Zhou Siran bowed his head, offering no further explanation, and repeated his earlier words:
"Siran is willing to accept punishment on my mother's behalf; I only hope the Crown Princess will..."
Lin Jingyue set down her teacup, glanced at the visibly aggrieved Zhou family and Tang Jingyan, and spoke slowly and pointedly:
"You, Zhou Siran, placed third in the top tier of the examinations. It is no wonder your mother is so arrogant, showing no respect for the Marquis Manor. But... since the Emperor ascended the throne, there have been imperial exams every three years and military exams every year. Within the capital alone, there are more than a dozen top scholars, let alone a mere third-place finisher."
She turned to the Old Madame and said, "This match, I fear, is one the Marquis Manor cannot afford to reach for. Grandmother, what do you say?"
Chapter 206