As for music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, although Robert Stone had dabbled in them a little, they were by no means his strengths. Charles Harper asked him, full of confidence, whether he wanted to compete in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Judging by his tone, this must also be one of Charles Harper's strong suits.

Robert Stone suddenly felt how much of a failure his life was. After thinking it over, he realized there was nothing he could bring out to compete with.

After a long silence, Mrs. Bennett was already showing impatience. Charles Harper was being so generous, letting him choose the topic himself, yet he was so lost and dejected—what was the meaning of this?

Robert Stone saw through Mrs. Bennett's thoughts, his face reddened, and he was filled with shame and anger, feeling utterly wronged. He, a dignified stipend scholar, was actually losing to a guy with no official title. Heavens, was there no justice left?

“I can’t let this go. I must expose this man’s true face!” Robert Stone decided not to compete anymore; he was determined to reveal Charles's misdeeds and evil conduct.

With this in mind, Robert Stone hurriedly knelt down and said, “Madam, I wish to make an accusation. I have been wronged. This man surnamed Feng is using connections—he’s having an affair with the chief steward of the household, and together they…”

At this, all the young maids present turned pale with shock.

Mrs. Bennett was momentarily stunned. She never expected that a perfectly good examination would suddenly turn into a grievance session.

Charles Harper still wore a faint smile. This fool had fallen for it! He shook his head inwardly: “To be this stupid and still dare to compete with me for a woman. Doesn’t he realize that by saying this, not only has he truly offended the chief steward, but regardless of whether it’s true or not, Mrs. Bennett would never admit it? If she did, wouldn’t that be telling everyone that the Lu household cheats? And wouldn’t all those eager scholars who came to apply start cursing?”

Mrs. Bennett’s face darkened. She said, “Mr. Stone, what do you mean by this? Now you claim someone in the Lu household is colluding with Mr. Charles. Do you have any evidence?”

Robert Stone said, “This was said by the man surnamed Feng himself. He said the chief steward is his distant relative.”

Charles Harper flatly denied it, saying, “Madam, I never said that.”

Robert Stone was furious: “You did say it, you liar! If madam doesn’t believe me, just call the chief steward to confront him.”

The chief steward of the Lu family was standing right beside the madam. Hearing Robert Stone slander him for cheating in secret and planting his distant relative to apply, he was already beside himself with rage. He said, “Madam, Mr. Charles is not my relative. I swear to the heavens. As for this Mr. Stone, his words are nothing but nonsense, and his character is clearly lacking. I ask madam to expel him at once.”

Mrs. Bennett gave the chief steward a deep look, feeling that he didn’t seem to be lying. She also realized that if the family’s reputation was smeared like this, it could be damaged—even if it were true, she couldn’t admit it. So she sneered, “Mr. Stone, you are far too presumptuous. Out of respect for your status as a scholar, I won’t insult your dignity. Someone, please escort Mr. Stone out.”

Several house servants stepped forward. Robert Stone was furious. He hated Charles Harper for unfair competition, hated that Charles Harper had connections, hated everyone in the Lu household. He shouted, “Unfair… unfair… Miss Lu… the one surnamed Feng, Miss Lu is my woman…”

Charles Harper was shocked, then silently mourned for Robert Stone for three seconds. This guy was clearly driven mad, his pride wounded too deeply, to dare say such things.

A trace of coldness flashed in Mrs. Bennett’s beautiful eyes.

The chief steward seized the opportunity and said, “Madam, this wretched scholar is truly bold, to actually insult the young lady…”

Mrs. Bennett still said nothing, seeming numb.

But the chief steward immediately understood her meaning. He shouted sternly, “Men, throw this dog out and beat him hard! No matter what comes of it, the academic officials will be dealt with in due time!”

“Ow…” With the chief steward’s order, a house servant didn’t hesitate to punch Robert Stone in the face. Robert Stone clutched his face and wailed, while several servants rushed up to punch and kick him, showing no mercy.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennett had already stood up. She neither stopped nor encouraged them. In such a situation, it was naturally inappropriate for her to stay any longer, so she left with her maids.

The chief steward, eyes red with anger, looked at Robert Stone with utter loathing. To think he would accuse him of cheating, and right in front of the madam! Fortunately, the madam was wise and didn’t believe his nonsense. And this guy even dared to slander the young lady—he deserved to die. He directed the servants, “Beat him, beat him hard! Don’t let anyone think our Lu family is weak and easy to bully.”

Robert Stone was beaten so badly he was a complete mess, crying out in pain.

Charles Harper quickly said, “Enough, enough. After all, he’s a scholar—don’t disgrace the literati. Young people just speak without thinking…”

As soon as Robert Stone heard Charles Harper’s voice, he was enraged, cursing while being beaten: “You, Feng, may you die without descendants! You colluded with the Lu family, you bastard…”

Charles Harper was momentarily stunned, then spread his hands and said, “What I said just now was only a joke. Scholars are frail—don’t hit too hard. Just use a bench, no need for knives or weapons.”

A house servant’s body tensed, and his gaze fell on a long bench not far away…

Charles Harper made the sign of the cross on his chest: “Amitabha, why am I so wicked.”

Chapter Seven: So Many Beauties in the Book