The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Shen Chen came out, and Aunt Li tried to get closer to the county magistrate, but he stopped her with a single look.

Shen Yu'an looked at his elder brother Shen Cao, who was handsome and talented, but whose complexion was still somewhat sallow, just like when he was lying in bed before.

What sets this person apart is that he is clearly no ordinary person. Although he looks thin and weak, as if a gust of wind could blow him over, his upright spine is as firm as if it were rooted in the earth.

His gaze did not become self-conscious because of the stares of others; on the contrary, it shone brightly and was full of hope.

Shen Chen looked at his younger sister and siblings with some guilt, while Shen Cao gave him a firm look.

The others, unaware of what the school staff were there for, watched Shen Chen with expressions of amusement, especially Aunt Li, whose gaze seemed to suggest that the school staff had come to tell Shen Chen that he had been expelled from the school and should never go there again.

Shen Chen looked at the person who had come to the school. This person looked somewhat familiar; he should have seen him at the school before.

He felt a little uneasy. He looked at what the man was holding. Others might not know, but he was very familiar with it. It was the red list that the school used to announce students' grades.

Although he confidently told his family that he had done well on the exam, he himself didn't know how his actual score would be.

Shen Chen walked up to the man with neither arrogance nor servility, and gave him a student's salute. "Sir, I am Shen Chen. Please speak freely." He handed over his name seal.

After checking the name stamp and confirming that the other party was Shen Chen, the other party slowly opened the red scroll.

"Shen Chen, top of the provincial examination." These simple words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Everyone present heard what that person said: "Top of the provincial examination list!"

Once he passes the provincial examination, won't Shen Chen become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination)?

Upon hearing this, the villagers all felt a pang of jealousy and wore strange expressions.

Shen Cao and the others were all happy for their older brother.

Her eldest brother is the most capable.

Shen Yu'an originally thought that Shen Chen would at most be on the list, after all, Shen Cao had mentioned to him that his older brother was a good student, but he did not expect him to be at the top of the list.

The Shen family is indeed full of hidden talents; there isn't a single ordinary person among them.

It seems my judgment is as good as ever, having met such a person so early on.

"That's impossible! Wasn't he expelled from school?" Aunt Li exclaimed.

She even sent someone to the school to inquire, and only dared to bring the county magistrate to arrest the person after confirming with that person.

It was her bad luck that the person she was asking about had a grudge against Shen Chen before. He didn't know why Shen Chen hadn't been to the school for several days in a row. He figured that given Shen Chen's personality, he wouldn't skip school on his own initiative, so he must have been kicked out of the school.

Upon hearing Aunt Li inquire about Shen Chen, he told her his guess with certainty.

Upon hearing that Aunt Li was spreading rumors, the people at the school immediately stopped her, saying, "Auntie, you need to provide evidence before you speak. The school will hold you accountable for arbitrarily slandering students like this."

He looked at Shen Chen and explained, "Shen Chen is just feeling unwell and asked to go home to recuperate. Our school isn't blind; why would we kick out such a good student if we weren't going to nurture him properly?"

"Unless one day, the school can no longer teach him, and he leaves voluntarily."

Shen Chen watched as the man thanked him gratefully. He didn't need to say so much, but he did because he appreciated the talent.

The county magistrate walked up to Shen Chen and said with a smile, "This must be Young Master Shen Chen. He is indeed a handsome young man."

"My name is Li Sheng, and I am the magistrate of Xin'an County."

Shen Chen looked at the person in front of him and gave him a student's salute. "I dare not accept such a favor from the county magistrate. I am unworthy of it."

"Haha, I dare to accept it."

Seeing that the other person was not arrogant because of his achievements despite his young age, and that this person actually knew Shen Yu'an, Li Sheng knew that this person must be extraordinary, and thus began to have designs on him.

However, the other party did not take the bait, and Shen Yu'an was still there. He couldn't afford to offend this troublemaker, so he left with his men in a huff.

Before leaving, he slapped Aunt Li again. "This disgusting thing, doesn't she know her own worth? She almost got used as a pawn."

And that woman at home, she's really giving me face, daring to embarrass me like that. I'll see how she deals with me when I get back.

After the magistrate left, Aunt Li also left dejectedly, as if fleeing, and the other onlookers also dispersed.

However, when they left, they all felt even more heartbroken.

After everyone left, Shen Cao walked up to Shen Yu'an with an apologetic look, "Brother Shen, I'm sorry to have made you watch the show."

Shen Yu'an waved his hand, "We're all on the same side, it's alright, it's alright."

"But what brings you here today?"

Shen Yu'an then pointed to the carriages parked at the door, "Didn't you mention before that you were moving soon? I had nothing to do today, and since you probably wouldn't have a carriage for moving, I brought my family's carriage with me."

"How about it? Did I arrive just in time?" Shen Yu'an asked with a look that said, "Praise me, praise me!"

Shen Cao smiled and confirmed the other person's statement. Was this guy really older than him? He seemed even more childish than himself.

The village chief and his family stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to leave or stay.

When Shen Cao saw the village chief's family, she remembered that she was supposed to treat the village chief to a meal today.

She immediately welcomed the village chief and his party inside. The village chief was a little embarrassed and was about to say goodbye, but Shen Cao stopped him.

"Uncle Village Chief, my parents specifically asked me to invite you to dinner today. They also have important matters to discuss with you. They'll be back in a little while." It turned out that Mr. and Mrs. Shen had finished tidying up the house in the morning. They figured there was still some finishing work to be done at the new house, and since they were just sitting at home doing nothing, they went to the county town early in the morning.

The village chief looked at Shen Yu'an, somewhat hesitant.

Shen Yu'an, acting as if they were old friends, waved his fan and said, "Just pretend I don't exist."

Upon hearing Shen Yu'an's words, the village chief said nothing more.

Shen Chen invited the village chief's family to sit in the main room, while Shen Cao took the already cold food to the kitchen and reheated it.

I had just finished heating up when I saw my parents come home.

As soon as Mr. Shen entered the door, he asked, "Why do I see several horse-drawn carriages parked in front of our door? Did anyone from the village come today?"

Shen Cao didn't say anything, but told her father that the village chief's family had arrived and were waiting in the main room.

Mr. Shen washed his hands and hurried into the main room.

Shen Yu'an circled the Shen family's house, somewhat puzzled. How could people actually live in this house? He had just kicked down the wall next to the fence.

He was so frightened that he quickly and obediently went back home.

Shen Cao was just about to go find him for dinner when he walked in looking like a thief.

"Brother Shen, dinner is ready."

"okay."

Shen Yu'an washed his hands and went into the main room. Sure enough, it was smaller inside than outside.

His expression was perfectly calm, without any sign of anything amiss.

His eyes lit up briefly when he saw the table full of delicious food, but then dimmed. He was a charming gentleman in public, and he couldn't let anyone discover his true nature.

He clasped his hands together, greeted the others, and then found a corner to sit down.

Mr. Shen was somewhat surprised to see his son, Mr. Shen, suddenly appear. He wondered why this young master had come to his house and even sat down without any sign of disdain.