Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 44 - The Honorable Commander Helps with the Harvest

The night Cui Xian returned, the Cui family finally had a good night’s sleep, something they hadn’t experienced in a long time. Especially for Cui Boshan and Cui Zhongyuan, who had been living in the stable for months, it was a relief to sleep in a proper bed again. It was such a rare comfort that Cui Zhongyuan held onto his son, Xian-Ge’er, all night, reluctant to let go. Chen couldn’t stop smiling either, proud of their son’s achievements.

Only Cui Xian wore a slightly troubled expression. In the sweltering heat of June, being held tightly by his father made him feel even hotter.

The next morning, Cui Xian woke up to the sound of roosters crowing and cicadas singing, feeling an indescribable sense of comfort and peace. Despite the better conditions at the Pei Mansion, nothing compared to the coziness of his own humble home.

As he stepped out of his room, he found that everyone was already up. His grandmother, Old Cui, looked energetic as she said, “Later, the eldest daughter-in-law and I will go to the neighboring village to hire some help. I noticed some families have already started harvesting wheat early in the morning. We need to hurry up as well.”

Lin replied with a smile, “Alright.”

The thirty taels that Xian-Ge’er brought back served as a powerful reassurance, giving the family newfound confidence.

Cui Yu was reading in the courtyard. When he saw Xian-Ge’er awake, he ran over with a smile and affectionately called out, “Brother!” After months apart, he looked noticeably thinner. Having officially begun his studies, he carried a scholarly air, resembling a ‘miniature version’ of a teacher.

“Brother,” Cui Xian responded, extending his hand. The two brothers shared a fist bump, a gesture of their close bond. Seeing the harmonious relationship between the brothers, Old Cui and the others exchanged glances, understanding each other’s thoughts.

With the substantial amount of money Xian-Ge’er had earned, there was no reason for him to continue as a Study Servant. After the summer harvest, they planned to send Xian-Ge’er to study at Teacher Gu’s private school along with Yu-Ge’er.

But for now, the most pressing task was the wheat harvest!

“Zhongyuan, Boshan, take the two young ones to build their strength. The eldest daughter-in-law will prepare breakfast,” Old Madam Cui instructed, glancing at the sky. “We’ve got a busy day ahead.”

Cui Xian cheerfully added, “I’m on break right now, so I can help with the harvest too.”

And so, the family began their day in an orderly fashion. It was remarkable! The usual tense atmosphere at home seemed to vanish whenever Xian-Ge’er was around, as if all their worries disappeared.

After a morning of hard work, they sat down to breakfast. Lin even added a salted egg for everyone. In the summer heat, sitting under the shade of a tree in the courtyard, with a breeze blowing, savoring a salted egg with cornbread was pure bliss!

Just then, the village chief of Hexi Village arrived, disrupting the serene moment. Seeing him, Old Cui’s expression soured. “What is it this time? Are there more Corvée Labor quotas to be assigned to our family?”

The rest of the Cui family stood up nervously. However, the village chief waved his hands frantically, his voice trembling with excitement as he looked at Cui Xian. “No, no! It’s the Honorable Commander! The battalion commander from Nanyang and his son have come!”

“They specifically mentioned they’re here to see Xian-Ge’er!”

“Saozi, Xian-Ge’er, hurry and come out to greet them. The whole village is buzzing with excitement.”

“This is the first time such a distinguished figure has visited our village!”

Who could it be? The Honorable Commander of Nanyang!

Oh my!

Upon hearing this, the entire Cui Family stared at Cui Xian in bewilderment, as if they couldn’t quite process the news.

Cui Xian himself was equally surprised.

Why has Gao Qi come here?

Half a cup of tea earlier.

At the entrance of Hexi Village.

A carriage and a dozen fine horses arrived in grand style.

Such a commotion left the villagers, who were preparing to harvest wheat, stunned.

The men on horseback were all robust and imposing.

