The Zhao father and son were eventually carried into their room by the servants. The younger one still had some shame, his face turning bright red with embarrassment, while Zhao Dawen acted like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water, completely giving up.
“Dad, Uncle has completely shown his true colors in our family, he doesn’t hide anything at all.”
"Just look at his petty face. Don't think I don't know he wants to eat me out of house and home. Doesn't he realize that if he can bankrupt me, Zhao Dashu, with just one meal, what kind of life will I have? He's a complete idiot."
Zhao Xiaoyu laughed so hard, "That's what Uncle thinks? How naive!"
She thought she hadn't eaten well in a long time, and suddenly couldn't control herself and ate like crazy.
"That's all the tricks he has. Your grandpa treats him like a treasure, but he's just a complete idiot. If you had to pick the dumbest of the three brothers, it would definitely be him. He's both stupid and wicked."
"They're probably not having a good time tonight."
"Don't pay them any attention, they're perfectly fine, they won't overeat. Do you believe they'll still be eating like that tomorrow morning? That's all your uncle is capable of. Oh dear, I need to tell the housekeeper to make extra breakfast this morning, eat your fill and get out of here."
The whole family couldn't hold back their laughter; their stomachs hurt. It wasn't that they were bad people, it was just so funny. How could Zhao Dawen, at his age, be so stupid?
If Zhao Dashu hadn't said anything, they wouldn't have thought of that; they just assumed they wanted to eat.
Inside the house, Zhao Dawen patted his bulging belly and said, "Be strong and digest it quickly so we can eat again tomorrow."
I wonder how many days he can mooch off his third son's house? Anyway, he's determined to get his money's worth, and the same goes for his son.
As Zhao Dawen had predicted, he ate until he was stuffed again the next morning. However, Zhao Dawen didn't let him eat until he was so full he couldn't walk. He had the table cleared away when he was almost full.
If they eat so much they can't walk, wouldn't he have to support them for the rest of his life?
Beautiful him!
"Brother, pack your things. I'll take you out to look for a place to live. Are you planning to rent a courtyard house or stay at an inn?"
"Let's rent a small courtyard, not too big, the cheaper the better."
Tsk tsk tsk...
He was poor and stingy; the words his older brother used to describe him have now come back to haunt him.
"Okay, let's go out and take a look."
Zhao Dawen didn't let his son come with him, nor did he bring any luggage. He planned to bring the luggage back after they found it. It was good that his son could ask Xiao Lei questions at home.
Along the way, his son kept telling him that he had benefited a lot. In fact, he wanted to test Xiao Lei to find out what kind of benefits his son was referring to.
Xiao Lei only taught him for a short time during his meal breaks. What could he possibly teach in such a short time?
The young man understood his father's intention, and he planned to pester Xiao Lei directly later, as he had many questions he wanted to ask him. Unexpectedly…
"Xiaoyu, I'm going to the academy soon. Thank you for your hard work at home."
"Just focus on your studies."
Zhao Xiaoyu knew that the academy had already started and he could go back to school after the Lantern Festival. He had missed too much of his studies.
"You'll probably have to work hard to catch up on the schedule lately."
"No problem, take your time."
He has three years left. He will definitely pass the exam in three years, and he must pass it.
"Is my brother-in-law going to the academy today?"
"Yes, the academy has already started, and I can't continue to delay my studies."
It was like a bolt from the blue. Xiao Lei was going to study, so what was he supposed to do? He still had a lot of questions he wanted to ask him, but who would he ask if he left?
But he couldn't stop people from going to the academy.
Damn it, why the rush? Shouldn't he rest after he gets home? What if he went to the academy a few days later?
His knowledge is so much better than his father's, and he is so diligent. How can he possibly compete with him when they take the imperial examination together?
He is indeed no match for him; he is far inferior to Xiao Lei now.
However, he might take the imperial examination to become a scholar in three years, while he would have to wait at least six years, so the two of them might not meet.
Xiao Lei's excellent learning was all thanks to the academy in the prefectural city. If he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, he actually wanted to study at his academy. Students taught by good teachers are indeed different; he and his younger brother were just wasted on their father's education.
"Then I won't keep you any longer, you go ahead with your work."
Zhao Xiaoyu glanced at her cheap cousin; he was clever enough to know to get special treatment from Xiao Lei.
"Xiao Lei, do you think he can pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?"
"It's hard to say. If he's as lucky as our father, he might pass the exam. Otherwise, it's probably very difficult. His knowledge is not as good as our father's; he's quite a bit behind."
"And he still wants to stay in the prefectural city after the exam to continue studying for the imperial examination?"
"I don't know how learned my uncle is, but his son is really not good. I found out after teaching him a few times that he has very poor comprehension."
His studies relied entirely on rote memorization, and his essays were dull and stiff, offering no redeeming viewpoints. Passing the county-level exam was truly difficult. As for becoming a provincial-level scholar…
Xiao Lei laughed, thinking of the questions on his last exam. "It was harder than climbing to heaven. Compared to it, I suddenly have more confidence in myself."
Zhao Xiaoyu patted him on the shoulder, "Don't be arrogant, hurry up and go to the academy."
"Yes, my wife!"
Zhao Dashu accompanied Zhao Dawen around half of the prefectural city but they still couldn't find a courtyard. He got impatient and said sternly, "Brother, what do you mean? You think the good ones are too expensive and the cheap ones are too bad. If you don't want to rent a place and want to stay in an inn, just say so. Don't drag me around the city with you. I don't have time!"
"What's the rush? It's not that I haven't found someone suitable."
"You've searched the entire prefectural city, but you haven't found one you like."
Zhao Dawen remained silent.
"Brother, to tell you the truth, I can only tolerate you until tomorrow at most. If you still can't find a house, I'll drag you and your son to an inn. You can stay at an inn."
Zhao Dawen became anxious, "How could you do this? We've come all this way and don't know anyone here..."
Zhao Dashu was even more annoyed. "Stop! When I took the kids to the county town to find you back then, I was also a complete stranger in the area. Have you forgotten what you said?"
Zhao Dashu pointed to his head, "You forgot I told you, I remember it clearly."
Trying to act like a scoundrel with him is futile; he's a scoundrel by birth. He can tell what kind of nonsense someone is going to spout the moment he bends over.
Zhao Dawen fell silent. That bastard is just petty.
"I've been more than kind to you, don't push your luck."
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