Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 48 - The Family Moves 1

If before, the villagers had any doubts about Xian-Ge’er’s reputation as a “genius,” after tonight, there would be none.

Oh my, the Provincial Graduate Lord’s questions were so complex that we couldn’t even understand them. Yet, Xian-Ge’er managed to come up with three answers at once!

No wonder the Provincial Graduate Lord and the Scholar Candidate Xianggong both praised Xian-Ge’er as the Star of Scholarship of our time.

This child, in the future-no, Xian-Ge’er is already showing great promise now!

Today’s glory for the Cui Family was all earned by Xian-Ge’er.

The people of Hexi Village were so envious that their eyes were practically bleeding, and their warmth and eagerness towards the Cui Family grew even more.

There were so many visitors to the Cui Family today that the house couldn’t accommodate them all. So, each household spontaneously helped out, hosting the soldiers brought by Commander Gao and the Pei Family members in their homes.

That night, Old Cui lay in bed with a smile frozen on her face. She felt light as a feather, as if she were in a beautiful dream, even smiling in her sleep.

Twenty years! She had never felt so happy and comfortable as she did today.

She slept so soundly that she woke up unusually late, with the sun already high in the sky.

The courtyard was bustling with activity. Chen, with her pregnant belly, was busy entertaining guests. Lin led a group of village women in preparing breakfast. Even the eggs they usually saved were generously brought out today-couldn’t let people help out without a proper meal!

The two Cui brothers were humbly seeking knowledge from Pei Chongqing.

Seeing this lively scene, Old Cui couldn’t help but smile again. How wonderful!

“Saozi, oh my, you’re finally up!” A woman from the village noticed Old Cui, speaking with envy and warm praise. “We were thinking of waking you, but your daughters-in-law said you hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in years, so they let you rest longer.”

Old Cui, hearing this, looked at Chen and Lin, her eyes smiling into slits. “My two daughters-in-law are both wonderful. You all can’t envy me for that!”

Chen and Lin blushed at the compliment. Over the years, the family had supported and understood each other, which wasn’t easy. But now, their hardships had finally paid off!

Meanwhile, Cui Xian, who single-handedly lifted this struggling family, was chatting with Pei Jian, Gao Qi, and others, planning a good livelihood for the Cui Family.

Under the Big Pagoda Tree at the entrance, Pei Jian, with a blade of grass in his mouth, grinned at Cui Xian. “Xian, now that your family’s wheat harvest is over, why don’t you come back with me today?”

Beside him, Gao Qi rolled his eyes hard. Afraid someone might steal your junior brother away, huh? Such a lousy attitude!

Cui Xian shook his head at the suggestion. “Brother, I want to stay home a bit longer. First, my mother is about to give birth, and second, I want to persuade the family to move to Nanyang County.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Yu was taken aback.

Gao Qi and Pei Jian raised their hands in agreement, “Sounds good! If you need any help, just let us know.”

Cui Xian chuckled, “I will indeed need your help. First, we need to rent a house-”

Before he could finish, the two brothers looked displeased.

Cui Xian waved his hand, “Hear me out. We’re moving the whole family; we can’t just stay at your houses. I was thinking of renting a house first. Then, we could rent a storefront to sell Mohoulo figurines from ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit.'”

“This business could grow quite large in the future. Brother Gao, Brother Heyu, Brother Zhuang Jin, I’m offering each of you a ten percent share.”

“Don’t rush to refuse. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of you four.”

“Now that things are going well for me, it’s only right to bring my brothers along to prosper. With you four backing me, the shop will surely be stable and prosperous.”

“And you’ll have an income of your own, which is always better than asking your families for money, right?”

Upon hearing this, Pei Jian and Gao Qi didn’t decline further.

Neither wanted to take advantage of Xian. In the end, each contributed twenty taels as ‘startup capital’ to join the venture.

Gao Qi was thrilled, “Does this mean we’ll soon have a shop of our own?”

