Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 16 - The Pei Clan School

The night before arriving at the Pei Mansion.

Cui Zhongyuan had been somewhat concerned, wondering aloud whether Xian-Ge’er’s restless sleeping habits might pose a problem. Would the Pei Family’s beds be wide enough?

But his worries turned out to be entirely unnecessary.

Compared to the cramped and stifling earthen rooms of the Cui Family, the guest quarters at the Pei Mansion were spacious and elegant.

The oil lamps burned brightly, the bedding was soft and inviting, and a thoughtful maid had even lit a soothing incense to aid Cui Xian’s sleep.

It was a night of sweet dreams.

At dawn, around 5 a.m., the first rays of sunlight broke through the sky.

The household servants and maids of the Pei Mansion were already up and bustling about.

The Young Master, of course, was still sound asleep.

Cui Xian, on the other hand, was up early. After a quick wash, he began his morning exercise routine in the courtyard.

Having lived through a second chance at life, he deeply understood the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy body. Thus, he had kept up his daily habit of morning workouts from his time at the Cui Family.

By the time Cui Xian finished his exercises and had breakfast, daylight had fully brightened the sky. Only then did a maid go to wake the Young Master.

Predictably, Pei Jian declared himself “ill.”

Madam Pei, furious, stormed into his courtyard, ready to unleash her wrath.

She had been promised that the Junior Brother would be brought here to study at the Clan School. Now, Pei Jian was reneging on his word-what a disappointment! A good-for-nothing!

But before Madam Pei could even open her mouth to scold him, Cui Xian, already aware of the situation, gestured for her to keep quiet.

Madam Pei swallowed her words, her expression shifting to one of hopeful curiosity as she looked at Cui Xian.

Could this child have a solution?

Under the watchful eyes of Madam Pei and the gathered servants, Cui Xian knocked on the Young Master’s door, his voice tinged with concern. “Big Brother, I heard you’re feeling unwell?”

Inside the room, Pei Jian hesitated, his voice betraying a hint of guilt. “Y-yes, that’s right.”

Cui Xian’s response carried through the door, his tone filled with worry: “Is it serious? Should we call a doctor? You know, back in the County Town, I once saw a Scholar Candidate’s Study Servant carrying a book chest and holding an umbrella for him. He looked so dignified and impressive!”

“Today’s my first day as your Study Servant here at the Pei Mansion. I’ve already prepared the book chest and umbrella for you, Big Brother.”

“I was so excited I couldn’t sleep all night, just waiting for today to accompany you to the Classroom.”

Hearing this, the maid who had lit the incense for Cui Xian the previous night couldn’t help but wear a peculiar expression.

Couldn’t sleep all night?

If she hadn’t seen Cui Xian sleeping soundly with her own eyes, she might have been fooled.

But Pei Jian believed it.

Though he couldn’t quite understand what was so impressive about carrying a book chest and holding an umbrella, the anticipation in his Junior Brother’s voice made it impossible for him to refuse. After a long pause, he gritted his teeth and got out of bed.

Fine. He might not be particularly outstanding, but at least he was a big brother.

A moment later.

Creak-

The bedroom door swung open, and under the astonished gazes of Madam Pei and the gathered household staff, Pei Jian emerged, fully dressed.

“I was just feeling a bit off when I woke up, but I’m fine now. Where’s the book chest and umbrella you prepared? Let’s head to the Classroom.”

That… that was all it took to convince him?

Cui Xian let out a cheer and hurried to fetch the items. “Got it, Big Brother!”

Pei Jian’s lips twitched into a smile once again.

For the first time in his life, he was heading to the Classroom with a good mood, rather than the usual dread of “school feeling like a funeral.”

As Cui Xian lifted the small book chest and held the oiled paper umbrella, he walked alongside Pei Jian, chatting cheerfully as they headed out the door.

It took Madam Pei a long moment to snap out of her daze. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice trembling with emotion as she exclaimed, “Quick, write to the Family Elder and First Master! Tell them our Jian-Ge’er has finally agreed to study! That Xian-Ge’er, truly, he is the blessing of our Pei Mansion!”

The “Family Elder” and “First Master” she referred to were Pei Jian’s grandfather and father, respectively. Both were provincial graduates.

Pei Jian’s grandfather served as an advisor under the Commissioner of Kaifeng Prefecture, while his father studied at the Provincial Academy in Kaifeng. Going back three generations, the Pei family had even produced a Vice Minister of Revenue, a Senior Third Rank official-a high-ranking dignitary clad in crimson robes.

Seven or eight generations of effort had forged the Pei family into a household of wealth and renown. As a result, the Pei Family had established their own Clan School.

The Pei Clan School was located at the deepest end of Funiu Alley, nestled against the White River and surrounded by a lush bamboo grove. Beyond the grove, along the riverbank, stood a verdant expanse of willow trees. The scenery was serene, a tranquil retreat amidst the bustle.

