"Honey, are you alright?"

After returning home, the teacher went straight to his room and didn't leave for most of the day, which worried his family a lot.

"Am I really useless? Xiao Lei passed the exam. I studied for so many more years than him, and I was even his first teacher. Yet now I can't even compare to him."

It's laughable now, considering all this, yet I still frequently guide and encourage him. How could I have no self-awareness at all? Isn't that hilarious?

Over the years, the husband and wife have aged considerably. Their son is married and she is now a grandmother; they have certainly grown old.

"Don't talk about yourself like that. I know you have no problem with your studies. It's just that you didn't pass the exam because you were worried about money and had too many worries."

"No, I just can't do it."

"Let bygones be bygones. If it doesn't work this time, we can try again next time. I think you can pass the exam even if you don't go to the academy and study on your own. Why don't you try again next time?"

“But at home…” The teacher hesitated. His parents were old, and his grandchildren were coming out one after another. He couldn’t be so selfish.

"It's not that I don't want you to take care of the household, but can't you study while copying books? Don't you think so? If that's the case, you'll have a lot more work."

The teacher suddenly understood: a poor scholar could become a rich scholar, and as long as he passed the imperial examination, his family's life would improve. He had no reason to give up.

He knew best how many benefits a successful candidate in the imperial examinations could bring.

"Okay, I'll listen to you and continue reading. But if that's the case, you'll have to work hard on the household chores."

The old woman smiled and said, "What's so hard about it? You're the one who's having a hard time. I know you studied so that we could have a better life. Just do what you want to do. You're not that old, you can still work hard two or three more times."

Encouraged by his wife, the master cheered up considerably.

"Actually, I should have been able to pass the exam this time, but I was under a lot of pressure..."

He wasn't making excuses for himself; he genuinely knew how to do those questions. It was just that he was thinking too much and hesitating too much at the time, so he didn't dare to take the plunge.

“I know you can do it. If you don’t succeed this time, we’ll try again next time. It’s already difficult to become a Juren.”

After the Master had come to his senses, when Xiao Lei came to find him, he had already let go of his disappointment. "So, how was the Qionglin Banquet?"

"The limelight is all on the top three; we're just there to make up the numbers."

"Haha, are you going to Beijing next year?"

"We probably won't go. Grandma back home isn't feeling well. She came today to say goodbye to the teacher. We plan to go back to the village tomorrow and probably won't be back until after the New Year."

Seeing that the Master didn't seem to mind at all, Xiao Lei felt a little relieved.

Confucius was indeed a great man, with a broad mind.

"She's not in good health, and you really haven't been back for several years. You really should go back. It's okay if you don't take the exam this time; you can wait until next time. You're still young anyway."

Xiao Lei thought so too. He wasn't in a hurry. He hadn't spent enough time with his wife and children over the years and wanted to spend more time with them.

"That's right, you must never let Xiaoyu down in the future."

"The students dare not."

The teacher felt somewhat relieved to see that Xiao Lei still called him his student and acknowledged him as his teacher after passing the imperial examination. The child remained as well-behaved and sensible as he had been in the village.

Even if you achieve something, don't be arrogant or complacent.

After chatting for nearly an hour, Xiao Lei got up to say goodbye, saying that he needed to pack his luggage and would be leaving the next morning.

"Go ahead and get busy, I won't keep you. We'll get together again when you get back."

"Alright, I'll take my leave now."

When they got back, Zhao Xiaoyu was tidying up the toys her child had played with on the way.

"I'll do it."

"Father, I want to ride in the same carriage with you tomorrow."

Xiao Lei looked at his son, then at his daughter.

"How about you and Grandpa ride in the same car?"

His daughter was too noisy, and he was afraid that she wouldn't be able to rest well on the way.

Zhao Qixi's little face scrunched up, her lips drooping as if she was about to cry, "Dad, am I not your favorite son anymore?"

"No, I'm afraid it will be too crowded in the car."

Hmph, don't think she's stupid. She doesn't take up much space at all.

"Have your older brother accompany Grandpa and Grandma."

“They prefer you, Xiao Qi. Otherwise, Dad wouldn’t have let you go. I’m reluctant to part with you.”