After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 302 The Reward Has Arrived
By the time Su Sheng found out about Xiong Kai, the guy had already left the military camp.

"That bastard got off easy! Uncle was originally planning to punish him for us, but he still got away."

Su Sheng was furious and slammed his fist on the table.

On the way back to the military camp, Liu Laosan did say that he would help them get revenge. However, Liu Laosan came and went in a hurry, and the only people in the military camp who had contact with Liu Laosan besides them were the Marshal.

The marshal was escorting Liu Laosan away and had been very busy these past few days, so they didn't want to bother him with such a trivial matter.

Shen Yi said in a deep voice, "I heard that Xiong Kai was bitten by a poisonous insect in the mountains and half of his face was ruined. It can be considered God's punishment for him. Such a scoundrel will be punished by God. We don't need to do anything."

Shen Dagou nodded repeatedly, his excitement at the thought of returning home filling him with joy. "Brother Shen, how much longer do you think we'll have to wait before we can leave? Can we get home before the Spring Festival?"

Everyone realized what was happening and immediately panicked.

Yes! What are they arguing about here? Going home for the New Year is the important thing!

Shen Yi wasn't sure either.

These past few days, he has been constantly running to Pan Wanli's camp, asking for news at every turn.

Annoyed by Pan Wanli, he was kicked out, but he wasn't angry. He still shamelessly tried to get closer to Pan Wanli.

Zhu Yixuan arrived after receiving the message and witnessed Shen Yi being dealt with by Pan Wanli. His expression was complicated.

"Why don't you stay in the army?" Zhu Yixuan asked coldly.

He knew that Shen Yi had a powerful backer, whose status was far above Cen Yingfan's. Even Cen Yingfan was treating Shen Yi with great respect. If he wanted, promotion and wealth would be just around the corner.

Shen Yi dusted himself off, glanced back at Zhu Yixuan, and smiled, "Why should I stay here? All a person wants in this life is a harmonious and happy family and a prosperous life. I have all of that, so what do I need those illusory things for? The military camp is good, but who can guarantee that we will never be defeated? I can't afford to lose!"

"Useless!" Zhu Yixuan muttered angrily.

Shen Yi wasn't angry when he heard this, but said meaningfully, "Young Master Zhu is promising. I wish you a bright future in advance!"

Zhu Yixuan thought Shen Yi was mocking him, and his face instantly darkened. "Shen Yi! I have a clear conscience about everything I have done. I appreciate your kind words. I will surely have a bright future, and the Zhu family will be the number one family in Zhaohua County!"

Shen Yi didn't reply and walked away without looking back.

Zhu Yixuan shook his head and walked toward the military medical tent with a grim expression.

In the following days, Shen Yi noticed that Zhu Yixuan frequently visited the military doctor, which aroused his curiosity.

Song Yongnian secretly inquired about it for him and returned with a shocked expression. "I vaguely heard the military doctor talking about poison and offspring. Do you think Zhu Yixuan has been poisoned?"

"What's going on?" Su Sheng's eyes were frighteningly bright.

Song Yongnian shook his head. "I don't know either. I just overheard a little bit. I heard that Zhu Yixuan has been very irritable these past few days. He often loses his temper with his subordinates, and he even went to the city to seek medical treatment once."

"That's probably true most of the time." Su Sheng was overjoyed, while Elena gloated, "Now let's see how he tries to climb the social ladder!"

Shen Yi gestured for silence. "These are all just our guesses. Don't make a fuss about things you don't know, or you'll get into trouble. We need to get home quickly!"

"Yes, yes, let's go home, let's go home."

As everyone waited anxiously, the imperial decree finally arrived.

Xiao Minghan led the officers of rank in the army to receive the imperial decree; soldiers below the rank of deputy general were not qualified to do so.

Zhu Yixuan was in the same situation, but with Cen Yingfan protecting him, he was able to listen to the imperial edict along with them. After the imperial envoy finished reading the edict, he politely asked Xiao Minghan, "May I ask who Shen Yi is?"

