Chapter 26

Chapter 26: I Want to Be a Super Duper Important Official!

Xu Ming returned to the Xiao Chun Courtyard of the Xu Mansion not too late.

It was only about fifteen minutes later than usual.

Suyan didn’t even ask why Xu Ming came back a bit later than usual.

After all, being kept after class by the teacher or playing on the way home is quite normal.

Xu Ming didn’t plan to tell his mother either.

If he did, she would definitely worry.

Though this matter couldn’t be hidden for long, if it could reduce her worry by even one day, then so be it.

After lunch, Qingwan came to play with Xu Ming.

Pengda swallowed and took a bite of pastry.

Xu Ming did a hundred push-ups, and the Heavenly Black Goose also used its wings to do a hundred and fifty push-ups.

“Why did you fight with them?” Xu Ming asked.

Pengda scratched his head with his chubby hand and then opened the bag he placed on the table.

Xu Ming: “Illegitimate children cannot participate in the imperial examinations.”

Pengda looked at Xu Ming with a confused expression: “Fifth Brother said it, but I don’t really understand.”

“Can I also become an important official?” Pengda pointed at himself in disbelief.

Xu Ming replied: “Because of the laws of the Wu Dynasty.”

While Mother was taking a nap, Xu Ming continued to have another match with the Big White Goose.

As for Xu Ming,

Suyan knew that her son never napped, always had abundant energy, and it had become a habit.

Qingwan’s big peach blossom eyes blinked and blinked, understanding what happened, so she stopped mentioning it.

Pengda: “But I heard Mother cursing ‘the laws of the Wu Dynasty are nonsense, everything can be changed.'”

Hearing Pengda’s response, Xu Ming was initially surprised, then nodded: “That indeed deserves a beating.”

Xu Ming didn’t say anything more and continued eating pastries.

Inside the bag was a large box of exquisite pastries and some silver coins.

Xu Ming did a hundred sit-ups, and the Heavenly Black Goose also did sit-ups, holding its neck with its wings.

Looking at this box of pastries, Xu Ming roughly understood where Xuenuo’s tsundere personality came from—she inherited it from her mother.

This box of pastries clearly just came out of the oven; there was still steam rising from the box.

However, speaking of which, the amount of silver coins Pengda saved should only be around thirty taels.

Pengda seemed to read Xu Ming’s expression, his chubby little face turning redder: “This is really all I have. Mother doesn’t give me much pocket money.”

Xu Ming noticed the red marks under Pengda’s sleeve, which were likely from being beaten.

The Heavenly Black Goose won again, but this time the Big White Goose didn’t jump on Xu Ming to declare victory.

“Ohh…” Pengda continued to lower his head, gripping the pear in his hand, looking deep in thought.

“Alright.” Xu Ming poured a glass of well water for Pengda, then took a bite of the pastry made by Lady Wang, pushing the pastry box towards Pengda.

It felt like it needed to train harder, otherwise in a few months, it would be crushed under its younger brother.

Pengda quickly finished the pastry, drank a glass of water, lowered his head, and dejectedly said: “Because they insulted Mother.”

Pengda was even more puzzled: “Why can’t illegitimate children take the imperial exams?”

The title of Duke Xu is very prestigious, but who says titles can only be inherited? Why can’t you strive for it yourself?

I heard Lady Qin say that the former Chancellor Zhuge Wen was dedicated to the people, and was posthumously honored as Lord Liexiang by the previous emperor. General Mo started as a mere soldier without any background and fought his way up to become a Great National Pillar.

“…”

The Heavenly Black Goose won this time, drenched in sweat.

I’m training to gain attribute points, what are you waiting for?

“Goose, goose, goose (Little Brother, there’s a chubby kid looking for you)”

Xu Ming smiled: “Who says no? When you pass the imperial exam and become an official, the rank you obtain, I believe, will weigh much more in Mother’s heart than ‘Duke Xu’.”

Pengda accepted the pear, lowering his head.

“Thank you, Fifth Brother.”

“But…”

“There’s nothing to ‘but’ about.” Pengda wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Xu Ming, “Your sister has a good relationship with us. Your sister said if I get bullied, she’ll help me. If you get bullied, I’ll help you too.”

But Pengda still mustered up the courage and walked into the courtyard.

“But Mother says a gentleman uses words, not fists. Fighting is wrong,” Pengda pouted.

Every time Qingwan tried to bring up the topic of fighting in school, Xu Ming cut her off.

Just when Xu Ming and the Heavenly Black Goose were competing with each other, the Heavenly Black Goose flapped its wings and tapped Xu Ming.

“For Mother, your fighting might indeed be wrong, but for you, fighting is right.” Xu Ming ate another pastry.

Taking advantage of Xu Ming pausing his exercise, the Heavenly Black Goose quickly did several high knees, feeling it had pulled ahead a little.

Xu Ming shook his head: “I probably can’t do it.”

But Xu Ming didn’t care.

We’re all ordinary people, none of us can cultivate, so why can’t you?

Xu Ming shook his head: “You’re also very talented. Just staying awake during lectures in school is already quite commendable. Besides, there isn’t only one path in life through cultivation.”

Xu Ming smiled: “It has to be a super duper important official to change it.”

Xu Ming smiled: “Don’t worry, you’ll understand later. Come, have a pear.”

Pengda was startled when he realized Xu Ming had noticed him. His chubby little face turned red, looking rather embarrassed.

It’s not that Xu Ming thinks it’s too little, but as the son of the main wife, how come you look so poor?

After being given a pep talk by Xu Ming, Pengda imagined a few scenarios, and his heart immediately surged with excitement: “Then Fifth Brother, let’s take the imperial exams together! Let’s become officials together! Let’s both become nobles!”

“Wait a moment.” Xu Ming said, then went into the kitchen, took out some candied fruits and nuts, and poured a pot of cold water, “Take this money back, I’ll keep the pastries. Let’s eat together.”

“Fifth Brother, you’re really amazing, not only at reading but also at fighting. Unlike me, I can’t do anything well…

Big Brother has extraordinary talent in talisman arts, Second Brother has a pure yang body, Fourth Sister has innate sword bone, I am nothing…

Compared to Big Brother and Second Brother, I can’t even fight for Mother to secure the inheritance qualification.”

Xu Ming turned his head to look outside the courtyard and saw Pengda peeking with a round head from the archway of the courtyard entrance.

“That…” Pengda blushed and said, “Fifth Brother, thank you for helping me today. This box of pastries was made by Mother. She said we wouldn’t finish eating them, it would be a waste to throw them away, so she sent them over. These silver coins I’ve saved, all for you.”

Pengda was stunned: “Why?”

Suyan hugged Qingwan and went back to the room to take a nap together.

“Ohh…” Pengda nodded, “Then I’ll buy you delicious food every day.”

Qingwan and Xu Ming sat in the courtyard, reading the ‘Heavenly Profound Heart Method’ as usual. As they read, Qingwan directly leaned against Xu Ming’s shoulder and fell asleep.

After a long while, Pengda raised his head: “Fifth Brother.”

“Third Brother, what’s wrong? Is there something?” Xu Ming asked.

Pengda was hugging a bag.

Xu Ming: “Hmm?”

Pengda: “I want to be a super duper important official!”