Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 56 - The Deeply Rooted Cui Family

The Cui Family.

After a lengthy explanation from Ye Huaifeng, Old Cui finally realized the misunderstanding. Xian-Ge’er was just joking when he said he didn’t know the man. She almost grabbed a broom to chase him out!

With a slightly reproachful glance at her grandson, Old Cui asked, “Why hasn’t Yu-Ge’er come back yet?”

Cui Xian replied, “The Teacher kept him after class.”

Ah.

Yu-Ge’er, who had begun his formal studies at the private school, suddenly transferred to the Pei Family’s clan school, and was struggling to keep up with the pace.

Old Cui nodded, “We’ll wait for him to come back before preparing dinner. Xian-Ge’er, entertain your friend.”

Cui Xian glanced at the basket of Mohoulo figurines in the yard, then looked at Ye Huaifeng with a teasing smile, “Want one?”

Ye Huaifeng’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly, “I do! Name your price, I’ll buy!”

He wasn’t just eyeing the Mohoulo figurines; he was also excited and impressed to meet the original author of “Rainbow Cat.”

Unexpectedly, Cui Xian suddenly said with certainty, “The method I taught you yesterday worked, didn’t it?”

Ye Huaifeng was startled, feigning ignorance, “Well, sort of. The restaurant is very clean now.”

Cui Xian didn’t expose his act, instead picking out a set of Mohoulo figurines and handing them over generously, “Here, take them.”

Ye Huaifeng was overwhelmed by the surprise, holding the figurines with a mix of shock and gratitude, “Really, all of them for me?”

Cui Xian shrugged, “Yeah, didn’t you say we’re friends?”

Ye Huaifeng felt a bit awkward but also warmed by the gesture.

At that moment, Old Cui emerged from the Main Hall, looking embarrassed as she addressed Ye Huaifeng, “I just realized we’re out of meat. How should I address you?”

Ye Huaifeng mumbled, “You can call me Da Chuan.”

Old Cui warmly invited, “Alright, Da Chuan, stay for dinner. You chat with Xian-Ge’er, I’ll go buy some meat.”

Ye Huaifeng quickly stood up, feeling embarrassed, “No, no, that’s not right. You stay home, I’ll go buy it. It’s my first visit, and I came empty-handed, which is quite rude.”

With that, despite Old Cui’s attempts to stop him, he hurried out to buy groceries.

Once he left, Old Cui turned to Xian-Ge’er, lowering her voice to ask, “What’s his background?”

She was sharp enough not to ask earlier, but since it was the first time her grandson brought a stranger home, and the person was much older than Xian-Ge’er, Old Cui sensed he was someone important. Hence, she was very hospitable.

Cui Xian whispered, “He might be from the Yamen, but his exact identity is unknown. At dinner, Grandmother, you can try to probe him. If you can’t get anything out of him, just share some grievances.”

“My father and Eldest Uncle’s enrollment in the County Academy hasn’t been settled yet. It’s worth a try.”

Oh my!

Old Cui’s eyes sparkled.

Xian-Ge’er, this child, truly brings good fortune.

Not only is he a Star of Scholarship himself, but now he’s even brought someone from the Yamen home!

But speaking of which, that Da Chuan seemed like a bit of a simpleton.

No matter how capable he is outside, once he sits at the dinner table, a few casual conversations will surely be handled by someone like Old Cui!

The grandmother and grandson exchanged glances, chuckling ‘hee hee’ in mutual understanding.

Old Cui was in high spirits.

Still worried about Yu-Ge’er, who had been kept after class, she would step out to the alley entrance every now and then to look for him.

Perhaps the heavens decided to play a trick on her today, seeing her so pleased.

Once again, she returned home disappointed after not seeing Yu-Ge’er.

But in the alley, she unexpectedly ran into Old Man Cui.

Their eyes met, and both were momentarily stunned.

Old Man Cui immediately realized that the ‘Cui Family’ that had recently moved to Zhongjing Lane was actually Old Cui’s family!

However, due to past grievances, they treated each other as strangers, neither acknowledging the other.

Old Cui returned home with a stern face.

Old Man Cui watched her back, his expression growing increasingly unpleasant.

He had heard that when Old Cui moved in, it was quite a spectacle.

Neighbors were saying that this family had quite a background.

What background could they possibly have? Just some country bumpkins!

Old Man Cui’s eyes darted as he came up with an idea.

He turned and went to another house in the alley, rudely pushing open the courtyard door and shouting inside, “Son-in-law, come out with me.”

Old Man Cui’s son-in-law, surnamed Lin, was a constable at the Yamen.

Constable Lin knew it couldn’t be anything good, but couldn’t resist his father-in-law’s antics and reluctantly followed.

The two of them stepped out.

Old Man Cui deliberately led his son-in-law to a spot not far from Old Cui’s house.

Then he raised his voice, speaking in veiled insults, “Everyone in the neighborhood, come see! Some families pretend to be grand, but who knows what shady dealings they have behind the scenes!”

“My son-in-law is a constable at the Yamen! He’s quite impressive! With him around, no one can cause trouble in our Zhongjing Lane!”

The commotion drew the neighbors out to watch.

But they didn’t comment on his words.

Old Man Cui, you’re the one who causes the most trouble in Zhongjing Lane!

It’s just that everyone is wary because you have a constable son-in-law, so they don’t say much.

Constable Lin saw Old Man Cui getting more outrageous.

He cast apologetic glances at the neighbors while trying to pull Old Man Cui back home.

Old Man Cui, of course, refused to leave.

He was here to show off in front of Old Cui!

Sure enough, hearing the noise, Old Cui, Cui Xian, and the whole family came out to see what was happening.

Just as the Cui family opened their door.

Ye Huaifeng returned, carrying meat, eggs, fresh fruits, rice, and various other items.

Constable Lin was the first to notice him, and his whole body trembled.

Old Man Cui, oblivious, saw Old Cui come out and grew even more smug, “Oh, look who comes out when you talk about troublemakers.”

Ye Huaifeng hurried past the crowd.

He didn’t notice the little constable; there were so many people at the Yamen, even if he did notice, he might not recognize him.

And what was this crowd doing here?

Chatting?

He happened to see the Cui family door open.

Ye Huaifeng, struggling with his bags, gave Old Cui an embarrassed smile, “I forgot to bring a gift earlier.”

“So I went out and bought some things. Please don’t mind my lack of manners.”

Old Cui, who was about to retort to Old Man Cui’s insults, quickly turned to Ye Huaifeng, “Oh, you’re too kind.”

Seeing this, Constable Lin was dumbfounded.

In the alley.

Old Man Cui glanced at the things Ye Huaifeng bought, feeling a bit envious, but he said, “Just these worthless things, we’re tired of them at home. Right, son-in-law?”

His son-in-law, Constable Lin: ???

You old fool, can you not drag me into your mess!

Thus, under the shocked gaze of the Cui family and all the neighbors in Zhongjing Lane.

Constable Lin suddenly erupted, slapping Old Man Cui hard on the head.

Old Man Cui clutched his head, wailing in disbelief.

Constable Lin ignored his father-in-law.

He stepped forward, trembling, his legs giving way, and knelt straight in front of the Cui family door, stammering with a forced smile, “S-sorry. We were out of line.”

The entire Zhongjing Lane fell silent.

Neighbors watched in shock, wondering if the Cui family had some powerful connections.

To make Constable Lin kneel and apologize?

Constable Lin, kneeling, was even more shocked than the other neighbors.

The County Magistrate himself, carrying fruits and meat, had come to visit with a smile.

What kind of influential, unfathomable family was this Cui family?