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

Chapter 477 Everyone has their own plans
The man quickly closed the village gate and started yelling at the top of his lungs, "Shen Yi is back! The imperial examination results are out! Everyone hurry to Shen Yi's house!"

Shen Yi, who was riding on horseback, almost fell over. He looked back at the man in shock and quickly sped up.

Since the family hired a gatekeeper, Shen Yi was greeted as soon as he arrived at the door, and the reins were handed to him. He didn't have to worry about anything else.

Su Tai was somewhat surprised to see him return under the stars and moon.

Shen Yi, disregarding everything else, stepped forward and grabbed Su Tai's hand, suppressing his turbulent emotions, "Where's Congrong? Are you resting?"

Su Tai shook her head. "That child is probably still reading and won't lie down so early."

Shen Yi immediately led Su Tai towards Shen Congrong's room.

He walked along excitedly, saying, "Our Congrong achieved top marks in the imperial examinations and can now go to the capital to meet the Emperor!"

"Really? Oh my! This is such a wonderful thing!" Su Tai was overjoyed and pushed open Shen Congrong's door, rushing towards her son.

Despite her young age, Shen Congrong remained calm, though her eyes were full of confusion. When she learned that she had achieved excellent results, she simply smiled, without the excitement that Su Tai had expected.

Su Tai was stunned. "Son, aren't you excited? You're only ten years old! You got a top score at ten! Your cousin Tang Cheng is a bit older than you, and he only got an average score at Lushan Academy!"

Shen Congrong's smile widened, but she remained mature and composed. "Mother, I am happy, but my happiness is useless. The court will not allow a ten-year-old child to become an official. Even if I go to the capital, it will only be to broaden my horizons."

Shen Yi patted Shen Congrong's head with a sigh, "You see things very clearly. But it's still commendable that you got such excellent grades at such a young age. I'll throw you a big banquet to celebrate."

Shen Congrong blushed instantly, feeling very embarrassed. "Father, isn't this a bit too formal?"

Shen Yi shook his head. "You don't understand. I don't want to be high-profile, but I am now the county magistrate of Zhaohua County. Everyone can see my every word and action. If I don't host a banquet, other families will not be able to celebrate and will offend people instead."

"It's all about bringing honor to the family, so everyone will understand if we throw a big banquet, okay?"

Shen Congrong nodded vigorously, "Father, I understand! I know what to do!"

Su Tai said with a smile, "You're still young, so watch and learn more. If you don't understand something, just ask us. Take your time!"

Looking at her eldest son, who has achieved so much at such a young age, Su Tai felt like she was a winner in life. At this moment, she finally understood why people like to compare their children.

Unable to withstand his mother's eager gaze, Shen Congrong quickly changed the subject, "Father, what about my younger brother? How are his grades?"

Su Tai blinked, slapped her forehead in annoyance, and asked nervously, "Right! My son is in the competition too! Shen Yi, what about Yu'er?"

Shen Yi chuckled and replied unhurriedly, "Yu'er got a junior grade, which is acceptable!"

Su Tai breathed a sigh of relief, her brows and eyes relaxing. "I thought that brat was just going through the motions. Getting a first-class grade is already a blessing from our ancestors! No way! We have to go and offer incense to our ancestors and make them happy too!"

Saying such things late at night, yet none of the three people in the room found it inappropriate.

Before they could go to pay respects to their ancestors, a servant rushed over to report, "Master, Madam, Young Master, the village chief, and many villagers are waiting in the main room."

The family of three hurried out to greet the guests.

The large main hall was now packed with villagers. Even elderly people in their seventies had come with canes, and women were holding infants, waiting in the courtyard for fear the babies would disturb their conversation. Shen Yi frowned and quickly told a servant to take them to the side room.

Chu Heng and Zhou Ran stared nervously at Shen Yi.

Shen Ying was so anxious she couldn't sit still any longer and spoke first, "Shen Yi, you said the imperial examination results are out, what's the situation? Did anyone from our village pass?"

Shen Yi nodded.

Everyone was overjoyed, and their eyes shone even brighter as they looked at Shen Yi.

Shen Yi didn't beat around the bush and took out a list from his pocket. "This is what I copied from the county government office. The list of those who passed the exam is here. There are fifteen people with the first-class score, the youngest of whom is ten years old; seven people with the middle score, the youngest of whom is thirteen years old; and three people with the top score: Mr. Zhou, Mr. Chu, and my Congrong."

"Hiss!" Everyone looked at Shen Congrong as if he were a literary star descended to earth, extraordinary and extraordinary.

Shen Ying beamed from ear to ear, "Great! Great! Our village school has really paid off; so many people have passed the exams!"

Seeing everyone's joy, Shen Yi had to pour cold water on them, "The imperial court has ordered that those with top grades must accompany the imperial envoy to the palace to meet the emperor, who will then make further arrangements. Mr. Zhou, Mr. Chu, and my family's Congrong will all be going to the capital. The teachers at the village school will need to be arranged separately."

After these words were spoken, the main room fell silent.

Shen Ying sighed helplessly, smiled, and said, "There's nothing we can do about it. Everyone should understand. I wish you both a bright future and a meteoric rise in your careers!"

Chu Heng and Zhou Ran quickly got up.

"Thank you for your kind words, village chief, but in doing so, we are the ones who have let these children down."

Chu Heng and Zhou Ran both looked troubled.

Shen Ying was quite open-minded, saying, "It's alright! So many children from our village have passed the exams, we won't have trouble finding teachers."

The villagers realized what had happened and all breathed a sigh of relief, sincerely congratulating Chu Heng and Zhou Ran.

The two men breathed a sigh of relief and said, "We'll return the extra tuition fees to the village chief when we get back."

Shen Ying didn't care, "No rush, no rush."

As he spoke, he looked expectantly at Shen Yi and asked, "How's it going in Dongmen Village?"

Shen Yi shook his head helplessly, "I really can't remember that much. Tomorrow, the yamen runners will go down to the villages to deliver the good news, and I reckon we'll have the results soon. I only know that almost all the children of my father-in-law's relatives have passed the exam, with some getting good grades and others getting average grades. Also, Mr. Xi also got top grades, so Dongmen Village will have to find a new tutor."

Shen Ying laughed, "That's perfect, everyone's short of teachers now! Hahaha!"

The group stayed with Shen Yi for almost an hour before dispersing.

Shen Yi stopped the village chief, Shen Ergou, the village chief's grandson Shen Xuan, and five other people who had achieved average scores, and suggested, "The village school is no longer suitable for you. If you want to make a name for yourselves and continue down this path, you can go back and discuss with your families about studying in the prefectural city."

Judging from the imperial envoy's words, the emperor was quite satisfied with the results of this imperial examination and would promote the imperial examination throughout Lizhou next year.

According to the requirements, candidates who achieve average scores must wait three years before taking the exam again. For them, time is very tight. If they can find a good teacher to guide them during these three years, their chances of passing the exam after three years are very high.