Who Said a Study Servant Can’t Win the Imperial Exam?

Old Cui made the decisive call, adopting Xian-Ge’er’s plan. The entire Cui Family quietly began to take action.

So, on this particular morning, Old Man Cui went out for a stroll and suddenly noticed Old Cui’s two daughters-in-law chatting idly at the alley entrance. He rolled his eyes and stealthily moved closer to eavesdrop.

Previously, due to his son-in-law’s antics-kneeling publicly at Old Cui’s doorstep-Old Man Cui had lost considerable face. He couldn’t swallow this humiliation and was pondering how to get back at them.

Today, it seemed fortune was on his side!

As soon as Old Man Cui got closer, he overheard an earth-shattering piece of news!

Old Cui’s eldest daughter-in-law sighed bitterly, “What are we going to do? We’ve offended Vice Magistrate Zhao; how will our family survive now?”

The second daughter-in-law, holding her little girl, started to tear up, “It’s because our Xian-Ge’er is talented, more so than Vice Magistrate Zhao’s grandson.”

The eldest daughter-in-law added, “But our Xian-Ge’er is talented because…”

At this point, the two women suddenly stopped talking, as if they were thieves, and concealed the topic.

Old Man Cui was itching with curiosity: because of what? Keep talking!

He couldn’t quite catch the rest of the conversation. But one thing was certain: Old Cui’s family had somehow offended Vice Magistrate Zhao.

Goodness, that’s Zhao’s family.

Old Cui’s family was doomed!

Old Man Cui was gleeful, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over him, while also harboring a wicked thought. Could it be that Old Cui’s family had some treasure that Vice Magistrate Zhao had set his sights on?

If he could find out and report it to Vice Magistrate Zhao, wouldn’t he be able to climb the social ladder?

With this thought, Old Man Cui was filled with excitement, planning to find another opportunity to uncover the secrets of Old Cui’s family.

In his excitement, Old Man Cui failed to notice that the two daughters-in-law of the Cui Family were exchanging glances while chatting.

Meanwhile, Old Cui had already set out early. Based on the information Cui Yu had gathered yesterday, she pretended to be lost and went to the village where the old woman whose land had been forcibly taken by Vice Magistrate Zhao lived.

Old Cui, being elderly, appeared to have difficulty walking, so getting lost seemed plausible and didn’t arouse any suspicion.

She rested at a household, sipping tea and chatting for quite a while. The more she talked, the angrier Old Cui became. Zhao Zhi deserved a terrible fate.

The village she saw was entirely manipulated into being “blacklisted” by Zhao Zhi!

To annex land, Zhao Zhi had erased or altered the villagers’ household registrations. He even sent some troublesome men from the village to perform Corvée Labor.

Thus, even though their land was forcibly taken, these villagers dared not seek justice.

As the saying goes: “The Yamen’s door faces south; enter without money, and you won’t be heard!”

It was truly horrifying.

After leaving the village, Old Cui was both furious and anxious. Though she knew Zhao Zhi’s methods were formidable, witnessing firsthand how these tactics affected ordinary people was utterly despairing.

If it weren’t for her grandson Xian-Ge’er, the Cui Family would likely be doomed too.

“I’ve waited twenty years for the Cui Family to rise, for a Star of Scholarship like Xian-Ge’er to come along.”

Old Cui’s once hunched back slowly straightened. Her aged eyes flashed with hatred and a resolute determination. She murmured, “Zhao Zhi, no matter how powerful your schemes are, if you dare to target my grandson, dare to target the Cui Family, this old woman will fight you with every last breath!”

Her grandson was only eight, the age for carefree study, yet he was being dragged into these treacherous disputes. Old Cui’s heart ached for him. It was this very heartache that fueled her courage. Recalling the tragic situation in that village, she kept calming herself, her hands trembling with fear. But if her eight-year-old Xian-Ge’er could shoulder the burden of the Cui Family with his young shoulders, then why couldn’t her old spine stand firm?

Xian-Ge’er, such a good child. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Your grandmother will always stand by your side, fighting this battle with you!

