Where Did You Come From, Female Ghost?

Unfortunately, the group searched for a long time but couldn't find it.

The main problem is that this place is too remote, and the trees completely block the entrance to this secluded courtyard.

Those people are nowhere to be found, no matter how hard they try.

After eating and drinking her fill, Zhou Wanwan read a book for a while, practiced some boxing, and then went back to her room to sleep.

The Crown Prince frowned and said, "Other families have experienced similar situations before. Have you invited someone back with you?"

Old Madam Cui frowned and said, "No! Such a thing has never happened before."

Old Madam Cui truly knew nothing about this matter; it was done by the eldest and second masters of the Cui Family Cui Family.

The Cui Family couldn't go around saying they had imprisoned a child in their home.

They simply felt that Zhou Wanwan's medical skills were exceptional, and since the second master of the Cui Family was about to get married, his health needed to be properly prepared for the wedding.

That's why Uncle Cui Family invited Zhou Wanwan to the Cui Family.

Moreover, this matter is rather unpleasant to hear; they also plan to kill Zhou Wanwan once she has cured Second Master Cui's illness.

Who knew this child would be so ungrateful?

One meal left the Cui Family feeling utterly depressed.

When Mr. Cui Family returned, he saw Old Madam Cui with tears streaming down her face.

"Oh dear! My yard was full of all sorts of antiques and priceless treasures, and now they're all gone."

"Eldest brother, second brother, you two need to think of a solution quickly."

Old Master Cui Family shook his head and said:

"We've already searched. It's broad daylight, and suddenly the yard just vanished. No ordinary person could do that."

"Mom, you didn't offend anyone outside, did you?"

The old lady of the Cui Family shook her head and said:

"Who did I offend? I haven't been going out much lately. I've just been staying home playing mahjong and tending to my plants since I have nothing to do."

"Have you offended someone?"

The eldest son of the Cui Family shook his head and said, "I'm at the yamen every day, how could I have time to offend people?"

The second son of the Cui Family nodded and said, "Mother, I'm not in good health. I stay home to recuperate every day and rarely go out."

Old Madam Cui sighed and said:

"That's true, none of you are likely to cause trouble."

That Cui Wenyuan is even less likely to cause trouble; he can't stir up any waves in the side courtyard.

Cui Wenyuan was the third master of the Cui Family, and also a son born Cui Family.

Zhou Wanwan slept soundly, but in the morning, she heard the sound of reading coming from next door.

The reading voice was so loud that it could be heard clearly even through the wall.

Zhou Wanwan grumpiness kicked in. She climbed over the wall and looked down at Cui Wenyuan, saying, "Bookworm, can you keep your voice down? At least consider me! I need to sleep!"

Cui Wenyuan shouted loudly, "Ah! A ghost! Where did you come from, female ghost?"

Zhou Wanwan sighed and said, "I'm a person, okay? I'm your neighbor now."

Cui Wenyuan patted his chest and said:

"You scared me to death! I'm so sorry, I thought it was a female ghost!"

The main reason is that this is a secluded courtyard, and very few people come here.

Zhou Wanwan looked at his tattered clothes and said, "You're a concubine's son of the Cui Family? You're living in such a sorry state!"

Cui Wenyuan said calmly, "I'm used to it. They'll do anything to prevent me from studying and from achieving anything."

Zhou Wanwan looked at him curiously and said, "Why is the Cui Family treating you like this? Isn't your success a good thing for the Cui Family?"

Cui Wenyuan said:

"What's a good thing for other families is not a good thing for our family."

My mother was a concubine, and I am an illegitimate child; this is a disgrace to the Cui Family.

Moreover, they beat my mother to death, and I hate them to the core.

So they all want me dead, but I refuse to die. It's just a small courtyard, isn't it? I think I'm perfectly fine here."

Zhou Wanwan looked at the small courtyard, which was filled with all kinds of vegetables.

