Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Yang Wei felt a sharp pang in his heart.

He only wanted to use Xie Xun's past to impress the head of the Gu's estate, but he didn't expect the head to retort with just one sentence.

The head of the Gu's estate looked meaningfully at Yang Wei, "Young man, poor academic performance is not a big deal, but character cannot be lacking. If your character is lacking, then your life will be lacking as well."

Yang Wei pursed his lips.

The head of the Gu's estate patted his shoulder, "Go back, cultivate yourself, improve yourself."

Yang Wei was a bit indignant, "When it comes to character, I am much better than Xie Xun!"

Before he could finish his sentence, a stone flew out from the courtyard and hit Yang Wei squarely on the head.

Yang Wei immediately felt the pain and exclaimed, "Xie Xun, are you crazy?"

Even though the head of the Gu's estate was nearby, Yang Wei didn't hold back, cursing loudly.

No one paid him any attention in the courtyard.

The head of the Gu's estate sighed, shook his head, and walked into the courtyard, closing the door behind him.

Lin Guifang took Yang Ershun back home, while Jiang Xiaoxiao and Xie Xun were tidying up the house.

Jiang Xiaoxiao didn't have much luggage, except for clothes, there was only a kitchen knife wrapped in thick cloth.

The room used to be where Xie Xun's nanny lived, and Jiang Xiaoxiao noticed a wooden box under the bed. She was afraid Xie Xun had forgotten about it, so she bent down to open it and took a look.

And then, she froze.

In the wooden box was a fluffy toy rabbit.

It was very lifelike, but it seemed to have gathered some dust from being left in the box for too long.

Jiang Xiaoxiao remembered that Xie Xun had rabbits embroidered on his sleeves, as if he had done it himself.

Did he really like rabbits so much?

Jiang Xiaoxiao was lost in thought when Xie Xun's voice suddenly came from outside the door, "What are you doing?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao had no intention of hiding, so she honestly replied, "Looking at the rabbit."

Xie Xun's eyebrows twitched, and as he approached, he indeed saw the rabbit in the box.

"Do you like this?" Jiang Xiaoxiao pointed to the box.

If he didn't like it, why would someone make a rabbit toy and embroider it on their clothes?

"I don't like it!" Xie Xun turned his head away, his voice becoming somewhat cold.

The year his nanny died, he was still young, and suddenly losing his support was like the sky falling. The rabbit he picked up became his only psychological comfort.

But in the end, even the rabbit left him.

Just moved in today, although they had rice, noodles, salt, and oil, they couldn't cook for some reason.

So the head of the Gu's Manor treated them to a meal at the same restaurant as last time.

Knowing Jiang Xiaoxiao's extraordinary appetite, the head of the Gu's Manor specially ordered a large table of dishes.

At the dinner table, he explained the process of being recommended to the Imperial Academy to Xie Xun.

In order to take care of local academies, the court would give each local academy a spot to recommend a student to the Imperial Academy every year.

The Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the entire Yan Kingdom, and going there to study was the dream of many scholars.

According to the usual practice, the students recommended were usually the top performers.

The head of the Gu's Manor's meaning was simple, he hoped Xie Xun would participate in a few exams, as long as he ranked in the top three, he could easily get Xie Xun the spot.

Xie Xun smiled faintly, "Do you think I can rank in the top three?"

Head of the Gu's Mansion stroked his beard: "Others may question how someone who hasn't studied could possibly take the exam, but I trust you."

How could a prince who dazzled the court at the age of three truly be seen as a useless fool in the eyes of outsiders?

All these years in the Shimu Village were just a facade.

"Besides, with me around, even if you don't perform well in the exam, you will definitely be in the top three in the end."

---

The matter of Xie Xun going to the academy was settled.

On the way home, Xie Xun bought some groceries.

Knowing that Xie Xun had to study for several hours every day, which was very tiring, Jiang Xiaoxiao volunteered, "I can cook and wait for you to come back to eat."

Thinking back to the time when she burned the braised pork to a charred black after burning through the bottom of the pot, Xie Xun's mouth twitched slightly, "The academy is close to home, I'll cook when I get back."

Jiang Xiaoxiao felt a bit frustrated.

She was clearly so skilled in cultivation, but she just couldn't learn how to cook.

Those dishes, they were fine when she was washing them, but once they hit the pot, they wouldn't listen to her.

---

On the first day of school, Xie Xun woke up early and simmered the porridge on the stove before heading to the academy.

It's not advisable to eat half an hour before practicing cultivation, so Jiang Xiaoxiao and Yang Ershun practiced breathing exercises before starting to eat breakfast.

Yang Ershun rarely came to the county, and he was full of curiosity about the place, suggesting going out to play with Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Jiang Xiaoxiao shook her head, "No, we can't. We have guests coming today."

Yang Ershun was shocked, "Really? We just moved to the county, and we already have guests coming? Is it Chen Sixi?"

"It shouldn't be."