Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 26 - Everyone Scrambles for the Little Study Servant

When the First Master of the Pei Family in Kaifeng Prefecture wrote back, harshly reprimanding Pei Jian, he could never have imagined-

That his seemingly worthless son, whom he considered to be nothing but rotten wood, was currently burning the midnight oil, diligently studying.

And that the little Study Servant he deemed a ‘mediocre fraud’ had become the object of desire, loved by everyone and fiercely contested by four prominent families.

Let’s start with why Pei Jian suddenly became so studious.

Besides working on writing “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit,” he was under immense pressure!

In fact, it wasn’t just Pei Jian. Li Heyu, Gao Qi, and Zhuang Jin were all gritting their teeth and studying hard recently.

With a Junior brother who could recognize all the characters after reading the “Thousand Character Classic” just once-a prodigy so terrifyingly talented-how could the elder brothers not feel the pressure?

Of course, aside from Pei Jian, the other three Young Masters were more like self-appointed elder brothers.

But that’s not the point!

The point is, they were truly motivated!

At home, they studied late into the night, scratching their heads over books.

At school, they listened attentively to lessons and even competed to seek guidance from Teacher Wu during breaks.

This sudden change left the students at the clan school with expressions as if they’d seen ghosts.

These spoiled Young Masters had actually turned over a new leaf?

Impossible!

Cui Xian, the instigator, secretly observed the four spoiled Young Masters’ behavior, pretending to be oblivious.

Indeed, learning all the characters after reading the “Thousand Character Classic” once was a bit exaggerated and unreasonable.

But there was no choice.

As a transmigrator, especially one who was a PhD in Chinese Language and Literature in his previous life, Cui Xian’s mind was filled with ‘outrageously exaggerated’ knowledge-far too much!

And these were extremely unreasonable things!

To reasonably bring out this knowledge in the future, he had to start building a ‘super genius’ persona now, beginning with a small, unreasonable act.

Then, gradually add more.

People would slowly get used to it.

They would spontaneously make excuses for him: “Cui Xian is a prodigy, he can do anything, he knows everything! Don’t limit our super genius with your mediocre thoughts, okay!”

For instance, now, Pei Jian and the others no longer questioned the plausibility of Cui Xian learning all the characters after hearing the “Thousand Character Classic” once.

Because he was a prodigious genius, a super invincible talent!

Shut up, don’t ask.

Just understand!

And the sudden transformation of the four spoiled Young Masters into diligent students moved their families to tears.

My son has matured, he knows the importance of studying!

The Gao, Zhuang, and Li families had already found out that their sons’ newfound diligence was all thanks to Xian-Ge’er!

On the day the school was on break, the ladies of the three families, accompanied by their sons and bearing generous gifts, eagerly visited the Pei Mansion to thank Xian-Ge’er.

With the Family Elder absent, only Madam Pei was present as the sole female member of the household, so the three families sent their wives.

As the Gao family’s carriage was about to arrive at the Pei Mansion…

Inside the carriage.

Gao Qi couldn’t stop praising Cui Xian to his mother, “Mom, you have no idea how amazing Junior brother Cui is! I’m so envious of Pei Jian for being able to be his big brother.”

The battalion commander’s wife listened to her son’s enthusiastic praise of Cui Xian, her eyes twinkling as she whispered to him, “What’s the use of being envious? If you truly admire Junior brother Cui, why not bring him over to our side?”

Huh?

Gao Qi was taken aback.

He quickly shook his head, “No, no, I can’t. Pei Jian is my brother, I can’t take his Junior brother away…”

But then Gao Qi fell silent.

If he could bring Xian over, and be called ‘the most outstanding big brother in the world’ by him every day, Gao Qi couldn’t even imagine how exhilarating that would be!

Anyway…

Once “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit” hits the market, Cui Xian’s name will be all over Nanyang. His prodigious talent will shine like the moon, blinding many.

The fact that Pei Jian is a failure will be exposed, and he’ll lose Junior brother Cui.

Since it’s bound to happen sooner or later, why not let it happen sooner? That way, I can be the big brother for a few days!

Once this thought took hold, it couldn’t be stopped.

