Liu Yuanxiu's father died early, and he and his mother depended on each other for survival.
Unable to afford writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, he used tree branches as brushes and sand as paper, practicing calligraphy day and night.
Liu Yuanxiu was extremely intelligent.
He could recite poems at the age of five and compose poems at the age of seven.
His reputation as a child prodigy spread throughout the county, which earned him the appreciation of local wealthy merchants.
The wealthy merchant Jia praised his poems every time.
"What a wonderful poem! A timeless masterpiece!"
“Yuanxiu, you are so clever. You can compose such a poem at such a young age. You will surely be extraordinary in the future.”
Liu Yuanxiu clasped his hands in a respectful bow, saying, "Master Jia is too kind."
Master Jia was a good man. Every year he would spend money to repair the school so that children who couldn't afford to go to school could have a chance to study.
They took special care of him, not only giving him money and meat, but also a set of writing implements.
My mother taught me that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude.
Liu Yuanxiu was deeply grateful. "Master Jia, you are the benefactor of my Liu family. I will repay your kindness when I become successful in the future."
Master Jia smiled and said, "It's not a matter of gratitude. Yuanxiu, would you like to stay in the Jia family and go to and from school with my son?"
This is an immense honor, something others would envy but cannot attain.
Liu Yuanxiu immediately knelt down, saying, "It is my good fortune."
"Get up, don't kneel so easily." Master Jia's smile widened. "From now on, my son is in your care."
From that day on, Liu Yuanxiu stayed at the Jia family home, going in and out with Jia Yuanxiu every day.
Jia Xiu was uneducated and idle.
Liu Yuanxiu cherished this opportunity, worked diligently, and learned a great deal at the school.
Time flies, and he and Jia Xiu reached the age to take the county examination.
Master Jia personally delivered the document, saying, "Yuanxiu, I can't count on my son, but you are the hope of the whole county. You must win the top spot."
Liu Yuanxiu nodded emphatically, carrying the hopes of his mother and Master Jia, and successfully passed all levels of examinations, becoming the youngest scholar to achieve the title of Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examinations).
People from all walks of life came to the Jia family mansion to offer their congratulations.
"Congratulations! The Jia family has produced a talented person."
"The Jia family is blessed with good fortune; they are destined to produce a top scholar in the imperial examinations."
Master Jia couldn't stop smiling, as if he himself had passed the imperial examination. "Congratulations, congratulations! My child is naturally intelligent."
Liu Yuanxiu stood aside like an outsider, feeling that this was inappropriate.
Everyone knows Jia Fu, but no one recognizes the declining Liu family.
His surname is Liu, not Jia.
As long as he passes the provincial examination, he can become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination).
The scholar held an official position and received a monthly salary, which was enough to support him and his mother.
Liu Yuanxiu decided to take his leave, saying, "I am deeply grateful for Master Jia's care. Once I pass the imperial examination, I will definitely bring generous gifts to visit you."
Master Jia's expression changed instantly. "Ha! Now that you've grown wings, you want to run away?"
Liu Yuanxiu quickly explained, "That's not what I meant. I will never forget the great kindness that Master Jia has shown to the Liu family, but my mother is getting old..."
Master Jia snorted coldly, his face hidden in the darkness, revealing a meaningful look in his eyes.
"Xiu, focus on your exams. Your mother will be taken care of."
Liu Yuanxiu didn't understand. "Who?"
Master Jia remained silent, his face growing even more gloomy.
Liu Yuanxiu rushed home, but couldn't find his mother.
I asked around and found out that my mother had already been taken to the Jia family mansion by the Jia family.
But he had never seen his mother at the Jia family mansion.
Liu Yuanxiu ran back and demanded, "Where is my mother?"
Master Jia threatened menacingly, "If you top the list, you'll naturally be able to see your mother."
Liu Yuanxiu secretly made up his mind to take the imperial examinations all the way to the capital to see the emperor.
With an official position, Master Jia dared not control his mother.
On the day the results were released, he eagerly awaited the day he would find his name.
Liu Yuanxiu scanned the list again and again, his eyes filled with astonishment. "Impossible! This is impossible! Why isn't my name on it?!"
"How could Jia Xiu be up there?!"
He was yelling and screaming like a madman.
People around them were used to it; there were always people like this on the day the results were released every year.
Liu Yuanxiu squatted by the roadside, his eyes bloodshot.
Master Jia, Mother, Jia Xiu… He understood!
Jia Xiu replaced his name!
In the end, he took the exam for someone else, but ended up with nothing.
The most important thing is that my mother, who I depend on for survival, is also gone.
"Mother, Mother..."
Liu Yuanxiu was anxious and stumbled back to the Jia family mansion.
Just as I reached the door, a burst of firecrackers went off.
The mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere. People coming and going offered their congratulations and put on ingratiating smiles.
Liu Yuanxiu clenched his fists, ready to demand justice.
As soon as he approached the Jia mansion, he was put in a sack and taken away.
Liu Yuanxiu was a mere scholar, utterly powerless. He struggled desperately and managed to dig a small hole in his skin.
"Master Jia, why did you tie me up?! Where is my mother? Why did Jia Xiu pass the imperial examination? What are your intentions in helping me?!"
Master Jia coldly uttered two words, "Kill him!"
Liu Yuanxiu was shocked, "Master Jia, umm..."
He was strangled by a hemp rope and suffocated to death.
After death, his soul was attached to the jade pendant he always carried with him, and he overheard a conversation between Master Jia and Jia Yuanxiu.
"Father, where is Liu Yuanxiu?"
"He died, just like his mother!"
"Haha, good riddance! This guy was always bragging to me about how hard he worked and how smart he was."
"So what if he's smart? Fame, fortune, talent, and literature—everything he has will belong to me in the future!"
Liu Yuanxiu suddenly realized that it had been a scam from the very beginning.
Master Jia brought him to his residence not to cultivate him, but to seize his academic achievements.
Liu Yuanxiu studied diligently, but in the end, he benefited others.
He watched as Jia Yuanxiu donned official robes and took his place in life.
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