"Even when people have no immediate needs, most instinctively show kindness to those of higher status or greater capability."
This wasn't opportunism—just human nature.
The system seemed to understand yet not fully grasp the concept.
An Ning's days continued peacefully. Witnessing the immense benefits of passing the child scholar examination, Xie Sanwa needed no prompting from An Ning to study diligently. Even his childhood friend Chubby Boy followed suit.
Children too have their vanities.
The title of young scholar brought not just prestige but unprecedented pressure under everyone's eager expectations. Especially for these two boys without access to elite county academies, anxiety naturally crept in.
While An Ning maintained her leisurely pace of reading and calligraphy practice, the two boys practically tied their hair to roof beams and stabbed their thighs with awls to stay awake studying. Fortunately, their "tutor" An Ning proved exceptionally capable, and Xie Youcheng spared no effort leveraging his bookstore connections to gather study materials for them.
Finally, in their fifth year after passing the child scholar exams—when Xie Sanwa turned fifteen and Chubby Boy seventeen—both succeeded in becoming official scholars.
Unlike child scholars, imperial messengers came specially to announce scholar candidates in Great Zhou Dynasty. The day the joyous news arrived with gongs and drums, the entire Peach Blossom Village erupted.
Amid villagers' congratulations, Old Man Xie nearly fainted from excitement. Had Xie the Eldest not steadied him, he might have collapsed then and there.
Xie the Third, who'd rushed back upon hearing, remained dazed despite repeatedly confirming the results. Only when county clerks recited the names multiple times did he snap out of it, hastily distributing prepared rewards at Xie Youcheng's reminder.
Little Chen clutched An Ning's hands, repeatedly thanking heaven's blessings. Long after the messengers left, both families remained overwhelmed—even usually eloquent Xie Youcheng stood speechless for ages. Had An Ning not stopped them, they might have kowtowed to her despite her junior status.
"A Ning, anything you need in future, just say the word. Your Uncle Youcheng won't refuse." Even the usually envious Aunt Xie wiped happy tears this time.
What did becoming scholars mean for farming families, compared to mere child scholars? It meant exemption from corvée labor, tax relief on twenty acres of fertile land, and escaping society's bottom rung where even minor landlords could bully them. With scholar status, they could at least seek justice when wronged.
Even if Chubby Boy and Xie Sanwa progressed no further, they could live respected lives as county teachers—their social standing and connections already surpassing everyone present. This was genuine class mobility.
Though people mocked "poor scholars," in reality, those willing to set aside pride could easily achieve comfortable livelihoods if not riches.
"How wonderful! Our Xie family finally has its day!" The septuagenarian grand-uncle trembled as he was helped over, insisting through tears on selecting an auspicious date to open the ancestral hall despite his faltering speech.
In these clan-centric times—where Xies comprised over 80% of Peach Blossom Village—producing two scholars simultaneously was monumental. For half a month, the Xie compound bustled with even greater festivity than after the child scholar exams.
Even Fourth Uncle Xie's family smiled until their faces ached. An Ning discovered countless relatives she never knew existed. Beyond her mother Little Chen's relations, married eldest sister returned not just with her children but her in-laws—her husband's attitude conspicuously warmer, bearing gifts too numerous to carry.
Gifts filled half a room within weeks—not just from relatives but nearby minor landlords. Overnight, they recouped most educational expenses. No wonder people said farming families pursuing education gambled everything—winning brought fame and fortune; losing meant destitution.
Sipping fruit tea someone handed her, An Ning continued painting, barely glancing at the commotion. But Third Sister beside her nearly vibrated with excitement, her ink-grinding hands constantly distracted.
For weeks, the Xies' exhilaration persisted—especially after learning the county magistrate had summoned both scholars and permitted them to attend county academy lectures.
"Truly? You really saw the magistrate?"
"What's he look like? Extraordinarily imposing?"
The family stared eagerly at their grandson/son.
Fifteen-year-old Xie Yan (Sanwa's formal name) had grown into a scholarly youth nearly Xie the Third's height. His refined demeanor and handsome features in blue robes could pass him off as any gentry's cultured son. After charming everyone, he hurried not to the main hall but the study, visibly relieved to find An Ning calmly practicing calligraphy.
"Elder Sister!" The poised young scholar instantly transformed into a pouting puppy. That morning's panic still haunted him—while outsiders praised his brilliance and future prospects, he knew the truth. County academy peers surpassed him in intelligence, memory, and quickness. Chubby Boy felt the same. Among them, they barely ranked average—yet those superior talents remained mere child scholars while he and Stone (Chubby Boy's real name) were already scholars...
Years together let An Ning read him instantly. "Why worry? Didn't you earn this through years of genuine effort?" she chuckled.
"But your exam predictions—"
Xie Sanwa scratched his head. Even with that advantage, they'd only scored moderately. Had she taken the exams, she'd have topped them effortlessly—perhaps even passed the provincial level.
"So? Luck counts as skill too," An Ning shrugged. "Besides, those others had elite tutors and privileged upbringings."
Xie Sanwa twitched—who could compare to his sister's teaching? Her freakish memory (memorizing entire books after one reading) once made him question his own intelligence. Only having equally struggling Stone as company prevented total despair.
"Oh, Sister," he remembered after venting. "Stone and I made friends at the academy—Brother Chu and others. They said Peach Blossom Village producing two scholars must mean exceptional feng shui and want to visit soon!"
Exceptional feng shui? As if those pampered youths didn't know village realities. Silly boy—he'd happily count money for his own swindlers!
Reaffirmed: education broadened horizons, but intelligence? Well... some things couldn't be helped.
Finishing the last stroke of her fishing scene reproduction, An Ning finally smiled in satisfaction.