Chapter 433: The No.1 Scholar’s Dark Moonlight Ex-wife 01
In the early morning, the sky was filled with mist, and the first ray of sunlight shone through the sparse clouds, gently falling on this peaceful land.
There is a small courtyard on the east side of the village, surrounded by a low fence. The fence is covered with lush green vines and colorful flowers, swaying gently in the wind.
In the middle of the yard is a simple thatched house with a roof covered with thick straw and walls made of yellow mud and stones.
An old hen was foraging leisurely in the yard with a group of chicks, occasionally making a "cluck" sound.
The yellow dog lay lazily under the eaves, half-closing his eyes, enjoying the tranquility of the early morning.
On one side of the courtyard is a small vegetable garden where seasonal vegetables are grown, and crystal dewdrops hang on the green leaves.
A village woman walked out of the kitchen. She was dressed simply and had a pretty face. Time had left light traces on her face, but it also added a bit of mature charm.
She cleared her throat and called out in the yard in her gentle, country-accented voice, "Ziwen, Xiaoxi, come out for dinner."
In the room, a young woman was awakened by the sound. She slowly opened her eyes, revealing a pair of clear and confused eyes.
Her long hair, like a waterfall, was casually draped over her shoulders, looking a little messy, but it added a touch of lazy beauty.
"Okay, I'll be right out." The woman's voice was hoarse as if she had just woken up. She sat up in bed and fumbled with her clothes with sleepy eyes.
Half asleep and half awake, she accidentally bumped into the man next to her.
The man frowned, as if his rhythm had been disrupted by the sudden interruption. He quickly put on his coat, got out of bed, and stood steadily by the bed, waiting for the woman to finish.
The woman was none other than Shen Xinran. Her hands paused as she was putting on her clothes, and a trace of silence appeared on her face.
Damn, you bastard!
If you don’t know, you might think she’s got some virus. Why do you dislike her so much?
This little world is quite special. The male protagonist is the man sleeping next to her, named Han Ziwen.
Han Ziwen's mother was named Yue Hongying. She was a female doctor who made a living by collecting herbs. She supported the family with her weak hands and paid for her husband's studies.
Although Han's father was talented, he was cold-hearted. After he became the top scholar in the imperial examination, he ruthlessly abandoned his pregnant wife and married the concubine's daughter of a Privy Council official. From then on, he rose to prominence.
Han Ziwen was raised by Yue Hongying alone. Knowing how difficult his mother's life was, he was determined to stand up for her.
He was gifted and passed the imperial examination at the age of eight, becoming the youngest scholar in the history of the Jinghai Dynasty. He was hailed as a rare genius in a century.
However, fate played tricks on Han Ziwen, and his father's schemes made his path to the imperial examinations full of setbacks. He took the imperial examinations three times in a row, but failed each time.
Shen Xinran is now an orphan named Guo Xi. Her parents both died in the war in the north, and she fled with the refugees to the village where the Han family lives.
Yue Hongying took pity on her and adopted her. The villagers joked that she was the Han family's child bride, but Yue Hongying took it seriously.
Three years ago, Han Ziwen wanted to continue taking the exam after failing it.
Yue Hongying disagreed, so she made a deal with Han Ziwen and asked him to marry Guo Xi, hoping that the stability of marriage would allow him to let go of his obsession and live a peaceful life.
Han Ziwen originally treated Guo Xi as his sister, but in order to continue with the exam, he had no choice but to marry Guo Xi.
After marriage, he always restrained himself and followed the rules of propriety. Although he and Guo Xi had been married for three years, they had never been husband and wife.
Shen Xinran judged from Guo Xi's memory that the male protagonist had mysophobia, and it was quite serious.
The system's voice echoed in Shen Xinran's mind, carrying a hint of warning. "Host, the main system was about to punish you, but I stopped you. You can't be as willful in this small world as you were in the last one."
Shen Xinran was stunned when she heard the system's voice. "Anyway, the plot of every small world will eventually collapse. Why can't I try to save the hero?"
The system's voice sounded somewhat helpless. "Every time a small world's plot collapses, the main system will conduct a rigorous review to determine the cause. If the main system ultimately determines that the collapse was caused by your willful behavior, then you must be punished accordingly."
Shen Xinran's brows furrowed slightly. She could sense the system's worry, but at the same time, a sense of unwillingness to admit defeat surged within her. "What will happen to me then?"
System: "Your soul is in the hands of the main system. If you act recklessly, the main system can directly erase your soul."
Shen Xinran nodded and secretly swore in her heart that this time, she must work hard to complete the task and ensure that the plot can develop smoothly.
The early morning sunlight shines through the sparse bamboo curtains and onto the simple but warm farmyard.
On the wooden dining table stood a large celadon bowl filled with warm white porridge. A few plump rice grains floated on the surface of the porridge, giving off a faint rice aroma.
Next to it was a plate of home-preserved vegetables, cut into long, thin strips, bright in color and salty and fragrant in the mouth, and a basket of steaming buns, freshly steamed.
Yue Hongying's eyes inadvertently fell on Han Ziwen, with a hint of anticipation and concern, "This year's results should be out soon!"
Han Ziwen sat upright, swallowing the porridge in his mouth slowly. He said in a deep and powerful voice, "The results will be announced today."
Yue Hongying paused for breath, an expression of uncontrollable joy emerging on her face. She asked in a trembling voice, "Do you want me to go with you to see it?"
Han Ziwen shook his head and said, "No need, I can go by myself."
A trace of worry flashed across Yue Hongying's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle smile. "Then be careful on the road."
Han Ziwen left after breakfast, and Shen Xinran was responsible for washing the dishes.
Yue Hongying watched Han Ziwen's back gradually disappearing into the distance, her heart filled with complex emotions, both anticipation and worry.
…
A large group of young talents dressed as scholars gathered in front of the county bulletin board, their faces full of anxiety and expectation.
A scholar wearing an old-fashioned square scarf couldn't help but ask, "Why hasn't this year's list been announced yet?"
"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious, the time hasn't come yet." Someone next to him comforted him, even though he himself looked anxious.
"I heard that the competition this year is particularly fierce. I wonder if I made the list." A scholar muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously stroking the paper fan in his hand, looking a little uneasy.
Another scholar in a white shirt took over the conversation, "Yes, this year's questions are particularly difficult. I don't know if my essay will be acceptable to the examiners."
Just then, a steady stream of footsteps came from the back of the crowd, breaking the clamor. "Make way, everyone!"
A team of officers and soldiers walked slowly and in unison. The list in their hands was covered with a layer of red silk, making them look solemn and mysterious.
The crowd spontaneously made way for a passage, and countless pairs of eyes were focused on the list that was about to be announced.
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