"Understood, brother-in-law!" The two brothers nodded earnestly.
Ye Ziāan added, "Although itās an on-site examination, donāt be nervous; just treat it like any usual day. As for the Emperor personally testing, he generally only asks about the top three and a few top names of the second class in the examination."
"Mm!"
Yang Chuxia saw that they were happily talking, so she went out with Yang Xiayun and the others. She asked the kitchen to prepare some good dishes and get some fine wine ready to celebrate tonight, as the Yang Family has finally produced two successful candidates in the examination, giving her a sense of pride and joy.
Before going to bed that night, Ye Ziāan spoke to her again, "In the coming days, get ready. Once Qingtong and the others finish the palace exam, weāll set off for Zhejiang."
"Has the Emperor approved it?"
"He has." Ye Ziāan replied.
What he didnāt mention was that the Emperor had actually given him a secret mission; otherwise, considering that the new Emperor had only ascended the throne for half a year, he wouldnāt have allowed him to leave the court so easily.
"By the way, how are things going with Great Qi?"
"The occupied city has been reclaimed, but Great Qiās army of hundreds of thousands remains stationed at the Great Qi border, staring at Great Zhou from afar. As long as Great Qi doesnāt withdraw its troops, Uncle canāt return to the capital."
"And Linhaoās situation?"
"Linhao has already suppressed the rebellion and is now stationed in the south," Ye Ziāan said. "Currently, he canāt return; Great Zhou has just stabilized internally, and given its current weakness, Great Qiās refusal to retreat raises concerns that they might ally with other small southern countries and invade Great Zhou again. Therefore, the Emperor has ordered him to stay temporarily in the south."
Yang Chuxia sighed, "In times of national turmoil, itās the people who suffer. However, Linhaoās inability to return for now means that the marriage with Yunyun must continue to be postponed." Whenever Yang Xiayunās affairs were mentioned, Yang Chuxia was greatly troubled.
"Even if he returns, it will be postponed." Ye Ziāan commented, "Did you forget that Old Madam Luo has died? By name, she was Linhaoās grandmother, so he must observe a three-year mourning period."
"Three years later, Yunyun will be older." After all, this is not the modern era.
"Thatās irrelevant; Linhao wonāt break off the engagement. Itās time to sleep early."
Ye Ziāan had planned well to head south after the palace exam, as for the two minor uncles, the Emperor will definitely offer a good arrangement on his account.
But who knew that plans could not keep up with changes!
At the end of June, news came from the royal temple that Master Sikong had passed away.
Who isnāt aware of who Master Sikong is on the court? Yet unexpectedly, he died.
Everyone had their doubts, with some members of the Zhou Defensing Faction demanding a thorough investigation into why the Grand Emperor died, knowing he went to the royal temple to guard the Dragon Vein, but he is now dead, and the army is still outside, isnāt this inauspicious?
However, the results of the investigation found nothing; he died of natural causes, showing no symptoms of poisoning or any signs of being murdered.
Yang Chuxia clearly remembered that during her visit to the royal temple, the Grand Emperor had been poisoned.
Now that heās dead but shows no signs of poisoning, it is indeed strange.
"Itās not surprising; previously, didnāt he seek help from us? Subsequently, I had people go to the royal temple to detoxify him, but the poison had deeply affected him, his organs were severely damaged, and even if detoxified, he wouldnāt live much longer," Ye Ziāan said. "Perhaps his life truly came to its end. But this batch of examinees truly faced setbacks; the Grand Emperorās funeral is a national mourning, leading to a suspension of palace exams for at least two months for their resumption."
Yang Chuxia also felt it was unfortunate, not only was the palace exam delayed, but their plans to head south must also be postponed.