Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 14 - Seven Days to Make the Young Master Love Learning

“Xian-Ge’er.”

Inside the carriage traveling from Hexi Village to the Pei Mansion.

The Family Steward looked at Cui Xian and smiled, “I told the Young Master that we would pick you up this afternoon. So, he went out to play this morning and will be back only in the afternoon. Once we arrive at the mansion, you should first meet the Old Madam, who is the Young Master’s grandmother.”

“She has some things to clarify with you in advance. And then…”

Pausing thoughtfully, the Steward considered how to gently convey his thoughts.

Understanding the hint, Cui Xian chuckled, “And then I should pretend to leave the mansion and come back as if it’s my first visit to meet the Young Master, right?”

Rich Boy, naive and easy to deceive.

But it’s not like the Pei Mansion, a home of high standing, would carelessly allow a stranger to mingle with the Young Master.

They definitely need to ‘check him out’ first.

Nevertheless, since he had already fooled Rich Boy,

Why not fool his grandmother as well?

The Steward was amazed at Cui Xian’s insight and quickly explained to prevent any misunderstanding, “Yes, that’s the plan. But please, Xian-Ge’er, do not feel slighted. The Old Madam means no harm…”

Cui Xian smiled in agreement, “I understand. You and the Old Madam are acting in the Young Master’s best interest, reflecting the universal concern of all parents.”

Delighted by the conversation, the Steward found talking with this boy thoroughly enjoyable, as he grasped things quickly and spoke well.

About fifteen minutes later,

The carriage entered the Pei Mansion.

A renowned estate in Nanyang County, the Pei Mansion boasted three courtyards with pavilions, artificial hills, and garden flowers-rich yet elegantly understated.

Madam Pei resided in the back courtyard.

As the Steward led Cui Xian in, Household Servants were washing the flagstone floor.

Noticing the wet floor, free of any dust, and then looking at his own muddy shoes, Cui Xian smiled.

“If you could wait just a moment.”

He signaled to the Steward and, borrowing a cloth from a nearby servant, meticulously wiped his shoes clean.

After finishing, he washed the cloth and returned it to the servant.

Throughout, he maintained a calm demeanor, not showing the slightest embarrassment.

He even joked with the Steward, “Country mud is plentiful, my apologies for that.”

The Steward waved it off repeatedly.

Madam Pei emerged and witnessed this scene.

A young boy, in the presence of many, calmly cleaning the mud from his shoes without a hint of self-pity.

Many people, especially men, take years, even decades, to understand a simple truth-

Youth is the time in life when you least need to feel inferior or sorry for yourself.

Even if you own nothing.

The backbone of youth is worth its weight in gold; just stand tall, and the world will applaud you.

“Is this Cui Xian-Ge’er from the Cui Family? What a good boy.”

Madam Pei liked him instantly, her tone warm and welcoming, “It’s also because Jian-Ge’er is foolish and dislikes studying; he’s stubborn and kept talking about you, which is why I had the Steward hastily invite you to our mansion. Please, don’t think too much of it.”

Her words were exceedingly polite.

Cui Xian stepped forward briskly and bowed to the Old Madam. “My family is humble and impoverished. I am deeply grateful for your kindness in providing me with a livelihood.”

“But if I may be so bold, I must disagree with your assessment. The Young Master is intelligent, charming, and wise beyond his years. How could anyone call him dull-witted?”

What?

Madam Pei chuckled, shaking her head with mock reproach. “You cheeky child, you certainly know how to flatter. But I know my grandson’s character all too well.”

Cui Xian, however, lifted his head and replied earnestly, “I believe, Madam, that you may be biased against the Young Master.”

Really?

Madam Pei thought about her mischievous little grandson, the one who could drive anyone to the brink of frustration, and sighed deeply. “Well, that’s because he himself is biased.”

“…”

That response nearly left Cui Xian speechless. Gathering his thoughts once more, he pressed on-not to deceive, but to persuade. “See, this is exactly what I mean by bias. Although I haven’t spent much time with the Young Master, I’ve already noticed countless admirable qualities in him. If you still doubt me, let me ask you this: isn’t the Young Master exceptionally skilled with his hands?”

Madam Pei paused, slightly taken aback, before replying hesitantly, “Well… it does seem like Jian-Ge’er has quite the knack for handiwork. I remember a couple of years ago, his father’s study had a broken pen holder. His father was so upset, but Jian-Ge’er managed to repair it.”

The steward, standing quietly to the side, thought to himself: That pen holder was broken by the Young Master in the first place.

