Chapter 1408 A knock came from outside the door

Yingxi stopped the carriage a distance away, "Miss..."

Shu Yu followed her gaze and saw a number of students standing at the entrance of the courtyard. In addition to them, there were also some servants and maids waiting at the entrance. Besides them, many neighborhood women were sitting on small stools chatting.

With so many people, it seems they're waiting for Meng Yunzheng to return.

Shu Yu never expected that a top scorer in the provincial examination would have such great influence, making so many people wait.

This is just a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). If he passed the provincial and imperial examinations and became the Zhuangyuan (the highest-ranking scholar in the imperial examinations), wouldn't the entire threshold be worn down by the crowds?

Just then, someone ran over and shouted, "Why are you still here? Scholar Meng is at the Yuelai Restaurant, exchanging ideas with a bunch of other candidates. Judging by their demeanor, it looks like they're going to have a long talk by candlelight. I'm afraid he won't be back tonight. Go check on him!"

After saying that, the man turned around and ran towards Yuelai Restaurant.

The people at the entrance of the courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment. The students quickly caught up with them, and the servants and maids dispersed after a moment's hesitation.

The remaining women from the neighborhood were still there. Since they weren't going to the Yuelai Restaurant to exchange ideas, and this place was close to home, they continued to wait outside.

Shu Yu thought the area at the entrance would soon quiet down, but to her surprise, the women gathered even closer.

All she could say to Ying Xi was, "Let's go through the back door."

There were people guarding the back door, but they all left after hearing about Meng Yunzheng's news, so there was no one there.

Shu Yu let out a breath, got off the carriage, took out the key, and opened the door.

As soon as she entered the house, Aunt He came to greet her upon hearing the noise, "Miss Lu."

She looked behind Shu Yu and, not seeing Meng Yunzheng, asked with some confusion, "Isn't the young master here?"

"He ran into other test takers from the same cohort, who are still out and haven't come back yet."

Aunt He nodded upon hearing this, but quickly became excited again, "Miss Lu, you, you know the young master, he..."

"You got the top score, right?"

Aunt He nodded rapidly, "Yes, yes, yes, Young Master Meng is really amazing. He's a top scholar, and many people say he has a bright future. Not long after you left this morning, the constable came to report the news. I was stunned when I heard it. Luckily, I reacted quickly. As soon as the constable left, I closed the door, otherwise those people outside would have barged in."

Shu Yu tilted his head and looked at Aunt He. The latter, who had been smiling happily, suddenly felt uneasy after being looked at by him. She looked down at herself and asked, "Wh-what's wrong, Miss Lu?"

"It's nothing. I just heard from A-Yun that Auntie doesn't talk much usually, but she's really happy to hear you say so much right now."

Aunt He was taken aback, and then felt a little embarrassed. "I think I was a bit too noisy."

"Auntie, you can't say that. The way you're acting shows that you're genuinely happy for A-Yun and consider her one of your own."

Aunt He touched her head, and for some reason, Miss Lu's words always made her feel exceptionally comfortable.

She chuckled twice, and seeing Shu Yu carrying the meat toward the kitchen, she hurriedly followed, saying, "Miss Lu, let me do it, I can take care of these."

"Today is a special day, and I want to cook something delicious myself. Auntie, please help me out."

"Okay." Having a fiancée really makes a difference.

Aunt He packed everything into the kitchen, then took the chicken to the yard to kill it.

Shu Yu changed her clothes and was just about to make a move when there was a knock on the door.

(End of this chapter)