Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 25 - Impossible!

Outside the study.

Cui Xian pretended to leave but actually hid by the window, eavesdropping on the conversation of the four young masters inside.

Upon hearing Zhuang Jin mention introducing him to Wu Qinglan, Cui Xian raised an eyebrow slightly.

It seemed he needed to change his plan.

He had initially intended to remain hidden for a while longer, letting Teacher Wu fret over missing out on a genius before finally ‘revealing his true self.’

But the next moment, Pei Jian’s voice rose slightly, “No! We can’t introduce him to Wu Qinglan! What I mean is, my Junior brother is a super extraordinary genius! Wu Qinglan, a mere Scholar Candidate, isn’t fit to be his teacher!”

“Moreover, with Xian currently posing as a Study Servant, suddenly showcasing his talent in the clan school might invite jealousy and criticism.”

“I plan to introduce Xian to my father and grandfather! Though they’re not much, at least they’re provincial graduates, barely qualified to be his teachers.”

“And with ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ about to be published, Xian’s reputation will surely spread throughout Nanyang County Town!”

At this point, Pei Jian paused, his voice inexplicably dropping, “He… he is the one who can truly be the Great Talent of Nanyang.”

The study fell silent.

Zhuang Jin, Li Heyu, and Gao Qi, seeing Pei Jian’s dejected expression, stepped forward to pat his shoulder in consolation.

“Brother, cheer up, you’re not bad yourself,” Zhuang Jin said with a cheeky grin, wrapping an arm around Pei Jian. “After all, you’re the brother of Nanyang’s super Prodigy!”

This remark lightened the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the study.

Gao Qi chimed in proudly, “And the three of us, even as Rotten Wood, are still called ‘talented scholars’ by the super Prodigy of Nanyang!”

Pei Jian snickered, “You truly are my shameless friends, unbeatable in your cheekiness! Come, come, prepare the ink for me.”

“I need to write to my father and grandfather, hoping they recognize the opportunity and return from Kaifeng quickly to be his teachers.”

The other three exchanged secret glances, pretending to help with the ink preparation, as if they hadn’t noticed Pei Jian’s slightly reddened eyes.

After picking up the pen and writing a full five pages of praise for Cui Xian, Pei Jian dried the ink and carefully placed the paper into an envelope. He then spoke in a joking tone, “Actually, I know, I’ve always known, I’m just Rotten Wood. My family thinks I’m hopeless, the school teachers see me as a useless fool.”

“Then I met Xian, he’s the only one in years who genuinely praised me, thought I was outstanding. He… he was willing to call me ‘big brother,’ and that made me so happy.”

“Being someone’s big brother feels really great, it gives me the illusion that I’m not just a useless fool.”

“When I send this letter to Kaifeng, when ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ is published, when Cui Xian’s reputation as a talented scholar spreads throughout Nanyang, the fact that I’m a fool will surely be exposed.”

“Then, he probably won’t want to be my Junior brother anymore, and I won’t have the face to be his big brother.”

“So saying all this isn’t me being sentimental, I just want to say, want to say…”

‘Want to say’ was repeated several times, yet Pei Jian couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

Li Heyu took over the conversation, his expression unusually serious. “Brother, don’t worry, we get what you mean! During this time, we’ll work hard to write ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ properly!”

Zhuang Jin nodded solemnly. “Yes, we’ll write it well! Although I haven’t been called the big brother by Junior brother Cui Xian, being praised as a Great Talent by him every day feels pretty good. Even though the truth will eventually come out, for now, we’re still the idols of Junior brother Cui Xian!”

Gao Qi grinned widely. “Let’s write ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ well and help Junior brother Cui Xian make a name for himself! We may not be Great Talents, but it doesn’t matter because the true Great Talent of Nanyang will be known through our efforts! Isn’t that quite an achievement?”

Indeed!

It sounds even more thrilling than publishing ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ and introducing Hero Rainbow Cat to the world!

Perhaps it’s because Hero Rainbow Cat is fictional.

But the prodigious genius Junior brother Cui Xian is very much real!

The four exchanged glances, extending their fists to gently bump against each other. “For Junior brother Cui Xian’s reputation, we’ll give it our all as his big brothers!”

After all, they are the big brothers.

Finally, Pei Jian added with a hint of worry, “Let me say this upfront, don’t just talk big. Everyone needs to go back and write properly, no slacking off!”

“And during this period, stay vigilant. I want to be an excellent big brother to my Junior brother for a while longer! Before ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ is published and my father and grandfather return, I need to maintain my image as the excellent big brother!”

The other three scoffed and mocked, “Tsk, you call us cheeky, but you’re the cheekiest of all.”

Pei Jian laughed mischievously, reverting to his usual carefree and unruly demeanor.

Outside the window, Cui Xian listened quietly, a smile playing at his lips.

In the end, the essence of these four Young Masters is kindness.

Though they may be arrogant and dislike studying, they don’t envy their Junior brother for being outstanding. Even at the risk of being ‘abandoned’ by him, they strive to pave the way for his future.

The friendship of youth is pure and free from interests, and the sparks from their youthful fists colliding are genuine and sincere.

How could Cui Xian ever abandon such good big brothers?

The journey to fame and future is long, but walking shoulder to shoulder with a few good friends and brothers is indeed one of life’s great joys!

Days later.

Kaifeng Prefecture.

Pei Jian’s letter finally arrived.

Recently, the Pei Family Elder and the Family Elder, far away in Kaifeng, received two letters from home.

The first was from Madam Pei, saying that they had hired a Study Servant who was clever and praised Jian-Ge’er as a prodigious genius. Under the Study Servant’s persuasion, Jian-Ge’er was willing to start studying diligently.

The two Provincial Graduate Lords of the Pei Family scoffed at this: Jian-Ge’er and diligent study simply don’t go together.

It’s likely that the Old Madam, indulging her grandson, exaggerated the truth.

Then came the second letter.

This one was sent by Pei Jian himself.

Truly unusual, given that in recent years, father and son have been apart more than together, and it’s usually the First Master of the Pei Family who sends letters home. Pei Jian has never taken the initiative to write before.

Could it be that the rascal is missing his father?

Feeling a slight warmth in his heart, the First Master of the Pei Family opened the letter, only to be greeted by his son’s atrocious handwriting, resembling scribbles. His eyes hurt, and he promptly withdrew the fatherly affection he had been brewing.

How could this ungrateful child write so poorly?

Suppressing his anger, the First Master read through the letter, which seemed addressed to him but was filled with praises for the Junior brother, the Study Servant, and his supposed genius. He felt both sour and absurd.

You’ve never shown such concern for your father, yet you go to great lengths for a Study Servant.

Scoff.

As for his son’s claims of ‘being able to conceive brilliant storybooks before beginning formal studies’ and ‘recognizing all characters after reading the Thousand Character Classic once,’ the First Master didn’t believe a word.

Thus, like Teacher Wu, the First Master of the Pei Family prepared ink and pen, and wrote a letter that he would later regret, tossing and turning, feeling ashamed: “Impossible, absolutely impossible! Such a prodigy doesn’t exist in this world. Your Junior brother is likely a fraud, a mediocre talent masquerading as a genius.”

“Only someone as ignorant as you would mistake mediocrity for genius! Adding to the laughter, making a fool of yourself!”

“Read more books, broaden your horizons!”

“Your father is busy with studies lately. Your grandfather plans to return home next month during his break. I will inform him of this matter, and wait for him to return to properly educate you!”

“And that ‘Prodigy’ Junior brother of yours!”