Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 22 - The Dandy Writes a Story

“Blue Rabbit is really great, haha!”

“That wretched Ma Sanniang, she’s an undercover agent! How infuriating!”

“Luckily, Jump Jump under Black Heart Tiger’s command is an undercover agent for the Seven Swords and has been secretly helping the other six sword bearers.”

“Little Tiger is truly hateful, but also somewhat pitiable…”

Tonight was destined to be sleepless.

The four Young Masters, who initially scoffed at Cui Xian’s storybook, were now completely engrossed!

They ordered their servants to light the oil lamps.

The four of them sat obediently in a row, utterly captivated as they listened to Cui Xian narrate “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit.”

Cui Xian spoke the entire night.

His voice became hoarse.

As dawn broke, the story finally reached its conclusion-

“After Little Tiger was blown up, Black Heart Tiger was overwhelmed with grief and vowed to kill the Seven Swords in revenge! His army besieged the Ten Mile Gallery…”

“…In the critical moment, the Seven Swords finally united, killing Black Heart Tiger and thwarting Ma Sanniang’s plot.”

“The forest, at last, returned to its former peace and tranquility.”

The storybook’s plot had ended.

Yet the young listeners remained in a daze, silent for a long time.

Their minds were still immersed in the story, unable to extricate themselves.

It was as if they had journeyed alongside Hero Rainbow Cat and the Seven Swords on a thrilling adventure to save the world.

It was too astonishing!

Too brilliant!

Seeing the Young Masters’ faces full of amazement, Cui Xian inwardly chuckled, but outwardly feigned nervous confusion: “I’ve finished my storybook. Why are the four Great Talents silent? Is it because my storybook is too mediocre?”

What? Mediocre?

Who would dare say this storybook is mediocre? The Young Masters would slap them silly!

Pei Jian was the first to leap up, exclaiming excitedly, “Not mediocre, not at all! This is the most extraordinary story I’ve ever heard.”

The other three nodded fervently.

However, facing the excited Young Masters, Cui Xian appeared troubled: “I… I would like to write it down. But I haven’t begun formal studies, only learned a few words from my father and Eldest Uncle. Writing is truly beyond me.”

The room fell into a deathly silence.

After a long pause.

Gao Qi stammered, “Xian… Are you saying you haven’t even begun formal studies, yet you can conceive such an extraordinary storybook? That’s amazing!”

Cui Xian blinked: “Yes, but that’s not amazing at all. My brother Pei Jian, hailed by the Teacher as having the potential of a Top Imperial Scholar, ranked third among Henan’s Prodigies-that’s truly amazing!”

Pei Jian nearly bit his tongue at this.

Cui Xian continued, “And the rest of you are just as outstanding as my brother. At such a young age, you’re already renowned prodigies in Nanyang! Compared to you, I’m insignificant.”

At this, the expressions of the other three Young Masters were equally remarkable.

After a moment, they regained their composure, each pretending to fan themselves with their folding fans, either awkwardly or sheepishly: “Oh yes, we’re very outstanding too.”

“Xian, you may be excellent, but you’re still not quite up to our level.”

“But Xian, you shouldn’t feel inferior. You’re… well, just a little bit behind us, yes, just a little bit.”

Cui Xian’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he earnestly said, “Therefore, I would like to ask the four Great Talents to help me write ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ together!”

“When it’s done, your reputation as the Nanyang Four Great Talents will surely echo throughout Nanyang County Town.”

…Oh my!

The four were dumbfounded, their expressions dazed!

Cui Xian was willing to let them put their names on this story and co-author it?

Could their pretense of being the ‘Nanyang Four Great Talents’ actually become reality?

Imagine stepping out the door and being surrounded by onlookers, marveling and following them.

What a glorious scene that would be!

Just picturing it made the four Young Masters blush, their excitement sending shivers down their spines.

And more!

Their Teacher, who scolded them for being worthless, their classmates who mocked them as failures, their parents who were disappointed-

They would all be shocked and look at them with newfound respect.

The temptation was overwhelming!

Pei Jian swallowed hard, “But, but this story was conceived by you alone. Can we really put our names on it?”

Cui Xian nodded, his gaze admiring, “Though I came up with the story, I can’t write. Only you four talented scholars can bring ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ to life with its thrilling twists and turns.”

“Whether Hero Rainbow Cat can come to life depends entirely on you!”

Cui Xian’s words seemed to carry a certain magic.

In an instant, they ignited the blood of the four Young Masters!

It sounded so full of purpose!

The four exchanged glances, then Zhuang Jin spoke first, “Xian, why don’t you rest first? We’ll discuss it and give you an answer, alright?”

Cui Xian chuckled, “Sure.”

He didn’t mind about the naming rights; what mattered was making money in the end.

Bringing the four Young Masters on board would surely earn more than a mere ‘naming right.’

Besides, the ‘fame’ Cui Xian sought wasn’t in the Storybook.

It was in the Pei Family clan school, with Teacher Wu Qinglan.

After Cui Xian left.

Gao Qi was the first to exclaim, “Pei Jian, your Junior brother hasn’t begun formal studies yet can conceive such an amazing story. He’s definitely a Prodigy! But he actually calls you his big brother and admires us four useless Stinking Cobblers!”

This… how absurd!

Pei Jian suddenly felt the pressure double, “I only realized today how exceptional he is! Do you think he’ll despise me and not recognize me as his big brother once he finds out I’m a failure?”

The other three boys immediately looked at Pei Jian with sympathetic, gloating eyes.

Pei Jian’s mouth twisted.

He didn’t want to lose his Junior brother!

Zhuang Jin thought for a moment and tentatively suggested, “Why don’t we agree to Cui Xian’s proposal and co-author the book?”

