Chapter 9

Originally, Master Zhou was trying to curry favor with Ye Song by using the matter of Ye Chunqiu, but who would have thought that he ended up shooting himself in the foot. Ye Chunqiu was not punished, but instead, his beloved disciple Ye Chengliang was scolded. Master Zhou decided to make some amends.

Ye Laotai was already somewhat tired. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Still, go. It can be a good tempering experience."

Master Zhou was full of regret but still nodded, "Sigh... I'm afraid it will be a laughingstock." Master Zhou had a hint of evasion, as Ye Chunqiu was not his student. If he were to be ridiculed, it would not be fair to blame his teaching.

Ye Laotai did not respond. He understood Master Zhou's implications very well. This grandson was definitely a mess, probably unable to recite the Four Books and Five Classics completely, let alone write any decent essays. Ye Laotai, of course, did not have high hopes for Ye Chunqiu. He sighed, "Let it be a laughingstock. Perhaps after a fall, he will turn over a new leaf and work hard from now on."

So, Ye Laotai smiled and said, "It can be a good experience to familiarize himself with the county examination. If his essay is too poor and he is ridiculed, I hope he will be spurred to work harder."

When Ye Chunqiu returned to his family's courtyard, he felt a sense of relief. His father was reading in the study, and Ye Chunqiu, looking at his back, seemed unaware of the outside world. Ye Chunqiu shook his head, "This father, how can he know the dangers in this big house? Your son almost got killed."

The next morning, Ye Chunqiu went to school early. The county examination was approaching, and the atmosphere in the school became particularly tense.

Not many people came to school at this time, but his eldest cousin Ye Chengliang had already come to read early. However, his face was bruised and swollen, which looked quite comical. He glared at Ye Chunqiu with his eyes but ignored him.

It was Ye Juncai from the third branch who approached Ye Chunqiu, grinning, "Cousin Chunqiu, ha... did you do your homework? Oh no, my father beat me last night, and I didn't have time to do it..."

Just then, Master Zhou arrived, and Ye Juncai suddenly felt a chill down his neck, quickly returning to his seat.

"Check the homework," Master Zhou said expressionlessly.

Ye Chunqiu had already done yesterday's homework, but Master Zhou went to each student's desk, picked up their homework, and ignored Ye Chunqiu completely, not even checking his work. He then went to Ye Chengliang's desk. Master Zhou looked at Ye Chengliang's homework and couldn't help but nod and smile, "Your small regular script has improved again, and your homework is very detailed. You are a promising student."

Ye Chengliang humbly replied, "It's all thanks to Master's guidance."

Master Zhou nodded and put down the homework, "You must work hard this time, and don't be like some people."

Some people... he must be talking about me, Ye Chunqiu thought, and couldn't help but laugh.

After checking the homework, Master Zhou talked about the county examination. In his heart, he only had high hopes for a few students like Ye Chengliang. The county examination was on July 16th, and the county had already posted the list, starting the process of obtaining guarantees.

Master Zhou was hired by Ye Er, and since he taught the clan school, it was especially important for him if a few students could pass this year. After selecting the candidates for the joint guarantee the next day, he began teaching the lessons.

Throughout the entire process, he did not pay any attention to Ye Chunqiu, not even bothering to manage him.

After the lesson, he said to Ye Chengliang and a few others, "You stay, the rest can leave."

This was clearly to give extra lessons to Ye Chengliang and a few others.

When school was dismissed, Ye Chunqiu, as usual, picked up his book box and ran out. When he reached the courtyard, Ye San hurriedly said, "Young Master, the eldest master was invited out by the second master."

Invited out by Uncle Two? Ye Chunqiu had a bad feeling.

Ye San's face was now more angry, continuing, "Also, when I went to the kitchen to get food, the food I got was spoiled. Young Master, this must be someone's mischief, it's really despicable."

"Ah," Ye Chunqiu was rather calm. After the second branch was so badly treated yesterday, it would be strange if they didn't do something. Compared to simple meals, Ye Chunqiu was more worried about his father, who went out with Uncle Two.

After a simple dinner with some pickles, Ye Chunqiu returned to his room and took out the Four Treasures of the Study to practice calligraphy.

Having lived two lives, Ye Chunqiu was very clear about what he needed to do. Although he had a light brain, he was still young and couldn't do many shocking things. The only thing he could do was to take the exams.

This was not just his father's expectation, nor was it entirely for the sake of becoming an official. The most important thing was that in a family of scholars like the Ye family, any intrigue or ridicule could be silenced by success in the exams.

So... having a beautiful small regular script was particularly important.

Every evening after dinner, Ye Chunqiu would practice for two to three hours before going to bed. After a period of hard practice, although his running script was not yet refined enough for high society, it was no longer childish.

Of course, the light brain also played a significant role. Practicing calligraphy was not just about hard work; the most important thing was having references. A poor boy with no money would never see the works of famous calligraphers, and even if he practiced for decades, he would not make much progress.

Therefore, most famous calligraphers were either rich or noble. Their libraries were filled with the genuine works of famous calligraphers and countless rubbings and copies. With interest, one could fully understand the essence of calligraphy, and with a bit of diligence, one could form their own style and become a master.

Ye Chunqiu had many calligraphy images in his light brain. With just a thought, he could bring up many famous calligraphy works in his mind for comparison and contemplation, which made his progress extremely fast, far beyond that of ordinary people.

Of course... the most important thing was still hard work.

Every stroke, no shortcuts.

By the middle of the night, Ye Chunqiu was somewhat tired, but he heard rustling sounds outside. He knew his father had returned and quickly opened the door. Indeed, he saw Ye Jing staggering back, seemingly drunk, with unsteady steps under the pale moonlight.

"Father..." Ye Chunqiu called out clearly.

Ye Jing raised his eyes, "Why aren't you sleeping?"

Ye Chunqiu couldn't help but frown. How could he sleep? Uncle Two invited his father to drink. When was Uncle Two ever so kind?

Ye Chunqiu went forward to support Ye Jing and helped him into the house.

Ye Jing, with a hint of alcohol on his breath, said, "Go to sleep."

Ye Chunqiu responded with an "Oh" but went to boil water to make tea for Ye Jing. When he placed the tea in Ye Jing's hands, Ye Jing stared at it for a long time, then suddenly looked at Ye Chunqiu with a deep meaning, "Chunqiu, you must study hard at school. Today, Master Zhou..."

Ye Chunqiu frowned, understanding that Master Zhou must have been at the drinking session and probably said many bad things about him.

"Father, I will study hard," Ye Chunqiu said, seeing the worry on Ye Jing's face.

"I believe you," Ye Jing said almost without hesitation.

This unwarranted trust warmed Ye Chunqiu's heart.

Ye Jing sighed and continued, "Son, Master Zhou looks down on you. I don't ask for much, just one thing from you."

Ye Chunqiu asked, "What does Father want from me?"

Ye Jing smiled bitterly, "I only ask you to have some ambition and be successful. I don't expect you to become a scholar, but at least by the time you are my age, you should pass the child examination. If you can do that, I will be able to face your mother in the afterlife."

Uh... so the standard of success for his father was to pass the child examination by the time he was his age. Ye Chunqiu was at a loss, was his father hoping he would become a dragon or a worm?

Ye Chunqiu felt a million horses galloping in his heart, with a strong urge to crash into a tofu block and die.

After helping Ye Jing to bed, Ye Chunqiu, exhausted, finally went to sleep.