Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 45 - The Visit of the Provincial Graduate Lord and Honorable Scholar Candidate

At the entrance of Hexi Village.

Gao Qi’s words were like a thunderclap.

Not only did they leave the villagers present in a state of shock and disbelief, but even the Cui Family was dumbfounded!

The Honorable Commander bringing soldiers to help with the harvest?

Good heavens!

Even in their wildest dreams, they wouldn’t dare imagine such an absurd scenario!

Old Cui trembled, instinctively about to refuse-

How could she dare let the Honorable Commander help with the harvest? It would surely shorten her lifespan!

However, before Old Cui could speak, Cui Xian patted Gao Qi’s shoulder, exclaiming in surprise, “Brother Gao! You’re like a timely rain! We were just worrying about the harvest!”

With that, Cui Xian turned to Commander Gao and the strong men behind him, grinning, “Uncle Gao, and all you brave uncles! Thank you for coming all this way to help us.”

“Harvesting wheat is hard work, but rest assured, we’ll provide good food and plenty to eat. We won’t let you work for nothing.”

What a beautifully spoken sentiment!

Straightforward and sincere, without a hint of shyness.

Who wouldn’t like such a child?

The soldiers behind Commander Gao all laughed.

Commander Gao, swinging his arm, teased, “Xian-Ge’er, you better watch out. The guys I brought can eat a lot.”

Hearing this, Gao Qi was displeased, “Hey, we haven’t even started working yet, and you’re already thinking about food! Let’s get to work first!”

Cui Xian immediately looked at his grandmother, reminding her, “Grandmother, let’s head to the fields.”

Old Cui snapped back to reality, her expression nervous and apprehensive, “This… oh dear, how can we really let the Honorable Commander and all the soldiers exert themselves?”

“Grandmother, hello, you’re Xian’s grandmother, so I’ll call you grandmother too!”

Gao Qi looked at Old Cui warmly, “Grandmother, Xian and I are the best of brothers. There’s no need for formalities between us.”

Commander Gao added, “Indeed, indeed, no need for formalities. In fact, your Xian-Ge’er is a benefactor to our family. Thanks to him, my son here is finally willing to study seriously.”

Gao Qi pouted in dissatisfaction.

Old Cui was utterly flattered upon hearing this.

Eldest Aunt Lin was so delighted she stuttered, looking at the group of strong men, she fretted, “This… oh dear, we don’t have enough sickles for everyone!”

She had been losing sleep over the harvest every day recently.

And now, in the blink of an eye, the Honorable Commander personally brought soldiers to help with the harvest!

There were so many people that they didn’t even have enough sickles.

It felt like a dream!

Hearing Lin’s words, the village chief and the villagers of Hexi Village snapped out of their shock, their enthusiasm unbelievable.

“I have extra sickles at home, you can borrow them.”

“Yes, yes, I have some too.”

“With so many soldiers needing food, I’ll help with the cooking.”

“I have extra bowls and chopsticks!”

Gao Qi, young and straightforward, nudged Cui Xian’s shoulder and exclaimed, “Xian, the folks in your village are really nice, so warm and welcoming.”

Cui Xian didn’t disagree, smiling as he agreed, “Indeed.”

The people of Hexi Village, upon hearing this, felt both ashamed and anxious. In the past, they hadn’t hesitated to gossip and make fun of the Cui family.

Old Cui, Lin, Chen, and other members of the Cui family looked at the villagers, whose enthusiasm seemed almost exaggerated, and felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. They knew all too well how these people had looked down on them behind their backs.

Now, it was the Cui family’s turn to bask in glory!

The Honorable Commander himself had come to help with the harvest-this was a story that would be talked about in Hexi Village for at least half a year!

And all of this was thanks to Xian-Ge’er!

This child was truly remarkable!

The family looked at Cui Xian with expressions of pride, excitement, and even a hint of admiration. The presence of the Honorable Commander and his soldiers was overwhelming.

Even Old Cui, along with Cui Zhongyuan and Cui Boshan, felt quite uneasy. But Cui Xian was completely unfazed, chatting amiably with Gao Qi and the Honorable Commander, introducing Hexi Village.

