"Brother Xiao, please don't be so modest. If we didn't rely on your daily care for us, I'm afraid we would have to make a living by copying books like those students born in poor families." One of the scholars said with a look of gratitude.

"Brother Liu, we are all friends. My family is in business, so our conditions are naturally better than yours. It is only natural for me to lend a hand. There is no need to worry so much. We can usually discuss knowledge together, drink tea and chat. Mingzhi will also feel that these insignificant helps are nothing." Xiao Mingming said.

After hearing what Xiao Mingzhi said, the scholars felt even more grateful and moved.

"Mr. Xiao is kind and righteous, which is truly admirable." Uncle Xu also sighed.

"Uncle Xu, please don't praise Mingzhi so much. Compared to Brother Xu, what I have done is nothing." Xiao Mingzhi said.

While they were talking, the waiter brought up tea and snacks.

"Mr. Xiao, please enjoy your meal."

Xiao Mingzhi nodded, picked up the white porcelain pot and poured a cup for each person, and finally poured the cup in front of him, picked it up and took a sip, and continued:

"Brother Xu, are you going to the capital to take the imperial examination?"

"That's right." Xu Wenwu replied softly.

"I heard that many talented people have emerged this year. Brother Xu, do you have any plans?" Xiao Mingzhi asked.

"Let's take it one step at a time. If there is someone better than me, then this trip will be worthwhile." Xu Wenwu chuckled.

"Brother Xu, please don't underestimate yourself. Just considering your age, you've already reached the same level as those who have studied for ten years or more. This is astonishing. Moreover, you always top the list in every exam, which further demonstrates just how talented you are in studying. The rest of us are far behind."

Xiao Mingzhi said sincerely.

"Yes, what Brother Xiao said is true. We are several years older than Brother Xu. The highest title we have now is only the scholar title, which we have earned through countless days and nights of hard study. Brother Xu will surely become famous in Beijing this time. We are looking forward to your good news." The scholar named Liu echoed.

The others nodded at the same time, expressing their agreement.

"Thank you all for your good wishes. If Wenwu can live up to my expectations this time, I will invite you all to my Xujia Village and I will definitely have a drink and chat with you all." Xu Wenwu said.

"Very good. Then we will wait for good news from Brother Xu." Xiao Mingzhi said.

Xu Wenwu nodded, then said, "You are all older than me, so why not just call me Wenwu."

Xiao Mingzhi smiled and said, "Although we are indeed older than you, since ancient times, there has been no limit to learning, and the most accomplished are the teachers. Moreover, we should respectfully address Brother Xu as "Sir Juren"! In this way, we are taking advantage of Brother Xu."

Xu Wenwu smiled and didn't dwell on this issue anymore, so he let them be.

"I wonder when Brother Xu is planning to leave for the capital?" Xiao Mingzhi asked.

"Tomorrow at noon." Xu Wenwu replied.

"In such a hurry? There's still quite some time before the imperial examination. Why don't you stay in Tianyou City for a few more days so that Mingzhi can treat your uncle and the others well." Xiao Mingzhi said regretfully.

"Brother Xiao has good intentions, and Wenwu appreciates them. However, we are new here and not familiar with the environment in the capital, so we wanted to go there earlier to get familiar with it and adapt better." Xu Wenwu said.

"That makes sense. Tianyou City is only two or three days' journey from the capital anyway. If Brother Xu needs Mingzhi's help with something, just send someone to deliver a letter. Mingzhi will definitely help if he can." Xiao Mingzhi said.

"Thank you very much, Brother Xiao." Xu Wenwu said.

The few of them were chatting happily. Qibao didn't say much the whole time. He listened to his elder brother and Xiao Mingzhi talking, but his eyes were indeed observing the surroundings. He thought to himself that the teahouse business was not bad, and most of the time there were three or five friends gathering to drink tea and chat.

Xiao Wu, who was standing by, couldn't hear the flowery conversation between his elder brother and Xiao Mingzhi. He could only eat snacks while looking around.

Seeing that it was getting later, Xu Wenwu was worried that Qibao would get sleepy, so he said, "It's getting late. My sister is young and has been traveling with us all day. Wenwu wants to take her back to the inn to rest early."

Xiao Mingzhi then noticed the sky, and even the number of pedestrians on the street was much less than before. He then realized that he had been so busy chatting that he had forgotten the time, so he bowed and apologized:

"I'm so sorry, Brother Xu. I was so busy chatting with you that I forgot the time and disturbed my uncle and the Xu family's brothers and sisters from resting. It's really Mingzhi's fault. Please don't blame me."

"Mr. Xiao, that's serious. I would like to thank you for taking us to visit the prosperous Tianyou City today. It has broadened my horizons as a man from the village. How can I blame Mr. Xiao?" Uncle Xu said quickly.

He had been listening to the conversation between his son and Xiao Mingzhi. On the one hand, he was both proud and satisfied with his eldest son. He was proud that in the face of other people's praise and compliments, he always remained calm and composed, and at the same time humble and polite.

On the other hand, he was worried that his son would be under too much pressure and it would affect his mentality. He knew that his son had put a lot of effort into this exam, and if this affected his final results, he would probably suffer a great setback.

After all, he knew why his son worked so hard, for the Xu family and to protect Qibao. This had almost become the obsession in the child's heart.

Everyone stood up and said goodbye one by one at the entrance of the teahouse before going their separate ways.

A few of them returned to the inn, asked the waiter to bring some hot water, took a quick shower, and then lay down on the bed to sleep. After all, everyone was a little tired that day.

The next morning, Qibao heard a knock on the door in a daze.

When he opened the door, he saw Xu Wenwu standing outside. When he saw Qibao, he walked in with a smile.

Looking at his sister's dazed look after waking up, he couldn't help but chuckle in a doting manner. He gently took out the rabbit fur cloak that was on the small bed and draped it over Qibao, saying:

"It's still a bit cold today, I hope you don't catch a cold."

Qibao chuckled and hugged Xu Wenwu's arm and said, "That's very kind, big brother. But Qibao won't be cold at all, don't worry, big brother."

Xu Wenwu gently touched Qibao's head and said in a gentle tone, "Okay, Qibao, you're the best! Are you hungry? Big brother will take you out for something delicious."

Qibao touched his stomach and said playfully, "How did Big Brother know I was hungry? Could it be that Big Brother can tell fortunes?"

Xu Wenwu laughed, shook his head, tapped Qibao's forehead, and said helplessly, "You, hurry up and pack up. Dad and your little fifth brother will be waiting anxiously."

"Yes, sir!" Qibao said, and then asked Fuqiu to fetch some water for him, so that he could wash his face and comb his hair neatly. Then he went out with his elder brother.

After the family met at the entrance of the inn, they walked towards the nearest snack stand...

"Qibao, look at what that person is doing..." Xiaowu suddenly said, pointing at a figure on the street in the distance.