Chapter 3

Shen Mingwen was locked in the attic to study, only allowed out twice a year for the imperial examinations, and had no contact with the outside world during the rest of the time. The Zhou family's plans fell through, and Shen Xi began to feel anxious.

Witnessing Shen Mingwen's experience, Shen Xi deeply realized the importance of knowledge in this world, or rather, the importance of reading. Although his learning might not be enough to secure the top rank in the imperial examinations, he could still be considered well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge. With a bit more effort, he could pass the scholar and provincial examinations!

However, what good would it do? Without formal schooling and a teacher's guidance, even if his knowledge rivaled that of the great scholars of the time, he would still be seen as a strange person, not recognized by anyone.

Leaving the attic in a daze, he hadn't taken a few steps when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Shen Xi turned back and saw a little chubby boy, which made him somewhat impatient. "What are you doing here?"

"Little cousin, if you can come, I can come too, right?" The little chubby boy was about six or seven years old, looking up with his chubby little head, blinking his eyes, somewhat nervous.

Shen Xi couldn't stand such a silly conversation, shook his head, and continued walking, ignoring the little fat boy.

The little fat boy was named Yang Wenzhao, the son of Shen Xi's second aunt, Shen Yangshi.

Shen Yangshi's real name was Shen Yueping, who had married the eldest son of the Yang family, a major medicine merchant in the city. This visit was ostensibly to see her family, but in reality, it was due to a quarrel with her husband. Shen Yueping, being stubborn, had brought her son back to her hometown in a fit of anger.

This boy was naturally lively but also very timid, a typical hyperactive child. After coming to the Shen family, he found that Shen Xi was about the same age as him and was very curious about Shen Xi's unconventional behavior, so he stuck to Shen Xi like a shadow.

Despite his efforts to get rid of Yang Wenzhao, he couldn't shake off this little pest. Shen Xi could only smile bitterly and let him follow.

"Among the peach blossoms on Peach Blossom Mountain, there is the town of Shuangxi, and behind Shuangxi is Peach Blossom Village."

"Only now do I understand the beauty of April, and next year I will see the moon again."

This poem was written by Shen Mingwen when he passed the scholar examination, full of confidence for the next autumn examination. Unfortunately, he failed. Shen Xi had no interest in such a shallow and insubstantial poem but could relate to the beauty of April described in the poem.

Although the peach blossoms in Peach Blossom Village in April were not as beautiful as when they were in full bloom, and the once alluring peach blossoms were beginning to wither, the mountains and waters of Peach Blossom Mountain were picturesque, and the weather in April was the most pleasant, making one feel refreshed. The cool breeze in the mountains, gently caressing the face, was a delightful experience.

While walking, he heard the little pest behind him ask hopefully, "Little cousin, where are we going? To catch crickets?"

Shen Xi didn't have time to deal with him. Their mental ages were different, and they had no common topics.

Yang Wenzhao, however, wouldn't give up, and asked enthusiastically, "Little cousin, are you angry? Did someone bully you?"

Shen Xi shook his head and sat down by a stream outside the village. He rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly at the flowing stream, looking gloomy.

Yang Wenzhao imitated him, sitting on a rock and staring blankly at the stream.

After a moment, Yang Wenzhao couldn't sit still and asked curiously, "Little cousin, do you want to catch fish in the stream? I'll help you."

Shen Xi ignored him, but Yang Wenzhao didn't mind, rolled up his pants, and was about to get into the water to catch fish.

Shen Xi quickly pulled him back and said, "Alright, just be quiet for a while."

Yang Wenzhao looked at Shen Xi strangely, sat down again, and asked, "Little cousin, do you want to study?"

Shen Xi was taken aback, then looked at Yang Wenzhao, sighed, and nodded with a troubled expression, "Yes, I was planning to ask Uncle to teach me to read and write, but unfortunately..."

He suddenly realized how absurd this was. Although he and Yang Wenzhao were the same age, did he really need to confide in a six or seven-year-old child?

Yang Wenzhao smiled and said, "Little cousin, I heard Aunt and Second Aunt say that you've been acting strange lately, not as playful as before, and that you want to go to school after seeing Big Cousin study."

Shen Xi was stunned, turned to look at Yang Wenzhao, and asked seriously, "What else did they say?"

Yang Wenzhao confessed, "Uh... I'm not sure, but Aunt and Second Aunt don't seem to like you."

Shen Xi cupped his face, puzzled, "Why wouldn't Aunt and Second Aunt like me? I haven't done anything to offend them."

Yang Wenzhao saw Shen Xi deep in thought, lowered his voice, looked around, and whispered to Shen Xi, "Little cousin, my mother said they are afraid you will also go to the private school, which would be too much of a burden for the family, so they say bad things about you behind your back."

Shen Xi thought Yang Wenzhao was quite clever for his age, able to get some information, and asked, "Did your mother tell you this?"

Yang Wenzhao grinned and shook his head, explaining, "No, it was my mother and grandmother talking, and I was there."

Shen Xi looked at Yang Wenzhao's nervous face, pinched his chubby cheeks, and asked, "Then repeat what you heard."

"I heard some, but my mother told me not to gossip."

"I won't tell anyone else if you tell me," Shen Xi said in a coaxing tone.

Yang Wenzhao nodded obediently, "Grandmother said there are too few scholars in the family, and in our generation, only Big Cousin is studying. She said the Shen family has a tradition of scholarship and wants to choose another from your generation to send to the county school."

