends recieved one thousand taels, acquaintances from before was given five hundred taels each, and the rest of the people present recieved one hundred taels each. In the end, Wang Jingyu was left with over twenty thousand taels.
Zhao Hongwei and his brother watched as others used their money for goodwill gestures, feeling a mix of discomfort and pain. It was not only heartbreaking but also financially painful.
“Wang Jingyu…” Zhao Hongjie glared at Wang Jingyu with resentment, feeling outraged. How dare he distribute the money in front of them like that?
Innocently, Wang Jingyu turned to Zhao Hongjie and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that? Can’t I decide how to allocate this money?”
“Zhao Hongjie, are you thinking of taking the money back? Your family seems quite stingy,” someone remarked.
“Wang Jingyu didn’t plan on betting with you initially. He and Luo Su were ready to leave, but you insisted on stopping them and wouldn’t let them go until they agreed. Isn’t it a bit unsightly now that things have escalated to this point?”
Those nearby nodded in agreement.
If it had been Wang Jingyu’s idea, Zhao Hongjie and his brother might have felt that Wang Jingyu was bullying them. However, since the bet was Zhao Hongjie’s own suggestion, unrelated to Wang Jingyu, who can they blame now that they’ve lost?