Seeing her son’s expression soften, the battalion commander’s wife whispered again, “What brotherhood? If Pei Jian truly sees you as a brother, he should let Junior brother come to you. Son, I support you in bringing Junior brother Cui over.”

“And let me tell you, I know Zhuang Jin’s and Li Heyu’s mothers too well. Those two women are as shrewd as they come. They might be plotting on their way here to persuade their sons to bring Junior brother Cui over!”

Gao Qi was incensed, “Right, right! Mom, you’re absolutely right! Zhuang Jin and Li Heyu, those two, definitely have ulterior motives. The first time they met Xian, they were showing off, trying to lure Junior brother Cui home!”

“No way, I need to act first! I’ll find a way to bring Junior brother Cui to our house!”

As Gao Qi secretly made up his mind, inside the carriages heading to Pei Mansion from the Zhuang and Li families, Zhuang Jin and Li Heyu were also whispering to their mothers, looking equally sly.

Zhuang Jin’s mother said, “Son, I support you! Even though the Pei Family is prestigious, if Cui Xian wants to leave and come live with us, Pei Mansion can’t do anything about it!”

Li Heyu’s mother added, “If Junior brother Cui is as excellent as you say, we should definitely bring him over and invite him to our home!”

Zhuang Jin and Li Heyu exchanged uncertain glances, then made up their minds-

Let’s do it!

Meanwhile, at Pei Mansion.

Even though school was on break today, Pei Jian was still diligently studying in the library.

Cui Xian, not wanting to disturb him, was in his own room memorizing books.

At this moment.

Creak-

The library door was pushed open; it was Madam Pei.

Pei Jian frowned, “Grandmother, didn’t I ask not to be disturbed while I’m reading?”

Normally, Madam Pei would have left immediately.

But today, seeing her grandson so oblivious…

The Old Madam sighed and approached, lowering her voice, “Stop for a moment, my silly grandson. If you keep burying yourself in your studies, your junior brother will be snatched away.”

Pei Jian abruptly lifted his head, “What? Who dares to take my junior brother? They must be tired of living!”

Madam Pei pursed her lips, her eyes gleaming with insight, “Who else but your three good brothers! Just look, the moment school is on break, the ladies from their families have come together to visit us! They’ve even sent a formal note, saying they want to thank Xian-Ge’er.”

“Xian-Ge’er is indeed wonderful, but he’s still young, a junior. It’s unusual for elders to personally visit and express gratitude. It doesn’t make sense, especially since these three ladies are prominent and shrewd figures in Nanyang.”

“Your grandmother may be old, but she’s not blind. They’re most likely here for Xian-Ge’er. Not only has he inspired you to study diligently, but he’s also influenced your other three brothers positively.”

“Those ladies must be overjoyed, grateful beyond words to Xian-Ge’er. To ensure their sons continue to study well, they’d spare no effort to win over Xian-Ge’er.”

“Jian-Ge’er, think back, have your three brothers ever secretly tried to lure Xian-Ge’er away?”

Pei Jian thought carefully and grew angry, “Yes! Those three fools have been up to no good since they first met my junior brother! I treat them as brothers, yet they want to steal my junior brother? Outrageous!”

Madam Pei, seeing her grandson had figured it out, felt pleased, “Just watch, today those three families will surely bring lavish gifts for Xian-Ge’er. That’s why your grandmother has also prepared a generous gift for him. Xian-Ge’er is a child your grandmother truly likes.”

Pei Jian, hearing this, finally felt happy, “Grandmother, you’re the best! Thank goodness you reminded me, otherwise my junior brother might have been taken.”

As the luxurious carriages from the Gao, Zhuang, and Li families neared the Pei Mansion, the four ‘fair-weather brothers’ were secretly plotting how to snatch Cui Xian away.

Meanwhile, Eldest Aunt Lin set off from Hexi Village, heading to the County Town to visit her son Cui Yu, who was studying at the private school, and her nephew Cui Xian, who was serving as a Study Servant at the Pei Mansion.

Unaware of the brewing storm, Cui Xian himself was still counting on the four bumbling young masters to work together and finish writing “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit,” hoping to publish it and make some money.