Chapter 92 Zhao was expelled from the academy.
When Cheng Zhao was only three years old, he showed an exceptional talent for studying.
The old scholar in the village liked Cheng Zhao very much. He didn't accept a penny of tuition and took Cheng Zhao by his side every day to personally teach him to read and write.
After the old scholar finished teaching him everything he knew, Cheng Zhao went to study at a small private school in Ping'an Town. After passing the preliminary examination, he naturally entered the Nanfu Academy.
He was the youngest student in the surrounding area, and all the teachers and scholars said that he would definitely pass the imperial examination next year.
Grandma Cheng's favorite grandson was her eldest grandson. She would rather eat coarse food herself than let her grandson go to school.
"Zhao'er, why are you back?"
Cheng Zhao's expression darkened: "Grandma, where have you been all this time?"
"I went to your second aunt's house, and oh, your second aunt is a real scoundrel!" Old Mrs. Cheng couldn't help but burst into a tirade. "She said she would support your studies, but she couldn't even spare two taels of silver, and she even had someone kick me out. I am her own mother, and she has shown me the utmost disrespect! Zhao'er, after you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, no matter what your second aunt says, you must ignore her. It's because she treated you badly, ugh, shameless good-for-nothing, don't even think about getting any favors from our Cheng family again..."
Sister-in-law Cheng came out of the house: "Mother, I told you not to go to Second Sister-in-law. I don't know if she got her brain caught in a door or kicked by a donkey, but she actually dared to go against the Cheng family. In the future, when our Zhao'er becomes successful, she must go to the Zhao family's door and not give them a single penny. Let's see what they can do to us."
The two of them took turns scolding Cheng Wanwan.
Hearing these words, Cheng Zhao felt a mix of emotions.
In the past, when my second aunt would occasionally bring things to our house, my mother and grandmother would always praise her.
Now that my second aunt no longer sides with the Cheng family, her family members have started to verbally abuse her without thinking.
The help he received in the past was genuine, and he did indeed use a lot of money from his aunt's family. Just because his aunt is no longer willing to help, does that negate everything that happened in the past?
"Oh dear, how could I say such things in front of Zhao'er? I'm so as not to offend her ears." Sister-in-law Cheng chuckled. "Zhao'er, why did you suddenly come back? Are you short of money? I have some money here. Take it all with you to the academy. Buy whatever you need. Don't be stingy, or you'll be laughed at by your classmates..."
Cheng Zhao said slowly, "Starting today, I will stop studying."
Grandma Cheng was stunned: "Zhao'er, what did you say?"
Sister-in-law Cheng's eyes widened: "Zhao'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"I brought all my luggage and books back." Cheng Zhao pursed her lips. "I won't be going to Nanfu Academy again."
Grandma Cheng saw two trunks at his feet, and when she opened them, she saw they were full of books. It didn't seem like a fake.
The old woman said dryly, "That's fine, that's fine. Study hard at home, and you can go to the provincial capital to take the imperial examination next year... But there's no one at home who can teach you, so you should go to the academy. Don't worry, Grandma will find a way to raise the tuition fees. Don't worry about that, studying is the most important thing..."
A shadow fell over Cheng Zhao's face: "I have been expelled from Nanfu Academy, and with no one to vouch for me, I cannot participate in the academy's examination."
"What did you say?!" Sister-in-law Cheng suddenly exploded, "Has the Nanfu Academy gone mad? Why did they expel you? No way, I'm going to demand justice for you! It's simply outrageous and lawless! My son is so outstanding, why can't he take the imperial examination? Come on, let's go to town right now."
Grandma Cheng rolled up her sleeves: "I know the headmaster of Nanfu Academy. He's so old and he's still bullying a child. Watch how I scold him."
Cheng Zhao held the two of them down and said, word by word, "I was expelled because I cheated on the exam. Cheats are never allowed to participate in the imperial examinations again."
He bent down, picked up the two boxes from the ground, and went into the inner room.
Grandma Cheng and Sister-in-law Cheng looked at each other, both women who had spent their entire lives in this remote mountain village and had no idea what Cheng Zhao was saying.
Before the two could figure it out, Cheng Zhao came out of the house: "Over the years, my education has cost a lot of money, and my family has worked hard. From now on, Grandma, Grandpa, and Mom and Dad will no longer need to contribute to my tuition. Also, I would like to know how much money my aunts have contributed to my education over the years?"
Sister-in-law Cheng curled her lips: "Your eldest aunt married badly. She can't even afford a single copper coin. She only brings over a little grain each year as a token gesture. As for your second aunt, she only received twenty taels of mourning money last year when her husband died. That's all she has."
Cheng Zhao said slowly, "Every month when it's time to pay tuition, my second aunt would send money to the Cheng family. It would be anywhere from a hundred coins to a tael of silver. Over the years, all things considered, our family owes my second aunt at least fifty taels of silver."
"What nonsense are you spouting, child!" Old Mrs. Cheng glared at her. "She's your own aunt. Who else would she give her money to if not you? It's perfectly legitimate for you to spend her money. There's no question of owing her anything!"
"It should be said that I owe my second aunt fifty taels, and it has nothing to do with the Cheng family." Cheng Zhao took out a money pouch from his sleeve. "This is a few taels of silver that I earned in my spare time copying books. I'll take it to pay it off first."
He took a step and prepared to leave.
Sister-in-law Cheng grabbed his arm: "Zhao'er, have you gone crazy because of this schooling issue? It's one thing for your second aunt not to pay your tuition, but how can you still give her money? Don't worry, your parents will find a way to help you with your studies. We can't stop you from taking the imperial examination. Don't waste the money. Here, let me keep this money for now."
Cheng Zhao silently pursed her lips.
He used to take his aunt's favoritism for granted because he knew that one day he would make something of himself and have the opportunity to repay her.
But now, he has been expelled and lost his qualification for the academy examination. He will never be able to leave Chengjia Village again in his life. He has to use the hands that he used to read and write to learn how to farm. He is very sad, but he has no choice.
He clearly did not cheat, but two people of high status framed him. The evidence was so complete that the headmaster had nothing to say, and he had no room to refute it.
As he walked out of the academy, he thought about many things. Over the years, his family had suffered so much to support his studies.
Even if he does pass the county-level exam and becomes a scholar, what then? He'll still have to study for several more years to pass the provincial-level exam, which is very difficult to pass on the first try, and might require even more years of study... Does he really want so many people in his family to support his studies for an uncertain future...?
He walked out of the Cheng family courtyard in silence.
Sister-in-law Cheng slapped her thigh in panic: "This child is blinded by greed! How could he actually go and pay back the money? He's gone mad, he's really gone mad..."
"Paying back the money isn't a big deal. We can make that good-for-nothing pay it back later. The most important thing now is what to do about Zhao'er's schooling." Old Mrs. Cheng gritted her teeth. "I'll go ask the old scholar in the village what's going on. Our Zhao'er is going to be a scholar in the future, and we can't let him be delayed."
Grandma Cheng went to find the village head of Chengjia Village.
Cheng Zhao continued walking towards Dahe Village.
He had been here once when he was a child, and he vaguely remembered how to get there. He soon arrived at the road leading to Dahe Village.
A man stood guard at the village entrance, blocking the way into the village with a long tree branch.
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