Chapter 477: The Dark Moonlight Ex-wife of the Number One Scholar 45
The bell for the end of court echoed in the ancient imperial city, and ministers walked out of the Golden Palace one after another and dispersed.
Kou Wei walked quickly out of the crowd, walked to Han Ziwen, put his arm around his shoulder affectionately, and said with a smile, "Master Han, congratulations, you are now the youngest minister."
Han Ziwen was dressed in court robes, his expression indifferent, "General Kou, thank you for your praise."
Kou Wei didn't seem to mind Han Ziwen's indifference and even smiled at him. "We've known each other for so long, why are you still calling me General Kou? Just call me Uncle Kou."
Han Ziwen remained unmoved, "General Kou, just tell me what you want to say!"
Kou Wei grinned, "Your mother was a little unwell some time ago, I just wanted to ask if she is feeling better now?"
Han Ziwen stopped and looked directly into Kou Wei's eyes, frowning slightly. "General Kou, it's not gentlemanly to casually pry into other people's family affairs."
Kou Wei scratched his head and said, "I'm just concerned about your mother."
Han Ziwen wore a polite smile on his face. "Thank you for your kindness, Commander Kou. My mother is in good health, so I won't bother you with any more worries."
Kou Wei awkwardly changed the subject, "How about this, I'll buy you a drink to celebrate your promotion."
Han Ziwen shook his head gently, "No, there are people waiting for me at home."
After saying this, he walked out of the palace wall with steady steps.
Kou Wei looked at Han Ziwen's back, snorted coldly, and muttered in a low voice: "Isn't it just bullying me because I don't have a wife at home?"
…
In the autumn capital, leaves are falling and the air is filled with a faint scent of books.
As the time for the Autumn Examination approaches, more and more scholars from all over the country come to the city. They have dreams and hope to become famous in this imperial examination.
Inside the largest restaurant in the capital, in a luxuriously decorated private room, the lights are brilliant and the magnificent decorations reflect an aristocratic atmosphere.
A group of men in gorgeous clothes were sitting around a large round table, which was filled with all kinds of exquisite dishes and fine wines. They were chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was warm.
Although they also had to take the imperial examination, they did not have the tension and anxiety of ordinary scholars. To them, the imperial examination was more like a game.
A man in blue stood up and said with a hint of boasting, "I just got the exam papers for this year's Autumn Examination. Who wants them? I'll pay ten thousand taels of silver."
Someone half-jokingly said, "Where did you get the test questions? Don't tell me you're trying to trick us!"
The man in blue waved the test paper in his hand and said confidently, "I stole this from the Ministry of Rites myself. Asking you for 10,000 taels of silver isn't too much, is it?"
What he didn't notice was that as he finished saying this, a figure flashed past the window and hurried away.
The men looked at each other, put down their glasses, and said to the man in blue with a smile: "Give me one, then."
The man in blue stretched out his hand and said, "Hand over the money in one hand and the test paper in the other."
Just as the man in blue was indulging in collecting the banknotes, the door of the private room was suddenly slammed open, and a group of people in official uniforms filed in, looking aggressive.
The originally lively atmosphere in the private room froze in an instant. The men in fancy clothes panicked and rushed to the door, trying to escape the scene.
But the officers and soldiers had surrounded the entire restaurant and easily caught the men who tried to escape.
The leading officer looked at Han Ziwen and said respectfully, "Minister Han, there is suspected imperial examination cheating here. Please give us your instructions."
When the man in blue heard the words "Little Han Shilang", a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. He eagerly said to Han Ziwen: "Do you know who I am?"
Han Ziwen's lips curled up into a cold smile, "Who you are has nothing to do with me. I only know that you are selling imperial examination questions."
Many scholars had gathered in the restaurant. They formed a circle and expressed their anger and dissatisfaction.
"He's selling test questions, which is unfair to us!"
"Yes, they must all be arrested to serve as a warning to others,"
"Yes, they must be arrested and the imperial examination system must be cleared of all charges!"
The man in blue turned pale as paper in an instant. He staggered to Han Ziwen's side and said in a low voice, "My name is Han Wangfei. I know you are my father's illegitimate son."
Han Wangfei knew this secret because he had overheard the conversation between Han Yunshan and Wang Baiwei by chance.
There was no trace of emotion in Han Ziwen's eyes. "If that's the case, then I must take you away."
After saying this, he ordered the officers and soldiers, "Take away all those suspected of fraud and interrogate them strictly!"
The officers and soldiers immediately stepped forward and pinned down Han Wangfei and the men in Chinese clothes.
Han Wangfei's eyes widened. He struggled and yelled at the top of his lungs, "You...just wait! My father won't let you go!"
Han Ziwen ignored Han Wangfei's threat. He turned and left, even with a smile on his face.
…
At noon that day, Han Ziwen had a big appetite and quickly finished two bowls of rice. He even started eating the third bowl.
Shen Xinran glanced at Han Ziwen. Normally, he would only eat until he was 70% to 80% full and rarely had a second bowl of rice. This was the first time he had a third bowl like today.
So, she tentatively picked up a piece of shredded ginger for Han Ziwen and said to him with a smile, "Eat more."
Han Ziwen usually hated eating shredded ginger, but today he not only ate it, but also smiled and said "thank you" to her.
This made Shen Xinran more certain that Han Ziwen was not right today. After finishing her meal and returning to the room, she asked Han Ziwen, "What's wrong with you today?"
Han Ziwen looked confused, "Nothing."
Shen Xinran shook his head, "But I think there's something wrong with you today."
Han Ziwen smiled and said, "Today, the person who was caught cheating in the imperial examination was Han Wangfei."
Shen Xinran was stunned for a moment, "Who is Han Wangfei?"
Han Ziwen took a deep breath and slowly replied, "He's my half-brother."
Shen Xinran then realized that Han Wangfei was the son of Han Yunshan and Wang Baiwei.
If they knew that their son was taken away by Han Ziwen, whom they looked down upon, they would definitely be furious.
Thinking of this, Shen Xinran couldn't help but feel happy.
Han Ziwen said in a low voice, "You may not know this yet, but I'm known as Minister Han in the court. The Minister Han is my biological father. He abandoned his wife and children and married the Privy Councilor's sister. The wound on my back was caused by them. They also had my legs broken."
This was the first time Han Ziwen mentioned Han Yunshan in front of Shen Xinran, which made Shen Xinran's heart suddenly feel a little sour. She stepped forward, hugged Han Ziwen's waist, and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, you still have me. I've calculated for you. Those who hurt you will not have a good ending. But your future is bright and full of hope."
Han Ziwen hugged Shen Xinran tightly, as if only this could dispel the haze in his heart.
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