Gu Qingyan did not rush to find a teacher. After inquiring clearly about the private schools in Lingchuan County, he planned to go home first to study.

Normally, children who want to study start enlightenment as early as three to five years old, or if later, seven or eight. Starting at ten years old was already considered very late.

Gu Qingyan was already fifteen. It was impossible for him to join an enlightenment class anymore; he had to master the basics and enter the exam preparation class directly.

Joining midway meant he had to show his talent; otherwise, the teacher would refuse to accept him.

After Gu Qingyan explained his plan, the old village chief and Mother Liu also fully supported it.

The Gu family sisters even tidied up Gu Tongsheng’s study room just for him to use, and usually would not enter to disturb him.

That ungrateful Li Jingtíng was still chasing from behind, making Gu Qingyan feel the pressure.

He gave himself one month.

One month to master the basics, earn the recognition of the Xiucai teacher, and enter the exam prep class.

Time was tight, so that very night, Gu Qingyan dived straight into the system tutorial. Gu Tongsheng was iron-faced and impartial; even his own son was severely punished.

What was worse, others only needed to study during the day and sleep at night.

Gu Qingyan was different—he studied at home during the day and studied the system at night. The Four Treasures of the Study given by his ancestors were put to good use, nothing wasted.

No matter how hard or tiring, Gu Qingyan gritted his teeth and persisted.

After three days, Gu Qingyan started to struggle, feeling weak and drooping; his palms ached terribly.

Mother Liu felt even more heartbroken and advised, “Brother Yan, studying is important, but don’t overwork yourself. Your health matters most.”

Gu Qingyan also felt he couldn’t keep going like this—his brain was too exhausted; even taking ginseng tonic pills wouldn’t help.

Then he remembered something and pulled out a book from the system.

It was a fitness and strengthening cultivation method obtained by signing in on Pei Xuan’s body.

Gu Qingyan modified his schedule, setting aside one hour after waking in the morning for practicing the cultivation method.

Once he started, Gu Qingyan realized system products were always high-quality; it was a pity he hadn’t started practicing earlier.

Although it looked ordinary, the practice effect was excellent. Gu Qingyan was surprised to find that when his brain got tired from studying, standing up to perform a set of fitness exercises immediately cleared his mind.

The cultivation method combined with the system was like a perfect restorative pill—better than any family heirloom.

Gu Qingyan couldn’t help but miss Pei Xuan—a great sign-in point indeed.

One, two, three… six days after Pei Xuan left, Gu Qingyan practiced the method while thinking of him.

Far away in Guangzhou Prefecture, Pei Xuan was also thinking of Gu Qingyan.

That boy was sincerely honest, good-looking but alone and unsupported, easy to suffer injustice in this world.

Whenever Pei Xuan thought of him, a complex feeling of worry surfaced—afraid he would act rashly, and afraid he would be taken advantage of.

At this moment, Zhang Menghuai shyly approached: “Sir, can you lend me your four-compound medicine bottle again?”

Pei Xuan looked at him coldly.

Zhang Menghuai shamelessly said, “One of our brothers has severe vomiting and diarrhea, and the medicine we brought didn’t work. Yours from the four-compound bottle works much better.”

“Really don’t know where the young master got that medicine—it’s very effective. Sir, he’s really good to you; such good medicine, he just gives it away like that—a really straightforward kid.”

“Annoying.” Pei Xuan found him bothersome and took out the four-compound medicine bottle from his bosom.

Zhang Menghuai quickly took it and ran off.

After a while, he returned with the bottle half empty. Pei Xuan weighed it in his hand and his face darkened.

Zhang Menghuai chuckled, “Sir, this time it’s all thanks to young master Gu’s medicine, otherwise many brothers would have collapsed. So we want to repay his great kindness by buying some local specialties to send to him via the courier station.”

Pei Xuan glanced at him.

Zhang Menghuai immediately added, “We paid for it ourselves, so it’s not using official resources for private purposes.”

Pei Xuan said nothing, and Zhang Menghuai knew this meant no objection.

He smiled and asked, “Sir, do you have anything you want to send to young master Gu?”

Pei Xuan stroked the four-compound medicine bottle without answering.

But the next day, when Zhang Menghuai was about to go to the courier station to mail the goods, Pei Xuan stopped him.

“What’s your order, sir?”

Pei Xuan criticized, “He sent you medicines worth a fortune, and you’re only sending back these worthless things?”

“Well…” Are they worthless?

“He was kicked out by the Li family, lonely and helpless. How can you be so stingy?” Pei Xuan frowned. “Add this.”

