Chapter 57: Confusion

"Are you sure? This exam of mine had quite a few questions from the Four Books. This commentary covers almost all the content in the Four Books. I borrowed it from the master's private collection and spent a whole month copying it out."

Wang Xuewen was somewhat tempted.

"This *Commentary on the Laws of Qian* is even more extraordinary. It took my master a great deal of effort to obtain it. In this prefecture examination, I actually encountered legal questions! If you don't read it, what will you do if legal questions appear in the future? You'll just be staring blankly! It's a waste that you don't want these two books, which I painstakingly selected and spent two months copying. What a pity."

Wang Xuezhou said with a look of regret as he stood up, pretending to leave.

Wang Xuewen instantly sprang up and snatched the book away: "Hand it over!"

Although he clutched the book to his chest, he still turned his nose up at Wang Xuezhou and glared at him sideways: "For the sake of these two books, I'll reluctantly forgive you, but there must not be a next time, hear me?"

"My eldest brother is magnanimous and naturally won't bicker with me."

Looking at his punchable expression and the popular fiction magazine laid out to the side, Wang Xuezhou pondered whether there would be a next time when it came to that!

Late at night, Wang Xuezhou sat at his desk writing furiously.

*The Distinction Between Immortals and Mortals*, from the time he first conceived it until now, had intermittently reached over a million words.

As the story progressed, it became increasingly exciting. Initially, he had wanted to open up a new region in the plot and write more, but given the incident with the Donglin Bookstore, he couldn't be bothered to continue.

Taking advantage of the free time right after finishing the exams, he simply wrote the ending and had it delivered to the Crane Pavilion, thus giving it a proper beginning and end.

Following yesterday's powerful and resonant speech, the villagers of Xilang Village were all convinced that Wang Xuezhou would not stop here, and Old Man Wang's family—

They might truly soar into the clouds!

Following this conclusion, even more people came to the Wang household, whether to make casual visits or to build connections. However, Old Madam Liu turned them all away at the front gate.

"My grandson is about to take the scholar examination. We don't understand these things, so let's not cause chaos. Standing here and talking is the same. Whoever dares to delay my grandson's future, don't blame me for turning hostile."

...

At home, aside from tutoring Wang Xuewen in subjects he didn't understand, Wang Xuezhou spent his time reading and writing the ending of *The Distinction Between Immortals and Mortals*. He didn't step outside for days.

Every time Wang Yaoyue passed by the window, she would see her younger brother bent over his desk writing diligently, and she couldn't help feeling a pang of heartache. "Ugly Egg, the exams are over, why don't you rest for a few days?"

Wang Xuezhou raised his eyes to look at his elder sister, revealing a relaxed smile. "I am resting right now. I'm just practicing my calligraphy!"

Wang Yaoyue was speechless. Did scholars even rest differently from ordinary people?

...

Although passing the preliminary county examination meant one could study at home on their own,

the academy, after all, offered a better environment for studying. Moreover, Wang Xuezhou felt that having a master's guidance was definitely better than blindly studying by himself.

Therefore, after resting at home for a few days, Wang Xuezhou planned to return to the academy to study.

Before that, however, he needed to deliver the manuscript in his hand to the Crane Pavilion.

Carrying Axe, the moment he stepped through the doors of the Crane Pavilion, Manager Qiu's eyes lit up as he hurried forward. "Why does the young master have time to come over today?"

Wang Xuezhou smiled with modest restraint. "I've brought over the manuscript I just finished writing."

Manager Qiu became even more excited, inviting him to sit down to the side and eagerly flipping through the manuscript. When he reached the character for "The End," the expression on his face instantly froze.

"Th-this is it?"

He still felt a lingering sense of anticipation; there should have been plenty of content remaining! Why did it end so abruptly?

"Thank you, Manager, for your high regard. I've been writing it for several years now; it's time for it to end."

"But... I always felt there was more to write. Would the young master please consider it further?"

"No. As you know, I still need to study, and I'm afraid I don't have the time to write anymore." Wang Xuezhou expressed a slight hint of apology.

Manager Qiu snapped back to reality, remembering that the person before him was the top scorer of the prefecture examination, and immediately dared not say more. "Indeed, indeed. Studies come first, and the young master has a boundless future. If you ever wish to write again in the future, please give us your first consideration."

Wang Xuezhou had no desire to burn bridges with them either, so he smiled perfunctorily. "I will consider it."

After sending the two of them off, Manager Qiu looked at Wang Xuezhou's departing back and sighed, "Not to be underestimated! Truly not to be underestimated!"

Back then, this young gentleman was only a little over five years old, yet he was able to imagine such a world. Over the years, there had been countless imitators, but no one had ever been able to write a story more magnificent than his. He was truly extraordinary...

Suddenly, Manager Qiu's expression shifted. He gave a brief instruction to the shop assistant and hurried out.

Arriving at the back door of the county government office, he waited for someone to announce him before entering. After waiting for a moment, a round-faced matron walked out, nodded upon seeing him, and said, "The mistress is calling for you to enter."

"Please lead the way, Madam." Manager Qiu kept his head down, following the round-faced matron past the spirit wall, around the winding covered veranda, and into a reception parlor.

Waiting briefly in front of the hall for the matron to announce him, he stepped inside.

A woman with pearly teeth, moth-like eyebrows, and a richly adorned, striking appearance was sitting in the seat of honor, resting her cheek on one hand as she watched Manager Qiu pay his respects.

She frowned slightly. "You came scurrying over in such a panic; is there an urgent matter?"

"Mistress, the final installment of *The Distinction Between Immortals and Mortals* has been delivered."

"Oh? It's finished?"

Mistress Zhu sat up straight, looking somewhat surprised.

"Yes. You don't suppose Young Master Wang saw those unauthorized printed copies when he went to the prefecture city for his exams, do you?" Manager Qiu said cautiously.

Mistress Zhu remained unconcerned. "So what if he saw them? He's just a child. If not for the fact that he is An'ge's friend, who would have listened to a child's words back then and given him a chance? Even if he has money to study now and did well on his exams, so what? Does he dare to fall out with us?"

Manager Qiu wiped his sweat. "What you say is true! But after all, we've made quite a bit of money because of him, and not informing him in advance about the fiction copies... wasn't that perhaps a bit... improper?"

"What propriety or impropriety? He's just a peasant's son. Even if he really passes the scholar examination, he is still a long way from becoming an official!"

Mistress Zhu spoke with a trace of disdain. After pondering for a moment, she added, "Still, he is An'ge's friend after all. If An'ge hears about this from someone else's mouth, he'll likely be angry with me... Oh well! Add an extra two hundred taels to his share of the profits this time, and I'll write another letter to An'ge explaining the situation."

Seeing the mistress's impatient expression, Manager Qiu ultimately did not dare to offer any more advice. He acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Just as he reached the covered veranda, he ran into the approaching Magistrate Zhu. Manager Qiu bowed to step aside, and only after the magistrate had passed did he quicken his pace and leave.

Magistrate Zhu, who had just finished his official duties for the day and was heading to dine with his wife, casually asked about the matter upon hearing of it. He slammed his hand down on the table in fury: "Foolish!"