The leading carriage was particularly luxurious!

Clearly, it belonged to someone wealthy or noble.

Moreover, in these times, anyone traveling with so many horses was likely military!

Hexi Village was remote and impoverished, rarely visited by such important figures.

The villagers were flustered.

Coincidentally, the village chief had just left his house, ready to head to the fields for the harvest.

Seeing this group of mysterious nobles, he steadied himself and approached to greet them: “I am the village chief of Hexi Village. May I ask for your esteemed name?”

The luxurious carriage halted at the village entrance.

Then.

A young nobleman in splendid attire stepped out, curiously surveying the surroundings: “So this is Hexi Village? Is this Xian’s home?”

Commander Gao followed closely behind his son.

A soldier rode forward to address the village chief: “This is the Honorable Commander of Nanyang, and his son!”

Oh, my heavens!

It was the Fifth-Rank Honorable Commander of Nanyang!

The village chief was so frightened his legs trembled, nearly losing his balance as he stammered a greeting: “This humble villager pays respects to the Honorable Commander!”

In his lifetime, he had never hosted someone of such high rank!

The other villagers of Hexi Village were equally shocked and flustered.

Why would such a noble commander visit their village?

Could it be for conscription?!

With this thought, many turned pale, trembling in fear.

At this moment, the Honorable Commander waved his hand, speaking kindly: “Please rise. I am here to inquire about someone named Cui Xian, who is eight years old.”

Gao Qi chimed in: “Yes, Xian-Ge’er! Do you know him? Where does his family live? I’m his best friend, here to visit him!”

The village chief was dumbfounded, unable to believe his ears.

The other villagers of Hexi Village were equally stunned!

The Honorable Commander and his son had come to Hexi Village to visit Cui Family’s Xian-Ge’er?

This young nobleman even claimed to be Xian-Ge’er’s good friend?

Oh my heavens!

Seeing the village chief remain silent, Gao Qi asked suspiciously: “Did we come to the wrong place? It shouldn’t be; this is Hexi Village…”

“No mistake, no mistake!”

The village chief snapped out of it, his face flushed as he said: “Young Master, Honorable Commander, please wait here. I will go fetch Xian-Ge’er right away!”

Before Gao Qi could respond, the village chief, filled with excitement, dashed back to the village to gather people.

Gao Qi grumbled, “Running off like that without letting me finish! I’m just here to see my brother. Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll go myself. Why call him out? What if Xian misunderstands and thinks I’m putting on airs?”

Commander Gao reassured his son, “We showed up unannounced. Xian-Ge’er’s family should have some time to prepare.”

Gao Qi considered this and decided to wait patiently.

The rest of the Hexi Village folks, overhearing the conversation between the father and son, were left in a state of shock and disbelief.

Could it be…

The Cui Family, who had fallen on hard times and been looked down upon, was truly about to rise?

The Honorable Commander and his son had come personally to visit, worried that Xian-Ge’er might be upset?

Good heavens!

As the village chief went to fetch them, it wasn’t long before the entire village was abuzz.

A large number of villagers, faces full of astonishment, came out to see what was happening.

Accompanied by the village chief, Cui Xian, along with his equally bewildered family, emerged from the village.

Gao Qi, standing on the carriage, spotted Cui Xian from afar.

Under the watchful eyes of countless Hexi Village residents, who were gasping in surprise, the young master of the commander’s family leaped off the carriage and ran towards Cui Xian, his tone excited and friendly, “Xian-Ge’er! Bet you didn’t expect this, haha! I’ve come to see you! Oh, and my father is here too, along with twenty strong men!”

“We’re here to help your family harvest the wheat!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the village entrance fell into a stunned silence.

Countless villagers of Hexi Village stood with mouths agape, utterly dumbfounded.

The Honorable Commander had arrived in such grand style in Hexi Village, and it was all for…

Helping Xian-Ge’er’s family harvest wheat?!