Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 28 - Has Xian-Ge'er Made a Name for Himself?

Indeed.

Upon hearing Gao Qi’s words, Madam Gao quickly chimed in, agreeing with her son, “Exactly! We both adore Xian-Ge’er, that’s why we’re thinking of inviting him to stay at our home for a while.”

“Old Madam seems to be keeping Xian-Ge’er confined in the mansion.”

Madam Zhuang joined in with a sarcastic tone, “Right, right. How come Xian-Ge’er can’t move freely while staying at the Pei Mansion?”

Madam Li added the final touch, “Oh, my poor Xian-Ge’er! Why not come home with me, dear? Wherever you want to go, Heyu will accompany you.”

Madam Pei couldn’t hold back her anger any longer and retorted, “Nonsense! When have I ever restricted Xian-Ge’er’s freedom? It’s clear you all have ulterior motives!”

“How is it ulterior motives to be kind to Xian-Ge’er?”

“Exactly.”

Madam Pei’s earlier advantage vanished completely.

The four women were at each other’s throats, arguing fiercely.

Cui Xian: “…”

They really did start fighting!

On the other side.

Ignoring Pei Jian’s embarrassed expression, Zhuang Jin countered Gao Qi, “Gao Qi, you are truly shameless. Xian-Ge’er clearly likes the gifts from my family the most! Isn’t that right, Xian-Ge’er?”

Li Heyu launched a non-discriminatory attack, “Are you all pressuring Xian-Ge’er? No matter what Xian-Ge’er chooses, I will support him and be the good big brother behind him.”

Pei Jian and the others were taken aback: ?

Li Heyu, you usually seem so upright, but you’re actually quite cunning!

Thus.

The four young masters blushed and began arguing over who Xian most wanted to acknowledge as his big brother.

Cui Xian was bewildered.

Wait, why are you all fighting too?

The living room was instantly thrown into chaos.

The servants from the Pei, Gao, Li, and Zhuang families were all wide-eyed and stunned.

These madams and young masters, with their esteemed status, had countless people in Nanyang City lining up to curry favor with them.

Yet here they were, ‘fighting’ over a mere study servant!

Oh my!

The dozens of household servants stared dumbfounded at Cui Xian, who was being fought over, wondering what extraordinary qualities he possessed to have such immense charm!

At the center of the storm, Cui Xian was speechless.

This wasn’t how he imagined things would go.

Weren’t the four noble families supposed to thank him together?

Why did they suddenly start fighting?

Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Cui Xian wanted to shout-

Please stop fighting!

Just then.

The errand boy who had been sent by Lin arrived at the main hall.

Seeing the scene, his mouth dropped open in shock, both stunned and envious.

Then he raised his voice and announced, “Old Madam, Xian-Ge’er’s family has arrived. They wish to speak with him and have a few words to convey.”

Family has come?

Cui Xian’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

He quickly bowed to the arguing crowd and made his escape, “Everyone… ahem, please continue. My family has come to visit, I’ll be back shortly.”

With the current situation, he dared not linger any longer!

Once Cui Xian left.

The main hall fell silent.

Madam Pei was the first to regain her composure and pulled Pei Jian along. “Jian-Ge’er, let’s go greet Xian-Ge’er’s family.”

The others quickly snapped back to reality.

Darn it, Madam Pei was trying to win over Xian-Ge’er’s family!

After all, Xian-Ge’er was still young. If they could win over his family, they could keep the child at the Pei Mansion for good!

Thus, the other three ladies hurriedly gathered their sons and rushed towards the entrance, determined to bring Xian-Ge’er back home today.

Outside the Pei Mansion, Lin was anxiously waiting.

“Eldest Aunt!”

When Cui Xian came running out, Lin sighed in relief and pulled him into a tight embrace, asking carefully, “Xian-Ge’er, my good child. How have you been at the Pei Mansion? You haven’t been bullied, have you?”

Receiving a positive response, Lin finally relaxed. She handed him clean clothes, some snacks, and 50 Wen.

Cui Xian refused the money. “I don’t need money, Eldest Aunt. Please take it back.”