Why were the houses in Funiu Alley the most expensive in all of Nanyang? The answer: school district housing.

Every male descendant of the Pei Family, upon reaching the appropriate age, could attend the Clan School to begin formal studies free of charge. Additionally, wealthy families and local gentry in the city could pay a hefty fee to enroll their children in the Pei Clan School. Having a child admitted to the Pei Clan School was a matter of pride-a bragging right that could last three to five years.

But now, outside the Pei Clan School, Pei Jian stood with an odd expression, hesitating at the entrance.

Behind him, Cui Xian feigned confusion. “Big Brother?”

Pei Jian cleared his throat and turned to Cui Xian, saying, “I suddenly feel like…”

But before he could finish his excuse about still being unwell and unfit for school, a stiff middle-aged man, dressed in a scholar’s long robe, stepped out of the classroom.

Upon seeing Pei Jian, the man let out a cold laugh, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Well, well, isn’t this our Pei the Great Talent? What a rare guest indeed.”

Normally, Pei Jian would roll up his sleeves and engage in a heated argument with the man. But today…

With his junior brother standing right behind him, Pei Jian took a deep breath and held back.

Unfortunately, Cui Xian, oblivious to the tension, blurted out in awe, “Big Brother, he’s calling you a Great Talent! You really are the most outstanding prodigy in the classroom!”

His voice was loud enough for not only the stiff man to hear but also for several students preparing to enter the classroom. Heads turned, and expressions grew peculiar.

A Great Talent? The most outstanding student in the classroom? Who? Pei Jian?

Utterly absurd!

“Snrk.”

“Hahaha!”

The students exchanged glances, stifling their laughter out of respect for the Pei family’s status. They dared not openly mock but couldn’t resist quietly chuckling to themselves.

Even the stiff man, after a moment of stunned silence, looked at Cui Xian and Pei Jian as if they were fools. Shaking his head, he walked away, barely suppressing his laughter.

Pei Jian’s face turned a deep shade of crimson, like a pig’s liver.

This was precisely why he had hesitated to enter the classroom-

Relying on his status as the Young Master of the Pei Mansion, Pei Jian had enlisted the help of the household servants to craft an image of himself as a “brilliant and exceptional elder brother” in front of Cui Xian.

But the moment he stepped into the Classroom, the facade crumbled instantly.

He, Pei Jian, the quintessential spoiled rich kid.

A notorious underachiever who had been scolded by no fewer than seven Teachers with the phrase “Rotten wood cannot be carved,” and the laughingstock of the entire Classroom.

In the past, no matter how much ridicule he endured, Pei Jian had always shrugged it off without a care.

But today, in front of his Junior brother, he experienced, for the first time in his life, the true meaning of shame and embarrassment.

For a fleeting moment, Pei Jian even felt on the verge of tears.

Would his Junior brother realize that this so-called “brilliant elder brother” was actually a complete failure?

Would he, like everyone else, look down on him, mock him, and refuse to acknowledge him as his elder brother anymore?

Uneasy and filled with self-doubt, Pei Jian didn’t even dare to glance back at Cui Xian’s expression.

Just then, he felt a small tug on his sleeve.

It was subtle, almost hesitant.

Then, Cui Xian’s voice, low and uncertain, reached his ears. “Big Brother, I’m just a country boy. I talk too loud and don’t know much. Are they laughing at me? Did I embarrass you? I’m sorry. You go ahead into the Classroom. I’ll just wait outside.”

Pei Jian stood there, stunned, his chest tightening and his throat catching.

What an idiot!

They weren’t laughing at you; they were laughing at me, the Young Master!

Even though his lie about being an “exceptional elder brother” hadn’t been exposed, Pei Jian felt an inexplicable pang of sadness.

Cui Xian came from a poor family and had likely endured a lifetime of being pointed at and whispered about in his village. He must have struggled with confidence his entire life.

If only Pei Jian had studied harder in the past, if only he truly were a genius.

Then he could proudly be the elder brother Cui Xian deserved, without causing his Junior brother to feel uneasy or mistakenly think he was the one being mocked.

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind.

Initially, Pei Jian had been ready to storm off and skip the Classroom entirely. But now, he turned back, grabbed his Junior brother’s sleeve, and raised his voice. “What nonsense are you spouting? You’re my Junior brother, the second most brilliant person in the world-after me, of course. How could you possibly embarrass me? And who would dare laugh at you?”

“They’re… they’re just enthusiastically welcoming us, that’s all. What can I say? My reputation as a Genius Prodigy is just too dazzling!”

“Come on, let’s go in!”

Gripping his Junior brother’s sleeve tightly, Pei Jian strode boldly toward the Classroom, ignoring the peculiar stares from those around them.

His steps were so resolute that he failed to notice the faint smile tugging at the corners of Cui Xian’s lips.