Cen Yingfan and the others were shocked, but Xiao Minghan remained calm and quickly sent someone to fetch Shen Yi.

Shen Yi entered the tent in full view of everyone and began to talk with the imperial envoy.

Zhu Yixuan's face was grim, but he dared not say anything.

Inside the tent.

The imperial envoy looked Shen Yi up and down and nodded with satisfaction. "This time, we owe a great debt to Commander Shen. If you hadn't insisted on rescuing Mr. Liu, His Majesty would not have been able to obtain that confidential document."

"Your Excellency, we just happened to be there and it was nothing more than a small favor." Shen Yi dared not take credit for it.

The imperial envoy, however, seemed to understand perfectly. “Mr. Liu said that you are not interested in fame or fortune, and I have seen it for myself today. However, His Majesty and we are already aware of everything you have done for Mr. Liu, and you will receive all the rewards you are due.”

His Majesty originally intended to grant Commander Shen an official title, but Mr. Liu said that Shen's ambitions lay elsewhere. His Majesty did not want to force him to do something against his will, so he bestowed upon him a thousand taels of gold, a pair of jade ruyi scepters, a dragon-protecting sword, a luminous pearl, eight bolts of brocade, and a plaque personally inscribed by His Majesty.

Those soldiers who were with you also receive a share. Summon them here, and I will read the imperial edict aloud together.

Shen Yi was filled with trepidation. He rose, bowed in gratitude, and immediately went out to call for help.

Xiao Minghan asked, "Your Excellency, Mr. Liu has rendered a great service this time. His Majesty should reward him handsomely!"

"That's natural. Mr. Liu has done so much for His Majesty. Despite his birth, he doesn't lead troops, yet his achievements far surpass those of Marshal Xiao!" the Imperial Envoy said meaningfully.

Xiao Minghan quickly echoed, "Of course, I also greatly admire Mr. Liu."

As they were talking, Shen Yi brought Su Sheng and the others over. The tent curtain was lifted, and the imperial envoy loudly read the imperial edict. Zhu Yixuan and the others outside naturally heard it as well.

Cen Yingfan murmured in disbelief, "I have led troops in battle for so many years, but I have never received such a generous reward from His Majesty. They have all received plaques personally inscribed by His Majesty."

Cen Yingfan wouldn't be envious of things like gold and ruyi, but that plaque was something only high-ranking officials and nobles in the entire capital had the opportunity to possess; low-ranking officials like them had no right to it at all.

A royal plaque can be passed down through generations and protect a family for generations. Now, Shen Yi, whom he looked down on, actually possesses something he never dared to dream of. How could he remain calm?

If Cen Yingfan is like this, then Zhu Yixuan is even more so. Just a few days ago, he told Shen Yi that he would make the Zhu family the number one family in Zhaohua County, and today he was thoroughly humiliated.

No matter how much wealth the Zhu family possesses, or how high he climbs, what good is it? Without an imperial plaque bestowed by His Majesty, the Zhu family will forever be inferior to Shen Yi and his ilk.

Shen Yi and Su Sheng received the imperial edict, all of them looking extremely excited.

The imperial envoy said a few more words of encouragement and then let them go.

The group was so excited that they didn't notice the contorted faces of Cen Yingfan and the others.

Only Pan Wanli stepped forward to congratulate them.

Taking the opportunity, Shen Yi pressed further, "Vice General, may we leave now?"

Pan Wanli choked, staring wide-eyed at Shen Yi, "You brat, are you really that eager to go home? Can't you even stay a few more days?"

A burst of wild laughter erupted inside the tent.

"If you want to leave, then leave. I grant your permission!" Xiao Minghan's cheerful voice rang out.

Shen Yi hurriedly led his men to express their gratitude, then rushed back to his own tent amidst laughter and playful banter.