Shu Yu had already collected herself, and with great joy, stepped down the stairs. Unable to wait for the courier station’s officer to approach, she eagerly asked, "Top Scorer?"

"Yes, congratulations to the county magistrate," the officer replied cheerfully, handing her a letter and a booklet. "This is a letter from Sir Meng for you."

"Thank you, and thank you for your hard work, bailiff." Shu Yu was so happy that she directly gave him a piece of silver.

The officer’s eyes lit up, and he continued to say a string of pleasant words. Only when Shu Yu appeared impatient did he bow and take his leave.

However, he hadn’t gone far before he was stopped by the nearby neighbors who wanted to know more about the situation.

Shu Yu, on the other hand, had already turned back to the courtyard, reading the letter in her hand as she walked.

The old lady heard the news and came over anxiously, asking, "I heard he’s the Top Scorer, is that right? Yun really succeeded."

"Yes, I told you he would definitely make it. Look, this is the letter he sent."

The old lady clasped her hands and laughed, "Good, good, he succeeded. This child is truly promising. Later, we’ll go to Dongqing Temple to fulfill our vow and thank the patron deity for his blessings."

After speaking, she leaned over to look at the letter. The old lady could now recognize some words, and although not many, she could roughly understand what was written.

She happily said, "Yun succeeded, is he coming back soon?"

"He will come back, but it will still take some time. Besides other things, the local authorities will hold banquets and gatherings, which as the Top Scorer, he must attend."

After that, he must visit some local scholars, with all these engagements, it’ll probably take at least ten days to half a month.

But Meng Yunzheng mentioned in the letter that he will return.

Shu Yu sighed with relief, carefully storing the letter. "Grandmother, the officer who delivered the letter shouted it outside, so probably everyone around here knows by now. Soon, people will be coming to offer their congratulations. Just tell them to wait for Yun to get back before we host a banquet."

Meng Yunzheng plans to open an academy here in the future, so he needs to build the necessary relationships.

The old lady nodded, "Okay, I understand."

"I also need to make a trip to Ruan Family Village. It’s getting late, I should head out."

The old lady frowned, "You’re still going?"

"Of course I have to go."

Shu Yu called out to Ying Xi, then turned around and left.

The old lady stood in place shaking her head, then seemed to recall something, "Hey, if you’re going, you’re going. Why take Yun’s letter with you? I still need to show it to your father and mother later."

But Shu Yu had already left, boarded the carriage, and drove straight out of the city gate.

The carriage moved quickly. Shu Yu leaned against the wall of the carriage with her eyes closed, resting. It didn’t take long before she heard Ying Xi softly say, "Miss, we’re here."

Shu Yu lifted a corner of the curtain and looked outside.

They had already reached the entrance of the village. Perhaps it was because that morning Madam Ruan’s cousin had said she would come, but someone was waiting at the village entrance. As soon as the carriage stopped at the road, the person didn’t even take a clear look at who was inside before getting up and quickly running into the village.

The commotion was significant. Not just Ying Xi, who was sitting in the driver’s seat outside, but even Shu Yu inside the carriage noticed.

She laughed, "The Ruan family must really fear my mother won’t come, alright, let’s head into the village."

"Yes."

Ying Xi replied, gently pulling the reins, and the carriage slowly headed into the village.

Shu Yu withdrew her gaze, let the curtain drop down, and leaned against the side of the carriage, swaying gently.