"Ah... Is that true? Did Grandmother say who she wants to send?" Shen Xi asked, full of anticipation.

Yang Wenzhao lowered his voice again and leaned close to Shen Xi's ear, "Grandmother wants to send Sixth Cousin Shen Yuan from Fourth Uncle's family. Little cousin, you have no chance, but what's so good about studying..."

Before Yang Wenzhao could finish, Shen Xi stood up, patted his buttocks, and said, "Let's go back."

"Okay."

Yang Wenzhao stood up and followed Shen Xi closely, like a little pest.

Entering the Shen family gate, Shen Xi saw Yang Wenzhao still following him and shook his head helplessly, "Alright, go back to your room. I need to go back too, or my mother will beat me with a whip."

Yang Wenzhao shuddered at the mention of Zhou Shi and ran off.

Shen Xi took a deep breath and then frowned, deep in thought.

The news that Grandmother wanted to choose one from their generation to send to the private school gave Shen Xi, who was feeling dejected, a new hope. He began to calculate his chances of being chosen.

Grandmother didn't have a deep impression of Shen Xi, and the Shen family, though once a prominent clan, was now in dire straits but still had a large family.

Shen Xi knew the family was very poor, and the old lady hadn't bought meat for two months. Now she was using the saved money to cultivate a scholar, even though it was uncertain how long it would last. At least this child would be literate, which was better than being illiterate.

In this world, people had a deep-rooted belief that all professions were inferior except for studying. Even if they had to eat bran and vegetables, they would make their children study to achieve success and become officials.

However, one thing was certain: Shen Xi's heart was burning with passion. He would be seven next year, and in three years, it would be difficult to start studying, as people believed that education should start from a young age.

"I must make Grandmother choose me," Shen Xi thought to himself.

After much contemplation, Shen Xi believed he still had a chance. This selection couldn't be a fixed choice or have any insider dealings, or the other four branches of the family wouldn't be willing to contribute money.

Since it was a fair competition, Shen Xi felt he had a significant advantage.

He patted the dust off his clothes, took a few steps, and headed toward the main house where the old lady lived.

Just as he reached the door of the main house, he saw his fourth aunt, Feng Shi, and her son, Liulang, coming out. Liulang was a year older than Shen Xi, with clear features and bright eyes, very intelligent and charming.

Liulang was the Shen Yuan that Grandmother Li Shi wanted to cultivate, and he was Shen Xi's biggest rival in studying. Suppressing his mixed feelings, Shen Xi walked up and bowed respectfully, "Nephew greets Fourth Aunt..."

Fourth Aunt Feng Shi was a woman in her mid-twenties, sturdy and strong, from a farming family. She was diligent and always felt she had married into a family with a tradition of scholarship, so she was very kind to others.

Seeing Shen Xi bowing respectfully, she was surprised for a moment before smiling, "Little one, what brings you here? Are you looking for Grandmother?"

Seeing Fourth Aunt's somewhat awkward demeanor, Shen Xi felt the situation was not good and said very obediently, "Yes, I usually see Grandmother during meals, but I haven't come to visit her alone for a long time. I came to see her today."

Feng Shi smiled and nodded, "What a good child. I heard from your mother that you are always mischievous. Remember not to be naughty in the future."

Shen Xi defended himself innocently, "Fourth Aunt, I'm not mischievous. I always listen to Father and Mother." A six-year-old should speak like a six-year-old, and Shen Xi tried to appear more innocent.

Feng Shi didn't suspect anything and smiled, nodding, "That's good. Grandmother is inside."

Shen Xi smiled and replied, "Fourth Aunt, I'll play with my brother next time."

"Good, go on in."

---

Shen Xi had already made up his mind. He must find the old lady and win her favor, no matter what it takes. He should show a bit of his intelligence to surprise her without arousing suspicion.

Just as he reached the door of the main house, he saw his fourth aunt, Feng Shi, and her son, Liulang, coming out. Liulang, a year older than Shen Xi, had clear features and bright eyes, very intelligent and charming.

Liulang was the Shen Yuan that Grandmother Li Shi wanted to cultivate, and he was Shen Xi's biggest rival in studying. Suppressing his mixed feelings, Shen Xi walked up and bowed respectfully, "Nephew greets Fourth Aunt..."

Fourth Aunt Feng Shi was a woman in her mid-twenties, sturdy and strong, from a farming family. She was diligent and always felt she had married into a family with a tradition of scholarship, so she was very kind to others.

Seeing Shen Xi bowing respectfully, she was surprised for a moment before smiling, "Little one, what brings you here? Are you looking for Grandmother?"

Seeing Fourth Aunt's somewhat awkward demeanor, Shen Xi felt the situation was not good and said very obediently, "Yes, I usually see Grandmother during meals, but I haven't come to visit her alone for a long time. I came to see her today."

Feng Shi smiled and nodded, "What a good child. I heard from your mother that you are always mischievous. Remember not to be naughty in the future."

Shen Xi defended himself innocently, "Fourth Aunt, I'm not mischievous. I always listen to Father and Mother." A six-year-old should speak like a six-year-old, and Shen Xi tried to appear more innocent.

Feng Shi didn't suspect anything and smiled, nodding, "That's good. Grandmother is inside."

Shen Xi smiled and replied, "Fourth Aunt, I'll play with my brother next time."

"Good, go on in."