Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 49 - The Family Moves 2

The Gao father and son, the Pei grandfather and grandson trio, along with Wu Qinglan, left in their carriage. The rest of the villagers from Hexi Village also dispersed, leaving the once bustling Cui Family home suddenly quiet. But everyone knew-Cui Family’s doorstep would never be ‘quiet’ again.

In fact, many villagers returned home thinking: perhaps they should grit their teeth and send their own children to begin formal studies. Who knows, maybe their family could also produce a Star of Scholarship like Xian-Ge’er!

In the Cui Family courtyard, once everyone had left, Eldest Aunt Lin hurriedly closed the door. She then glanced at the courtyard filled with gift boxes and teased Chen, “Sister-in-law, quickly put these good things away, or I’ll be too tempted.”

Chen laughed generously, “Let’s open them together and see what’s inside. If you fancy anything, I’ll make the decision to give it to you first!”

The family laughed along with her. Together, they moved the gift boxes into the Main Hall and began opening them one by one, gasping in awe at the treasures they had never seen before.

“Oh my! This is… a Silver Longevity Lock, a tortoiseshell-framed ivory abacus!”

“Is this pine soot ink? It’s so valuable!”

“A bamboo-handled rabbit hair brush, and even the book pointer is made of brass!”

“And there’s a blue brick carved paperweight!”

Even the men, Cui Boshan and Cui Zhongyuan, were stunned by the exquisite and costly items. Chen offered Lin to pick a few items, but Lin shook her head repeatedly, too afraid to accept such precious gifts.

Old Cui gazed at the luxurious gifts, her eyes reflecting nostalgia, “Back when our family was prosperous, living in Nanyang County Town, we used to have such fine things.” This time, she wasn’t lamenting the past but smiling with a sigh of relief. Life’s ups and downs truly evoke deep emotions.

Unexpectedly, Cui Xian chimed in with a smile, “Grandmother, back then we could live in Nanyang County Town. Now… we can again.”

Old Cui was taken aback, and the rest of the Cui family turned to Xian-Ge’er. Cui Xian continued with a smile, “Now that we have money, and since I’ll be attending the Pei clan school, it’s only natural to plan for the family.”

“My storybook earned a base royalty of thirty taels. It’s currently selling well in Nanyang County Town, and according to Pei Jian, a monthly share of five taels shouldn’t be a problem.”

Gasp! Five taels a month? This isn’t just a storybook; it’s a ‘treasure trove’!

Seeing the family’s wide-eyed amazement, Cui Xian went on, “With the storybook selling well, I’m thinking we should move to Nanyang and open a shop selling Mohoulo figurines.”

“My brother and I can attend the Pei clan school.”

“Father and Eldest Uncle have been isolated at home for too long, which isn’t ideal. In the County Town, they can further their studies.”

“With a teacher’s guidance, and their willingness to learn, they’ll surely progress quickly and achieve high honors!”

“Grandmother, you won’t have to cry every day, or even lock Father and Eldest Uncle in the stable anymore.”

Hearing this, Cui Boshan and Cui Zhongyuan’s eyes lit up.

Old Cui hesitated, “Xian-Ge’er, you knew about me putting your father and Eldest Uncle in the stable? I thought I could keep it from you.”

“As for moving to Nanyang and starting a business… Let me think it over.”

“We’ve never done business before, don’t know the ropes. Plus, in Nanyang, we’d have to rent a house, find a shop, hire workers-it’s a lot to worry about.”

The rest of the Cui Family nodded in agreement.

Cui Xuan and Cui Yu exchanged glances, smiles in their eyes. Because all these seemingly daunting tasks, their brother had already sorted out!

Indeed.

Cui Xian grinned, “Grandmother, these are minor issues. My brother Pei Jian has already helped with the house rental; we just need to move in.”

“As for renting a shop and doing business, my other brother Zhuang Jin will handle it. Oh, right, he’s the son of Nanyang’s richest man.”

“The crafting of Mohoulo figurines, I have another brother for that-he’s the son of Craftsman Li.”

