The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

Zhang Ping'an had the same guess.

“I think Zhong Xiaobao is a precocious child. There must be a reason for everything. The cause and effect are definitely not as simple as the farmer couple said. But if he really poisoned her, it also shows that this child is decisive and ruthless. He should not be underestimated at such a young age. By the way, has the monk's identity been verified? And what did the farmer couple say about the portrait you brought?”

After eating his fill, he shook his head and said, "Not yet. Every time the monk comes to see the child, he covers his face. Based on the couple's descriptions alone, the portraits drawn are mostly inaccurate. It will take some time to verify them. As for the portrait you asked me to bring, they have the farmer couple acknowledge it, saying it's not the same person."

"Not alone?" Zhang Ping'an couldn't tell whether he felt more relieved or disappointed.

"Yes, they've verified it repeatedly and said it's not the same person. Should we continue investigating the monk's identity?"

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Ping'an shook his head and said, "Forget it, let it be. It's fate. Even if we find that monk, what then? He doesn't even dare to acknowledge the child's identity, so how could he possibly raise him? At most, he'll just give the child away again. No one can guarantee that the next family he meets will be good. If it turns out to be like this farmer couple, it will only be unfortunate and add another shackle and constraint to the child's life. It's better to keep him in my household, at least I can guarantee that he will have no worries about food and clothing."

"What the master says is true," Chi Bao agreed.

Originally destined to become a eunuch in the palace, Zhong Xiaobao suddenly found himself working as a servant in the household of a high-ranking official, without having to sell himself or do much work. For Zhong Xiaobao's fate, this was already an incredible stroke of luck.

"But you need to investigate the poisoning matter again. Tell the stables to keep a closer eye on him. Although I have no grudge against him and have even done him a favor, he probably wouldn't do anything, but it would be reassuring to find out the truth."

Zhang Ping'an asked himself how good he was at judging people. He always felt that although Zhong Xiaobao was a bit cunning, he was not a malicious child.

Later, after he had eaten his fill, his report proved that this was indeed the case; he had not misjudged the person.

After Xiao Hu accidentally learned that Zhong Xiaobao had received an education, he thought that Zhong Xiaobao was still young and had many possibilities for the future.

He then spoke up for Zhong Xiaobao in front of Zhang Ping'an, saying, "Brother Ping'an, Zhong Xiaobao is still young and can't do much work in the stable. Since he's attended a private school before, why don't we let him run errands for Xiaoyuer? He doesn't necessarily have to be a page. Running errands and doing odd jobs is fine too. The kids will get to know each other better as they play. Maybe Xiaoyuer will like him later!"

Zhang Ping'an remained noncommittal about the matter: "We'll have to ask Xiaoyuer's opinion. The two children are still quite young. Although Xiaoyuer has a higher status, if he doesn't like Xiaobao and forces him to stay by his side, Xiaobao might be bullied. That's not what I want to see, and it might not be good for Xiaobao either."

"Why don't we give it a try? How will we know if we don't try?" Xiao Hu tried to persuade him further, as he was well aware of the difference in future prospects between studying and not studying.

Serving the young master and doing odd jobs in the stables are worlds apart.

He didn't know why, he just wanted to help the child.

Otherwise, I would always feel it's a pity that this child is wasting his time.

"You seem to care a lot about this child?" Zhang Ping'an put down his book and raised an eyebrow as he asked.

Xiao Hu scratched his head and laughed, "I just think this kid is smart and I like him. It's a bit of a waste for him to be in the stable. I want to help him. If it doesn't work out after I try, then so be it. That's his fate!"

Zhang Ping'an thought for a moment, smiled helplessly, and spread his hands, saying, "Alright, since you've said that, I'll ask Xiaoyuer at dinner later. Ultimately, it depends on his wishes. Although I'm his father, I won't force him to make arrangements."

"Hey, thank you, Brother Ping An. Xiao Bao is so lucky to have met our family," Xiao Hu said happily, his mouth practically stretched to his ears.

After leaving the study, he went to the stables, intending to instruct Zhong Xiaobao to make an appearance in the dining room later that evening, and to try to win over Xiaoyuer with sweet words so that she could stay and serve him.

It's definitely better than being in the stable.

When Xiao Hu arrived, Zhong Xiaobao was standing on tiptoe, diligently brushing the back of the foal. Only then did a trace of childlike innocence and curiosity appear on his face.

The foal was very docile beside him, its big eyes sparkling.

"Xiao Bao, why are you brushing the pony's back? Where are the others? Shouldn't this be Wang Cai's job?" Xiao Hu thought Zhong Xiao Bao had been bullied, and his tone was a little angry.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaobao regained his composure, straightened up, and replied, "Brother Wangcai went to the outhouse, I'll lend him a hand."

"They just bully you. You're so young, what can you do? Come on, come with me to the backyard to wash up and change your clothes. You'd better behave well tonight."

As he spoke, Xiao Hu stepped forward, took the brush from Zhong Xiaobao's hand, threw it aside, and then took Zhong Xiaobao's hand and walked out.

Zhong Xiaobao didn't ask any questions or struggle, and followed Xiao Hu outside.

Xiao Hu used his treasured scented soap to give Zhong Xiaobao a thorough wash. After Xiaobao's hair dried, he changed him into a set of old clothes that Xiao Yu'er could no longer wear.

"Looking at it this way, it actually looks quite decent. It's true what they say, clothes make the man, and gold makes the Buddha," Xiao Hu said, looking him up and down with satisfaction.

At this moment, Zhong Xiaobao asked, "Uncle Xiaohu, where are we going?"

"Nothing much. After dinner at home tonight, I'll take you to see the young master again and ask him to keep you around to run errands. You shouldn't be so dull anymore. Be more observant and say some nice things to please them. People like sweet-talking kids. You're not bad-looking either. Say a few nice things to make the young master feel good, and he'll definitely keep you. That's much better than brushing horses in the stable," Xiao Hu explained.

He really put a lot of thought into this matter.

Zhong Xiaobao, whether slow to react or not understanding, shook his head slowly after a long while and said calmly, "It's fine if I don't go. I'm fine in the stable."

"Sigh!" Xiao Hu sighed as soon as he heard this, pulled Zhong Xiaobao to sit down next to him, and explained in a serious and earnest manner.

"You're still young and don't understand. You might think it's nothing, but by the time you realize the difference, it will be too late. Life goes by very quickly, so it's better to avoid some detours. Uncle Tiger won't harm you. You'll thank me when you're successful. Of course, if the young master still doesn't like you, there's nothing I can do. That's just your fate. You have to try to know for sure."

"Fate?" Zhong Xiaobao murmured, looking up with some doubt and asking, "My parents always told me not to accept my fate, and they didn't accept their fate either, but they didn't have a good life. Was that their fate too?"

"Uh," Xiao Hu was speechless. After thinking for a moment, he explained based on his understanding: "At least they have the courage to not accept their fate, which is very commendable. But not everyone who doesn't accept their fate will end up doing well. No one can predict what will happen in the future. But at least you are still young, and your chances are definitely greater than theirs. Moreover, you have come to our household. Compared to other children, isn't that a good life?"

"Is that so?" Zhong Xiaobao lowered his head and pondered.

Then he stopped talking.

Xiao Hu patted his head and said nothing more. What could a child understand?