Chapter 9: The Academy

It was an era of peace and prosperity, and the pursuit of scholarship flourished, especially in the Jiangnan region where talented men gathered. Countless academies existed, divided into government schools and private schools.

Private schools were funded and built by local celebrities and gentry. Government schools were established by the imperial court. When Educational Commissioner Wang said he wanted Xu Xian to study at his residence, it was merely a figure of speech; in reality, he intended to arrange for him to enter a top-tier academy to focus on his studies.

Xu Xian understood that although he had passed the exams to become a scholar and entered the academy, he had only just set foot upon the path of the imperial examinations. The road ahead was long, and every step would be fraught with difficulties and obstacles. Even with a teacher to look after him, who knew how far he could go? However, he had an easygoing nature and did not worry much about the future.

His greatest concern now was exactly when Lady Bai would arrive. The original story did not specify a time, only a location. In that version, Xu Xian seemed quite destitute, a mere shop assistant or someone of similar status, though his exact age was impossible to tell.

"Am I going to have to hang around West Lake?" Xu Xian shook his head with a bitter smile. Given his current situation, marrying a beautiful wife would not be a problem. If he managed to become a Juren, taking a concubine would be even easier.

Even now, many matchmakers were coming to his door, but Xu Xian turned them all away on the pretext of focusing on his studies. Educational Commissioner Wang had even sent a letter specifically praising him for this, saying things like, "Why should a great man worry about being without a wife?" and "Do not indulge in feminine charms."

Xu Xian could only smile bitterly. His obsession with Lady Bai was profound. If Bai Suzhen appeared on the Broken Bridge tomorrow, he would likely be ready for a whirlwind marriage. He wondered what kind of expression Educational Commissioner Wang would make then.

Perhaps it was for the best; that woman from his dreams had not yet arrived. Xu Xian packed his bags and headed for Hangzhou. The gates of the Jintian Academy had already opened for him.

Jintian Academy was arguably the most prestigious academy in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, admitting only young scholars to study. It was a place teeming with talent; among the scholars who had passed through its halls, countless had become Juren, and there had even been two Top Scholars.

In the streets, people said that entering Jintian Academy was equivalent to having one foot through the door of officialdom—one just needed to bring the other foot inside. While the reality was not as simple as the rumors suggested, it spoke to the academy's extraordinary reputation. Most importantly, the heads of the academy were the provincial Educational Commissioners. Being able to build relationships there would naturally provide convenience in the future.

Inside Jintian Academy, on a clearing paved with bluestone, dozens of young men were gathered. They were all young scholars from various counties. Naturally, they could not help but discuss history and current events, chatting about everything under the sun. Whether grouped by hometown or shared interests, they stood in small circles, their loud and boastful talk constant.

However, some stood alone, and Xu Xian was one of them. Since his reincarnation, he had lived in a small county town, accustomed to small bridges and flowing water. Seeing these high-walled estates and prestigious households today felt like a different kind of scenery. He walked around looking at everything like a tourist. Some people noticed him and secretly mocked him for being a country bumpkin.

"Xu Xian, Xu Xian," a voice called from behind him.

Xu Xian was busy looking at a couplet on a door. He turned his head. "Oh, Wang An. What is it?"

Wang An quickly shot him a look. Xu Xian paused, realizing there were subtle, judging eyes on him. He couldn't help but laugh. "Why care about them? Look at this couplet; it’s actually quite interesting."

The young man named Wang An was lean and thin. He was from the same hometown as Xu Xian, though he came from a rural village and his family was even poorer than Xu Xian's. In ancient times, travel was difficult, so local ties were exceptionally strong. Naturally, the two had gravitated toward each other. Seeing Xu Xian’s behavior being mocked, Wang An felt he was losing face by association and hurried to remind him, not expecting Xu Xian to be completely unbothered.

They mocked Xu Xian for being unrefined, yet they had no idea that the world Xu Xian had seen was beyond their imagination. With his personality, why would he care about the opinions of others?

Dragged along by Xu Xian, Wang An could only sigh inwardly and join him in looking at the couplet.

In the crowd, a hand pointed at Xu Xian and his companion. "Young Master Pan, look at those two and their pathetic air. They’ve probably never seen such a large gate!" The speaker's originally handsome face was marred by a fawning expression.

Someone nearby chimed in, "Brother Tian, don't tease them. They're just country folk who haven't seen the world. Unlike Brother Pan, who has just returned from visiting relatives north of the river. By comparison, the rest of us are like frogs in a well." These words were skillfully delivered—flattery that didn't seem over-the-top, while also ensuring he didn't belittle himself.

