Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 50 - A Fresh Start

Nanyang County Town.

Zhongjing Lane was bustling with activity because a family named Cui was moving into their new home today.

Several neighbors leaned out to take a look, gathering together to chat idly.

“Looks like they’re quite important, huh?”

“Oh my, seven or eight carriages came by to visit, and it seems they all brought servants!”

Everyone spoke in tones of amazement, speculating about the identity of their new neighbors.

At that moment, an old man from the opposite courtyard stepped out, coldly splashing a basin of rice water at the entrance.

Then he spat disdainfully, “If they were really someone important, would they be living in this rundown Zhongjing Lane? They’d have moved to Funiu Alley by now!”

With that, the old man turned back to his house, slamming the door heavily.

The neighbors looked displeased; what had gotten into Old Man Cui today?

Who had provoked him?

One neighbor rolled his eyes, understanding dawning in them: “Perhaps it’s because the new neighbors are also named Cui. They’re basking in glory while his family is in shambles. Same surname, different fate-he’s jealous, I guess.”

This comment made the surrounding people exchange knowing looks.

Everyone in Zhongjing Lane knew that the Cui family was having a rough time, with a household full of difficult people.

It was quite a coincidence.

The new neighbors were also named Cui.

They had just moved in and were already the target of Old Man Cui’s envy!

Looks like there’ll be some drama to watch in the future.

Meanwhile, the newly arrived Cui Family was indeed enjoying their moment of glory.

Though Zhongjing Lane was a bit old, its location was excellent.

It was just a short walk to Funiu Alley.

Once out of the lane, the market, shops, livestock workshops, breakfast stalls, restaurants, teahouses, bookstores, and clinics were all within easy reach.

Life was extremely convenient.

Even better, the rent wasn’t too expensive-800 wen per month.

This was a place the Pei Family had carefully selected after much consideration.

The real estate agency, recognizing the prestige of the Provincial Graduate Lord’s family, offered a favorable price.

800 wen a month for basic expenses was something Old Cui would never have agreed to in the past.

Because over a year, the rent alone would amount to nearly Ten Taels of silver!

Quite daunting.

But for the sake of Xian-Ge’er and Yu-Ge’er’s education, to send both sons to school in the future, and for the family to live more comfortably, Old Cui gritted her teeth and rented it!

Now that Xian-Ge’er had made something of himself, the family’s fortunes were improving.

The gloom that had once surrounded Old Cui was unconsciously fading, replaced by a cheerful demeanor, making her seem like a kind old lady.

At this moment.

She sat in the courtyard of the new home, smiling as she played with her little granddaughter.

Cui Boshan, Cui Zhongyuan, along with Eldest Aunt Lin and several of the younger ones, were busy cleaning and tidying up.

The new courtyard wasn’t large, only half the size of their old place in Hexi Village.

It still had three main rooms, with three smaller rooms inside, enough for the whole family to live in.

Cui Xian even had a room of his own now!

Even better, the courtyard had a water well.

To the west was a chicken coop, and not far from it, a cassia tree was planted.

It was said to have been planted by an Honorable Scholar Candidate.

Old Cui was delighted at the sight: a cassia tree, what a good omen! In the future, her sons and grandsons could all achieve great things!

It was clear that the Pei Family had put a lot of thought into choosing this house.

And not just that.

Today, the Cui Family moved into their new home, and the ladies from the Pei Family, Gao Family, Zhuang Family, and Li Family all came to offer their congratulations.

Moving to a new place, receiving warm wishes and greetings, how could life not be vibrant?

As Lin tidied up, she cheerfully suggested, “Mother, let’s celebrate our new home by cooking a chicken stew tonight.”

The family was quite tempted by the idea.

Old Cui readily agreed, “Sure!”

“Yay! That’s great, we’ll have chicken stew!” Cui Xuan’s eyes lit up with excitement.

She, along with Yu-Ge’er and Xian-Ge’er, teamed up to catch the plumpest rooster from the coop.

The freshly raised free-range chicken, combined with the newly harvested taro, simmered in the iron pot for a good half hour.

The chicken turned tender, and the taro was soft and creamy, making each bite a delight.

The family of eight… no, nine now, ate with eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Unfortunately, the youngest could only watch longingly.

After dinner, Chen glanced at the sky and said, “Yu-Ge’er, Xian-Ge’er, hurry off to bed. Tomorrow you start school, and you mustn’t be late.”

