ame, we agreed at home to come early and stay late. As a result, I was delayed all night, and my family didn't know how worried they were...When passing by Xindu, Jiayin insisted on going to the Hou's...Jia Ren and Lu Zong stood up directly, lest there be a misunderstanding. The two spoke in high voices.

Jia Ren asked, "Sir, what's happening outside Is it true that there is a wind without roots in the palace Are there any casualties"

“Yes, please be straightforward with us,” Lu Cong chimed in anxiously.

The officer on duty was present throughout the questioning of the two soldiers and also saw the arrival of the Marquis of Xiting and the Marquis of Zhongshan. He dared not neglect his duties.

At this point, he spoke carefully, “Rest assured, esteemed guests, there has indeed been a windstorm outside, but only a few mansions have suffered damage. The palace has sealed off Shoukang Palace and Zilan Palace, but no one has fallen ill; they are all safe and well.”

"Rest assured, both of you. The soldiers who had deliberately framed you have been taken over by Marquis Xinting. Right and wrong will be thoroughly investigated and clarified."

Jiarén and Lúzòng, including Líge’er who stretched his neck far away to eavesdrop, all let out a long sigh of relief.

Actually, they weren't completely at ease. After all, they hadn't seen their sister safe and sound with their own eyes. But since the Marquis had taken over and sent such a message, it was still highly credible.

Jia Ren and Lu Cong bowed together, thanking the on-duty officials.

The on-duty officer cleared his throat, regaining a professional demeanor. He glanced at the students who had come to look over, saying, "All of you study hard for the exam and refrain from unnecessary noise."

Then, he strode away in all four directions.

Jiarren didn't know his name, but he remembered his appearance.

After the big exam, he would definitely return this favor.

Even if this official doesn't come to tell the results, they are powerless.

But not only did they come, but they also spoke so clearly, for fear of delaying their exams, they were very sincere...

He waved to the distant Li Ge'er, motioning for him to stay calm.

After sitting down again, Jia Ren realized his whole body was freezing.

I was worried just now and didn't know what to do, but now I'm afraid of catching a cold.

He quickly boiled hot water and made himself a cup of milk tea.

The aroma of milk and tea mingled together, creating a sweet and mellow flavor that finally brought him a touch of warmth on this winter night.

Next door, Luzong and Li Ge'er from afar also coincidentally brought their milk tea cups...

Three days passed in a blink of an eye. As soon as the gates of the academy opened, the exhausted students rushed out.

Jiarén and Lǐgē’er, Lú Zōng, and Jiā Xù were walking together. They hadn't gone far out of the alley when they met Jiāhuān accompanied by a steward's boy.

How is your sister

"Big brother, how did the exam go"

Both parties almost simultaneously asked their questions, but they were worlds apart.

Jia Ren was getting impatient, urging, "Has there been any news from the palace How is your sister doing Has Zhang the Imperial Physician arrived to attend to her"

Jiahuan led a few people aside, keeping them out of the way of the students, and replied, "Brother, don't worry, little sister is fine. The Marquis said not to worry, there are some hidden circumstances behind this matter, he and Second Uncle have made arrangements."

Jia Ren only then felt relieved, releasing the breath he had been holding in. His legs felt weak from the tension.

Over these past three days, even though I know my family wouldn't ignore my sister and that someone deliberately distracted them, I still can't help but worry.

He couldn't eat well, sleep soundly, and still had to give his all to answering the questions. On top of that, he constantly used his eyes to comfort his younger brother. He was completely exhausted.

Li Ge'er was also hanging on Jia Huan's arm, mumbling constantly, "Brother, I'm starving to death! I want to eat meat, I want to eat rice, I want to eat dumplings!"

At this time, the Lu family and the Jia family members also came over and invited Lu Zong and Jia Xu to go home.

With only one night to prepare, everyone was eager to make the most of their time. They knew they had to be at the貢院 by morning.

Soon, the crowd dispersed.

The Li brothers took the car all the way back to Earl's Mansion.

Wan'er had already prepared dinner and was waiting at the door.

Finally, her husband came back, and she was so happy that her eyes were red.

