Clearly, the grandson is wise and appears simple, a rare gem of talent, yet Charles Foster turns a blind eye. Clearly, the younger son is a good-for-nothing, but he treats him like a precious pearl.

He wrote a pile of nonsensical articles and even wants to be the successor of John Foster. No matter how many times John Foster is demoted, he would never fall so low.

At this moment, John Foster suddenly faintly heard Nathan Foster calling him.

He turned around and saw Nathan Foster running toward him from behind, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

John Foster stopped in his tracks, feeling curious—what did this child want to show him?

A moment later, Nathan Foster came running, panting, and handed the paper to John Foster. “This is a poem I wrote, Granduncle, please give me your guidance!”

Looking at his rosy little face, John Foster felt a surge of affection. He bent down and patted Nathan Foster’s little head.

“All right, I will definitely read it carefully!”

After thinking for a moment, John Foster took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to him.

“There is a library in the main hall of the Fan family in town. With this jade pendant, you can enter.”

Nathan Foster accepted the jade pendant and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Granduncle, for your support!”

John Foster smiled and patted his head. “Work hard. Next time I come, write a few more poems for me to see.”

“I will do my best!”

After a pause, Nathan Foster grinned and said, “Maybe this poem can help lift your spirits, Granduncle.”

With that, he dashed off and disappeared.

……

John Foster walked slowly along the riverside, reading the poem Nathan Foster had written for him as he went:

“Recalling Prince Sun · Farewell at Taihu Lake”

Climbing the mountain and facing the water to see you off as you return,

No sorrow is greater than the sorrow of parting in life.

No need to lament the setting sun from atop the heights,

Those of the past are gone, only the wild geese return each autumn.

John Foster’s eyes lit up. This was a very interesting poem composed of lines from ancient poets. Although each line was a quotation, when put together, it created a new meaning.

To be able to naturally link together lines from the ancients—this is something only someone with great talent can do. This child is truly a rare prodigy!

Never mind where he read these lines, the farewell poem itself expresses his reluctance to part and his hope for guidance.

What a wonderful child, and yet I left just because I was dissatisfied with his grandfather.

At this moment, John Foster thought of Nathan Foster’s pure gaze, of the boundless energy hidden in his rosy smile, and his own heart was filled with vitality.

……

In the room, Mary Bolton was still complaining to her husband.

“It’s rare that Third Uncle likes Nancy, and you still won’t let him help. How could it be so easy to get into the Yanying Academy?”

Thomas Foster was repairing a hoe, responding to his wife’s complaints in a muffled voice.

“We’ll rely on our own abilities to take the exam. If he really can’t get in, he can go to the government school in town. No matter where he goes, I believe our son is the brightest pearl.”

Mary Bolton sighed. “I also hope Nancy can make us proud, so your father can see how he mistook a pearl for a pebble!”

Just then, a cough sounded from outside.

Thomas Foster hurried out of the house and saw that it was Third Uncle standing in the courtyard.

Thomas Foster scratched the back of his head. “Is there something else, Third Uncle?”

John Foster smiled slightly. “I just forgot to ask—tomorrow I need to go to the capital. I wonder if Nancy would be willing to leave home for a month?”

Chapter 3: Mooring at Maple Bridge by Night

The next day, before dawn, John Foster’s passenger boat was already docked at the small village pier. Mother Mary Bolton dressed Nathan Foster in new clothes usually reserved for the New Year, giving him countless reminders.

Thomas Foster remained silent.

Though he was also reluctant in his heart, his son was already eight years old. To be able to go to the capital with Granduncle from the main family was a rare opportunity, one that most people could only dream of.

Nathan Foster bowed deeply to his parents and boarded the boat. John Foster came out and said with a smile, “Don’t worry! At most a month and a half, and I’ll bring Nancy back safe and sound.”

“Then I’ll leave him in your care, Third Uncle!”

John Foster nodded, gestured to the boatman, and the passenger boat set off, swaying gently into the morning mist.

Mary Bolton watched her son’s figure disappear into the milky morning fog, her eyes gradually turning red.

Thomas Foster said softly, “We can’t tell anyone about this. It won’t do Nancy any good. If anyone asks, just say Nancy went to visit relatives.”

Mary Bolton nodded. “Not even your father?”

A bitter smile appeared on Thomas Foster’s face. If his father heard about this, he would surely fly into a rage. Better not to say anything.

Thinking of his father’s disdain, he couldn’t help but sigh softly, “Nancy, you must make your father proud!”

……

The passenger boat glided slowly through the clear little river.

Nathan Foster sat by the boat window, carrying a small cloth bag with two changes of clothes and two hundred coins—his only luggage.

Nathan Foster really enjoyed the feeling of sitting on a boat in the early morning. This tranquil time made him feel as if he had returned to his previous life, and memories from that life flowed through his mind like water.

In his previous life, he was an orphan, famous in the orphanage for his extraordinary memory. At the age of eight, he was selected to enter a special school, where a group of children with memories as exceptional as his swam in a sea of knowledge.