15 Preparing for the Exam

At this moment, Cui Qianting, whom Cui Xiuxi had been eagerly hoping for, glanced casually at the provocative Cui Enhou and responded coldly, "If you test me, I'll test you too!"

Those five words rang out like a thunderclap, instantly drawing everyone's full attention to Cui Qianting. Even Cui Enhou, forgetting to throw his tantrum, stared blankly and stammered, "You... you weren’t planning to take the exam?"

Since Cui Qianting had participated in the provincial examination, he had failed every time. Even his older brother couldn’t help but feel pity for this younger sibling who worked hard but had no luck in exams.

But ever since Cui Enhou took charge, and as he grew older, he vaguely understood the murky power struggles behind Cui Qianting’s repeated failures: the unofficial rule prevalent in officialdom—that a military general's crime lies in the future.

Take Cui Zhen, famed for his military achievements, for example. With no official titles left to grant and a son skilled in both literature and martial arts, many so-called loyal officials saw them as undeniable evidence of a bid for the throne. Not to mention Cui Zhen’s piercing “corrective edict” before his death, which was nearly immortalized in history.

Therefore, after Cui Qianting’s mourning period ended, he took the provincial exam again, failed once more, and publicly staged a breakdown, declaring he would no longer take the imperial examinations.

Sensing the unusual expressions on several adults’ faces, Cui Xiuxi stifled his own joy and, mimicking others, looked up at Cui Qianting, eagerly awaiting another response.

The focus of all eyes, Cui Qianting fixed a sharp gaze on Cui Enhou, detecting a flicker of worry. He twisted the corners of his mouth in self-mockery.

Had he been more ruthless back then and killed Cui Enhou, the legitimate eldest son, Cui Zhen might have truly ascended the throne. They wouldn’t be in the precarious state the Rongguo Mansion now was, where every family member quietly wondered how to survive in exile.

"I’m not taking the exam because I’m waiting to see if you’ll climb over the wall or go mad cooped up in the mansion trying to assassinate the emperor," Cui Qianting said, rolling his eyes. "Cui Hu and Cui Cong aren’t young anymore; they need to be seen and married! While the two boys’ marriages can be delayed, what about their coming-of-age ceremonies? And Cui Yue’s fifteenth birthday ceremony—will that not be held? If the most important rites of life aren’t observed, then the next generation of the Cui family will truly sever all ties with the nobility, with no affection or connections left!"

"So, we must openly and legitimately resume external relations and host grand banquets! Therefore—"

Pausing deliberately, Cui Qianting narrowed his eyes and looked at Cui Hu and Cui Cong, leaving no room for objection: "Within seven years, the Cui family must produce a successful candidate!"

Emphasizing the last words, Cui Qianting’s gaze finally settled slowly on Cui Xiuxi.

Cui Hu and Cui Cong exchanged a glance, then looked at Cui Xiuxi, who was not even tall enough to reach their thighs, their eyes full of pity and fear—Cui Qianting was terrifying enough to crazily set his sights even on the three-year-old Cui Xiuxi!

Seeing this, Cui Enhou also felt a chill, weakly covering his mouth.

He dared not display his authority as head of the family at this critical moment; otherwise, he—the illustrious Duke—would truly be forced to participate in the county exam.

Cui Xiuxi paid no mind to the expressions of his family members, though looking up to examine the stiff neck muscles was a bit tiring. His sole thought now was: "We will all pass the exams together and rewrite the fate of our confiscated family!"

Since Cui Qianting spoke, the entire Cui household had entered a phase of intense study.

Even Cui Xiuxi’s previously scheduled daily routine had been altered:

He now had to rise fifteen minutes earlier, waking at the hour of the dragon.

After waking, he had to dress and wash by himself, then be taught the "Three Character Classic" by the storyteller.

This time, the teaching was no longer like telling the story of the "Seven Star Generals" in a colloquial, easy-to-understand manner for children. Instead, the storyteller recited the "Three Character Classic" with rhythm and passion, guiding Cui Xiuxi to parrot the text and memorize it daily.

Then, at the academy, Master Pei would teach it again, requiring recitation without delving into the related stories.

Cui Xiuxi understood that memorization and recitation of classical texts were fundamental skills for the imperial examinations.

Therefore, he was quite enthusiastic and even slightly showed off his photographic memory!

But that was all.

Even though Cui Xiuxi had just started learning, his main daily tasks were still walking, playing with dogs, listening to stories, stretching his legs and waist, and, since it was cold, he no longer needed to practice swimming.

His older brothers, however, had to endure winter swimming—apparently, the harsh northern exile land had only two seasons: winter and non-winter, so the Cui sons had to learn cold resistance ahead of time.

Regarding this "differentiated" curriculum, Cui Xiuxi pinched his little arm and could only silently envy them.

While envious, after seriously completing his lessons, Cui Xiuxi couldn’t help but want more classes. Compared to the real hardships of his previous life—rising earlier than the roosters, sleeping later than the pigs, enduring frostbitten fingers in winter, and suffering heatstroke in summer—now, he felt like he was living in a honey jar!

Especially as the weather warmed, spring blossomed, and the county exam announcement was about to be issued!

