Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 18 - Four Stinking Cobblers

After furiously scribbling “Rotten wood cannot be carved” in the Inner Room, Wu Qinglan couldn’t help but entertain an absurd thought: the fool who wrote this disgraceful calligraphy might actually be even less capable than Pei Jian, that notorious wastrel!

To think that there could exist someone more hopelessly inept than Pei Jian-it was truly astonishing.

“Achoo!”

Just as class ended, Pei Jian stepped out of the Classroom and let out a thunderous sneeze.

How odd. Could someone be cursing this Young Master behind his back?

Pei Jian rubbed his nose suspiciously. Catching sight of his Junior brother waiting under the corridor, his eyes gleamed with mischief. He began sneezing loudly and repeatedly, putting on a theatrical display.

Cui Xian, hearing the commotion, immediately showed a worried expression and hurried over. “Big Brother, are you still unwell?”

Pei Jian nodded quickly, his face contorted in mock misery. “Yes, yes, I’ve been feeling awful all morning. But I am always diligent and hardworking, so even while sick, I insisted on coming to the Classroom… cough cough…”

Cui Xian blinked. “You were sneezing nonstop just now, and now you’re coughing? What kind of illness is this? Should we call for a doctor?”

Oh no! He had overdone it!

Pei Jian nearly lost his composure but managed to stammer, “Cough cough… Achoo… Cough cough… It’s probably nothing serious, no need for a doctor… Cough cough. It’s likely just the stress from my studies, overworking my mind and body. I’ll take the afternoon off to rest at home… Achoo.”

In truth, Young Master Pei had no need to formally request leave; he came and went from the Classroom as he pleased. But that was not something he could openly admit to his Junior brother.

Cui Xian, of course, understood this perfectly. Yet he knew that encouraging Pei Jian to study required patience; transforming a slacker into a scholar was no overnight feat.

So, he nodded in agreement. “Alright, Big Brother, rest well this afternoon. Earlier, I watched from the corridor as you diligently studied in class and sought guidance from Teacher. I truly admire and respect you.”

“What a shame I won’t get to witness your brilliance this afternoon.”

Good heavens! Was this Young Master truly so dazzling when he applied himself to learning?

Pei Jian, flattered beyond reason, blurted out, “No problem, we’ll be back at the Classroom tomorrow!”

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

But Cui Xian beamed with delight. “That’s wonderful! Big Brother, you’re both intelligent and hardworking. No wonder even the Teacher praises you as a genius. You’re destined to become the Top Imperial Scholar one day!”

As luck would have it, just as Cui Xian finished his glowing remarks, Teacher Wu stormed out of the Inner Room, still fuming over the atrocious calligraphy he’d encountered earlier.

Already in a foul mood, Wu Qinglan couldn’t stomach the shameless flattery directed at Pei Jian, that incorrigible wastrel. His tone turned sarcastic as he echoed, “You’re destined~ to become~ the Top Imperial Scholar~ one day~!”

Naturally, as he said this, his eyes locked onto Pei Jian with a peculiar expression.

Pei Jian: “…”

Why was it that every time his Junior brother praised him, this old man always seemed to overhear?

Infuriating!

Pei Jian’s face flushed red, and for once, he lacked the confidence to argue back. He grabbed Cui Xian and made a hasty retreat.

Wu Qinglan, inexplicably pleased, decided not to pursue the matter further.

He stood in the hallway, his gaze sweeping over the household servants and study servants with a hawk-like intensity, his expression one of suspicion.

Who was that piece of ‘Rotten Wood’ even worse than Pei Jian?

Funiu Alley.

On the way home from school.

Cui Xian, puzzled, asked, “Big brother, why did we just take off like that? Teacher was praising you, saying you could become the Top Imperial Scholar!”

With no outsiders around, Pei Jian was no longer embarrassed or awkward.

He felt confident again.

Seeing Cui Xian’s small frame struggling to carry the book chest and hold an umbrella at the same time.

Pei Jian, who was a bit taller, took the book chest from him and carried it on his back, boasting proudly, “Keep it low-key, you understand? Your big brother, I started formal studies at three, practiced writing at four, composed poetry at five, and had read through The Four Books and Five Classics by the age of six.”

