After thinking it over carefully, Nathan Foster suddenly realized that the story he had just told must have affected John Foster's mood.

At this thought, Nathan Foster felt a slight twinge of guilt in his heart.

John Foster smiled faintly and said, “You invited me to your home with such sincerity, probably hoping I would test your talent and learning. Today, I’ll give you that opportunity.”

Nathan Foster's face flushed red—so his little scheme had already been seen through.

Just then, an old, hoarse voice came from the courtyard, “Dalang, why are all the fish you caught this time so small?”

The room instantly fell silent at this voice. Mary Bolton's face darkened, but she couldn’t lose her temper in front of the guest, so she went to the backyard with a look of displeasure.

John Foster chuckled, stood up, and walked toward the courtyard. Nathan Foster, helpless, could only follow behind.

In the courtyard stood a tall, thin old man with graying hair, dark, shiny skin, and a face covered in small pockmarks.

His eyes were quite distinctive—the whites took up most of the space, and his pupils looked like two little black beans stuck onto the whites, more white than black, always carrying a hint of coldness.

This old man was none other than Nathan Foster's grandfather, Charles Foster. At this moment, he was holding a large fish basket in his hand, looking with obvious distaste at the dozen or so strings of fresh fish under the eaves.

At the gate of the courtyard stood another tall, young man, about twenty years old, with a pale face and a slightly thin build. His hands were even whiter and more delicate than a woman's.

His name was George Foster, the youngest uncle of Nathan Foster.

George Foster studied at the county school and was the only xiucai in the Foster family. His father, Charles Foster, pinned all his hopes on him.

At this moment, George Foster was also looking at his eldest brother’s courtyard with the same distaste, as if just stepping into this courtyard would tarnish his status as a xiucai.

However, when he looked toward the house, his eyes were full of eagerness and anticipation.

The famous Mr. Foster had actually come—what a great opportunity this was for him!

At this moment, Thomas Foster ran out from the house in surprise, “Father, why are you here?”

“Are you trying to drive me to my grave?”

Charles Foster glared angrily at his eldest son. “Your fourth brother is about to take the imperial exam, and you don’t even know how to make use of such a good opportunity!”

Thomas Foster was taken aback, not understanding what his father meant.

He quickly took a fish basket from the water jar and handed it to his father with a sincere smile.

“I was lucky on the lake this time and caught more than a dozen mandarin fish, all good ones weighing a pound each, with tender, fatty meat. I saved them especially for you to nourish your health.”

“Just set them aside!” Charles Foster waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly.

At this moment, John Foster came out of the house, smiling slightly. “It’s been years, but second brother, you’re as spirited as ever!”

Charles Foster immediately beamed and pointed to his youngest son behind him.

“With Silang taking care of me at home, my health is quite good. This child is so filial! The teachers in the county all praise his good character.”

John Foster gave a faint smile. “I think Dalang is also very filial.”

Charles Foster glanced at his eldest son with dissatisfaction. “He’s just average! Compared to Silang, he’s far behind.”

At this point, Nathan Foster came out and bowed to his grandfather.

Charles Foster, however, only responded with a cold grunt.

Thomas Foster understood that his father hadn’t seen Nancy for nearly three months and didn’t know that Nancy was now completely different from before.

He quickly explained, “Father, Nancy has changed a lot lately.”

“How much could he have changed? Could he have turned into a prodigy?”

Charles Foster glared fiercely at his eldest son and said to John Foster, “My eldest son has been dull since childhood, and my grandson is even worse. Neither of them is cut out for studying.”

“Second brother, you’re being too modest.”

“I’m not being modest. As for my grandson, you can’t really call him stupid, but he’s slow and dull. At the beginning of the year, I asked him his name, and he didn’t tell me until the next day. Tell me, can a child like that have any future in studying?”

After speaking, Charles Foster let out a long sigh of regret.

John Foster glanced back at Nathan Foster, a bit puzzled.

Nathan Foster, however, just smiled faintly. He’d heard enough of his grandfather’s favoritism to be numb to it.

“Luckily, I have another son who can bring me some pride.”

Charles Foster then beckoned to his youngest son.

George Foster hurriedly trotted forward and gave John Foster a deep bow.

“Student George Foster pays his respects to Xianggong!”

Compared to the respect shown by Thomas Foster and his son, this George Foster set aside family ties and addressed him as Xianggong, revealing his calculating nature.

Although John Foster was displeased, he didn’t show it on his face.

He smiled and asked, “Where do you study, Silang?”

“I study at the county school and am preparing to go to Changzhou in a few days to take the preliminary exam.”

Beside him, Charles Foster quickly added, “My Silang is now a xiucai!”

The xiucai of the Song dynasty was different from that of the Ming and Qing; it wasn’t an official title.

Generally, as long as one was recommended by the county to take the preliminary exam, one could be called a xiucai.

Since he was the only xiucai in the village, Charles Foster was extremely proud and boasted to everyone about how clever his Silang was and how easily he passed the exam.

George Foster seized the opportunity and quickly took out a stack of manuscripts from his book bag to present to John Foster.