Cui Xian quickly followed up, “You see, that proves the Young Master possesses remarkable focus and problem-solving skills! If he were to channel even a fraction of that energy into his studies, wouldn’t every challenge be a breeze for him?”

Madam Pei had initially assumed Cui Xian was merely spouting pleasantries, but now, she found herself wavering. Could there be some truth to his words?

Cui Xian pressed further, “Let me ask you another question: isn’t the Young Master exceptionally skilled at games?”

This time, Madam Pei nodded without hesitation. “Whether it’s flying kites, kicking shuttlecocks, playing Nine Rings, or even Go, he’s good at all of them.”

The family steward mused silently: Well, that’s typical of a carefree youth-he loves to play.

But Cui Xian offered a perspective that left everyone stunned. “Being good at flying kites shows the Young Master has excellent coordination between his body and mind.”

“Mastering strategy games like Go or puzzle games like Nine Rings demonstrates his agile thinking and ability to quickly grasp complex rules. If he applied these skills to his studies, his progress would be nothing short of extraordinary!”

Madam Pei, who had been skeptical at first, now found herself intrigued. It was starting to make sense.

Cui Xian continued, “Let me ask you yet another question: isn’t the Young Master very popular among his peers?”

The steward thought to himself: Yes, he does have a group of rowdy friends.

Madam Pei sighed, clearly exasperated. “He is popular, but his circle of friends… well, it’s complicated.”

Cui Xian countered, “Being popular is a good thing. Even I felt an instant connection with the Young Master. This shows that he is kind-hearted, perceptive, and skilled at nurturing relationships. He knows how to navigate social dynamics effortlessly. These qualities will serve him well in the future, especially if he pursues a career in public service!”

“Madam, I won’t ask you any more questions. Instead, I’ll make a bold claim: the Young Master is highly creative and has an extraordinary memory. Am I right?”

Madam Pei grew visibly excited. “Yes, yes, how did you know? Since he was little, he’s been drawing on the walls, though I could never understand what he was drawing. And his memory is truly remarkable-he can recall every single word I scolded him with two years ago!”

Cui Xian delivered the final blow with confidence. “A vivid imagination and creativity are signs of great potential. If he were to focus on his studies, he would achieve twice the results with half the effort. On top of that, when he takes the imperial exams, his unique insights and unconventional thinking would surely shine through!”

“And as for his extraordinary memory, there’s no need to elaborate. When it comes to learning, it’s practically second nature for the Young Master!”

The entire courtyard fell into stunned silence.

Everyone stared at Cui Xian, then thought back to the countless misadventures of the Young Master. Hesitant and doubtful, they began to wonder-

Could it be? Was the Young Master actually a buried genius?

Madam Pei’s face flushed with a mix of excitement and skepticism, though she retained a shred of rationality. “He may be clever, yes, and full of virtues, but he simply refuses to study! And let’s not forget-seven or eight Teachers have already called him a ‘Rotten Wood’ and left in frustration!”

At this point, her anger began to rise again.

But Cui Xian’s next words sent a jolt through her entire being. “That’s because those Teachers were incompetent! The Young Master is brimming with potential, yet they failed to inspire him to study. Instead, they belittled him. Such ineptitude! They’ve squandered the talents of a young prodigy!”

W-what?

So Jian-Ge’er’s reluctance to study wasn’t because he was a ‘Rotten Wood,’ but because the Teachers were incapable?

It… it wasn’t entirely unreasonable!

After all, if even she, his own grandmother, had harbored biases against him, how could those rigid, old-fashioned Teachers have done any better?

Madam Pei was now genuinely anxious. “Xian-Ge’er, what do you suggest we do? We can’t let Jian-Ge’er’s brilliance go to waste! Oh, it’s infuriating! The boy is so sharp and clever, yet he just refuses to study.”

The Family Steward silently thought to himself: So now we’ve gone from ‘Rotten Wood’ to ‘sharp and clever’?

“Old Madam, please don’t worry. I have a plan!” Cui Xian’s eyes sparkled with determination as he looked at Madam Pei. “Seven days. I only need seven days to make the Young Master fall in love with studying!”

The words “Young Master” and “fall in love with studying” in the same sentence? Was that even possible?

The Pei Family servants in the courtyard were so shocked, their jaws practically hit the ground.

Madam Pei, picturing such an unimaginable scenario, felt as though she might faint from excitement.

Her voice trembled as she said, “Good, good! Xian-Ge’er, if you can truly make this happen, you’ll forever be an honored guest of the Pei Mansion!”

“Xian-Ge’er, my dear boy, the future of the Pei Family-and of Jian-Ge’er-rests in your hands!”