Chapter 59: Sun Yunrou’s Plans

Wu Shi slowly patted her head, “It’s not that there’s no way. How many top scholars have divorced their wives and remarried? What’s your status, and what’s his wife’s? He will definitely make a choice, but the premise is that I need to see what your father says and whether he’s worth our investment.”

“Mm, daughter is relying on you,” Sun Yunrou stopped crying and obediently leaned on her mother.

At this moment, Shen Xiuyan had already finished his parade and was heading home, unaware that someone was scheming against him.

He had thought Sun Yunrou would back off, but little did he know that a woman who dared to be pregnant before marriage in her past life wouldn’t hesitate to do something even bolder in this life.

While his family was still celebrating his victory, a palace eunuch arrived.

“Top Scholar, come and receive the imperial decree,” Eunuch Shang said with a smile, clearly treating Shen Xiuyan with more respect now that he might become a favorite of the Emperor.

“I accept the decree,” Shen Xiuyan kneeled with his whole family, carefully helping Su Mingyue.

Eunuch Shang glanced at him before continuing, “By the will of the Emperor, the decree reads: ‘Shen Xiuyan of Linzhu County is a genius, the first in a hundred years to achieve the three honors. This is a great omen. Therefore, a Top Scholar residence and one hundred taels of gold are bestowed upon him.'”

Shen Xiuyan: “!!!”

Before he could process this, Eunuch Shang said, “Master Shen, how could you still be in a daze over such a grand event?”

He quickly and respectfully received the Imperial Edict, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

The sudden happiness left him speechless.

No wonder ancient people were so eager to take the imperial exams; didn’t this instantly lift them out of poverty?

Now that he had a house and gold, what else did he need to save for? Wife, spend freely!

After receiving the decree, Shen Xiuyan helped Su Mingyue stand up. “Thank you for running this errand, Eunuch Shang.”

Su Mingyue quickly signaled Cui Cui to bring a red envelope and stuffed it into Eunuch Shang’s hand.

“Eunuch Shang, you’ve worked hard on your journey. Please take this as a token of our appreciation.”

Eunuch Shang grinned and didn’t refuse, adding, “Master Shen is the first Top Scholar to receive a reward since the Emperor ascended the throne. Your future is limitless. I hope Master Shen will remember me in the future.”

“Certainly, certainly.”

Shen Xiuyan understood.

This reward wasn’t for just passing the exam, but for the status of being the three-time laureate.

He no longer felt disdain for this lucky charm identity.

What’s the problem with being a lucky charm?

He could handle it!

After Eunuch Shang left, Shen Xiuyan happily pulled out a deed for a house and handed it to Su Mingyue.

“You wanted to buy a house, right? Now it’s yours. We’ll transfer ownership tomorrow.”

It felt so good to go from poverty to wealth and support his wife!

Su Mingyue hesitated a little. It was one thing for her husband to give her money for family expenses, but a house was different. Good land in the Capital City cost tens of thousands of taels, and she was worried her mother-in-law might be displeased.

So, Su Mingyue declined, “I don’t need it. If you don’t want it, you can give it to mother.”

Zhou Shi, who had been smiling nearby, was startled by being unexpectedly dragged into the conversation.

“Let me, a mere old woman, handle the deed to a house in the Capital City?” She sighed. “Never mind, I just want a peaceful night’s sleep.”

She walked over and patted Mingyue’s hand, coaxing, “Mingyue, dear, just take it. Whether you give it to someone else or keep it, it’s all for the child in your belly in the end.”

Zhou Shi felt that since Xiu Yan was giving it, Mingyue should take it!

After all, this was a little good fortune; since her daughter-in-law had married him, their family had been doing better and better. She should take it without hesitation.

Su Mingyue hesitated and said, “Then I’ll accept it?”

“Yes, take it!” Shen Xiuyan’s voice was firm.

“Ah, that’s right.” Zhou Shi smiled, satisfied.

Looking on, Old Master Su could only sigh: “……”

Tired.

How did my daughter get so lucky?

I don’t even have a house in the Capital City, yet she just casually gets one???

Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Personnel, the atmosphere was much more serious.

“Is everything you said true? Does Yunrou also agree?” Lord Sun furrowed his brow.

Wu Shi nodded, “How could I lie? What do you think about this matter, my lord?”

Lord Sun said, “Shen Xiuyan, with the title of three-time laureate, has a lot of weight in the Emperor’s eyes, even if he does nothing. He is an exceptional talent.”

Wu Shi was overjoyed, “That’s great! If he marries Yunrou, our family’s future will…”

Lord Sun nodded, “If Yunrou is willing, I will invite him to our home tomorrow.”

“Good, then I’ll see why my daughter insists on him.” Wu Shi thought of her daughter’s nature, then became a bit worried, “But what if he doesn’t agree?”

Lord Sun confidently replied, “His current wife is only the daughter of a merchant, but my daughter is a noble, a legitimate daughter of a prestigious family. Everyone knows how to make the right choice.”

In the palace.

Inside the grand hall, Emperor Deye asked, “Has everything been delivered?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, everything has been delivered,” Eunuch Shang nodded, then took out a small purse. “This is from his wife, saying it’s a token of congratulations.”

Eunuch Shang had served Emperor Deye for decades, and though he wasn’t particularly skilled, his loyalty was unquestionable.

So, he made sure to report even small matters to the Emperor, which is why he was so favored by him.

“Oh? How much?” Emperor Deye asked with interest.

Eunuch Shang replied, “Old servant saw that it was at least a hundred taels in silver notes.”

Emperor Deye chuckled, “That’s generous.”

It’s good to have money; with money and no power, one won’t think about oppressing the common people and will act with caution.

Eunuch Shang added, “Master Shen pays great attention to every action of his wife.”

“Alright, you may leave.”

Emperor Deye was even more pleased, seeing that he had a soft spot, something that could be used to his advantage.

He was someone who could be heavily relied upon…