They were all around ten years old. Having a lucrative shop at such an age was truly remarkable!

Pei Jian was equally intrigued, “With ‘Rainbow Cat’ storybooks being so popular, the Mohoulo business is bound to thrive.”

“Xian, I really admire you! You dare to dream and act!”

“So young, yet you’re writing storybooks, composing poetry, and now opening a shop. Being your elder brother is quite a pressure!”

Gao Qi scoffed, “Then why don’t you let Xian be my brother?”

Pei Jian pretended not to hear and continued, “Don’t worry, Xian. I’ll handle the house rental. I’ll find a spacious and affordable place.”

“For the shop rental and opening, talk to Brother Zhuang Jin. For Mohoulo production, Brother Heyu will take care of it.”

“As for future security issues…”

Gao Qi glared, “If anyone dares to cause trouble at our shop, I’ll call the Nanyang guards to teach them a lesson!”

That’s what a good brother is for!

Cui Xian smiled broadly.

Beside him, Cui Xuan and Cui Yu were listening in stunned silence, their faces blank-

How could such a big matter be resolved so easily and casually by Xian?

Their brother was truly impressive.

After a casual chat among the three young brothers, the plan for the shop was set.

After breakfast, Commander Gao, the soldiers, and the Pei Family were ready to leave.

Before departing, Commander Gao whispered to his son, “Son, didn’t you come here to win over Xian-Ge’er? Why haven’t you mentioned it?”

Unexpectedly, Gao Qi replied earnestly, “Dad, I genuinely consider Xian my friend. He’s not a servant or an object to be given or taken.”

“He’s my brother, no matter whose house he’s in.”

“Pei Jian surely thinks the same. You see, he came to Hexi Village and didn’t mention taking Xian-Ge’er either.”

Commander Gao was deeply moved.

He said with satisfaction, “My son has truly grown up! Don’t worry, I support you. Xian-Ge’er has a talent for studying. You should learn from him and not neglect your studies like before.”

Gao Qi nodded firmly.

Before the Pei Family left, they moved two entire carts filled with gifts into the Cui Family courtyard. Each gift was carefully packed in ornate boxes, hinting at their value despite being hidden from view. The villagers of Hexi Village watched with wide eyes, but dared not let their gaze linger, intimidated by Commander Gao and his soldiers.

Old Cui was adamant about refusing the gifts, shaking her head repeatedly. Pei Jian chuckled, “Grandmother, please accept them. These are gifts we had planned for Xian earlier.”

“We’ll be leaving today, but we’ll see each other in Nanyang soon.”

Old Cui didn’t quite grasp the meaning behind his words, assuming it was mere politeness. Seeing the courtyard filled with lavish gifts, she felt a mix of excitement and unease. Accepting such generosity without reason weighed heavily on her conscience.

Yet, the Pei Family’s Provincial Graduate Lords and Teacher Wu Qinglan felt even more unsettled. Before leaving, Wu Qinglan held onto Cui Xian’s hand, reluctant to let go. “Good child, if your mother weren’t about to give birth, I would have whisked you away to the clan school to prevent any unforeseen changes.”

After witnessing Cui Xian’s talent during the Poetry Battle last night, they were thoroughly impressed by his potential.

Pei Chongqing was equally reluctant to leave. His gaze upon Cui Xian was akin to admiring a rare gem, repeatedly urging, “Xian-Ge’er, we agreed, didn’t we? Spend some time at home, but you must come to the Pei clan school. If you go elsewhere, I fear my heart won’t be able to bear it.”

With that, the old man theatrically clutched his chest, drawing amused smiles from those around.

Pei Jian didn’t hesitate to tease his grandfather, “Now you realize his worth? Unlike when you were ready to give my junior brother away.”

Cui Xian, intrigued, asked, “Give away?”

Pei Chongqing looked sheepish and then feigned ignorance, “Give away? What give away? I know nothing of it.”