The yamen runner smiled, even more enthusiastically than when he came to congratulate the Chen family just now. "So the top scholar is actually your child. Sister-in-law, please go home and wait. Our master and the county gentry should be here soon. Your Qingyu Village is really blessed with talented people. Not only did the Chen family's son pass the exam, but he also produced a top scholar!"

Zhao said in disbelief, "Sir, are you saying that my brother passed the imperial examination?"

The yamen officer nodded and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, don't just stand there, go home and get ready. According to the time, the county magistrate should be here soon."

"Hey, I'm going home now." Zhao felt like she was dreaming. She walked lightly through the crowd and hurried home.

The villagers who were watching the fun in front of Chen's house were stunned for a while before they reacted.

"Our village has produced a scholar who has won the first prize in the imperial examination. The Yu family's ancestors must be very happy!"

"Go and see what's going on! The county magistrate will be here soon. I wonder how big a scene it will be!"

As they spoke, many villagers rushed towards the Yu family like a tide.

The smile on Chen Zhiqing's face had long disappeared. The pride he felt at having passed the imperial examination a moment ago turned into humiliation because of the three words "Jie Yuanlang". It was as if someone had slapped him loudly in the face. He was extremely embarrassed.

Yu Qizhe had not been to school for three years, so how could he have won the first place in one stroke? Yu Zhizhou had always been mediocre in his studies, and when he was in the academy, he was not outstanding at all.

Seeing the yamen runners about to leave, Chen Zhiqing said, "Brother runner, may I ask which brother from the Yu family is on the list?"

"The top scorer in the provincial examination is Yu Qizhe, and I don't know which brother of the Yu family he is." The yamen runner said with a smile, "In previous years, the top scorer was always from a family with a long history of scholars, but this year it fell to a person from our unknown place, which is very proud of our Changkui. The Qingzhou prefect even sent someone to congratulate him. This Yu family will be very powerful in the future!"

Chen Zhiqing smiled stiffly and agreed, "It's unexpected."

Sensing Chen Zhiqing's frustration, the yamen runner patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's not easy to pass the imperial examination. Chen's brother is also a leader. The county magistrate will come later and may come to visit. You should get ready."

"Goodbye, sir." Chen Gensheng smiled as he watched the runner leave. Turning around, he saw Chen Zhiqing looking distraught, and patted him on the shoulder. "What the runner said was right. You don't need to belittle yourself. Passing the exam this time is already a great honor for our Chen family!"

The two men turned around and walked into the yard. Chen Qin was burning aromatic herbs in the corner of the yard. The old lady of the Chen family had kept the body in the house for so long that it already had a bad smell. Fortunately, the yamen runner who had just come to congratulate did not come into the house to drink tea, but just stayed in the yard for a while.

"My son has achieved great success and brought honor to his mother." Chen Qin's words were full of pride.

Chen Gensheng took a look at the old lady's room, and the joy on his face disappeared, replaced by deep sorrow.

"Do you still smell the scent now? If the county magistrate really comes to your house, will he be able to smell it..." Zhao followed his gaze and said with some concern.

"Since Zhiqing has passed the imperial examination, mother's body can no longer be kept at home. It's time to bury her." Chen Gensheng said.

"Father..." Chen Zhiqing pleaded, trying to stop him, "The imperial examination will be held in February next year. Please think about your son's future..."

Chen Gensheng interrupted him, "I know that your future is the most important thing, but your grandmother's body can no longer be kept at home like this. Let's bury her quietly in the back mountain tonight."

Although he is filial, Old Mrs. Chen has passed away. After all these days, the sorrow in his heart has been reduced a lot. Today, Chen Zhiqing passed the imperial examination and the whole village came to congratulate him. Such a scene made Chen Gensheng taste the sweetness. If he passes the imperial examination in the future, he will be able to get a government position. Chen Gensheng has already considered the importance of this.

But the old lady’s body cannot be kept at home any longer. She must be buried secretly without announcing her death.

"Thank you, father, for loving your son." Chen Zhiqing couldn't help but say with joy when he saw what Chen Gensheng meant.

Chen Rou walked out of the house and said softly, "Congratulations, brother, on passing the exam. Let's go bury our grandmother together tonight. If she knew about this, she would definitely be happy for you, brother."

Chen Zhiqing nodded, looked at his sister's beautiful face, and sighed, "It's a pity that Li Qiu didn't pass the exam this time. It's a pity that my sister can't become the wife of a juren."

Chen Rou pursed her lips, a lost expression on her face, making her look particularly lovable.

Chen Qin stroked Chen Rou's head and said, "It's a pity that my daughter, who is so beautiful, can only marry into a family like that. If I hadn't arranged a marriage for you earlier, it would have been better. Now that your brother has become a juren, he will surely be able to find a better family for you."

Chen Rou shook her head. "It doesn't matter. As long as my brother passes the imperial examination, it doesn't matter if I suffer some grievances."

Chen Gensheng looked at his little daughter and felt that Li Qiu was too ordinary and not worthy of his daughter at all.

An idea suddenly came to his mind, and he frowned and thought, "Why not cancel Ah Rou's marriage?"

Chen Qinshi was somewhat tempted, "I'm afraid the Li family won't agree to cancel the engagement at this time."

Chen Zhiqing was also very tempted. He said, "The reward I received is more than enough to pay the Li family's ten taels of betrothal money. I am now a juren, and I have a reputation. The Li family should not dare to make trouble."

Passing the imperial examination would bring rewards from the imperial court. When the official came to congratulate him, he also brought silver as a reward from the county. Chen Zhiqing was very confident when he said these words.

He had another consideration in mind. When he went to the capital for the spring examination in the future, he might as well bring Chen Rou with him. With her looks, it would not be difficult for her to find a good marriage in the capital. If she was lucky enough to marry a powerful noble, their Chen family would be able to rise to prominence.