“I am a Genius Prodigy known throughout Henan Province! Becoming a Top Imperial Scholar in the future? That would be a piece of cake!”

“Teacher has been ceaselessly praising me these years, proclaiming I have the makings of a Top Imperial Scholar. I’ve heard it so much my ears are almost calloused, so I bolt whenever I see him.”

“Ah, being excellent is a burden too.”

Cui Xian: “…”

You really know how to brag.

Despite his internal scoff, Cui Xian’s face showed amazement: “Wow! I always knew big brother was amazing, but I never realized you were this incredible!”

“Oh, it’s nothing much, third in Henan.”

Pei Jian was pleasing himself with his own boasts when suddenly he remembered something and instructed, “When you praise me, just do it privately, not in public. People might think we’re too showy.”

Cui Xian’s mouth twitched, and he nodded, “I’ve learned something new. Big brother always thinks ahead.”

The two of them walked and talked earnestly together.

Unaware.

On a side street in Funiu Alley, three boys around ten years old were stealthily following them, listening intently to their conversation.

At first, the trio just exchanged glances, squeezing their eyebrows to suppress their laughter.

But eventually, they couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Snort.”

It was unclear who laughed first, but it was like opening a floodgate, and all three burst into thunderous laughter.

“Hahaha!”

“Composed poetry at five… Top Imperial Scholar material, hahaha, I’m dying of laughter.”

“Pei Jian, how dare you!”

This unrestrained and familiar laughter made Pei Jian, who was walking proudly ahead, stiffen suddenly.

Then.

Pei Jian slowly turned around, not surprised to see his three friends doubled over in laughter, his face turning red in an instant.

Damn it, how could these fools be here!

Cui Xian followed Pei Jian’s gaze to the three boys who were laughing so hard they couldn’t straighten their backs, then looked at Pei Jian, who was awkward and at a loss, and instantly understood.

This was what happened when bragging met acquaintances.

That was indeed quite embarrassing.

“Don’t panic, keep it together! Pei Jian, maintain your big brother image!”

Pei Jian roared internally, deliberately ignoring the three friends, and turned to Cui Xian with composure, “I’m going to discuss scholarly matters with a few excellent classmates. You go on home, I’ll be back later.”

“Alright, big brother!”

Cui Xian, ever tactful, made his way back to the Pei Mansion on his own.

After watching Cui Xian disappear into the distance, Pei Jian, who had just claimed he was about to “exchange scholarly insights with outstanding classmates,” dropped his facade. His face darkened as he stormed over, extending both hands to smack one of the boys on the head, then raised his foot to kick at another.

“Still laughing? You dare to undermine me in front of my junior brother? Are you tired of living?”

Of course, it was all for show-he didn’t actually use any force.

The three boys who bore the brunt of his mock fury didn’t seem to mind. They supported each other, laughing so hard that tears streamed down their faces.

It wasn’t until Pei Jian, thoroughly embarrassed, shouted, “Laugh again and get lost!” that the trio finally reined in their exaggerated mirth and stood upright.

The tallest of the three, lean and sharp-featured, was Li Heyu. Flashing a mischievous grin, he was the first to speak, his tone full of mock indignation. “Well, well, Pei Jian! You dragged us into causing chaos at the classroom, argued with the Teacher, and swore you’d never set foot in the classroom again. And now look at you-sneaking back in like nothing happened!”

The second boy, shorter and round-faced with an innocent, endearing look, was Zhuang Jin. He chimed in with a teasing tone, “Not only did you sneak back to class, but you’ve somehow managed to become the third-ranked prodigy in all of Henan in no time. Impressive!”

The last boy, tall and sturdy with rugged features, was Gao Qi. He let out a hearty laugh before scrutinizing Pei Jian with mock seriousness. “Alright, spill it. What kind of nonsense are you up to now? And that little boy who practically worships the ground you walk on-what’s his deal? He’s got a pretty face, but his brain seems a bit off. How could he possibly believe you’ve got the makings of a Top Imperial Scholar? Hahaha!”

The three boys’ words carried one clear message:

We’re all stinking cobblers here-who doesn’t know the truth about whom?

Drop the act, brother!