Chapter 456: The Dark Moonlight Ex-wife of the Number One Scholar 24
After Han Ziwen and Liu Wenbin said goodbye, they passed by the teahouse again. The storyteller's voice was still loud and passionate.
"Some time ago we talked about Taizu and Taizong. Today, let's discuss our untimely deceased Crown Prince. In truth, our Crown Prince was a natural born general. He led a northern expedition against the Khitan, driving them to the desolate northern desert, preventing them from easily moving south to graze their horses. This ensured years of stability and prosperity on the border..."
The storyteller's description fascinated the tea drinkers present. One of them asked softly, "How did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince die?"
The storyteller sighed deeply, his voice low and filled with sorrow. "Ten years ago, during the Battle of Mobei, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince led a hundred thousand soldiers and returned victorious. However, he contracted the plague on his way back. Not wanting the plague to spread, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince chose to be cremated, sacrificing himself to save the people."
The tea drinkers couldn't help but sigh. "God is jealous of talent! If the Crown Prince were still alive, perhaps we would have unified the Central Plains long ago, and the country would be peaceful and prosperous..."
When Han Ziwen heard this, a trace of contemplation flashed in his eyes. He held his book and walked towards home.
Yue Hongying was still cooking in the kitchen. When she saw Han Ziwen come back, she said, "You're back. Have you settled the academy affairs?"
Han Ziwen nodded and said, "I will go to Mingde Academy to study starting tomorrow."
Yue Hongying's voice was filled with joy. "Grandma Zhao's grandson next door also studies there. She said that although Mingde is not as big as other academies, the teachers there are very responsible."
Han Ziwen nodded and said, "I have accepted the dean as my teacher. In the future, mother, please remember to prepare some gifts for me during festivals to show my respect."
Shen Xinran sat on a small stool, busy picking vegetables with his hands, his eyes curved, "Brother Ziwen is really amazing to be the dean's disciple."
She knew that the dean of Mingde Academy was named Liu Wenbin.
Although he is only the dean of a college now, two years later, when the emperor is seriously ill, he will be summoned back to Beijing to take over the position of Minister of Personnel.
Liu Wenbin will become Han Ziwen's first connection in the court and a powerful backer in his future career.
…
By carefully observing and imitating the guards' daily behavior, Kou Wei pretended to be a guard and successfully deceived the inspection at the city gate.
Under the cover of night, he quietly escaped from the heavily guarded provincial capital and headed north along the rugged mountain road.
Kou Wei knew that once he was discovered, he would face endless pursuit and danger. Therefore, he traveled day and night without stopping.
When he returned to the capital, he was already in rags, looking no different from a beggar on the street. But he had no time to rest, and went straight to a mansion.
He knocked on the gate of the mansion, and soon a servant came to open the door. He followed the servant through the winding corridor, along the quiet hallway, and entered a room.
The room is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, giving people a sense of tranquility and solemnity.
An old man was sitting at a desk, writing intently. His pen strokes were steady, and every word revealed his profound knowledge and experience.
When he saw Kou Wei, he was stunned for a moment, "Your beard?"
Kou Wei touched his bald chin and smiled. "We'll talk about this later. I've already investigated and found out that the plague wasn't a natural disaster, but man-made. The first place the plague appeared was Mobei, and someone used caravans to bring the sick to Yucheng..."
The old man put down his pen, frowning, "Do you have any evidence?"
Kou Wei took off his shoes, took out the letter hidden in the insoles, and handed it to the old man. "Everyone in that caravan died, without exception, but I found this letter."
For a moment, the room was filled with a sour and foul smell, like a rotten fish that had been rotting for half a year.
The old man took the letter, glanced quickly at the letter paper, and then shook his head, "This is far from enough."
He looked at Kou Wei, and after a long silence, he said, "You should go take a shower first!"
Kou Wei smiled heartlessly and said, "Okay."
Kou Wei washed up and left, but just as he left the house he heard the sound of gongs and drums. He asked the servant, "What day is it today?"
The servant replied, "My Lord, the results of the Spring Examination will be announced today."
Kou Wei nodded, and without thinking much, he walked towards his mansion.
At this moment in the inn, some people were happy and some were sad.
Those students who passed the imperial examinations were naturally beaming with joy, but Lin Zhi was one of those who were frowning.
Even after the exam, he had a vague feeling that he might fail, but he didn't expect that he actually failed.
A student who was traveling with Lin Zhi came over, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him: "It's okay, at worst we can fight again in three years."
Lin Zhi just smiled stiffly and said nothing. He thought to himself: You have already won, of course you can say that.
Another person came over and said with a smile, "Let's go to Zuiyuelou for dinner tonight. It's my treat."
"Okay." The winners nodded repeatedly, and someone else said, "I'll treat you tomorrow at noon."
Lin Zhi took a deep breath and shook his head. "You guys eat. I'll be back home soon."
Lin Zhi returned to the room, quickly packed up his things, and set off on his journey home.
Along the way, he felt depressed and heavy, as if all his ambitions and expectations had been ruthlessly shattered by reality.
After a month-long journey, he finally returned to the provincial capital, but unexpectedly saw Han Ziwen on the street, picking something up at a roadside stall.
Lin Zhi's mood finally improved a little. At the very least, he was a juren, while Han Ziwen was still only a scholar.
He walked forward and asked, "Brother Ziwen, why are you here?"
Han Ziwen was just passing by, but he accidentally saw a jade hairpin and felt that it was a good match for Shen Xinran.
The stall owner kept recommending it to him: "This is a new arrival. If you like it, just take it. It's a great gift for your sister or your wife."
While paying the bill, Han Ziwen smiled at Lin Zhiqian: "I came here to study."
Lin Zhi asked curiously, "Which academy are you in?"
Han Ziwen replied briefly: "Mingde Academy."
Lin Zhi frowned. "That academy is small, and the teachers are average. Why don't you go to a bigger academy? Are you not qualified enough? Do you want me to recommend you?"
As a student, how could Lin Zhi have the qualifications to recommend others? He said this to show off.
Han Ziwen just waved his hand and said with a smile: "No need, I'm fine here."
Lin Zhi nodded, "Okay then, tell me if you need anything."
After Han Ziwen returned home, he took out the hairpin from his arms and handed it to Shen Xinran.
Shen Xinran was a little surprised, "Why did you suddenly think of buying something for me?"
Han Ziwen said casually, "It looked nice, so I bought it."
Shen Xinran glanced at the jade hairpin in her hand. It was actually quite beautiful. The magnolia flower on the top was carved lifelike, subtle and elegant.
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