Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 38 - Composing "Ode to the Goose" 1

As “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit” became an overnight sensation in Nanyang, Zhao’s family, with ulterior motives, set their sights on Cui Xian. Meanwhile, Wu Qinglan took leave from his duties.

He was tormented by guilt. Night after night, Wu Qinglan tossed and turned, unable to find peace. The thought of having labeled a once-in-a-lifetime calligraphy genius as “Rotten wood cannot be carved” haunted him, making him feel utterly “damned.”

Truly damned!

What made him even more restless was the fact that he had completely lost contact with this extraordinary talent. Wu Qinglan imagined that his harsh critique had plunged the genius into “self-doubt,” “anxiety,” “loss of confidence,” and “frustration.”

Of course, this was all Wu Qinglan’s conjecture, but he was convinced he wasn’t far off the mark.

Thus, Wu Qinglan made a decision-first, to take leave, and then to travel from Nanyang by carriage to Kaifeng Prefecture, seeking the help of the two Provincial Graduate Lords of the Pei Family to find this remarkable talent.

With the Pei Family’s influence and standing, as long as the “genius” was still in Nanyang County Town, they were bound to locate him!

After three days of dusty travel by carriage, Wu Qinglan finally arrived in Kaifeng Prefecture. Without a moment’s rest, he intercepted the First Master of the Pei Family outside the Provincial Academy-Pei Jian’s father, Pei Kaitai, who had once questioned Cui Xian’s potential as a “mediocre talent.”

Seeing the teacher from his clan school suddenly appear in Kaifeng, Pei Kaitai was taken aback. “Brother Qinglan?”

Wu Qinglan, without any preamble, handed over a piece of calligraphy. “Brother Kaitai, take a look at this piece. How is it?”

Pei Kaitai, puzzled, examined it and frowned deeply. “Rotten Wood.”

Wu Qinglan immediately presented a second piece.

Pei Kaitai murmured, “Barely passable.”

Wu Qinglan then offered a third piece.

This time, Pei Kaitai’s eyes lit up with astonishment. “What excellent calligraphy! Truly outstanding! Magnificent! Which calligraphy master crafted this? Hmm? The brushwork seems a bit raw, yet oddly familiar. How peculiar…”

As he spoke, Pei Kaitai’s gaze instinctively returned to the first two pieces in his hand, his expression shifting to one of shock and disbelief.

Moments later, he stammered, asking Wu Qinglan, “This… surely not, Brother Qinglan?”

Wu Qinglan, weary-eyed, replied, “Yes, it’s exactly as you suspect. All three pieces were penned by the same individual. The first was written on his first day of formal studies, the second on the following day, and the third nearly a month later.”

What? Such graceful, spirited, scholarly, and naturally flowing calligraphy was crafted by someone who had only begun formal studies a month ago?!

A genius, no-an extraordinary genius, an extraordinary genius indeed!

With refinement and practice, this person could undoubtedly become a calligraphy master, perhaps even a “Saint of Calligraphy!”

Pei Kaitai’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “You came to find me because this extraordinary genius is from our Pei Family clan school?”

Wu Qinglan nodded.

Pei Kaitai laughed heartily, unable to contain his excitement. He seemed to envision his clan school gaining fame alongside the Saint of Calligraphy in the scholarly world. However, the next moment, Wu Qinglan spoke in a strained voice, “But this person is now missing.”

Missing? What do you mean by ‘missing’?!

Pei Kaitai’s smile froze as he listened to Wu Qinglan recount the events. Furious, he exclaimed, “Brother Qinglan, how could you rate such a rare genius as Rotten Wood?!”

Wu Qinglan retorted, “Brother Kaitai, how did you evaluate the first piece of calligraphy?”

“…”

Pei Kaitai was momentarily speechless, caught off guard. Then he said anxiously, “You came at a bad time; my father has just taken leave. He departed for Nanyang half a day ago. Should I write a letter… No, this is too important to delay!”

“Brother Qinglan, wait here. I’ll take leave from the Provincial Academy and return to Nanyang with you.”

“If such a rare genius were to be hindered in such a dramatic way, it would indeed be our fault!”

Wu Qinglan felt relieved upon hearing this. This was precisely why he had come to Kaifeng Prefecture; with the help of the two provincial graduates from the Pei Family, they were sure to find the rare genius!

Meanwhile, Pei Kaitai could never have imagined that the rare genius he was so eager to ‘fly’ back to Nanyang to find was actually residing in his own home.

