A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

After taking a bath, Tuantuan was led into the inner room by Liu Yan to be coaxed to sleep. Nie Qianqian was thinking about talking to Gu Xiao about studying at the academy.

Nie Qianqian: "I have something to tell you."

Gu Xiao heard faint sounds of laughter coming from the east room. "Let's talk inside my room."

Nie Qianqian nodded and followed Gu Xiao into his room.

Although Gu Xiao's room was dilapidated, he had kept it clean and tidy. There were very few things in it, and the most conspicuous thing was an oil lamp and books on a worn-out table. It seemed that Gu Xiao was going to continue copying books that night.

Nie Qianqian spoke, glancing at Gu Xiao's expression as she spoke, "It's like this, today when I went to Jishetang, the county magistrate asked if you had any plans to study at the academy, and said he could recommend you to study at Tiande Academy and waive your tuition."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao did not show joy as most people would. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly, and he lowered his eyes.

Nie Qianqian had anticipated his reaction and didn't mince words, "Last time at Tiande Academy, you told Jiang Wenxuan that you didn't want to study at the academy. What was the reason? Was it because of... your hand ailment? Today at Jishetang Clinic, the director said that the clinic will soon invite a successor of a reclusive master healer to provide consultations. Perhaps he can cure this hand ailment."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao's eyes dimmed. After a moment of silence, he replied:

"It's not due to a hand ailment, but rather..."

Gu Xiao paused, carefully choosing his words, "But if my path to the imperial examinations is fraught with difficulties, or if I encounter hidden reefs and dangerous shoals, and I don't want to take this path, then studying at the academy would be meaningless."

Sure enough, it wasn't because of money or a ailment.

A man who wishes to fulfill his life's ambition should diligently study the Six Classics by the window. Nie Qianqian thought that if a man in this era had a talent for reading, he probably wouldn't be unwilling to study.

Moreover, Gu Xiao is described by Jiang Wenxuan as a genius at studying.

Could it be that his family offended someone before he fell on hard times, causing him to feel hopeless about taking the imperial examinations?

The path to the imperial examinations was arduous, but which path was easy?

Nie Qianqian is an optimistic person by nature. She was like this in her previous life and she is like this after transmigrating to another world. No matter what situation she is in, she always strives to move forward.

Nie Qianqian said slowly, "Every year, the number of students embarking on the path of the imperial examination is as numerous as the fish crossing the river. Countless students will fail. Their path to the imperial examination is equally difficult, but they still have to try their best."

Gu Xiao was surprised that Nie Qianqian would say such a thing. He raised his eyes to look at her and said, "My situation is different from yours."

Nie Qianqian: "I know the obstacles you mentioned are different from theirs. Everyone has their own difficulties, and every path has its own obstacles. But we should always look on the bright side. If we keep thinking about the risks, we'll always be stuck in a dead end. But if we look forward to the possibility and hold onto hope, we might be able to succeed. I don't know why you're against studying and taking the imperial examinations, but even if you offend the Emperor himself, who knows, the current emperor might just die in a few days."

Gu Xiao had just thought Nie Qianqian was wise and polite, but when he heard the following sentence, he was first stunned, then he was both amused and exasperated. Only she could say such a rebellious thing.

It's outrageous, but it seems to make some sense...

Gu Xiao's face was stern. "Qianqian, watch your words."

His expression was serious, but there was clearly a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Nie Qianqian pouted, "I know, I'm at home."

"Not even at home..."

"I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore."

The way the two of them bickered like children eased the serious and tense atmosphere that had just been there.

Nie Qianqian: "Actually, whether or not to go to school is your own business. I know you have thought it through carefully, so you can decide for yourself."

After Nie Qianqian finished speaking, she took out the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone she had bought during the day and placed them on the table. "Tuantuan has reached the age where he should be reading and learning to write. No matter what you decide, he must be educated and learn to be polite. He can't become a little illiterate."

Books are like medicine; reading them well can cure ignorance. Her father, Nie, often told her this when she was young, encouraging her to study medicine and read books simultaneously.

Gu Xiao's slender fingers stroked the Xuan paper that Qianqian had brought. "Naturally, I will begin teaching Tuantuan to recognize characters and read every evening from now on."

Nie Qianqian looked at his long, slender, and fair fingers with distinct knuckles, and thought to herself with a hint of jealousy: It's too much for a man to have such beautiful hands! Humph!

She forced herself to look away, and seeing that she had said everything she needed to say, she yawned, feeling sleepy. "Then I'll go to sleep. You should get some rest too. Let me know when you've made a decision, and I need to give the magistrate a reply in three days."

As Nie Qianqian turned to leave after saying that, the dilapidated window in Gu Xiao's room was suddenly blown open by the wind outside. A cold wind swept in, blowing the Xuan paper on the table into the air and scattering it.

Nie Qianqian and Gu Xiao both reached out to take the scattered Xuan paper, carefully collecting it and placing it back on the table.

Gu Xiao closed the window, stood by it, listened to the howling wind outside, and watched as countless withered leaves were lifted up by the howling wind, forming vortexes.

A storm seemed to be brewing in Gu Xiao's eyes. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes had returned to calm, like the surface of a lake after a storm, without waves or ripples, yet incredibly deep.

He turned around and called to Nie Qianqian, who was about to leave. Gazing into her eyes, he said in a deep, clear voice, "Qianqian, I've decided to go to the academy."

Nie Qianqian was surprised, her eyes widening. "You've made up your mind so quickly?"

Gu Xiao stared at her intently, his voice firm, "Yes."

He has been missing for six years, concealing his identity and whereabouts, and his appearance has changed drastically. To those people, he is already a man whose bones are about to dissipate.

Perhaps it's time to return to this familiar place with a new identity.

Nie Qianqian is right about one thing: every path has its own obstacles.

The path of taking the imperial examination was also the path back to the capital, so it was not impossible.

Nie Qianqian smiled, her smile reaching her eyes, "Alright, I will inform the magistrate tomorrow."

She didn't really care whether Gu Xiao could achieve any academic success; what she saw in Gu Xiao's eyes was the rekindling of his hope for life.

That's good. A family should work together, live happily, and enjoy life.

After Nie Qianqian left, Gu Xiao sat quietly at the table.

After an unknown amount of time, he picked up the brush on the table and slowly wrote a few words on the rice paper.

"Riding the wind, seizing the opportunity."

The wind...is coming...