He then produced a big bundle almost as tall as Zhang Menghuai.

Zhang Menghuai was surprised and looked at Pei Xuan.

“Sir, it’d be such a pity to lose all these things. Should I ask the third brother to accompany it?”

Pei Xuan glanced at him, “Get going.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zhang Menghuai left with the bundle but thought in his heart that Pei Xuan was being too kind to young master Gu—although the young master saved him, escorted him all the way to Lingchuan, left his identity badge behind, and now was preparing so many things.

Such fussiness was unlike the usual style of their lord.

Gu Qingyan was unaware of what was happening far away in Guangzhou. At this moment, he was working extremely hard, punishing himself severely.

One month later, Gu Qingyan looked at his system interface.

【Host: Gu Qingyan】

【Age: 15】

【Points: 62】

【Occupation: Child (Enlightenment education completed)】

【Skill: Basic Medicine 63%】

Gu Qingyan was very satisfied with his progress.

Gu Tongsheng’s enlightenment course was completed; Gu Qingyan’s day-and-night efforts had paid off, though his palms had been hit swollen many times.

Because he focused on studying, his medical skill progress was slow, more like a pastime.

He hadn’t checked in at any sign-in points recently, yet his points had accumulated to over 60.

Gu Qingyan felt it was time to enter the Xiucai private school and begin the next stage of his academic career.

Carrying his tribute and the six ceremonial gifts, proudly and confidently, with the hopes of the Gu family ancestors on his shoulders, he headed to study in Lingchuan County.

Sitting on the ox cart, Gu Qingyan worried whether to choose Master Huang or Master Zhang’s school.

Ah, no—it should be whether to choose Xiucai Huang or Xiucai Zhang.

The old village chief insisted on sending Gu Qingyan to study.

He believed that since Gu Tongsheng was gone, he was the only elder relative for the third child, and such an important matter naturally should be handled by him.

On the way, the old village chief said again, “Our town has three Xiucai private schools. Master Huang was your father’s classmate. That one was also educated at Huang’s private school, and Master Huang had some connection with your father. He even came to the village to pay respects before.”

“Master Zhang is the oldest, long given up on imperial exams, but is said to be very strict.”

“Master Li is the youngest. I’ve asked around; he still takes exams in Qingzhou Prefecture every two years, so he’s probably still trying his luck.”

Hearing this, Gu Qingyan knew his uncle had done some research.

“Uncle, which private school do you think is best?”

The old village chief glanced at him and smiled, “If you want cheap, it has to be Master Huang’s. Out of respect for your father, Master Huang will surely give you some consideration.”

“But Gu Fengmian studied there for ten years, and all the students there are his classmates. If you don’t want to go there, we can pick another.”

Gu Qingyan nodded, knowing his uncle worried he might be ostracized by Gu Fengmian’s classmates if he entered recklessly.

“Master Li focuses all his attention on the imperial exams, and his teaching is perfunctory and inexperienced. It’s better to pick Master Zhang, who may be stricter but is more dedicated to his students.”

Gu Qingyan didn’t hesitate, “Then let’s go to Master Zhang’s private school first.”

No matter how strict, it shouldn’t be as harsh as Gu Tongsheng in the system tutorial, who would swing the ruler and hit hard. Fortunately, it was only in the system space; in reality, his palms were almost beaten to pieces.

As for whether the teacher would accept him, Gu Qingyan never doubted himself.

With his talent, only someone blind wouldn’t want him.

【Lingchuan County Zhang’s Private School sign-in point discovered. Spend 3 points to sign in?】

Gu Qingyan didn’t check in. He thought to himself, “Three points—most of the check-in rewards are for imperial exam teaching courses. Since I’ve already gone to apprentice there in person, there’s no need to waste these points.”

“Young sir, we’ve come to study, please notify them,” the old village chief said with a bright smile.

The gatekeeper glanced at them: “Wait a moment.”

After a while, he came out and said, “Are you Gu?”

Gu Qingyan’s brow twitched, a bad feeling rising: “That’s right.”

“The student quota is full this year.” The gatekeeper’s face immediately turned cold.

The old village chief was surprised: “The students can actually be full?”

“The master said once it’s full, it’s full. You can ask at other private schools.” The gatekeeper started closing the door.

“Wait—” The old village chief reached out to block the door, but it closed even faster.

Gu Qingyan suddenly pulled back the old village chief’s hand, his expression very unpleasant. “If you don’t accept us, then fine. Deliberately hurting people—that’s the education of a scholar’s family? Bring out Scholar Zhang.”

“Get lost quickly, don’t cause trouble here or I’ll report you to the authorities.” The gatekeeper ignored them completely.

