Após os filhos dos méritos militares serem ordenados pelo imperador para realizarem os exames imperiais e entrarem em serviço
Como bastardo de uma família de clãs de exames imperiais, Cui Xiu era excepcionalmente talentoso e aos dez anos já se tornava um jovem tri-elemento, mas foi pressionado pela união do pai e da madrasta
“Wretched child, how dare you wrap the words of sages around indecent tales, bringing shame to the name of our Cui family!”
“A mere title at ten years old, nothing more. My Cui family has produced talents for a hundred years through the imperial examinations; who else is so arrogant and self-satisfied? Bright in youth, unimpressive in maturity!”
“Who dares to persuade me further? Bring out the family rod, today I will surely punish this unfilial son!”
...
Each reproachful word gathered, becoming the sharpest blade, stabbing directly at Cui Xiu’s heart—“Xiu, there is a nobleman, ears adorned with jade, do you understand? You are but an ornament to a gentleman!”
In that instant, Cui Xiu felt his heart ground to shreds by a blunt knife, pain curling him into himself.
Gifted as he was, Cui Xiu had always worked diligently, studying day and night, hoping to win his grandfather’s favor so his branch of the family might suffer less. Who could have foreseen that, after risking everything to earn the triple honors at so young an age and finally gaining his grandfather’s praise, he would instead be slandered by his own brother and mercilessly beaten by his father…
Lost in the agony of these memories, Cui Xiu, curled up with his arms wrapped around his knees in a natural defensive pose, startled Nanny Yu, who was embroidering beside him. She hurried to comfort him, gently coaxing, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Young Master Xiu, nightmares are nothing to fear. Your grandfather is Lord Rong, Cui Zhen, the God of War—mere demons and monst