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

Chapter 476 The results of the imperial examination are out.

Cen Li stared at the dozen or so people in front of him with a dark face, glaring angrily, "What's going on with them?"

Zhu Yixuan clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, replying gently, "Second Uncle, they are all merchant caravans preparing to return to Zhaohua County. They are all old acquaintances of mine. If we travel with them, we can look after each other on the way."

Cen Li's face darkened with displeasure. "Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile?"

Zhu Yixuan blinked innocently, "To blend in with the caravan is to live a life of quiet seclusion in the city; that's true humility."

"You!" Cen Li pointed at Zhu Yixuan, trembling with anger.

Zhu Yixuan glanced at the sky and said, "Second Uncle, it's getting late, we should take our leave now."

Cen Li watched helplessly as Zhu Yixuan left with the caravan, and could do nothing about it. He had no choice but to immediately go back and tell Cen Yingfan what had happened.

Cen Yingfan seemed to have expected this, and sneered, "I told you long ago that he would definitely have a backup plan. That kid did not disappoint me. In that case, your plan cannot be implemented."

"Big brother, you're still praising him!" Cen Li was furious and kept jumping up and down.

Cen Yingfan laughed, "Why are you in such a hurry! Zhu Yixuan is a smart man. He would never dare to offend the Second Prince. So what if he knows those secrets? You're just worrying unnecessarily."

Cen Li shook his head in disapproval, muttered for a long time, and left in a huff.

Zhu Yixuan had already left the capital with the caravan.

These caravan guards had come to the capital with Su Chuan and his group, but since Su Chuan and his companions would be staying in the capital for a while, they only sent forty or fifty men to escort Zhu Yixuan away first.

These were all things he and Xiaoxi had discussed yesterday evening.

Xiao Xi stood on the high ground outside the city, holding a large bundle. When she saw the caravan approaching, she quickly ran down the high ground and handed the bundle to Zhu Yixuan as he drew near.

"There are clothes, dry food, and silver in the bundle, Young Master Zhu. My debt to you is now wiped clean. Don't forget what you promised me!"

Xiao Xi looked up at him seriously.

Zhu Yixuan smiled, took the bundle, nodded to her, and rode away.

No sooner had Zhu Yixuan left than the results of the imperial examinations in Zhaohua County were released.

The emperor looked at the articles before him and couldn't stop smiling. After discussing with several trusted ministers, he immediately ordered an imperial envoy to go to Zhaohua County to deliver the imperial decree.

The cold autumn wind stirred up the morning frost and mist.

At dawn, as soon as the gates of Zhaohua County were opened, a group of people approached from afar and arrived in the blink of an eye.

The guards on the city took a few more glances, recognized Zhu Yixuan on his tall horse, and even greeted him. But they were inwardly puzzled, their eyes occasionally glancing at the coffin behind the caravan, curious but not daring to make a sound.

Just as the officials were about to hand over the entourage after Zhu Yixuan and his party had gone, another group of people came galloping in.

His eyes widened immediately, and he muttered, "What's going on today? Has something serious happened again?"

Before he could figure it out, the imperial envoy's entourage had already entered the city and headed straight for the county government office.

Zhu Yixuan returned to the manor safely and, as usual, said upon entering, "Have the steward come over."

The gatekeeper was trembling with fear when a steward arrived shortly afterward, but he was not the head of the household.

Zhu Yixuan frowned. "Where is the housekeeper?"

The steward hurriedly knelt down and replied sorrowfully, "Young Master, the steward had an accident on the Ice Plains and died!" Zhu Yixuan was stunned for a moment, then asked in a hoarse voice, "What was he doing on the Ice Plains?"

The steward, tears streaming down his face, cried, "The master ordered the steward to search for them on the icy plains. But the icy plains are dangerous everywhere. They were targeted by a pack of wolves, and something terrible has happened to them."

Zhu Yixuan was in a daze and hurriedly ran to Master Zhu's courtyard.

Perhaps it was because of the late autumn, but Zhu Yixuan felt a sense of desolation as he entered the courtyard.

Master Zhu was lying on the bed groaning, and when he saw Zhu Yixuan, he thought he was dreaming!
He muttered to himself, "Yixuan! You have to hold on. Our Zhu family can only rely on you! If you're gone, the Zhu family is finished!"

Zhu Yixuan hurriedly stepped forward and grasped Old Master Zhu's hand, "Father, your son is back, I'm back safe and sound!"

Master Zhu squeezed his hand tightly before realizing what was happening, and burst into tears, "My son! I'm so glad you're alright! I thought our Zhu family was finished! Waaah!"

"Father, the steward..."

Master Zhu shook his head sadly, "I told him to go to the icy plains to find the Ke family mother and son, and to bring back our Zhu family bloodline no matter what! I never expected that they would run into trouble before we even found them! Don't you think our Zhu family's days are numbered?"

He had been thinking about this constantly, living in constant anxiety, and his health was deteriorating.

Zhu Yixuan immediately shook his head, "Father, don't think nonsense. As long as I'm here, the Zhu family will be fine. Besides, I've already found the Ke family mother and son. The Zhu family will not die out."

"Really? Where is it?" Master Zhu kept looking behind Zhu Yixuan.

Zhu Yixuan suppressed the bitterness in his heart and comforted him, "Father, they are in the capital and haven't come back. Kangcheng has made progress in his studies. If he works hard, he can become an official in the future. He can do what I can't. I didn't want to disturb him for the sake of his future. I told you this to put your mind at ease."

Master Zhu disagreed, "That's our Zhu family bloodline, how can it be left to wander outside!"

Zhu Yixuan had no choice but to reveal his situation, and said with a bitter smile, "Father, it's already a miracle that I've survived. I won't be able to help the child in any way in the future. If I rashly go to acknowledge him, the child might hate me, which would be worse."

Old Master Zhu kept slapping his thigh, "If I had known it would turn out like this, I would never have let Madam Ke take the child away!"

“Father, there’s no going back in this world. Given the circumstances, you and Mother would never have tolerated their existence, so there’s nothing more to say.” Zhu Yixuan remained calm and composed.

But Master Zhu remained deeply troubled by it.

Just then, the steward rushed in and reported: "Master, young master, the imperial envoy has come to Zhaohua County to announce the results of the imperial examinations. I heard that the imperial envoy wants those candidates who achieved the best results to return to the capital to meet the emperor and be granted official positions!"

The father and son looked at each other in bewilderment.

Old Master Zhu swallowed hard. Thinking about what his son had said, he finally couldn't let go and stopped talking about his grandson recognizing his ancestors.

at the same time.

Shen Yi was riding at full speed towards Shen Family Village.

It was getting dark quickly, and red lanterns were already hanging in the village at dusk. The village gate was not yet closed, and the gatekeeper was somewhat surprised to see Shen Yi.

"Lord Shen is back!"

Shen Yi stopped helplessly and said to the other party, "Notify the village chief that the results of the imperial examination are out, and ask the village chief to come to my house."

"What? This is a huge deal! How did my Chunsheng do on his exams?" the other person asked impatiently.

Shen Yi was speechless. "I can't reply to you right now. Help me find the village chief. I have to go back first. Oh, and please invite Mr. Chu and Mr. Zhou over as well."