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

Chapter 482 Snatching People at the City Gate

Xi Mu, standing to the side, patted Su Yongzhang's head, his tone tinged with melancholy, "This is the capital. When your Mr. Chu and I came here full of ambition, we almost died in a dilapidated temple."

No matter how talented you are, without connections, nobody will even look at you. Once you're here, you have to be humble and accept this difference in status.

"Mr. Xi is right. The capital is full of nobles and powerful people. Since you have no background here, you should keep a low profile!" The imperial envoy rarely spoke up to remind them.

Actually, he didn't want to meddle in other people's business, but he genuinely valued talent. These people had all risen to prominence through their own abilities and were future pillars of the court. He didn't want them to die before they even began.

As they were talking, a carriage stopped beside the procession.

The imperial envoy looked up, quickly dismounted, and bowed, saying, "This humble official, Yang Yu, greets the Grand Tutor."

The Grand Tutor glanced at Yang Yu, then his gaze fell on Chu Heng and the others. He asked indifferently, "These are the candidates from Zhaohua County who achieved top results in this year's imperial examination?"

"That's right." Yang Yu bowed his head, his attitude extremely humble and respectful.

The Grand Tutor instructed, "They have had a long journey. Take them to my residence for the night, and then bring them to the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow."

Yang Yu's face turned slightly pale, and he looked somewhat embarrassed.

Just then, another carriage arrived. Liu Laosan got off the carriage and walked straight to Yang Yu.

Yang Yu was puzzled, and despite the cold weather, he was so nervous that he almost broke out in a sweat. "This humble official greets Marquis Yong'an."

The Grand Tutor alighted from his carriage and stood facing Liu Laosan, his expression unchanged. "What brings you here, Lord Marquis?"

"And what brings the Grand Tutor here?" Liu Laosan asked leisurely.

The Grand Tutor scoffed, "I am here to fulfill the emperor's obligations and bear his burdens. I've come here specifically to see the talents selected from this year's imperial examinations! What? Is the Marquis also interested in them? If I remember correctly, the Marquis doesn't need to concern himself with the affairs of civil officials! It's not good to overstep one's bounds!"

"Hahahaha. It seems that the imperial examination is not under the Grand Tutor's jurisdiction! Since the Grand Tutor wants to share the emperor's burdens, he should help the emperor find a way to solve the troubles in Pingzhou. It's not right to waste time on these people!" Liu Laosan said with three parts sarcasm, three parts mockery, and four parts seriousness.

Yang Yu watched the two immortals fight, his face turning pale with tension. Just as he was about to say something, the Grand Tutor laughed angrily and waved his sleeve, ignoring the Marquis of Yong'an and directly ordering him, "Take them away!"

"Yes"

"What is it?" Liu Laosan glared at Yang Yu with annoyance, then looked at Shen Congrong, "You brat! Get over here now!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Congrong led Su Yongzhang and four attendants forward, bowed, and said, "Grandson greets grandfather."

Yang Yu's eyes widened instantly. "You...you...you're the grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an?"

Liu Laosan proudly gestured with his chin towards the Grand Tutor, "If it weren't for my precious grandson, who would bother with these trivial matters! Do you think everyone is like you? Ridiculous!"

"Marquis Yong'an! Don't push your luck!" The Grand Tutor was furious!

Liu Laosan had no intention of giving him face at all, and said to Shen Congrong with his head down, "Come on! Grandpa will take you to the palace to pay your respects to the Emperor right now."

As he spoke, Liu Laosan shoved the two children into the carriage, completely ignoring the livid-faced Grand Tutor.

Yang Yu glanced at the departing carriage, then at the Grand Tutor, and asked timidly, "Grand Tutor, what about them?"

"Everyone's been taken away by that scoundrel Liu Laosan, what else is there to ask? Go do what you were supposed to do!" The Grand Tutor got into the carriage in a fit of rage and told the driver to leave immediately. Yang Yu watched the Grand Tutor's carriage leave, secretly relieved. He turned back to look at Zhou Ran and the others, and solemnly instructed them, "This has happened so soon after we entered the capital. Don't say anything out of line when we get to the palace."

The fact that the Grand Tutor is so eager to form factions shows that the Second Prince's situation is not good. If these people get involved at this time, they will only become cannon fodder. Fortunately, Shen Congrong is the grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an, which helps them solve a major crisis.

Zhou Ran didn't understand, but seeing Chu Heng and Xi Mu's pale faces, she knew something was wrong.

With eyes focused on the nose and the nose on the heart, I dared not ask any more questions.

The group quickly caught up with the Marquis of Yong'an's carriage.

Under Liu Laosan's guidance, they finally entered the palace successfully.

In the imperial study room.

As soon as Liu Laosan bowed to the emperor, he couldn't wait to mutter, "Your Majesty, I waited for my grandson at the city gate early this morning. I didn't expect to run into the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor is quite interesting. He told Lord Yang to take these candidates to his residence to rest for a day, and then they can go to the palace to meet the emperor tomorrow."

I was wondering when the Grand Tutor had become so benevolent. If it had been any later, my grandson would have been taken away by him.

The emperor pondered for a moment without showing any emotion, then looked at Liu Laosan with great interest. "If I remember correctly, you are still a lonely man. Where did you get a grandson?"

Liu Laosan became anxious, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that I have adopted a godson? He is my savior, and his father also died to save me. Shen Yi is not my biological son, but he is more than a son to me! His son is my grandson!"

The emperor chuckled, "I was confused. Here, bring your grandson up so I can see him."

Liu Laosan immediately went out and led Shen Congrong into the hall.

"This humble subject, Shen Congrong, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace." Following Liu Laosan's instructions, Shen Congrong respectfully bowed to the emperor.

The emperor asked in surprise, "Stand up and speak. How old are you?"

"This humble citizen is ten years old."

The emperor and his attendants were startled again.

The father-in-law praised, "To achieve top grades at the age of ten, you are truly a prodigy!"

The emperor nodded repeatedly, "I remember that the youngest among the top-performing candidates was ten years old."

“Your Majesty has a good memory, it’s him!” the eunuch hurriedly chimed in.

The emperor was amused, and after taking a closer look at Shen Congrong, he asked in a gentle voice, "What books do you usually read?"

Shen Congrong replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "When I was learning, I read the Hundred Family Surnames, the Three Character Classic, the Analects, Mencius, the Book of Poetry, etc. Later, I also read some other books, such as ancient books, classics, histories, philosophical works, water conservancy projects, travelogues and miscellaneous books. As long as it is a book, I will read it."

The emperor nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, you are a studious person! Although you achieved excellent results this time, you are still too young for me to grant you an official position. However, I do not want to miss out on such a promising talent. Therefore, I hereby appoint you as a seventh-rank civil official in the Bo Academy. You may read all the books in the Bo Academy and the books in the library as you wish. Study and ask questions as much as you like. I will make further arrangements after you turn fifteen."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Laosan pulled Shen Congrong to express his gratitude.

He was laughing so smugly.

The emperor, unable to bear the sight, waved his hand dismissively, "Step back! Let the others in."