Chapter 1: Rebirth

“Wretched child, how dare you wrap the words of sages around indecent tales, bringing shame to the name of our Cui family!”

“A mere title at ten years old, nothing more. My Cui family has produced talents for a hundred years through the imperial examinations; who else is so arrogant and self-satisfied? Bright in youth, unimpressive in maturity!”

“Who dares to persuade me further? Bring out the family rod, today I will surely punish this unfilial son!”

...

Each reproachful word gathered, becoming the sharpest blade, stabbing directly at Cui Xiu’s heart—“Xiu, there is a nobleman, ears adorned with jade, do you understand? You are but an ornament to a gentleman!”

In that instant, Cui Xiu felt his heart ground to shreds by a blunt knife, pain curling him into himself.

Gifted as he was, Cui Xiu had always worked diligently, studying day and night, hoping to win his grandfather’s favor so his branch of the family might suffer less. Who could have foreseen that, after risking everything to earn the triple honors at so young an age and finally gaining his grandfather’s praise, he would instead be slandered by his own brother and mercilessly beaten by his father…

Lost in the agony of these memories, Cui Xiu, curled up with his arms wrapped around his knees in a natural defensive pose, startled Nanny Yu, who was embroidering beside him. She hurried to comfort him, gently coaxing, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Young Master Xiu, nightmares are nothing to fear. Your grandfather is Lord Rong, Cui Zhen, the God of War—mere demons and monsters dare not approach our young master!”

Her words grew strong and resonant, as if echoing through the heavens.

Hearing this, Cui Xiu’s whole body stiffened.

He bit his lip, tasting the tang of blood, forcing himself to open his eyes. Staring at Nanny Yu, whose hair was graying but whose eyes were truly filled with concern and love, Cui Xiu’s blank gaze flickered, “Nanny?”

“Nanny is here.” Seeing his pale face and the beads of blood at his lips, and noting his vacant, almost dull expression, Nanny Yu quickly turned to the maid beside her, instructing, “Quick, bring heavy silver, use the Marquis's calling card, and hurry to invite Imperial Physician Wang.”

Upon hearing the words “Marquis,” Cui Xiu was so frightened he dared not show the pain.

Because… he might be a ghost.

He was no longer the third son of the renowned imperial examination family in the Great Qing, but had instead… somehow transmigrated into the world of a storybook—specifically, the very indecent novel his brother accused him of reading: “The Imperial Examination Path of a Farmer’s Son”!

His brother had been a fan of the book, often recommending it with annotated notes. So Cui Xiu knew the plot well: a boy named Lin Lu, born to a poor farming family, was a prodigy who, thanks to the guidance of a benefactor, transformed from an illiterate farm boy to a top scholar. When Lin Lu toured as a champion, he won the favor of a princess, who, moved by his loyalty to his childhood sweetheart and his disregard for wealth and power, willingly settled for being his secondary wife.

Thus, Lin Lu ultimately achieved both fame and fortune, and with support from the princess’s maternal family, rose from a humble Hanlin Academy scholar to challenge salt merchants, confront royalty, suppress military nobles, reform taxes, lead campaigns against foreign tribes… Within ten years, he became the Grand Chancellor!

As the imperial succession became chaotic, Lin Lu was appointed as Regent, exhausting himself to assist the young emperor and inaugurating the “Era of Prosperity,” earning the unique distinction of sharing the ruler’s glory.

Such a life, naturally, was exhilarating to read, stirring envy.

But a story is just a story. The imperial family would never allow a princess to become a secondary wife. Not for a mere sixth-rank scholar, not even for a Grand Chancellor. None would dare marry a princess as a secondary wife.

When Cui Xiu tried to explain these realities to his elder brother, he was met with resentment—even hatred.

Remembering his own naive attempts to persuade his brother not to chase such illusions, Cui Xiu felt ever more uneasy.

After three days of observation, he realized he had truly fallen into the world of the novel, occupying the body of a character.

Cui Xiu himself was insignificant, but his father, Cui Qianting, was considered a stepping stone for the protagonist, Lin Lu.

Cui Qianting was the second legitimate son of Lord Rong, Cui Zhen. Gifted in his youth, he passed the county, provincial, and academy exams, earning triple honors at nine years old. He even took the military exam, wielding the Cui family spear. Everyone expected the family to produce a versatile genius, but Cui Qianting seemed to lose his spark, fading into mediocrity.

Even though Lord Rong hired famous teachers for him, he remained nameless in the rankings. After Lord Rong’s death, his elder brother, Cui Enhou, inherited the title, and Cui Qianting’s reputation worsened, shamelessly living in the east wing of the Marquis’s mansion, refusing to move.