The brothers, Cui Yu and Cui Xian, obediently headed to their room.

Before sleeping, Cui Xian stretched contentedly, looking at their new home.

In just a few months since his arrival, he had earned a reputation as a Prodigy.

He had lifted his impoverished family from Hexi Village.

Now, life was finally on track, and he was about to attend the Pei Family clan school, officially becoming a ‘properly enrolled ancient elementary student.’

Hmm, thinking about it, he had done pretty well, hadn’t he?

A little self-praise before sleep.

Then, as drowsiness took over, Cui Xian drifted into a deep sleep.

Ready to embrace a brand new beginning-

The daily life of an ancient elementary student.

Yes, a student in an ancient aristocratic elementary school!

The next day, at 6 AM.

As dawn broke, the monk from the nearby temple, responsible for announcing the time, walked the streets, knocking on his wooden fish.

In the alley, one house after another lit their oil lamps.

Chen was taking her daughter.

Old Cui and Lin were the first to rise, quickly washing up.

Amidst the monk’s time announcement and the pale morning light appearing on the horizon, they opened the courtyard door and stepped out.

If one were to look down from above Nanyang County Town at this moment, they would see the city coming to life after a night of silence.

Groups of children roamed the streets, selling small newspapers.

The livestock market was bustling early, with long queues forming beside many meat stalls.

The meat at this hour was the freshest and cheapest.

Freshly slaughtered, the meat was still steaming!

Old Cui couldn’t resist and bought twenty Wen worth of pork.

Moving forward.

The fruit market was equally lively.

Various fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, spices, and medicinal herbs were in abundance.

These didn’t need buying for now; the Pei Family had sent over plenty yesterday, and they hadn’t finished them yet!

Old Cui and Lin were out to buy breakfast.

Life in the city was different from the countryside; people here had a faster pace. Those heading to work or school had to rise early, so the breakfast stalls offered a wide variety.

Not far from Zhongjing Lane was a “breakfast street.”

Flatbreads, steamed buns, rice cakes, ice cream, and fried dough sticks were the most common.

For something a bit more refined, there were chicken noodle soup, fish ball soup, stuffed lungs, and stir-fried lungs.

With midsummer upon them, the weather was hot, making sour plum soup and osmanthus soup particularly popular.

Of course, this was the fare for the less affluent.

Young Masters and Misses from wealthy families typically went to restaurants or tea houses to leisurely enjoy their breakfast.

Passing by a tea house, Old Cui and Lin overheard a storyteller narrating “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit”!

The two listened for a while, feeling quite proud.

But pressed for time, they didn’t linger long. They bought stir-fried lungs, flatbreads, and millet porridge for the adults.

As for the three little ones at home, they got chicken noodle soup, fried dough sticks, and refreshing sour plum soup.

Teenagers eat like there’s no tomorrow!

The little ones could really eat now.

The breakfast cost quite a bit, and Old Cui grumbled about the high expenses in the city, saying it was frightening.

Yet on the way back, seeing someone buying freshly squeezed milk, she couldn’t help but say, “The little ones at home are growing. Let’s make sure they have a bowl of milk every day.”

Lin chuckled, “You just said city expenses are high.”

Old Cui shook her head; some things are worth spending on.

However, the Mohoulo figurine business that Xian-Ge’er mentioned needed to be started soon, or they’d run out of savings.

These worries were not shared with the children.

So after buying breakfast and returning home, Old Cui put on a gentle demeanor and cheerfully called out, “Xuan-Jie’er, Yu-Ge’er, Xian-Ge’er, time to get up and wash up.”

“I’ve brought breakfast for you-chicken noodle soup, fried dough sticks, and sweet sour plum soup.”

After she spoke, there was no response.

It was still too early; dawn had just broken!

As for the rooster that usually crowed, it was resting today, having been eaten last night.

Old Cui then carried the breakfast into the room, deliberately making some noise.

Cui Xian awoke to the tempting aroma of fried dough sticks, his stomach growling in protest.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and smiled at his grandmother, “Smells delicious! Grandma, you’re definitely teasing me on purpose.”

Old Cui laughed, “Lazybones, hurry up and eat breakfast, then head to school.”

Cui Xian quickly got up, laughing as well, “Got it.”

Huh?

Why did he say “Got it”? Wasn’t that a phrase from his previous life when he was working hard?

Anyway-

Thus began the daily school routine for Cui Xian, the ancient elementary school student.