Chapter 20: Doubt

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“My younger brother is naturally intelligent, unlike some who casually create trouble with their words. But I understand, it’s a legacy passed down from your Zhao family. No wonder my grandfather back then preferred my father as a son-in-law,” he said.

Cui Xiu, pondering how to retort, couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

Was this about the emotional entanglements of the previous generation?

Just as he was reflecting, his elder brother spoke up: “After all, when someone dies, there’s still someone to collect the body. Those who are blind can only feed the wild dogs.”

Cui Xiu: “............”

Cui Zong gave a reassuring glance to Cui Xiu, then a sly light flashed in his eyes as he scanned the expressions of the onlookers.

The crowd: “............”

Well… that’s true!

Who among the candidates from Daxing County didn’t have connections in the court?

They naturally knew some old stories. For example, the eldest son of the Zhang Grand Tutor’s family was beheaded, but thanks to Marquis Cui En’s son-in-law, the body was collected and given a proper burial, preserving some dignity. Yet the Zhao family of the maternal side had also perished in their succession struggles, but Zhao Bin, their son-in-law, avoided them like a serpent!

Seeing all the expressions, a smile deepened in Cui Zong’s eyes.

Fortunately, he had been brushing up on his essays lately, learning how to frame arguments, elevate the theme, and divert conflicts.

Compared to letting Zhao Jinglin mock his own father under the guise of “intelligence,” it was far more satisfying to expose Zhao Bin’s shady past openly. At the same time, it subtly made everyone present understand the loyalty and righteousness of the Cui family.

At the very least, if the daughter married the heir of the Cui family, at least the entire clan would have someone to care for the deceased!

The heir naturally understood why his cousin chimed in and immediately gave an approving look.

He hadn’t wasted his recent studies!

His mind was quick, directly bringing up the maternal grandfather!

After all, the Cui family was fearless, holding both ironclad written guarantees in hand!

But the Zhao family dared not mention their mentor.

Thinking this, Cui Hu admired the increasingly sullen Zhao Jinglin.

No one expected Cui Hu to shamelessly bring up the past, not losing his temper and attacking outright, but even naming and insulting the Zhao family personally. Zhao Jinglin’s plan was foiled, and he was momentarily stunned, blurting out coldly: “Cui Hu, Cui Zong, how dare you insult my father!”

Nearby, Gao Feng, sensing the hatred in people’s eyes and fearing the Cui family youth might get sullied by foulness, spoke up himself: “Young scholar, please mind your words. The young lord Rong Gong is the nationally recognized heir of a Duke. In the court’s offices, it is improper to speak loudly or rudely to the heir. If such news reaches your father, he might have to discipline you properly according to the law. You came as a candidate to register today; if you don’t respect the court’s rules, how can you be trusted not to abuse power tomorrow?”

The Duke’s heir glanced sideways at Gao Feng, who spoke with reason and evidence, his eyes betraying a hint of admiration.

In the past, when he was picked on, he would throw his weight around, only to be mocked for abusing power.

For the sake of the Cui family’s reputation, he had been quite frustrated.

But today, the more he listened, the more satisfying it was.

Cui Zong gave Gao Feng a thumbs-up.

“Childish words” was used just right!

This book, after all, proved that one must study well.

The two brothers exchanged glances, each seeing in the other a rare spark of eagerness to learn and take initiative.

Cui Xiu watched silently: “............”

Meanwhile, inside the noble carriage, Marquis Cui En could no longer restrain himself.

He hadn’t missed the grievance in his only son’s eyes earlier. Surely, someone had provoked him, but Cui Hu had been taught strictly by Cui Qianting, who was a bit impractical, always emphasizing the family’s reputation.

With that in mind, Marquis Cui En stepped out of the carriage with measured anger, standing on the carriage shaft to overlook everyone present. “All of you are scholars and should understand the basics of propriety and honor. This Royal Duke is here on imperial order to take the county exam!”

Bowing northward in respect, Marquis Cui En squinted and stared sharply at Zhao Jinglin: “It is said that classmates share the same fate in the examination, so you may be spared from kneeling and saluting. Otherwise, I might have to ask the historians, the emperor, and the imperial study hall why this imperial champion’s red robe, bestowed by the Martial Emperor, no longer counts as a royal gift after just twenty years?”

