Chapter 500 A Dream of Youth 32
"Too young. Why not take some time to mature before preparing for the academy's affairs?" Xie Qi was much younger than Xie Wangzhi was back then.
"The academy has many excellent teachers, and as a father, I naturally hope that my child can study in a better academy." Xie Wangzhi did not praise Xie Qi, nor did he hide his thoughts, which shows his trust in Mr. He.
“You…” Mr. He looked somewhat helpless, only nodding at Xie Wangzhi without saying anything to him, and then called Xie Qi up to test him.
Reading is not just about reading; it also requires understanding and being able to apply what you've learned.
However, Xie Qi was young, so Mr. He did not test him in great depth. He only asked him about the books he needed to know at this stage, without discussing their application, and only asked whether he remembered them, that is, whether he could recite them and understand them.
Xie Qi was a little nervous at first, but he gradually got used to it. His father had tested him a lot at home, so he didn't find it difficult and could answer Mr. He's questions.
Seeing this, Mr. He couldn't help but increase the difficulty even further.
Xie Qi's forehead was covered in sweat; he was clearly exhausted and on the verge of collapse.
Mr. He also noticed this, and after testing Xie Qi with two more questions, he let him go. He had already made up his mind. However, Xie Qi was uneasy and even sat down in the wrong place, plopping down right next to Xie Ning.
Xie Wangzhi's lips twitched. His son had no other flaws, except that he wasn't very easygoing.
Xie Ning moved aside to make room for Xie Qiteng, and then picked up a cup of warm tea for him to drink.
On the table were several plates of pastries, including snow-white lotus cakes with a lotus-shaped exterior. The outer skin was soft and chewy, while the green vegetarian filling inside was very sweet. Served with a cup of tea, it was an unforgettable treat.
Xie Qi's nervousness was quickly soothed by the pastries.
A child around twelve years old stood and answered questions for half an hour without making any mistakes, which is quite impressive.
However, in Mr. He's eyes, this level was just average. It was barely enough to pass the prefectural school exam, but it would be very difficult to get into the top class with excellent grades.
Firstly, Xie Qi is too young. Although he is intelligent, he has had much less time to accumulate knowledge than other students.
Secondly, this dynasty values literature, and there are countless outstanding individuals in the world. Xie Qi can only be considered slightly more intelligent than the average person. In Mr. He's opinion, he is not as intelligent and composed as his father, Xie Wangzhi.
Xie Wangzhi lost because he started too late and began studying too late; otherwise, his achievements would have been far greater.
Hearing Mr. He's evaluation, Xie Qi, still a child at heart, couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, considering that he was among the top students in the town's academy.
Xie Wangzhi accepted it readily, a smile playing on his lips. "To receive such praise from you, sir, Qi'er has lived up to his years of learning. I will certainly urge him to study diligently when I return home, so that he can be admitted to the prefectural school."
Whether he gets in at the very bottom of the class is not important at all. After all, once he gets in, his status will be higher than that of other students in the academy, and he will have access to better teaching resources.
Xie Ning glanced at Mr. He with some curiosity. Even though Mr. He had only given Xie a mediocre and barely acceptable evaluation, Xie Wangzhi was still happy. This was no pretense.
While the two were being led away to write, Xie Ning asked Xie Qi.
Xie Qi was grinding ink when he heard this. He glanced around quietly and saw that the servants were all quite far away before whispering to Xie Ning, "This evaluation is already very high. Mr. He is no ordinary person. Father said that Mr. He once taught His Majesty and must have seen many geniuses. He is very capable. I am already better than most people in this world by getting an average evaluation."
It's impossible not to feel disappointed, but after thinking about it again, I felt relieved.
Xie Ning nodded to herself. Indeed, that was true. But how could an imperial tutor be reduced to teaching in this remote southern region? Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the waterside pavilion. The curtains were heavily drawn, and the voices inside were barely audible.
"Ning Jie'er." A girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old walked in. She had slightly plump skin, almond-shaped eyes, and peach-blossom cheeks. She was He Lanxue, Mr. He's granddaughter.
When I brought them here, I happened to see her. We had already met and gotten to know each other.
Helan Xue bowed to Xie Qiying, then had the maid beside her put down the tea and snacks. "Ning'er, your brother needs to concentrate on writing. How about I take you to play in the back room? I'll also introduce you to the old lady."
Xie Ning glanced in the direction of the waterside pavilion and nodded.
Qingli glanced at Moqi and followed him. Helan Xue spoke gently to Xie Ning, "Your father already knows that I'm taking you to see the old lady, and Madam Xie is there too, so don't be afraid, Ning'er."
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