Cui Xian was packing his things. This morning, he would go to the clan school with Pei Jian, and in the afternoon, he would take leave to return to Hexi Village.

With the summer harvest approaching, his mother was likely about to give birth, and the family would surely be busy. Although he hadn’t received any word yet, Cui Xian planned to return early.

He had earned a substantial amount from his storybook royalties, with monthly royalties to follow, and was about to gain fame in Nanyang. He was indeed in high spirits.

It was time to go back and help his family.

“Though it’s a bit hard to part, Xian, you should stay longer this time. You’ve been away for a while, and your family must be missing you.”

On the way to the clan school, Pei Jian kept chattering, “You’re young, so be careful on the road and don’t let anyone bully you. The gifts in your room probably won’t fit in one cart, so don’t take them this time.”

“In half a month, I’ll go with Grandmother to visit your home. First, to bring you back.”

“Secondly, Grandmother wants to formally discuss with your family about you starting your formal studies at the Pei Family clan school.”

“Last time at the banquet, you spent a full two taels of silver. I thought it over; earning money isn’t easy for you. I’ve decided to slip it into your bundle, rounding it up to thirty taels to take home. Your family will surely be pleased.”

“As for your wages over the past few months, it’s small change, so keep it in your purse for yourself.”

Young Master Pei, only 11 years old, was usually unreliable. Yet at this moment, he acted like a ‘father,’ worrying about everything.

Cui Xian found it both amusing and touching, “Big brother, I understand. You’ve been chattering all the way.”

Oh.

Pei Jian immediately fell silent upon hearing this. After a moment, he looked at Cui Xian eagerly and added, “One last thing, if I can’t resist and come to bring you back early, don’t be mad.”

Cui Xian couldn’t help but laugh, “Alright.”

As the two walked and talked, they were nearing the Pei Family clan school.

From afar, they saw Zhuang Jin, Li Heyu, and Gao Qi, along with a large group of students from the clan school, rushing towards them.

What was going on?

Then, Gao Qi shouted angrily, “Pei Jian, Xian, you’re finally here! The clan school is in complete chaos right now.”

“That scoundrel Zhao Yaozu is outside the clan school, boasting that he can’t stand Xian’s fame-seeking and wants to teach him a lesson by challenging him to a poetry duel!”

A poetry duel?

Pei Jian was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted, furious. “That coward Zhao Yaozu dares to accuse my junior brother of seeking fame? He’s clearly jealous of Xian’s rising reputation and wants to use him as a stepping stone! Truly shameless!”

“Xian hasn’t even begun formal studies yet, how could he possibly compose poetry?”

The other students echoed their indignation.

They surrounded Cui Xian, their expressions filled with concern.

“Brother Xian, maybe you shouldn’t go to the clan school today.”

“Zhao Yaozu is obviously prepared.”

“His grandfather holds great power in Nanyang, and he himself is quite renowned, very difficult to deal with.”

Since the release of “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit,” Cui Xian had quickly gained a large number of ‘true fans’ within the clan school.

However.

Before Cui Xian could speak, Zhao Yaozu approached, surrounded by his entourage, with a swaggering and smug demeanor. “So, you’re Cui Xian? You dare call yourself Nanyang’s genius prodigy, yet you don’t even have the courage to face me in a challenge. How laughable.”

Pei Jian stepped forward, shielding Cui Xian behind him, glaring fiercely at Zhao Yaozu. “What, itching for another beating? Didn’t I teach you a lesson last time?”

Zhao Yaozu’s expression faltered.

To be fair, these two had quite a history of ‘old grudges,’ having fought many times.

Of course, it was always Pei Jian who dominated Zhao Yaozu.

Yesterday, Zhao Yaozu had stomped on the “Rainbow Cat” storybook, partly out of jealousy over Cui Xian being hailed as a prodigy, and partly because he saw Pei Jian’s name also credited in the storybook.

But today, Zhao Yaozu wasn’t here for a fight; he was here to make a name for himself.

So he deliberately ignored Pei Jian, addressing Cui Xian instead. “What’s the point of hiding behind someone? I ask you, do you dare to duel in poetry? If not, admit defeat publicly and acknowledge your arrogance and that the title of prodigy is undeserved.”

“And, that ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ storybook, you had someone ghostwrite it for you, didn’t you?”

Hearing this, Pei Jian and the others were about to retort angrily.

But Cui Xian patted Pei Jian’s shoulder, signaling his brother to calm down.

Then he stepped forward, smiling oddly at Zhao Yaozu. “You want to challenge me to a poetry duel? Fine.”