Chi Yuan was born posthumously, but he was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and was known as a child prodigy in the surrounding area.
At the beginning of his education, he could memorize the characters taught by his teacher at a glance, and he could recite the texts taught by his teacher fluently after reading them a few times.
Unfortunately, his family was poor, with only a few acres of land. His mother struggled to make ends meet, and even then, they often couldn't make ends meet.
Since his family couldn't afford to buy more books, Chi Yuan often borrowed books from his neighbors to copy, and he would read and memorize each book repeatedly.
When Chi Yuan was six years old, his mother passed away due to overwork, and Chi Yuan could only live a life of doing farm work during the day and studying at night.
Even when the candlelight was dim and his eyes were sore, he never complained.
Time flies, and Chi Yuan has now reached the age of twenty. Today is the day he travels to the capital to take the imperial examination.
"Father, Mother, your son is leaving now. I will not let you down."
As dawn broke, Chi Yuan, dressed in a moon-white long robe and wearing a scholar's cap, stood tall and straight in his own courtyard.
He was facing two tombstones side by side.
Without hesitation, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to his father and mother's tombstones. Then, carrying his "book chest" and luggage, Chi Yuan slowly walked out of the dilapidated house.
"I don't know if this money is enough for the journey."
This money was accumulated year after year from selling the sweet potatoes he had grown for many years.
Chi Yuan tossed the money pouch in his hand, somewhat worried about whether the money would be enough to support his journey to the capital.
Even if it covers the distance to the capital, it probably won't be enough for him to travel back.
Prices are high in Beijing, but what about accommodation and food? They're all free.
The muddy mountain path dirtied his snow-white shoes, and some mud even splashed onto his patched clothes.
"Well, there's no other way. If I fail the exam, I'll just become a beggar in the capital and beg my way back."
"I just don't know if it will work."
He muttered to himself, ready to give up, and went to the riverbank. He scooped up a handful of spring water with both hands to wash his face, and then picked two leaves from the weeds nearby to wipe his shoes.
Glug glug?
The little boy looked up at his father from underwater.
Dad was just singing to lull his baby to sleep, how come he's here now that the baby's woken up?
The clothes they're wearing are different now.
"Gurgle!"
Wow!
The little one poked his head out and showed his father his two eyes, his pretty hands still splashing on the water.
Chi Yuan wiped his face with his sleeve and then noticed the little fish in front of him, staring at each other with wide eyes.
"Kuku~"
Shouldn't the dad be startled by the baby and exclaim "Wow!" before having his belly patted?
Seeing that Chi's father's reaction was completely different from what he had imagined, the little one flapped its tail vigorously from side to side.
Hehehe, Xiaoxiao's dad.
Seeing the river water splash onto his father's face, the little guy mischievously shook his head, turned around, and jumped back into the water.
"Where did this pretty little fish come from? It's so beautiful!"
Chi Yuan was somewhat amazed when he saw the exposed part of the cub's tail fin.
He had never seen such a beautiful little fish.
He tried to reach out and touch the baby's head, but the baby splashed water all over his face the next second.
"Still a mischievous little fish."
Chi Yuan angrily wiped his face again with his sleeve.
"If you run too slow, I'll flick your butt."
As if defying Chi's father's words, several long ripples of water splashed out, splashing a few more drops of water onto Chi Yuan's face.
Butt flicking?
The baby swam around underwater twice.
What's the difference between flicking someone's butt and spanking them?
The pretty little fish in the river bit their own tails, nibbling and spinning around a few times.
"Let's go, we still have a long way to go."
Looking at the sunrise on the horizon, Chi Yuan got up and prepared to set off.
Without a horse-drawn carriage, a donkey cart, or an oxcart, he was destined to walk to the capital on his own two feet.
It's not far, about two and a half months.
Yes, this is under the condition of no illness, no disaster, no bandits, no rain, no snow, and no severe cold or heat.
Preferring to arrive early rather than late, Chi Yuan set off four months ahead of schedule.
"Pfft! Pfft!"
Just as Chi Yuan was about to stand up, the beautiful and cute little fish surfaced again.
This time, the pretty little fish chose to point its tail at him and even swung it provocatively.
"Pfft! Pfft!"
Try it, try it, baby!
Daddy flicks his bottom, but the little one hasn't tried having his bottom flicked yet.
Chi Yuan raised an eyebrow.
This little fish is so clever and mischievous, could it be that it has a spirit?
"What an amazing fish."
It's best not to harm such sentient beings too much, lest you be tainted by any negative karma.
Thinking of this, Chi Yuan ignored the child, shook his head, and left.
The baby fish didn't know its pond father had left, and it kept shaking its bottom for a long, long time.
It was so tired from wagging its tail that it looked back.
Hey, Chi's dad has already gone ahead.
The little one was feeling down, but its beautiful tail suddenly became full of energy again, and it chased after the other animal with a "whoosh".
With a leap, he accurately jumped from the water onto the top of the pool.
Huh? Where am I?
Where is Daddy's face?
The child jumped left and right on his father's head, and soon fell off Chi Yuan's head.
"Ouch."
Chi Yuan quickly reached out and cupped him in his hands.
"It's you? How did you get here?"
He looked somewhat surprised when he saw that it was his son who jumped up.
Is this not a good omen? Is it implying that he will definitely become the top scholar in this imperial examination?
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