The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Chapter 56 Bringing Good News

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone's smiles froze on their faces, and even their body movements stopped.

All eyes were fixed on Li Canghai and Li Taoshi.

"Auntie, this is no laughing matter," Li Tao said quickly with a smile.

Li Changhong pursed his lips. "I don't have time to joke with you. I saw the announcement in the square with my own eyes. Fifth place: Li Yuan!"

Li Canghai's eyelids twitched wildly, and his lips twitched incessantly. He wanted to say something, but his throat was dry, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.

In an instant, his straight back hunched over again, as if he had aged ten years.

After a while, he cast an inquiring glance at the officials at the table.

The official frowned, stood up, and said, "Isn't this the Li family's residence? Isn't this the home of Li Yuan, the martial arts master?"

At this moment, a slightly tipsy neighbor stood up and said, "Li Yuanna was originally this family's son, but these biased parents made him marry into the Zhou family. The two families haven't been in contact for a long time!"

Several officers quickly stood up. "You, Li Canghai, you deceived your superiors and almost made us miss our mission! The one who passed the martial arts exam is Li Yuan, the martial arts instructor! Humph!"

After leaving behind a single sentence, the group strode away without looking back.

Li Tao's face turned deathly pale instantly, her brows furrowed deeply, her cheap cosmetics crumpled and lumped together, and she swayed before collapsing to the ground.

She cupped her face in her hands, her head buzzing. "No, it can't be like this, how could it not be Hao'er... It can't be like this, this isn't real..."

""

The neighbors looked at the two people in the middle of the scene, their expressions becoming complicated.

Surprise, sympathy, embarrassment, sighs... or perhaps a hint of glee and mockery.

Aunt Wang cleared her throat, then tried to smooth things over: "That's enough for today. Everyone should go home after you've eaten and drunk your fill, and let Old Li and his wife have some peace and quiet. You know, this whole thing has gotten a bit out of hand..."

""

The neighbors excused themselves, saying they had things to do at home, and hurried off.

"Old Li's family, take your time, there's no rush."

"That's right. If it doesn't work this year, there's always next year. Li Hao will definitely be able to pull through."

"If all else fails, let his older brother, Li Yuanwu, give him a little pointers—"

Li Canghai's face was ashen, his eyes were lifeless, and his stray hairs fell loose again, making him look as if he had aged ten years.

Watching his neighbors say goodbye and leave, leaving behind a mess of leftover food and debris, he staggered forward a few steps, his voice hoarse and barely audible, and pleaded, "Hey, everyone, don't go! Give your gifts before you leave..."

""

People ignored it, and although they had lowered their voices, the whispers still carried back to the courtyard.

"Back then... Li Canghai and his wife were so cruel. They disliked their eldest son's bad fate and abandoned him in the countryside, never to be seen again."

"Who says otherwise? Once they grow up, they're afraid the other family will claim their share of the inheritance, so they use the excuse of marrying into the family to kick them out!"

"I heard that the eldest son, Li Yuan, and his adoptive father in the countryside endured hardship, eating only coarse food and wild vegetables..."

"6

"Sigh, if only Li Canghai had treated her even a little better back then, then now... there's no going back."

Wutong Lane.

The crowd continued to gaze at the street corner in the distance.

Zhou Xinlan was filled with emotion.

Same street scene, different mood.

Last time it was filled with helplessness and bitterness.

This time, I feel excited and expectant.

"Father, look!"

Zhou Yanqiu followed her daughter's gaze and saw a troupe of musicians playing instruments coming out from the street corner.

The leading officials strode confidently toward them.

"They're here! They're here!" The crowd finally erupted in cheers.

Cheers and applause erupted.

"Congratulations, Master Zhou!" As the drums and gongs faded, the leading official stepped forward, speaking with utmost respect.

Even though I was mentally prepared beforehand, I still couldn't quite catch my breath when the moment came.

"Okay, okay." He murmured twice, finally feeling relieved.

He suddenly felt a jolt, as if he had become a different person, instantly looking twenty years younger, full of energy, as if he were the one who had passed the college entrance exam.

"Thank you both for coming from afar!" Zhou Yanqiu said with a straight posture and a calm smile, clasping his hands in greeting.

In truth, my heart was already filled with a raging storm.

"Master Zhou, you flatter me. It is my honor to bring you good news." The official said with a smile and immediately bowed.

Wow!

The crowd erupted in uproar.

"It really is true! Yuan-ge really passed the high school entrance exam! I knew that kid could do it!"

"That kid might not seem like much on the surface, but he's actually quite talented!"

"Old Zhou has finally gotten his revenge!"

"Li Yuan has really made something of himself!"

Faced with the neighbors' blessings, Zhou Yanqiu remained calm, clasping his hands in response. However, a closer look would reveal that the corners of his mouth were almost drooping in a smile.

"Please come in, gentlemen; please come in, fellow neighbors!"

The skinny man bowed deeply with excitement, his entire body bent at an incredible angle, "Greetings, Master Zhou!"

The scene looked somewhat comical.

But it quickly spread among the crowd, and everyone followed suit, bowing respectfully.

"Congratulations, Master Zhou!"

"Please take good care of me, Mr. Zhou!"

Zhou Yanqiu turned his back, his eyes slightly hot. He wiped his eyes when no one was looking, then turned back with a smile: "A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. No need for formalities, neighbors. Come in quickly."

He brought out two large celadon bowls from the house, filled with tea.

"I haven't prepared anything, just two bowls of coarse tea, nothing special, just to quench your thirst, gentlemen..." Zhou Yanqiu said somewhat embarrassedly.

"What are you saying, Master Zhou!" The messenger hurriedly took the bowl of tea and gulped it down. "Thank you for your generous gift, Master! This bowl of tea is so fragrant and refreshing. I am truly grateful for your good fortune!"

The other official nodded and said, "From now on, all corvée labor and taxes for your household are exempt!"

A murmur of envy rippled through the crowd.

"Furthermore, Young Master Li Yuan will also have the opportunity to join the Guicang Alliance!"

boom!

The crowd erupted in uproar.

They had never been to the Guicang Alliance, but they had all heard of Qian Feng and the others from the Qian family.

Qian Feng was a disciple of the Guicang Alliance. When he returned to his hometown, he enjoyed the treatment of the city leaders. Not only did the county magistrate personally receive him, but wealthy gentry and powerful merchants also had to serve him with smiles.

The neighbors' enthusiasm was like the blazing summer sun.

Zhou Yanqiu responded with a smile to each of them.

Zhou Xinlan went back to her room and came out with a small blue cloth bag in her hand. She handed it to the leading officer and said, "This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you two gentlemen will not refuse."

Inside were a few taels of loose silver, which Li Yuan had specifically left behind for future use when he left last time.

The official bowed and accepted the gift. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and his smile widened. "Thank you for your generous gift, Madam! I must return to report, so I won't bother you any longer! I'll come to offer my congratulations another day!"

The two officials bowed respectfully and then left amidst the awe-inspiring gazes of the neighbors.

With the officials gone, the neighbors relaxed even more, chatting incessantly around Zhou Yanqiu, like stars surrounding a full moon.