Who Said a Study Servant Can’t Win the Imperial Exam?

Madam Pei now understood why her youngest grandson was fond of Cui Xian.

It wasn’t just her grandson; even she couldn’t help but want to cherish Xian-Ge’er like a precious jewel.

Such a child was truly endearing!

However, she failed to realize that Cui Xian and Pei Jian were hardly acquainted.

The praises heaped upon him could fit any mischievous boy perfectly.

“This child has always been bright, but he just doesn’t like to study” – such lines were perfect for hoodwinking parents, fooling them every single time.

Noon.

Madam Pei had even instructed the Kitchen to prepare a lavish meal to welcome Cui Xian.

Dishes like radish stewed lamb, shredded chicken egg soup, salt and pepper ribs, and steamed bass were served, each dish meticulously delicious.

Cui Xian ate with great satisfaction, gaining a clear understanding of the lifestyle of a noble family in this dynasty.

Thinking back to his own home, where meat was rarely seen on the table, the disparity between the rich and the poor was startling.

No wonder they say, “In books, one finds houses of gold.”

After the meal, Cui Xian rested briefly in the side room, then left the house under the attentive guidance of the Steward, preparing to “make another visit.”

As soon as Cui Xian left,

On the other side,

Young Master Pei Jian hurried home, calling together the Household Servants and maids.

He cleared his throat, looking at everyone: “When my Junior brother arrives, you all need to be sharp. Don’t mess up your words. You-”

Pei Jian pointed to a Household Servant: “You will stand by the gate and, pretending it’s casual, praise my quick wit, calling me a Prodigy recognized by all our neighbors.”

Then, he pointed to a maid: “You, act smitten in the corridor, saying I am the most handsome man you have ever seen.”

“You, behind the rockery, mutter in admiration about my skill in games and my sharp mind.”

“You, praise my…”

Pei Jian instructed each one, crafting their ‘lines’ to praise him.

As the older brother, he naturally wanted to put on a show-no, establish a glorious image!

In fact, Pei Jian had been rehearsing these lines with the servants for days, pulling them together to ‘practice’.

Previously, they all laughed it off.

Knowing the Young Master well, they found the scripted praises exaggerated and embarrassing, completely mismatching him.

But today was strange!

Every Household Servant was serious and meticulous, not at all sloppy.

Pei Jian was pleased.

The servants and maids exchanged glances-

Now it was known throughout the Mansion, Xian-Ge’er had said that the Young Master was actually a clever, beautiful inside and out, and seemingly simple yet wise Prodigy!

Previously, no one would have believed such words.

But after hearing Xian-Ge’er’s remarks and revisiting the Young Master’s self-praising ‘lines’, the Pei Mansion servants began to wonder…

Could it be possible that the Young Master was actually a genius?

Outside the Pei Mansion,

Pei Jian stood at the gate, eagerly looking out, pacing back and forth anxiously.

Why hasn’t he arrived yet!

He had been eagerly anticipating Cui Xian’s visit, and now that he was coming, an inexplicable nervousness took hold.

Thinking it over, the two had only met briefly and weren’t exactly close.

Pei Jian had been disliked since childhood, his unruly personality earning him constant criticism.

Born into the prestigious Pei Family, a family with two provincial graduates, he had no interest in studying, infuriating numerous Teachers who labeled him as “Rotten Wood.”

The qualities his Junior brother described-generous, open-hearted, bold, charming, upright, and full of gentlemanly grace-were traits Pei Jian didn’t possess.

Well… except for “charming.”

Still, it was the first time in his life that a stranger had praised and admired him so openly. Pei Jian was genuinely thrilled.

He desperately wanted to maintain the image of a towering “big brother” in front of Cui Xian.

But what if he got exposed?

What if his Junior brother realized his big brother was just a fraud and walked away?

The more Pei Jian thought about it, the more nervous he became.

He even started adjusting his attire, trying to make himself look as impeccable as possible.

Just then, the sound of hooves approached from afar, growing louder and louder-

“Big brother!”

Cui Xian leaped off the carriage, his face brimming with excitement, his voice filled with admiration. “You sent a massive cart of lavish gifts to my family and even gave me Ten Taels of silver! I’ve never seen so much money in my life. You’re so generous! Wow, this is your home? It’s so grand!”

