Chapter 52

Shen Cui didn’t know about the academy’s grand competition before, but after the task was issued, she inquired about it with Mrs. Zheng.

Although Mrs. Zheng brought it up, she didn’t know much about it either. She said, “I heard it from that old lady from the Chen family. Before, your sister-in-law was eager to have Shuanzi come to study. But after what you did, Shuanzi was so scared that he cried. I don’t know what Chen Shi said to his mother, but a few days ago, that old lady from the Chen family came over and said that it’s our turn to host the academy’s grand competition this year. All the reputable academies are participating. She made it sound like if we don’t participate, we’ll lose face. That’s why I asked.”

Mu Er Pang was still in the academy. Although Mrs. Zheng missed her eldest grandson very much, she didn’t go to disturb him. She stood in the courtyard of the old house for a while, looked through the window at Mu Er Pang, and then left.

As the weather got warmer, things couldn’t be kept for long. Shen Cui gave away more than half of the basket of eggs Mrs. Zheng had given her, asking Mrs. Zhou to make them for dinner.

Lao Buyu and the two children each got a bowl of egg custard, and there was also scrambled eggs with chili and egg soup.

For two consecutive days, they had good food, and Mu Er Pang ate with great relish.

After dinner, Shen Cui asked Lao Buyu about the academy’s grand competition.

She asked the right person. Lao Buyu gave a detailed explanation.

The academy’s grand competition is jointly organized by prestigious academies to exchange and learn from each other. It’s also an opportunity for academies and students to gain fame.

Where Lao Buyu’s senior brother’s Academy, has been open for less than twenty years. When Mu Cheng sent Mu Yunchuan to study, the scale was far from what it is now, similar to the small private school under Huang Juren’s control.

Compared with some old and well-established academies that have been passed down for decades, it can only be considered shallow.

But a few years ago, Mu Yunchuan represented Qingzhu Academy in a grand competition, and it was astonishing.

Not only did he make a name for himself among the scholars, but Qingzhu Academy also became famous.

Since then, Qingzhu Academy has attracted students from all over, gradually growing to its current scale.

The grand competition isn’t always held in the same place; several of the most prestigious academies take turns hosting it.

Such a literary gathering attracts many people and boosts the local economy, so local officials are happy to see it happen and often provide some assistance.

“You mentioned it, and I just remembered. It seems that it’s our turn to host it this year, but I don’t know which academy will be hosting it. It will be like a gathering of scholars from all over the world, so it will definitely be very lively. It’s a good opportunity to broaden their horizons!”

Shen Cui understood that this grand competition was extremely competitive, similar to the martial arts competitions in cultivation novels. As for their two children, they wouldn’t stand a chance, especially the chubby one.

But the system also noted that as long as they participated, the task would be completed.

Shen Cui thought for a moment and then asked, “So, how do we sign up? Do we need any qualifications?”

Lao Buyu hadn’t been surprised by Shen Cui’s words for a long time. He thought he had developed the ability to withstand what unreasonable behaviour she has, but he was still stunned by her words.

“You want to participate in this competition?”

“What do you mean ‘you’? It’s us. The entire academy is participating.”

Lao Buyu was surprised by Shen Cui’s determination. Shen Cui continued, “The teacher also said that such a literary event is rare here. Since we want the children to broaden their horizons, it’s better to participate than just watch. Experiencing it will be more beneficial, right?”

“That’s true, but signing up is not difficult. You just need to pay some silver to participate. But aren’t you afraid that the children will be discouraged? even if they study hard, they haven’t even studied for a year. I’m not afraid if they lose. As you said, it’s just to broaden his horizons and gain more experience. Xiao Fei Yang has studied for many years and is not inferior to others in all aspects, but his temperament…”

Although Wei Xi was a latecomer, Lao Buyu hadn’t spent much time educating him, but after getting along with him, he also loved him dearly.

He didn’t want to say that Wei Xi was bad, but Wei Xi’s character was indeed sensitive and stubborn. This kind of large-scale competition is not private; the results of the competition will inevitably be known throughout the city.

If the young man’s mood is unstable and he is discouraged in the competition, it will affect his future exams and even his future life.

What Lao Buyu thought of, Shen Cui naturally also thought of.

This is indeed a bit difficult to handle. After pondering for a long time, she asked, “After signing up, does everyone in the academy have to participate?”

“It’s not necessary,” Lao Buyu said. “The competition generally consists of poetry, articles, and the six arts, and the head of each academy decides who will participate. For example, when Mu Yunchuan represented Qingzhu Academy, my senior brother’s disciples were not as numerous as they are now. He participated in several rounds by himself.”

It was precisely because he won several rounds alone that he made a name for himself and made everyone remember him.

“Oh, that’s good. Let Xiao Xue participate in one or two rounds that he is confident in. For the rest, we can just admit defeat directly.”

Anyway, as long as they participate, the task will be completed!