To the disappointment of the two, Young Master Pan only smiled without speaking, his jade-like face showing a hint of contemplation. He looked toward Xu Xian, wondering when he should go and introduce himself.

He was the nephew of the Governor-General of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Being well-informed, he already knew that Xu Xian had been taken in as a Disciple by the Educational Commissioner and had a boundless future—he was not someone these two could compare to. However, he never liked to offend anyone, so he gently brushed the topic aside and began sharing interesting stories from his trip. Before long, a large group had gathered around him.

A short while later, a gong sounded. The scholars instinctively returned to their positions. A man dressed in official robes stood on the steps, delivering words of encouragement and caution.

This was immediately followed by a small examination. In a quiet room, dozens of low tables were set out, each prepared with the Four Treasures of the Study.

Xu Xian felt a faint sense of nostalgia for his school days—exam after exam. However, while exams back then were important, they didn't entirely determine one's fate. On this path of the imperial examinations, the difference between success and failure was truly the difference between clouds and mud. No matter how arrogant a person might be, once they sat here, they became cautious, not daring to make the slightest oversight.

In the thousand-year history of the examination system, there were very few mad scholars like Jin Shengtan. Unlike the modern college entrance exams, where there were always a few self-important, "carefree" individuals, if those people were brought to this examination hall, none of them would be able to act so cavalierly.

The only sound in the hall was the scratching of brushes against paper. The candidates all kept their heads down, writing furiously. Xu Xian was just one unremarkable face among the many.

When the exam ended, Xu Xian set down his brush. The papers were collected, reviewed briefly by the proctoring teacher, then passed up through the ranks until they reached the hands of the Academy Head.

In an elegant courtyard, a middle-aged man with a long beard carefully examined a paper. The name written on it was Xu Xian. After finishing, he placed it gently on the table and smiled at the person beside him. "Wenrui, while this disciple of yours writes well enough, his essay isn't particularly extraordinary."

That Wenrui was none other than Xu Xian’s teacher, Educational Commissioner Wang. At that moment, he also smiled and set down a paper. "Your nephew, on the other hand, writes magnificent prose." The name on that paper was Pan Yu.

One was a Governor-General and the other an Educational Commissioner; their ranks were quite different. If they hadn't been classmates and old friends, and if the Wang family's influence hadn't been so great, they likely wouldn't be interacting as equals. To meet again amidst the shifting tides of officialdom was a rare stroke of luck. Ordinarily, they wouldn't bother looking at the results of such a small test, but since both had juniors participating, they had pulled the papers to judge for themselves, harboring a slight spirit of competition.

Educational Commissioner Wang shifted the conversation. "But have you forgotten the method our teacher taught us for evaluating writing? Observe the calligraphy before the content."

Governor-General Pan laughed. "Xu Xian's calligraphy is good, but I'm not being biased when I say my nephew's characters are more beautiful."

Commissioner Wang shook his head repeatedly. "Wrong, wrong. When our teacher spoke of observing calligraphy, he didn't mean studying the art form, but rather the character of the person. Your nephew's handwriting is beautiful, but the strokes are winding and indirect. The feminine energy is a bit too heavy, and I fear his guile is too deep. Xu Xian's characters are open and free-spirited; his character is more upright."

Governor-General Pan laughed and scolded, "You, Wang Wenrui, still have that stubborn, competitive nature. Have you forgotten how our teacher evaluated your writing? 'Too rigid and prone to snapping, too sharp and prone to blunting.' Besides, for people like us, is having a bit of guile a bad thing?" As he reached the end, he felt a bit of sentimentality. Among those who read the books of the Sages, how many did not start with aspirations to save the world and bring peace to the people? It was only because the world was difficult that, in the end, their guile only grew deeper.

Commissioner Wang also laughed. "So you still remember! Let the younger generation handle their own affairs. Today, I must demand a few cups of wine from you."

"I would be honored, truly honored! You shall rest and recover here at my place for a while. In the days to come, you will naturally reach the clouds again."

While the two old friends were enjoying their wine and conversation...

Back in the academy, Wang An was filled with regret for using the wrong literary allusion in his exam.

Xu Xian was trying to comfort him, but Wang An remained dejected.

"No one is a sage; who can be without fault? I'm sure the examiner will be understanding. Brother Wang, do not overthink it."

Both Xu Xian and Wang An were startled. They turned around to see an exceptionally handsome young man smiling and bowing to them. It was Pan Yu.