For some reason, hearing those words made Pei Jian suddenly feel completely at ease.

He couldn’t suppress the grin tugging at his lips. He wanted to rush forward to greet Cui Xian but held himself back, feigning indifference. “What I gave you, you keep. And, what did I tell you last time?”

Cui Xian immediately straightened up. “Big brother said that as your Junior brother, I must act with steadiness and composure. But seeing you, I got too excited!”

[Ahhhhh! He really wants to be my Junior brother! He remembers everything I said! Ahhhhh!]

Pei Jian’s heart roared with excitement, but he kept his tone steady. “Alright, just be mindful in the future. Come, follow me into the estate.”

“Yes, big brother!”

Cui Xian eagerly followed Pei Jian’s lead.

Behind them, the Family Steward stood frozen, utterly bewildered by the scene, his thoughts scattered in the wind.

So, Xian-Ge’er… turns out he’s quite the performer.

And to think he had been worried that Xian-Ge’er might accidentally spill the beans about this “second visit.”

Clearly, he had been overthinking!

The Steward said nothing, quietly trailing behind them.

As the group entered the estate, they heard voices coming from near the courtyard wall.

A Household Servant, his back turned to the group, was sweeping the ground while “casually” and “loudly” saying to another servant, “Hey, did you hear? Our Young Master was praised by the Classroom Teacher again today!”

The other servant nodded, loudly chiming in, “I heard, I heard! Our Young Master is incredibly talented, exceptionally bright, and has been recognized as a genius since childhood!”

Cui Xian’s eyes lit up as he turned to Pei Jian. “Wow!”

Perfect.

That single, pure “Wow” was more satisfying than ten, even a hundred compliments from others.

Pei Jian waved his hand, struggling to suppress his smugness, and played the role of modesty. “They’re exaggerating. I’m not that impressive.”

The Family Steward and the other Household Servants: “…”

Who exactly is exaggerating here?!

When they reached the flower corridor…

A maid, cradling a pot of flowers, stood in the corridor and murmured loudly, “Our Young Master is the most handsome man I have ever seen in the world.”

Pei Jian’s ears turned slightly red as he looked intently at his junior brother.

Cui Xian paused for a moment and then exclaimed admiringly, “Wow! Big brother, a girl just praised your good looks!”

Pei Jian could no longer suppress his smile, and remarked, “Being handsome is also a kind of burden.”

Cui Xian: “……”

Next, the two took a very, very, very big detour around the mansion.

Everywhere they went, people would loudly and deliberately praise the Young Master.

“Young Master is skilled at various games and is very intelligent.”

– “Wow!”

“Young Master is upright, generous, and has friends all over the world.”

– “Wow!”

Amidst the continuous exclamations of “wow,” Pei Jian completely lost himself.

Finally.

When they finally arrived at his own courtyard, Cui Xian, ever so thoughtful, summed it up: “Big brother, along the way, so many people praised you! I was not mistaken, you are indeed the best big brother in the whole world!”

That day, Pei Jian’s cheeks ached from smiling.

He arranged for his junior brother to stay in the room next to his own bedroom.

He generously brought out various pastries, candied fruits, and all sorts of toys to entertain his junior brother.

The junior brother was so delighted he couldn’t close his mouth, repeatedly exclaiming, “Big brother, you are so good.”

So much so that that night Pei Jian laughed even in his dreams.

He had never felt so relaxed; he felt as if he was floating, and even began to truly believe he was “the best big brother in the whole world.”

But upon waking up, a maid gently reminded him at his bedside, “Young Master, you need to get up early today to go to the Classroom. Old Madam instructed me to wake you.”

Pei Jian’s good mood vanished in an instant.

He became fully awake: Crap, his life had nothing to do with being outstanding.

Maybe he should just give up.

So, Pei Jian feigned weakness and, clutching his throat, said, “Oh, oh, I can’t, my throat is uncomfortable. Tell grandmother, I’m afraid I won’t be able to go to the Classroom today.”

Hearing this news, Madam Pei snapped awake.

A genius? He was just a good-for-nothing!