Funiu Lane.
The bluestone floor was spotless. Although we were in a busy city, there was not a single hustle and bustle.
A wide and clean river meanders behind the alley, with willow trees on both sides of the river bank, creating a beautiful scenery.
People in Nanyang call it: Baihe.
The Funiu Lane built along the Baihe River is the most prosperous "Guiren Lane" in Nanyang County.
All the gentry and wealthy people of some reputation in the county town lived here.
The Pei family, with two successful candidates in the imperial examination, is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished families in Funiu Lane.
But at this moment, in the main courtyard of the Pei family's three-story mansion, there was a commotion.
As expected, it was the young master Pei Jian who was causing trouble again.
About half a month ago, Pei Jian had an argument with his mother. Not only did he run away from home, he also refused to go to school out of spite.
When the old lady of the Pei family, Pei Jian's grandmother, learned about this, she confined the young master to his place of residence for half a month.
But this time, the young master was determined not to study and refused to give in even when he was under house arrest.
He even planned to sneak over the wall and sneak out of the house!
Of course, it didn't work because the wall was too high.
But the servants in the mansion have heard that Jian Ge'er has been talking about it recently, claiming that he is someone else's "big brother".
It is said that the young master's "little brother" outside is nice and righteous, so he is ready to betray the Pei family and go to that little brother for help.
Everyone who heard this was speechless.
Madam Pei was used to her grandson's occasional mischief, so she immediately gave a simple and rough solution: "You want a little brother, right? Go find him! Grandfather, as long as he is willing to study, anything is fine!"
But how can adults understand children's thoughts?
According to Madam Pei's understanding, little brother, that means 'follower' or 'book boy'.
Thus, a dozen boys of similar age to the young master were sent to the Pei residence.
Madam Pei said to her grandson, "Pick your choice. There are so many of them. You can pick whatever you want."
Pei Jian looked at that row of 'little brothers' and felt annoyed no matter how he looked at them.
This one is too dark.
That one is too strong.
This one looks stupid... Well, a little stupid is ok, but he's too stupid and can't say nice things.
Nor would he hold up 'air' and say that he has Mahora.
In short, he doesn't behave like a younger brother at all!
Pei Jian looked around disdainfully and refused: "No need, I have younger brothers, and these people are no match for him."
The little brother who was willing to betray the Pei family and seek refuge with them?
Madam Pei rolled her eyes gracefully upon hearing this, and said with all her impatience, "Where does your little brother live? I'll ask the housekeeper to find out, and if he's suitable, I'll hire him as your book boy."
That day, the housekeeper saw that the young man got along very well with the young master, so he sent someone to inquire about Cui Xian.
But Cui Xian was not from Nanyang County, so the housekeeper did not find out.
Pei Jian's eyes lit up when he heard his grandmother's words, but he quickly shook his head: "Since he has chosen to recognize me as his elder brother, how can I let him be my servant?"
The term "book boy" is just a nice way of saying it, but in essence he is just a servant.
There are two types of servants today.
One type is a slave who was sold by his parents due to his poor family background and signed a contract to sell himself. This type of slave has no personal freedom, belongs to the private property of the master, and must serve the master for his whole life.
The other is that there is no contract of sale, but the employer hires the worker to work, and the two parties are in an employment relationship.
But no matter which one, they are servants after all.
Young Master Pei Jian has lived a wealthy life since he was a child, and his personality is inevitably spoiled. He rarely thinks about others like this.
Mrs. Pei was surprised, but she said calmly, "Tell me the address first, and I'll ask the housekeeper to find out. Besides, it's still unclear whether he is willing to be a servant."
Pei Jian thought about it and said it.
The housekeeper went to inquire without stopping.
The news they got surprised both Mrs. Pei and Pei Jian.
This little brother really has some background!
Because his last name is Cui.
More than 20 years ago, the Cui family was considered a famous family in Nanyang County. There was a master in the family who was a juren, and they were a truly noble family.
But later on, due to some reasons, it gradually declined.
The Cui family moved from Nanyang County back to the village where they started their business, Hexi Village.
Madam Pei fell into reminiscence and murmured, "According to the age, the scholar from the Cui family should be your little brother's great-grandfather. His great-grandfather was a remarkable man and once taught your grandfather about learning."
"Oh, yes, and your grandfather was also a famous scholar in Nanyang County. He was a scholar at a young age and was more knowledgeable than your grandfather. What a pity... Alas."
Unfortunately, God is jealous of talented people.
A master who was a juren and a husband who was a scholar in the Cui family died one after another.
The once prosperous Cui family declined so quickly.
The old housekeeper also sighed: "I didn't expect that they were from a family of successful candidates. Mrs. Cui spent all her fortune to support her two sons in their studies. I heard that the two sons of the Cui family failed the imperial examination again. The family lives in Hexi Village, leading a poor and difficult life. They don't eat meat all year round, and are always mocked and gossiped about."
Pei Jian's fists clenched when he heard this.
Who dares to mock his younger brother?
Yes, Cui Xian looks thin and weak, has a dull mind, and his family is poor, so he must have been bullied often.
Can't I just keep looking for 'Big Brother'?
The purpose of looking for the eldest brother, of course, is to ask him to do justice for him!
As a result, since the day they parted, Pei Jian was under house arrest and did not even take the first opportunity to inquire about his younger brother's difficulties.
As the eldest brother, I am really incompetent!
Pei Jian felt guilty and said to Madam Pei anxiously, "Grandmother, please go to the Cui family and invite my younger brother over! But don't let him sign a contract to sell himself, or a contract to hire him, and don't let him be a servant. Just let him be my younger brother! From now on, give him five taels of silver a month, no, give him ten taels of silver as salary!"
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