Facing Marquis Cui En’s cold, scornful gaze from above, cold sweat broke out on Zhao Jinglin’s back. Before he could gather his thoughts, Marquis Cui En swung back his sleeve, revealing the golden embroidered four-clawed serpent, a symbol of nobility.

In that instant, Zhao Jinglin felt his eyes sting and his legs weaken, collapsing to the ground.

Marquis Cui En snorted coldly but didn’t continue to quibble with a junior. Seeing someone inside the carriage unwilling to get involved, as stiff as a wooden stake, he took Cui Xiu’s hand and stepped down: “Come, register!”

Cui Xiu was still a bit dazed but, to maintain the image of a “curious little boy,” continued to ask: “Uncle, you just said so much. I know the term ‘champion scholar.’ But… aren’t you not the champion?”

Other candidates slowed down and listened attentively.

Marquis Cui En, proud, puffed out his chest, as if daring young people to look at his champion’s robe: “I am the champion of the imperial study hall. Those prince’s descendants don’t take the exam. If I can, I’m better than them. So my emperor uncle decreed me as the royal champion to help me succeed!”

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Cui Xiu was stunned.

That was possible?

Sensing the astonishment of some, Marquis Cui En sighed: “I finally found a perfect match by appearance. But the emperor uncle is even more concerned than my own father, wanting my marriage to be flawless.”

“Ah.”

“This time, wearing the royal champion’s red robe to the exam is to comfort his spirit in heaven, to seek his blessing and protection! I don’t ask to top the list, only to pass smoothly, without any fuss.”

Cui Xiu suddenly felt that his uncle was a remarkable man.

With words like that, how could things not go smoothly?

As Cui Xiu was filled with emotion, a young man stepped forward through the crowd, smiling curiously as he bowed: “Uncle, I am Li Yuan from the third branch of the Protector Duke Li family. My elder brother is the Little Pear you personally praised. I’m sorry to intrude, but I am curious. Weren’t you here just to accompany Hu and the others to register, not to take the exam yourself?”

Marquis Cui En paused, glanced at the speaker from the Li family, realized he barely remembered him, and nodded perfunctorily: “Little Pear has gone to the frontier. You look tall and strong, why aren’t you going?”

“Grandmother loves me and wants me to stay and fulfill filial duties. So she ordered me to take the exam to earn a title, so that I’m not without standing,” Li Yuan said with a smile, recounting his family’s reasoning.

In truth, the elders thought it well that Emperor Mingde publicly said the emperor guards the borders and princes serve at the frontier. With princes serving at the frontier, if war breaks out, it would be their devoted supporters fighting. Families like theirs, veterans of the founding war, no longer needed to cling to military power, so they tried the exam.

After all, even the Cui family, the most glorious military family, was required to take the exam.

Yet Li Yuan had only read a few books and was unsure of his chances.

But no one expected Marquis Cui En, the head of all prodigal sons, to take the exam too!

If this news spread, all living male members of military families in the capital might rush to register.

Because Marquis Cui En represented the minimum standard for raising children in most normal military families.

Yes, the minimum standard.

As Li Yuan spoke, other military sons also gathered around Marquis Cui En, greeting him and chatting.

Some, emboldened by familiarity with Marquis Cui En, asked directly: “Uncle, you’re taking the exam, but is it really for real? My father said I must write… write a full essay, but I haven’t even learned the eight-legged essay.”

Marquis Cui En waved his hand generously: “Why worry? I’ll cover the bottom for you! Do I look like I write eight-legged essays?”

As his words fell, the crowd immediately erupted with voices:

“Uncle, you’re my real uncle!”

“Mingyue Pavilion, nephew invites you!”

“Great-uncle, I invite you to join us for horse racing in the countryside!”

“............”

Cui Xiu, still holding his uncle’s hand, was stunned to find a group of young men in fine clothes gathering warmly around Marquis Cui En.

They even lifted him up.

Cui Xiu: “???”

He looked through the crowd toward his brothers trailing behind.

After giving his younger brother a reassuring glance, Cui Zong focused on the youths near his uncle, recalling their backgrounds, planning to report to his father later.

Cui Hu sighed and, rarely appeasing Gao Feng, said, “Brother Gao, my father is just like this—he only plays with the eldest son and loves being the center of attention.”

Gao Feng smiled: “You’re too polite.”

As he spoke, he scanned the candidates.

