With the provincial examination approaching, Mr. Yu still hadn't come up with a way to disqualify Fu Liujin from taking it, but Madam Han was urging him relentlessly.

Fu Liujin, this kid, is just like his fifth older brother. He's honest and hardworking, spending all his time studying. However, unlike his fifth older brother who is gentle and has a good temper, Fu Liujin has a more fiery personality.

Unlike Fu Jia's two little ones, who are mischievous and naughty, making it easy to find fault with them.

He's not Liujin's tutor, so they don't have much contact. It wouldn't be easy to find him right away.

These days, he's been so stressed that he's lost a whole lot of hair. He still hasn't figured out a way to disqualify Fu Liujin from the exam while also allowing himself to get out of this situation unscathed.

He was pondering as he made his way toward the outhouse. Han Ziwang, having never done such chores before, always lagged behind Fu Jia's uncle and nephew in speed. Sometimes, he would even accidentally smear it on his shoes.

However, the young master also had servants to attend to him when he studied. It was perfectly fine to bring an extra set of clothes and shoes.

Han Ziwang has already adapted to these two days, of course, he has to thank Fu Bajin's mask, which is quite useful, at least he doesn't have to smell those bad smells anymore.

"Zi Wang, you haven't finished cleaning yet? It's good enough, these chores are not something you should be doing."

Han Zi Wang glanced at Mr. Yu, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I've already cleaned up, you're not even as useful as the mask Fu Bajin sold me."

“My mother really gave you so much silver.”

Mr. Yu was frightened and quickly covered his mouth, "My little master, you mustn't say that! If anyone hears, we'll both be in trouble."

Han Ziwang rolled his eyes. Who would come to this place? Didn't anyone tell them what was going on?

"My mother said, 'If it comes to that, I'll just let you go to Los Angeles to study.'"

“My dear son, you can't just waltz into the official academy in Luoyang. You have to pass the exam and become a scholar first.”

Then he wouldn't go to the government school.

Mr. Yu was speechless. “In short, you absolutely can't say this.”

Han Ziwang was so fed up. Even when cleaning the toilet, Fu's two kids were chatting and laughing. He was just alone, bored out of his mind.

“My mother asked me to ask you, the township examination is coming soon, do you have a way?”

“Yes, yes, calm yourself.” Mr. Yu couldn’t offer any solutions right away, so he could only try to soothe him first. However, catching sight of Han Zi looking at something unfamiliar in his hand, he asked, “What is that?”

"The mask, Fu Bajin sold it to me."

"Fu Bajin's?" Mr. Yu inhaled sharply, and there was actually a fragrance. He took the mask and sniffed it; it came from the noodles here. It did dispel the stench around the latrine.

"Lend me this for a bit."

Mr. Yu used his mask as a sachet and went to the toilet, and during that time, he really came up with a way.

"Zi Wang, this mask is a matter between the Fu family's uncle and nephew. Who else knows?"

Everyone knows that, he shows off his good fortune in front of everyone. Han Ziwang snatched it back from his hand, “Mr. Yu, give it back to me, this cost me five taels of silver.”

Five ounces of silver, more than his monthly salary, if he saved it carefully, would be enough for a family in the countryside to spend for a year.

Those two little rascals are really naughty.

"Ziwang, give me this thing first. I'll definitely make sure Fu Liujin fails the exam this time."

Han Ziwang nodded.

The next morning, Fu Tianfu went to find Tian Guihua and got two new masks. He still had twelve days left to sweep the toilet and needed this thing.

After receiving the mask, Fu Tianfu happily smiled and said, "Grandma, my little aunt is truly a lucky star for our family."

"How can you say that? Just this thing is a lucky star?" Tian Guihua said with a smile.

"No, I can even sell the masks Uncle Eight and I have worn. That fool Han Ziwang spent five taels of silver to buy two we've used, haha..."

"Eight gold pieces for a mere trifle, this thing's worth nothing. Quickly, Uncle Eight, return the money to them. I'll give you another one to take to that child."

Tian Guihua thinks it's normal for children to be noisy and that it will probably pass in a few days.

Fu Tianfu glanced at the little dumpling who was eating eggs, "Did your little aunt buy you delicious food the day before yesterday? I'll go buy some for you again?"

Fu Jiujiu shook her head, where did she eat so much?

"Then I'll be going. Make sure to tell me when you're done eating!" Fu Tianfu chuckled, he had money to buy his little cousin delicious food.

"Tian Guihua glanced at the little dumpling, "Why didn't you tell your mother that the two of them took this thing to trick their classmates?"

Fu chuckled and smiled.

That day, Fu's uncle and nephews were almost late, but luckily they lived close by, and they arrived in the blink of an eye.

Fu Tianfu and they were the last to arrive, but it turned out that Han Ziwang didn't come.

Fu Bajin also saw the empty seat and felt that Han Ziwang probably wanted to avoid sweeping the latrine. When Mr. Yu said that Han Ziwang was feeling unwell, he didn't find it strange either.

Before the class was even over, something felt wrong.

Members of the Han family came to the door, and in their hands was that very mask.

As soon as Mrs. Han arrived, she pressed Mr. Yu aggressively, "Mr. Yu, who gave this to our family? There are mandrake seeds inside, which are highly poisonous!"

"No... I don't know what this is." Mr. Yu's gaze swept around the room.

The two of them sang in unison, it felt a little too staged, but Fu Bajin and Fu Tianfu, who were scared witless, didn't seem to notice.

After all, that thing is theirs.

"Didn't Zi Wang say so?"

"Zi Wang can't speak now," Lady Han said. "I've already asked our servants, and they say Zi Wang was brought back from the academy. I want to find out who wants to harm our Zi Wang."

"Uncle Eight!" Fu Tianfu's hands and feet turned icy cold.

But Fu Bajin had already stood up. A man should be bold when doing things, "That thing belongs to me, but it's not poisonous."

"Very well, Mr. Yu, you admit it. I want to see Dean Xie."

"You two come here too." Mr. Yu called out to Fu Bajin and Fu Tianfu.

Fu Bajin was also very afraid, but he was sure that there would be no poison inside. How could the little sister possibly harm them?

"Uncle, you said Han Ziwang wouldn't die, right? How could my snot be poisonous?" Fu Tianfu cried pitifully.

Fu Bajin glared at him. At this moment, he was also a little flustered, "You're poisoned and you can still live until now? You should have met the King of Hell by now. That mask definitely isn't poisonous; if it were, both of us would be done for."

"What is Hanzi looking at?" Fu Tianfu whispered.

"I don't know, it definitely has nothing to do with our masks. Wait a minute, don't say anything, let me handle this." Fu Bajin said.

Fu Tianfu nodded, but he was still a little worried, "Uncle Eight, what are you going to do?"

"I'm your eighth uncle, just do whatever I tell you to do. If you really get into trouble, I'll take the blame."

"No, we'll do this together."

"Shut up."

Mr. Yu saw the two boys lagging behind, whispering to each other, and urged them impatiently: "Go see the director quickly and explain things clearly."

Mrs. Han, thinking of herself as the victim, hardened her attitude when she saw Xie Guangwen’s demeanor. She recounted what had happened and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, saying, “Dr. Xie, you have to do something for us! I only have one son, and he’s about to take his exams. Something like this happening right before the exam, how can we possibly manage?”

Xie Guangwen glanced at the two Fu boys, "How are it you guys again?"

This novel is first published on Traditional Chinese Novels Network.

(Editor in charge：we fell apart: a we were liars novel)