For the past three days, she's been preoccupied with her husband's exam and worried about her younger sister being confined to the palace. She truly wished she could split her heart in two.

When everyone was eating, the Marquis and Li Laer, Li Laoer, and Li Laosi all rushed back.

No one asked about how Family Ren had done on the exam. They only talked openly and clearly about matters in the palace.

Jiarren and Liguer heard that it was the Empress Dowager who had concocted the plan. In order to divert attention, she claimed they had strange illnesses as an excuse. They were completely relieved.

"Father, the matter at the Gongyuan may not necessarily be behind the Empress Dowager. She is now in decline and focused on seizing power. She probably doesn't have time for us two. Could it be someone else stirring up trouble, taking advantage of the situation" Jiaren asked.

Li Lao Er nodded, quite satisfied with his eldest son.

At least he didn't become stupid from reading, his sharpness is still there.

"You guessed right, you were intentionally given messages at the academy, which distracted you. It truly wasn't done by people from the palace."

The Marquis continued, “That soldier was apprehended promptly, and the person who orchestrated him was not able to escape. The mastermind behind this was... Mr. Wen's elder brother.

Recently, Wen's family has been pressuring Mr. Wen to change his status as a son-in-law of the Cui family and return to his own ancestral home. However, Mr. Wen disagrees. Enraged, they heard that you, their esteemed disciple, were taking the imperial examinations with high hopes of passing and becoming a top scholar. They then harbored jealousy towards you.

"Just coincidentally, there's a strange illness in the palace and Fu Nier is confined to Zhi Lan Palace. They came up with this wicked scheme, wanting to ruin your future."

Jiarren and Ligouer were both speechless. When they couldn't sleep due to anxiety in the Gongyuan, they speculated about the person behind it and almost guessed every enemy of their family, but they never imagined it was the Wen family.

This is really a surprise!

Jia Ren respectfully addressed the teacher, hastily asking, "Teacher, where are you now We haven't been affected, and the answering questions went very smoothly. I hope you aren't overthinking things."

Li Laoer waved his hand, comforting, "Rest assured, Mr. Wen is not a narrow-minded person. He has gone to his ancestral home in Wenjia and is personally handling the matter. He left word that you should study hard. Ten years of hard work in your studies all come down to this one exam. Be sure to live up to your efforts."

Jiārén and Lǐgē'er stood up together and bowed towards the south.

Everyone saw that their faces were pale and tired, so they didn't say much. They accompanied them to eat a meal and then urged them to rest.

At this time, Mu Xu unexpectedly brought a lunch box and hurried back in the night.

"Young Master, Sixth Young Master, the county princess remembered you worked hard for the exams and specially brewed some nourishing soup for you to drink. I'm bringing it back for you."

Everyone was so excited they couldn't contain themselves, clamoring to ask Mu Xu about the situation in the palace.

In fact, besides being closed off, Zhi Lan Palace hasn't seen any changes.

For the past three days, Jiayin and the third princess have been eating and living together without any discomfort. On the contrary, because they have free time, they spend their days thinking about delicious food and have gained a little weight.

Everyone listened intently and was completely relieved.

Perhaps it was a placebo effect, but Jiaren and Lǐgēr felt much less fatigued after drinking the tonic. They chatted for a few more words before yawning repeatedly and reluctantly returning to their room to wash up. They then burrowed into their beds and fell fast asleep.

The next day, the two brothers woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated. They carried their examination baskets and hurried to the Imperial Examination Hall, their spirits high once more.

Mu Xu saw the two people all the way to the Gongyuan before turning to greet the Li family, intending to return to the palace.

On the way, he remembered that Jia Yin liked to eat roast chicken from the south of the city, so he went out and bought two chickens for her to change her taste.

As fate would have it, while taking a shortcut back to the palace, he passed by a half-abandoned courtyard and made an unexpected new discovery...

Today's updates are here ~~ng and playing around the edge of the pond.Bao Zhu and Mei Lan spitefully tripped Jia Yin, helping Xu Xi catch someone.Just as things were getting lively, a sudden *plop* sound came from not far away....