Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 76: The prestige at the top of the table must be earned by oneself.

The next day, at the entrance of Fu An Inn.

A few sparrows chirped noisily under the eaves, and wisps of white steam rose from the bun shop at the mouth of the alley.

Su Shan and Su Yang had changed into the new cotton clothes Su Ming had specially bought for them yesterday. Though the material was ordinary, the clothes were clean and crisp. However, their bodies, accustomed to years of labor, felt constrained by the new garments, making them thoroughly uncomfortable.

Su Ming held two large bundles in his hands, passing them to his father and second brother.

"Father, Second Brother, take these back with you."

Su Shan took the bundle; it was surprisingly heavy. He couldn't help but ask, "Third Son, what is this…"

"Nothing of great value." Su Ming smiled, his tone relaxed. "I bought a few lengths of fine cotton cloth for mother and sister-in-law. The weather is turning cool soon; they can make some new clothes. For father, I got two jugs of strong liquor from the town's old, reputable 'Liu's Distillery'—it has a mellow taste. For eldest brother, I brought a new pair of kneepads; they'll make his fieldwork more comfortable."

"Third Son, what about your own food, clothing, and expenses here in town…" Su Yang's face was full of worry.

"I am now a student of the County School, and the top scorer at that." Su Ming smiled, trying to keep his tone light. "I'll eat and live at the school. Not only do I not have to pay, I'll receive a monthly stipend. This money is useless for me here; it would only be a burden."

Zhao Dequan stood to the side, watching this scene, his heart filled with countless emotions. He stepped forward and clasped his hands respectfully toward Su Shan. "Brother Su, you can rest easy. Su Ming is now the Literary Star of our Qingshi Town, Director Zhou's disciple. Who would dare neglect him? As for matters in the village, leave them to me. I guarantee everything for Su Ming will be handled properly!"Su Ming nodded to him.

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Zhao."

After seeing the three of them off, the morning breeze brushed his face, carrying a hint of chill.

Zhao Rui walked out of the inn yawning, rubbing his eyes. "Finally gone, so early in the morning. Su Ming, let's hurry to the County School! I need to get my student status confirmed quickly. When I go back to the village later, let's see who dares look down on me!"

Seeing his eager and impatient expression, Su Ming nodded and turned to walk in the direction of the County School.

The Qingshi County School was located in the east of the town. Its vermilion gates were guarded by stone lions, exuding an aura of solemnity and dignity.

On the spirit screen wall at the entrance, the four characters "Literary Brilliance Shoots to the Stars" were carved with vigorous, sweeping strokes. Seeing them made Zhao Rui's heart surge with emotion, and he subconsciously straightened his back.

The two walked through the main gate, crossed a courtyard planted with pine and cypress trees, and saw a room with a plaque reading "Hall of Scholarly Affairs". Several students, like them, had come to complete their enrollment paperwork and were standing somewhat awkwardly in a line outside the door.

The person in charge of registration was an academic supervisor with a goatee, surnamed Qian. His eyelids drooped, and when he looked at people, it always seemed like he was peering through a crack in a door. His face was practically stamped with the words "by the book."

When it was Zhao Rui's turn, he cleared his throat, handed over his exam admission slip and household registration proof, and lifted his chin high.

"I, Zhao Rui, am here to enroll."

Supervisor Qian didn't even lift his eyelids. He took the documents and glanced at them.

"Zhao Rui… thirty-sixth place, lowest grade." His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears nearby. "Dormitory, Room D, the easternmost one. Monthly tuition is two taels of silver. Writing materials to be self-provided. Go pay the fee over there first."

A few stifled, amused glances came from the other students nearby.

Zhao Rui's face flushed bright red instantly, as if he had been publicly slapped.

"I… my uncle's father-in-law is Director Zhou…"

"Even Director Zhou's students must follow the rules." Supervisor Qian cut him off, pushing the documents aside, a hint of impatience in his tone. "Next."

Face burning red, Zhao Rui took his documents and stood to the side, so embarrassed he could practically dig a hole through his soles with his toes.

Su Ming stepped forward and handed over his own documents.

"Su Ming, here to enroll."

His voice was very calm.

Supervisor Qian still wore that lazy expression. He picked up the documents, and when his gaze fell on the two characters "Su Ming," he showed no reaction. But when he saw the annotation "top scorer" written in red ink after the name, his drooping eyelids twitched violently.

holding the brush, stopped in

looked up, looking at someone properly for the

a trace of the arrogance of youthful success on this young man. Instead, he was as

is I." Su

on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by a somewhat

personally retrieved a brand new set

brush, dipped it fully in ink, and began filling out the forms with an almost reverent demeanor.

taels of silver for writing materials to

surrounding students were all

after was like

Supervisor Qian, his heart a turmoil of mixed feelings. He had thought that with his uncle's father-in-law's connections, he

Su Ming, merely with the title of "top scorer," had obtained everything he

This was the difference.

feels pretty good to be this high-profile once in a while. No, no, must

escorted the two

take care. We'll be colleagues from now

had walked quite a distance did Zhao Rui

Su Ming, did you see his

but on what we can bring him, or… what we

was momentarily stunned, not fully

Ming didn't explain further. He was just about to go check out his dormitory first when he looked up

of the towering ancient locust tree, Xu Qing stood holding a somewhat worn book box, reading. He wore a faded blue long gown, his

Su Ming

today. Congratulations." Xu Qing's voice was

that copy

is the person." Xu Qing shook his head. He glanced at Zhao Rui behind Su Ming, nodded

earlier incident, also nodded and wandered off by himself to look at the school rules posted on the

came yesterday." Su Ming lowered his voice. "There's been a problem in the village. The ingredient ratios for the new paper have gone wrong. I'm afraid… we can't make it for

passed through Xu Qing's eyes,

said seriously, "Not being able to make it

Su Ming's heart stirred.

past few days." Xu Qing's voice dropped even lower. "I've heard paper prices in the south are still rising. Quite a few

words confirmed

indeed just

Ming nodded gravely. "Thank you for the warning,

are unnecessary." A faint smile appeared on Xu Qing's face. "You are now Director Zhou's disciple. Your status is different from before. You must be even more careful in your actions. Some people may not dare move against you openly, but

County School's library. If there are any books

"Alright."

Lin Yu's voice held a note of approval. "Charcoal sent in snowy weather is far better than flowers added to brocade. The goodwill he shows you… on our path of 'survival,' a friend like this is more precious

Ming responded in

settled into his dormitory, it was

indeed a separate small courtyard with a stone table, stone stools, and a well inside. The room was divided into inner and outer

went to

a secluded courtyard in the deepest part of the County School. The courtyard had no precious flowers

old servant led Su Ming to the

bent over a huge

he looked up. Seeing it was Su Ming, a gentle smile appeared on his

"You're here? Sit."

pointed to a wooden stool

Ming respectfully bowed. "Your student, Su Ming, pays his respects to Professor

took off his glasses and rubbed the space between his eyebrows.

paused, his

all

knew the

is willing to hear the

the winter slack season, the common people also need to rest and recuperate, repair their farming tools, and prepare for the spring plowing. Once the government issues