Lao Buyu stared in surprise, finally believing that she was doing it to broaden the children’s horizons. “The registration fee is at least ten taels of silver, and it is usually hosted by academies in the prefectural city, so we will have to go to the prefectural city… Is Mrs. Mu spending so much money just to let the children practice?”

As for the silver, Shen Cui had already said she was tired of it. The constant was still her heart, bleeding.

Afterward, Shen Cui told the two children about this matter, saying the same thing, urging them to participate and have fun, and not to worry about gains and losses.

Mu Er Pang didn’t understand what the competition was about, but when he heard that there would be such a grand event, he was excited.

Wei Xi knew about this. Wei Shu had participated before and won a small archery competition on behalf of the Qingzhu Academy.

Although Wei Xi was physically weak and had not learned horseback archery at home, he had his own expertise. He was skilled in playing the guqin. While his accomplishments were not extraordinary, he was considered outstanding among his peers.

Every teacher the Wei family had invited had praised his talent in this area.

Back then, he had eagerly wanted to become a disciple of Lao Buyu. He had played “High Mountains and Flowing Water” for Lao Buyu for a long time.

Unfortunately, Lao Buyu at that time didn’t regard him as a potential genius in music but just treated him as if someone were playing music to a cow.

Unexpectedly, he had another special talent. Shen Cui felt more at ease. The next day, she went to inquire about the registration details with money in hand.

As Lao Buyu had said, there were no specific qualifications required to participate in the major competition. As long as the registration fee was paid, anyone could participate.

Moreover, because Mu Yunchuan had won consecutive top two rankings, many students from the same period had been eliminated. Qingzhu Academy had surpassed other academies in the prefectural city and became the host. Therefore, there was no need to travel to other places to participate in the academy competition.

She explained her intentions to the people from Qingzhu Academy. The middle-aged scholar in charge of the relevant matters looked her up and down and said, “Madam, please don’t joke. Only the head of the academy is qualified to register for the academy competition. If your family has a child who wants to participate, they need to be affiliated with the academy.”

Shen Cui felt a bit embarrassed in front of Lao Buyu, but she couldn’t show any weakness in front of outsiders. She said, “I’m not here on behalf of the children at home, but on behalf of the academy. Since anyone from the academy can register, and I have brought enough money, please help me register. Our ‘Cuiwei Academy’ will participate in the competition.”

For a woman to be the head of an academy was unheard of in this era, let alone the Cuiwei Academy, which no one had ever heard of.

Although it was said that any academy could participate, such a literary event represented the literary level of various academies. Naturally, they couldn’t allow the overall quality to be easily lowered.

Especially since this year was the first time their Qingzhu Academy had hosted the major competition, they were naturally more cautious.

“As for the Cuiwei Academy you mentioned, besides you as the head, how many other teachers are there? How many students are there, and how many of them have achieved fame?”
The other party interrogated Shen Cui as if checking household registration, and she didn’t lie, revealing everything.

“Madam, don’t blame me for being blunt, but the overall quality of your academy… even if you participate, it’s just a waste of money.”

“Our academy is not large in scale, but I have heard that your academy was not as talented in the early years as it is now. I haven’t heard of other hosts blocking you from participating.”

One wanted to politely refuse, while the other insisted on participating. They were arguing when the head of the academy arrived.

The middle-aged scholar stood up to greet him and explained his difficulties.

After hearing the situation, the head asked him to go busy himself with other matters and came over to handle this matter.

Shen Cui and the head were considered acquaintances. The fact that she had subdued Lao Buyu and made him come to teach was the most unbelievable thing in his life.

So when Shen Cui brought up the Cuiwei Academy to participate in the academy competition this time, he was not particularly shocked. He just asked, “Was it Lao Buyu who sent Mrs. Mu over?”

Obviously, he thought this strange and inappropriate behavior was initiated by Lao Buyu.

Shen Cui was about to help explain a few words for Lao Buyu, but she saw the head had already picked up the seal and stamped it on the qualification certificate of Qingzhu Academy. He quickly registered the name of Cuiwei Academy.

It was surprisingly smooth!

“Please tell Mrs. Mu to go back and tell Lao Buyu that if this competition dares to discredit the local literati… the cane passed down by the master is still in my room!”

After registering, Shen Cui found Lao Buyu after dinner and conveyed the message she didn’t understand to him, “This year’s host is not in the prefectural city, but in our county town. I saw the head of Qingzhu Academy and he asked me to tell you not to forget the cane passed down by your master…”

Lao Buyu waved his hand indifferently, “Whatever he says, I’m not afraid of him. Our sect has rules. Only after doing three absurd things can the senior brother request cane education for the junior brother. In the early years, I made a bad poem, which brought bad reviews to the sect. Later, I made some unjust money in the county town, which was the second time. That’s why I wanted to change places before, just afraid of doing something absurd and falling into his hands.”

As he spoke, Lao Buyu smiled triumphantly, “Although I didn’t succeed in leaving, I am doing my best to teach the two children. Who can find fault with me now?”

Shen Cui: Uh…