“Don’t refuse, just take it,” Lin insisted. “Your father and Eldest Uncle need to study. Your mother is heavily pregnant, and Grandmother’s legs aren’t well, so only I could come to see you.”

“Stay at the Pei Mansion and work peacefully. Take care of yourself and don’t worry about home.”

“When you have a break, rest well. There’s no need to rush back home. Come back in June during the summer harvest when your mother is due to give birth, and the family will be busy.”

“I’ve told your brother the same.”

In truth, Old Madam Cui didn’t want the grandsons to know about their father being confined to the stable, so she decided not to let the two grandsons return home for the time being.

But it was only April, and the summer harvest was two months away.

Cui Xian found it odd and was about to inquire further when Lin suddenly widened her eyes and exclaimed, “Oh my!”

He turned to follow her gaze and saw Madam Pei, the other three aunts, four Young Masters, and a group of servants approaching in a grand procession.

Cui Xian’s mouth twitched.

Madam Pei warmly greeted Lin, “You must be Xian-Ge’er’s family? I am the Old Madam of the Pei Mansion.”

She was dressed in luxurious attire, her demeanor affluent.

Lin was momentarily stunned before hastily replying, “Yes, I am Xian-Ge’er’s Eldest Aunt. Hello, Old Madam.”

The Pei family was renowned for having a family with two provincial graduates. The Old Madam’s husband was a provincial graduate, and so was her son. Their status was exceedingly prestigious!

But why would such a distinguished Old Madam come to greet a simple village woman like her?

Lin couldn’t fathom it.

What puzzled her even more was that Madam Pei seemed eager to continue the conversation.

Another lady, equally well-dressed, suddenly nudged Madam Pei aside with an overly friendly demeanor. “So you’re Xian-Ge’er’s Eldest Aunt. Hello, I’m the wife of Commander Gao from Nanyang.”

Gasp!

The wife of the Honorable Commander!

Lin gasped, feeling a chill run down her spine. On the streets, even when encountering ordinary soldiers, she had to greet them politely as “milord.”

Before Lin could respond, another lady pushed aside the battalion commander’s wife. “Eldest Aunt of Xian-Ge’er, I am Madam Zhuang from Yuanbao Emporium.”

Good heavens! Yuanbao Emporium-wasn’t that the property of Nanyang’s wealthiest?

Lin was bewildered.

Her confusion deepened when a third lady eagerly greeted her, “Eldest Aunt of Xian-Ge’er, I am the wife of Craftsman Li.”

Craftsman Li! Though called a “craftsman,” he was the leader among craftsmen, the head of Nanyang’s Craftsmen’s Guild. Even the Nanyang Yamen and the Yamen were built by his family.

Throughout Nanyang, who hadn’t heard of Craftsman Li’s reputation?

These four ladies, each of them held prestigious positions. But why did they specifically come to greet her, and with such warmth and enthusiasm?

Lin was utterly perplexed.

As a simple village woman, facing so many dignitaries was overwhelming.

“Ladies… ladies, hello! I’m just here to visit Xian-Ge’er. If I’ve caused any disturbance, please don’t take offense. Well, I… I’ll be heading back now.”

With that, Lin patted Cui Xian on the shoulder as a farewell and hurriedly made her escape.

Even after she left, she could feel the group of distinguished ladies watching her with eager eyes from afar.

It was terrifying!

She couldn’t fathom what this was all about.

In truth, the four ladies felt a pang of regret, hoping to establish good relations with Xian-Ge’er’s family. But Lin left too hastily, leaving no chance for the ladies to express their goodwill!

Upon returning home, Lin recounted the incident to Chen and Old Madam Cui.

Both listened, equally puzzled, like monks unable to grasp the meaning of a sermon.

But regardless, knowing that Xian-Ge’er wasn’t mistreated at Pei Mansion was reassuring.

Lin pondered deeply, then quietly speculated, “Mother, sister-in-law, do you think it’s because Xian-Ge’er has become promising, and that’s why those dignitaries were eager to greet me?”

She chuckled at her own words.

Chen and Old Madam Cui joined in the laughter.

How could that be!