Madam Chen Spent the Whole Day in Fear

She constantly sent people to inquire about the situation at the Duke of An’s residence.

“Madam, madam!” Chun Tao rushed in, panting.

“What did you find out?” Madam Chen asked anxiously.

“We found out,” Chun Tao wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Not long after the Duke of An returned, he fainted. However…”

Madam Chen’s mind went blank, and she nearly collapsed.

Yuanxi had really poisoned him.

Chun Tao quickly stepped forward to support her. “Madam, are you alright? Should I call Doctor Sun?”

Madam Chen grabbed her sleeve. “However, what? Keep talking.”

Chun Tao had no choice but to continue.

“However, the doctor diagnosed him with a stroke. For the rest of his life, he will be bedridden.” Chun Tao couldn’t hide her delight.

Madam Chen let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s good, that’s good. Being paralyzed is better.” This way, they wouldn’t be implicated.

At that moment, Chun Zhi walked in holding an account book.

“Madam, here are the recent sales records from Lan Fang Pavilion.”

Madam Chen steadied herself and opened the book.

“Why are sales down again?”

“Have the customers gone to Wu Cuirou’s shop instead?”

Chun Zhi nodded. “I heard that shop doesn’t have purchase limits, so most customers went there.”

“Don’t worry. Have our people keep up with production,” Madam Chen said. “If we can’t sell them now, we’ll store them. They’ll be useful one day.”

Chun Zhi suddenly remembered something. “Madam, recently more merchants have arrived in the capital. They’re buying our goods in bulk and reselling them at double the price.”

Because of this, their store was running out of stock, forcing many customers to turn to the rival shop.

Madam Chen frowned.

This was indeed a problem.

【Mother, why not open more branches in different places?】

【That way, you can suppress these foreign merchants and control the prices. The more stores, the better!】

Jiang Yuanxi was quite satisfied with the identity that King Yama had arranged for her.

Now, this was what being a noble lady should feel like!

Endless money, grand mansions—what a life.

Madam Chen’s eyes lit up. She completely agreed with her daughter’s idea.

But the empire was vast, and she needed someone trustworthy to handle the expansion.

“Chun Zhi, if we were to open branch stores, who do you think would be a reliable person to manage them?” Madam Chen asked.

Chun Zhi thought for a moment but couldn’t come up with anyone.

After years of oppression by the Duke of An’s family, Madam Chen hadn’t had the chance to form useful connections. Apart from their servants, there really wasn’t anyone suitable.

“I don’t know either.”

【Give it to Third Brother, Mother! He’s the most capable!】

“I think…” Madam Chen hesitated. “The third son is a good choice, but he’s devoted to his studies. He might not want to take over.”

Scholars valued reputation, and in their eyes, engaging in business was crude and unrefined.

【He won’t pass the exams, Mother. Not in this lifetime.】

Madam Chen: “…”

Studying shouldn’t be done blindly.

When it came to academics, Jiang Yuanfan only knew how to memorize books without understanding them.

The imperial examinations were designed to select talented individuals from across the nation.

The policy essays tested adaptability and opinions on state affairs.

【Knowledge comes from books, but also from life. Unfortunately, Third Brother doesn’t understand this.】

【Oh, and I bet 50 taels at the Fugui Gambling House that Third Brother won’t pass. I’m going to make a fortune! Hehe.】

Cough, cough, cough. Madam Chen nearly choked.

She didn’t know how to describe her feelings.

So this was what people called “deep sibling love”?

But after hearing Yuanxi’s words, she decided to put the business matter on hold until after the exam results were announced.

..

The scholars emerged from the examination hall.

They looked disheveled, completely different from the confident young men they had been before entering. Their eyes were lifeless, and they walked unsteadily.

To an outsider, they might have looked as if their energy had been sucked away by demons.

“Big Brother!” Jiang Yuanxi immediately spotted Jiang Yuansheng in the crowd.

Unlike the others, Jiang Yuansheng’s hair was neatly combed, and he exuded a scholarly air.

But his face was pale.

Jiang Yuancheng quickly asked, “Big Brother, how did it go?”

Jiang Yuansheng gave a confident smile. “Of course, I did not disappoint.”

The family was overjoyed.

Jiang Fengyuan looked around. “Where’s Yuan’er?”

Jiang Yuansheng shook his head.

The examination hall was huge, and they had been assigned to different sections.

He had no idea how his third brother was doing.

Madam Chen immediately had him taken to the carriage while the rest of them waited.

【Why isn’t Third Brother out yet?】

The crowd thinned.

Just as the family grew anxious, soldiers emerged, carrying someone on a stretcher.

【Why did Third Brother walk in but get carried out? Do they have VIP service at the examination hall?】 Jiang Yuanxi wondered.

Jiang Yuancheng sighed. “Third Brother passed out.” This happened to a few scholars every year.

They rushed over to the stretcher.

Jiang Yuanfan’s lips were pale, and dark circles surrounded his eyes.

“Is this student related to you?” a soldier asked.

Madam Chen, heartbroken, touched her son’s cold face. “Yes, he is my son.”

“Yuan’er, wake up. It’s Mother.” Madam Chen called softly.

The guard handed him over. “I’ve never seen this before—he slept through the entire exam.”

Was he here to take a test or to find a new sleeping spot?

The Jiang family: …

Jiang Yuanxi immediately checked his pulse.

【Unconscious. Vitality weak.】

Madam Chen grew more frightened. She regretted letting Yuan Yuan take the exam. Business would have been fine.

【Diagnosis complete.】

“He’s just hungry.”

After sleeping for four days, of course he was weak.

When Jiang Yuanfan finally woke up, it was already afternoon.

He opened his eyes, saw his familiar surroundings, and suddenly panicked.

The exam—he had been taking the exam! How was he home?

Seeing him awake, his family gathered around.

“Third Brother, eat something.” Jiang Yuanxi showed concern.

Madam Chen brought a bowl of porridge to him.

“Mother, why am I home?” Jiang Yuan Yuan asked anxiously. He had been in the middle of the exam! There were still four days left!

Could it be…

Jiang Fengyuan asked, “Yuan’er, why did you faint?” And for four whole days?

Jiang Yuanfan lowered his head. He wasn’t sure.

“I just… felt dizzy when I saw the exam paper,” he recalled.

He had forced himself to stay awake for two days but couldn’t hold on.

【Could Fourth Brother have exam anxiety? That’s an actual condition.】

The family looked puzzled.

【It means someone is fine in daily life, but the moment they take an exam, they panic and become disoriented—like floating on clouds. Then, they black out.】

Jiang Yuanfan’s eyes widened.

Yes! That was exactly how he felt!

Madam Chen saw his expression and turned to her daughter.

Now that they knew the cause, the next step was treatment.

【There’s no cure.】

Jiang Yuanfan: …

Madam Chen: …

【No wonder the prophecy said he’d never pass. It all makes sense now.】

Jiang Yuanxi sighed.

【Truly, the world is full of wonders.】

The Jiang family all nodded. This was the first time they had heard of such a condition.

【Now, Mother can finally discuss the business with Third Brother.】 Jiang Yuanxi thought.