Chapter 175: Xiucai

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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Liu Shu hesitated for a long time before finally letting out a sigh. What Shao Huai said did make sense. He too was a gege and understood his mentality. If he were in his shoes, and it was regarding Xu’er, then no matter what Shi Cheng said, he would definitely never touch her betrothal money to buy land or a house, despite being very confident and sure of Shi Cheng. 

As such, he again went around the house looking and examining. Shao Huai accompanied him on his detailed check. He said, “The reason I decided on this place is mainly because the courtyard is rather large. I can also plant some of the more expensive varieties of flowers within the courtyard. In the fifth month next year, Shao Gui will get married, then Shao Rong will get married in the sixth month. When the rooms here are emptied out, I can put some of my ornamental plants in their room.”

He pointed at the kang in the house and said, “The kang is usable. I don’t have to worry about the cold winter. There’s plenty of firewood in the hills – it’s not a concern.”

Liu Shu looked it over carefully. He was still somewhat dissatisfied, but this wasn’t up to him. So he only sighed again.

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During this period, Liu Shu was definitely not idle. He ran back and forth during this period to offer his help. When the wall was built, the house finally felt like a proper home. Liu Shu prepared quite a few daily necessities for them. When he went over to visit, he saw that Pangwa and his brothers were already there, helping out. 

Shao Huai had already long plowed his new plot of land. Winter flowers had already been planted. Liu Shu saw that everything seemed to be under control and finally relaxed. He could finally concentrate on his studies without any worries. 

On Liu Lin’s side, he continued as per Miss Song’s arrangement. Every 10 days, he would visit the store. For this purpose, Miss Song had deliberately arranged for a table and two chairs to be placed there. Her wet nurse would always be there, offering tea and snacks and what not. She was exceedingly polite toward Liu Lin. 

Liu Lin had originally been the weakest student of the group. But with Miss Song’s pointers, he had improved rapidly. Especially in his essay writing – he had had no idea of how to write one before. 

The essay component was also Shi Cheng’s weakness. But Shi Cheng had his own methods of dealing with it. 

Liu Xu’er saw that Liu Sen was also studying extremely hard. She finally asked him, “You’re only 10 and yet you are putting all your effort to try and pass? Why?”

Liu Sen then said, “It’s nothing… If I can pass, then why not?”

Liu Xu’er smiled, “Are you trying to pull one over me?”

Liu Sen giggled and finally spoke honestly, “Jie, the main reason is that I feel… Even though I’m the youngest, if I am the only one to fail, I would still feel extremely embarrassed.”

A laugh escaped Liu Xu’er. 

Everyone was putting in their all. But even though they were extremely busy with their exam preparations, the New Year celebrations were as lively as ever. After the New Year, the second month was rapidly approaching. There were many things to settle in the second month, so everyone got busy. But of course, the busiest people were those who were sitting the exams. 

The county level exams were held at Feng town. This year, there would be four papers in total for this first examination. It would begin on the 10th day of the second month, with each paper lasting two days. The round would be over on the 20th. After the exam was over, they would rest for about half a month before the results came out. 

In this half a month, Liu Lin found workers to tidy up, make the display counters, decorate the store – basically, making sure that everything got started. The store’s renovation had just begun when the county level exam results came out. All four of them passed – they now prepared to head to Hanzhong city to continue with the prefectural level of the exam. 

The four of them packed up and went over to Hanzhong city, staying with Shi Cheng’s family. The prefectural examination similarly lasted around 10 or so days, with about three or four papers. When the exam was over, there was another half month of break. Then the results came out. Again, all four of them passed!

When the news broke, Liu Changgeng and He shi were both stunned. The two of them discussed it – they too would go to Hanzhong city! After this prefectural level of examination, there was one final round. If they passed this, they would all become xiucai!

Liu Xu’er wasn’t as shocked as her parents. She had been observing her family these past few months. Everyone was terrified of being the only one to fail – that would be too embarrassing! So each of them had come up with their own ways of studying. It wasn’t that shocking that they had all passed. 

Actually, to Liu Xu’er, becoming a xiucai didn’t seem to be that hard. Shi Cheng had previously explained to her roughly what would be tested. Apart from the essay which Liu Xu’er had no experience with, the rest didn’t seem to be too difficult. After all, Shi Cheng and her previous academic achievements weren’t low. 

When the final round of exams were over, Liu Shu, Liu Lin and Shi Cheng took turns to come home. Liu Sen stayed behind in Hanzhong city. Liu Changgeng and He shi were there to accompany him. They were discussing if Liu Sen should stay on to study at a good school there. 