Seeing the other three show disapproving, reproachful expressions.

Zhuang Jin quickly clarified, “What are you thinking? I certainly won’t take credit for Xian’s work! What I mean is, when we attribute the story, we’ll note in the book that Cui Xian provided the concept, and the four of us penned it.”

“Then, I’ll have my family’s bookstore print it in large quantities and spread ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ across every bookshop in Nanyang County.”

“You three will be responsible for delivering the book to prominent families in Nanyang County Town to help with the promotion.”

“Of course, all the royalties will go to Xian; we won’t take a single penny.”

“Once this storybook is published, we’ll have some recognition and won’t embarrass ourselves in front of Junior brother Cui Xian.”

As expected from the son of Nanyang’s wealthiest family, Zhuang Jin’s business acumen was exceptionally sharp.

The other three’s eyes lit up at his words.

Pei Jian was the first to agree, “I think it’s a great idea!”

After discussing, all four were excited and in agreement.

Then Pei Jian called Cui Xian in to inform him of their decision.

Seeing the Young Masters eager and ready to go, Cui Xian smiled, “I trust my elder brothers.”

A simple ‘attribution’ gave the Young Masters a genuine sense of involvement, motivating them to prepare for the writing.

While the enthusiasm was high, Pei Jian and the others immediately prepared ink, ready to write a groundbreaking storybook!

Cui Xian stood by, looking on with admiration and anticipation.

However, moments later.

Pei Jian held the brush but hesitated to start.

Gao Qi wrote a few lines, then blushed, quickly crumpling the paper and stuffing it into his sleeve.

Li Heyu stammered, looking awkward.

Zhuang Jin bit his pen, lost in thought.

Feigning confusion, Cui Xian asked, “May I ask, Great Talents, why haven’t you begun?”

…They wanted to start!

But being accustomed to slacking off, their studies neglected, their handwriting was crooked and ugly, and they lacked literary flair.

How should one describe the blazing inferno engulfing the mountains?

What grandeur should be conveyed when the Evil Cult’s army presses forward?

Fire Dance Whirlwind, Long Rainbow Piercing the Sun, Purple Qi Coming from the East, Ice and Snow, Thunder Rolling… How to depict these dazzling moves with vivid imagery?

It’s hard!

Too hard!

Lacking cultural knowledge, when it came time to write, they couldn’t pen a single word!

For the first time in their lives, the four playboys regretted not studying diligently.

Facing Cui Xian’s puzzled look.

Pei Jian coughed lightly, speaking earnestly, “We didn’t sleep last night, too tired, not in the best state.”

The other three Young Masters quickly echoed, “Indeed, indeed, and we have to attend school during the day, we’ll write after class.”

Why voluntarily go to school?

To consult the Teacher on how to describe the storybook’s plot and then write it!

Cui Xian didn’t expose them, nodding with a smile, “Alright!”

Because, if all goes well, the upcoming plan to publish and profit will be very successful.

He would gain the friendship and support of four prominent families!

The four Young Masters agreed to head to school later, each returning home with excitement.

After a short while, the elders of the Pei, Gao, Zhuang, and Li families were left utterly astonished.

Madam Pei, still groggy from sleep, looked at her grandson uncertainly. “Did you just ask when your father and grandfather will return home? You want to consult them about academic matters? And today, you plan to go to school to seek guidance from Teacher Wu?”

Pei Jian replied with a serious expression, “Absolutely! I’m not joking, Grandmother. Please write a letter and have either my father or grandfather return as soon as possible. I intend to ask them how to write a book!”

Madam Pei was stunned.

Then, she slowly realized-Xian-Ge’er had truly inspired Pei Jian to fall in love with learning within seven days!

At the Gao family.

The Honorable Commander looked bewildered at his wayward son, rubbing his ears. “You want to write a book?”

Gao Qi exclaimed excitedly, “Yes, write a book! Father, I regret it now, deeply regret it! How did I not realize the importance of studying before? In the future, I aim to become one of the Nanyang Four Great Talents!”

At the Li family.

The renowned master builder of Nanyang Prefecture looked dazedly at his rebellious son. “You want to become one of the Nanyang Four Great Talents? Regret not studying diligently before?”

Li Heyu spoke with conviction, “Of course! Father, you were too lenient with me before. You should have given me a good beating for not studying! Otherwise, how could I have lost face in front of Xian?”

At the Zhuang family.

The richest man in Nanyang asked in confusion, “Who is Xian?”

Zhuang Jin, full of enthusiasm, replied, “He’s Pei Jian’s junior brother, and mine too! Although he rejected me, I’ve decided to be his big brother unilaterally! You wouldn’t believe it, Father, but Junior brother Cui Xian speaks so well and can write storybooks. He’s incredibly talented, a true prodigy!”

“I promised him I’d help him write the storybook. So from today, I will study hard, practice calligraphy, and hone my writing skills. I must not disappoint Junior brother Cui Xian’s expectations and trust!”

“Because whether Hero Rainbow Cat can come to life depends entirely on us!”

Finally.

The four wayward Young Masters resolutely declared to their elders-

“In short, we’re going to start writing a book! From today onwards, no one can stop us from going to school to study!”

Heavens!

Is the sun rising from the west?

These sons, who have hated studying since childhood, who get headaches at the sight of words, who never do anything productive, and who constantly clash with their Teacher, suddenly want to focus on learning?

Wayward sons writing books-it sounds like a fairy tale.

But with their sons finally willing to study, the four wealthy elders were moved to tears of joy.

The elders of the Li, Zhuang, and Gao families, in their excitement, hurriedly instructed their Stewards:

“Go, quickly find out who this Cui Xian is, who can make our Young Masters change their ways and study diligently. He’s practically a great benefactor to our families!”