Chương 801

Shen Yanchuan looked calm and said, “What’s there to worry about? If that former crown prince really has the ability to break into the capital, then that’s his skill. I’ll just wait for him here in the capital.”

He truly didn’t seem to be worried at all, as if he didn’t take the opponent seriously at all.

Ye Chutang seemed to be deep in thought and said, “If the Southern Hu are lured into a trap, then Prince Yannan won’t need to divide his attention; if he pursues them with all his might, there might indeed be a chance of victory.”

Shen Yanchuan’s eyebrows shifted slightly, “There have been no more urgent reports from the border, and things over there with the Southern Hu seem quite peaceful as well. It seems… much more stable than before.”

He didn’t continue to press the matter further but instead brought up another topic.

“It’s almost time to announce the results.”

Ye Chutang blinked and asked, “Has the heir already found out anything?”

Xiao Wu, who was sitting nearby, also immediately lit up with anticipation and looked over.

Shen Yanchuan chuckled, “How could I know such a confidential matter in advance? I just happened to meet with Lord Tang earlier, and he seemed in a very good mood. It seems that the students from the Imperial Academy did quite well this time.”

Xiao Wu immediately covered her mouth with joy.

Although they all had great confidence in their third brother, hearing this news still made them delighted!

Ye Chutang thought for a moment and then smiled.

“That’s good.”

……

September 15th, the day of announcing the results.

Ye Chutang got up early in the morning, changed into a dress of crabapple color, tied her black hair back, and pinned a white jade hairpin on it.

Xiao Wu also put on a beautiful brocade dress of lotus color today.

Ye Chutang even personally combed her hair for her.

However, Xiao Wu was clearly distracted, frequently looking outside.

Ye Chutang smiled gently and patted her little head, “What’s there to rush about?”

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue and giggled, “It’s time to announce the results! I just want to go and take a look!”

“Your third brother isn’t in a hurry at all.”

Ye Chutang pinched her little face, stood up,

“Alright, everything is ready. Let’s go call your third brother; we’ll go and see together.”

Xiao Wu immediately perked up, “Okay!”

She jumped and ran outside, but then suddenly heard the lively sounds of gongs and drums coming from outside. At the same time, she almost collided head-on with a servant who was rushing in in a hurry.

“Oh no, my little miss!”

The servant quickly caught Xiao Wu, his face beaming with joy,

“Be careful where you step, dear!”

Ye Chutang stepped out and, seeing this scene, had a vague guess in her mind, “What’s going on?”

The servant was overjoyed and said eagerly, “Good news! Miss! Someone from the government has come to bring good news! Our third young master has passed! He’s the number one winner!”

Xiao Wu was first stunned, then suddenly widened her eyes in astonishment and turned around in great excitement.

Ye Chutang asked, “Has he already arrived?”

“He’s at the door!” the servant replied hurriedly.

Ye Chutang’s lips curled into a smile as she said to Xiao Wu, “Xiao Wu, go call your third brother. Today is his happiest day; it’s absolutely essential that he be here.”

Xiao Wu was so excited and overjoyed that it seemed his emotions were about to overflow. He nodded vigorously and then ran off with his short legs towards the study room on the other side of the house.

However, with such a commotion, Ye Jingyan, who was inside the room, naturally heard it as well. Before she even had a chance to knock on the door, he had already come out.

The noisy sounds outside grew increasingly louder as a large crowd gathered in front of Ye’s mansion, beating gongs and drums.

“Good news! Ye Jingyan, the young master of Ye’s mansion, has won first place in the provincial examinations of the Yisi year in Shuntian Prefecture!”

The loud cheers spread far and wide, drawing many curious and envious glances from the onlookers.

“Please come in quickly.”

Ye Chutang gave orders to the servants while walking up to Ye Jingyan.

Today, he was dressed in a long blue gown that looked as fresh and upright as green bamboo, exuding elegance and refinement.

In contrast to the excitement of the others, he himself remained calm and composed, as if he was not surprised by this result at all.

“Sister.”

His eyes were bright, and the youthful naivety on his handsome face had given way to a sense of stability and composure.

“I didn’t break my promise.”

Ye Chutang was momentarily stunned.

That young boy who used to follow her silently, thin and frail, had now grown into the man he was today.

A touch of emotion welled up in her heart, and she gently patted his shoulder.