It was known that the county exam in Daxing was called the “small provincial exam” among the scholarly families, because the county included all noble and scholarly families in the entire Great Zhou, as well as non-capital officials’ children stipulated by ancestors. Simply put, the educational resources were absolutely top-notch, attracting officials’ children from all over.

In the past, few noble sons participated.

But now, there were noticeably more military sons.

Military sons were easy to spot: either dressed flamboyantly like Marquis Cui En or in military uniforms.

Most, like Li Yuan, were from collateral branches or illegitimate sons.

They participated in the county exam to show Emperor Mingde they understood the importance of guarding the nation, willing to give the Cui family, once military leaders, a chance to take the exam and enter officialdom, reassuring the emperor that they would not cling to military power and were open to changing the family’s path.

Emperor Mingde had played two brilliant moves in succession, winning most pure military generals’ approval.

Gao Feng sighed as he walked slowly with the main group toward the registration hall.

Inside, the clerk registering candidates trembled as he wrote down Marquis Cui En’s details but realized he was still too young in spirit. He couldn’t suppress the Confucian teachings ingrained in him and stared in shock at the small boy Cui Xiu, who was barely as tall as the desk. “This… this little brat is only four years old and is registering for the county exam? Can he even write?”

“Cui family members are ordered to take the exam,” Marquis Cui En said confidently. “Training must start young. You didn’t say four-year-olds can’t register. As long as they meet the requirements, what’s the problem?”

The clerk was dumbfounded, staring at the birthdate on the registration card handed over by Cui Xiu, who was standing on tiptoe.

Others were shocked too.

A familiar noble youth tugged Cui Hu’s sleeve and whispered, “Hu, are you really letting a four-year-old register? I heard the exam starts before midnight. Even if he wakes up, can he dress and eat by himself?”

“Do you think Cui Xiu is my father? He still needed a nanny at five,” Cui Hu replied calmly, ensuring everyone could hear: “He’s my second uncle’s illegitimate son. He’s here to take the exam only to prevent any collusion that might cause trouble, to avoid wasting time. So he’s just filling a spot.”

“Since you’re participating, think it through. If you don’t pick partners yourself, you’ll be paired by registration order. What if something happens?”

“My second uncle was almost cheated out of his scholar title years ago!”

At these words, many young men panicked and rushed home to ask their fathers.

This exam seemed complicated, not just a simple registration.

The clerk calmed down hearing Cui Hu’s words.

He had heard of the cheating scandal from twenty years ago. Since then, collusion was handled much more cautiously.

He looked again at Cui Xiu, whose eyes shone bright without fear, and sighed slowly: “Please forgive me, Your Honor. I must speak frankly. The child is too young. If he disrupts the exam rules, such as crying loudly, it counts as misconduct, punishable by flogging and lifetime ban!”

Hearing this, the honored guest showed some hesitation.

There were many little kids; he could pick any one to partner with.

Cui Xiu, however, spoke up eagerly: “Please rest assured, clerk, I know the rules. I’ll write my name neatly and behave well—no looking around, no whispering, sitting as steady as a pine!”

His last words carried pride, even his baby voice showing a hint of bold defiance.

Marquis Cui En thought of Cui Xiu’s dedication, his obsession with learning, and said without hesitation: “If I disrupt the rules, Cui Xiu won’t!”

The clerk: “............”

That was… quite a sharp remark.

So the clerk registered Cui Xiu.

Cui Xiu immediately held his breath, not daring to breathe out until he received the “admission ticket” for the county exam. Only then did he exhale deeply.

Submitting a blank paper was his own affair.

But if he wasn’t allowed to register… that would be a pity!

The clerk looked at Cui Xiu reverently holding the ticket like a precious treasure, shaking his head with resignation.

He seemed studious, but feared the boy might be pushed too hard or have his wings forcibly broken.

Sigh.

Meanwhile, upon receiving news of the Cui family’s registration, Daxing County Magistrate Xie Zhongyuan sighed dryly: “Madam, prepare a fine coffin for your husband. I need a good rest to forget worldly disputes and compose questions according to my own heart.”

Why did the county magistrate write the exam questions???

Whether he made them hard or easy, the complaint would surely reach the heavens!

Just as he pondered, he heard no response from his wife but instead the chief steward entered: “Sir, the Shuntian Prefecture constables request your presence at the Prefect’s office; there is urgent business to discuss.”

Xie Zhongyuan: “............”

Indeed, bad news travels fast, even before good news leaves the door.

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