Gu Qingyan wanted to argue more, but the old village chief pulled him away: “Forget it, forget it. We didn’t even get to meet him.”

The old village chief murmured in his heart but only said aloud: “If they don’t accept us, then let’s ask elsewhere.”

“Alright.”

Before leaving, Gu Qingyan, with a mindset of ‘passing by and not missing out,’ checked in anyway.

[You have successfully checked in at the Zhang Family Private School and received the teachings of Scholar Zhang.]

No matter how bad their attitude, they still had to obediently enter the system tutorial. No need to even pay the traditional tuition gift. Gu Qingyan felt like he’d gained something.

After discussing, the two went to the Huang Scholar’s private school.

On the way, the old village chief comforted him: “Actually, going to Huang Scholar is good too. He was your father’s close friend, so he’ll surely teach you earnestly.”

[Discovered check-in point at Huang Family Private School in Lingchuan County. Use 3 points to check in?]

Gu Qingyan didn’t check in—it cost 3 points, and the teaching quality of both teachers was about the same.

A thought popped up: if he checked into every private school, wouldn’t he be able to gather the strengths of three teachers and enjoy one-on-one tutoring from all three?

If that’s the case for private schools, what about the larger academies or even the Imperial Academy?

Gu Qingyan’s heart raced. If his guess was right, he’d never lack teachers in his life—a guaranteed golden opportunity.

The old village chief knocked on the door.

The gatekeeper obviously recognized him: “Chief Gu, what brings you here?”

“Today I brought my child to apprentice. This is Gu Qingyan, the biological son of my third brother. Is Scholar Huang home?”

The gatekeeper looked awkward: “Unfortunately, my master went out to visit a friend.”

“That’s quite an unfortunate coincidence. Do you know when Scholar Huang will return?”

“In three to five days at the earliest, six or seven days at the longest. Master didn’t say for sure.” The gatekeeper looked troubled.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do.” The old village chief looked at Gu Qingyan. “Qingyan, maybe we should head back first.”

Gu Qingyan glanced at the gatekeeper, who didn’t dare meet his gaze and kept his head down.

Seeing Gu Qingyan’s expression sour, the old village chief tried to comfort him: “It’s alright, he’s not home today. We can come back in a few days. Scholar Huang will surely accept you.”

Gu Qingyan sighed: “Uncle, Scholar Huang is home, he just doesn’t want to see us.”

The old village chief’s face darkened: “How’s that possible? Could it be a misunderstanding? Maybe we just came at the wrong time and Scholar Huang really went out to visit a friend?”

Gu Qingyan shook his head: “There are faint sounds of studying from inside. Even if Scholar Huang went out to visit friends, he wouldn’t be gone for three to five days, leaving a group of students unattended.”

The old village chief clearly thought the same and cursed: “It must be Li Jingtian badmouthing you before he left, making Scholar Huang biased against you. No, I have to go back and tell Scholar Huang there’s a misunderstanding.”

“Uncle, he won’t even see us. It’s useless for you to go back.” Gu Qingyan held him back.

The old village chief was angry: “He won’t even meet you? Such a waste of your third brother’s many years of friendship.”

Both suspected Li Jingtian was behind the trouble.

Gu Qingyan turned back:

[You have successfully checked in at the Huang Family Private School and received the teachings of Scholar Huang.]

If Scholar Huang refused, the system would provide it. The system rewards courses that are even better, without the human tendency to hide knowledge or show favoritism.

Gu Qingyan smiled satisfactorily.

“Uncle, let’s go to the Li Family Private School.”

The old village chief frowned and sighed. Secretly, he thought the Li Family private school had a bad reputation, but they had no other choice.

When they arrived at the Li Family private school, they were immediately refused entry.

The gatekeeper spoke even more rudely: “Where did you peasants come from? This is not a place for you. Get out quickly.”

“Go far away, don’t dirty my door.”

They even chased them away with a broom, making the old village chief curse loudly.

Having been rejected by three private schools in a row, the old village chief’s face turned grim: “Zhang’s is full, Huang’s isn’t home, and Li’s doesn’t even open the door. It must be that Li Jingtian causing trouble!”

“Can Li Jingtian really have that much power?” Gu Qingyan felt something was off.

Li Jingtian did harbor hostility toward the Gu family, but he was just a student before leaving and now far away in Qingzhou Prefecture. His reach couldn’t extend this far.

Just then, someone hurriedly came from behind and bumped right into Gu Qingyan, then ran off without even saying thanks.

Gu Qingyan found a piece of paper in his hand. Opening it, he saw a single white character written on it.