Chang Gui Gonggong sneered coldly, his expression indifferent. "The journey back to Chongzhou is long. With such amusing things accompanying me, it won't be boring."
"When I tire of them, I'll dispose of them at will."
The soldiers immediately understood his meaning and hurried to deal with the corpse of Steward Li.
Zhang Yang was unaware of their conversation. He only knew that he had narrowly escaped death once again and had profoundly understood what it meant to be "crushed by a superior."
Only by possessing more power could he avoid being a fish at the mercy of others!
Fueled by an intense will to survive, on the road to Chongzhou, Zhang Yang racked his brains to please Chang Gui Gonggong, desperately acting as the most obedient and sensible dog by his side. He even went to great lengths to appease the accompanying soldiers.
When alone, he felt humiliated by his own actions, but this was nothing compared to his desire to live.
In this way, Chang Gui Gonggong actually brought Zhang Yang to Chongzhou, and even into the palace.
Having been a servant for most of his life, this was the first time he felt someone serving him like a master. Naturally, he was reluctant to let this dog go.
Of course, all of this was for later.
Without the disturbance from the Li manor, Li Yueshu only needed to patiently await the posting of the prefectural examination results.
On the day the results were to be posted, Li Yueshu woke up early, preparing to take her family to see the scores.
As soon as they settled into the carriage, the sound of wheels turning could be heard.
Li Yueshu instinctively looked back and saw a carriage rapidly approaching their home. The coachman seemed somewhat familiar.
Wasn't that the magistrate... who should now be called prefect? Why was he here?
Li Yueshu walked over curiously and greeted him proactively.
The prefect dismounted from the carriage, a smile on his face. "Madam Shen, are you going to view the examination results?"
Li Yueshu nodded. "Does Your Excellency have some good news?"
Judging by the smile on the prefect's face, he looked as if he had encountered one of life's four great joys.
"Of course, it's great news! Hahaha!" The prefect carefully took out a piece of paper, folded several times, from his embrace. "Congratulations, Madam Shen. Your two children have once again swept the top two spots in the prefectural examination! I saw the results and rushed here to deliver this wonderful news. Congratulations, congratulations!"
Li Yueshu was surprised and quickly opened the paper she held. Indeed, at the very front, she saw the names Shen Yimin and Mo Lian.
The prefect was as delighted as if he had passed the exam himself. "Now both children are tong sheng. After passing the courtyard examination, they will become xiu cai! Hahaha! How many years has it been since Tongmu County produced a xiu cai? I never expected the most promising ones to be two youngsters under ten years old."
Li Yueshu was also excited, but after hearing the prefect's words, she couldn't help but feel amused. "The courtyard examination isn't until next June or July, and the children haven't started preparing. Your Excellency's words are perhaps too confident."
"I am confident in the children," the prefect said, patting his belly with a smile. "I have seen their exam papers. If they still can't become xiu cai, then the local academic inspector must have gotten his position through connections and has no judgment!"
Li Yueshu: "???"
It was clear that the prefect was truly excited, daring to say such things.
To prevent him from saying anything further, Li Yueshu quickly invited him in and shared the good news with the rest of the family.
Upon hearing that the two children had once again secured the top two positions, Aunt Liu happily clasped her hands in prayer towards the heavens, and Mother Mo joyfully ran to the kitchen to prepare a feast to celebrate.
Everyone was happy. Even Man Xing ran to Shen Yimin to congratulate him.
After returning to Ji Mo Bai's side, he couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Shen is truly amazing. Not yet ten years old and already a tong sheng. I heard he only started studying four years ago. How did he do it!"
Ji Mo Bai, who had just finished processing medicinal herbs and was washing his hands, paused slightly upon hearing this but said nothing.
Perhaps because he couldn't see, his other senses were more acute than those of ordinary people.
Having lived here for so long, he could sense that this Madam Shen was not simple.
And her husband, though appearing foolish, had steady steps and a restrained aura, indicating he must have trained.
Even the four children were different from ordinary people.
Interacting too much with such a family might not be good for him.
...
Li Yueshu was unaware of Ji Mo Bai's thoughts and was chatting with the prefect.
Since his promotion, the prefect had been busy. It wasn't until after the prefectural examination that he had some free time to personally deliver the news to Li Yueshu.
Besides delivering good news, he actually had another matter to discuss.
The prefect looked around and, seeing only Shen Wei not far away, lowered his voice. "Madam Shen, do you know who was behind the downfall of the Li manor?"
Shen Wei's hand, which was selecting vegetables, paused but quickly returned to normal.
He was not far away. With his internal energy, he could naturally hear their entire conversation.
Li Yueshu was surprised, her heart stirring slightly.
Judging by the prefect's words, could it be that the downfall of the Li manor was related to her?
Seeing her bewildered expression, the prefect directly shared what he knew. "It is said that the Li manor had been secretly colluding with a noble in the palace, accepting bribes and engaging in corruption. Several officials in small regions even bought their positions from him. The Crown Prince discovered this matter, which also implicated the Second Prince. The Emperor was furious and personally issued an edict to escort Steward Li back to Chongzhou for trial."
"Speaking of which, if it weren't for helping Madam Shen last time, Elder Xu might not have paid attention to a mere Li manor. This matter can also be considered partly your merit, Madam Shen."
Li Yueshu had not expected such developments.
Although the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were in fierce contention in the original book, there was no such plot. Could it be that her actions had caused a butterfly effect?
Li Yueshu mused silently, but on the surface, she smiled faintly. "Your Excellency is joking. I am just an ordinary farmer's wife. Matters concerning nobles have nothing to do with me."
The prefect knew she didn't want to attract trouble and sighed. "If the Second Prince investigates, he will undoubtedly trace it back to Madam Shen. Whether he chooses to vent his anger on you will depend on his mood."
He had come today to remind Li Yueshu so she could be mentally prepared.
As astute as Li Yueshu was, she naturally understood his meaning and couldn't help but frown.
Although she was destined to be involved in that vortex of power because of her children, she hadn't expected it to be so soon.
If the Second Prince were to truly vent his anger on her because of this, it would likely be a major problem.
Li Yueshu felt a headache coming on but was very grateful to the prefect who had specifically come to remind her. "Thank you, Your Excellency. I will be careful."
The prefect understood that no matter how capable Madam Shen was, she had been imprisoned in the dungeon by the Li manor. How could she possibly contend with a behemoth like the Second Prince?
However, he was just a humble prefect. His promotion was partly due to Madam Shen, and there was little he could truly do to help her.
Shen Wei noticed the worry in their eyes and felt a hint of helplessness.
The Crown Prince could trace the arrangement of Qin Yecheng to Chai Yang and would not investigate them.
This prefect... was doing more harm than good with his good intentions, unnecessarily worrying Ah Shu!