“You’ve done well, Ah Yan. If only Ah Feng were here too…”

“Miss Ye Second!”

While they were talking, the messenger had already led the crowd to enter the mansion, greeting them with loud laughter.

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

Ye Chutang stopped what she was about to say, her lips forming a smile.

They then all bowed to Ye Jingyan, expressing their heartfelt congratulations.

“Third Master Ye! Congratulations on your great success!”

They had arrived even a moment earlier than the time when the results would be announced, having made sure to come early to bring their good news with great fanfare.

Ye Jingyan stepped forward, still humble and polite.

“Thank you all.”

Ye Chutang slightly tilted her chin, and one of the servants quickly brought over a purse that had already been prepared for him.

“Thank you all for your hard work! This is a small token of my appreciation!”

The messenger declined at first, but then accepted it with a smile.

“Then we’ll consider it as sharing in Master Ye’s joy!”

Such a grand occasion had naturally attracted many onlookers, and even outside Ye’s mansion, the crowd grew thicker.

“The third master of the Ye family has won first place in the examinations! That’s truly impressive!”

“Isn’t it? The officials came all the way, carrying banners with the good news! It really brings honor to the family!”

“I’ve always heard that Third Master Ye is studious, but I never imagined he would win first place!”

“Có gì lạ đâu? Cũng không nhìn xem đó là nhà của ai chứ? Ai đã dạy dỗ cậu ấy đây? Cô hai nhà Ye không phải là người bình thường đâu; cậu em mà cô ấy tự mình nuôi dưỡng bên cạnh mình, làm sao có thể là người bình thường được?”

“Thật không ngờ! Trước đó đã có Ye Si Lang, anh hùng dũng cảm chết trên chiến trường, sau đó lại xuất hiện thêm một người giành được vị trí cao như vậy… Cái mộ tổ của gia tộc Ye thật sự đang “phát hương” rồi…”

Khi nhắc đến Ye Si, mọi người im lặng một lúc, với vẻ mặt phức tạp, cuối cùng cũng đều biến thành tiếng thán phục.

“…Gia tộc Ye quả thực rất may mắn thật…”

……

Nam Hồ.

Một lần nữa, các đại thần lại tranh cãi vì chuyện của Thủy Hành Thu.

“Lần này Thủy Hành Thu đã phạm phải sai lầm lớn, khiến hàng vạn tướng sĩ của chúng ta thiệt mạng! Nếu không giết hắn, làm sao có thể xoa dịu được sự phẫn nộ của người dân!”

“Đúng vậy! Nếu không phải vì hắn cố chấp, nói lời ngọt ngào, và kiên quyết đề xuất xuất quân, làm sao chúng ta lại gặp phải tai họa này!”

“Phải xử hắn một cách nghiêm khắc! Phải trả lời cho những tướng sĩ đã hy sinh và gia đình họ!”

“Các người bây giờ nói như vậy, vậy tại sao lúc đầu không ngăn cản hắn lại? Nếu tôi nhớ không nhầm, có khá nhiều người ở đây lúc đó còn tranh nhau muốn đi cùng hắn nữa chứ!”

“Trong trận chiến ở Bình Thủy Vân, chúng ta cũng rất đau lòng, nhưng không thể đổ lỗi tất cả cho một người được chứ? Họ thua trận ở xa xôi như vậy, lại muốn chúng ta, những người ở hậu phương, phải gánh vác trách nhiệm sao?!”

“Chủ nhân gia tộc Thủy cũng chỉ vì vua và vì Nam Hồ mà thôi! Chẳng hề có chút ích kỷ nào cả! Hy vọng vua sẽ sáng suốt!”

Tốc Bá Thiện có vẻ mặt u ám.

Tất nhiên, ông ta muốn giết Thủy Hành Thu, nhưng gia tộc Thủy có nền tảng vững chắc, việc động đến họ rất khó khăn.

Vì thế, mặc dù Thủy Hành Thu đã bị giam lỏng nửa tháng rồi, nhưng ông ta vẫn không thể làm gì thêm được.

Tốc Bá Thiện nhìn quanh một vòng, cuối cùng mới từ tốn mở miệng:

“Ngày hôm trước, ta nhận được một bức thư, có liên quan đến Thủy Hành Thu.”

Tất cả mọi người im lặng, đồng loạt nhìn về phía ông ta.

Bức thư?

Bức thư gì mà khiến vua phải coi trọng đến thế?!