Chapter 2800

Chapter 2800: Preparations for Departure

"Uncle, perhaps I should go out and investigate," Yang Xue'en suggested.

Yun Xi nodded slightly. "That works. Brother Yang, please go check. If my prediction is correct, both Li Gang and I have passed. Since the number of quotas is flexible, we need to confirm the details."

"Understood, Master. I will go now." Yang Xue'en nodded seriously and left.

Yun Xi trusted Yang Xue'en completely. With his martial arts skills, Yun Xi had no worries about his safety.

About half an hour later, Yang Xue'en returned. "Master, you are the Jieyuan (First Place). Young Master Li is seventh."

"Good," Yun Xi nodded slightly. As expected, both he and Li Gang had passed.

"This provincial examination is finally over," Li Gang said.

Yun Xi smiled lightly. "Not quite. We must wait for the good news bearers, attend the Luming Banquet, and then we can return home."

The good news arrived quickly. The bearers for first and seventh place came one after another. Soon, the neighbors learned that the two scholars living there had both passed, with one even taking the top spot.

The next day was the Luming Banquet. Yun Xi and Li Gang changed into formal attire and went to the government practice chamber.

At the banquet, they had to thank the chief examiner before socializing.

Censor Zhou was seeing the real Yun Xi for the first time. He hadn’t paid much attention to Yun Xi initially, but after receiving praise from the capital, he began to watch him closely.

Yun Xi’s excellent exam paper had helped smooth the process. His work was far superior to others, including Zhang Chengjin, whose paper was good but still inferior to Yun Xi’s. This made resolving Zhang Chengjin’s issues much easier.

"You have passed the provincial exam. Work hard and strive to contribute to our Great Ru dynasty in the future. I await you in the capital," Censor Zhou said.

"Thank you, Teacher," the new Juren (successful candidates) bowed.

Regardless of whether Censor Zhou formally accepted them as disciples, they were now considered his students in name.

After the banquet, Yun Xi and Li Gang returned to Mengyang.

News of Yun Xi’s success and his title as Jieyuan had already reached Mengyang. The county magistrate immediately sent someone to the Yun family to deliver the good news.

Yun Jian and Mrs. Yu were playing with their three children when the news arrived. They were overjoyed.

"Husband, should we go back to worship the ancestors?" Mrs. Yu asked.

Yun Jian thought for a moment. "We should, but let’s wait for Wangge to return before deciding."

Yun Jian knew Yun Xi was decisive, so he preferred to let Yun Xi make the final call.

Yun Xi returned home three days after the news arrived.

"Father, Mother, we are back," Yun Xi said with a smile.

"Good, good. Come in and rest. We can talk after you’ve rested," Yun Jian urged.

Yun Xi realized his father had something to say. After washing up, he asked, "Father, is something wrong at home?"

"No," Yun Jian said. "I was thinking that since you passed and became Jieyuan, we should go back to worship the ancestors."

Yun Xi considered this. "We should go. After the ceremony, we will return to pack. Father, you should hurry with your preparations too."

Yun Jian nodded. "I plan to leave the management here to Uncle Xu. I will just visit once a year."

Originally, Yun Jian did not want to leave. However, he believed that moving to the capital would offer a better future for his young daughter and youngest son. He decided to go, with the thought that he could return if things stabilized.

Yun Xi understood his father’s reluctance to leave home and supported his decision.

The Yun family returned to the village. Since Yun Xi had become Jieyuan, they opened the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors.

The clan leader’s wrinkled face was full of joy. Yun Xi’s success brought honor to the Yun family. As long as Yun Xi and his family did well, the Mengyang Yun family would rise.

Yun Xi also gave some silver to the clan leader to establish a clan school.

A family needs a school to grow. Previously, the Yun family lacked the means to run one, but now, with Yun Xi’s support, the village could develop as long as the people worked hard.

The Yun family stayed in the village for five days before returning to the county town to prepare for the journey to the capital.

Li Gang was also preparing. He planned to travel with Yun Xi’s family.

Although Li Gang had done well, his family was large. He had eight brothers in his generation, so he could not take the whole family. He would travel with his servant.

"I wish you would marry early. It would be nice to have a wife to take care of you," Li Gang’s mother sighed.

It was just talk. Finding a suitable wife was not easy. Li Gang’s mother knew that with his scholarly air and new status as a Juren, he would find many suitable partners in the capital.

"Mother, I will pay attention in the capital. You should take care of your health. Let the sisters-in-law help you with chores," Li Gang said. He was cold to outsiders but kind to his family.

"Don’t worry, Little Five. We are here," Li Gang’s eldest brother assured him.

Li Gang nodded. "Mother, don’t worry. I am going with Yun Wangzhi’s family. They are all going to the capital, so I will have company and even meals."

"You always trouble others. Remember to repay them later," Li Gang’s mother said. She knew Yun Xi was capable, even though she was five years younger than her son. She had no objection to them traveling together.

"Don’t worry, I remember," Li Gang smiled. "If I find a good girl in the capital, I will write to you. You can come to the capital to host my wedding."

"Oh, stop it. You are just drawing pies in the air," Li Gang’s mother laughed, scolding him lightly.