Chen Erzhu had somehow ended up standing next to Chen Xian.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Dad, won't you turn them into complete idiots by talking like that?"

"You two silly children, you don't know how lucky you are. If our family had the means and wealth, your old man might have tried taking the imperial examinations."

"Back in Daxing Town, a mere lowly clerk dared to humiliate the Chen family. Doesn't that prove that being an official is the only true power in this dynasty?"

Chen Erzhu's face was calm, but his expression was resolute.

Father, take a look. I, Chen Erzhu, hereby swear that I will never get married in this life if I don't pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Even a minor official has a high social status, and he would never allow the Chen family to be humiliated by a mere clerk or merchant in the future.

Chen Xian muttered to himself, "Officials and merchants, huh? I haven't been sleeping well these past few days; I'm feeling uneasy."

Let's wait and see.

The Su brothers looked as if they had just woken from a nightmare, their faces contorted in a state of deep distress.

Chen Xian called out to Wen Xuan.

"Wenxuan, it's good to be interested in writing books. It's better than young people having nowhere to vent their energy, going to brothels to drink and gamble. My suggestion is to put most of your energy into studying for the imperial examinations and put a small part of your energy into writing storybooks. If you don't understand anything about storybooks, you can ask me anytime. Take good care of yourself and don't give up on yourself."

Su Wenxuan nodded mechanically and stiffly.

"Yes, thank you, uncle."

Chen Dazhu was working alongside the workers.

Chen Erzhu: "Dad, I'm going to read a book."

"Um."

San Niu was also writing, drawing and writing on the ground with a stick.

I think about it from time to time.

Si Niu then found a piece of paper and used a calligraphy brush to write the characters her teacher had recently taught her.

The rooster crowed from a haystack in the Chen family's yard.

Two large white geese patrolled the entrance to the Chen family's house from time to time.

Chen Xian went to the main room.

I've decided to write something.

With the A Chinese Ghost Story series finished, it's time to start a new story.

They ransacked the place.

Suddenly, an idea struck me.

The theme should still be based on ghosts and monsters.

Text: [A scholar, a smirk spreading across his face, a wicked and arrogant expression on his face, exuding an air of unbridled arrogance: What man in the world doesn't like a beautiful wife? Only those foolish men without the means would tolerate an ugly woman.]

at the same time.

He wrote another line of small characters on the paper.

A preliminary idea for establishing the Daxing Town Storytelling Forum.

Not long after.

Tiger's mother walked into the Chen family home with a smile.

"Dad Dazhu, your family has guests again. Your house has been very lively lately."

A cheerful voice came over.

"How have you been lately, Mr. Liaozhai?"

Chen Xian chuckled.

Is this another call to urge me to finish the manuscript?

Uncle Fu was sitting in the carriage when he jumped down.

"I wonder if there are two young men surnamed Su in the village?"

Chen Xian nodded.

During this time, Uncle Fu went to the Su residence.

They knew that the Su brothers had run away from home.

He then looked at the map on the Su family's table.

Suddenly I realized where those two people might have gone.

So he bought some food and a change of clothes and went to Qingxia Village to see if he could find the two people.

The Su Family Courtyard.

The Su brothers obediently placed the book on the table and began to memorize it carefully.

"The Zhou and Tang dynasties emphasized external affairs over internal ones, while the Qin and Wei dynasties emphasized internal affairs over external ones; each has its merits."

This is a question of historical theory.

Su Wenxuan scratched his head in frustration.

Su Wenhao wasn't much better off.

"It's too difficult."

Su Wenxuan read a few pages, then lay sprawled out on the chair with his head tilted back.

Yu Guangzhong saw someone coming over.

Sit up straight and pretend to read.

Uncle Fu found it somewhat amusing.

"Second Young Master, I've brought you some food."

Su Wenxuan looked at him with surprise.

"Uncle Fu, how did you know we were here?"

"With Mr. Liaozhai here, judging from the Second Young Master's temperament, he should come to ask him for advice on how to write storybooks. Naturally, he should be in Qingxia Village. Am I right?"

Su Wenxuan chuckled lightly.

"That makes sense."

"Let me see what food you brought us."

Huh?

"Roast chicken, roast duck, steamed lamb, Zhang's pastries, Xu's candy, and fresh fruit specially bought for you from Yingzhou Prefecture—apples and oranges. Please come and have a taste, young master."

Su Wenxuan gave him an orange.

"No, my tooth hurts, I can't eat sweets."

Uncle Fu was somewhat moved. He had taken care of the two Su boys since they were young and regarded them as his own juniors.

Su Wenxuan grabbed a duck leg and handed it to Uncle Fu.

"We've come all this way, let's eat together."

Uncle Fu chuckled.

Su Wenhao touched the teapot; the water wasn't very hot.

He got up and went back to the kitchen to boil water.

A ladle of water was added to the pot, and the fire blazed fiercely.

In no time, a bowl of water was boiled.

He got up and poured it for Uncle Fu.

"Uncle Fu, thank you for coming all this way. Please sit down and rest for a while."

Uncle Fu's eyes were slightly red, and he took the bowl with a slight tremor.

The two young masters have grown up and know how to care for and cherish others.

However, he glanced at the books on the table.

He asked in confusion, "Young Master, are you planning to study?"

Su Wenxuan waved his hand awkwardly.

"The provincial examination is next year, and we plan to work hard. It's not good to just dabble in things every day."

It was as if I had heard something terrible.

I quickly put down the bowl, looking very nervous.

“Young master, don’t put too much pressure on yourselves. I’m still in good health, and our shop is doing well. We’ve also recently received a picture book from Mr. Liaozhai. Our business is booming. Even if you two don’t want to take the imperial examinations, we have enough money to support yourselves.”

"Don't study too hard or too tiringly, don't burn the midnight oil and ruin your health."

Su Wenhao said calmly, "A person should have dreams, otherwise what's the difference between them and a parasite who just loafs around and waits to die?"

Uncle Fu nodded, his face full of kindness, and said, "Young master, you should rest when you're tired. The right way is to combine work and rest. Don't push yourself too hard. A good body and a good mood will make you eat well, which is more valuable than any fame or fortune."

"I'll take care of everything at the shop, so don't worry about it too much."

"The master is in his prime, so naturally he can shelter you from the wind and rain."

Su Wenhao gave an awkward laugh.

It's just that his father wasn't around, otherwise he would definitely have scolded him for saying those words.

What does it mean to not push yourself too hard? What does it mean to not study too hard?

Studying is never easy.

According to my father, anything that makes you feel relaxed, happy, or comfortable is not conducive to your career, fame, or fortune.

Like a frog being slowly boiled in water, it will eventually perish.