When they reached the fields, the wind blew through the golden waves of wheat.

Commander Gao, having received Cui Xian’s promise of a complete set of Seven Heroes Mohoulo figurines, felt invigorated and raised his sickle, shouting, “Brothers, charge!”

“Charge!”

“Let’s conquer this wheat field!”

Over twenty strong men worked with impressive vigor, cutting bundles of wheat at an astonishing speed.

The villagers from surrounding fields watched with envy, but dared not utter a word of complaint. After all, it was the Honorable Commander himself harvesting for the Cui family!

The Cui family couldn’t stop smiling.

Especially Old Cui, who felt she hadn’t smiled so broadly since her husband passed away decades ago.

Today, the people of Hexi Village were unbelievably enthusiastic.

Many even came voluntarily, setting up large pots outside the fields to help the Cui family cook and make meals.

Every villager who came to help first stared in awe at the Honorable Commander working hard in the fields, then turned to Old Cui with even more warmth and friendliness.

No one was foolish.

The Cui family was definitely on the rise!

But what the entire population of Hexi Village couldn’t predict was just how prosperous the Cui family would become.

That afternoon, while the Honorable Commander was still busy harvesting in the Cui family’s fields, and the villagers were excitedly discussing the event, another surprise arrived at the village entrance.

More carriages came!

This time, there were five carriages!

This…

Witnessing this familiar scene, someone muttered, “Could it be that they’re here for Cui Xian again?”

And indeed, they were!

Five carriages halted at the village entrance.

From the first carriage emerged a Stiff Middle-aged Man, dressed in a Scholar’s Robe and wearing a square cap. He politely inquired, “Excuse me, is this Hexi Village? I am looking for the Cui Family, specifically Cui Xian.”

Oh my!

The moment the villagers saw the Stiff Man step out, their eyes widened in astonishment.

This man was indeed an Honorable Scholar Candidate!

The square cap and Scholar’s Robe were attire reserved for such esteemed individuals!

Before the villagers could respond, a Middle-aged Man and an Elder stepped out from the second and third carriages, respectively.

Upon seeing these two, the people of Hexi Village collectively gasped.

Their shock and excitement surpassed even the time Commander Gao had visited!

For these two were not only wearing Scholar’s Robes but also adorned with Gauze Caps, belts, and Jet Boots!

This meant that they were Provincial Graduate Lords!

In the Great Liang Dynasty, literature was esteemed over martial prowess.

An Honorable Scholar Candidate was already quite impressive.

But a Provincial Graduate was akin to a ‘government official’!

“Greetings, Provincial Graduate Lords!”

“May the Provincial Graduate Lords be well; we humble folk bow to you!”

Thus, when Pei Chongqing and Pei Kaitai appeared, countless villagers of Hexi Village knelt and kowtowed in excitement.

The village chief of Hexi had spent the entire day diligently attending to the Honorable Commander and his soldiers.

Finally taking a moment to rest, he received word that two Provincial Graduate Lords and an Honorable Scholar Candidate had also come seeking Xian-Ge’er of the Cui Family!

Wha-what?

Good heavens!

The village chief scrambled to his feet, hurriedly rushing to the village entrance to greet them with fervent bows.

The elder Provincial Graduate Lord waved his hand dismissively, “Rise, where is Cui Xian’s home? Quickly lead us there.”

The village chief swallowed hard, “Xian-Ge’er of the Cui Family is not at home; he’s in the fields. Early this morning, the Honorable Commander of Nanyang and his son came to help harvest wheat at Cui Xian’s place.”

Upon hearing this, the elder Provincial Graduate Lord’s face froze.

The other Provincial Graduate Lord didn’t look pleased either.

Then, from the third carriage, a young nobleman in fine attire stepped out.

The young nobleman glared fiercely at the two Provincial Graduate Lords, “See! This is your doing! I told you Gao Qi wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.”

“You, an Honorable Scholar Candidate, and two Provincial Graduate Lords, stop with the airs and go help harvest wheat at Xian’s home!”

Wha-what?

Upon hearing this, the entire Hexi Village was left in stunned silence!