Who Said a Study Servant Can’t Win the Imperial Exam?

As Cui Xian found himself surrounded by excited students, the four Young Masters wore expressions of pride and satisfaction, more thrilled than if they themselves were the center of attention. Today, Xian had truly made a name for himself. As his elder brothers, they finally had the chance to flaunt their ‘precious little brother’ with great pride.

Pei Jian and Zhuang Jin swaggered over, gently pushing aside the crowd of students. “Hey, make some room, everyone, keep a safe distance,” they said. Li Heyu and Gao Qi took up positions at the rear, ‘guarding’ Cui Xian. “If you want to know more about Cui Xian or the behind-the-scenes stories of ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit,’ come with us into the school, and we can chat leisurely.”

Their attitude was nothing short of arrogant, yet the students didn’t mind at all and eagerly followed them.

Suddenly thrust into the spotlight at the clan school, Cui Xian felt a bit overwhelmed and sheepishly remarked, “Aren’t we being a bit too conspicuous?”

Before coming to the clan school today, Pei Jian had tricked him, saying that all five of them would wear snow satin to make a grand entrance and dazzle the school. In the end, the four elder brothers wore plain clothes, willingly playing the supporting role, letting Cui Xian be the ‘main character.’

“This is being conspicuous?” Pei Jian shook his head upon hearing Xian’s words. “If I had even a tenth of your talent, not just the Pei Family clan school, but every dog passing by on Nanyang’s streets would know I’m a genius prodigy!”

The other three Young Masters laughed in agreement.

Cui Xian was left speechless. Well… that might be a bit much.

Watching the large group of students who had read the storybook eagerly follow Cui Xian and the others into the school, the rest of the students were bewildered.

One student, recalling something, asked in confusion, “Isn’t Cui Xian Pei Jian’s Study Servant? Why is he suddenly so popular?”

Pei Jian’s Study Servant? Now that it was mentioned, everyone seemed to vaguely remember!

But upon hearing this, a student who had read ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ glared at the speaker. “What’s wrong with being a Study Servant? Don’t look down on people! Do you know how amazing Cui Xian is?”

“Just wait, in a few days, he’ll definitely be famous in Nanyang County Town.”

“If you don’t believe it, I’ll lend you the storybook, and you can see for yourself!”

With that, the student handed ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ to the other, then enthusiastically followed Cui Xian.

Those who hadn’t read the storybook were skeptical. A group of them immediately opened the book to read.

Half a cup of tea later, the students who had initially been dismissive were now flushed with excitement!

“Long Rainbow across the sky, so handsome!”

“Hero Rainbow Cat fell off a cliff? No!”

“Quick, turn the page, you’re reading too slowly.”

Seeing them so animated, the rest of the students were anxious, scratching their heads, but unable to get close due to the crowd. They began to ask around to borrow ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ to read.

And so, the entire Pei Family clan school was caught up in a strange fervor today. Every student, without exception, was captivated by Hero Rainbow Cat!

Inside the school hall.

Cui Xian, dressed in striking snow-white satin, sat prominently in the center. The four Young Masters were seated on either side of him, while the rest of the clan school classmates filled the room, buzzing with excitement and questions.

One asked, “Brother Xian, did you truly conceive such an extraordinary story before you even began formal studies?”

Another chimed in, “Brother Xian, how did you come up with such a thrilling tale?”

Yet another queried, “Brother Xian, you seem to be Pei Jian’s Study Servant? Rest assured, I mean no offense!”

The atmosphere was fervent and grand. Despite knowing his young age, the students respectfully addressed him as ‘Brother Xian,’ acknowledging his talent.

Pei Jian and the others watched eagerly, hoping Xian would boast about himself.

But faced with a crowd of enthusiastic ‘fans,’ Cui Xian felt a bit shy. He admitted, “When I wrote ‘Rainbow Cat,’ I hadn’t begun formal studies. Due to my family’s poverty, I became a Study Servant at Pei Mansion.”

…And that was it?

Is that reasonable?

The four Young Masters were itching with impatience, unable to hold back any longer!

Pei Jian jumped up, shouting, “Listen up, everyone! Let me tell you how Xian became my Study Servant! It was a bright sunny day at the market… He said he wanted to recognize me as his elder brother…”

Wow?

No wonder he’s the author of ‘Rainbow Cat,’ even recognizing an elder brother is done with such flair!