She nodded and said, "Pretty good. How old are you?"

Cui Wenyuan said, "He's 13 years old."

Zhou Wanwan looked at the worn-out book in his hand and asked, "Have you already studied the Four Books and Five Classics?"

Cui Wenyuan nodded and said:

"I've learned it. There's a dog hole over there, and sometimes I sneak out."

Then I went to the Cui Clan Ancestral Hall, where there were teachers who taught there, and I followed them to learn.

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "Not bad, let me test you."

Zhou Wanwan tested Cui Wenyuan for a bit, then nodded and said:

"That's really impressive. To learn so well from eavesdropping, you're quite talented."

However, you have indeed read too few books, and there are still many shortcomings.

Zhou Wanwan pointed out a few shortcomings, and Cui Wenyuan immediately knelt down and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master! This disciple will remember it."

Zhou Wanwan's lips twitched as she said, "I'm only 6 years old, and you're calling me master? That's not appropriate, is it?"

There's nothing wrong with it. Even though you're 6 years old, you know much more than I do.

No one has ever been willing to teach me like you have.

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "This can't really be called teaching! It was just something I did on the spur of the moment."

Zhou Wanwan went back and got a few books, saying, "These books are pretty good, you can take them and read them!"

"Master, thank you! I will definitely watch it carefully."

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "I'll be staying here for the next while. Feel free to ask me anything."

"Thank you, Master. I've grown some vegetables, and they're quite good. Would you like to try some?" Cui Wenyuan said with a smile.

He quickly picked some lettuce, a cabbage, and some radishes and delivered them to Zhou Wanwan.

Zhou Wanwan opened the door and said, "Then come in and sit for a while!"

Cui Wenyuan walked into Zhou Wanwan's courtyard and was completely dumbfounded.

In Zhou Wanwan's small courtyard, she grew many vegetables, which were lush and green.

Zhou Wanwan said, "What kind of vegetables do you want to eat? You can pick some yourself."

Cui Wenyuan said awkwardly:

"No need. I came here to formally become your disciple. Master, please accept my bow."

I know I'm poor, but I will work hard, I will work hard to earn money, and I will also work hard to learn new skills.

If I pass the imperial examination, all my money will be yours.

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "Give me all the money?"

"Yes, I can have it written down."

Zhou Wanwan took out a contract of servitude and said, "If you sign this, I'll take you as my apprentice."

Cui Wenyuan looked at the contract of servitude and signed it without the slightest hesitation.

He took out some silver from his pocket and said, "Master, this is the silver I've saved over the years. It's not much, but it's still ten taels."

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "How do you save money in this dilapidated courtyard?"

Cui Wenyuan smiled sheepishly and said, "My mother used to be an embroiderer in the mansion. She taught me embroidery, and I've made a living here all these years by doing embroidery."

Zhou Wanwan returned the ten taels of silver to him, saying:

"Now that you're my apprentice, you can keep this silver!"

I don't need your money. Come with me to the study and pick out some books!

There are also writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Oh, Cui Family even has its own private school?

"Yes, if you want to go, that's fine too. The private school has both boys and girls."

Zhou Wanwan seemed quite interested. "Are boys and girls in separate classes?"

"Yes, the boys and girls are separated."

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "That's fine. We can audit the clan school tomorrow, and I'll take you with me."

"Huh? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Zhou Wanwan frowned and said, "What's inappropriate about it? I mainly want to find out about the Cui Clan and see what Cui Family really like."

Cui Wenyuan nodded and said, "The teacher hired by the Cui Clan school is a great Confucian scholar named Xie Guangyuan. He is very knowledgeable and upright."

The Old Ancestor beside him said, "Xie Guangyuan? The greatest Confucian scholar in the Great Qi Kingdom, I never expected him to be in the Cui Family. It's truly a waste of his talent."

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "It is indeed a waste of his talent. If we could invite Xie Guangyuan to our Yan Mountain Academy, things would be different."