While Old Cui was out gathering evidence, in Funiu Alley, Cui Xian arrived to find Pei Jian, who had been waiting for a while, casually handing him a book. “Take a look, see if it’s useful.”

Zhuang Jin, Li Heyu, and the others gathered around, laughing and joking, shielding them from prying eyes. Cui Xian opened the book and was incredulous with joy. “This… Brother, how did you find this?”

It was direct evidence of the revoked household registration and land annexation!

Pei Jian, hearing this, proudly recounted the story of how he obtained it. Cui Xian listened, greatly astonished. Could it really work? Like a pawn crossing the river, achieving an unexpected victory.

Seeing Cui Xian’s delighted expression, Zhuang Jin lowered his voice and asked, “Xian, does this mean we can bring Zhao Zhi down?”

The other young brothers were equally excited. They were young, at the age where they despised evil, and carried a fearless spirit. Working together, they could take down the mighty Vice Magistrate Zhao. Just the thought of it made their blood boil!

Cui Xian shook his head at this. “No, there’s still one more step. Zhao Zhi’s power is too great; I need to involve the Magistrate to oversee things.”

“Teacher Wu said the Magistrate will be visiting the clan school soon. I’ll observe his character then and make a decision.”

The need for the Magistrate’s involvement surprised the young boys. But what surprised them even more was Pei Jian’s response. He paused, then chuckled, “That matter? Brother has already sorted it out for you.”

“Remember the Da Chuan you asked me to investigate yesterday? I found out he’s the Magistrate himself.”

What? Da Chuan is the Magistrate?

Cui Xian was taken aback but quickly realized-the ‘restaurant proprietor’ was actually the ‘head of the County Yamen.’ The missing ‘old general’ on the chessboard had been by his side all along.

The Magistrate, whom Teacher Wu described as ‘imposing’ and ‘upright,’ was actually the simpleton Da Chuan? How absurd!

Seeing Cui Xian’s expression, Pei Jian couldn’t help but ask, “Xian, how did you get involved with the Magistrate?”

Cui Xian then recounted how Ye Huaifeng coveted the Rainbow Cat Mohoulo figurine, even going so far as to visit him personally. The young brothers listened, wide-eyed with disbelief.

Really, is that even possible?

Cui Xian placed the documents carefully into the Book Chest and turned to his wide-eyed friends with a mischievous grin. “Brothers, everything is ready; we just need the final push.”

“Let me whip our simpleton Magistrate into shape, teach him a couple of real tricks.”

“Then we can drag him onto the battlefield and take down Zhao Zhi!”

“And keep in touch with those kids who have been passing messages. I need them to help us stir up a huge wave of public opinion in Nanyang.”

“After this, our reputation as the talented scholars of Nanyang will be rock solid.”

Incredible!

Listen to him, so audacious!

Everything ready, teaching the Magistrate real skills, securing the title of Nanyang’s talented scholars.

Pei Jian and the others were filled with admiration and excitement.

Following Xian is the right move.

We brothers are destined to achieve great things!

That day, the young masters were so energized, it was as if they had been injected with adrenaline, even their studies were more effective.

Teacher Wu was thoroughly pleased.

On the same day, Da Chuan, having faced setbacks at the Yamen, arrived at the Cui Family’s door with fruits and meats in hand.

The Cui Family home was warm and inviting, the aroma of food wafting through the air.

Old Cui opened the door, her smile so kind it was almost over the top. “Oh, you’re being too polite again, bringing so much to your own home.”

Cui Zhongyuan heard the commotion and stepped out of the Main Hall, calling from the courtyard, “Da Chuan, you’re here? Saozi, set another place at the table, just in time for dinner.”

Lin responded with a cheerful nod.

Ye Huaifeng entered, feeling a warmth in his heart that nearly brought tears to his eyes.

It was like returning to a comforting home after facing grievances at work, where all negative emotions were soothed away.

How wonderful.

But at that moment, Old Cui shot a fierce look at Cui Zhongyuan. “You’re always so eager to eat, yet you haven’t sorted out your studies at the County Academy.”

“I’m worried sick, and you can still eat?”

Ye Huaifeng quickly asked, “Zhongyuan-Ge, you want to study at the County Academy?”

What a coincidence, he could help with that!