Wearing the Duke's Mansion, he was scrambling to save his life

Li Yanming was carrying heavy goods on his back, these were the items he wanted to sell.

Qiao Xiaoxi was carrying an empty backpack, and Li Tianyou was holding an equally empty basket. These two tools were specially reserved for carrying daily necessities.

Li Yanming walked in the front with steady steps. Qiao Xiaoxi held Li Tianyou's hand tightly. The two of them followed Li Yanming happily and skipping.

The three of them walked eastward along the village, feeling particularly happy.

When passing by a yard, an old man suddenly came out from inside and called out to Li Yanming.

Qiao Xiaoxi looked at the old man curiously. He was wearing a rough blue cloth and holding a cane in his hand. He had white hair and a rosy face like a child. He looked like an old immortal.

"Boss Li, Tianyou is a rare genius. He is gifted, smart and clever. He will definitely have a great future. I have already taught him everything I have learned in my life. You should take the child to the county school!" The old man said earnestly.

Li Yanming smiled slightly and said various words of thanks.

After saying goodbye to the old man, Li Yanming led Qiao Xiaoxi and Li Tianyou and continued towards the county town.

Along the way, Qiao Xiaoxi was full of curiosity and couldn't help asking: "Tianyou, is that old gentleman the teacher who taught you to read and write?"

Li Tianyou nodded obediently to show his agreement.

At this time, Li Yanming interrupted and explained: "The old man's surname is Qian, we call him Qian Xiucai, he is the teacher in our village who is responsible for enlightening the children."

When Qiao Xiaoxi heard this, she couldn't help but feel admiration in her heart.

I sighed, "I never thought that I could see a real ancient scholar with my own eyes today! And seeing how he was dressed in simple clothes, he seemed so relaxed and contented. It was totally unlike what was described in The Scholars, where Fan Jin lived a miserable life as a scholar before he passed the imperial examination!"

Qiao Xiaoxi turned her head and her eyes fell on Qian Xiucai not far behind her, then she quickly quickened her pace and caught up with Li Yanming in front of her.

"What does it mean to go to the county school?" she asked curiously.

Li Yanming patiently explained: "You need to pass an exam to enter the county school. After studying in the county school for a period of time, if you have excellent grades, you can take the provincial school. And if you successfully graduate from the provincial school and meet certain standards, you will be eligible to take the provincial examination in autumn."

Li Tianyou shook Qiao Xiaoxi's hand and interrupted: "Mother, those who have excellent results in the autumn examination can go to the capital to participate in the spring examination."

Qiao Xiaoxi suddenly realized!

It turns out that the elementary education in the village is like kindergarten in modern society; going to the county school is similar to entering elementary school; after graduating from elementary school, one has to go to the state to take the high school entrance examination; after passing the high school entrance examination, one has to continue to work hard to obtain the title of scholar.

After some sorting out, Qiao Xiaoxi finally had a general understanding of the education system of this dynasty.

"Mother, I will not only take the exam for the county school, but also the state school. In the future, I will go to the capital to take part in the spring examination and swear to become the number one scholar!" The young man looked at Qiao Xiaoxi firmly, with confidence and determination flashing in his eyes.

"Oh my God! I have to go to the capital to take the imperial examination?" Qiao Xiaoxi widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief.

Qiao Xiaoxi really had no interest in the capital city, because that place was filled with too many people who might want to kill her.

"The capital is so far away from here. Why do we have to go to the capital to become the top scholar?" Qiao Xiaoxi frowned and asked puzzledly.

"Because my mother required me to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar." The young man answered seriously.

"Oh my god! This mother is too cruel. She puts such a heavy burden on the child right after giving birth." Qiao Xiaoxi muttered to herself, and couldn't help but worry about the child.

Oh my god! It's not that easy to get the top score!

"Dear mother, may I ask if you are sure that the baby in your belly is a peerless genius?" Qiao Xiaoxi couldn't help but ask silently into the air, as if the mother who had never appeared was standing in front of Qiao Xiaoxi.

Yes, Tianyou’s mother obviously died of childbirth complications, so why would she ask Tianyou to take the imperial examination and become the top scholar?

There must be a reason for this.

Qiao Xiaoxi thought, how can a dead person have any requests?

This should be Li Yanming's way of saying through his deceased wife, hoping that his son can succeed and bring honor to the family.

As if he had seen through Qiao Xiaoxi's inner thoughts, Li Yanming immediately said: "Actually, I don't want You'er to go to the capital. After all, the journey is long and full of dangers."

After saying that, Li Yanming sighed deeply.

Li Yanming continued, "There is no other way. The child's mother asked me before she died to tell her child that she must tell him her last wish - to study hard, go to the capital, take the imperial examination and win the title of No. 1."

Hearing this, Qiao Xiaoxi's heart couldn't help but soften.

This mother tried her best to give birth to the child, so how could she not want to see her child achieve something?

Tianyou's mother may hope that through this method, her child can win glory and reputation for herself after her death.

Thinking of this, Qiao Xiaoxi's heart was filled with sympathy and compassion.

Poor parents!

When this mother gave birth, she knew she could not survive herself, but at the last moment of her life, her desire for her child was still so strong.

Qiao Xiaoxi secretly sighed that she must not erase the beautiful wish that her mother made at the end of her life.

"Mother, will you help me?" Li Tianyou raised his little face and looked at Qiao Xiaoxi with a look of attachment, as if he was asking for strength from his sister.

Looking at the loving eyes, Qiao Xiaoxi thought to herself, we only have the help to fly, there is no reason for us to pull the wings!

"Okay! Tianyou wants to be the top scholar, mother will help you. The road to the capital is long and winding, mother will accompany Tianyou!" Qiao Xiaoxi said happily.

Little Tianyou jumped and danced with joy.

"Mother is so kind. Mother, please be Tianyou's mother for the rest of your life, okay?"

Having said that, how can we bear to refuse the prayer of an angel?

Facing Tianyou's eyes as clear as water, Qiao Xiaoxi fell in love with him.

I really want to protect this child throughout his life.

The baby lost his mother as soon as he was born!

This is truly the greatest tragedy in the world, and this tragedy suddenly fell upon the newborn baby.

It’s heartbreaking to think about it. Children who lack maternal love desire it even more.

But even if you are determined to become the top scholar, you still need time and luck.

It was even more difficult to be the top scholar in ancient times.

The old scholar said that the child is very intelligent. How intelligent is he?

In case it doesn't work, we have to take precautions. In case he doesn't get the top spot, the child's little heart will not be hurt!