Following Cui Qianting’s plan, Cui Xiuxi also intended to take the exam to show the Cui family’s loyalty to Emperor Mingde, with all the sons diligently studying.

But... he hadn’t even held a brush before!

Even knowing the exam was more a formality, as the date drew closer day by day, Cui Xiuxi grew anxious.

One day, seeing that even Cui Enhou was already in the study, sharpening his pen and reading the Analects, Cui Xiuxi couldn’t help but, after finishing reciting the "Three Character Classic," tug on Master Pei’s sleeve, eyes blazing with intense desire.

"Master Pei, I want to practice writing like Brother Cong!"

Master Pei, seeing Cui Xiuxi radiate eagerness, smiled with satisfaction and replied solemnly, "Xiuxi, you’re still young. You must take care of your body first. When your bones and frame are stronger, especially your wrists, then you can learn to write."

"But... but..." Cui Xiuxi glanced at Cui Enhou, who was yawning with a book in hand, and whispered, "I practice throwing, jumping, kicking, and other basic movements every day, and then Nurse Yu teaches me the Five Animal Frolics. No more lessons after that. Compared to my brothers, I have lots and lots of rest time. But I’ve heard that if the young don’t strive, the old will regret it. So..."

Master Pei caught the fearful glance in Cui Xiuxi’s eyes, glanced sideways at the dozing Cui Enhou, and sucked in a breath, comforting himself, "Cui Enhou isn’t educated in the Cui family style; he was taught by the Martial Emperor himself."

Not missing Master Pei’s change in expression, Cui Xiuxi tightened his face and emphasized his conclusion word by word: "So I don’t want to waste time! I want to study hard from a young age and grow up skilled in both literature and martial arts!"

From the front row, Cui Cong couldn’t help but turn his head. "Little brother, isn’t it better to just play while you’re still young?"

To know, children of noble families like theirs were carefully nurtured before age five, rarely allowed out except for major occasions, mostly playing inside the mansion.

Being born during the peak of the Cui family’s power, Cui Enhou even had his own playhouse!

Inside the playhouse were not only common children’s toys such as the nine-linked ring, Luban lock, Huarong Road puzzle, kites, spinning tops, shuttlecocks, lanterns, rattles, diabolo, and pinwheels, but also exquisite items bestowed by the imperial court—custom-made by renowned artisans for the Martial Emperor—like the mohe music instrument, puppet dolls, slides, and a full set of military troop-counting puppets.

It encompassed every kind of toy imaginable.

Every child would love it!

Back then, he was extremely fond of playing and reluctant to go outside.

Meanwhile, Cui Hu, burdened with the Four Books and punished, gaped in disbelief: "Cui Xiuxi, have you played with every toy in the playhouse? Explored the entire Rongguo Mansion? Then go to the theater to watch plays, train in the martial arts ground riding horses and playing cuju, call out troop formations, climb trees and catch birds in the back mountain, mess around with flowers and plants in the garden, or crawl through dog tunnels..."

Master Pei, watching the young heir grow more outrageous, interrupted sternly, "Have you thought about how to write your essay, Young Master Hu?"

Cui Hu swallowed his excited descriptions of Rongguo Mansion’s amusements, still with encouraging eyes on Cui Xiuxi.

Whenever Cui Xiuxi mentioned wanting to play, Cui Hu would immediately take his little brother out to have fun.

Facing such warm, sincere gazes, Cui Xiuxi pursed his lips tightly.

He... had indeed been taken by Nurse Yu and others to the playhouse (called a room now to sound more modest) to look at all the toys, which he had never played with in his past life.

Even the rattle he despised.

After all, toys were distractions!

Now, persuaded by Nurse Yu, he had played with the diabolo and other toys requiring hand-foot-eye coordination to improve limb agility.

But playing was one thing; Cui Xiuxi still wanted to learn, especially to practice writing!

Thinking of his burning desire, Cui Xiuxi slowly spoke with clear, precise pronunciation:

"Thank you, Brother Hu, for your advice. I want to play, but studying is also very important. Especially since I have to take the county exam!"

Pausing, he raised his tone proudly, "I’ve practiced well enough to know that when the examiners check for cheating, I must obediently put my clothes on properly so I don’t catch a cold. But..."

His tone shifted; his mouth puckered in a rare display of childish grievance: "But... but I..."

His voice still had a babyish quality, but his clear articulation and orderly narration, combined with tears threatening to spill, made everyone look at him—at the little boy who hadn’t even cried when his coming-of-age ceremony was threatened!

Even Cui Enhou stopped chatting with the spirits, widened his phoenix eyes, and stared at Cui Xiuxi.

Overcome with grief and anger, Cui Xiuxi burst into tears:

"But when I get the exam paper, I have to hand in a blank sheet!"

Handing in a blank paper!

This was the cruelest torment for a budding prodigy!

No less brutal than thousands of lashes!

He was terrified that in the exam hall, the young prodigy Cui Xiuxi might impulsively, instinctively grasp the brush and begin to answer!

Instinctively, uncontrollably, unable to restrain himself from filling in answers.

Especially writing his name!

Ask any examinee preparing for the imperial exams—before entering the hall, which teacher doesn’t repeatedly remind them to write their name and seat number? Which candidate doesn’t write their name first?