“Your parents seem keen to get Liu Sen to continue on. They might want him to take the next level of exams again next year. After all, his results were the best amongst the four of us, and he is the youngest. A professor in a Hanzhong city school noticed him, and was full of praise for him….” Shi Cheng was back the latest – he had come back days after Liu Shu and Liu Lin. Right now, he was rubbing his nose and reporting the situation to Liu Xu’er. His tone then became rather astonished, “I say, this kid…. When did he start to work so hard? How could he do better than me? It’s so strange!”

Liu Xu’er laughed. Everyone was probably shocked that Liu Sen had done so well, but she was somewhat unsurprised by it. “In the past few months, after the decision was made to go for the exams, while no one was watching. Senzi suddenly became extremely hardworking. He would come over to my rooms to study. I noticed that he seemed particularly bright. He was quick to understand, and found it easy to memorise everything…. To exaggerate slightly, it seems as though he has an eidetic memory.”

Shi Cheng said, stunned, “Really?”

Liu Xu’er nodded his head, “I’d never noticed it before, but when I tested him, it was very clear that he could memorise things rapidly. For example, if he didn’t know the answer to a question today, he would go back and look through the books. By the next day, he would be able to answer perfectly.” She smiled and continued, “Do you remember that when Senzi was little, he seemed to talk rather early? At one, he could already say a lot of words. Before he was two, his speech was fluent. At that time… Because there was my example, and I was also very quick, Senzi didn’t seem to stand out too much…. There is an explanation for why I learnt so quickly, but Senzi was a genuine child at the time. Now that I think about it, Senzi has always been extremely bright. It was just that the family never noticed. If it weren’t for this examination, no one would have known.”

Shi Cheng nodded his head, “That’s right. Senzi seems to just play all day – he seems to be just a fun loving, easy going fellow. Who would have known that if he put in the effort, he would be a child prodigy!”

Liu Xu’er smiled and said, “Please don’t spread any rumors about child prodigies! Otherwise, Senzi might be too pressured by that reputation.”

“Un, got it! Why would I spread it around anyway? Senzi is fine as he is now, happy as a lark, able to play when he wants to. He can do what he wants. Isn’t that great?”

Liu Xu’er then sighed, “I’m just nervous that my parents would have ambitions! And force him to study….”

Shi Cheng shook his head. Then he asked, “Have you discussed the matter of your dowry with your parents?”

“Not yet. Who has the time? The family has been so busy during this period. Whenever dage is back, he just has enough time to tidy the accounts. He also needs to help erge with his new textile store…. Anyway, it’s not as though I can just buy the Hanzhong city store because I want to. Would the owner even be agreeable?”

Shi Cheng smiled and said, “I know, so it isn’t a must to buy his. You just have to keep an eye out on the street. If anyone is selling, then buy their store. So long as you don’t leave that street, business shouldn’t be affected. 

Liu Xu’er nodded, “That works as well.” Then she asked Shi Cheng, “How about you? You’ve already become a xiucai, what did your parents say? Do they want you to continue?”

Shi Cheng pursed his lips, “Of course they want me to continue to go for the examinations. The reason I stayed so long at Hanzhong city was to discuss this matter. My parents hope for me to continue, it would be best….” He stopped and shook his head. 

Liu Xu’er’s heart suddenly sank, “What? Surely they don’t want you to go the route of an official?”

Shi Cheng gave a bitter smile, “They do indeed have that intention. They feel that I should be able to manage it.” He lifted his eyes and looked at her, “Xu’er, what do you think?”

Liu Xu’er paused for a while. Shi Cheng and her had never seriously discussed a few important matters. It was time to give them some thought. For example, after they married, where should they stay? Should Shi Cheng continue to do business or give into his parent’s wishes and try to become an official? After thinking for a while, she said, “We need to discuss things slowly…. It’s time to seriously talk about them.”

Shi Cheng nodded his head. He looked at her and asked, “Are you satisfied with the lifestyle now? Do you want things to improve further? Do you want a better, more luxurious life? No matter what you want, I will do it for you.”

Liu Xu’er shook her head, “It’s not as though I’ve never lived a luxurious life – no matter how luxurious, even if it’s luxurious beyond a person’s wildest dreams – the days will pass… Sad days will also pass. Actually between the two of us, the important thing is to know that our best days are the days we spend together, no matter if we are rich or poor. Of course, if we can improve our lives with our effort, that’s great. It would be better than going into officialdom, and having to be careful of all sorts of schemes and political maneuvering. Our lives would often be in the hands of others…. What do you think?” She looked at him and smiled, “I really don’t need you to conquer the world for me… I don’t have that kind of wild ambition. I just want to live an ordinary, safe and simple life. I would be content with that.”

Shi Cheng smiled. He didn’t say anything, just leaned over and kissed her…