The students listened, captivated, their eyes on Cui Xian growing more fervent, while Pei Jian received looks of envy and admiration.

Then Zhuang Jin followed suit, exclaiming, “Oh, that’s nothing! Later, the three of us met Xian. Xian mistakenly thought we were the Nanyang Four Great Talents and begged us to write a book for him!”

The students burst into laughter.

So that’s how ‘Rainbow Cat’ came to be, how dramatic!

No wonder the Young Masters had a sudden change of heart recently.

Gao Qi waved his hand, “Those are minor details. Let me reveal a jaw-dropping secret! Xian has already begun formal studies! That day, we taught him the ‘Thousand Character Classic,’ and he learned it on the spot!”

What?

Gasp!

The students were truly stunned, looking at Cui Xian with eyes not only filled with warmth but now with admiration.

Yet some were skeptical.

Could it be true? How is that possible?

Li Heyu delivered the final shock, exclaiming excitedly, “You don’t believe it, right? We didn’t either. But later, Xian memorized ‘Dragon Script Whip Shadow’ in one afternoon!”

“That’s ‘Dragon Script Whip Shadow’! How long did it take you to memorize it when you began formal studies?”

“Fools, do you know what a genius is? This, is a genius!”

Oh my!

That’s the most challenging of all the beginner books, ‘Dragon Script Whip Shadow’!

Who among us hasn’t been driven to tears by that book?

Thus, even when Li Heyu called them ‘fools,’ they hesitated to retort.

The crowd’s gaze towards Cui Xian was no longer just admiration.

It was awe!

Could there really be such an extraordinary prodigy in this world?

As the four Young Masters continued to boast more and more outrageously, the students in the clan school looked at Cui Xian with increasing fervor.

Cui Xian thought to himself that if this high-profile boasting continued, it would surely lead to trouble. So he tugged at the excited Pei Jian, saying, “Brother, brother, calm down, that’s enough.”

But how could it be enough?

For the past month or two, the four Young Masters had been immersed in their books. Knowing that their Junior brother was a prodigy, they had restrained themselves from boasting to create a stunning effect. It had been quite a challenge to hold back.

Today, they finally had the chance to show off, and of course, they wanted to boast to their heart’s content!

“Xian, don’t be afraid,” Pei Jian said proudly. “Which of the things we’ve said isn’t true? Think about it, with your talent, even if you wanted to keep a low profile, it’s impossible! You are truly the prodigy and Great Talent of Nanyang!”

The other three Young Masters chimed in with pride.

Their personalities were naturally flamboyant, and such arrogance was bound to provoke others.

Sure enough.

A student stood up and loudly questioned, “Can anyone really recite ‘Dragon Script Whip Shadow’ in an afternoon before beginning formal studies? That’s just boasting!”

The clan school fell silent.

Pei Jian was furious at the remark, “You don’t believe it? Then let’s invite Teacher Wu here and verify it on the spot! Don’t use your ordinary thinking to measure a super prodigy!”

Seeing someone challenge them, Gao Qi and the other two were immediately energized.

“Exactly, exactly, where is Teacher Wu? Let’s find him quickly!”

As more students gathered to join the commotion, the four Young Masters exchanged glances, their eyes full of cunning.

They weren’t being arrogant.

They were using this opportunity to make Xian’s name known far and wide!

After all, fame should be seized early.

The reputation of writing storybooks is ultimately not as impressive as the fame of academic talent.

Since they had already made a splash today.

Then let the splash be even bigger!

The student who raised the question said, “Fine, I’ll go invite Teacher Wu over! Anyway, I don’t believe in this so-called super prodigy!”

At the Pei Family’s clan school, a ‘dispute’ was brewing.

Meanwhile, at the Nanyang Yamen.

The County Magistrate, having nothing else to do, had sent his subordinates away and was secretly lying behind his desk, happily reading a storybook.

He was reading the suddenly popular “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit.”

The County Magistrate read with excitement and admiration, “Good, very good! To write such a grand yet tender story, the author must be a master!”

Thinking of this.

The County Magistrate suddenly realized he hadn’t checked the author’s name.

He hurriedly flipped to the title page and then his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Only eight years old and hasn’t begun formal studies? A prodigy under my jurisdiction? Excellent! If this child is cultivated into talent, it would be a great achievement in education, and I might even get promoted because of it!”