His talent lost, temperament eccentric, his relationship with his brother strained, and he bullied others, repeatedly questioning Lin Lu’s reputation as a prodigy.

Eventually, Lin Lu gave him a harsh lesson, and the Marquis’s mansion was uprooted. The Rong Mansion had been a founding noble house, holding military power for two generations. Cui Zhen himself had served as Grand Marshal, nearly earning a princely title.

The more Cui Xiu thought, the more sorrowful he became.

Even if his soul had merged with the character Cui Xiu, with a father who resented prodigies, how could he dare stand out?

Moreover, Cui Xiu was only three years old.

Counting by lunar years.

He wept silently, tears streaming, as if someone were choking his throat, forbidding him to make a sound. Nanny Yu, heart aching, held him, soothing him gently, glancing often at the door, “Go again, invite Imperial Physician Wang, who’s familiar with the Marquis.”

Those last words carried even more sorrow in her expression.

In this world, when the walls fall, everyone pushes; when the person is gone, the tea cools.

Since Lord Rong passed, less than ten years ago, even with imperial favor allowing Cui Enhou to inherit the title, the Cui family lacked anyone to hold their own. Their affairs at court faded, and even inviting a physician required heavy payment; otherwise, they might only get an apprentice.

Only Imperial Physician Wang, once a military doctor under Lord Rong, showed some consideration. Of ten calls, he’d come three times—the rest he sent his son.

Grieving, Nanny Yu’s voice grew even softer, “Don’t be afraid, young master. There’s an old saying: when Heaven bestows a great task, it first tries a person’s bones and spirit. So there’s hardship before sweetness. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. When the physician arrives and prescribes medicine, you’ll be well again.”

The gentle words, no less tender than a mother’s, blurred Cui Xiu’s vision with tears.

He didn’t know how much time passed before a report came with a hint of joy, “Nanny Yu, Young Physician Wang has arrived.”

Cui Xiu tried to open his eyes to see the visitor, but a sudden stab of pain snapped the taut string in his mind, and he slipped into a daze.

Young Physician Wang, seeing Cui Xiu unconscious, glanced at the anxious Nanny Yu, then silently took his pulse.

After carefully checking three times, he looked at the child, curled up, brow furrowed even in sleep, and said directly, “This child is troubled in his heart.”

Nanny Yu, hearing this, looked at the boy in bed, wide-eyed and confused, “Wasn’t it said that young master Xiu stayed too long in the womb, so he’s not very clever and slow to speak? Almost called foolish. How is he suddenly troubled in his heart? Isn’t that an illness from thinking too much?”

“Brother Wang, please check again.”

Relying on her past service to Cui Enhou, Nanny Yu quickly offered a red envelope, cautiously asking, “You know the temperament of the eldest master. Even though he and the second master don’t get along, the Cui family has only these few children.”

At present, Cui Enhou had only one legitimate son, Cui Hu.

Cui Qianting had a few more: his first wife, Lady Li, bore the eldest son Cui Cong and daughter Cui Qiong; concubine Lady Liu bore Cui Xiu.

But that was all.

The entire Cui family had only four young shoots.

Being a family of military men, except for the heir, all other sons were treated equally, legitimate or not—they must learn martial arts and make their own way!

Moreover, Lord Rong always hoped the Cui family would switch from martial to civil, taking the imperial exams. So all the children must take the exams.

But the exam questions don’t differ for legitimate or illegitimate sons.

So this old woman knew the family’s hopes—every child was deeply valued, expected to grow strong and someday earn noble rank!

“Nanny Yu, your eldest master Cui Enhou is thirty-three this year.” Young Physician Wang, familiar with the household, spoke frankly, even sighing a little, “I started learning medicine at six, mainly orthopedics, but because of that scoundrel Enhou, I’m nearly a jack-of-all-trades now. So your money won’t change anything—it’s truly a troubled heart. Cui Enhou often feigned illness to escape lessons, using this excuse.”

“Seven days ago, nobles were granted the privilege to escape the summer heat at the imperial resort, and Cui Enhou used this excuse to get leave. My father exposed him, so he had to go, tears and all.”

—At present, the Rong Mansion lacked any real masters, as everyone had been sent off by Enhou to escape the heat. The two branches combined couldn't match a single household of another marquis.

“And I was punished by my father, copying ‘troubled in heart’ three hundred times and giving free consultations in the southern city under the blazing sun.” Young Physician Wang ended his tale with a sigh.

Nanny Yu smiled awkwardly, slipping the red envelope into his hands, hesitating as she pressed, “I trust your skills, but… how could a child be troubled in his heart?”

“Maybe he inherited it from his father, brought from the womb.” Young Physician Wang replied coolly, “Cui Qianting often suffers this illness.”

“He really does, unlike his brother who fakes it.”

Nanny Yu: …