Chapter 74: Mr. Meng’s Reaction

"Master Meng, do you still accept students at your private school? I’ve brought my child here for you to examine him. This is our gift for the teacher!"

"And mine as well, Master Meng. My child is very clever."

"Me too, me too!"

Master Meng was baffled. Some of these students looked familiar to him; they were pupils of other private school teachers, and good ones at that.

Why would they want to attend his school? Everyone knew his students were those whom other teachers refused to take in, except for Li Su—Li Su had chosen his school for reasons unknown.

Back then, the other teachers were quite envious, thinking he’d struck it lucky.

But after Li Su came to his school, he failed several exams in a row.

It was clear those teachers blamed him for poor teaching, saying he’d wasted a true genius. At the time, even Master Meng doubted himself.

His feelings toward Li Su were deeply complicated, shifting drastically over time.

Suddenly, a thought struck him—could it be that Li Su had finally succeeded in the exam, and that was why everyone was here?

The more he considered it, the more likely it seemed. Still, he didn’t agree to take new students. Li Su’s success wasn’t due to his instruction; it was thanks to Li Su’s own teacher.

“The places are limited, and at present, there are none available. Please don’t crowd the doorway,” Master Meng said helplessly.

The crowd grew anxious. “You could expand the space! We’ll all contribute money!”

“Master Meng, we sincerely want our children to learn here. Please consider taking them. Any conditions are fine.”

“Yes, yes!”

Master Meng was eager to go out and investigate whether Li Su had really passed, but he was surrounded and couldn’t get out. He asked, “Why do you all suddenly want to come here?”

“Oh, Master Meng, you haven’t heard? Your students passed four exams this year! Four! And one named Li Su not only became a Scholar, he also won the Junior Triple Laureate. When they went with drums and gongs from the county to his house, even the magistrate was there.”

“It was lively! The Junior Triple Laureate—there’s only one among all the counties nearby.”

“Master Meng, please accept my child. I guarantee he’ll study hard and never bring you shame.”

Master Meng was utterly stunned, doubting his own ears.

“Triple Laureate?” Li Su achieved that? And four scholars from his school?

He never dared dream of such a thing, yet now it was real.

Though he had hoped Li Su might someday become a Provincial Graduate, he never imagined Li Su would achieve the Junior Triple Laureate.

To win that title, one must take first place in the county, prefectural, and academy exams—it was even harder than becoming a Provincial Graduate.

“Besides Li Su, who else became a Scholar?” Master Meng quickly asked.

“There’s the Lin family’s son, Lin Ze. That family is really fortunate—both sons are Scholars.” The speaker, who had business dealings with the Lin family, was full of envy.

“I’ve found out: Lin Ze, Ren Shu Hua, Qin Ming. These three are close friends of Li Su, the Junior Triple Laureate.”

Master Meng was dumbfounded. Those three? Although they’d been diligent this past year, it was only one year. Since when did becoming a Scholar become so easy?

Were they all especially gifted?

Master Meng felt overwhelmed, clutching his chest to steady himself.

He swiftly sent the crowd away from his door and walked outside with trembling steps to confirm the news himself.

After asking around, Master Meng believed it, muttering in a daze, “Truly... astonishing...”

On his way home, he encountered other private school teachers, who looked at him with undisguised envy and jealousy.

Master Meng seemed blessed with extraordinary luck! Who could see this and not feel envy, jealousy, and resentment?

He was overjoyed—such honor! The Junior Triple Laureate, and four Scholars at once!

...

The next day, Jiang Yu and Brother Jiang went to the Li family to discuss the menu. Feng Cui Cui suggested four meat dishes. Brother Jiang was taken aback and glanced at Jiang Yu, who appeared calm, as if this were nothing unusual.

Brother Jiang wondered if standards had changed since he last took an order. He often cooked for weddings and funerals in the nearby villages, and even for the better-off families, two meat dishes were the norm. Usually, there was just one. If there were six dishes on a table, two meat and four vegetable dishes was already considered generous.

Yet Feng Cui Cui had asked for four meat dishes right away. Brother Jiang was bewildered—were the Li family planning to spend everything on this event? Why wasn’t Xiao Yu advising them otherwise?

But it wasn’t his place to comment. In the end, they settled on eight dishes per table: four meat, four vegetables. Brother Jiang wanted to speak up several times but held his tongue.

After the menu was set, Brother Jiang left in a daze. As the Li family didn’t have enough tables and benches for the banquet, Feng Cui Cui went to borrow from neighbors.

In rural households, this was tradition: whoever held a banquet would borrow pots, bowls, and utensils from neighbors, then clean and return them afterwards. There was no need to buy new items just for the occasion.

As soon as Feng Cui Cui asked, the neighbors agreed.

After all, these were being lent to the family of a Scholar—who would refuse? Perhaps, after lending and retrieving them, their own homes might receive a touch of good fortune.

Feng Cui Cui clearly sensed the villagers were warmer toward her now, and she couldn't help but feel proud, thinking her fourth child was truly remarkable.

The Li family eagerly awaited Li Su’s return; everything was ready, only missing their fourth child.

Li Zheng Qiang and Dong Fang Fang regretted not witnessing the official’s arrival to announce the good news.

Feng Cui Cui comforted them, “Xiao Si will continue to study and take more exams. There’ll be more chances in the future.”

Li Zheng Qiang and Dong Fang Fang nodded, “Xiao Si is so talented, maybe he’ll become a Provincial Graduate someday.”

The Li family all nodded in agreement. They didn’t realize how difficult it was; their faith in Li Su made them confident their child could do it.

Li Su and his three companions disembarked, dusty but energetic. Though they knew their families already had the news, they were eager to see their loved ones and tell them personally that they’d become Scholars.

“Let’s all head home, and gather again another day.”

At Li Su’s words, Lin Ze and the other two dashed off far ahead.

Li Su was amused—truly eager to return, just children after all.

He chuckled, quickened his pace, and went first to inform his teacher before returning home.

Even before he reached the gate, Li Su called out, “Master! Master—”

Xi Sheng replied irritably, “I hear you! Where’s your composure as a scholar?”

Li Su paid no mind to Xi Sheng’s tone. “Master, I won the Junior Triple Laureate! Isn’t that amazing?” Li Su sounded just like a child seeking praise.