“As for safety, Gao Qi will take care of it.”

“Look, here are forty taels of silver, given by Pei Jian and Gao Qi as initial shares. Once in Nanyang, Zhuang Jin and Li Heyu will likely each contribute twenty taels more.”

“Eighty taels of silver, more than enough to start our shop!”

The family was left speechless.

In less than three months in Nanyang, Xian-Ge’er had made so many powerful ‘brothers’?

Old Cui was thrilled, thinking that with this setup, moving to Nanyang seemed worry-free!

Cui Xian held the forty taels, his smile radiant, “When I left home, I promised Grandmother that I would make something of myself and bring honor to the Cui Family.”

“Today, I’m here to fulfill that promise.”

“Money, reputation, connections, social status-we lack none of these now. A small place like Nanyang County Town is well within our reach!”

“Once in Nanyang, I, my brother, father, and Eldest Uncle will focus on studying for the imperial examination.”

“Grandmother, Mother, Eldest Aunt, and Sister will manage the family business.”

“Together, we’ll restore the glory of the Cui Family. In the future, when people mention the Cui Family, they’ll surely give a thumbs up and say: Nanyang’s Cui Family.”

What a Nanyang’s Cui Family!

Old Cui was moved, her whole body trembling with excitement, “Good! Good! We’ll follow Xian-Ge’er’s plan and move this family!”

The rest of the Cui Family was equally fired up, inspired by Xian-Ge’er’s words, their spirits soaring.

Just then, Chen suddenly clutched her belly and let out an “Oh!”

The whole family was startled.

Chen, her face flushed, said, “I got too excited and couldn’t hold back… I think I’m about to give birth!”

What?

Old Cui hurriedly said, “Quick, quick, quick, men out! Eldest Daughter-in-law, help your sister-in-law inside!”

And so, the men of the Cui Family were ushered out of the house.

Cui Xian stood there, dumbfounded; in both his lifetimes combined, this was his first time witnessing a woman in labor.

Fortunately, Chen gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

Cui Zhongyuan’s smile stretched to the corners of his mouth, “I have a daughter now.”

Cui Xian mirrored his father’s expression, grinning broadly, “I have a little sister now. That Silver Longevity Lock is just perfect for her.”

Chen, hearing this, playfully poked her daughter’s cheek, “Oh, little girl, you’re truly blessed! Skipping the hard times of our family and straight into the good life.”

The whole family laughed at this.

Indeed, it seemed true!

From now on, the days of the Cui family were bound to get better and better!

With the joyous events in the family and the addition of a new member, Old Cui generously arranged a feast and announced the upcoming move to Nanyang.

The villagers came to offer their congratulations.

Learning that the Cui family was moving to Nanyang didn’t surprise them; it seemed only natural.

They were on their way to prosperity!

For the next month or so, Cui Xian stayed at home.

He waited for Chen to recover post-delivery and for his sister to grow stronger day by day.

By the end of July, the Pei Mansion specially arranged two carriages, selecting the most reliable drivers and cushioning the seats with soft mats, to transport the Cui family to Nanyang.

On the moving day, the Cui family was all smiles, filled with joy.

Old Cui looked back at their still humble and dilapidated house with a touch of reluctance.

A villager teased, “What’s wrong, Saozi? Can’t bear to leave? Then don’t go!”

Old Cui turned her head, decisively boarding the carriage, “We must go! Don’t worry, dear villagers, I will surely come back often to visit everyone.”

The crowd laughed heartily, their eyes filled with envy and nostalgia.

They had witnessed the rise of a family firsthand!

As the entire village watched, the Cui family rode in the carriage, heading towards the rising sun, slowly leaving Hexi Village, where they had lived for twenty years.

Twenty years ago, Widow Cui had wiped her tears, bringing her two sons to this place in sorrow.

Twenty years later, Old Cui, with pride in her eyes, moved away with three generations of her family, spirited and full of vigor.

Just as Cui Xian had said that day.

A new, prosperous, and powerful family of benevolence-

The Nanyang Cui Family was now stepping into its own brilliant and glorious era!